Just A Few Numbers Away

Chapter 93

The Gravity of Red

​The transition from the hushed sanctuary of Darry Ring Hongkong Branch Store to the vibrant, neon-drenched streets of Tsim Sha Tsui felt like waking up from an ethereal dream directly into a technicolor reality.

Yoongi didn't head for the crowded tourist traps or the frantic, brightly lit thoroughfares.

Instead, he smoothly guided Aen toward a discreet, exclusive entrance that led upward, far above the bustling harbor.

​By the time they were seated at a secluded corner table in Hutong, the Hong Kong skyline had transformed into a jagged crown of electric blue and searing gold.

The restaurant was a masterpiece of "Old World" noir-dark, carved wood, red silk lanterns, and a panoramic view of the Victoria Harbour that made Aen feel as though they were floating.

​"I can't believe it's actually in your pocket," Aen whispered, her eyes fixed on the slight weight in Yoongi's inner jacket.

​"It's not just in my pocket, Aen-ah," Yoongi replied, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through the table.

"It's registered. It's official."

​He had already handled the dinner with his usual quiet efficiency-ordering a selection of refined Northern Chinese dishes that he knew she would love.

​"Eat first," Yoongi commanded softly, pushing a small plate of of sautéed scallops in spicy X.O. sauce toward her.

"You haven't had a real meal since we left the hotel, Aen-ah."

Aen chuckled lightly.

"Well, we woke up, late."

​The dinner was a slow, indulgent affair.

Yoongi was in his element, expertly navigating the menu to ensure she tasted the best of the city-crispy soft-shell crab with Sichuan dried chilis and honey-glazed Iberico pork that melted the moment it touched her tongue.

He spent most of the meal watching her enjoy it, his own appetite secondary to the satisfaction of seeing her relaxed and well-fed.

Between bites of Peking duck, they talked about the small things-how the harbor looked like a field of fallen stars and how much her daughter would have loved the view.

It was a rare moment of peace, far removed from the pressures of their separate worlds.

​"I'm so full," Aen sighed happily, leaning back as the final plates were cleared.

"I don't think I can move."

​"Just a little more," Yoongi murmured, catching the eye of the sommelier.

"I ordered something special to finish the night. Think of it as the closing ceremony for today's mission."

​When the 2015 Cabernet arrived, the aroma hit Aen instantly-a rich, intoxicating mix of dark chocolate, toasted oak, and ripe blackberries.

She took her first sip and nearly closed her eyes.

It was impossibly smooth, lacking the sharp "bite" of younger wines.

Because she was so full and content, she didn't feel the "kick"; she only felt a slow, blooming warmth spreading from her chest to her fingertips.

​She found herself drinking it with a surprising thirst, the rich notes of vanilla and black cherry acting like a liquid dessert.