Embers Of Desire - JJK

2

"Honey, you shouldn't drink that much in public occasions. I'm afraid you talk too much about the internal family matters once you get drunk," my mother said, squinting her eyes as she tried to adjust to the bright morning light passing through the window.

Father chuckled, brushing off her concern with a wave of his hand. "Oh, Jiyeon, you worry too much. It's just a little talk among friends. They won't remember a thing tomorrow."

My mother's worry lines deepened as she looked at him disapprovingly. "Dohun, these 'friends' are the same people who can ruin us if they get wind of our troubles."

He went back to munching on his rice porridge, seemingly unfazed by her words. "Just let it be, Jiyeon. No one is free enough to listen to a drunk man blabbering."

I observed their exchange quietly, trying to finish my breakfast as soon as possible. My parents always seemed to be at odds, their opposing attitudes towards our family's reputation often causing tension at the breakfast table.

My mother's voice turned stern, changing the subject. "Sooyeon, I noticed you were dancing with a young man last night at the ball. Who was he?"

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, not expecting her to bring up my encounter with Jungkook. "Oh, him? I don't really know. He was just a random guy at the party," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

My mother raised an eyebrow, seeing through my casual response. "Sooyeon, you can't just dance with any random stranger. You are a daughter of the Han family, and your actions reflect on all of us."

Before I could respond, my father interjected, "She's an adult, Jiyeon. She can do whatever she wants."

I looked at my father, surprised by his defense. His easygoing demeanor was a stark contrast to my mother's strict adherence to tradition and family reputation.

My mother sighed, clearly not convinced by his argument. "She may be an adult, but she still needs to be mindful of her actions."

"I understand, Mum," I said, seizing the opportunity to intervene. "But it was just a casual dance."

My father nodded in agreement, flashing me a reassuring smile. "See, Jiyeon? She knows her limits. Let's not make a big deal out of it."

My mother seemed to relent, realizing that pushing the issue further would only lead to more disagreement. She turned her attention back to her breakfast, and I let out a silent sigh of relief.

The atmosphere at the breakfast table eased slightly. The chef came over and served my parents some kimbap, our traditional Korean dish of rice rolled in seaweed with various fillings. They exchanged a few words with the chef, thanking him for the delicious meal.

"Miss Sooyeon, would you like some kimbap as well?" the chef asked, turning his attention to me.

I hesitated for a moment, glancing at the colorful array of kimbap on the table. "No, thank you," I replied politely. "I guess, I'm full."

The chef nodded, understanding, and then turned to the cleaner who was standing nearby, ready to assist. "Sanghyun, please clear Miss Sooyeon's plates," he instructed.

Sanghyun, the kind and gentle cleaner who had been with us for years, smiled warmly at me. "If you need anything later, just let me know."

"Thank you," I said with a grateful smile.

As Sanghyun took away my plates, I excused myself from the breakfast table and made my way to my bedroom. The opulent hallways of the mansion felt suffocating, and I longed for the comfort of my own space.

Finally, in my room, I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the lingering tension from the breakfast conversation. My thoughts drifted back to Jungkook—the enigmatic man I had danced with at the ball. The memory of his touch and the intensity in his eyes sent a shiver down my spine.

I knew I shouldn't be thinking about him, but there was something about him that drew me in, like a moth to a flame. He was a dangerous mystery, a world I shouldn't be exploring, yet I couldn't help but feel intrigued.

Jungkook consumed me, I couldn't wait any longer. With a mix of excitement and nervousness, I picked up my phone and dialed Eunbi's number, seeking her help to get in touch with him.

"Eunbi, I need to talk to you," I said, my voice filled with urgency.

"Sure, Sooyeon. What's up?" Eunbi's voice was concerned and attentive.

"You know, I... I met someone at the ball last night," I hesitated, trying to find the right words to explain my fascination.

"Yeah, so?" Eunbi asked, her curiosity sparked.

"Jungkook. Dude, he was mysterious, intense, and I just can't stop thinking about him," I confessed, my heart pounding in my chest.

Eunbi's tone turned serious. "Sooyeon, you need to be careful. You don't know anything about him."

"I know, but I can't resist this pull I feel towards him. Can you help me get in touch with him?" I asked, my determination taking over.

Eunbi's voice was filled with alarm. "Are you serious? Sooyeon, he's a fucking mafia leader!"

"I know, but your father invited him to the ball, and we both have a strong background too. I'll be fine," I reassured her, though I wasn't entirely sure myself.

"Being from a powerful family won't protect you from the risks he poses," Eunbi warned, genuinely concerned for my safety.

Despite her warning, I couldn't ignore the desire to know more about Jungkook. "Please, Eunbi. I just want to find out who he is. Let me take this risk."

Reluctantly, Eunbi gave in, her worry apparent. "Fine, but promise me you'll be cautious, Sooyeon. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"I promise, Eunbi. Thank you for understanding," I replied gratefully, knowing she was only looking out for me.

A short while later, a text notification appeared on my phone. Eunbi had sent me a message containing Jungkook's number. My heart raced with both excitement and trepidation as I stared at the digits on the screen.

Taking a deep breath, I typed a message to Jungkook. "Hi, this is Sooyeon. We met at the ball last night."

With each passing moment, my anxiety grew. I wondered if he would respond, or if my message would be met with silence. Nevertheless, I couldn't deny the thrill of reaching out to him, the man who had ignited a fire within me.

As I awaited his response, I couldn't help but wonder what would come next. Little did I know that this one simple text would set in motion a dangerous and intoxicating journey into the depths of desire and darkness, where the embers of passion and obsession would collide.

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