Ha-Na felt the possessiveness in his touch, a mixture of protectiveness and control. She glanced at Hyun-Jin, seeing the raw emotion in his eyes, a stark reminder of the darkness he carried within.
Seeing him now was like a flashback to his teenage years. Back then, his face, always blank and icy, seemed to freeze the air around him. It wasn't just his expression, but the chilling tone that accompanied it—devoid of warmth or empathy. He seemed almost soulless, a walking storm that warned of danger to anyone near. Not only was he terrifying, but he always managed to send goosebumps rippling over her skin with the savage, ruthless energy that emanated from him in relentless waves.
However, she thought he had changed for the better when she met him at the party. Although she occasionally glimpsed the old him, most of the time he was cheerful with her, always smiling. But when his old self resurfaced in front of the officer, she realized he hadn't changed; he was only acting nice for her. This revelation stirred mixed feelings within her.
Should she feel privileged that he was trying his best to be a part of her life? Or should she be wary, knowing he was hiding his true personality either because he didn't trust her or didn't want to scare her? Could she trust someone who changed shades faster than a chameleon?
Hyun-Jin's grip on Ha-Na's arm tightened possessively, his eyes never leaving the officer.
The officer hesitated, his eyes flickering between Hyun-Jin's intense gaze and Ha-Na's concerned expression. "Mr. Wang, we received a complaint about a suspicious vehicle driving around the neighborhood for the past three hours. We would like you to please cooperate with us," he said, his tone wavering under Hyun-Jin's scrutiny.
"You may proceed with your checking," Hyun-Jin replied, his voice cold and commanding.
Only after that did the officer shift his gaze, visibly tense under Hyun-Jin's pressure. He wiped the sweat beads from his forehead, trying to steady himself. "Madam, are you alright?" he inquired, his legs almost shaking from the intense scrutiny he was receiving from Hyun-Jin.
"I am good, officer," she replied cheerfully, smiling at him.
"We deeply apologize any inconveniences, sir. There seems to be a misunderstanding. You may proceed," the officer and his partner bowed apologetically.
Woo-Jin got inside and sped off, leaving the officers behind.
Ha-Na glanced at the clock; it was already past midnight. She realized she had slept for more than four hours in the car and was almost petrified.
"You know we could have avoided all this if you had woken me up when we first reached my home, right?" she said casually.
"Bold of you to assume I'd rather prioritize such trivialities over your rest," he replied, his voice dripping with a mix of arrogance and affection. "Even chaos itself would have to wait if I want you to sleep, darling." He leaned in closer, his eyes glinting with a dangerous intensity that made her heart race.
Ha-Na contemplates for a while, her mind a whirlpool of conflicting emotions. She's fiercely independent, yet the way he prioritizes her needs above all else makes her crave for more of his attention. Her walls are high, built from years of guarding her heart, Yet, his dominance has a way of slipping past her defenses, making her question her resolve. She is torn between her instinct to not let him further close to her and be rational about everything.
She knew gratitude was expected, but it paled against his unspoken intentions. " Perhaps you should factor this too into your deal before getting back to me," she suggested, clearly remembering he yet didn't reveal what is he planning to use the favor she given to him.
"Aren't you worried the interest would be high?" he asked, raising his brows questioningly as the car came to a halt in front of Kang's mansion.
An idea struck her mind. In a swift motion, she straddled him and bent down, giving him a passionate kiss. "I hope this will do instead," she whispered, before getting off the car and running toward the mansion.
That's right, she finally realized it. There's no going back, and since she is the one who started this, she wants to see where it ends. She wants to be truthful to him. She wants to trust once again and see where it leads. The earlier guilt she felt was now replaced with satisfaction, her heart affirming that she had done what she always wanted to.
Hyun-Jin watched her figure disappear inside the mansion, unable to shake the trance she left him in. He traced his lips with his thumb where she had kissed him, still stunned. This was the third time she had kissed him, and yet, it held the same electrifying effect as their first.
He realized again that it was only her who could shatter his composure so effortlessly, make him crave her touch with an intensity that bordered on madness. She was his addiction, his beautiful torment, and he knew there was no escaping the pull she had on him.