𝐃𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞 || 𝐉𝐉 & 𝐊𝐃 ||

Chapter 19: Special

TIMESTAMP: 09:35 (9:35 AM)

Location: Joo Nabi Estate: Main Home

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Dan and Jaekyung's conversation didn't extend very long once they got done eating.

The Don helped Dan back to the guest room so he could get some shut-eye, as Namwook would be in to bring Dan back to his hopefully debugged home in the morning.

The night was calm, even as it faded into day.

The sky was painted in a light shade of blue with hints of sunrise orange by the time everyone had woken up and was ready to get back to business.

Gearing up to leave the guest bedroom, Dan adjusted his clothes for what felt like the millionth time, not really a fan of putting on bloody clothes after showering, let alone now being conscious to sit in someone's car after receiving a nasty beatdown.

"...Should I ask if he has a shirt I could borrow...?" Dan mumbled beneath his breath, ogling his nude upper half in the mirror when a loud and incredibly sudden knock at the door startled him from his thoughts.

Before he could even respond, the door swung open, revealing the don himself. Jaekyung, already dressed in a dark grey, almost black suit and matching tie.

His hair was slicked up neatly, and a gentle jasmine and sandalwood fusion cologne lingered on him, not overpowering but still very present.

Seeing Joo Jaekyung in the early morning light like this, especially when he was all done up for work, quickly made Dan feel self-conscious in a way.

"Good, you're awake." Jaekyung huffed, fidgeting with a white cloth in his hand. "I don't have any pants for you, but I figured you'd want to have a cleaner top."

Folding his arms across his torso, wishing he wasn't standing so exposed at the moment, Dan gave him a gentle nod. "I did. Thank you, Mr. Joo."

Graciously receiving the top and buttoning it down. It fit loosely on him, but he supposed that he couldn't really be picky at the moment.

Using the mirror as guidance, one by one, Dan clasped the buttons together, attempting not to look like a total novice at this, as some buttons popped loose due to improper fastening the closer he got to the bottom.

It certainly didn't help that Jaekyung was still waiting by the door, his gaze unwavering and unbothered as he observed the shipper finish getting dressed.

Those deep and damn near onyx-shaded eyes the man possessed were all too intimidating, not letting up even once.

"S-so," Dan croaked out, getting to the last button. "If you haven't already, would you like me to prepare something for you to eat as a means of thanking you for letting me stay the night and giving me this top to borrow?"

Slowly turning around in place, noting the blank expression on the dark-haired man, as if he was in thought, before he snapped back into it.

"No. Not this time," Jaekyung declined. "I have to get going right away, and Namwook is here, so you need to get going now."

"Oh, right. Of course." Dan quickly nodded, walking over to the ottoman situated by the left bottom corner of the guest bed, picking up his soiled top, and slinging it over his forearm. "Lead the way?"

Without a word, Jaekyung turned away, guiding Kim Dan down the hall and into the elevator. The ride in the metal contraption was silent, but not necessarily uncomfortable.

Once they arrived at the garage, Dan stepped out first to see a white Audi Q7 parked just an arm's length or two away.

"Well, there's your ride." Jaekyung remarked, eyeing Dan up and down and back to the car. "Namwook'll take you home; do what you need to do and then get back to work."

And that was it.

Jaekyung walked towards the left, approaching his McLaren and driving away with what appeared to be not a second thought.

Slipping into the front passenger seat, Dan quietly greeted Namwook, buckling himself up and allowing the man to drive forward.

A conversation only picked up when they were at least halfway into the drive, with Namwook being the one to initiate it.

"I hope this incident isn't deterring you from continuing the B.L.A.C.K. project." Namwook stated, scratching the back of his head sheepishly. "I'm sure Jaekyung told you the same thing though."

"More or less..." Dan mumbled out, glancing at the city's surroundings. "Even if he didn't, though, I don't think I would pull back."

"I'm actually quite determined to finish what I started."

"Good to hear." Namwook sighed, almost out of relief. "You know, the other night Yosef and I were worried. Jaekyung had some beliefs that you were trying to snake him and destroy the project, but hearing you got attacked because of that was awful."

Dan felt his body sink harder into his seat, letting Namwook's words sink into his mind. It's not like he could blame Jaekyung for feeling that way.

"Mr. Joo has shown time and time again that he isn't one for theatrics. But, then again, neither am I." Dan noted. "I can't afford to mess around like that. My life and Heesung's life are on the line.

"That's one way to put it." Namwook rocked his head. "I saw your work so far, and I'm genuinely impressed. Remember, if you need anything, feel free to ask."

"Jaekyung comes off as hardened and incredibly guarded, and while it's not totally far off, there are some occasions where he might not refuse you outright, especially after this ordeal, you know?"

"I'll take note of that." Dan nodded his head, though his mind was running rampant with other thoughts. "Have you, uh, heard from Heesung at all? I don't think he got attacked, but it couldn't hurt to know..."

"He's fine. In fact, he's even in your joint office as we speak. Yoon-gu's with him, strange because even though Jaekyung went to see if your safety was placed in jeopardy, I only advised the boy to check out Heesung's place and make sure his safety was confirmed. Don't know what's going on with them, but I think a connection like that is good enough."

"Helps make sure that nothing or no one slips through the cracks."

"Right," Dan agreed, though for whatever reason his mind was stuck on the part about Jaekyung. "Did Mr. Joo really seek me out alone?"

Dan recalled the conversation they had in the Nabi estate before he had gotten attacked, how Jaekyung felt it'd be too much of a hassle to keep tabs on Heesung.

But what if Dan had been killed or at least had something bad happen to him? Would it not have been beneficial to check on Heesung because, whether Jaekyung liked it or not, Heesung was still a part of the project?

Looking outside of his window, when the surroundings became a bit more familiar, Dan held in a breath once he caught sight of where this all started.

Its name in sharp cursive, embellished with gold.

Tiger's Palace.

He wasn't sure why, but a strange sensation lingered in him, dismissing it with just one more thought. "No. Stop it. You aren't..."

"You aren't that special."