Paid Relationship (Winrina)

IX

Karina's pov

One day, I came home from school feeling completely drained and stressed out. The weight of assignments, exams, and social pressures had taken its toll on me, and I desperately needed an escape. I decided that a night out at the club might be just the thing to lift my spirits. I pulled out my phone and quickly texted Minjeong, "Baby, I'm going to the club. See you later. Mwah mwah."

Hoping she wouldn't be too worried or upset, I slipped my phone into my pocket and headed to my room to change. After a quick shower, I threw on my favorite outfit for clubbing, a black crop top paired with high-waisted jeans and my go-to leather jacket. I took a moment to look at myself in the mirror, trying to shake off the stress of the day.

The club was already bustling with life when I arrived. The music was loud, the lights were flashing in sync with the beat, and the atmosphere was electric. I immediately spotted Aeri near the bar, waving at me enthusiastically. Aeri had always been the life of the party, and tonight was no different.

"Jimin! Over here!" she called out, her voice barely audible over the thumping music.

I made my way through the crowd and joined her at the bar. We exchanged greetings and quickly fell into the rhythm of the night, dancing and laughing together. For a while, I felt the weight of my worries lift as I lost myself in the music and the energy of the dance floor.

After an hour or so of non-stop dancing, I was starting to feel a bit worn out but also more alive than I had in days. That's when a girl approached me, her eyes glinting with a mix of curiosity and something more. She was tall, with long, dark hair and an air of confidence that made her stand out in the crowd.

"Hey there," she said, leaning in close so I could hear her over the music. "You look like you could use a little break. Want to come with me to the back?"

I could tell from her tone and the look in her eyes what she was suggesting. My heart pounded a little faster, but not in a good way. I politely declined, hoping she would understand. "Thanks, but I'm here to just dance and have fun with my friends tonight."

She didn't seem to take no for an answer. Her grip on my arm tightened, and before I knew it, she was leading me through the throng of people toward a staircase at the back of the club. My heart raced, a mix of fear and anger bubbling up inside me. I tried to pull away, but she was surprisingly strong.

"Hey, let go of me!" I protested, but my voice was drowned out by the music and the noise of the crowd.

We ascended the stairs, and I glanced around desperately, hoping someone would notice and intervene. But everyone seemed too engrossed in their own fun to pay attention to what was happening. When we reached the top of the stairs, she pushed open a door and shoved me inside.

The room was dimly lit and much quieter than the chaos downstairs. My heart pounded in my chest as she closed the door behind us. I felt trapped and panicked, trying to think of a way to get out of this situation.

"Look, I said no," I repeated firmly, trying to keep my voice steady. "I don't want to be here."

She smirked, leaning against the door with a predatory gleam in her eyes. "Oh, come on. Don't be such a prude. We could have some fun."

My mind raced, and I knew I needed to stay calm and find a way to escape. "Please, just let me go. I'm not interested."

Her expression hardened, and for a moment, I feared she might try to force herself on me. But then, as if on cue, the door burst open and Aeri appeared, looking furious. "What the hell is going on here?"

The girl backed off immediately, startled by Aeri's sudden appearance. I took the opportunity to slip past her and rush to Aeri's side. "Aeri, thank god you're here," I breathed, my voice shaking.