Chased and killed. . .

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Jake woke up feeling even worse than the day before. His head was pounding, and his body ached all over. He knew he should stay home, but the persistent beeping of his phone pulled him out of his misery.

Jungwon: Hey, I need your help at the studio. Please come.

Jake sighed. He really wasn't in any shape to go anywhere, but Jungwon's desperation came through in the messages. Begrudgingly, Jake threw off his blankets and started to get ready.

Wrapped in a thick scarf and bundled in layers, Jake headed out. His first stop was the cafe to grab some much-needed coffee for both him and Jungwon. As he waited for his order, his phone buzzed again.

Jungwon: Hurry up! We're running out of time.

Distracted by the urgency, Jake turned around quickly and collided with someone tall. The impact sent a jolt through his aching body, and he looked up, ready to apologize.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to—" Jake started, but the words died on his lips as he recognized the man in front of him. "Heeseung?"

Heeseung stood there, looking serious yet polite. "Jake? It's been a while."

Jake's heart leaped with happiness. "Yeah, it has! I didn't expect to see you here."

Heeseung offered a tight smile. "It's good to see you too. What are you doing out in this weather? You look terrible."

Jake chuckled weakly. "Yeah, I caught something. I'm just grabbing some coffee before heading to help my friend at the studio. SO ! TELL ME! Where are you ? What were you doing ? How is everything ?"

Heeseung smirked " Up to a lot of things Jakey"

Jake laughed "I nearly forgot that you were the first one who called me like that"

Heeseung nodded smiling. Jake continued " So what are you doing now ?"

"I handle major projects now—decisions on what to build and what to destroy. It's a big responsibility." Heeseung answered briefly as he was trying to avoid the question.

Jake was impressed and pleased. "That's amazing, Heeseung. I'm really happy for you."

Heeseung's expression softened a bit. "Thanks, Jake. It's been a lot of work, but it's rewarding. How about you? What have you been up to?"

Jake hesitated for a moment. "Just trying to get by, you know? University, part-time jobs. It's not as glamorous as your life, but it's something."

Heeseung nodded, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes. "I remember those days. It was tough, but you always managed to keep a positive attitude."

Jake smiled, feeling a warmth spread through him. "Yeah, I guess I did. You were always the one pushing me to stay positive."

Their conversation was interrupted by someone approaching Heeseung. Jake turned to see a familiar face—the second bartender from the club, the one who had been at club when Jake and Jungwon were searching for his phone.

"Hi," Jake said, extending his hand. "I'm Jake. We met briefly at the club."

Sunoo shook his hand with a polite smile. "Sunoo. Nice to meet you, Jake."

Jake noted Sunoo's feminine features and bright demeanor. Despite his outward cheerfulness, Sunoo's eyes held a guarded look, as if he knew more than he let on.

Heeseung glanced at his watch. "We need to go, Sunoo. It was nice seeing you, Jake."

"Yeah, same here," Jake replied, a bit flustered. "Take care."

As Heeseung and Sunoo left, Jake felt a strange mix of emotions. He was happy to have seen Heeseung, yet something about Sunoo's demeanor bothered him. Pushing those thoughts aside, he focused on the task at hand.

Jungwon: Where are you? Hurry!

Jake grabbed the coffees and rushed out of the cafe, making his way to the studio as quickly as his sick body would allow. He couldn't shake the feeling that something significant had just happened, but he had no time to dwell on it now. Jungwon needed him, and that was his priority.

Entering the studio, Jake was greeted by an exasperated Jungwon. "Finally! I thought you'd never get here."

"Sorry," Jake panted, handing over the coffee. "Ran into someone I knew."

Jungwon raised an eyebrow but didn't press the issue but looked down ." OH YOU BROUGHT A COFEE" 

Jake laughed and handed him the coffee and and donuts that were bonus for the coffee. "Okay you are forgiven, now let's head to the restroom I need to tell you something.."

As they headed to the restroom, Jake's mind kept wandering back to the cafe encounter. The familiar faces, the tension, and the cryptic nature of their meeting all swirled in his mind. He couldn't help but feel that this was just the beginning of something much bigger.

Jungwon was pacing back and forth, his frustration evident. Jake, leaning against the sink, watched him with a concerned expression.

"What's bothering you, Jungwon?" Jake asked, breaking the tense silence.

Jungwon stopped and sighed deeply. "I have two tasks to do. My dad arranged for double work as a punishment."

Jake raised an eyebrow. "What kind of tasks?"

"I have to be the main character in a film and pick a partner. And I also have to sing a collab with the same person to make me even more popular," Jungwon explained, his voice tinged with annoyance.

Jake nodded slowly. "Okay, but what's the problem?"

"The problem is that the partner needs to be Jay," Jungwon said, his tone dropping. "The whole world doesn't know that Jay is my stepbrother. It's going to be really awkward playing some kind of role with him."

Jake's eyes widened. "That's... complicated."

Jungwon nodded, then grabbed Jake's hands, his eyes pleading. "Jake, will you play the role with me? Please?"

Jake shook his head firmly. "No way, Jungwon. I love the fame, but I don't want to be an actor."

Jungwon's shoulders slumped, but he didn't give up. "Come on, Jake. It'll be fun. We can manage it together."

Jake's expression softened but remained resolute. "I'm sorry, Jungwon. My answer is final."

Jungwon sighed in defeat. "Alright, fine."

They left the restroom and headed to the studio, where the director was waiting impatiently.

"Who did you choose as your partner, Jungwon?" the director asked, looking expectantly at him.

Jungwon hesitated, his mind racing. "I... I..."

Suddenly, Riki, Jungwon's bodyguard, entered the studio, calling for him. "Jungwona! You left your jacket in the car so I-"

"Riki!" Jungwon blurted out and grabbed his hand. "I choose Riki!"

The entire studio fell silent. Jake, Jay, the director, and everyone else stared at Jungwon in shock. Riki looked equally baffled.

"What?" Riki said, his eyes wide with confusion.

Jay's face showed a mix of surprise and nervousness, his eyes darting between Jungwon and Riki. He sensed the tension in Jungwon's decision and felt uneasy about what this could mean.

The director, trying to process the sudden change, asked, "Are you sure about this, Jungwon?"

Jungwon nodded, though his own expression was uncertain. "Yes, I'm sure."

Jake glanced at Jungwon, then at Riki, wondering how this unexpected choice would play out. He could see the unease in Jungwon's eyes and hoped his friend knew what he was doing.

The night was engulfed in a heavy rainstorm, a relentless downpour that drenched everything in its path. The rain fell in sheets, creating a cacophony of sound as it battered against rooftops, windows, and the ground. The sky was a deep, inky black, periodically illuminated by flashes of lightning that cast eerie, fleeting shadows. Thunder rumbled ominously in the distance, growing louder with each passing moment, as if announcing the arrival of something foreboding.

Heeseung's office was a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Located on the top floor of a luxurious high-rise, the office exuded an air of power and sophistication. The room was spacious, with high ceilings and large, floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a panoramic view of the stormy cityscape. Heavy, dark curtains framed the windows, partially drawn to shield against the storm's fury, yet allowing glimpses of the lightning that occasionally lit up the night.

The centerpiece of the office was a grand oak desk, polished to a shine and meticulously organized. On it sat a sleek, modern desk lamp that cast a warm, focused light, creating a small oasis of brightness amidst the room's darker corners. Papers and documents were neatly stacked, and a high-end computer hummed quietly, its screen displaying intricate plans and blueprints.

The walls were adorned with tasteful art pieces, each carefully chosen to reflect Heeseung's impeccable taste and status. A large bookshelf, filled with an array of books and binders, stood against one wall, its shelves lined with volumes on architecture, urban planning, and business strategy. Opposite the desk, a plush leather sofa and armchairs formed a comfortable seating area, complete with a glass coffee table.

Despite the office's luxurious interior, the atmosphere was tense. The storm outside seemed to seep into the room, bringing with it an air of unease. The relentless rain and occasional thunderclap provided a constant reminder of the turmoil beyond the office's walls.

As Heeseung worked, the soft glow of the desk lamp illuminated his focused expression, casting deep shadows that highlighted the intensity of his gaze. The storm outside might have been fierce, but within the confines of his office, Heeseung remained a figure of calm and control, completely absorbed in his work.

Without warning, the door burst open with a crash. Sunghoon stormed in, drenched from head to toe, his face contorted with rage. Heeseung looked up, startled, just as Sunghoon grabbed his collar and yanked him forward.

"Was it you?" Sunghoon's voice was a mixture of anger and desperation, trembling with intensity.

Heeseung blinked, momentarily disoriented. "What are you talking about?"

Sunghoon's grip tightened before he thrust a newspaper into Heeseung's hands. "This!" he spat.

Heeseung scanned the front page, his eyes widening as he took in the shocking headline. He looked up at Sunghoon, who was breathing heavily, his chest heaving with emotion.

"I have no idea who might have done this," Heeseung said, his voice calm but edged with concern. "Why does it worry you so much? You're alive now."

Sunghoon stepped back, his rage momentarily giving way to a look of confusion. Lightning flashed again, illuminating the room in a harsh, white light that highlighted the tension between them. The storm outside mirrored the storm within Sunghoon.

"You are the one who is chasing Jake, right?" Sunghoon's voice was sharp, cutting through the silence.

Heeseung didn't respond immediately. He let the question hang in the air, the storm's fury providing a dramatic backdrop. After a moment, he smirked slightly, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "So?"

Sunghoon's eyes narrowed. "There was a letter right in front of the hall. It said, 'I will find you, Sim Jake.'"

Heeseung froze, his expression shifting from smugness to genuine shock. He set down the newspaper and slowly approached Sunghoon, the tension thickening with each step.

"Is that true?" Heeseung asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Sunghoon nodded, his fear now evident. The storm raged on outside, the wind howling like a wounded animal. Heeseung stared at Sunghoon for a long moment, the lightning casting sharp shadows on their faces.

After a long, charged silence, Heeseung's gaze hardened. "Why do you care?" he demanded.

Sunghoon looked down, his voice barely a whisper. "If it was not you, that leaves only one thing. I am being stalked as well."

The storm outside showed no signs of letting up, and inside the office, the tension between the two men was as palpable as the thunder that echoed through the night.