Paid Relationship (Winrina)

III

Karina's pov

After some thought, I realized that I wanted to speed up the process. The idea of gaining my freedom earlier was incredibly appealing. However, I couldn't ignore the fact that asking Minjeong to be in a real relationship with me so soon might backfire. She would likely see it as too sudden and perhaps even insincere, given our short time working together on the project.

I mulled over the situation for hours, weighing my options. The more I thought about it, the clearer it became that a direct confession was not the right approach. Minjeong was someone I had grown to respect and like, but rushing things could jeopardize everything. I needed a plan that would allow me to fulfill my grandfather's wish without scaring Minjeong away.

Then, an idea struck me. It was unconventional and fraught with risks, but it seemed like the only viable solution. What if I paid Minjeong to pretend to be my girlfriend? It wasn't an ideal scenario, but it could buy me the time I needed to truly understand my feelings and possibly grow closer to her in a more natural way. If she agreed, it would also satisfy my grandfather's immediate desire to see me in a relationship, thus giving me the freedom I craved.

The next step was figuring out how to propose this arrangement to Minjeong without offending her. The thought of offering money for her companionship felt uncomfortable and potentially insulting. I knew I had to approach the topic delicately, making it clear that I valued her as a friend and respected her boundaries.

For the next few days, I started to act a bit more distant and cold towards her. It wasn't easy, especially since our friendship had started to blossom beautifully. Every time we interacted, I felt a pang of guilt for what I was planning. I could see the confusion in her eyes whenever I gave short responses or avoided spending extra time with her. She must have wondered what had changed between us.

Despite my reservations, I continued with my plan. I had to create a situation where Minjeong would consider my proposal seriously. I rehearsed my words countless times, ensuring that I would convey my thoughts clearly and respectfully. Finally, the day came when I couldn't delay any longer.

After class, I asked Minjeong if we could talk privately. She looked a bit apprehensive but agreed. We found a quiet spot in the school courtyard, away from prying eyes and ears. My heart was pounding, and my palms were sweaty, but I knew I had to go through with it.

"Minjeong," I began, my voice shaking slightly, "I need to talk to you about something important. I hope you'll understand where I'm coming from."

She looked at me with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "What's going on? You've been acting strange lately."

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "I know this might sound strange, but hear me out. My grandfather has been pressuring me to find someone to date. He's not in the best health, and he wants to see me settled down soon. It's been causing me a lot of stress."

Minjeong nodded slowly, her expression softening. "I can understand that. It must be tough dealing with that kind of pressure."

I continued, "I've been thinking a lot about it, and I came up with an idea. It's not ideal, but I think it could work. I was wondering if you'd consider pretending to be my girlfriend for a while. I know it's a lot to ask, and I'd be willing to compensate you for your time and effort."

Her eyes widened in surprise, and for a moment, I feared I had overstepped. But then she spoke, her tone gentle. "You're asking me to fake a relationship with you?"

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. "Yes, just until things settle down with my grandfather. I don't want to rush into a real relationship and ruin our friendship, but this could give me the time and freedom I need. And who knows? Maybe it could lead to something real in the future."

Minjeong was silent for a few moments, processing my words. The tension in the air was palpable. Finally, she sighed and looked me in the eyes. "It's a big ask, and I'm not sure how I feel about pretending to be in a relationship. But I can see that you're struggling, and I want to help."

A wave of relief washed over me, and I felt a glimmer of hope. "Thank you, Minjeong. I promise I won't make this harder than it needs to be. And if you ever feel uncomfortable, we can stop at any time."

She gave me a small, reassuring smile. "Alright, let's give it a try. But let's be clear about our boundaries and keep communication open. I don't want this to affect our friendship negatively."

I agreed wholeheartedly, grateful for her understanding and willingness to help. As we discussed the details of our arrangement, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. This was only the beginning, and I knew the road ahead would be challenging. But with Minjeong by my side, even in a fake relationship, I felt ready to face whatever came our way.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of new experiences. We began our fake relationship cautiously, making sure to set clear boundaries and communicate openly. To make our act convincing, we spent more time together in public, holding hands and engaging in affectionate behavior. At first, it felt awkward and forced, but gradually, we started to find a rhythm that felt natural.

Our friends noticed the change immediately. They teased us relentlessly, but their light-hearted banter helped ease the tension. "I knew you two had something going on," one of our friends said with a smirk. "You make such a cute couple."

We played along, smiling and nodding, but inside, I was constantly battling a whirlwind of emotions. Spending so much time with Minjeong, even under the guise of a fake relationship, made my feelings for her grow stronger. I found myself looking forward to our shared moments, the way she laughed at my jokes, and the warmth of her hand in mine. But I couldn't forget that it was all part of an act.

One evening, after a particularly long day of classes and pretending, Minjeong and I decided to take a walk through the park. The sun was setting, casting a golden hue over everything. It was a peaceful moment, a brief respite from the constant charade.

"Minjeong, I just wanted to thank you again for doing this," I said, breaking the silence. "I know it's not easy, and I really appreciate it."

She looked at me, her expression thoughtful. "It's okay. I'm happy to help. Besides, it's not all bad. We've had some fun, right?"

I nodded, smiling. "Yeah, we have. But I want you to know that if you ever feel uncomfortable or want to stop, just tell me. Your feelings matter to me."

She gave me a soft smile. "I will. Thank you."

As we continued our walk, I couldn't shake the feeling that our fake relationship was becoming more complicated. My feelings for Minjeong were growing, and I was starting to wonder if she felt the same way. The lines between pretend and reality were blurring, and it was becoming harder to distinguish one from the other.

—

I didn't have any stress anymore. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and I felt so much lighter. No more worrying about little things or feeling overwhelmed all the time. I could finally relax and enjoy my time without any pressure or anxiety. It was like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders, and I could breathe easy again. Life felt so much better and brighter without all that stress weighing me down.

I started sleeping better at night and waking up feeling refreshed. I had more energy during the day and could focus on the things I loved doing. My mood improved, and I found myself smiling and laughing more often. I even had more patience with people around me, and my relationships got better too. It was amazing how different everything felt once the stress was gone.

I then ended the day with a calming, stress free nap.

☆彡 xtsyaira