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Chapter 2: The Leader’s Move

The library was one of the few places where Dr. Hana Lee found solace. The quiet, the smell of old books, and the sense of being surrounded by knowledge helped her unwind from the endless demands of her profession. After the unsettling encounters with Jungkook and Taehyung, Hana sought refuge in this familiar haven, hoping to find some peace among the pages of a medical journal.

She sat at a small wooden table near the back, her focus entirely on an article about the latest advancements in neurosurgery. The world outside the library’s walls faded away as she immersed herself in the text, absorbing every detail with the same intensity she applied to her work. For a while, she managed to forget the strange events of the past few days. The library was her sanctuary, a place where she felt safe.

But her sanctuary was not as secure as she believed.

Kim Namjoon had been watching Hana for days, carefully planning his approach. He was the leader of BTS, and he knew that this next step needed to be executed with precision. His brothers had already made their moves—Jungkook with his relentless pursuit, Taehyung with his enigmatic charm—but Namjoon was different. He was strategic, methodical, and knew that the key to winning Hana’s trust was to present himself as someone she could rely on.

He entered the library quietly, scanning the rows of books until he spotted her. There she was, completely absorbed in her reading, her brow furrowed in concentration. Namjoon couldn’t help but admire her dedication. It was rare to find someone so focused, so driven, and he knew that her passion was one of the things that had drawn them all to her. They were obsessed, yes, but there was more to it—there was a genuine fascination with the woman behind the surgeon’s mask.

Namjoon approached her table slowly, careful not to startle her. He pulled a book from the shelf and pretended to flip through it as he made his way over, keeping one eye on Hana the entire time. When he was close enough, he cleared his throat softly.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked, his voice low and polite.

Hana looked up, surprised to see a tall, handsome man standing beside her. She didn’t recognize him, but there was something about his presence that immediately put her at ease. He was different from Jungkook and Taehyung—more mature, more composed.

"Of course," she replied, offering him a small smile. "I don’t mind."

Namjoon sat down across from her, placing the book he had grabbed on the table. It was a random choice, something about philosophy, but he didn’t need to read it. His focus was entirely on Hana.

"You’re reading a medical journal?" he asked, glancing at the open pages in front of her.

"Yes," Hana replied, slightly embarrassed. "It’s about neurosurgery. I try to stay updated on the latest research whenever I can."

Namjoon nodded, genuinely impressed. "That’s admirable. Not many people have the discipline to keep learning after they’ve already become experts in their field."

Hana blushed slightly at the compliment. "I wouldn’t call myself an expert. There’s always more to learn."

"That’s what makes you special," Namjoon said, his voice gentle but firm. "The willingness to keep pushing forward, to never settle for what you already know."

Hana found herself drawn to his words, to the quiet confidence he exuded. There was something about him that felt… safe. He was intelligent, articulate, and seemed to understand her in a way that few people did. The unease she had felt with Jungkook and Taehyung was absent in Namjoon’s presence, replaced by a growing sense of comfort.

They continued to talk, the conversation flowing naturally as they discussed various topics—medicine, literature, even philosophy. Namjoon was careful to steer the conversation in a way that allowed Hana to open up, to share more about herself without feeling pressured. He was a master at reading people, at making them feel seen and heard, and Hana was no exception.

As the afternoon wore on, Hana realized that she was enjoying Namjoon’s company more than she had anticipated. It was rare for her to connect with someone so quickly, especially someone outside the medical field, but Namjoon was different. He was thoughtful, respectful, and seemed genuinely interested in what she had to say.

When the time came for Hana to leave, she hesitated, not wanting the conversation to end. Namjoon noticed this and seized the opportunity.

"I’ve really enjoyed talking with you," he said, his voice warm and sincere. "Would it be alright if we stayed in touch?"

Hana felt a flutter in her chest. It had been a long time since she had met someone she wanted to get to know better, and the idea of staying in touch with Namjoon was surprisingly appealing. She hesitated for a moment, then nodded.

"Sure," she said, reaching into her bag for her phone. "Let’s exchange numbers."

Namjoon smiled, a wave of satisfaction washing over him. He already had her number, of course—Yoongi had made sure of that—but this was different. This was Hana willingly giving him her number, a sign that she was beginning to trust him.

They exchanged numbers, and as Hana saved his contact information, she couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement. Namjoon was different from the other men she had met, and she was curious to see where this new connection might lead.

"I’ll text you later," Namjoon said, standing up as Hana gathered her things. "Maybe we can grab a coffee sometime?"

"I’d like that," Hana replied, her smile genuine.

They left the library together, and as Hana walked home, she found herself thinking about Namjoon—about his calm demeanor, his thoughtful words, and the way he had made her feel at ease. She didn’t know why, but she felt like she could trust him, like he was someone she could rely on.

What Hana didn’t realize was that her trust was exactly what Namjoon had been aiming for. He had succeeded in integrating himself into her life, just as the others had tried to do before him. But unlike them, Namjoon had managed to break through her defenses, to make her believe that he was someone she could trust.

And as he watched her walk away, a satisfied smile playing on his lips, Namjoon knew that the next phase of their plan was about to begin. The boys were obsessed with her—there was no denying that. They wanted her to be theirs, to be their shared girl, and Namjoon was determined to make that happen.

He sent a quick text to the group chat that only the seven of them shared.

Namjoon: Got her number. She trusts me.

The responses came quickly, each of them expressing a mix of satisfaction and anticipation.

Yoongi: Good. Keep her close.

Jin: Make sure she doesn’t suspect anything.

Hoseok: I want to meet her next.

Jimin: Don’t rush it. We have time.

Taehyung: She’s already started to fall for him.

Jungkook: I’m not going to wait much longer.

Namjoon’s smile widened as he read their messages. They were all on the same page, all working towards the same goal. Hana had no idea what she was walking into, no idea that the men who had infiltrated her life were all connected, all part of the same deadly organization. She didn’t know that her life was no longer her own, that every move she made was being watched, every decision influenced by the seven shadows that followed her.

But she would learn soon enough.

For now, Namjoon was content to let her believe that she had found a new friend, someone she could trust. He would play the role perfectly, just as he always did, until the time was right to reveal the truth. And when that time came, Hana would have no choice but to accept her fate—to become theirs, completely and irrevocably.

As he walked away from the library, Namjoon couldn’t help but feel a sense of triumph. The game had just begun, and they were already winning. Hana was theirs—it was only a matter of time before she realized it.

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