Jae was standing outside Jia's apartment, his frustration and desperation clearly visible in his demeanour. His hair, dishevelled and hanging over his forehead, created a messy appearance, mirroring the chaos inside him. His intense gaze, fueled by a mixture of pain and aggression, was fixated on the door.
Without stopping, he was violently pressing the doorbell multiple times, each press more forceful than the last. Alongside the incessant ringing of the bell, his knuckles relentlessly pounded against the door, the determined knocking echoing through the hallway.
His hand was clutching a bag tightly added to the sense of urgency in his actions. It was clearly weighted down, its contents shifting with every movement, but he paid no attention to it, as his focus was solely on gaining access to the apartment.
Inside the apartment, Jia was filled with confusion, concern and alert as the incessant sounds of the doorbell and the firm knocks on the door echoed through the space. Without wasting a moment, she rushed towards the door and paused just before opening it.
With a mixture of concern and confusion, she glanced at the door camera screen mounted on the wall, revealing Jae on the other side, his actions becoming more aggressive by the moment.
Seeing him like this, Jia anxiously ran her fingers through her hair, torn between the urge to open the door and the hesitation to do so. Time and time again, she glanced at the screen, her fingers fidgeting with the strands of her hair.
On the other side of the door, Jae's frustration and impatience continued to mount, and he seemed unwilling to give up easily. Yet, each time Jia glanced at the screen, she could see the turmoil in his eyes, the mixture of anger and pain that seemed to drive his actions.
Finally, after several moments of indecision, Jia made up her mind and slowly opened the door.
As the gap widened, Jae wasted no time and forcefully pushed the door open, swiftly stepping inside and quickly closing it behind him. Instead of acknowledging Jia, Jae continued moving further into the apartment, dropping his bag onto the floor table and settling on the floor quickly. Only then did Jia, grappling with a mix of frustration and confusion, approach him, maintaining a slight distance as she observed him.
Suddenly, Jae pulled out a chessboard from the bag he had brought with him, placing it on the table hastily arranging the pieces, as if in preparation for a game.
He spoke without once looking in Jia's direction, his tone cold and authoritative. "Sit and play," he instructed. "If I win, you'll spend the entire night with me."
Jia's spine tingled with a sudden chill as she observed him, her frown indicating frustration and annoyance.
She questioned him, her voice filled with anger and scepticism. "And why should I listen to you?"
Jae's demeanour, serious and unyielding, shifted towards Jia. In a quick, intense movement, he looked directly at her, his gaze unwavering.
"You have to," he replied simply. "You have no choice." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
After a moment of silence, as Jia met Jae's gaze, she understood that he didn't seem to back down, her eyes reflecting a mixture of anger and disbelief, she finally spoke up.
"And if I win, what do I get?" she asked, her voice laced with anticipation.
Jae's response was immediate, a determined resolve in his tone. "I'll spare Sarah," he declared.
Jia's heart skipped a beat, her adrenaline rushing through her veins as she struggled to comprehend the reality of the proposal.
She quickly inquired, her mind racing, "You won't go back on your word, right?"
"Absolutely not," he replied, emphasising his sincerity. "I won't go back on my word."
After hearing Jae's response, Jia remained silent, her eyes fixed on him for a brief moment, still grappling with the uncertainty and disbelief. She moved with a touch of hesitation, keeping her gaze locked on him as she slowly took her seat opposite him at the table.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy with a mixture of tension and anticipation as both Jae and Jia took their places across from each other. The chessboard, silently awaiting the players' moves, served as a bridge between them, a means through which their conflict would be decided.
Jia, her hesitation evident, made the first move, placing one of her chess pieces on the board.
As the game unfolded, both players continued their moves, each one taking turns in a silent and intense exchange. Every step they took on the board reflected the internal struggle they were experiencing, their thoughts and emotions hidden behind the strategic dance of the game.
In spite of the intense atmosphere, neither player spoke, the only sounds being the soft click of chess pieces being moved across the board. Every move they made was a testament to their desire to win, a testament to the importance of the outcome of this game.
After what felt like an eternity of tactical strategy games, Jae's final move proved to be a cunningly crafted plan. With an air of triumph, he delivered his final blow on the board, claiming victory in the intense game.
The weight of the win settled on Jae, as he looked up from the board, his eyes meeting Jia with a mix of satisfaction and victory.
The silence in the room was palpable, the air crackling with the tension of their previous conversation intertwined with the results of the game.
Jae's victory had secured him time with Jia for the remainder of the night, a bittersweet prize in the midst of their complex relationship.
While Jia remained still, her gaze still fixed on the chessboard in front of her. She found herself caught in a web of mixed emotions, cursing herself mentally for not being able to win, a chance she got to save Sarah, she now lost it. The implications of the outcome weighed heavily on her shoulders as she mentally prepared for the night that lay ahead.
Suddenly Jae stood up, he slowly made his way around the table towards Jia, his steps deliberate and measured. His eyes remained fixed on her, his intense gaze unwaveringly locked onto her face.
Meanwhile, Jia, still seated, kept her attention focused on the chessboard, unable to bring herself to look up and meet his gaze.
After reaching her side, his authoritative voice cut through the silence, he commanded, "Stand up."
Without lifting her gaze from the chessboard, Jia obeyed his instruction and rose to her feet. Her movements were slow and deliberate, her reluctance evident in her body language.
She stood in front of him, her face still lowered, her eyes now fixed on the floor. She was aware of his presence, his intense gaze upon her, but she refused to meet his eyes, her feelings tangled and conflicted.
Jae started to close the distance between them, taking step after step towards Jia, she found herself taking corresponding steps backwards. Her body was caught in a strange dance, mirroring their complex relationship. It continued until Jia's back came into contact with the wall, stopping her from retreating any further.
The sudden stop caused a jolt to go through her body, her back pressed firmly against the wall. Her heart rate quickened, the proximity between them igniting a mix of slight fear and anticipation within her.
Just then Jae raised his hand to touch her face, and Jia instinctively closed her eyes, bracing herself for the touch.
However, instead of feeling his fingers on her skin, she suddenly felt the brush of cold metal against her earlobe. Before she could fully process what was happening, Jae skillfully placed the pair of earrings that he had brought with him into her ears. The sensation surprised her, and she snapped her eyes open, turning her gaze to meet his face.
The mix of confusion and surprise that danced across her features mirrored the rapid racing of her heart inside her chest.
The act of placing the earrings on her had broken the intensity between them, a moment of pause in the intense game they were playing.
Jae's expression revealed a mixture of tenderness and determination as he took a step back, giving her space to take in the jewellery he had gifted her.
Jia, still caught off guard, raised her hand to gingerly touch the earrings, her fingers tracing the cool metal pieces that now adorned her ears. She glanced back at Jae, her confusion deepening, her eyes silently asking for an explanation.
Just then Jae smiled faintly, admiring the earrings on her ears, then he looked up and met her eyes.
With a softer tone, he said, "Don't worry I won't touch you without your consent."
Saying this, he was about to turn, but before he could, Jia moved with surprising agility. She swiftly stepped forward and grabbed his arm, pulling him back towards her. Without missing a beat, she took hold of his neck with both hands and pulled him much closer, bringing their faces dangerously close.
The sudden change in closeness took Jae by surprise, his body tense and his heart racing. Jia's firm grip on his neck prevented him from moving, trapping him in a space that felt both electric and dangerous. Their faces inches apart, he could feel her breath on his face, the heat between them escalating in an instant.
But his initial surprise quickly turned into a realisation of the game they were now playing, a game where the lines between desire and control were blurred. In response, Jae reached out to wrap his arm around her waist, drawing her even closer to him.
The intensity between them thickened as they stood on the precipice of a kiss, their bodies pressing against each other, their breathing growing more ragged with each passing moment.
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Jackson sat in a cosy corner of the cafe, engrossed in his phone. The soft clinking of coffee cups and the hum of conversations filled the air as he scrolled through his device.
Meanwhile, across the room at the counter, Bella picked up two steaming cups of coffee from the barista. She glanced over at Jackson, noticing him immersed on his phone.
Bella navigated her way through the cafe, carefully balancing the two cups of coffee in her hands, her attention suddenly shifted when she overheard a group of girls sitting at the next table.
They were giggling and taking pictures of something, and as Bella's gaze followed their line of sight, she noticed that they were taking pictures of Jackson. She was taken aback as she saw the girls discreetly snapping pictures of him without his knowledge. Their behaviour seemed odd and somewhat mischievous.
Bella's anger and jealousy surged. Without wasting a moment, she walked over to Jackson's table and placed the coffee cups firmly on the tabletop, the sound of the cups hitting the surface grabbing his attention.
Then, with a quick movement, she turned and marched back towards the girls' group, snatching their phones one by one.
Throughout the chaotic scene, Jackson watched, his confusion evident.
Bella forcefully deleted the pictures from each girl's phone, her anger apparent in every movement. The girls stared at her, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief, as they watched their phones being cleared of the photos they had taken of Jackson.
With a quick flick of her wrist, Bella sent the girls' phones clattering onto the table in front of them, her finger wagging in warning.
"If you even think about looking at him, I'll rip out your eyeballs and play marbles with them. And if you dare take any more photos of him, I'll break your hands and feed them to a wild dog before throwing your phones into the gutter."
The girls stared at her, their expressions reflecting a mix of slight fear and disgust.
But Bella wasn't done yet. She fixed them with one last glare and continued, her voice firm and resolute. "Don't you dare take my warning lightly."
With that, she turned away from the girls and made her way back towards Jackson, who had been watching the entire encounter with a mixture of amusement and intrigue. Her frustration and possessiveness were evident in her actions.
Without a word, she reached out and started to furiously button up Jackson's shirt, covering the open buttons that had mostly seemed to catch the attention of the girls nearby.
With a firm and stern voice, she ordered, "Sit over there." She pointed to the adjoining seat where Jackson would be out of the girls' sightline.
Jackson, caught off guard by Bella's assertiveness, silently complied, his amused smile still playing on his lips. He stood up from his seat and moved to the indicated spot without a word of protest, making a mental note to himself about Bella's possessive behaviour.
He took his seat, still smiling, his eyes fixed on Bella as she settled in opposite to him, her gaze firmly fixed on the girls across the room.
As he continued to watch her, Jackson found himself captivated by the strength and determination that radiated from Bella. He found himself drawn to her fierce protectiveness, appreciating her possessiveness and the way she had effectively shielded him from the gazes of the unwanted admirers.
Then Jackson reached for his coffee cup, he took a sip, his eyes still fixed on Bella.
Meanwhile, Bella took her own cup of coffee and gave the girls one last stern glare before turning her eyes to Jackson. She brought the cup to her lips and took a sip, still occasionally observing the girls with a hint of protectiveness in her expression. After taking a sip of her coffee, Bella shifted her full attention back to Jackson properly this time.
She then asked, her voice filled with curiosity, "Have you talked to Jae recently?"
Hearing her question, Jackson set his coffee cup back down on the table before responding, "Yeah, we talk. And he keeps visiting Jia as well. I don't understand why she's taking Sarah's side so much."
Bella listened intently, and her sudden disbelief and a hint of anger obvious in her expression as she leaned slightly forward, resting her hands on the table.
She frowned as she replied, her voice slightly defensive, "Of course she's going to stand by her friend. That's just what friends do, right?"
Jackson's sarcastic words cut through the air, "Do friends always stand by each other, even when they're in the wrong?"
Bella quickly fired back, her tone dripping with taunting, "You shouldn't be talking. When you're also involved in wrong yourself."
Jackson's frustration flared, and he snapped back, his voice sharp, "Talking to you is pointless, you Goat!"
Hearing this, Bella, her anger boiling over, grabbed a box of tissues off the table and hurled it towards Jackson, aiming for his face.
The box of tissues sailed through the air, narrowly missing Jackson's face as he instinctively jerked back to avoid the impact. The tissue box landed on the floor with a soft thud, the tension in the air became palpable as they continued their verbal sparring match.
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2 weeks passed.
The chill of the approaching winter was in the air as Jae stood on his balcony, wrapped in a comfortable sweater and jeans. The night was still young, and the sky was clear, a blanket of stars twinkling in the darkness. Jae leaned against the railing, his gaze fixed upward, towards the full moon that hung like a silver disk in the sky. His mind wandered through memories and events, each recollection bringing a different emotion to the surface.
The night seemed to hold a certain kind of magic, and Jae couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and pain at the same time in its embrace.
He was suddenly snapped back to reality by the shrill ring of his mobile phone. And he swiftly reached for the device perched on the nearby sofa. As he checked the caller ID, his eyes sparkled when he saw Fairy's name flash across the screen. Excitement and anticipation coursed through him as he quickly answered the call, pressing the phone firmly to his ear.
His heart rate quickened, and he quickly exclaimed. "Hello Jia!"
On the other end of the line, Jia's voice came through, slightly serious. "Jae, I need you to come over right away. I have something to tell you," she said.
Hearing her, Jae furrowed his brows slightly, but taking advantage of the situation, he promptly replied, "All right, I'm on my way."
After a brief pause, Jia disconnected the call without responding further, leaving Jae staring at his phone's screen. With a mixture of curiosity and concern, he shoved the phone into his pocket and swiftly made his way to go from there, eager to find out what was so important that she had called him so urgently.
***
Jae didn't waste any time. Within less than an hour, he was riding his bike through the streets of Incheon city until he reached Jia's apartment building. Once he arrived, he quickly parked his bike and dismounted, wasting no time as he hurried into the building. Jae rushed up to Jia's apartment door, his impatience getting the better of him.
He quickly rang the doorbell and waited with bated breath for the door to open.
After just a few moments, Jia appeared, her face reflecting a mix of seriousness, worry, and confusion. Jae wasted no time as he stepped into the apartment, his eyes fixed on Jia as he took in her expression. As Jia closed the door behind him, he took a deep breath, preparing himself for whatever conversation was about to unfold.
He turned around and stepped further into the apartment, but Jia abruptly stopped him, her voice firm. "Don't go any further," she instructed. "Listen to what I have to say first, and then you can leave."
Jae spun around, a look of surprise and disbelief on his face. "That's rude," he retorted, his gaze fixed on Jia.
Jia, ignoring his comment, let out a long, shaky breath, her eyes darting around nervously, feeling the weight of his unwavering gaze upon her.
She spoke hesitantly, "I need to tell you something."
Without missing a beat, Jae responded, "I'm listening."
After a moment of silence and hesitation, Jia finally blurted out, her voice tinged with nervousness and worry as she fidgeted and refused to look Jae directly in the eyes, "Jae, I'm—I'm pregnant."
As Jia's words hung in the air, a mix of surprise and disbelief washed over Jae's face. He was momentarily speechless, trying to process the news he had just been told. His mouth slightly opened, as if he were trying to form words but couldn't find the right ones. Pregnancy was the last thing he had expected to hear from Jia.
He stood there, his mind racing, while Jia anxiously awaited his response.
After a few moments of stunned silence, Jae finally managed to regain his composure and find his voice, though it was shaky. "Wait, what did you say? You're...pregnant?"
Jia's eyes finally met his, and a mixture of emotions flickered across her face, including nervousness, anxiety, and a hint of hope.
She nodded slowly, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes, I'm pregnant."
As the reality of the situation sunk in, a rush of unexplainable happiness washed over Jae. His eyes softened as he looked at Jia and he took a step closer to her. The news had caught him off guard, but as he processed it, his excitement grew, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and protectiveness at the thought of the new life growing inside her.
His voice trembled slightly as he spoke. "I—I can't believe it. You're really pregnant? We're going to have a baby?"
Jia nodded silently.
Seeing which, a small smile tugged at the corners of his lips. He took another step closer, reaching out to gently grasp her hand in his own.
As their hands met, he swallowed hard, still trying to come to terms with the enormity of the news, but the happiness he felt overshadowed any initial shock. He caressed her hand gently, his thumb stroking over her knuckles, as he struggled to find the right words.
In that moment of vulnerability and joy, Jae took hold of the back of Jia's head and gently pulled her closer. Closing the distance between them, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead, his lips lingering for a moment, expressing his love and support.
Suddenly he grasped her wrist tightly and dragged her towards the door, his voice urgent and desperate. "You're not staying here anymore. I won't let you," he insisted, as he unlocked the door and attempted to lead her outside.
But Jia instead pulled her wrist away from his grip, refusing to budge. She gave him a forceful shove, sending him stumbling out the door before she quickly slammed it shut behind him, leaving him stunned and confused on the other side.
He turned around and knocked on the door, his voice filled with urgency, "Jia, what's the matter with you? Come with me," Jae pleaded, his knuckles rapping against the door in a frantic rhythm.
The mixture of shock and confusion on his face mirrored the whirlwind of emotions coursing through him. He couldn't understand why Jia had to push him away so abruptly.
Just then Jia's voice echoed from behind the door, firm and resolute, she stated adamantly, "Go away, I'm not coming with you, and get out of here, quick."
In response, Jae's frustration flared, and he started kicking the door with increasing force, his voice filled with frustration. "Jia, you are coming with me. Stop being so stubborn," he exclaimed.
The constant barrage of kicks against the door echoed loudly throughout the hallway.
Then, responding to his aggressive behaviour, Jia's voice sounded again, this time with a hint of irritation. "If you break this door, I swear I'll break your head," she warned, her voice still strong despite the evident annoyance.
As Jia's stern warning reached his ears, Jae instantly stopped in his movements, saying, "Cruel!"
Frustration consumed him, and he ran his fingers through his hair in agitation. With one last burst of pent-up frustration, he gave the door another hard kick.
However, as soon as he did, he realised the pointlessness of his actions, and his shoulders slumped in resignation. He stood there, panting slightly, his anger gradually subsiding. Then taking a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, he leaned against the wall next to the door, defeat etched on his face.
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Jae sat alone in the room of his private casino, his body slumped in the middle of the couch, a cigarette smouldering between his fingers. He took a deep drag, the smoke swirling around him in a hazy cloud.
His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of the past, specifically one particular encounter that had left a lasting impression. The image of the man he had seen with the sword tattoo etched on his arm flashed through his mind, the memory vividly etched in his consciousness.
He exhaled a cloud of smoke, the acrid taste of tobacco mingling with his thoughts. He was certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that the man with the sword tattoo was none other than the leader of the omnipotent mafia group, the very man who had caused so much strife and conflict in their world.
He took another long drag from the cigarette, the smoke curling around his face. The room was filled with an air of unease and tension, as if the weight of their enemy's presence lingered in the very air.
Jae's phone suddenly rang, breaking the silence of the room. He immediately picked it up from his side and glanced at the screen, his expression immediately darkening into a frown as he saw that it was Jia's bodyguard calling. An uneasy feeling settled over him, and he quickly answered the call, pressing the phone against his ear.
As he did so, he heard a nervous and panicked voice on the other end, belonging to Jia's bodyguard. "Sir—sir...Jia mam isn't in the apartment, and all of the secret guards assigned to protect her have been poisoned and...---"
Before the bodyguard could finish speaking, a loud gunshot rang out, followed by a pain-filled groan. The phone line went silent, leaving Jae frozen with shock and disbelief.
He desperately tried to speak into the phone, urgently calling out "Hello, Hello," hoping to get a response.
But the only sound on the other end was the cold, ominous silence, confirming Jae's worst fears. Jia's bodyguard had been eliminated.
His mind raced as he tried to process what had just happened. The news was devastating - not only was Jia missing, but all of her secret guards had been assassinated as well. It was like a well-orchestrated attack, designed to eliminate any protection she had.
Jae's heart skipped a beat as the door to the room he was in suddenly crashed open with a loud bang. Jackson and Daniel burst into the room frantically and urgently, the panic clearly etched on their faces.
Jackson spoke urgently, his voice filled with worry, "Jae, Jia is in the hands of the omnipotent mafia group. They've sent a message - if we want her back unharmed, we need to meet them at an abandoned factory deep in the woods of Seoul. They'll all be present including the Boss and it has been said that Shadow's presence is necessary. They're demanding a final fight, but with no weapons involved. It needs to be purely physical."
Daniel, his breathing ragged with panicked breaths, chimed in to complete Jackson's sentence. "They've said that they'll only keep Jia safe if we agree to their terms. It's our only chance to get her back."
Jae's mind raced, trying to process the horrifying news. The thought of Jia in the hands of their mortal enemies was beyond terrifying. His anger and concern for her safety fueled him.
Jae stood up abruptly from the couch, an overwhelming mixture of anger, worry, and desperation in his voice as he declared, "Jia can't be harmed. She's pregnant."
Jackson and Daniel's eyes widened in shock at Jae's revelation. They both spoke simultaneously, their voices filled with a mix of disbelief and concern, "What?"
The news that Jia was pregnant cast a new and even more worrying light on the situation.
Jackson and Daniel exchanged a glance, their expressions now reflecting not just worry for Jia's safety but also for the well-being of Jae and Jia's unborn child.
Just then suddenly, Bella burst into the room, her breathing laboured and her face betraying urgency. She immediately caught the attention of Jackson, Daniel, and Jae, who were all now focused on her.
Bella began to speak quickly, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I have something to tell you. Samuel didn't reveal it earlier because he was threatened that Sarah's life would be in danger, but now he revealed everything because he also came to know that Jia is in the hands of the omnipotent mafia. And now he doesn't want to be silent. He's willing to help us in the final fight."
Jackson, Daniel, and Jae all looked at each other in confusion, trying to process the information that Bella had just revealed. The sudden introduction of Samuel's name and the mention of Sarah's safety further complicated the situation, adding another layer of mystery and uncertainty to their predicament.
Just then Bella, who was still panting, called out loudly in the direction of the door, "Samuel, come in."
Almost instantly, Samuel appeared in the doorway, his face set in a serious and determined expression.
The tension in the room was palpable as Samuel stood there, his presence adding a new dimension to the already complicated situation. Jae, Jackson, and Daniel looked at him with a mixture of confusion and curiosity, silently waiting for him to explain his sudden appearance and involvement in the situation.
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