Chapter 3 Clashing worlds

The days that followed were anything but easy. Jisoo had expected this job to be tough, but Jennie was proving to be a constant thorn in her side. The woman had no respect for personal boundaries, no sense of common decency, and absolutely no interest in making Jisoo's life even remotely tolerable.

Jisoo had been trained to handle difficult clients, to adapt to their needs and provide seamless protection. But Jennie was different. She didn't just push boundaries-she shattered them.

Jisoo had barely settled into her morning routine when Jennie swept into the room like a storm. "What's taking so long?" she snapped, not even glancing in Jisoo's direction. She was dressed in an immaculate black outfit, something that screamed power and control, her eyes already scanning her phone as if Jisoo's presence was irrelevant.

Jisoo remained calm. "Your security details are in place. We're ready to leave."

Jennie paused, her eyes flicking up briefly. "I didn't ask for an update. I asked what's taking you so long." There was a sharp edge in her voice, as if every word was meant to slice through Jisoo's composure.

Jisoo swallowed the rising irritation. "There were changes to the schedule I had to account for."

"Excuses," Jennie muttered, brushing past her, leaving the faint scent of expensive perfume in her wake. "If you can't keep up, you're useless to me."

Jisoo exhaled slowly, biting back a retort. Jennie's jabs had become a daily occurrence, and while Jisoo wasn't one to let anyone get under her skin, Jennie's constant undermining was wearing her thin. But she couldn't crack. Not yet. Not ever.

They were headed to one of Jennie's many business meetings, and Jisoo knew the routine well by now. Every day, it was a new location, a new deal, and always a sense of impending danger lurking in the background. Jennie wasn't just a businesswoman-she was the head of a mafia empire, and her life was a constant target.

The car ride was silent, except for the occasional click of Jennie's nails against her phone. Jisoo watched the city pass by through the tinted windows, her mind already running through the security protocols for their next location. Her job was to focus on threats, but lately, the biggest threat in her life was Jennie herself.

The car pulled up to a high-end restaurant where Jennie was meeting with some powerful associates. Jisoo scanned the area, her senses on high alert as they stepped out of the car. Her earpiece buzzed with updates from her team, all of whom were stationed around the perimeter.

Jennie was unfazed by the security, striding ahead like she owned the world. And in a way, she did. Every step she took commanded attention, every glance from the people around them held a mixture of fear and respect. She didn't need anyone's protection-at least, that's what she wanted everyone to think.

Inside the restaurant, Jisoo took her place near the entrance, close enough to watch Jennie but far enough to give her space. She didn't care much for the conversations that took place in these meetings. They were always the same-deals, power moves, subtle threats veiled in polite words. It was Jennie's world, and Jisoo was just a shadow in the background.

But that didn't stop Jennie from making things difficult. Midway through the meeting, Jennie shot Jisoo a look that could freeze over hell. She leaned over to one of her associates and whispered something, her gaze never leaving Jisoo's. Whatever she said must have been something snide, because the man beside her chuckled softly, throwing a glance in Jisoo's direction.

Jisoo didn't react. She wouldn't give Jennie the satisfaction of knowing she had gotten to her. But inside, she was fuming. Jennie had made it her mission to undermine her, to treat her like she was a disposable asset, and it was starting to grate on Jisoo's last nerve.

The meeting dragged on for what felt like hours. By the time they left the restaurant, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the streets. Jennie walked ahead, her steps sure and graceful, while Jisoo followed a few paces behind, her eyes scanning for potential threats.

They were halfway to the car when it happened.

Out of nowhere, a man lunged from the shadows, a knife glinting in his hand. It was quick, too quick, but Jisoo's reflexes kicked in instantly. She moved faster than she thought possible, intercepting the attacker before he could reach Jennie.

With a swift, practiced motion, she disarmed the man, twisting his arm until he dropped the knife with a clatter. A second later, he was on the ground, his face pressed into the concrete as Jisoo held him down with a knee to his back.

The entire altercation lasted less than five seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Jennie stood nearby, her expression unreadable as she watched Jisoo take control of the situation.

"Is that all?" Jennie's voice was cool, detached, as if an attempted assassination was just another Tuesday afternoon.

Jisoo's pulse was still racing, but she kept her voice steady. "It's handled."

"Obviously." Jennie stepped past the subdued attacker without sparing him a second glance. "Let's go. We're late."

Jisoo watched her walk away, her jaw clenched in frustration. She had just saved Jennie's life, and the woman didn't even care. Not a thank you, not even a nod of acknowledgment. Nothing.

By the time they got back to the car, the tension between them was palpable. Jennie slid into the backseat without a word, while Jisoo took her place beside her, the silence thick and uncomfortable.

As the car pulled away from the restaurant, Jennie finally spoke. "You're still too slow."

Jisoo's grip tightened on her thigh. "You're welcome."

Jennie turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Excuse me?"

"I said, you're welcome," Jisoo repeated, her voice low and controlled. "For saving your life."

Jennie's gaze was icy, but there was something else there-something that looked almost like surprise. It vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by the same cold indifference. "You're paid to protect me. Don't act like you did me a favor."

Jisoo swallowed the retort that burned in her throat. "Understood."

The rest of the car ride was spent in silence, the distance between them feeling wider than ever. But as much as they hated each other, Jisoo knew one thing: Jennie wasn't just a job. She was a challenge, and Jisoo wasn't about to lose.