Chapter 2 Fire and ice

The first day on the job wasn't anything like Jisoo had imagined. She had expected danger, maybe some subtle power plays-what she hadn't expected was the suffocating silence that followed her everywhere in Jennie Kim's penthouse. It wasn't just quiet; it was hostile, like the walls themselves knew she was unwelcome.

Jisoo kept her eyes sharp, surveying every inch of the penthouse for potential threats, but her mind kept drifting back to Jennie. That woman... She was something else entirely. Even after years of training, Jisoo had never encountered someone who made her feel this... unnerved. There was an aura around Jennie that made her dangerous, not because of her mafia ties, but because of the sheer force of her presence. Jennie didn't just command the room; she controlled it.

But that wasn't why Jisoo disliked her. No, it was the way Jennie looked at her, like she was nothing. Like she was just another tool in her arsenal. It grated on Jisoo's nerves, and she found herself clenching her fists without realizing it. She didn't come here to be treated like garbage, and yet that was exactly how Jennie saw her.

"Miss Kim, do you have any particular security concerns I should be aware of?" Jisoo asked, her tone professional but clipped as she entered Jennie's lavish office.

Jennie, sitting at her desk in yet another expensive outfit, barely glanced up from her phone. "Just do your job and keep your mouth shut."

Jisoo bit back the sharp retort that was on the tip of her tongue. It had been like this all day-short, dismissive comments, as if Jisoo wasn't even worth a full sentence. Every interaction between them was a reminder that Jennie didn't respect her, and worse, didn't trust her. Not that Jisoo needed her trust, but the constant dismissal was starting to wear her patience thin.

"I can only protect you if I know the risks," Jisoo continued, refusing to be dismissed this time.

Jennie finally set her phone down and gave her an icy glare. "I told you, don't question me. If you're as good as they say, then shut up and stay out of my way."

Jisoo's jaw clenched, the urge to walk out of the room hitting her hard. But she needed this job, and as much as Jennie irritated her, she wasn't going to let her pride get in the way. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.

"As you wish." Jisoo turned on her heel, ready to leave Jennie to her work. But before she could take another step, Jennie's voice stopped her.

"Wait."

Jisoo turned, her face impassive despite the frustration bubbling under her skin. "Yes?"

Jennie stood up and walked around the desk, each step deliberate, like she was stalking prey. When she was inches away from Jisoo, she stopped, her eyes narrowing as she sized her up.

"I don't know what makes you think you're different from the others, but let me be clear-you're not," Jennie said, her voice low and dangerous. "You might think you're special because of your fancy training, but I've had bodyguards come and go. None of them last. And neither will you."

Jisoo held her ground, her expression neutral despite the venom in Jennie's words. "I'm not here to last. I'm here to protect you."

Jennie's lips twisted into a mocking smirk. "Protect me? From what? You think I can't handle myself?"

Jisoo's eyes flickered briefly over Jennie's figure. She wasn't underestimating her-she knew Jennie was dangerous in her own right, but that wasn't the point. "Everyone has weaknesses, even you."

Jennie's smirk faded, replaced by a cold fury. "Get out."

Jisoo didn't hesitate. She left the office without another word, her fists clenched as she walked down the hallway. The tension between them had already reached a boiling point, and it was only the first day.

---

The sun was setting when Jisoo found herself standing outside on the balcony, the cool evening breeze offering a much-needed reprieve from the toxic atmosphere inside. She leaned on the railing, her eyes scanning the city below, though her thoughts were miles away.

Jennie Kim was going to be a problem. Not because of the danger surrounding her, but because of the way she constantly pushed Jisoo's buttons. Jisoo prided herself on staying calm, on never letting her emotions interfere with her job, but Jennie was testing her in ways she hadn't anticipated.

"Thinking of jumping?"

Jisoo's grip on the railing tightened as she turned to see Jennie standing in the doorway, her arms crossed over her chest. There was that smirk again, the one that made Jisoo's blood boil.

"Not today," Jisoo replied coolly.

Jennie stepped out onto the balcony, her heels clicking softly on the stone floor as she approached. She stopped a few feet away, her gaze sweeping over the city, though Jisoo could feel the weight of it still on her.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that," Jennie said after a moment of silence. "Most people would have quit by now."

Jisoo remained silent, unwilling to engage. She wasn't here to have heart-to-heart conversations with Jennie. She was here to do a job.

"But you'll crack," Jennie continued, her voice soft but laced with certainty. "They always do."

Jisoo turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting Jennie's. "I'm not like the others."

Jennie's eyes darkened, and for a split second, there was something in her gaze that almost looked like curiosity. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by that cold, detached mask.

"We'll see," Jennie said, her voice barely above a whisper, before turning and walking back inside.

Jisoo stared after her, the tension between them hanging heavy in the air. Jennie Kim was more than just a client. She was a challenge. And as much as Jisoo hated to admit it, part of her was looking forward to the fight.