9.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of my phone vibrating aggressively against my nightstand. Groaning, I reached for it blindly, squinting at the screen.

Rina. FaceTime.

I cleared my throat and answered, barely getting the phone to my face before her loud ass voice filled the room.

"Bitchhh, why you still sleep?!"

I winced, turning the volume down and flopping back onto my pillow. "Rina, it's—" I squinted at the clock on my wall. "—nine in the morning."

She smacked her lips. "And? I got shit to tell you!"

I yawned, stretching my legs under my blanket. "How's the mountains, slut?"

She sighed dramatically, flipping her camera around to show a gorgeous view of snow-covered trees and a clear ass sky. It was giving movie scene.

"Bitch, look at this," she said. "I ain't never seen trees this fine."

I laughed sleepily. "I thought you went for a ski trip, not a damn nature documentary."

She flipped the camera back. "Girl, I was supposed to be skiing, but I got distracted—tell me why I met this fine ass snowboard instructor?"

I perked up. "Oh?"

"Yes," she dragged the word out, flipping her hair dramatically. "And bitch, he's European. Accent and everything."

I gasped, suddenly way more awake. "You bagged an international man?!"

She nodded proudly. "Mhm. We been vibing heavy, but that's not even what I called to tell you."

I sat up, intrigued. "Oh?"

She smirked, adjusting her phone. "I need details on that date, hoe."

I groaned, falling back onto my pillows. "Oh my God, Rina."

She gasped. "Oh my God, Jade. Start talking."

I sighed dramatically, but I couldn't lie, I had been waiting to vent.

"It was a disaster," I started, rubbing my eyes. "Wyatt was on my ass about my outfit, my hair, even what I ate. Like damn, let me live."

Rina made a disgusted face. "Ugh, I hate men."

"Me too," I muttered.

She squinted. "Wait, but Ren was there, right?"

I tried not to smile. Tried and failed.

Rina gasped. "OH BITCH."

"Shut up," I laughed, turning onto my side.

"Oh no, I will NOT shut up," she said. "What happened? Did she say something? Did she look jealous? Did she—"

I waved her off. "She didn't do nothing crazy. But..."

"But what?"

I bit my lip, playing with the edge of my blanket. "She told me she liked my hair down."

Rina squealed.

"I know," I whispered dramatically.

She leaned in close to the camera. "Bitch, she want you."

I smirked, shrugging. "I mean, I ain't say all that, but—"

Rina rolled her eyes. "Girl, shut up. We been knew you had game. I just need you to make a move before I physically explode."

I fake pouted. "But what if she curbs me? What if she—"

"She won't," Rina cut me off. "That woman would kill for you. I saw the way she yoked that bitch up at the club. Come on now."

I grinned, tucking my face into my pillow. "Okay, maybe."

She smirked. "Anyway, what you getting into tonight?"

I perked up. "Actually... I was thinking about sneaking out."

Her eyes lit up. "Oh, I love where this is going."

I sat up, twirling a piece of hair around my finger. "I wanna get drunk without Ren's hating ass stopping me this time."

Rina cackled. "Oh, you wanna be rebellious?"

"Very," I confirmed.

She nodded approvingly. "I support it. Where you going?"

"I was thinking about that bar on 7th," I said. "The one with the good ass drinks."

"Oop, you trying to get fucked up," she teased.

I smirked. "Maaaaybe."

Rina winked. "Well, do your thing, just be slick about it."

"Girl, you know I'm the queen of being slick," I said, flipping my hair dramatically.

She giggled. "Just don't get caught. Ren gon' be on your ass."

I rolled my eyes. "She can't be on my ass if she don't know."

Rina grinned. "Ooo, I like that confidence. Keep me updated, slut."

I smirked. "I will. Love you, bitch."

"Love you more, ho," she said, before hanging up.

I flopped back onto my pillows, grinning to myself.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

I pranced my way to Daddy's office, already practicing my best whiny voice. If I wanted something, I had to lay it on thick, and who better to play the role of spoiled daddy's girl than me?

I pushed the door open without knocking, because why would I?

He looked up from his desk, already sighing like I was exhausting him.

"What now, Babydoll?"

I pouted, stepping up to his desk and dragging my fingers across the smooth wood.

"Daddy," I whined, "I need money."

He didn't even blink. "Take my card." He reached into his drawer and pulled out the same stupid black card he always handed me, sliding it across the desk.

I didn't take it.

Instead, I crossed my arms. "I want cash."

He finally looked up, squinting. "Why cash?"

I rolled my eyes, acting as casual as possible. "Because I just do. What does it matter?"

"It matters," he said, leaning back, "because I get expense reports on everything you buy. So what exactly do you want cash for?"

I put on my best fake gasp. "Daddy, do you not trust me?"

He gave me a look. "Not even a little bit."

I huffed, but kept my cool. "Fine. I just don't want you all in my business, damn."

"Doll." His voice was warning.

I leaned over his desk, flashing him my best big, innocent brown eyes. "Daddy," I dragged the word out, "pleaseee. Just a couple thousand."

He sighed, rubbing his forehead, then opened his drawer, pulled out a thick stack of hundreds, and dropped them on the desk.

I snatched them so fast.

"Thank you, love you, bye!" I said all in one breath, kissing his cheek before turning to leave.

He called after me. "Babydoll!"

I turned, smiling like I didn't just rob him blind.

"Behave," he warned.

I winked. "Always."

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

Back in my room, I changed into something simple but cute.

A short ass bodysuit.

It hugged every curve, my thighs looking extra good, my waist snatched. I looked expensive.

I grabbed my bag, threw on some fluffy ass slides, and checked myself in the mirror before stepping out.

Ren was already posted right outside my door, standing all stiff and serious like usual.

I sighed dramatically. "Ugh, Ren, relax. It's just me."

She didn't say anything, just gave me that same blank ass stare.

I tilted my head, grinning up at her. "We got a busy day ahead of us, by the way."

She just raised a brow. "Do we?"

"Mhm," I nodded, leading the way. "I got a wig appointment, a lash appointment, a nail appointment, and a wax appointment."

She followed behind me, her footsteps heavy as hell. "Sounds like you're rebuilding yourself from scratch."

I giggled. "Maybe I am."

She said nothing, just trailed after me as I made my way down the grand staircase, hips swaying in my too-tight bodysuit.

This was gonna be a good day.

I walked out the front doors like I was on a runway, my slick thighs shining in the sunlight from all that body oil I lathered on. Ren followed, silent as usual, and opened the car door for me. I slid in, crossing my legs.

She got in the driver's seat, adjusting the mirror before looking at me through it.

"Where to first?"

I pulled out my phone, checking my appointments. I had my whole day lined up.

"Hair," I said, "I need my wig installed."

Ren didn't say anything, just pulled out the driveway, her hands gripping the wheel like she was on a damn mission.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

We pulled up to my stylist's shop, and I was already excited. I had two lace fronts in my bag, both custom-dyed, but I was leaning toward the reddish brown one.

Inside, my stylist, Key, was mid-argument with one of her assistants.

"Nah, because you not about to play in my face like that, Kiyah. If you late again, you can go work somewhere else."

I giggled, stepping in like I owned the place.

"Key, girl, don't be running off my good sis now!"

Key turned, smiling when she saw me. "Oh my God, Babydoll! Come gimme a hug."

I twirled into her arms, letting her squeeze me before pulling back. "Now, make me look good."

She gave me a look. "Girl, you always look good. Come on, let's get started."

I sat in the chair, and she got to work, braiding down my hair, then carefully installing the reddish-brown unit. It was bone-straight, long as hell, and melted perfectly into my skin.

She did some last touches, pressing the hair down with a wax stick, before handing me a mirror.

I flipped my hair, staring at myself.

Yeah. I looked rich.

"Perfect," I said, standing up and handing her the money. "I'll see you next time, boo."

She kissed my cheek. "Be good."

I winked. "Never."

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

Next stop, lashes.

Ren parked, and I hopped out, strutting inside.

My lash tech, Mimi, was already waiting for me, setting up her little tray of tools.

She patted the recliner chair, and I laid down, adjusting my head.

"What are we doing today?" she asked.

"Wispy mega volume with spikes," I said. "I need drama."

She nodded, getting to work.

I closed my eyes, letting the tweezers do their magic. The soft pulling, the gentle dabs of adhesive, the tiny lashes being placed one by one.

Ren was somewhere behind me, standing all stiff like always, but I didn't care. This was my time.

After about an hour, Mimi handed me a mirror.

I opened my eyes and instantly smiled.

"Yesss," I purred, blinking dramatically. "This is exactly what I needed."

She laughed, packing up her things. "You know I got you, Babydoll."

I sat up, stretching before handing her a tip. "See you soon, babe!"

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

By the time we pulled up to my nail tech, I was feeling myself.

I stepped inside, already knowing exactly what I wanted.

My tech, Jaz, greeted me with a smile. "Doll, what's the vibe today?"

I pulled out my phone, showing her my inspo. "Long as hell. Freestyle me, but I need some chrome, some bling, and my pinkies gotta be stiletto."

She nodded, already pulling out colors.

I sat back as she prepped my nails, filing them into the perfect sharp, elegant shape. Then came the art.

Jaz was a perfectionist, carefully laying the chrome powder, placing each rhinestone, and making sure the designs were flawless.

By the time she finished, my hands looked expensive.

I held them up, letting the light hit the bling.

"Girl," I gasped, "you ate."

She grinned. "I know."

I paid her, tipped heavy, then walked out with my hands up like I just left surgery.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

Last stop.

I was not looking forward to this one, but beauty is pain.

Ren parked, and I sighed, stepping out.

She followed, but when we got inside and I checked in, I turned to her.

"You don't have to stand over me for this one."

She raised a brow, amused. "I wasn't planning to."

I rolled my eyes and walked off to my wax lady's room.

She was waiting, gloves on, wax already warm.

"You ready, Babydoll?"

I laid back, dreading what was coming. "Just hurry up."

And let's just say... that shit hurt.

By the time we left, I was done up head to toe.

Hair laid.

Lashes full.

Nails flawless.

Body smooth.

I felt unstoppable.

Ren was silent as usual, but when I got in the car, she gave me a quick once-over.

"Happy now?" she asked.

I smirked. "Always."

She shook her head and started the car.

I had plans tonight.

As we were driving back, I leaned my head dramatically against the window and let out a soft, pitiful cough. Then another.

Ren didn't react at first, but I could tell she heard it.

So I upped the performance. "Ugh, my body hurts," I whined, shifting in my seat like I was in deep, unbearable pain. I even added a little sniffle for effect.

That got her attention. She glanced at me through the mirror, her brows slightly furrowed. "You sick?"

I sighed, putting a little rasp in my voice. "I think so..."

Without another word, Ren flicked on the blinker and pulled into a CVS parking lot.

I sat up, looking around. "Why are we stopping?"

She unbuckled. "You need medicine."

I blinked at her. "You're gonna go get it?"

She gave me a look. "You're coming with me."

I groaned, throwing my head back. "But I'm sick."

"Then you should definitely be up, moving, and getting what you need."

I rolled my eyes but got out anyway, dragging my feet dramatically.

Inside, Ren took charge immediately.

She walked straight to the cold and flu aisle, scanning the shelves like she was on a damn mission.

"DayQuil or NyQuil?" she asked.

I pouted. "NyQuil makes me sleepy."

"That's the point."

I folded my arms. "What if I wanna stay up?"

She sighed and grabbed both, clearly done with my nonsense.

Then she picked up some cough drops, ginger tea, honey, and even a tiny pack of tissues.

I followed behind, watching her handle everything like a responsible adult.

"Look at you," I teased. "You're like a little housewife."

Ren ignored me, taking everything to the register.

I reached for my bag, fully ready to pay, but before I could even unzip it, she tapped her card.

I stared at her. "Ren. I literally have more money than God."

She grabbed the bag. "And?"

I narrowed my eyes. "You didn't have to pay."

She gave me that look again. "It's medicine, Babydoll. Don't think too hard about it."

I didn't respond. Because what was I supposed to say to that?

When we got back to the estate, I fully expected Ren to just drop me off and go do whatever it is she does when she's not standing guard over me.

But instead, she walked me straight to the kitchen.

"What are we doing?" I asked, watching as she rolled up her sleeves.

She pulled out a pot. "Making soup."

I squinted. "For who?"

Ren gave me a side glance. "For you, dummy."

I perched up on the counter, crossing my legs. "I didn't ask for soup."

"You also didn't ask for medicine, but here we are."

I bit my lip, watching her move around like she owned the kitchen. She grabbed some broth, ginger, and a few seasonings, setting everything up neatly before she even turned on the stove.

"Do you even know how to cook?" I asked, twirling a curl around my finger.

Ren threw me a look over her shoulder. "You know this."

I smiled. "Mhmm, so you really are a little housewife."

She ignored me, focusing on the soup.

I liked watching her, though.

She didn't rush. Didn't move sloppy. She did everything with this calm, effortless confidence that made it obvious she'd done this a million times before.

And it smelled good.

When she finally finished, she grabbed a small bowl and poured me some, then set it in front of me with a spoon.

I looked at it. Then at her. Then back at it.

"You poisoned it, didn't you?"

Ren sighed, rubbing her temples. "Eat the damn soup, Babydoll."

I grinned and took a spoonful.

And wow.

It was perfect. Warm, light, but still flavorful. Just enough ginger to feel healing.

I took another spoonful, humming in approval.

"You're actually good at this," I admitted. "I might have to keep you around."

Ren shook her head, but I caught the hint of a smirk before she turned away.

Yeah. She liked taking care of me.

After finishing my soup, I patted my stomach dramatically, feeling all warm and spoiled, then slid off the counter.

"Alright, Ren," I said, stretching. "I'm going to my room."

She didn't say anything, just gave me a little nod and followed as I made my way upstairs.

When we got to my door, she automatically assumed her position, standing with her back straight, arms crossed, like the perfect little soldier.

I lingered for a second, looking at her. She didn't ask where I was going. Didn't question me. Just stood there, watching me with that calm, unreadable expression.

I sighed dramatically. "I'm going to sleep. Do not bother me, please."

She gave another short nod. "Understood."

Ugh, she was so obedient.

I rolled my eyes and stepped into my room, closing the door firmly behind me. The second I heard the soft click of the lock, my entire posture changed.

Because sleep?

Be so fucking for real.

I walked straight to my closet, yanked the doors open, and scanned my options. If I was sneaking out, I had to make it worth it. Something scandalous. Something that screamed 'trouble.'

My eyes landed on a black mini dress—tight, strapless, and short as hell. I grinned.

Perfect.

I slipped it on, smoothing the fabric over my hips, loving the way it hugged me in all the right places. Then I grabbed my strappiest heels, the ones with the thin little buckles that wrapped all the way up my calves, giving rich bitch energy.

I checked myself in the mirror. Yeah.

Even without makeup, I looked so good. My lips were still plump and glossy from earlier, so I just swiped on a little more clear gloss for the extra 'I don't even have to try' effect.

Flawless.

I did a little twirl, watching my dress ride up, and giggled to myself.

Ren was really standing out there thinking I was knocked out, and here I was, looking like I was about to ruin someone's life.

I grabbed my tiny bag, slung it over my shoulder, then walked to my balcony door.

Because if I thought I was just gonna waltz past Ren in this?

Yeah, no.

I took one last look at myself in the mirror before grabbing my tiny designer bag and heading for the balcony. The dress was so short, every step had me pulling it down, but that was the point. If I was gonna sneak out, I was gonna make it worth the risk.

I had already texted my Uber driver before I even started getting ready, making sure he parked down the street—not at the gate, not in the driveway, but somewhere lowkey. The last thing I needed was Ren or security peeping a random car outside and getting suspicious.

I turned off my location, silenced my phone, and took a deep breath before stepping out onto my balcony.

This wasn't my first time sneaking out.

At this point, I had a whole system.

Step one: The balcony jump. Not as scary as it sounded. My balcony was over a flower bed, so I lowered myself over the railing and landed in the soft soil, barely making a sound.

Step two: Cutting through the hedge opening. I crouched low, pushing past the thick bushes along the side of the estate, following the tiny gap I had discovered years ago.

Step three: Avoid the roaming security cameras. Daddy had the entire property rigged with cameras, but I knew exactly where the blind spots were. I stayed low, moving in quick bursts past the main house, the guest house, and the tennis court.

Step four: The hidden exit.

Most people only knew about the main gate, but there was a small maintenance entrance on the far west side of the property. Security barely checked it, and I had memorized the exact way to squeeze through the gap in the fence.

Step five: Walk two blocks before getting in the Uber.

I dusted off my legs, straightened my dress, and pulled out my phone, smirking when I saw the little black car idling in the spot I told him to wait.

I slid into the backseat, crossing my legs.

"Where to?" the driver asked.

I smiled.

"7th, Just drive," I said, feeling free.