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#and move to a company that prioritizes and treats him well and can deliver financially artistically connections-ally etc etc
winterdusktales · 10 months
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the way junhoe's popularity peaked during his cocky era and again during his hoe era. coincidence? i think tf not
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Pairing: Fem!Reader x Han and Fem!Reader x Bang Chan
Warnings: language, explicit smut, cheating, indecent affairs, very rich Bang Chan who can be exceedingly arrogant, mentions of alcohol and smoking; aged up characters (especially Chan)
Word Count: 11K
Genre: Marriage AU; Romance AU; Indecent Proposal AU
Summary: You love your husband more than anything else in the world, but the two of you have been arguing lately about your struggling financial situation. Things seem bleak until one night when your husband’s new boss makes you both an offer that you can’t afford to refuse.
A/N: If you’ve seen the movie “Indecent Proposal,” then you know how this goes, but I put my own little spin on the classic! Please enjoy!!
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“Are you happy, Y/N?”
It was a deceiving question, basic in its premise and expectation, but you couldn’t help but falter at the unexpected doubt coloring your vision.
“I guess,” you said.
But why shouldn’t you be? You were in your prime, employed as a freelance writer, and married to your high school sweetheart,
Oh, wait...How could you forget?
You were also preparing to turn thirty-years-old in less than a week, your job wasn’t delivering stable work, and you and your husband had been arguing about the single-digit amount of savings in your join account since last year.
“That’s good to hear,” your therapist said, and you nodded even though it felt misplaced.
You both knew that it was bullshit, but since this was the last session you could afford together, your therapist was clearly trying to use up the rest of your time to her advantage. Maybe it was for the best since you hated seeing her face every Sunday afternoon. 
“Jisung and I are going to Vegas with his company,” you said, startling yourself with the unexpected confession.
“That’s interesting,” your therapist said, leaving the “considering how bad off the two of you are” to fill the empty silence. “I hope you have fun. Take some time to reconnect with him.”
Because surely she had heard enough of you complaining about how your husband could turn into the world’s biggest asshole sometimes when things weren’t going his way. Or when the easy parts of your personal life were feeling far too stressful to be considered healthy. “It’s nice to get away,” you decided to say in place of anything less amiable.
“Feel free to reach out if you ever need me,” your therapist continued, offering you her business card.
“Thanks,” you said, taking it from her with a sigh. “I guess that’s it then.”
“For now,” your therapist agreed, and you left the sterile-white building feeling more burdened than when you had arrived.
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It was late when you got home, and you were even more exhausted than usual, laying next to Jisung in bed as soon as you had changed into comfortable night clothes.
“Do you want to fuck?” Jisung asked later on, taking off his reading glasses to look over at you as you concentrated hard on balancing next month’s budget, including all the money you had put aside for Jisung’s company retreat.
“Not right now,” you said.
“Whatever,” Jisung grumbled, and you ignored the pain in your heart as he turned around to face away from you, turning off his lamp to bathe half of the room in darkness.
“This is too important,” you tried to argue, but Jisung wasn’t listening, and it didn’t take long for him to start snoring.
But he never understood.
“Asshole,” you whispered, gathering your things to settle down in the living room instead. Where you continued working through the night, eyes glossing over from focusing on the numbers for too long, and you were drained the next morning, barely even comprehending Jisung leaving the house for work until you heard the car’s ignition from outside.
It was somewhat of a routine at this point, and you could feel the strain in your marriage, the distance between you and Jisung increasing the longer things continued to grow worse.
Your therapist would tell you to talk things out with him, but you really didn’t feel like arguing with your husband anymore. Instead, you pushed him out of your head and slept for a few more hours before getting up to start your freelance projects. It wasn’t anything difficult, and you finished most of the work by noon, leaving you to clean the house and wait by the phone in case a potential client called you with an assignment.
But the problem was the phone never rang, and you were hardly getting any work to support your shared household income.
It was a frequent point of contention, and Jisung had been begging you to take on a full-time position for months.
Maybe you should. 
Maybe it would make him happier.
But why did it feel like his happiness was always prioritized over your own?
Damn, you were starting to sound just like your former therapist.
“I made dinner,” you told him when he got home that evening, and even though it was obvious that he was wore-out, Jisung met you in the kitchen with a forced smile.
“It smells good,” he said, and there was a longing in his eyes, one that you also shared but could never fulfill.
And no amount of sex ever made it any better, but that sure as hell didn’t stop the two of you from trying to use it as an excuse to pretend that the problem didn’t exist elsewhere. “Shit, Sungie,” you gasped, nails digging into the smooth skin of his back as he fucked you on top of the counter, legs spread wide around his waist as he pummeled his hips into yours.
“Yes!” Jisung moaned, eyes rolling into the back of his head as your tight walls constricted around his length - pure, velvet warmth. “God, you’re perfect.”
“Harder!” you cried, trying to meet each of his thrusts, but finding it impossible to touch his animalistic pace, brutally stretching your pussy around him. The good kind of stretch that left you gaping long after you both came, lingering throughout the night and well into the morning as you limped around the house.
It ached and hurt, persistent and demanding, but there was always a desire for more, even when it was impossible to fulfill those empty places. But that didn’t stop you from trying, winding your fingers through Jisung’s hair to pull him closer, smashing your mouths together for a brutal kiss that only served to stoke the flames of passion sparking between the two of you. Something hot and raunchy, delicious in the exchanges of precious oxygen and the thin cord of saliva that remained when Jisung pulled back to look at you. “You’re the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen,” he said, parting your thighs around his hips as he studied the place where he was driving his cock between the delicate folds of your swollen labia. “Look at how well you take me.”
“Please,” you whimpered, unsure as to what you wanted from him, but it was always too much and never enough. 
“I want you to come first,” Jisung said, sucking the pad of his thumb into his mouth before bringing it down against your clit. 
“Oh!” you gasped because the secondary stimulation was proving to be the necessary catalyst to unwind you from the inside, and you could feel your orgasm growing stronger by the second. 
“That’s it, baby,” Jisung groaned, throwing back his head as he worked on moving his hips faster, thrusting his erection with as much power as he could manage while focusing on digging harsh circles against the tight little bud between your legs.
“Coming!” you cried, closing your eyes against the first wave of pleasure, moaning when Jisung lifted your legs higher around his waist, slamming his cock between your pulsating walls. 
It was a divine high, the kind that left a deep impression, riding the euphoria of your orgasm until you could feel your heart practically vibrating against your chest, leaving you breathless and throbbing in the place where Jisung continued to grind his cock. “I’m close,” he said, grunting as his hips stuttered in place, and you watched him fall over you as a familiar warmth escaped from where his cock was softening.
“S’ good,” you managed around a deep breath, trying to bring yourself back to Earth.
“You’re always so good for me,” Jisung said, eyes glossy with lust as he parted your lips around his fingers.
You puckered your lips, sucking hard and leaving him groaning. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“I know, Y/N, and I love you,” Jisung said, holding himself up while panting over you, eyes dark and devoted.
“I love you too,” you replied on instinct, keeping him close while the two of you basked in the afterglow of your passionate lovemaking.
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One Week Later
It was raining at the airport, but you were in a good mood while following Jisung through the crowded terminal. “Are you excited?” he asked you once you stood in line to board the plane.
“Of course,” you replied, accepting his gentle kiss before he held out your tickets for the flight attendant.
But why shouldn’t you be? You had never been to Vegas before, and you were beyond excited for the trip, even if it had been painful to budget with your lousy combined incomes. 
“I’m gonna treat you so good, baby,” Jisung whispered to you on the plane, finalizing his promise with another heart-stopping kiss.
“I love you,” you said, smiling when you heard the words in return.
It was always a promise that you could both keep, no matter how hard things got in your lives, and you could always rely on Jisung even when your own mind turned against you. Sure, it would be nice to have more financial stability, but the two of you would eventually achieve that goal, just as long as you kept working hard.
The idea of being happy all the time seemed impossible, and you were grateful for what you had, holding tightly to Jisung’s hand as he hailed down a taxi cab to take you to your hotel upon your arrival in Vegas.
“A couple’s retreat?” the driver asked when you were both settled inside.
“Something like that,” Jisung agreed, and it was half-way true, even if Jisung’s company was the main reason you were both enjoying the unfamiliar sights of the Vegas strip - blinding lights, crowded streets, and loud music. Everything was organized chaos, and you could see why so many people loved it.
“It’s beautiful,” you said to Jisung when your taxi cab arrived at your hotel.
“What do you want to do first?” Jisung asked, taking both of your suitcases as you led the way to check-in.
“Do you have to meet with your co-workers?” you asked, reminding yourself that this trip had a larger reason behind it.
“Not until the morning,” Jisung laughed, and he signed the copy of the room notice before dragging you to the elevators. “It’s you and me tonight, baby. Wanna check out the poker tables?”
You rolled your eyes because you both knew that Jisung had no idea how to play cards. “Looking around sounds nice.”
“Whatever you want,” Jisung promised, and after your things were settled in your lavish suite, he made good on escorting you around the impressive gambling floor - nothing but slot machines with bright color sequences and a vast expanse of tables with every kind of game you could want. 
It was almost too much to look at, and you were grateful to focus on one thing when Jisung paused next to the craps table. “Do you want to try?” you asked, smirking at the curious look in his eyes.
“Yeah,” he said, giving you a quick kiss before exchanging a twenty for some chips. “I’ll put it all on Pass.”
“Pass!” the dealer said, dragging Jisung’s chips closer. “Your roll.”
Jisung grabbed the dice from the table, bringing them closer to you with a smirk. “Kiss for good luck?”
You rolled your eyes, but entertained his request, brushing your lips against his knuckles before pulling back and watching him flick his wrist as the dice bounced across the table. “Seven!” the dealer announced, and you and Jisung were both surprised to win, watching as two piles of chips were pushed in your direction. 
“Holy shit!” you gasped, and Jisung nodded his agreement, taking all the chips before bidding the dealer a good night. “Did you see that?” you asked, unable to stop yourself from giggling as Jisung pocketed the chips. 
“I guess I have enough to treat you to a drink,” he said, and you followed him to the bar where he ordered you both something strong.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?” you asked him, feeling far more jubilant than before as you downed most of the contents, wincing at the sting.
“You need to loosen up,” Jisung said. “I know you’ve been planning for the trip, so I want you to enjoy yourself.”
“Cheers to that!” you said, tapping your glass against Jisung’s and enjoying the rest of your drink.
And for a while, you actually found yourself letting go of all the worries leading up to the vacation, drinking and laughing with your husband as you played on some of the slot machines and observed some of the more serious poker games. 
The alcohol sat pleasantly on your stomach, and you were losing yourself to the buzz dulling most of your anxieties. “Jisung,” you said at one point, leaning closer to him as you sat together outside by the pool. “You look really good tonight.”
Jisung smiled, bringing you in for a kiss that turned heated despite the people surrounding you. “Slow down, baby,” Jisung said, breaking your exchange and ignoring your pout.
“Let’s go to the room,” you said, lowering your tone as you trailed one finger down his toned arm.
“Maybe later,” Jisung said, but he dangled the key in front of you. “If you want, then you can go upstairs.”
“You don’t want to come?” you asked with a pout.
“I’ve been watching,” Jisung admitted with a shrug. “I know we’ve been having a lot of problems with money, but I think I can take what we brought and turn it into enough to end most of our debt.”
“Jisung,” you said, sobering up in an instant. “What if you lose?”
“Don’t worry,” he said, and you could tell that he had already made up his mind. “I know when to stop.”
“Okay,” you agreed, but it was a reluctant acquiescence because you wanted nothing more than to have him in your arms. “I’ll see you later.”
“Have fun, baby,” Jisung said, and you frowned when he slid you his credit card. “Call room service and take care of yourself.”
“Sure,” you agreed, pocketing the card since you had no intention of using it. “Call me if you need anything.”
Jisung nodded, waving you off as he rose from his chair, and you watched with an overhanging sense of dread as he rejoined the crowded gambling room.
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You waited for as long as you could, but midnight trickled by with no sign of your husband returning to the room.
Eventually, you must’ve fallen asleep from the excitement, and you only woke-up again the next morning when you attempted to reach out for Jisung in bed next to you, only to discover empty space.
“Sungie?” you said, filling the empty room with your voice.
But you could’ve sworn you had heard the door open at one point, so you dressed yourself and ventured out of the bedroom.
Your Vegas suite was fairly large, and the bedroom was connected to the main room by a narrow hallway with another room on the opposite end. Maybe Jisung had slept in the wrong room on accident?
It seemed plausible, until you heard the sound of someone moving around in the kitchen, and you quickly followed the noises to find your husband bent over the counter, head hanging low.
“Jisung, what’s wrong?” you asked, approaching your husband to soothe a hand down his back.
But you were completely unprepared for the way he began to lash out.
“I lost it, okay?” he snapped, jerking himself into an upright stance. “All the money we brought, I blew it on the slot machines.”
“Jisung-”
“Fuck, I can’t believe it!” Jisung shouted, interrupting your attempt to speak. “I was doing so well, and I didn’t even realize things were going bad until I almost used our bank card to pull out more money.”
You exhaled harshly, realizing that if Jisung had spent all of your money, then he also accessed some of your savings since you had brought extra cash in case of an emergency. “Oh my god.”
You stumbled back against the wall, holding your chest because you could feel the start of a panic attack taking root. But how else were you supposed to react to Jisung’s confession? He had spent all the money you would both need to pay rent and buy important necessities.
“This is so screwed up,” Jisung growled, rubbing a rough hand across his disheveled face. 
“That was everything,” you said, swallowing hard as your detail-oriented brain attempted to come up with an alternative, but you saw no light on the other end.
“Y/N,” Jisung said, and his voice was calmer as he looked at you. “I’m so sorry. I thought I could make things better.”
“But you made them worse,” you said, closing your eyes against an onslaught of tears, feeling as if your entire world was crashing down around you.
“Baby, no,” Jisung said, hurrying over to catch you before your body crumbled to the floor. “We’ll be okay, you know? I can always take out a loan.”
“To pay for the other loans?” you asked in a much harsher tone that you usually reserved for your husband.
“I promise I’ll make it better,” Jisung said, and he groaned when his phone started ringing. “It’s my boss again. He wanted to meet me in his room this morning.”
Jisung silenced the call, holding your face between his hands. “I promise nothing bad will happen to us, and maybe I can ask my boss for an advance on my next paycheck to help cover expenses.”
Your brain knew better than that, understanding that one paycheck wouldn’t cover those lost savings, but this was Jisung. Your sweet and kind husband, and you didn’t feel like arguing. “Okay,” you said, accepting the gentle kisses he pecked along your wet lashes.
“We’ll figure this out,” Jisung said. “But let’s not worry about it until we get back home. Can you put some clothes on for me, baby? I want you to come meet my boss with me.”
“Yeah,” you said, nodding your head as you allowed Jisung to lead you both back into the bedroom.
“Everything will be fine,” Jisung said, and you allowed him to delude your mind even though nothing could be further from the truth.
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Jisung’s boss was a powerful man named Mr. Bang, and his net-worth made Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk pale in comparison.
You were nervous to meet him, and it didn’t help that you were still upset from earlier.
“Deep breaths,” Jisung instructed you when he knocked on Mr. Bang’s door. “Don’t worry about anything.”
It was easy for him to say since everything was his fault, but you swallowed down your anger and pasted on your best smile when the door opened - revealing an older gentleman with dark brown hair and eyes, wrinkles edging some of the corners of his features, exposing the effects of age.
But he was still undeniably handsome, and his eyes took a long moment to gloss over you. “Mr. Han,” Mr. Bang said, finally looking away from you. “I’m glad you could make it.”
“Of course, sir,” Jisung said, placing his hand on your lower back as you were both invited inside. “It’s been a rough morning.”
“Oh?” Mr. Bang questioned, following you both into the main room. “Why is that?”
You held your breath when Jisung hesitated. “Just some money stuff.”
“Ah,” Mr. Bang acknowledged. “It’s personal.”
“It’s nothing to worry about,” Jisung insisted, and Mr. Bang shrugged off his coat as he accepted the reassurance, reaching for a pack of cigars.
“Well, I’m excited to talk with you this morning. Would you both like to join me in the other room? I heard that Jisung enjoys playing pool.”
“Absolutely,” Jisung agreed with a smile - one that managed to disguise all the horrible realities that existed outside of this impeccable suite.
You took another deep breath, fixing a smile in place when Mr. Bang turned to look at you. “This must be your wife.”
“Y/N,” you said, holding out your hand for him, and trying not to feel disconcerted by the obvious interest in his gaze.
“Y/N,” he repeated, looking back ahead of himself as he brought you both into a far simpler room - sparsely furnished with the exception of the pool table in the middle of the area. “Do either of you mind if I smoke? It’s a bad habit.”
He chuckled at the end, waiting for your combined approval before lighting one of the cigars and bringing it to his lips.
“You’re welcome to go first,” Mr. Bang said, selecting one of the pool sticks against the wall. “I’d love to be informal with you.”
“That sounds great,” Jisung said, and you watched him bend over the table as he broke the balls at the center, sending them flying in all directions. “I was really honored to receive your invitation.”
“Were you?” Mr. Bang asked with a smile. “I’m glad to hear that.”
“You’re a bit of an enigma around the office, Mr. Bang,” Jisung said, and his boss chuckled in response.
“Please, call me Chan,” he continued, taking his turn at the table after Jisung missed his shot, cigar dangling from his lips. “How are you both enjoying Vegas?”
“I think we’re having a lot of fun,” Jisung said, and the response irritated you a little as you cleared your throat, nose wrinkling as some of the cigar smoke reached you.
“It’s quite beautiful,” you said, and Chan found your eyes after landing his first shot.
“Yes, it is,” he agreed. “You know, Jisung, you talk about me being an enigma around the office. Why is that?”
You flinched at the sound of the balls smashing together, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear as you focused on your husband. “Well,” Jisung shrugged. “I think it’s because you have so much more than the rest of us. Not that it’s a bad thing.” 
“Really?” Chan asked, standing up straight as he shot you a knowing look. “You do have something that I don’t have.”
You found yourself blushing at the comment, and Jisung studied his boss with narrowed eyes. “I guess there’s a limit to what money can buy.”
“Not mine,” Chan said, putting out the cigar with a satisfied smirk. “I can afford anything.”
You didn’t like his attitude, finding yourself jumping into the conversation without being provoked. “Some things aren’t for sale,” you said, watching as Chan bent over the pool table once again.
“Like what?” he asked.
“Well, you can’t buy people,” you said, and he stood tall again with a sigh.
“That’s naïve of you, Y/N,” he said. “I buy people everyday.”
“I don’t mean in business,” you argued. “I meant something more like...when your emotions are involved.”
“So, you can’t buy someone’s love?” Chan questioned, and you didn’t like the way he was laughing. “Jisung, I hope you don’t feel the same way.”
“Of course,” Jisung said, shaking his head. “I agree with Y/N.”
“Really?” Chan smiled. “Then, maybe we should put that to the test.”
“What do you mean?” Jisung asked, and he exchanged a quick look with you - one filled with uncertainty.
“How much?” Mr. Bang asked.
“How much?” Jisung repeated, and he studied his boss with a confused expression. “What do you mean?”
Mr. Bang chuckled, and you frowned at the obvious condescension. “I mean, how much for one night with your wife?”
“Oh...” Jisung trailed off, and the room quickly filled with silence - awkward and heavy.
“Why so tense?” Chan eventually asked, and you shook your head because he knew exactly why the two of you were suddenly less than enthusiastic.
“You can’t be serious,” Jisung eventually said, reaction surprisingly neutral.
“I’m completely serious,” Chan continued, never breaking a sweat as he continued to take his turn at the pool table. “I’ll give you $1,000,000 dollars,” Chan said. “That would be enough to keep you in a life of luxury.”
“Sir,” Jisung said, and you could tell that he was caught off-guard, trying to find the right words to prevent offense to his boss, but you didn’t have to extend the same courtesy.
“No,” you said, keeping your tone firm. “He would tell you to go to hell.”
“I didn’t hear that from him,” Chan said, and you fixed Jisung with the sternest glare you could manage.
“Yeah,” Jisung said. “I’d tell you to go to hell.”
Chan sighed, pocketing the coveted eight ball with a quick motion. “I guess that proves me wrong, then,” Chan said. “But I’ll at least say this: $1,000,000 dollars is a lifetime of security. Think about it, talk it over first, and then you can forget all about this conversation.”
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It should’ve been over after that without any further consideration, but you were disappointed to see that Jisung was still distracted as you sat together in your room later that night - long after leaving Chan’s suite.
“You’re still thinking about it,” you said, drawing his attention.
“Of course not, baby,” he said, but it wasn’t convincing.
“Would you seriously be okay with me spending the night with some pompous billionaire? you huffed. “He would obviously want to fuck me.”
“Well, I can’t say I blame him,” Jisung tried to joke, but the situation was far too serious.
“Sungie...”
“Look, I get it, Y/N. Marriage is sacred, and I respect you for that, but we both can’t ignore how much this would change our lives! It’s a million fucking dollars.”
“He’s an old perv,” you growled. “Would you seriously sell me out?”
“That’s not what this is,” Jisung argued. “I’m not selling you out.”
“Sleeping with a stranger for a million dollars is selling me out,” you said. “I don’t even like him...”
“It’s fine,” Jisung interrupted. “It was just a made-up scenario, and I would never force you to do anything.”
“Good,” you said, turning on your side to switch off the lamp. “He can’t just expect that from someone. It’s crazy!”
“I know, baby,” Jisung whispered quietly to you, and you knew that you were both exhausted from the chaos of your day together.
Sleep was what you needed, but it wasn’t coming. 
Instead, you were loathe to admit that your mind had returned to that indecent proposal from Jisung’s boss, thinking about the last thing he said.
One lifetime of security.
You would never have to worry about money again...but what about your relationship? Would it suffer because of such an illicit affair?
You tossed and turned all night, feeling Jisung do the same thing.
Think about it.
God, that’s all you were doing, and when the sun was starting to rise again from the coverage of your blinds, you rolled over to look at Jisung, unsurprised to see him wide-awake. “If we do this,” you said, “it wouldn’t mean anything.”
“Of course not,” Jisung said. “It would still be the two of us against the rest of the world.”
You nodded, studying the gentle brown of Jisung’s eyes. The weight of such a consequential decision hung over both of your heads, and you sucked up every last ounce of pride you had when you came to a conclusion: “Call him,” you said, and Jisung’s eyes widened. “Tell him we’ll take the money.”
“Y/N, are you sure?” Jisung asked, and he was cautiously reaching out for his cellphone.
“I’m sure,” you said, although you didn’t feel as confident as you would like, turning onto your back to study the ceiling overhead.
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The date and time were arranged for the following evening, and you could barely meet Chan’s gaze when he met you outside his suite.
“Just relax,” he whispered to you, inviting you outside onto the extended balcony attached to his penthouse where he proceeded to pour two glasses of champagne.
The cold air of the night hit you in the face like a firm slap, forcing you from the haze you had surrendered to when you first walked into the room. A wake-up call that this was happening, and the man next to you was not your husband.
You nearly drained your first glass of champagne, feeling the alcohol give you some much-needed courage. “Y/N,” Chan said, standing next to you in a suit that likely cost more than your and Jisung’s last paychecks combined. “I want to ask you what your expectations are of this evening.”
You shrugged, staring out over the bannister. “I thought we were just gonna fuck,” you replied, even if the words were a little crude.
Chan laughed at your comment. “Is that so?”
“I don’t see what’s funny,” you said. “You’re the one who has to buy women.”
“You think I have to buy women?” Chan asked. “Because that couldn’t be further from the truth.”
You hesitated, sensing him growing closer. “Why me, then?”
“I bought you because you said you couldn’t be bought,” Chan replied, stepping closer to drop his hand on top of yours.
“I can’t be bought,” you argued, even though everything leading up to this moment was proving the contrary.
“Really?” he asked, and you begrudgingly shook your head.
“I don’t know why I’m doing this.”
“You might enjoy yourself,” Chan said with a seductive smirk. “This isn’t meant to be a punishment.”
“I know that,” you said, holding your breath when his lips touched the shell of your ear.
“Damn, you’re unbelievably gorgeous,” Chan said, and his free hand was trailing down your spine. “Come with me into the bedroom.”
You gave him a shaky nod, following him back inside while taking in several deep breaths as you greeted the darkness of the room, discarding your champagne on the side table. “What now?”
“Take off your dress,” Chan said, and you squinted your eyes to see him falling down into one of the chairs.
Despite the cold air of the night, everything inside was heating up again.
“Okay,” you whispered, reaching back for your zipper, and holding it between trembling fingers as you unhitched the material, allowing it to fall down your body like an avalanche of blue as it pooled around your ankles.
You heard Chan’s sharp intake of breath, feeling his eyes trail over every inch of your lingerie-clad form. “Get on the bed,” he said, and you obeyed at once, trying to make yourself comfortable on top of the mattress.
But it was hard when you noticed Chan approaching the bedside, removing his jacket and shirt to reveal a lean, muscular torso - one that had undoubtedly been built after long hours in the gym. “This is my favorite part,” Chan said, shoving down his jeans and boxers without shame, and his cock sprang up against his abdomen with an impressive girth. “I like to see the way a woman’s eyes look at me. How their breath hitches when I touch them for the first time.”
He followed through on his promise, sliding his fingers down the smooth skin of your stomach with a feather-like touch before they paused at the waistband of your panties. “Take these off,” he said, and you did your best to wrangle off the flimsy fabric, pushing it aside with your toes as Chan’s eyes zeroed in on your delicate mound. “When I fuck a woman, I make sure she comes...several times.”
You shivered at that, hearing his tone grow huskier as he instructed you to open your thighs, giving himself enough room to crawl on the bed and settle down between your open legs. It was already so revealing, and you couldn’t believe you were in this position, exposing everything to him. “Do you use protection?” he asked, and you nodded. “I’d like to fuck you raw, but only with your consent.”
You nodded again, gasping when his long, thin fingers started to carefully penetrate you, scissoring around your entrance - teasing curls that did nothing but trigger your body’s instinctual arousal. Especially as the room around you continued to grow warmer, almost as hot as Chan’s lips as they scalded your skin, lifting one of your legs higher against his arm.
“You deserve to be worshipped,” Chan whispered against your thigh. “If I had a woman like you, I’d do my best to make you happy.”
“Fuck,” you couldn’t help but curse, feeling him use his other hand to start moving his fingers even faster, gliding them against the greedy walls of your pussy as your body demanded you for more of the sweet addiction.
There was already a light sheen of sweat forming on your skin, and your heart was beating faster and faster, matching the pace of his fingers. Eventually, he leaned down to take your clit between his lips, dropping your thigh back onto the mattress before sucking hard and swirling his tongue around the sensitive bud. 
You gasped, hips arching without your approval, grinding closer to the source of that immeasurable pleasure. It was wet and sensual, creating the gentlest of sensations that traveled all the way to your toes.
You could feel Chan smirking, lips barely touching your clit before he properly opened his mouth wide to lave his tongue across the throbbing area. It felt so good, and you were practically humping his face to gain more of his delicious mouth.
He was learning your signs, hands holding your waist as he listened to every hitch of your breath, knowing when to speed up and slow down. It was like a well-rehearsed dance, swipes of his tongue across your folds, pressing firmly against your clit when he returned to the delicate organ. 
It felt like pure heaven, bringing you higher and higher to a much-needed release, and it had been a long time since a man had made you experience such white hot lust from just his tongue.
“Cum for me,” Chan whispered, and he nipped at your clit, and the tinge of pain was enough to send you spiraling into your first orgasm of the night.
“Oh!” you groaned, grabbing his hair to pull him back when his sucking was starting to feel too painful right after coming so hard.
“What a good girl,” Chan said, looking down at you with a sheen of arousal coating his lips. 
It was obscene, forcing you to close your eyes against the image, but you cried out when he pinched one of your nipples, causing you to open them again. 
“Do me a favor and look at me while I’m fucking you, Y/N,” Chan murmured, hooded gaze meeting your struggling one - trying not to succumb to his advances, even though he was making it incredibly hard, wrist almost imperceptible with the way he was stretching you open again, pussy gaping as you felt yourself leaking uncontrollably.
“I’ll try,” you whispered, heart thundering against your chest as Chan removed his fingers only to align his cock with your entrance, dipping just the tip into your eager heat.
“Moan for me as much as you want,” Chan said, and he was bottoming out without hesitation, moving slow to prevent any pain while you got used to the stretch.
It was different from how Jisung fucked you, thrusting into you impossibly fast from the very first moment he impaled you on his cock. 
There was something caring about it, and you adjusted quickly to Chan’s girth, grinding your hips subtly just to feel very inch of his generous erection. “Good girl,” Chan cooed, and he brought his cock to a deeper roll, moving back to leave only the head before forcing himself inside once again, picking up speed as your moans continued to grow louder in volume, signaling your approach to a second release.
It was beyond amazing, and you swallowed down your embarrassment from the noises he was punching from your lungs, opening your eyes as he started to move even faster, thrusting his cock between your legs at a rhythmic pace.
He was hitting your g-spot on every deep penetration, granulating in and out at a steady pace that was so unbelievably fulfilling.
You never expected it feel this good, slick from your pussy gushing at an embarrassing rate, creating an even smoother slide. But the squelching sounds were incredibly loud, filling your ears just like his cock was filling your cunt...the best kind of fullness.
You were being stroked just right, moaning when Chan shifted his hips to thrust into you at a new angle, holding your legs over his shoulders as he practically bent you in half.
His lips were warm when they connected with yours, and there was a strange desire to sink into the kiss and lose yourself there forever. But your pussy was throbbing with need - an impossible want for the man reaching all the way to your cervix.
It felt amazing when his fingers brushed across your sensitive clit, rubbing generous circles against the tight nub. He started snapping his hips at a faster rate, slapping against your hips with every thrust, holding onto your hips with a bruising grip that would leave reminders of him for days. 
But maybe that was his intention.
Chan growled, plunging into your sore cunt time and time again. He was practically pounding you with how hard he was going, like he was trying to prove a point, and maybe he wanted to since nothing could have ever prepared you for how euphoric his cock was making you feel.
“Are you gonna cum again?” Chan whispered, gazing so fondly into your eyes.
You couldn’t speak, only managing a nod when he started to rub even faster at your clit, and you let out the loudest moan of the night when you were unraveling yet again, sinking into a third orgasm that left you drained.
It was a rollercoaster of overstimulation, and Chan realized this and gave a few stuttered kicks of his hips before he was filling you up with his cum, groaning and grunting as he leaned over you.
Your legs were numb from being spread wide for so long, and you weren’t sure that you would ever catch your breath, listening to the sound of Chan whispering sweet endearments from next to you as you realized that nothing would ever be same after this.
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The next morning, you woke-up alone, but there was a note waiting for you on the nightstand.
Y/N,
Join us in the kitchen when you’re ready.
- Chan
“Us?” you repeated aloud, feeling a sense of dread as you stumbled on weak legs to gather your clothes.
You were incredibly sore between your legs, a reminder that last night actually happened, and you had slept with your husband’s boss for a big paycheck.
“It’s worth it,” you tried to reassure yourself, walking from the bedroom and into the kitchen with a subtle limp. “Nothing will change.”
But hindsight is 20/20, and you can’t predict the future. Still, your first sign should’ve been the strange image of Chan and Jisung sitting together in the kitchen, like they were having a casual breakfast together,
“There you are!” Chan greeted you upon your arrival, but you barely paid him any attention, eyes immediately finding Jisung’s.
Your husband was sitting next to Chan at the table, and there was a buffet of food displayed on elegant kitchenware. “What’s going on?”
“Breakfast,” Chan said, indicating towards the empty chair next to Jisung. “Please join us.”
You nodded, finally breaking your intense stare-down with Jisung to carefully sit down next to him.
Suddenly, it was difficult to acknowledge his presence, memories of last night resurfacing and causing you to blush at the obscene images. “I hope you slept well,” Chan said, and his plate was completely covered as he ate without a single care in the world. “Last night...it was amazing, Y/N.”
You could feel Jisung shift from next to you, but you couldn’t find it in yourself to look at him. “Chan-”
“As promised,” Chan interrupted as he reached into the pocket of his expensive suite jacket, producing a thin slip of paper, and he slid the check in Jisung’s direction. “Thank you both for everything.”
“Sure,” Jisung said, and his tone was short as he grabbed the check and immediately stood from the table. “We should get going.”
“So soon?” Chan questioned, mouth stuffed impossibly full. “You’re more than welcome to anything you want.”
“We’re fine,” Jisung insisted, and he took your hand with a firm grip. “I know you’ll understand, Mr. Bang.”
“Ah!” Chan grinned. “Formalities again?”
But Jisung ignored him, turning to look at you with a gleam in his eyes that you couldn’t decipher. “Let’s go home,” Jisung said, and he tried for a smile which you couldn’t match as he led the two of you as far from Bang Chan as you could manage.
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Tragically, your return home was nothing triumphant, and it should’ve felt so good to finally pay off so many bills and debts.
But it didn’t.
Everything felt hollow inside.
You also couldn’t help but notice that it was becoming increasingly difficult to talk to Jisung. Because every time you looked into his eyes, you were reminded of your impassioned affair in Vegas. It wasn’t fair to either of you, but you had no idea how to fix your relationship.
How could this be fair? You no longer had money problems forcing that divide between the two of you? In fact, you had no problems at all, and you were both entertaining the idea of moving into a bigger place and quitting your jobs.
So, what was missing? What was wrong with the way things were now that your joint account was filled to the maximum?
The answer was obvious, but you both refused to talk about it, and every second spent in each other’s company only served to carve an even deeper rift. Something so painful that you could barely share the same bed as your husband.
You couldn’t believe that things were so bad, even a month after your night with Chan, and nothing was going right. But what could you do? There was no easy solution, and it certainly didn’t help when you received a phone call from an unknown number one morning, accepting it with hesitation, only to be greeted with a strikingly familiar tone: “Hello, Y/N,” Chan said from the other end, and you immediately sat down on the edge of your bed.
“Chan?”
“How are you?” Chan asked with a pleasant tone. “I thought I might check in on my favorite couple.”
You frowned at his mocking tone. “Thanks, but we’re fine.”
“I’m glad to hear that! And I hope the money goes a long way for you and Jisung,” Chan said, and you clenched the phone tighter between your hands.
“It’s been helpful,” you said, even though the words didn’t seem to match the life you were currently living.
“Well, I’m in town for lunch this afternoon,” Chan continued. “I thought it might be nice just to catch up with you. Would you care to join me?”
You hesitated, looking around your empty bedroom with desperate eyes. “I don’t know if that’s the best idea...”
“Oh, please it’s just one lunch,” Chan said, and it was almost impossible to resist him. But that must be why he was such a good businessman. “One lunch.”
You sighed, already feeling yourself giving in to him. “One lunch,” you agreed, parroting back the response because it felt like your body was moving on auto-pilot, having lost the familiar spark ever since you came back from Vegas.
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Chan’s chosen location was a gorgeous downtown restaurant that had more Michelin stars than the places you sometimes watched on TV.
It was beyond elegant, and you found Chan waiting for you at the door after having a car bring you to him. “Good morning,” he said with a cheeky tone, meeting you halfway as he offered his arm to you - the perfect gentleman.
“This was unexpected,” you said, allowing him to escort you inside, greeting the man at the front who seemed to instantly recognize Chan, leading you both to a private room away from the others.
“I wanted to do this,” Chan said. “I thought we could talk a little.”
“Is that it?” you asked, taking the menu and gaping at the immense prices.
Chan seemed to notice, smiling at your awed expression. “Have anything you want,” Chan said. “I’m buying.”
“Oh, I can’t possibly let you do that...” you said because then it would feel like a date, and that was as far from what you wanted as possible.
“Don’t concern yourself,” Chan said. “Everything is good here, and you deserve it.”
You weren’t sure that you liked the sound of that, but you didn’t complain as you requested that he order something for both of you instead of trying to interpret the gauche-sounding entrees. 
“Now,” Chan said once your waiter left the room. “Let’s talk about you.”
“Me?” you questioned, sipping gingerly at your water glass. “What about me?”
“I want to know everything,” Chan said. “All of it.”
“Everything?” you repeated, shrugging as you blushed. “There’s not much to tell.”
“I can hardly believe that,” Chan said. “What about your job?”
“I’m a freelance writer,” you said, nodding when you realized that he was genuine. “Kinda hard in the city though.”
“But you’re doing what you love?” Chan asked, and he grinned at your confirmation. “Then that’s all that matters.”
Could it be so simple? you wondered, remembering all the countless arguments you and Jisung had shared because, according to him, your job was hardly considered career-worthy. “I love writing.”
“Then you must be a big reader,” Chan remarked. “All the best writers are.”
You swooned at his smooth conversation. “I have shelves full of the classics.”
“What’s your favorite?” Chan asked.
“Jane Eyre,” you admitted, and Chan raised a brow.
“I like that about you,” he said. “It fits: the idea of a bright young woman falling in love with the enigmatic billionaire.”
You met his gaze, recalling how Jisung had aligned the term “enigmatic” with Chan on the night you made your unholy deal. Was there a deeper meaning, then? “I love the prose,” you replied instead, thinking the subject might return to Chan. 
But it never did. In fact, Chan kept all the questions about you, engaging you in a way that you had never experienced with another man. Like he cared so much about the person underneath, and his probing gaze was seeing past the outside in a way that spoke to your very soul.
And you couldn’t help but compare him to Jisung: a very dangerous thing to do.
“That was nice,” you said after you had both eaten. “It was good to see you again.”
“I agree,” Chan said, ever the businessman as his hand fell low around your waist, taking you back outside the restaurant. “Should we make plans for tomorrow?”
You almost laughed, until you read his expression and realized that he was serious. “What?”
“Y/N,” Chan said, and his tone was intense. “I can’t stop thinking about Vegas.”
“Chan,” you whined, trying to pull away, but his hold was firm. 
“If you were with me,” Chan purred, and it was a lethal sound that was as smooth as the hand traveling up and down your back. “I could give you everything you wanted and more.”
“I can’t,” you insisted, and there was an image of Jisung in your head when you managed to escape him. “That was only one time.”
“I think you and I both know that it meant more than that,” Chan said, and you could deny it all you wanted, but there was an insistent throbbing at the back of your skull.
“I don’t know what you mean,” you lied, ignoring the scoff that escaped him while calling for the valet to bring the car Chan had organized for you.
“At least take my business card,” Chan said, and he was holding the small piece of printed paper out for you, but you knew that going down that path would only make things worse.
“I can’t accept it,” you said, returning your attention to the valet as he opened the back door.
“That’s a shame,” Chan said, but he was as persistent as ever, leaning close to press a kiss across your cheek. “You can always call me. If you ever need anything.”
You nodded, feeling somewhat disoriented as you sat down against the leather seat, swallowing hard when you could still see Chan from the rearview mirror.
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By the time you returned home, it was already late, and you were glad to see Jisung when you sat your purse down onto the counter. “Hey,” you said, and Jisung glanced up from where he was reading the newspaper.
“Hey,” he replied. “How was lunch?”
You swallowed hard because you hadn’t told Jisung who you ate lunch with. “It was good.”
He nodded - a short dismissal, and it you decided to freshen up in the bathroom, taking a quick shower just to wash off the lingering traces of Chan.
But maybe it was foolish to think that water could wash away everything that had happened - those traces would never simply vanish.
When you walked back out into the main room, you were stunned to see Jisung putting on his coat. “Jisung,” you said, watching your husband rush around the living room. “Are you busy?”
“Just gong to meet some friends,” Jisung replied. 
Distracted. Uninterested in you.
“Oh,” you said. “I thought we could spend some time together?”
“Yeah?” Jisung snorted, and you were shocked to hear him sound so abrasive...at least until he marched up to you waving around a business card. “And what the fuck is this, huh? I found it in your bag.”
He flung the card at you, and you sighed when you saw Chan’s name at the top - he must’ve snuck the card into your purse when you weren’t looking. “It’s nothing,” you said, but Jisung only laughed - a sound devoid of all humor. “Why the fuck are you going through my things?”
“Does it matter?” he huffed. “You can’t get enough of him, can you?” he asked, and you were like a tea kettle that had been sitting on the burner for way too long - practically erupting from the top.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“What do you think?” Jisung smarted back. “You’re obviously still seeing him, spreading your legs for his cock like a bitch in heat. I guess one night wasn’t enough for you.”
“How dare you!” you yelled, getting right in Jisung’s face. “You want to know what happened? He slipped the card into my purse when I met him for lunch today, but I had never even spoken to him until then.”
“You expect me to believe that?” Jisung spat, narrowing his eyes. “You’re a fucking whore, Y/N. Throwing yourself at a rich man like Bang Chan just because he can buy you nice stuff.”
“What’s money got to do with anything?”
“It obviously means everything!” Jisung shouted. “It’s what got us into this fucking mess into the first place.”
“You mean, the mess you made when you gambled all our money away?” 
“Are you really going to throw that back in my face?” Jisung seethed. “I was trying to make things better for us!”
“Good job,” you snickered. “Since we’re so fucking happy together.”
“What do you want from me?” Jisung asked, throwing up his arms. “I’m obviously the biggest asshole in the world.”
“I’m glad you can admit it,” you said. “Did you ever stop to think that all that I’ve done up to this point has been for you?”
Jisung paused, opening his mouth to retaliate, but then wisely deciding to let you continue. “Did I want to go to Vegas?” you asked. “No, but I went because you wanted to impress your company, and I know you wanted to do things right, but we should’ve both known better than to bet against the house. We lost everything, and in that moment of desperation, you pressured me into sleeping with another man, and I can’t think about anything else but him whenever I look at you.”
Jisung was stunned at the admission, all traces of anger gone from his expression. “Y/N,” he said. “I had no idea.”
“Yeah?” you said, voice quivering as you wiped away your tears. “Well, now you do.”
Jisung bowed his head, and you decided that you were done waiting for something to change, marching into your bedroom to grab your phone and dialing the first number you remembered.
“Chan,” you whispered when he greeted you on the other end. “Can I come over?”
There was only a split second of silence before Chan’s voice was soothing the raging storm inside of you. “I’ll send a car.”
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It was almost midnight when your driver pulled up outside of a lavish home in the suburbs: huge, towering columns and Greco-Roman architecture making the place seem more like a mausoleum.
But it wasn’t the home itself that brought you comfort; rather, the people living within it who always made things seem safe and welcoming, and Chan was sure to greet you at the door, opening his arms wide to accept your embrace. “Was it a bad fight?” he asked, and you nodded while wondering how he could’ve possibly picked up on the fact that you and Jisung had been arguing again.
Maybe he just had good intuition when it came to you, and you appreciated the understanding, allowing him to bring you into an enormous den, settling you against the couch next to him while a fire blazed in the background. “I made tea,” Chan said, reaching for the two cups waiting on the ornamental table filling the empty space at the center of the room.
“Thanks,” you said, finding your eyes drawn to the neat stack of papers that had been sitting next to the cups.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Chan asked, relaxing one arm around your shoulders, bringing you against his much-needed warmth.
“We just don’t get along anymore,” you said. “I thought having money would fix things, but everything is worse.”
“Really?” Chan asked, and he seemed to consider your words. “It might seem like a good thing, and from the standpoint of a businessman, money is a very powerful motivator.” He smiled, looking down at you with eyes glowing from the flames. “But money isn’t the solution when it comes to the people you love.”
“Yeah,” you agreed, but you had also started picking up on that yourself. “Were you busy with something?”
Chan followed your gaze, reaching out for the papers that had drawn your attention from the very first moment you sat down. “These?” Chan chuckled, and he slid them to the edge, allowing you to read the fine print across the cover. “Divorces are complicated, aren’t they?” Chan asked, and you hesitated when you realized what he was implying. “But if you have enough money, then anything is possible.”
“Chan...” you trailed off, vision blurring at the edges and making the letters bleed together - a cacophony of meaningless jargon. “What are you trying to say?”
“You’re unhappy,” Chan said, and it was an observation that wasn’t difficult to make after all that had happened. “I guess I just don’t want you to be associated with the person causing that unhappiness.”
“You want me to leave Jisung?” you said, breathing in and out because it wasn’t a simple decision that one could make on the spot - not after years of living with someone who had become a central part of your existence.
It was too much to bear, and Chan’s presence was almost suffocating, breaths heavy against the side of your neck as he whispered in your ear. “Why should you stay with him? With or without money, he can’t seem to make you smile.”
You trembled at his closeness, choking around a sob even though the atmosphere between the two of you was suddenly charged with something electric. “And then what?”
“Well, after Jisung signs them,” Chan said, and his tongue traced the lobe of your ear. “I’d love to have you for myself.”
“O-oh,” you stuttered, closing your eyes as he took you into his arms, doing nothing more than holding you, but the feelings bubbling below the surface of your skin told you more than actions or words ever could.
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The next morning, Chan had his driver take you back to the apartment you shared with Jisung.
The apartment was strangely quiet, and you left the divorce papers on the table in the kitchen while you went to shower, wanting nothing more than the scalding water to provide a temporary numbness to the confusion you felt in every fiber of your being.
It was a much-needed reprieve, and when you walked back into the kitchen, you were surprised to see your husband at the table, eyes downcast. “Come sit with me, Y/N.”
You swallowed hard when you realized he was searching through the divorce papers, but you weren’t met with his anger; instead, Jisung just seemed really sad, and that was much worse. “You weren’t supposed to see that,” you said, but your husband just smiled and shook his head. 
“I knew you wouldn’t come back home for nothing,” he said, sliding out the chair next to him as an invitation. “Why should you? I treated you like shit the other night.”
“We both said some really cruel things,” you said, joining him with a sigh. “Things spiraled out of control.”
“I can see that,” Jisung said, tapping his fingers against the papers. “Let’s talk about what happened.”
You shivered at the thought. “I don’t think we should-”
“No,” Jisung interrupted, but it was a gentle chide. “It’s important, so hear me out.”
It would be so hard, but you still agreed. “Okay.”
“The whole mistake in Vegas wasn’t the money,” Jisung said. “No, money might’ve caused our problems, but the mistake wasn’t wanting something to make our lives better. The real mistake was me thinking that I could just forget about it after we left. That I could easily forgive us both...What’s that old saying? What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas?” Jisung laughed, but it was bitter sounding. “Bullshit, right?”
“Yeah,” you agreed. “Bullshit.”
Jisung smiled. “People in love stay with each other, not because they try to forget the wrong parts, but because they’re capable of forgiving the bad. And I couldn’t do that because I thought you would want Chan after that night...that you would be right to want him. He’s so much better in every way, the better man for someone wonderful like you. But by the time I realized that it wasn’t true, that he was only better because he had more money, everything had spiraled.”
He was quiet after his confession, struggling to hold back his tears as he clicked open one of our pens and brought the papers closer. “If you really want the divorce, then I’ll give it to you,” Jisung said. “I just want you to be happy.”
Why should you stay with him? With or without money, he can’t seem to make you smile.
“Jisung...” you trailed off, unsure if there was anything you could do to change the look in his eyes.
“I’ll always love you,” Jisung said, and it was the same promise as always, but you watched with a heavy heart as he signed his name in cursive as the bottom of the form.
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The divorce papers felt like an added weight in your bag as you marched into the office building of SKZ Enterprises.
It was ridiculous, really. They were just papers, made in a factory and mass-produced to be sold in stores.
But it was the symbolism they carried, the significance of Jisung’s name scribbled at the bottom of the final page that had you faltering.
Your heart was hurting, and you forced a smile when you greeted Chan’s secretary at the corner next to his big, corporate office. “I’m here to see, Mr. Bang,” you told the secretary. “Tell him my name is Y/N.”
“Of course,” she said, and you watched her disappear into the office, giving you a few critical moments to collect your thoughts.
Until you heard his voice again:
“Y/N?” 
You startled at the sound of Chan’s voice, seeing him standing in front of you with a million-dollar smile on his weathered face. “Come inside?”
“Yes,” you agreed, following him into the office with the door shutting firmly behind you.
“This is a pleasant surprise,” Chan said, grabbing you hand and pressing a kiss to your lips. “Is something wrong?”
“We need to talk,” you said, and Chan’s smile disappeared.
“That doesn’t sound good,” he said, chuckling as he invited you to sit down in one of the expensive chairs next to his desk. “Do you need anything? I can call for some tea.”
“No,” you said, deciding it was better to get straight to the point as you reached into your bag to bring out the divorce papers stapled together.
“This could either be good or bad,” Chan remarked, accepting them from you and quickly turning to the last page, expression falling. “I see.”
“I can’t sign them,” you said, and there was something powerful in your tone that had even Chan admitting defeat.
“Damn,” Chan sighed, eyes boring a hole into the pages. “This is the worst news I’ve gotten.”
“I talked to Jisung,” you explained. “Just looking at him and entertaining the idea of leaving forever...I couldn’t do it.”
Chan finally tore his gaze from the papers, meeting yours with disappointment. “I take it he said something to change your mind.”
“I don’t know if he changed my mind,” you admitted. “Rather, I think his love and forgiveness made me see reason with what I was doing.”
“Ah,” Chan said. “I think we’ve come full circle, Y/N.”
“What do you mean?”
“When you told me that all the money in the world couldn’t buy your love,” Chan said, and there was something that resembled respect reflected in his eyes. “You were right all along.”
You ducked your head, unable to maintain such intensity. “I’d like to give you that money back, Mr. Bang. My husband and I can manage on our own.”
“Oh, please, I’d be insulted if you did that,” Chan said, and he held out his hand for you to shake. “You know I’m a good businessman, so consider this an opportune long-term investment in something I’m supporting.”
You were full of gratitude, swallowing back tears as you nodded. “Thank you.”
“”There’s no need for that,” he said. “I’ll always be here for you.” The sentiment was matched by the gentle brushing of his lips across your cheek, and you could feel the last reminder of Chan even after leaving his office for the first and final time.
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You were carrying takeout up the stairs, feeling lighter on your feet than you had in months.
The weight of your burdensome worries was gone, and you knocked with a little too much enthusiasm on the front door to your apartment.
“Y/N?” Jisung questioned, and there was an obvious look of surprise on his face when he opened the door. “What are you doing here?”
“I live here,” you reminded him with a cheeky smile. “I brought food.”
Jisung’s eyes moved to the bag in your hand, nodding once before allowing you inside. “I thought you were going to see Chan.”
“I did,” you said, leading him into the kitchen. “There were some things to discuss.”
“I see,” Jisung said, watching you with a wary expression as you presented him with his favorite Italian special.
The suspense was killing you, and you desperately wanted to see the frown leave his lips. “I didn’t sign the papers,” you said, sitting down at the table with a wearied sigh. “I couldn’t.”
“Really?” Jisung asked, clearing his throat at the hitch in his voice, but you were just trying to hide your smile at his boyish charms.
“Have I told you that I love you recently?” you asked, looking at him with way too much fondness.
Jisung paused, chopsticks poised in hand. “You do?”
“Always,” you affirmed, and you were unprepared for the first of Jisung’s tears to fall, endearing him even more to you if that was possible. “I’m happiest with you,” you told him, reaching out to wipe away those rebellious tears.
“I’ve always felt that way,” Jisung said, getting himself back under control as he pushed away his food and patted his lap. “Come here.”
You were more than happy to oblige, climbing into his lap to wrap your arms around his neck, playing with the ends of his hair while searing your lips together in a kiss that promised so much more from the one true love of your life.
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financenfreelance · 3 years
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6 Tough Lessons Learned From Freelancing For 6 Years 💸💜
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Here is a list of 6 tough lessons learned from freelancing for 6 years. These are some of the lessons that I had to learn the hard way.  Don’t be dumb like I was! Learn from my freelancing mistakes.
💜 6 Lessons Learned from Freelancing
So… I have to let you in on a little secret.
This is probably a shock to no one, but I didn’t exactly hit the ground running when I first started freelancing.  When I first started, I had to take several L’s in my beginning stages, and it was tough. Unfortunately, I had to learn it the hard way – through trial by fire.
I sucked at freelancing for a WHILE. There were so many mistakes made that I’m surprised that I stuck with it.. or made any money at all.  I got serious about freelancing when I was too broke to move out from a toxic relationship… (story on how I went from broke to $1000 a week here) but for a good while, my freelance side hustle was a flop at BEST.
If you’re a beginner, learn from my mistakes.
Learn from my lessons learned from freelancing. Don’t be stupid like I was! You don’t have to learn the hard way to become a success. Here are 6 tough lessons I’ve learned from 6 years of freelancing.
“A smart man makes a mistake, learns from it, and never makes that mistake again. But a wise man finds a smart man and learns from him how to avoid the mistake altogether.”
Roy H. Williams
Related Article: Advice For Freelance Beginners
💜Lesson #1 – As a freelancer, you are now your own business, NOT an employee
And don’t let anyone treat you as such.
The first lessons learned from freelancing is this. Hear me loud and clear: You’re the boss who is running things now.
Of course, you will have clients to please, and you should go above and beyond on your services for them.
Also, make sure you are open-minded about the categories that require collaboration. Sometimes clients will have specific restrictions, times, and other requests or suggestions.   But this my dear, is a business transaction first and foremost.
Be Your Own Boss
You are the one who dictates your schedule, your pay, and your limitations (more on that later.) The on who decides your working conditions is YOU. They are not hiring you as an employee and you are not at their beg and call.
“At the end of the day, I’m the biggest boss. I’m self-made.”
– Rick Ross
Last but not least, as a business, make sure you set yourself up for success. Be sure to check out: How to Set Goals for Your Freelancing Business as well.
💜Freelance Lesson #2 – Some work isn’t worth the money
The next tough lesson learned from freelancing is this:
Do not work with problematic people.
The word “NO” will become your biggest ally when your freelance career gets going.  Trust me, some work is not worth the money.
Sometimes, this will take some trial and error before you get the hang of it, but I realized that the clients that I REFUSED define me just as much as the clients I took on.
Freelance Client Red Flags
If you see any of these red flags, consider turning down this client:
Client is nit-picking constantly and unreasonably
Your client is trying to lower your rate
They are unprofessional, dismissive
Client goes long periods of time without responding to you or paying you
The client is overly critical, hot headed, or just plain mean
Client and you just don’t mesh well
They withhold payment from you or they are a hassle to collect payment from
You feel uncomfortable IN ANY WAY talking to this client.
Avoid Stressful Clients Like the Plague
If you feel like this client is going to be trouble in any way… DON’T DO IT.
I have gained so much peace of of mind by firing and rejecting problematic customers. Time is money, so don’t spend valuable time on stress.
Choose to work with people who you have a good rapport, who are polite, and who has mutual respect with you. Having “no client” is actually 100 times better than having a bad one.
“When two people talk with mutual respect and listen with a real interest in understanding another point of view, when they try to put themselves in the place of another, to get inside their skin, they change the world, even if it is only by a minute amount, because they are establishing equality between two human beings.”
– Theodore Zeldin
💜Lesson #3 -SERIOUSLY- The ability to say no is a BLESSING
Another serious lesson learned from freelancing was this: I am not going to be able to be everything to everybody.
This is why you have a unique specialty and skillset. Both you and your client will have a better experience if you are able to set boundaries from the beginning.
Back Away From The Money!
I know it sounds crazy to turn down the money, but like I’ve said before, some money just isn’t worth it.  Some jobs will cost you more in the long run than they are worth.  Let me give you an example.
When I first was starting out as a graphic designer, even though I had narrowed a specialty, people asked me for all kinds of things.  These requests ranged from 3D modeling, video editing, and logo designs, even though I was more of a print designer.
One of my biggest mistakes
One of my biggest mistakes was taking on a video editing project. I had very little experience with video, but I had built a relationship with a client and I didn’t want to turn down an opportunity when I desperately needed the money. My lack of experience should have been my first clue not to take it. The second clue should have been that this was a rush project, and I would be burning myself out to get this thing done. I needed a miracle, but all I had was elbow grease and a stubborn will.
I sleeplessly worked on the project for 12 hours, and it looked like crap.  Stupid decisions were made- I was an idiot because had only billed the client for 4 hours. I ended up wasting time, money, and effort on a project that was not meant for me.  Not to mention… with such a terrible video, I never heard from that client again—not even for graphic work.
Make sure you draw lines in the sand when possible. If a project isn’t right for you, send your client elsewhere.  Manage your client’s expectations as well as your own. Don’t take on any work that you are not qualified for. Trust me.
💜 Freelance Lesson #4 – “That’ll cost you extra.”
I highly recommend that you become acquainted with “That’ll cost you extra.”
From the creators of “No”.
This phrase should be within an arm’s reach for when your client requests anything “beyond”.
Anything that is an emergency will cost you extra.  Rush? That’ll cost you extra. Can we just add another… EXTRA.  Make sure you have the proper upcharges in mind for any additions that may happen. Don’t be afraid to speak up for yourself and your business.
If you have a client that respects your time and you as a business, they will have no problems paying a fee if it is truly necessary.  If not.. not to be rude, but it’s not your problem.
Tough Lesson Learned From Freelancing: Don’t Let It Slide
Trust me, do not think you are being nice by letting something slide once or twice for free.  You will be hurting yourself in the long run, because that client will take advantage of your kindness.  This will add extra stress to your job and could cause you to resent your clients.
I would also recommend that newbies check out this article for more tips: Freelancing Tips For Beginners: What I Learned My First Year
💜Lesson #5 – A good third of your time will be spent outside of your craft
Like we’ve discussed earlier, as a freelancer you are now the holder of your very own business.
This leads us to the next lesson learned from freelancing.
You will need to make sure that you stay on top of your day to day tasks. These tasks will include keeping track of your income and expenses, planning out your taxes, dealing with your client’s Human Resources Department or Payroll company, and countless other things.
Client communication will also take quite a bit of your time.  You will need to make sure you are landing clients, communicating on project status, and keeping up work quotes and invoices.  You will also have to stay on top of who has paid you and who hasn’t.
Lesson Learned From Freelancing: Bill for Admin Work
Make sure that you pad this business minutia into your pricing structure, so that you are still getting paid for this time.
Although this sounds stressful, it’s still worth it.  The financial freedom that freelancing has allowed me has been invaluable.  In addition, getting to make money doing a job that I love really overruled the minutia of business.
Adulting will sneak in through the cracks in all forms, so just make sure to stay on top of it.
💜Freelance Lesson #6 – Be Honest and Own Up to Problems
The final lesson is an important one, and it ties into some things that we’ve already discussed.  Make sure you are honest with yourself and your clients.
This goes along with setting boundaries, being able to say no, refusing work that are outside of your scope, and knowing your worth.  Be truthful, upfront, and forthcoming, and you will be successful at freelancing.
Not only will you manage realistic expectations for you clients, but you are prioritizing your own wellbeing.  Never, ever over-promise and under-deliver.
When Problems Arise
Sometimes, the issue is a miscommunication, or sometimes it’s more serious. Bring things to your client’s attention as soon as it’s a roadblock for you.
The worst time to tell them is when a project is due tomorrow.  Work together on these issues to make sure both you and your client is happy.  Hey, customers are human too who f up just like the rest of us.
The good ones tend to be understanding as long as you are reasonable!
“I’m not perfect; I make mistakes all the time. All I can do is to try my best to learn from my mistakes, take responsibility for them, and do a better job tomorrow.”
– Lana
💜What It All Boils Down To:
When I first started freelancing, I was kind of a pushover.  I let things slide, let people try to control me, and let them walk all over me.
Not anymore.
Throughout my career, I’ve learned to create boundaries and draw lines in the sand like I never have before in my life.
I learned how to speak up for myself and be an advocate for myself and my business, all while gaining respect from my clients and looking stunning in the process.
That is what being a boss is all about.
“Really, every day is the perfect day to boss up. Every day that you wake up is a perfect day to boss up. It’s all about continuing to put one foot in front of the next. That’s what it’s about. Whatever you think you’re going through, just put one foot in front of the next.”
– Rick Ross
Are you a newbie at freelancing? Check out The Ultimate Freelance Guide for Beginners
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tmrbossmagazine · 4 years
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Jack Ma's Top 10 Rules For Success
Jack Ma is one of the most successful businessmen in the history of the Internet. Starting from scratch, he succeeded to build the largest E-commerce platform in China - Alibaba which set a record as the world’s largest IPO at $25 billion. Forbes estimates Jack Ma’s worth to be over $40 billion, the richest man in China. 
Jack Ma’s success didn’t come easily. When he tried to establish Alibaba, he failed the first two times. However, he didn’t give up and four years later, with the financial help of 17 friends, he brought Alibaba to life.
Throughout his journey, Jack Ma made lots of mistakes. But all these lessons helped him to come up with 10 top rules in doing business. These rules help him to avoid making the same mistakes and accomplish great things. I’d suggest you to read the below 10 success rules of Jack Ma to get inspired.  
1. Get Used to Rejection
Rejection is something that Jack Ma is familiar with. As a young adult, he was turned down for 30 jobs including KFC waiter. He also failed his university entry exam three times. But he didn’t give up. After so much hard work, he became a professor of English at Hangzhou Dianzi University. This position opened his path to the US in 1995 when he worked as a translator for a Chinese delegation. During this trip, Jack Ma discovered the Internet and observed the operation of Silicon Valley startups. 
Upon his return, Jack Ma launched China Pages, which was one of China’s first Internet companies to create websites for Chinese businesses. This was the beginning of Jack Ma’s Internet adventure that led him to set up Alibaba.com in 1999. 
The first lesson we can learn from Jack Ma’s history is therefore that we must get used to rejection and try with every means possible to achieve our goals. 
2. Keep Your Dreams Alive
For Jack Ma, Alibaba’s secret code is “ Keep Your Dreams Alive”. Jack Ma called his company Alibaba in reference to the character Ali Baba who can use the code “Open Sesame” to enter a secret cave. He made use of this fictional character to encourage Alibaba employees to have a dream in their mindsets. 
Over the past twenty years, it is clear to Jack Ma and Alibaba employees that it is essential to believe in your dreams. This enables you to get around the problems and turn your dreams into reality.
3. Focus On Culture
As the CEO of Alibaba, Jack Ma always tried to instil the corporate culture into his employees. He believes that technology is just a tool but not an end itself. What makes Alibaba grow from 18 people to more than 20,000 young employees is the company’s mission, values and a culture of helping the company. 
One of the key factors binding them all together is transparency and openness to criticism. They worked as a family and treated each other with respect. Alibaba even granted the employees access to interest-free loans for property down payments.
4. Focus On Positive
If you want to achieve success, you must learn to ignore negative criticism in order to pursue your goals.
In 2004, when Jack Ma wanted to launch Alipay, Alibab’s Internet payment solution, many people thought it was a stuipd idea. But Jack Ma persevered and put his idea into practice.
Today, Alipay has more than 600 million active users in China. Deployment in Europe is underway as well.
Jack Ma’s experience taught us that when criticism makes it impossible to move forward, but you have a strong conviction that your initiative will work, you must have the courage to go for it.
5. Get Inspired All The Time
Jack Ma said he learned many things from the famous movies such as The Godfather and Forrest Gump. He was inspired by how the actors deliver their lines and realised that when someone acts naturally and speaks from the heart, the impact is all the great on the audience. That is how he tries to inspire others, by being himself in public speaking. In short, you must remain open to new ideas and stay true to yourself. Whatever your level, you can always seek inspiration from reading books, watching films from time to time and observe the world around you.
6. Focus On Your Goals
If you want to be an entrepreneur, you must remain focused on your objectives and say no to any idea that might disperse your energy.
As the CEO of Alibaba, Jack Ma is bombarded with ideas on a daily basis. He usually answers with no. Because he knows that if he was sidetracked from Alibaba’s primary mission, his company will be in trouble.
If someone pitches him a business idea that claims to make a lot of money, he would tell them that he is not interested.
However, if a business opportunity is aligned with Alibaba’s mission of making doing business easier, he would consider.
In one word, you must systematically say no in order to reserve the yes for exceptional opportunities.
7. Pick A Good Name
An excellent name is a name that is easily remembered. 
Jack Ma named his company Alibaba because everyone knows the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. 
Besides, creating your company with a name starting with A made it easier to appear in the top directories of websites such as Yahoo! which was the most popular search engine at the time Alibaba was established. Finally, you have to think about storytelling. To sell your company better, it is essential to be able to associate it with a unique story that will attract people’s attention.
8. Prioritize People With Customers First
Jack Ma created a revolutionary business philosophy that changed the world. The customers come first, then the employees and last are the shareholders. It’s clearly no coincidence that both Alibaba and Amazon put customers at the centre of all their concerns because customers provide revenue for a company. Besides, Jack Ma says that you should always put your company’s employees ahead of shareholders. In fact, if it is the customers who bring money to the company, it is the employees who will drive the company’s development and innovation.
9. Don’t Complain, Look For Opportunities
At a conference, Jack Ma once told an audience that he believes wherever people complain, there lies an opportunity. And it must be said that he is absolutely right. 
When people complain about some issues, some try to provide them with a solution. This is how you can target a potential audience of millions and build a successful business. Best Jack Ma advice for young people is to stop complaining and look for opportunities.
That’s why all the great successful entrepreneurs of this world see obstacles as opportunities.
10. Have Passion, Work Hard
Jack Ma’s passion has enabled him to work hard without respite. He encouraged his employees to have a startup attitude, not the usual 8-to-5 work attitude. He believes that they are as strong as the American tech giants when it comes to information systems and software. Gradually, he tries to make his vision a reality.
His passion to make Alibaba the largest E-commerce empire has been the factor that drives him to success. 
Conclusion
Jack Ma is one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the history of the Internet. Despite his humble background, he’s able to achieve tremendous success by his 50s. Jack Ma’s top 10 rules for success presented above will enable him to gradually reach the top and stay there. If you want to be an entrepreneur, you must be inspired by Jack Ma’s stories. You may check out our page - Jack Ma’s Ultimate Advice For Young People to get more inspiration and stay motivated to realise your dream. 
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