𝑪𝒆𝒐'𝒔 𝑪𝒉𝒖𝒃𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆18+ ●ᴊɪᴍɪɴxᴄʜᴜʙʙʏᴏᴄ●

VIII

◦•●◉✿ 𝐀𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑'𝐒 𝐏𝐎𝐕  ✿◉●•◦

Lily couldn’t believe it at first, but a sense of relief washed over her seeing Sofie safe and sound. In front of her, however, stood a man so intense, he seemed to radiate a heat like a blazing fire. Park Jimin towered above her, his commanding presence both intimidating and strangely captivating. She had been desperately searching for her sister, but what she found was a scene she hadn’t anticipated—a man who, with a simple, calculated twist of his wrist, had sent a warning so severe that the lurking stranger had fled, utterly shaken.

His aura was layered: calm yet mischievous, ruthless yet protective, each glance precise and almost unnervingly deliberate. The fire in his eyes was undeniable, a smoldering force that could make even a grown man quake. Lily had never seen anything like it; this was a man who detested those who preyed on the vulnerable, whose rage flared at anyone who tried to impose power over the innocent. Weakness, in his eyes, was no sin—but cruelty was unforgivable.

In that moment, she couldn’t help but admire him. She watched as he stood before her, hands in his pockets, dark glasses hiding his gaze but somehow intensifying it. His calm stance betrayed a hint of restrained energy, as if he was still ready to protect. Those plump, rosy lips—unintentionally tempting, almost demanding attention—added to the spell he seemed to cast over her.

But he lingered there, expectant. She had already thanked him, yet he remained, as if waiting for more. Was there something else he wanted to hear from her? Her heart raced, her gaze lingering on him, wondering just what had drawn her into his orbit so powerfully.

"I'll get going, Mr. Park," she murmured, casting him one last glance, only to find him already looking deep into her, as though he could unravel every layer she held back. His gaze was hard and intimidating, yet there was something almost searching in it, as if he were trying to understand the woman who had once challenged him, now standing before him in gratitude.

He couldn’t help but admire the fierce, fiery spirit she held. Her worry and tension over her sister didn't suit her the way that blazing defiance did—the look that fueled something untamed within him. She stirred an unspoken desire, a compulsion he couldn’t shake. Every moment with her was like being pulled deeper into an addictive fire, a craving that grew sharper each time she dared to challenge him.

He nodded, attempting to maintain the cool, dominant facade he was known for, though he sensed her frown. So rude, she thought, sighing before offering a respectful bow. Yet his own thoughts were far from respectful. The slight dip of her neckline revealed just enough of her curves to tempt him toward the edge of his self-control, stirring something primal beneath the polished exterior he wore.

Trying to mask his attraction, he reverted to his usual indifferent attitude. "Miss Smith, I'm heading back to the office," he said, his tone clipped. "I’ll overlook your decision to leave early today—on account of this cute little one," he added, ruffling Sofie's hair, earning a giggle that warmed his heart just a bit.

But Lily's frown deepened, her expression shifting from relief to disbelief. Mistake? She had completed her work, wrapped everything up precisely on time, and yet here he was, framing it as a misstep.

"But to make up for it, you’ll need to come in early tomorrow," he continued, an unmistakable smirk gracing his lips. "Seven a.m. sharp. Consider it my generosity." He was reveling in the sight before him: her cheeks, golden and radiant, flushed in frustration, her mouth parting in shock at his audacity.

The fiery spark that returned to her eyes was enough to make him chuckle, his gaze absorbing every detail—the set of her jaw, the subtle trembling of her frame, the way she was already brimming with defiance once more. She was a puzzle he wanted to keep unraveling, piece by piece, one fiery challenge at a time.

"But Mr. Park, I completed the work," she insisted, demanding an explanation for his impulsive decision.

"Doesn't matter. I'm heading back to the office to work right now, aren't I? A professional shouldn’t care about time, should they?" He smirked, his plump lips caught between his teeth, capturing her gaze.

Her lingering stare drifted back to his eyes, hidden behind pink-tinted glasses, which somehow softened the ruthless exterior they masked. The vibrant color suited him in an oddly intoxicating way.

"But—" Her words were abruptly cut off as a car sped recklessly close to her. Instantly, the man before her reacted, grabbing her hand and pulling her out of harm's way. The little girl beside them watched with wide eyes, amused by their interaction.

He muttered a string of curses under his breath, his voice simmering with fury at the driver’s recklessness. His protectiveness, though often hidden beneath his tough exterior, surfaced without hesitation, showing a side he usually kept guarded from the world.

Her gaze remained locked on him. Though he glared at the car in annoyance, her focus was solely on him—the man she could barely stand yet now found herself strangely grateful for. The way he held her was both protective and undeniably reassuring, leaving her mesmerized by the unfamiliar warmth.

Finally, he looked down at her, noticing her slightly shaken expression. His intense, piercing gaze softened briefly, a flicker of something deeper breaking through. She gulped, the proximity and his commanding presence enough to make her lose her grip on composure.

With a sigh, he released her hand, which he’d held so firmly moments ago, allowing the spell to break. But the charm was back instantly as he smiled, his pearly white teeth catching the fading light. "See you tomorrow, Miss Smith. Have a good evening."

They both turned away—she to her scooter, and he back to his Porsche—but their minds lingered on the same moment, the same question swirling between them.

What is happening?

But hair is black 😭