Chapter 288 - Poor judgement

Wearing a soft smile on her face, Lee Soohyun bowed at the man before her— something she had learned to do in the presence of any of the Leaders— and then, after standing up straight, she voiced out, "Yes, I am Moon Jiwoo."

Seeing Soohyun's tense demeanour, Taemin let out a chuckle and vocalised, "I am not a bad guy. You don't need to be that scared around me. Do you mind accompanying me to some tea outside?"

Pursing both of her lips together, Soohyun was confused to answer him. Going outside with him could prove to be potentially dangerous to her. Then again, the consequences of refusing a Leader could be huge as well.

Being put into a sticky situation, Soohyun found herself deeply contemplating on the entire matter. There is definitely a reason behind calling her for tea; he would not be casually inviting her to have tea with her.

"Sure, I can do that, Seo Taemin-ssi," Soohyun answered.

Despite of what it was, Soohyun did not think it would be something potentially life-threatening, and in her mind, she was already in contact with Minnie. If things got serious, she was aware that she could count on Minnie to save her from it.

After that, she bowed at him again and vocalised, "Thank you for inviting me."

"You do not need to be that polite with me, Moon Jiwoo-ssi," he vocalised, "You can be comfortable around me."

Lee Soohyun stiffly nodded her head. 

'That was easier said that done.'

°°°

The scent of the fresh tea wafted into the air and entered into Soohyun's nose. Staring at the iced tea before her, she wondered whether or not to take a sip out of it. Will it be considered rude if she tasted it?

A light-hearted expression sat on Taemin's face while he sat opposite to Soohyun and enjoyed his tea.

The people around them constantly glanced at them, and Soohyun guessed that Taemin was the reason behind it. 

After all, Seo Taemin was one of the Leaders, and it was considered natural for the people around to be curious yet intimidated by presence at the same time.

"You can drink your tea without being this nervous, Lee Jinhee-ssi. I am not going to attack you," Taemin humorously said as a chuckle left his mouth.

'Wow! I must look really funny to him! Even if you are saying that now, Leadernim, what if you turn to be the opposite later on? The people higher in authority usually turn out to be bipolar, and how do I know you are not one of those bipolar person?'

Soohyun nodded and said, "Thank you."

Picking up her cup of tea, she took a sip out of it before placing it on top of the table. If truth was to be told, Soohyun really missed hot tea and wondered when she would be able to have it again. There were lot more warm food she missed. 

"About the attack that had happened earlier, I have heard of it. It was directed towards you if I am not wrong. How are you holding up after it?" Taemin vocalised.

"The fact that the arrow was from a fire user was scary, but I guess I am holding up fine although now, I am more cautious about my surroundings," Soohyun honestly answered.

When Seo Taemin talked, he had the ability to make those around him feel comfortable, and it was not difficult for Soohyun to hold a conversation with him.

"You really should be cautious of your surroundings, Moon Jiwoo-ssi," Taemin stated, "I am sure you know about how one of the Leaders is a betrayer yet you came with me so casually. Weren't you scared?"

Those words of Seo Taemin made the smile on Soohyun's face crack for a second before she had managed to fix it. 

'Dude, do you really think I did not take that to be an option!? Well, I was reluctant, but do you think I am able to disobey a leader?'

Lee Soohyun was awkward on how to answer to that question without sounding rude, and that is how Seo Taemin was met with utter silence from the girl before him.

"You don't need to put up your guard again, Jiwoo-ssi. I was just kidding; I would not try to bring any kind of harm to you. You can rest assured, but Jiwoo-ssi, you are extremely careless. If I was you, I would have locked myself inside a room and not come out of it," Taemin stated.

"Is that so?" Soohyun vocalised, "I get called coward enough already, and staying at one room, hidden, is not something that suits me. Moreover, it can not be assured that whoever is after my life would not be entering my room to attack me."

"You seem to be an eloquent speaker when you are not tense, Jiwoo-ssi," Taemin said.

"Thank you for the compliment, Seo Taemin-ssi," Soohyun spoke out before flashing him a smile and then, picking up her cup of tea to take a sip out of it.

"How is Han Minhyun to you? That boy is difficult to get along with and understand although he is quite compassionate and caring. He tends to do everything on his own and starts caring for others really quickly.

About those he deems to be important to him, he is willing to risk his life for them. That boy really has a golden heart, and at times, I worry about him. 

From a young age, he was forced to mature up a lot and take a huge amount of responsibilities. I wish there to be day when he will be putting his happiness above others," Taemin stated.

Hearing Seo Taemin's tone when he uttered those words was enough to surprise Lee Soohyun. The sincerity in his tone was something she could easily notice, and she did not believe that it was faked. 

Maybe it was because of Soohyun's poor judgement or that she was right, but she was able to see that Taemin honestly cared for Minhyun.