~{Chapter 11} Enemy in my heart~
Breakfast the next morning was tense from the moment Alex entered the dining room.
Mr. Lee was already seated, but instead of his usual newspaper and coffee, he sat with his hands folded on the table, expression unreadable.
Moon arrived moments after Alex, dressed impeccably in a charcoal grey suit, his professional mask firmly in place. But Alex noticed the slight tension in his shoulders, the way his eyes briefly flicked to Mr. Lee before settling into neutrality.
"Mr Kim, sit with us."
Mr. Lee said, his tone pleasant but carrying an edge. Moon bowed slightly and took his seat across from Alex. Alex's eyes flicked to him briefly, unreadable, then back to his plate. Breakfast was served—the usual spread
"I trust you both slept well?"
Mr. Lee asked, tone light and conversational.
Alex said nothing
"Yes, sir,"
Moon replied.
Mr. Lee's smile didn't waver, but there was something calculating behind it. He picked up his coffee cup, examining it thoughtfully before taking a sip.
"I'm afraid I didn't sleep as well as I'd hoped. There was an intruder last night."
Alex's hand stopped midway to his mouth. He put down his spoon and slowly looked up. Moon's expression didn't change, but Alex saw his fingers tighten almost imperceptibly against the edge of the table.
"An intruder?"
Alex asked, keeping his voice level.
"Yes, at around 2 Am or there about. I noticed Someone broke into my private quarter."
Mr. Lee's eyes were sharp, assessing.
"I don't know what they were after, nothing appears to be missing. But someone was definitely there."
"Did security catch anyone?"
Alex asked.
"No. Whoever it was managed to evade the cameras and disappear."
Mr. Lee turned his attention to Moon.
"Mr. Kim, where were you last night? Around that time?"
Moon felt his blood run cold. Mr. Lee must've checked everywhere—checked Moon's room and found it empty. He couldn't say he'd been in Alex's quarters, that would raise entirely different questions. But Mr. Lee was circling, searching for inconsistencies, and Moon had no good answer.
He hesitated, mind racing through possible responses, calculating which lie would work best.
On the other end, Alex's mind was working through the timeline, pulling apart the pieces and putting one and two together.
Moon had come to his room during the nightmare. Alex remembered waking briefly before that, the clock on his nightstand had read 1:30 AM. He'd gotten water, gone back to bed, and then the nightmare had started.
Moon had arrived shortly after.
Mr. Lee said the intruder had been in his quarters at around 2 AM.
The timing was too close. Too convenient.
Moon's quarters were on the opposite end of the mansion. There was no way he could have heard Alex's voice from that distance. No way he would have just happened to be nearby unless—
Unless he'd been somewhere else entirely. Somewhere he wasn't supposed to be.
Alex's gaze shifted to Moon, taking in every expression. Then it hit him, the clothes. Moon had been wearing a singlet and shorts. Not pajamas.
Not the kind of thing you'd sleep in if you were actually planning to sleep.
The pieces clicked together with startling clarity.
Either Moon was the intruder, or he's an accomplice. Alex's pulse quickened, but he kept his expression neutral.
Mr. Lee was watching Moon like a hawk studying its prey.
"It's concerning, Mr. Kim. An intruder in the house, and my son's assistant can't account for his whereabouts—."
"Father—,"
Alex cut in sharply, drawing Mr. Lee's attention.
"Moon was with me last night."
Both Moon and Mr. Lee turned to look at him.
"What?" Mr. Lee asked.
"We were working late,"
Alex said smoothly.
"Going over the reports for the board meeting. Moon came to my office around midnight, and we worked until almost four. I asked him to stay nearby in case I needed anything else."
Mr. Lee's eyes narrowed.
"You were working at 2 AM?"
"The company doesn't sleep, father. You taught me that."
Alex slowly picked up his coffee and took a sip, his eyes met Moons who immediately looked away.
"If you want to verify, you can check my office. We left files and notes on the desk."
It was a bluff, there were always files on Alex's desk, but it was plausible enough.
Moon's expression remained carefully neutral, but Alex could see through him. The tiny beads of sweat gathering underneath his neckline, the way he was trying really hard to look calm and normal.
"I see."
Mr. Lee sat back, fingers steepled beneath his chin.
"How diligent of you both."
His smile was warm, empty.
"Though I'm surprised you didn't mention this immediately."
"I didn't think it was relevant,"
Alex replied.
"We were in the east wing. We wouldn't have seen or heard anything."
The logic was sound.
Mr. Lee studied his son for a long moment. Alex held his expression, giving nothing away.
Finally, Mr. Lee's smile broadened.
"Well. That does explain Mr. Kim's whereabouts."
He picked up his newspaper.
"I'm glad to see you taking your responsibilities so seriously, Alexander. It reflects well on the family."
The words were approving. The tone was hollow.
"Thank you, father."
Alex said flatly.
"Though I hope you're not overworking yourself."
Mr. Lee glanced over the paper.
"You look tired. We can't have you appearing exhausted at the charity gala this weekend. Appearances matter, especially with the campaign."
"I'll be fine."
"I'm sure you will."
Mr. Lee returned to his reading.
"The gala is important, donors, supporters, influential people who need to see the Lee family as strong and unified. I expect you both to be prepared."
"Of course,"
Alex said.
"Mr. Kim, you'll accompany Alexander."
Mr. Lee didn't look up.
"I trust you understand the importance of discretion."
"Absolutely, sir," Moon replied.
Breakfast continued in strained silence. Alex could feel the weight of his father's suspicion, the way Mr. Lee's eyes occasionally flicked to Moon, calculating.
When they finally left for the office, neither Alex nor Moon spoke a word in the car.
__________
They arrived at Lee Pharmaceuticals just before nine. The building rose against the sky—glass and steel, gleaming with corporate power.
Security was stationed at the entrance, more guards than usual.
Moon and Alex exited the car and started toward the doors.
Employees filtered in for the workday, some stealing glances at Alex, others carefully avoiding eye contact.
They were halfway across the plaza when it happened.
A man burst through the crowd, disheveled, wild-eyed, face twisted with grief and rage.
"MURDERER!"
The scream shattered the morning calm.
"Murderer, I'll kill you."
The man lunged straight for Alex, fist raised, ready to attack.
Moon didn't think. He couldn't.
His body moved and he threw himself between Alex and the attacker.
The fist connected with his jaw—brutal, solid. Pain exploded across his face. Moon's vision flashed white, and he stumbled back, but stayed on his feet, positioning himself as a shield in front of Alex.
Security swarmed in, grabbing the man and pulling him back. He fought against them, still screaming as they dragged him away.
Moon barely registered the commotion. His jaw was throbbing, vision swam, but his focus stayed on Alex, checking for any injuries or danger.
"Sir—,"
Moon started, turning to Alex.
"Are you—"
The words died.
Alex's hands were on him—gripping Moon's shoulders and pulling him close, face inches away.
Terror. Raw, unfiltered terror in Alex's eyes.
"Are you okay?"
Alex asked, voice soft but shaky. His hands moved to Moon's face, fingers gentle despite the urgency. He tilted his head to examine the injury.
"Moon—are you hurt?"
Moon froze.
The way Alex's touch was cold and gentle, almost reverent. His eyes searching Moon's face frantically, looking for blood, for damage, for anything serious.
The way his hands trembled slightly.
"I'm fine,"
Moon replied, his voice came out rough.
"Just a bruise. I'm okay."
"You're not okay,"
Alex snapped, though the anger wasn't directed at Moon.
"He could have—"
He stopped himself, jaw clenching. His thumb unconsciously brushed Moon's cheekbone
Moon felt something unfurl in his chest, something warm but terrifying.
The way Alex was looking at him. Touching him. The genuine fear.
Like he mattered.
It was too much.
"Sir,"
Moon said quietly, carefully pulling back.
"I'm alright. Really."
Alex seemed to realize what he was doing—how he was touching Moon, how close they were, how many people were watching.
His hands dropped. His expression shuttered instantly.
He stepped back, straightening his suit with sharp movements.
"Good,"
he said curtly, voice controlled again.
"Let's get inside."
Cold. Distant. Professional.
But Moon had seen beneath it.
Had felt the trembling.
Had seen the terror at the thought of him being hurt.
They entered the building in tense silence, security escorting them past lingering employees. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
Murderer?
What does he mean?
It's scary.
I'm scared....
Alex walked ahead, spine straight, face impassive.
But Moon could see the tension in his shoulders. The tightness in his jaw.
They rode the elevator in silence.
When the doors opened, Alex stepped out and headed toward his office. Moon followed.
Alex entered and went straight to the window, staring out at the city.
Moon closed the door quietly.
"What were you thinking? Jumping in front of me like that?"
Alex said without turning. Voice flat.
"It's my job to protect you,"
Moon replied.
"Is it?"
Alex turned. His eyes were cold now. Analytical.
"Your job is to be my assistant. Not my bodyguard."
"You could have been hurt—"
"So could you."
Alex's voice sharpened.
"Did you even take a second to think?"
Moon said nothing.
After a couple seconds of silence, Alex spoke without looking at Moon.
"You can go,"
he said flatly.
"Go prepare for the meeting."
Moon hesitated, then bowed slightly.
"Yes, sir."
He left, closing the door quietly behind him.
Alex stood alone by the window, jaw clenched, mind racing.
The rest of the day moved in a blur of corporate responsibilities.
The board meeting at ten was contentious—complaints about distribution volumes, concerns about production capacity, questions about the recent attack on Alex.
"The public is nervous,"
Director Min said.
"First a missing employee, now a violent protester calling you a murderer in broad daylight. We need to address this."
"We will,"
Alex replied coolly.
"Security is being enhanced. The attacker will be questioned. The company's operations continue without interruption."
"And the accusations?"
another board member pressed.
"Baseless,"
Alex said, though he wasn't entirely sure.
"We'll issue a statement reaffirming our commitment to ethical research practices."
The meeting dragged on for hours. Afterward, Alex and Moon drove to the testing facility across town to oversee the current drug trials for distribution. Scientists in white coats moved through sterile labs, monitoring data, recording results.
Moon took notes throughout, his expression professional despite the darkening bruise on his jaw.
By the time they returned to the office, it was nearly 5 PM.
The building was winding down, employees packing up, heading home.
Alex retreated to his office, closing the door behind him.
He sat at his desk, pulling up files, financial reports, distribution schedules. Trying to focus.
But his mind kept drifting back to this morning.
To the terror he'd felt when that man charged at him.
To the way Moon had thrown himself in front without hesitation.
To Moon's bruised face.
He stoped at moon's bruised face.
He had been too busy to get it treated. Alex's eyes moved to the first aid kit sitting in the corner cabinet. Mr. Max always kept one stocked in the office.
He stood abruptly and retrieved it, then headed for the door.
Moon's small office was just down the hall, a workspace Mr. Max had set up for him adjacent to Alex's.
Alex opened his door and looked out.
Moon's desk was empty.
He frowned and stepped into the hallway. One of the administrative assistants—Ms. Lim—was still at her desk, packing up her things.
"Ms. Lim,"
Alex called.
She looked up quickly.
"Yes, Mr. Lee?"
"Have you seen Mr. Kim?"
"Oh, yes sir. He stepped out to the balcony a few minutes ago. I think he's taking a call."
"Thank you."
Alex turned back toward his office, intending to return and wait.
But something made him stop.
A call. At this hour. Private enough that Moon had gone to the balcony.
Alex's jaw tightened.
He shouldn't care. It wasn't his business.
But his feet were already moving, carrying him down the hallway toward the glass doors that led to the executive balcony.
The balcony overlooked the city, a small outdoor space with a view of the skyline. It was empty except for Moon, who stood near the railing with his phone pressed to his ear.
Alex stopped just inside the doorway, hidden by the tinted glass.
Moon's voice drifted through the crack in the door.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry I haven't called."
Moon's tone was soft, apologetic.
"Things have been... chaotic."
A pause. Moon listened, then smiled slightly, a genuine expression Alex rarely saw.
"Of course I miss you, silly. I'm really sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you."
Moon said quietly.
Alex felt something cold settle in his chest.
"Yes, I promise. I'll make time to come see you soon."
Another pause.
"This weekend? I don't know if I can—okay, okay. I'll try."
Moon laughed softly at whatever was said on the other end.
"Understood. is that all you want?"
He listened.
"Alright. I'll get it. I promise."
There was warmth in Moon's voice. Affection. Alex's hands clenched into fists.
"I have to go,"
Moon said.
"But I'll call you later, okay? I love—"
Alex didn't wait to hear the rest.
He turned sharply and walked back to his office, closing the door harder than necessary.
He dropped into his chair, chest tight, jaw clenched.
A girlfriend?
Moon had a girlfriend.
Of course he did. Why wouldn't he?
Alex pressed his palms against his eyes, trying to shut off the thoughts spiraling through his mind.
It didn't matter. It shouldn't matter.
Moon was his assistant. Nothing more.
The fact that Alex had lied to his father to protect him, had felt terror at the thought of him being hurt, had touched him like that in public like—
None of that mattered.
Alex leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, forcing his breathing to steady.
He needed to stop this.
Whatever this was.