Cinderella Contract

thirteen

❝ a malicious plan. ❞

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"Father," Dabin smiles sweetly as she clings on his arm. "So, what did you think of Jihyun?"

"Ah...Mr Park, he's perfect for you." The burly old man smiles back at his daughter, nodding approvingly. "However, I don't understand why he would reject you for a mere lover. How much connections does this woman have?"

"None, Papa. Which infuriates me, because I can't have him. Can't we do something?"

"Well...you see, Dabin.." the man laughs heartily, before switching back to a dark expression.

"I'll teach you what it means to eliminate your obstacles."

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"Hey, Mr Park?" I knocked lightly on the sliding door, listening as the sounds eventually drown out by the loud running of water. I knock again.

"Yes, Yona?" The echoing voice from the other side caught me off guard. It seemed mellower than usual; and that definitely doesn't go well with my fragile heart. Ugh... why does he affect me so much?

"I just...thought of something," I quickly explained my presence. "What if I worked for you to pay you back instead of being yours?" I then suggested abruptly, leaning onto the door of the bathroom. My eyes follow Jihyun's silhouette as he seems to be lathering soap on his body at the moment.

"Fat chance, you don't have a dime. How can you take care of yourself? Just let me take care of you." His voice echoed as he turned off the tap, taking the towel to wipe himself. I was about to protest when the door suddenly slides open; revealing a half naked Jihyun with water dripping down his torso. My eyes automatically drooped down to the wet towel hanging loosely on his waist; and felt Jihyun's gaze on me. "Also, it's rude to interrupt a gentleman's bathtime, you know? Not that I don't mind you joining." he then pulls me closer with a wry smirk.

"Tch, just let me try for a day, wouldn't you? Maybe— just maybe I can survive on my own, and earn enough to pay you back gradually."

"Do what you want." Jihyun sighs, leaning onto the wall. "But if you fail, I get you back."

Ugh...Since he's so confident....I'll show him.

"Deal." I nodded joyfully, and Jihyun shoots me an amused smirk. "Your tenacity is something about you that I fall so hard for." He glances at me as he sweeps his damp hair to the back. "Damn. I like you so much." his lips curved up to a smile, indicating how amused he was.

"So can we start now?" my eyes were twinkling as I gazed at him. Jihyun nodded as his face showed a dark expression. "Let's see...since we're back at my mansion.." he tilts his head thoughtfully. "I want to eat your cooking." he wraps an arm around my waist lovingly.

"Alright then, 100 dollars a dish." I smirked widely, raising my empty palm up in his face.

Jihyun's smile dropped instantly. "Don't I get 100% discount?"

"Nothing is free in this world, Park Jihyun. Including me."

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"Ugh.... I'm hungry."

After cooking Jihyun some omelette rice, I was left with nothing to eat. Of course— the enormous kitchen was stacked full of scrumptious food, but I wasn't able to touch any. Unless I could afford it. It quickly dawned on me that this would be harder than I thought.

I decided to take a stroll in the courtyard to distract me from the loud growls of my poor stomach. Meanwhile, I watched the sun peeking through the horizon, the moon overcast in its hues. No dinner for me today, I guess. I was so used to food being readily made for me by the chefs that I've taken it for granted.

"Given up?" an icy voice from behind my back sent shockwaves to my system; and I immediately turned back. Sure enough, it was Park Jihyun. Just his stare alone was enough to lose the feelings in my knees; and that was even after I've been with him for an entire month.

"No." I lifted my skirt a little and slowly climbed into the shallow fountain beside me. Jihyun watches in amusement as I began to pick up coins from the bottom of the fountain, collecting it carefully in my palm; as if I'm handling precious jewels. My eyes widened when I heard a splashing sound, and there was Jihyun, bending down sloppily, picking up coins in his palm.

"You didn't have to get in the water." I stared intently at his Gucci pants ruined by the rainwater collected in the fountain. He smiles sweetly at my remark, before handing me the coins. "It was cute to see you struggle a little, I guess." he laughs, eyes crinkling cutely.

Before I could conjour a reply, I realized that the little coins I've collected could not afford any food but just mere toothpaste from the nearby shops. Toothpaste? Is it even edible? I begin seriously considering it replacing my dinner. My train of thoughts were then interrupted when Jihyun hoisted me up in his arms, carrying me firmly.

"You're not thinking of eating toothpaste, aren't you?" a deep chuckle escapes his lips. "You're still the same after five years."

"S-so what if I was? I can survive on toothpaste....probably."

"Toothpaste has zero nutritional value."

"Water is too."

"You can't survive a day without food, Yona. Let's face it."

Ugh. It's painful how well he knows me.

"Okay, oka y. Let me eat something, please..." I put my hands together sincerely. Jihyuns eyes darkened as he puts me down, before sitting down on the edge of the fountain. His intense gaze sent shudders down my spine, an electric feeling that became so familiar to me. "Then...."

"kiss me."

I almost sputtered. Right now, where we can be seen?

"If you want to give up, you have to kiss me passionately. Understand?" Jihyun instructed with a wide smirk. s**t. I tried my best to hide back the blush on my cheeks, but they were probably evident by now. I begin inching my face closer to his; feeling his stare as I did. Jimin waits eagerly for me before I delicately touched my lips on his, kissing him slowly. However— Jihyun's lips weren't moving like they usually did. He isn't kissing back; which makes it all the more embarrassing.

When we parted lips, my face was occupied with the redness of an apple; and it gave much satisfaction to Jihyun.

"H-how was it?" I stuttered, trying to make sense of the tension in the air. Jihyun leaned back as he combs his tousled hair to the side, observing the blush on my face.

"How was it?...." he pretends to think deeply, before grabbing hold of my hand.

"I loved it."

Just then, his answer causes my heart to race; enough to not notice the shutters of a camera going off near us....

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A/N: I really apologise if this wasn't a good chapter ! I wrote it all at once T.T