killer affection | jaywon

03

The tension between Park Jay and Jungwon only intensified as days turned into weeks. They were like two forces of nature, each powerful in their own right, drawn together by a magnetic pull that neither fully understood. Jay, who had spent his life mastering control, found himself uncharacteristically impatient, eager for the next encounter with the mysterious young assassin. The cold, calculated heir was not used to being kept in suspense, and the uncertainty gnawed at him in a way that was both irritating and exhilarating.

For Jungwon, the stakes were higher. His obsession with Park Jay was more than just a desire for revenge; it was becoming personal in a way he hadn’t anticipated. Every day he spent tailing Jay, watching him from a distance, added another layer to the complex emotions he felt. There was anger, yes, but also curiosity and something darker, something that made his blood run cold at the thought of it. Was it admiration?

He shook his head, trying to rid himself of such thoughts. Jay was the son of the man who had destroyed his life, nothing more. But the more he observed Jay, the more he saw beyond the surface the loneliness in his eyes when he thought no one was looking, the rare moments of vulnerability that flickered across his face like shadows in the night. Jungwon couldn’t afford to care, and yet... he did.

Their next encounter came not in the dead of night, but in broad daylight unexpected, unplanned, and entirely out of their control.

Jay was sitting in a quiet café, a rare moment of peace carved out from his chaotic life. He liked this place; it was small, inconspicuous, and the coffee was good enough to make him forget, if only for a moment, the darkness that surrounded him. He was alone, as usual, enjoying the solitude, when the door chimed softly, signaling a new arrival.

He didn’t look up at first, too absorbed in his own thoughts. But then something prickled at the back of his neck an instinct, honed by years of living on the edge, that told him something was off. He glanced up, and his eyes immediately locked onto a familiar figure.

Jungwon stood frozen in the doorway, his eyes widening slightly as he realized who was sitting just a few tables away. For a moment, neither of them moved, each caught off guard by the sudden proximity.

Jay was the first to recover. A slow, almost predatory smile spread across his face as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes never leaving Jungwon’s. “Well, well,” he said softly, just loud enough for Jungwon to hear. “What are the odds?”

Jungwon’s mind raced. This was too soon. He wasn’t ready to confront Jay directly, not here, not now. But there was no escape without drawing attention, and the last thing he wanted was to cause a scene. Steeling himself, he walked over to Jay’s table, his expression carefully neutral.

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” Jungwon said, his voice steady despite the hammering of his heart.

Jay chuckled, the sound low and smooth. “I could say the same. But then again, you’ve been following me for a while now, haven’t you?”

Jungwon didn’t bother denying it. “Maybe,” he said, his tone light, but his eyes sharp. “Didn’t think you’d notice.”

“Oh, I noticed,” Jay replied, motioning to the empty chair across from him. “Sit.”

It wasn’t a request, but Jungwon hesitated anyway, weighing his options. After a brief pause, he slid into the chair, his gaze locked on Jay’s, refusing to show any sign of intimidation. They sat in silence for a moment, the air between them thick with unspoken tension.

“So,” Jay began, leaning forward slightly, his eyes narrowing with interest. “Are you going to tell me your name, or do I have to guess?”

Jungwon’s lips twitched into the faintest of smiles. “Jungwon,” he said, finally giving Jay what he wanted. “Yang Jungwon.”