As Jay left the bathroom, his mind was still reeling from the encounter with Jungwon. He felt a deep sense of unease and guilt, but he had to pull himself together. The last thing he wanted was to show up to Sunghoon looking disheveled and distracted.

Jay made his way through the crowded club, the pulsating music and flashing lights barely registering as he focused on finding Sunghoon. It took a few minutes, but he finally spotted him near the bar, looking around with a mixture of impatience and concern.

Sunghoon's face brightened when he saw Jay approach. "There you are! I was starting to think you'd gotten lost or something." He clapped Jay on the back, clearly in a good mood.

Jay forced a smile, though his mind was still haunted by what had just happened. "Yeah, sorry about that. I got caught up with something."

Sunghoon eyed Jay with a hint of curiosity but chose not to press further. "Well, I'm glad you're back. Did you have a good time? You seemed a bit distracted."

Jay nodded, trying to sound casual despite the turmoil inside him. "Yeah, it was fine. Just had a lot on my mind."

Sunghoon didn't seem entirely convinced but let it go. "Anyway, how about we head out? I could use some fresh air. Plus, I don't think I can handle much more of this crowd."

Jay agreed, and the two of them made their way out of the club. The cool night air hit Jay as they stepped outside, offering a small reprieve from the stifling heat of the club.

As they walked down the street, Sunghoon turned to Jay, a grin on his face. "You know, I'm really glad you came out tonight. I've been meaning to get to know you better, and this was a great chance."

Jay nodded, appreciating the effort Sunghoon was making to be friendly. "Yeah, me too. It's been a good change of pace."

Sunghoon clapped Jay on the back again, this time with a more genuine gesture. "Hey, if you ever need someone to talk to or just hang out with, I'm here. I know things have been rough for you lately."

Jay's heart warmed at Sunghoon's offer. "Thanks, Sunghoon. I really appreciate that."

As they continued walking, Jay tried to push the events of the night to the back of his mind. He focused on enjoying the company of his new friend and letting the fresh air clear his thoughts. The night had been a whirlwind, but he hoped that, with time, he could make sense of everything and find a way to move forward.

As Jay and Sunghoon walked through the quiet streets, the silence between them was comfortable. Jay appreciated the break from the noise of the club, though his mind still lingered on the events of the night. He wasn't sure how he felt about what had happened with Jungwon, but he pushed it aside for now, focusing on the present.

As they neared a small, dimly lit park, Sunghoon suddenly stopped and looked around. "Hey, you want to sit for a bit? I feel like talking," he said, nodding toward a bench under a large oak tree.

Jay hesitated but then agreed, curious about what Sunghoon had on his mind. They sat down, the cool breeze rustling the leaves above them, and Sunghoon leaned back, staring up at the sky.

"You know," Sunghoon began, his tone more serious now, "being an Alpha isn't all it's cracked up to be, is it?"

Jay was surprised by the question, but he nodded, understanding what Sunghoon meant. "Yeah, it can be... overwhelming."

Sunghoon glanced at him, a faint smile on his lips. "Especially when everyone expects you to have it all together, right? Like you're supposed to be this strong, invincible person, but sometimes... it's just exhausting."

Jay felt a pang of recognition in Sunghoon's words. It was exactly how he'd been feeling—how he'd felt for a long time. "Yeah, exactly," he agreed, his voice quiet. "It's like you can't afford to mess up, even though everyone else does."

Sunghoon nodded, and there was a moment of silence as they both seemed lost in their thoughts. Then, out of nowhere, Sunghoon asked, "Have you ever thought about leaving it all behind?"

Jay blinked, caught off guard. "What do you mean?"

"Just... disappearing. Going somewhere new where no one knows who you are or what they expect you to be. Starting over," Sunghoon explained, his eyes still fixed on the stars.

The idea was tempting, Jay realized. He had never seriously considered it, but now, with everything that had happened recently, the thought of escaping, of being free from all the pressure, seemed almost appealing.

"I've thought about it," Jay admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don't think it's that easy."

"Nothing worth doing ever is," Sunghoon replied with a shrug. "But sometimes, it's the only way to find out who you really are. Away from all the noise, all the expectations."

Jay looked at Sunghoon, trying to gauge how serious he was. There was something in his friend's eyes that hinted at a deeper restlessness, a dissatisfaction with the life he was leading. Jay wondered if Sunghoon had already made up his mind to leave, to disappear and start over.

Before Jay could respond, Sunghoon sighed and stood up, stretching his arms. "Anyway, enough of my rambling. I just needed to get that off my chest."

Jay stood up as well, feeling a strange mixture of relief and uncertainty. "I'm glad you did," he said, meaning it. "It's good to know I'm not the only one who feels that way."

Sunghoon smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, you're not alone in this, Jay."

They started walking again, the conversation taking a lighter turn as they talked about mundane things—work, hobbies, and random memories. But the idea of leaving, of starting over, lingered in Jay's mind, like a seed that had been planted, waiting to grow.

As they approached the street where they would part ways, Sunghoon turned to Jay one last time. "You know, if you ever decide to take that leap, I might just join you. Who knows, maybe we'll find something better out there."

Jay smiled faintly, the idea both terrifying and exhilarating. "Maybe," he replied, though he wasn't sure if he was ready to take that step. Not yet.

They said their goodbyes, and as Jay walked back to his place, his mind was spinning with thoughts of what Sunghoon had said. The life he was living felt increasingly suffocating, and the thought of finding something new, something that was truly his own, was more tempting than ever.

But for now, all Jay could do was return to his small house on the hill and try to make sense of the night's events, both the ones that had happened and the ones that had only been hinted at.

Jay lay on his bed, the cool sheets offering little comfort as his mind replayed the night's events. For a brief moment, he smiled to himself, the memory of finally having an Omega—finally feeling like a true Alpha—filling him with a sense of pride and accomplishment that had been missing for so long.

But as quickly as the smile appeared, it vanished. His eyes shot open, and a cold wave of panic washed over him. Jungwon had been in heat.

"Oh no," Jay whispered to himself, sitting up abruptly. His heart raced as he realized the gravity of the situation. Omegas in heat were highly fertile, and there was a real possibility that Jungwon could get pregnant. The thought of it sent Jay into a spiral of fear and regret.

"What have I done?" he muttered, running a hand through his hair in frustration. He hadn't been thinking straight—his instincts had taken over, and now, the consequences could be life-changing.

He started pacing the room, his thoughts a chaotic jumble. He hadn't even known Jungwon before tonight, and now he could be tied to him in a way that neither of them had anticipated. What if Jungwon didn't want this? What if Jay wasn't ready to handle it?

Jay's mind raced through all the possibilities, each one more daunting than the last. He knew he needed to talk to Jungwon, to find out how he was feeling and if he was okay. But the thought of facing him after what had happened, especially after the way he'd let his Alpha instincts take over, made Jay's stomach churn with anxiety.

Finally, he collapsed back onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling as his mind continued to spin. How had everything gone so wrong so quickly? All he wanted was to feel like a real Alpha, but now it seemed like that desire might have led him into a situation he wasn't prepared for.

As the hours ticked by, Jay found it impossible to sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, the same thoughts and fears rushed back, keeping him wide awake and filled with dread. He could only hope that when morning came, he'd have a clearer idea of what to do, and that somehow, everything would turn out okay. But for now, all he could do was lie there, haunted by the night's events and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

Jay hadn't realized how exhausted he was until he finally drifted off to sleep in the early hours of the morning. When he awoke, the sunlight was already pouring through the window, far too bright and high in the sky. He blinked at the clock on his nightstand, his heart leaping into his throat when he saw the time.

"Shit!" he cursed, throwing off the covers and stumbling out of bed. He was late—very late. He had promised Heeseung he'd be at the house early to look after Liam, and now, he had overslept. The events of the previous night came rushing back, and for a moment, Jay stood frozen, caught between the lingering panic of his encounter with Jungwon and the urgent need to get to work.

With no time to waste, Jay threw on the first clothes he could find and bolted out the door. The morning air was crisp as he sped down the hill toward Heeseung's house, his mind racing with a mix of anxiety and guilt. The last thing he needed was to make a bad impression on Heeseung again, especially after the awkwardness that had lingered between them since their last encounter.

When Jay finally arrived at the mansion, he was out of breath and disheveled. He could only hope that his late arrival wouldn't cause too much trouble. As he approached the front door, it swung open before he could even knock, revealing one of Heeseung's bodyguards, who looked at him with an unreadable expression.

"He's been waiting for you," the guard said curtly, stepping aside to let Jay in.

Jay swallowed hard, nodding as he stepped into the house. His nerves were already on edge, and the guard's tone didn't help. He hurried through the familiar corridors, his footsteps echoing in the silence, until he reached the living room where Liam was sitting on the couch, staring blankly at the TV. Jay's heart softened at the sight of the boy, his earlier fears momentarily pushed aside.

"Hey, Liam," Jay greeted, trying to sound as normal as possible despite his anxiety. "Sorry I'm late."

Liam barely glanced at him, his attention still focused on the screen. Jay frowned, noticing the dark circles under the boy's eyes. He looked tired, almost as if he hadn't slept well either.

"Where's your dad?" Jay asked, hoping to get a handle on the situation.

"Upstairs," Liam replied flatly, finally tearing his gaze away from the TV. "He said he had work to do and not to disturb him."

Jay nodded, unsure of how to proceed. He knew he needed to keep Liam occupied and out of trouble, but the unease that had settled in his stomach since waking up refused to go away. There was something off about the whole situation, something he couldn't quite put his finger on.

Before he could dwell on it further, a door creaked open, and Jay looked up to see Heeseung descending the stairs. He was dressed sharply as usual, his expression as cold and unreadable as ever. Jay tensed, expecting some kind of reprimand for being late, but instead, Heeseung simply walked over to Liam, ruffling the boy's hair with a detached kind of affection.

"Liam," Heeseung said in a low voice, "I'll be busy for most of the day, so I expect you to behave while Jay is here."

"Yes, sir," Liam murmured, his tone obedient but lacking any real enthusiasm.

Heeseung's gaze flicked to Jay, and for a moment, their eyes met. Jay felt a shiver run down his spine, the memory of last night still fresh in his mind. Heeseung's presence was as imposing as ever, and Jay struggled to maintain his composure under the weight of his stare.

"Make sure you take good care of him," Heeseung said, his voice carrying an edge that made it clear he wasn't just talking about babysitting. "I don't want any trouble."

Jay nodded stiffly, unsure of what else to say. Heeseung held his gaze for a moment longer before turning away, his attention already back on whatever work was occupying his mind. Jay watched him go, feeling a mix of relief and unease. He couldn't shake the feeling that Heeseung knew more than he was letting on, that there was something deeper at play that Jay wasn't privy to.

As Heeseung disappeared from sight, Jay turned his attention back to Liam, determined to make the best of the day despite his lingering doubts.

"Hey, how about we go out somewhere today?" Jay suggested, hoping to lift Liam's spirits. "Maybe the park again, or anywhere else you'd like to go?"

Liam looked up at him, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Can we go to the arcade?"

Jay smiled, relieved to see a spark of interest from the boy. "Sure, the arcade it is. Let's get ready and head out."

As they prepared to leave, Jay couldn't help but wonder what the day would bring. With Heeseung's cryptic behavior and the strange tension that seemed to hang in the air, he knew that nothing about this situation was simple. But for now, all he could do was focus on keeping Liam safe and trying to navigate the complicated dynamics that had taken root in Heeseung's house.

The day had started off well enough as Jay and Liam headed to the arcade. Jay was relieved to see Liam's mood improve as they played various games, the boy's laughter finally breaking through the tension that had been lingering between them. For a while, it was easy to forget the complexities surrounding their lives, and Jay almost felt like he was spending time with a normal kid.

But as the afternoon wore on, Jay began to notice something strange. Liam was interacting with the other kids at the arcade, but there was a subtle, unsettling difference in the way they responded to him. At first, it was nothing overt—just a few lingering stares, a couple of kids stepping back when Liam approached—but as they moved from game to game, the atmosphere shifted.

Jay was at one of the claw machines, trying to win a stuffed animal for Liam, when he heard raised voices from across the arcade. He turned just in time to see Liam standing in the middle of a group of older boys, his small frame tense as they surrounded him. The boys were laughing, but there was a sharpness to their tone that set off alarms in Jay's head.

"Hey, what's going on?" Jay called out, abandoning the claw machine and striding over to where Liam was standing.

The boys glanced at Jay, their expressions shifting from amusement to disdain as they sized him up. "Nothing, man," one of them said, sneering. "Just having some fun with the kid."

Jay narrowed his eyes, stepping closer to Liam. "Doesn't look like fun to me. Why don't you leave him alone?"

The boy who had spoken—tall, with a cocky grin—scoffed and folded his arms. "We're just messing around. Besides, he's the one who started acting all weird. Thought he was gonna bite me or something."

Jay's heart skipped a beat, and he looked down at Liam, who was staring back at the boys with a strange, almost predatory intensity. There was something unsettling in the boy's gaze, something that didn't quite fit the image of a scared, vulnerable child.

"Liam, let's go," Jay said, his voice firmer now. He placed a hand on Liam's shoulder, trying to steer him away from the group.

But Liam didn't move. His eyes were locked on the boy who had spoken, his expression unreadable. For a moment, Jay wasn't sure if Liam was going to lash out or if he was simply frozen in place. The tension between them was thick, and Jay felt a pang of anxiety in his chest.

Before things could escalate further, one of the arcade staff members approached, noticing the commotion. "Is there a problem here?" the employee asked, looking between Jay and the group of boys.

"No problem," Jay replied quickly, trying to diffuse the situation. "We were just leaving."

The staff member nodded, but his gaze lingered on Liam for a moment, as if he, too, sensed something off about the boy. Jay didn't wait for any more questions—he gently tugged on Liam's arm, leading him away from the arcade and out into the fresh air.

Once they were outside, Jay knelt down in front of Liam, searching the boy's face for any sign of what had just happened. "Are you okay?" he asked, trying to keep his voice calm.

Liam blinked, the intense look fading from his eyes as he seemed to come back to himself. "I'm fine," he said softly, but there was a tremor in his voice that Jay couldn't ignore.

"What happened back there?" Jay pressed, worried about the sudden change in Liam's demeanor.

Liam shrugged, looking away. "They were just being mean," he muttered. "I didn't like it."

Jay frowned, but he didn't push further. There was something about the whole situation that didn't sit right with him, but he didn't want to scare Liam by prying too much. Instead, he sighed and ruffled Liam's hair gently. "Let's get you home, okay?"

Liam nodded, and Jay took his hand, leading him away from the arcade and back toward the house. The entire walk back, Jay couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that had settled in his chest. Liam was just a kid—so why did it feel like there was something much more dangerous lurking beneath the surface?

By the time they reached the mansion, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the lawn. Jay was relieved to see Heeseung's car in the driveway, a sign that they wouldn't be alone for much longer. But as they stepped inside, Jay couldn't shake the sense that something was changing—something that had started at the arcade and was now following them home.

The house was filled with an unusual tension. Jay couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off, especially with Liam's strange behavior that lingered after their trip.

Later that evening, as Jay settled Liam in his room, the boy seemed distant, his usual energy dampened. Jay sat beside him, trying to engage him in conversation, but Liam only offered short, vague answers.

"Liam, are you okay?" Jay asked softly, brushing a hand through Liam's hair.

"You know Jay. . ." Liam said coldly "Being around an Omega one night then coming back to take care of me is bit uneasy"

Jay's eyes widened as he asked "W..what do you mean by that? What Omega?"

Liam did not tell anything "Whose scent are strawberries ? I have sensed them since the moment you were late " he looked at Jay coldly.

There was nothing more to say, Jay was awfully shocked at Liam's behaviour. How did he even know about Jay being with an omega ? And the omega 's scent ? How did he feel it? He was alpha and he knew alphas cannot sense it meanwhile he wasn't sure If omegas can. But as far as he knew omegas don't have that opportunity as well. And Liam was the only one to notice. Sunghoon might have scented as well. But Sunghoon did not tell him anything or never teased after he left the bathroom. Jay was sure there was no coming back as he was planning to understand Liam.

"Liam...how do I smell ?" He asked this. He knew Liam wouldn't be able to guess right because no one knows Alphas scent unless they are being in a strong gut. And only omegas can smell the smell of Alpha being in a gut.

Liam looked at him and sniffed once again "Chocolate?"

Jay's breath stopped for a moment. His mind was racing in panic. That is impossible. No one can sense Alphas smell. But the kid guessed it right. He really hoped so it was just a strong coincidence but when he looked at Liam's face which was full of sure he asked.

"Are you...okay?"

And Jay. He hadn't have a gut for ages. Gut is common thing happening to alphas but only when they are being in charge.

Liam looked up at him, his eyes wide and almost haunted. "I'm fine," he muttered, but there was a hint of something deeper in his voice, something Jay couldn't quite place.

Before Jay could press further, Heeseung walked in, his presence instantly cooling the room. His eyes flickered to Liam, then back to Jay, but he said nothing about their conversation.

"Liam, go to bed. We need to talk," Heeseung said, his tone firm but not unkind. Liam hesitated, glancing at Jay as if seeking reassurance. Jay nodded, offering him a small smile.

"Goodnight, Liam," Jay said, watching as the boy reluctantly slipped under the covers.

________________

After settling Liam into bed, Jay made his way back to his own house on the small hill. His mind was a whirlwind of confusion and unease. He had been feeling unsettled ever since the disturbing encounter at the arcade and Liam's unusual behavior. Determined to understand what was happening, Jay decided to investigate further.

He reached his modest home and immediately went to his small study, where his computer was set up. The room was cluttered with papers and books, reflecting Jay's chaotic thoughts. He sat down and turned on the computer, the screen flickering to life with a dull glow in the dimly lit room.

"Okay, let's figure this out," Jay muttered to himself, his voice barely a whisper as he began typing into the search engine.

First, he looked up general traits of Alphas and Omegas, trying to cross-reference them with what he had observed in Liam. He was familiar with the common behaviors—Alphas were dominant, protective, and assertive, while Omegas were more submissive, nurturing, and often had heightened sensitivity. But Liam didn't fit neatly into either category. Jay's search didn't yield much that matched Liam's unusual characteristics.

Frowning, Jay broadened his search. He typed in "rare traits in supernatural children," hoping to find something that might explain Liam's behavior. The results were a mix of folklore, myths, and speculative fiction. Frustrated, Jay added "unusual abilities in children" to his search terms. He sifted through various articles, some discussing fictional abilities like telepathy or elemental control, but nothing concrete.

He began to feel a mounting sense of dread. His searches were starting to yield more alarming results. He stumbled upon a forum discussing rare and mysterious conditions in children. A thread titled "Enigma Traits: What to Watch For" caught his eye. Jay clicked on it, his heart racing as he read through the posts. The forum discussed rare, almost mythical traits in children who didn't fit into the known categories of Alphas or Omegas. Some posts mentioned heightened senses, unusual intelligence, and a cold, detached demeanor.

"Enigma?" Jay muttered to himself. "What does that even mean?"

He clicked through more links, finding increasingly disturbing descriptions. Enigmas were said to possess a mix of traits that could be dangerous, such as the ability to manipulate emotions or influence others without their awareness. They were often described as having a cold, calculating demeanor and an unsettling aura. One post even mentioned that they could have an uncanny ability to detect and react to scents, which explained why Liam had known Jay had been around an Omega.

Jay's hands trembled as he continued reading. "This can't be real," he whispered, though deep down, he felt a chilling certainty that what he was reading might be connected to what he had seen. The descriptions were so eerily similar to Liam's behavior that it made Jay's blood run cold.

He skimmed through a description of how Enigmas could be exceptionally sensitive to smells, often picking up on subtle changes or traces that others couldn't detect. The post mentioned a heightened olfactory sense that allowed them to distinguish scents with disturbing accuracy. It struck Jay as particularly relevant, given Liam's reaction to the lingering scent of strawberries.

Jay began to panic. "This can't be right. Enigmas are supposed to be just myths," he said to himself, his voice trembling with fear. He paced around the room, trying to make sense of the information. "If Liam is really an Enigma, what does that mean for me? For everyone?"

He stumbled across a few more forum posts discussing the dangers of encountering an Enigma. They spoke of how such individuals could be incredibly manipulative and unpredictable, and how their true nature could remain hidden behind a facade of normalcy until it was too late. Jay's stomach churned at the thought of what he might be dealing with.

Desperate, he tried to piece together what he knew about Heeseung and Liam. He recalled Heeseung's cold demeanor and his detached way of handling Liam, which seemed to fit the profile of an Enigma. Heeseung had never directly revealed his true nature, and Jay had initially assumed Heeseung was just a particularly imposing Alpha.

Sitting back down at the computer, Jay's hands flew over the keyboard as he searched for more information on Enigmas. His eyes were glued to the screen, scrolling through increasingly alarming articles and posts. He felt like he was unraveling a dark secret that was far beyond his understanding.

"What am I supposed to do now?" Jay asked himself, feeling overwhelmed. "How do I protect Liam? How do I even protect myself?"

The room felt colder as Jay continued his frantic search, the weight of his newfound knowledge pressing heavily on him. He felt a gnawing fear that something dangerous was looming just out of sight. He couldn't shake the feeling that Heeseung's cold and aloof nature was just a cover for something much more sinister.

Eventually, Jay's exhaustion began to catch up with him. He shut down the computer, the room's silence amplifying his troubled thoughts. He sat in the darkness, grappling with the unsettling reality that Liam—and possibly even Heeseung—was something far more dangerous than he had ever imagined. The fear that enveloped him was palpable, and Jay knew that he needed to be careful. Whatever was happening, it was more complicated and more dangerous than he could have ever anticipated.

_______________

The morning sun's light illuminated Jay's gloomy room quickly. As Jay's room was constructed right on the hill the whole room absorbed the day light — due to which he hadn't had to pay the electricity bill. At the night he just used the candles as substitutes.

If someone had seen him in this situation they would think Jay is actually crazy. How could someone having at least 5000 dollars salary live under this conditions ? But Jay did not complain about his house. He liked the atmosphere as he spent here the most of his childhood. He just didn't like to be alone in this life.

The weight of what Jay had discovered still pressed heavily on his mind. The sunlight barely filtered through the curtains, casting long, eerie shadows in his small, hillside home. As he sipped his coffee, his thoughts kept circling back to Liam's strange behavior and the disturbing information he had uncovered about Enigmas.

Jay couldn't shake the feeling of dread that had settled in his gut. He knew he needed answers, and there was only one person who might have them: Sunghoon. Sunghoon had always been the type to dabble in obscure knowledge, and if anyone could shed light on the mysterious traits Jay had read about, it would be him.

With a determined breath, Jay grabbed his phone and texted Sunghoon, asking to meet. The response came quickly, as if Sunghoon had been expecting it.

Sure. Usual spot in an hour?

Jay agreed, downed the last of his coffee, and headed out. The walk down the hill felt longer than usual, his mind racing with questions and fears. What if Liam was more dangerous than he realized? What if Heeseung was hiding something far darker?

When Jay arrived at the small café where they usually met, Sunghoon was already there, seated at their usual table by the window. His sharp eyes glanced up from his phone as Jay approached, immediately sensing something was off.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Sunghoon said with a half-smile, but his tone was serious.

Jay sat down, barely acknowledging the comment. "Sunghoon, I need to ask you something... weird."

Sunghoon raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Weird how?"

Jay hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to start. "Have you ever heard of... Enigmas?"

The smile faded from Sunghoon's face, replaced by a look of surprise and concern. He leaned forward, lowering his voice. "Where did you hear that term?"

Jay swallowed, suddenly feeling exposed. "Just... something I came across. What do you know about them?"

Sunghoon studied him for a moment, as if weighing how much to say. Finally, he spoke. "Enigmas are... incredibly rare. Most people think they're just myths or legends, but there are whispers about them in certain circles. They're not like Alphas or Omegas. They're something else entirely—stronger, more dangerous."

Jay's heart pounded in his chest. "Dangerous how?"

"Well," Sunghoon continued cautiously, "they have traits that are hard to pin down. They can dominate both Alphas and Omegas, but it's more than that. Their abilities can mess with people's minds, influence them in ways that aren't fully understood. And their scent... it's overwhelming. Some say it can drive people mad or compel them to do things they wouldn't normally do."

Jay felt a chill run down his spine. Liam's strange behavior, the way he'd sensed the scent of the Omega Jay had been with—it all started to make a horrifying kind of sense. "So... if someone were an Enigma, what would they be like?"

Sunghoon looked at Jay intently. "They'd be cold, detached, hard to read. They'd have a presence that makes you feel like you're always walking on eggshells around them. And if you're not careful... you could find yourself caught up in something you can't escape."

Jay's stomach twisted. Heeseung. It all pointed back to Heeseung. But why hadn't he said anything? Why keep such a dangerous secret hidden?

"Jay," Sunghoon's voice broke through his thoughts, "why are you asking about this? What's going on?"

Jay shook his head, trying to keep his voice steady. "It's nothing. Just... something I heard and wanted to know more about."

Sunghoon didn't look convinced, but he didn't press further. "Be careful, Jay. If you're getting mixed up in anything involving Enigmas... you need to watch your back. They don't play by the rules, and if you're not careful, you could get in way over your head."

Jay nodded, his mind already racing with what he'd do next. He needed to confront Heeseung, to find out the truth. But more than that, he needed to protect himself—and Liam—from whatever darkness was lurking in Heeseung's world.

As Jay left the café, the sun had risen fully, but the warmth did little to comfort him. The knowledge he had gained only deepened his sense of unease, and he knew that the days ahead would bring more challenges than he could have ever anticipated.