Chapter Two: Beneath the Mask

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The afterparty was held at a sprawling penthouse overlooking the glittering Seoul skyline. It was the kind of event that drew everyone from industry executives to rising idols, where deals were made under the guise of celebration and rivalries simmered beneath polite smiles.

Lisa stood near the floor-to-ceiling window, a glass of champagne in hand. Her gaze drifted over the city lights, but her thoughts were elsewhere. She had barely been able to shake the feeling that someone was watching her since she arrived.

“You’re not enjoying the party?”

Lisa stiffened at the familiar voice. She turned to find Taehyung standing beside her, a glass of whiskey in his hand. His suit was immaculate, his tie slightly loosened, and his dark eyes held that same unnerving intensity she had felt on stage.

“I’m just not in the mood,” she replied, her tone cool.

Taehyung chuckled softly, taking a slow sip of his drink. “You’re a terrible liar, Lisa.”

She raised an eyebrow, her grip tightening on her glass. “And you’re awfully presumptuous.”

“Maybe,” he said, leaning against the window frame. “But I’ve learned to trust my instincts. And right now, they’re telling me you’re not here for the free champagne.”

Lisa’s heart skipped a beat. Did he know? Was he toying with her, or was this some calculated move? She forced herself to meet his gaze, her expression neutral. “And what about you, Taehyung? What brings you to the party?”

His smirk faded, replaced by something colder, sharper. “I’m here for answers.”

Before Lisa could respond, the sound of laughter and music grew louder as a group of executives passed by. Taehyung stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper.

“This place is full of people who smile while hiding knives behind their backs. You’d do well to watch yours.”

Lisa tilted her head, her lips curving into a faint smile. “Funny, I was going to say the same to you.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the tension between them palpable. Then Taehyung leaned in, his lips dangerously close to her ear.

“Be careful, Lisa. You don’t want to end up as collateral damage.”

Before she could react, he was gone, disappearing into the crowd like a shadow. Lisa exhaled slowly, her mind racing. She had underestimated him. Taehyung wasn’t just an idol—he was playing a game, just like her.

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Later that night, Lisa found herself in the dimly lit corridor leading to her dressing room. The party had ended hours ago, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.

As she pushed open the door, the faint smell of cigarette smoke hit her. Her eyes immediately landed on the figure sitting in the corner, his face partially obscured by shadows.

“Taehyung,” she said, her voice steady despite the sudden spike in her pulse.

He leaned forward, the light catching the sharp angles of his face. “You’re late.”

Lisa crossed her arms, masking her unease with irritation. “What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing,” he replied, his tone calm but laced with an edge. “Except I already know the answer.”

Lisa’s stomach tightened, but she refused to let it show. “And what answer is that?”

Taehyung stood, his movements slow and deliberate. He stopped just short of her, his gaze piercing. “You’re looking for something. Or someone. Just like me.”

Her breath hitched, but she kept her voice steady. “You don’t know anything about me.”

His lips curved into a faint smirk. “Don’t I?”

He stepped closer, and for a moment, Lisa forgot to breathe. There was something about him—something dangerous, magnetic—that made it impossible to look away.

“Tell me, Lisa,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. “How far are you willing to go to find what you’re looking for?”

Her throat went dry, but she forced herself to meet his gaze. “Farther than you think.”

Taehyung’s smirk faded, his expression turning serious. “Then you should know something.”

Lisa’s pulse quickened as he leaned in, his lips brushing against her ear. “The people you’re chasing—they don’t leave loose ends.”

Before she could respond, Taehyung stepped back, his eyes cold and unreadable. “Stay careful, Lisa. You’re not the only one watching.”

With that, he turned and walked out, leaving Lisa alone in the silence of the room. She clenched her fists, her mind racing.

Who was Kim Taehyung, really? And why did it feel like he was always one step ahead of her?

She had come here for answers, but now she was tangled in something far more dangerous.

And as much as she hated to admit it, she wasn’t sure she wanted to untangle herself.

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