Secrets Unfold, 트레저 (Treasure)

Trust Issues: The Reality Show

*Over to Yongseo, Jihoon, Jeongwoo*

"Agent K078," Mr. Yang began with a dramatic flourish, "the company missed you terribly. We went through a bit of a rough patch, you know. I almost called you, but I figured you'd just waltz right back in. And look at you, here you are!"

Yongseo, fighting back the urge to panic and her heart racing, gulped nervously. Mr. Yang theatrically opened a massive briefcase, revealing stacks of cash so high they looked like they could rival a small mountain. "I know you were only after $120,000, but look here—$5,000,000. I'll forget all about your little betrayal and you can come back to YLA. All I ask is that you take out these people who dared to want revenge. No biggie!"

Jihoon and Jeongwoo's eyes bulged as they exchanged looks of sheer horror and disbelief. Yongseo, however, seemed mesmerized by the sight of the money, as if she'd just spotted the world's largest chocolate fountain.

"The choice is simple," Mr. Yang continued with a smirk. "Take the money, finish off these so-called 'revenge seekers,' and all will be forgiven."

"Yongseo, don't do it! It's a trap!" Jihoon shouted, waving his hands in a way that could only be described as desperate interpretive dance.

"Shut it, YG!" Mr. Yang snapped, rolling his eyes as if he'd just heard the most annoying elevator music. "You're ruining the drama!"

Yongseo stood there, caught between the allure of cash that would fund a small country and the loyalty to her friends. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife—or maybe with one of Mr. Yang's tasteless cufflinks.

"I would never work with someone who killed my mother," Yongseo declared, her voice trembling with a mix of defiance and emotion.

Mr. Yang chuckled darkly, leaning back with an air of satisfaction. "Ah, it seems you've been played like a puppet. I didn't do anything about that hospital incident. And really, what proof do they have?"

Yongseo's brain was buzzing like a malfunctioning blender. It wasn't just about the money—it was about who was telling the truth. Her instincts didn't trust Yang Seomyeon for a second, but then again, Treasure might be spinning a web of deceit too. After all, she was a die-hard fan, easily swayed by a cool dance move or a catchy chorus.

"So, let me get this straight," Yongseo said, trying to make sense of the swirling chaos. "You're saying that I've been duped by your smooth talking and a catchy tune from Treasure?"

"Exactly!" Mr. Yang exclaimed with a flourish. "And I've got the cash to prove it! Who needs proof when you've got piles of money and a few well-timed lies?"

Yongseo shook her head, trying to clear the fog of confusion. "It's not just about who's lying. It's about who I can trust not to be a complete psychopath."

Mr. Yang's smile widened. "Well, that's a shame, because trust is like a broken record—always skipping in this line of work."

"Great," Yongseo muttered, "now I'm stuck between a liar and a psychopath. My life is basically a bad reality show."

*Over to Doyoung*

Doyoung's voice crackled through the earpiece, "Alright, everyone, exit floor 8 and make your way upstairs. And watch out—two guards are trapped on floor 9. They might be a bit grumpy."

As Haruto and the 25 agents burst through the door, they were met with the startled expressions of the two guards. One guard, clearly unprepared for a surprise party, fumbled with his weapon. He barely had time to blink before an agent's bullet found its mark. Haruto, with a dramatic flair, took out the second guard with a swift, precise shot.

The team stormed onto floor 12 like a SWAT team in a bad action movie. Guards poured in, brandishing weapons and looking more panicked. Haruto and the agents were ready, exchanging gunfire and dodging. The heat from the fire was palpable, and the guards, feeling more like they were in a sauna than a high-stakes battle, began to flee in a hasty, panicked shuffle.

"Is this how you imagined your Friday night?" Haruto quipped, ducking behind the cover. "Because I'm pretty sure this wasn't on my weekend plans!"

*Over to Hyunsuk, Jaehyuk, Haruto*

Hyunsuk and Jaehyuk slipped into the office with the stealth of ninjas, avoiding the chaos unfolding behind them. Just as they were about to catch their breath, two agents leaped from the shadows. Hyunsuk tackled one with the ease of swatting a fly, his muscles bulging with every move. Meanwhile, Jaehyuk, whose fighting skills were more "run-and-hide" than "fight-and-win," took off like a startled gazelle.

The pursuing agent was fast, and Jaehyuk could see him closing in, his grimace clearly saying, "I'm really going to enjoy this." A gunshot cracked through the tension, making Jaehyuk flinch and skid to a stop. He turned to see the agent crumpled to the floor, with Haruto standing over him like a hero. Haruto gave Jaehyuk a smirk that could rival any movie star's and a nod that screamed, "I've got this."

Jaehyuk let out a relieved sigh, the kind you might have after escaping an overly dramatic chase scene. He flashed Haruto a thumbs-up and bolted towards Lee Jungwoon's office, ready to wrap up their mission before the next plot twist... 

________________________________________________________________________________

Author's Note:

Hey, amazing readers! 🍫 First of all, how many of you are secretly wishing you could just curl up with a bucket of popcorn and watch this drama unfold like a Netflix special? Because same! Between Mr. Yang's ridiculous flair for the dramatic, Jaehyuk's "run-for-your-life" escape routine, and Haruto pulling off hero moves like he's in a cheesy action flick, I feel like we've got all the makings of a chaotic blockbuster right here.

Also, can we talk about Yongseo for a second? Stuck between a liar and a psychopath? Girl, same! That's like deciding between dark chocolate and even darker chocolate—either way, it's going to be a little bitter, but we all love it deep down. 🍫🖤

I had so much fun writing this chapter, especially with the mix of sweet moments and bitter chaos. I hope it brought you some laughs, gasps, and maybe a chocolate craving. Thanks for sticking with me through the madness, and trust me, there's more where this came from!

Stay sweet but never shy away from a little dark humor, okay? 😉

-Cloud 11/24