The Thirteen Shadows / SEVENTEEN FF

Chapter 6: The Power Play

'Possessiveness can never be a sign of love. It is always a sign of fear.'

- Unknown

The next day, Maya was summoned to Seungcheol's private study. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from a fire that was crackling in the fireplace. The warmth from the fire contrasted sharply with the coldness that seemed to emanate from Seungcheol as he stood by the window holding his whiskey, his back to her.

"You wanted to see me?" Maya asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Seungcheol turned to face her, his expression as unreadable as ever. "I did. Come in."

Maya stepped inside, the door closing behind her with a soft click. She felt a strange sense of foreboding as she approached him, her heart racing in her chest. His presence was overwhelming, his power and dominance a tangible force in the room.

"You've been here for awhile now," He began, his tone measured. 

"And you've been handling yourself better than I expected."

Maya wasn't sure if that was a compliment or not, but she nodded nonetheless.

"Thank you." His eyes narrowed slightly, as if he could see through her polite facade. 

"But don't think for a moment that means you're safe. You're still a liability, and the only reason you're alive is because I've decided you can be useful. For now."

Maya swallowed hard, feeling the weight of his words. She knew better than to ask what would happen if she outlived her usefulness. "I understand," she said quietly.

"Good girl." Seungcheol's gaze bore into hers, intense and unrelenting.

 "I've been watching you, Maya. You're strong, but you're also vulnerable. That vulnerability could be your greatest weakness... or your greatest strength, depending on how you use it."

Maya's breath caught in her throat at the implication of his words. Was he suggesting that she could turn her vulnerability into a weapon? 

Or was he warning her that it could be used against her?

Before she could respond, Seungcheol stepped closer, his proximity making her heart skip a beat. He reached out, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear then softly caressing her check with the back of his hand, his touch surprisingly gentle. 

To Maya, the gesture didn't feel threatening —it didn't feel welcoming either.

"You're afraid of me," He said softly, his voice a low murmur that sent chills down her spine. 

"And you should be. But fear can also be... intoxicating."

Maya's pulse quickened as she met his gaze, the intensity of his eyes making it impossible to look away. She could feel the power dynamic between them shifting, the tension in the room thickening with each passing second. 

"I..." Maya began, but her voice trailed off, unsure of what to say. His lips curved into a faint smile, a dangerous glint in his eyes. 

"Maya," he said softly, but there was an underlying dominance in his tone that made her feel both drawn to and wary of him. "Your eyes tell me a story that can only be seen by some."

Maya's breath caught in her throat. She didn't respond, unsure of what to say or how to react. His gaze was piercing, as if he could see straight into her soul.

"I can't pinpoint exactly what it is, but I will find out. You're definitely different."

Her heart pounded harder as his words washed over her. There was something almost intimate in the way he spoke, but also something unsettling. She could feel the weight of his scrutiny, the intensity of his interest.

Seungcheol moved his hand and placed it softly on her shoulder.

"You know," he continued, his voice taking on a contemplative tone, "you could be the one. I'm not sure how yet, but there's something about you... something I haven't seen in others."

Maya's confusion deepened. "The one?" she echoed, her voice barely a whisper. "What do you mean?"

Seungcheol didn't answer immediately. He seemed to be lost in thought, his eyes distant for a moment before they focused on her again. "In the past, it didn't work. But with you, it might be different."

Maya didn't understand what he was saying. His words were cryptic, as if he was rather talking to himself, leaving her feeling more confused and uneasy. She wanted to ask more, but there was something in his demeanor that made her hold back.

As Seungcheol backed away from her, he spoke just loud enough for her to hear, his voice almost a murmur. "You can either be the missing piece... or you can be the one to ruin everything."

With that, he turned and left the room, leaving Maya sitting there in stunned silence. Her mind raced with questions, her heart heavy with a mix of fear and curiosity. What did he mean by 'the one'? and what did he mean 'in the past'?

Maya knew she needed to tread carefully. Seungcheol was dangerous, his intentions unclear, and she couldn't afford to let her guard down. But the mystery of his words lingered in her mind, a puzzle she felt compelled to solve, compelled to solve him.

Maya POV

I closed the door to my room quietly, leaning against it for a moment trying to shut out the world beyond. My mind was a tangled mess of thoughts and emotions, each one more unsettling than the last. I took a deep breath, trying to calm the racing of my heart, but the words Seungcheol had spoken kept echoing in my mind.

'Your eyes tell me a story that can only be seen by some.'

They weren't just words—there was a terrifying truth to them.

There had only been one other person in my life who had said the same thing. The thought of him made my fears resurface.

He had been the reason I ran away, the reason I left everything behind to start anew in Korea. The memory of him was like a shadow lurking in the corners of my mind, always there, always waiting to remind me of the fear and pain I had endured.

I moved away from the door, sinking down onto the edge of the bed.

"I came to Korea to escape, to build a life where I could feel safe, where no one knew me..."

But now, that fragile sense of security was crumbling.

I quickly wiped the tear that had fallen while letting out a deep sigh.

Author POV

The memories she had fought so hard to forget began to resurface, unbidden and relentless. The feeling of being watched, of being seen in a way that stripped away her defenses, leaving her vulnerable and exposed. She had run so far, but it seemed she could never truly outrun her past.

Seungcheol had seen something in her that no one else had since she left her old life behind, and it terrified her.

She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to find some comfort, but there was none to be found. The walls of the mansion, luxurious as they were, felt like they were closing in on her, trapping her in a place where she was no longer safe. The fear she had tried so hard to escape was creeping back into her life, threatening to consume her once again.

Maya squeezed her eyes shut, willing the memories to fade, but they clung to her like a dark cloud. She had been so close to feeling normal, to feeling like she could finally move on. But now, with Seungcheol...

I won't let this happen again, she told herself, but even as she thought it, she knew it wasn't that simple. She was caught in something much larger than herself, something she couldn't fully understand yet. 

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Word Count: 1247