The two women exchanged a tense look, the weight of suspicion hanging in the air.
Y/N: Whoever it was, find out. And double-check Mr. Xin's background. I don't trust coincidences.
The secretary nodded, her expression serious as she left the room. Alone once more, Y/N stared at the door, her mind racing. Whoever had been eavesdropping had just made one thing clear—this wasn't just business. Something more was at play, and she would need to tread carefully.
As the door clicked shut behind her secretary, Y/N let out a long, measured breath. She pushed the unsettling moment to the back of her mind—there was no room for this now. There was too much to do, and the weight of the company rested squarely on her shoulders.
Leaning forward, she adjusted the papers scattered across her desk, a mixture of financial reports, pending contracts, and employee evaluations. Each page seemed to carry the same underlying message: the company wasn't where it needed to be, not after the recent upheavals.
Her gaze fell on a photo frame at the edge of the desk. It was a picture of Jungkook, his smile bright and full of life, taken during the company's grand opening years ago. For a moment, she froze, her chest tightening.
Y/N: I'll fix this, (she murmured softly, as if he could hear her)
Y/N turned her focus to the task at hand. First, the financial projections. She picked up her pen, highlighting inconsistencies in the reports. The numbers didn't lie; they needed stronger investments and better strategies to stay afloat. Mr. Xin's offer lingered in her mind, but her instincts told her to tread carefully. Midway through analyzing market trends, her phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen. It was a message from her secretary:
???: Found some initial information on Mr. Xin. Will send a detailed report soon. Also, hangover is on its way.
Y/N allowed herself a small smile. Her team might be one of the few things she could count on right now.
She leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples briefly before returning to her work. Her focus was absolute—if the company was going to thrive, it would be because she made it happen.
SCENE SHIFT
The car stopped quietly outside Jennie's workplace, the soft hum of the engine the only sound between them. V stared ahead, his hand resting limply on his thigh. His face was calm, but Jennie could see the tension in his furrowed brow, the faraway look in his eyes.
She reached over, gently placing her hand on his.
Jennie: Taehyung, (she said softly, using his real name to pull him from his thoughts)
He blinked, glancing at her as if just realizing she was there.
V: Why aren't you going in? (he asked, his voice quiet, almost distracted)
Jennie's eyes searched his face, worry etching into her features.
Jennie: What's wrong? What are you thinking about? You've been so quiet all morning.
V: It's nothing. (Taehyung sighed, shaking his head as if trying to dismiss the thoughts)
Jennie: It's not nothing, (pressed, her hand tightening around his) Talk to me.
V: (hesitated, his gaze dropping to their joined hands) I was thinking about Y/N, (he admitted finally, his voice barely above a whisper) And Jungkook.
Jennie stayed silent, letting him continue.
V: I wish… (he paused, swallowing hard) I wish Jungkook hadn't tried to save me. I could have managed to come out of the water myself. He didn't need to jump after me.
Jennie's heart ached at the guilt in his voice. She leaned forward, taking both of his hands in hers. Jennie: V, (said firmly, her eyes locking with his) He was afraid of losing you. You were his best friend. Of course, he jumped in.
V: But Jennie… (his voice cracked) He's gone because of me. Y/N… (he shook his head, pulling his hands away and running them through his hair) I think, somewhere in her heart, she hates me. And she has every right to.
Jennie: Stop it, (sharply, her voice filled with conviction) Y/N isn't like that. You know she's not. She doesn't hate you, V. If anything, she needs you now more than ever.
He stayed silent, staring at the steering wheel, his fingers tapping rhythmically against it. Jennie knew him well enough to see that he wasn't convinced.
Jennie: Maybe.....maybe this was already written in their fate. It wasn't your fault. It wasn't anyone's fault.
Taehyung's jaw tightened, and he looked out the window.
V: When you and Y/N came down the cliff that day… was there really no one else?
Jennie hesitated, the memory flashing vividly in her mind.
Jennie: When you both fell into the water, (she began slowly) we were terrified. His arm was already injured, and you… you had been shot. It took us ten minutes to climb down from the cliff. By the time we got there… (she trailed off, her voice dropping) There was no one else. Just you.
Taehyung closed his eyes, the weight of her words settling over him like a shroud.
Jennie: V, (reaching out to touch his arm) You need to stop thinking about this. It's eating you alive. Jungkook wouldn't want that, and Y/N doesn't blame you.
He nodded, though the tension in his shoulders remained.
V: I'll try, *he murmured.
Jennie gave his hand one last squeeze before stepping out of the car. She leaned down, looking at him through the open window.
Jennie: I'll see you tonight, okay? Don't let this ruin your day.
V: I won't, *he said, managing a small smile for her sake.
Jennie nodded, her expression softening.
Jennie: Good. Take care of yourself. (she turned and walked toward her workplace, her heels clicking against the pavement)
Taehyung watched her go, then leaned back in his seat with a heavy sigh. He ran his hands over his face, trying to shake the thoughts clawing at his mind.
Minutes later, he started the car and drove to the station, his mind still caught in the tides of the past.
BACK TO Y/N'S OFFICE:
The clock on the wall ticked steadily toward midnight, its rhythmic sound filling the quiet office. Y/N sat at her desk, papers spread before her. Her pen moved swiftly across the documents, her mind focused yet distant, the weight of her work mingling with the ghosts of her thoughts.
A soft knock broke the silence, and her secretary peeked in, concern etched on her face.
???: Ma'am, aren't you leaving for home?
Y/N: (paused, glancing up briefly) Home… (she repeated softly she offered a faint smile and shook her head) No, I still have some work to finish.
???: (hesitated) Alright, but don't stay too late, ma'am. It's not good for your health.
Y/N: (nodded absentmindedly, her eyes already back on the papers in front of her) I'll be fine, (she said, her voice tinged with exhaustion)
With a reluctant nod, the secretary left, closing the door softly behind her.
As silence reclaimed the room, Y/N leaned back in her chair, her pen slipping from her fingers. Her gaze drifted to the city lights outside the window, but her mind had already wandered far from the present.
Memories surfaced, unbidden and vivid. Y/N used to tell Jungkook don't work overtime when they both used to work in company and then at night they will go to their missions.
Flashback:
She stood outside Jungkook's office door, her hand hovering over the doorknob. Taking a breath, Y/N pushed it open just enough to peek inside.
Jungkook sat at his desk, his posture tense, his brow furrowed in concentration as he flipped through a stack of documents. When his eyes flicked up and caught hers, he quickly looked away, pretending she wasn't there.
Y/N: (stepped inside, crossing her arms and feigning annoyance) How much longer are you going to be? (she asked, her tone sharp) Everyone's waiting for us.
Jungkook didn't respond. He merely flipped another page, his jaw tightening.
Y/N: We have a mission tonight, Jungkook, (pressed, her voice carrying the irritation she didn't entirely feel)
Finally, he snapped, slamming the papers down on his desk.
Jungkook: I'm not coming, (he growled, his voice low and full of frustration)
Y/N stiffened, her heart aching even as she forced herself to remain in character.
Y/N: Fine, (she said coldly, turning toward the door) I'll go without you.
She reached for the doorknob, but his voice stopped her.
Jungkook: How long are you going to keep this up, Y/N? (he asked, his voice breaking slightly) If you really hate me, then leave me. Break this engagement. Why are you torturing yourself like this?
Her grip on the doorknob tightened as she steeled herself. Turning back to face him, she kept her expression hard.
Y/N: What should I tell my parents, Jungkook? (she asked, her voice trembling slightly) That you played me? That you pretended to love me just to get revenge? They won't let me break this engagement because they only care about profits. And as for me torturing myself… (She took a shaky breath, forcing the cruel words from her lips) It's you who's being tortured, Jungkook. And I'm enjoying every second of it.
The pain in his eyes was immediate, piercing through her like a blade.
Jungkook: Who are you? You can't be my Y/N, (he whispered, his voice raw)
Y/N: Yeah. I'm not yours. (she replied, her voice barely above a whisper)
He stood, his movements slow and deliberate.
Jungkook: Fine, (he said bitterly) Hate me if you must. But promise me you won't leave me until I'm dead."
She laughed bitterly, masking her breaking heart.
Y/N: Don't worry, Jungkook. I'll make sure you're dead by the end of this mission.
His smile was faint, wounded. Without another word, she turned and left the room.
As the elevator doors slid open, she stepped inside and leaned against the wall, her tears threatening to spill. Through the glass, she saw him following, his coat slung over his shoulder.
Inside the car, she gripped the steering wheel, willing herself to stay composed as she watched him approach. Her mind screamed the words she couldn't say aloud.
Y/N's mind: Jungkook, please forgive me.
End of flashback.
Back in the present, Y/N let out a hollow laugh as she swiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks. The ache in her chest felt as fresh as it had all those years ago.
Y/N: I was so stupid, (she murmured to the empty room, her voice cracking) I should've told him everything. I should've trusted him. Maybe then… maybe he would've found Dunge faster. Maybe things could've been different.
Her head fell into her hands as guilt consumed her.
Y/N: I wasted so much time pretending to hate him, hurting him, when I could've been helping him.
Her laughter turned to quiet sobs, her shoulders shaking as the weight of her regrets bore down on her. The silence of the office felt suffocating, filled with the echoes of what could have been.
But deep down, Y/N knew there was no going back. All she could do now was move forward, carrying the burden of her choices and the memory of the man she had loved—and lost.
The sharp ring of Y/N's phone cut through the quiet, jolting her from her spiraling thoughts. She hastily wiped her tears and cleared her throat, forcing herself to sound composed before answering.
Y/N: Hello?
Jimin: Hey, (came Jimin's familiar voice, soft yet laced with concern) Have you reached home? Did you eat dinner?"
Y/N glanced around her dimly lit office, her desk still scattered with papers.
Y/N: (hesitated before lying) No, I'm just leaving the office now.
There was a pause on the other end of the line, the silence heavy.
Jimin: Should I come to pick you up?(he asked finally, his tone cautious but insistent)
Y/N's heart warmed slightly at his offer, but she shook her head, even though he couldn't see her. Y/N: No, I'm fine. I can go by myself.
Jimin: Alright. But message me as soon as you get home, okay?
"Y/N: I will, (she promised softly, a faint smile tugging at her lips)
Jimin: Okay, then. Bye.
Y/N: Bye *letting the line disconnect.
AT HOME:
The soft glow of the kitchen light illuminated Y/N's tired face as she tied her hair into a bun, preparing to make a quick dinner. The silence of the house enveloped her, but there was something unsettling about it tonight—an uneasiness that she couldn't shake.
As she reached for a pan, she froze. Jimin. She had forgotten to text him after reaching home. Rolling her eyes at her own forgetfulness, she grabbed her phone. Before she could send a message, a strange chill ran down her spine, the feeling of being watched creeping in.
Y/N turned her head, scanning the kitchen. The windows were locked, the door shut. Everything seemed normal, yet the tension in the air was suffocating.
She shook her head, trying to brush off the paranoia.
Y/N: Get a grip, Y/N, (she muttered)
Making her way to her bedroom to retrieve her charger, she stopped in the doorway. The lamp on her nightstand was on.
Her heart skipped a beat. She distinctly remembered turning off all the lights before leaving for work in the morning.
She hesitated, her hand gripping the doorframe. Slowly, she pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Y/N: I must have forgotten... (she murmured to herself, though her voice faltered. She reached out to switch off the lamp, but just as her fingers grazed the button, the hairs on the back of her neck stood up)
Someone was behind her.
She spun around, but before she could catch a glimpse, something hard struck the side of her head. The world blurred and tilted as she fell to the ground, darkness swallowing her.
Y/N awoke to a throbbing pain in her head, her body sluggish and cold. She blinked, the hazy room around her slowly coming into focus. The room was unfamiliar—bare and gray, with a single window high above that let in faint sunlight.
Panic surged through her veins as she tried to move, only to find her wrists and ankles bound tightly with coarse rope. Her breaths came faster, chest heaving as she struggled against the restraints.
Y/N: No, no, no, (she whispered, her voice trembling)
Summoning her strength, she wriggled and twisted until she managed to sit upright. Desperation took over as she bent forward, trying to untie the ropes with her teeth, but they wouldn't budge.
Frustrated and terrified, she screamed, her voice echoing in the empty room.
Y/N: Hello? Is someone there? Why did you kidnap me? Let me go!
The heavy sound of footsteps approached, and her heart dropped. The door creaked open, revealing a tall, broad-shouldered young man who stepped into the room. His face was shrouded in shadows, his demeanor cold and imposing.
Y/N: Who are you? (demanded, her voice breaking) What do you want from me?
The man didn't answer immediately. He took his time, crossing the room until he stood directly in front of her. The faint light caught his sharp features—a man with cruel eyes and an expression devoid of warmth.
???: It doesn't matter who I am, (he said, his voice low and menacing) What matters is that you listen carefully.
Y/N stared at him, fear tightening her throat.
???: I'm going to make this simple, (he continued) You will not sign any deal with Mr. Xin.
Y/N: What does Mr. Xin have to do with this? (Y/N asked, her voice rising) This has nothing to do with you!
???: (man smirked coldly) Oh, it has everything to do with me. You'll make a deal with me instead.
She glared at him, forcing herself to appear braver than she felt.
Y/N: Why would I? What do you want from my company?
???: That's not your concern, (he snapped) Just know that if you refuse, things will end very badly for you. And your friends.
Her blood ran cold. The image of Jimin, Jennie, and V flashed through her mind.
Y/N: Don't you dare hurt them! (she yelled, struggling against the ropes again)
???: Then you'd better do as you're told, (he said, leaning in closer)
Y/N's jaw tightened, anger flaring through her fear.
Y/N: I'm not agreeing to anything unless you tell me the truth. Why are you doing this?
The man let out a dry chuckle.
???: Truth? Fine. Mr. Xin and I are part of the same... business like mafia. Let's just say it's a dangerous one. If you don't want to be caught in the crossfire, I suggest you make a smart choice.
Her heart pounded. Mafia? The word hung in her mind like a death sentence.
???: I won't make a deal with either of you, (she said defiantly)
The man's expression darkened. He crouched down, his knife glinting under the pale light as he brought it closer to her. Y/N instinctively flinched, sliding back until her shoulders hit the bed.
But instead of harming her, he cut the ropes binding her hands and feet.
???: Unlock your phone, (he ordered, standing up)
When she hesitated, he leaned down, his voice like ice.
???: And don't try anything clever. If you do, your friends won't live to see tomorrow.
Her hands trembled as she unlocked her phone. Jennie's message was still unread. I could tell her... But the man's gaze burned into her, and the risk was too great.
With heavy fingers, she typed: Hey Jennie, I'm out of the city for business. Will update you soon.
The man snatched the phone from her and pocketed it.
???: Stay here. The boss will want to meet you soon, (he said before heading for the door)
Y/N: Wait! (she called after him) What's your name?
He paused, glancing back.
???: Sunghoon.
The door shut with a heavy thud, leaving Y/N alone with her racing thoughts and the suffocating silence.The room fell silent again, and Y/N slumped back against the wall, her heart still hammering.
The boss… The thought sent a shiver down her spine. She was desperate to see who was behind all this, but fear crept in at the edges of her resolve.