Jennie: Best of Me

Elijah   You mean no harm. Just tell him what you feel — nothing to be nervous about. Come on, Elijah, you are so much better than this. Just tell him, and everything is going to be okay. I went to this clinic not to have any medical consultation. I am here to talk to someone. I am now standing in front of a doctor I never met before. I study his face. He looks like a doctor any patient would feel comfortable with; he has that aura. He has a warm, genuine smile that can take away nervousness. He has a face that will calm your nerves. I look at him, but that made me more nervous. My heart beats so fast I feel like I'll die any moment. Jennie. The name that rolls perfectly in my tongue. I look at the doctor again. This man is her father. The father of the girl that's making my heart flutter every time I think of her. I came here to meet him and ask for his blessings to date his daughter. I like Jennie, and I want to get to know her more. This is the first time I decided to do something I want to do without thinking about my family and the people around me. I am not an impulsive person, but when it comes to Jennie, I'm willing to do things I never imagined doing. His clinic looks like a typical clinic of a doctor. White walls, clean surroundings, some medical equipment, plaques of awards and recognitions, and the usual smell of a hospital, but what caught my attention is his family photos. I look at his wedding photos. I look at the beautiful young bride that looks exactly like Jennie. I saw pictures of Jennie I never saw before. There's a newborn and toddler Jennie, Jennie, in her elementary school uniform and Jennie in New Zealand. The doctor caught him looking at his daughter's pictures and said, "She's my daughter. She's our only child. She wants to be a singer, and I'm sure she is going to be a great one. Her mom doesn't want her to be a singer, but she fought for it, so I'll do everything I can to help her make it happen." The doctor smiled, and he looks so proud of his daughter. I looked at him. The doctor's words made a significant impact on him. It's as if someone slapped me on the face. I can't be that guy who'll ruin her dreams. I can't be that guy for Jennie. I looked at him seriously and said, "Sir, my name is Elijah Ellington, and years from now, I'll marry your daughter." The doctor laughs lightly and looks at me seriously after recovering from my sudden statement. He patted me on the back and said, "Then grow up as a fine young man and come back here and talk to me like a man. Do everything it takes for you to be the best version of yourself because that's what you and my daughter deserve. I hope to see you again."   Present time. July 2010.  "Elijah Ellington, the grandson, and heir of Yunjin Group of Companies is back home from abroad. He spent his Secondary Education in the prestigious Eton College, the exclusive boarding school tagged as 'the nursery of England's gentlemen' and set to continue his Tertiary Education at the University of Oxford, another prestigious university not only in the United Kingdom but also all over the world. He is rumored to take a business-related degree in the university, considering the vast amount of business his family owns. He is the only grandson and so to speak, the only grandchild of South Korea's business conglomerate Yang Yun-jin. Yang Yun-jin is the CEO and founder of the Yunjin Group of Companies that own the Yunjin Shipping and Korean Air. He also holds a large number of stocks of Kia Motors Corporation, South Korea's second-largest automobile manufacturer. The conglomerate family also ventured in the entertainment business 14 years ago as Yang Hyun-suk, the only son of Yang Yun-jin, founded the YG Entertainment that houses successful names in the Korean entertainment industry today. Yang Yun-jin marked their family name not only in South Korea and other Asian countries but also in the United States. Seventeen years ago, the late daughter of the business magnate tied the knot with Carter Ellington, Chairman, and CEO of Ellington Entertainment, an entertainment company based in Los Angeles, California. Ellington Entertainment ranks within the Top 3 companies in the entertainment industry in the United States. The company produces Hollywood movies and TV Series and eventually ventured in the music scene producing songs that top the boards all around the world. Elijah Ellington is also the only son of Carter Ellington, and as the sole heir of a large chunk of business in Asia and the United States, Elijah is expected to become one of the wealthiest and most influential people ten years from now. The 16-year old teenager stole the heart of the nation with his looks, wit, and charm. He is an heir to a massive amount of fortune and influence but never caught in any form of scandal. He lived his life abroad modestly and known to be a humble and kind-hearted Asian boy to his friends abroad. He spent six years in Europe to study but always goes back to Seoul every chance he can get. There's no place like home for Elijah. And now, the nation's favorite boy is back home to spend his gap year here in South Korea before going back abroad to finish his studies."   I threw away the newspaper after reading it. My face is all over the news. The plane I was in landed two hours ago. My Grandpa's security team was supposed to pick me up, but naughtiness in me prevailed. I didn't mind my luggage and just left the airport. My Grandpa's security will get it for him. I went straight to the subway to commute. I love using public transportation as I get to observe and meet people. It's risky with my social status, but everyone is used to it. I do things no one will never believe someone in my situation will ever do. I am happier living that way. I learned how to live happily because of my friends I met abroad. I met four boys in school named Scott, Jamie, Lewis, and Brad. They are all from a well-off family like me, but they live their life the way they want to. "You only live once, El." Scott always tells me. "Live your life the way you want in your teens and just suffer later," Lewis advised. I owe these four boys a lot as they made my life abroad easier. I was 10 when I came to London. My first few weeks abroad were horrible. Racism still exists even in the upper-class portion of the state. There was a time when I was in the park, a bottle full of pee was thrown at me. I was teased a lot by my classmates. I was beginning to hate school until I met them. They taught him a lot of things and eventually adjusted. I am grateful to have them in his life and of course, Jisoo, my best friend in Korea, as they made my life bearable. I was drowned in my thoughts when the subway door opens. I stood up to offer my seat when I saw an older woman. I'm really in Seoul now. I am on my way to the old YG building, and I'm dying to see Jennie. I spent most of my time with her whenever I'm in Korea. I was in Seoul during the Summer Half school break, and that was August 2010. The last time I saw her was during the Christmas break, and that was also the time I met her Dad. I still remember that meeting perfectly. I still remember how horrible I felt after realizing how selfish I was. It has been seven months since I last saw Jennie. I miss her. I miss her. But the best thing is I'll get to spend time with her for real. No more phone calls and FaceTime with her. This time it's real-time. I took a cab from the subway to Hapjeong-dong. I went straight to the old YG building. The walls of the building are full of fans' love confessions to their bias. I smiled. This place is where all my happy memories lie. I ran around the hallway, played hide-and-seek with the staff, trainees, and even other well-known artists from YG. I get to sing and dance with the trainees. I also learned how to rap and play musical instruments. This is the place where I get to be myself, the place where I did all the things I want. The place where I can do whatever I want. This is my happy place. I am inside the elevator when I notice someone standing beside me. A girl with a slim body and a boy-cut hairstyle. She bows shyly and slightly moves away from me. I looked at her. She must be the Thai trainee Jennie's been praising on the phone. I smiled at her brightly and said, "Sawadi-ka!" Her beautiful big expressive eyes shined brightly upon hearing me speak Thai. Cute. "You must be Lisa. My name is Elijah, but you can call me anything you want." She looked at me and said, "How did you know my name?" She asked. I laughed and said, "Well, I saw how your eyes sparkled when I greet you in Thai, so I safely assumed that you are the Thai trainee. Second, you are the only international trainee here in YG, so I strongly believe that you are Lisa, the dancing machine from Thailand." She was about to answer when the elevator door opened. "I know a lot of things in this dungeon. I'm a spy." I wink at her and laugh. "You'll be late, Lisa. It won't do you good if you're going to be late in the monthly evaluation. I don't want to see you go home. Nice to meet you, and I'll see you around!"