Bound by Shadows .jc

CHAPTER 16

Chains of Fate

The room was dimly lit, bathed in the early morning shadows filtering through the heavy curtains that Seungcheol had long since grown accustomed to. The dark wood and steel of his surroundings were unyielding, just as he'd fashioned them to be—a fortress, a symbol of the power he wielded and the darkness he'd chosen as his life. But today, something felt different. He was haunted by an edge of something he hadn't felt in years: apprehension.

As he buttoned his shirt, the shrill sound of his phone broke the silence. He glanced down, seeing Mr. Sung's name flash on the screen. Taking a breath, he answered, his voice steady, even.

"Mr. Sung," he greeted.

"Sir," came Mr. Sung's professional tone. "Flowers were delivered. They're at Jeonghan's shop, along with a message."

Seungcheol's fingers tightened around the phone, his mind twisting with fury and the sickening reality of what that delivery meant. A warning... or perhaps a challenge. And Jeonghan—sweet, gentle Jeonghan—was being dragged deeper into a world that had no place for innocence or kindness. A world that Seungcheol himself had introduced him to, unknowingly.

"Understood," he replied, his voice a low growl. "Summon the others for a meeting. Now."

By the time they were all gathered in the meeting room, Seungcheol's mind was a storm of thoughts, each one more possessive than the last. He stared out at his men, his eyes cold, yet flickering with something sharper, more dangerous.

"I received word of a... delivery. Flowers and a note, left at Jeonghan's shop," he began, watching as his men's expressions shifted to that familiar mix of caution and anger.

Wonwoo, seated at the far end of the table, leaned forward, the calculating glint in his eyes matching Seungcheol's own mood. "If Viktor's targeting him, it's a warning. We can't risk Jeonghan out there alone anymore."

Seungcheol's jaw tightened. He knew Wonwoo was right, but the thought of Jeonghan losing his freedom because of him was as infuriating as it was inevitable. He needed to keep him close, protected... but it wasn't only about safety. He wanted Jeonghan with him, wanted to see those delicate features softened by the morning light, wanted to watch him smile in his home—a vision that had wormed its way into his thoughts, unwanted yet unavoidable.

"He can't stay exposed," Wonwoo continued, his voice calm yet unwavering. "We need to act quickly. And you... need to make a decision, Seungcheol."

Seungcheol's gaze turned dark, his emotions warring inside him. He was torn between the fierce desire to protect Jeonghan and the selfish need to claim him, to make him his. And yet, in this twisted world of his, perhaps it was the same thing.

Taking a deep breath, he looked up, voice resolute. "Hoshi, Jun, and Hansol. You'll escort him. No one else, no bodyguards." His voice dropped, laced with a silent, lethal promise. "I don't trust the eyes in this building. There are rats among us, but we'll deal with them later. For now, I want it to be just you three."

He leaned forward, each word etched with finality. "I need Jeonghan in this house by tonight. Safe. And without a scratch."

The men nodded, taking in the weight of his command, but it was Hoshi who spoke first. "Understood, boss. We'll bring him to you." There was a glint in Hoshi's eye—a ferocity that matched his own.

Seungcheol's lips curled into a faint, satisfied smirk. "Good. I'll be expecting him."

Without another word, he stood and strode from the room, but inside, he was a turmoil of conflicting feelings. The prospect of having Jeonghan within these walls both thrilled and unsettled him. Never before had he felt this strange, potent blend of excitement and apprehension.

As he closed the meeting room door behind him, he paused, a hand on his chest where his heartbeat drummed faster than he'd like to admit. This was new. Unsettling. Yet undeniable.

For the first time, his calculated steps faltered, his pulse quickening in a way he hadn't experienced in years. Seungcheol wasn't just determined to protect Jeonghan—he wanted to possess him.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The café buzzed softly with morning activity as Jeonghan's friends gathered, the scent of coffee and fresh pastries filling the air. Despite Joshua's calm reassurances and the cozy atmosphere, a tense silence lingered, thick with the weight of that morning's events.

Joshua had shared details of the cryptic letter, and though Woozi and Minghao dismissed it as a prank, their subtle gestures told a different story: Minghao's fingers tapped lightly in his pockets, and Woozi's gaze, usually steady, was narrowed, quietly analyzing. Seungkwan, unable to mask his worry, clung to Jeonghan, frustration edging his voice. "Seriously, who does this kind of thing?" he muttered, his voice barely steady. "Hyung, you won't leave me alone today, right?"

Jeonghan pulled him in for a comforting hug. "Of course not, Seungkwannie. I'll be right here." Seungkwan, determined to stay close, took sick leave from classes, glancing at Jeonghan with a worried pout and muttering, "Promise you won't leave?"

Nearby, Seokmin leaned toward Joshua with wide eyes. "Hyung, what if this is serious? This is Jeonghan we're talking about!" Joshua ruffled Seokmin's hair. "We'll keep an eye on him, alright?"

Mingyu tried to lighten the mood, puffing his chest. "You're all under my watch here. Anyone messes with my friends, they deal with me." Jeonghan managed a grateful smile. "Thanks, Mingyu, but I think between Seungkwan and Seokmin, we're well protected," he teased, drawing small laughs from the group.

But beneath the laughter, Jeonghan felt a quiet fear stirring. His friends' reassurances only highlighted the fragility of their peace, each joking comment a thin shell over something darker. He noticed Woozi's tightened grip on his coffee cup, Minghao's subtle glances toward the shadowed corners, both quietly vigilant. Their concealed tension mirrored his own—a chill that reminded him the bouquet and letter weren't just a prank. Holding Seungkwan a bit closer, Jeonghan couldn't shake the dread gnawing at him, the feeling that this was only the beginning.

Surrounded by his friends in Mingyu's warm café, an unease settled over him—a quiet reminder that, despite the comfort here, something was watching, waiting, and their shared peace might be more fragile than they realized.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------