The Legacy (Underworld 1) JC

41: Shadows of Betrayal

Seokmin's heart raced as he stood outside Jisoo's apartment building, waiting for him to come downstairs. He couldn't believe that after weeks of trying, he had finally mustered up the courage to ask Jisoo out on a date. Now, as he fidgeted nervously with the cuff of his favorite black cardigan, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement mixed with apprehension.

As if on cue, the door to the building swung open, and there stood Jisoo, a vision in a satin shirt and beige pants, his brown curly hair catching the light of the setting sun. Seokmin's nerves melted away at the sight of him, replaced by a sense of calm determination. This was it. Their first date.

"Hey, Seokmin," Jisoo greeted, his voice soft and inviting.

"Hi," Seokmin replied, a smile spreading across his face. "Lee Jisoo, look amazing."

Jisoo chuckled, a blush dusting his cheeks. "Thanks. You don't look too bad yourself."

With a shared laugh, they set off on their adventure, the anticipation of the day ahead palpable in the air.

The park was bathed in golden sunlight as Seokmin and Jisoo walked hand in hand along the winding paths, the gentle breeze ruffling Seokmin's black tee underneath his cardigan. They talked and laughed, sharing stories and getting to know each other better with each step they took.

"You know," Jisoo said, glancing at Seokmin with a playful twinkle in his eye, "I never would've guessed that the guy who hit on me at the cafe one day randomly would turn out to be such good company."

Seokmin laughed, feeling a weight lift off his shoulders at Jisoo's easygoing nature. "I'm glad you like my company."

"I'd say you more than made up for it," Jisoo replied, giving Seokmin's hand a squeeze.

Their laughter echoed through the park as they continued their leisurely stroll, the hours slipping by unnoticed in each other's company.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the city skyline, Seokmin and Jisoo found themselves seated at a cozy corner table in the Italian restaurant downtown. The air was alive with the chatter of other diners, the clink of silverware against plates, and the soft strains of Italian music playing in the background.

Over plates of steaming pasta and glasses of rich red wine, they shared stories of their past, their dreams for the future, and everything in between. With each passing moment, Seokmin felt himself falling deeper and deeper for Jisoo, his heart overflowing with a warmth he had never known before.

As they stepped out onto the bustling city streets, their bellies full and their hearts lighter than air, Seokmin couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment wash over him. This was where he was meant to be, by Jisoo's side, sharing moments both big and small.

Their laughter filled the night air as they made their way to the gelato shop, their fingers intertwined and their spirits soaring. And as they sat on a bench outside, savoring their sweet treats and stealing glances at each other in the soft glow of the streetlights, Seokmin knew that this was just the beginning of their journey together.

As they said their goodbyes at the end of the night, promises of more dates and adventures to come hanging in the air, Seokmin couldn't help but feel a sense of hope blooming in his chest. For the first time in a long time, he dared to believe that maybe, just maybe, he had found something truly special in Jisoo.

And as he watched Jisoo disappear into the night, a smile playing at the corners of his lips, Seokmin knew that this was a date he would remember for the rest of his life.

Jisoo stepped into his apartment, the soft click of the door closing behind him echoing in the quiet space. He flicked on the lights, illuminating the cozy living room, when his gaze fell upon the figure sitting on the couch. There, amidst the soft glow of the lamp, sat a man whose presence commanded attention.

His long blonde hair was impeccably styled, cascading over his shoulders in waves. His sharp, angular features were accentuated by thick, dark eyebrows that arched gracefully over piercing eyes. Plump lips curved into a confident smile, revealing a hint of mischief lurking beneath the surface.

Jisoo's heart skipped a beat as he locked eyes with the enigmatic stranger. Memories, both distant and recent, flooded his mind, stirring emotions he thought he had buried long ago.

"Long time no see," the man said, his voice like velvet, smooth and enticing.

Before Jisoo could respond, the rose from the couch, his movements graceful and deliberate. "We have a lot to catch up on, old friend. Shall we?"

And with that, the man swept past Jisoo, his presence lingering in the air long after he had disappeared into the depths of the apartment.

Alone once more, Jisoo was left to grapple with the ghosts of his past and the uncertain future that lay ahead.

_

Meanwhile, Jun found himself wandering the halls of the famous Art Museum, his footsteps echoing against the polished marble floors. The air was thick with the scent of oil paint and the hushed whispers of fellow art enthusiasts as they admired the masterpieces lining the walls.

Lost in thought, Jun's gaze drifted from one painting to the next, each one telling its own unique story. And then, as if drawn by some invisible force, his eyes fell upon a familiar figure standing before a canvas, brush in hand.

It was him—the same painter guy from the art exhibition.

But before Jun could gather the courage to approach him, his attention was diverted by the sudden appearance of a familiar figure. It was the same lady from earlier, her elegant demeanor and confident stride unmistakable as she approached the painter.

Jun watched in silence as she wrapped her hand around the painter's arm, a gesture that spoke volumes of their familiarity with each other. Between their conversation, snippets of dialogue drifted towards Jun's ears, and amidst the murmur, he caught a name: Zhang Yulan.

In that moment, everything clicked into place. Zhang Yulan—the renowned art collector and patron whose name adorned the walls of prestigious galleries around the world. Jun had heard of her before, her reputation preceding her like a whisper on the wind.

As he watched the exchange between Yulan and the painter, Jun couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. It seemed that fate had other plans for their encounter, and for now, he would have to wait for another opportunity to unravel the mysteries surrounding the enigmatic artist.

With a heavy heart, Jun turned away, his footsteps carrying him deeper into the labyrinth of the museum. But even as he walked away, the image of the painter and Yulan lingered in his mind, a puzzle waiting to be solved amidst the beauty of the art that surrounded them.

A whole chapter to spoil my upcoming books? Y'all can assume the next two ships? But the tropes? And what about Rubina?

As a writer, it's safe to admit that Legacy is my favorite book so far and I enjoyed writing it. I have put tons of efforts in it and my hardwork actually paid off, and ofc I can't thank y'all enough. You people always take your time to read, vote and comment. Thank you for everything, please read the end note for a sneak peek of the next book, I hope y'all will look forward to the upcoming books as well. Thank you.