Chapitre 15: The exposing scent

Sergei stepped into the grand hallway of his mansion, his footsteps precise, his presence demanding attention. The moment he entered, a servant rushed to his side, bowing slightly before speaking.

"Sir, Alexei is here."

Sergei didn't react immediately. He removed his gloves slowly, his expression unreadable. "Alexei?" he echoed, more to himself than to the servant. He hadn't expected the brat today.

"Yes, sir. He arrived not long ago. He's in one of the rooms."

Sergei's gaze sharpened. "Which room?"

The servant hesitated, as if debating whether to say it. "The one near your study, sir."

Sergei's fingers twitched. His study wasn't far from his bedroom. His bedroom where—

"And Jiwon?" His voice remained steady, cold.

The servant lowered his head. "He's in your room, sir. Where you left him."

Silence.

Then, Sergei exhaled through his nose, his lips curling slightly. So Jiwon hadn't moved. Good.

"Where exactly is Alexei?"

"The lounge by the east wing."

Sergei was already walking before the servant finished speaking. His pace was calm, unhurried, but the air around him was ice-cold. He wasn't particularly concerned—Alexei was many things, but he wasn't a fool. Yet, something about this unexpected visit didn't sit well with him.

As he reached the door, he didn't knock. He simply pushed it open.

The first thing he saw was Alexei's back.

The younger man stood near the center of the room, his hands casually in his pockets, head slightly tilted, speaking to someone out of sight.

Sergei's voice cut through the space like a blade.

"Who are you talking to."

Alexei's shoulders tensed for a fraction of a second before he turned slightly, throwing a smirk over his shoulder.

"No one."

Sergei's gaze didn't waver. His eyes, cold and sharp, flicked to the way Alexei stood—too straight, too deliberate, his hands lazily tucked into the pockets of his baggy clothes, but his stance was defensive. Blocking.

"Who's behind you..."

Alexei huffed. "Damn, you're real suspicious, huh?"

Silence.

Sergei didn't move.

Alexei let out a low whistle.

"Relax. You think I'm hiding someone?"

Sergei took a step forward.

Alexei mirrored the movement, shifting just slightly to keep himself between Sergei and whatever was behind him.

Sergei's patience thinned.

"Move."

Alexei tilted his head.

"So bossy." He sighed dramatically, rolling his shoulders.

"C'mon, can't I just enjoy my morning without being interrogated?"

Sergei didn't answer. His eyes stayed locked on Alexei, sharp and unyielding.

Alexei smiled, but it was thin.

"What, you think I got a secret? That I'm whispering sweet nothings to your walls?" He chuckled.

"Damn, I didn't know you'd get jealous over air..."

A sound.

Soft. Barely there.

A quiet inhale.

Sergei's expression didn't change, but inside, something sharpened.

That was not Alexei.

Alexei stayed in place, still wearing that damn smirk, but the amusement in his eyes didn't quite reach deep enough.

"See? No one here," he said, voice light.

"Just me, chillin'. Maybe you should take a break too, yeah? You look—"

Sergei stepped forward again.

Alexei's smirk faltered for a second. Just a second.

"Tsk. You really don't know how to take a joke, huh?"

Sergei didn't blink.

A pause.

Then—

He smelled it.

Faint. Familiar. Floral.

His breath stilled.

His jaw tightened.

It was subtle, barely clinging to the air, but it was there.

The same scent that had lingered on his hands hours ago. The same scent that soaked into the sheets when he left.

Jiwon.

His breath slowed, controlled. His gaze, cold and calculating, locked onto Alexei.

"Move," Sergei ordered, his voice calm but carrying the weight of a command that was not to be ignored.

Alexei smirked, not budging an inch.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. You're no fun, Sergei."

Sergei took a step forward.

"I won't repeat myself."

Alexei tilted his head slightly, his smirk deepening as he tapped his fingers against his own wrist like he was keeping time. "You know, for someone who plays things so cool, you sure seem a little… tense."

Sergei ignored him. His focus was elsewhere.

The scent hadn't faded.

It was fresh. Close.

He reached out swift, decisive. His fingers curled around Alexei's collar before the younger man could react.

The smirk vanished.

A sharp yank.

Alexei stumbled back with a grunt, his amused expression faltering as he was shoved aside.

Sergei didn't hesitate.

His grip shifted, his hand closing around a thin wrist, the skin warm beneath his fingers. He pulled.

A sharp gasp.

Jiwon.

Alexei's chuckle returned.

"Oh-ho… now this is getting interesting."

His fingers curled around Jiwon's other wrist, tugging him back.

Sergei's grip tightened. "Let go," he said, his voice devoid of emotion.

Alexei hummed.

"Hmmm. Now, why would I do that?"

sucked in a shaky breath. His body trembled whether from fear, exhaustion, or sheer disbelief, Sergei wasn't sure.

What he was sure of, however, was that Alexei was playing a game.

"Alexei."

"Mmm?"

Sergei's grip flexed. "Don't test me."

Alexei's smirk widened.

"You're so possessive, Sergei. Never knew you had it in you."

"Let go."

"And if I don't?"

"You won't like the outcome."

Alexei sighed dramatically.

"Haaah. You're really no fun, you know that?"

He loosened his grip.

Sergei wasted no time.

He pulled Jiwon forward, securing him by the wrist. Jiwon barely managed to keep his balance, stumbling slightly before Sergei steadied him.

Alexei leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "So this is the little puppy you were searching for, huh?"

Jiwon flinched.

Sergei remained composed. His expression unreadable.

"Leave," he said.

Alexei pouted. "That's rude."

Sergei's eyes narrowed.

Alexei chuckled. "Fine, fine. I'll go."

But before he turned to leave, his gaze flickered toward Jiwon.

"You know, uncle," he mused, his voice lazy, amused.

"You must be really special to get Sergei to act like this."

Jiwon's throat bobbed, but he said nothing.

Alexei snickered. "See you around."

And with that, he strolled past Sergei, hands in his pockets, leaving them alone.

Sergei didn't let go of Jiwon's wrist. His fingers remained firm, his grip steady, unmoving.

Jiwon didn't dare look up. His breathing was uneven, his entire body tense as if waiting for the inevitable.

Sergei finally spoke.

"You're coming with me."