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୨⎯ jia ⎯୧

i wake up the next morning feeling strangely calm. ready. fresh. maybe it's the adrenaline kicking in, or maybe it's just denial. either way, i don't have time to think about it.

i grab my bag, packed with everything i could possibly need, and get ready for the day. today isn't just any day. it's the start of something that will either cement my father's legacy - or destroy it.

as i step out of my room, hana is right there, leaning against the wall with her usual soft smile. "where are you off to so early? shouldn't you be at work?"

"special business trip," i say casually, brushing past her.

"what kind of trip?" she asks, trailing behind me. i can hear the curiosity in her voice, but i know better than to give her details. hana doesn't need to know about this part of our father's world. she never has, and i'm not about to change that.

"just something for dad," i say over my shoulder, keeping my tone light. "nothing to worry about."

she frowns but doesn't push further. hana's good at reading people, and she knows when i'm not in the mood to explain myself. still, i can feel her eyes on me as i head toward the front door.

before i can leave, my phone buzzes in my pocket. i check the screen and see my father's assistant's name flashing.

"it's time," i mutter to myself, answering the call.

"i'm waiting outside," he says in his usual no-nonsense tone. "are you ready?"

"yeah," i reply, glancing back at hana one last time before stepping outside.

when i slide into the backseat of the car, the assistant - his name is minsoo - nods at me through the rearview mirror. "you sure you're ready for this?"

"ready as i'll ever be," i say, buckling in.

as we pull out of the driveway, he starts explaining everything i need to know, his tone sharp, like he's reciting a script.

"as a vip, your job is to maintain composure at all times. no emotions, no hesitation, no weakness. you're there to represent your father. everything you say and do will reflect on him, so choose your words carefully."

i nod, absorbing his words.

"the games themselves are just the surface," he continues. "what happens behind the scenes is equally important. the vip's treat it like a social event - a networking opportunity. that means keeping up with their conversations, showing interest in their bets, and occasionally making some of your own."

"bets?" i ask, my stomach twisting slightly.

"yes," minsoo says bluntly. "they place bets on the players, predicting who will win, lose, or die."

i don't respond. the idea of placing bets on people's lives makes me feel sick, but i know there's no point in arguing.

"and one last thing," he says, glancing at me in the mirror. "your mask. each vip's wears one to maintain anonymity. your father has chosen a golden tiger mask for you."

"a tiger mask," i murmur, my fingers brushing against the box sitting on the seat beside me. i know without opening it what's inside.

"yes. it represents strength and dominance," he explains. "you'll wear it during all official events. no exceptions."

i lean back in my seat, staring out the window as the city blurs past. everything about this feels surreal, like i'm stepping into a world i was never meant to see. but there's no turning back now.