Hyun-Jin slipped off Ha-Na's flats with deliberate care. He lifted her dress just enough to reveal the swollen ankle, his frown deepening with every passing second.
"You should have taken care of this earlier," he said, his voice a blend of scolding and concern. "Why would you walk in heels when you're hurt?" His tone held a possessive edge, one that made her pulse quicken despite the reprimand.
It was her injury, but the pain seemed to cut through him as well. His unexpected tenderness, laced with a dangerous intensity, made her heart flutter erratically. The dichotomy of his rough exterior and gentle touch was almost too much to process, making her heart skip a beat.
Woo-Jin almost couldn't believe his eyes. The master who wouldn't let any girl near him, whose mere presence sent shivers down the spines of even the most fearless enforcers of mafia, was now showing a rare vulnerability over Ha-Na's swollen ankle.
The Hyun-Jin he knew was a man whose hands were permanently stained with the blood of countless enemies—a ruthless enforcer of the Bratva, and an unyielding, powerful force in the underworld. Yet, here he was, at a woman's feet with an almost tender touch.
This same man, who could orchestrate a bloodbath without batting an eye, whose power and cruelty were boundless and unfathomable, was displaying an unprecedented softness. What kind of hypocrisy was this? Were Woo-Jin's eyes playing tricks on him, or had he uncovered a side of Hyun-Jin that no one else was privy to?
As Hyun-Jin's fingers worked methodically, wrapping a sprain bandage around Ha-Na's ankle with precision, her heart skipped a beat, and butterflies erupted in her stomach. She had always thought those sensations were clichés that only existed in dramas, but it took real-life experiences to realize just how true they were.
His touch, holding her ankle in place, so gentle yet deliberate, stirred something deep within her, making her pulse quicken despite the reprimand.
Each time his other hand grazed her bare skin, it sent electric shocks through her body, making her pulse spike. It was as if he unlocked a part of her she didn't realize existed—or maybe she had, but had tried everything to shackle it.
"You are free to keep your legs down," he said, his voice rough, eyes locked on hers. "Or you can leave it on my lap. Your choice." His gaze, intense and scrutinizing, slid over her knee, setting her skin aflame.
Heat crept up her cheeks, her blood rushing in the opposite direction, her ears turning red. Ha-Na's mind was a whirlwind of confusion and desire. His touch was both a balm and a torment, stirring emotions she had buried deep.
Hyun-Jin realized she was staring too hard and turned towards her. Their eyes met, and her breath hitched, her heart racing. The raw, unfiltered emotions in his gaze stripped her bare, leaving her exposed and yearning. She tried to look away, but his presence was magnetic, pulling her back into the storm of his eyes.
Realizing she had been staring for too long, she awkwardly removed her legs and settled them in the leg space.
Although the air was thick with awkwardness, Hyun-Jin's presence was oddly comforting and endearing. Ha-Na found herself smiling more than she had in a long time.
Warmth grazed one side of her face as she relaxed, slowly lulling into sleep while watching the darkness cloud the streets. The tension between them was palpable, a silent promise of what could be, leaving her with a sense of longing and anticipation that lingered even as she drifted off.
Hyun-Jin, still awake, scanned through his phone, checking the latest emails. Every so often, his gaze drifted to Ha-Na's sleeping face, calm and serene—a look he was strangely accustomed to.
As she was about to knock her head against the window, he gently slipped his hand under her head, leaning her onto his shoulder. She winced at the sudden movement, and he stroked her hair lightly, lulling her back to sleep with a tenderness that contradicted his lethal reputation. This dichotomy, this dangerous blend of brutality and care, was his greatest weapon. And he would wield it expertly until Ha-Na was his, completely and utterly.
Earlier, when she couldn't take her eyes off him, he realized just how much he was impacting her. He could see the way she was drawn to him, and he reveled in the power he held over her thoughts. Something told him it wouldn't be long before she chose to be by his side, not out of fear, but out of a desire he had meticulously cultivated.
Leaning into her, he tried to close his eyes, his heart finally at peace. The chaos within him quieted, allowing him to savor each moment, away from his relentless thoughts and turbulent emotions, focusing solely on Ha-Na.
Yet, as sleepiness crept in, dark shadows loomed at the edges of his consciousness. He forced his eyes to remain open, knowing that his nightmares, a reflection of his darkest fears and memories, could shatter her fragile slumber.
His mind drifted back to the abyss of his own torment—the bloodstains that never seemed to wash away, the screams that echoed in his ears long after the night was silent. These memories, these demons, were his constant companions. They reminded him of the darkness he carried within, a darkness that could easily consume him if he let his guard down.
But with Ha-Na beside him, her presence a beacon of light in his otherwise grim existence, he found a sliver of solace. Her gentle breaths, the warmth of her body against his, provided a fleeting sanctuary from the horrors that lurked within him. He fought to stay awake, to keep the nightmares at bay, for her sake.
His fingers tightened around her, a silent vow to protect her from the darkness that threatened to engulf him. He knew that he was a monster, capable of unimaginable things, but for her, he would battle his inner demons. He would keep the nightmares at bay, even if it meant enduring sleepless nights.
When they reached the Kang mansion, he couldn't bring himself to wake her. Taking her inside didn't seem like a good option either, knowing the Kang and Wang families' strained relationship, despite their business partnership.
Work and private affairs were distinct worlds where emotions couldn't rule over money or power.
So, he signaled Woo-Jin to keep driving through the night.
The car moved steadily until the flash of police lights caught their attention.
Ha-Na shifted slightly, feeling the hard, sculpted shoulder she was resting on. Wincing, she slowly opened her eyes, the police sirens abruptly waking her from her slumber.
The car came to a halt. It took her a moment to realize what was happening. The police approached the car, and Woo-Jin immediately stepped out to address the issue, leaving her clueless.
Through bleary eyes, she blinked at the darkness through the windows, and realization seeped in.
I slept in Hyun-Jin's car? Damn.
She twisted her aching head toward him. "Why didn't you wake me?" she whispered, smoothing a hand over her hair.
"Wish I did, 'cause you snore so loud," he replied with a smirk.
"No, I don't," she shot back, narrowing her eyes.
He chuckled softly, a rare sound that made her heart skip a beat. "Believe what you want, princess. But you're lucky the police showed up. I was about to start recording."
She rolled her eyes, fighting a smile. "You're impossible."
"And you're adorable when you're annoyed," he teased, his gaze softening as he looked at her.
Her face immediately turned as red as a tomato from the unexpected compliment.
He laughed easily, pinning her with a smooth smile. "You go that red over everything?" Before she could reply, he reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Relax. You fell asleep, and I thought you could use the good night's rest."
Ha-Na shifted uncomfortably, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. Just as she was about to thank him, a knock on the window beside her interrupted. She turned to see a police officer standing outside, his expression stern.
Hyun-Jin's expression darkened, his eyes narrowing at the interruption. He shot a sharp look at Woo-Jin, clearly displeased with his inability to handle the situation discreetly, while most of his annoyance was because Ha-Na had to wake up from middle of her sleep.
Ha-Na pushed the window down and leaned her head toward the officer. Before she could speak, Hyun-Jin's hand gripped her arm, pulling her back slightly. "Is there a problem, officer?" he asked, his voice cold and commanding, his protective stance unmistakable.