"Oh hey, Sooyeon! Didn't see you out there in the crowd. What's up?"

My gaze from the moon tore apart as my eyes travelled to the 26-year-old girl, staring at me. Her generous smile never left her face.

It took me some time to calculate my answer. What was I doing in such a quiet corner of the mansion when there is a literal ball going on out there? I was invited. My presence was sought for. I was supposed to be out there, drinking fancy wine and dancing with handsome men.

"Nothing Eunbi. Just needed some peace of mind," I replied to my dear friend. She put down her wine glass on the fancy table kept near to us and focused her gaze on me.

Her brown eyes were still the same, even after so many years. I could still take a slight note of her unsymmetrical smile which had not changed even after this much time. Her visuals were so appealing. It was clear that she was born for this lavish life she was living.

Money, power, and everything fancy.

This ball was held by my friend Song Eunbi's father, Song Jongmin, the Chief Minister of Seoul. He had won the elections again, and undoubtedly, like every year, was flowing his unlimited amount of money into this opulent event.

"You were not invited here to just get away in some quiet corner!" Eunbi grabbed my hand and tried to pull me towards the staircase. I hesitated. I was shy. People would point at me and discuss the beautiful and one and only daughter of Han Johun, the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I wasn't used to these stares the way Eunbi was.

"Eunbi, you know how odd it gets for me," I tried to get my hand out of her grip, but she didn't listen and dragged me downstairs. The music, which was faint for a while, became louder. My gown, embedded with diamonds, swept across the stairs as I descended down with Eunbi.

I managed to look up, and as expected, everyone had their gazes fixed at me. Suddenly, Eunbi's father and the lavish wine he had produced for this party weren't the topics anymore. Now, it was Han Sooyeon.

"Ugh, this is so awkward," I mumbled as I avoided getting my gaze locked with several other people's. There were not many girls seen around the hall who appeared the same age as me. I am one of the special ones here.

Eunbi broke the sudden chain of my thoughts as she held my hand once again, attempting to drag me across the hall. "Where are we-" She hushed me with her intense glare. I sighed and just let her control take over me.

Soon, in a minute, there was a huge glimmering dance floor lying in front of me. With changing colours, slow music and a few couples occupying some part of it. But it's a politician's house, and a politician's party so of course it's going to be big enough.

I felt a sudden push by Eunbi, towards the dance floor. "What the-" I yelped as the sudden action caught my foot to be stuck within the edge of my gown. I felt myself twisting within there and slipping, but that's when I felt a hard touch surrounding my waist. It was someone's hand. I widened my eyes as I regained my posture, ready to run away and yell at Eunbi.

But I couldn't compose myself once I saw the beauty holding me. A man, wearing a tuxedo, well-dressed, and godly features. I was left stunned at some point. It felt like finally having my k-drama moment come to life and that too with a beautiful man.

I felt his gaze piercing right into me, but his hand didn't leave my hold until I completely got on my feet. His cold fingertips gently grazed against my back as I straightened my back. I could still hear his soft breathing even within the loud music of the ball.

"Seemed like you needed help," he said with an air of authority, his voice cold and commanding.

I couldn't tear my eyes away from him, captivated by the sheer magnetism he exuded. His eyes held a hint of danger and power, and a sense of unease washed over me.

"Thank you," I managed to reply, my voice quivering slightly. I had heard rumors of him-the infamous and feared mafia leader, Jeon Jungkook. He was known for his ruthlessness and his iron grip over the city's underworld. His presence sent shivers down the spines of even the most hardened criminals.

Jungkook's lips curved into a faint smirk, as if he could read my thoughts. "I hope the rest of the evening is more enjoyable for you, Miss Sooyeon," he said, his words laced with a hint of amusement.

Upon receiving a nod, he released his hold on me, leaving me standing there, feeling strangely vulnerable in the presence of this powerful and dangerous man.

As the evening wore on, I couldn't shake the encounter with Jungkook from my mind. I found myself stealing glances at him from across the room, unable to resist the magnetic pull he had on me.

Eunbi joined me, bringing me back to the present. "Sooyeon, are you alright?" she asked, concern evident in her eyes.

I nodded, trying to compose myself. "Yes, I'm fine. Just a bit overwhelmed by everything," I replied, not wanting to reveal the effect Jungkook had on me.

Eunbi flashed me a knowing smile. "I can see why. He's quite the scary figure, isn't he?" she said, her gaze flickering towards Jungkook, who seemed to command the room effortlessly.

"He's... intriguing," I admitted, my heart still racing from our brief encounter.

"He's not someone you should get involved with, though," Eunbi cautioned, her voice tinged with seriousness. "He's dangerous and quite unpredictable. His world is one of darkness, and it's best to stay away."

Her words were a reminder of the rumors surrounding Jungkook. He was a man with a past shrouded in mystery, and his rise to power in the criminal underworld was a story whispered in hushed tones.

As the ball continued, I noticed Jungkook's watchful gaze lingering on me from time to time. His presence exuded an aura of danger that both intrigued and frightened me. I was acutely aware of the secrets he held, and yet, a part of me longed to uncover the enigma that was Jungkook.

Feeling restless, I excused myself from the crowd for a moment of solitude. I found peace in the moonlit balcony, the cool breeze caressing my skin as I gazed at the city below. Unbeknownst to me, Jungkook had followed, his silent presence making my heart race.

"You seem lost in thought," Jungkook's deep voice broke the silence, sending a shiver down my spine.

I turned to face him, trying to hide the unease that swirled within me. "I just needed some fresh air," I replied, avoiding his intense gaze.

He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine. "Fresh air or an escape from the chaos inside?" he questioned, his tone enigmatic.

Caught off guard by his perception, I mustered a small smile. "Perhaps a little of both," I admitted.

The corners of his lips lifted in a subtle smirk, and in that moment, I saw a glimpse of the dangerous allure that had earned him his feared reputation.

"Care to dance?" Jungkook offered, extending his hand as if he already knew I wouldn't resist.

Curiosity and a strange fascination overpowered my better judgment, and I placed my hand in his, allowing him to lead me back into the ballroom.

As we danced, his grip was firm but surprisingly gentle. I could feel the raw power emanating from him, yet there was a hint of tenderness in the way he held me. Our bodies moved in perfect sync with the haunting melody, a dance of shadows that seemed to echo the complexities of our connection.

"You're not like the other girls here," Jungkook stated matter-of-factly, his gaze locked on mine.

"Oh? And what makes you say that?" I replied, attempting to mask the flutter of nerves in my stomach.

He leaned in slightly, his breath brushing against my ear. "You don't seek attention or validation, darling," he said, his voice low and husky.

His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I felt my cheeks flush with a mix of embarrassment and uncertainty. Jungkook was right; I had always felt out of place in this world of opulence and power, but I had never expected him to notice.

"You see things that others overlook," Jungkook continued, his voice a whisper that only I could hear amidst the cacophony of the ballroom. "It's both cute and dangerous."

His honesty surprised me, and for a moment, the veneer of the feared mafia leader faded, revealing a vulnerability that I hadn't expected. I found myself drawn to this multifaceted man, a dangerous enigma that I couldn't resist exploring.

As the dance continued, I realized that Jungkook was as much a contradiction as I was. Beneath the cold and ruthless exterior lay a complex soul, someone who had been shaped by a world of shadows and secrets.

The dance seemed to stretch on indefinitely, the world around us fading into darkness as we moved in sync with the music. It was as if time had stopped, leaving only Jungkook and me in this intimate embrace.

Our gazes locked once again, and for a moment, it felt as if the entire world had disappeared, leaving only the two of us. I could feel the intensity of his gaze, a silent question hanging in the air.

Before I could overanalyze the situation, I found myself leaning in, drawn to the dangerous allure that surrounded Jungkook. Our lips were inches apart, the tension between us palpable.

But just as our lips were about to touch, Jungkook pulled back, leaving me breathless and wanting more.

"You should be careful, Miss Sooyeon," he said, his voice a low whisper. "The world I run is not one you should be involved in."

With those enigmatic words, he released me from his hold, and the spell was broken. I stood there, my heart racing, unsure of what had just transpired between us.

As Jungkook disappeared into the shadows, I was left with a whirlwind of emotions-fascination, fear, desire, and the undeniable pull towards a man who lived in the darkness.

Little did I know that our dance was just the beginning of a perilous journey, where the lines between right and wrong, love and danger, would blur, and the embers of desire would ignite into a flame that would consume us both.

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