Masquerade | Johnyong

★ Chapter Sixty

Masquerade 60

Everyone puts in the work, coming through for the next couple of days, pouring their energy into creating an illusion. Taeyong coordinates the quarrels, making sure they're presented as believable as possible. Doubt crosses his mind occasionally, what if they're not convincing enough? But every time he catches just the slightest twitch in Yeonwoo's facial muscles, his doubts vanish.

The mansion becomes the stage with each person playing their roles. Raised voices, slammed doors, and tense silence. Taeyong keeps a close eye to every detail knowing one misstep would surely cost them. The tension is a performance, but danger is all too real.

Ji Nakyung has put them to shame. By now whispers have already reached enemies. Attacked multiple times, lost almost 6 members, and absolutely no victories. NCT, notorious for strength, feared by many now being dragged down by one person — a woman doing this for a man who is no more. Love is one hell of a drug.

As much as Taeyong hates to admit, Arthur Seo may have not been as calculated but he was an extremely cunning manipulator. He strategically ruined so many lives, twisting and reshaping whatever parts of your life he wanted to serve his own purpose. A person like him is to be feared.

Even while rotting 6 feet under, he still continues to torment almost everyone.

Baekhyun slips in and out of the mansion, always when Yeonwoo was at a completely opposite side of the estate, every time he returns with new reports all while Yeonwoo remains clueless.

As the days pass, the charade becomes like second nature to them. The lines between reality and their facade begin to blur. Sometimes, Seulgi slips, maybe even taking out some of her suppressed feelings towards Irene, Jungwoo at times, even Jaemin. Mina just doesn't seem to like anyone. Half of the time she is not pretending. Johnny does make sure to warn them not to ruin their progress.

Taeyong sits in the training room with Haechan. The training room is one of the few places they can have honest conversations, the training rooms never having any bodyguards in it.

"You have to tell him, hyung. I promise you, things will be much worse if he finds out himself." Haechan advices. Taeyong glances up but keeps silent. He knows that tone. The brunette usually uses it when he's being absolutely serious.

Yuta stands by the mat, waiting for his turn, his eyes following Jaemin and Jisoo as they spar, the dull clatter of their knives echoing. The edge guards are on but the intensity of their movements are merciless.

Jungwoo passes by, initially heading towards the weight training area but Yuta, spotting him, calls out to him.

He changes course, joining Yuta with an easy smile. "What's up?"

"Nothing much. How are you?" Yuta asks, a hint of genuine concern in his voice.

Jungwoo shrugs lightly. "I've been better." He admits. Yuta nods, taking note Of Jungwoo's demeanor. He's known him for years, he knows when something is weighing on him.

"Something going on?"

Jungwoo looks at him and just shrugs. "I don't know. It's super complicated. It's just a lot's happening all at once." He explains with a sigh, bummed out as he watches Jaemin disarm Jisoo, forcing her to accept

Yuta nods, agreeing. "Yeah, I get you." He chuckles. They go silent for a moment, watching as Irene and Seulgi clap, taking over on the map as Jaemin and Jisoo take to the side lines.

"No weapons." Irene challenges. Seulgi smiles, raising her eyebrows in intrigue.

Almost instantly, Yuta's head turns as Taeyong's laugh echoes, drawing his attention. His lips slightly form a frown, his heart feeling heavy but he doesn't want to fully acknowledge it. He hates seeing Taeyong so perfectly happy, especially happy with Haechan. It stung.