"Shit, Haneul... shit!" Jungkook muttered under his breath, his face going pale as he knelt beside her, sliding a hand gently behind her head to pull her close. Why didn't she just listen? Of all nights, she had to be reckless tonight.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, his voice rough, worry mixed with frustration as he looked her over, checking for any injuries.

Haneul opens her mouth to speak, but her words wither. "I—"

"What did I tell you?!" he cut her off, his voice rising slightly. "You were supposed to stay put!"

"Jungkook, please," she whispered, her voice trembling as she clutched his arm. "You just killed someone."

His jaw ground in at her words. A flicker of guilt passed over his face, quickly steeling himself against such weakness. Pulling in close, his voice dropped to a fierce whisper. "No. You did not see anything—remember?"

"But—but—" she started before locking up as a cold, commanding voice cut through the air.

"Who is this?" Mr. Jeon's voice trailed behind him, closer by the second with a frozen glare that made Haneul's heart run.

Jung-Hwan stepped forward, his scowl etched deep into shadow as he eyed her suspiciously. "Looks like we've got ourselves a little spy, don't it?" He grasped her arm roughly.

"Ow! Ow!" She gasped and recoiled from the cruel grip, her pulse racing with each heartbeat of fear.

Jungkook's temper flared with an instant rush and flung Jung-Hwan's hand away from her. "Hands off her, Jung-Hwan." he said hard as an edge was biting into him, keeping himself wrapped around Haneul, drawing her deep onto his chest to ward against the cool chill which held, the fragrance of cologne steadying her against shaking.

"Who is she, Jungkook? Mr. Jeon ordered sharply disapproving in his voice.

"She's the doctor from the hospital," he said, his voice unwavering. He felt her shudder, and his grip around her tightened instinctively.

Mr. Jeon's brow furrowed. "What were you thinking?"

"She saved my life, Father," he replied, his voice softer, almost pleading. "I couldn't just leave her there, so I... brought her here."

Jung-Hwan's face screwed up in a grin as he lifted his gun to point it at her, and gleeful malice gleamed in his eyes. "Well, I say we blow her brains out."

Haneul's blood ran cold as her heart sank before her, looking at the gun barrel in front of her. Oh god, he is gonna kill me.

Jungkook stepped in front of her, blocking her from the worst of it, his voice firm and desperate. "Father, she saved my life," he insisted. "I trust her. Please, do this for me."

Mr. Jeon's hard stare softened slightly as he looked from Haneul back to Jungkook, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully. He's scared for her, Mr. Jeon thought, studying his son with a faint frown.

Jung-Hwan burst out laughing, rolling his eyes. "You've gone soft, brother!"

Haneul's shock turned to surprise as she barely could believe what she was hearing. Brother? She looked from Jungkook to Jung-Hwan, shocked. They're nothing alike.

Jung-Hwan sneered. "Tell me, if she's so trustworthy, why was she sneaking around?"

Jungkook threw a look at Haneul, his lips twisted in a silent pleading not to say anything to make it worse. But Jung-Hwan wasn't having any of it; leaning closer, his voice sneering, "You nearly lost your life in that scrap an hour ago, and we go and murder one of our own!"

"No! You murdered one of our own, Jung-Hwan!" Jungkook shot back, his anger crackling in his voice.

"I had to," Jung-Hwan replied, his voice as cold as ice. "Who knows how many of our people are betraying us? You should trust no one but family."

Mr. Jeon's eyes narrowed. "Seems to me you've forgotten that, Jungkook."

Haneul's heart twisted as she saw the frustration flash in Jungkook's eyes, and something snapped inside of her. "This isn't Jungkook's fault!" she blurted out, her voice shaking but set.

"Haneul, no— " Jungkook hissed, his eyes lighting on fear.

Mr. Jeon focused on her and his eyes sharpened on her like a knife point. "And exactly, what is not his fault little lady?"

Haneul swallowed down, working against the wobbles as she continued. "I-I followed him. he was at the hospital. He didn't wanna drag me in there, but I saw something was wrong, so I wanted to help out myself."

Jung-Hwan's eyes narrowed in disapproval. "And why was he even at the hospital? He knows the rules."

Jungkook bristled, clenching his jaw. "Oh yeah? I'd like to see you do nothing when you're bleeding from your gut!"

"Enough!" Mr. Jeon's voice boomed, silencing them. He nodded toward Jung-Hwan, who cocked his gun with a malicious grin.

Jungkook's head was spinning. I have to get them off her. Now. Without another second's hesitation, he squared his shoulders and, before he could second-guess himself, declared, "Wait! Haneul is family."

The words just hovered, heavy with meaning. If they believe it... he thought, hoping that's not a hole he is digging himself into.

Jung-Hwan's face twisted in confusion and anger. "What?"

Jungkook took a breath, pushing forward. "She's family because... because we're getting married."

Shock jolted through Haneul. Her eyes went wide. Married? When did I agree to this? When did he even ask?

Jung-Hwan barked a bitter laugh, his eyes narrowing. "Married? You're joking, right?"

Mr. Jeon's suspicious gaze didn't waver. "You didn't mention this before, Jungkook."

"I'm a man of many secrets, Papa," he replied smoothly, sending Haneul a quick, meaningful glance. Just go along with it, his eyes seemed to say, I'll explain later.

"Father, I know marriage means a lot to you, and if I'm to take over, it's only fair that I honor traditions."

"This is bullshit!" Jung-Hwan spat, his tone full of venom.

"It's not, Jung-Hwan," Jungkook replied firmly. "Haneul and I... we just... hit it off. Isn't that right, sweetheart?"

Haneul blinked, forcing herself to nod despite her shock. "Oh, uhm... yes, that's right." He's lying to save me, she realized, a strange, conflicted warmth filling her chest. He's risking everything.

Jungkook relaxed slightly, turning to Mr. Jeon. "So, if we're done here, I'd like to take my fiancée inside where it's warmer."

After a tense pause, Mr. Jeon gave Jung-Hwan a slight nod, signaling him to lower his gun. He sighed, looking at Haneul thoughtfully. "You saved my son's life, Ms. Kim. For that, I'm grateful. Welcome to the family."

What just happened? Haneul thought, reeling as she tried to piece everything together.

They made it back into Jungkook's room, and as soon as the door closed behind them, Haneul spun around to face him, her hands shaking.

"Jungkook, thank you for protecting me," she whispered, the gratitude in her voice unmistakable.

He clenched his jaw, his eyes blazing. "I wouldn't have had to protect you if you'd done as you were told," he snapped, the tension he'd been holding finally spilling out. Does she have any idea what kind of risk she just took?

"I know," she murmured, her gaze falling as guilt flickered in her eyes.

She took a breath, gathering her courage. "Jungkook, you weren't serious, were you? About us getting married?"

Jungkook watched her, eyes narrowing as he studied her expression. "I'm a man of my word, sweetheart," he replied, his voice softer now, but no less intense. Why does she seem so afraid of the idea? Doesn't she see that she needs me?

She froze, her face full of uncertainty. "You only said that to save me, right?"

He stepped closer, his gaze darkening as he searched her face. "Would it be wrong if I said no?" he whispered, his voice laced with a possessive edge. She got under my skin—does she even realize what she's done to me?

Her cheeks flushed, her breath hitching, but she held his gaze, conflicted. Why do I feel this way? It's crazy, she thought, heart racing. But somehow, I'm not as scared as I should be.

Jungkook took another step closer, his eyes never leaving hers. "And that I want you all to myself?"

Haneul's breathing quickened, and she felt her pulse pounding as he leaned in, his intensity sending a thrill through her she couldn't explain. His words lingered in the air, and her mind raced, torn between fear and something dangerously close to excitement.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Word count: 1365
©Novelist_Susanna
26/10/2024