Objectification

Shiraishi Wataru casually booked two prestigious suites for seven days. The receptionist glanced at him and Jennifer in surprise, but her professionalism quickly kicked in, and she began processing their check-in.

"Enjoy your stay."

After paying, they followed the concierge and bellhop to their rooms. Jennifer finally began to calm down. She tugged discreetly at Shiraishi Wataru's clothes and leaned closer.

"You... you didn't have to book such an expensive hotel for me." Jennifer was genuinely a little flustered, but at the same time, she felt a trace of anticipation.

"Relax. This is just a small expense for me. I want my guide to enjoy showing me New York City's culture and scenery." Shiraishi Wataru reassured her.

For some reason, Jennifer felt like crying.

Had he noticed how miserable she'd been feeling all this time?

She didn't believe anyone would spend money on her without expecting something in return. But maybe he could help her escape the mess she was in?

After all, the money was real, and the bill had already been paid. Surely he wasn't a scammer?

In a daze, she went into her room. Shiraishi Wataru only told her to contact him by phone. They'd already exchanged online contact details on the plane.

After closing and locking the door, Jennifer slowly walked over to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window. From a perspective she'd never experienced before, she looked down at the teeming crowds below and at Central Park, which she'd always hurried past without stopping to admire. It turned out to be quite beautiful.

People brushed past one another, some busy, others at ease. Every kind of person could be seen here: office workers, homeless people, young people, and the elderly.

"Is this what life looks like from the perspective of the rich?" Jennifer murmured.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, then broke into her brightest smile. Turning around, she went into the luxurious bathroom.

Less than half an hour later, Jennifer emerged from the bathroom feeling refreshed. She quickly put on makeup, then reluctantly picked the most youthful-looking outfit from her meager collection of clothes.

"I'm ready!"

"Okay."

Since it was already evening, Shiraishi Wataru's first stop was the famous Plaza Hotel, which happened to be right next door.

Jennifer did her best to share what she remembered about the place with Shiraishi Wataru, while carefully eating the most expensive dinner she'd ever had in her life.

After dinner, Jennifer suggested they take a walk around Times Square. Shiraishi Wataru didn't refuse, and they headed over to take a quick look around the famous spot.

As the lights came on and night deepened, many places weren't ideal for sightseeing at that hour, so the two of them headed back.

"How about a couple of drinks?"

When he didn't invite her first, Jennifer mustered her courage and made the suggestion.

Shiraishi Wataru certainly didn't refuse. He went with her straight to the hotel lounge.

"Then, Miss Jennifer, would you mind having some champagne?" Since she'd taken the initiative, Shiraishi Wataru decided to show her a little courtesy.

"I've only ever had beer." Jennifer was telling the truth. She didn't like how it felt to be drunk; it made too many things feel unsafe. Especially since her father was a hopeless drunk.

"Then let's have white champagne," Shiraishi Wataru told the waiter.

"Esteemed sir and madam, I recommend this bottle from LVMH."

"Sure. This one," Shiraishi Wataru said, waving a hand indifferently.

When the champagne arrived and the waiter was about to let it breathe, Shiraishi Wataru noticed how stiff Jennifer looked. He took out a tip. "No need to let it breathe. Just leave it here."

"Thank you for your generosity. I hope you enjoy your evening!" The waiter thanked them respectfully and left. Only then did Jennifer begin to relax.

"Thank you. You're really... perceptive."

Jennifer took the glass of champagne Shiraishi Wataru had poured for her and sipped it. Her brows furrowed slightly. As expected, she still couldn't enjoy alcohol, even when the bottle might have cost more than all the money she'd earned in her entire life.

"I could tell something was weighing on you. A little might make you feel better." Shiraishi Wataru took a sip too. "Though honestly, I think cola suits me better."

"Haha." The rich man's joke hit Jennifer's funny bone, but her laugh sounded jarring in the quiet atmosphere. She quickly covered her mouth.

"Why worry about what other people think? You might never run into them again." Shiraishi Wataru set down his glass and decided he wouldn't drink any more.

Jennifer fell silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Can I ask you a few questions?"

"Go ahead."

"If I wanted to leave this country, would that be a lot of trouble for you?"

"Easy."

"If I could leave this country, could I find a stable, regular job? Even though I don't even have a high school diploma?"

"That wouldn't be difficult."

"Do you think I'm worth that much?"

"Of course."

Jennifer let out a long breath and looked at Shiraishi Wataru. "Can I ask for an advance? I can pay you back out of my future wages."

She had completely reduced herself to a commodity.

This was her only chance.

Either she returned to hell, or she went straight to heaven.

Shiraishi Wataru thought for a moment, then called over the waiter from earlier and whispered a few words in his ear.

After listening, the waiter nodded and turned to leave.

"You don't seem very good at handling relationships. And with your looks, there are plenty of ways you could make money." Shiraishi Wataru said.

"Dating won't get me out of this mess. I understood that when I was twelve. Being pretty is an asset, sure, but it's also poison. Besides, my options are so limited. It wasn't until today that I got a real glimpse of how the rich live. If I miss my chance with you, I might have to go back to that family just to get a diploma. And things there can only get worse."

Now that she'd said everything out loud, Jennifer seemed calmer. But she took sip after sip of champagne until her glass was empty in the blink of an eye.

He stopped her from pouring herself another glass and paid the bill.

"Come on. I'll give you your advance."

Shiraishi Wataru gave Jennifer a little support as they walked back to their rooms.

The waiter was waiting outside her room, holding a briefcase.

"Thank you." Shiraishi Wataru took the briefcase and gave him a tip.

"It's my pleasure to serve you. I hope you have a wonderful evening."

After watching the waiter leave, Shiraishi Wataru opened the door to his own room and helped Jennifer inside.

"You can still change your mind," Shiraishi Wataru said, handing the briefcase to Jennifer as she sat on the sofa.

Jennifer opened it and saw stacks of banknotes inside. Maybe there was a hundred thousand? She could only guess; she'd never even handled more than a thousand in cash.

Where had the money come from? As soon as Shiraishi Wataru arrived at the hotel, he'd used his ability to possess some intimidating-looking person at random. He'd just controlled that person to get the money, give it to the waiter, and then pass it on to him.

He could have simply controlled the person to use his ability to place the briefcase in the room without anyone noticing.

Jennifer set the briefcase down and looked at Shiraishi Wataru through her tipsy eyes.

"Should I take a shower first?"