Lizzie was accustomed to days jammed packed with tasks, hunger looming over her shoulder and sleep being no more than a nap not too far from the office on Yoochun’s couch.  However, taking orders and sewing buttons onto a supposed couture blazer with specific how to’s and don’ts was not part of her four year college curriculum.  

Jaejoong was hovering over her shoulder and making grumbling noises at her every move.  “You can’t do it like that you have to loop it around.  Do you want to ruin my designs?!  I have a reputation to uphold.”

“Look if you are so concerned about it why don’t YOU do it!  Oh that’s right.  You are incapacitated!  Now lay off your fashion geekness and let me do it how I please.  You’re always welcome to hire a ing professional instead like you should have done days ago.  Aish!” She yelled over her shoulder.

Glaring with flames shooting out of his eyes he turned her toward him, “Yah!  It’s your fault I’m I can’t do my own job.”

Like as if she really needed a reminder for the hundredth time that week.  As much as she knew the incident had gotten out of hand and maybe just maybe a little spark of guilt did burn a hole through her clothing every now and then, all she needed was a flashback of how cruelly she was blackmailed into the arrangement just a week before.

[Flashback … The previous week]

Jaejoong and Lizzie had been at it for almost an hour.  So Yoochun did what any sane individual would do in that situation.  He left leaving the two to sort out their dilemma on their own.  They were in Jaejoong’s apartment anyway, in the privacy of four non public walls.  How much trouble could they get into? 

Lizzie POV

That sick bastard is trying to sue me?!  Seriously?  “Like ing hell you are going sue me and win” I protested.  And just as I did he pulled out a lengthy piece of paper which I did not hesitate to rip off his perfectly grimy hands.  “What’s this?  Your laundry list?”  But as I looked down the list of very unnerving numbers I tried to not noticeably sweat bullets as I realized it was a medical bill.  I get paid well but not that well.  I’m no leech.  .  I realized then I could possibly be in trouble.

The bastard-son-of-all-that-is-annoying cleared his throat like some high almighty pretentious nobleman before replying, for effect I’m sure, “Ahem, as you can see the report says I had 2 fractured ribs, a tendon sprain on my wrist and not to mention…”

“Then don’t” I tried.  But he kept on.

“…a huge bruise on my back from hitting the rail when you tossed me.  With my doctor as my witness, I think I stand a pretty good chance at winning IF we DO go to court.”  I was about to protest the plausibility of a mere document as being enough evidence for a fine when he pulled out a disk.  “I also managed to get a copy of the CCTV outside the club where said incident occurred” he said with a triumphant smirk that I just couldn’t help but want to smack off his face.

I panicked, “Wah WAH!?”

Jaejoong’s smile only broadened in relief, “But you know I could just look the other way and not press charges IF you agree to make up for all this.  Or cover my medical bill.”

“You are blackmailing me?!”

“It’s your call” he assured.

I could feel my nostrils flare.  “You wouldn’t” I warned with a hard swallow, vile slowly creeping up my throat.  “You’d… you’d ruin your own reputation.  Being tossed by woman is hardly ideal for any kind of man.”

The bastard only scoffed, “I’ve been in the business more than half my life.  Trust me, I have no qualms about scandals.  Especially if I get to take you down with me.”  Dammit.  I forgot about that bit.  He can charm his way out of anything in the public eye.  I had little choice.  Sighing in defeat I accepted his extended hand into my iron death grip.

“Ah ah owwwwwyyy!  Can’t you just let me have one victory in peace?” he pouted.

“Never” I blurted.

“Just for that I’m going to add manual labor to our deal.  How the hell are you so strong for a girl?  Are you some kind transvestite?”  Insulted for my womanhood I couldn’t help but smack him right on the head.

*SMACK*

“I’m all woman and well adjusted to my gender.  Not that I could say the same for you” I said before walking away.

[End of Flashback]

Jaejoong POV

She looked dazed concentrating hard on something other than the needle and fabric in her hands.  I couldn’t help myself.  “Hellooo?  Lizard?  Are you in there? Helloooooo?” I called finally flicking her forehead.

“Agh!”

“Now that I have your attention...” I began pointing at her when she suddenly took my finger and bent it toward my wrist until she had me kneeling on the ground.  “Ow ow ouch!” 

“IF-YOU-EVER-FLICK-ME-AGAIN-I-WILL-TEAR-IT-OFF!” she warned grimly before letting go and looking down on me.  A small tear rolled down my cheek.  Why must she be so cruel to me?

*Ring ring*

“Yeobseyo?” Jaejoong answered.  “Chunnie?  Oh, ne.  J-Jung Yunho?  S-sure.  Okay, another time.  I’m busy anyway… And Chunnie?  Take care.  Mhmmm.”  When I finally hung up the phone and looked to Elisabeth she had nothing but suspicion thrown my way.  A look I was almost certain I was the only victim of within her daily list of contacts.  I guess you can say that was our cycle.  We’d go back in circles one distrusting the other about who knows what.  Trying to break the awkward air I said, “He’s going out to lunch with…”

“Yunho oppa.  I heard.”

I flinched at her endearment.  “You shouldn’t trust him so easily.  That guy is a pretentious jerk.  Trust me.  I’ve met him before.  The guy has his nose up higher than a giraffe.”  Her eyebrow raised in disbelief.  I could tell before she even said a word.

“Seriously Jae, you have to stop watching dramas.  Not everyone that approaches Chunnie is only trying to get into his pants” She admonished somehow magically having all the skill necessary to finish her little task.  “Yunhoshii is actually taking his time and trying to get to know him.  Something that would be easier if SOMEONE weren’t busy interfering with his every spare time” she said throwing another glare my way.

I rolled my eyes again.  “It’s not like he’s anything special.”

“Oh really?  He’s only tall, dark and handsome…”

“I’m tall, dark and handsome.”

“He has a successful career as both an actor and model…” she continued.

“I’ve had success as an actor, model and a designer to boot” I noted with crossed arms.

Frustrated she huffed, “Well, as the oldest sibling of two sisters he’s both responsible and kind.”

“As the only male of nine children I’m also a responsible and kind head of the household” I kept on.  “And just to end this useless argument I am also an excellent cook, caretaker and drinking partner.”  Cornering her into silence it was a while before either one of us said anything. 

She sighed in resignation.  Or so I thought.  “So you are telling me that because you deem yourself better than anyone that could possibly have an interest in Chunnie, they can’t be fitting suitors?  What kind of friend are you to scare away love from your own friend?”

“Oh now it’s my fault that Chunnie-ah hasn’t had a boyfriend?”  I screamed at the accusation.

“Well duh.  Your unrealistic expectations have been corrupting Chunnie’s head.  But you know what?” she asked.

“What?”

She grinned mischievously as she said, “This time it’s not going to work.  Jung Yunho and even Xia Junsu are both BOLD and OUTSPOKEN men.  They will declare their interest in him against all odds.  I’m sure Chunnie will not over look that.”

“Need I remind you that Yoochun-ah wants nothing to do with that Xia guy?”  I added knowingly.

“Only because he hasn’t had a chance to meet him.  Junsu is very much interested and dedicated to his pursuits.”

I scoffed, “You mean he’s a playboy.”

“Only YOU would see it that way.”

And then something dawned on me, “Wait.  Are you telling me that you trust these two strangers more than me?  I’ve been by Chunnie’s side for years, protecting him and being his best friend.  Especially before YOU came along.”

“Tch.  Need I remind you that I was his best friend before you two even met” she reminded me for the hundredth time.

This time it was my turn to glare in suspicion, “You have an odd sort of possession over Yoochun.”

“Pfft.  Really?  You’re telling ME that?  You know…  you may be able to fool everyone, even Chunnie.  But you can’t fool me, Kim Jaejoong” was all she said before walking out the door and leaving me behind more confused than ever.