Author's note

I am truly humbled and overjoyed to share that we've reached an incredible milestone: 1,000 views. Your unwavering support and engagement have made this journey a rewarding experience, and I am profoundly grateful for each and every one of you.💓

Now, let's dive into the next part of our adventure together.<3

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Author pov:

Jin Ah woke up to the gentle rays of the morning sun filtering through the curtains, casting a warm glow across her room. Stretching her limbs and yawning, she reluctantly dragged herself out of bed, feeling the weight of exhaustion still clinging to her limbs.

After her morning routine of showering and dressing, Jin Ah opted for a simple yet chic outfit for the day ahead. She slipped into a pair of black trousers and a crisp white blouse, the epitome of understated elegance.

With a quick glance in the mirror to ensure her appearance was presentable, Jin Ah grabbed her bag and headed downstairs.As she entered the kitchen, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee greeted her, a welcome pick-me-up to start the day. Jin Ah poured herself a cup, savoring the rich, aromatic flavor as she contemplated the tasks that lay ahead.

Jin Ah sipped her coffee, relishing the familiar warmth spreading through her body, before making her way to her brother's room. Knocking lightly on the door, she called out, "Niki, it's time to wake up for university."

There was no response.

Frowning slightly, Jin Ah pushed open the door to find Niki's room empty, the bed neatly made as if it had never been slept in. Panic fluttered in her chest as she scanned the room, searching for any sign of her brother's whereabouts. Where could he be?

Jin Ah dialed her mother's number, her heart pounding with worry as she waited for her to pick up. When her mother answered, Jin Ah wasted no time in getting straight to the point.

"Hey, Mum," she began, her voice tight with concern. "Have you heard from Niki this morning? He's not picking up his phone, and I can't find him anywhere."

Her mother's voice on the other end sounded surprised. "Niki? No, I haven't heard from him. Isn't he usually at home around this time?"

Jin Ah's mind raced as she tried to come up with an explanation. She couldn't bear to worry her mother with the truth about Niki's disappearance. "Uh, yeah, he's here," she replied quickly, her words coming out in a rush. "He came home late last night and went straight to bed. I didn't want to wake him up, so I let him sleep in."

There was a moment of silence on the other end of the line before her mother spoke again, her tone tinged with concern. "Is everything alright, Jin Ah? You sound a bit... tense."

Jin Ah forced a smile, hoping her mother wouldn't press the issue any further. "I'm fine, Mum, really. Just a bit stressed about work, that's all. But hey, enough about me. How are you feeling today? Any improvement?"

Her mother's voice softened, the worry evident in her tone. "I'm hanging in there, sweetheart. But enough about me. You take care of yourself, okay? And make sure Niki gets some rest too. I don't want him overdoing it."

"I will, Mum. Don't worry," Jin Ah assured her, the weight of her lies heavy on her conscience. But for now, she would do whatever it took to keep her mother from worrying, even if it meant hiding the truth about Niki's disappearance.

Jin Ah's frustration grew as she dialed her brother's number once more, only to be met with the same result: no answer. She paced back and forth in her small apartment, her mind racing with worry and concern.

"Why isn't he picking up?" she muttered to herself, frustration seeping into her voice. She tried to shake off the nagging feeling of unease that settled in the pit of her stomach, but it only grew stronger with each unanswered call.

As the minutes ticked by, Jin Ah's anxiety reached a fever pitch. She knew she couldn't just sit around and wait for Niki to respond. With a determined expression, she grabbed her keys and headed out the door, her mind set on finding her brother no matter what it took.

Jin Ah's anger bubbled up inside her, a mix of frustration and concern fueling her resolve. As she walked briskly down the street, her steps quickened with each passing moment. She couldn't shake the feeling of unease that gnawed at her insides, but at the same time, a sense of indignation rose within her.

"He's old enough to take care of himself," she muttered under her breath, her words laced with frustration. She couldn't understand why Niki always seemed to disappear at the most inconvenient times, leaving her to pick up the pieces.

But despite her anger, Jin Ah couldn't shake the nagging worry that lingered in the back of her mind. She knew she had to find her brother, if only to ease her own troubled thoughts. With a determined set to her jaw, she pressed on, her determination driving her forward.

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As Niki descended the staircase of his house, a sense of excitement coursed through him, fueling his anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead. With each step, he felt a surge of adrenaline, the promise of the unknown beckoning him ever closer.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Niki spotted a small table nearby and hurried over to it. Grabbing a pen and a piece of paper, he hastily scribbled down a note, his hand moving quickly as he poured out his thoughts onto the page. Once finished, he carefully folded the note and reached out to place it on the table.

As Niki stepped outside, the note he had written fluttered from the table, caught by a sudden gust of wind. It danced through the air before coming to rest beneath the sofa, unseen by anyone who might have noticed its presence.

Unaware of the note's journey, Niki continued on his way, his mind preoccupied with the tasks ahead.

As Niki stepped outside, he found Taehyung standing there, leaning casually against his sleek black car. The sight of Taehyung sent a surge of excitement through Niki, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a sense of anticipation for the adventures that lay ahead.

"Hey, Taehyung!" Niki called out, a grin spreading across his face as he approached his friend.

Taehyung turned to greet him, a knowing smirk playing on his lips. "Ready for our little adventure?" he asked, his tone filled with mischief.

Niki nodded eagerly, his enthusiasm palpable as he climbed into the passenger seat of Taehyung's car. With a rev of the engine, they set off, the open road stretching out before them like a canvas waiting to be painted with their escapades.

Niki and Taehyung found themselves at a luxurious mansion nestled in the countryside, surrounded by sprawling gardens and breathtaking views. The grandeur of the estate took Niki's breath away as they stepped out of the car, his eyes widening in awe at the opulence before him.

"Wow, Taehyung, where are we?" Niki exclaimed, his voice filled with wonder as he took in the majestic surroundings.

Taehyung flashed a knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he gestured toward the mansion. "Welcome to my humble abode," he replied, his tone dripping with playful sarcasm.

Niki's jaw dropped in disbelief, his mind struggling to comprehend the sheer magnitude of Taehyung's wealth. "This is your place?" he asked, his voice tinged with incredulity.

Taehyung simply shrugged, a nonchalant expression masking his amusement. "Of course," he replied casually, as if owning a sprawling mansion was the most ordinary thing in the world.

As they strolled through the manicured gardens, Taehyung regaled Niki with tales of the extravagant parties and lavish events held at the estate. Niki listened intently, his eyes wide with fascination as he soaked in every word.

But as they reached the grand entrance of the mansion, Niki's excitement was suddenly tempered by a sinking realization. "Oh no, I forgot my phone in the car!" he exclaimed, his face paling with panic.

Taehyung couldn't help but laugh at Niki's forgetfulness, finding amusement in his friend's momentary lapse. "Looks like someone's going to have to survive without their precious device for a while," he teased, a playful grin dancing on his lips.

Despite his initial apprehension, Niki couldn't help but chuckle at Taehyung's jest, his worries melting away in the warmth of their friendship. With a newfound sense of adventure, he followed Taehyung into the mansion, ready to embrace whatever surprises awaited them within its opulent walls.

On the other side, Jin Ah was pacing anxiously in her office, her mind consumed with worry over her missing brother. She had tried calling him multiple times, but each attempt went unanswered, leaving her feeling increasingly frustrated and helpless.

As she glanced at the clock, she realized that Niki was already late for his university classes, adding to her growing concern. She couldn't shake the nagging feeling that something was wrong, and her thoughts kept drifting back to the unanswered calls and the note he had left behind.

With a sigh, Jin Ah decided to take matters into her own hands. She grabbed her bag and rushed out of the office, determined to track down her elusive brother and ensure that he was safe.

As she made her way through the bustling streets of the city, Jin Ah's mind raced with possibilities. Where could Niki be? Had something happened to him? The thought sent a shiver down her spine, and she quickened her pace, her heart pounding in her chest with each passing moment.

Finally, she arrived at their family home, her steps faltering slightly as she braced herself for what she might find. With trembling hands, she reached for the doorknob and pushed open the door, her heart racing with anticipation.

But to her surprise, the house was eerily quiet, with no sign of her brother anywhere in sight. Panic began to rise within her, threatening to overwhelm her senses as she searched frantically for any clue to Niki's whereabouts.

Just then, her phone rang, jolting her out of her frantic reverie. With trembling hands, she answered the call, her voice trembling with emotion as she waited for the voice on the other end to speak.

Jin Ah's heart skipped a beat as she heard her brother's voice on the other end of the line. "Niki, where are you?" she asked, her voice tinged with concern.

"I'm with Taehyung," Niki replied, his words sending a surge of apprehension through Jin Ah.

"With Taehyung?" Jin Ah repeated, her mind racing with worry. "Where are you? Are you okay?"

"We're at his place," Niki replied, his voice betraying a hint of excitement. "Can you come pick me up? I forgot my phone in the car."

Jin Ah's mind raced as she processed her brother's words, a sense of unease settling in the pit of her stomach at the thought of Niki being with Taehyung. But she knew that she had to act quickly to ensure her brother's safety.

"I'll be there soon," she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil raging within her. "Just stay put, okay? I'm coming to get you."

With that, Jin Ah hung up the phone and rushed out into the evening, her mind consumed with worry for her brother's well-being. Little did she know, the events that awaited her would test her resolve like never before.

As Jin Ah stepped into Taehyung's mansion, her eyes fell upon the scene before her. There, in the grand living room, her brother Niki and Taehyung were engrossed in a video game, their laughter echoing through the expansive space.

But Jin Ah's initial relief quickly gave way to frustration and anger. How could they be so carefree when she had been worried sick about Niki's whereabouts?

"Are you two out of your minds?" she exclaimed, her voice sharp with anger as she stormed towards them. "Do you have any idea how worried I've been?"

Niki and Taehyung exchanged sheepish glances, their playful demeanor quickly dissipating in the face of Jin Ah's wrath.

"Sorry, Jin Ah," Niki mumbled, his expression contrite as he lowered his gaze. "We didn't mean to make you worry."

Taehyung, ever the picture of nonchalance, merely shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips as he regarded Jin Ah with amusement.

But Jin Ah was having none of it. "This is not a joke," she scolded, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "You both need to start taking things more seriously."

With a huff of exasperation, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the mansion, her anger still simmering beneath the surface.

As Jin Ah reached the threshold of the mansion, a sudden, deafening gunshot shattered the tranquility of the moment. Instinctively, she froze in her tracks, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to comprehend what had just happened.

Her mind raced with a flurry of panicked thoughts, her senses heightened to the chaos unfolding around her. She turned back, her eyes wide with fear as she searched for the source of the gunshot.

Niki and Taehyung, too, were startled by the abrupt sound, their playful banter silenced as they exchanged tense glances. In an instant, the atmosphere shifted from lighthearted to tense, a palpable sense of danger hanging in the air.

"What was that?" Jin Ah whispered, her voice trembling with fear as she clutched the doorframe for support.

But before anyone could respond, another gunshot rang out, followed by the sound of shattering glass. Panic surged through Jin Ah's veins as she realized the severity of the situation.

As Jin Ah stood frozen in shock, Taehyung's swift actions left her breathless. With lightning speed, he ushered both Jin Ah and Niki into a nearby room, his movements calculated and decisive.

With a determined expression, Taehyung retrieved a gun from a concealed holster, positioning himself near the door with an air of authority. His eyes narrowed in concentration, his senses on high alert as he prepared to defend them from whatever threat lurked outside.

Jin Ah's heart raced as she watched Taehyung's actions unfold before her eyes. The gravity of the situation weighed heavily upon her, sending shivers of fear down her spine. Yet, in the midst of the chaos, she found herself inexplicably drawn to Taehyung's unwavering resolve, his presence offering a glimmer of reassurance in the face of uncertainty.

With bated breath, they waited in tense silence, each passing moment fraught with anticipation. Outside, the echoes of gunfire continued to reverberate, a stark reminder of the danger that loomed just beyond the walls of the mansion.

Amidst the tension-filled atmosphere, Jin Ah's voice broke the silence, her words laden with uncertainty as she turned to Taehyung with a furrowed brow.

"What's going on?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper as she sought answers in the midst of the chaos.

Taehyung's gaze remained fixed on the door, his expression unreadable as he weighed his words carefully before responding. "There's been a disturbance," he replied cryptically, his tone clipped as he refused to divulge further details.

But Jin Ah's curiosity only grew, her mind racing with questions as she grappled with the uncertainty of their situation. "Who are they?" she pressed, her voice tinged with urgency as she sought to make sense of the chaos unfolding around them.

Niki, too, was visibly shaken by the events transpiring before him, his eyes wide with disbelief as he turned to Jin Ah for answers. "What's happening?" he asked, his voice trembling with fear as he struggled to comprehend the gravity of their predicament.

But before Jin Ah could respond, Taehyung held up a hand, his gesture silencing their inquiries as he remained focused on the task at hand. "Stay quiet," he instructed firmly, his voice commanding as he prepared to confront whatever threat lurked outside the door.

With a nod of understanding, Jin Ah and Niki fell silent, their hearts pounding in their chests as they awaited Taehyung's next move. In the tense stillness of the room, they could only hold their breath and hope for the safety and security that Taehyung's presence promised.

As the tension thickened in the room, the silence was shattered by the sound of voices echoing from beyond the door. Jin Ah's heart raced with apprehension as she strained to discern the source of the commotion, her senses heightened by the adrenaline coursing through her veins.

Niki's grip tightened on Taehyung's arm, his knuckles white with fear as he clung to the reassurance of his sister's presence. "Who's out there?" he whispered, his voice barely audible above the din of voices.

Taehyung remained stoic, his expression impassive as he listened intently to the voices outside. His jaw clenched with determination, a steely resolve settling over him as he prepared for whatever threat awaited them.

But as the voices grew louder, Jin Ah felt a wave of unease wash over her. There was something familiar about the voices, something that sent a shiver down her spine and set her nerves on edge.

With bated breath, they waited, their senses attuned to the slightest sound as they braced themselves for the unknown. In the tense silence of the room, every passing moment felt like an eternity, each heartbeat echoing the mounting anticipation of the confrontation to come.

As the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder, Taehyung's instincts kicked in. With swift precision, he guided Jin Ah and Niki to a concealed alcove hidden behind a heavy tapestry. Pulling back the fabric, he revealed a small space tucked away from prying eyes.

"Quickly, get inside," Taehyung urged, his voice low yet urgent. Jin Ah hesitated for a moment, her eyes wide with apprehension, but Niki's hand on her shoulder spurred her into action. With a nod of determination, she ducked into the cramped space, followed closely by her brother.

Once they were safely hidden from view, Taehyung pulled the tapestry back into place, concealing their hiding spot from anyone passing by. In the dim light filtering through the fabric, Jin Ah's heart pounded in her chest, the tension of their precarious situation hanging heavy in the air.

But despite the fear that gripped her, she found solace in the presence of her brother and Taehyung by her side. With a silent prayer for their safety, she braced herself for whatever may come, knowing that they would face it together.

As Taehyung moved to leave the safety of their hiding spot, Jin Ah's hand shot out, her fingers wrapping tightly around his wrist in a desperate plea for him to stay Jin Ah's hand shot out, her fingers wrapping tightly around his wrist in a desperate plea for him to stay. "Please don't leave," she whispered, her voice trembling with fear and uncertainty.

Taehyung's eyes softened as he felt Jin Ah's hand gripping his wrist, her plea resonating in the quiet of the room. He turned to her, offering a reassuring smile despite the gravity of the situation.

"I'll be back soon," he promised, his voice gentle yet resolute. "Just stay hidden and keep Niki safe."

With one last reassuring squeeze of her hand, Taehyung gently extricated himself from Jin Ah's grasp and moved toward the door. As he stepped into the hallway, his senses on high alert, he spared a fleeting glance back at Jin Ah and Niki, a silent vow of protection passing between them.

Then, with a determined set to his jaw, Taehyung disappeared into the shadows, his footsteps echoing faintly in the distance as he ventured forth to confront the looming threat head-on.
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Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed this chapter, please like and comment. Let's aim for 20+ views for this part. Your support means everything and helps keep me motivated to write more. Thank you!