Ha-Na's breath hitched, icy fingers of dread clawing at her heart. For a second, she was convinced he was playing the same game she had been, a game of shadows and secrets.
Had he been watching her, tracking her every move just as she had done to him? The possibility that he had been stalking her was a thrilling and terrifying notion, a dangerous blend that sent her pulse racing.
But as she stood there, logic seeped through the cracks of her panic. She had pursued him, weaving herself into his world out of necessity. She needed him, craved the power and protection he exuded. There was no reason for him to hunt her in return.
Besides, it was just a phone number—hardly a covert operation and a trivial piece of information easily accessible to someone with his resources. Her friendship with Song Hye-Ri, his niece, provided a logical explanation. Hye-Ri could have given him her number without a second thought. They were practically family, after all.
The initial shock began to dissipate, giving way to a more measured understanding. The idea of Hyun-Jin stalking her now seemed almost absurd, a product of her overactive imagination. He didn't need to stoop to such levels; he had the world at his feet, capable of bending anyone to his will with a mere glance. The realization settled over her like a weighted blanket, grounding her, yet leaving an unexpected void of disappointment in its wake.
Seeing Ha-Na's distraction, Hyun-Jin's possessiveness flared, a dark fire igniting in his eyes. He wanted her attention solely on him, to be the center of her world, her every thought consumed by him. The thought of her mind wandering away, even for a second, was intolerable.
But he knew that pushing too hard, too fast, could send her running away from him. So, he masked his intensity, his voice a velvet trap, each word a silken thread wrapping around her. "You seem rather distracted, Ha-Na," he murmured, his tone deceptively gentle. "Did you not like the name? Or do you want to change it to something more... endearing?"
The words, though softly spoken, were laced with a possessiveness that brooked no defiance. Ha-Na's gaze flickered to his phone, her breath catching at the sight of her contact name. "My 1," followed by a heart symbol. In Korea, "1" is "Ha-Na," a clear declaration that she was his, both in name and in claim, a mark of his ownership.
Her heart fluttered wildly, a mix of fear and exhilaration coursing through her veins. His gesture was small yet profoundly intimate, a declaration that she belonged to him, body and soul. She had never felt so cherished, so wanted.
The possessiveness in his eyes, the way he claimed her with just a contact name, sent a shiver of delight down her spine. It was as if he was branding her, marking her as his in a way that was both thrilling and suffocating.
But beneath the euphoria, a dark realization began to gnaw at her. As much as she reveled in his attention, she knew the truth. She was still the manipulative person she had always been, using people as stepping stones to achieve her goals. The man standing before her was baring his soul, his intentions clear and raw, while she schemed and plotted behind a facade of affection. The contrast was stark and painful.
A pang of guilt pierced through her. How could she delude herself into thinking she was any better than her cousin when, in reality, she was just as ruthless and cold-hearted? The audacity of her deception stung deeply. Here she was, basking in the warmth of his genuine affection, yet calculating her next move. The weight of her duplicity settled heavily on her shoulders, dampening the rush of excitement she had felt moments before.
As these conflicting emotions consumed her, a glum expression clouded her features. Hyun-Jin noticed immediately, his brows knitting together in concern.
Had he misstepped? Should he have reached out to her earlier, given her the initiative she needed instead of waiting? Doubt crept into his mind, each question spiraling into uncertainty as he watched her mood darken.
Ha-Na's mind raced as she saw the concern flicker across Hyun-Jin's face. She realized that her moment of introspection had made him worry, and the last thing she wanted was to push him further into doubt.
Taking a deep breath, she pushed her inner thoughts aside and decided to shift the atmosphere. She needed to steer his focus away from her internal turmoil and onto something more tangible, more controllable.
She gestured to the store staff, who had been patiently waiting in the background, holding all the dresses she kept aside for trying on. They approached quickly. Ha-Na glanced at the garments, her gaze settling on two in particular. With a graceful flick of her wrist, she beckoned the staff closer and picked up the two dresses she had been eyeing.
"Tell me, which one should I choose?" she asked, her voice a careful blend of casual curiosity, hoping to mask the lingering sadness in her eyes.
Hyun-Jin's eyes flickered with a mix of command and anticipation, his usual calm demeanor returning. "Wear them for me, Little Storm" he said softly, a faint smile playing on his lips. "I'll know the right one when I see it."
Her heart fluttered at his words, a sensation she hadn't felt in a long time. Never before had she wanted to impress someone as much as she did him. As she stepped into the fitting room, she glanced back at Hyun-Jin, his eyes never leaving her.