Part 34
Early the next morning, the air was crisp and biting as Hyunjin sat in the small café near his estate. He looked composed on the outside, but the dark circles under his eyes betrayed the chaotic night he had just spent breaking Felix's spirit
Taejin walked in, looking disheveled and blinking away sleep. He scanned the room irritably until he spotted Hyunjin in a corner booth
"What do you want this early in the morning?" Taejin grumbled, sliding into the seat opposite him
"Let's have some coffee first" Hyunjin said, his voice low and steady
"Coffee?! I haven't even had breakfast yet" Taejin snapped "Just say what you want and get it over with"
Hyunjin leaned forward, his expression turning sharp "Regarding the evidence you sent... it's clear that Felix's uncle is the one behind it all. So why hasn't this been handed over to the court yet?"
Taejin sighed, rubbing his face "Because it's not enough for a conviction. If they take this to court now, the prosecutor will launch an investigation and subpoena the uncle, but Felix would be thrown back in jail during the trial. In that time, the uncle has enough power and shadows to make the evidence and the witnesses disappear. They need something more solid, something undeniable"
Hyunjin went silent for a moment, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table."So... what do I have to do to help him?"
Taejin let out a mocking, disbelief-filled laugh "Are you crazy? You just got out of prison. Don't go entangling yourself in this mess. Stay out of it"
"If the police find Felix in my house, I'm going back to prison anyway," Hyunjin replied coldly "I'm already in it. I might as well finish it"
Taejin stared at him, realizing that Hyunjin wasn't just being strategic, he was possessed "Look, I don't want any part of this. Do whatever you want" He started to stand up
"Sit down" Hyunjin commanded. The tone was so sharp it felt like a physical weight
Taejin shook his head in frustration, but seeing the look in Hyunjin's eyes, he muttered "Aish, fuck you" and sat back down
"How can Felix see Jae-bum?" Hyunjin asked "Somewhere away from prying eyes"
Taejin thought for a moment "The surveillance on Jae-bum has loosened slightly because they haven't found anything on him yet. I suppose... the bar would be the best place"
"Then tell Jae-bum to be at the bar tonight. I'll bring Felix" Hyunjin stated
Taejin crossed his arms defensively "Hey, I don't want to see that man's face ever again. Tell him yourself"
"You idiot, how am I supposed to know where he is?" Hyunjin growled, his patience thinning
Taejin rolled his eyes, letting out a long, dramatic groan. He stood up for the second time "Fine I'll tell him. We'll be there"
"9:00 PM. Don't be late " Hyunjin said
Taejin didn't bother replying, he just turned and walked out of the café. Left alone, Hyunjin signaled the waiter "One hot black coffee. No sugar"
Felix woke up to a heavy, suffocating silence. His body felt like lead, every movement a painful reminder of the night before. After washing his face with cold water to numb the swelling in his eyes, he slowly made his way downstairs. He found the house empty until the front door clicked open, and Hyunjin walked in carrying two grocery bags
Felix froze on the stairs, his hand gripping the banister so hard his knuckles turned white. He couldn't bring himself to take another step. Hyunjin didn't even look at him, he simply walked straight into the kitchen as if nothing had happened, though the air between them was thick with unspoken tension
Eventually, Felix forced himself down and sat on the sofa in the living room, feeling like a ghost in someone else's home. In the kitchen, the sound of plates and silverware clinking broke the silence. After a while Hyunjin appeared at the door
"Food is ready" Hyunjin said coldly, his voice devoid of any emotion
Hunger finally overrode Felix's fear. He stood up and took a seat at the table. As he picked up his chopsticks, he noticed that Hyunjin hadn't set a plate for himself. He was just leaning against the counter, staring intensely at his phone
"You... why aren't you eating?" Felix asked, his voice coming out raspy and strained
"I already ate" Hyunjin replied shortly without looking up
The meal passed in a deafening silence. Felix ate quickly, his mind racing. Just as he finished, Hyunjin finally put his phone away and locked eyes with him
"You're seeing Jae-bum tonight" Hyunjin stated
Felix's eyes widened, a spark of genuine life returning to his face for the first time in days "Really?" he gasped, his heart leaping in his chest
Hyunjin gave a curt nod and stood up "We leave tonight" Without waiting for a response he turned and headed back upstairs, leaving Felix alone at the table
A small, trembling smile spread across Felix's lips and he closed his eyes, feeling a momentary wave of relief. But the smile quickly faded into a look of doubt. What if he's lying?
"No... if he was lying, why would he even mention going out?" Felix whispered to himself, trying to stay hopeful
He stood up, looking at the empty plates. Despite everything, he felt a strange need to do something. He gathered the dishes, carried them to the sink, and began to wash them, the rhythmic sound of the water helping to calm the storm of anxiety inside him
It was 8:15 PM. Jae-bum sat heavily on his sofa, staring at the digital files Felix had risked everything for. He let out a long, ragged sigh, his head falling back against the cushions
"These aren't enough," he muttered to the empty room "We'd have to start all over again from zero" He closed his eyes, feeling the crushing weight of their failure
The sudden, sharp ring of the doorbell made him jump. He froze, who would be visiting him at this hour? The police? His heart hammered against his ribs as he walked to the door
When he swung it open, his shock instantly curdled into pure fury "You !!? What the hell are you doing here"
"Alright, alright, calm down. I didn't exactly want to see your face either" Taejin said, rolling his eyes with practiced nonchalance. Without waiting for an invitation, he shouldered past Jae-bum, bumping his shoulder hard as he made himself at home
Jae-bum stood at the open door for a second, stunned by the audacity, before slamming it shut with a bang that shook the frame. He marched into the living room where Taejin was already looking around
"Whatever you want, say it fast and get out" Jae-bum hissed
Taejin turned around, a smirk playing on his lips "You're going to see Felix in a little while"
The anger drained out of Jae-bum's face instantly, replaced by a desperate, wide-eyed hope. He took a step forward "When?"
"I just said 'in a little while.' Are you actually stupid or just acting like it?" Taejin groaned
"Where? Where are we meeting him?" Jae-bum demanded, ignoring the insult
"And he starts with the questions again. Ah, my head..." Taejin sighed dramatically "At a bar"
Jae-bum stared at him, incredulous "A bar? Are you serious? There wasn't anywhere else?"
"We're going there to dance, sweetheart" Taejin said, mockingly wiggling his shoulders before his face suddenly went stone-cold and serious "Don't piss me off. We're going there because it's the only place secure enough to hide in plain sight"
Taejin stepped in close, his face inches from Jae-bum's. Jae-bum stopped breathing, standing as still as a statue under Taejin's intense, sharp gaze
Satisfied with the silence, Taejin turned on his heel and headed for the door. "Well? Aren't you coming?"
Jae-bum blinked, snapping out of his trance. He didn't say another word, he grabbed his jacket and followed Taejin out. They climbed into Taejin's car and peeled away into the night, heading toward the neon lights of the city.
Jae-bum and Taejin arrived at the bar first. The air was thick with the smell of cheap gin and cigarette smoke, the bass of the music vibrating through the floorboards. Jae-bum stood near a corner table, his arms crossed tightly as he surveyed the room with a look of pure disgust. The flashing neon lights and the crowded dance floor felt like a million miles away from the seriousness of Felix's situation
Checking his watch for the tenth time, Jae-bum turned to Taejin, his patience snapping "Where the hell are they?" he demanded angrily "You said 9:00. It's past that"
Taejin, who was leaning casually against the bar and looking perfectly at home, didn't even look at him "Relax. They're coming soon"
Suddenly, a young woman in a shimmering dress approached them. She leaned in with a wide smile and to Jae-bum's absolute shock, she wrapped her arms around Taejin's neck. Taejin didn't pull away, she smirked and pressing her lips against Taejin's lips in a deep, lingering kiss
Jae-bum's eyes widened. He quickly looked away, feeling a wave of awkwardness and disbelief. After a brief, whispered conversation that Jae-bum couldn't hear over the music, the girl giggled, patted Taejin's chest and disappeared back into the crowd
"Who was that?" Jae-bum asked, his voice full of judgment
Taejin picked up a drink from the counter, took a slow sip and shrugged "A friend"
"A friend?" Jae-bum asked, his voice rising in shock "Then why the hell did you two just kiss like that?"
Taejin let out a dry laugh, looking at Jae-bum as if he were an innocent child "Oh, Mr. Romantic... what, friends can't kiss in your world?"
Jae-bum opened his mouth to argue, his face flushing with irritation but Taejin didn't give him the chance. His eyes had already shifted toward the entrance. His posture straightened as he spotted two figures walking in through the shadows of the back hallway
"They're here" Taejin muttered
Jae-bum's eyes immediately locked onto Felix. For a moment, Felix kept his head down but when he looked up, a small, fragile smile touched his lips
He rushed forward, throwing himself into Jae-bum's arms. Jae-bum pulled him in tight, his heart breaking at how thin and shaken Felix felt
Hyunjin looked away, unable to bear the sight of Felix seeking comfort in someone else's arms. Taejin watched Hyunjin's reaction closely, a knowing look in his eyes
Without a word, Jae-bum released Felix and marched toward Hyunjin. He grabbed Hyunjin's collar, his face twisted with rage "Who the hell do you think you are, huh?" he spat, his voice trembling
Taejin stepped in immediately, gripping Jae-bum's wrists and prying them off Hyunjin with surprising force "Don't cross the line" Taejin warned, his voice sharp "We aren't here to fight. We're here to talk"
Reluctantly, they all sat down. Felix and Jae-bum sat side by side, a unified front while Hyunjin and Taejin sat opposite them
"Now, what do you want?" Jae-bum asked, his voice still laced with poison
Hyunjin spoke, his voice cold and level "After learning the truth... I want to help you"
Felix's breath caught. He looked at Hyunjin in total shock, his mouth hanging open. Hyunjin glanced at him for a split second before averting his eyes, his jaw tightened
Jae-bum let out a harsh, disbelieving laugh "First you steal all our evidence and now you say you want to help? Do you think we're idiots? Leave Felix alone and we'll handle this ourselves" He ground his teeth, his eyes boring into Hyunjin
"You can't do it alone" Taejin intervened. Jae-bum shifted his glare to him "I didn't want to be involved at first either but this situation is too sensitive. It's complicated. We have to handle this perfectly or everyone loses"
"And who are you? How do you know about this?" Felix asked Taejin, his voice quiet
"Oh, right. I haven't introduced myself. I'm Hwang Taejin, Hyunjin's cousin" Taejin said with a lazy smirk "Back when Hyunjin was in prison, he told me he wanted to find you so I helped him out"
Felix looked back at Hyunjin, his fingers knotting together in his lap "Why? Why did he want to find me?"
"Well, obviously because he—" Taejin began, a mischievous glint in his eye
Hyunjin cut him off with a loud, aggressive cough, glaring at his cousin to shut him up "Regardless" Hyunjin interrupted "what do you say? Shall we work together?"
Jae-bum went silent, weighing the options. He hated Hyunjin but he knew the Hwangs had resources they desperately needed. He looked at Felix, who seemed hesitant but willing
"Fine" Jae-bum said finally "But Felix stays with me"
Hyunjin's lips curled into a dark, mocking smile "He stays with me" he said, his voice leaving no room for argument
"Then we start tomorrow" Taejin said, quickly changing the subject to prevent another explosion "I'll do some digging on Jun-ho to see what he's up to"
They finalized a few more details before standing up to leave. It was time for goodbyes. Felix looked up at Hyunjin and saw that dark, possessive shadow in his eyes again
"Take care of yourself" Jae-bum said softly to Felix
"You too, Hyung" Felix replied, giving him a small, reassuring smile
Felix then turned toward Hyunjin, looking incredibly nervous. Hyunjin stared back at him, his gaze unreadable but heavy. Without another word, they disappeared into the shadows of the bar and headed for the car
Jae-bum clenched his fists, watching them go, but there was nothing he could do. He turned to leave but stopped when he noticed Taejin hadn't moved
"Hey! aren't you coming?" Jae-bum asked irritably
"What's it to you? You go ahead, I'm staying a bit longer" Taejin said, turning back toward the bar with a predatory grin
Jae-bum knew exactly what work Taejin had in mind in a place like this. A sudden, unexplained impulse made him reach out and grab Taejin's arm firmly
"The car!" Jae-bum blurted out. He was even shocked at his own actions. Taejin looked at him, puzzled "My... my car isn't here. You have to drive me... to my place"
Taejin pulled his arm away "Then take a taxi. I have business here"
"I have more things to discuss about the case. Come on" Jae-bum insisted, trying to sound professional
Taejin rolled his eyes "Ugh, we can talk in the morning!"
"I said we talk now" Jae-bum said, his voice rising with authority
Taejin let out a long, annoyed sigh. He stomped toward the exit ahead of Jae-bum "Yaa!!! why do I have to delay my fun for you?"
Following behind him, Jae-bum couldn't help but let a tiny, triumphant smirk cross his face. He had won this round
A soft rain began to fall as they drove back, the rhythmic tapping against the car windows the only sound in the heavy silence between them. Once they reached the mansion, Felix hurried upstairs without a word, leaving Hyunjin standing like a statue by the front door, staring into the dark
Felix reached Hyunjin's bedroom, leaning his back against the closed door as his breath hitched "Why?" he whispered to the empty room "Why would he help us after stealing the evidence and keeping me here by force?" Driven by a sudden need for answers, he cracked the door back open, intending to confront Hyunjin.
But Hyunjin was already in the hallway, phone pressed to his ear, finishing a cigarette. He was talking to Taejin
"No, of course not" Hyunjin's voice was low and calculating "Once we find all the evidence and the truth is out, I can't just hand it over to the court that easily"
Felix froze on the top step, his heart hammering against his ribs
"I won't let everything end that simply" Hyunjin continued, his tone dark "I can use those files against Felix to make sure he stays with me until I'm certain everything is settled. Then and i will think about it" He clicked the phone shut
Shock turned into cold, icy rage. Felix retreated silently into the room, his fists clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms "You bastard!" he hissed under his breath "I knew you had something like this up your sleeve"
When the door opened a moment later, Felix was standing in the center of the room, his eyes burning with a mixture of terror and fury. Hyunjin didn't seem to notice the change; he tiredly shrugged off his jacket and lay down on the bed
"What are you doing standing there?" Hyunjin muttered, gesturing to the space beside him "Come here and sleep"
Felix swallowed his anger, forcing his expression to remain neutral. He slowly took off his own jacket and climbed into bed, keeping as much distance as possible. He turned his back to Hyunjin, his mind racing with a hundred different escape plans
Suddenly, two strong arms wrapped firmly around his waist. Hyunjin pulled him back until there was no space left between them, their bodies flush. Felix stiffened, feeling the heat of Hyunjin's body and the undeniable pressure against his back
"Stop moving" Hyunjin murmured into the nape of his neck
"How am I supposed to sleep like this?" Felix snapped, his voice trembling with hidden hatred
"Just sleep" was all Hyunjin said
Hyunjin buried his nose in Felix's hair, inhaling deeply. Felix bit his lower lip so hard it nearly bled, his entire body stiff with rage. As Hyunjin's breath fanned over his neck, Felix stared into the darkness of the room, realizing that the man holding him wasn't his savior, he was just a different kind of captor
Hyunjin was slowly drifting into a light sleep, exhausted from waking up so early. Felix, unable to endure the suffocating proximity any longer, forcefully pushed Hyunjin's arms away
Hyunjin snapped his eyes open, looking at him with deep confusion
"I need some water" Felix muttered
Felix stood up and without a word from Hyunjin, he hurried out of the bedroom
He walked into the kitchen, drank some water and set the glass on the counter. He ran his fingers through his hair, looking at the clock, it was nearly 11:30 PM. The only sounds were the rhythmic ticking of the clock and the steady drumming of rain against the window
His gaze shifted toward the door. He took a hesitant step closer "What should I do?" he whispered, his voice trembling as he bowed his head
The realization that Hyunjin was only helping him to keep him prisoner made his blood boil. He spotted a small box where the key was kept. Felix froze in shock when he saw it, then slowly unlocked the door. The biting cold air and the scent of rain hit his skin. Hyunjin must have assumed Felix wouldn't run so he hadn't hidden the keys
He hesitated, looking back into the house, but then shook his head "I have to go"
As he stepped out, a gust of wind caught the door, slamming it shut with a loud bang. Terrified by the noise, Felix immediately began to sprint into the darkness
Inside, Hyunjin's eyes flew open at the sound. He charged downstairs, and seeing the empty kitchen and the keys in the door, his face twisted into a mask of pure fury
"Felix!" Hyunjin roared. Through the torrential rain, he spotted Felix sprinting toward the right and began to chase him.
Felix glanced over his shoulder and saw Hyunjin gaining on him. His legs felt heavy but he forced himself to keep running
"Stop, Felix!" Hyunjin yelled, his voice cracking with fury.
Felix didn't know where he was going, he just ran. His clothes were soaked and he shivered from the cold. Turning into a narrow alleyway, Felix's foot slipped and he crashed to the ground. Shaking with fear, he tried to rise but Hyunjin's arms wrapped around him from behind in a crushing grip
"Let me go!" Felix shrieked, thrashing wildly.
Hyunjin slammed Felix against the brick wall. Felix winced, closing his eyes tightly
"What the hell were you doing?" Hyunjin bellowed
"Let me go, you bastard!" Felix screamed back, kicking and struggling.
Hyunjin caught both of Felix's wrists in one hand, pinning them firmly above his head
"Never" Hyunjin hissed, his eyes dark and predatory "I warned you about running, didn't I?"
Felix went silent, rainwater dripping from their hair and mingling on their faces
"You... you're helping me just to keep me here by force! Keeping evidence to blackmail me! Who do you think you are?" Felix spat
"Oh... so you were eavesdropping on my conversations?" Hyunjin smirked dangerously
"You're nothing but a monster. I hate you so—"
Before he could finish, Hyunjin crashed his lips onto Felix's, silencing him. He moved his lips aggressively, deepening the kiss as the rain mixed with the moisture of their mouths. It was a long, hungry kiss, Hyunjin tilted his head to drink in Felix's muffled cries, his tongue invading every corner of Felix's mouth.
"Help—" Felix tried to scream, twisting his head to the side to break the contact
"Go ahead, scream Felix" Hyunjin whispered against his skin "But when someone comes, I'll just tell them you're the criminal they're looking for, and that I caught you"
Felix froze, his lips trembling, unable to find words, Hyunjin buried his face in Felix's neck, biting down hard on the sensitive skin
"Ah!" Felix gasped, his eyes fluttering shut.
Suddenly, Hyunjin's hand reached down, firmly grabbing Felix's dick through his wet clothes and squeezing hard
"Stop... what are you doing?" Felix choked out, struggling to free his wrists.
Hyunjin ignored him, squeezing his dick even harder until a low moan escaped Felix's throat.
Hyunjin immediately reclaimed his lips, the sound of their wet, frantic kissing echoing in the narrow alley. Hyunjin slid his large, warm hand under Felix's soaked shirt, feeling the frantic heartbeat underneath, Pulling his lips away for a second, Hyunjin reached down and unzipped Felix's pants
"I don't want this... stop" Felix pleaded, knowing exactly what was coming
"You're scared, hmm?" Hyunjin whispered into Felix's ear before smirking "You need to be punished, don't you?"
Hyunjin released his own dick from his pants. The moment the hot skin of their members touched in the cold air, Felix let out a broken gasp. Hyunjin didn't put his dick into Felix, instead he wrapped his large hand around both of their dicks, squeezing them together so tightly that Felix's back arched off the wall
He began to move his hand in a fast, punishing rhythm. Because they were pressed so closely, the head of Hyunjin's dick was constantly sliding and grinding against Felix's balls. The friction sent jolts of electricity through Felix's spine and despite the freezing rain, a deep, dark blush spread across Felix's cheeks. He was mortified by the pleasure, his face heating up as the sensation of Hyunjin's member rubbing against his balls made his breath hitch.
"Ah... ah..." Felix's moans were broken, swallowed by the sound of the rain.
Hyunjin leaned his full weight into Felix, grinding his pelvis hard against Felix's. He tilted his head, biting Felix's neck as he felt Felix's balls tighten against him. Hyunjin increased the speed, his thumb rubbing circles over the head of Felix's dick while his own pulsed against Felix's palm
"Hng" Felix's head fell back, his eyes rolling back as the pleasure peaked. With a strangled cry, Felix's body stiffened and his cum erupted, coating both of their dicks and Hyunjin's hand in thick, hot spurts. Moments later, Hyunjin followed, a deep groan vibrating out of his throat as he came hard, their fluids mixing together
They stood there for a long moment, the rain washing the evidence down their legs. Hyunjin finally let go of Felix's wrists and licked a stray drop of rain off Felix's trembling lip
"I ... I am only giving you this one chance..." Hyunjin panted "This is the last chance I'm giving you... if you ever run away again, I will lock you in that house, I will hurt you in ways no one has ever hurt you before"
Felix glanced down at the cum smeared over their dicks, his face still flushed "Get back" he whispered, pushing Hyunjin's chest.
Hyunjin stood back, slicking his wet hair away from his face, he closed his pants and Felix did the same with shaking hands.Hyunjin grabbed Felix's arm with a grip like iron. He began to pull him back toward the house. Under the pouring rain, Hyunjin shifted his grip, lacing his fingers through Felix's, forcing an intimacy that felt more like a shackle than a handhold