𝐌𝐀𝐅𝐈𝐀'𝐒 𝐋𝐈𝐓𝐓𝐋𝐄 𝐃𝐎𝐕𝐄 ||𝐉𝐉𝐊 𝐅𝐅🔞||

C H A P T E R : 23

Jungkook pulled back slowly from the kiss, his lips leaving hers with hesitation, like he was not fully ready to let go. His hand remained on her face, fingers warm against her cheeks. He studied her expression carefully. Her eyes were wide, uncertain, but she had not pulled away. That alone made something soften inside him. For a brief second, the world felt smaller. Just her. Just the flowers around them. Just the quiet breeze moving gently through the garden.
Then he felt it again.

That presence.

It was not loud. It was not obvious. But it was there. The kind of feeling that settles in your bones when you have lived long enough in danger to recognize it. Someone was watching.

His body reacted before his thoughts did. His posture shifted slightly, shoulders tightening just enough to prepare. He did not turn his head immediately. He did not want to alert whoever it was that he had noticed. Instead, his eyes slowly moved past her shoulder, scanning the trees at the edge of the garden.

There was movement.
Subtle. Controlled.

Not the wind.

His hand slowly slid down from her cheek.
“Wait here for me,” he said quietly, keeping his voice steady.

Y/N blinked at him, confused. “Where are you going?”

“Just stay here,” he replied softly. “I will be back in a minute.”

She hesitated, studying his face like she was trying to read something hidden there. But then she nodded. She trusted him. That trust pressed heavily against his chest as he turned away from her.

He began walking toward the trees with calm, measured steps. From a distance, it would look casual. Like he was simply admiring the garden. But inside, every sense was alert. The crunch of gravel under his shoes sounded too loud. The air felt thicker. Even the distant chatter from the restaurant seemed strained.

The shadow shifted again.
It was deeper between the trees now, as if trying to stay hidden. Jungkook’s eyes sharpened. Whoever it was had noticed him coming.

He kept walking.

Closer.

The figure moved again, as if preparing to retreat.

In one swift motion, Jungkook closed the distance. His reflexes took over. He stepped forward quickly, fist already lifting, ready to strike before giving the stranger even a second to react.

But just before his punch could land, the figure stepped fully into the light.
Jungkook froze mid motion.

His fist stopped inches from a familiar face.
“Taehyung?”

The name left his mouth in disbelief.
Taehyung stood there with both hands slightly raised, not in fear, but in caution. A small, almost embarrassed smile touched his lips.

“I did not mean to sneak like that,” Taehyung said calmly.

Jungkook slowly lowered his hand, his heart still pounding from the sudden adrenaline. “What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice lower now, sharper.

Taehyung dropped his hands and let out a quiet breath. “I was informed something was going to happen here today. So I came.”

Jungkook’s eyes narrowed. “What kind of something?”

Taehyung glanced briefly toward the garden bench to make sure Y/N was still safe and far enough not to hear. She was still sitting there, unaware of what was unfolding.
“My men told me our rivals were planning to make a deal here,” Taehyung said in a low voice. “They are trying to import guns. A large shipment.”