chapter 7

                                    

                                          
AUTHOR'S POV 

jennie found herself staring at her reflection again. A sleek black dress hung over her body, her hair lay straight down her back. jennie's makeup was dark and fierce. she looked strong, gorgeous, and sure of herself.
jennie literally felt none of those things.
that hands were shaking when Jongin called her to say he was downstairs. she didn't tell him about Baekhyun. Mostly because she was highly considering taking him up on his offer. So instead she remained a tightly wound ball of anxiety and put off making the decision.
jennie knew what her choice needed to be, she just hoped she was making the right one.
Jongin was standing in front of the car when jennie stepped outside. The smile on his face made her heart sputter in her chest. He looked so good in his suit and tie.
"Hey, beautiful." It was such a simple greeting, but something about it coming from him made jennie feel weak in the knees. It was like he truly meant it every time he greeted her in such a way.
jennie paused on the last step, "Jongin..."
His smile faltered for a moment, jennie watched something unfamiliar flash in his eyes. He always wore his thoughts in his eyes, but he had been learning to cover it up more. "What's up?" He asked her, taking a tentative step off of the curb and towards jennie.
"I can't go with you tonight."
There. she said it. jennie watched the thoughts running through his face, surprise, anger, hurt, but she stayed strong.
"Why are you dressed up then?" He asked her next. It was almost as if he knew what jennie was going to say, but wanted to hear her saying it.
"I'm going with someone else." jennie's voice sounded strong, but she had to force back the lump in her throat.
Jongin's face fell flat. And in a flash she knew every wall that she had knocked down, every ounce of trust he had in her was now gone. "Alright then, if that's your decision." But the dismissive tone was there. He was in business mode again.
jennie nodded, blinking rapidly to avoid any tears sliding down her cheeks. "It is."
Jongin nodded once and motioned for his driver to let him back in the car. "I'll have your check in the mail."
jennie felt the jab hit her right in the gut. she watched him drive away and she collapsed to the steps beneath her. This was for the best.
Baekhyun pulled up in his own red sports car, not even bothering to get out. He rolled the window down and called jennie's name.
"Come on, we will be late."
jennie took a deep breath and stood up. Getting into Baekhyun's car and taking the piece of paper he handed her with his signature scrawled across the bottom.
"Two dates." she spoke calmly.
"Two dates, tonight included." He repeated.
"No stripping, no sex."
"No, just your pretty little face smiling next to mine." He told jennie with a sinister smile.
she sighed deeply and put her seatbelt on. Baekhyun took that as her consent and pulled the car back out into traffic.
jen watched the lights of the city roll by as he drove and she caught her reflection in the glass of his window.
At the end of the day, jennie was just a normal girl from a small town. she was working her way through her career that was less than extraordinary. she didn't belong in this life, not with Baekhyun, and not with Jongin. jennie was growing to like Jongin far too much, and she knew he could never like a girl like you.
After the second date with Baekhyun jennie was in the clear. she could step away and wash her hands of them both.
Baek pulled up to the building and the valet opened the door for her. she waited for Baekhyun to round the car and she took his arm and walk inside.
jennie  immediately felt strange stares and whispers as he lead her towards her table, but she ignored them. she just had to get through tonight and the next night. she'd never see these people again.
"What are you doing?" Sehun didn't even let them both sit down before he erupted from his seat.
Baek had the audacity to look sheepish, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Yeah, bullshit." Sehun looked over at jennie. "Have anything to say for yourself?"
"Sehun, leave her alone. She's clearly going where the money is."
jennie looked up to see krystal standing next to the table. She smiled at her before turning to Baekhyun, "I thought you said you'd get rid of her."
Baekhyun gave krystal a playful grin, "I said I would get Jongin free. Not that I'd get rid of her."
"Well then why is she here and he's not?" The woman crossed her arms over her chest, a sour look on her face.
Baekhyun shrugged again, "I did what you asked. She's with me tonight, and Jongin is free. And now you owe me $60 grand."
krystal scoffed and stormed off and jennie sat back in shock.
"Is everything just a fucking game to you?" Sehun spat out, voice raised in anger.
"Life's nothing but a game, Sehunnie. There's no rules and it's never fair. Get used to it."
Sehun looked like he couldn't decide if he wanted to leave or hit Baekhyun. "He really liked her, you know." He finally got out before storming off.
jennie was still in a state of complete shock. she turned to Baekhyun and he looked at her as if he was unaffected, "Well now that this is done, ready for date two?"
"Tonight?" jennie asked him.
He nodded, standing up, he offered her his hand and she found herself taking it from sheer curiosity. "After tonight you never have to see me again." He told her as he led them out of the venue.
jennie watched the back of his head while he walked, she wished she could read him like she could read Jongin.

                                                                                         ~🐻~

hope you guys liked the short chapter...i could write this much only as i was feeling down today :-|