"Yer," The girl turned and frowned, probably confused to find him there calling for her. She left her friends and walked towards him. Jungkook shifts from one foot to the other. "I um...I know this is the last thing you'd wanna hear me asking but...have you seen Lisa?"

Yeri smirked and rolled her eyes. Trust me – you're the last person I'd ask as well, but I'm desperate! She stares at him intently, studying his messy hair and swollen eyes – then concern reflected on her face.

"No, I haven't seen her. Are you okay?"

"Oh..." Jungkook's eyes fell to the floor. Another day, another disappointment. "It's okay then –"

"Kook," Yeri held his arm when he turned to leave. "What happened? Are you and Lisa okay?"

Jungkook pulled his hand back, uncomfortable at the touch. "It's...it's okay –"

"Kook, please...talk to me. Maybe I can help,"

He looked at her – trying to gauge her sincerity. Lisa had always wanted him to make amends with the girl and Yugyeom. Maybe she'd come back if she finds out that he's following through her advice? Jungkook takes the leap. He'd do anything to get her back.

...

"I...I couldn't find her since that day. I've been going to her place every day, but she never returned. I asked her neighbour every day – she kept saying the same things. Chaeyoung haven't heard from her as well. She's now mad at me – cus I'm the reason she disappeared. I can't blame Chaeyoung – she misses her friend too. I just...I don't know what to do anymore. I've been going back and forth – from her place...to the places she always went before...to your faculty...I just couldn't find her,"

Jungkook explained as he told the whole story to the girl while they sat at the bench where Lisa always sat after her classes.

"Wow...that's...quite messed up,"

Jungkook quirked an eyebrow – feeling even more shittier than he already is.

"Our exams started last week. But I never saw her sitting in. I'm not sure if she didn't attend or I just didn't notice her. I only have 2 classes with her. If you want, I can ask around and find out about her exam schedules,"

Jungkook sighed and nodded. She couldn't have missed her exams – not when she's worked and studied so hard! She must've attended.

"I'm really sorry Kook...over what happened. She was right," What? What is she talking about? "I didn't know how much she meant to you. I'm sorry for saying all those things about her...she's right, I don't even know her. Where she comes from, what she's dealing with. But what she said to me...it got me thinking. You're always someone I feel like I could trust. I must admit that I got quite jealous when I see you with her. It's like what I did didn't matter to you. It's not like I wanted you to suffer or anything like that – but there was nothing. It's like you didn't care at all of what I did. I was so used to having you around, waiting for me and chasing me around...I took it for granted. I lost a very good friend. But you lost two. I should've been more sensitive. You've been nothing but kind to me and I couldn't do the same. I guess I was angry at myself and I took it out on you and her. I'm really sorry. I hope you can forgive me,"

Jungkook looked up to see Yugyeom walking towards them warily. He's not sure why Yeri's saying all these things only now – but it's good to finally hear her honest confession – one that does not revolve around selfishness and pride.

"I've already forgiven you...both of you. I promised to Lisa I would and I have," He looks down to his knotted fingers. He misses her so much, it's painful to even say her name when she's not by his side!

"Hey," Yugyeom stopped a few feet away, staring at him consciously while fidgeting on his bag strap. Jungkook took a moment to remember his long – and somewhat lost for a period of time – friend. His hair is too long now, the front being tucked behind his ears.

"Hey," Jungkook nodded. He heard the guy sighed before taking a few steps forward.

"Um...can we talk?"

"I – I'll be over at the cafeteria," Yeri stood up immediately and stopped to look down to Jungkook. "Kook, I'll find out what I can. Thanks...for asking me. Maybe after everything is okay with you and Lisa, we can all hang out together?"

Jungkook sighed a smile – hoping that that day will come soon. Yeri smiled back before leaving him and Yugyeom.

"I...I um..." Yugyeom ruffled the back of his hair, no doubt feeling awkward at starting the conversation. Jungkook leans back and gestured him to sit.

"I'm sorry. For taking so long to talk to you," Jungkook started. "You could've told me, you know. I would've been upset, but only for a while -"

"I know! I know, I'm sorry!! I wanted to, it kills me to hide it from you for so long but I just didn't know how to! I know you loved her...what I did...was unforgivable...I can't just -"

"You're like my brother. We did everything together. We grew up together. Do you think I won't ever forgive you?" He has his doubts too but meeting Lisa changed that. Lisa...it's always Lisa...

The pain crept up again. "She was never mine. I can't stop who she wants to be with, I told you this before when you kept asking me why I haven't sealed it with her. What I felt that morning...it was more of the betrayal that came from you. I couldn't have seen it coming. I trusted you - I looked up to you,"

Jungkook looks up to the guy beside him. Yugyeom wiped his face and he saw the remaining waterworks on his face. 

"Are you um...do you think there's any way we can be brothers again?" Yugyeom's voice shakes as he asked.

Jungkook took a deep breath. Lisa's face came into mind. She would've put a palm on his cheek, asking him to consider making peace with himself and his friends. She would give her warmest and kindest smile. She would tell him that it's enough, that his heart is better now that it's for her. 

"Yes...of course we can," But she's not here...as much as his heart longs for her. Jungkook hangs his head down, closing his eyes as they reach the ground. He felt Yugyeom's hand behind his neck and the mutters of 'I'm sorry', and he can't help the tears under these shut eyes.

...

A month has gone, but it felt like a year. And while everyone is congratulating him for finishing his finals, Jungkook felt drained. He couldn't even focus on his exams and frankly speaking – he didn't even care about it. It's not that it didn't matter, it's just that his thoughts were always drifted with memories of her, laced with longing in his heart and making Jungkook feel like howling at the moon for missing her so much. He had spent countless nights in tears when wasn't able to hold it in anymore. The pain is as real as it gets.

He hadn't given up yet. He would sit at her doorstep every night – from 8 till 12 midnight, in case she'd ever come back. Some nights, her old neighbour would come out and talk to him – asking him on his studies, family and about himself. Won halmeoni would sometimes talk about her kids as well. But most of their conversation would always somehow ended up being about Lisa. He would often go back with a heavy heart – somehow blaming himself for losing her this way.

Chaeyoung's still not speaking to him – although she's always at his house with Jimin. Everything seems grey now. He's so tired. His mind is constantly driving him back to Lisa's face. Her smile, her shy and blushing cheeks, her confident gaze, her perfect lips and those eyes...down to her perfect body and her perfect, perfect long legs that he adores so much! Jungkook's eyes welled up again and he rests his head on the back of his bed frame.

"Kook...please come out," A knock and Jimin's voice appeared from behind his locked door. "You haven't come out for two days – you have to –"

There are muffling sounds, and someone tried opening the door before knocking it harshly. "Kook! Come out now – I need to talk to you!" Taehyung's shouting but Jungkook didn't move. Just leave me the fuck alone!

"Tell him – say something!"

"Kook-ah," Is that...Jisoo? Whatever... "I need to tell you something...it's about Lisa,"

Jungkook's heavy sobs dies down instantly and he rushes to the door, opening it without even caring on the fact that his face is stained with tears. Please tell me she's okay!

There's four of them – Jimin, Chaeyoung, Jisoo and Taehyung – staring at his state with frown on their faces. This better not be a fucking bait or I swear someone's gonna get hurt!

"What – where is she? Did you find her?"

Jisoo looks down to her fingers, looking like she's about to give him bad news. Please, please God – "I um...I'm sorry Kook-ah. I promised her I won't tell anyone. She made me promise,"

"What? What noona - tell me –"

"She...she moved away,"

Jungkook held his breath. "When?"

"Last week,"

"What?! She moved – last week...fuck! Why didn't you tell me?!" Jungkook couldn't help but feeling hell-bent furious at the elder.

"Yahh what the fuck are you doing?!" Taehyung pushed his tight grips from Jisoo's arms. "I know you're upset –"

"Upset? Upset?! I've been searching for her for a god-damned month – and you knew – you...knew about it!" His hands are now in his hair.

"Kook..." Jimin tried to calm him down but Jungkook pushed him away. 

"You knew..." He couldn't contain his pained voice. "Where?"

"I don't know..." Jisoo's voice is shaky as she tries not to cry. "She was supposed to start working three weeks ago but I couldn't reach her. When she called...she sounded weak. And I think she was in a hospital or something cus I heard the background noises and she said she's been sick. She was calm at first but when I mentioned your name – I told her that she should talk to you...that you've been searching for her. Then she started crying and she asked me not to tell you. She begged me to promise her – and I – I had to, I'm sorry,"

"Kook, you need to calm down. She didn't mean any harm, Lisa asked her to promise and she did. I mean, I only found out cus we went drinking last night and – well, she got a bit drunk and told me bout it. So I think it's best that we let you know. She doesn't know where Lisa went, she didn't meet her," Taehyung came forward and explained when Jisoo started tearing up.

Jungkook unknowingly took a few steps back. Another fucking dead end!! He's angry. He's so angry that he felt like punching someone or rather – jumping off a bridge! He's angry at Jisoo for not telling him earlier, and now he's angry at Taehyung cus he's protecting his girlfriend. He's angry at the look Jimin and Chaeyoung are giving him now. 

He's especially angry at Lisa – how could she do this to me?! How could she be so selfish – leaving me without even saying anything?? How could she hurt him like this? Why is it so hard for her to just talk to him? She was in a hospital...why was she in a hospital – she hates hospitals! What happened – how is she now? How badly sick was she? Who's with her – is anyone taking care of her? 

Jungkook knew that most of all, he's angry at himself. It was all his fault. He should've never left her side. He should've left his parents' house the moment Jisoo told him she had left, instead of playing-pretend in front of his parents' partners to not cause a scene. Fuck – maybe he should've made a scene! Maybe then his parents would think twice about pairing him up with just anyone! He should've gotten to her apartment sooner and stopped her. It was all his fault! He should've never invited her to the dinner in the first place! He could've at least pre-empt his parents first – but noooo, he insisted to himself that it should be a surprise – now surprise Kook, fuck you!

Jisoo whispered something to the other three and they left the two there. Slowly, she sat on the carpeted floor next to him. 

"Kook-ah..." She pulled out a tissue from her bag and offered it to him. Jungkook couldn't move. Everything had been useless! He waited for nothing – she's never coming back! What else could he hoped for now? When he didn't respond, Jisoo pats it softly on his cheeks. That was useless too. Tears are streaming down with no end. He couldn't even control his own damn tears!

"Noo – noona..." He sobbed before crying his heart out like a child. He just couldn't take it anymore. Everything he felt and all the questions running wild in his mind are driving him crazy and he misses her so much – how could she just leave him here like this...

He cried on Jisoo's shoulder and the girl rubs his back softly, muttering 'shh' in between his loud sobs.

"You're okay...you have to be. She loves you, you know. I know that's why she did what she did. You wouldn't have given her up – she knows that. She didn't wanna come between you and your family," Of course she doesn't – God, why does she have to be so kind about everything?! It was his problem and he should be the one to fix it – it wasn't supposed to be on her! 

"She wouldn't want to see you like this, Kook. I'm sorry...but I told her how miserable you had been and you know what she said to me? She said you'll be okay. She said you're strong and she believed in you. So you need to be strong,"

"I need...I need her,"

"I know. But for now, the best thing to do is to pull yourself together. You can't find her if you're like this. You have to be patient. Maybe find another way. Do you love her?"

Jungkook looked up to the girl with glassy eyes and she smiles. 

"Do you really believe that she's the person you're meant to be with?" He nods slowly. "Then you need to trust that destiny will work out by itself. Work on yourself and let her work on her own. Build yourself up and see what happens then. And if you really can't wait for fate, then...hire a private investigator or something,"

...

Jungkook took one last look into his reflection on the elevator door before it opens – revealing the rich brown wooden panels that leads him to his father's office. His personal assistant stood up and bowed immediately, surprised to find the youngest son there as he rarely pays a visit. He had put on a black, buttoned-up shirt and black pants. He had prepared his business proposal for a week, and today's the day he's going to sell the idea to his father.

"Your father is on the phone, perhaps you'd like to sit –"

Jungkook held up his hand politely and just carried on towards the door. This can't wait. He needs to talk to his dad – and his priority is not about the proposal.

"No, there's no account activity yet - only the flight out," Jungkook stopped his tracks when he heard his dad's voice. "Alright. Find her and keep me posted. We need to make sure no one troubles her. And I wanna know where she stays and with who – if she's renting – everything. Let me know by Wednesday," Who is this woman he's talking about? Why does he sound so concerned? Oh God, is he cheating on mom?!

He purposely slams the door, making sure the sound is loud enough for his father to notice. The old man did and his eyes widen when Jungkook walked in closer to his desk. His forehead creases in a frown as he puts down the phone and leaned back to his chair.

"Dad,"

"Ahh...you remember who I am,"

Jungkook rolled his eyes. "Sorry I interrupted your phone call – who were you talking about?"

"No one, why are you here? We didn't hear from you since you made your mother cry on her birthday and now you suddenly show up in my office – uninvited?"

"Don't change the subject dad. You better tell me who the woman is or I'll tell mom,"

His father chuckled and shook his head. "Ahh you're so funny. One minute you didn't care about your mother and the next you're being so protective? Go ahead, tell your mother,"

"Don't patronize me dad! I'm not a child –"

"Really? Because you sure acted like one – coming in here as you like, talking to me with no respect –"

Jungkook took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He didn't come here to argue. Priorities, Kook!

"I'm sorry...I wanted to see you about something,"

His father's phone rang and he holds up a finger, signalling Jungkook to hold. "Now what do you wanna talk about?" He asked once he's done with his short replies.

Jungkook cleared his throat. He already planned what he was going to say but his father's actions caught him off-guard. Now his brain is scrambling around – trying to remember what he's supposed to say...oh yeah –

"I have a business proposal for you," He took out a file and placed it on the desk. "But first, I need to ask you about Jul hyung. Is he still working for you?"

His father cocks an eyebrow. "Why do you ask?"

"Cus I need his help...to find someone,"

"And who is this someone?" His father reached for the file, going through the first few pages.

"My girlfriend," His father paused and look back up to him. "I know what you're gonna say – but you wouldn't want me to lie right? So I'll tell you the truth. You can either accept it or don't – up to you," His father stayed silent and he continues, "She was there, at the dinner. And she heard me and mom talking about your 'so-called plans' for me. She ran off and disappeared from then on. I need to find her back,"

"And you thought it's best to let me know of this? Asking permission to use Jul for your own interest when you know for a fact that I'd be against it?"

"Oh I wasn't asking for your permission. I'm letting you know that I'm not giving her up. There's pretty much nothing you can do about it. You can either accept the fact that I will always belong to her...or you could just ignore my existence because I refuse to follow the path you wanted me to. Jul hyung is good at what he does – but even if you don't allow it, I can just find someone else. I'm just using his name to start this conversation,"

"How dare you –"

"I love you both dearly, you know that. If you had asked me to not pursue my passion and carry on your legacy like hyungs did, I would've followed your every move to make you proud. But this – asking me to marry someone whom I don't even know and leave the love of my life – because why, you and mom owed someone a favour? That's just messed up –"

"Jeon Jungkook!" His father suddenly stood up and shouted, slamming his palm on the desk – making him jump a little. "Don't speak when you don't know anything –"

"Exactly dad! I don't know anything! No one told me that I'm supposed to marry whoever it is you decided to put me up with –"

"We are your parents! We brought you up in this world with silver spoons and everything you wanted – and this is how you talk to me?! Just because of a girl?"

"She's not 'just a girl' dad – that's what you don't understand! She's the only one who I'm willing to fight for – there's no other –"

"You are marrying Lalisa – or so help me I will –"

"What?" Did he heard him correctly or was he imagining his father saying her name?

"I will never call you my son –"

"No no! You said her name – what did you say her name was?"

His father blinked a couple of times before answering, "Lalisa,"

"Lalisa? My Lisa?" Jungkook's heart beats louder and he forced to calm his breathing, afraid that might not hear his father clearly. The old man frowned at him. "You said Lalisa. Who's Lalisa – what's her last name?" God, please...please let me hear what I need to hear....

"Manoban...her name's Lalisa Manoban," The name echoed in his ear and through his whole body – and the words of Jisoo came forward in his mind. Destiny. Fate. Whatever she calls it. How is it even possible?

"From – is she from Thailand?"

"You – you know her?" Fuck yes! God, thank you!!

"That's my girlfriend! Dad – that's my girlfriend!!" He laughed genuinely for the first time in what felt like the longest – running towards his father around the desk and hugging the old man.

"That's – Lalisa is your girlfriend? Does your mom know –"

"No, she wouldn't come with me when I tried to introduce them! She was there that night –"

"Oh..." His father dropped back in his seat, his face reflecting shock and what – regret? "That's why she ran away that night..." He whispered.

Jungkook knelt by his father's side. Something is not right. "Dad...you saw her?"

His father grew pale as he nods and Jungkook contemplates on standing by to call the ambulance. Wait – didn't mom said something about how the girl saved her life?

"Dad, how did you know her?"

"I – I...it was –" His father stuttered. He never stuttered – why is he stuttering?! Oh no...

"It was you, wasn't it? The one who gave her the house and money? The one who -" His father's terrified look answered his question and Jungkook plopped down on the floor. No!! "Her mom died...because of you..."

"It – it was an accident! No – no – Lalisa said it was an accident – I didn't kill her – I didn't –"

Jungkook stared at his father who's rocking back and forth with his face in his palms. He has never seen his father like this. Why is he like this?!

He placed one hand on his father's shoulder. "Dad..."

"Don't touch me! I didn't kill her – I didn't – Lalisa said I didn't!"

The realisation hits him hard. That's why the man did all those things for Lisa. He needed her assurance. He needed her close so he wouldn't feel the guilt. Lisa's the only one who's able to make his father live normally again. That's why he brought her here!

He immediately reached for the phone when his father started screaming and trashing his desk around.

...