[A/N: Small surprise below, enjoy!]

After the ball.

"It was so fun out there. I thought Sana would murder me any moment. We're so desirable after all."

I smiled at my thought, while speaking to Guk as we took the stroll in the garden premises.

"I liked the moment when you flirted back with me. Do you have any idea of how much I want you right now?"

I was taken aback at the statement. Is this why he wanted to meet me after the ball? What was he trying to imply? I sighed.

"Jungkook, why are you after something which can never happen? We had already clarified that we won't get emotionally attached to each other. This mission is important-"

I started, but it seemed like he wasn't buying it.

"What exactly are you scared of Lalisa? Because of the consequences you suffered from the last mission? Or because you don't trust me enough?"

He hit on the right spot. Yes, I was ashamed; the last mission was such a failure that the case matters went to the MIO headquarters and rumours spread like fire across espionage groups.

"Lisa.....I know this is very sudden because it's only around a month that we've met, but I've started to like you. Don't I deserve to get a chance?"

I bit my lip to calm down the nervousness but none of it was helping.

"Its not about just who deserves and who doesn't, Guk. You're talented and I have always noticed the seriousness of the way you're working, we've been progressing in this mission. I do trust you....I fear it's not enough. You're a raven and ravens can't be trusted."

"And you're a Seductress. Who are you trying to fool Lalisa? I can see it in your eyes; you want me too. And there's nothing more you want to do than to wrap your arms around my neck and kiss me senselessly. Prove me doll."

I maybe the Seductress, a secret agent good at hiding emotions,but he was a raven. An expert in reading female minds. He was right; I did start liking him bit by bit and I feared this involvement would bring nothing but risk. These past weeks had been baffling, because I had started to realize I was getting caught up between Jungkook and Taehyung. How could I pretend to love someone else when it was Jungkook I was thinking about all this time?

"I do want you, Jungkook. But I'm pretty sure we want different things. You're a raven, doesn't stop the fact that you'll always get fascinated by working around different women. Jungkook, it's not just the past mission I fear of. It's about us. I want something safe and serious; a commitment. Not an on and off relationship like you want."

"What's with that you're a raven? How can you be so sure that I don't want a proper relationship with you, doll? I'm a man of commitment."

"Commitment? Doesn't seem like so. You're flirtatious even when we're not on mission. Jungkook, all I fear is, will you ever be satisfied by one woman?"

Jungkook took a pause as he heard me. Sure, I was not a trusting person. He grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him.

"Look doll, I understand that I can get very cocky but trust me Lalisa, I'd never hurt you on purpose.

To be honest you're the first woman I've ever felt a physical and emotional connection with. And I know you want it too. We can be savage to each other, but we bond quite well. You can't deny the tension between us doll. So please, don't overwork your beautiful mind by stressing on unalarmed and unnecessary consequences."

I somehow found myself agreeing to every word he was saying. True to it, we couldn't resist each other. The tension between us was inevitable and there was a possibility we could end up together. However, a subconscious part of my brain kept denying this, all of this was wrong, it warned. I couldn't let myself fall prey to his charms.

"Maybe it's better if we could just..."

Before I could finish with what I wanted to say, he instantly grabbed my face and gently sealed his lips over mine.

He first started kissing me softly and when I started to respond back, he aggressively pinned me against a tree as it slowly became a play of tongue and teeth. I gasped when he suddenly held both of my hands over my head to push his tongue inside my mouth.

"Let's see if you really can resist me doll." He winked before walking away into the hotel with a glorious smirk.

I certainly have kissed a lot of men (because, career) but to say, he's the best one I've tried. I hate how he makes me weak in front of him, cause it's mostly me who likes to be the dom. The red tinted cheeks and the sudden warmth wasn't helping either; gosh, I hate you Jerkook!

I pushed the thought aside as I scurried into the building as well.

[A/N: I really suck at writing intimate scenes, so just bear with it lmao. Please excuse me if this is not apt]

Sometime later; around midnight

"Mama, please..."

"You have to go dear......I can't risk your life."

"B-but papa, Luc and you....?"

"Nothing's going to happen, Lalisa, just-just go."

Mother shoved me out of the kitchen door and just stared at my with teary eyes.

"Hey! Look she's sending her daughter for help!! Get her here!"

Two men dressed in black, covering their faces dragged mother inside the house by pulling her hair.

"Mama!"

"Just go Lalisa!"

I woke up with a start; the same nightmare again. The night terrors that scare the shit out of me were back. Again. Surprisingly they were getting more frequent especially after I had accepted this mission.

My heart was beating fast in anxiety, and all I could feel were tremors and spasms in my body. I felt a sudden relief when I turned to my side, to find Jungkook sleeping beside me with parted lips, softly snoring. He seemed so lost in deep sleep that I didn't wish to wake him up.

So I quietly wore a pair of slippers and covered my pajamas with a night robe and tiptoed out of the room to get some fresh air.

The hallways were dead silent so carefree, I walked over to one of the terrace area to stare at the night sky.

Surprisingly I found the silhouette of a man who stood by the railings. I inched closer and immediately recognized the face.

"You're not asleep, Taehyung?"

"Oh, it's you Lisa. I could ask you the same question too. What brings you here though?"

"I couldn't get myself to sleep, I was missing my family. And you?"

"No, I was just....missing someone important too, and well I was thinking about you."

"Me? Why would I cross your mind Mr Kim?"

I asked in a teasing manner as I got by his side.

"I wanted to meet you after the ball was over, however when I entered the garden premises I happened to witness your um.....moment with Jeongguk ssi...." he said, biting his lips looking down to my eyes.

"Oh..." was all I could let out, face flushed out in embarrassment.

"I'm sorry! If this is making you uncomfortable then we shouldn't discuss this."

He cutely bit his tongue as if an innocent kid just realized he just cussed.

"No, it's okay. But what did you want to talk about with me?"

"Its about you....and Jeongguk ssi."

I tilted my head in confusion and looked at him with wiggled brows.

"About Guk and me? What about it?"

"So you have a nickname for him...." he muttered under his breath, assuming that I didn't hear him though I did.

"Sorry?"

"No, uh....Lisa, I'll be straightforward. Do you love Guk?"

He held a stoic face, damn serious than ever.

"May I ask why you need to know that?"

I saw how suddenly his face changed into a reddish shade. His lips awkwardly trembled, trying to speak.

"No, just...curious?"

In the many years of working as a Seductress, I understand the thin line between curiosity and jealousy. The stare Taehyung was giving me didn't resemble close to curiosity.

Then was he jealous? If it was so the scenario, it was looked comically cute.

"Let's say it's not exactly love though I see a future with him. He's my first Taehyung, so I am an amateur in matters of love."

I said letting go a sigh, as if it were my true self speaking.

"I see." He nodded, as if understanding me, though I found his hand closed in a tight fist. Clearing his throat, he decided he would change the topic.

"So how did it go with Sana while we were away? I'm anticipating you have become good friends now?"

I let out a heavy sigh.

"You may not like to hear it, but she left me hanging there the moment you went with Jeongguk. I guess she doesn't like me in particular working with you."

Hearing my words, I had expected him to be shocked, however he looked down in embarrassment.

"I'm really sorry Lisa.  Sana is....somewhat difficult to get close at first. She has been possessive about me and to be honest, she has some insecurity issues. But believe me, she is sweet once you get to know her. I want you to know this, because I don't want her to intimidate you off the project, you're the only female sponsor working with me, others left because of her..."

"Don't worry Taehyung, I understand. It's a female instinct. I promised I'm with you right? Maybe with time..." I smiled sympathetically at him, hoping he would confide in me more often.

However I decided to get a bit playful with him.

"You know Taehyung, Sana doesn't intimidate me....you do. And Sana is right on her part, especially when she's marrying a Prince Charming like you."

He looked seemingly surprised at my reply, as I searched for his reaction to my words.

"Well, apologies for that Miss Lisa. Though its surprising that you think of me as intimidating too." He was flirting back, with a little giggle in his words.

This guy was an overload of cuteness and literally too innocent for the world. His sexy, authoritarian personality clashed with his soft side and this duality of his always fascinated me.

"Wouldn't lie, but my ideal type of man is similar to you, someone who should be simple, caring and love me unconditionally with who I am."

I did say this as a matter of fact, though I knew all of this was what I felt at the moment. Yes, Taehyung could be the ideal man of my dreams; which was why I always felt a weak spot for him and hurting him was as good as committing a crime. If not for this mission....

He chuckled, bringing me back to my senses.

"Goodnight Lisa."

"Goodnight Taehyung."

He turned on his heels and walked inside the hallway. I spared a glance at the bright moon for the last time before heading towards the room.

I laid in bed, thinking of today's events. Suddenly Guk (who was deep asleep) wrapped his arms around me and pulled me intensely close to him, and my heart jumped at his action. The fatigue of the day disappeared in a snap as I looked at his bunny face.

I couldn't help but wonder why this mission felt so different. I had been around countless attractive men with charismatic personalities on past missions, and Jungkook and Taehyung were no different.

My head was spinning from the exhilarating feeling I always felt whenever I got close to my target, Taehyung or my partner, Jungkook.

Was it because of my loneliness, or were my instincts hinting at something I had been ignoring for a while? I'd never know.

_________________________________________

-2097 words

As I already had informed, it might be a bit difficult to find regular updates for the next two weeks because of my online classes and exams. Though I have managed to draft another two chapters and I just need to proofread them once before I update.

Thank you for giving immense support to this book. I hope this support continues to grow in form of reads, votes and comments as the storyline proceeds ahead.

Until next update
Authornim.