Soft spot

Minho's visit

It was 4 PM when Daisy stepped inside her modest home, the warmth of the sun barely penetrating the chilly atmosphere inside. As she moved through the familiar hallway, the sound of revving engines caught her attention. Peeking through the window, she noticed several sleek cars parked outside, their polished surfaces gleaming ominously in the fading light. Her curiosity piqued, she approached the door just as her father emerged from the living room, a grim expression etched across his face.

Before she could ask about the commotion, he gripped her arm and pulled her into the room. Daisy had always known her father to be distant, his words often stinging with indifference, but today there was a tension in the air that made her heart race. As they crossed the threshold, she froze. Five imposing men filled the space, their presence heavy and intimidating.

Her instincts urged her to bow her head, avoiding their scrutinizing gazes. She had never been in the company of so many men before, and the weight of their attention felt unbearable.

“This is my daughter, Daisy,” her father announced, his voice flat and devoid of affection as he thrust her forward. Daisy stumbled slightly but regained her balance, still unable to look up.

The man at the center of the group exuded an aura of confidence and danger. He was renowned for being cold and ruthless, yet there was an undeniable charm in his features—sharp jawline, piercing eyes, and a presence that made the air around him crackle. LeeKnow. Even though Daisy had heard the whispers of his name, she had never cared for wealth or beauty.

LeeKnow’s gaze locked onto hers, and she felt a jolt of electricity at the sudden intensity of his stare. His hand reached out, gliding gently beneath her chin, lifting her face as if she were something precious yet fragile. Her heart raced as his fingers brushed against her skin, an unexpected softness contradicting the fierce reputation that preceded him.

“Look at me, Daisy,” he said, his voice low and smooth, sending a shiver down her spine. The way he said her name felt both foreign and intimate, as if he had been waiting for this moment for far too long.

With great reluctance, she met his eyes. The world around her faded as she fell into the depths of his gaze—dark, intriguing, and something else she couldn't quite place. Fear mingled with a strange sense of curiosity, and for the first time in a long while, Daisy wondered what this moment meant for her future.

LeeKnow’s lips curled into a faint smile, one that promised both danger and allure. “I’ve been watching you,” he confessed, his voice barely above a whisper, “and I believe it’s time we get to know each other better.”

Daisy’s breath hitched in her throat as the weight of his words sank in. She was no longer just a burden in her father's eyes; she was about to become something much more complicated in the life of the enigmatic mafia leader standing before her.

As LeeKnow turned his attention back to Daisy's father, a cold edge crept into his voice. “I need your assurance. Once you sell her to me, there’s no turning back. Are you sure you’re ready for that?”

Daisy’s heart raced as she processed his words. Sell her? The thought struck her like a bolt of lightning, leaving her momentarily frozen in place. Sold like an object? She had endured abandonment and rejection throughout her life, but the notion of being bought and sold was an entirely new kind of betrayal. She was not a possession to be traded; she was a person with dreams, hopes, and feelings.

Her father’s face remained impassive, the flicker of indecision barely visible. Daisy knew all too well that to him, she was just a burden, a weight dragging him down. He wouldn’t hesitate. Not for a second. The realization cut deeper than any knife, and she felt the sting of tears welling up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.

As if sensing her distress, LeeKnow’s gaze softened slightly. “Daisy,” he murmured, extending his hand toward her. She was still trapped in her whirlwind of thoughts when he gently took her arm, guiding her outside. His touch was firm yet comforting, a stark contrast to the emotional chaos inside her.

Outside, the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows across the gravel driveway. LeeKnow’s men stood nearby, their expressions unreadable as they handed her father a thick envelope filled with cash. Daisy’s breath caught in her throat as she watched her father’s eyes widen with greed, the finality of the transaction sinking in.

Without a word, LeeKnow led her to a sleek black car parked at the curb. Daisy hesitated for just a moment, glancing back at the home that had been a source of pain more than comfort. The memories of her mother flooded her mind, the warmth of her love juxtaposed against her father’s coldness. But as she looked at LeeKnow—this man of power and danger—something deep within her stirred.

With a deep breath, she climbed into the car without hesitation. This was it; her life was changing in ways she never expected. Was it ruin, or perhaps a chance for something better?

As the door closed behind her, the sound reverberated like a final farewell. LeeKnow slid into the seat beside her, and she felt the weight of his presence, a mix of strength and intensity. He glanced at her, his expression revealing little, yet she sensed a spark of understanding—a shared awareness of the tumultuous path that lay ahead.

“Are you okay?” he asked, his voice low, almost a whisper as the engine roared to life.

Daisy looked straight ahead, her heart pounding. “I don’t know,” she admitted, a mixture of fear and hope battling within her.

LeeKnow nodded, his gaze unwavering. “You’re safe with me. I’ll make sure you never feel like a burden again.”

As they pulled away from the farm, the familiar landscape faded into the distance, leaving Daisy with the heavy weight of uncertainty and a glimmer of something she couldn’t yet define—freedom, perhaps, or a new beginning. Either way, she was no longer just a girl abandoned; she was becoming something more, and the journey was only just beginning.