Ji Ah had no idea what these observations reports looked like she panicked as her heels clicked hurriedly across the marble floor. She had never been asked to fetch them before why now? Was he saving her? Her stomach did an uncomfortable flip at that and not for reasons she would like to admit.

Approaching the familiar site of the black steel doors let her pace slow, not in a rush to return to those people and their lecherous hands.

Entering the room she was met the quiet hallway she has come to know. Heading down past the several black doors toward the living area, with its large black screen.

She was struck with an unusual sight, one of the doors was open. Every time she had been here those doors have been shut, now one was open.

The open door stood like a dark invitation, daring her to cross the threshold. A thousand scenarios raced through her mind—each one worse than the last. What if this was a trap? Another test? She hesitated, her breath shallow, before stepping forward with a determination she didn't quite feel. She slowly made her way toward the door, heart racing.

She felt vulnerable with no weapon or backup, taking a calming breath she slowly reached for the handle.

As she pulled it back she was met by the sight of a gun pointed squarely at her head, she froze for a beat taking in the sight of her would be attacker.

"Jun Ho" she breathed, taking in his determined face, not recognising her beneath the mask.

"Ji Ah" he exclaimed in relief at hearing her voice, immediately scooping her into a hug.

The warmth of his arms wrapped around her, so familiar yet almost forgotten, melted the icy fear that had clung to her since she'd arrived here. A sob caught in her throat, and for a moment, she allowed herself to feel safe, the world outside forgotten. Both squeezed each other in a firm grip, a single thought shared between them 'I thought I lost you'

Jun Ho pulled back but did not let her go, his eyes running over her partially masked face.

"Are you okay?" He asked seeing the tears in her eyes.

She nodded not feeling brave enough to say the words. Swallowing she smiled sadly unsure she would ever be able to give him the full truth of it.

"In Ho" she asked, the reason they where in this dreadful place "did you find him?" Looking it Jun Ho's sad face.

"No" he said simply "but there is something I must tell you, In Ho - "

He was cut off mid sentence by the sound of footsteps, someone was approaching the door, they both froze for a moment before Ji Ah sprung into action.

"Go" she said pushing him back "you must hide" she added closing to door on his worried face.

Her mind raced. She had seconds—no, less than that—to come up with a plan. The reports caught her eye, pristine and orderly on the desk. Without thinking, she swept them to the floor and dropped to her knees, kicking one of her heels off, feigning a clumsy scramble at the click of the door and the heavy sound of footsteps neared.

The gleaming black leather of his shoes entered her field vision first, the polished leather gleaming in the over head lights. Her gaze traveled upward, over his long legs encased in perfectly tailored charcoal slacks, to the familiar lines of his suit jacket, fitted to his broad frame.

And then, the mask.

The Frontman's cold, unreadable mask loomed above her, its dark, reflective surface concealing his expression. Yet Ji Ah felt the weight of his stare, piercing through her as though he could see every thought racing through her mind. She swallowed hard, willing herself to maintain the act, her hands fumbling with the papers.

"I'm sorry, sir," Ji Ah stammered, her voice breathless with a carefully crafted mix of fear and fluster. She nodded toward her discarded shoe. "My heel slipped on the marble floor, and I came down with it."

The silence stretched, thick and suffocating. She dared to glance up, her eyes meeting the hollow eyeholes of his mask. He said nothing, only watching her.

Her pulse quickened. Was he doubting her story? Did he suspect her?

After what felt like an eternity, the Frontman crouched before her, his gloved hands moving with deliberate precision. Ji Ah's breath caught in her throat as he reached for her shoe, lifting it from where it lay.

"You should be more careful," he said, his voice low and measured, the words carrying an edge she couldn't quite decipher.

She couldn't respond, her throat too dry, her heart thundering. She watched as he turned the shoe over in his hands, inspecting it as though it were a crucial piece in one of his games.

Then, to her surprise, he extended his hand, palm open, wordlessly gesturing for her foot.

Ji Ah hesitated, her mind racing. There was no graceful way out of this. Slowly, she stood and lifted her foot, placing it lightly against his palm. His grip was firm, steady, as he guided the shoe back onto her foot with ease.

The moment his gloved hand touched against her ankle, her skin seemed to burn. She felt a shiver run up her spine, the contact both unsettling and disarmingly gentle.

Ji Ah's breath hitched as his fingers moved upward and brushed against her calf, lingering for a fraction too long to be entirely professional. Her gaze snapped to his mask, searching for any sign of his intentions, but the dark surface revealed nothing.

Her skin prickled beneath the weight of his touch, her instincts screaming to pull away even as something kept her rooted.

"Better?" he asked, his voice smooth and even, as though this act of intimacy were nothing out of the ordinary.

"Yes," Ji Ah managed to whisper, though her throat felt tight. "Thank you."

He rose slowly, his towering presence casting a shadow over her. The papers in her hands felt flimsy, inconsequential compared to the intensity radiating from him.

Then a chime came over his radio, breaking the spell.

The frontman turned away speaking quietly into his radio, shoulders tense. Ji Ah took the opportunity to step backwards her hands braced against the small drinks table, pretending to sort the papers whilst calming the beat of her heart. It wasn't fear alone that made her pulse race—it was something darker, something she refused to name.

"I must attend to business" the frontman stated simply, like the charged moment never happened. "I will escort you back to the VIP lounge" he stated, leaving no room for argument.

Ji ah hesitated, her gaze briefly flicking the door that housed Jun Ho. She couldn't let her gaze linger there—not even for a second. Any slip could doom them both. Instead, she tightened her grip on the papers, holding them like a shield against his scrutiny.

She tried to think of an excuse but none came. At least if the Frontman came with her Jun Ho would be free to escape.

Clearing her throat, she simply replied "Of course sir" scooping up the rest of the papers from the desk, trying to seem surer than the felt.

She jumped slightly when she felt his hand take her elbow, turning to look at him in an accusing manner.

"Wouldn't want you to have another accident" was all he offered in response, smooth as silk but heavy with implication. His grip tightening slightly as he lead her away.

Away from Jun Ho.

It took all that was in her not to look back.

——————————————

The night seemed to drag on since Ji Ah returned to the opulent VIP lounge, the air thick with the scent of expensive cigars and the murmur of indulgent laughter. The guests, draped in luxury, reveled in their evening's entertainment, their eyes gleaming with a predatory delight that made her skin crawl.

She performed her duties with practiced grace, refilling glasses and offering trays of delicacies, all the while her mind a tempest of conflicting thoughts. The Frontman's absence since their charged encounter left her both relieved and disquieted. His touch, his inscrutable gaze and the lingering heat of his hand against her skin, haunted her more than she cared to admit.

Her thoughts shifted to Jun Ho, hidden away, his safety precarious. The fear of his discovery tightened her chest, each passing moment amplifying the dread that he might be caught, punished, or worse. She had to find a way to protect him, but under the ever-watchful eyes of the VIPs and the omnipresent surveillance, any misstep could be fatal.

A burst of raucous laughter jolted her from her reverie. One of the VIPs, a portly man with a flushed face, beckoned her over, his eyes roaming over her with unabashed lechery. Suppressing a shudder, Ji Ah forced a polite smile and approached, the mask of servitude firmly in place.

As she leaned in to pour his drink, his hand brushed against her thigh. Her stomach churned, but she maintained her composure, retreating smoothly once the glass was filled. The man's attention was fleeting, already shifting back to his companions and their sordid tales.

Ji Ah's mind wandered back to the Frontman. Despite his absence, his presence loomed large, an enigmatic force that both threatened and intrigued her. She couldn't afford distractions, not with so much at stake, yet the memory of his touch, the mystery of his intentions, lingered like a phantom, refusing to be exorcised.

She moved through the room, a silent observer to the decadence around her, her thoughts a labyrinth of fear, desire, and determination. The games were far from over, and the most dangerous moves were yet to be played.

In the midst of the revelry, Ji Ah resolved to stay vigilant, to protect Jun Ho, and to uncover the truth behind the Frontman's actions. But as the night wore on, she couldn't shake the feeling that she was a pawn in a game far more complex than she had ever imagined.

And the Frontman, whether ally or adversary, held the key to her next move.

As the evening progressed, the VIPs' indulgences grew more extravagant, their demands more insistent. Ji Ah's role as their attendant became increasingly taxing, each forced smile and compliant gesture chipping away at her resolve. Yet, amidst the clamor and excess, her mind remained sharply focused on her dual concerns: Jun Ho's safety and the enigma of the Frontman's intentions.

She couldn't afford to falter now. Every interaction, every movement had to be carefully measured, her true thoughts and fears concealed beneath a veneer of servitude. The stakes were too high, the consequences of any misstep too dire.

She was determined to navigate this treacherous landscape, to protect those she cared about, and to unravel the mysteries that bound her to this place. No matter the cost.

And in the shadows of her mind, the Frontman's presence lingered, a constant reminder of the complexities and dangers that lay ahead.

But Ji Ah was resolute. She would not be a mere pawn. She would find a way to turn the game to her advantage, no matter how deep she had to delve into the darkness.