The Thirteen Shadows / SEVENTEEN FF

Chapter 23: Documents

As the room cleared out and the others slowly started to leave, Seungcheol stayed behind, his sharp gaze never leaving Maya. Once it was just the two of them, he called her over. "Maya," his voice was calm but firm, "I need you to talk to Aera. Ask if there's anywhere out of the country she can go for a while."

Maya understood immediately. The situation with Ateez was escalating, and Seungcheol was being cautious. Before she could respond, he added, "Don't worry. I'll cover everything, whatever it takes to get her to safety."

Maya nodded, acknowledging his request. "I'll talk to her," she said quietly, already thinking about how to approach Aera.

As Seungcheol stood up, preparing to leave, he suddenly stopped, his eyes narrowing slightly as he turned back to Maya. "It looks like you've got something on your mind," he observed, his voice softer but still laced with authority.

Maya hesitated, biting her lip before finally speaking up. "If it really is this Ateez group," she began, "then why not let me bait them out?"

Seungcheol's expression immediately changed. His brow furrowed, and then one eyebrow raised as he stepped closer to her. "Bait them out?" His voice held a dangerous edge. "You do know what that means, right? It's not just a game, Maya. It means seduction, getting close enough to their people, their men, to draw them out. You know what that entails."

Maya's heart raced, but she forced herself to stay composed. Of course, she had thought it through, but hearing him lay it out so bluntly made her stomach turn. She quickly shook her head, feigning embarrassment. "Nevermind, I... I didn't think of it like that," she stammered, trying to backtrack.

Seungcheol smirked, his intense gaze still locked on her. "As if I'd ever let anyone come near you," he muttered, his voice filled with possessive finality. Then, without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving Maya standing there, her heart pounding and her mind racing.

Maya walked into the garden, her eyes immediately spotting Aera and Mingyu sitting together, their conversation hushed but comforting. She allowed herself a brief moment of reflection, her thoughts swirling. 

'Of course, I know what seduction means,' she mused. 

'How else do you get men to listen? But I can't show my strong side yet—not to Seungcheol, not to anyone.'

Before her thoughts could spiral further, Aera's voice broke through, calling her back to reality.

"Maya!" Aera called, waving her over with a soft smile.

Mingyu walked up to Maya as she approached. "She'll be okay," he said reassuringly, his usual smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. 

"I've apologized for not remembering her last night, not that she remembered and explained why I was ignoring her." He rolled his eyes dramatically, earning a small chuckle from Maya. She nodded, appreciating his lightheartedness amidst the chaos. He flashed her one of his signature grins before heading back inside the manor.

Maya took a seat next to Aera, who leaned her head on Maya's shoulder. They sat in silence for a moment, the cool night air offering some reprieve from the tension that had built up since the incident.

Aera spoke first, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I wonder if Seungcheol would let me go to the States for a while, until everything dies down. But even if he did, I don't know how I'd pay for flights and everything else."

Maya glanced at her, taking in the concern etched on her face. "Actually, Seungcheol told me the same thing," she began softly. "He thinks it would be better if you went, so you wouldn't be stuck here like I am." Maya paused, ensuring Aera was listening closely. "And... Seungcheol said he'd cover everything you need. You just have to decide where you want to go."