Ji-han and Jasmine reached the end of the street, still fleeing from the shadow.
Ahead of them, a bullet train platform stretched across the icy storm.
They trudged through the snow, holding hands, supporting each other.
Just then—
A bullet train roared in, stopping right in front of them.
The lights blazed, and hot gusts of air mixed with the deafening sound of the train hit their faces.
Reflexively, Ji-han pulled Jasmine back.
"Quick, duck!"
The train passed, smoke and wind merging with the night.
Jasmine's eyes widened—
In the shadow of the train, she saw that figure again:
A shadow. Golden hair, blue eyes, a thick cigarette glowing in the mist—
that mysterious presence.
Jasmine screamed,
Ji-han screamed alongside her.
"No!" they yelled in unison.
For a moment—
Jasmine felt a sharp pain in her leg.
The snow, the impact of the shadow, or an old curse—she couldn't tell.
Her knees shook, making standing nearly impossible.
Ji-han quickly came to her side.
"Jasmine! Are you okay?"
Jasmine groaned, her voice strained.
"No… my leg… it hurts… I can't walk…"
Both realized—
Tonight wasn't just a night for running.
It was only the beginning.
In the streetlight, the shadow's mist still swirled.
The mysterious mafia figure was watching them closely.
Jasmine leaned on Ji-han, trying to manage the pain in her leg.
"Ji-han… we have to stick together.
Eyes open. Stay alert.
They won't let us go easily."
Her leg throbbed, the icy wind biting their faces.
After the train passed, they stood on the empty street.
Jasmine looked at Ji-han slowly, her gaze mixed with suspicion and fear.
Her voice dropped, but was clear—
"Ji-han… why are you really here?
Is this some Russian operation… or are you… really a spy?"
Ji-han froze for a moment.
A flicker of pain, mystery, and hidden truth crossed his eyes.
Slowly, he said,
"Jasmine… I… I came to protect you.
Yes… there's some government work involved,
but my main purpose… is your safety."
Jasmine trembled as she asked—
"You mean… you came to save me?
But why… I don't understand… everything is so dark, so dangerous…"
Ji-han tilted his head.
"I know you won't believe me…
but tonight, this moment…
I'm here for you.
And I want to stay by your side, always."
Jasmine saw a strange light flicker in his eyes—
amid anger, fear, and disbelief, a tiny sense of relief.
They looked at each other again,
Snow falling on the dark street,
And the shadow still watching them from afar.
Jasmine stood on the icy ground, her knees throbbing with pain.
Ji-han's face showed unease, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't.
Suddenly, she stopped.
Her eyes sharpened—
The city lights glinting off her hair gave her a cold, resolute aura.
She spoke in a low voice—
"But… we have to stay alert.
Ji-han, I don't understand…
I know the truth about you.
You're not here on a normal job…
You're watching some mafia circle, aren't you?"
Ji-han went silent for a moment.
The air seemed to pause for a second.
His eyes revealed the truth he had been hiding.
He spoke slowly—
"…Yes, you're right.
I'm watching.
A dangerous circle…
that has already come dangerously close to you."
Jasmine's chest tightened.
"Who? Which circle?"
Ji-han glanced nervously around—
In the shadows of the nearby building, someone moved.
"The 'Red Phantom Syndicate'.
The most ruthless mafia group in Russia.
And their leader…"
He paused, taking a deep breath.
"…that person you saw a few minutes ago.
Golden hair, blue eyes…
the shadow who's been watching you."
Jasmine's throat went dry.
"So… I'm the target?"
Ji-han moved closer, his voice low—
"Worse than that.
You know something…
something he doesn't want anyone to know."
Snow fell, night deepened—
And from afar, the shadow moved again, still watching Ji-han and Jasmine.
The ice and mist mingled on the street, curling around them.
Suddenly—
Jasmine's phone rang.
The number was unknown, but a familiar code flashed across the screen.
She picked it up, voice trembling—
"Hello?"
A calm, authoritative voice answered—
"Jasmine, this is your agent.
Come here immediately. Bring Ji-han.
It's a safe location. Don't delay."
Jasmine closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
"Alright… we're coming."
Ji-han stepped closer.
"Now, Jasmine?" he asked, concern flashing in his eyes.
She nodded.
"Yes, this is our only safe path.
They're looking for us, and the shadow by the train is watching closely."
Together, they slowly moved down a dark alley to evade the shadow's gaze.
Jasmine held Ji-han's hand tightly,
Ji-han scanned every direction—danger could appear at any moment.
At the alley's end, they reached a small, dark lane.
The agent's voice came again, softly—
"You'll be safe soon. Keep moving."
Jasmine and Ji-han looked at each other.
"Alright… together, we'll make it."
Daylight spilled over Moscow's skyscrapers,
filtering into the studio where flashes popped relentlessly.
Music pulsed, and crew members hustled around, adjusting lights and angles.
In front of the camera stood Jasmine Olga Rovona.
Today's shoot: a luxury car advertisement.
A white sports car gleamed under the studio lights, its body pristine,
while Jasmine's soft yet powerful posture completed the perfect composition.
She opened the car door slowly,
her hand lightly gripping the frame as she rose gracefully.
Her eyes met the lens; a subtle, confident smile touched her lips.
Click. Click. Click.
The camera captured her every movement—
beauty and strength intertwined,
and at the center, her mysterious aura held the entire frame together.
Crew members whispered, praising her performance:
"Perfect pose, Olga!"
"Keep that gaze, Jasmine!"
Jasmine gave a slight nod, a tiny glimmer of tears hidden in her eyes,
yet her expression remained completely professional.
The camera alternated between her hand resting on the steering wheel
and the sharp determination blazing in her gaze.
In that moment, she was no longer just a model—
she embodied a mysterious, powerful character in a story of her own.
As the shoot concluded, Jasmine slowly stepped out of the car,
taking a light breath and surveying the crew.
Today's shoot was more than glamour—
it was her identity, her strength,
and preparation for the shadow that always lurked behind her.
Inside the studio, the pace intensified.
Flashes popped. Crew members shouted instructions. Music thumped.
Everything merged into a strange, hypnotic rhythm—a rhythm only Jasmine seemed to truly feel.