A/n : 120+ comments for next part.

[Jungkook's POV]

"My little one" I began, my voice softer now, carrying the weight of years of unspoken emotions.

"I’ve loved you for so long. Even back when we were kids, I didn’t know how to say it. I built this mall for you, to show you how much I cared. I wanted to ask you to be my girlfriend when we were thirteen, but... I couldn’t."

The moment I confessed, I saw it—the slight widening of Y/n’s eyes, a flicker of surprise that made my heart stutter. I had rehearsed this in my head countless times, but seeing her reaction made it all the more real.

"I wanted to bring you here, to fulfill that old dream of yours. I wanted to make it special, to give you something that was truly yours, in style. Back when we were thirteen, we couldn’t do it because... well, because I was taken away. So tell me darling, will you do me the honour of being my girlfriend?"

Her lips curled into a small smile, and for a moment, I thought everything was going to fall perfectly into place. But then, she shook her head gently, that smile never quite reaching her eyes.

"Kookoo" she started, her voice steady but laced with something that made my heart drop, "I appreciate everything you’ve done, really. But... I can’t."

I felt the ground shift beneath me. "What? Why?" I asked, my voice barely more than a whisper, unable to comprehend what was happening.

Y/n sighed, her expression tinged with sadness as she looked at me. "Kookoo, your absence these past eight years created a void in my life that I don’t think you fully understand. Yes, you’ve done all these incredible things for me, but let’s be honest—you were able to do them because of the wealth that’s been in your name since birth. It’s not that I don’t appreciate it, but..."

She paused, searching for the right words, and I found myself clinging to her every syllable, hoping that there was some misunderstanding, that she didn’t mean what she was saying.

"I don’t understand how you could’ve fallen for me back then," she continued, "especially when you were so rude to me at first. Remember our first meeting? You were stubborn, demanding to get your ice cream first just because you could."

I blinked, caught off guard by the memory she brought up. "That’s so old, darling" I replied, trying to defend myself, "I was just a spoiled kid back then."

She smiled wryly, shaking her head. "You were more than that, Jungkook. You were bossy at school too, throwing your weight around because of your wealth. You even intimidated Hyunsik. He never wanted anything from you but your friendship, but you were so hostile to him."

I could feel my face heating up, the embarrassment of my past behavior bubbling to the surface. "That’s because I wanted you all to myself," I wanted you all to myself," I muttered, unable to meet her eyes.

Y/n raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her gaze. "Really? All to yourself? We were just kids, Kookoo. We were friends. You couldn’t have stopped me from socializing with others, could you? That would’ve been wrong."

I pouted, feeling like a scolded child. "I’ve grown tolerant of Hyunsik since then, haven’t I? And besides, you and Hyunsik pulled a prank on me today, so aren’t we even now?"

She laughed, the sound light but tinged with a bit of exasperation. "No. What was there to get even for in the first place? And look at you— it's been just your first day back and you’re already asking me to be your girlfriend, without even trying to contact me for the past eight years. Why so desperate?"

I bit my lip, feeling a sting of frustration. "I’m not desperate, I just... I’ve been waiting so long to tell you how I feel. I didn’t want to waste any more time."

Before I could say more, she stepped back, her gaze drifting towards Hyunsik, who had been watching everything unfold with a look of utter shock. She walked over to him, her expression cool and composed.

"Did you get all that?" she asked him, crossing her arms.

Hyunsik nodded slowly, still processing what had just happened. "Yeah, but what the hell just happened?"

"Nothing much," Y/n replied nonchalantly, cutting him off before he could probe further. "Just teaching our old friend some basic virtues of humility and how to be a gentleman."

I furrowed my brows, utterly confused. "What does that even mean?"

She turned to me, her gaze now sharp and filled with a playful seriousness. "It means, Kookoo, if you really want me to be your girlfriend, you’ve got to earn it. Court me. Build a relationship with me, some familiarity, and prove to me that you won’t just disappear again. You’ve got to earn my trust, and that’s going to take time."

Her words hit me hard, and I felt a knot of guilt tightening in my chest. She was right—I had waltzed back into her life expecting everything to just fall into place. But relationships weren’t that simple, not after everything that had happened.

"And another thing," she continued, her tone now carrying a stern edge, "learn some humility. Firing those staff members from your mall for such a small thing isn’t exactly humble, Jungkook. You need to realize that while you can solve problems with a snap of your fingers, what you did cost those people their livelihood. They have families to support. You gave them a brutal punishment for just being disrespectful, and that’s not right. They could’ve been sent back for further training, but dismissing them? That’s not humane."

Her words pierced through me, making me realize just how blinded I had been by my own power and privilege. She wasn’t just rejecting me—she was challenging me to be better, to be the kind of person who deserved her love.

"So, my dear Kookoo," she finished, her voice softening slightly as she took a step closer to me, "humble yourself before you earn your lady love."

I stood there, speechless, as the weight of her words settled over me.

She was right.

I had acted recklessly, thinking that my power and wealth could win her over. But Y/n wasn’t someone who could be bought or impressed by grand gestures. She wanted something real, something genuine.

As she looked at me, her eyes still holding that playful glint, I felt a wave of determination wash over me.

She wasn’t rejecting me because she didn’t care—she was challenging me to prove that I was worthy of her love.

As Y/n and Hyunsik turned to leave, I couldn’t just let them walk away without a little playful retaliation.

After all, Y/n had just thrown down a challenge that I was more than eager to accept. I may have been knocked off balance by her rejection, but if there was one thing I knew how to do, it was turning things around in style.

I caught up to them quickly, striding with purpose as I made my way to the door. With a flourish that was a little over the top—okay, maybe a lot over the top—I pulled the door open and stepped aside, bowing slightly as I gestured for Y/n to walk through.

“After you, my lady,” I said, laying on the charm thickly, with a hint of mischief twinkling in my eyes.

Y/n rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at her lips. “You’re really trying, aren’t you?”

“Always,” I replied with a wink.

Hyunsik, who had been quietly observing, moved to follow Y/n out, but I wasn’t done with him yet. As he passed by, I casually lifted my foot and brought it down onto his with a solid stomp, grinning when he yelped and jumped back.

“What the hell, Jungkook?” he exclaimed, rubbing his now sore foot.

I stuck out my tongue at him, the gesture childish and completely at odds with the smooth, sophisticated image I usually projected. But right now, I didn’t care. “That’s for pretending to steal my girl, Hyunsik.”

Hyunsik sighed deeply, the sound carrying all the weight of someone who had long ago accepted my possessive nature as an unavoidable quirk. He followed us out, shaking his head with an exasperated grin.

“She’s not your girl yet, sir. So maybe tame that attitude if you want to make her your precious love.”

I scoffed, my confidence surging back as I imagined the challenge ahead. “By the time you get married, I promise you, she’ll be in my arms confessing her love for me.”

Hyunsik chuckled, clearly amused by my bravado. “That’s a good-spirited challenge, Jungkook. I’d love to see how you pull that off in just seven days.”

I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him with wide eyes. “Seven days?!” I blurted out. “You’re getting married in seven days?”

Hyunsik burst out laughing, the sound echoing in the quiet hallway. “Why, is that too short for you, buddy?”

I shook my head, letting out a relieved breath. “Too short? It’s too much! I can woo Y/n seven times over in that time.” I smirked, letting my competitive side come out in full force.

“Considering how fast Y/n was with picking clothes today, I thought you were getting married tomorrow.”

Hyunsik’s jaw dropped in mock offense, his eyes narrowing as he processed my words. “There goes my old friend, confident as always.”

I grinned, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. Despite the banter and the competitive edge to our conversation, there was something undeniably comforting about being back here with Hyunsik and Y/n. It was like slipping into an old, well-worn jacket—familiar, snug, and just right.

“Come here, give me a hug,” I said, pulling Hyunsik into a tight embrace. “I missed you, man.”

Hyunsik hesitated for a second, but then he relented, wrapping his arms around me. “I didn’t,” he muttered, but there was no heat behind his words.

I promptly stomped on his foot again, making him wince before he chuckled, throwing his hands up in surrender. “Fine, fine! I missed you too, you stubborn idiot!”

We laughed, the sound blending with the background noise of the bustling city around us as we made our way to the car. I felt lighter, more relaxed than I had in years.

Maybe Y/n had rejected my initial confession, but it didn’t feel like the end. In fact, it felt like the beginning of something even better—a challenge that would bring us closer, in a way that would be more genuine, more meaningful.

As we got into the car, I made sure to take the front seat, leaving the back for  Hyunsik. I wasn’t about to give up my spot next to her, even if we were just driving back home.

I needed to be close, to remind her that I wasn’t going anywhere this time.

The car ride back home was filled with lighthearted banter, with Hyunsik and I trading jabs while Y/n alternated between laughing and pretending to be exasperated by our antics.

But there was a warmth in her eyes, a fondness that made me feel like maybe, just maybe, I was on the right track.

When we finally pulled up to the house, I felt a familiar twinge of nostalgia. It had been years since I’d been here, but nothing much had changed. The same sprawling lawn, the same large windows that let in just the right amount of sunlight, the same welcoming aura that made it feel like a home, rather than just a house.

As we stepped inside, the scent of freshly baked cookies wafted through the air, and my stomach rumbled in response. It wasn’t just the cookies, though. It was the feeling of being home, surrounded by people who meant the world to me.

But then I heard a pair of excited voices, and before I could react, two figures came barreling into the hallway.

As I followed Y/n, Hyunsik, and ger parents—Haneul and Minjun—into the house, the familiarity of it all washed over me.

“Jungkook, it’s been too long,” Haneul said, her smile wide and genuine as she handed me a plate of freshly baked cookies.

“It really has, Mrs. Kim,” I replied, using her formal title out of respect, even though she had insisted I call her Haneul. “Thank you for having me. It feels good to be back.”

She waved her hand dismissively. “None of that, Jungkook. You’re family here, always have been.”

I nodded, smiling gratefully as I took a cookie. Despite the warmth in the room, there was a subtle edge to my mood, an unease I couldn’t quite shake.

“Speaking of family,” Haneul began, her tone shifting slightly, “we couldn’t help but notice how suddenly you disappeared all those years ago. No word, no explanation. We were worried, Jungkook.”

I felt my chest tighten, the weight of the past bearing down on me. I had known this question would come, but I still wasn’t fully prepared for it.

I forced a smile, trying to keep my tone light. “Some family business came up unexpectedly,” I explained, my voice steady despite the nerves twisting in my gut. “I had to leave for London immediately. It was... chaotic.”

Haneul tilted her head slightly, studying me with those perceptive eyes of hers.

"London, huh? That reminds me of the time I was there with Minjun. We got into an accident, and I lost some of my memories.”

Her words caused me to stiffen, my brows quirking in surprise. That was news to me. I’d had no idea that something so serious had happened to her. I glanced at Y/n, who wasn't so surprised, and then back at Haneul.

“I’m so sorry to hear that,” I said carefully, unsure of what else to say. There was a lot about the past I wasn’t aware of, it seemed.

Haneul waved off my concern with a small smile, but the way she shifted in her seat made me think there was more to the story than she was letting on. “It’s all in the past now,” she said softly.

“But enough about that. How’s Mirae doing? We haven’t seen her since the day you both left.”

My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Mirae. Of course, she would bring her up.

“She’s... somewhere in Seoul,” I said, doing my best to sound nonchalant. “She had some other work that kept her busy, so she hasn’t been in touch much.” It was a lie, one that came easily but left a bitter taste in my mouth.

The truth was far more complicated. I knew exactly where Mirae was—she was still in Seoul, but she had severed all ties with me. After what happened that day, she had made it clear she wanted nothing to do with me, and I couldn’t blame her.

Haneul’s expression softened, though there was a trace of sadness in her eyes. “That’s too bad. We miss her. She was always such a bright light around here.”

“Yeah,” I murmured, forcing another smile. “She was.”

The room fell into a brief silence, the weight of unspoken words hanging heavily in the air. I could feel Y/n’s gaze on me, her eyes searching for answers I wasn’t ready to give.

But before the atmosphere could grow too heavy, Minjun, who had been listening quietly, spoke up.

"Well, what matters is that you’re here now, Jungkook. We’ve missed having you around. It’s good to see you.”

I nodded, grateful for the shift in conversation. “I’ve missed you all too,” I replied, my voice more genuine now.

Haneul reached out, patting my hand gently. “We’re glad you’re here, Jungkook. Just don’t disappear on us again, okay?”

I chuckled softly, the sound more of a nervous reaction than anything else. “I won’t,” I promised, even though I knew keeping that promise wouldn’t be as simple as it sounded.

The conversation shifted after that, moving onto lighter topics—things like the neighborhood gossip and the kids’ latest antics. But even as we talked and laughed, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed.

As we proceeded to have lunch everything felt so right in place yet so awfully unfamiliar.

The past wasn’t as buried as I had thought, and the ties that had once bound us together were more frayed than I had realized.

---

[Later that night]

[Y/n's POV]

After dinner, I felt like my heart was racing faster than usual, and it wasn’t just because of the sugar rush from dessert.

There was this unspoken tension between Jungkook and me that had been building up all evening. I wanted to talk to him, to really talk to him, without the watchful eyes of my parents or Hyunsik hovering around.

I knew exactly what I needed to do.

“Mom, Dad,” I said, trying to keep my voice casual as I cleared the dishes from the table. “I’m feeling a little tired. I think I’m going to head to my room early.”

Haneul looked up at me with concern. “Are you okay, sweetie? You barely touched your food.”

I waved her off, forcing a yawn that I hoped looked convincing. “Yeah, I’m fine, just a bit exhausted. The excitement of the day caught up with me, I guess.”

Minjun smiled knowingly. “It’s been a long day for all of us. Go get some rest, Y/n.”

I nodded, feeling a little guilty for lying, but I had bigger plans in mind. As I made my way toward the stairs, I shot a quick glance at Jungkook, who was still talking to Hyunsik.

Catching his eye, I subtly jerked my head towards the staircase, hoping he’d get the hint.

I headed upstairs, trying not to sprint, and went straight to my room. As soon as I got inside, I started rummaging through my drawers, pulling out stash after stash of Dairy Milk chocolate bars I’d hidden over the years.

It was an obsession, a comfort food I could never outgrow, and I had no shame in admitting it.

A few minutes later, there was a soft knock on my door, and Jungkook’s familiar voice followed. “My moon? You in there?”

I quickly opened the door and pulled him inside, shutting it behind us with a click that echoed in the quiet room. “I’ve got something to show you,” I said, grinning like a child.

Jungkook looked amused, his eyebrow quirking up. “Oh? What’s that?”

Without a word, I dragged him over to my bed where I’d dumped the pile of Dairy Milk bars. “Ta-da!” I said, throwing my arms out dramatically.

Jungkook’s eyes widened, and then he burst out laughing. “Are you serious? You’ve been hoarding these?”

I nodded, already tearing into one of the bars. “Yep. They’re my guilty pleasure. And you’re going to help me eat them.”

He didn’t need much convincing. He grabbed a bar and sat down next to me on the bed, the two of us quickly unwrapping and devouring the chocolate like it was the most normal thing in the world.

It felt like old times, like we were kids again, sneaking candy when no one was looking.

“You know,” Jungkook began, between bites, “you haven’t changed a bit. Still the same chocolate-obsessed girl.”

I rolled my eyes, tossing an empty wrapper at him. “And you’re still the same tease, always giving me a hard time.”

He caught the wrapper and tossed it back. “That’s what I’m here for.”

We both laughed, the sound echoing in the cozy space of my room. The banter was easy, familiar, like slipping into an old pair of shoes that still fit perfectly.

“So,” I started, unwrapping another bar, “what’s life been like in Oxford? I mean, you’re basically living every cliché of a royal at a fancy university, right?”

Jungkook chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Yeah, something like that. Oxford’s... different. It’s a lot of work, a lot of expectations. You can’t just be a regular student, you know? There’s always someone watching, waiting for you to screw up.”

I nodded, trying to imagine what that must be like. “Sounds exhausting. Did you at least have time to make friends? Party a little? Live the typical college life?”

“Yeah, I made a few friends,” he said, nodding. “But partying wasn’t really my thing. There were always these events, balls, dinners—stuff I had to attend because of who I am. But honestly? I kept my head down most of the time. Focused on my studies, my duties.”

I gave him a skeptical look. “Duties? Like what? Attending banquets in tuxedos and giving speeches?”

Jungkook snorted. “Pretty much. There were a lot of formal events, a lot of networking. It wasn’t as glamorous as it sounds. Mostly just a lot of talking to people twice my age who wanted to use me for their connections."

I wrinkled my nose. “Gross. That doesn’t sound like fun at all.”

Jungkook's heart skipped a beat at that.

He hopes she just finds them not so fun....

He hopes that she doesn't think of them as a suffocating leash like Minji did...

“And what about you?” he asked after a while, turning the conversation back on me. “How’s Busan University? I bet you’re the life of the campus.”

I laughed, shaking my head. “Hardly. Busan U is great, but it’s not exactly Oxford. It’s more laid-back, I guess. The society culture is right there, so a lot of people are more focused on chilling out and extra curricular than on being super serious about studies.”

“Sounds nice,” he said, smiling. “A lot more relaxing than what I had.”

“It is,” I agreed. “But it’s still college, you know? There’s still pressure, exams, all that fun stuff.”

“And you? Have you made a lot of friends?” he asked, his tone casual, but I could sense the genuine interest behind the question.

I nodded, thinking of the friends I’d made over the years. “Yeah, a few. We have this little group that hangs out a lot. We go to the beach, hit up cafes, stuff like that.”

“Any boys?” Jungkook asked, raising an eyebrow teasingly.

I rolled my eyes, nudging him with my shoulder. “Please. You know I don’t have time for that.”

He laughed, but there was something in his eyes, a hint of relief maybe, that I caught for just a second before it disappeared. “Good. I’d hate to have to beat someone up for loving you.”

I snorted. “As if you’d actually do that.”

“Oh, I would,” he said, his tone serious now. “If anyone hurt you, my little one, they’d have to answer to me.”

His words sent a warm flutter through my chest, but I quickly brushed it off, not wanting to read too much into it.

Instead, I decided to turn the tables. “And what about you, Your Highness? Any royal romances I should know about?”

Jungkook sighed dramatically, leaning back with a smirk. “I told you, no one caught my eye like you did. But yeah, there were girls who tried. Oxford wasn’t exactly lacking in attention.”

I tried to keep my expression neutral, but the idea of him surrounded by girls, all vying for his attention, made me feel... something. “Oh really? Any of them manage to get close?”

He shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. “Not really. I wasn’t interested. Too focused on other things.”

“Like what?” I pressed, not ready to let him off the hook so easily.

“Like surviving all the royal expectations, keeping up with studies, and, well, thinking about you,” he said, his voice softening at the last part.

I blinked, taken aback by his honesty. He’d always been straightforward, but this was different. There was a sincerity in his words that made my heart skip a beat.

“You... thought about me?” I asked, my voice coming out quieter than I intended.

“Every day,” he replied, not missing a beat. “You were the one thing that kept me grounded, reminded me of who I really am beneath all the royal crap.”

I didn’t know what to say to that, so I just nodded, feeling a mix of emotions I couldn’t quite untangle.

Part of me wanted to reach out and close the distance between us, but another part was too scared to take that step.

I raised an eyebrow at him, sensing there was more to his words. “Then why didn’t you ever contact me? You just up and left without a word.”

Jungkook’s smile faded a bit, and he looked down at the chocolate in his hand, fidgeting with the wrapper.

“It’s... complicated. Things were rough back at home, especially with Grandma. She had a lot of strict rules, and... well, I wasn’t exactly allowed to have a phone of my own until I turned eighteen.”

I blinked in surprise. “Seriously? No phone?”

“Yep,” he replied, his tone a mix of bitterness and resignation. “Even after I turned eighteen, I wasn’t free to contact just anyone. It was part of Grandma Charlotte’s strict standards and all the royal training.”

I couldn’t help but snort at that, leaning back against the headboard beside him. “Royal training? Sounds like a nightmare. What, did they make you walk around with books on your head and force you to eat with twelve different forks?”

Jungkook laughed, a genuine, hearty sound that made my chest feel warm. “Something like that. But mostly it was just a lot of rules, a lot of expectations. You know how it is.”

“God, no wonder you didn’t contact me,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Royal life sounds obnoxious.”

“Tell me about it,” he replied with a smirk. “But hey, at least I got these sweet piercings out of the deal.”

I laughed, leaning forward to examine the piercings more closely. “Yeah, what’s up with these anyway? You went from clean-cut prince to bad boy in no time.”

Jungkook grinned, clearly enjoying the attention. “I just thought they looked cool, so I got them. What do you think?”

I reached out, brushing my fingers against the small hoop in his lip, and he didn’t flinch.

The warmth of his skin, the slight roughness of the metal—it was all a little too intimate, and I quickly pulled my hand back. “I think they’re a good look on you,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

He smirked, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Oh? You like the bad boy vibe, huh?”

I scoffed, trying to play it cool. “Don’t flatter yourself, Jeon. It’s just a look.”

“Uh-huh,” he said, clearly not buying it.

"Look who's talking. You snuck in the changing room just to see me half naked , in a lace lingerie, didn't you?", I smirked.

Jungkook had a very shook face, "Huh? You were wearing lace? My eyes couldn't leave your eyes even for a second to see anything else, my moon."

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. There was something in his voice, something raw and real, that made it hard to keep up the banter. He wasn’t joking, and that scared me a little.

“Why...” I started, my voice barely above a whisper. “Why me, Jungkook? Why have you always had your eyes set on me?”

Jungkook’s gaze softened, his playful smirk fading into something much more serious. “Because you left such an imprint on my heart, my little one, that if anyone ever wants to understand me, they need to understand you first.”

I felt my cheeks flush, the weight of his words settling over me like a warm blanket. I wanted to say something, anything, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I just stared at him, trying to process what he’d just said.

"But still, you must've seen the whole world, seen so many beautiful ladies in Oxford and around in London....", my voice trialed off only until I heard Jungkook speak again.

"But my eyes still couldn't find anyone more beautiful than you."

“Uh,” I cleared my throat, trying to regain my composure. “I see why women were crazy about you in Oxford. You’re a good flirt.”

Jungkook shook his head, his expression still serious. “I wasn’t flirting. I was just telling you the truth. I never batted an eyelash at anyone else because... well, no one else was you.”

I blinked, completely floored by his honesty. For a moment, I was tempted to confess that I’d felt the same way, that I’d never really gotten over him, but the words stuck in my throat. Instead, I changed the subject, my voice a little too loud in the quiet room.

“So,” he said, after a few moments of comfortable silence. “What’s up with Hyunsik and Tzuyu? I mean, getting married so soon?”

I chuckled, leaning back against the headboard. “He’s crazy about her. Can’t wait to tie the knot, apparently.”

He shook his head in disbelief. “Man, I can’t believe it. He used to be so picky about girls, and now he’s rushing into marriage.”

“Yeah, well, when you know, you know,” I said, a hint of something deeper in his tone.

The conversation had turned into a comfortable rhythm of sharing memories and dreams, the years that had separated us seeming to melt away. As the night deepened, the soft glow from the bedside lamp cast a warm light over Jungkook’s face, making him look almost boyish despite the years of responsibility etched in his features.

“You know,” he said, his voice dropping to a near whisper, “I actually thought about writing a book once.”

“A book?” I repeated, intrigued. “About what?”

He smiled, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “About you.”

I felt my heart skip a beat, the warmth of his gaze sending a blush creeping up my cheeks. “Why didn’t you then?” I asked, trying to sound casual, though my heart was racing.

Jungkook’s smile faded slightly, replaced by something more contemplative. He looked down at his hands, as if searching for the right words.

“Because,” he began, “what if someone else read it? What if some other guy read it and realized how incredible you are? What if he fell in love with you just from the words I wrote?”

My breath caught in my throat, and I stared at him, my mind struggling to process what he had just said.

“That’s enough flirting for today, Kookoo,” I said, trying to sound stern, though my voice came out softer than I intended. “Now, leave.”

He didn’t budge, didn’t even flinch. Instead, a slow smirk spread across his face, the kind that sent a shiver down my spine.

“No,” he said simply, leaning back against the pillows with a casual ease that made me instantly suspicious.

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What do you mean, ‘no’? You can’t just refuse. I’m telling you to leave.”

“I snuck into your room with a purpose, my little one” he said, his voice low and teasing.

My curiosity was piqued despite myself, and I leaned forward slightly. “And what purpose would that be?”

His smirk widened as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small object that glinted in the dim light. He held it up, and my eyes widened as I recognized the keychain—sleek, black, with the unmistakable logo of a Kawasaki

Ninja bike.

“I wanted to take you for the ride of your life,” he smirked.