The aftermath of Taejung's rescue felt like a long-distant memory, yet the lingering echoes of its implications were far from forgotten. In the weeks that followed, Serin found herself caught between the demands of her creative projects, her siblings' constant antics, and the ever-growing pull of her bond with Kairan.
Life had returned to a semblance of normalcy.....or so it seemed on the surface.
Kairan's office was bathed in the golden hues of the late afternoon, the city sprawling beneath the towering glass windows. His desk was neatly organized, every file and document meticulously placed....a stark contrast to the chaos his presence often commanded.
Serin entered without knocking, her silhouette framed by the door. Her confident stride and the coffee cup in her hand were familiar sights, but there was a distinct energy about her today.
"Didn't I tell you to take a break?" Kairan asked, his tone sharp but softened by the faintest hint of amusement.
"Didn't I tell you I don't take orders?" she countered, setting the coffee on his desk.
He leaned back in his chair, his dark eyes studying her intently. "What do you want, Serin?"
Before she could respond, the door opened again, and Taejung waltzed in with the kind of flair that demanded attention.
"You're welcome for the coffee" Taejung announced, ignoring Kairan's glare as he perched on the edge of the desk.
"What are you doing here?" Kairan asked, his tone cold.
Taejung smirked. "Making your life more exciting. Also, I have a proposition."
"Get to the point" Kairan snapped.
Taejung's gaze shifted to Serin. "You, my dear, should be a model."
Serin blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
"Exactly what I said" Taejung continued. "You have the face, the aura, the presence. People will fall over themselves just to catch a glimpse of you."
Kairan's expression darkened instantly. "No."
"Come on, man" Taejung said, rolling his eyes. "This isn't just about her. It's about legacy, power, and...let's be honest..showing the world who she belongs to."
Kairan's growl was low and threatening. "She doesn't need to prove anything to anyone."
Taejung's grin didn't waver. "Fine. Let's compromise. For couple shoots, she only works with me. No one else. For solo shoots, she can decide how much of herself she wants to show. Hell, she could model with a mask if she wants. Her eyes alone are enough to captivate."
Serin glanced between the two men, her interest piqued. "That's an oddly specific offer."
"It's strategic" Taejung said smoothly. "Think about it. A carefully curated mystery, a glimpse of beauty that leaves people wanting more. It's not just modeling...it's power."
Kairan's gaze never left Serin. "Is this something you want?"
She hesitated, weighing her options. "Maybe. But only if I have control."
"You will" Taejung promised. "And if anyone crosses the line, I'll handle it personally."
Kairan's jaw ticked with barely contained frustration. "If you think I'm letting this happen without oversight, you're mistaken."
Taejung grinned, sensing victory. "Oversight is your specialty. I'm just here to make her shine."
_
_
Later that evening, Serin found herself curled up on the couch in Kairan's penthouse, a sketchpad balanced on her knees. She was sketching designs for her girl group's next performance, her brow furrowed in concentration.
Kairan approached silently, watching her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Without a word, he plucked the pad from her hands and set it aside.
"Hey!" she protested, but her voice softened as he pulled her into his lap.
"You're overworking yourself" he murmured, his hands tracing lazy circles on her waist.
"Says the man who sleeps in his office" she shot back, but her tone lacked any real bite.
He tilted her chin up, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "Do you trust him?"
She frowned, confused. "Who?"
"Taejung."
Understanding dawned, and she chuckled softly. "Of course I do. He's like family."
Kairan's grip on her waist tightened slightly. "Family doesn't flirt."
"Jealous, are we?" she teased, her smile playful.
"Always" he admitted, his voice low and rough.
The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down her spine, and she leaned into him, her fingers threading through his hair.
"Kairan" she whispered, her lips brushing against his.
He didn't answer, his mouth capturing hers in a kiss that was equal parts possessive and tender. The world outside faded, leaving only the two of them in their shared universe of heat and desire.
The next morning, Serin woke to an empty bed, the faint scent of Kairan lingering on the sheets. A note on the nightstand read: Meeting. Be ready for dinner.
She rolled her eyes but smiled, her heart fluttering at the thought of his protectiveness.
The day passed quickly, filled with rehearsals and meetings, but a nagging sense of unease lingered at the back of her mind. She couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to change....something that would test the strength of their bond and the alliances they'd built.
By the time evening came, Serin found herself standing on the balcony of Kairan's penthouse, staring out at the city lights. The air was heavy with anticipation, a storm brewing just out of sight.
When Kairan returned, his expression was unreadable, but his eyes burned with an intensity that sent a thrill down her spine.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice steady despite the knot forming in her stomach.
He stepped closer, his hands finding her waist. "There's something I need to tell you."
Kairan hesitated, his jaw clenching. "It's about Zade."
Her expression darkened at the mention of the name. "What about him?"
"He's been making moves again" Kairan said, his tone bitter. "Your parents are still using him to try to interfere with us. And now…" He exhaled sharply. "Now he's decided he doesn't just want to marry you.....he wants to take you by force."
Serin's eyes narrowed, her fists clenching. "He's delusional."
Kairan nodded, but the anger simmering beneath his calm façade was palpable. "I've already increased security, but he's bold. And desperate. It's possible he might try something reckless."
Serin reached out, placing a hand on his arm. "Kairan, we've dealt with worse. Zade is nothing but a spoiled pawn in their game."
Kairan covered her hand with his, his gaze softening. "I know you're strong, Serin, but that doesn't mean I'll let my guard down. You mean too much to me."
She gave him a small smile, though her voice was firm. "We'll deal with him together. He doesn't scare me."
Kairan leaned down, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "He should."
The evening of a following day after completing her work. Serin was ready to go home.She adjusted the strap of her bag as she stepped into the dimly lit parking lot beneath the company building. The faint hum of distant traffic echoed through the space, but it felt eerily quiet. She walked toward her car, her heels clicking against the concrete, when a figure emerged from the shadows.
Her heart stopped for a split second before her eyes landed on Zade.
"Serin" he greeted with a smirk, his voice dripping with venom.
She froze, narrowing her eyes. "What the fuck arw you doing here, Zade?"
"Finishing what your parents started" he replied, stepping closer. His tone was calm, but there was an undercurrent of madness that made her pulse race.
Serin's instincts flared, and the air around her grew charged. "You've made a mistake coming here."
"No" Zade sneered. "The mistake was thinking you could defy us. You were supposed to be mine, Serin. But instead, you've turned your back on everything your family worked for."
She clenched her fists, her powers simmering just beneath the surface. "I'm not theirs to control. And I'm certainly not yours."
Zade's smirk twisted into a snarl. "You'll regret those words."
Before Serin could react, Zade lunged at her, his hand gripping her arm tightly. She gasped as he yanked her toward him, the force nearly knocking her off balance.
"You're coming with me" he growled, his other hand reaching for a concealed blade.
Serin's eyes burned silver as her power erupted. Flames danced around her fingertips, forcing Zade to release her with a pained hiss. She stepped back, her breath uneven as she readied herself for a fight.
But before she could strike, a familiar presence filled the space.
"Bırak onu!" Leave her!
That voice serin could recognize it even in crowded room. She still couldn't speak it but she has learned enought to understand what kairan said.
The command, spoken in Turkish, cut through the tension like a blade.
Both Serin and Zade turned to see Kairan standing at the entrance to the lot, his blue eyes glowing golden, full of fury.
Zade laughed, the sound tinged with derision. "Of course, the guard dog shows up. What will you do? Bark orders? Not that I will understand it in that shit language of yours"
Kairan didn't respond with words. Instead, he moved with inhuman speed, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat.
Zade swung his blade wildly, aiming for Kairan's throat, but Kairan caught his wrist mid-swing. With a sickening crunch, he twisted the limb, disarming Zade and sending the knife skittering across the concrete.
"You should've stayed away" Kairan growled, his voice low and deadly.
Zade struggled, his movements frantic. "You think you can stop me? Her parents will send more!"
Kairan's grip tightened around Zade's neck, lifting him off the ground effortlessly. "Let them. Ben onları da yok ederim." I will destroy them too.
Zade's eyes widened in terror, but before he could speak, Kairan's rage boiled over. His jaw clenched as he snapped Zade's neck with brutal precision. The sound echoed through the parking lot, and Zade's lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
The silence that followed was deafening. Kairan turned to Serin, his chest heaving as he tried to rein in his emotions.
"Bunu yapmam gerekti" I had to do this. he muttered under his breath.
Serin stepped closer, her hands trembling as she reached for him. "I know" she whispered, her voice soft but steady.
His hands found her face, cupping it gently despite the violence that had just unfolded. "Sana kimse dokunamaz, Luna" No one can touch you, Luna. he said fiercely. "Kimse." No one.
She closed her eyes, leaning into his touch. "Kairan…"
His voice dropped to a whisper, a plea in his tone. "Seni kaybedemem. Seni kaybedemem." I can't lose you. I can't lose you.
Serin opened her eyes, meeting his intense gaze. "You won't" she promised. "I trust you. But we need to be careful."
Kairan nodded, pulling her into his arms. "Careful won't stop me from keeping you safe."
As they stood in the parking lot, the faint hum of traffic returning, they both knew the storm was far from over. And as if on que another shit storm was about to hit.
"So you are still a monster you once were"