Note: omg guys this is an extra, extra long chapter. Almost the length of one and a half normal chapter!! I hope this satisfies all my readers!!!

Show some love;; comment and vote! :: ★
(It really motivates me !!)

┏━°⌜ 𝐓𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 ⌟°━┓
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┗━°⌜ 𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙠𝙤𝙤𝙠_     ⌟°━┛

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⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　⠀⠀⠀✦ ⠀ ⠀　　　　　　　　　　　　　　⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀* ⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀✦⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　　　　.　　　ﾟ .　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　✦ 　　　　　,　　　　　　　.
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　　˚　　　⠀　⠀  　　,　　　　　　.
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　.⠀　　⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀,
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　　　　　✦⠀　   　　　,　　    　　　　　　　　.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　⠀⠀⠀✦ ⠀ ⠀　　　　　　　　　　　　　　⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀* ⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀✦⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　　　　　　　　　.　　　ﾟ .　　　　　　　　　　　　　. 　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　✦ 　　　　　,　　　　　　　.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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　　　　　⠀　　　　⠀　　,
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀.　　　　　 　　⠀　　　⠀.　
　　˚　　　⠀　⠀  　　,　　　　　　.
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　　　　　　*⠀　　⠀  　　　　　⠀✦⠀　
　　　　　　*　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　.
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　　　˚　　　　　　　　ﾟ　　　　　.
　.⠀　⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀‍⠀,
　　　　　✦⠀　   　　　,

•

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•

Jia's PoV

A strong hand clamped over her mouth, yanking her out of her stupor. Jia struggled instinctively, terror spiking through her veins until she caught the familiar scent of cologne that had burned into her senses much earlier. A strong blend of musk, with woody undertones, so masculine, it sent her perception pathetically into overdrive. Her panic dissolved into something equally unsettling when she realised who it was.

Jaehyun.

She twisted to look at him, her wide eyes meeting his cold, unreadable gaze. His grip on her tightened as he pushed her roughly against the wall of the corridor. "Quiet," he whispered, his voice a low, dangerous hiss.

The intensity in his eyes unsettled her.

There was always something distant about Jaehyun, but now, that aloofness, amidst the constant teasing, carried an edge-like he knew something she didn't. Before she could make sense of it, the door behind them creaked open. Jia stiffened as the sound of footsteps approached, and she heard voices murmuring in the distance. Whoever was coming was too close.

Jaehyun's gaze flickered toward the hallway, and without a word, he grabbed her wrist and pulled her away from the door, dragging her swiftly down the narrow corridor. Her feet stumbled as they wove through the throngs of people in the club, their movements quick, deliberate, and unnoticed by the crowd.

The cold night air slapped her in the face as they emerged onto the street, his grip was firm and unrelenting as he pulled her through the maze of narrow streets behind the club. The pounding bass of music faded behind them, replaced by the sharp echo of their hurried footsteps against the wet pavement. The night air felt heavy, suffocating as it pressed down on them, every breath Jia took was laced with tension. She could hear the shouts, the unmistakable sound of pursuit drawing closer.

"They saw us," Jaehyun muttered, his voice low and calm in a way that made her heart race faster. There was no panic in him, no fear. It was almost unnerving how composed he was under pressure. He leaned in close, his breath hot against her ear as they ducked into a small side alley. "We need to make sure they lose us."

Before Jia could even process his words, he spun her around, pushing her back against the cold, damp brick wall. The sudden chill seeped through her clothes, and she instinctively tried to pull away, but Jaehyun was faster. His body pressed flush against hers, one arm wrapped tightly around her waist while the other braced against the wall near her head, boxing her in.

"What are you—" Her words were cut short when his lips brushed against her neck. Jia froze, her entire body going rigid as the unexpected touch sent a shiver down her spine.

"Keep still," he murmured, his voice barely a whisper. "They're too close. We need to look... convincing." His lips ghosted over her skin again, and she could feel the controlled tension in him, the way his muscles coiled as if ready to spring into action at any moment. "Hide your face in my neck. Now."

Her mind whirled, trying to comprehend what he was asking, but before she could argue, the echo of heavy footsteps drew nearer. She had no choice. Swallowing her instinct to fight him off, Jia leaned forward, pressing her face into the crook of his neck. Her heartbeat thudded against his chest, her breaths shallow and uneven.

This was his plan? It felt insane. But then again, everything about the night had winded into madness.

She could feel the warmth of his skin against her cheek, the steady rise and fall of his chest, and despite the danger that lurked mere feet away, her body responded to his closeness in ways she didn't expect. She hated the way her skin prickled under his touch, how the scent of him—faint cologne mixed with something deeper, darker—made her mind fog over.

A voice rang out, sharp and authoritative, just around the corner. "Check the alleys! They couldn't have gone far!"

Jaehyun's grip tightened. His lips brushed against her earlobe this time, and she bit her lip to suppress a gasp. "Don't move," he whispered, the heat of his breath sending jolts of electricity through her. It wasn't a suggestion—it was a command.

She could hear the scuffle of shoes on the pavement, the heavy breathing of the men hunting them. Any second now, they could be discovered, pulled from the shadows like prey caught in the open. Her body tensed, every muscle taut as she waited for the inevitable. But Jaehyun's hand slipped lower, his fingers grazing the small of her back, pulling her even closer, as if trying to fuse their bodies together. It was too close, too intimate, and yet, she couldn't bring herself to push him away.

"They went this way!" a voice barked in the distance, and Jia's breath hitched, her pulse pounding in her ears. The footsteps retreated, but the threat lingered like a dark cloud, waiting to strike again.

Jaehyun's lips pressed against the sensitive spot beneath her jaw, his breath ragged now, and Jia couldn't tell if it was part of the act or something else entirely. Her body was betraying her—every fibre of her being was reacting to him in ways she didn't want to acknowledge. The world outside their small alcove ceased to exist for a brief, terrifying moment.

"Jaehyun," she whispered, her voice strained. "This doesn't really feel like—"

Her words were drowned out by a sudden shout coming closer again all of a sudden. "Hurry! Boss wants that girl!"

And then his lips were on hers.

The kiss was anything but gentle. It was raw, urgent, a collision of need and desperation. There was no room for thought, no space for hesitation. Jaehyun's hand tangled in her hair, his fingers gripping the strands as if he couldn't bear to let go. His mouth claimed hers with a fierceness that both scared and thrilled her, as though they were both teetering on the edge of something dangerous and unknown.

The world seemed to narrow, everything fading into the background as their kiss deepened. Jaehyun's body pressed hers against the rough brick wall, and Jia could feel the heat radiating from him through his clothes. His hands moved with a slow, deliberate possessiveness, trailing her sides, as if marking the boundary between them and the danger outside. The tension that had simmered between them for months exploded, drawing her into the fire of his touch, and for a few breathless moments, she allowed herself to forget everything—the mission, the chase, the gunfire that had echoed moments before. It was just him, his lips on hers, and the electric current of desire flowing between them.

But the resonant thud of footsteps broke the spell.

Jia tensed, instinctively pulling back just enough to hear the approach. They were close—too close. Before she could react, Jaehyun's hand slid up to the back of her neck, his voice a low, calm whisper. "Stay still," he murmured. His fingers gently guided her face into the crook of his neck, his lips brushing against her ear. "Kiss my neck."

Her heart raced, but she obeyed, pressing her lips softly to his neck, her breath fanning against his skin as her pulse hammered in her chest. Jaehyun angled his body, pulling her closer, creating the illusion that they were nothing more than two lovers caught in a private moment.

The footsteps slowed, and Jia felt the tension ripple through his body. The men stopped just behind them, and for a heartbeat, the air was thick with anticipation.

"What the hell are you two doing?" one of the men barked, his voice sharp with suspicion.

Jaehyun's body didn't even flinch. His hand stayed possessively on Jia's waist, his voice cool and almost dismissive as he lazily tilted his head to look at the man. "What's it look like?" His tone was edged with annoyance, as if the interruption were a minor inconvenience, not a potential threat. He gave a slow, careless smirk, his eyes locking with the man's. "Do you mind? We're busy."

The man hesitated, his eyes darting to Jia, but Jaehyun shifted ever so slightly, angling her face deeper into his neck. "You should probably walk away," he added, his voice low but confident, as though daring the man to make an issue out of it. "Unless you want a demonstration of what happens when you interrupt."

The men exchanged uncomfortable glances, clearly unsure whether to challenge him. The tension in the air was palpable, but Jaehyun didn't waver. His fingers tightened slightly on Jia's waist, his body calm, almost casual, as though he were completely in control of the situation.

"Hey," the second man grumbled. "We're looking for someone. You seen anyone pass through here?"

Jaehyun's expression didn't change, but his grip on Jia shifted, pulling her closer, his lips brushing against the side of her head. "Does it look like I'm keeping track of anyone but her?" he asked, his voice smooth, dripping with nonchalance. "Now, if you don't want a front-row seat to something you're not invited to, I suggest you move along."

The men, clearly flustered by his calm yet commanding presence, muttered amongst themselves. "Tch, whatever," one of them grumbled, backing off. "Just keep out of the way."

Jaehyun gave a slow, dismissive smirk, watching them for a beat longer, his body still perfectly relaxed. "You're wasting your time," he said lazily. "Now get lost."

He leaned back in, his lips grazing hers once more, and this time his kiss was deeper, more deliberate, as if he was determined to erase any trace of the tension from moments ago. His hand slid down to her waist, gripping her tightly as the kiss intensified, the earlier danger fuelling the reckless passion between them.

After another awkward pause, the men finally turned and walked away, their footsteps fading into the distance.

Jia melted into him, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck, her thoughts blurring as the kiss deepened, his control over the situation undeniable. Jaehyun didn't pull back until he was certain the men were gone, his lips not leaving hers until they were both breathless, their bodies still pressed tightly together.

Then, just as suddenly as it had started, Jaehyun pulled back, his chest heaving, his breath ragged. He kept his forehead pressed against hers, their lips still inches apart. They stood there in the dark alley, both of them panting, caught in the aftershock of what had just happened.

Jia's mind was a chaotic mess, her pulse still racing from the intensity of the kiss. But the reality of the situation crashed back into her-this wasn't supposed to happen. This wasn't about them. Her mission was to bring down Jeon Jungkook, to uncover the secrets buried deep within this underworld. But here she was, lost in a kiss with Jaehyun, a man she barely understood.

"They're gone," Jaehyun whispered, his voice hoarse as he pulled back slightly. But he didn't release her. His hands still held her, his eyes searching her face, studying her reaction. There was a flicker of something dark in his gaze, something almost amused.

Jia swallowed hard trying to collect herself. She couldn't afford to lose focus, not now. She forced herself to speak, her voice shaky but determined. "You need to leave."

However, Jaehyun didn't move. Instead, his lips curled into a faint smirk, his gaze never leaving hers. "Leave?" he echoed, his tone laced with a challenge. "Why? So you can continue snooping around where you shouldn't be?"

Jia blinked, her heart stuttering. The way he said it, the knowing look in his eyes—it was like he knew everything. Panic surged in her chest, but she shoved it down, narrowing her eyes at him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, I think you do." His voice was low, dangerous, and he leaned in again, his breath brushing against her lips. "You think I didn't notice? You were watching too closely. Even committed to the extent of rendering a body guard, twice your size and weight unconscious."

Jia's blood ran cold. He was too calm, too in control. He had seen through her.

"Tell me, Jia," Jaehyun whispered, his tone soft but laced with danger. "What's your real intention here?"

Her stomach dropped. He hadn't called her Areum.

He had called her Jia.

Jia's breath came in short, uneven gasps as she stood pressed against the cold brick wall, Jaehyun's body mere inches from hers. The night air was heavy, and the adrenaline still rushed through her veins. She tried to compose herself, but her heart betrayed her, still pounding from the kiss that had left her shaken and vulnerable. But it wasn't just the kiss; it was everything about him—his calmness in the face of danger, the way he had led her into this alley without a hint of fear. Something about Jaehyun had always unnerved her, but now it was more than that.

Something isn't adding up.

His lips curved into a small, knowing smirk as he gazed down at her, dark eyes full of mischief and something deeper, something dangerous. "You're not as good at this as you think, Jia," he murmured softly, his voice laced with an unsettling calm.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of her real name. Not Areum. Jia. The way it rolled off his tongue, so intimate, so sure, sent chills down her spine. Her cover was blown, and she wasn't sure how much he knew or what he was planning.

"Why were you there?" he asked, his voice low and quiet, but the edge in it was unmistakable. He didn't move, still pinning her against the wall, his eyes watching her carefully. There was no playfulness now, only cold, focused intensity. He was waiting for an answer, and something told her he wouldn't let her go until he had one.

Jia swallowed hard, her mind racing. She needed to come up with something, anything, to get out of this situation. She couldn't tell him the truth—not the whole truth, at least. But lying to him, especially now that he had figured out her different intentions, felt like navigating a minefield.

"I... I wasn't snooping," she stammered, her voice sounding weaker than she wanted. "I just happened to be there at the wrong time."

He tilted his head, studying her as if he could see right through her lie. "Really?" he said softly, his tone mocking. "You expect me to believe that? You just happened to overhear a political assassination in a VIP room, and you were standing right outside?"

Jia bit the inside of her cheek, her mind scrambling for an escape. His grip on her waist was firm but not painful, yet the weight of his stare felt like a physical pressure. She could feel his breath on her skin, warm and dangerous, and it was making it difficult to think clearly.

"Let's try again," he said, his voice dropping lower, dangerously soft. He leaned in, his lips hovering near her ear. "Why were you really there, Jia?"

Her pulse quickened, her mind racing for an answer that would satisfy him without giving away too much. She needed to buy herself time, but he was too sharp, too calculating.

Jia turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze. "I was tracking someone," she said, her voice steadier now. "A cult. They've been growing in power, infiltrating political circles. That politician... he was one of them." It wasn't the whole truth, but not a lie either.

She could see his expression flicker for a brief moment, something unreadable crossing his features before he masked it again. His grip on her waist loosened, just slightly, but his gaze remained fixed on hers, sharp and calculating.

"A cult?" he repeated, his voice sceptical but curious.

Jia nodded, trying to keep her breathing steady. "The Han Church. They've been manipulating people in power, pulling strings behind the scenes— they hurt someone close to me. I've been following their activities for a while now. That politician wasn't just a target—he was involved. I was hoping to gather more intel, but things escalated faster than I expected."

She hoped the lie was convincing enough to hold him off, at least for now. She couldn't afford for him to dig too deeply, and prayed he'd buy it. Her real mission was to take down Jeon Jungkook, not some cult, but as she looked at Jaehyun, her gut twisted with the sense that he was playing a game of his own. The fact that he had called her Jia, not Areum, meant he knew more than he was letting on.

To her surprise, Jaehyun didn't immediately push back. Instead, his expression shifted, just slightly—something unreadable flickering behind his eyes.

Does he know something about the cult?

He stepped back, giving her some space, though his gaze never wavered from hers. He looked almost thoughtful, his jaw clenched, but there was a glint in his eyes that unsettled her.

"And you're out here... what? Trying to play the hero?" He let out a low chuckle, though there was no humour in it. "Taking on a cult all by yourself, Jia? I didn't realise you had such grand ambitions."

Jia squared her shoulders, forcing herself to stay calm. "I don't need your approval," she said, her voice firmer now. "I have my reasons for being here, just like you do."

"Is that so?" Jaehyun leaned closer again, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "And what makes you think this cult is something you can handle? You're in over your head. This is bigger than you."

She swallowed hard, her heart thudding in her chest. The way he spoke, the way his eyes darkened, made her think that he knew far more than he was letting on. Was he involved with them? Did he know what was really going on?

"Why do you care?" she asked, her voice quieter now. "You're not exactly a saint, Jaehyun. What difference does it make to you?"

His smirk returned, but it was darker this time, almost menacing. "Let's just say," he murmured, "I have a vested interest in that particular group. And if you're out to get them..." He paused, his gaze sharp and unwavering. "Then we may have more in common than you think."

Jia's stomach twisted. What did that mean? Was Jaehyun involved in this cult after all? Or was there something else he wasn't telling her?

Before she could ask, Jaehyun's hand cupped her chin, tilting her face up to meet his gaze fully. "But don't think for a second that I'm just going to let this go, Jia," he whispered, his voice soft but laced with warning. "Whatever game you're playing, you're not the only one with cards on the table."

His grip was firm but not forceful, and the way he looked at her, as if he was already ten steps ahead, sent a shiver down her spine. There was no doubt in her mind that Jaehyun was far more dangerous than she had ever realised.

But so was she.

"I don't need your help," she said quietly, her voice steady despite the knot in her chest.

Jaehyun's lips curved into a slow, dark smile, his thumb brushing lightly across her lower lip. "We'll see about that," he murmured. "But for now, Jia..." He leaned in, his breath warm against her skin once more. "I suggest you be very careful. The people you're dealing with won't hesitate to eliminate anyone who gets in their way. Even someone like you."

Jia's heart raced, but she kept her expression neutral. He was warning her—no, he was testing her. He knew more than he was saying, but she couldn't let him know how much that unnerved her.

Jaehyun's dark eyes were still locked on hers, filled with that same knowing gleam, as if he had all the answers, and she was the only one scrambling in the dark.

Her mind raced, the silence between them growing heavier. Something was off about him, something more than just the fact that he knew her real name. The way he had handled the entire situation—the murder, the escape—without flinching once, was too calm, too practiced.

He wasn't who he seemed to be.

Jia narrowed her eyes, pushing the adrenaline down enough to keep her voice steady. "You're awfully calm about all this," she said, her voice sharp, cutting through the silence. "Most people would be freaking out right now. You just watched a man get murdered."

Jaehyun's lips twitched into a faint smirk, but there was no hilarity behind it. "I'm not most people, Jia," he replied smoothly, as if that explained everything.

But it didn't. Not even close.

"You should be," she pressed, stepping forward, the distance between them shrinking as she forced herself to meet his gaze head-on. "Who reacts like this? You barely flinched when the shot went off— when a person died. Most people would've been running for their lives, but you...you stayed cool, as if you expected it."

His smirk faltered, and for a brief moment, she saw something shift in his eyes—something colder, darker, lurking beneath the surface. But just as quickly, it was gone, replaced by his usual mask of confidence.

"Maybe I'm just good at handling pressure," he said, his voice low and smooth, but there was an edge to it now, as if he was testing how far she would push.

"Or maybe you know more than you're letting on." Jia's voice didn't waver, her suspicions growing stronger with every second. She crossed her arms, watching him carefully. "You knew exactly what to do back there. You weren't surprised by any of it. That's not normal, Jaehyun. Not for someone who just stumbled into a murder scene."

His eyes flickered with something unreadable before he leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "And what about you, Jia? You seemed pretty composed yourself, for someone who claims to have been caught off guard. Maybe we're both hiding something."

She clenched her jaw, refusing to let him deflect the question. "I'm not the one who's acting like this is just another Friday night," she shot back. "So what is it? Why are you so calm about this?"

He held her gaze for a long moment, as if weighing his options, deciding how much to reveal. Then, his expression shifted slightly, something darker passing over his features.

"It's not the first time I've seen something like this. The higher the class, the more rotten the people get," he admitted, his voice quieter now, more serious. "And for as long as high society thrives, it won't be the last time any of us see something like this again."

Jia's heart skipped a beat, her instincts kicking into high gear. "What do you mean by that?"

Jaehyun sighed, his eyes momentarily flicking away before settling back on her. "Let's just say my interest in that cult is roots from my bad blood with Ryu Han's Church."

Jia's breath caught. Ryu Han. Jaehyun knew who Ryu Han was, the leader of the mysterious pig cult. She hadn't expected him to, but the way Jaehyun spoke about them sent a chill down her spine. Jungkook surely now had a vendetta against Ryu Han for his factory, and so does Jaehyun.

Stop bringing personal feelings into this! What if— just what if he's a normal civilian who simply knows a little too much?

"And you're just casually admitting you have a personal vendetta against them?" she asked, dubiousness lacing her words. "Why?"

His expression darkened, the playful gleam in his eyes disappearing entirely. "They've hurt people I care about," he said, his voice quieter, almost too soft. "People who didn't deserve it. So yeah, I have a vendetta, but it's more than that. This cult... they're not just some fringe group. They're powerful, connected. They've got their claws in deep."

Jia's stomach twisted, but her instincts told her something was off. He was too calm, too composed. It felt rehearsed, like a cover story he'd crafted specifically for this moment. But before she could press further, he stepped closer, his hand brushing against her arm, his gaze softening slightly.

"We might not be on the same side, Jia," he murmured, his voice low and intimate, "but we're both after the same thing, aren't we? If you're targeting the Han Church too, then maybe we can help each other."

Her pulse quickened at his words, her mind racing to catch up. She had lied about the cult—she was here for Jungkook, not the Han Church—but now Jaehyun was offering an opening. Whether or not he was telling the truth, this was an opportunity. If he was involved in something bigger, she could use it to her advantage.

She had to tread carefully.

Jia raised an eyebrow, feigning increduillity. "And what exactly do you think we could accomplish together?"

His lips curled into that same enigmatic smile, but this time, it felt like a challenge. "You want to bring them down, don't you?" he asked. "The Han Church is too powerful for one person to take on alone. But together..." His gaze locked onto hers, full of intent. "We might just stand a chance."

Jia studied him for a moment, her mind whirling. Jaehyun was dangerous, that much was clear, but he was also smart, his record clear—and maybe, just maybe, he was right. If this cult really was as powerful as he claimed, she couldn't take them down on her own. Hell— she wasn't allowed to! The NIS had direct orders to leave them alone.

That doesn't mean I agree with them.

What if I can kill two birds with one stone?

Jaehyun can help me dig deeper into Ryu Han's cult and find his weaknesses first. Let Jeon Jungkook be the one to destroy him, and then arrest him after.

But the question was, could she trust him?

No. Not fully. Not yet. But maybe she didn't have to. She could use him—at least for now.

"Fine," she said slowly, her voice careful. "But don't think for a second that I'm trusting you blindly, Jaehyun. If we're going to work together, I need more than vague promises. I need information. Proof."

His smile widened, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Of course," he said smoothly. "I wouldn't expect anything less."

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, sleek phone. "I'll send you what I've got on them," he said, his tone casual. "You'll see for yourself. This isn't just some small-time operation, Jia. They're everywhere, pulling strings in places you wouldn't expect."

Jia took the phone, her fingers brushing against his for a brief moment. The contact sent a jolt through her, a reminder of just how close she was standing to him, of the dangerous game she was playing.

"Good," she said, her voice steady. "Because if you're lying to me..."

His smirk returned, lazy and confident. "I wouldn't dream of it."

But even as he spoke, Jia knew better. He was lying about something—she just didn't know what yet. And as much as she hated to admit it, she was going to have to play along until she figured it out.

She had no choice.

Jia kept her gaze steady, trying to suppress the uneasy feeling crawling up her spine. She was wading into dangerous waters with Jaehyun, and she knew it, but if he could give her the information she needed, it might be worth the risk—for now.

She pocketed the phone, her expression neutral, but as she turned to leave, something made her pause. She glanced back at Jaehyun, her lips twitching with a hint of a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Oh, and one more thing," she said, her voice cool and controlled. "It's Areum. Areum Ko."

Jaehyun's smirk deepened, amusement dancing in his eyes as if he enjoyed the game she was playing. "Of course," he replied smoothly, his voice laced with that same unsettling confidence. "Areum Ko. I'll be sure to remember that."

She gave him one last look, her pulse racing beneath the surface of her calm exterior. Then, without another word, Jia turned and walked away, each step taking her further from him, but deeper into the labyrinth of lies they were both spinning.

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Part of me thinks the kiss scene was just a little unnecessary but another part is like fuck that— all that tension building up for what. If he wants to kiss her, he'll do it. It's JK ffs 🙄🙄

AND FINALLY!!! WE'RE GETTING SOMEWHERE WITH THE PLOT!!!

Are you guys excited so see what happens next?

OH AND

WHEN THIS BOOK HITS 10K, I'll start updating the next one in line. So, if you haven't already, go back to chapter 7 and comment your favourite emoji of the four!!!

Vote Goal: 23 🍒

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