It was getting dark, the sun slowly retreating behind orange clouds as cool air whipped through Seoul, rustling trees and sending leaves swirling to the ground in various shades of green. With your arms crossed and one foot tapping nervously, you waited for the woman who had called about your phone. You'd been standing there for at least an hour in the decent but suspicious neighborhood she'd chosen—close to her home, she'd said. You bit your lower lip impatiently, counting seconds to pass the time.

"What if it was all a joke?" you muttered to yourself, barely able to believe you'd fallen for what might be a prank. But the woman's voice had sounded mature, not like a teenager playing games. When you reached fifteen minutes past your agreed meeting time, you decided to leave, already mourning the loss of your phone and the need to start over.

As you turned to go, a tall man suddenly blocked your path. You looked him up and down, noting his attractive features and dark hair hidden beneath a cap. His eyes fixed on yours as he stood casually with hands in pockets, like you were old friends.

"Sorry I'm late. Did you wait long?" he asked, a lip piercing glinting as he spoke. You stared speechlessly for a moment before finding your voice.

"Huh? Oh... and who are you?" you asked, pointing at him as you noticed him holding your phone—the distinctive case giving it away immediately. You reached for it eagerly.

"Didn't my sister tell you? She found your phone but had a double shift at the hospital, so she sent me instead." He explained, his gaze subtly sweeping over you as he handed over the device. You grabbed it instantly, feeling immense relief.

"Tell her not to worry, I owe her my life!" you exclaimed, exaggerating only slightly. This device contained everything that mattered to you.

The man laughed softly, a sound that struck you as surprisingly melodic. "Is that phone worth that much to you?" he asked, tone bordering on irony.

"Yeah, it's been with me through everything. It's practically part of me now." You checked your phone quickly before looking up to thank him properly, but he was already speaking.

"I have to go," you said, giving a small nod before turning to leave, already planning your social media comeback announcement.

You'd taken only a few steps when something wrapped tightly around your neck. Panic surged as you struggled for air, dropping your phone again. Before you could scream, a bag covered your head and a sharp pain at the base of your skull sent everything dark. The last thing you heard was a familiar laugh echoing in your ears.

You woke shivering in cold water, your wrists and ankles bound tightly with black tape. Bright lights burned your eyes as you tried to focus, realizing you were trapped in a bathtub. A shadow moved beside you, and you froze as you recognized the legs of the man who'd returned your phone.

Your heart sank as he slowly crouched beside the tub, his face coming into view. "Don't look at me like that," he said, almost mockingly. "Your eyes don't reflect the same happiness they did in your Instagram photos."

He reached out, fingers gripping your chin firmly to force eye contact. "Would you prefer I take a photo right now? Or maybe a video?" He pulled your phone from his pocket, showing you the camera app already open, his finger hovering threateningly over the record button.