2:30 p. m

Busan.

"One, two, turn and kick", Jungkook chanted rhythmically, as he helped me learn up the stunts taught in the classes which I had missed, thanks to my injured wrist. It still didn't feel as good as before, but practically speaking, I was fine.

" One more time", he said enthusiastically, re-positioning the punching bag.

"No way Jungkook. I've done practising enough number of times to be perfect at it, and now if you don't give me a lunch break or something, I tell you, the mice in my stomach will start fighting Taekwondo".

Jungkook chuckled but shook his head, " Just one more time, Erin".

Since I missed a lot of classes after the tournament, our Senpai wanted me to learn up the steps, so he asked Jungkook to help me catch up with the rest of the team.

So after today's classes, Jungkook suggested that I come over to his private mansion— a one hour journey from the Institute——and learn up the rest of the techniques from him.

Now seeing that I was totally reluctant to practice anymore he said, "Fine. We'll spice things up a bit. Let's play a game. The rules are simple, and it goes like this. Once you hit me, you score a point, and as a penalty, I subtract any one piece of my clothing, and when I score a point, the same goes for you".

He smiled mischievously.

I gave him an eye roll. "No way I'm playing any such games with you. Either you let me have a break, or I'm going back home".

" Come on Erin, it's just a game. And you know too well that there's no going back 'bout it. I need you right now, and whether you like it or not, I'm taking you here, and the only way you get to prevent it is to play, for the one who wins, can compel the other to abide by their order".

"Fine, if you I win, you aren't touching me for seven days straight".

" And if I win, love", he mused bringing his lips close to my ear, "I'll be fucking you so hard that you won't be able to walk up straight for seven days.

Straight".

I scoffed at him. Bold of him to think that I would be intimidated by his seductive fetishes.

" Fine", I said holding up my chin defiantly, "The game will show who gets to win Mr. Jeon Arrogant Jungkook. Roll up your sleeves".

" Ready? "

"As always".

Jungkook tried his best to score a point, but I wasn't giving in to his cunning traps so easily. I successfully dodged each and every blow, doing nothing but basic defence against him. Trying to score a point against him would mean him being compelled to remove his clothes, and that, I knew only too well, wasn't going to lead us anywhere good.

But reflex is a stunning betrayer. Very soon, in an attempt to guard one of his face blows, I applied one of the dangerous grab and hit techniques where you grab your opponent while he tries to attack you, and then counter attack.

"Erin plus one", he announced, throwing me a cheeky grin as he readily pulled off his T-shirt, gladly displaying his sinewy assets, highlighted by the thin coat of sweat that covered his body.

My eyes dragged on there a little too long, and when my eyes met his, I found them glittering smugly as he gave me the I-am-sexy-and-I-know-it look.

"Don't act so satisfied, you are loosing anyway".

" If loosing the game would mean winning you, then love, I would have given you a revolver to fight me unarmed", he quipped smoothly.

"Time will tell", I said taking my position as I gave him the 'what the fuck? ' look.

Imagine Jungkook acting all whipped and trust me to not get distracted by his looks.

Jokes apart, a shirtless Jungkook can be a hell of a temptation.

And temptation is a dangerous game.

Jungkook was bent on making me loose a score this time, and he played with all his might, making it hard for me to defend all his quick blows. While practicing for Taekwondo, or any form of martial arts, the players don't actually hit their partners, it's more of a touch-and-back technique.

It was one such touch and back face kicks that he did when he doubled his feet over my head instead of bringing it back to the floor, and even before I realized his trick, he had scored two points against me by hitting me with a double stomach kick.

"That's not fair", I said pouting, as I held my belly, pretending to be hurt by those fake kicks. I was trying buying time though. I was wearing a black oversized sweatshirt with a camisole underneath it, paired with a ripped jeans, and I knew removing any two of them would lead me to a dangerous kind of trouble, something I would gladly avoid.

"Rules are rules, Erin. Off with those", he motioned with his fingers.

" Fine", I huffed surrendering. "Look away".

" The game's not yet over and I'm not fighting while looking away from you, so stop delaying and get into work".

I turned over, and hooked my fingers into my shirt, pulling it off over my head. Though I was facing away, I could practically feel his eyes rave over my back, as I stood their hesitant of what to do next.

"Take that off too", he demanded, his voice dangerously low and husky.

I pretended to take it off too, but seizing the chance, I threw him my T-shirt and ran out of the room and down the stairs. He was too dumbfounded to realize my sudden action, so he stood there holding my top for some time, before muttering a, " Wait till I catch you", and dashing off after me.

Skipping three steps at a time, he came after me as I managed to lunge out of his grip just in time. In my hurry, I didn't notice that I had ran into the kitchen ——a dead end.

Making a quick decision, I grabbed a Tteok- bokki from the table, and just as he appeared at the doorway, I stuffed it into his mouth.

Not lying, he was actually looking cute, his eyebrows frowned, his cheeks puffed up and him getting all the more angry at not being able to speak.

"It's time we listened to our stomach", I grinned placing a Tteok-bokki into my mouth as well.

" You're looking like a chipmunk", he mused trying to squish my cheeks.

"Cute".

Cute?

I recalled the last time someone called me cute.

It was a late night at one of the busiest night clubs in Seoul, a night of blaring music, dazzling lights, giddy spirits, and lurking secrets.

I stood behind the counter in the guise of a bartender, putting ice cubes into the glass of tequila for the man in black leather jacket, who was leaning against the counter, eyeing my up in the most appropriate manner ever.

" You look cute, Miss sexy", he threw me a wink as I returned him a smile, pouring some extra soda into his cup. And some sedatives too, only that he had no idea about it.

The next day he was found in his room, three floors above the night club, dead, and most of his possessions ransacked, though the police couldn't say whether anything was missing.

   Mack Christopher terminated. Mission successful.

I messaged dad the next morning as I sat in front of the T. V. watching the headlines of the notorious arms dealer's murder.

"What are you thinking? " he asked, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Wondering who's cuter, me
or you".

" I swear you look cutest when you lie".

"Fine",I huffed, caught. "I was wondering whether dad would find it cute if I return home late".

No, I wasn't a bad lier.

" Where are you taking me", I asked as he started to drag me without another word.

"Taking you back home. I don't want to create a bad impression on my would be father-in-law, do I? ", he winked.

*****

As he pulled out his wallet to pay for our subway dinner, I caught a glimpse of a small photocard, peeping from one of its folds.

" Hey isn't that you? ", I asked taking the wallet from his to get a better look.

" That's me, fifteen years ago".

I smiled looking at the puffy cheeked five-year old grinning at the camera displaying all his of little white teeth.
He looked so completely different from what he was now, though I couldn't deny the fact that he still looked as cute as in the picture.

"Who's this beside you? ", I asked pointing at the man standing beside him, his arms around Jungkook's shoulder. I had this strange feeling that I had seen him somewhere, though I couldn't tell where.

" Oh that's Dad. Jeon Dae Hoon. I bet you've heard his name before. Not boasting but he legit has the largest business affiliation in whole of Korea".

I gulped.

No wonder I've heard his name before.