Dangerous Affection | Renmin | Jaemren

10

Jaemin paced back and forth in the penthouse, his mind racing with the events of the meeting. Taeyong’s accusation had shaken the syndicate, and Jaemin knew he was running out of time to prove his innocence. Renjun watched him silently, feeling the weight of Jaemin’s struggle.

“Taeyong’s playing dirty,” Jaemin said, finally breaking the silence. “He’s manipulating the numbers, twisting the truth. If the syndicate believes him, everything we’ve built will be torn apart.”

Renjun nodded, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. “We need evidence to disprove his lies. There has to be a way to expose him.”

Jaemin stopped pacing and turned to face Renjun, his expression a mix of determination and desperation. “I need someone on the inside. Someone who can get close to Taeyong and find the proof we need.”

Renjun’s eyes widened. “You’re not suggesting I—”

Jaemin shook his head, cutting Renjun off. “No. I would never put you that close to him. But there’s someone who owes me a favor. Someone who can get us what we need.”

Before Renjun could ask who, Jaemin pulled out his phone and made a call. The conversation was brief, spoken in coded language that Renjun couldn’t fully decipher. But the tone of Jaemin’s voice—cold, calculating—left no doubt that he was activating one of his last remaining options.

When Jaemin hung up, he met Renjun’s gaze. “We have to play this carefully. Taeyong’s expecting me to react impulsively. We need to outsmart him.”

Renjun crossed the room, standing close enough that he could feel the tension radiating from Jaemin. “We’ll find a way. We always do.”

Jaemin’s eyes softened as he looked at Renjun. The bond they shared, forged in the crucible of danger and unspoken emotions, was the only thing keeping him grounded. “Thank you,” Jaemin said quietly. “For being by my side.”

Renjun smiled, though the worry never left his eyes. “Always.”

Later that night, Renjun found himself unable to sleep. He wandered into the kitchen, making himself a cup of tea in the dim light. The events of the day replayed in his mind—Taeyong’s smug face, the tension in the meeting room, and the look in Jaemin’s eyes when he admitted his fears.

Just as he was about to head back to his room, Renjun heard soft footsteps approaching. Jaemin appeared in the doorway, his expression weary but relieved to see Renjun. “Can’t sleep either?”

Renjun shook his head. “Too much on my mind.”

Jaemin walked over and leaned against the counter, his shoulder brushing against Renjun’s. The proximity was comforting, a silent reminder that they were in this together. “You’ve been my anchor through all of this, Renjun. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Renjun’s heart fluttered at the sincerity in Jaemin’s voice. He set his tea down and turned to face Jaemin fully. “We’re going to get through this, Jaemin. We’re stronger together.”

Jaemin reached out, gently cupping Renjun’s face. “I know. And that’s what scares me. Because I can’t lose you.”

Renjun leaned into the touch, his eyes closing as he savored the moment. “You won’t.”

Before Jaemin could respond, the tension between them snapped, and they closed the distance, their lips meeting in a slow, tender kiss. Unlike the desperate kiss from the night before, this one was filled with a quiet, unspoken promise—a vow to stand by each other no matter what.