Yuna couldn't deny the weight in her chest as she stared at the message from Seok Jin. She had expected him to make a move, but now that it was here, she felt a pang of uncertainty.
"I'm waiting for you. Come to the penthouse. We need to talk about what happens next."
Seok Jin had a way of making everything feel like a game—one where the rules were constantly shifting. She couldn't trust him, not after everything that had transpired between them. But she also couldn't ignore the fact that he was her biggest rival—one who was dangerously close to taking everything from her.
Without hesitation, Yuna grabbed her coat and headed for the elevator, her mind racing with questions. What did Seok Jin want? Was this an opportunity to strike back, or was he setting a trap?
The ride to his penthouse felt endless. The tension in the air was palpable, thick with anticipation. She didn't know what she was walking into, but one thing was certain: this wouldn't be a typical business meeting.
---
The Penthouse:
When Yuna arrived, the door was already open. Seok Jin was standing by the window, his back to her, looking out at the sprawling city below. He turned as she entered, his piercing gaze locking onto hers.
"I knew you'd come," he said, his voice smooth, yet with an edge of something darker—something she couldn't quite place.
Yuna crossed her arms, keeping a safe distance. "What do you want, Seok Jin?"
He smirked, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "What do you think I want? You and I both know this game isn't over yet."
Yuna's eyes narrowed. "I'm not playing games."
"Oh, but you are," he replied, stepping closer. "You've been playing since the moment you decided to challenge me. This company, this fight—it's all just a game to both of us."
Her pulse quickened, but she refused to show any sign of weakness. "What's your next move, then?"
"I think it's time for us to stop pretending," Seok Jin said, his voice suddenly serious. "All these alliances, all these tactics—when it comes down to it, we both want the same thing: control. Power. But there's something else, something you're not admitting to yourself."
Yuna stood her ground, though her mind raced. What was he getting at?
"I don't need your lectures," she snapped, though her words lacked conviction. "Just tell me what you want."
Seok Jin's eyes softened, but only for a moment. He leaned closer, his presence overwhelming. "I want to make this easier for both of us. Let's stop pretending we don't want each other. You know as well as I do that we're playing a much bigger game than just a corporate takeover. There's something... deeper here."
Yuna's heart skipped. She had always known that Seok Jin was a master manipulator, but the way he spoke now felt different—more intimate. Was he trying to break through her defenses?
"I'm not falling for this," she said, though her voice was shaky. "This is business. Nothing more."
"Is it?" Seok Jin's hand brushed against her arm, sending an involuntary shiver through her body. "You're lying to yourself, Yuna. You