SECRETS & LIES | VKOOK ✓ [EDITING]

seven.

"You seriously meant it when you said you wanna duo, hm?" Taehyung whispered, leaning closer to the enigmatic stranger beside him. His curiosity was tinged with skepticism, but before he could say more, the man's hand shot up, covering Taehyung's mouth with a firm but cautious grip.

"Shh," Jeongguk hissed, pulling Taehyung behind one of the open doors. They were in the middle of a dimly lit hallway, their breaths shallow as they pressed themselves against the wall. The reason for Jeongguk's sudden action became clear as the sound of footsteps echoed faintly, growing closer. They couldn't afford to risk exposure now, not when they were so close to their objective.

Taehyung's eyes narrowed as the stranger released him, irritation flashing in his gaze. "The heck?" he hissed, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

Jeongguk didn't miss a beat. "Listen here," he murmured in a low tone, his voice edged with urgency. "This isn't some game for kids. We're near the diamond, while everyone else is still scrambling around. You wanna die at the hands of some desperate idiot?"

Taehyung's irritation simmered just below the surface as he processed Jeongguk's words. His gaze flickered down the dim hallway, the crimson lighting casting eerie shadows on the ornate walls. "Fine," Taehyung muttered, his voice tight with restraint. "But next time, keep your hands to yourself."

Jeongguk's lips curved into a smirk beneath his mask, amused by the other man's defiance. "Noted," he replied coolly, his eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of movement. The mansion was a maze, each corridor more treacherous than the last.

"And why do you think we're on the right track?" Taehyung challenged, stepping closer to the stranger who still hadn't revealed his identity.

"Less talking, beauty. Just search," Jeongguk replied curtly, stepping onto a chair to gain a better view of the room. The darker lights weren't helping, casting long shadows that seemed to twist and warp the room's luxurious features.

"Huh, why do you think I'm 'beauty,' idiot? I could be anyone under this mask," Taehyung retorted, his voice laced with sarcasm. He was right; in this game of shadows and secrets, identities were as fluid as the masks they wore.

"Not used to teasing or flirting, I see. Poor lover of yours," Jeongguk shot back with a smirk.

"I don't need a lover, just so you know. Having money is enough. I'm sorry for your girl—"

"Boyfriend, darling. Don't speak before thinking, could you?" Jeongguk corrected smoothly, cutting him off as they moved down another hallway. This one seemed emptier, quieter, the perfect place for a secret to be hidden.

"Fine," Taehyung muttered, his voice edged with annoyance. "But if we're wrong, I'm holding you responsible."

Jeongguk chuckled softly, the sound low and almost mocking. "You can try, beauty," he replied, his tone teasing yet challenging. The name 'beauty' was clearly meant to provoke, but Taehyung wasn't about to let it get under his skin—not entirely, at least.