On My Command •||• Seventeen AU

✪~~~✷10th✷~~~✪

Author's POV: ☆

Frantic and on edge, Wonwoo and Hoshi scoured the grounds outside the mansion, sending a couple of guards to comb through the public areas in search of you. They knew that even if you had managed to slip away, the mansion's high security would keep you close. Still, the thought gnawed at them—perhaps a few guards had slacked off, or maybe, just maybe, they hadn't noticed how small and elusive you could be.

The news of your disappearance quickly reached Jeonghan, and fortunately for Wonwoo and Hoshi, it stopped there. Jeonghan was already steeling himself to scold them and the guards who failed to keep watch.

With Seungcheol, Dino, and Minghao out handling business, the news didn't reach them... yet.

The entire household was in disarray, desperately searching for you. Deokyeom and Jun pored over the security footage, but there were no signs of you leaving your room—yet you were nowhere to be found. "Where did that little rat possibly go?" Deokyeom muttered in frustration, his voice tinged with worry. Jun simply groaned in response.

"Some parts were cut off from the surveillance," Jun observed, his finger tracing the gaps on the screen. "Someone probably helped her out."

"Wait, who was the first to leave the meeting room earlier?" Deokyeom snapped his fingers, and the two exchanged a look before sprinting toward one specific room.

When they arrived, Jeonghan, Wonwoo, and Hoshi were already standing there, tension radiating off them. Without hesitation, Jeonghan kicked the door open—only to be met with a sight that made his jaw drop, and the others' eyes widen in shock.

You were sitting on top of a table, Joshua's hands resting on either side of you, your wrists bound together by a thin cloth. His face was so close to yours that your lips were touching.

"What. The."

"Fuck," Jeonghan finished Wonwoo's sentence, the group frozen in place. Joshua slowly pulled away, his expression unreadable as he turned to face them.

"Joshua, what the hell?" Hoshi's voice trembled with disbelief.

Joshua remained silent for a moment, then glanced back at you. Your eyes met Jeonghan's, a silent plea conveyed in the flicker of your gaze—as if to say, "It was his idea."

Joshua sighed, raising his hands in surrender. "Okay, you caught me, but let her explain before I do."

All eyes turned to you, waiting. "What? You're the one who dragged me here and tied my hands," you said, feigning innocence. Joshua scoffed at your words.

"Oh, don't play the victim. Why don't you tell them about your little escape scheme?"

You frowned, clearly not wanting to take the blame. But before you could throw another accusation, Jeonghan stepped in, pushing Joshua aside to free you.

"We won't get anywhere with you two blaming each other. Seungcheol has to know about this," Jeonghan said, untying the cloth from your wrists.

As the five men sat across from you, their eyes bore into you, waiting. But it wasn't just an explanation they were after—they wanted to see if you'd break, if you'd surrender to the pressure or keep up the defiant front.

You met their stares, your focus narrowing on Jeonghan. "Aren't you guys busy? Nothing else to do at all?" you asked, your voice edged with sarcasm. The silence that followed was heavy, thick with unspoken tension. Despite the awkwardness, you kept your composure, refusing to let them see any sign of weakness.

After what felt like an eternity, you finally spoke, breaking the oppressive quiet. "Fine. I tried escaping, but I couldn't even get to the stairs because of your stupid bodyguards. They didn't notice me until this guy"—you pointed to Joshua—"caught me and dragged me into this room. He told me to sit, but when I refused, he tied my wrists."