___________@UTHOR'S POV:-
The team moved silently, cloaked in the dark armor of the night. A dozen figures stood assembled in the private hangar of Eunwoo's estate, weapons strapped to their sides, their faces obscured by black masks. At the center of the group was Eunwoo, cold and composed as ever, his sharp gaze slicing through the sea of subordinates.
"This operation is critical," he began, his voice calm yet edged with an unyielding authority. "Our target is a VIP suite in the Meridian Hotel. The intel confirms a high-profile meeting between distributors and suppliers of a new drug that's quietly flooding the market. Our objective: to stop the transaction, identify the supplier, and secure the product. Any failure will not be tolerated. Understood?"
A unified "Yes, sir!" resounded through the hangar.
Andrea, concealed among the group in borrowed tactical gear, shifted slightly to adjust her position at the back of the team. Her face was entirely hidden by a balaclava, and her body language mimicked the rigid professionalism of the other men.
Eunwoo hadn't noticed her yet, and she planned to keep it that way. Andrea's resolve was steel-sharp; she had no intention of being left out of this mission, even if it meant deceiving him.
Eunwoo continued, stepping closer to a holographic map projected onto a portable device. "Minjoon, you'll lead Team Alpha from the east entrance. Block any possible escape routes. I'll head Bravo from the west. We'll converge at the suite and neutralize any hostiles. Keep your comms clear and follow the plan. No one improvises."
Andrea smirked under her mask, knowing she had already broken that last rule just by being here.
With a final nod, Eunwoo dismissed the group. He turned briefly, his sharp eyes scanning the team, but his attention didn't linger long enough to expose Andrea.
She exhaled softly, gripping her weapon as she followed the others to the waiting vehicles.
---
The convoy of SUVs glided through the dimly lit streets, blending into the shadows. Andrea sat silently in the backseat of Eunwoo's vehicle, her presence unnoticed in the sea of black-clad figures. She could feel the tension in the air, the unspoken readiness of soldiers heading into battle.
When they arrived at the Meridian Hotel, they moved with precision, slipping in through a service entrance without drawing attention. The lobby was lavish, its marble floors gleaming under the soft glow of chandeliers. Beyond the façade of elegance, however, lay the underbelly of crime they had come to expose.
As the team filed out, ready for the operation, Eunwoo's sharp eyes scanned them one last time. His gaze flickered briefly over Andrea, but he quickly dismissed any suspicion. She had kept her distance during the briefing, and he assumed she was just another member of the team. She had been quiet, respectful even.
"Move out," Eunwoo commanded, his voice a cold command that cut through the tension like a blade.
Andrea stayed close, her movements deliberate and controlled. She followed Eunwoo's lead as they moved through the west wing, their boots silent against the plush carpet.
The ballroom loomed ahead, its grand double doors closed. Eunwoo raised a hand, signaling the team to halt. He crouched by the door, his sharp eyes narrowing as he listened for any sounds from within.
"Stay sharp," Eunwoo instructed, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "We'll split into two teams. Bravo, with me. Alpha, hold the rear."
Andrea didn't hesitate. She followed the rest of the team into the hotel, moving with a practiced ease that came from years of experience. Despite the heaviness of the situation, her mind was focused. She had a singular goal tonight: to prove herself to Eunwoo, to be more than just a shadow in his world.
Andrea's heart pounded in her chest as Eunwoo gestured for the team to prepare. Weapons were raised, safeties clicked off, and tension coiled like a spring ready to snap.
With a nod, Eunwoo gave the signal. The doors burst open, and chaos erupted.
---
They moved quickly through the halls, their footsteps echoing against the polished floor. Eunwoo's presence was felt at the head of the team, his silence only adding to the intensity of the operation. He didn't need to speak much, his mere presence demanding obedience.
"Take the left," Eunwoo ordered, signaling the others to spread out. "Watch for any signs of activity."
Gunfire tore through the air, the sharp cracks echoing off the ornate walls of the ballroom. Andrea ducked behind a marble pillar, her weapon raised as she scanned the room. The opulent space was now a war zone, with shattered glass and overturned tables littering the floor.
"Ready?" Eunwoo asked, his voice a low whisper.
Andrea nodded, her eyes scanning the surroundings. She had her own role to play. She had never been one to follow orders blindly, and tonight, she would make her own decisions.
"Go," Eunwoo commanded.
The doors burst open with a violent force, and chaos erupted immediately. Gunfire rang out, the sharp cracks echoing off the walls as enemies emerged from the shadows. The once luxurious ballroom was now a war zone, with overturned tables, shattered glass, and debris scattered across the floor.
"Cover the exits!" Eunwoo shouted as he moved forward, his weapon raised and firing without hesitation. His aim was precise, each shot a calculated strike. His voice cutting through the cacophony.
Andrea moved swiftly, her shots precise and controlled. The enemy was well-prepared, their numbers greater than anticipated, but the team held their ground.
From the corner of her eye, Andrea saw Eunwoo in action, his movements fluid and lethal. He fired with precision, each shot a calculated strike. She couldn't help but admire his skill, even as she focused on her own targets.
Unbeknownst to Eunwoo, Andrea had positioned herself at his side, matching his pace and movements.
"Who trained you?" Eunwoo asked, his voice sharp but tinged with curiosity.
Andrea didn't answer, her focus remaining on the fight.
Andrea was right behind him, firing with precision. Her eyes locked on the targets, her body moving with an ease that came from years of combat training. The sound of bullets and shouts filled the air as she and Eunwoo worked in tandem, covering each other's backs.
In the chaos, Eunwoo barely noticed Andrea's presence beside him. His focus was on the mission, on the enemies in front of him. But there was something about her movements that struck him as unusual. She was quick, agile—almost too good to be just another member of his team.
"Move out!" Eunwoo barked.
The team regrouped, and they pushed deeper into the hotel, their path leading them toward the back corridors where the VIPs were supposedly meeting. The plan had been to corner the supplier and prevent the exchange, but things were not going according to plan. The enemy was more organized than expected, and it was clear they had an inside man.
Eunwoo's jaw clenched in frustration as the team reached the suite where the transaction was supposed to take place. They were getting close.
But then, the unexpected happened.
A blast of gunfire erupted from a hidden corridor, and the team found themselves under attack from multiple angles. The enemy was better prepared than anticipated, and they were more numerous than expected.
Andrea, without hesitation, dove into the fray, her gun raised and firing. Eunwoo followed, his movements fluid and fast, but his focus remained on the mission. He had no time to think about Andrea's recklessness.
The chaos intensified, and soon the sounds of gunfire were drowned out by shouting. The enemy was closing in from all sides, and the team was forced to split up to avoid being overwhelmed.
---
The firefight raged on, but the main supplier had yet to appear. Andrea's sharp eyes caught movement near the rear of the room—a figure slipping away into a private corridor.
She nudged Eunwoo, pointing toward the shadowed figure. He nodded, signaling her to follow.
They moved swiftly, leaving the others to hold the line. The corridor was narrow and dimly lit, leading to a private suite.
As they approached, a group of armed men burst out, weapons drawn. Eunwoo and Andrea didn't hesitate. Their guns flashed, each shot precise and deadly.
When their ammunition ran out, the fight turned hand-to-hand. Eunwoo tossed his weapon aside, his stance shifting as he faced the nearest opponent.
Andrea did the same, her movements fluid and deadly.
The two fought back-to-back, their strikes a symphony of calculated violence. Eunwoo couldn't help but notice the masked figure's agility and skill, a flicker of suspicion crossing his mind.
"Who the hell are you?" he demanded, blocking an attack and countering with a punch that sent his opponent sprawling.
Andrea didn't answer, her focus on the enemy in front of her.
In the chaos, one of the enemies grabbed at Andrea's mask, ripping it off.
Time seemed to freeze as Eunwoo turned to look at her, his eyes widening in shock.
"YOU!!!?"
Her focus didn't waver as she delivered a swift kick to her opponent. "Focus on the fight, Eunwoo!" she snapped.
His jaw clenched, his mind reeling. She wasn't supposed to be here. She had disobeyed his orders, infiltrated his team, and now she was fighting by his side as if she belonged there.
"You're reckless," he growled, blocking an attack and countering with a blow that sent his opponent crashing into the wall.
"And you're stubborn," Andrea shot back, dodging a blow and landing one of her own.
They moved as a unit, their movements seamless despite the tension between them. Eunwoo found himself grudgingly impressed by her skill, even as anger simmered beneath the surface.
---
The room cleared as the last of the enemies fell. Eunwoo turned to Andrea, his expression a mix of fury and disbelief.
"You put the mission at risk," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
"I saved your life," she retorted, her chin held high.
They stood there, breathing heavily, the tension crackling between them. For a moment, neither spoke, their gazes locked in a battle of wills.
Finally, Eunwoo looked away, his jaw tight. "This isn't over."
"Good," Andrea said, a small smirk playing on her lips. "Because neither am I."
Their moment was cut short as reinforcements echoed down the hall.
"Move," Eunwoo commanded, his voice sharp.
"but Andrea didn't listen. " The adrenaline coursing through her veins. Whatever lay ahead, she was ready to face it.
"Where are you going?" Eunwoo shouted, his voice filled with frustration as he turned to see Andrea moving in the opposite direction.
"I'm not staying here," Andrea snapped back, her eyes blazing. "You think I'm going to let you control everything? I'm doing this my way."
"You will follow orders!" Eunwoo growled, his voice dark with anger.
But Andrea wasn't backing down. She pushed forward, her steps unyielding. "Not this time. I've had enough of being a pawn in your game."
Eunwoo's eyes narrowed, his hand tightening on his weapon. But before he could protest further, a sudden explosion rocked the hallway, sending them both crashing to the floor.
---
The hallway was dark, the air thick with smoke and the scent of burning debris. Eunwoo scrambled to his feet, cursing under his breath as he checked for injuries. Andrea was already on her feet, moving toward the enemy with fierce determination.
"Stay down!" Eunwoo shouted, grabbing her arm to pull her back.
But Andrea yanked her arm away, her face set in a mask of fury. "I said I'm not following your orders!"
"I don't have time for this!" Eunwoo screamed, his voice cutting through the noise. "Get your head in the game, Andrea!"
Before Andrea could retort, the sound of approaching footsteps filled the corridor. The enemies were closing in, and they were more than ready for a fight.
"Focus!" Eunwoo barked, his eyes intense as he motioned toward the corner. "We'll deal with this later."
Andrea's expression softened, just for a moment. She was angry, frustrated, and tired of being controlled. But she understood the gravity of the situation.
They moved together, their guns raised as they prepared for the inevitable clash. The enemy was closing in fast, and this was their moment to strike back.
---
As they entered the main suite, the enemies fired from every direction. The firefight intensified, bullets whizzing past them as Eunwoo and Andrea fought side by side. They moved with a rhythm that felt almost natural, each covering the other's blind spots.
Then, a voice rang out from the shadows.
"I'm impressed."
A figure emerged from the darkness, his face hidden behind a mask. He was tall, his posture commanding.
"Who are you?" Eunwoo demanded, his voice cold and steady despite the adrenaline coursing through his veins.
The man laughed softly, a chilling sound that echoed in the empty room. "You don't need to know my name. But you will know me soon enough."
Before Eunwoo could react, the man disappeared into the shadows, leaving only chaos behind. The team was scattered, but Eunwoo and Andrea stood united, their eyes locked in an unspoken agreement.
The fight was far from over.
___
a figure darted from the shadows at the far end of the room, heading toward a private corridor. Andrea caught the movement first, nudging Eunwoo and gesturing toward the fleeing figure. Their gazes met briefly, and Eunwoo gave a sharp nod. Without a word, they broke away from the firefight, pursuing the potential supplier.
---
The corridor was narrow, dimly lit, and eerily quiet compared to the chaos they had just left behind. Andrea's pulse quickened as her grip on her weapon tightened. Beside her, Eunwoo moved with lethal precision, his every step calculated and silent.
As they reached a corner, voices became audible—low, hurried, and desperate. Eunwoo raised a hand, signaling Andrea to stop. He leaned closer to the edge, his ears straining to catch the words.
"Shipment's compromised. Move it now!" a man barked, his voice edged with panic.
"Where's the rest of the team?" another hissed.
"Dead or scattered. Doesn't matter—just get the product out!"
Eunwoo's jaw tightened. With a swift motion, he signaled for Andrea to cover the left while he took the right. Andrea nodded, her focus unwavering as they prepared to breach.
Eunwoo counted down silently: three, two, one.
They moved simultaneously, rounding the corner with weapons raised. The men in the room froze, their eyes wide with shock. For a heartbeat, time seemed to stand still. Then all hell broke loose.
---
The fight was brutal and fast. Andrea and Eunwoo moved as a single unit, their strikes synchronized in a way that defied explanation. Bullets flew, fists collided, and the room descended into chaos.
One of the enemies lunged at Andrea, aiming to disarm her. She sidestepped deftly, slamming the butt of her weapon into his temple before delivering a swift kick to his chest. He crumpled to the floor, unconscious.
Eunwoo, meanwhile, had engaged two opponents at once. His movements were fluid and deadly, each strike delivered with unrelenting precision. He dispatched the first with a sharp blow to the throat and turned to the second, disarming him with a brutal twist of the wrist.
Andrea was grappling with another opponent when he managed to grab her mask. In a desperate move, he yanked it off, revealing her face.
Eunwoo turned at the exact moment, his eyes widening in recognition. "Andrea?!"
"Focus on the fight!" she snapped, her voice sharp as she drove her elbow into her attacker's gut.
For a moment, Eunwoo was frozen, caught between shock and fury. Then his instincts took over, and he launched himself at the nearest enemy, his movements fueled by a renewed intensity.
---
When the last of the men fell, the room was eerily silent. Andrea stood, breathing heavily, her face flushed from the exertion. Eunwoo approached her, his expression a mix of disbelief and anger.
"You disobeyed me," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
"I made the mission a success," she countered, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "You're welcome."
Eunwoo's jaw clenched, his frustration evident. "You put yourself and the team at risk. Do you have any idea—"
"I have every idea," Andrea interrupted, stepping closer. "I know what I'm capable of, Eunwoo. You can pretend all you want, but you needed me tonight, and you know it."
The tension between them crackled like a live wire, their emotions raw and unfiltered. For a moment, neither spoke, their gazes locked in a battle of wills.
Finally, Eunwoo exhaled sharply, his expression softening just enough to reveal the slightest crack in his armor. "This isn't over," he said, his tone laced with both warning and reluctant admiration.
"Good," Andrea replied, a small, defiant smile tugging at her lips. "Because neither am I."
---
Before they could continue, a faint sound reached their ears—footsteps, hurried and growing louder. Reinforcements.
Eunwoo's expression hardened as he turned toward the door. "Move," he commanded, his voice regaining its usual edge.
Andrea followed without hesitation, her adrenaline still surging. Whatever lay ahead, she was ready to face it—alongside him, whether he liked it or not.
To be continue...