MISHELL'S POV…
We were just about to leave the room and by leave, I mean escape before Lydia decided we needed matching outfits, themed accessories, and whatever else humans do when they get excited about 'SHOPPING.'
Corelia was already by the door, calm as always, like she had accepted her fate with quiet dignity.
Lydia, on the other hand, was vibrating.
Actual vibrating.
"Hurry up," she said, adjusting her bag for the third time. "If we go early, we beat the crowd. If we beat the crowd, we get the best picks. If we get the best picks—"
"We survive?" I muttered, slipping on my shoes.
"No—we win," she corrected.
I paused. "…Win what?"
She stared at me like I had offended her entire existence. "Fashion."
I blinked once. "Right."
I reached for the door handle, turned It and opened but Intead of stepping outside I stopped. Someone was already standing there.
For a split second, my mind didn't register it properly. Then the recognition hit.
Jax.
But not Jax Jax.
This version had a hoodie pulled low, sunglasses on, face partially hidden like he thought he was invisible.
He wasn't not even a little.
I stared at him slowly.
"…You know people can still tell it's you, right?"
He didn't answer that, he just stepped inside without asking.
Lydia froze then slowly turned to Corelia.
"…Why is he here?"
Corelia didn't respond she was just watching carefully.
I shut the door behind him, arms crossed.
"You break into people's rooms often?" I asked.
"I knocked," He said.
"You didn't."
"I was about to."
"That's not the same thing."
He exhaled slightly then reached into his jacket. For a second—
Lydia panicked.
"Wait—what is he pulling out?!"
Corelia calmly sat down she didn't seem bothered. Jax pulled out a folder, flat and neat, official papers I guess.
He held it out toward me but I didn't take it.
"…What is that?"
"A contract," He said.
I stared at it then back at him.
"…You came all the way here… in disguise… to offer me paperwork?"
"Yes."
I laughed like actually laughed. The kind of laughter that was full, amused, slightly disrespectful laughter.
"You're unbelievable," I said, shaking my head. "You get rejected once and suddenly it's legal agreements?"
"It's not sudden," He replied calmly.
"It feels sudden."
"It's necessary."
"Necessary?".
"When you read It, you will get your answers". He responded.
I sighed and took the folder, opened it.
Flipped through the pages quickly then stopped.
Looked up at him slowly.
"…You want me to go on a date with you again"
"Yes."
"Publicly."
"Yes."
"So people can see it."
"Yes."
I blinked.
"…And your company is going to pay me for it."
"Yes."
I closed the file and looked at him then laughed again.
"Oh, this just keeps getting better," I said.
"So now it's not even about you wanting to go out with me. It's business a win win I please my fans, you get the money."
I tilted my head.
"You're serious."
"I am."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
No joking or teasing just seriousness.
"That public rejection?" He continued, his tone shifting slightly, "wasn't exactly ideal."
I raised a brow. "You survived."
"That's not the point."
"Then what is?"
He stepped a little closer. Not too close but just enough.
"You embarrassed me," He said.
I stared at him then shrugged slightly.
"You'll recover."
"That's not how this works."
"That's exactly how it works."
Lydia slowly whispered behind me,
"…I think he's mad."
Corelia murmured,
"He has every reason to be."
I ignored them still watching him.
"So this is what?" I asked. "Damage control?"
"Partly."
"And the other part?"
He held my gaze.
"…I still want that date."
That made me pause again, I narrowed my eyes slightly.
"You're persistent."
"I've been told."
"You're also dramatic."
"I've been told that too."
I flipped the contract closed again, tapped it lightly against my palm.
"And if I say no?" I asked.
He didn't hesitate. "I'll come back, even If I have to drag you out next time, I won't mind."
Lydia choked slightly, Corelia looked impressed.
"The mission" She whispered behind me.
I stared at him for a long second then sighed.
"…You're exhausting."
"I've heard that today as well."
I walked past him, sat on the edge of the bed. Opened the contract again to actually read this time.
"Public appearance," I muttered. "Media coverage… controlled environment… time limit…" I looked up. "You really planned this."
"Yes."
I closed it again, held it out slightly then stopped halfway.
"…I don't like being told what to do," I said.
"You're not being told."
"You're offering money."
"I'm offering a deal."
I couldn't say anything for a while, then finally— took the contract properly.
"Fine," I said flatly. "I'll look at it."
Lydia gasped like I had just agreed to marriage.
Corelia said nothing—but her eyes softened slightly.
Jax nodded once.
Like that was enough he didn't need more. He turned toward the door but paused before leaving.
"Don't take too long darling" He said.
I leaned back slightly.
"Or what?"
He glanced at me over his shoulder.
A small smirk this time.
"I'll be back."
Then he left.
The door clicked shut. Lydia turned slowly.
"…YOU'RE GETTING PAID TO GO ON A DATE WITH JAX? DOUBLE WIN BITCH"
I dropped back onto the bed.
"…This world is ridiculous."
Corelia walked over calmly.
"Are you going to sign it?"
I held the contract up slightly, stared at it.
"…We need to get close to him anyway so I might as well get paid saving his life" I said.
Corelia nodded.
"Yeah."
I sighed so long and tired even resigned.
"…This mission is getting more annoying by the minute."
Somewhere deep down—I already knew.
This wasn't going to stay simple.