Author pov: continue

As the tension thickened in the room, a sharp knock echoed against the door, interrupting the charged atmosphere. Jin-ah, positioned closest to the entrance, instinctively moved forward, her hand reaching for the handle, only to find it locked.

With a furrowed brow, she glanced back at Taehyung, who remained stoic, his expression unreadable. "Someone's at the door," she stated, her voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.

Taehyung's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of irritation crossing his features at the interruption. "Who is it?" he demanded, his voice laced with impatience.

A muffled voice filtered through the heavy wooden door, barely audible yet insistent. "Sir, the dinner is ready. The staff has set the table as per your instructions," the voice announced, its tone deferential yet urgent.

Jin-ah's eyes widened in realization as she pieced together the situation. They were in a hotel, and it was likely a member of the staff informed Taehyung that their dinner was served.

Taehyung's jaw tightened, his grip on Jin-ah's arm tightening imperceptibly as he processed the message. "we'll be there shortly," he responded curtly, his tone brooking no argument.

Jin-ah felt a surge of frustration at being held captive in the room, the urge to escape growing stronger with each passing moment. But she knew that defying Taehyung's orders would only escalate the situation further.

With a resigned nod, she relayed Taehyung's message to the servant on the other side of the door, her voice betraying none of the turmoil swirling within her. "We'll be there shortly," she echoed, her words clipped and devoid of emotion.

As the sound of footsteps retreated down the corridor, Taehyung turned his attention back to Jin-ah, his gaze piercing as he assessed her reaction.

Jin-ah met his gaze with a steely resolve, her jaw set in determination. "I won't be kept prisoner here" she declared, her voice unwavering. "No matter what you say or do, I won't be controlled by you."

A tense silence hung between them, thick with unspoken threats and defiance. But Jin-ah refused to back down, her resolve unyielding in the face of Taehyung's relentless pursuit.

As Jin-ah continued to protest, Taehyung's patience wore thin. With a frustrated sigh, he moved closer, his grip firm as he lifted her effortlessly into his arms. Jin-ah's protests fell on deaf ears as Taehyung carried her in a bridal hold, her struggles futile against his strength.

"Let me go!" Jin-ah demanded, her voice tinged with a mixture of anger and desperation as she fought against Taehyung's hold. But he paid her protests no mind, his expression stoic as he continued to carry her towards the dining table.

With each step, Jin-ah's frustration grew, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled against Taehyung's relentless grip. She couldn't believe he was resorting to such drastic measures, his actions only serving to fuel her defiance.

But despite her best efforts, Jin-ah found herself unable to break free from Taehyung's hold. With a resigned sigh, she reluctantly allowed herself to be carried to the dining table, her protests falling silent as she braced herself for whatever came next.

As Taehyung approached the dining table with Jin-ah in his arms, his expression remained stoic and cold, his eyes betraying none of the emotions swirling within him. With each step, he exuded an air of dominance, as if he owned every inch of the room and everyone in it.

Jin-ah's protests fell on deaf ears as Taehyung laid her down gently in her chair, his grip firm yet strangely tender. She felt a wave of unease wash over her as she met his steely gaze, a silent challenge passing between them.

"Sit," Taehyung ordered, his voice cutting through the tense silence like a knife. There was no room for argument in his tone, only the unmistakable command of someone used to getting what they wanted.

Jin-ah hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting around the empty room as if searching for an escape. But with a resigned sigh, she finally lowered herself into her seat, her defiance tempered by the realization that resistance was futile in the face of Taehyung's unwavering will.

As Taehyung settled into the chair beside her, the air crackled with tension, each breath filled with the unspoken words that hung between them like a heavy fog. Jin-ah couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, her every instinct screaming at her to flee from the dangerous man who held her captive.

But as she glanced at Taehyung's cold, unreadable expression, she knew that there was no escaping the web he had woven around her. With a heavy heart, she resigned herself to whatever fate awaited her at his hands, knowing that she was powerless to defy the magnetic pull he exerted over her.

As the silence stretched between them, Jin-ah's thoughts whirled with a million unanswered questions. What did Taehyung want from her? Why had he brought her here, to this deserted room, with no one else around to witness their confrontation?

But before she could voice her concerns, Taehyung's voice shattered the silence, his words dripping with a quiet intensity that sent a chill down her spine. "Eat," he commanded, his eyes boring into hers with a fierceness that left no room for disobedience.

As Taehyung sat beside Jin-ah, his eyes narrowed with frustration as she remained resolute in her refusal to eat. His patience, already worn thin, threatened to snap entirely at her defiance.

"I said eat," he repeated, his voice low and dangerous, each word laced with a warning that sent a shiver down Jin-ah's spine.But Jin-ah remained unmoved, her gaze steady as she met Taehyung's icy stare. "I want to go home," she insisted, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and determination.

Taehyung's jaw clenched at her words, his grip tightening on the edge of the table as he struggled to rein in his mounting frustration. He couldn't understand why she was being so stubborn, so infuriatingly resistant to his demands."You will eat," he growled, his voice a menacing whisper that echoed through the silent room. "Or do you want to find out what happens when you defy me?"

Jin-ah's heart pounded in her chest at his threat, her hands trembling as she fought to maintain her composure in the face of his overwhelming presence. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, but she refused to bow to Taehyung's will, not now, not ever.But as Taehyung's anger flared, Jin-ah felt a surge of fear coursing through her veins, her defiance waning in the face of his overpowering dominance.

She couldn't help but feel small and vulnerable in his presence, her resolve crumbling with each passing moment.As the silence stretched between them, Jin-ah couldn't shake the feeling of foreboding that settled over her like a dark cloud.

She knew she had to do something, anything to regain control of the situation before it spiraled out of control.But before she could act, Taehyung's hand shot out, grabbing a forkful of food from his plate and bringing it to his lips.

Jin-ah watched in stunned silence as he chewed slowly, his eyes never leaving hers.Then, with deliberate slowness, Taehyung leaned forward, his gaze intense as he made Jin-ah look up to meet his eyes.

Without breaking eye contact, he closed the gap between them, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, lingering kiss.Jin-ah's breath caught in her throat as she felt the warmth of Taehyung's mouth against hers, the taste of his food lingering on her tongue.

It was a surreal moment, filled with a strange mix of intimacy and coercion that left her feeling unsettled.When the kiss finally ended, Taehyung pulled back slightly, his eyes searching hers for any sign of compliance.

But Jin-ah remained stubbornly silent, her lips pressed together in a tight line as she refused to give him the satisfaction of a response.

"It's the way you want me to feed you," Taehyung stated, his voice tinged with a hint of smugness as he leaned back in his chair, seemingly satisfied with his display of dominance.

But Jin-ah said nothing, her expression unreadable as she stared back at him with a mixture of defiance and resignation. She knew she had to play along for now, but she refused to let Taehyung break her spirit, no matter what it took.

Jin-ah's shock morphed into disbelief at Taehyung's words. She couldn't believe he was using her own basic needs against her, manipulating her into compliance with the promise of freedom.

"If I eat the food, will you let me go?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her heart pounding with a mixture of fear and desperation.

Taehyung's gaze narrowed, a calculating glint in his eyes as he considered her question. "I will think about it," he finally replied, his tone cold and indifferent. "And if you do, then maybe you have a chance."

Jin-ah's stomach churned with unease at his vague response. She knew she was trapped in a dangerous game, one where Taehyung held all the cards and she was at his mercy.

But as she stared down at the untouched food on her plate, Jin-ah knew she had no choice but to comply. She couldn't risk angering Taehyung further, not when her freedom hung in the balance.

With a heavy sigh, Jin-ah picked up her fork, her movements slow and deliberate as she forced herself to take a bite of the food before her. Each swallow felt like a bitter pill, a reminder of the power Taehyung held over her.

As Jin-ah reluctantly ate her meal, she couldn't shake the feeling of Taehyung's intense gaze burning into her. It was as if he was dissecting her every move, every bite she took, with an unnerving precision that sent shivers down her spine.

But despite the unease coursing through her veins, Jin-ah couldn't deny the strange sense of comfort that washed over her when Taehyung reached out to hold her injured hand. His touch was surprisingly gentle, a stark contrast to the coldness she had come to expect from him.

As Taehyung's fingers traced over the bandaged wound, Jin-ah felt a strange sense of vulnerability wash over her. It was as if in that moment, all the walls she had carefully constructed around her heart came crashing down, leaving her exposed and defenseless in the presence of this enigmatic man.

But as their eyes met, Jin-ah saw something flicker in Taehyung's gaze, something that sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her veins. It was as if for a brief moment, the mask of indifference slipped, revealing the raw intensity of his emotions.

But before Jin-ah could dwell on the thought any longer, Taehyung's expression hardened once more, the mask of indifference slipping back into place as if it had never faltered. And with a silent nod, he released her hand, the moment of vulnerability between them vanishing as quickly as it had come.

But despite the fleeting glimpse of humanity she had seen in Taehyung's eyes, Jin-ah knew better than to let her guard down. In this game of power and manipulation, there were no second chances, no room for weakness.

And as she forced herself to finish her meal under Taehyung's watchful gaze, Jin-ah couldn't help but wonder what other surprises he had in store for her in this twisted game of cat and mouse.

As Jin-ah reluctantly ate her meal, she couldn't shake the feeling of Taehyung's intense gaze burning into her. It was as if he was dissecting her every move, every bite she took, with an unnerving precision that sent shivers down her spine.

Finally unable to bear the silence any longer, Jin-ah spoke up, her voice barely above a whisper. "Why are you doing this?" she asked, her eyes meeting Taehyung's in a silent challenge.

Taehyung's lips curved into a predatory smile, his gaze unwavering as he leaned closer. "Because I can," he replied, his voice was low and dangerous. "Because you belong to me, whether you realize it or not."

Jin-ah's heart pounded in her chest at his words, a surge of defiance rising within her. "I don't belong to anyone," she retorted, her voice trembling with anger and fear. "And I won't let you control me."

But Taehyung only chuckled darkly, his grip on her injured hand tightening almost imperceptibly. "Oh, Jin-ah," he murmured, his breath hot against her ear. "You can try to fight it all you want, but in the end, you'll always come crawling back to me."

Jin-ah's breath caught in her throat at his words, a chill running down her spine at the sheer certainty in his voice. She knew she should be terrified of Taehyung's power, of the control he wielded over her, but a part of her couldn't help but be drawn to him, to the dangerous allure that surrounded him like a cloak of darkness.

As Jin-ah reluctantly finished her meal under Taehyung's watchful gaze, she couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach. Despite her best efforts to maintain her composure, she couldn't help but feel like she was walking on a tightrope, one wrong move away from falling into the abyss.

Taehyung watched her intently, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of satisfaction and something darker, something Jin-ah couldn't quite name. It sent a shiver down her spine, reminding her of just how precarious her situation truly was.

Finally setting down her fork, Jin-ah pushed her plate away with a shaky breath, her hands trembling slightly as she met Taehyung's gaze head-on. "I finished," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.

Taehyung's lips curled into a predatory smile, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous intensity. "Good," he purred, his voice sending a shiver down Jin-ah's spine. "Now, let's talk about your future."

Jin-ah's heart sank at his words, a sinking feeling settling in the pit of her stomach. She knew what was coming next, knew that Taehyung wouldn't let her go without extracting some sort of price.

But despite her fear, Jin-ah refused to show weakness in front of Taehyung. Steeling herself for whatever came next, she met his gaze with a defiant glare, refusing to back down in the face of his overwhelming presence.

"Whatever you have planned," she said firmly, her voice steady despite the tremble in her hands. "I won't let you control me. I won't let you dictate my life."

Taehyung's smile widened at her defiance, his eyes alight with a dangerous gleam. "Oh, Jin-ah," he murmured, his voice low and menacing. "You have no idea what you're up against. But don't worry, you'll learn soon enough."

As Jin-ah's phone buzzed with an incoming call, she quickly glanced down at the screen, her heart pounding in her chest. With a trembling hand, she swiped to answer the call, her voice faltering as she greeted her mother on the other end of the line.

"Mom," she said, her voice strained with forced cheerfulness as she tried to hide the turmoil raging inside her. "I'm just... busy with work. I'll be home soon, I promise."

But even as she spoke the words, Jin-ah knew that her mother could hear the tension in her voice, and could sense the unease that lingered beneath the surface. She prayed silently that her mother wouldn't press for details, wouldn't ask questions she couldn't answer.

On the other end of the line, her mother's voice was filled with concern. "Are you sure you're okay, sweetheart? You sound... off."

Jin-ah forced a smile, her grip tightening on the phone as she fought to maintain her composure. "I'm fine, Mom," she insisted, her voice trembling with the weight of her lies. "Just... tired from work. I'll be home soon, I promise."

And as she ended the call, she couldn't shake the feeling of guilt that gnawed at her insides, the knowledge that she was hiding the truth from the one person who had always been there for her.

As Jin-ah's phone call with her mother came to an end, she felt a sudden lurch in her stomach, her heart racing as she realized she was no longer standing on solid ground. With a gasp of surprise, she found herself swept off her feet, her body cradled in Taehyung's arms as he lifted her effortlessly into a bridal carry.

Her pulse quickened with a mixture of shock and disbelief, her mind reeling as she struggled to comprehend what was happening. She could feel Taehyung's strong arms around her, his chest pressed against her own, and a shiver of fear coursed through her veins.

As Jin-ah found herself once again in the room where they had dined, her heart sank at the realization that there was no escape from Taehyung's grasp. The familiar surroundings offered little solace as she struggled to come to terms with her predicament.

"Let me go," she pleaded once more, her voice tinged with desperation as she gazed up at Taehyung, her eyes pleading for mercy. But Taehyung remained unmoved, his expression as cold and impassive as ever.

"I can't do that," he replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for argument as he set her down on her feet. Jin-ah stumbled slightly, her legs weak with fear and uncertainty, but she quickly regained her composure, steeling herself for whatever came next.

"What do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice trembling with a mixture of anger and apprehension. But Taehyung's only response was a steely glare, his eyes betraying none of the emotions that churned beneath the surface.

With a frustrated sigh, Jin-ah turned away from him, her mind racing with a million unanswered questions. She knew she couldn't trust Taehyung, and couldn't rely on him to keep her safe. But for now, she had no choice but to bide her time, to wait for an opportunity to escape his clutches once and for all.

As Jin-ah turned away, a sharp pain shot through her injured hand, causing her to wince in discomfort. She cursed under her breath, cursing her own carelessness for aggravating the injury once again.

"Are you alright?" Taehyung's voice cut through the silence, laced with genuine concern as he reached out to steady her.

Jin-ah pulled away instinctively, her walls shooting up in defense as she tried to hide the pain that radiated from her hand. "I'm fine," she muttered, her tone clipped as she brushed off his concern.

But Taehyung wasn't fooled by her bravado, his eyes narrowing with suspicion as he studied her closely. "Let me see," he insisted, his voice soft yet commanding as he gently took her injured hand on his own.

Jin-ah tried to pull away, but Taehyung's grip was firm, his touch surprisingly gentle as he examined the wound. She bit back a cry of pain as he prodded at the injury, his brows furrowing in concern.

"It's bleeding again," he observed, his voice tinged with frustration as he reached for a nearby first aid kit. "You need to take better care of yourself, Jin-ah."

Jin-ah remained silent as Taehyung tended to her wound, her heart heavy with a mix of emotions. She hated how vulnerable she felt in his presence, how he had the power to unravel her defenses with a single touch.

As Taehyung continued to bandage her hand, Jin-ah's mind raced with conflicting emotions. She couldn't deny the familiarity of his touch, the way his fingers traced delicate patterns against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

But beneath the surface, a storm raged within her—a tempest of anger, resentment, and longing that threatened to consume her whole. She couldn't forget the pain he had caused her, the way he had shattered her heart without a second thought.

Yet despite it all, a part of her couldn't help but yearn for the closeness they once shared, the way his presence had once been a source of comfort and solace in her darkest moments.

But as Taehyung finished tending to her wound, Jin-ah's resolve hardened once more. She couldn't let herself be swayed by nostalgia or sentimentality, not when the stakes were so high.

"I want to go home," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper as she turned away from him, unable to meet his piercing gaze.

Taehyung's hand hesitated for a moment before dropping to his side, his expression unreadable as he absorbed her words. For a moment, silence hung heavy in the air between them, the weight of their unspoken truths pressing down upon them like a suffocating blanket.

But then, without a word, Taehyung rose to his feet, his movements fluid and controlled as he offered Jin-ah a hand up. "Come," he said simply, his voice devoid of emotion as he led her towards the door.

Jin-ah hesitated for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest as she contemplated her next move. But in the end, she knew she had no choice but to follow him, to see where this twisted path would lead her.

As they stepped out into the cool night air, Jin-ah couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding settle over her like a heavy shroud. Whatever awaited her on the other side, she knew one thing for certain: her life would never be the same again.
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Though it was lengthy, I felt it was important to wrap up the scene in one segment rather than splitting it into multiple parts. I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, please like and comment your thoughts—I’d love to hear from you.💓

~luv y'all 🧚🏻‍♀️ 💓