Lines Blurred, Traces Found (Published Under Ukiyoto Publishing)

Chapter 15: Trapped In Desire

Trapped In Desire

Hyunjie glided upstairs, her slender fingers grasping the delicate hem of her elegant, floor-sweeping gown. As she ascended, she expertly navigated through the crowded staircase, deftly sidestepping fellow guests to avoid any awkward encounters or accidental bumps. Her gaze darted discreetly around the bustling hallway, searching for a secluded spot to momentarily seclude herself, driven by a pressing desire to evade Eros's persistent presence.

However, her quest for a temporary refuge was thwarted when she realized that she hadn't reserved a room at the establishment, rendering her unable to slip into the sanctuary of a private space. Hyunjie's usually composed demeanor flickered with a hint of frustration, her eyes scanning the hallway with growing urgency as she weighed her limited options.

As Eros emerged from the crowd, his piercing gaze locking onto hers, Hyunjie's instincts kicked in, propelling her toward the elevator with urgent haste. She hastened her pace, high heels clicking against the polished floor, and darted into the lift just as the doors were about to slide shut. With a swift motion, she jabbed the 'close' button, but her finger hesitated, and she recoiled, uncertainty flickering across her face.

The elevator's doors, mere inches from sealing her temporary sanctuary, were suddenly halted by Eros' swift intervention. His hand, inserted with precision, prevented the doors from shutting completely, and he stepped inside with an air of calm determination.

Hyunjie's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as she rummaged through her evening clutch, producing a sleek, silver handgun with surprising swiftness. Her trembling hand steadied, she aimed the muzzle squarely at Eros' forehead, her gaze locked in a fierce stare.

But Eros didn't flinch. His eyes, burning with an unnerving intensity, held Hyunjie's, as if daring her to pull the trigger. With deliberate slowness, he began to close the distance between them, his movements eerily calm.

Transfixed, Hyunjie's finger tightened around the trigger, yet she couldn't shake off the feeling that Eros was orchestrating this delicate dance. The air was heavy with tension as the elevator, sensing the obstruction removed, finally sealed shut, enveloping them in an oppressive silence. The sound of her own ragged breathing was all that broke the spell, as Eros' eyes seemed to bore into her very soul.

With an air of confident nonchalance, Eros spoke, his low, velvety voice weaving a spell of intimacy, "Do you miss me, my darling?" The soft glow of the elevator's ambient lighting danced across his chiseled features, accentuating the sharp angles of his face. Resplendent in his tailored suit, its sleek lines and subtle sheen amplifying his innate elegance, Eros exuded an aura of refined sophistication. The impeccable cut of his jacket highlighted his broad shoulders, while the crisp white shirt and slim tie seemed to radiate an otherworldly allure.

Earlier, as he navigated the crowded halls, Eros had been acutely aware of the attention he garnered. Many a young woman's gaze had lingered on him, their faces aglow with admiration, as they mustered the courage to approach. Yet, with polite but firm courtesy, he had dismissed each advance, his focus unwaveringly fixed on a single person - Hyunjie. His eyes, burning with an unspoken intensity, never wavered from hers, as if the throngs of people, the opulent surroundings, and the very world itself had melted away, leaving only the two of them suspended in this fraught, electric moment.

The soft ping of the elevator's floor announcement seemed to fade into the background, as Eros' gaze continued to hold Hyunjie enthralled, the unspoken question hanging between them like a challenge, or perhaps, a promise. From afar, Eros' gaze had zeroed in on Hyunjie, seated beside Champ, with Maya's familiar figure hovering nearby. His eyes narrowed, drinking in the scene before him.