Counting the Days ~♡

"Between logic and Heart"~

Jun turned his gaze back toward him. "And if she's okay with it...?"

Minghao's smirk deepened, playful yet serious beneath. "Then we'll handle the rest. I'll take care of the paperwork, the legal side, the media control. You just... make her trust you."

Jun leaned back, silent for a while. He didn't say yes - but his expression already did. Something in him, something quiet and unfamiliar, told him this might be the one path he couldn't refuse.

"Alright," Jun finally said, his voice steady yet distant. "If she agrees... we'll do it."

And for the first time in a long while, Minghao grinned - not his usual teasing grin, but the one that meant game on.

__________

The morning sun broke through Seoul's skyline, soft light spilling over Jun's glass-paneled study. Minghao sat opposite him, a laptop open, screens filled with files, reports, and a faint smirk on his face that screamed mission accomplished.

"Found her," Minghao said, spinning the laptop toward Jun.

Jun leaned forward. On the screen was a profile - a simple life on display. Ramiel, twenty-seven, a corparate worker . Her photo wasn't flashy; her eyes were calm, carrying that quiet warmth that lingered in his memory.

"That's her," Jun said softly. The certainty in his voice startled even himself.

Minghao arched a brow, crossing his arms. "You sound like you just found a long-lost soulmate."

Jun ignored the jab. "How did you even get this?"

"Connections," Minghao replied with a shrug. "One of my friends from the film department remembered seeing her at your ad shoot wrap-up café. Traced her through that. Turns out she lives not far from here."

Jun's eyes lingered on the screen a moment longer. There was something about her simplicity - something grounding. He didn't know her story, but he felt... drawn.

"Let's meet her friend first," Minghao suggested. "The one who was with her that day - Lia, right? Maybe she'll make this easier."

Jun nodded. "Yeah. Let's do that."

_________

A few hours later, at a quiet restaurant tucked between Seoul's chaotic heartbeats, Lia sat opposite the two men - Jun, polite and serious; Minghao, unreadable with his calm sharpness.

Her eyes flicked between them, confused but composed. "So, let me get this straight," Lia began, her tone carrying the faint edge of someone who wasn't easily swayed. "You want to talk about my best friend... because you think she's the right person for something?"

Jun leaned forward slightly, his tone gentle but firm. "I'm not going to lie to you, Miss Lia. This isn't about fame or publicity. My father is forcing me into marriage, and I'm trying to find a way that doesn't hurt anyone. I need someone... kind, private, and someone who won't get swallowed by the spotlight."

Lia studied him, her expression steady but thoughtful. There was sincerity in his voice - maybe even desperation beneath it.

"And what do you want from Ramiel?" she asked, cutting through the air.

"Nothing she doesn't agree to," Jun said immediately. "I'm not here to drag her into something she can't handle. I just-" he paused, searching for words - "I just need time. A breather from all this chaos. If she helps me, I'll make sure she's protected. Safe."

Lia could see it - his exhaustion, his need for control over his own life. Still, her guard didn't drop entirely.

"That's a nice story," came Minghao's voice, calm yet carrying that undertone of challenge. "But let's be honest - you're not exactly in a position to make promises that won't have consequences."

Lia turned to him sharply. "And you are?"

Minghao tilted his head, lips curving slightly - that trademark expression that meant he enjoys the argument. "I'm the one cleaning up those consequences before they reach the headlines."

"Oh?" Lia raised a brow, crossing her arms. "So you're the fixer, huh? The one who thinks everything can be solved with logic and strategy?"

"Someone has to be," Minghao replied coolly. "Not everyone can act on emotions."

"And not everyone should hide behind reason," she shot back.

The air between them tensed - a clash of steel disguised as words. Jun glanced between them with a faint sigh, sensing the sparks that could easily turn into fire.

Minghao leaned back, smirking. "You're bold. I like that."

"Don't," Lia said, her tone dry as stone.

He chuckled quietly, not offended - if anything, amused.

Jun finally stepped in, redirecting the energy. "Look, Lia... I just want to talk to her. Not about any agreement yet. I just want her to know this isn't something dangerous or fake. I'd never hurt her. You have my word."

For the first time, Lia's eyes softened a little - not fully, but enough to show her empathy peeking through.

"I know Ramiel," she said quietly, glancing at the table. "She's fragile right now. She's fighting her own battles, and she's tired of being pitied. If she finds out this is another trick of life..." Lia trailed off, her voice tightening slightly.

Minghao's smirk faded, listening seriously now. "Then maybe," he said carefully, "she needs something - even if temporary - that doesn't pity her but chooses her."

That sentence lingered between them - heavy, piercing, true.

Lia's eyes flicked to him, her mind battling itself. A temporary love... she thought. Would that be cruel, or would it give her a moment of happiness before the world takes it away again?

Maybe, just maybe, this was the only way Ramiel could live the dream she'd quietly tucked away all these years - even if it was only for a while.

She looked up, meeting Jun's eyes - steady, sincere, waiting.

"I'll talk to her," she said finally.

Jun let out a slow breath of relief. "Thank you."

But before he could say more, Lia added, her tone warning but soft, "If you hurt her - even by accident - I won't let you walk away easily, Mr. Wen."

Jun nodded, almost smiling. "Fair enough."

And across the table, Minghao smirked at Lia, eyes glinting. "Looks like we're going to be seeing a lot of each other then."

Lia shot back coolly, "Don't make it sound like a privilege."

The corner of Minghao's mouth curved up again - and Jun, watching the two, muttered under his breath, Great. Fire met fire.

_____

♡KJF♡

minghao ♡ lia🫠