9ine

Jennie's POV

Lisa gestured toward the small couch in the corner of her apartment. "Come on, let's sit."

I looked at it, unimpressed. "You call this a living room?"

Lisa chuckled. "Well, yeah. It has a couch and a TV. What more do you need?"

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "It's barely two steps away from the kitchen."

Lisa grinned, leaning closer. "Funny, you weren't complaining about how tiny it was when we were making out here earlier."

My face burned. "Shut up."

Lisa laughed, flopping onto the couch and patting the space next to her. "Come on, princess, don't act all high and mighty now."

I rolled my eyes but sat down anyway, making sure to keep a small distance between us. Lisa smirked at that, clearly amused, but didn't say anything.

She grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. The screen flickered to life, displaying some random drama.

"You actually have time to watch TV?" I asked, surprised.

Lisa shrugged. "Not really, but sometimes I leave it on for background noise."

I nodded, watching as the drama played, but I wasn't really paying attention. I could feel Lisa's presence beside me—the warmth of her body, the way she shifted slightly to get comfortable.

After a moment, Lisa leaned back, stretching her arm over the back of the couch. Her fingers barely brushed against my shoulder. It was casual. Too casual.

I should move.

But I didn't.

Instead, I focused on the screen, pretending I wasn't hyper-aware of how close we were.

Lisa glanced at the time on her phone and then turned to me. "So... what time are you heading home? It's already past eight."

I blinked at her, my body tensing. Was she... kicking me out?

I turned my head slowly to look at her, my eyes narrowing. "Are you seriously asking me that right now?"

Lisa raised an eyebrow, clearly confused. "Yeah? It's late."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "Wow. So now you're trying to get rid of me?"

Lisa blinked, then chuckled, shaking her head. "I'm not kicking you out, Jennie. I just thought you'd want to go home before people start wondering where you are."

Her calmness only irritated me more.

"Wow," I repeated, my voice laced with sarcasm. "First, you act like you don't even drained me Now, you're practically telling me to leave your place like I'm some unwanted guest."

Lisa stared at me, bewildered. "What? That's not—"

I cut her off, standing up abruptly. "You're unbelievable, Lisa."

Lisa sighed, rubbing her temple like she was dealing with a difficult child. "Jennie, I'm just saying it's late. You're Jennie Kim, remember? If someone sees you coming out of a place like this, it'll be a mess for you."

I clenched my jaw. I hated that she had a point.

But I hated more that it felt like she was dismissing me.

Lisa sighed, rubbing the back of her neck, looking like she was trying to find the right words. I didn't care. I was already mad.

But then—

"Jennie, I'm sorry," Lisa said suddenly, her voice softer.

I blinked.

"I swear, I'm not kicking you out," she continued, her eyes pleading. "I just thought—you know, you're famous, and it's late, and I didn't want you to get into trouble or have people start talking. But if you wanna stay... you can stay however long you want."

I stared at her, my irritation faltering.

Lisa swallowed hard, looking almost nervous. Her hands fidgeted on her lap, and I could see the slightest sheen of sweat forming at her temples. She was really sweating. Was she that nervous about upsetting me?

"You don't have to go," Lisa added quickly, like she was scared I would actually leave now. "I just— I was just worried about you."

My heart skipped.

I wasn't expecting that.

I bit my lip, pretending to think about it, when in reality, I was just trying to calm the sudden rush of warmth in my chest. Lisa was still looking at me, waiting, her leg bouncing slightly—probably from nerves.

"Okay," I said finally, sitting back down on her tiny couch. "I'll stay a little longer."

Lisa exhaled, relieved, and muttered, "Good."

I pretended not to see the way she wiped her sweaty palms on her sweatpants.

-

I was getting too comfortable here.

Wearing Lisa's oversized clothes, sitting on her tiny couch, watching some random show while the scent of her cheap instant noodles still lingered in the air—it all felt too... normal. Too easy. Like this was just another night. Like Lisa and I were—

"What are we?"

Lisa's voice broke the silence.

I turned to her, surprised. She wasn't looking at me, just staring at the TV, her fingers tapping against her knee like she was bracing herself for my answer.

I tilted my head. "What do you mean?"

Lisa scoffed, finally turning to face me. "I mean exactly that, Jennie. What are we? Because last time I checked, we weren't even friends."

I swallowed.

"And now..." Lisa trailed off, glancing at the bedroom, then back at me. "We just had sex."

The air in the room felt heavier.

I should've expected this. Lisa wasn't the type to just go along with things without questioning them. She was blunt. She always said what she thought.

I leaned back, crossing my arms. "So? What's the problem?"

Lisa let out a dry laugh, shaking her head. "Of course, you'd say that."

"What's that supposed to mean?" I challenged.

Lisa sighed, rubbing her face like she was exhausted. "It means I don't know what the hell you want from me, Jennie." She looked at me again, her eyes sharp. "Do you?"

I didn't hesitate. "I want you."

Lisa's breath hitched.

I watched her, waiting. Waiting for her to smirk, to joke, to act like she didn't care. But she didn't. She just stared at me, her jaw clenched, her hands gripping her knees like she was holding herself back.

"Then be mine," I added, voice softer now. "Submit to me."

Lisa blinked.

Then she laughed—short, breathy, like she couldn't believe what I just said. "You really think that's how it works?"

"Yes."

Lisa exhaled through her nose, shaking her head again, like I was being impossible. "Jennie... I won't do that. Not just because you want me to."

My stomach twisted.

I didn't like that answer.

I sat up straighter, staring her down. "Why not?"

Lisa met my gaze, steady and unshaken. "Because I'm not something you can just own."

The way she said it—it pissed me off.

It thrilled me.

It made me want her more.

Lisa's words hung in the air like a challenge.

I had just offered to pay her, and instead of jumping at the opportunity, she looked at me with that unreadable expression—the same one she had when I kissed her in Japan, when I let her touch me earlier today, when I showed up at her cramped apartment uninvited.

She leaned back against the couch, arms crossed. "So, what exactly am I supposed to do for you?"

"Be my assistant." I said it too quickly.

Lisa raised a brow.

"Or—" I added, trying to sound casual, "—do whatever I ask. Just as long as I get to see you every day."

There. I said it.

Lisa didn't react right away. She just watched me, like she was trying to figure me out. Then, without breaking eye contact, she asked, "So you just want me more now because of sex?"

I inhaled sharply.

My fingers clenched against my lap. I didn't like the way she said it—so bluntly, like she was stripping everything down to its rawest form.

"That's not it." I scoffed, looking away. "You're overthinking."

"Am I?" Lisa tilted her head, studying me. "Because from where I'm sitting, it kinda feels like you didn't give a damn about me before. But now, suddenly, you want me near you every day?"

I gritted my teeth. "I did care."

Lisa smirked. "Then why did it take sleeping together for you to act on it?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but nothing came out.

Because she had a point.

Before Japan, I had ignored her. Before today, I had treated her like she was insignificant. And now? Now I was sitting in her tiny living room, wearing her clothes, asking her to be by my side every day.

It was insane.

But I didn't care.

I turned back to her, meeting her gaze head-on. "Maybe I just realized what I wanted."

Lisa's smirk faded.

She looked at me for a long time—too long—before she exhaled, rubbing the back of her neck. "You're impossible, Jennie Kim."

I lifted my chin. "So, is that a yes?"

Lisa didn't even hesitate when she answered. "No."

I blinked. "No?"

She leaned back against the couch like it was obvious. "I already have a job."

I scoffed, crossing my arms. "What job?"

Lisa shrugged. "Lots of them."

I frowned. "Like what?"

Lisa glanced at me, then sighed as if I was forcing her to list down the most boring things in the world. "Bartender, delivery driver, convenience store cashier, part-time boxing coach—"

"What?" My head snapped toward her. "Boxing coach?"

Lisa smirked. "Yeah."

I stared at her. "What else?"

She tapped her fingers against the couch. "I work part-time as a mechanic sometimes."

I narrowed my eyes. "And how many jobs do you do in a day?"

Lisa thought for a moment. "Max is five."

I almost choked. "Five?!"

She just nodded like it was normal.

I scoffed, shaking my head. "That's not even possible."

Lisa chuckled, resting an arm on the back of the couch. "It is if you don't sleep."

I froze. "What?"

She turned to me, smirking. "Sometimes I don't sleep for more than 48 hours."

I felt my jaw tighten. "That's not funny."

"I'm not joking." Lisa shrugged again, completely unaffected. "If I need money, I work. Simple."

I stared at her, my stomach twisting.

Forty-eight hours without sleep?

Five jobs in a day?

I didn't know why I was so angry hearing it.

She said it so casually, like it was just a normal part of her life. Like pushing her body past its limits wasn't a big deal.

I clenched my hands into fists on my lap.

I hated it.

I hated the thought of Lisa exhausting herself like that.

Working non-stop. Not sleeping. Not eating properly.

Lisa, who had just made me feel things no one else had.

Lisa, who had looked so soft and warm, teasing me while cooking for me earlier.

Lisa, who didn't even eat her own food because she was used to eating instant ramen.

Something in my chest twisted so hard it made me breathless.

I didn't want Lisa to live like this.

I didn't want her to keep running herself into the ground just to survive.

I wanted to—

I swallowed.

No.

I wasn't going to say it.

Not to her. Not out loud.

But deep inside, I knew.

I wanted to take care of her.

And that thought alone scared the hell out of me.

I crossed my arms, staring at Lisa in disbelief. "Why do you have to work so hard? You live alone, as far as I can see."

Lisa lazily glanced at me before turning back to the TV. "Yeah, so?"

I smirked. "What, do you have a kid somewhere? Is that why you're working yourself to death?"

Lisa laughed at that, a deep, amused chuckle. "If I had a kid, you'd think I'd be living in that shoebox of an apartment?"

I rolled my eyes. "Then why?"

She turned to me, her smirk playful. "Why do you care so much?"

I scoffed. "I don't."

Lisa grinned, obviously not believing me. "Then why are you asking?"

I ignored her teasing. "Seriously, why do you work that much?"

Lisa shrugged. "Because I have to."

That answer frustrated me. She said it like it was that simple. Like she didn't have a choice.

I clicked my tongue, deciding to tease her instead. "Maybe you do have a kid. Or maybe a secret sugar mommy you're hiding."

Lisa gave me a smug look. "Nope." Then she tilted her head, eyes glinting with mischief. "But speaking of that... out of all the women I've fucked, you're the only one I didn't use protection with."

I froze.

My face heated up instantly.

I hated how the memory rushed back—Lisa above me, the way she kissed me, the way she felt.

I quickly looked away, scowling. "Shut up."

Lisa chuckled, clearly amused by my reaction.

Then my mind finally caught up to something else she said.

All the women I've fucked...

I narrowed my eyes at her. "Wait a second."

Lisa just raised an eyebrow.

I leaned forward, staring at her suspiciously. "You sleep with a lot women?"

Lisa looked at me like I was slow. "Well, yeah."

I blinked.

I tilted my head. "How often?"

Lisa smirked. "As often as I want."

Something in her tone made my stomach tighten.

I straightened. "Which means?"

Lisa stretched her arms behind her head, looking entirely too smug. "Almost every day, if I feel like it."

My jaw clenched.

"Every day?" I repeated, voice sharper than I intended.

Lisa glanced at me, smirking. "You sound mad."

I scoffed. "I'm not."

Lisa hummed, unconvinced.

But I was mad.

I didn't know why, but the thought of Lisa being with someone else made me want to strangle something.

I glared at Lisa, my fingers curling into fists. "Are you even clean?"

Lisa blinked at me before smirking lazily. "Jennie, you do remember you're the only one I fucked raw, right? I just said that like not even a minute."

That only made me angrier. "That's not the point!"

Lisa leaned back against the couch, clearly amused. "Then what is the point, princess?"

I gritted my teeth, my patience wearing thin. "You need to stop fucking around."

Lisa raised an eyebrow, lips twitching in amusement. "Why? It's not like I'm in a relationship."

I clenched my jaw. "Because it's disgusting."

Lisa chuckled, shaking her head. "You sound jealous."

I was jealous. But I wasn't about to admit that.

"You think sleeping around is healthy?!" I snapped.

Lisa shrugged. "It releases stress."

I scoffed. "Do it yourself is a good method for that."

Lisa grinned at me, her cocky attitude making my blood boil. "Why would I need to when there are plenty of girls who want to do it for me?"

Something inside me snapped.

Before I could stop myself, I grabbed a pillow and threw it at her. Lisa caught it with ease, laughing.

"You're disgusting!" I shouted, my whole body burning with fury. "You're going to catch something at this rate!"

Lisa just smirked, clearly enjoying how riled up I was.

"You care too much, Jennie," she teased.

I hated that she wasn't taking me seriously. I hated that she was acting like it was nothing. But more than that—

I hated the idea of Lisa with someone else.

I shot up from the couch, my hands trembling with rage. "I'm going home."

Lisa arched an eyebrow, still lounging lazily as if my outburst didn't faze her at all. "Why? Because I disgust you?" she mused, her tone annoyingly teasing.

"Yes!" I snapped, spinning toward the door.

I reached for the knob, ready to storm out and never look back—but before my fingers could even graze the metal, Lisa's hand wrapped around my wrist, stopping me.

"Wait."

Her grip wasn't forceful, but it was enough to hold me still. Before I could demand she let go, Lisa pulled me back—swiftly, effortlessly—making me lose my balance and stumble right into her lap.

"What the—"

I gasped, my hands instinctively landing on her shoulders to steady myself. I was now straddling her, my knees pressed into the couch on either side of her hips. My breath hitched at the sudden proximity, at the way Lisa's face was so close—her dark eyes glinting with amusement as they roamed over my flustered expression.

"Don't be mad, princess," she drawled, her fingers grazing my waist lightly. "I was just teasing."

I scowled at her, my cheeks burning. "Then stop pissing me off."

Lisa grinned, her hands settling on my hips. "Can't help it. You look kinda hot when you're mad."

I let out a frustrated huff, trying to push away from her, but Lisa only tightened her hold slightly, keeping me in place.

"Stay for a little while," she murmured, her voice dropping lower, more coaxing. "You don't really want to leave, do you?"

I hated how my body reacted to her words, how my heartbeat sped up at the way she was looking at me. I should be furious. I should push her away.

But all I could think about was how good her hands felt on me.

--

Lisa's POV

I stared at her—really stared at her—trying to find some kind of joke in her expression. But Jennie wasn't joking.

She sat on my lap, her fingers gripping the front of my shirt, her gaze unwavering, serious.

"Say that again," I said, my voice lower than I expected.

"I said I'll pay you," Jennie repeated, her tone firm. "I have a lot of money, Lisa. I can take care of you."

I let out a short, disbelieving laugh. "You're insane."

Jennie's eyes narrowed. "Why? Because I want you?"

"Because you think money can make me submit to you," I countered, tilting my head. "That's what you're really asking, isn't it?"

Jennie didn't answer right away, but I could see her frustration growing. "I just don't want you working yourself to death. You're overworked, barely sleeping—"

"And that suddenly matters to you?" I cut in, my grip on her waist tightening slightly. "Since when?"

Jennie opened her mouth, then closed it. She looked away for a moment before answering, "I don't know."

I exhaled through my nose, watching her carefully. "So let me get this straight. You want me to quit my jobs, be with you every day, and in exchange, you'll give me whatever amount of money I want?"

"Yes."

"And what exactly do you expect me to do?"

Jennie's throat bobbed as she swallowed. "Whatever I want," she murmured. "Be my assistant. Be around me. And..."

I raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Jennie sucked in a breath before locking eyes with me. "Be the only one who fucks me."*

Silence.

I felt the weight of her words settle between us like a thick fog.

Jennie shifted in my lap slightly, but I didn't let go of her. I studied her, trying to make sense of what she was saying.

"So that's what this is?" I finally said. "You just like how I fuck you?"

Jennie's jaw clenched. "Maybe."

"You're willing to pay me just to keep fucking you?"

"Yes."

"And I can't fuck anyone else?"

"Yes."

I let out another breath, dragging a hand down my face. "Jennie—"

"It'll be a secret between us," she cut me off, her voice quieter now. "No one has to know. You'll stop fucking around, and I get to have you all to myself."*

I scoffed, leaning back against the couch. "You're really something, you know that?"

"What's your answer?" she pushed, ignoring my sarcasm. "Yes or no?"

I looked at her, really looked at her. She was serious. This wasn't just some passing thought—Jennie had thought about this.

"Why are you doing this?" I asked instead. "You're Jennie Kim. You could have anyone—"

"I don't want anyone else," she cut in sharply. "I want you."*

My stomach tightened at her words.

Jennie looked down, suddenly avoiding my gaze. "I don't know why, okay? I just do."

I felt my heartbeat slow. Something about the way she said it made my chest feel tight.

"You're out of your mind," I muttered.

"Maybe I am," she admitted, finally looking up at me again. "But my offer still stands."

I sighed, shaking my head. "Jennie, I'm not a fucking escort."

"I'm not treating you like one!" she snapped, her frustration spilling over. "I just—I just want you close, okay?"

She was breathing hard now, her fingers tightening in my shirt. I could see the slight panic in her eyes, like she was afraid I'd reject her.

I ran a hand through my hair, trying to make sense of everything.

"So if I say yes," I said slowly, "we keep fucking, I stick by your side, and you take care of me?"

Jennie nodded.

"And if I say no?"

Jennie's lips parted slightly, like she hadn't even considered that possibility. "Then you don't see me again."*

I felt something in my chest twist.

"You'd really cut me off?"

Jennie's jaw tensed. "I'd have to."*

I stayed quiet for a long time, watching her, feeling the weight of her words sink in.

Jennie Kim was offering me a deal—one that could change everything.

And I had no fucking clue what to do.

After a while...

I sat there, staring at Jennie as if she had lost her mind.

Maybe I was the one losing it.

Fifty thousand dollars.

A month.

Just to be with her. Just to fuck her whenever she wanted. Just to not fuck around with anyone else.

It sounded easy. It sounded like a dream. But why the hell did it feel so heavy?

I leaned back against the couch, running a hand down my face. My mind was a mess. Was I really considering this? Was I actually agreeing to become... whatever the hell Jennie Kim wanted me to be?

I was used to working my ass off, surviving off little sleep, taking whatever jobs I could just to stay afloat and to pay my debt. I wasn't used to things being handed to me. I wasn't used to having something easy.

And yet, here was Jennie, offering me a way out.

Offering me her.

I glanced at her again, my eyes scanning her face. She was serious. Determined. Like she had already made up her mind about this, and she was just waiting for me to say yes.

Could I really do this? Could I just... belong to her?

Would I even be me anymore?

I swallowed hard. "Okay."

Jennie's lips parted slightly, like she wasn't expecting me to actually agree. But then, her expression turned smug. "Good."

She straightened, brushing her hair back as she composed herself. "Now, there will be rules."

I scoffed. "Rules?"

"Yes. Since I'm paying you, I get to set them."

Something about that wording made me tense, but I kept my mouth shut.

"Rule number one," Jennie started, crossing her legs. "You can't sleep with anyone else."*

I figured that would be the first one.

"Two: If either of us gets into a relationship, this deal ends immediately."*

I nodded slowly. That seemed fair.

"Three: Whenever I call you, you come to me."*

I quirked an eyebrow. "Whenever?"

Jennie smirked. "Whenever."*

I exhaled through my nose, feeling heat crawl up my neck.

"Four: You don't tell anyone about this arrangement."*

That was obvious.

"Five: No emotional attachments."*

I stiffened slightly at that.

"Six: You don't question me about my life, my schedule, or what I do outside of this."

I clenched my jaw but didn't say anything.

"Seven: You stay by my side when I need you to. No complaints."*

"Eight: You don't try to negotiate your way out of this whenever you feel like it."*

My brows furrowed. "So you think I'll regret this?"

Jennie's eyes flickered, but she didn't answer.

"Nine: If I say stop, you stop."*

I swallowed, nodding.

Jennie leaned forward slightly, her voice softer but firm. "And ten: You belong to me, Lisa. No one else."*

The weight of her words settled between us, suffocating.

I felt my heart hammering against my ribs, my stomach twisting into knots.

Fifty thousand dollars a month.

That was life-changing money. It was insane money. It was an amount I never thought I'd have in my hands.

But at what cost?

Was I really just selling myself to her?

Jennie watched me carefully, waiting for my reaction. I knew she expected me to be shocked by the money—hell, I was—but that wasn't what made my chest feel tight.

It was the way she said, "You belong to me."*

It was the way she looked at me, like she wasn't giving me an option to back out.

It was the way something deep inside me wanted to say yes.

"So?" Jennie prompted, raising an eyebrow. "Do we have a deal?"

I exhaled slowly, trying to push down the million thoughts racing through my mind.

I should say no.

I should.

But instead, I looked her in the eyes and said, "Yeah. We have a deal."

---

I need a divertion again so here am I writing shitty story againnn...