MONSTER || KTH ✔

~ 5 ~

Taehyung was already sitting in the corner.

He stood up and she ignored him as she slid into the seat opposite him. His face remained composed, a slight smirk playing on his lips, his eyes following her every move. "You know it's not proper, for me to meet you alone."

"It's not proper for a girl to have a kill record, so I think we can let this slide as well." His smirk widened, his eyes glinting with amusement.

She nodded her head, her lips pressing into a thin line, her eyes avoiding his.The waitress came over, and she ordered a tea and a cream biscuit. She hadn't eaten much in the past week. Food didn't hold any appeal. All she wanted to do was lie in bed and cry. Each day she got up and worked was a small victory. The main file her father had left her scared the shit out of her. Businessmen, politicians, family men, and even some of the capos, all of them her father had dirt on.

With dirt came a lot of risks. There would be men, close men who'd want her dead if they knew she was aware of their ... betrayals.

"How did you sleep last night?" Taehyung asked, his eyes narrowing slightly, searching her face.

"You brought me here to talk about sleep?" She raised an eyebrow, her eyes cold and skeptical.

"I know what it's like to suffer after you lose someone." His voice softened, a fleeting look of empathy crossing his features.

She thought about his potential wives. Dropping her gaze to the table, she shook her head. "No, I didn't sleep well." Her voice was quiet, her eyes filled with a sadness she tried to hide."One day, you will." His voice was gentle, his expression almost tender.

"Is that what happened to you?" she asked, her eyes narrowing, trying to gauge his sincerity.

"You learn not to care." His face hardened, a mask of indifference slipping into place.

"I've had my mother, brother, and now my father die on me. I'm sure I can handle it." She didn't want to appear weak, her eyes flashing with determination.

Taehyung smiled, a bitter twist to his lips. "As I'm sure you know, I've had cousins, family, and even potential wives die, some at their own hand. I'm more experienced with this." His eyes darkened, a shadow of pain flickering briefly.

"I know what you've been through. It's why I'm curious why you would ever want to spend any time with me," she said, her voice softer, her eyes curious but guarded. Taehyung sat back. He lifted up his coffee cup and took a sip, his eyes never leaving hers. She hated waiting, her fingers tapping impatiently on the table.

"Your father, what he did, it goes against every single Family code. You know that. Training a woman to take a man's job. Your brother should be sitting here right now, negotiating your marriage. I see the look in your eye. It's one that means you know things you really didn't want to know." His voice was matter-of-fact, his eyes penetrating, his expression unreadable."Look, I don't know what it is you want from me—" Her voice was frustrated, her brows furrowing.