The space was spare and orderly, a reflection of his own reserved nature. Cool light washed over the living area where a black leather couch faced a low glass table. A few books were aligned neatly on the shelf.
Still wearing his white singlet and joggers, Jae-min went straight into the bathroom. The shower hissed to life, steam blooming across the mirror.
He stepped beneath the spray, letting the water soak through his clothes and trail down his skin. He remained there, not moving, soaking himself under the warm shower.
When the warmth grew heavy, he wiped a clear patch in the fogged mirror and studied his reflection.
From the glass stand, he picked up a slim silver case. Flipping it open, he removed a pill, slid it onto his tongue, and swallowed.
His chest rose sharply, then slowly settled. His fingers tightened on the sink, as he steadied himself.
Dressed now in a clean black T-shirt, he crossed into the bedroom. He walked up to his shelf and brought out a bag of snacks. As he settled on his bed, his phone rang.
He stared at the callers ID for a while, with hesitation clear in his eyes. The phone rang for a while before dropping his bag of cheese and he picking it up.
"Hey, boss!" He whispered calmly.
"You didn't call to tell me how your journey went. Are you sure I'm still your boss?" A deep voice said calmly from the other side of the line.
"As if you care!" Jae min said in a whisper.
"And what is that?" The person asked but Jae min remained silent.
"By the way, I said watch her, not socialize," the man suddenly snapped through the line.
A faint smirk touched Jae-min's lips. "You can't observe someone from a distance forever. I'm getting close. She's easier to reach than you expected."
A brief silence followed. Then, the man spoke__ cold and deliberate. "Do not fail this mission. It matters to the master."
Jae-min's gaze hardened like he was speaking in front of the caller. "Have I ever failed?" he replied before ending the call without waiting for a reply.
He dropped the phone onto the bed, moved to his desk, and opened his laptop. His fingers moved with quick, practiced precision. Minutes later, the screen went dark.
He lay back on the chair, staring at the ceiling with a heavy expression on his face. Gradually, the quietness claimed him in his chair.
Morning light filtered through the blinds, tracing pale stripes across the white walls. A breeze slipped through the open window.
Jae-min slowly aroused as he sat up, running a hand through his hair. He stared around him and yawned tiredly. He slowly rose up and entered the bathroom.
After relieving himself, he clean himself and brushed before getting dressed in a workout outfit. Putting on his apron, he entered the kitchen.
He started the coffee machine, placed a pan on the stove.
After preparing a simple breakfast, he sat down to eat with his phone resting near his elbow as he scrolled through the news without really reading.
Back in the living room, he dropped onto the mat and moved through a light workout. His expression flickered between focus and irritation, as if his own body were testing his patience.
Disguising as a student is the most tiring disguise I'd ever go through. He thought as he he kept pushing up. Suddenly, he tried to remember how many push ups he did but he couldn't. He was so distracted in his thoughts. He suddenly lost patients and stopped. He sat up on the mat and sighed tiredly.
After a brief moment, he started stretching still sitting on the mat.
Then his phone rang.
He paused mid-stretch glancing at him phone which was right beside him.
It was an unknown number.
He wiped his forehead with a towel and answered. "Yeah?" He snapped directly.
"Hey, Jae-min!" A cheerful voice came from the other line.
He blinked. "...Who's this?"
"It's Ha Rin!"
A faint frown crossed his face. "From school?" He asked as he dropped the towel on the mat.
"Yes!" Ha Rin said, now calm, realizing that she sounded so childish.
He exhaled. "How did you get my number?"
As he said that, there was a short pause, Then, Ha Rin answered, sounding sheepish,
"I checked the school register."
His voice went dry. "That's invasive."
She laughed. "Sorry. I was just wondering if you're coming. Classes have started already."
He walked towards the window and pulled the curtain aside and glanced at the street below. "Not today," he said and ended the call.
At school, Ha Rin stared at her phone irritated "Second day and he's already skipping," she muttered. "Why does he even sound pissed? Two faces!" She snapped rolling her eyes.
Meanwhile, Jae-min dropped onto the couch, rubbing his temple. "Why is everyone here so energetic this early?"
After taking a quick shower, he changed into a simple outfit, grabbed his jacket, slipped it on, and headed out__ not taking anything but his keys and his phone. Closing the door beside him, he stepped out.
---
As Linda and her friends were busy with schoolwork, Williams was doing the complete opposite___sleeping at home.
He had stayed up late the night before, his laptop still open on the bed with Linda's face frozen on the screen.
That night, it wasn't the picture that had kept him awake, but the memory of the video__the way she escaped, the reckless courage in her movements. He had stayed up for a long time, his thoughts drifting further back. From the first time they met, to the dance they once shared, and how unexpectedly captivating she had looked. Every memory left an impression on him.
He watched the video once again. A faint, reluctant smile touched his lips.
"You stupid girl," he muttered softly, running a hand through his hair.
Exhaustion finally claimed him. And he ended up sleeping till mid-noon.
By the time Williams arrived at the office, it was already past noon.
He greeted his father briefly before heading toward his desk, ready to start work, when his father's voice stopped him.
"Williams."
He raised his head. "Yes, Dad?"
Before Mr. Adam could continue, sharp heels clicked down the hallway, followed by a light knock that barely waited for permission.
The door opened and Veronica stepped inside.
Mr. Adam's expression darkened at once.
Of all the girls circling his son, Veronica was the one he disliked most__loud, arrogant, careless, and always pulling Williams away from responsibility. Her presence was never good news.
"Good afternoon, sir," she said sweetly.
Mr. Adam returned the greeting stiffly.
Veronica turned to Williams. "I've been calling you. Where on earth did you leave your phone?"
"At home," Williams replied.
"What?" she gasped. "You're working too hard. That's unhealthy. Anyway, I'm here now. It's time to eat."
"I already had lunch," Williams said.
"That's not the point," she insisted. "My friends are waiting at Silver Orchid. I already told them you're coming. Come on, Will__ it'll be fun."
Williams hesitated, torn between work and the familiar pull of pleasure___ a struggle he had lived with for years.
At last, he closed his laptop.
"Dad, I'll make it up later. I'll come early and finish everything." He said smiling awkwardly.
Veronica's smile bloomed. She looped her arm through his. And just like that, they were gone.
Mr Adam stared at the door as it was shut behind them. He sighed, fulstration fuming in him.
"This girl will clearly destroy him. He has to leave her." He said, his voice torn between anger and fulstration, before returning to his workm