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"Why can't they just leave me alone?"
Yunah groaned, lightly thumping her forehead against the café table. "Do they really want to see me get embarrassed that badly…" Her voice cracked between frustration and defeat.
Serena sat opposite her, staring in silence for a moment before sighing heavily.
"I think they just found it weird," she admitted. "Your boyfriend being so young—of course they're suspicious." She raised a brow. "Even I would've questioned it. We know you, Yunah. And so do they."
Yunah's head shot up instantly. Her hair was a wild, messy cloud around her face — she blew at a stubborn strand in annoyance.
"So what?! Do they really have to go that far?" she snapped, gripping her hair. "Serena, tell me what to do! I can't bring Noah to the reunion. I just can't." She leaned in desperately. "Should I just say I didn't recover properly? Fake a fever? Pretend I'm still half dead?"
Serena opened her mouth — then closed it. She took a slow breath, clearly fighting the urge to smack some sense into her."Well…" she dragged out the word painfully, searching for something — anything — that sounded like a solution."…Honestly? Taking Noah is the best option. And didn't he already accepted to help you out in your ex weeding??"
Yunah flared up instantly. "I don't want to take him to the wedding either! I don't want his help." she blurted, voice dropping to a shy panic. "He's just a high schooler, Serena… And what if he has someone he likes? Why would I drag him into my pathetic drama?" Her words stumbled in insecurity. "I can't ruin his image like that…"
Serena simply stared at her over the rim of her coffee cup. Then took a slow, unimpressed sip of her now-cold drink.
"Well…" she set the cup down with finality, folding her arms. "You already know the best solution. Whether you take it or not? That's your problem." A small smirk tugged at her lips despite trying to stay serious."I'm out of advice. Figure it out, Miss Drama Queen."
*****************
Just a little farther away — at the next table — a man sat with his back turned toward them.
Ashish.
He looked casual enough: one hand around a coffee mug, eyes lazily drifting across the café like any ordinary customer passing time.
But behind that calm mask…
He listened to every single word Yunah and Serena spoke — crystal clear through the tiny Bluetooth device tucked discreetly in his ear.
Earlier, when he "accidentally" dropped his wallet near their table, he wasn't being clumsy. He was planting a bug underneath their table.
Now, every sigh, every frustrated whisper, every mention of Noah…
It all fed directly into his ears.
Ashish took another slow sip of coffee, gaze never straying too far from Yunah.
His voice remained quiet, almost emotionless, as he muttered under his breath — reporting silently, diligently:
"Target is secure. No threats yet."
Because Noah's command was simple: Watch her. Protect her. And if necessary… eliminate.
Ashish's eyes hardened slightly — no hesitation, no fear.
For his Young Master, he'd do anything.
Even if it meant turning this peaceful café into a battlefield.
******************
At Haven's Apartment.
"Did he open his mouth?" Noah's voice was low and dangerous — the kind that made men confess before a single blow landed.
He lounged across the couch like he owned the world, phone in one hand, a lollipop between his lips, making small clicking sounds every time he sucked on it.
"Hm," Ivan hummed from the other end, then continued, "Just as we suspected — it's the Eagle's Claw. They've formed a new gang in our territory. They're behind the trafficking too." He paused before speaking again."Twenty girls so far — high schoolers and college students… all missing. They took them."
The lollipop stopped midway against Noah's teeth.
Silence.
A dark shift — like a demon had just cracked open inside him.
"Those bastards…" He pulled the lollipop out, eyes sharp enough to kill through the phone. "Tell our men to gather at HQ tomorrow. Afternoon. I'm ending that new gang in one strike."
"Afternoon?" Ivan sounded thrown off.
"Why? We've always met at night. What changed?"
"We're not doing meetings at nights anymore," Noah replied, calm but firm. "I don't want Di worrying about me like last time."
Ivan almost choked on air. "So you're planning to crush a human trafficking ring in broad daylight?" He scoffed, then frowned.
"And what's that noise? Are you… licking something?"
Noah's lips curled into a smug smirk. "I can manage for one night. And yes—"
He tapped the lollipop against his teeth, voice dropping into that infamous deep tone. "I'm eating a lollipop."
"Lollipop?!" Ivan's voice shot up an octave.
"Yeah," Noah said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "I was craving a cigarette — figured lollipops are better."
His voice softened, almost lazily satisfied.
"I quit smoking."
"You WHAT? Since when? You were literally addicted!" Ivan sputtered. "Why the sudden change?"
Noah's eyes softened — deadly king replaced by a hopeless boy. "Di doesn't like it," he said, smiling with the candy still in his mouth. "So I quit."
There was a second of stunned silence.
Then—
"Wahhh!!" Ivan exclaimed dramatically.
"You're down bad for her, aren't you?"
"Of course I am." Noah didn't even hesitate — the softness in his smile more dangerous than his guns. "She's my home."
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Time passed, and Yogesh was back from practice, busy preparing dinner in the kitchen.
Meanwhile, Noah sat on the couch, eyes locked on the wall clock — ticking, ticking, mocking him.
Yunah still hadn't returned.
He clenched his jaw, grabbed his phone, and called Ashish while striding toward his room for privacy. The call rang far too long, and by the time Ashish finally picked up, Noah was already irritated.
But the thundering bass and crowd noise in the background?
That snapped his control.
"Why is it so loud? Are you in a club?" Noah's voice dropped dangerously, brows furrowed."And where is Di?"
"Miss Yunah is right in front of me," Ashish answered, overly polite — as if politeness could save him. "I tried calling you earlier, but your line was busy—"
"You could've texted!" Noah snapped, raking a hand through his hair in frustration.
"What club are you in? Is she drunk?"
"No— not yet," Ashish replied nervously.
"But if she keeps drinking… she definitely will."
Noah closed his eyes, breathing out a curse.
"Damn this girl…"
He grabbed his car keys with one swift motion."Send me the location. I'm coming there now." His tone sharpened to a blade. "And until I reach… if anyone even looks at her wrong — deal with them."
Without waiting for a response, Noah stormed out of his room.
"Hey! Where are you running off to?" Yogesh called from the kitchen, spatula still in hand.
"Get back here! If Di sees you wandering at night again, she'll kick you out—"
Noah didn't slow down. He didn't look back.
He slammed the door, making the whole apartment shudder.
Yogesh blinked at the door, stunned.
"What's wrong with him today…" he muttered, frowning at the now silent entrance.
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At Angel's Club
"I… I'm ready," Yunah slurred, blinking as she tried to focus on Serena. "I'll just… ask Noah for help now." Her words tumbled together like her thoughts.
Serena giggled, completely wasted as she wobbled on her stool. "Yes! Go for it!" she cheered, throwing her hand up like she won a game.
"To be honest, I really want to meet this so-called fake young boyfriend of yours."
Her head dipped sideways, unable to hold still.
"Mhm…" Yunah's cheeks flushed pink as she chuckled, excitement and alcohol mixing dangerously. "I'll let you meet him today… let's— let's go…" she said, pushing herself off the seat.
But the ground spun.
She stumbled on her own feet—Then fell backward. Right into a solid chest. A strong, lean arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her with effortless strength.
The scent hit her first — familiar and addictive, like dark night rain mixed with something forbidden.
She slowly turned her head.Her vision sharpened just enough to see him. Those cold, mesmerizing eyes stared into hers — not a hint of warmth, only possessive fire simmering beneath.
Her heart slammed inside her chest.
It was him.