Chapter 65
"Waltz in the underworld"
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Portia's frustration simmered beneath her words as she retorted, "Oh, please! Don't act like you're not playing games, Jeonghan. You know exactly what you're doing." Her voice crackled with intensity, her eyes locked with his, refusing to back down.
Jeonghan's gaze hardened, his voice laced with a mix of frustration and determination. "I'm not playing games, babygirl. I'm just asking you and you know it." His words hung in the air, charged with an undeniable intensity that sent shivers down Portia's spine.
Portia rolled her eyes, her frustration mounting as she shot back, "Yes, and I told you that i got it from the mall." Her voice dripped with sarcasm, a subtle hint of annoyance lacing her words.
Jeonghan let out a disbelieving chuckle, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as he increased the speed of his car. "Yeah, sure, Portia." The sarcasm in his voice matched hers, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.
As Portia's eyes fixed on the bracelet adorning around Jeonghan's finger. She sighed before Portia's frustration reached its boiling point as she leaned forward to snatched the bracelet from his finger, her eyes blazing with anger.
"Geez, calm down, Portia," Jeonghan exclaimed, his voice tinged with exasperation. "It seems like you love that bracelet more than you love me."
A surge of frustration coursed through Portia's veins as she clenched her fist around the bracelet, her eyes narrowing. "Yes, I love this bracelet," she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "And right now, I hate you." With a roll of her eyes, she defiantly put the bracelet back on her wrist.
Jeonghan's smirk widened, a mixture of amusement and frustration evident in his eyes. "I love you too, baby," he responded, his voice filled with a hint of mischief.
Portia's grip tightened on the bracelet as she glanced out of the window, a sense of curiosity and apprehension filling her gaze. She turned back to Jeonghan, her voice filled with intrigue.
"Where are we going?" she asked, her tone laced with anticipation.
Jeonghan met her gaze, a soft smile playing on his lips. "Somewhere peaceful, just you and me," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of mystery.
Portia's eyes narrowed, a mix of resistance and longing in her expression. "I don't want to go. Drive me back home," she responded, her voice tinged with stubbornness.
A flicker of determination crossed Jeonghan's face as he leaned closer, his voice steady. "I wasn't asking whether you want to go or not," he replied, his words carrying a sense of authority.
Portia sighed, her resistance giving way to resignation as she leaned back in her seat. Gazing out of the window, she took in the serene beauty of the nature surrounding them. The highway stretched out before them, bathed in the warm hues of the setting sun. There were no other cars in sight, just the two of them and the open road.
Portia couldn't help but marvel at the beauty around her, the way the sunlight danced on the horizon, casting a golden glow over everything it touched.
As the car came to a stop, she looked around, and Jeonghan immediately got out of the car and ran towards her side, opening the door for her. Without even glancing at him, she stepped out of the car and her eyes landed on the magnificent tulip garden in front of her.
The vibrant colors and delicate petals seemed to stretch out endlessly, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of beauty.
"Wow, it's beautiful," she exclaimed, unable to contain her awe.
Jeonghan nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "Isn't it?" he replied, sharing in her excitement.
Curiosity sparked in her eyes as she turned to face him. "Why did you bring me here?" she asked, wanting to understand his intentions.
A soft smile crossed Jeonghan's face as he met her gaze. "I just wanted to be alone with you, and this place felt perfect," he explained, his words filled with sincerity.
She studied him for a moment, her eyes searching for answers. "Why are you like this?" she inquired, her voice a mix of confusion and intrigue.
Jeonghan's expression softened, his voice gentle as he responded, "What do you mean?"
Taking a deep breath, she let her vulnerability show. "Your different. There's something about you that draws me in, but it also scares me," she confessed, her voice tinged with fear and desire.
Understanding flickered in Jeonghan's eyes as he reached out to brush a strand of hair from her face. "I can't fully explain it, but there's a connection between us that goes beyond words. It's intense and beautiful, but it can also be overwhelming," he admitted, his voice filled with honesty.
Jeonghan's voice trembled with sincerity as he continued, desperately trying to bridge the emotional gap between them. "I never want to see you hurt, and I regret every word that may have caused you pain. Please, let me make it right."
Her eyes welled up with unshed tears, a mixture of hurt and longing evident in her gaze. "It's not that easy, Jeonghan," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Words have power, and they can leave scars that take time to heal."
Jeonghan's heart sank as he realized the depth of the wounds he had unintentionally inflicted. He reached out, his hand trembling, wanting to offer comfort and reassurance. "I understand. I truly do," he replied, his voice filled with remorse.
"But please, give me a chance to show you how much you mean to me. I'll do whatever it takes to make things right."
Silence hung heavy in the air as they both grappled with their emotions. The tulips seemed to sway in the breeze, mirroring the uncertainty and fragility of their connection.
Finally, she spoke, her voice laced with vulnerability. "I want to believe you, Jeonghan. I want to trust that you'll never hurt me again. But it's going to take time for me to heal and find that trust again."
Jeonghan nodded, his eyes filled with determination. "I'll wait for you, Portia. I'll be patient, understanding, and do everything in my power to prove my love and devotion to you."
A flicker of hope danced in her eyes as she took a step closer to him, their bodies almost touching. "I want to believe in us too, Jeonghan," she confessed, her voice quivering with a mix of fear and longing.
Portia's eyes shimmered with a mix of emotions. "I want to believe you, Jeonghan. I want to believe that we can move past this and find our way back to each other. But it's going to take time. I need to see consistent actions that match your words."
Jeonghan reached out and gently took Portia's hand in his, his touch reassuring. "Portia, I promise you that I will do everything in my power to make things right. I'll be patient, understanding, and supportive. I'll prove to you that I'm committed to us, and that my regret is genuine."
Portia's grip tightened slightly as she looked into Jeonghan's eyes, a glimmer of hope shining through her pain. "Okay, Jeonghan. I'll give us a chance, but please understand that rebuilding trust takes time. We have a long road ahead of us."
Jeonghan nodded, a mix of gratitude and determination in his expression. "Thank you, Portia. I know it won't be easy, but I'm willing to put in the work."
"You mean everything to me , I'll not waste this chance now."
As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden glow over the field of vibrant tulips, Portia and Jeonghan found themselves lost in a sea of emotions. The air was filled with a mix of tension, regret, and a glimmer of hope for what could be.
Jeonghan sat in his opulent swivel chair, surrounded by his loyal men, a sense of authority emanating from him. He dialed Woozi's number, his trusted friend and ally in this dangerous world.
"Hello, hyung?" Woozi's voice came through the phone.
"Woozi, did you find out something about it?" Jeonghan asked, his voice laced with anticipation.
"Yes, hyung, I did. And it's already leading us to them," Woozi replied, his tone filled with a mix of determination and caution.
"So, my guess was right," Jeonghan muttered, a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "But you mentioned someone unknown. What do you mean by that?"
Woozi took a moment before answering, his voice carrying a sense of urgency. "Hyung, all these things, all these dangerous moves, they're all targeting one person: Portia."
Jeonghan's grip on the phone tightened. "I fucking knew it. They won't back down until they get to Portia. But they have no idea what they're up against."
Woozi's voice grew more intense. "Exactly, hyung. They're underestimating the power that lies within us. They have no clue about the strength and resilience we possesses."
Jeonghan leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with thoughts of how to protect Portia from this unseen threat. "We need to be one step ahead, Woozi. I can't let them get to her. I'll do whatever it takes to keep her safe."
Woozi's voice held unwavering determination. "I'm with you, hyung. We'll mobilize our resources, gather information, and make sure Portia remains hidden from those who seek to harm her."
Jeonghan nodded, a steely resolve in his eyes. "We'll turn the tables on them, Woozi. We'll show them that no one messes with Portia without facing the consequences."
As night fell, Portia found solace in the tranquility of her garden. The moon's gentle glow illuminated the lush surroundings, casting a soft, ethereal light on the vibrant flowers that adorned the space. She settled into a comfortable chair, her eyes fixed on the mesmerizing view before her.
A gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant sound of crickets chirping in harmony. The air was filled with a sense of magic, as if the garden itself held secrets waiting to be discovered.
Lost in her thoughts, Portia's gaze shifted to the sky above. And there, amidst the velvety darkness, she saw them: fireflies. Tiny flickering lights that danced and twirled, creating a whimsical display that seemed to mirror the emotions swirling within her.
Each firefly carried a story of its own, a tiny beacon of hope and wonder. Portia couldn't help but feel a deep connection to these delicate creatures. They represented the fleeting moments of joy and beauty that she had experienced in her life, reminding her that even in the darkest of times, there was still light to be found.
As Portia sat in the garden, her heart heavy with unspoken desires, little did she know that Jeonghan was watching her from the balcony above. His eyes were fixed on her, filled with a mixture of admiration and longing.
From his vantage point, Jeonghan could see the way Portia's eyes sparkled with a hint of melancholy, as if she carried the weight of the world on her shoulders. He was captivated by her ethereal beauty, the way her hair cascaded down her shoulders, and the grace with which she held herself.
Portia and Jeonghan remained unaware of the invisible thread that connected their souls. It was a thread woven with longing, passion, and the promise of a love that would ignite their spirits and forever change the course of their lives.
As Portia were lost in her thoughts a sudden voice interrupts her, "Mrs.Yoon, dinner is ready." It was Yuna, their trusted maid.
As Portia turned towards Yuna's voice, a smile graced her lips. "Oh, sure! I'll be there," she replied, her voice filled with warmth. Yuna nodded, acknowledging Portia's response, and left the garden to prepare dinner.
Portia sighed softly, her hand instinctively resting on her growing belly. Time seemed to move at an accelerated pace, as if the weeks were slipping through her fingers like sand. Emotions ran high, intensifying every moment, every experience.
Portia finds herself in her room, getting ready to settle into bed. Just as she's about to drift off into dreamland, her peaceful night takes an unexpected turn.
As Portia reaches for her phone, she notices an incoming call from an unknown number. The screen flickers with curiosity and a hint of apprehension. Could it be Adrianna, her friend who recently changed her number? Portia's heart skips a beat as she contemplates answering the call.
With a mix of excitement and caution, Portia takes a deep breath and presses the answer button. "Hello?" she says, her voice filled with anticipation. But instead of a familiar voice on the other end, there's nothing but silence. A shiver runs down Portia's spine as she waits for a response that never comes.
Undeterred, Portia tries again, hoping to break the eerie silence. "Hello? Is this Adrianna?" she asks, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty. But once again, there's no reply, just an unsettling void on the other end of the line. The suspense continues to mount, leaving Portia on edge.
Feeling a bit uneasy, Portia apologizes, thinking she may have dialed the wrong number. "I think you've got the wrong number, sorry," she says, her voice slightly trembling.
But just as she finishes speaking, a voice breaks through the silence, sending a chill down her spine. "Hello there, babygirl," the voice says, its tone dripping with an unsettling mix of familiarity and menace.
In that moment, time seems to stand still for Portia. Her body freezes, and her breath catches in her throat. The air around her feels heavy with tension, and her mind races to make sense of the situation. Without hesitation, she hangs up the call, her hands trembling as she clutches the phone tightly.
As Portia hangs up the call, her breaths become heavier, and sweat trickles down her forehead. Just as she tries to collect herself, a voice interrupts from behind, causing her heart to skip a beat. It's Jeonghan, his voice filled with concern as he asks,
"Is everything alright, love?."
to be continued
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