So…. Long-time no see. Life and university got in the way, if you haven't known me for long, its usual for me to binge write then disappear off the face of the earth and then the cycle repeats itself. I hope you guys have had a peaceful respite during my absence and maybe I'll be more consistent with my writing? Can't make any promises, you know how I am .
I hope you enjoy reading this chapter.
 With this chapter remember what happened in the other chapters and read between the lines people ;)

Recap: Ace and Sabo have left for jobs promising to return to the MC, but leaving the MC on her own. However there has been a crime wave, everything is turning darker, unsafe, but MC doesn't want her parents to worry, so MC goes out to find a job and reconnects with Eustass Kid.

It had been about a month since I started my job with Eustass Kid and things were "normal", if that was possible? Weirder things have happened I know, but this was amongst was pretty high on the list. It wasn't as if I hadn't ignored the past troubles of my other friendships before, it was just awkward because it was Eustass Kid. At least with Nami, I had the gang to diffuse the awkwardness between us and thus it was easier to return to our natural state. However with Eustass Kid, we hadn't even tried to get over the hump of uneasiness between us, since the last time Eustass Kid had talked to me, he hated me and banished me, and now he was acting as if that hadn't happened.

Almost.

Eustass Kid was acting friendly. It was as if I hadn't known his angry teenager side, where he would scream and growl at his co-workers who surprisingly took his commands rather well. Yet with me he didn't even raise his voice at me, it was unsettling to say the least. I mean it wasn't disappointing that he wasn't so loud and demanding, but it was strange that he was soft spoken with me, as if he was timid. Imagine that. Eustass Kid, timid? It wasn't as if it impossible but it just wasn't normal. However I couldn't complain, I was getting paid for basically running simple errands and my usually grouchy boss was nice. I still kept in constant contact with Ace and Sabo which is what I really looked forward to at the end of the day. I enjoyed having a relaxing shower, after studying and working, then having an adorable long conversation with Ace and Sabo was perfect. Everything was moving along seamlessly, no hitches, and before I know it I would be in university and able to visit Ace and Sabo freely. Even live with them next year. However the latter seemed a bit too farfetched for the future, but it could be a goal.

Do I want to live with the brothers next year? Where would Luffy live? Those three have always been together, I know Luffy had always wanted to be independent from his brothers, and independent from Dadan to find his own adventures, but it wasn't crazy to assume he would want to live with his brothers for a bit? Then where would I fit in? I didn't want to tag along and drag everyone down, I want to be independent too. I prefer to be independent, I could definitely look after myself; I mean I could live with Robin if she wanted to move out, maybe even Nami too. I could go to university classes, hang out with more friends, maybe go clubbing, and the best thing would be, I could visit Ace and Sabo whenever and vice versa. Therefore I wouldn't be so clingy, and attached to them, we could both be independent people, and then hopefully we could move in together as us three, and perhaps even Luffy if he wanted to.

However this was all just a fairy tale right now.

Right now I had enough on my plate, with school, helping my parents, working with Eustass then keeping a long distance relationship with Ace and Sabo and then on top of that, keeping the fact that I was working with Eustass Kid, and the crime wave happening away from our conversation was hard, especially since I wasn't much of a liar. There were gang wars that were having a territory battle and the businesses were the victims. Every night there would be at least one raid, one break in, we yet have been selected but it was only a matter of time before our little business would be targeted. However we have been thankful that we have not yet be chosen as many other business we know have been targeted many times, and yet we were lucky, we tried to be as helpful as possible, lending them supplies, food, money, shelter, anything to help. We tried to call the police multiple times but they didn't and couldn't do anything. Multiple times they couldn't really pinpoint which gangs were involved and right now there were too many gang disputes and wars occurring all over the country that the police were spread too thinly and that we were not the only ones being heavily affected. They couldn't even advise us how to protect ourselves, so in turn business owners were starting to pay loyalties to the most powerful gang in order to have protection and it worked. It was terrible but it seemed like the most logical option. However the power hierarchy of the gangs kept switching so even with this payment for protection from the gangs could not fully protect people. My parents were stubborn, they didn't want to submit to gang politics and had been steadily bolstering our protection for our business, but there was a deep sinking feeling within me that felt that it would be inevitable that we would be attacked.

This deep worry had affected me more than I would have like to admit but it was becoming more obvious that something was on my mind. I understood that these things were out of my control but I couldn't help it, but I just wanted some form of justice, some protection, but right now everything was turning into a dead end.
"Rookie! Oi Rookie watch out!" I jolted seeing that a couple of tools were falling off the table because of my clumsy placement of them, I only managed to catch one before the rest clattered to the floor.

"That's the third time now. What the fuck is happening?!" Eustass cursed at me, it didn't make me angry it actually felt familiar to me. Reminding me when he checked up on me after the P.E. Lesson where I was made to strip and I tripped over and hurt myself. It felt nice and normal when he cursed at me, I ended up laughing. He looked at me as if I was crazy and confused for one second but I guess he felt something similar too and also laughed and just like that, that awkwardness began to break down a little. I was beginning to be a lot more comfortable at work, the other workers were all genuinely nice despite looking less than usual. They were pretty fun once I was coaxed out of my shell, I was starting to really fit in. Yet I still had this ticklish sensation to not tell Ace and Sabo that I had a job, I know they didn't like Eustass Kid very much, I mean it wasn't difficult to understand why, but there was still this unknown instinctual feeling to not tell them. I mean it wasn't as if I was lying to them, I was simply not telling them, I was allowed to have a few secrets, and it wasn't as if I was cheating or anything bad, this was only a job. Right?

Regardless I was still moving forward with my life, and the university exams are coming round the corner and I need to be prepared. Gradually I was becoming more and more detached from everything and focusing on my exam preparation. I had such a bad tunnel vision that I forgot to turn up to work one time. Boy was Eustass Kid pissed, and rightly so. I may have contracted tinnitus from all his yelling, yet I was emotionless from all the studying and sleepless nights I was experiencing and that may have caught Eustass Kid off guard.

"Are you asleep? What the fuck is wrong with you?" He slightly shook me, I know would have reacted as I don't like much personal contact but I was too tired and listless to really care. I mean I deserved it as well so it wasn't as Eustass Kid's angry talk was not undeserved.

"Come on. Go take a nap and come back here and I want you to be at full attention." He directed to me to the communal couch in the break room, he could feel my hesitancy since everyone would be able to see me take a nap and it would be weird, but Eustass Kid just pushed me into that general direction and I followed suit, laying my limp body and just letting my tiredness wash over me. When I woke up, I was wrapped up in some warm fluffy blanket, it was gorgeous. Instead of waking up I just snuggled closer to the back of the couch not wanting to wake up. However I got a deep poke in the back, making me squirm and groan quietly.

"Do you think we should wake her up? Kid was pretty adamant that she should wake up."

"Yeah but you know how he is, he wouldn't dare bother her, he even gave her his fur cape coat thing. You know he barely lets us even touch the damned thing."

"We don't really need her today, or this week, not much for her to do. I don't know why he keeps making her come back, but Captain makes it pretty obvious doesn't he. "

"Do you think she knows?"

"Nah she's just a high schooler, she said she just needed some money, before getting into university. She knew Captain at school so she wouldn't really know. From the way they act she's pretty used to him which is weird, especially since girls are scared of him."

"Maybe that's why, cause she ain't scared. She's not scared much is she?"

"No I don't think so, but she might be, it might hurt her more if she's not watching out." I felt someone smooth my hair over gently.

"Hey don't say that too loud, Kid might hear you."

"Kid is Kid, but she's not like him, she needs to know."

"What are you idiots talking about?" My back stiffened instinctively, hearing the gruff voice of our boss, I tried to relax it as much as possible feigning sleep. I could hear the shuffle of feet, moving away from me, and a woosh of fabric and the sound material crinkling.

"Come you guys have got jobs to do and on a time limit. Get going before I throw wrenches at you guys!" Scattering of hurried feet filled the room and left just as quickly with some mumbling and then utter silence. I let out a couple of steady breaths, no movement was coming from behind me, making me a little uneasy but I still tried hard to keep the façade. I almost fell back to sleep, but I felt my hair being untucked from under and being played out. It felt like someone was running their fingers through, making sure my incredibly long hair was completely on display. Knowing it was my grumpy angry red head boss doing such a gentle gesture freaked me out even more.

"Stupid girl" making me pout a little in anger. "Over working yourself again. You need to look after yourself better." I smirked a little at the tough love he was giving me, and his gentle actions, as I drifted off again. Later on I woke up to a note, saying that I didn't need to worry about waking up after my nap, but I would have my pay docked. I laughed at the coarse nature of my boss, wiping away the crusts from my eyes and started to pack away my stuff. I checked my phone, gosh it was late. Luckily my parents mainly stayed over at the apartment on top of the business, and they had full trust in me that I would look after myself. Which may be difficult to prove at the moment.

It was dark out now, not that I had never walked in the dark before, I usually travelled back when there was usually other people coming back from work or tutoring class, but the time I woke up was now 10:02pm. I also lived a bit far from the train station, although I lived in a residential area and it was supposed to be safe but lately I've had the strangest feeling that there is someone always around the corner. Not a bad presence, but I had to be wary. I packed away my things, devising a plan to protect myself if anything should happen.

"Do you want a lift back?"

"Jesus fucking Christ, you scared the shit out of me!" he scoffed, seemed a little happy. Raising his eyebrow, non-vocally repeating his question to me.

"Yes I would like a lift back please. Thank you." I smiled gratefully, as I followed behind him. He whistled cheerfully, as we got into his car. It was nice, surprisingly, no forceful awkward small talk, just a simple ride home. Once we arrived outside my house, the engine died quickly, as I tried to quickly formulate a goodbye that wasn't awkward. I quickly turned to him, deciding to be short and sweet.

"Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it, I promise I'll be better at work. Boss." I nodded my head respectively, as I pushed the car door halfway open, before I felt my right hand being tugged and held by a much bigger warmer hand.

"Don't be a stranger, hun." He barely brushed my knuckles with his lips, shooting me a devious look, which was not unwelcomed. Making me skittish, as I ran out, not even looking back at him. My heart seemed to be experiencing palpitations. I almost forgot about someone maybe watching me.

Over the next few weeks, I forged an unknown source of concentration to make sure that I was purely focused on everything that was a priority. I made sure that any other funny feelings about Eustass Kid was held at bay, because despite how nice it felt, I was still in a relationship with Ace and Sabo and that was all I wanted. I was not going to jeopardise something I really cherished over a minimal feeling with Eustass Kid. I was focused on the task ahead of me, not making anything complicated, just making sure I did what I was supposed to do, no funny business.

Easier said than done. As I have learned.

"Rookie!" I whipped my head around as the other workers walked off, dispersing.

"Yes boss!" I answered respectfully, hoping I wasn't in any trouble.

"Come on I'm giving you a ride home." Which caught me off by major surprise.

"Uh. Well, you know. You really don't have to do that Boss." I shyly and clumsily responded, while blushing.

"Come on, I'm not taking no for an answer." I followed Eustass Kid without another word, wondering what could possibly be the problem. I hoisted myself up into his car, holding tightly onto my stuff, as if using it as a shield. I held my breath tightly, making sure no audible sound came out. Before I knew it we were parked outside my house.

"Is it true that you are in contact with Ace and Sabo from my year?" Eustass asked me suddenly.

"Why? Whose asking, who wants to know?" I responded defensively.

"Judging from your reaction, you are. And it's more than just contact probably." He added seriously.

"And what? It's not anyone's business but mine. I never pegged you as the type to care about their employees relationships." I retort.

"I care when one of my employees' is deeply involved with a rival gang of ours. Especially when I start to really care for one of my employees' and then find out she's with other scum." He remarks cooly, making sure I understand what he was saying was one hundred percent genuine.

"Don't call them scum, and Ace and Sabo are not a part of a gang!"

"You're honestly one of the stupidest girls I have ever met!"

"Then don't talk to me then, just fire me and never see me again and you can leave me alone. I don't know why you even wanted to hire me in the first place! You think you're fooling everyone but everyone knows that I'm just here for nothing, you're keeping me here for some sick freak reason! First you act like you like me, like you care, then you curse at me and tell me to never talk to you ever again and now you're trying to be my friend again. You're just so confusing, and now you're screaming at me and calling me stupid. God you are the worst boss ever." I tried to leave, but I got jerked back.

"Fine, I'm sorry, it's honestly not your fault about what has happened, and you're right I shouldn't be shouting at you. I'm sorry." He apologised quickly which caught me off guard. "I just. I just want you to be protected, because I'm beginning to care about you a lot more, and then Heat mentioned that you might be in a relationship with the two bastards."

"It's not might, it is a relationship with Ace and Sabo, thank you very much. Not that is your business." I curtly correct him, trying to simmer my anger down

"Well I'm not sorry to burst your bubble hun, but your two little boyfriends are notorious division leaders for the biggest gang that happens to rival me. We've been having too many fights, and I am not having one of my employee's fraternize with our enemy."

"One, they are not in a gang, they're just away for work, they send money home and stuff. They're just doing manual labour, they wouldn't do that to Dadan. And two why do you care, why not just fire me it's easier than having his discussion." I didn't want to look at him, this was so too unbelievable. What on earth is Eustass talking about, Ace and Sabo could not join a gang, it's just too implausible.

"Is that what they told you? What work do you think they're doing? Don't you think it's funny that they call you but they can't come back to see you on the weekends? What kind of work doesn't allow boyfriends to have free time to see their girlfriend? You think they're just construction workers? If you guys are so close, how come you never go to visit them, have they ever told you to come and visit them, if they missed you so badly wouldn't they beg you to come visit them? And I care because like I said, I don't want my employee to be socialising with the enemy, especially when the said employee is becoming a person of interest to me." Giving me a knowing look, making sure I understood I was the person of interest. I swallowed a lump of dry air, facing away from him.

"Well too bad, I don't want to be your person of interest and like I said, the relationships I maintain is my business. I will not have my boss try and mess with my personal life." I take my wrist off his tight grip, trying to end this conversation.

"I quit!" I tried to leave, but the damned bastard locked the doors so it was impossible.

"Regardless of you quitting, you're still my person of interest. Ever since you sang with me. And I don't want you hurt, I want you to be safely by my side."

"I don't care what you want, this is not your life. I do what I want, when I want, whoever I want. And frankly what you're proposing may sound romantic but its controlling and only an idiot would want that."

"So your boyfriends have never wanted to keep you at their sides? Tell me didn't you find it odd that no one would talk to you when you were with them at school? The two most popular guys at our school and no one would even approach you. Not even the girls, to even threaten you. Did you not notice that you had no one else but them, no would even talk, even look at you in the eye?" Making me search my memory, trying to prove him wrong.

"Well, I didn't notice, and not that I wanted to. The girls were horrible, and you can chat all the shit you want, but you were the one who wanted me gone just like the rest of them. Ace and Sabo were doing me a favour because you're becoming a real back-stabbing bitch." I spat at him. I could see his anger rise, but surprisingly he didn't do anything.

"Are you really telling me that a girl as smart as you, didn't recognise anything funny at all with Ace and Sabo ever?"

"Well it wouldn't make a difference, because Ace, Sabo and I are in a loving relationship. The past is the past, and I care about my future with them. Which is again, none of your business." Trying to get him to understand that none of the information that he would tell me would sway me in any way.

"Fine, if you're so god damn stubborn. I never thought I would have to tell you this, but your two boyfriends are the reason why I went missing during our time at school, and why I didn't want to talk to you." He huffed out uneasily, making me stop in my tracks.

"What?!"

"Your two boyfriends are terrifying, they terrorised and bullied the entire school once you guys got together. They wanted to make sure that no one would be with any form of contact with you, especially guys. Rookie you don't understand how many guys wanted you after you made your little singing debut, but they got threatened me included. In fact I got a little too brazen and one night they decided to teach me a lesson. I got put into hospital, and then when I got released back, I was mad at letting someone else beat my ass, and I knew it was them and I just wanted to release my anger out and that unfortunately meant you. I know I couldn't possibly prove it was them, but you know you have that undeniable feeling that you cannot ignore. I know now that I shouldn't have and that was a bad mistake and that I was playing right into their hands. Now I found my mistake, I'm trying my damn hardest to recertify it, it is not too late to save you." Not tugging on my wrist now, but he held my hand gently, which had a more profound effect. I stopped resisting, Eustass wasn't making complete nonsense.

"Well who said I wanted to be saved, they're perfectly fine with me." This was all too much of a mindfuck right now, and this space was becoming far too small. For some unknown reason I managed to get out and making it to my front door, but not before I was stopped by Eustass. It wasn't too forced, but it had enough to make me stop.

"What could you possibly want now?" I splutter not wanting to do anything more. He didn't say much, other than snake his big thick burly arm around my back, making my back tingle and my face shot up in surprise.

"Just this." Eustass softly whispered, his eyelids lowered, just lowered his face down to mine, softly pressing his lips to mine. It was delicate and sweet, and for some reason my heart felt just a little bit lighter, and he somehow stole my breath too. Our foreheads touched, sending jolts of electricity through my veins, and we stayed like that for a while.

A long while. Despite the tempest I was facing in my own life, this moment was very peaceful.

What entailed afterwards was the very opposite of peaceful.

The watchful presence was still around and was even more intense. On top of that were my university entrance exams which I couldn't afford to lose even a decimal of concentration. It was becoming even more taxing on me, but luckily Eustass Kid left me a text message saying I didn't need to come in to work for now, saying that he understood that I had exams and I could take break and he would call me back when he needed me, which was perfect.

Lately I had been going to the library and cram classes, like a robot; wake up, school, study, eat, cram school or library then go back and sleep. I could still feel that presence following me, it was drawing nearer and nearer, I tried to call Ace and Sabo about it, but they reassured me that I was imagining things, but since I was so adamant of it they said they would come down soon and check on me and make sure I was safe.

So I carried on with my routine, trying to keep my worry at bay, also trying to forget that my Boss, Eustass Kid and I had a kiss, and I had technically cheated on my two boyfriends. Any day now, I would win the lottery, with all this amazing luck.

Cram school was becoming extremely exhausting, so stopping at the nearest kombini was becoming a regular addition to my routine. It was all becoming a massive blur, and I had once again become a shell of a human being again, and my body was beginning to shut down. Which was terrible timing, since cram school and exams were extremely unforgiving, but my body was not as strong as I thought it might have been.

"Let her sleep, she's only just been brought back to consciousness. She needs to have plenty of rest and only close family are allowed to visit her."

"Ahem."

"And these two of course" I scrunched my nose and sighed a little too loudly which caught these strangers attention, so naturally I would open my eyes. To witness a harsh direct bright light above me, which made my head spin a little.

"I see you are awake, you gave us quite a scare there my dear. Luckily these two young men were here to save you." I tilted my head a little up to see two very familiar faces.

"Ace, Sabo!" I cried hoarsely, which made me cough incessantly.

"I would refrain from excessive movement and everything. Take it easy, we're running some tests on you, so we're just waiting for the results."

"Where are my parents? Where are my siblings?" Feeling a déjà vu, I was asking where my family was, when I was Ace and Sabo, yet it hurt my brain when I tried to retrieve these memories.

"Princess, it's okay. They're coming soon, don't worry. We're here for you, you scared us. We came as soon as we heard. We also talked to your parents and…" Sabo had trailed off, not looking me in the eye.

"What?" I stared at them curiously, my head was still feeling like it was popped and banged around. They sat up on my bed, holding my hands.

"Don't worry, we're just so happy that you're safe Princess." They kissed me on the forehead, holding me gently. I felt so relaxed that I didn't feel the need to worry.

"Mhmm I'm tired. What happened?" I asked, perhaps a little slurred.

"Don't worry Princess, it is all going to be taken care off. Just take a little nap and we'll be here when you wake up" They tucked me into my bed, kissing me gently, making me content and drift off to dream land.

Once I resurfaced back to consciousness, my parents were there, eagerly waiting.

"Mum, dad." I opened my mouth in a sloppy manner, they rushed to my side. Even though I was half awake, I could tell something was wrong.

"Mum, dad what's wrong?" My mum broke down in tears, as my dad held her, I reacted, trying to get up to comfort her but I was hooked so I was restrained.

"Mum! Dad, what is going on?" I asked a little shrill.

"Our shop has finally been targeted, but it's so damaged that we don't even know if we have enough to rebuild it back… and pay for your university fees and everything else. We might not afford for you to go, or we lose our business." My dad admitted as my mum sobbed into her hands, whilst this all washed over me.

What on earth was happening?

So this is the penultimate chapter.

I know this was a bit of a long and boring chapter with not so much Ace x Sabo x Reader/MC action but this is important.

Tell me what you guys are hypothesising, about this ;)

All will be revealed in the final chapter, and then maybe a bonus chapter ;)

Maybe I'll get it done before the end of 2017 guys.

Please do tell me what you guys think about this, and what you think might happen.

Thank you so much for reading

Love

Chang x