One day in Seoul 🇰🇷

🇰🇷: 24

The night felt unnervingly quiet as I grabbed my keys and stepped out of the house. Before I left, I handed over the cash-₱1 million each-to Daniel and Nathan. They earned it, after all, with the successful deal we closed with Hugo.

Nathan gave me a curious look. "Where are you headed, bro?"

I shrugged, trying to shake off the lingering anger from earlier. "Just running an errand. Gusto ko lang ng Korean food tonight. I miss it."

Daniel chuckled from the couch, already counting the stack of bills in his hand. "You never stop craving Korean stuff, huh?"

I gave him a smirk, though my mind was still wrapped around to what happened with Katarina earlier today. Paul's name kept flashing in my head, and every time it did, it took everything I had to hold back from driving to wherever he was and ending it once and for all.

I got into the car, the weight of the gun still in the back of my mind. Maybe I wouldn't need it tonight. Or maybe I would. It depended on whether Paul pushed his luck again. For now, I just needed a distraction.

The drive to the convenience store wasn't long, but the tension inside me felt like it stretched for miles. The bright fluorescent lights of the store gave me a brief sense of relief as I parked and stepped inside. There, I stocked up on everything-ramyeon, Korean snacks, and even some soju. It felt good to hold things that reminded me of home, even if just for a moment.

I paid for everything, my mind still restless, when I stepped out to load the bags into my car. That's when I felt a presence behind me. I turned, expecting a random passerby, but froze when I saw him.

John.

He was standing there, staring straight at me with a blank face, like he wasn't even sure what to feel. His eyes, though-those were sharp, cutting through the night air like knives.

"Francis," he said flatly, his voice low and cold.

My heart skipped a beat, but I kept my face neutral. What the hell is he doing here?

I forced a chuckle. "What's up, John? Didn't expect to see you here."

His expression didn't change. He took a step closer, his gaze piercing mine. "It was you, Francis."

I blinked, pretending not to understand, but I could feel a surge of anxiety creeping up my spine. My face remained calm, composed. "I don't know what you're talking about, John. What do you mean?"

John's hand shot out, grabbing my collar with a force that startled me. His eyes flared with anger, and suddenly, I wasn't dealing with the cool, calm John I knew.

"You know exactly what I'm talking about. Stay away from Katarina," he growled. "Before I prove to you-and everyone else-that I'm right."

I stared at him, maintaining my blank expression. I could feel the pulse of my heart speeding up, but I couldn't let him see that. I had to play dumb. "John, you're not making sense. I don't know what you think you know, but you've got it wrong."

"Do I?" He slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out something small and shiny-a badge.

Shit.

The blood drained from my face, but I forced myself to stay calm, to keep the cool mask I'd worn for years. "What's that?" I asked, feigning ignorance.

John's eyes never left mine. "This is the badge you dropped at Hugo's den. The one that only people from Korea can get. You know that, right? They don't sell this anywhere else."

My mind raced. The badge. I had completely forgotten about it. How could I have been so careless? But I couldn't let him know he had me.

I chuckled, forcing a laugh that sounded far more natural than I felt. "Come on, John. Do you know how many Koreans live in the Philippines now? That could belong to anyone. How do you know it's mine?"