chapter2

Jun's mind reeled. The auction hall, once a place of tense silence, now hummed with the low thrum of post-auction chatter, yet all he heard was the echo of Kaito’s proposition. "A night with you." The words, whispered so intimately, felt like a brand. He stared across the room, but Kaito was already gone, a fleeting shadow swallowed by the mingling crowd.

His assistant, Mina, a woman whose efficiency bordered on the telepathic, appeared at his side.

"Mr. Seo, the paperwork for Lot 47 is ready. Shall I arrange for its immediate transfer?"

Jun nodded, his gaze still fixed on the spot where Kaito had stood. "Yes, Mina. And please... find out everything you can about Kaito Nakamura. Everything."

Mina, ever perceptive, simply gave a subtle nod, her expression unreadable. She knew better than to question Jun's sudden, intense focus.

Later that evening, back in the austere quiet of his penthouse overlooking the Han River, Jun finally held the jade ring. It was surprisingly cool to the touch, a deep, almost black-green that seemed to absorb the light rather than reflect it. The craftsmanship was exquisite, intricate carvings of mythical beasts swirling around a central, polished surface. There was an undeniable presence to it, a subtle hum that resonated deep within him, confirming the inexplicable pull he’d felt. He slipped it onto his right index finger, and a shiver, not entirely unpleasant, traced its way up his arm.

He was examining the ring under a high-intensity lamp when his phone chimed. It was an unknown number. He hesitated, then answered.

"Seo Jun, I trust you're enjoying your new acquisition?" Kaito’s voice, smooth and laced with amusement, sent a jolt through him.

"How did you get this number?" Jun demanded, his voice sharper than he intended.

Kaito chuckled, a low, resonant sound that seemed to fill the room. "Let's just say I have my ways. Did you truly believe I'd let a treasure like that slip through my fingers without a contingency plan?"

"What do you want, Kaito?" Jun’s grip tightened on his phone.

"What I offered, of course," Kaito replied, his tone shifting, becoming a soft purr that sent an unexpected warmth through Jun. "A night. Consider it a negotiation for the ring’s true value. There's more to that jade than meets the eye, isn’t there, Seo Jun?"

Jun’s heart hammered. Kaito knew. He knew about the feeling, the connection. "What are you talking about?"

"Oh, you'll see," Kaito promised, a hint of something dangerous and exciting in his voice. "Meet me tomorrow night, 10 PM. The old observatory on Namsan. Come alone. And bring the ring."

The line went dead. Jun stood there, the jade ring cold against his skin, the unsettling thrill from the auction house returning with a vengeance. Kaito Nakamura wasn't just an art thief; he was a master manipulator, and Jun, against all his rational instincts, felt a dangerous curiosity drawing him in. He looked down at the ring, the mythical beasts seeming to writhe in the dim light. What secrets did this ancient jade hold, and what would a night with Kaito Nakamura truly cost him?

What do you think Jun will do next?

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