OBSESSION

prize

Meanwhile, at the inn, Jeonghan leaned back in his chair, a glass of wine in hand. He poured a generous amount into a second glass and passed it over to Jisoo, who eyed it suspiciously.

"You're wondering if you'll die after consuming it?" Jeonghan teased, a smirk dancing on his lips. "Wrong answer, sweetheart."

Jisoo raised an eyebrow, his gaze never leaving Jeonghan's. He took the glass from him and, without hesitation, downed the entire drink in one smooth motion. He smirked, a flicker of defiance in his eyes. "Your intention doesn't seem to be killing me. But something else..."

Jeonghan's amused chuckle filled the room, his eyes flicking with interest. Jisoo's unflinching confidence was intriguing—he was playing along too easily, too calmly. "And what would that be, hm?" Jeonghan asked, his voice dropping lower as he leaned closer.

Jisoo met his gaze, unfazed. "What do you want from me, really?" His question was blunt, yet there was an underlying curiosity in his voice.

Jeonghan's answer came swiftly, his eyes never leaving Jisoo's. "You," he said simply, his words heavy with meaning. "I want you."

Jisoo scoffed, a dry laugh escaping his lips. "What's so special about me?" he challenged, but there was a flicker of doubt in his tone, a hint of uncertainty he quickly masked. He wasn't going to back down so easily.

Jeonghan's gaze softened for just a moment as he took in Jisoo's features. His eyes lingered on Jisoo's lips, the sharpness of the moment making everything feel impossibly slow. "Everything about you is special," Jeonghan said softly, his voice turning almost reverent. "From your face to your eyes..." His gaze dropped to Jisoo's lips, his words trailing off. "To these perfectly crafted, plump lips."

Jisoo's breath caught in his throat, but he didn't flinch. He wasn't going to give Jeonghan the satisfaction of seeing him rattled. "You're not so bad yourself," Jisoo shot back, his voice cool despite the rush of emotions swirling inside. "You've got the face of a charmer."

Jeonghan leaned in just a little closer, his lips curling into a smirk. "Nothing I don't already know, babe," he replied smoothly, his tone dripping with confidence.

The tension between them hung thick in the air, electric and unspoken. Jisoo could feel it, feel the pull Jeonghan had on him, and for a fleeting moment, he wondered if he'd been wrong all along about the danger Jeonghan posed. There was something more here—something deep and compelling that Jisoo couldn't quite identify. And for once, Jisoo wasn't sure if he should be afraid... or if he should lean into it.

"Hyung, what?!" Soonyoung's voice screeched through the phone, loud and sharp, but Jeonghan just smirked and pulled the phone away from his ear, unbothered. The noise wasn't enough to distract him.

"Jisoo's worth millions, hyung... If we give him to Mr. Shin, we leave with the money, clean and easy..." Soonyoung's voice trailed off, but Jeonghan's eyes were already on the sleeping figure of Jisoo.

He let the words linger for a moment before he responded, his voice cold and firm, "No, Soonyoung. Something inside me tells me this million-dollar prize is meant just for me to have."

"Cliché," Soonyoung muttered over the line, but Jeonghan could hear the acceptance in his tone. "Fine. I'll clean up."

The line went dead, and Jeonghan smirked, his fingers tapping lightly against the screen of the phone. Soonyoung's protests didn't matter—he wasn't the one who understood. They all wanted Jisoo for his value, for what he could give them. But Jeonghan, he wanted more. Jisoo wasn't just another prize to collect. No. He was something to keep and devour, in every sense of the word. A predator's hunger.

Jeonghan stepped silently into the room, his gaze flickering over to Jisoo's sleeping form, his breath slow and even in slumber. His eyes then shifted to the wall, where Jisoo's pictures—stolen moments of a life far from here—were pinned up, scattered across the space like trophies.

If Mr. Shin thought he could have Jisoo, Jeonghan almost laughed at the thought. He wasn't going to give Jisoo up to anyone. The game was just beginning, and Jeonghan was a few steps ahead.