Debt & Compensation •|• Heeseung | Sunghoon Fanfiction

Fate ✧ - Chapter 3

Author's POV: ✯

You lay in your bed, eyes locked on the ceiling that loomed far above. Everything around you was quiet—too quiet. Until, suddenly, a plan sparked in your mind.

The woman who served you dinner always came at the same time, like clockwork, though there wasn't one in the room. You'd memorized the routine by now. So you crept silently into the closet by the door, holding your breath as you waited.

Not long after, you heard the familiar sound: the door unlocking with a sharp click. You peeked through the closet slits—just as expected, the woman entered with a tray in hand.

"Ms. Han?" she called gently, looking around the room in confusion.

As she took a step forward to search, you seized your chance—sneaking out and slipping through the open door. You slammed it shut behind you and locked it, heart pounding in your chest.

The hallway outside was lavish, like something out of a palace. You didn't have time to admire it. Another maid appeared at the far end, and you darted into the nearest hiding spot—an alcove barely big enough to crouch in.

Behind you, muffled chaos erupted.

"She's gone!" a voice shrieked from inside the room.

Footsteps thundered down the hallway. Voices clashed in panic.

"If we don't find her, Heeseung will kill us!"

"No—Sunghoon might murder us instead."

"You idiots," a third voice snapped. "Check the surveillance cameras."

That sent a chill down your spine. You had to move again—and fast.

You crept out of hiding and made your way toward a grand stairwell, only to hear someone chasing behind. Without hesitation, you bolted down the stairs—until you ran straight into a figure.

"Where do you think you're going, darling?" a calm, taunting voice greeted you.

Your breath hitched as you looked up. Heeseung.

He turned his gaze over your shoulder. "You can go," he told the woman behind you. "I'll handle it."

He reached down and took your wrist, pulling you up from the floor. His smile was soft, almost gentle, but his eyes gleamed with something else.

"You caused quite the scene," Heeseung murmured. "If you wanted to go out so badly, you could've just asked."

You yanked your hand away. "They don't even speak to me. And you expect them to listen to a request?"

Heeseung chuckled, clearly entertained. "I'll make sure they do next time. I gave them the wrong order, I'll admit."

You turned your face away from him, unable to handle the weight of his stare. Silence stretched until Heeseung spoke again.

"You're outside. Now what do you want to do, hm?"

You didn't hesitate. "Run away. Far away from you."

Heeseung let out a soft laugh, amused by your bluntness. "Then let's make it interesting."

You looked at him warily as he stepped closer. "You have one minute to run," he said. "But if I catch you..." His voice dipped. "You sleep in my bed tonight."

Your stomach twisted. Was that a challenge or a threat?

Before you could ask, he answered. "It's an order."

"That's not fair," you muttered, your voice cracking slightly. "Please... don't do this."

Heeseung's smirk only deepened. "You can try. Who knows, maybe you'll surprise me." He reached out and gently cupped your face. "But deep down, you know how this ends."

You stared at him. Then, without another word, you turned around.

"Give me one minute," you said.

And then you ran.

You sprinted like your life depended on it, your legs burning with effort as the grand hallway blurred around you. The gate wasn't far now—just a little more. Just a little—

But it was too late.

You felt arms wrap around you, pulling you back.

Heeseung walked toward you slowly, not even winded. "You ran fast," he said, almost impressed. "But a deal's a deal, darling."

Your breathing was heavy, your hope crushed in his words. He didn't need to say more.

You were escorted back to your room.

Heeseung sat beside you on the bed, the towel still wrapped tightly around your body. He looked at you, a crooked smile on his lips, but this time, he didn't try to touch you. Instead, he leaned back, resting one arm across the bedframe, observing your expression like you were a puzzle he was still figuring out.

"You're tense," he said, voice low. "But don't worry, I'm not going to touch you... not tonight, at least."

Your breath slowed just a bit, but you didn't respond. You were still alert, still guarded. Heeseung noticed that too.

He clicked his tongue. "You've got fight in you. That's why you're here."

You turned to him slowly. "What do you mean?"

He let out a quiet laugh, then got up and walked over to the window, his hands behind his back as he looked out into the estate's moonlit courtyard. "You think you're just some random girl we kidnapped and locked in a room? Tsk." He turned his gaze back to you. "We chose you. You've got a pretty face, a smart mouth, and enough nerve to try escaping multiple times. You're exactly what we need."

"For what?" you asked, voice sharp now.

He walked back to you slowly, stopping only when he stood in front of the bed. "You'll find out soon enough. But to give you a little teaser..." He bent down just enough to whisper near your ear, not touching you, but close enough to send a chill down your spine. "You're going to be our little pawn, darling. Distract. Manipulate. Lure. Maybe steal a few things. Maybe even kill."

You flinched at his words.

"You'll be our soft-faced killer," he continued. "Our charming little thief. And no one will ever suspect it's you... especially with a leash around your neck that's invisible to the world."

You clenched your fists. "I'm not doing anything for you."

Heeseung smiled wider, straightening up. "That's what they all say at first."

Just then, the door opened. Sunghoon stepped inside, tossing a black folder onto the bed. "It's time," he said, ignoring your presence entirely. "She needs to be briefed."

Heeseung picked up the folder and handed it to you. "Read it. Memorize every word. Tomorrow, you become Ju Eun—the elegant niece of a South Korean diplomat. You'll smile, charm, and stall while we take what we need."

You blinked. "Diplomat?"

"An international summit," Sunghoon said, flipping a knife in his hand idly. "Big names. Expensive security. Priceless data. And one girl playing distraction at the gala."

Heeseung leaned in just slightly again. "And remember, if you do anything we don't like..." He brushed a hand past your cheek without touching you. "You won't have to worry about running ever again."

He moved away, leaving you with the folder on your lap. He turned to Sunghoon. "Get the dresses ready. She's going to look like a goddess tomorrow."

You stared at the file, your heart hammering. On the front page was your new identity—your new role.

Ju Eun: Socialite. Traitor. Bait.