VIXEN

Chapter 3

"I think she's fake."

A sound can be heard before Lisa was slapping her palm on Taehyung's mouth, looking around the room. "Don't be fucking rude." She says, alarmingly sounding way too similar to Kim Kardashian.

"It's true. She always puts up this forced smile and coy act but it's not genuine. I hate people like her the most." He says straightforwardly, no sign of hesitation or doubt laced in his voice. "So don't ever try to compare yourself to her, she's not even a worthy competitor."

The air was heavy, probably carrying the burden of countless unsaid words and unshed tears. Only rustling can be heard, not a single word was uttered by Lisa after hearing Taehyung's comment. "Anyhow, it could just be me." He says reassuringly, to keep the younger from overthinking.

Jennie thought she was flawless, she had always built up a good reputation from ground to the top, like a sheen gold statue free of any cracks or uneven edges. The golden coating hiding her rotten core, her hidden nature.

Yet, the words that came out of Taehyung's mouth were like sandpaper, constantly rubbing on her exterior to strip away the facade she had been keeping up, revealing her for who she really is.

And it doesn't sit right with Jennie.

So when Taehyung pops around the corner, she still smiles at him fondly. Letting her bottom lip loosely reveal her teeth, her eyes crinkling at the edges.

Just because he thinks he's seen through me, doesn't mean I have to sell myself out. Jennie is not stupid, he doesn't have to know that he was right all along. She just has to continue playing pretend.

Despite seeing her and knowing the possibility that she could've heard what he said, Taehyung remained unfazed. His easygoing expression somehow turns into a stone-cold one upon seeing her face.

It's cute. How much he hates her. Jennie loves the thrill of it all.

All Taehyung has to do is to keep rejecting her. All Lisa has to do is to continue hopelessly fighting for Jungkook. That way, things will get even more interesting. That way, it will all be the more satisfying for Jennie when it ends.

"What are you doing?" She watches his eyebrows furrow, as Taehyung averts his gaze to the food on the stove. "Where's Jisoo?"

"Oh, she went to the bathroom. I heard someone crying so I got really worried, I didn't mean to snoop in on you guys. Sorry." Jennie rambles, fiddling her fingers together.

Taehyung turns his head to look her directly in the eyes, to which Jennie avoids. "You don't have to concern yourself with anything regarding us. You and Jungkook may be a thing, but that doesn't give you any reason to act like we're close friends."

"Of course, I didn't mean to come off so nosy." With that cue, Taehyung pushes past her and into the living room. Completely unaware that a few days later, he'd voluntarily search for Jennie on her class hall.

It was their afternoon break when a panting and drenched Taehyung drags her by the wrist and onto the emergency stairs of their college. His jaw clenched and stare sharp, if looks could kill, he would be the suspect and Jennie would be the victim.

But given the current situation, it might be the other way around.

"What the fuck did you do?" Taehyung whisper-shouts, his tone aggressive. His aura alone could knock a coward unconscious.

Jennie ain't no coward.

"You must've heard..." Jennie points out. "Ah, I told Jungkook to keep it to himself." Although it was supposed to come off as disappointment, Jennie couldn't help the mix of mockery in her voice.

Edging in closer to drive her up the wall, Taehyung seethes. "You cunning bitch."

This was not part of her plan. Sure, she had told Jungkook with her fake sulky expression that she was hurt upon hearing Taehyung's words the other day. But she really didn't expect Jungkook to confront the other.

She was supposed to drive them away from each other by inconspicuously building a wall between them, it was rather unexpected, but maybe their friendship was stronger than she thought.

Now that Taehyung knows, maybe there's no point trying to hide it. There's no secretly manipulating this guy.

Though she lost for now, Jennie always has the upper-hand.

"So, what did he tell you?" Jennie relaxes, her figure deflates as she leans against the wall in a carefree manner. "Told you to apologize to me?"

Like some sick and twisted revelation, Taehyung's nose flares upon witnessing how her demeanor effortlessly switched.

What a psychopath. He thinks. "What do you want? Leave Jungkook alone."

"Honestly, I don't even want him. I just wanted to have a little fun with your friend group and the miserable love triangle going on." Jennie taunts him. "But now that you're here, maybe you could offer a preposition."

Taehyung doesn't say anything, he seemed troubled, and Jennie still took it as a cue to keep on going. "I know that you like Lisa, so I didn't think you'd be much of a trouble if I messed with them a bit. It's just shameful that you'd let the opportunity I gave you slip by."

"I'm not like you." He says with so much spite that Jennie felt herself tremble in her shoes, such raw emotion.

"I use my head, you use your heart." She pokes on his chest, the long painted acrylic nail digging into his flesh. "We're nothing alike. But that's why I'm sure you'd accept my preposition."

"Did you honestly think I'd fall for your manipulative tactics?" Taehyung grits his teeth, slapping her hand away.

Jennie shrugs. "Your call. I wanted to save it for later, but I might just tell Jungkook that we're officially a thing." She provokes Taehyung. "And then, Lisa would be utterly devastated. Lost the war before it even started."

There was a devilish glint in her eyes and Taehyung wanted nothing other than to throw up. He felt uncomfortable under the scrutiny of Jennie's gaze. "And with a little more tweaking, Jungkook might just refuse to acknowledge you as his friend." Jennie finishes, her lips upturned after visibly seeing Taehyung's body tense up.

"But then again, it wouldn't hurt to ride the same boat as me. Take advantage of the situ—" She was cut off short when Taehyung snaps, unable to handle anymore.

"Listen, my answer's not changing. If you think I'll just go with whatever you tell me, I won't." He pulls back to distance himself away from her, clearly agitated. Maybe trying to stop himself from doing something he'd regret.

Jennie raises her left eyebrow, seemingly impressed. "You haven't even heard of my offer yet."

"I don't have to hear it, to know that it's a bad idea." He grumbles under his breath, itching to say something when he dismisses it and leaves her alone. Not before giving her some warning to stop whatever the fuck she's doing.

How can she? When things are just starting to get more interesting? He was a tough shell to break but it's more thrilling that way.

Because it's in the uncertainty and risks that you get adrenaline, and when that adrenaline spikes, that's when you feel alive.

—

Secretly rooting for Taehyung not to fall for her manipulation ~.~

To be continued ...