You Don't Own Me | 18+

Chapter 7

"Is he okay?" Jisoo faintly asks.

Mrs. Bae closes the door behind her and walks to where Jisoo is. She nods reassuringly and pats Jisoo's head carefully. "Stop worrying about your brother for a moment. These days, you don't sleep or eat. You'll get sick if you keep doing that. Me and Mr.Gu will try to look after Seokjin here so you can take a rest. Look at yourself first, Jisooya. It's heartbreaking how there's no color on your skin and you keep crippling yourself with guilt. And it's not a good thing."

Jisoo's lips quiver. "I-I can't help it. How can I live like nothing happened when my brother hates me and is threatening me with his life? How can I act like it doesn't hurt me at all? I can't even see his face and asks him personally..."

"No. Don't say that. He's still a child and overwhelmed by the traumatic incident. Give him some time to heal. He doesn't hate you, Jisoo. It's just there are so many misunderstandings and he doesn't get enough time to comprehend. He will understand you later. So stop thinking bad things and try to get yourself back. Didn't you keep saying your brother needs you and you'll be his parent all he could ask for?"

Jisoo looks at Mrs. Bae hopefully before nodding.

"Then you've to start acting like a parent whom Seokjin can rely on. You can't keep crying and sabotaging yourself and expect him to look at you as his reliable elder. You've to become stronger, Jisoo."

How pathetic she has been claiming to be brave and strong till now but when she has to face the real challenge, she is shuddering and acting like a coward.

***

Taehyung vigilantly stares at Jisoo who is signing the contract. He is perturbed by how she looks. There's no denying that she is naturally good-looking but her brother's incident shatters her into pieces.

She has no light in her eyes. He used to see her with Jennie occasionally when they met, there were smiles and sass in her. She's blatantly straightforward and minds her own business. Even if those smiles were just pretences, she was not as broken as she is now.

Considering, her role is going to be his fake girlfriend and fiancee, she can't be this down and soulless. She has to be at least happy being in a relationship with him.

"One more thing I want to add into this contract but it's not necessarily required to be written on the paper." Taehyung speaks, analyzing Jisoo's response. She raises her eyes. "We're going to be a fake couple so we need to act like one in order to convince my family. My request is that you can't behave the same as you're now in front of them. They will instantly assume I'm just forcing you and expose all of the plan."

"What do you want?" Jisoo asks monotonously.

"That—" he points at her face, "that face has to go."

"Are you joking?" Jisoo snorts apathetically. "You aren't seriously changing my face with surgery. I didn't agree-"

"You're misunderstanding me." Taehyung chuckles under his breath. "Try to think something that makes you happy because you would probably scare everyone with that expression."

Jisoo stands up. "I'll do my part when it's time so no worries."

"Wait!" Taehyung takes his coat and wears it as he follows her.

"What?"

A tall girl with bob hair, a bright smile plastered on her full lips, neat grey suit with long trousers, full of positive energy, contrasting with Jisoo's aura, enters the room.

"Meet my assistant, Lisa." Taehyung introduces. Lisa gives a respectful bow at Jisoo.

"So?" Jisoo squints her eyes, perplexed.

Taehyung glances back at Lisa who looks as confused as him but he snickers. "So you're going to see her very often from now on. And we have a place to go."

Taehyung nods at Lisa who gets his signal and starts leading them the way to his car.

"Where are you taking me to?" Jisoo inquires as soon as she sits down on the back seat. Lisa occupies the front seat whilst Taehyung drives. "Can I speak frankly or do I have to be discreet since your assistant is here?"

Lisa hides her laughter with her hand. "No, Jisoo. I'm aware of Mr.Kim's plan so you can speak as you like. Don't mind my presence."

Jisoo pauses, they just met and she's already jumping on name calling. She doesn't mind but winces at the immediacy.

"Good. Since we're working together for long, I want you to be honest with me in any occasion. I don't want you hiding things from me and make me look like a fool with no knowledge. If I've to act like your girlfriend, I've to know who you are or your likes and dislikes. I hope you've prepared for that part. Also, make sure you tell your family that I'm quite coy around new people and aloof. So I can dodge most of their inquisitive questions."

Listening to what Jisoo says, Lisa has to contain her laughter. It's her first time seeing someone is bossing her boss. Taehyung is too scary and unapproachable at work but it's a rare occurence to witness a girl demanding and ordering him.

Halting the car at red light, Taehyung twists his head to the back. "I understand your apprehension. It's valid. But I'll take care of the rest while all you have to do is follow my lead. I'm glad you bring the part where both of us being honest to each other. It's indeed important to know what we're thinking or going to do without raising suspicions. I'll do my best."

"Good." Jisoo briefly nods and looks out of the window. A landscape of trees and people passing swiftly. It's evening and the setting of environment is quite a look.

Yet nothing feels lively for her.

***

"You're joking." Jisoo utters in disbelief as she stares at herself in the large mirror that shows her a full view of her entire appearance. It's not what she sees that shocks her, it's what Taehyung said.

Chuckling lightly, Taehyung checks the dress he chose for her. "I'm not. Tell me, do you like it?"

"This is expensive and you think I'd wear something like this for a casual outing?" Jisoo squints her eyes, still turning her body to examine the outfit. It is precisely her size and suits her like it's meant to be only for her.

"You're supposed to be my girlfriend, of course, your appearance matters." Taehyung assures as he gets up.

He looks at the staff who is waiting for him. "I'll take this and those she tried earlier. And don't change her again, leave her in this fit."

The staff bows with a smile and returns to do as he said. Lisa deals with the rest as Taehyung gestures Jisoo to follow after him.

"Would you mind if I ask you to change your hairstyle?" He asks the girl who still can't get over the fact she's wearing a dress worthier than her life.

"I feel like you're trying to change me into your girlfriend?"

He laughs. "Absolutely not. My gosh, why would you even think like that? I just see the potential in you and want to enhance your beauty, that's all."

"Spare me your nonsense and lead me the way to the salon."

***

"Seriously, I'm turning into Jennie." Jisoo frowns at her reflection in the mirror before her.

It stings her chest a little every time she realizes what she is actually doing here. A painful reminder of how incapable she is. Now she has to use her body for money. Who knows what she's supposed to do if Jennie suddenly appeared? What if Taehyung broke the contract and asked her to pay back all the debts? What will Jennie think of her?

It's remotely impossible for Taehyung to not immediately shove her aside if Jennie came back. And right now, she's just a replacement of Jennie. She's not even herself anymore.

But she isn't bitter about how he is altering her appearance but a constant realisation of how worthless she is in a reality.