12welve

Lisa's POV

I stared down at my phone, Jennie's name still glowing on the screen.

What the fuck just happened?

One second, I was minding my business, doing my job like always, and the next, Jennie was cursing me out like I'd committed a damn crime.

I let out a breath, rubbing the back of my neck as I leaned against the bar counter. The music felt louder than usual, the chatter too annoying. I wasn't even drinking, yet somehow, I felt intoxicated—by her, by the way she could flip my entire night upside down with a single phone call.

I pulled out my phone again and typed into the search bar: Jennie Kim favorite food.

I need to at least give her something... to soothes her anger.

She was famous. There had to be something about it online.

Sure enough, articles popped up immediately. Her favorites were high-end, luxurious dishes—truffle pasta, Wagyu steak, fresh seafood from exclusive restaurants. Expensive as hell.

I sighed, locking my phone. Of course.

What was I even thinking? That I could bring her food like a peace offering? That it would somehow make her less mad at me for being at work?

Ridiculous.

Instead of heading straight to her penthouse, I decided to go home first. I needed to change out of these bar clothes, maybe take a second to breathe before dealing with whatever storm was waiting for me at Jennie's.

Because if there was one thing I knew for sure, it was that Jennie Kim was pissed. And I had no idea what I was walking into.

I decided to walk home instead of taking the bus. I needed time to think.

Jennie was mad. Really mad. And I still wasn't completely sure why.

I mean, yeah, we had a deal—but she never texted me, never told me to come to her place today. What was I supposed to do? Just sit around and wait for her to summon me like some kind of pet?

I sighed, shoving my hands into my pockets as I walked down the quiet streets. I wasn't mad at her—I couldn't even bring myself to be annoyed. If anything, I was more confused than anything else.

What did Jennie really want from me?

As much as I tried to push that thought away, it lingered in the back of my mind.

By the time I got home, I was still empty-handed. I couldn't show up to Jennie's penthouse with nothing—not after she was already pissed at me.

Then it hit me.

She liked my food.

Last night, she devoured everything I made without a second thought. Even when she realized I hadn't eaten yet, she wanted to order food for me.

A small smile tugged at my lips.

If there was one thing I knew how to do right, it was cooking.

Without wasting time, I grabbed the ingredients I needed and got to work. The sound of the knife hitting the cutting board, the aroma of the spices filling my tiny kitchen—it was calming. It helped me focus.

But of course, peace never lasted long when Jennie Kim was involved.

My phone buzzed on the counter. Then again. And again.

I wiped my hands on my sweatpants before picking it up, only to be met with a string of curse words.

— Where the fuck are you?

— I swear to God, Lisa, if you don't show up right now—

— Are you fucking ignoring me?!

I huffed out a small laugh. Damn, she's really mad.

I quickly typed a response before she actually lost her mind.

— I'll be there soon.

No excuses, no explanations. Just that.

I put my phone down and went back to cooking.

If I was about to walk into a storm, I might as well bring something to calm it down.

As I stirred the pot, letting the aroma of the spices mix together, my mind started to drift.

How the hell did I even get here?

I was standing in my tiny-ass kitchen, cooking food for Jennie Kim. Not just any Jennie—THE Jennie Kim. The biggest superstar in the country. The face of luxury brands. The woman everyone wanted but no one could have.

And somehow, I was texting her.

Not only that, but she was cursing me out for not going to her fast enough. Like she actually cared if I was there or not.

I shook my head, letting out a breathless laugh. It was insane.

Absolutely insane.

Never in my life did I think I'd even meet someone like Jennie, let alone have her in my bed.

I leaned against the counter, rubbing my temples.

I'd slept with women before. Plenty of them. It was never anything serious, just something to pass the time, to get rid of stress. And yet, with Jennie...

It felt different.

The way she touched me. The way she looked at me.

The way she let herself go completely, her voice turning filthy as she begged for more, completely unfiltered, completely mine.

I swallowed hard, shaking those thoughts out of my head.

This wasn't supposed to be complicated.

She was paying me to be at her beck and call, to be hers exclusively. That's all this was. Nothing more, nothing less.

And yet, as I glanced at my phone, at her name flashing on the screen with yet another text—

I knew I was already in way too deep.

--

I packed the food into a container, securing the lid before grabbing my phone.

Damn.

Jennie had sent another string of curses. I didn't even have to open the messages to know she was pissed.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

I didn't understand her. One second, she was acting like she barely tolerated me, and the next, she was demanding I drop everything and go to her. I knew she wanted control—I got that. But this... this was something else.

I grabbed my jacket, slipping it on before finally texting back.

"I'm on my way."

I didn't wait for a response. I knew she'd see it immediately. She was probably staring at her phone, waiting.

As I stepped out of my apartment, the cool night air hit me, clearing my thoughts a little.

Jennie Kim. Waiting for me.

That still didn't feel real.

I adjusted the bag in my hand, walking toward the nearest taxi stand. I could've taken the subway, but the last thing I needed was people recognizing me.

As I sat in the back of the cab, staring at the city lights passing by, I realized something.

Jennie had all the money in the world. She could buy anything, have anyone.

So why the hell was she acting like she needed me?

--

As soon as the elevator doors slid open, I barely had time to knock before the penthouse door was yanked open.

Jennie stood there, arms crossed, hair slightly messy, and her lips pressed into that deep pout I was starting to recognize as her "I'm about to ruin someone's life" look.

And then— "Took you long enough, fucker. What, did you have to get your dick wet first before coming here?"

I blinked. Wow. Okay.

She was already pissed.

I stepped inside, but she didn't move. Just stood there, blocking the doorway like some tiny, furious bouncer.

And she wasn't done.

"Where the fuck have you been, huh? You said you'd be here soon. 'Soon' doesn't mean over an hour, Lisa. What the hell were you doing?! Or should I ask who the hell were you doing?"

She scoffed, turning away from me to pace across the room, arms flailing dramatically.

"You probably went and fucked someone first, didn't you? That's why it took so damn long. I knew it. I fucking knew it. Jesus Christ, Lisa, do you ever think with anything other than your dick?"

I just watched her, leaning against the counter, hands tucked into my pockets while paper bag hanging into my risk.

She spun back around, pointing a perfectly manicured finger at me.

"And don't even try that quiet act on me! Answer me, Lisa! Or—what—you're guilty? Is that why you're shutting up?! Because you know you fucked up?!"

She huffed, pacing again, her hands on her hips now.

"You know what? I should've fucking known. It's not like you're some saint or something. You literally told me you fuck around all the damn time! So why the hell am I even surprised?! Why the hell do I even care?!"

She stopped, inhaling sharply like she'd just caught herself saying too much.

And there it was. The real problem.

She did care.

But she wasn't ready to admit it.

She turned away, running a hand through her hair, mumbling curses under her breath before spinning back to me, still furious.

"And you didn't even fucking text me! Not even once! What the hell, Lisa?! You just left me hanging like that after—" She stopped again, biting her lip. "After last night?"

I still didn't say anything. Just kept watching her.

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head, then suddenly let out a bitter laugh.

"Oh my God. I'm so fucking stupid. Here I was, actually waiting for your text, like a dumbass. Can you believe that? Me. Jennie Kim. Waiting for you to text me."

She glared at me now, her anger flashing into something else—something vulnerable.

"And you didn't. You didn't even fucking check on me. After everything. After how—" She stopped again, biting her lip.

I tilted my head slightly. "After how what?"

She shot me a glare, ignoring my question completely.

"And don't even try to act clueless right now, okay? I know exactly what kind of person you are. You're probably thinking I'm just another girl you fucked, huh? Just another girl on your list? Just another easy—"

I sighed.

"Jennie."

"No! Don't fucking 'Jennie' me!" she snapped. "You probably think I'm the same as all those other girls, don't you? That I'm just—just some desperate bitch who'll come running the second you snap your fingers?!"

I raised an eyebrow, finally speaking. "Aren't you, though?"

Her mouth dropped open.

And for a second, she was completely silent.

Then— "You motherfucker—!"

I barely had time to brace myself before she grabbed a throw pillow from the couch and hurled it straight at my face.

The pillow smacked me right in the face. I barely flinched.

Jennie, however, looked like she was about to commit an actual crime.

"You absolute fucking asshole, Lisa!" she seethed, grabbing another pillow, ready to launch it again. "I swear to God, I hate you!"

I caught the second pillow midair this time, holding it against my chest like a shield.

"No, you don't," I said calmly.

That made her pause. Just for a second.

Then she let out a sharp scoff. "Oh my God, YES, I do! I hate you so much I want to break your stupid, cocky, smug face in half right now!"

I grinned. "I'd like to see you try, Princess."

Her nostrils flared. "Don't. Call me. Princess."

"Why not? It suits you," I said, smirking. "All spoiled and throwing tantrums like this? It's cute."

Jennie let out an exasperated groan, throwing her hands in the air. "I am NOT throwing a tantrum, you idiot! I am rightfully pissed because you left me hanging all day, didn't text, and then had the fucking audacity to go party at a bar like some manwhore!"

I frowned. "It's not a party. It's work."

"Oh, yeah?" She crossed her arms. "And what kind of work is that, huh? Grinding up on some drunk girls in a dark room for extra tips?"

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I'm a bartender, Jennie. Not a fucking stripper."

She narrowed her eyes. "Could've fooled me."

I chuckled. "Oh? So you think I have the body for it?"

She made a noise that was somewhere between a groan and a scream. "STOP—just—STOP talking!"

"You're the one who won't stop yelling at me."

"BECAUSE YOU'RE INFURIATING!"

I grinned, taking a step closer. "And yet, you still called me. Three times."

Jennie clenched her jaw, avoiding my gaze.

I took another step. "And you demanded I come here."

She stayed silent.

I took one more step, leaning in just slightly. "Tell me, Jennie, what exactly do you want from me?"

She snapped her eyes back to mine, her expression a mix of frustration, embarrassment, and something else—something deeper.

And for once, she didn't have a sharp retort ready.

So I smirked. "See? Even you don't know."

That set her off again.

"FUCK YOU, LISA!" she shrieked, shoving me hard. "I do know! I do fucking know, okay?! I just—" She cut herself off, exhaling sharply, her eyes burning into mine.

I just tilted my head, waiting.

She clenched her fists. Then, in a quieter but no less intense voice, she hissed, "I just fucking hate that you don't get it."

That made me pause.

Something about the way she said it.

Like she hated that she wanted me. Hated that I wasn't reacting the way she expected.

Hated that I wasn't giving her what she needed.

I studied her face for a long moment, the silence stretching between us.

Then, softly, I said, "Maybe I do get it."

Jennie's breath hitched, her eyes flickering with something raw and unguarded.

But before she could say anything, I lifted up the bag I had brought with me, shaking it slightly.

"Now, are you done cursing me out? Because I actually brought you food."

Jennie eyed the bag in my hand like it had personally offended her.

Her lips pressed into a thin line, like she was trying not to be interested.

"What is that?" she asked, her voice clipped.

I smirked. "Food. You know, the thing you need to survive?"

She crossed her arms. "I know what food is, dumbass. I meant, what did you bring?"

I stepped past her, heading toward the kitchen. "Your favorite."

That made her pause.

I could feel her staring at the back of my head. "My favorite?" she repeated, her voice quieter now.

I set the bag on the counter and started unpacking. "Well, sort of. I know I can't afford the fancy Michelin-star bullshit you probably eat every day, so I figured I'd go with the next best thing."

I pulled out the neatly packed containers, the warm scent of the homemade meal filling the air.

Jennie's eyes flickered with something unreadable. "...You cooked?"

I shrugged. "You liked it last time. Thought it'd be better than me showing up empty-handed."

She didn't say anything.

For once, Jennie Kim was silent.

I glanced at her. "Well?"

She blinked, snapping out of whatever trance she was in. "Well, what?"

I smirked. "Are you gonna keep standing there glaring at me, or are you gonna eat?"

She hesitated. Then, without another word, she stepped closer and grabbed a spoon.

I watched as she took a bite.

Jennie was impossible to read sometimes, but right now? Right now, I could tell.

She liked it.

She wouldn't say it, of course. Instead, she just muttered, "It's decent."

I chuckled. "Wow. High praise. Should I frame that compliment?"

She shot me a glare but took another bite.

I leaned against the counter, watching her.

She wasn't yelling anymore. Wasn't throwing pillows or cursing me out.

For the first time tonight, she looked... calmer.

And, for some reason, that made something in my chest loosen.

After a few minutes, Jennie finally spoke again.

"Why did you even cook for me?"

I blinked. "Huh?"

She set down her spoon and looked at me, her expression unreadable. "You didn't have to. We have a deal. You could've just shown up and called it a day."

I scratched the back of my head. "Yeah, well... you were mad at me. Figured this would help."

She stared at me for a long moment.

Then, in a quieter voice, she said, "I wasn't just mad, Lisa."

I frowned. "Then what were you?"

She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Forget it."

I studied her face, but she wouldn't meet my eyes.

I didn't push.

Instead, I just leaned back against the counter and said, "Well, either way, you should be thanking me."

She scoffed. "For what?"

I grinned. "For this five-star meal, obviously."

She rolled her eyes. "You're so full of yourself."

I winked. "And you love it."

She scowled. "I hate it."

I laughed. "Mmm. Sure you do, Princess."

And for the first time since I arrived, Jennie didn't argue back.

Jennie didn't say anything for a while, just kept eating, her brows slightly furrowed like she was deep in thought.

I let her.

She could pretend all she wanted, but I knew she was enjoying the food.

Then, suddenly, she set her spoon down with a loud clank against the bowl and turned to me, arms crossing over her chest. "You're still an asshole, though."

I raised an eyebrow. "What did I do now?"

She shot me a glare. "You knew I wanted to see you, but you still went to that damn bar."

I blinked. "I work there, Jennie."

"I told you to come, and you just went to do whatever instead."

I let out a breath, shaking my head. "You didn't tell me anything. You just got mad when I didn't magically show up at your door."

Her eyes narrowed. "You should've known!"

I scoffed. "Oh, right. I forgot I was a mind reader."

She huffed, looking away. "You don't need to be a mind reader to know, Lisa."

I watched her for a second before sighing. "Look, I get it. You were expecting me. But I also have a life, Jennie. I can't just—"

She suddenly stood up, making the chair scrape against the floor. "You can just! That's the whole point! You agreed to this, you agreed to me! If I tell you to come, you come."

I stared at her.

She was serious.

Dead serious.

Her chest was rising and falling a little too quickly, her fists clenched at her sides like she was really fighting the urge to throw something.

And it hit me—this wasn't just about tonight.

This wasn't just about me being at the bar or not texting first.

This was something bigger.

Something neither of us had really talked about yet.

I took a step toward her, lowering my voice. "Jennie..."

She shook her head, stepping back like she didn't even want to hear it. "Forget it. Just—forget it."

I exhaled slowly. "You know that's not how this works, right?"

She glared at me. "What the hell does that mean?"

"You don't own me, Jennie."

She froze.

I took another step forward, my voice firm but calm. "I get that we have a deal. And I get that you want to see me whenever you want. But I'm still a person. I still have things I need to do."

She clenched her jaw. "You work at a bar, Lisa. It's not some life-or-death situation."

I tilted my head. "And what if it was? What if I had something important going on? What if—"

"Was it?" she cut me off. "Was it important?"

I didn't answer right away.

Because...

I was just... trying to pay my debt.

But I'm not going to tell her that.

Her lips curled into something close to a smirk, but her eyes weren't amused. "That's what I thought."

I let out a short laugh. "Damn, you really do like winning, huh?"

She shrugged. "I'm Jennie Kim. I always win."

I shook my head, chuckling. "You're impossible."

She sat back down, flicking her hair over her shoulder. "And you love it."

I exhaled, watching her.

Did I?

Did I love the way she got mad at me for not reading her mind? The way she demanded my time without even realizing how much power she had over me?

Maybe.

Maybe I did.

And maybe that was the problem.

--

Jennie's POV

I slammed my spoon down on the table, crossing my arms as I stared at Lisa. "You're still an asshole, though."

Lisa blinked at me, looking completely clueless. "What did I do now?"

I scoffed. "Oh, like you don't know."

She leaned back against the counter, arms crossed, waiting for me to explain. That stupid, stupid lazy smirk was still on her lips, like she was amused by this. Like my anger was just some game to her.

"You knew I wanted to see you," I snapped. "But instead of coming, you went to that damn bar."

Lisa sighed. "Jennie, I work there."

"I told you to come, and you just went to do whatever instead."

"You didn't tell me anything." Lisa let out a breath, shaking her head. "You just got mad when I didn't magically show up at your door."

I clenched my jaw. "You should've known."

Lisa's brows lifted in disbelief. "Oh, right. I forgot I was a mind reader."

I could feel my blood boiling. "You don't need to be a mind reader to know, Lisa."

She watched me for a second before sighing. "Look, I get it. You were expecting me. But I also have a life, Jennie. I can't just—"

"You can just!" I stood up abruptly, the chair scraping against the floor. "That's the whole point! You agreed to this, you agreed to me! If I tell you to come, you come."

Lisa stared at me.

She didn't say anything.

And that made me angrier.

Because why wasn't she arguing? Why wasn't she saying something?

She took a step closer, her voice lowering. "Jennie..."

I shook my head, stepping back. "Forget it. Just—forget it."

Lisa exhaled, her eyes never leaving mine. "You know that's not how this works, right?"

I narrowed my eyes. "What the hell does that mean?"

"You don't own me, Jennie."

I froze.

I felt it immediately—the tightness in my chest, the way my stomach twisted like I'd just been punched.

Lisa took another step forward, her voice calm but firm. "I get that we have a deal. And I get that you want to see me whenever you want. But I'm still a person. I still have things I need to do."

I clenched my jaw. "You work at a bar, Lisa. It's not some life-or-death situation."

Lisa tilted her head. "And what if it was? What if I had something important going on? What if—"

"Was it?" I cut her off. "Was it important?"

Silence.

She didn't answer.

Because we both knew the truth.

My lips curled slightly, but it wasn't amusement—it was satisfaction. "That's what I thought."

Lisa let out a short laugh, shaking her head. "Damn, you really do like winning, huh?"

I shrugged, flipping my hair over my shoulder. "I'm Jennie Kim. I always win."

Lisa chuckled, shaking her head. "You're impossible."

I leaned back in my chair, smirking. "And you love it."

Lisa didn't respond.

She just watched me, her gaze lingering a little too long, her lips pressed together like she was thinking something but wouldn't say it out loud.

And for some reason...

That unsettled me.

So I looked away first.

---

Maybe you guys saw how Jisoo character the last chapter changed right? I'll gonna change it and you guys have nothing to say about it. Okay?