Night-Owl Romance
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Chapter 15: Stalker and Hurt
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The party coordinator hopped out of the car a tiny bit too eagerly, Jisoo extending a helping hand to stabilize her balance. This troublesome trip was finally over!
"Oh~! And don't forget-", an orange puff popped out of the lowered window. "-the boss lady expects a call soon, else our asses are on the line~! Scary, oh no~~~!", Jiyeon jokingly warned while wiggling his own smartphone, but there was a gravity in his words that Mina was unable to ignore. Even more so with the ominous glint in Jisoo's eyes whose smirk hadn't faltered. On the contrary. The raven's body tensed while squeezing her hand in his iron grip, not letting go until the message was clearly received.
'It was extremely uncomfortable... And scary!' \(º □ º l|l)/
Nonetheless, Mina understood the severity of the issue without them needing to voice out any more concerns, feverously nodding.
"I won't forget, I won't forget!"\(º □ º l|l)/
Despite their laidback attitudes in front of the girl, the members of the Dandelion Brigade were professionals working under very strict management. Their company followed a simple, yet harsh policy – one mistake and you were out, no exceptions to the rule. Indeed, Jisoo treated the mission like it was some kind of holiday retreat, taking far more liberties than it was professionally allowed to while at work. "Shhh, keep it a secret~!" – when Jisoo mentioned the business card.This, however, did not negate the fact that the mission to escort Miss Choi was one of the highest priorities assigned to them, Assistant Kang having personally gone to the extent of cancelling their previous engagement.
It was unlike the woman to interfere so desperately in matters of security.
Hence, the reason why Jisoo would internally panic whenever Mina slipped from under their care.
'Such a troublesome girl...'
"Good enough for me~!", Jiyeon replied, fully satisfied, and then jumped in his car seat, continuing to play the game on the phone. 'Let's hope so.', Jisoo thought, passing the girl's belongings from the passenger's seat. Mina bowed in appreciation for all the help she had received.
"Please tell this to everyone else from your team!" To which the leader agreed, amused by her words.
"Also...", the coordinator added. "Mina Choi must remain secret for a little longer."
"Y-Your boss knows me only as MC so, p-please, keep it that way!", Jisoo cocked an eyebrow, puzzled by the sudden seriousness in Mina's voice.
"As you wish, although... it's quite meaningless to mention this now since your profile has already been uploaded into the servers-."
"Shhhhh~~~The less I know, the better!", Mina closed her eyes, waving her hands in dismissal and refusing to listen to anymore, walking away without returning another glance. It was childish from her part, it really was, however... for god's sake, it was bad enough knowing Seven had secret footage of the girl and who knew what other information locked in his computer, but a gigantic company like C&R to store her data too... it was unbearable for her mental health.
Only a few steps later did she realize the raven was tagging along.
"Just to be sure you won't get abducted halfway.", he replied too nonchalantly, but Mina disagreed with him wholeheartedly, urging Jisoo to leave. The path towards the apartment was a well-kept secret, much of the R.F.A. members kept in the dark about it. To have outsiders know of it was not allowed for sure!
What's more...
"I wasn't even worried about being abducted up until a few seconds ago! Why did you ruin my peace of mind?!", she wanted to cry, the corners of her mouth twisted into a painful smile.
"I signed a contract so my life will end if I divulge any details."
"S-Still-", she did not trust the existence of such a ludicrous contract. "-you've done plenty for today. It's ok~! You can go home now!"
"I'm serious."
"So am I!", Mina fought.
"Tch... as you wish.", Jisoo had a feelingconstantly nagging at the back of his head, briefly searching the area before resting his eyes on her figure. Miss Choi's drop was here – the mission was over the moment she had safely stepped out of the car, yet there was an unsettling air floating around him.
The raven eventually agreed to part ways, never to see each other again.
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Or so she'd assumed.
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Exhaustion was an overused word by now but Mina sensed its essence seeping faster into trembling bones as she hurried towards the building complex, carrying the tall, wrapped A2-papers using both arms. The chilling wind was constantly grazing her face and it provided for an uncomfortable sensation, shielding her glossy eyes by staring at her boots and keeping her eyes semi-closed. She did not have to experience such sensations with the guards' warmth around her.
Her hand was still warm from Jisoo's touch... Dare she admit her wish for the raven to return just so the cold didn't seem that terrible.
"Ngh!", she sniffed loudly, gulping down while breathing through her mouth. Mina dreaded this freezing weather so much, this dreadfully weakened body of hers being affected deeply. Thankfully, the entrance to the building was nearby-
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*SCREEEEEEEECH*
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"AH!", the girl's heart jumped at the noise, voice catching inside her throat after swiftly turning around. A shabby looking car nearly jammed itself into her body, narrowly avoiding her by sheer millimeters. "W-What—", Mina was glued onto the spot.
This was no accident.
Unfortunately, her reactions were not fast enough for what was to come.
A hooded individual dashed out of the vehicle in record time, car engine still running. With glee in his darkened mint orbs, his arms became outstretched towards Mina and aimed for her thin writs. "Hello, precious butterfly~!", the sickly sweet tune reacted like a catalyst, flashbacks flooding her vision with memories she dreaded. Her breathing intensified, the man's callous fingers clasping painfully around her right wrist. No sound was escaping from the shock.
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'No.'
'No, no, no, no, no, no, no-!'
'NO'
'H-How did h-he find me?!'
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"I've been so lonely these past few days, wondering where my girl had run off to. Your home was empty last night, too.", the man's breath reeked of strong alcohol yet somehow he could spout words coherently and be incredibly stable on his own two feet.
And lucid.
"You'd be surprised how upset I was after the Shop Manager let you go. Hurr, not being able to see you in those cute dresses anymore...", his other hand travelled inappropriately low on her thigh area as he was complaining with a wide grin. He squeezed the soft skin for a few seconds before Mina abruptly woke up from her trance.
"Horrible feeling in my heart~~~!
The signs were too dangerous to ignore anymore and so were this man's intentions, churning her stomach with disgust. Regardless of the shock immobilizing her limbs, she needed to get away.
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And fast!
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'MOVE-MOVE-MOVE-MOVE-MOVE!', were the endless inner screams, Mina's fuel to restart her limbs. The girl somehow managed to find the power and smack his disgusting hand away – furthermore, leave a nasty red trace on his cheeks, claws scratching the marks deeply. Horror was printed clearly on her face and spreading. She had made things worse, much worse, his expression no longer cheerful.
His hand nearly snapped her sensitive wrist, painfully squeezing it.
Suddenly, the man mercilessly shoved Mina into the closed driver's side of the vehicle, head getting the worst of the treatment with a loud BANG from the hit. The pain from the impact was indescribable, the party planner losing strength on her feet and blacking out for a few seconds. Her entire being pulsated from the fresh new wounds, Mina's panic levels reaching new highs.
The girl was captured in a suffocating hug, tears leaking over and over again.
"So clumsy on your feet, butterfly~! And clumsy with your hands, I almost thought you'd purposely want to harm me~~~! But don't worry, I forgive you... I will allow you to apologize back home~!", he chuckled heartily, dragging the dazed girl towards the passenger's side. "And to show you I'm not upset, I have presents prepared especially for you~!"
"I bought prettier uniforms you can dress up in while you're brewing my coffee!"
She heard him opening the door and was roughly shoved inside the back seat. Mina was god damn hyperventilating by this point. How had this demented nut-job been able to find her so easily?! The question kept bothering the coordinator, too weak to put up much of a fight.
This awful brute was winning with strength alone.
"Like a true gentleman, I know how to properly care for my woman~!", the man bemused, kicking her feet inside the car painfully just as she tried to swoosh out. Everything hurt, tears streaming down in waves.
"P-Please, let m-me go-"
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*SMACK*
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Papers long scattered across the pavement were now rolling across the pavement – muddied and wet.
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~oOo~
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Jisoo plopped next to Jiyeon, breathing out heavily after he parted ways with that peculiar girl. Today's mission was the strangest his team had had in a while and he counted it alongside the jjimjjilbang party with those wild C&R officials who got too drunk next to a pool.
"Whoosh~!", Jiyeon was, as per usual, fondling his phone in search of new ways to entertain himself. It was as if the orange haired male still retained his early schooldays mentality, annoying the hell out of the raven with his childish attitude. The driver patiently looked at the leader through his mirror, awaiting further commands.
"Mr. Kim, you can drive us to-", he ordered but stopped mid-sentence. His feet stepped on something bumpy on the floor.
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A necklace with three heart pendants.
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It was definitely not his and, apparently, not Jiyeon's too. Although, the orange haired guard ogled at it temptingly, wanting to keep it~!
"Hmph...", the raven smirked, snatching it away from his face. "I'll return shortly.", he announced apologetically to the driver who had since moved the car a few meters. Jisoo used his full speed, hoping Miss Choi hadn't entered any buildings yet.
The guard had not left her side for long, in a minute surely catching up to her- *SWOOOSH*
"Crazy f**kers on the roads...", he muttered, pissed off because of that idiot recklessly racing down these roads.
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Something wasn't right with that particular car, loud screeching echoing in the area.
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There were few things Jisoo remembered from the mob-in near Sky University.
A couple of people did not seem that impressed or happy to have the brigade lurking around – understandable. One in particular drew the guard's attention, having quite a deranged expression, despite the overall grin he was wearing. The moment their eyes locked, though, that expression morphed into something... odd. Jisoo's senses flared up, attempting to follow the suspicious individual, but he had been quick to fade within the crowd.
Afterwards, the raven heard shrieking noises from a car, speeding away furiously.
"Hm...", Jisoo then went to Jiwoo, grabbing a pilled list of all the car plates the blonde had gathered from the area during his reconnaissance, making a quick comparison of the current situation with the one on the PDA. In conclusion, three cars were missing from the list, Jisoo memorizing the numbers swiftly before entering the C&R car.
Or... attempting to, before a jumpy girl unexpectedly fell into his arms. For some reason, she was shocked to see him.
"Hm." *smirk*
And now...
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Now, it was similar. Only this time, she couldn't have been happier to see Jisoo, no longer timid with her ministrations. Miss Choi broke down in front of him, hugging the guard with the most power she could muster, regardless the spikes of pain.
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Shit.
He should have never listened to this troublesome girl and instead trust his instincts.
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~oOo~
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"Yes, Jaehee. Yes. I've arrived safely at the apartment. Yes. Yes, yes, yes. The guards had taken care of me well."
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"There were no problems."
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Mina had been locked inside the bathroom for over half an hour, messy clothes lying on the cold floor tiles. She couldn't peel her honey brown eyes away from the mirror while she was inspecting the damage with a stern expression, face drenched in the aftermath of that mental breakdown. The skin was gaining a yellow hue in large portions on her right side, pain numbing certain areas.
"Yes, everything is okay with me. No worries.
"I'm a bit tired, that's all."
Her wrist carried a familiar, mortifying pain, constantly throbbing and shaking whenever she raised it higher, palm facing her head. 'Without a doubt... it's a serious injury, probably sprained.' Only proper medical attention could confirm her thoughts and give Mina treatment accordingly, however... she was afraid to check the damage, remembering the health issues she had with the same wrist in the past.
And she didn't have, yet again, the luxury of money to visit a hospital.
Nor time.
"Alright, Jaehee. Please e-mail me the details of the guest and I will reply in a timely manner."
Tomorrow was such an important day, Mina already late on her duties.
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'It was way passed midday.'
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Meaning she had less than 24 hours to finish the artwork, using the sprained, dominant hand to satisfy Assistant Lee's standards for the poster while lacking the adequate base materials due to the papers being ruined in this weather.
And because of HIM!
Mina could not replenish the lost supplies.
"No, I don't believe it will be necessary. It's not serious."
"Jaehee, thank you for worrying~!"
She would just have to withstand the injuries and give it her best with what she had left at her disposal.
"And thank you for t-taking care of me."
"A-And sending Jisoo..."
"I... I really appreciate the h-help..."
"Ngh."
"Goodbye.", and with that, Mina ended the call just in time before another crying fit shook her core, falling onto her knees as jolts of pain swept from her wounds.
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~oOo~
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[Yoosung]: *depressed emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: Hello Yoosung.
[Yoosung]: Heya Jaehee-noona...
[Jaehee Kang]: Are you having troubles with your assignments again? *curious emoji*
[Yoosung]: No... it's worse. I'm so worried... *crying emoji*
[Yoosung]: Where is MC?
[Jaehee Kang]: Oh. I've just spoken to her on the phone!
[Jaehee Kang]: She has returned safely to Rika's.
[Yoosung]: ...
[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: What is the matter?
[Yoosung]: I called her an hour ago and she rejected it...
[Yoosung]: T.T and, yet, she answers your call without a hitch.
[Jaehee Kang]: It is not how you are imagining things. ^^
[Jaehee Kang]: She had initiated the conversation first and called me.
[Yoosung]: That's even more painful to hear!
[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*
[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: I may not know her reasoning behind rejecting your call or if it is either accidental or intentional.
[Yoosung]: I-I-Intentional?!
[Jaehee Kang]: Perhaps you might want to wall-cry less in front of her? ^^ *shiny glasses emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: So her answers might send quicker.
[Yoosung]: *shocked emoji*
[Yoosung]: I don't cry on the phone so often!
[Jaehee Kang]: The same goes when you complain about matters relating to games.
[Yoosung]: I don't complain that much about LOLOL either!
[Jaehee Kang]: *ican'tbelievethis-sigh emoji*
[Yoosung]: ...
[Yoosung]: W-Well, I do it LESS than I had a few years back! Appreciate my efforts, please!
[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: *ican'tbelievethis-sigh emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: I am not used to comforting people so excuse the roughness. Nevertheless...
[Jaehee Kang]: There, there ^^ It shall be better in the future!
[Yoosung]: ...
[Jaehee Kang]: Until you get employed, afterwards these issues will seem quite unimportant and petty.
[Jaehee Kang]: So enjoy these precious few years left of your student career. ^^
[Yoosung]: Now I'm even more depressed...
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-ZEN has entered the chat room-
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[ZEN]: Whoa, Yoosung. I just Noogled about the stuff that's happened at your school today.
[ZEN]: It was top news at the theatre too, a rookie here shouting it during rehearsal.
[ZEN]: Sounded scandalous.
[Jaehee Kang]: Hello Zen. Oh, what went on today? *curious emoji*
[Yoosung]: Jaehee, didn't you read the chat logs yet?
[Jaehee Kang]: No.
[Yoosung]: I even had photos posted in them!
[Yoosung]: *sigh*
[Yoosung]: Everyone is ignoring me today...
[ZEN]: Yo, what am I here for you, kid? *huh... emoji*
[Yoosung]: *depressed emoji*
[ZEN]: *upset emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: I am sorry, Yoosung. I had barely found a moment of rest... Elizabeth the 3rd is currently sleeping since her 'nappy time' is scheduled at this hour.
[Jaehee Kang]: I roughly have 10 minutes left before I need to wake her up for lunch and specialized medicine.
[Jaehee Kang]: After that a stroll in Driver Kim's car for her daily exercising...
[Yoosung]: *shocked emoji*
[ZEN]: The more I read about what you're going through Jaehee with that furball, the more pissed off I get at the trust fund kid!
[ZEN]: *angry emoji*
[ZEN]: I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT BASTARD!
[ZEN]: Why can't he take care of his damn pet himself and not make others do his work as an owner?!
[Jaehee Kang]: *sobbing emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: Anyway, I shall go and look through this 'news' you are speaking of. ^^
[Jaehee Kang]: I shall return shortly.
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-Jaehee Kang has left the chat room-
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[Yoosung]: Thanks Jaehee.
[Yoosung]: Anyway. Yeah – these guys were plucked from those spy movies, I swear! And nobody knows who they are. *sparkling emoji*
[Yoosung]: Even famous newsletters picked up the scoop at SKY!
[Yoosung]: It's so amazing~!
[ZEN]: They look like they were guarding someone. Which, actually reminds me -
[ZEN]: I've had the strangest chat with MC today. *confused emoji*
[Yoosung]: You'd talked with MC too?!
[ZEN]: It was like she was with hanging out with someone close.
[ZEN]: Very close!
[ZEN]: TOO CLOSE!
[Yoosung]: Why is she answering your calls and not mine?!
[Yoosung]: *crying emoji*
[ZEN]: Yo... are you forgetting who I am? Who wouldn't answer when it's me on the other line?
[ZEN]: Yoosung, have you not seen how I look recently?
[Yoosung]: Yes. More than I had wanted to see any guy, frankly.
[ZEN]: *inserts photo* I hoped to have this one emailed to MC only, but... I can't keep such a sexy face hidden, it needs to be shared with everyone~~~~!
[Yoosung]: I wrote 'more than I wanted to see a guy'!
[Yoosung]: You didn't have to do this!
[ZEN]: Don't be jealous, boy~! It's only stage make-up. I'm sure that if you learn techniques, you may narrowly reach my bare face level in terms of visuals.
[ZEN]: And then maybe MC will acknowledge you ^^~!
[Yoosung]: ...
[ZEN]: LOL.
[ZEN]: Or not.
[Yoosung]: You make Jaehee-noona seem like she can comfort people excellently.
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-Jaehee Kang has entered the chat room-
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[Jaehee Kang]: *shocked emoji*
[ZEN]: I hope it made your day better, Jaehee. *winks*
[Jaehee Kang]: No, actually. This is incredibly problematic and can have serious repercussions!
[Jaehee Kang]: It is terrible!
[ZEN]: *shocked emoji*
[Yoosung]: *shocked emoji*
[Yoosung]: Now THIS I never thought I'd ever witness!
[Yoosung]: Noona, how could you?!
[Jaehee Kang]: Both your reactions are indeed complicated to decipher. I did not even mention why it is problematic in my view. ^^;
[ZEN]: *depressed emoji* I am suddenly overlapping MC's image over Jaehee just about now.
[ZEN]: What the hell is going on?!
[ZEN]: Such strong rejections lately...
[ZEN]: I've never looked this sexy my entire life! Even my male co-stars are in awe and ogling at me!
[Yoosung]: Maybe you're no longer the number one musical actor for Jaehee? ^w^ *sparkling emoji*
[ZEN]: ...
[ZEN]: ...
[Jaehee Kang]: Excuse me? *confused emoji*
[Jaehee Kang]: Am I missing something again...?
[Yoosung]: Scroll up, noona.
[Jaehee Kang]: Oh?
...
[Jaehee Kang]: OH!
[Jaehee Kang]: For a moment there, I thought I was gazing right into paradise, instantly swept into heaven's realm. *raises glasses emoji*
[ZEN]: IT'S TOO LATE FOR COMPLIMENTS!
[ZEN]: ...
[ZEN]: Actually, it's never too late! Do continue Jaehee!
[ZEN]: I NEED TO HEAR MORE!
[Jaehee Kang]: Zen... I am sorry, but it is not a good time as much as it breaks me to type this.
[Yoosung]: If you weren't talking about Zen, then what is going on?!
[Jaehee Kang]: I was referring to the news Yoosung posted.
[Yoosung]: What about it?
...
[Jaehee Kang]: The men in those photos are company employees from the C&R.
