Author's Note:
The end is finally here.
Thank you all for staying this long and for reading the first book that I have ever completed. Writing this book for a month and a couple of days was thrilling to me!
I enjoyed every moment of it.
See you all in my next book, "The girl who can't speak" (Ah gives away the plot). It's a Y/N x Jennie story that I had been thinking about lately. To cut it short and simple, it's about selective mutism.
But for now... here goes nothing.
The Sleeping Contract is officially signing off!
Word Count: 4550
---
Y/N's POV
Morning arrived much too early for me today. I let out a groan as the sunlight poured through the blinds, intruding on our peaceful slumber. I had no recollection of falling asleep last night.
All I could remember was the warmth emanating from Jennie's presence as we lay in bed together, careful not to touch.
When I finally managed to pry my eyes open, the rays of sunlight were already piercing through my eyelids.
There she was, Jennie, lying next to me. Her arms tucked tightly under her pillow, making it quite a challenge for me to reach for them.
Her sleeping form was almost identical to her previous one, indicating that she was purposely lying right in front of me, maintaining a distance out of fear of getting too close.
I couldn't blame her, as the thought of accidentally touching or hugging her would undoubtedly overwhelm her.
She looked so peaceful while she slept, not a trace of worry or fear present on her face. No nightmares haunted her dreams.
I carefully tucked the blanket over her, taking extra care not to disturb her slumber. As I finished arranging the blanket, she stirred slightly, causing the sheet to slip off her shoulders, exposing her delicate collarbones.
I watched her for a few moments, admiring her serene expression, devoid of any distress or panic.
The urge to reach out to her grew stronger with each passing second, but I restrained myself. It was a miracle that she hadn't woken up yet, considering how my fingers itched desperately to touch her skin.
In the end, I couldn't resist moving closer. With the tips of my fingers barely grazing her soft hair, I leaned down and planted a gentle kiss on her head, careful to avoid any skin contact.
Her body jolted at the sensation, and she let out a small gasp as her eyes fluttered open.
My heart raced faster than ever before as her gaze immediately locked with mine.
I swallowed hard. "Good morning," I whispered, hoping for a reciprocal greeting.
It took her a while to respond, her voice coming out raspy and dry. "Did I fall asleep?" she asked sleepily.
I nodded. "Yeah, did you have a good rest? You must feel quite refreshed now that you've finally gotten a decent sleep." I smiled, trying not to let my cheeks turn crimson.
She tiredly nodded. "Thank you for yesterday. I really needed to talk to you." A small smile appeared on her pink lips.
"We both needed that talk," I replied, returning her smile. "But first," I paused for a moment, "you need to take better care of yourself! If anything were to happen to you and you didn't recover quickly enough, I would never forgive myself!" I playfully glared at her and added.
She giggled, covering her mouth with her hand. "I'll try, okay?" Her feline eyes sparkled with mischief.
I let out a sigh of relief, knowing that I had managed to bring some happiness back into her eyes once again.
My gaze lingered on her lips before darting back up to meet hers, unable to resist the urge to lean down and kiss her.
But before I could make a decision, she stood up and wrapped the blanket tightly around her body.
I watched with amusement as she settled back into bed, cocooned in the warmth of the blanket.
"Cuddle with me?" Her eyes met mine as she spoke.
I chuckled. "Are you sure you're ready for that now?" I winked.
Carefully, I shifted over, wrapping my arms around her and pulling her close to my body as she pressed her cheek against my shirt.
"Yes," she whispered.
I snuggled into her, taking in a deep breath. "I missed you," I murmured against the blanket, not caring if she heard me.
"Me too," she replied, her voice heavy with sleep.
It wasn't even thirty minutes later when she drifted off to sleep again.
And in that moment, I couldn't help but feel the rightness of it all. How peaceful it felt to wrap my arm around her body and hold her close, while she nestled herself against my chest.
This is perfect, I thought happily as I tenderly caressed her hair.
A few minutes after she woke up, she stirred and met my gaze with her feline eyes. As I leaned forward, I pulled the blanket up, covering her lips before gently pressing mine against them.
It was an indirect kiss, but it was sweet nonetheless. Such a simple gesture, yet it stirred up a whirlwind of emotions inside me. Feelings that I had been suppressing and hiding for far too long, all thanks to her.
I pulled away, a wide grin stretching across my face as I found myself lost in her beautiful eyes.
She chuckled softly, a shy look crossing her face. "Can we cuddle again sometime?"
I nodded enthusiastically, wrapping my arms around her waist once more. "Definitely."
"Promise?" she asked, her voice filled with hope.
"Promise," I assured her, feeling her nestle deeper into my chest, her eyes squeezed shut.
---
Jennie had taken charge of managing her own businesses once again, while also ensuring her safety amidst the chaos.
Since everyone knew about our relationship, I had the freedom to accompany her wherever she went without any worries.
By the time I arrived at Jennie's coffee shop, it was already late afternoon. I entered cautiously, my eyes darting around the room in search of her familiar figure.
"Hey there, where is she?" I asked, my voice filled with anticipation.
A young female staff member, who appeared to be around my age, turned her head towards me. "Good afternoon, Y/N. She's in her office."
I nodded, trying to discreetly scan every corner of the coffee shop.
As expected, I found the door with Jennie's name on it and knocked gently.
"Come in," she replied softly.
I stepped into her office and settled into one of the armchairs in front of her desk. After a few moments, she emerged from behind her computer screen.
Her kind smile washed over me, leaving me momentarily speechless.
Breaking the silence, she finally spoke up. "So, tell me, how are things going with Alice and... Rosé?" she asked, curiosity in her eyes.
I let out a sigh, averting my gaze from her. "Things are... getting better," I murmured.
A concerned frown formed on her face. "Are they causing trouble for you again?" she inquired, worry lacing her voice.
I mustered a tight-lipped smile. "No, no. Nothing of the sort," I reassured her. "They're doing fine. We're just working on repairing our friendship."
A soft sigh escaped her lips. "That's good news, then," she murmured. "Are you ready for our trip to Paris?" she asked, her curiosity evident.
It took a moment for the words to register in my mind. "Trip?!"
She chuckled lightly, nodding in confirmation.
"What trip? When? Where? Is it tomorrow?" I blurted out, excitement bubbling up at the thought of going to Paris after what felt like an eternity.
But then, concern crept into my mind. What about Jennie's health? Traveling meant close contact with others, and I didn't want her getting hurt.
"But will you be okay? Traveling involves a lot of physical contact, and I don't want anything to happen to you," I explained, my voice tinged with worry.
She shook her head dismissively. "It'll be fine. And I'll bring my SGB injection, okay?" she reminded me.
"Yeah, but there's no guarantee that you'll be okay afterward," I argued, trying to protect her.
"You'll be there for me. I know you won't let me down, and you'll take care of me if anything happens," she pointed out, her voice filled with trust.
"Still..." I trailed off, realizing my concerns might be unnecessary. After all, Jennie was a stubborn woman who had made up her mind.
She smiled reassuringly at me. "Don't worry, you'll be there for me. And we'll try to minimize physical contact as much as possible," she insisted.
Reluctantly, I agreed.
I had been afraid of her falling ill while we were alone, but it seemed like I was worrying needlessly. Jennie had made her decision, and I nodded, reluctantly accepting it.
"Fine, fine. But only if you're sure," I said, hoping to sound more convincing than I felt.
She chuckled slightly, nodding in affirmation. "I'm sure."
---
The check-in counter at the airport was bustling with people, all queuing up impatiently. It was a busy day, and I couldn't wait to escape the chaos.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of anxiety, worried that Jennie's panic attacks might be triggered by a simple touch from anyone.
"Come on," she said, giving my sleeve a playful tug. We wasted no time and made our way to the departure gate together.
"Do we really have to leave right this instant?" I asked as soon as we stepped onto the tarmac.
Regret started to creep in. The airport was bursting at the seams with people, pushing its limits.
Jennie sighed. "Don't worry about me, Y/N. I don't want my issues to distract you," she said, her gaze flickering towards the person standing next to me. "Besides, we're here now. Don't let anything stand in your way, got it?" Her voice held a touch of sternness.
I rolled my eyes and muttered, "Yes, mom," playfully earning myself a glare. "Alright, alright. Let's just focus on the flight now," I replied, raising my hands in surrender.
"Thank you. Now, let's find our seats."
Jennie had managed to secure us business class tickets, and we handed them over to a kind lady who directed us to our aisle seats.
I pulled out a pair of gloves I had brought for Jennie. "Can you at least wear these?" I asked, placing the gloves in her palm.
Confused, she looked down at them. "Okay?"
I bit my lip. "Sorry, I just don't want to take any risks," I muttered.
She lifted her eyes and met mine. Her expression softened as she saw me biting my lip. Slowly, she placed her gloved hand on top of mine.
Grateful, I smiled at her and added my other hand on top.
Soon after, the pilot announced the boarding procedures, and I grabbed both of her gloved hands, holding them in mine as we waited for our boarding call.
"Ready?" I asked.
"Yeah," she admitted sheepishly.
I smiled at her. "Don't worry, I'll protect you," I grinned mischievously, feeling a sense of pride for being able to say those words to her.
She looked up at me and smiled in return. My heart melted at the sight of her adorable gummy smile.
After what felt like a fifteen-hour flight, we finally arrived at France International Airport.
Exiting the plane, we made our way to the baggage area, Jennie carrying a small suitcase. She glanced down and noticed her gloved hands resting on top of mine, our fingers intertwined.
I raised my eyebrows at her reaction.
"It's funny," she laughed nervously, "how I never thought about wearing these gloves until that day, just so I could hold your hand."
I snickered and continued to admire our interlocked hands. "Did you know that when we hold hands in public, we tend to catch the attention of strangers because of this?" I asked, amused.
"I don't care," she said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze. "Holding you feels warm and safe," she added, a cute pout forming on her lips.
My jaw dropped. "How can you possibly be that adorable?" I chuckled, shaking my head at her. "I'm pretty sure it's illegal."
She smirked, her eyes sparkling with pride. "And here I thought only I could see how amazing I look," she teased.
"Stop teasing me, or else I might just have to kiss you," I warned playfully, still holding her gloved hands with my free hand.
"Would you dare?" she countered, a mischievous smirk on her face.
I shrugged, deciding to tease her back. "Hmm...how about I do something else then?" I suggested, leaning closer to her ear with a seductive tone.
"This is pure torture, Y/N..." she whispered, tilting her head slightly in response.
I couldn't touch her or kiss her without consequences, especially not now.
God, I missed her so much.
I was dying to kiss her right then and there.
"Then make me stop, Jennie," I breathed huskily, locking my gaze with hers.
Underneath the fluorescent lights of the airport, her feline eyes shone with a mesmerizing glow.
As I gazed into her eyes, I felt a wave of paralysis wash over me, as if my body had been frozen in place. Those eyes of hers, they were like a spell, enchanting me with their mesmerizing beauty and rendering me weak at the knees. I felt utterly captivated, like a prisoner caught in her gaze.
Try as I might, I couldn't tear my eyes away from hers. It was as if some invisible force was drawing me closer to her, and before I knew it, our faces were mere inches apart.
With each breath she took, her warm exhales tickled my nose, tempting me to inhale her intoxicating scent. It was a fragrance so sweet, it felt addictive. My lips yearned to touch hers, to savor that moment of connection.
But as tempting as it was to give in to my desires, I couldn't ignore the consequences that loomed over us. The thought of her collapsing, passing out in my arms, was enough to quell any reckless impulses.
"Let's just go," I sighed, breaking our intense eye contact and averting my gaze. Yet, I couldn't let go of her gloved hand. We were intertwined, connected, and that bond was unbreakable.
She clung to my arm, holding on tightly as we made our way to the hotel where we would be staying. We arrived at the reception desk, where a smiling blonde man greeted us.
"Welcome! Are you two here for a room reservation?" he asked, his enthusiasm contagious.
"Yes, that's correct," I replied simply.
"Fantastic!" he exclaimed, eagerly jotting down our information. Once he finished, he stood up and processed the reservation.
"You'll be staying here tonight and checking out a week later," he informed us with a cheerful grin.
"Yes, that's right," I confirmed.
Handing us the key, he beamed at us. "Here you are. Please enjoy the rest of your stay!"
Jennie and I bid him goodbye, taking the key and making our way upstairs to our room. Once inside, Jennie took a seat on the bed, and I walked over to her, closing the door behind me.
"Are you okay?" I asked, concern etched in my voice as I sat down beside her.
"I'm just a little tired. I should have taken a nap earlier and rested up," she replied, lying down on the comfortable mattress.
I frowned, worried about her well-being. "Sleep is good, Jennie. Take advantage of it while you can. You're no longer haunted by those nightmares, right? And I'll be here, by your side. Don't worry. Go on, take a nap. I'll wake you up when I think you've had enough rest."
Jennie let out a sigh, her expression conflicted. "But we have to go see the Eiffel Tower," she whined.
I smiled gently at her. "We'll get there, I promise. For now, rest up." As I leaned forward, my desire to kiss her halted abruptly. I couldn't risk triggering a panic attack. "Please, sleep now. I'll wake you when it's time to eat."
Finally, she nodded. "Okay," she murmured, closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep.
It took me a few minutes to join her in slumber, comforted by the sight of her peacefully resting beside me.
When I awoke, the room was bathed in the soft glow of late evening, but Jennie was nowhere to be found.
"Jennie?" I called out, my voice barely above a whisper, hoping to hear her respond from somewhere within our hotel room.
As I searched the room, panic started to seep into the pit of my stomach. What if something had gone wrong? What if she had ventured out and suffered a severe panic attack, collapsing somewhere?
The mere thought of her in danger sent a surge of anxiety through me. I couldn't bear the idea of anything happening to her.
Suddenly, I heard the sound of the front door sliding open, followed by a familiar voice calling my name. "Y/N?"
I rushed towards the door, my heart pounding in my chest, and there stood Jennie, holding a bag of groceries in her hand. She was wearing a jacket, her gloves still on, and her grip on the bag was tight.
Relief flooded through me as I saw her safe and sound. "Jennie," I breathed, my voice filled with a mix of worry and relief.
She looked at me, a faint smile on her face. "I went to get some groceries," she explained, her voice tinged with exhaustion.
I reached out to take the bag from her, my touch gentle. "You should have told me," I said softly, concern etched in my words. "But I'm glad you're back."
Jennie nodded, her weariness evident. "I didn't want to disturb your sleep," she murmured, her eyes showing gratitude.
"There's nothing more important than your well-being," I assured her, a sense of protectiveness swelling within me. "Now, let's get you settled. Rest up, and tomorrow, we'll go see that Eiffel Tower together."
With a nod and a grateful smile, Jennie followed me into the room, ready to unwind and recharge for our next adventure.
"Hey, you had me all worried," I pouted, relief washing over me at the sight of her safe and sound.
Turning to me, she smiled hesitantly before setting down her bag of groceries and pulling me into a warm embrace. I flinched slightly, careful not to accidentally touch her skin.
"Why are you so jumpy? Why are you looking at me like that?" she asked curiously, still hugging me as she gazed into my eyes, trying to understand the reason for my concern.
"I...I..." The words caught in my throat, and I looked down, avoiding her gaze.
"You're scaring me," she whispered quietly, her gloved hand gently caressing the side of my face, trying to coax my eyes to meet hers. "Talk to me, love," she cooed, her tone comforting me.
I swallowed hard. "It's... just that you scared me when I woke up and you weren't there," I finally managed to say.
"Oh," she gasped sadly, releasing me from the hug. "I'm sorry, I went out to buy some stuff, but don't worry about me. I was extremely careful. No one even caught a glimpse of me," she reassured me confidently, pulling me back into her arms.
I wrapped my arms around her waist, inhaling the sweet, fresh aroma coming from her neck. Her perfume lingered in the air around her.
"Just don't do that again, please," I pleaded softly, stroking her back soothingly. "If anything happens to you, I would never forgive myself. Promise me?"
She pulled away from our embrace and cupped my cheek. "I promise," she assured me sincerely, kissing my hair.
"Thank you, love. That means everything to me," I exhaled, gazing at her with adoration in my eyes.
She grinned widely.
"Come on. Let's eat dinner. Then we can relax," she announced excitedly.
---
I stood in front of the Eiffel Tower, awestruck by the view from afar. So many places I hadn't seen yet, and yet, the grandness of the iconic sight overwhelmed me.
"Like what you see? You're looking mighty pleased with yourself," I heard a familiar voice say from behind me.
Jennie walked towards me with a content smile, clearly enjoying the experience herself, despite the bustling crowd around us.
I chuckled softly as I took in her appearance. "It looks incredible. This city is really beautiful."
She's beautiful.
"Yeah, you're definitely impressed," she smirked. "I knew you would be," she teased playfully.
"Of course I am. It's breathtaking, Jennie," I stated, nodding seriously. "Beautiful as hell. But not as beautiful as you," I added, my gloved hand gently tilting her head upwards to meet my gaze, captivated by her mesmerizing feline eyes.
"You're more beautiful than all this scenery combined."
Her face instantly reddened at my compliment, and she glanced downwards shyly. "I...umm..."
I laughed lightly, taking her hand and placing it over my heart, which thumped frantically against my ribcage in anticipation of her response to my compliments.
"Well, thank you," she murmured softly, still looking down, avoiding my gaze.
After a few moments of standing in silence, our eyes locked, her lips stretched into the widest, most genuine gummy smile I had ever seen, and I couldn't help but chuckle amusedly.
"Are you laughing at me? Did I tickle your funny bone? Is that why you're laughing?" she playfully accused, a grin tugging at her full lips.
"No, no. Of course not. It's just that this whole situation amuses me. I'm actually very proud of you," I admitted, shaking my head in amusement.
"Me?"
I nodded. "Yes. You've gone through all this just to make me happy by taking me to my dream city, Paris. You're not afraid of the consequences because of what could happen despite your condition. And that makes me incredibly proud of you."
"Really?" she asked quietly, looking at me shyly, clearly embarrassed by my praise.
I chuckled. "Of course," I replied with a gentle smile. "Now let's go to the most romantic place on earth," I declared, turning on my heels and starting to walk towards the tower.
I felt Jennie's small hand slip through mine, our fingers intertwining. She squeezed my hand reassuringly.
Once we reached the top of the tower, I couldn't resist pulling Jennie towards the cozy window seat. I knew she'd love it - she's always been a sucker for these kinds of views. It was just the two of us, with the whole night ahead of us to soak in the twinkling lights of the city below.
As we sat there, our hands naturally found each other's, creating this perfect connection between us. My hand gently rested on top of hers, which was resting so peacefully on her lap. Our fingers intertwined, creating this beautiful harmony of touch.
In that moment, I could feel the tension between us melt away. We both knew everything was going to be okay.
Then, something incredible happened. Jennie leaned her head onto my shoulder, nuzzling it ever so affectionately. A soft smile curled on my lips as I wrapped my arm around her shoulders, my thumb gently caressing her jacket.
When I glanced at her, I found her already gazing at me with an adoring warmth. It made my heart skip a beat and fill with an indescribable warmth.
I cleared my throat, gathering my thoughts before speaking. "So, where should we go next?" I asked, watching as she looked back up at the starry sky.
"I'm not sure. Maybe we could take a leisurely stroll around Paris. I want to experience everything with you, Y/N," she suggested with a twinkle in her eye.
A thought suddenly crossed my mind. "Do you remember the first time we met?" I pondered aloud.
Her eyes widened with delight. "How could I ever forget?" she replied, her voice filled with nostalgia. "That was the happiest day of my life."
I couldn't help but chuckle at the memory. "Yeah?"
"Absolutely," she confirmed, a fond smile gracing her lips. "Remember how I fell asleep on your shoulder like this? You held me close, and it made it harder for you to breathe," she laughed.
"And how could I ever forget the way your arms felt around me? It was my first time being close to someone like that. It was pure magic. So, so magical that I would never regret falling asleep on a stranger's shoulder," she recalled, her voice tinged with sentiment. "I think every single moment I've shared with you will be forever etched in my mind...Forever."
Her comment made my heart swell with joy. "Me too," I whispered, my voice filled with sincerity.
She smiled, her eyes shining with affection.
I couldn't help but admire her as she sat there, her lips slightly parted, breathing deeply and rhythmically. Her eyelashes fluttered ever so gently, as if she were lost in a beautiful dream.
But then, I noticed her staring at my mouth, unable to tear her eyes away. Lust danced in her eyes as she traced her gaze from the tip of my nose to my lips, then back to my eyes.
I felt a surge of anticipation as she began kissing my shoulders, my breath hitching with each delicate touch. Nervously, I exhaled, "What are you doing? We can't..."
But she paid no attention to my words, inching closer to me. Our faces were mere inches apart, our noses almost touching. Her warm breath caressed my skin, and she leaned in slowly, stopping only when our lips were almost touching.
"I would risk anything just to feel your touch again," she murmured softly, closing the remaining gap between us until our lips were only millimeters apart.
In that moment, I closed my eyes, instinctively succumbing to the magic of the moment. A faint tingling sensation spread throughout my body as I slowly opened my eyes, curious about my own reaction to what was happening.
And then it hit me - she wasn't having any panic attacks. Happiness surged through my heart at the realization.
My expression must have given it away, because she kissed me again, this time with an overwhelming tenderness and love.
Her lips, warm and soft, moved in perfect harmony with mine. My heart raced uncontrollably, threatening to burst out of my chest at any given moment.
Oh, how I had missed this feeling...
It was an experience I would never forget. It was pure bliss, beyond anything I had anticipated. Every single detail of that unforgettable memory was imprinted deep in my mind, forever etched into my consciousness.
She broke away after a few seconds, leaving me dazed and bewildered. I blinked several times, regaining my senses, as she giggled at my stunned expression.
"You've healed me once again, Y/N," she whispered lovingly, planting a tender kiss on my forehead.
I embraced her tightly, unable to resist the pull of her warmth. Her delicate hands found solace in my hair, as if seeking refuge from the world. And oh, how her kiss deepened, as if aching for release from the confines of our longing.
My tongue gently brushed across her bottom lip, craving entrance to the world she held within. With a joyful surrender, she opened herself wider, allowing me to explore the depths of her soul. Our tongues danced with a playful intensity, each one vying for dominance. Soft moans escaped her lips, igniting a fire deep within me.
As the kiss grew more intense, I gasped for air when Jennie reluctantly pulled away, her breath mingling with mine. Her flushed cheeks revealed the heat and excitement that consumed her. My mind still dizzy from the intensity of our connection, I struggled to find coherent thoughts amidst the haze.
Jennie's forehead pressed gently against mine, her voice barely a whisper. "Y/N... finally, I can touch you again. I knew you were worth every risk, every moment of uncertainty." Her words hung in the air, filled with both relief and longing.
Her sweet breath caressed my face, sending shivers down my spine. Holding her even closer, I tried to ignore the desire that surged through my body at her touch. "I'm glad... the thought of not being able to touch you was driving me to madness," I murmured softly, my voice filled with unspoken yearning.
Once again, Jennie leaned in, her lips brushing against mine with a tenderness that lingered. "I've missed you so much. More than anything else in the world. You are my everything," she confessed, her lips hovering tantalizingly close to mine.
Whispering shakily, I declared my love, my heart pouring into the words. "I love you," I exhaled, my grip on her tightening as we stood together, basking in the view we cherished so dearly.
"And I will continue to say it, day after day, to remind you of the depth of my love. I love you... for eternity," I declared, meeting her gaze with unwavering devotion. "Forever and always, Kim Jennie."
---
fin.