𝔒𝔟𝔰𝔢𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫 𝔬𝔣 𝔐𝔞𝔣𝔦𝔞

14

Taehyung's gaze lingered on Hae-rin, the tension still thick in the air when his phone buzzed in his pocket, cutting through the charged silence. He fished it out, glancing at the screen, a smirk spreading across his face.

"Looks like Jungkook's throwing a party tonight," he said, his eyes dancing with mischief. "You're coming with me."

"What? No!" Hae-rin exclaimed, stepping back instinctively. "I'm not going anywhere with you."

He laughed softly, the sound low and teasing, stepping closer again. "Oh, you don't have a choice. Jungkook specifically mentioned you in his message. He wants you there."

"What's that supposed to mean?" she shot back, but the flutter in her chest gave her away.

"It means you'll be the center of attention, and I'll be the one protecting you from all those wandering eyes," he replied smoothly, his tone playful yet commanding. "You see, the party is my territory. I'll make sure no one gets too close, especially after what happened earlier."

Hae-rin felt a mixture of dread and excitement surge within her. "And what if I refuse?"

Taehyung's expression turned serious, his gaze piercing. "You know what I said about regrets? You'll regret missing out on this. I can promise you a night unlike any other."

"Why do you care so much?" Hae-rin asked, her voice softening slightly, curiosity mingling with her annoyance.

"Because I want you there," he replied, his voice steady and sincere. "And because tonight is just the beginning. You'll see how exhilarating it is to be part of my world."

Hae-rin hesitated, the allure of the night and the thrill of being with him almost too enticing to resist. She took a deep breath, torn between fear and the undeniable pull he had over her. "Fine," she finally said

Taehyung grinned, that smug, victorious smile that made her heart race. "Good choice, Hae-rin. Tonight, you'll see just how fun it can be to break a few rules." He reached out, brushing a finger against her arm, sending sparks of electricity coursing through her.

—

Hae-rin stood outside the designer's boutique, her arms wrapped tightly around herself as if the cool evening air could protect her from what was coming. Taehyung stood beside her, his presence dominating the space between them, casting a long, dark shadow that she couldn't escape. Her chest tightened as the doors swung open, revealing an opulent display of dresses that shimmered in the dim light. But the moment Taehyung's hand touched the small of her back, urging her inside, she felt a cold wave of dread wash over her.

Inside, Taehyung wasted no time. He walked through the rows of dresses with a confidence that unnerved her, his fingers trailing over fabrics, until finally, he stopped in front of a black, shimmering dress. It was bold, elegant, but far too revealing—barely more than a suggestion of fabric clinging to an idea of modesty.

"This," he said, holding it up for her. His eyes raked over her body, already imagining how it would look draped on her. "Wear this tonight."

Hae-rin's breath hitched. "I'm not wearing that," she said, her voice more firm than she felt inside.

Taehyung's eyes darkened, a dangerous smile curving his lips as he stepped closer, the space between them vanishing in an instant. He tilted her chin up with a single finger, forcing her to meet his gaze. "You will," he said softly, though the menace in his voice was unmistakable. "You don't want to know what happens if you don't."

Her heart stuttered, and for a moment, all the fire inside her dimmed. She swallowed hard, her defiance cracking under the weight of his unspoken threat. She took the dress from his hand, her fingers trembling as she held it.

Later that night, when Taehyung finally laid eyes on her, dressed in that black, skin-baring gown, his expression shifted. His eyes darkened with a possessive hunger, and he stalked toward her like a predator. "Stunning," he breathed, his voice laced with lust. His gaze traveled over every exposed inch of her, lingering on the lines of her figure. He moved in closer, his lips brushing dangerously near her ear. "I want to take you to the bedroom right now," he murmured, his hand grazing her waist, sending a shiver down her spine, "but don't worry, I'm not going to do that... yet."

Hae-rin's pulse raced, her mind in a fog as she tried to maintain her composure, but Taehyung's presence was overwhelming, suffocating. She barely registered the moment when they stepped out to the car. As they slid into the sleek black vehicle, five more cars filled with bodyguards followed close behind, their presence a constant reminder of Taehyung's power.

The ride to the party was silent, except for the soft purr of the engine. Hae-rin stared out the window, trying to steady her breathing, but her thoughts shattered when Taehyung's hand slid onto her exposed thigh. His grip was firm, possessive, and the sudden contact made her tense. He squeezed gently, but the pressure sent heat coursing through her body. She pressed her lips together, her heart pounding as his fingers traced higher.

By the time they arrived at the venue, her breath was shallow, her nerves frayed. The lavish building loomed before them, grand and decadent. Taehyung stepped out first, then offered her his hand. Reluctantly, she took it, her legs unsteady beneath her as she stepped onto the red carpet. The moment they walked inside, Jungkook appeared, a broad smile on his face.

"Taehyung!" Jungkook called out, pulling him into a hug. His gaze then shifted to Hae-rin, and he offered a polite handshake, though she noticed a flicker of curiosity in his eyes.

As they sat at a private table, the weight of the evening settled heavily on her shoulders. The soft glow of chandeliers above them did little to ease the tension that coiled in her chest. Taehyung sat beside her, his arm draped casually over her chair, but beneath the table, his hand found its way back to her thigh. His fingers moved higher, teasingly close to the edge of her dress, and Hae-rin's breath caught in her throat. Her face burned as she tried to maintain her composure, but the heat from his hand and the way his fingers flexed against her skin made it impossible to ignore him.

The party buzzed with life, people chatting and laughing, but all Hae-rin could focus on was the suffocating proximity of Taehyung, the way he claimed her with a single touch. As the night drew to a close, Taehyung's attention suddenly shifted, his body stiffening beside her. Hae-rin followed his gaze and saw it—a man on the other side of the room, his eyes lingering on her with a predatory hunger.

Without warning, Taehyung stood, his expression darkening to something deadly. "Wait here," he said, his voice a low growl that sent a chill down her spine. She watched, frozen in place, as Taehyung approached the man with deliberate steps, his hand slipping inside his jacket.

Time seemed to slow as the two men faced each other. The tension in the room was palpable, thick enough to choke on, and before anyone could react, Taehyung's hand shot out, pulling a gun from his coat. Hae-rin gasped, her heart stopping in her chest, as Taehyung raised the gun and fired a single shot.

The sound echoed through the room, loud and final. The man collapsed, blood pooling beneath him as shocked gasps and screams filled the space. Taehyung didn't flinch. He turned back to her, his eyes burning with possessive fury, daring anyone to challenge him.

"That," he said quietly, his voice cold as ice, "is what happens when someone looks at what's mine."

The weight of his words pressed down on her, her breath catching in her throat. The lines between danger and desire blurred in her mind as she stared at him, her pulse pounding in her ears. The reality of her situation hit her all at once—there was no escaping him. Not now.