Pov Author
The moment Anna saw them—
She moved.
Her feet barely touched the ground as she rushed back inside, her heart pounding so violently it felt like it might tear through her ribs. The air inside the mansion felt thicker now, suffocating, like every wall held secrets it wasn't ready to reveal.
She didn't stop.
Not when people turned to look.
Not when whispers followed her.
Her eyes were fixed on one thing—
The staircase.
—
By the time she reached the upper floor, voices were already echoing through the corridor.
Sharp.
Angry.
Controlled—but barely.
Anna slowed.
Her breath uneven as she approached.
—
"Have you lost your mind?!"
A woman's voice—cold, furious.
Arin's mother.
Anna froze near the corner, her body pressed slightly against the wall as she looked ahead.
—
Arin stood there.
Unmoving.
His head slightly tilted, his expression unreadable.
But his hands—
Still stained.
Still red.
—
In front of him, his mother gripped his arm tightly, her nails digging into his sleeve as if she could drag him back into control through force alone.
"You will not create a scene here," she hissed, her voice low but sharp enough to cut. "Not tonight. Not in front of everyone."
Arin didn't respond.
Not a word.
Not even a flicker of emotion.
—
That calm again.
That terrifying calm.
—
Anna's chest tightened.
This isn't right…
—
"Come," his mother snapped, pulling him harshly. "You've done enough."
For a moment—
Just a moment—
Arin's gaze shifted.
Past his mother.
Past everything.
—
To her.
—
Anna's breath caught.
Time stilled.
That look—
It wasn't surprise.
It wasn't confusion.
—
It was recognition.
—
And then—
He was gone.
Dragged away.
—
"Anna."
Her mother's voice broke through the moment.
Firm.
Unyielding.
Anna turned, startled.
Her mother stood behind her, her expression tight, her eyes scanning her face carefully.
"We're leaving. Let's go"
—
"I—" Anna hesitated, her mind still racing, still stuck on that single glance. "Mom, I—"
"Now."
There was no room for argument.
And just like that—
She was pulled away.
The car ride back felt longer than before.
Heavier.
The silence now wasn't empty—
It was suffocating.
Anna stared out of the window, but she wasn't seeing the road.
She was seeing him.
That look.
That presence.
Tonight.
Her fingers tightened against the seat.
I have to stop this.
By the time they reached home, her body felt exhausted—
But her mind refused to rest.
She didn't sleep.
Not even for a second.
Anna stood by the balcony, the cool night air brushing against her skin as the city lights stretched endlessly before her.
The world looked normal.
Peaceful.
Unaware.
But she wasn't.
Her arms wrapped around herself as she stared into the distance, her thoughts spiraling.
If this is the night…
Then something happens.
Something bad.
She turned back inside.
Her gaze flickered to the clock.
10:00 PM.
Too early. Too quiet. Too wrong.
She started pacing.
Back and forth.
Back and forth.
Her heartbeat syncing with each step.
Faster.
Louder.
Restless.
And then—
A whisper
Anna froze.
Her breath hitched.
"…Anna…"
Her head snapped toward the sound.
The drawer.
A faint red glow seeped through the edges.
Her eyes widened.
No…
She moved toward it slowly, her fingers trembling as she pulled it open—
The light pulsed.
Alive.
Calling.
Her decision was instant.
Five minutes later—
She was out.
The cab ride felt endless, every second dragging painfully as her leg bounced restlessly.
Her eyes never left the road ahead.
Hurry…
Please hurry…
When the car finally stopped near Arin's mansion, Anna didn't wait.
She stepped out quickly, her gaze locking onto the entrance.
Two bodyguards.
Of course.
She exhaled sharply.
Fine.
She moved around the side instead, her steps quieter now, more careful. The grass brushed against her ankles as she climbed, pulling herself up and over before dropping down onto the other side.
She landed—
Hard.
"—shit," she muttered under her breath, wincing slightly.
—
And then—
She felt it.
Her head lifted.
He was there.
On the balcony.
Looking down at her.
Arin.
For a second, neither of them moved.
The wind brushed through the garden, carrying the soft sound of crickets in the night.
The moonlight fell perfectly over him—
And her.
Anna straightened.
Their eyes locked.
He smiled.
And then—
He laughed.
Soft.
Amused.
Anna frowned slightly, stepping forward.
He disappeared from the balcony.
Moments later—The door opened.
—
He walked toward her.
She walked toward him.
—
Step by step.
Closer.
Closer.
—
Until they stopped.
Right in the middle of the garden.
"Hey," Anna said softly.
"Hi," he replied.
Silence settled between them.
Not awkward
She kept looking at him.
Studying him.
Memorizing him.
A small smirk tugged at his lips.
"Am I that beautiful?
Anna blinked.
And then—
She laughed.
Shaking her head.
"Sorry," she said, a little breathless. "About breaking and entering… and almost hurting myself."
He chuckled.
"It's okay."
A pause.
"I'm Arin, by the way."
Her heart tightened.
"I know— I mean—" she stopped herself, then smiled lightly. "I'm Anna."
His gaze lingered on her.
"What are you doing here, Anna?"
She hesitated.
Just for a second.
"I was… worried about you."
He frowned slightly. "I'm sorry, what?"
—
She stepped closer.
Her voice softer now.
"I can understand your pain," she said gently. "I lost my father too."
Something shifted in his expression.
Not fully.
But enough.
Her eyes dropped briefly—
To his hand.
The same fist.
He noticed.
"It's okay," he said, his tone quieter now. "I'm fine."
She nodded.
Even though she didn't believe it.
"Let's go inside?"
He raised a brow.
At her boldness.
But he didn't refuse.
They stepped inside.
The door clicked shut behind them.
The sound echoed.
Too loud.
Too final.
Anna's heartbeat wouldn't slow.
It only got worse.
Because now—
It was just the two of them.
Arin walked ahead, hands in his pockets, completely at ease—as if a stranger hadn't just climbed into his house in the middle of the night.
"Still haven't answered me," he said casually.
His voice was calm.
Too calm.
"Why tonight?"
Anna didn't reply immediately.
Her eyes followed him.
Careful.
Observing.
Measuring.
"Do you always question people who are worried about you?" she shot back.
A small smirk appeared on his lips.
"Only when it feels like a lie."
Her breath hitched slightly.
He's sharp…
"Then don't believe me," she said, lifting her chin slightly.
He stopped walking.
Turned.
Now facing her fully.
The air shifted.
"Dangerous answer," he murmured.
Anna didn't step back.
Didn't look away.
"I didn't come here to play safe."
For a second—
Silence.
Then—
He laughed.
Soft.
Low.
Interested.
"Yeah," he said, taking a slow step toward her. "You're definitely not normal."
"Good," she replied. "I'd hate to be boring."
Another step.
Closer.
"Who said boring is bad?" he asked.
Anna tilted her head slightly.
"People who are afraid of things they don't understand."
That made him pause.
Again.
This time—
Longer.
Something flickered in his eyes.
Without another word, he turned and walked toward another door.
"Come."
She followed.
Of course she did.
The study was dimly lit.
Quiet.
Heavy with history.
And then—
She saw it.
The book.
Behind glass.
Her steps slowed.
Her breath caught.
Her heart—
Started racing again.
Shou Feng.
Her fingers lifted.
Touched the glass lightly.
As if she could feel it through the barrier.
Behind her—
The sound of liquid pouring.
Arin picked up a glass, swirling the wine lazily.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?"
Anna nodded.
Too focused.
Too drawn.
"Want to open it?" he asked.
Her reaction was instant.
"No."
Too fast.
Too sharp.
Silence.
Arin's gaze sharpened.
He stepped closer.
Slow.
Careful.
Like approaching something unpredictable
"No?" he repeated
Anna turned to him quickly.
Too quickly.
"I just—" she stopped, then forced a small smile. "I didn't come for the book.
"Oh?" His brow lifted. "Then what did you come for?"
Her heartbeat slammed.
Louder.
Faster.
Closer.
"You."
Silence.
Thick.
Dangerous.
He was right in front of her now.
Close enough that she could feel his presence pressing against her.
"Just me?" he asked softly.
Anna nodded.
"Yes."
Another step.
Now there was barely any space left.
"Why?" he whispered.
Her chest rose and fell unevenly.
Because you're breaking.
Because tonight ruins you.
Because I can't let that happen—
But instead—
"I wanted to be here," she said quietly. "With you."
His eyes darkened.
"You don't even know me."
Anna held his gaze.
"I think I do."
That—
That hit something.
His jaw tightened slightly.
"Careful," he murmured. "That kind of confidence gets people hurt."
"Then don't hurt me," she replied just as softly.
A beat.
And then—
He smiled.
But this time—
It wasn't playful.
It was dangerous.
"You're really testing me tonight."
"And you're pretending you don't like it," she shot back.
That made him stop.
Their eyes locked.
Something shifted.
Again.
But deeper this time.
The air felt heavier.
Warmer.
Charged.
"Anna…" he said slowly, her name rolling off his tongue like he was trying to understand it.
"Yes?"
"You walked into my house," he said, voice dropping slightly, "lied to my face…"
He stepped even closer.
"…and now you're standing here like you belong."
Her breath caught.
But she didn't move.
"Maybe I do," she whispered.
Silence.
Long.
Tense.
And for the first time—
Arin looked at her not like a stranger.
Not like a guest.
But like a problem.
A dangerous one.
"…You're trouble," he said.
Anna smiled faintly.
"Too late to realize that."
And this time—
He didn't laugh.
He crashed his lips on her..
To be continued…