All of us of the RFA left the party at the same time and Jumin went to see his dad. I went to the penthouse with V and Seven to have some chat about how I would turn right the depressive legacy Rika left behind.
Jumin was the first to be dropped off and I went to the penthouse with everybody else. Yoosung, Zen and Jaehee went to their apartments and me, Seven and V went to the penthouse. The security guards clearee us in, Seven helping V to get to the couch.
- I guess we should start this before it gets any weirder. - I said.
- Yes. - Seven said. - How do you know my name?
- She knows your name? - V asked surprised.
- Yes. I know Sayoung's and Saeran's name. I know about Rika and what she said she would do and what it turned out. - I said. - I plan to correct her mistakes.
- How do you know? - V asked.
- I can't tell. But it is legit and safe. I can't tell you now…. Maybe in a near future, perhaps.
- If you want to do things right, you have to tell us. - Seven accused.
Seven was right, but I also didn't want to lose what I had earned so far. I walked back and forth in silence for a moment. Thinking what I was going to say next… I miss Jumin expertise in words… With his memory, I started to wonder: what would he do? He would state the obvious, he would make it sound simple and practical and he would try to make profit out of it.
- You are right, Sayoung. I have, but not at the moment. The information I have is too delicate for anyone in the RFA to deal with at the moment. I will show everything to all of you when we have everybody together, including your brother. He has to know as well.
State the obvious, done. Make it simple.
- It has been asked for me to take care of the RFA, that is what I intend to do. Each and everyone of you has something to deal with, some deep wound. I intend to treat it. But not like Rika. - I paused. - She had a flaw she didn't know how to deal with. I have it too, but I know how to keep under control. I will do the exact opposite from her.
- What?! - V exclaimed. He was worried for Jumin.
- I won't hurt Jumin or any of you. I promise.
- My brother… he is really coming back?… will you bring him back? - Seven asked with hope in his voice.
- Yes. But he will take longer. We will have to get him into treatment, to undo all what has been done to him.
- Angelique… - Tears formed on his eyes again. - This is the second time you make me cry today.
I stood in front of Seven and held his face against my stomach. His arms wrapped around me and he let his guard down for a while, letting the stream of tears run free. I told him all I knew about his past, what happened to him and to his brother.
- Seven, can I count on you to help me to take care of Yoosung? - I asked.
- Yeah… Sure. He is a good boy. - Seven said. - He did his best helping me.
- Great! - I smiled. - Go get some rest. There is a big mission ahead, Agent 707.
- Yes, Ma'am. - He hugged me. - Thank you…
- Not a problem, sweety… see you tomorrow. Sleep tight.
I started to feel very motherly towards Seven, all of what him and his brother wanted the most was to have a family that supported them, the only one thing that their mother failed to provide them with such greatness that surprised me that one of them could live in society. Once the secret agent left, my attention was all on V.
- Angelique… Thank you for helping the other members of the RFA… - He started.
- I will help you too, V. I won't let Rika take you down with her.
- I must.
- You don't. You think you must because she made you believe that. She is a bad person, V.
- I…. love?… her… - He hesitated.
- You loved the girl that founded the organization, you loved the girl that wanted to help the others. But you know, Jihyun… - He was startled by me using his real name. - You know deep down that that girl is long gone. Or never even existed.
V shut himself for a log moment. He knew I was right. Rika was a threat for society, especially with the power and the influence she had with the Mint Eye. That was his limit, he had to choose to do the right thing or to keep up with that mess and risk a war against me and Jumin over the RFA.
Now it was time to make profit.
- Please, V. If you want to make things right and care for the RFA, the first thing you have to is to get treatment. - I said.
- This is something I have to accept. For Rika.
- No, V. I tell you by my own experience. If another person makes you get hurt, hurt other people or makes you give up on who you are, that person does not deserve you. Rika is a psycho, she is sick. She needs treatment. You going blind because of her is wrong. Love must not be hard, you don't have to prove anything.
- Yes, I see your point… but…
- And telling someone you can only be happy if you die is wrong, you are assisting suicide. That is a crime. Weren't you the one who said I could be more objective than oneself? - I dared him.
- But I tried to…
- You were young, V. You wanted to experiment. But she was like that, way before she met you. Someone who says that need to destroy the people who love her is not normal. If you want to enjoy the warmth of the sun, you should. If you want to look up o the sky, you should. If you want to love someone under the sun, you should. But it can't be Rika. She has hurt you guys too much, specially you.
- I…
- Please, V. For Jumin, that has one of the most important moments of his life coming up soon. I'm sure he would love to have his best friend beside him. And that's the most important thing. For you, V. Because everyone deserves a second chance.
- You think so?
- Of course. And you will have me, Jumin and the entire RFA beside you to help you. - I made a pause. - Besides, I'm risking my own second chance with Jumin.
- Does he know?
- Yes. I told him.
- Okay. I'll get treatment. Thank you Angelique.
- Thank you, V. Sorry for being too harsh on you.
- I guess I needed. Let's tell Jumin. - V smiled.
Jumin arrived right after my discussion with his friend. We told him the good news and Jumin was both happy and surprised for what I had achieved. As fast as he could, he called a doctor who arrived shortly to examine and started to treat V.
Later that night, I was sleeping alone on Jumin's bed when I started having nightmares again. In my dream I heard a maniac laughing all the time, his evil aura scared me, the air chilled me to the bone. On the floor there were blood stains and I followed them. At the end of the trail there was a man crouching over some dead bodies. Adjusting my vision I saw my cats and Elizabeth scattered dead on the floor. My eyes went to the killer and the body he was still stabbing. It was Jumin dead on the floor. His throat was slit and his always impeccable suit was covered in blood.
- Jumin…? - I made the mistake to call.
The killer stopped stabbing Jumin's body and came running to kill me. I woke up screaming and fighting the air. Elizabeth was startled and jumped out of the bed.
- Jumin? - I called and he did not come. -Jumin. - I called again. The panic started to form in me. - Jumin! - I jumped out of bed and started to search the house. - where are you? - I ran around. - Jumin…! - Found him coming out of the wine room with V.
- Angelique, my love! - he hugged me. - you are covered in sweat… what happened? V heard you scream.
- you are here… you are… of course you are… - I said. - It was just a dream…
- you had another nightmare?
- Yes… I'm sorry I made you scared. I...I'm going back to bed….
- what happened in your dream?
- Elizabeth, my cats and you were murdered and I was next… I just need to check on my cats at home. - I said and Jumin placed his jacket on me.
- we will go tomorrow.
- please… just to be sure. It will be quick.
- I'll ask one of the security guards and we'll go first thing in the morning.
- ok… thank you…
Jumin picked his phone and called the chief of security, asking to send two of his men to check on my apartment as soon as he hung up the call. I stayed with Jumin and V and I fell asleep on Jumin's Shoulder. I woke up again to him on the phone, his serious expression concerned me.
- yes. Call the police. I'll tell her the news.
- what happened? - V asked and I asked.
- apparently someone broke into your apartment. - he told me. - this person destroyed some of your belongings and… - he crossed his arms, uncertain to what to do.
- and? - I asked.
- killed your cats. Two of them.
I was in shock. How and who could do such thing? Glam and Sarah were too much under the radar to do something like that. And why kill just two of my cats? I looked at the clock. 5:30. I got up from the couch and quickly went to the room to change. The two of them were right on my feet and Jumin caught me after I had already changed to a dress.
- Angelique. Wait. - Jumin called.
- you have to be at work at seven. I can't make you be late…
- I am the CEO. I run the company. I can get there anytime I want. And I am taking a day off.
I stopped. He was right.
- right… sorry… I forgot.
- don't worry. I know you are worried. Let me and V get ready and we will go together.
- I'm sorry…
- For what?
- this mess. I didn't want to… I don't know…
- you are my future wife, the one I love. I would do anything for you. - he hugged me again.
- thank you…
I kissed him and gave him some space to change. When we all were ready, we went to my place. The police and Jumin's security guards were already there, starting the investigation and making sure the place was safe for us to be. Going upstairs, the number of policemen increased and Jumin had to do a lot of convincing to clear us to see what had happened. Inside my home was a lot of broken stuff, ripped fabrics and destroyed electronics. In the bedroom was what I dreaded the most. Blood was spilled all over my bed, two of my cats were decapitated on top of it. On the wall was written "you will regret it." with the Mint Eye logo underneath.
- Harley… Ivy… - I called the dead cats. - no… - I looked around. - wait… where is omega?... Omega! Where are you sweety?
We all heard scratching sound coming from my wardrobe. First the forensics technician took a picture, followed by a police officer opening up the piece of furniture and my cat jumping out of it.
- Omega! - I called. - My little coward… you are safe!
- you have a black cat? - V asked.
- Yes. He is the complete opposite of Elizabeth. - I explained to V. - Officer, can I take the cat? I don't want to get in the way of the investigation.
- Yes. I will just need your statement before you leave.
- Yes, of course. - Jumin said.
We all gave our testimonies and I signed some paperwork to have registered that I had taken my cat and his carriage box with me from the crime scene. Jumin ordered some new stuff for omega to leave at the penthouse as we went back to his home and also contacted C&R to prepare a press release to be ready to deliver it to the media if necessary.
V jumped before to go talk to Seven before himself went to get some sleep before his appointment to the doctor. Jumin and I went up to start adjusting Omega to his new house. I walked around with the cat, letting him sniff the place. I introduced him to Elizabeth, getting some bad reactions from her before she saw Jumin petting Omega as he held her. V returned in the middle of the afternoon and went straight to bed. By nightfall, the pets were not exactly what you call friends, but they let us have some time to chat. We were sitting in the living room watching the cats play. I was curled up on him, watching his tie pin shine in the light.
- Your nightmares seems frequent… - Jumin pointed, breaking the silence.
- What? - I asked.
- This is the second time I saw you have such intense nightmare. Are them that frequent? - Jumin asked.
- Sort of. Usually is something stupid that scares me for a few minutes, but I roll back to sleep in a second. - I explained.
- Is there something that triggers those dreams?
- I don't know. I… have a theory.
- Care to share, my angel? - He asked with a peck on my lips.
- I would like to test some more before I say anything. I don't want to sound stupid or anything.
- You won't sound stupid. - Jumin kissed me again.
- I'll test it out first… - I said being laid down on the sofa, him slowly going down with his kisses. - Jumin… - I moaned. - We… should…
Jumin kept on his painful slow trail of kisses, going down one slow well planted kiss at a time. The expectation was killing me, my core burned in need of him. My hands, that were supposed to try to push him away, just held him closer to my body. He played with my collarbones, taking soft breathy moans from me. Jumin started to move down again, almost reaching between my breasts when my phone rang over my head on the couch. I rolled over and dragged myself up, trying to escape his delicious mistake by answering the phone.
- HOW DARE YOU NOT TELL ME THAT YOU WOULD GET ENGAGED TO JUMIN HAN?! - Olivia shouted at the top of her lungs.
- Hey, Olivia… - I said, feeling Jumin opening my dress.
- YOU! DON'T "HEY" ME. YOU, EXPLAIN. THE JUMIN HAN? OUR BOSS JUMIN HAN?
- He is right beside me, you don't need to scream. - The zipper got lower.
- AND YOU MET V, THE PHOTOGRAPHER?! YOU BETTER HAVE GOTTEN HIS AUTOGRAPH FOR ME!
- Olivia… - I called her again and Jumin stopped.
- Why don't you invite her over for dinner tonight? She can meet V while we eat. - Jumin suggested.
- Dinner? Yeah, sounds nice…. SINCE I GOT TO GREET MY FRIEND NOW SHE IS ENGAGED.
- I will call the chef… - Jumin came closer to say it and give me a kiss, pressing his body against mine to make me feel his erection and close my dress. - I'll ask Driver Kim to pick her up. I don't want to risk your friend to face the media.
- Thanks, Jumin… - I said trying to resist him.
- Jumin? That's cold. Give him a pet name already. - Olivia complained.
- Go get ready. - I laughed. - The chef will be here in ten seconds. - I said hearing Jumin making his calls to the chef and Driver Kim.
- Fine, Fine. I'll let you go make out with him. I'll be there in an hour.
- See you… - I hung up the call.
I hung up the call and Jumin had vanished from the living room. I breathed relieved, if he had insisted a little bit more on getting me excited, I would have given in to him, failing on our objective of waiting for the mariage. Turning around again, I held my phone over my chest. I had to calm down before my friend arrived. The smell of food started to fill the air, the maid set the table for four and when I got up to fix my hair, Jumin appeared back. Jumin smiled and came hug me. He looked more relaxed even on his neatly done black suit. He took me to master bathroom to help me with my hair.
- Jumin… is it too soon for me to start talking about the wedding? - I asked.
- Absolutely not. What is on your mind, my angel?
- I was thinking on asking V to photograph it. What do you think? Not the ceremony, because I believe you want him to be your best man, but for the photo album.
- That is an excellent idea. - Jumin said.
Before we could get out of the suite, a security guard came to the room to ask if Olivia could get in. Jumin cleared her entrance and waited for the security guard to leave before tuning to me again.
- If I may, as we are already in this topic… do you have any favorite date to the wedding? - Jumin asked.
- I feel like… in september would be nice. Any day of september. And, unless you are really adamant about it, I would not like to get married in church.
- Why not?
- I'm not christian.
- Neither am I, but if we want to avoid more gossip in the future, I think we should do it in a church.
- I will think about it. But that is one little piece of gossip I don't mind confirming it.
- If you are sure about it, we can do it wherever you want.
- How about the winery you last visited? - I asked getting a surprised look from him.
- The winery?
- Yes. I may not drink wine, but it still a beautiful place.
- What about the cherry farm? We can get married when Mankai happens… - Jumin said and this time it was I who was surprised. - We will still have three months to date.
- I still have to meet your father, Jumin.
- we can go visit him tomorrow.
- Do you think it is a good idea? - I asked.
- Yes. I have arranged it with him. He will be a lot more reasonable.
- Ok. I'll trust you on that. We need to go see Olivia now.
We went to meet Olivia who was already chatting with V. I hugged my friend before she started to scold me about not telling her about the engagement. After quite some time trying to explain to her, I finally convinced that I had hopes, but was still afraid that I was misinterpreting things. Olivia also made me put on some heels when she saw me walking barefoot, claiming that I was not allowed to host a dinner barefoot.
- A Queen does not walk barefoot. Not even at home. - She said as we went to the table.
- This queen will. There will be no more ballet pumps, low sandals… sneakers and flip flops will be a rarity. I will walk barefoot at home.
The two men just watched our friendly argument until me and Olivia reached a common ground. After that, Jumin asked V to be our photographer to our wedding photo album and he accepted after Jumin made some convincing of his own. Also, we invited both of them to be our maid of honor and best man, which they accepted with smile on their faces. Olivia and V really tagged along, me and Jumin exchanging some secretive looks acknowledging the fact.
- You should go rub that ring on our boss' face. - Olivia said.
- What? Why? - I asked.
- First, just to put her back on her place. She is still pleased on firing you. Second, guess who she made replace you… - Olivia said.
- I don't know… poor Philip?
- As if…. It is Ann.
I choked with my food. Ann was the person who backstabbed me the most. She was always sucking up to the boss and convincing her on firing me. Olivia handed me a glass of water and Jumin came to check on me.
- You've got to be kidding me… - I said with teary eyes from choking.
- I wish. She made the announcement today.
- Jumin…? - I asked.
- I'm waiting for the new proposal they said they would send me. - Jumin said.
- Why haven't you told me?
- You said you didn't want to go back. - Jumin said. - Why are you so angry, my love?
- because… !... This Ann! She will destroy my project. - I slapped Olivia's arm and turned to her. - You have to help me find something to wear tomorrow.
- Sure do! That will be too fun to watch…
- Angelique? - Jumin called.
- Please, let me go. I want to do something, we can have a lunch date together and then I'll come back… how about it? - I said, making Jumin smile.