Taehyun cleared his throat and crossed the room, his steps unhurried but deliberate. Settling onto the couch near the bed, he leaned back slightly, one arm resting along the backrest. Across from him, Seri quietly tidied her luggage, smoothing the last of her clothes into place before closing the case and setting it aside.
"So… did I imagine things," he began, his tone edged with quiet amusement, "or did you just quietly dismantle a familiar set of thugs near the airport earlier?"
His gaze sharpened, a brow arching as his voice dipped lower, laced with intrigue. "Let me guess… one of them limped away in your signature style?"
"How did you know that?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Well, I wasn't trained at a tea ceremony, you know," he said with mock innocence. "You're not the only one with sharp instincts." He nodded toward her shoes. "There was a faint blood smear on your left heel after you came back from that very convincing 'bathroom break'. I was going to check things out myself… but clearly, someone noticed the stink before I did."
"You're getting better at reading trails, Ken," she said with a faint sigh.
"Not better than you. Just… keeping up."
Seri stood by the large glass pane, arms folded tightly, eyes locked on the streets below. Her face was calm, but a flicker of unease creased her brow. Behind her, Taehyun leaned slightly forward on the couch, studying her like he was on the edge of understanding something too big to ignore.
Seri's eyes flicked toward him briefly before shifting to the window. Her voice came even, without hesitation.
"I received a text from Iwao's assistant. They were tracking us." She paused, the faintest glint of calculation in her gaze. "I saw the opportunity… settled them down quick. No noise. No sense."
Taehyun's expression betrayed nothing, but the faint crease at the corner of his eyes gave him away. He was impressed.
"Well," he said slowly, leaning forward slightly, "we can't lose focus then."
"It's not just us, Ken," she said quietly without turning around. She finally turned, her voice deeper now, firmer. "There are more people watching him. People who don't just want to stop the project… they want him gone."
Taehyun straightened, his relaxed posture vanishing. The light in his eyes shifted, suspicion giving way to dread.
His voice was low and serious. His fingers tightened slightly, his jaw clenched. "Something is definitely wrong." He glanced toward the window before meeting her eyes again. "I got word… the men waiting at departure were Iwao's people. All the security and arrangements here are under his control, so for now, it's safe to trust them. Basically, nothing to be concerned about at least on that front."
Seri's gaze lingered on him, steady at first, then softened just enough to suggest she was processing more than his words. She gave a slow nod, though her fingers remained loosely curled at her side, as if still prepared to act. "Safe is a fragile word, Ken," she murmured. "You know how quickly it breaks."
The tension simmered between them ,two operatives in a foreign land, secrets circling closer. Outside, the faint hum of tires rolled over wet pavement. A shadow shifted beyond the curtain. Watching. Waiting.
Taehyun stood, his eyes locked on Seri with unshaken seriousness. He reached into his coat and gently placed a small glass vial into her palm. The liquid inside glowed faintly, like liquid moonlight.
"It's not poison," he said softly. "It's a remedy, puts someone to sleep for twenty-four hours. No pain. No noise. No questions."
Seri studied the vial, tilting it slightly in her hand. Her gaze shifted upward, skeptical.
"And what do you expect me to do with this?" she asked flatly. "Drag Mr. CEO unconscious into Iwao's base like I'm offering him as tribute?"
Taehyun let out a light laugh, one eyebrow raised. "Well… if that's your move, I'll support it."
He leaned closer, teasing but watchful. Then he turned toward the door, only to pause and glance back over his shoulder with a wicked grin.
"You can pour it in my drink too, you know," he added. "If seducing me is on your to-do list tonight. I'm very ready for it." He laughed again, dramatic as ever.
"Are you serious right now?" Seri asked, half-laughing, half-serious.
She trailed after him a few steps, arms crossed, a smirk curling at her lips. "Maybe I should save it for Bora's 'slim tea' instead. If she creates one more public scene, a twenty-four-hour nap might do everyone a favor."
Taehyun choked on his laugh. "Oh no, you're dangerous. Remind me not to accept any drinks from you."
He pointed at her, still laughing, then opened the door with a flourish. "Let's go, femme fatale."
"Only fatal if provoked," she smirked.
They stepped out together, the mood light but charged, the vial on the nightstand catching one last shimmer of hotel light before the door clicked shut behind them.
In the hallway, the lights cast a soft glow over their faces as they walked. Just a few steps away, Junho emerged from the elevator and froze. His eyes moved from Seri's amused expression to Taehyun's relaxed grin. Together, they looked like a couple fresh off a honeymoon, not two operatives on a dangerous mission.
Junho's jaw tightened… just enough to show. He said nothing.
The door beside Seri's room opened, and Hanna stepped out, dressed in a casual yet elegant lounge outfit. She caught sight of them and paused, lips curling.
"Omo… are you two coming out of the same room together?" she teased, eyes gleaming. "Is there something I should know? Or should we save this for the next office gossip thread?"
"Relax, no scandal today," Taehyun replied smoothly. He glanced at Seri. "She looked like she was about to pass out from overworking, so I had to make sure she didn't fall asleep face-first into the project file."
He winked. Hanna chuckled, not entirely convinced but amused.
Junho's gaze lingered on Seri, concerned. Was she really that tired? Why didn't she say anything? Why did she let Taehyun be the one to check on her?
"It wouldn't be necessary to enter her room," Junho said tightly, jaw clenched, "unless there's some kind of tie between you two."
Taehyun's smirk didn't waver. "And what makes you so sure… there isn't?"
The pause that followed was heavy. Even the air stilled.
Hanna blinked and gasped theatrically. "Wait—what?? Oh my god. Are you two…??" She pointed between Taehyun and Seri, clearly delighted. "Is this a thing?!"
"Stop the nonsense," Junho cut in sharply, his voice colder now. "We didn't fly across the ocean for games and flirtation. If anyone's here looking for a vacation romance, they're on the wrong trip."
He stepped forward, straightening his suit jacket like he was trying to regain control, not just of the conversation, but of himself.
"We're here for a reason. For the project. So let's stay focused. This isn't some search-for-love vacation."
Taehyun raised his eyebrows, muttering under his breath, "Could've fooled me…"
"Maybe we should just go," Seri said quietly, without looking at any of them.
As she passed, her arm brushed lightly against Junho's. She gave a practiced smile… sweet on the surface, but edged with something far more deliberate.
Junho's jaw tightened again, but this time there was a flicker in his eyes, something between irritation and restraint. His hand adjusted the cuff of his suit, a precise, almost mechanical movement to mask the tension in his posture. Beneath the polished exterior, the shift in his breathing betrayed the effort it took to keep his expression calm. He didn't look away from Seri, not even for a second.
The elevator doors slid open with a soft chime. Seri, Taehyun, Junho, and Hanna stepped out into the lobby's golden glow.
Just outside, Daejin stood with a clipboard in hand, the picture of composure. From the side, Bora swept in like she owned the entire hotel, clutching a neat stack of business cards as if they were priceless artifacts.
Daejin's brow lifted.
"…Where did you even come from?"
Bora grinned proudly, fanning the cards with a flourish.
"Me? Just making connections. Mr. Kang, this isn't just a hotel. This is where every rich business mogul across the globe plants their expensive shoes."
She flicked her wrist, showing them off like a winning hand.
"This one's from the Head Chef—Michelin-starred and single, I checked.
This one? From the landscaping consultant. Apparently, his roses bloom even in winter.
And this… is from the yacht club manager. Has a fleet, not just one boat."
Taehyun's mouth curved, his voice carrying the edge of laughter.
"Why are you collecting them like Pokemon cards?"
"Excuse you, potential collaborators for the project… and also…" Bora lowered her voice, raising one card with dramatic precision. "…a husband shortlist."
Daejin muttered, shaking his head.
"This is why I pretend I don't know her."
Bora smirked at Taehyun.
"Don't worry, you're still top of the list. And Mr. Kang—" her gaze slid toward Hanna "—well… he's on standby. Someone still hasn't made a move."
Hanna's smile was soft, but her eyes sharpened like glass.
"Some things are worth waiting for, don't you think?"
Seri chuckled under her breath. Taehyun only shook his head, amused. Junho adjusted his cuffs in a precise, clipped motion, saying nothing, though the faint edge in his eyes betrayed the irritation he refused to voice.
Daejin had already started walking away, muttering,
"Can someone cancel Bora's hotel pass before she proposes to a bellboy?"