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彡┆7

i let out a sharp laugh, already knowing where her mind is going. "don't even start."

"oh, i'm starting," she teases. "this is giving enemies to lovers energy. tell me - does he challenge you? get under your skin?"

i scoff, shaking my head. if only she knew. "you're out of your mind."

"am i?" she asks. "you do have a type, and-"

"bora, stop," i cut her off, rubbing my temples. "this is not that."

"uh-huh," she hums, clearly unconvinced. "we'll see."

i sigh. "i have to go."

"fine, fine," she says dramatically. "but don't be surprised when you realize i was right all along."

"bye, bora."

"bye, future lovebird."

i hang up before she can say anything else, shaking my head in disbelief.

me? feeling anything more than hate for that man? never.

just as i set my phone down, i feel a presence beside me.

i glance to my right, my muscles instinctively tensing.

the deer-masked vip.

he's standing there, calm, composed, holding a gun like it's an extension of his hand. he's older, but definitely younger than the rest of the vips. there's something different about him, something more aware than the others who just drink and place bets without thinking.

he doesn't speak right away. instead, he lifts his gun, aims, and fires.

the bullet lands cleanly near the center of the target.

i raise an eyebrow. without a word, i lift my own gun and fire.

dead center.

i sense his smirk behind the mask. he fires again and it lands closer to the middle.

i follow, my bullet perfectly splitting through his.

it turns into a silent competition. shot after shot, we push the limits, trying to outdo the other.

but in the end - i win.

he exhales, shaking his head slightly before lowering his gun. "well," he finally says, his voice smoother than i expected, "mr. lee really did raise a fighter."

i blow the hair out of my face, setting my gun down. "did you doubt that?"

he chuckles, shaking his head. "not at all. but it's nice to see you proving it."

i narrow my eyes slightly. his tone is... different. not mocking like before.

as the deer-masked vip sets his gun down, he turns slightly toward me.

"your father has always been... difficult to negotiate with," he starts, his tone smooth. "but you? i think you might see things differently."

i keep my expression neutral. "what exactly are you proposing?"

he exhales, like he was waiting for me to ask. "an opportunity. an alliance. imagine what we could accomplish together."

i tilt my head slightly. "and what exactly do you gain from this alliance?"

his lips curve under the mask, amused. "mutual benefit, of course. you'll find that in this world, partnerships are everything."

i hum, pretending to consider it. i already know better than to trust any of these men, but letting him talk gives me an advantage.