Dangerous Affection | Renmin | Jaemren

1

Renjun had always kept his head down. Growing up in the shadow of his family's business, he'd learned early on that silence and obedience were his best friends. He was the son of a powerful figure in the underground world-one of the largest crime syndicates in the city. But Renjun had no interest in that life. He wanted out, away from the dirty deals, the constant danger, and the weight of expectations that came with being the heir to a mafia empire.

He thought he was close to escaping, too. Renjun had quietly enrolled in university, hoping to carve out a normal life far from his family's influence. But all of that changed the day he received an ominous summons to his father's office.

The room was dimly lit, thick smoke lingering in the air from the expensive cigars his father liked to puff on. Renjun stood by the door, arms crossed, trying to mask his unease. His father, a man of few words and even fewer displays of affection, was seated behind his large mahogany desk. Next to him stood a figure Renjun hadn't seen before-tall, broad-shouldered, with a dangerous smile that seemed to cut through the darkness like a knife.

"Renjun," his father greeted, his voice gravelly and commanding. "This is Jaemin. You'll be working with him from now on."

Renjun's heart sank. Working with him? He glanced at Jaemin, who offered a sly grin in return. Renjun's instincts told him that Jaemin was trouble. Dressed in all black, with sharp eyes that missed nothing, Jaemin was the kind of man who thrived in the shadows. Renjun could sense it immediately-this was not someone to be trifled with.

"I don't need a partner," Renjun said flatly, his voice edged with defiance. "I'm handling everything fine on my own."

His father chuckled, a low, humorless sound. "This isn't up for debate. Jaemin is one of our best. He's going to keep you safe and teach you how things really work around here."

Jaemin stepped forward, extending his hand. "Nice to meet you, Renjun. I've heard a lot about you."

Renjun ignored the hand, his eyes narrowing. He wasn't about to be charmed by some lackey sent to babysit him. But Jaemin didn't seem fazed by the cold reception. If anything, the rejection only made his smile grow.

After an uncomfortable silence, Renjun's father dismissed him with a wave. "You'll be reporting to Jaemin starting tomorrow. Don't be late."

Renjun left the office, his blood boiling. He didn't need a bodyguard, especially not one like Jaemin. He'd spent years trying to separate himself from his family's criminal operations, and now he was being dragged back in by force. He had no choice but to play along-for now.

---

The next day, Renjun showed up reluctantly at the meeting place: a lavish penthouse suite overlooking the city. The elevator doors opened to reveal Jaemin lounging on a plush sofa, a glass of whiskey in hand. The view behind him was breathtaking, a sea of twinkling lights stretching out in all directions, but Renjun barely noticed. All he saw was the smug figure before him.

"Right on time," Jaemin said, his voice dripping with mock approval. "I like punctuality."

Renjun ignored the comment and walked further into the room. "Let's get one thing straight. I'm only here because I have to be. I'm not interested in whatever you think you're going to teach me."

Jaemin set his glass down and stood, his movements smooth and confident. "Relax, I'm not here to lecture you. I'm just here to make sure you don't get yourself killed."

Renjun shot him a glare. "I can take care of myself."

Jaemin raised an eyebrow, his expression playful yet serious. "Sure you can. But let's see how well you do when things get real."

Without warning, Jaemin pulled a gun from his jacket, spinning it casually before holding it out to Renjun. Renjun's breath hitched, but he didn't flinch. He'd seen guns before, had been around them his entire life, but the way Jaemin wielded it was different. There was a casual confidence, an intimacy with danger that Renjun couldn't ignore.

Jaemin smirked, watching Renjun's reaction. "Take it."

Renjun hesitated before gripping the cold metal, the weight of it familiar yet heavy in his hand. Jaemin stepped closer, his presence overwhelming. Renjun could feel the heat radiating off him, and for a split second, he forgot about the gun, the tension, everything. All he saw was Jaemin-too close, too bold, too damn confident.

"Rule number one," Jaemin whispered, his voice low and dangerously smooth, "never hesitate. In this world, hesitation gets you killed."

Renjun's pulse quickened, but he held his ground, refusing to back down. "I don't need your rules."

Jaemin chuckled, leaning back and giving Renjun a once-over that felt more like a challenge than a compliment. "You've got fire. I like that. But fire alone won't keep you alive."

Renjun set the gun back on the table with a clatter, turning his back to Jaemin. He'd had enough of this game for one day. "I'm done. I'm not your student, and I don't need your lessons."

Jaemin watched him go, a smirk still playing at his lips. He knew this was just the beginning. Renjun was stubborn, but he was also intelligent, and Jaemin had a feeling that, underneath all that defiance, Renjun was hiding something-something Jaemin was determined to uncover.

---

Renjun stormed out of the penthouse, his thoughts a tangled mess. He hated Jaemin's arrogance, his condescending smile, the way he seemed to enjoy pushing Renjun's buttons. But most of all, Renjun hated the unsettling flutter in his chest whenever Jaemin got too close.

He told himself it was just anger-nothing more. But deep down, Renjun couldn't deny that Jaemin fascinated him. And that was dangerous.

Renjun knew better than to let his guard down, especially around someone like Jaemin. But as he looked up at the penthouse one last time before heading back to his car, Renjun couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of something much bigger-and much more dangerous-than he'd ever imagined.

---

Tbc...
Leave a comment it makes me happy ^∆^