The Traps of the Black Swan (Book 2)

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On the terrace,

The sky was dark, the mansion stood majestic between the large estate. Chaeyoung stood next to Jisoo with a wide grin watching Ruby Jane running in the fields being just like any other girl in love. Careless, free, happy, excited.

Jisoo didn't go upstairs to peep on the couple. He forgot to give the torch to Ruby Jane. She wasn't holding her mobile. He wanted to make sure she could pass the darkness on the way to the cabana. He smiled looking at Ruby Jane. She was unbothered to the darkness, guiding herself in the woods under the dim light of the mansion and the moonlight.

They could only see the white silhouette moving freely, more like a bird flying towards the nest. Chaeyoung and Jisoo unawarely moved towards the end of the terrace as Ruby Jane moved further left of the mansion.

Chaeyoung never had visited the terrace of the mansion. With her attention to distance, she tripped. "Ahh..." Her hand reached to hold something but got nothing. She was falling on her face when her eyes widened in terror when her eyes caught a Rose plant on the steps.

Even though the fall was nothing but three feet, the thorns of the plant-filled her heart with pure fear. Scars apart, she wanted to save her eyes. A prickle to her eyes was all needed to destroy her whole career, her life.

Jisoo instinctively reacted when sensed oddness next to her. He wrapped his arm around her waist before she could fall off the steps. He pulled her away and turned her to face him.

Chaeyoung was shaking terribly. Jisoo could see her green eyes wide without focusing anywhere or blinking. She was holding her breath, and her body was frozen, still bracing herself for the pain. "Chaeyoung... Chaeyoung... Look at me... Chaeyoung, you are safe..."

Jisoo pushed her hair away from her face, held her head, and made her look at him, "Breathe, Chaeyoung..." His deep voice was firm and low.

Chaeyoung had seen her whole life crumbling in front of her in those mere seconds. She blinked looking at Jisoo as her shoulders slacked. She couldn't make out his expression due to the light behind him, yet she could feel his concern.

"Breathe..." He reminded her again.

Her heart was still shuddering. Recalling the thorns, Chaeyoung hugged him tight and breathed. She tried to calm herself, telling herself that everything was alright.

Jisoo breathed in relief and glanced at the rose plant. The terrace was designed in three stages. They were on the upper level and there were two lower stages, giving a perfect area to host any party if needed.

The corners of the stairs had plant pots to avoid making the terrace look lifeless. Jisoo hadn't expected any accident and this made him realize, they have to make changes there.

His hands reached to hold her but realized he should behave. He dropped his hands and thought about what to tell. Should he distract her or calm her?

Thinking of distraction, his eyes fell on the white silhouette that had reached the destination. Same time, one woman reached the arms of her husband and another was hugging him. Although he was behaving like a friend, a gentleman, he knew his thoughts were betraying him by a craving to hold her.

Talking? He wanted to pull her away.

While he was having his battle, Chaeyoung was having hers. She had lived four years alone. She was never careless, not a clumsy girl. Whatever she did, it was always her choice. She always watched her steps in everything, stayed alert for her own safety. Being around Jisoo, she felt weak and dependent. It wasn't the first time she noticed her behavior. Initially, it excited her even though she was reluctant, she enjoyed being protected by him. Now, she was scared. She didn't want to be around him and be careless. Her carelessness could cause everything she holds dear, her life, her career, her freedom from her family.