Chapter 115
In Hong Kong, there’s a saying: “The night never sleeps.” As I stepped out of the driver’s seat, the scene before me immediately brought that saying to mind.
Bright neon signs. Loud music. People laughing and partying uncontrollably.
The street, lined with clubs and bars, felt like one massive club itself.
“I wonder how the Boss would react if he found out.”
Yugyeom stepped out of the car beside me and spoke, watching me carefully. I tore my gaze away from the glaring signs and turned to face him.
“What about?”
“Seeing you here, in a place like this.”
Yugyeom smoothly took the car keys from my hand, almost effortlessly, as if he did it naturally. Almost didn’t notice.
Driving out of Utopia wasn’t something I had done in a while, and the drive had been rough, but I managed not to crash.
It seemed Yugyeom had decided he would never hand over the wheel to me again.
“I’m not here to party.”
The meeting spot for the Black Lotus and Utopia trade was Club Z.
One of the biggest clubs in Hong Kong, known for its luxurious interior, multiple sections for different experiences, and secure VIP rooms frequented by celebrities.
Even though countless people passed through every night, the majority were too drunk to realize what was happening around them.
That’s exactly why Black Lotus chose this place for the trade.
I wasn’t sure if the club would prove to be helpful or detrimental to us.
“And you? You won’t tell anyone.”
I gave Yugyeom a casual smile. He laughed softly.
“What’s the real reason for coming here?”
Yugyeom’s cold fingers brushed through my hair, pushing it aside. His flawless smile remained, but I couldn’t help but wonder—was he really clueless, or was he playing along?
“Why not?”
“A place like this doesn’t suit you. In more ways than one.”
I reached out and gently touched Yugyeom’s cheek.
“That’s why I brought you along.”
His eyes, always holding a hint of warmth, softened even more when they met mine.
Whenever he blinked, his long lashes brushed against my fingertips, sending a slight tickle through my hand.
“Do I really belong here?”
“Maybe.”
My response was quiet, and I let out a cold, feigned smile.
“Besides, you’re not drunk, so this is perfect.”
Some might say I hold grudges too long, and I wouldn’t argue against it.
“Maybe.”
Yugyeom’s eyes curved mischievously, the same way they did when he approached me, pretending to be intoxicated.
“After all, you’re the first and last person I’ve tried to sway like this.”
He gently wrapped my wrist with his hand and buried his cheek in my palm.
“Isn’t that not enough?”
His soothing voice slid into my ears, and I felt my heart skip a beat again, its rhythm becoming erratic.
Barely able to suppress a smile, I replied softly,
“Maybe.”
Yugyeom’s gaze flickered around the surroundings as he laughed dryly.
“I see. I guess I’ll have to keep digging.”
He pulled his face away from my hand, leaving an empty ache in its place.
“Do you know where Club Z is?”
I knew the name, but I didn’t know its exact location.
Yugyeom tilted his head, looking at me with a knowing smirk. His smile felt like there was more beneath it.
“Do you really need to test me that much?”
I shot back in the same teasing tone.
“If you don’t tell me, I’ll just find someone new.”
“That way.”
The answer came without delay. I followed his gesture toward the direction.
Even though the night wasn’t deep yet, people already stumbled around like their minds were halfway gone.
But with Yugyeom’s arm securely around my shoulder, I didn’t have to worry about any unwanted collisions.
“Here we are.”
The building was grand and lavish, matching the club’s reputation. It wasn’t tall, but it stretched wide. The underground area must have been even more expansive.
“Is this still lacking?”
The club’s front was teeming with people, all dressed to be on stage.
I had put some thought into my outfit, but compared to the dazzling array of others, it seemed mundane.
“Well?”
Yugyeom slipped off his shirt, revealing his bare chest. He leaned toward me and whispered playfully,
“How about now?”
His hand covered mine as I reached to adjust his shirt.
“Still too much.”
He teased again, pulling the fabric back over his shoulders.
“So, let’s keep it here.”
“….”
“If we go any further, I’ll start taking off my clothes too.”
The thought hit me like a shockwave. My mind went blank as I tried to process what he had just said.
What did he just—
“Ah.”
Yugyeom’s eyes widened momentarily before he quickly covered his amusement with a silent laugh. He lowered his head and whispered into my ear.
“Do you want that?”
Yugyeom’s smile deepened as he watched me, mouth opening and closing like someone caught on a fishhook. I burst out laughing three beats too late, feeling my face flush with heat before I exploded in response.
“Not at all!”
—
There was nothing special about the process of entering the club.
The entrance fee was free, and there was no separate identity verification process. It was truly accessible to anyone.
The loud music seemed to rip through my eardrums. I squinted against the flashing red and blue lights as we entered the crowded interior.
The wide central stage immediately grabbed my attention.
I had heard the peak time started at midnight, but people were already packed into the space.
Amidst the sea of people, I wasn’t entirely sure if I would be able to spot the transaction between Black Lotus and Utopia.
Fortunately, it was done in the midst of regular crowds, not in a restricted VIP section. Unfortunately, I still had no idea where exactly the transaction took place.
“When are you going to tell me the real reason you came?”
Suddenly, Yugyeom whispered into my ear. I instinctively shivered at the gentle breath against my skin.
“Huh? Uh…”
The music was so loud that I had to speak this close to hear him, but I was caught off guard by the sudden closeness.
“Mm…”
I tried to maintain a composed expression, forcing my thoughts to stay in check. Coming here was already a stretch, and I couldn’t reveal my true intentions.
“Honestly, I just came to have fun.”
It couldn’t be helped. This was unavoidable. I swallowed my frustration and silently reminded myself.
“That makes sense. You look like a fish out of water.”
Yugyeom nodded as if he had already assumed that. I managed to suppress the growing frustration, feeling my chin tighten.
“Is it just me, or should you be telling me not to come to places like this?”
“You’re not a possession, so I can’t tell you what to do.”
To my surprise, his answer was surprisingly correct. I narrowed my eyes slightly.
There was no way he hadn’t done something out of my sight.
“Promise me.”
Yugyeom suddenly extended his pinky finger. It was a familiar gesture.
“Wait, is this a habit?”
“I trust nothing else.”
Before I could even link my pinky with his, Yugyeom unexpectedly grabbed my finger and pulled me toward him.
In a jolt, we collided briefly. Behind me, a drunken man wobbled unsteadily past, barely brushing against me.
Yugyeom’s pale face, bathed in the dim light, turned a faint shade of purple.
Was his intense gaze directed at the man behind me, or was it the dim lighting? The loud music vibrated through my chest, making my heart thump erratically.
“So, what is it?”
I gave a soft chuckle, looking down at the pinky finger entwined with mine.
“Don’t let go.”
“….”
“If I get lost here, I’ll be the one who ends up lost.”
I squeezed my pinky tighter, pressing my thumb firmly against his.
Before we could hold hands properly, a surge of people rushed toward us.
Before Yugyeom could fully grip my hand, a large man shoved past, causing my pinky grip to slip away.
“…?”
The crowd pushed through, leaving us separated in moments.
“Yugyeom! Wait, ah!”
I fought to hold my ground, reaching out desperately toward him.
Our desperate attempt was futile as his fierce gaze locked onto mine for only a second before he was swept away by the crowd.
“…Lost you.”
Standing in the same spot, I helplessly watched as the distance between us widened.
“I’ve become the lost one.”
Before things got worse, I needed to call him. I pulled out my phone and unlocked it, only to realize:
“I don’t have his number.”
I stared at the contact list without his name, laughing hollowly. Come to think of it, we had never actually exchanged proper calls.
We had never done anything normal like others.
“I can’t even call him now…?”
I put my phone back into my pocket, my mind racing for a solution. That’s when it hit me.
This might be the chance.
If I couldn’t explain everything, maybe it would be better to figure out what I needed to know while Yugyeom wasn’t nearby.
Everything was still unfolding the same way I had seen in my future—a future with only his death at its end. Today was the only chance to confirm that.
There wasn’t much time before the deal started. Without much hesitation, I started walking in the opposite direction of where Yugyeom had disappeared.
“Goodbye.”
As I passed the central stage and made my way down another corridor, someone suddenly stepped into my path.
Through the chaos of sounds, their voice cut sharply through the noise.
“Miss, are you alone?”
A shadow loomed heavily over me. I quickly lifted my head.
“…Huh?”
In the dim corridor, the vivid red hair caught my attention instantly.
“Jiwoon!”
It had been a long time since I saw Jiwoon smiling warmly at me.
