Early update because I didn't expect to have more than 10 subs at the 1st chap. Thank you all. :D

Also, KCIA = NIS (National Intelligence Service), in case you're confused with the acronyms.

Despite his manner of work and his outward appearance, Goo Junhwe is a romantic. He binge watches rom-coms and tearjerker dramas when he has free time, and dreams of having a peaceful family life with the love of his life.

But well, he supposes being a top secret agent (and having killed people for the job) cancels out that dream from the get go.

He did try though. Similar to the movies he binges, he was the character who has everything except a true meaning in life. He figured he won’t find it while being a dog for the government so he purposely took on a mission that meant death in failure but freedom in success. Of course he succeeded. Rights to civilian life was restored; money and assets untouched. It was a new beginning and not even the head of the country would interfere. Then he had met “Donghyuk”, was instantly smitten and had fallen so intensely he knew without a doubt he’s the one. Donghyuk was his dream and was also the one to destroy it. Worse part is he had been so unaware of the truth even though he has all the skills to sniff out a fellow spy. Now he’s back to being Agent 14.

He sighs. Hanbin would have scolded him again for the inner monologues if he was here.

“Something on your mind?” Donghyuk asks in concern, silver hair shimmering under the sunlight. He reaches out to hold his hand across the table.

Such a scene happened so many times during that year they were together. That small concerned smile, the reaching across the table to lace their fingers. Junhwe would smile and adjust their hands so he’s the one holding Donghyuk’s, his thumb caressing the smooth skin of Donghyuk’s hand.

It’s been roughly a week since they started the mission yet it still unnerves him how everything comes out so naturally from Donghyuk, as if they’re back to those little moments of peaceful bliss. But it’s more unnerving how he reciprocates just the same while insisting to himself that everything is fake.

“I’m fine babe. Go eat your breakfast.”

Donghyuk stares at him more before nodding and smiling softly. Junhwe waits for him to pull his hand away but Donghyuk shifts their hands again and signals him with his index finger that a staff of the Big Bad’s private lounge is heading their way.

They instantly go into character, perfectly playing the roles of two very much in love young businessmen. Big Bad Boss apparently likes their investment proposal very much, was pleased that they accepted the invitation to his party that coming night, and wants to talk to them in private before said party. Shadow agent Ezra’s machinations had worked perfectly so far. He had even predicted the exact staff person informing them of the private call.

Outside their pasts, Junhwe would have to admit Ezra is one scary shadow agent. He’s often nervous whenever Hanbin gets the intel that he might encounter Ezra during a mission, and a couple of times he was willing to let go of his pride to back out.

Which means Junhwe shouldn’t be so hard on himself with being deceived for a whole year. After all, Donghyuk is that same Ezra. He was made a fool by a worthy rival agent, and that should be enough of a reality check.

It should also be enough of a pull to do the secret directive Hanbin gave him.

***

Donghyuk hates to admit it, but one big reason why he has a 98% success rate on disguise and cover missions is his ability to draw people in towards him. He easily slips into the required role, showing targets what they want to see and once he had them in the palm of his hand, all he has to do is to crush them in his fist until no trace is left. Mission success.

This would also mean he had a lot of missions where he’s required to seduce the target, make them fall for him until they become so unaware of their surroundings. It’s the perfect setup for assassinations and other activities in the underground world.

No doubt that’s what Junhwe’s thinking about their past. He must be so sure he was seduced, led on to be played to the point that he failed to see the small signs Donghyuk admits he had let slip due to his own unawareness. Junhwe won’t believe him if he told him the truth straight up; that he wasn’t doing any Ezra-related thing during their time together, that he was just Donghyuk - an illegitimate son who was exiled for refusing to kill his hyung.

At this point, any of his truths have no chance of ever being believed because the mission’s just going to cement the other agent’s assumptions about him. He’s going to do his “specialty” right in front of Junhwe’s face because it’s necessary. Ezra the perfect seducer, what joy.

“You are so lucky to have Kim Donghyuk-ssi as your important person.” The syndicate boss says with a friendly smile. He’s much older than them, averagely fit with more than enough gold rings on his fingers. He’s no doubt a looker during his younger days and displays a pleasant aura, but secret agents could easily detect the stench of blood and death.

Donghyuk giggles a bit, his lashes fluttering as he gives the target a glance. He thanks him before playfully elbowing his “fiance” to about being lucky. Junhwe shrugs him off with a playful smirk.

Please Subscribe to read the full chapter