Coded Life - Jeonglix

Chapter 6: Beneath the Surface

The air in the room was thick—not with dust, but with tension that had been building ever since Jeongin's mother's death. Everyone was adjusting to the new dynamics, and Jeongin felt the weight of the leadership role being thrust upon him, though his aunt Zeria still led most of the operations. He was learning, but the eyes on him were always watchful, and none more so than Felix's.

As the team gathered around the long metal table, Zeria stood at the head, her gaze sweeping the group. Jeongin sat beside her, a symbol of his place as the heir to this operation. Yet, the truth was he was still navigating this world, still figuring out where he fit. Zeria, fierce and unwavering, was his guide, but she didn't coddle him. If anything, she was preparing him to take over, whether he was ready or not.

"Alright, listen up," Zeria started, her voice cutting through the tension in the room like a blade. "This is serious. Whoever killed Ma-Eum knew what they were doing, and they're still out there. We're not here to mourn—we're here to hunt."

Jeongin stiffened in his seat, feeling the weight of every word. This was no longer just about him or his grief. It was about the organization, the legacy his mother had left behind, and the role he was being forced into.

Felix, sitting across from Jeongin, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. His eyes never left Jeongin, sharp and calculating. He had been watching him all day, always with that same smirk that made Jeongin's blood boil. It wasn't just annoyance—there was something deeper in Felix's gaze. Something that set Jeongin on edge every time they locked eyes.

"We're making progress," Zeria continued, nodding toward Han, who sat with his laptop open, fingers flying across the keys. "But I need it faster. We don't have time for mistakes."

Han didn't even look up from his screen. "I'm working on it. I've tracked several leads, but this isn't some low-level target. Whoever did this is professional. But they're human, and they've left a trail."

Sitting next to Han, Hyunjin was close—too close, some might say. The way Hyunjin's eyes followed Han's every move didn't go unnoticed, especially by Jeongin. Hyunjin wasn't just a bystander in this; he was drawn to Han in a way that made the room feel even smaller.

"You always work too hard," Hyunjin murmured, leaning in just slightly. His voice was low, but Jeongin caught the faintest smile on his lips as he spoke. "Maybe you should take a break."

Han paused his typing for a split second, glancing over at Hyunjin with a raised eyebrow. "And let the trail go cold? Not a chance. You know how important this is."

Hyunjin leaned back but didn't move far. His proximity to Han wasn't just for work. There was something else, something that simmered just beneath the surface. "Yeah, I know. But I'm not going anywhere. I'll be right here."

Jeongin felt a pang of something he couldn't quite name. It wasn't jealousy, but the dynamic between Han and Hyunjin was hard to ignore. There was tension there, the kind that made the air between them feel charged. Not that different from the kind he felt with Felix, though it was far more frustrating in his case.

Zeria, still in control of the room, snapped her fingers to get everyone's attention back on her. "Felix, how's Jeongin's training going?"

Felix leaned forward, his eyes now fully on Jeongin, the smirk never leaving his face. "He's learning. Slowly. But he's getting there."

Jeongin gritted his teeth, biting back the retort that rose in his throat. He didn't need Felix's approval, and he sure as hell wasn't going to let him talk down to him in front of the entire team. Still, he could feel the heat rising in his chest, the frustration bubbling just under the surface.

Zeria, sharp as always, caught the tension but didn't address it directly. "Jeongin, you need to be ready. No excuses. Felix, make sure he's trained up. He doesn't have the luxury of time to learn at his own pace."

Felix nodded, still smirking, but there was something darker in his eyes now. Jeongin could feel the challenge there, like Felix was daring him to step up and prove himself. But it wasn't just professional; this was personal.

After the meeting, everyone dispersed, but Felix lingered, watching as Jeongin gathered his things. When everyone else was out of earshot, Felix stepped closer, his voice low and taunting.

"You've got a lot to prove, Jeongin," Felix said, his eyes never leaving Jeongin's face. "And not much time to do it."

Jeongin's heart raced, but he refused to back down. "I'm not here to prove anything to you."

Felix's smirk widened, and he stepped even closer, their faces now only inches apart. "You should be. Because whether you like it or not, I'm the one who's going to keep you alive. If you can handle it."

Jeongin clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. There was something about Felix that always pushed him to the edge. But before he could respond, Zeria's voice cut through the tension.

"Felix, Jeongin—my office. Now."

Lines of Power

Zeria's office was stark, with only the essentials—no frills, no distractions. It matched her perfectly. She stood behind her desk, arms crossed, as Felix and Jeongin stood in front of her, the tension between them still palpable.

"You two need to get your shit together," Zeria said bluntly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "I don't care what kind of personal crap is going on between you, but out there, you're a team. And we don't have time for you to work through whatever this is."

Felix raised an eyebrow, still smirking. "I'm fine, Zeria. He's the one who needs to figure it out."

Jeongin shot him a glare. "I don't need your help."

Zeria slammed her hands on the desk, making both men flinch. "Enough. Jeongin, you may not like it, but Felix is in charge of your training for now. You're going to learn from him, and you're going to listen. You don't have the luxury to be stubborn."

Jeongin wanted to argue, wanted to shout that he didn't need Felix or his condescending attitude. But Zeria's gaze was unyielding, and he knew better than to push her. "Fine," he muttered through gritted teeth.

"Good," Zeria said, her voice cold and final. "Because the sooner you're up to speed, the sooner we find the person who did this to your mother. And when we do, I want them to know they messed with the wrong fucking family."

Meanwhile, in another part of the workshop, Han and Hyunjin sat together, the blue glow of the computer screen casting shadows on their faces. Han's fingers moved over the keys with practiced precision, but Hyunjin was barely paying attention to the screen. His eyes kept flicking to Han's face, watching the way his brow furrowed in concentration.

"You're too intense," Hyunjin said softly, leaning back in his chair. "You need to relax."

Han glanced at him, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "I don't have time to relax."

Hyunjin leaned closer, their faces inches apart. "Maybe you should make time."

Han's fingers hesitated over the keys for just a moment, his eyes locking with Hyunjin's. There was something unspoken between them, something that had been simmering for a while now. But neither of them was ready to address it. Not yet.

Instead, Han smirked and returned to his work. "Maybe later."

Hyunjin's smile widened. "I'll hold you to that."

Back in Zeria's office, the tension between Jeongin and Felix was still thick, but Zeria wasn't interested in their personal drama. She had a mission, and she was determined to see it through.

"We're getting closer," she said, her voice low and dangerous. "Han's intel is solid. It's only a matter of time before we find the bastard who killed your mother. And when we do, I want them to suffer."

Jeongin's heart pounded in his chest. He wasn't just learning to lead—he was learning to hate, to seek revenge.

End of Chapter 6: Beneath the Surface