Chapter 12 : The love battle
The atmosphere in the mansion was unusually tense. Anna and YN sat together in Anna's bedroom, their faces a mix of anxiety and nervous energy. They had been pacing the room for what seemed like hours, wracking their brains for a way to break the news to Namjoon. The tension between YN and Namjoon had grown colder, but deeper under the surface, YN still harbored a whirlwind of feelings for him. But she wasn't about to give in or make the first move.
"He's not the easiest person to talk to, YN muttered, glancing at Anna. "And I'm certainly not going to be sweet to him. He might be my weakness, but I have some self-respect."
Anna sighed, rubbing her temples. I know, YN, I know. But I need to tell him about Tae-jun. If anyone can convince him not to lose his temper, it's you."
YN gave her a half-smile, shaking her head. "You think I can do that? After everything? He'll probably just call me a nonsense and walk away."
"Maybe," Anna replied thoughtfully. "But if we don't tell him together, he'll explode when he finds out later."
Just then, the door to the mansion opened, and they heard the faint, familiar sound of Namjoon's footsteps as he returned home. Anna's eyes widened, and she jumped up from the bed. "Oh no, he's here!"
YN quickly composed herself, her heart racing but her face calm. "Alright, let's do this. But you're doing all the talking, got it?" She added sternly, though a teasing glint lingered in her eyes.
Anna nodded, biting her lip nervously. She and YN peeked out of the room, watching Namjoon walk in. He was dressed impeccably, his dark shirt clinging to his toned body, with his jacket casually thrown over his shoulder. His usual cold, unreadable expression was plastered on his face, but YN, always watching him closely, could see the hints of tiredness in his eyes. For a moment, her heart ached, but she quickly pushed the feeling down.
"Focus, YN," she muttered under her breath, and then she gave Anna a gentle nudge. "Go. Now."
Anna hesitated for a moment but then steeled herself and headed downstairs toward the garden where Namjoon had wandered off. YN followed behind, keeping a little distance, not wanting to make it obvious that she was there to eavesdrop.
As they stepped outside into the fresh air, Namjoon was standing near the edge of the garden, his hands in his pockets as he stared out at the greenery.
Anna took a deep breath and slowly approached her brother. "Oppa," she called softly, her voice carrying a seriousness that made Namjoon glance over his shoulder. He turned to face her, his eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"What is it, Anna?" he asked, his voice calm, but there was a faint edge of impatience.
"I need to talk to you about something serious," Anna said, stepping closer.
Namjoon studied her for a moment before nodding. "Alright. Go on."
Anna swallowed, her hands trembling slightly as she clasped them in front of her. I've... I've met someone. I love him, Oppa. And I want to marry him."
The silence that followed was almost unbearable. YN, standing a few steps away behind a hedge, held her breath, watching intently. Namjoon's expression didn't change at first; he was as stone- faced as ever, but then something flickered in his eyes. His gaze softened just a little.
"You... love someone?" he repeated, his voice calm but curious. For a moment, Anna worried he might react badly, but then, unexpectedly, Namjoon's lips curled into a rare smile. "That's good, Anna."
Anna blinked, surprised. "It is?"
Namjoon nodded. "Of course. I'm glad you've found someone you love. Every girl deserves to be happy." He paused, and his smile grew a bit wider. "Even if you're my sister," he added, his tone playful.
Anna couldn't believe what she was hearing. Relief washed over her, and she felt her chest lighten. She laughed softly, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, oppa," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "I was so scared to tell you."
Namjoon shook his head. "You should never be scared to tell me things, Anna. I might be a bastard, but I'm still your brother."
Anna's smile widened, and without thinking, she threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Thank you," she whispered again.
From her hidden spot, YN watched the tender moment, her heart squeezing painfully in her chest. She admired them both-Anna for her bravery, and Namjoon for this rare glimpse of softness that he almost never showed. For a moment, she allowed herself to admire him openly, his sharp jawline, his powerful frame, his rare but beautiful smile. She felt a tug of longing, but she quickly shook her head, forcing herself to stay grounded.
"Don't get carried away, YN," she muttered under her breath, trying
to calm her racing heart.
As she continued to watch, Namjoon finally pulled away from the hug, looking at Anna with a proud yet protective expression. "So, who is this guy? Bring him to my warehouse tomorrow. I want to meet him."
Anna's heart soared. She hadn't expected Namjoon to be so accepting. "Really?" she asked, almost not believing it.
Namjoon chuckled lightly, nodding. "Yes, really. I need to make sure he's good enough for you."
Anna grinned widely and hugged him again. "You'll love him," she promised.
In the background, YN couldn't help but smile softly. Despite everything that had happened, seeing Namjoon like this made her heart feel lighter, though she'd never admit it out loud.
I'm happy for you, Anna, Namjoon said, patting her head like he used to when they were kids. "I trust you've made a good choice."
Anna beamed, stepping back. "I have," she said confidently, her heart still racing with excitement.
As Namjoon turned to leave the garden, his gaze briefly caught YN's. For a second, they locked eyes, and something unspoken passed between them. YN quickly looked away, pretending to inspect a flower bush nearby, but her cheeks burned.
Namjoon's eyes lingered on her for a moment longer before he turned and walked back into the house.
YN let out a long breath she didn't realize she was holding and walked over to Anna. "Well, that went better than expected," YN said, smirking.
Anna grinned, practically bouncing with excitement. "It did! I can't believe it! I was so sure he'd lose his mind."
YN chuckled. "Seems like your brother can be reasonable.
Occasionally. She glanced toward the house where Namjoon had
disappeared, her expression softening just a little.
Anna noticed and raised an eyebrow, her smile turning mischievous. "Still admiring him, huh?"
YN rolled her eyes. "Don't get any ideas. I'm still pissed at him."
"Sure, sure," Anna teased, but there was a knowing glint in her eyes. She didn't push further, though, instead taking a deep breath and turning her gaze toward the horizon. "I guess tomorrow's going to be a big day."
YN nodded, her thoughts already swirling with the upcoming encounter. "Yeah... I hope Tae-jun survives the Namjoon test."
The next day, Namjoon found himself seated in his old warehouse, the place where countless deals had gone down, where he had built his empire from the ground up. His trusted men stood around him, waiting for the arrival of the boy his sister claimed to love. Namjoon's mind was conflicted how could Anna, his precious sister, fall for someone when she knew nothing about his world? And worse, why hadn't she told him more?
As Namjoon sat in his chair, his fingers drumming on the armrest, he heard the heavy, metallic creak of the warehouse door opening. In walked the man of the hour.
He was tall, broad-shouldered, with a powerful presence that immediately demanded attention. His chiseled jawline was shadowed with a hint of stubble, and his sharp eyes held a dangerous glint, cold but calculating. His tousled dark hair framed his face, giving him a rugged yet undeniably handsome appearance. Dressed in a leather jacket that fit him like a second skin, he looked every bit a man who could take down anyone who stood in his way.
There was something about the way he moved every step measured, calm, and confident. His muscles were defined, his posture relaxed, yet alert, as though ready to strike at any moment.
The second he crossed the threshold, Namjoon's men, already on edge, sprang into action. Four men lunged at him, trying to catch him off-guard, but he sidestepped swiftly, as if anticipating their every move. His fist shot out, knocking one man down with a single, brutal punch. Another came from behind with a knife, but the man spun around, catching his wrist and twisting it with enough force to disarm him, before delivering a kick to his chest that sent him crashing into a pile of crates.
The remaining two tried to attack him at the same time, but he was too quick. He ducked under a punch, then brought his knee up to slam into one man's gut, leaving him gasping for breath. The last one managed to throw a punch, grazing the side of his face, but before he could land another, the man caught him by the throat, slamming him into the floor. He stood over them, victorious, barely breaking a sweat.
Namjoon watched the scene unfold from his chair, his expression unreadable, though inside, he was impressed. The boy no, the man was skilled. Strong. He fought with precision, every move calculated and efficient, leaving no room for mistakes. There was a silent but unmistakable power in the way he carried himself, and Namjoon couldn't help but feel a grudging respect.
When the fight was over, the man wiped the corner of his mouth with the back of his hand and calmly walked over to Namjoon's table, pulling up a chair and sitting across from him, as though he were the one calling the shots.
Namjoon leaned back, studying him. "Well," he said slowly, his voice low, "it seems Anna didn't choose too badly after all."
The man smirked slightly but remained silent, waiting for Namjoon to continue.
"Who are you?" Namjoon finally asked, though part of him already knew. His instincts told him that there was more to this than just some random guy.
The man leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees, his sharp eyes meeting Namjoon's with an intensity that made it clear he wasn't afraid of him. I'm the man who's going to marry your sister," he said coolly, his voice deep and steady. I'm also the man who has no intention of letting anyone, not even you, stop me."
Namjoon's jaw clenched slightly, his eyes narrowing. "And your name?" he asked, his voice carrying a dangerous edge.
The man hesitated for only a moment, his gaze hardening as he spoke. "I'm Tae-jun, brother of Ho Bin."
The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Namjoon's entire demeanor changed in an instant. His eyes darkened with fury, and his fists clenched at his sides. "Ho Bin's brother?" he growled. "You dare come here after what your brother did?"
Tae-jun remained calm, unflinching in the face of Namjoon's anger. I'm not my brother," he said evenly, his voice cold but composed. "I'm here because I love Anna, not to avenge Ho Bin. My brother was a monster, and I won't deny that. But I'm not like him."
Namjoon stood abruptly, towering over Tae-jun, his eyes blazing with rage. "You think I'm going to let my sister marry the brother of the man I killed? Are you out of your mind?"
Tae-jun stood as well, meeting Namjoon's gaze without backing down. "I don't care what you think," he said bluntly. "I came here to ask for your permission out of respect for Anna. But if you refuse, it won't change a thing. I will marry her. With or without your blessing."
The tension in the room was thick enough to cut with a knife. Namjoon's fists clenched tighter, his entire body radiating fury, but something in Tae-jun's words struck a chord. Namjoon could see it-the unwavering determination, the love in his eyes when he spoke of Anna. It was genuine, and that realization only made Namjoon angrier.
Without another word, Namjoon turned on his heel and stormed out of the warehouse, heading back to his mansion. Tae-jun followed close behind, determined not to let Namjoon's wrath break him.
As they reached the mansion, Namjoon didn't wait to be calm. He stormed through the front door, his voice thundering through the halls as he called for his sister. "Anna! Get out here, now!"
Anna appeared at the top of the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest as she descended slowly, knowing exactly what this was about. She could see the fury in her brother's eyes, and she braced herself for what was to come.
"Why didn't you tell me he's Ho Bin's brother?" Namjoon demanded, his voice harsh. "Did you really think I'd just accept this without knowing the truth?"
Anna took a deep breath, stepping forward to meet her brother's anger head-on. "Because he's not Ho Bin," she said firmly. "He's not the man who hurt YN. He's not the monster you fought. He's different, oppa. We love each other."
Namjoon's eyes blazed with fury. "You don't understand, Anna! You have no idea what his brother did! I killed Ho Bin for a reason!"
"And he's not Ho Bin!" Anna shot back, her voice trembling with emotion. You killed his brother, Namjoon. But he's still here, asking for your permission to marry me. If he were anything like Ho Bin, he'd be here for revenge. But he's not. He's here because he loves me."
Before Namjoon could respond, YN entered the room, her expression cold and unreadable. "You're heartless," she said, her voice cutting through the tension like a knife. "That doesn't mean everyone else has to be. Anna and Tae-jun love each other. You might not understand that, but that doesn't give you the right to stand in their way."
Namjoon turned to her, his face twisted with anger. "This is your fault!" he shouted, his voice raw with emotion. "My sister is turning against me because of you. You've been nothing but trouble since the day you walked into this house!"
YN didn't flinch. Instead, she stepped forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "I love you," she said quietly, "but that doesn't mean I'll let you talk to me like that. Your sister went against you because of you, Namjoon. She's been trying to explain this to you for days, but you refuse to listen. All you see is an enemy. You don't even see the love in her eyes. Tae-jun could've killed you today, but he didn't. He came here to ask for Anna's hand, like a real man. And you? You couldn't even give him a chance."
For a moment, Namjoon said nothing. He stood there, his fists clenched, his breathing heavy. YN's words hit him harder than any physical blow could have. Somewhere deep inside, he knew she was right. But his pride and his anger wouldn't let him admit it.
Tae-jun, who had been silent until now, stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. I'm not asking for your approval anymore," he said, his gaze steady. "Anna and I will be together, with or without it. But remember this: I'm nothing like you. I understand love. And I'm capable of taking care of her."
With that, he took Anna's hand and led her toward the door. Namjoon moved to stop them, but YN stepped in his way, her gaze unyielding. "Don't," she whispered. "Let them go."
Namjoon hesitated for a long moment, his heart battling with his mind. Finally, he stepped back, his face a mask of rage and confusion.
As Tae-jun and Anna left the mansion, Namjoon turned to YN, his voice shaking with anger. "This is all your fault," he spat. "I hate you. You've done nothing but destroy my life since the moment you came here. You're nothing but a slut who-"
He didn't get to finish his sentence. YN's hand shot out, and she slapped him hard across the face. The sound echoed through the room.
"You don't get to talk to me like that," she said, her voice trembling with rage. I've loved you for so long, but that doesn't mean I'll let you treat me like this. Your sister went against you because you refused to listen. Not because of me. You're so blinded by your hatred, you can't even see what's right in front of you."
Namjoon stared at her, stunned, his cheek stinging from the slap. For a moment, he was speechless.
"And let me tell you something else,” YN continued, her voice now shaking with emotion. "Tae-jun could've killed you today. But he didn't. He came here like a man, asking for your sister's hand. You're the one who's too much of a coward to see what's right in front of you."
With that, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving Namjoon standing there, speechless and seething. He watched her go, his mind reeling from everything that had just happened.
That night, Namjoon drank alone in his room, his mind clouded with anger and regret. The alcohol did little to numb the pain or quiet the voices in his head. He missed Anna. He missed the peace he once had. But most of all, he couldn't stop thinking about YN's words. She had slapped him-no one had ever dared to do that before. And yet, there was a part of him that knew she was right. Somewhere deep down, he knew he had made a mistake.
As the night wore on, he found himself wandering downstairs, lost in thought. YN was still up, sitting alone at the dinner table, quietly eating her meal. She didn't look up when he entered. Without a word, she stood and placed a plate of food in front of him before heading upstairs to her room.
Namjoon stared at the food for a long time, his heart heavy with confusion and regret. For the first time in a long while, he felt completely and utterly lost.
To be continued
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