He let out a soft chuckle, stepping closer, his eyes locking onto hers with an intense yet unreadable expression.
"Trying to figure out why I always visit you at this hour?" His voice was low, calm, and almost teasing.
She paused, her brow furrowing slightly in thought, before shaking her head. "I haven’t really thought about it."
His chuckle deepened. "Good," he said smoothly, a sly smile playing on his lips. "You don’t need to."
She raised an eyebrow, tilting her head slightly. "You’re so random sometimes. What’s your deal?"
He stepped closer again, closing the distance between them just enough for her to feel the subtle shift in his demeanor. "Random? Maybe. Keeps things interesting, don’t you think?"
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at her lips. "Well, you’ve already managed to ruin my holiday plans, so what’s a little more unpredictability?"
He stopped, his expression hardening just a touch. "Ruin your plans?" His tone carried the slightest edge. "So you’d really want to go back?"
"Of course I would!" she said, crossing her arms. "But since that’s apparently off the table, I’ll settle for exploring some adventurous places here."
"Adventurous?" His brow creased as he repeated the word, as if the idea puzzled him. "You think this is... adventure?"
"Well, isn’t it?" she shot back, a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Stranded in some unknown place, with no way home and a guy who’s impossible to figure out? If that doesn’t scream adventure, I don’t know what does."
He laughed softly, shaking his head. "You're strange," he muttered. "But maybe... just maybe, this is the adventure you need."
She stood there for a few minutes, feeling the warmth of his presence as he moved closer. His fingers brushed against her hair, gently stroking it back from her face. Ivey held her breath, a mix of emotions swirling inside her. Why was she letting him?
Because her mission was to get closer to him
JIMIN, the enigmatic gangster, was completely unaware of her true identity. All she needed to do was earn his trust, and right now, letting him indulge in these small gestures was part of the plan.
“Why are you looking so worried? Is there anything you want to share?” Jimin asked, his voice low and inviting.
Ivey looked into his eyes, the intensity making her heart race. She quickly shook her head, a nervous smile creeping onto her lips. “No, no, I… don’t.”
Jimin chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. “You’re a terrible liar, you know that?” He leaned in slightly, a teasing glint in his eye. “Are you hiding something from me? Like, I don’t know, a secret talent for baking? Maybe you could whip up some cookies for my gang.”
Ivey laughed, the sound surprising her. Cookies? I’m more of a takeout kind of girl!
“Ah, so you’re saying I should take you out for food then?” He raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. “How about we start with a pizza? I promise I won’t make you share it with my gang.”
“Only if you promise to keep your gang members away from me!” she shot back, her playful tone matching his.
Jimin leaned back, feigning offense. “You wound me! My gang is full of charming gentlemen. Namjoon might serenade you, Jin will probably try to cook for you, and Yoongi… well, he’ll just sit there with that brooding look.”
Ivey couldn't help but laugh again. “Sounds like a wild bunch. I’m not sure I can handle that!”
“Trust me, it’s a circus,” he said, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “But you’d fit right in. Besides, I’d protect you from their awful jokes.”
She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. “Awful jokes, huh? I’ll be the judge of that!”
“Alright, I’ll save my best material for our pizza date,” Jimin said, his tone light. “Just don’t act too surprised when I’m actually hilarious.”
“Deal,” Ivey replied, her heart lighter than before. It felt good to share this moment with him, even if it was all part of her plan. She reminded herself to stay focused, but for now, she could enjoy this playful banter.
Ivey felt a flicker of something deeper—something that made her question how close she really wanted to get to him. But she quickly pushed that thought aside. This was just a game, and she intended to win.
The moonlight poured through the expansive windows of Jimin's lavish home, casting long shadows across the room. It was well past midnight, and the air was thick with an unspoken tension. Ivey stood in front of him, aware that she was playing a dangerous game.
“Alright, Miss Takeout Queen,” Jimin began, his tone deceptively light, but his eyes were sharp and calculating. “You’ve managed to find yourself on my private jet and in my home. Care to explain how a vacationer ends up lost in my world?”
Ivey met his gaze, her heart steady despite the pressure. “It was a mistake, okay? I boarded the wrong plane thinking it was headed for a tropical getaway. Who knew it would land in the lap of a gangster?” She offered a half-hearted laugh, trying to mask the truth behind her words.
Jimin leaned in slightly, his expression scrutinizing. “A mistake? You’re quite lucky I don’t have a penchant for throwing ‘lost vacationers’ out on the street. What’s your angle, really?”
She felt the weight of his scrutiny and fought to maintain her composure. “I’m just trying to make the best of a bad situation. I didn’t plan to end up here, but now that I am, I might as well enjoy the hospitality.”
“Hospitality, huh?” he replied, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “You’re playing it cool, but I can tell you’re not just another lost tourist. You’re too composed for that.”
Ivey crossed her arms, pretending to be unfazed. “Maybe I’ve just learned to adapt quickly. You never know what life throws at you, right?”
“True enough,” Jimin said, his eyes narrowing slightly. “But trust me, I can spot a façade from a mile away. You think you can charm your way into my good graces just because you stumbled onto my plane?”
She held his gaze, refusing to let his words rattle her. “I’m not here to charm anyone. I’m just trying to survive this unexpected detour. Besides, you could use someone with a fresh perspective around.”
“Fresh perspective, or fresh trouble?” he countered, his tone shifting. “You might want to tread carefully. I don’t take kindly to anyone who disrupts my plans.”
Ivey felt a flicker of annoyance. “I’m not here to disrupt anything! I just want to lay low for a while and figure out my next move.”
Jimin studied her, a calculating look in his eyes. “And why should I let you? You could be a liability. I don’t let just anyone into my circle.”
“Because I’m not looking to cause trouble,” she replied, her voice steady. “I just want to keep my head down until I can figure a way out of this mess.”
A moment of silence passed between them, the air thick with unspoken tension. Jimin seemed to weigh her words carefully, considering the risks and rewards of keeping her around.
“Alright,” he finally said, a smirk returning to his lips. “But don’t think for a second that I trust you. You’ll have to earn your keep around here.”
Ivey nodded, masking her relief with a confident smile. “Fair enough. Just don’t expect me to be your maid or anything.”
“Oh, I wouldn’t dream of it,” he replied, his tone teasing yet edged with something darker. “But let’s see how long you can keep up this charade without revealing your true intentions.”
As he stepped back, Ivey felt the weight of his words. She was in a precarious position, but she had to maintain her façade. After all, she needed to gather information, and Jimin was not someone to underestimate.
With the midnight hour stretching on, Ivey reminded herself to stay focused. She had a mission, and Jimin was just another obstacle—or a potential ally, depending on how she played her cards.
YOU ARE READING
°BACKSTABBERS°
Mystery / Thriller[ONGOING] You've read countless 'rivals to lovers' stories, but what sets this apart is its darkness: there are no rivals, no lovers-only backstabbers. Everyone is a traitor, and trust is the most dangerous illusion of all.
