DANCE WITH THE DEVIL

CHAPTER 24

Areum stirred from sleep, a warm brush of fingers grazing her face. She scrunched her nose, nestling deeper into the warmth beside her, sighing with a soft, sleepy smile. She wanted nothing more than to let the comforting closeness lull her back to sleep.

But then, a gentle hand pressed against her cheek, bringing her slowly to awareness. She fluttered her eyes open, her vision adjusting to the dim light filtering in. As her gaze focused, she found herself face-to-face with Jaemin, lying propped up on one arm, his fingers gently stroking a strand of her hair.

"Good morning," he murmured, a soft smile playing on his lips.

"Hey..." she mumbled, still half-asleep. "Why are you here?"

He chuckled, his gaze warm and steady. "I'm leaving today."

"What?" The word jolted her fully awake, her eyes widening. "Where?"

"Italy, chérie. With your dad, your brother, and a few of our men."

"But why?"

He brushed a thumb across her cheek. "Work, baby."

She blinked, processing this, then shook her head resolutely. "I'm going with you."

"Chenle needs you here," he replied, tweaking her nose playfully. "And for now, I'd rather keep you out of the spotlight. I don't want too many eyes on you."

Areum pouted, a little annoyed. "And that girl? Yanna?"

Jaemin let out a soft chuckle. "Yes, she'll be around," he admitted.

"Ugh," she groaned, dropping her head against his chest. "Can't you just send her away?"

He wrapped his arms around her, laughing softly. "Soon enough, baby. But right now, come on—I'm only here for another two hours."

"Two hours?" she mumbled, burrowing into him. "That's more than enough time for sleep."

He laughed, nudging her gently. "Or breakfast."

"Who cares about breakfast? When are you coming back?" She raised her head to meet his gaze, a hint of worry in her eyes. "One whole week is way too long."

"Seven days," he confirmed softly, his thumb tracing gentle circles against her back.

She sighed, her head dropping back onto his chest as she closed her eyes. "I managed months without seeing you, but... this feels different."

Jaemin leaned down, pressing a kiss to her hair. "I'll be back before you know it. Just a big transaction. Nothing to worry about."

Areum paused, then let out a soft huff. "But... a whole week," she repeated, staring off as Jaemin sat up.

He watched her, a smirk playing on his lips as he raised an eyebrow. "What if," he began, a glint in his eye, "we use these last two hours just for us?"

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with a mischievous gleam as an idea struck her. "You mean... time just for us?"

He raised an eyebrow, sensing her playful mood. "What exactly are you thinking?"

"I'm literally going to miss you so much," she murmured, inching closer.

"Mhm," he whispered, pulling her closer, his lips brushing her ear. "Then maybe..."

"Maybe we make these two hours count?" Her voice held a soft, tempting note, her fingers sliding up his chest.

Jaemin smirked, leaning in. "You read my mind, chérie."