After a few minutes Jimin left...
X----------------------------------------------------X
As Jimin quietly stepped out of the room, the weight of the night pressed heavily upon her. She let out a shaky breath, her heart racing with anticipation and trepidation. It was now or never.
With steely resolve, she dialed a number, her voice barely above a whisper, laced with urgency. “Tonight, 12 pm... in the basement, behind five pillars,” she instructed, the words slipping from her lips like a secret incantation. There was a brief silence on the line before the other person hung up, leaving her in the thick silence of the night.
Pressing her ear against the door, she strained to listen for any signs of life outside. The muffled sounds of workers moving about their business drifted in, creating an eerie contrast to the tension that coiled tightly within her. Satisfied that no one was nearby, she locked the door and slipped onto the balcony, the cool night air wrapping around her like a shroud.
From her pocket, she pulled out a small, crucial object her lifeline in this high-stakes game and hurled it into the darkness below. It landed softly, absorbed by the shadows, and she felt a flicker of hope mixed with adrenaline. Closing the balcony door behind her, she moved to her bed, heart pounding as she crossed her fingers tightly, willing fate to favor her.
Just as her eyes fluttered shut, the shrill ring of her phone shattered the silence.
“DONE!” The voice on the other end crackled with urgency and triumph, sending a rush of relief flooding through her. She exhaled slowly, the tension in her body easing momentarily. But she knew this was just the beginning; the real challenge lay ahead.
The night unfolded, cloaked in mystery as her thoughts raced with the possibilities.
She awoke the next morning to a faint glow peeking through the curtains, but the thrill of the night was still fresh in her memory. As she made her way to the washroom, a sharp knock on the door jolting her from her thoughts.
“Why so early?” she asked, arching an eyebrow at the visitor, curiosity tinged with a hint of annoyance.
He met her gaze, his expression serious. “They left. We shouldn’t waste any more time,” he said, urgency lacing his voice.
Without waiting for her response, he turned and strode away, leaving her with a jolt of adrenaline and a fire igniting within her. She nodded resolutely, her heart racing with the thrill of the chase. The night may have blurred into morning, but the mission was far from over. Time was of the essence, and she was ready to face whatever lay ahead.
She stepped outside, clad in a casual sweatshirt and jeans, blending seamlessly into the mundane world of the mansion. The night air was cool against her skin, but the unease in her stomach kept her alert. As she made her way through the sprawling halls, she caught the curious glance of a maid, who raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She couldn’t afford to draw attention to herself; every moment counted.
Navigating her way to the kitchen, she grabbed some fruit, rinsing them under the tap before taking a bite. The two chefs bustling around her were focused on their work, oblivious to her presence. She studied them carefully, noting their movements, ensuring they wouldn’t catch on to her true intentions. Steeling herself, she approached one of them with a bright smile.
“Oh wow, this looks tasty!” she exclaimed, gesturing toward the golden-brown grilled bread, steam rising from it like a siren's call.
The chef glanced up, a hint of pride in his eyes. “Thanks,” he replied, his focus returning to the task at hand.
“By the way, who’s the lucky one getting this feast?” she asked, feigning innocent curiosity.
He exchanged a look with the other chef, eyes narrowing slightly. “Why would you want to know?”
She chuckled lightly, shrugging off any suspicion. “Just curious...”
The other chef chimed in, his tone conspiratorial. “These are for the other gang members.”
Jimin nodded, her mind racing. “And where are those other members?”
They hesitated, glancing at one another before one finally replied, “They’re in the main building. Why?”
She kept her expression neutral, her thoughts swirling as she nodded again and left the kitchen. The two chefs exchanged wary glances before returning to their work, oblivious to the storm brewing just outside their door.
IVEY'S POV
As I stepped into the vast living room, I couldn’t help but marvel at the vintage décor. The mansion exuded an air of faded grandeur, as if it had been frozen in time, a relic of a bygone era. Maybe his ancestors had built this place, I mused. But now, I had a different mission at hand. I needed to find the basement door, and time was slipping away.
After several minutes of searching, my eyes landed on a peculiar bookshelf, its shelves overflowing with tomes in foreign languages~ Dutch, Greek, and others I couldn’t even begin to identify. Intrigued, I approached cautiously, ensuring no workers were watching. I pulled out a red-covered book, its spine cracked with age and a layer of dust clinging to it.
As I opened it, I realized it wasn’t a printed book at all; it resembled a diary. Glancing around to make sure I was still alone, I found a spot behind the shelf and took out my phone. After snapping a few pictures of the pages, I opened Google Translate, ready to decipher the secrets within. I didn’t read them yet but saved them in my gallery for later, feeling a rush of excitement at the potential discoveries ahead.
Satisfied, I returned the book to its place, stealing one last glance at the chefs. My gaze fell upon a golden jaguar statue on a nearby table, its opulence striking against the room's vintage charm. I bent down to examine it more closely, noting a black mark on its left leg. “What could this symbolize?” I pondered, snapping a quick picture before putting my phone away.
Then, my heart plummeted as I noticed a security camera pointed directly at the shelf. “Damn it” I muttered under my breath. I knew they would check the footage soon, but for now, the cameras had been hacked for my benefit.
Just as I was about to slip away, a sharp voice cut through the air. “What are you doing here?!”
I spun around to find an elderly woman glaring at me, arms crossed, her disapproval radiating from her like an aura. Panic surged through me. “I... I was just looking around...” I stammered, my mind racing for a plausible excuse.
She wasn’t buying it. Launching into a tirade in her native tongue, she shook her head with disdain before declaring, “You shouldn’t have come here! Go do your work!”
“Work? Does she think I’m some maid?" I thought, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. “I’m not here to work...”
“What are you here for, then? A vacation or something?” she shot back, her tone blunt and unyielding.
“Kinda, yes, auntie,” I thought wryly, before replying, “No, actually... I’ll be gone soon, don’t worry. I’m just here for a few days.”
The old lady eyed me as if I had just stolen her prized possession. I could feel the heat rising in my cheeks, an overwhelming discomfort settling in under her scrutinizing gaze.
“Just a few days?” she repeated, skepticism dripping from her words.
“Uh, yes,” I said, forcing a smile that felt more like a grimace. “I promise, I won’t be a bother.”
Her expression softened slightly, but the suspicion lingered. I took a cautious step back, knowing I had to get out of this conversation before it spiraled into something worse. As I turned to leave, I could feel her eyes boring into my back, a silent reminder to tread carefully in this dangerous game.
YOU ARE READING
°BACKSTABBERS°
Misterio / Suspenso[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.
