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Chapter 9 - Adaline Seitz

"I had a feeling he'd go far with this bullshit of his, but I never expected him to threaten to expose the entire room salon to the authorities." Disbelief is etched in my whispering as my gaze wanders over the colourful pearls sewn into the decorative pillows of Tati's and Jin's sofa.

Jin rests his elbows on his knees, burying his head in his hands while his broad shoulders rise and fall with the deep breath he takes. "Dell, we'll figure something out because I can't have you be in the same room with that fucking mongrel. He won't ever touch you like that, I promise."

My fingers curl around his wrist, causing him to glance up and meet the radiating warmth of my smile. "Jin, it's obvious Mr Kyun won't take no for an answer and I don't think money is something he's interested in - he did offer me one billion won before taking more desperate measures."

"I know that but still," He trails off, the earthy swirl in his irises dimmed by contemplation while his dark brows dip in a grim frown. His arms lock around his waist, the pressure he applies on his fingers turning his knuckles alabaster white as he holds onto his sweatshirt like it's his emergency life source.

The tension in his frame evaporates in the air surrounding us once I wrap my arms around him and offer him the comfort he sinks into as if he's a spoon diving in honey. A sighed curse escapes his throat, the fluff of his hair tickling the side of my neck while he discreetly rubs the corners of his eyes.

"You've done so much for Tati and me so I think it's fair for me to express my gratitude and help if I'm able to and we both know that I am. This decision will not only affect me but the future of everyone working at Seven Nights as well. I want to keep the salon afloat so I'll accept his goddamn offer."

Engaging his core muscles, he leans away with an almost grotesque expression gracing his strong features as he prepares to bombard me with whatever defensive concoction he brewed in his mind. "No, we'll-" He clears his throat, terminating his verbal advances towards me better than a hitman eliminating his target.

His blinking tic makes him look like a boy stumbling upon a porn advertisement for the first time in his life while he stares at something that's just above my head, the tips of his ears turning to a quite obvious rosy colour. Following his gaze, I realise the simple reason as to why he stopped complaining.

"While changing Faye's diaper, I realised something very important." Tati's voice flows smoother than wine as she holds a very satisfied Faye in her arms. "There is no fucking way you didn't manage to see his face! I know it's been a couple of days since the event but come on Dell, don't bullshit me!"

Her deep ruby locks are trapped between her daughter's miniature fingers, but what seems like an innocent act is far from gentle judging by the occasional wince scrunching my sister's nose. Though that doesn't stop her from studying me with piercing scrutiny while she takes a seat next to me.

"Please explain how I'd be able to see a single Körperteil of his when I couldn't even see the dog properly. His shirt did smack me in the face when he snatched the dog which helped me in identifying him - not. And that's fucking frustrating. What's the Korean word for Körperteil again? I had a brain fart."

Tati's chuckle is light, laced with a hum of amusement as she shakes her head at me. "Body part, you idiot. Hold her or else I'll go bald at this rate," She whines and manages to retrieve her strand of hair being imprisoned by Faye's grip of steel. "That lucky bastard, if I were you I would've run after him."

Raising my brows, I allow Faye to settle her little bum on my thigh and gently pinch her plump cheek before pecking the crown of her head. "And then risk losing the job? No thank you. I need all the extra money I can get, especially now." My tone diminishes like it's being treated by the Doppler effect.