Arranged marriage

Chapter 23

The city was eerily quiet as Y/N and Jungkook made their way through the shadowed streets. Midnight loomed, and the chill in the air felt almost foreboding as they approached the old warehouse. Its rusted exterior and broken windows added to the unsettling atmosphere. Y/N's heart pounded in her chest as they neared the location Taeyang had mentioned in his cryptic message.

"Stay sharp," Jungkook whispered, his hand resting lightly on the small of her back, guiding her through the dark alleyways that led to the warehouse.

Y/N swallowed hard, her pulse quickening. The uncertainty of what lay ahead gnawed at her insides. This could be the moment they got the break they needed, or it could be the trap they feared.

As they approached the entrance, Y/N scanned their surroundings. The old building was almost completely silent, save for the occasional creak of metal in the wind. She glanced at Jungkook, whose eyes were fixed ahead, a fierce determination etched across his features. He reached for the door, his fingers wrapping around the cold handle.

With a soft creak, the heavy metal door slid open. Y/N held her breath, her body tense with anticipation. Inside, the warehouse was dimly lit by a few flickering overhead lights, casting long, eerie shadows across the dusty floor. Stacks of old crates were scattered around, creating a labyrinth of obstacles.

Jungkook led the way, his steps cautious but confident. They moved silently through the cavernous space, their senses heightened. Y/N's eyes darted from shadow to shadow, her nerves on edge.

Suddenly, a soft shuffling sound echoed from the far corner of the warehouse. Y/N froze, instinctively reaching for Jungkook's arm. He shot her a glance, his eyes narrowing as he tilted his head toward the noise.

They crept forward, inching closer to the source of the sound. As they rounded the corner of a large stack of crates, they came face-to-face with Taeyang, standing in the dim light with a smirk on his face.

"Took you long enough," Taeyang said, his voice low and amused.

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. She hadn't expected him to be so calm, almost as if he had been waiting for them. Her gaze flickered to Jungkook, who was studying Taeyang closely, his jaw tight.

"You've got some nerve calling us here," Jungkook said, his tone sharp.

Taeyang raised an eyebrow, unbothered by Jungkook's cold demeanor. "Relax. I didn't bring you here to fight. I have information—something that could help both of us."

Y/N took a step forward, her eyes narrowing. "And why should we trust you?"

Taeyang's smirk faded, replaced by a more serious expression. "Because I'm not your enemy, Y/N. You want information about Minho's next move, and I can give it to you. But I need something in return."

Jungkook stepped in front of Y/N protectively, his eyes flashing with suspicion. "What's the catch?"

Taeyang chuckled, leaning against one of the crates. "No catch. Just a simple trade. You help me get something I need, and I'll tell you where the shipment is coming in."

Y/N felt a flicker of hope, but it was quickly tempered by caution. They had been burned before, and this felt too convenient. "What do you need from us?" she asked warily.

Taeyang's eyes locked onto hers, and for a moment, Y/N thought she saw a hint of desperation behind his calm exterior. "There's something Minho has—something I need to get back before it's too late. He's keeping it locked up in a warehouse on the other side of the city. You help me retrieve it, and I'll give you everything you need to bring him down."

Y/N glanced at Jungkook, whose expression remained unreadable. They were playing with fire, and one wrong move could send everything spiraling out of control. But this might be their only shot at getting closer to Minho.

"And how do we know you're telling the truth?" Jungkook asked, his voice laced with distrust.

Taeyang sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You don't. But you're running out of options, and so am I. We can help each other, or you can walk away right now. Your choice."

Y/N bit her lip, weighing their options. She didn't trust Taeyang, but the temptation of valuable information about Minho's operation was too strong to ignore.

"What's in this for you?" Y/N asked, her voice steady despite the tension in the air.

Taeyang hesitated for a moment, his eyes softening. "It's personal. Let's just say Minho and I have unfinished business, and I'm not leaving this city without settling it."

Y/N could sense the gravity in his words. Whatever this was, it was more than just a job for Taeyang. She exchanged a glance with Jungkook, silently seeking his approval.

Jungkook's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing as he considered their next move. After a long pause, he gave a reluctant nod. "Alright. We'll help you. But if you double-cross us, you won't live to regret it."

Taeyang grinned, the tension in the air easing slightly. "Fair enough."

The plan was set. They would meet again in two days to break into Minho's warehouse and retrieve whatever it was that Taeyang was after. In exchange, he would give them the location of Minho's next major shipment—a critical piece of information in their effort to take him down.

As they left the warehouse, Y/N couldn't shake the feeling that they were walking a fine line between survival and disaster. Trusting Taeyang was a risk, and there was no guarantee that he wouldn't betray them.

But with each passing day, they were running out of time. Minho's grip on the city was tightening, and if they didn't act soon, they might never get another chance.

Jungkook's voice broke the silence as they walked down the dimly lit street. "You sure about this?"

Y/N looked up at him, her heart heavy with uncertainty. "No," she admitted softly. "But we don't have a choice."

Jungkook's eyes softened, and for a moment, the intensity between them shifted. He reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "We'll get through this. Together."

Y/N's breath caught in her throat at the tenderness in his voice. She gave a small nod, her heart fluttering despite the dangerous path they were on.

But as they walked into the night, Y/N knew that the days ahead would test not only their strength but also their loyalty—and maybe even their hearts.

Two days later, as Y/N and Jungkook prepared to meet Taeyang for the warehouse heist, Y/N's phone buzzed again. This time, the message was from an unknown number:

"Be careful who you trust. - M"

Y/N's blood ran cold as she stared at the message, a wave of dread washing over her. Could it be Minho? Was he already one step ahead?

Jungkook looked at her, his eyes questioning. "What is it?"

Y/N swallowed hard, the weight of the message settling in. "We're being watched."