Jeongin's POV
Jeongin sat on his bed, propping his injured leg on a pillow. He stared at Chan's business card, running his fingers over the embossed letters. The plan to get close to Chan was in motion, and now it was time to follow up strategically. He knew he couldn't rush things; he needed to build trust gradually.
He picked up his phone and hesitated for a moment before dialing the number. After a few rings, a familiar warm voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Hi, Chan. It's Jeongin. I wanted to thank you again for your help yesterday. I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Jeongin, hey! Not at all. How are you feeling?"
Jeongin smiled, relieved by the genuine concern in Chan's voice. "I'm doing better, thanks to you. I just wanted to let you know I really appreciate everything you did."
"It was the least I could do. I felt terrible about the whole incident. If there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."
Jeongin seized the opportunity. "Actually, I was wondering if you'd like to grab coffee sometime. I'd love to properly thank you in person."
There was a brief pause, and Jeongin held his breath.
"That sounds great. How about tomorrow afternoon?"
Jeongin's heart raced. "Perfect. There's a café near my place that I love. I'll text you the address."
"Looking forward to it, Jeongin. Take care."
After hanging up, Jeongin couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. The next step was set. He leaned back against his pillows, thinking about how to make the most of their upcoming meeting.
Later That Evening
Jeongin, Felix, Han, and Seungmin gathered at Felix's apartment, an impromptu meeting to discuss their progress. The cozy living room was filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the sound of light chatter filled the air.
"So, how did it go with Chan?" Felix asked, leaning forward with keen interest.
Jeongin recounted the day's events, his excitement evident. "It went really well. He agreed to meet me for coffee tomorrow. I think I'm making progress."
Han grinned, giving Jeongin a playful nudge. "Nice work, Jeongin. Just remember to keep your emotions in check."
Jeongin nodded, though he couldn't help the flicker of doubt in his mind. It was getting harder to keep his feelings separate from the mission. "How about you guys? Any updates?"
Felix leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "I had a great time with Hyunjin today. We went for a walk in the park, and he opened up about his struggles. It's tough, though. I can feel myself getting more attached."
Seungmin sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Same here. Changbin and I have been working closely on the charity event, and I'm starting to really admire him. This is harder than I thought."
Han, who usually kept a cool demeanor, seemed more reflective. "Minho is different than I expected. He's passionate and genuine. It's easy to forget why we're really doing this."
Felix looked around at his friends, sensing the growing tension. "We knew this wasn't going to be easy. But we have to stay focused. We need to support each other and remember our goal."
Jeongin nodded, appreciating Felix's attempt to rally them. "You're right. We can't lose sight of why we're here. Let's just take it one step at a time."
They sat in silence for a moment, each lost in their thoughts. The mission was becoming more complex with every passing day, but their bond as friends was stronger than ever.
Felix broke the silence, a determined look in his eyes. "Alright, let's go over our next steps. We need to keep deepening these relationships without raising suspicion. We'll meet regularly to discuss our progress and adjust our strategies if needed."
Han nodded, leaning forward. "Agreed. We'll take it slow and make sure we're always on the same page."
Seungmin smiled, feeling a sense of solidarity. "We've got this. We just need to stay united and focused."
Jeongin felt a renewed sense of purpose. "And maybe get a little creative when necessary," he added with a grin.
The friends laughed, feeling a bit lighter. The road ahead was uncertain, but they knew they had each other's backs. With a clear plan and unwavering support, they felt ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
