Chapter 5 : Sweet poison
Namjoon slid into the plush leather seat of the sleek black car, his mind sharp and focused on the task ahead. Beside him, Yoongi scrolled through messages on his phone, the screen illuminating his face in the dim light of the vehicle. The atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension, a perfect reflection of the high-stakes meeting they were about to attend.
As they arrived at the clandestine location, Namjoon stepped out, scanning the area with a practiced eye. The room buzzed with the quiet murmurs of his trusted men, all awaiting his command. They gathered around the polished table, the air heavy with the scent of danger.
"Boss, there's a problem," one of the members spoke up, his voice tense.
"Jong Ho-bin is trying to take over our deal. He's been gathering intel and has plans to sabotage us."
Namjoon's expression darkened at the mention of his rival. Jong Ho-bin was not just any enemy, he was a cunning strategist known for his ruthless ambition to usurp Namjoon's power in the illegal arms trade.
"What do we know?" he asked, leaning forward, his eyes narrowing.
"He's been seen meeting with some of our former associates, Yoongi interjected, a frown creasing his forehead."If we don't act fast, he could undermine everything we've built."
Namjoon nodded, his mind racing with strategies. "We need to reinforce our perimeter and ensure our shipments are secure. Double the guards. If Jong Ho-bin thinks he can play with me, he's sorely mistaken."
The members continued to discuss tactics and alliances, the atmosphere charged with intensity. Plans were laid out to counter Ho-bin's advances. Namjoon was determined to hold his empire together, knowing that any slip could lead to chaos. He could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on him, the lives of his men depending on his leadership.
After several hours of intense discussion, Namjoon and Yoongi made their way back to the mansion, the tension of the meeting still thick in the air. Namjoon rubbed his temples, feeling the ache of stress. He needed a moment of peace a moment to gather his thoughts.
As the afternoon sun poured through the grand windows of the mansion, Namjoon returned home. He strode purposefully to the library, seeking solace among the books that lined the shelves. The room was a sanctuary for him, a place where he could escape the weight of his responsibilities and immerse himself in the worlds held within those pages.
As he entered, he was met with the sight of YN, perched on the edge of a chair, her eyes scanning the spines of the books with a curious intensity. "What are you doing here?" he barked, irritation bubbling to the surface.
"I could ask you the same," YN replied, a playful lilt in her voice.
"But I think I can guess. Reading up on how to be a heartless monster?"
Before YN could respond, Anna breezed into the room, her presence instantly altering the dynamics. "I brought her here Oppa," she declared, a hint of mischief in her voice. "Any problem?"
Namjoon shot a glare at YN, who simply smiled sweetly. "Just told your bestie to stay away from me," he said, crossing his arms, trying to maintain his composure.
"Oh, she's sweet, Oppa," Anna retorted, a teasing glint in her eyes.
"Sweet poison," Namjoon shot back, his gaze flicking to YN.
"Poison suits you, Namjoon," YN countered, a playful smirk on her face.
Namjoon turned his attention to the book in his hand, trying to ignore her. YN took a seat directly in front of him, unabashedly admiring him. She watched the way his brows furrowed in concentration, how the light caught the sharp angles of his jaw. The silence stretched between them, charged with unspoken words.
After a few moments, Anna slipped out of the library, leaving YN and Namjoon alone, the atmosphere shifted. YN couldn't help but seize the moment. She leaned back in her chair, an innocent smile playing on her lips as she eyed Namjoon, who was now pretending to be engrossed in a book.
"You know, I think the real reason you like your library so much is that it's the only place you can hide from all the women who want to throw themselves at you," YN teased, her voice lilting with mischief.
Namjoon glanced up, his expression flat. "And you think you're one of those women?"
"Of course," she replied, leaning forward slightly, her eyes sparkling. "I mean, look at me. Who wouldn't want a piece of this?"
Namjoon rolled his eyes, but there was a hint of a smile threatening to break through. "Confidence is cute, but you might want to tone it down a bit. It's getting embarrassing."
"Embarrassing? Honey, I'm the best thing you'll ever get," she shot back, her tone playful. "I mean, just look at you murderer by day, charming rogue by night. You should consider upgrading to the full package."
"I don't need an upgrade, I'm already at the top." he replied, crossing his arms.
"Oh, please," YN said with mock seriousness. "I could run circles around you. You're just a big bad wolf hiding behind your books."
Namjoon leaned against the window, arms crossed and eyebrows raised.
"Big bad wolf? More like a little sheep trying to play with the grown-ups."
"Keep underestimating me. One of these days, I'll surprise you," she challenged, giving him a playful pout.
"Surprise me? I'd rather not be surprised by someone who thinks they can charm their way into my life," he replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "You'll just end up in trouble."
"Trouble is my middle name," YN replied, a cheeky grin plastered across her face. "And besides, I thrive on danger. Especially the kind you bring."
He stepped closer, his gaze piercing. "You really think you can handle me?"
"Handle you? Sweetheart, I've read enough mafia romance novels to know exactly how to deal with guys like you," she winked. "You're just a misunderstood softie under all that tough guy bravado."
Namjoon scoffed, shaking his head. "Misunderstood? Please. I'm more like a monster under your bed. You'd be scared if you really knew."
"I'm not scared of monsters, I'm scared of cute guys with bad attitudes," YN said, her voice lowering teasingly. "And trust me, I'm pretty sure you're a big teddy bear when no one's watching."
He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a growl. "You're playing a dangerous game, YN. Keep poking the bear, and you might just find out how vicious I can be."
She met his gaze, undeterred. "Oh, I love a good challenge. Just think of me as the irresistible itch you can't scratch."
"More like a pesky fly I can't swat," he countered, trying to sound serious but failing as the corner of his mouth twitched.
"I'd rather be a fly than an empty library," she replied, grinning.
"Besides, I'm pretty sure I'm more entertaining than a book."
Namjoon shook his head, pretending to be annoyed, but she could see the playful glint in his eyes. “Entertaining? You mean exhausting. I have business to attend to, not playtime with you."
"Playtime? Oh, we can definitely do playtime later . But for now, how about I join you in your dark little world?" she said, her voice dripping with flirtation. "I could be your partner in crime."
"Crime?" Namjoon raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing
in his eyes. "You'd be the first one I'd throw under the bus if things went south."
"Only if you promise to be there to catch me," YN shot back, unabashed.
"Catch you? With my hands tied? Not a chance," he smirked, stepping back toward the door, trying to maintain his aloof demeanor. "You're all talk, YN."
"Maybe, but I've got the looks to back it up," she replied, sticking out her tongue playfully.
"Looks aren't everything. In my world, they're just a distraction," Namjoon said, glancing over his shoulder. "But you keep trying, and maybe I'll let you stick around long enough to see just how serious I really am."
"Let's hope I can change your mind about that," she said, giving him a confident smile.
Namjoon stepped toward the window, gazing out as if trying to escape her relentless charm. "I don't need your kind of excitement. I'm perfectly fine being alone."
"Alone?" YN exclaimed. "But you have me here! I can be your partner in crime."
He turned to face her, arms crossed over his chest. "I don't do partners. I work alone. Always have, always will."
"Except you don't, Joon," she said, her tone suddenly serious, almost mocking. "You're stuck with me whether you like it or not. So, how about you drop the tough guy act and show me your soft side?"
At the sound of the nickname, Namjoon's jaw tightened. "Don't call me that. Ever."
"Why not? Joon is cute! It suits you," she said, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "When I say Joon, my lips naturally pucker. See?"
She demonstrated, puckering her lips in a playful manner. Namjoon stepped closer, frustration evident in his features. "If you say that again, I'll throw you out of this window, you know."
"Go ahead, big bad wolf. Let's see if you have the guts," she challenged, pretending to lean over the edge of the window to emphasize her point.
"You really irritate me, don't you?" he muttered, but YN could see the faintest hint of amusement lurking beneath his irritation.
"Only because you're too easy to tease. You're like a cute puppy trying to act tough," she said, laughing lightly. "How about we call a truce? Just admit you find me entertaining."
Namjoon leaned down, his face inches from hers, his gaze intense. "Entertaining? More like a nuisance. I don't need distractions, especially not from you."
"But I'm your favorite distraction," YN insisted, a cheeky grin lighting up her face. "You know you love it."
He sighed, stepping back as if trying to regain control. "You really have no idea what you're getting yourself into. You think you can just waltz in here and turn my world upside down?"
"Absolutely. And it's going to be so much fun!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You're a hard man to crack, but I love a challenge."
Namjoon shook his head, unable to hide his smirk. "You know, you're seriously delusional."
"Delusional? I call it optimistic," YN retorted, leaning against the desk casually. "And a little bit brave."
"Brave, huh?" he said, stepping closer again, his tone dropping to a low growl. "How brave are you when I get angry? You should really be careful what you wish for."
"Oh, I'm not scared of you," she replied boldly, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "You're just a big softie under all that bravado."
Namjoon's expression darkened slightly, his voice turning more serious. "You don't know what you're playing with, YN. I'm not the man you think I am."
"Then show me who you really are," she challenged, her voice softening slightly. "Maybe I'm more interested in the monster than you think."
"Believe me, you wouldn't want to see that side of me," he said, his gaze intense, his voice low. "It's not pretty."
"Let me be the judge of that," she countered, stepping forward, closing the distance between them. "Besides, what's life without a little danger?"
"Danger has a way of biting back, and you wouldn't like the taste," he warned, but she could sense the wavering in his resolve.
"Then let's make it a delicious bite," YN said, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "I can handle it."
"Your confidence is infuriating," he said, his frustration palpable, but beneath it, she could sense a flicker of intrigue.
"Only because I know there's more to you than meets the eye," she replied, her heart racing. "And I'm determined to find out."
"Good luck with that," he said, shaking his head in resignation as he turned to walk away, but YN wasn't done yet.
"Namjoon," she called after him, stopping him in his tracks. "What if I promise to be good?"
"Good?" he repeated, glancing back, clearly skeptical. "What does that even mean coming from you?"
"It means I won't annoy you as much," she replied, her eyes twinkling. "At least not today."
"Fine," he said, smirking slightly. "But only today. After that, I can't promise your safety."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," YN replied, her voice playful. "But don't forget, you're still my favorite target."
He was about to left the room as... "I'm trying to fit into your world, Namjoon," she shot back, her tone light but laced with sincerity.
Once he was gone, YN leaned back in her chair, a satisfied grin spreading across her face. She loved the way he pushed her buttons, and every little exchange only made her more determined to break through his defenses.
She couldn't help but smile at the thrill of their banter.
Just then, Anna re-entered the library, her eyes narrowing as she caught the tail end of YN's satisfied expression.
"What's with that smirk?" Anna asked, raising an eyebrow. "Did you manage to get under his skin again?"
"Under his skin? More like I set off fireworks,” YN replied, her grin widening. "He can't handle me."
"Are you sure about that?" Anna laughed, shaking her head. "You know my brother can be pretty intense."
"Intense? Oh please, I'm like a firecracker next to his gloomy storm cloud," YN said playfully, leaning back in her chair. "He might act tough, but deep down, I think he loves my company."
Anna rolled her eyes, amusement dancing in her gaze. "You really think you can charm him, don't you?"
"I don't think; I know," YN said confidently, propping her chin on her hand. "Besides, I have this whole plan to get him to crack."
"Crack? Good luck with that. You're dealing with the king of ice over here," Anna teased.
"King of ice or not, I'm determined to melt that heart of his," YN declared, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I mean, how hard can it be to break through those walls?"
"You might want to rethink that strategy, YN," Anna
warned, a hint of seriousness creeping into her tone.
"He's not someone you want to mess with."
"Oh, but that's the fun part! He's like a puzzle, and I love puzzles," YN replied, biting her lip to suppress a grin. "And besides, I think I'm making progress. He can't seem to stay away."
Anna laughed, shaking her head in disbelief. "Just be careful. You might end up in over your head."
"Over my head? Nah, I can swim, YN said confidently. "And if I get burned, well, I'll just find a way to make it exciting."
"Just don't forget to wear a life jacket," Anna replied, chuckling. "You're playing with fire here."
"Fire is my specialty, remember?" YN said, winking at Anna. "But don't worry, I'm not going anywhere. I'm here to stay, and so is my charm."
"Just don't forget to keep that charm in check around him," Anna warned with a smile. "Or you might end up in trouble."
"Trouble? With Namjoon? Bring it on!" YN exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. "I thrive in chaos."
Anna shook her head, still laughing. "You're impossible. Just promise me you'll be safe."
"Safe is boring, Anna. I'm all about adventure," YN said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "And adventure is just getting started."
As they shared a laugh, YN couldn't shake the feeling that she was indeed in for the thrill of a lifetime.
To be continued
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