WEDCUFFED (18+)

Silence

The air stood still — thick, like glass on the verge of shattering.

Jin's limbs froze, stiffening under the unexpected warmth pressed against him. A familiar scent of lemongrass shampoo and youth clung to the boyish man holding him tight. For a second, Jin forgot how to breathe.

“Are you alright, sir? I thought something happened to you! I–I…” Pete’s voice trembled with earnest worry as his arms tightened.

“P-Pete?! What are you doing here and at this hour?” Jin’s voice cracked like glass under pressure. “Let me go. Please.”

“No! Not until you explain your sudden resignation. Do you even know how worried I was? You didn’t reply to a single message. I searched everywhere!”

Jin's fingers clawed at Pete’s jacket weakly. “Pete, listen. This isn’t the time—please, just go—”

“Ah, what a scene. Did I interrupt something?”

The sudden deep voice cut through the air like a blade dipped in ice.

Pete turned sharply. Jin didn’t have to look to know who it was. That voice, that cold, serpentine tone — it coiled around Jin’s spine and squeezed, leaving him breathless.

But the moment Pete turned around, silence fell again — not just stunned, but paralyzed.

Taehyung stood at the door, eyes unreadable, jaw clenched. But Jin caught it — the flicker in his gaze, the stillness in his breath. He hadn’t expected Pete certainly.

Pete blinked, then slowly stood straighter. “Wait… you’re…”

“You know him?” Jin managed to whisper.

Pete swallowed hard. “That’s… Kim Taehyung. The man my family assigned as my guardian while I study in Korea.”

Jin’s heart thudded wildly. The puzzle pieces shifted in his mind until the picture formed—cruel and mocking. Pete, of all people, was a Suppasit.

A member of one of Thailand’s most powerful families. Sent to Korea under the protection of none other than Kim Taehyung.

Jin swayed on his feet.

“I’m guessing you didn’t know, Seokjin,” Taehyung said smoothly, walking inside with slow, deliberate steps. “That your concerned little visitor isn’t just a student, but a spoiled heir? Not very cautious of you.”

Pete’s mouth opened, closed. “You two are… together?” His voice was cautious, uncertain. “Fiancés?”

“Yes,” Jin answered too quickly, forcing a smile that didn’t reach his hollowed eyes. “Engaged.”

Taehyung’s brow arched slightly, but he played along.

“Soon to be married,” he added coolly, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. “Though I’d appreciate if your students know their limits.”

Pete’s eyes narrowed slightly at the curt tone but he tried to short things out, “I know I'm wrong to appear here out of blue Mr Kim, but as a student I know my limits and responsibility well. It's just felt weird to know about Professor Min's sudden resignation. Just wanted to make sure he's alright.”

Jin felt like his ribs might collapse under the pressure of the hard stare Taehyung was giving him even though for a fleeting momen.

“I apologize,” Jin said quickly, stepping between the two. “Pete was just surprised. Let’s not turn this into something unpleasant.”

Taehyung gave Jin a look that could have frozen a river, but he exhaled. For business’s sake, he wore his usual mask — charismatic, untouchable.

“You’re lucky you came to someone familiar, Pete,” Taehyung said, voice wrapped in velvet but sharp beneath. “But barging into a private residence unannounced? Reckless!"