Addicted to you
Chapter 62: High-speed pursuit

Chapter 62: High-speed pursuit

She gave a tiny nod, victorious. "I want seafood."

Shin blinked. "Seafood it is." He pulled out his phone, then paused mid-swipe.

A blank screen stared back at him. He realized, with growing dismay, he didn’t know a single seafood restaurant.

He hardly ate out. Why would he? Butler Hong’s meals were perfect, and any business meetings or social obligations were always arranged by Secretary Yun, right down to specific placement and background music.

Shin frowned at his phone, as if blaming it for this sudden incompetence.

Yeri peeked over his shoulder, clearly amused. "There’s a place about thirty minutes from the city center. It’s near that river spot everyone goes to during spring festivals. Not fancy, but the food’s legit."

He glanced at her. "Most restaurants I know are closed today. Holiday."

"Oh..." Yeri shrugged, letting the lie slide. It was true many businesses closed on holidays but restaurants rarely did. Still, she didn’t call him out.

The car sped along the quiet highway, trees blurring past. For a while, silence settled between them, comfortable, but heavy with something unspoken.

Then Yeri spoke. "By the way, that bouquet you sent? It was a bit much. And why did you give me such expensive earrings?"

Shin didn’t look at her, just kept his hands steady on the wheel. "I remembered how much you liked the rose garden back at the villa. I just wanted to make you smile."

Yeri blinked, thrown off by how casually he said it.

"It’s not that," she mumbled. "It just felt... too much. I mean, the flowers were fine. But expensive gifts out of nowhere make me feel uncomfortable."

Shin’s smile faded. "Then get used to it. Besides, I don’t need a special occasion to give you something nice."

Yeri gawked at him. Seriously? She’d expected him to say he’d be more thoughtful next time. Instead, he said that?

"Young Master Keir, it’s the thought that counts when giving a gift, not the price." She folded her arms, trying to stay firm.

Shin’s tone sharpened, just slightly. "And you think I didn’t think of you when I picked them out? I chose those earrings myself."

Her lips parted, but no words came out.

Yeri blinked, caught off guard. She had no comeback. She hated how easily he disarmed her, how he turned every debate into a dead end with calm logic and that maddening smirk.

Still... was this what it felt like to be liked by someone?

Yeri had her fair share of admirers—guys who acted sweet but turned bitter after rejection, guys who thought she should be grateful for their attention, guys who were only interested in status or gain.

But Shin Keir didn’t fit in any of those categories. He was unpredictable, shameless, borderline insane, and somehow, he made it all feel sincere.

Even now, after confessing that he liked her, he hadn’t pushed her for a response or made things awkward.

Still, she didn’t know what to do with any of this.

That’s when his voice dropped.

"Buckle up. And hold on."

Yeri looked over. His hands were tight on the wheel now, eyes narrowing as he checked the rearview mirror.

"What?" she asked.

"We’re being followed," he said, voice low and steady. "Don’t panic. I’ve got this."

The car picked up speed, the engine’s purr turning into a growl. The wind hissed against the windows as the Bugatti surged forward.

Yeri gripped her seatbelt, heart pounding.

Shin didn’t look scared, just focused. Calm, cold, calculating.

He had noticed the tail back near the city, right after Yeri mentioned the restaurant. That’s why he’d chosen the long route to confirm the suspicion.

Yeri glanced behind them. One car. Dark. Unfamiliar. Keeping pace.

"Is it paparazzi?" she asked, her voice quieter than she intended.

No answer.

Shin’s jaw clenched. His face stayed calm, but his eyes were sharp like blades waiting to strike. He took a sharp turn, veering off the main highway, heading into a more remote stretch of road.

That’s when she knew, this wasn’t just some bored photographer looking for a scoop.

The other car sped up. They’d been uncovered.

So did Shin.

The space between them shrank.

Yeri opened her mouth to ask if Shin recognized the car when—

Gunfire rang out.

The rear window shattered.

Shin’s expression darkened. With one hand on the wheel, he reached into the central console and flipped open a hidden compartment. From it, he pulled out a sleek, black handgun.

Without missing a beat, he rolled down the window, aimed with precise calm, and returned fire.

Yeri flinched instinctively, but the bullet flew clean past her, nowhere near her side. In fact, even in the chaos, it felt like Shin somehow knew exactly where each shot would land. He fired without hesitation, as if he could see the trajectory before pulling the trigger.

The car swerved again, tires squealing across the asphalt. He never once lost control.

Yeri sat still, gripping the seatbelt tightly. She didn’t scream, didn’t ask questions, didn’t even breathe too loud.

It wasn’t that she trusted Shin Keir completely but she knew herself well enough to understand she was useless in this moment. She couldn’t help him. She’d only get in the way.

Then—headlights.

A massive truck appeared at the intersection up ahead, barreling into the crossroad.

Yeri’s eyes widened. Her heart stopped.

This is it, she thought. ’I’m going to die tonight! Not from illness. Not from my body giving up on me. But in a car crash!’

No farewell to her family. No goodbye to friends. Not even a last snide comment to Jj and a cotton hug from Carpet.

The truck roared forward, unstoppable.

But so was Shin.

At the last second, he twisted the wheel hard. The Bugatti drifted sharply, sliding beneath the truck’s towering trailer. Tires screeched, metal screamed, sparks flew.

They shot out from under the truck like a bullet, barely scraping the asphalt and somehow, still going.

Yeri’s breath caught in her throat. She turned to look at Shin.

He was still calm. Steady. Focused.

Like none of it had rattled him.

Her heart thudded like thunder, but her eyes stayed fixed on him.

Behind them, the pursuing car didn’t let up. Whoever was inside, they weren’t amateurs. They followed with ruthless persistence—trained, precise, and unshaken.

They’re after Shin, Yeri thought, the realization clicking into place. No one rises as high as him without making enemies.

Eventually, the highway gave way to an overgrown road, lined with tall grass and dense trees. The deeper they drove, the quieter it got. Not a single other car in sight.

Without a word, Shin veered off the main road and into a small clearing hidden among the trees. He killed the engine and quietly reloaded his gun, every movement practiced and fluid.

Then he turned to her.

"I’m going out. Stay here. No matter what happens do not get out. Understand?"

Yeri nodded silently.

Her face was pale. Shin looked at her, mistaking her quietness for fear. Anger simmered under his skin, not at her, but at the people who dared endanger her.

He reached out, his hand brushing gently against her cheek.

Then, without warning, he leaned forward and pressed a soft kiss to the corner of her lips. "Don’t be afraid," he whispered. "It’ll be over soon."

And then he was gone, slipping into the shadows like a vengeful spirit.

Out there, he was a different man. A side of him she’d never seen. One he never wanted her to see.

Of all the truths he was ready to reveal to her... this one, he’d always hoped to keep buried.

But tonight, they forced his hand.

And now, someone would pay for it.

---

Yeri sat frozen in the car, the silence pressing down on her like a weight. Her trembling hands rested on her lap, cold beads of sweat dotting her forehead. Strangely, though, her heart remained calm.

Should I call the police? she wondered, biting her lip. No... what if this affects Shin Keir?

Who else could she call? Her brother? Tristan Felan?

Her gaze drifted downward... and landed on Shin’s phone, lying near the gearshift.

The screen was cracked, a faint light pulsing beneath the web of damage. It must’ve slipped from his pocket or hand during the chaos.

She picked it up hesitantly, surprised to see the lock screen still glowing.

The image made her pause.

It was a photo taken during her debut banquet.

Shin had asked to take a picture with Carpet, her absurdly fluffy golden retriever. Tristan, ever the instigator, had insisted Yeri join. The result: a candid photo of the three of them, Carpet in the middle, wearing that oddly serious (yet still cute) expression.

Anyone might have assumed Carpet belonged to Shin, given they shared the same stern look.

Why would he use this as his lock screen? she wondered. What was he thinking...?

But now wasn’t the time for that.

Just as she was about to set the phone down, it began to ring loud in the stillness. She jumped, then glanced at the caller ID:

Butler Hong

Without thinking, she answered.

"Young Master," came Butler Hong’s crisp voice at once. "Will you be back for dinner? If so, what would you like the kitchen to prepare?"

"That—" Yeri interrupted, her voice hoarse. "Uhm... Butler Hong, I’m not sure if you remember me. It’s Yeri."

A beat of silence. Then a warm chuckle.

"Ah, the young lady! Of course I remember. This old man has a very good memory. Since you’ve answered his phone, I imagine I shouldn’t disturb your date—"

"Wait, no, it’s not that!" she said quickly. "Someone’s chasing us. They started shooting, and Young Master Keir is handling it alone right now, and I—he... please, can you help?"

The tone on the other end shifted instantly.

From warmth to cold steel.

"Where are you? Are you hurt?"

She rattled off what little information she had, describing the turnoff from the main highway, the clearing, and the distant crossroad they’d passed earlier.

"I’ll take care of it. Stay inside the car and keep low. Keep the phone nearby. And above all, stay alert." His calm, commanding voice reverberated in the quiet car.

Yeri nodded instinctively and the line went dead.