5ive

Jennie's POV

The morning air was crisp as I waited in the hotel lounge, nursing an untouched cup of tea. My foot tapped against the floor impatiently, my irritation simmering under a calm exterior. Jisoo walked in cautiously, as if sensing the storm brewing in the room.

"Morning, Jennie," she greeted with a nervous smile, her voice softer than usual. She sat down across from me, fiddling with her phone.

I didn't bother with small talk. "Did you speak to Lisa?"

Jisoo nodded hesitantly. "I did."

"And?"

Jisoo winced slightly. "She... declined."

My fingers gripped the edge of the table. "She declined?"

"She said she couldn't take the job," Jisoo explained quickly, as if rushing to soften the blow.

I leaned back, crossing my arms as my annoyance flared. "Couldn't or wouldn't?"

"Jennie, I'm sure she has her reasons," Jisoo said carefully, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

I scoffed, my frustration bubbling over. "What reasons could she possibly have? What's so important in her life that she can't take on a simple assistant job? It's not like she's busy running a company or anything."

Jisoo looked uncomfortable, glancing around as if hoping someone would come to her rescue. "I don't know, Jennie. She didn't explain much. She just said it's not the right time for her."

"Not the right time," I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Do you realize how ridiculous that sounds? Who turns down an opportunity like this?"

"Jennie, maybe it's not about the opportunity," Jisoo offered hesitantly. "Maybe she's just... private, you know? Lisa's always been a bit reserved."

"Private?" I said, raising an eyebrow. "That's what we're calling it now? Let's be real, Jisoo. She's ungrateful. That's what this is. How many people would kill for a chance to work with me? To see me every day? And she thinks she's above it?"

Jisoo flinched slightly, looking down at her hands. "Jennie, that's not fair. Lisa isn't ungrateful. She's just... different. Maybe she's not comfortable working so closely with you."

"Why wouldn't she be comfortable?" I demanded, my voice rising. "I'm not some monster. I'm offering her a job—a well-paying one, at that. Does she think she's too good for it?"

"No, Jennie, it's not that," Jisoo said quickly, her voice tinged with a hint of panic. "Lisa doesn't think she's too good for anything. She just has her own way of doing things."

I rolled my eyes, my temper flaring. "Her own way of doing things? That's just an excuse for being difficult. She has no idea how lucky she is to even have this opportunity. She should be grateful I'm willing to overlook her... shortcomings."

Jisoo's eyes darted nervously around the room, as if afraid someone might overhear. "Jennie, please... don't say things like that. Lisa's a good person. She's just..."

"She's just what?" I snapped.

"Independent," Jisoo said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Independent?" I repeated, letting out a humorless laugh. "That's just another way of saying stubborn. She's stubborn and arrogant, and she's going to regret this. Mark my words."

Jisoo looked genuinely distressed now, her hands clutching the edge of the table. "Jennie, please don't fire me over this. I tried my best to convince her. I really did."

I waved a hand dismissively, though my irritation remained. "Relax, Jisoo. I'm not going to fire you. But this... this is unacceptable. I don't care what you have to do—call her again. Tell her I don't take no for an answer."

Jisoo hesitated, her gaze searching my face for any sign of leniency. "Jennie, I don't think—"

"Do it," I interrupted firmly. "And let her know that if she doesn't take this job, she'll regret it."

Jisoo sighed, defeated, and nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll call her again."

"Good," I said, standing up and smoothing my dress. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than worry about someone as insignificant as Lisa Manoban."

As I walked away, I couldn't shake the lingering anger and frustration. Lisa Manoban. A nobody who dared to defy me.

So why couldn't I stop thinking about her?

--

I couldn't stop pacing my room. The sheer audacity of Lisa declining my offer replayed in my mind, taunting me. I hated how much it bothered me, how much she bothered me.

This ends now, I told myself.

Grabbing my phone, I called Jisoo. She answered on the second ring, her tone already nervous. "Jennie?"

"I need Lisa's address," I said flatly.

"What?" Jisoo's voice rose, clearly taken aback. "Why?"

"That's none of your concern," I snapped. "Just give it to me."

"Jennie, I don't think that's a good idea," Jisoo said cautiously. "Lisa's really private, and I don't think she'd appreciate me sharing her address without her permission."

I clenched my jaw, my patience wearing thin. "Jisoo, I'm not asking for your opinion. I'm telling you to give me her address."

There was a long pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost hear Jisoo's internal struggle. "Jennie, I can't do that," she finally said, her voice apologetic but firm.

My temper flared. "You can't? Or you won't?"

"Jennie, please," Jisoo pleaded. "This isn't right. Lisa values her privacy, and—"

"I don't care about her privacy!" I cut her off, my voice rising. "I'm not going to let some nobody think she can walk away from me. Now, give me the address, or I swear I'll hire a private investigator to find it myself."

"Jennie..." Jisoo sounded horrified.

"I mean it, Jisoo," I said coldly. "If you don't give me her address right now, you can consider yourself out of a job. Do you understand me?"

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with tension and hesitation. I could almost picture Jisoo sitting there, torn between loyalty and fear.

"Alright," she finally said, her voice trembling. "I'll give it to you. But please... don't do anything rash. Lisa's been through a lot, and—"

"Spare me the sob story," I interrupted, grabbing a pen and paper. "Just give me the address."

Jisoo hesitated again before reciting it slowly, her voice heavy with reluctance. I wrote it down, my grip on the pen tight.

"Thank you," I said curtly.

"Jennie, please," Jisoo said one last time, her tone desperate. "Don't do anything that might hurt her."

"I'll handle it," I replied dismissively, ending the call before she could say anything else.

As I stared at the address in my hand, a strange mix of satisfaction and unease settled over me. Lisa Manoban thought she could just disappear and ignore me?

She was about to find out how wrong she was.

The piece of paper with Lisa's address sat on my vanity, taunting me.  My emotions were in chaos—fury, determination, and an odd undercurrent of something I didn't want to name.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Hhuit, my road manager. He answered almost instantly, his tone professional as always. "Good morning, Miss Jennie. Is everything alright?"

"Cancel all my shoots today," I said, not bothering with pleasantries.

There was a pause, followed by a cautious question. "All of them? But we have back-to-back appointments—photoshoots, a magazine interview, and the product launch meeting."

"I don't care," I snapped. "Reschedule everything. Tell them I'm sick, or unavailable, or whatever excuse you need to come up with. I have something more important to handle."

Hhuit hesitated, clearly taken aback by my tone. "Jennie, this will disrupt—"

"I said cancel them!" I cut him off sharply. "I'll deal with the consequences later. Just do as I say."

"Yes, Miss Jennie," he replied, his voice clipped but obedient.

I hung up without another word, my hand trembling slightly as I set the phone down. My reflection in the mirror stared back at me, uncharacteristically frazzled. I wasn't the type to cancel my professional commitments, and I certainly wasn't the type to let someone like Lisa Manoban get under my skin.

Yet here I was, preparing to confront her because she dared to say no to me.

Grabbing my purse, I slipped on a pair of oversized sunglasses and a hoodie, attempting to disguise myself as much as possible. The last thing I needed was paparazzi catching wind of this.

As I stepped into the elevator, my thoughts churned. Lisa had no idea what she had unleashed by refusing my offer. She might be trying to avoid me, but she wasn't going to get away that easily.

Not when I still had something to settle.

--

The GPS guided me through increasingly narrow streets, each turn taking me deeper into a part of the city I had never been to. The bright, glamorous world I usually inhabited felt like a distant memory as I parked my car in front of a rundown building.

Lisa's address led me here.

The building was old, with peeling paint and rust-stained railings. The street was eerily quiet, save for the occasional sound of a passing car or the distant bark of a dog. I stepped out of the car, clutching my purse tightly, the smell of damp concrete and stale air making my nose wrinkle.

This can't be where she lives.

I double-checked the address Jisoo had scribbled down. It matched the numbers on the building. I swallowed hard, my irritation mounting.

The thought of Lisa—a girl with so much confidence and talent—living here only added fuel to my frustration. How dare she act so high and mighty, turning down my offer, when she was living like this? Did she think she was above working for me?

I entered the building, the fluorescent lights in the hallway flickering ominously. My heels clicked against the cracked tiles as I made my way to the stairs. No elevator, of course. I muttered under my breath, annoyed but determined.

Climbing to the third floor, I found her door: a plain wooden one with the number scrawled on a tarnished metal plate. The hallway smelled faintly of old cooking oil and damp cardboard.

I hesitated for a moment, my fist hovering in the air.

Why does this feel so personal?

Shaking off the thought, I knocked firmly, the sound echoing through the quiet corridor.

There was a pause. Then, the faint sound of footsteps approaching.

When the door opened, Lisa stood there, wearing a loose gray shirt and sweatpants. Her hair was slightly messy, and she looked surprised—no, stunned—to see me.

"Jennie?" she asked, her voice low and incredulous.

"Are you going to let me in?" I demanded, pushing past her before she could answer. The cramped interior of her apartment came into view: a small couch, a makeshift desk cluttered with papers and sketches, and a kitchen barely big enough to turn around in.

"Nice place," I said sarcastically, crossing my arms.

"What are you doing here?" Lisa asked, shutting the door behind me.

"You refuse my offer, and you expect me to just let it go?" I snapped, turning to face her.

Lisa rubbed the back of her neck, her expression guarded. "Jennie, I don't think you understand—"

"I understand perfectly," I cut her off. "You think you're too good for this job, for me. Well, newsflash, Lisa—you're not."

Her jaw tightened, but she didn't respond immediately.

"This," I said, gesturing around the tiny apartment, "is what you're choosing over a stable, well-paying job. Do you have any idea how ridiculous that is?"

Lisa's gaze hardened. "You don't know anything about me or why I made that decision."

"Then enlighten me," I shot back, stepping closer. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're just being stubborn and ungrateful."

For a moment, neither of us spoke. The air between us crackled with tension, neither willing to back down.

Finally, Lisa let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through her hair. "I don't need your pity, Jennie."

"Pity?" I laughed bitterly. "This isn't pity. This is me giving you a chance—a chance you clearly don't deserve."

Her eyes flickered with something I couldn't quite place. "If that's what you think, then why are you here?"

I opened my mouth to answer, but no words came.

Why was I here?

--

Lisa's POV

I leaned against the edge of my tiny kitchen counter, arms crossed as I stared at Jennie standing in my cramped living room. She looked entirely out of place here, like a diamond set in a pile of coal. But her presence wasn't what unnerved me—it was her persistence.

"Explain something to me," I began, keeping my voice even despite the irritation bubbling underneath. "How exactly is this part-time substitute assistant job supposed to change my situation? You're acting like I just turned down the opportunity of a lifetime."

Jennie's lips parted slightly, but I didn't give her a chance to speak.

"Because, from where I'm standing," I continued, gesturing around my small apartment, "you don't exactly know what I need or why I turned you down in the first place."

Her expression shifted, her confident facade faltering for just a second. It was subtle, but I caught it.

"So tell me, Jennie," I said, taking a step closer to her, my tone sharpening. "Why are you so keen to have me as your assistant? Are you planning something? Something bad?"

Her eyes widened slightly, and I saw a flicker of something in her gaze—guilt, maybe?

"Or," I said, my voice lowering, "is this about the kiss?"

Jennie stiffened, her arms crossing defensively. "Don't flatter yourself," she snapped, her cheeks flushing. "The world doesn't revolve around you, Lisa."

"Doesn't it?" I challenged, smirking despite myself. "Because it sure feels like it right now. You're standing here, in my apartment, practically demanding I take this job. You tracked down my address, Jennie. That's not exactly normal."

She glared at me, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Why?" I pressed, my voice softer now. "Why do you care so much? I'm nobody, remember? A 'peasant,' as you put it."

Her face darkened, but she didn't deny it.

"I told you before, Lisa," she said through gritted teeth, "this is business. I need someone competent, and you were surprisingly good at your job in Japan. That's all there is to it."

"Right," I said sarcastically, leaning back. "Because there's absolutely no way this has anything to do with that night."

Her silence was deafening.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "Look, Jennie, I don't know what's going on in your head, and honestly, I don't think I want to. But this—" I gestured between us, "—whatever game you're playing, I'm not interested."

Her jaw tightened, and I could see her fighting to maintain control of her emotions.

"You're unbelievable," she muttered, her voice trembling with anger.

"Maybe," I replied, shrugging. "But at least I'm honest."

The tension between us was suffocating, the unspoken truths and unresolved emotions hanging in the air like a storm cloud.

Finally, Jennie let out a frustrated sigh, grabbing her purse. "You're going to regret this," she said, her voice low and icy.

"Maybe," I said again, meeting her gaze. "But at least I'll regret it on my own terms."

Without another word, she stormed out, slamming the door behind her. I stood there for a moment, staring at the door, the echo of her departure lingering in the quiet apartment.

Why did it feel like I had just lost something important?

I was pacing back and forth in my tiny apartment, Jennie's icy parting words still ringing in my ears, when a sharp, panicked scream pierced the air. My head snapped up, and I recognized the voice instantly.

Jennie.

I bolted out the door without thinking, adrenaline surging through me. The sound led me to the dimly lit hallway, where Jennie was backed against the wall, her face pale and filled with a mix of fear and rage. A wiry man with wild eyes loomed over her, his grip firm on her wrist.

"Hey!" I barked, stepping forward.

The man turned, his bloodshot eyes narrowing as he focused on me. Recognition flashed across his face, and his demeanor changed instantly.

"Lisa?" he muttered, his grip loosening.

"Yeah, it's me," I said evenly, keeping my tone calm but firm. "What the hell are you doing?"

"I didn't know she was with you," he said quickly, raising his hands in surrender. "I swear, I didn't know."

"Well, now you do," I replied, my gaze steady on his. "And I suggest you walk away. Now."

He nodded frantically, backing off. "I'm sorry, Lisa. I didn't mean anything by it."

"Just go," I said, my voice low and controlled.

He stumbled away, muttering apologies as he disappeared down the hall. I turned back to Jennie, who was leaning against the wall, her hands trembling.

"Are you okay?" I asked, stepping closer.

She nodded, but the fear in her eyes betrayed her. "I'm fine," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

I didn't buy it for a second. "Come on," I said gently, taking her by the arm. "Let's get you inside."

Jennie didn't protest as I guided her back into my apartment, closing the door securely behind us. I noticed the faint red marks on her wrist where he'd grabbed her, and my jaw tightened.

"Sit down," I said, gesturing to the worn-out couch. "I'll get you some tea."

She sat stiffly, her hands clasped tightly in her lap. I moved around the small kitchen, brewing tea and grabbing an ice pack from the freezer. When I returned, I handed her the cup and crouched in front of her, gently placing the ice pack on her wrist.

"Here," I said softly. "This should help with the swelling."

Jennie looked down at her wrist, then up at me, her expression unreadable. "Thank you," she murmured, her voice quiet.

"You don't have to thank me," I replied, my tone calm but firm. "Nobody gets to treat you like that. Not here, not anywhere."

She stayed silent, sipping the tea slowly. The tension in her shoulders started to ease, but her gaze remained distant, as if she was processing everything that had just happened.

I stayed crouched in front of her, watching her carefully. "Are you sure you're okay?" I asked again.

Jennie nodded, but there was something in her eyes—a vulnerability she was trying to hide.

"Jennie," I said gently, "it's okay to admit if you're shaken up. That guy's an idiot, but he's gone now. You're safe here."

Her gaze softened for a moment before she looked away. "I'm fine," she said again, but her voice cracked slightly, betraying her calm facade.

I didn't push her. Instead, I stayed close, silently promising myself that as long as she was here, no one would lay a finger on her again.

--

Narrator

Lisa stood up, taking the now-warm ice pack from Jennie's wrist and setting it aside. She leaned against the edge of the small table, her arms crossed as she looked at Jennie, who seemed to be studying the cup of tea in her hands.

"You shouldn't come here again," Lisa said, her tone quiet but firm.

Jennie's head snapped up, her eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?"

"This place isn't safe for someone like you," Lisa continued, gesturing vaguely around the cramped apartment. "You don't belong here, Jennie. It's dangerous, and I can't always guarantee that someone won't try something stupid like that guy did."

Jennie set the cup down, irritation flashing across her face. "Someone like me?"

Lisa sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah. Someone like you. You're... Jennie Kim. You're famous, rich, and you don't have to deal with this kind of environment. It's not your world, Jennie. And honestly, I don't want it to be."

Jennie frowned, her voice sharpening. "I can take care of myself."

"Sure you can," Lisa said, her sarcasm cutting through. "That's why I found you pinned to a wall five minutes ago."

Jennie glared at her. "I didn't ask for your help."

Lisa's lips pressed into a thin line. "And I didn't offer it because you asked. I did it because you needed it."

The room fell into tense silence for a moment before Lisa exhaled slowly, softening her tone. "Look, I'm not trying to insult you. I just..." She hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I don't want to see you get hurt. This isn't the kind of place you should be walking into alone, no matter how stubborn you are."

Jennie crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "I came here because I needed to talk to you. You're the one who refused the job."

Lisa nodded, rubbing the back of her neck. "I know, and I'm sorry for that. But I have reasons, Jennie."

"What reasons?"

Lisa sighed, leaning forward slightly. "I've got other part-time jobs, ones I can't just ditch. These people have been good to me—they gave me work when I needed it most. If I just up and leave, it wouldn't feel right. They're depending on me, and I owe them."

Jennie's brow furrowed, frustration clear in her expression. "And you think I'm not worth prioritizing?"

"It's not about that," Lisa replied quickly. "It's about loyalty. You don't understand what it's like to live paycheck to paycheck, to have people give you a chance when you're struggling. I can't just walk away from that because a high-paying job comes along, even if it's with you."

Jennie's lips parted as if she wanted to argue, but she closed them again, her expression softening just a fraction.

Lisa continued, her voice quieter now. "I know it doesn't make sense to you. You probably think I'm crazy for turning down such a good opportunity. But it's just how I am. I don't forget the people who've helped me, no matter what."

Jennie stared at her for a long moment, the irritation in her eyes replaced by something else—curiosity, maybe even a hint of understanding.

"You're right," Jennie finally said, her voice quieter now. "I don't understand. I've never had to think like that."

Lisa offered a small, tired smile. "And that's okay. You don't have to understand, Jennie. Just know it's not personal. It's just... my life."

Jennie looked away, her jaw tightening as if she were fighting to find the right words. "So, that's it, then? You're just going to keep working these jobs forever?"

Lisa shrugged. "For now. It's what I have to do."

Jennie's gaze lingered on her for a moment longer before she stood up abruptly, smoothing her clothes. "Fine. I'll leave you to your... life."

Lisa straightened, watching as Jennie walked toward the door. She hesitated, her hand on the doorknob, before glancing back at Lisa. "But for the record, I wasn't scared out there. I was just caught off guard."

Lisa smirked faintly, crossing her arms. "Sure you weren't."

Jennie glared at her, but there was no real heat behind it. Without another word, she opened the door and left, leaving Lisa alone in the quiet apartment, a mix of emotions swirling in her chest.

Lisa stared at the closed door Jennie had just walked through, her mind racing. Letting out a sharp exhale, she grabbed her jacket from the back of a chair and followed her outside.

As she caught up with Jennie near the building's poorly lit entrance, she noticed the way Jennie's steps faltered slightly, her shoulders tense. "Jennie," Lisa called out, her voice steady but soft.

Jennie turned, her face still a mix of irritation and lingering unease. "What now?"

Lisa approached her cautiously, hands in her jacket pockets. "Let me drive you home."

Jennie scoffed, crossing her arms. "I don't need you to play chauffeur. I can take care of myself."

Lisa raised an eyebrow, her tone calm but firm. "You sure about that? This area isn't exactly friendly, and carjacking is kind of a thing around here. Ambushes, too."

Jennie's lips pressed into a thin line, but her eyes flickered with hesitation. "I'll be fine."

Lisa took a step closer, her voice dropping slightly. "Look, you're still shaken up from earlier, even if you won't admit it. I'm not letting you drive off alone when I know how this neighborhood is. Let me take you."

Jennie glared at her, a mix of pride and vulnerability flashing across her face. "And what about you? You live in this... this criminal place." She waved a hand around dramatically.

Lisa shrugged, her expression unbothered. "Yeah. It's a criminal place."

Jennie blinked, caught off guard by Lisa's casual admission. "And you're okay with that?"

"It's not like I have much of a choice," Lisa replied, her tone even. "This is what I can afford, Jennie. I don't have the luxury of picking a safer area. Rent's cheap here, and that's what matters."

Jennie's irritation flared again, her voice rising slightly. "Why do you live like this? You're talented, Lisa. You can dance. You could be doing so much more."

Lisa gave her a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Maybe. But this is my reality right now. And honestly, it's not so bad once you get used to it."

Jennie stared at her, struggling to reconcile the calm, collected woman in front of her with the rough circumstances Lisa described. For a moment, she was at a loss for words, the reality of their vastly different lives sinking in.

Lisa cleared her throat, breaking the silence. "So, are you letting me drive you or not?"

Jennie hesitated, her pride warring with the lingering fear from earlier. Finally, she sighed, rolling her eyes. "Fine. But don't think this means anything."

Lisa smirked slightly, gesturing toward her car. "Noted."

They walked in silence to Lisa's small, beat-up car. As Jennie slid into the passenger seat, she tried not to think about how close Lisa had been earlier, how steady and protective she'd seemed in the face of danger.

Lisa started the car, glancing over at Jennie briefly. "Buckle up."

Jennie complied without a word, staring out the window as Lisa pulled onto the dimly lit street. For the first time in a while, Jennie found herself wondering what it must be like to live in Lisa's world—a world so far removed from her own.

--

Should I continue this?