Two days had drifted by in a haze, with Jangfei diligently returning to her work, avoiding her boss at every opportunity. The weight of everything that had happened lingered over her like a storm cloud. The memory of that kiss on the trip was still vivid, each detail replaying in her mind despite her attempts to suppress it. How could he kiss her so fiercely, only to dismiss it as something trivial—a performance, a joke? The ache in her chest felt raw, threatening to break her resolve.

Jungkook, on the other hand, was no better. He tried to maintain his façade, the aloof and unbothered exterior that had become his trademark. But the reality was different. Each moment she ignored him, each fleeting glance that failed to meet his eyes, ignited a fury deep inside him. He could feel the tension knotting in his chest, tightening like a vice.

"Ms. Wang, my office. Now," he commanded, his voice cold and sharp. His heart pounded as he waited, fingers drumming against the desk. When she finally stepped into his office, her face was blank, impassive—a mask that only fueled his frustration further.

The room fell silent, the air thick with unspoken words. Just then, a soft chime broke through the tension. Jangfei glanced at her phone, her brows knitting in annoyance.

<I was busy. You messaged?>

She felt a pang of something—maybe anger, maybe disappointment—as she read Jeongguk's name on the screen. Two days without a single word from him, and now, a sudden demand for her attention.

<Why aren't you replying?>

Her lips curled into a humorless smirk. How ironic that he would now expect a response after days of silence. The phone vibrated again, another message appearing almost immediately.

<If you don't reply, I might have to do something you won't like.>

There it was. The same possessiveness that always left her conflicted. The bold, controlling undertone in his words sent a shiver down her spine.

Jungkook watched her, jaw tightening as she stared at her phone with an unreadable expression. The minutes stretched, and the silence turned deafening. He opened his mouth, ready to break the stalemate, but before he could, Jangfei stood up. Her eyes met his, unflinching and defiant.

"It's 6 PM, sir. My workday is over. Have a nice evening," she said, her tone even, the words cutting through the room like a blade. Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked out, leaving him stunned, a sense of loss sweeping over him.

As the door clicked shut, Jungkook realized with a sinking feeling that he had crossed a line he might not be able to mend. The silence of the empty room bore down on him, heavy with regret.

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Her steps quickened as she walked down the dark, dimly lit road, the cool night air biting at her skin. Jangfei's teeth sank into her lower lip, a nervous habit she couldn't shake. Questions pounded in her mind with each step.

*Why now? Why is he reaching out now, when he was silent when I needed him most?*

Her phone buzzed in her hand, the screen lighting up with a flood of messages, each one more demanding than the last.

Where are you?

Fucking reply me, Choco.

Are you fine?

What happened to you? Are you running from me?

You can't run away now, Choco. You made a deal with this demon, and now you can't just back out. Give me a damn reply. Don't test my patience.

Her breath caught in her chest as she read the last message. The words were laced with a possessive threat, a tone she had never fully heard from him before. It was the side of Jeongguk that he had warned her about, the dark, unforgiving part of him that claimed whatever he deemed his. And she was dear to him—whether she wanted to be or not.

A shiver raced down her spine, an unbidden thrill sparking deep within her despite her confusion and anger. She clenched the phone tightly, her fingers shaking as she typed out a reply.

>I will run away from you, Mr. Jeongguk, far, very far. How dare you reply now, after ignoring me for days? Don't you dare talk to me.<

A heavy silence followed. The seconds dragged on, feeling like an eternity, the quiet broken only by the distant sounds of the city nightlife. Just when she started to believe he wouldn't answer, her phone buzzed again. The message made her stomach twist, a strange mixture of fear and something else—something she didn't want to name.

You wanna run, little girl?

Run if you can, little Choco, but this demon will catch you the way you want.

Her pulse thundered in her ears. What did he mean by that? Did he know? No, it was impossible. He couldn't know about the dark fantasies she kept buried, the ones that danced in the shadows of her mind. And yet, the words on the screen seemed to strip her bare, exposing everything she had fought to keep hidden.

Like the way I want? She swallowed hard, feeling an unfamiliar heat bloom across her skin. How much did he truly know?

Jangfei's legs felt weak beneath her, a whirlwind of emotions leaving her stunned in the middle of the street. The grip of fear was undeniable, but so was the tantalizing allure that his words brought. Her phone buzzed again, and she glanced down at the screen, her heart in her throat.

Game on, little Choco.

As Jangfei's shaky whisper faded into the still night, a cold sweat dripped down her back.

"G-Game on?" she muttered, eyes darting over her silent surroundings. The road was familiar, the soft glow of streetlights leading her home. She took cautious steps, each one pulling her away from dread and towards the safety of her doorstep. Relief washed over her as she reached for the lock, thinking he had been bluffing.

Suddenly, an iron-like grip clamped over her mouth, silencing her scream before it fully escaped. The hand was unforgiving, and in an instant, she was hoisted into the air. Her vision spun, darkness devouring her as she was thrown into a large, shadowed vehicle. The space reeked of leather and power, and a suffocating silence followed.

A voice, deep and menacing, cut through the darkness.

"How was the game, choco?" The familiarity made her breath hitch, recognition crashing over her like a wave. Jeongguk's arm anchored her against the seat, his strength absolute. Before she could react, a deafening gunshot pierced the air. The jolt made her heart stop; the man who had grabbed her now lay motionless outside, blood spreading beneath him.

"How fucking dare you touch her like that? I told you not to hurt her, you bastard." Jeongguk's fury was palpable, his voice a growl as he loomed over the scene. The dim lights flickered on, illuminating his sharp jawline and dark hair framing eyes that blazed with rage. He wiped sweat from his brow with the back of his gun hand, curses tumbling from his lips. The contrast between the weapon in his hand and the way he cradled her was dizzying.

Before she knew it, he was tugging her into his lap, pressing her close to the steady thump of his heartbeat. The thud of the car door slamming shut made her flinch again, a shiver running down her spine.

"Deal with the body. Leave no trace. You hear me?" Jeongguk commanded the men outside, his tone slicing through the air like a blade. They nodded, their expressions vacant as they efficiently carried out his orders. The car hummed with tense silence as the scene outside dissolved into chaos.

Her breath came in gasps, eyes locked on him. His dark gaze softened for a split second as it met hers. He noticed the tremor in her limbs, the way she hugged herself for warmth.

"Turn off the damn AC," Jeongguk barked, and the chill in the car dissipated, replaced by an oppressive heat.

Her mind raced, connecting pieces of him she had only glimpsed before. This was the demon he warned her about—the man who would break rules for what was his. But then why did he pull her so close, shield her so fiercely?

Why did he care?

Finally, his gaze fell upon her pale, frightened face, still etched with tension but now simmering with a spark of defiance. She looked him dead in the eyes, brows furrowed tightly.

"WHAT THE HELL, MR. JEON? YOU SCARED ME TO DEATH! WHAT IF I HAD DIED OF A HEART ATTACK?" There she was—the real Choco. He had known this stunt might terrify her, but the fire in her voice confirmed it. The girl he knew would always scream, whine, and demand answers without hesitation.

A dark chuckle rumbled in his chest as his hands gripped her waist, drawing her closer with a possessive ease. "I told you, Choco," he whispered, voice low and velvet, "I'd get you the way you wanted—didn't you say you wanted to be chased?" His calloused fingers moved in gentle strokes along her sides, a contradiction to the chaos he had just caused.

"That doesn't mean you can just kidnap me!" she huffed, folding her arms against her chest in a defiant pout, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink. The sight sent a rush of heat through him, his eyes narrowing slightly as he tilted his head, studying her.

With a sinful smirk, he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear, fingers brushing against her cheek and making her shift in his lap. She whimpered, unable to ignore how close they were—the warmth of his body, the steady drum of his heartbeat beneath her.

"Why didn't you reply to my messages, Choco?" His deep voice resonated, each word a command as his dark eyes locked onto hers, waiting.

Her gaze dropped to her lap, fingers nervously fidgeting. It was a habit he had noticed long ago—a telltale sign of her sadness. Jeongguk's jaw tightened as he took in her thinner frame. She had lost weight, and the realization twisted something deep inside him.

"You've lost weight in one week," he said, voice hardening with concern. "Did that bastard make you work relentlessly?"

"No, Mr. Jeongguk," she sighed, eyes softening as she looked at him. "I was just a little stressed." Despite everything, a small, warm smile curved her lips, and the warmth cut through the icy layer of his fury, leaving something tender in its wake.

He exhaled, his expression softening as he pulled her into an embrace, so close that their breaths mingled. The exhaustion on her face pained him more than he'd admit. Without thinking, he pressed a lingering kiss to her forehead, letting his lips rest against her skin long enough to make her heart stutter.

She froze, the unexpected tenderness unraveling the threads of her composure. His lips lingered, their warmth seeping into her, easing the tension that had clung to her all week.

In that moment, she felt the barriers within her begin to waver. A part of her wondered: should she keep resisting or finally let herself fall?

She stared at him, her eyes narrowed with suspicion. "That's not the truth I know," he harshly said , wondering how he always seemed to know everything. She tried to brush the thought aside, focusing on her confusion.

"Why did you kidnap me?" she asked again, her voice firm and questioning.

"Because you didn't reply to my messages," he said nonchalantly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"You can't do that!" she protested, her voice rising in exasperation.

"Oh, I can. I definitely can," he replied, a smirk playing on his lips.

Her frustration grew. "Where are you taking me?" she demanded, crossing her arms as she glared at him.

"To my mansion," he responded calmly.

She slipped off his lap and stared at him with wide eyes. "Why?" she shouted, unable to mask her disbelief.

"I want to go home, Mr. Mafia," she insisted, trying to assert control over the situation.

"Now it's my home, Ms. Loudspeaker," he said, the smirk on his face deepening as he watched her gasp in response.

To be continued......

So guys how is the new cover ? Are you all even enjoying?