Night-Owl Romance
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Note: I'm still alive and kicking ^o^ Sorry for the long wait. I've retuuuuurned with a brand new chapter, yaaaas~! Let's hope the next update won't follow up during winter time. -
Cheerios and thank you for still following this fic.
Your support means a lot. ^o^
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Chapter 41: Caged Bird
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News of the attacker's release from police custody came crashing in as if a brick had been suddenly thrown towards the girl's direction, one she could not avoid in its entirety. As a result, Mina had been blessed with a taste of its full damaging power head on, replacing the sweetness of the tea sips from before with a rather putrid aroma.
Swift and precise.
Jisoo's message arrived without warning or a moment of respite, the girl unable to mentally prepare for the dire gravity of his text. "No...", Mina's hushed and shaky voice resonated across the eerily quiet room as she was reading it. Lightly shaking her head, denial overwhelmed her like wildfire.
'Jisoo must have been misinformed about this mix-up.', she thought while scratching the back of her neck nervously, almost drawing blood in the process with her sharp nail. 'An honest mistake though, clearly. The attacker couldn't have been released in such a ridiculous manner and not one worker noticing his disappearance until it was too late to react. These things don't just miraculously happen in real life but in movies! Right?'
"Right...?", she wondered shakily, her frown deepening when those restless thoughts reached her own crazily ridiculous and impossible situation, one befitting a 'movieverse' scenario rather than reality.
No...
It might as well be true considering mix-ups weren't uncommon. Even in the real world.
"..."
Mina groaned, her head falling onto the coffee table. A surge of intense pain started penetrating her frail body. And reddening head. The party coordinator had been so blinded by the constant reassurances that the criminal would be punished for his endless tormenting days as both Seven and Jumin had been highly positive of the outcome of the stalker's impending trial. No criminals, especially ones deemed extremely harmful for the R.F.A., could dare dream in escaping the clutches of justice and prosecution!
It was a sure thing~!
Plus, Mina had no reason to distrust them - no reason whatsoever!
...
W-Well...
Come to think of it...
The girl had plenty of reasons to question them all!
...
"For heaven's sake...", a harsh sigh escaped her trembling lips, Mina feeling as if life had once again tricked her into believing that a nightmare of this magnitude could finally be put to rest. So naive... she should have anticipated the outcome considering her track record so far hadn't been a delightful one. The coordinator should have expected the inevitable sorry-ass news lying in her inbox which did nothing but increase her distress and tear pool size. Really... Mina should have been prepared for disappointment and not react so gleefully to the stalker's capture.
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'Dammit, it was a sure thing though!'
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Mina rapidly returned a bitter reply back to Jisoo in hopes of receiving extra details regarding the escapee or at least some useful information to ease her mind. Maybe the police had a lead on the culprit's location or were investigating alternative routes – "Sorry, MC. Plus, I doubt these folks at the station will move their butts out of their office since the weather's not really having them chase people down the streets."
"Unless it's a top priority emergency."
"It is a top priority emergency!", she complained. "Really..."
She had been losing her sanity far too frequently in recent weeks, on and off, on and freaking off, and there was a limit to how many mental breakdowns one could go through before actually surpassing a dangerous threshold and going absolutely insane. Unfortunately, the carefree raven had nothing else for show. Although... he did try to cheer her up in his own way. And Mina appreciated his optimistic view. "I'm sure the guy won't be able to hide in the end. In any case, as I've said before, you are safe, Miss Choi. ^.~"
"Alright –", she attempted a small smile, however - "Maybe."
"..."
Officially, nothing could and would raise her spirits as the stressed girl became rather tempted to hurl the phone out the window and wish it would shatter into thousands of pieces. She loathed the news with a passion and wanted a break from... from everything malicious to her existence.
Really, couldn't Jisoo at least pretend that she were 100% safe?!
Was it so difficult to have her live in pure ignorance like before?!
"Tch...", she simply slammed her phone onto the vacant bed as the burn to her eyes intensified, Mina knowing very well than to allow her foul attitude to unleash over the well-intended guard. Instead, she should be focusing on the real issue at hand.
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Her safety had been dangerously compromised.
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Sure, she had been very much aware of this predicament ever since the hacker's near break-in inside the apartment when his illegal actions had successfully cut off the connection Mina had with the R.F.A. and the rest of the world. Heck, even beforehand, on freaking day one since coming into contact with the group and messaging app, her life had succumbed to the precipices of near fatal danger.
However, Seven had then made a promise to the panicked girl – that he shall work harder to preserve her safety inside Rika's apartment and catch the cowardly rat who was toying with the R.F.A. from within the shadows. Guaranteed~!
AgentSeven-O-Seven, the greatest master hacker of the universe, is going to keep the R.F.A's lovely MC unharmed!
Yet, the girl had never felt her surroundings to be ever so utterly shit and unsafe than in the present, beyond the possibility of repair. Suddenly, Mina was sensing an array of unwanted foreign eyes lurking all over her body and no amount of clothing could shield her away from the intense prying.
Anytime.
Every time.
Asleep or not.
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There would always be an intruding presence by her side.
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It had instantly dawned upon her how incredibly vulnerable her current position was, the girl no longer able to drowse in ignorance or simply dismiss her situation with party planning work or other trivial nonsense. She had a previous episode of panic but now – the suffocating atmosphere was too pressing and heavy. No matter how many windows would lay open for the fresh winter breeze to seep inside the apartment to the point Mina's body would become hardened from the freezing cold, the air would still retain a stiffness blocking her air pipes.
She was certain of it.
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And she loathedthis dreadful sensation.
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'Breathe in, breathe out...'
It didn't suffice acknowledging the enemy hacker's relentless efforts in trying to break into the apartment's security program, thus causing Seven to spend restless nights in order to simply prevent the corruption of his software and keep the doors locked tight. Now, to top this awful scenario, Mina had a menacing runaway stalker who was very much aware of the building area the girl had been temporarily residing in. It was only a matter of time until the crazed man would find out the exact number of this place and break in the apartment.
He only needed to scout the perimeter more closely.
His search may even be happening as we speak.
"As we speak...", Mina mummed the words inaudibly, her head snapping towards the ice-glazed windows. *gulp* Without hesitating, the coordinator quickly rose up from the coffee table *SMACK* and stumbled across the room in a painful limp. Shyly peeking through the iced layers of the glass, she began scanning the neighboring streets but she couldn't spot anything suspicious down there. Mostly due to not being able to see anything other than a mixture of blended colors no matter the angle her head was positioned in.
I mean, she could always open the window to do a proper check-up, but – "Nope."
Mina wasn't that curious to find out whether her stalker had arrived at the scene or - *snaps head towards corridor* - was already in the midst of exploring that floor's corridors. "Hah...", she smiled briefly before sliding back into the comfort of her pillow-slash-chair.
Stuck.
Mina was stuck like a caged bird without any means of escaping...
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*sniff*
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'Ashi...
What a day this is turning out to be...'
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*sniff*
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It was really becoming a strenuous task to breathe properly and it wasn't just her exaggerated imagination. The room's walls seemed to be shrinking around Mina as they became much narrower than she had last remembered them to be.
It was harder to spin positives about her devolving life, the negatives constantly crushing the coordinator like an ant underneath a boot.
It was so much harder...
To see as well, Mina's vision blurring like the windows had outside.
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*sniff*
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It was becoming harder to pretend that she was okay.
And she wanted to appear happy, she truly did!
Because...
She was tired of constantly drowning in crippling moods.
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*sniff*
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Every single day,
Mina doing nothing but complain, whine, sob...
And do nothing other than pour her soul out through her eyes.
Over and over, and over again,
The party planner staining her reddened cheeks in tears with no remedy to dry them up.
Helplessly...
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*sniff*
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*BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ*
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What was extra stressful for Mina was knowing her issues had become the prime focus of others who had set their own troubles aside just so her stupid self could get out of a mess she had willingly walked into, ignoring any better judgment and sane reasoning to prevent additional chaos to her existence.
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*BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ*
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The party planner wasn't the only member struggling within the charity organization, the phone's familiar buzzing a vivid reminder of it.
She wasn't the only one going through intense hardships these days...
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*BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ*
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She wasn't the only one potentially in grave danger
and hiding things from the rest of the R.F.A..
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*BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ*
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Somehow,
She hoped life could stop throwing so many simultaneous curve balls towards her,
And patiently allow the girl to handle each problem, one by one,
Without completely falling apart,
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*BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ BUZZ*
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And without losing herself completely in the process.
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~oOo~
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"Yes."
"Yes, sir. Yes."
"I shall keep that in mind during that portion of the segment."
"See you on the set too, then."
"Good day, sir."
*dialing tune*
"..."
"Shit..."
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*THUD*
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The door quickly slammed behind the actor's back, the nearby glass case lightly quaking because of its loud impact. His bag filled up with those yummy and steamy fish breads had dropped next to him, its content spilling out all over the entrance area and creating a small mess. Same as the fish bread, Zen had slid onto the cold floor with his crutches having fallen at his side. He started heartily chuckling as he stared at the living room in disbelief after finishing up that unexpected phone call. Seconds later, however, the actor grimaced and crashed a fist onto his forehead, supporting his aching head while the back of it got pressed onto the door.
Pathetic.
"This is it...", Zen sourly admitted as any remnants of hope in keeping this once-in-a-lifetime acting role had just flown past him towards an unreachable distance. The silver haired male was certain about it now despite his depressive stance beforehand which was slowly mending.
While he was waiting for the fresh batch of fish breads to be prepared at the vendor's stand, Zen had been thumbing over the last chat room more attentively and Mina's suggestions actually planted a little idea into his head, allowing the actor to build up a plan on the spot, one he religiously needed to follow back at home in order to accomplish his mission. It was ridiculously close to his deadline, almost futile for the actor to even attempt it, but he might be able to do it right even with the setback this injury had brought him. Unfortunately, he would really have to intensely use the last two remaining days before rehearsals in order to cram down the necessary body languages and dances that came with the role. Sleep would definitely be scarce between the hours of practice – or none at all. But he was willing to pay the price if it meant he could do his acting part justice.
Well...
His excitement faded in a mere second. This latest phone call shattered any lingering dreams Zen had remaining as the musical's producer had personally taken his time to announce the actor of some unforeseen changes with the filming schedule, thus slashing off half the time allocated with his practice.
Half the time.
This news was on such short notice that Zen was rendered speechless and thought it was Seven playing a nasty prank on him at first. Their voices were freakishly similar at the beginning before the man introduced himself. But no, the producer had been dead serious. Also, he did not show signs that he was remotely worried about the other issues that would come up with the changes in schedule – everybody on the team was a professional and judging by Mr. Kwon's references and praises about Zen's abilities, the man did not worry that he wouldn't be able to keep up with their faster pacing.
"..."
He had yet mentioned his injury to the producer or anybody outside his doctor and the R.F.A., the silver haired youth gulping down hard because of his undisclosed secret and the upsetting consequences withholding this information would bring to the musical production.
Shit, shit, shit!
The actor was fidgeting and badly panicking, eyes locking onto the accursed cast draped around his ankle. It was aggravating his mood, Zen's thin fingers soon bumping into the pack of cigarettes he was still keeping in the coat's pockets. He needed to calm down his nerves and fast, Zen going through the cigarettes in the pack as if they were sweet candy sticks he was munching on and not detrimental to his health. Fueling his unsatiated cravings, the actor did not care about the fact that he was smoking indoors even though it was against the building's regulations and his landlord's.
Nah, the actor really did not care anymore if any passerby would sense the smoky mist coming out of his apartment.
And he must have gone through nearly everything in the cigarette pack while drenching his floors with melting snow, yet his stress levels had not subdued even the slightest. Zen couldn't relax and the sharp pains emanating from his leg added more to his suffering and despair.
...
He needed to find another outlet for his pain.
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~oOo~
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[ZEN]: Phew, that trip took longer than I'd predicted!
[ZEN]: But I finally got home in one piece~!
[ZEN]: Kinda...
[ZEN]: *tired emoji*
[ZEN]: MC, are you here?
[ZEN]: ...
[ZEN]: Guess not.
[ZEN]: Guess there's nobody here. ^^
[ZEN]: Heh...
[ZEN]: *tired emoji*
[ZEN]: I thought going to the hospital would help me with a miracle solution.
[ZEN]: And for a short while I did have some hope with keeping this acting gig - even after the doctor's depressing check-up of my ankle.
[ZEN]: I felt like I hadn't lost the role completely. ^^
[ZEN]: I know it doesn't seem like it but I'd actually come up with a decent plan to keep it.
[ZEN]: Foolproof!
[ZEN]: But...
[ZEN]: It wasn't meant to be, I guess...
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[ZEN]: Jaehee.
[ZEN]: It seems you were right after all. ^^
[ZEN]: There is no way I can do this role with such an injury.
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[ZEN]: I'll be a hindrance to everyone: my production crew, directors and fellow actors, to name a few.
[ZEN]: Ugh.
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[ZEN]: *inserts selfie with cigarette pack*
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[ZEN]: Really, everybody is always telling me to take a break every now and then.
[ZEN]: Including my theatre director who keeps nagging at me - hours before a show, too.
[ZEN]: He's always telling me to 'rest my body and take it easy because you don't wanna get needlessly hurt last minute'.
[ZEN]: And I never listen to this advice.
[ZEN]: Hah... I'm such an idiot, I swear.
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[ZEN]: *inserts selfie with the ankle cast*
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[ZEN]: Looking at it is making me so depressed, ffs.
[ZEN]: The doctor had mentioned how I'll have to wear the cast for two whole weeks but – lmao – I'm not going to be waiting that long.
[ZEN]: That's a promise.
[ZEN]: I was going to keep it on for a couple of days and then head back to the hospital so I can have it taken off.
[ZEN]: And then I'd rush back home to start practicing these newest dance moves.
[ZEN]: *depressed emoji*
[ZEN]: Perfect plan...
[ZEN]: I knew there would be little time to prepare but I also had faith that I could succeed in learning the dance steps. And learn them well!
[ZEN]: I usually learn these things pretty quickly – like, in max an hour, I can already dance a 2-minutes routine from top to bottom with minimum amount of mistakes.
[ZEN]: I could do all songs and moves in the remaining days before deadline.
[ZEN]: But...
[ZEN]: The schedule kept changing so on the day my cast gets removed... lol.
[ZEN]: Lolololol!
[ZEN]: Get this, on that day, I'd have to rush to be on the set for the middle of the shooting.
[ZEN]: *laughing emoji*
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[ZEN]: Why did I freaking strain myself, lolol?
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[ZEN]: I couldn't even tell the producer on the phone that I won't be able to do the show.
[ZEN]: Not when he was speaking about his expectations of me and the positive vibe he had gotten fromseeing my work.
[ZEN]: Hahahaha!
[ZEN]: ...
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[ZEN]: It should've been my happiest day hearing that.
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[ZEN]: He'll be so disappointed...
[ZEN]: They all will.
[ZEN]: My producer and his production crew, the actors and fans...
[ZEN]: Everyone in the R.F.A...
[ZEN]: Everyone who'd shown me their kindest support and were genuinely happy for me.
[ZEN]: Tch, I'm so ashamed of myself.
[ZEN]: So stupid... How could I do something so dumb?!
[ZEN]: It's frustrating!
[ZEN]: I feel so pathetic...
[ZEN]: I must sound so pathetic, right?
[ZEN]: MC...
[ZEN]: I keep showing you so many awful sides of me and chipping away at the perfect image I want you to see.
[ZEN]: Ashi - I can't believe I've posted that photo of my cigs!
[ZEN]: *depressed emoji*
[ZEN]: Really...
[ZEN]: I want to become a great actor. I really do and I work hard for my goals every day, but...
[ZEN]: Can't help thinking life's always against me and tries to find ways in keeping me from achieving my dreams.
[ZEN]: Ever since I was a kid, I've always struggled to follow them and stay true to my heart's desires.
[ZEN]: I would rarely catch a break in doing so, the path I'd been walking on becoming thornier and peppered with countless obstacles.
[ZEN]: I've sacrificed so much to get where I am today...
[ZEN]: For a chance to prove myself and to show people my true worth.
[ZEN]: And when I finally get the role of a lifetime!
[ZEN]: *sigh*
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[ZEN]: What am I even doing here...?
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[ZEN]: Complaining this much is such an unattractive behavior.
[ZEN]: Tch...
[ZEN]: I should stop feeling so sorry for myself and get a grip already.
[ZEN]: That's right!
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[ZEN]: Depressed Zen is not as handsome as normal Zen!
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[ZEN]: Ashi...
[ZEN]: My head bounces... the air is really something here right now.
[ZEN]: The Black Angel pack's empty. Ugh. I need to freshen up this place!
[ZEN]: My cigs did a serious number here – lmao – like a real life instantgr m filter's been applied to the air.
[ZEN]: Hn...
[ZEN]: There's this organization called "Wanna Quit Cigs".
[ZEN]: I've heard its members have succeeded in quitting their vice after following the organization's program.
[ZEN]: I should probably join them.
[ZEN]: They seem legit and a promising group. And – if it's okay to you – I'd also like to invite them at the party. I'm sure many others are fighting a seemingly losing battle with smoking and would want to consider a different alternative.
[ZEN]: Honestly...
[ZEN]: I'd feel useless if I don't try to do at least this for the party...
[ZEN]: At most, I shouldn't screw up with helping you prepare and find more potential guests.
[ZEN]: I've been so focused with my new acting role that I've been neglecting to help with your own workload properly.
[ZEN]: *sigh*
[ZEN]: I don't wanna be more depressed and do something destructive...
[ZEN]: Normally, I'd be working out for hours and hours when I'm in such a bad mood, but – that's not an option anymore, lmao.
[ZEN]: *tired emoji*
[ZEN]: Cheering up, cheering up...
[ZEN]: Ashi!
[ZEN]: To be honest, I doubt there's anything that can bring me out of this state, lmao.
[ZEN]: Even my favorite snacks are leaving a bad taste in my mouth, like – what? Didn't know it could be possible, haha~!
[ZEN]: Ha...
[ZEN]: ...
[ZEN]: If only you were here with me, MC. I'm sure I'd be able to erase my problems and focus on pleasant things.
[ZEN]: And be happier~!
[ZEN]: But... I don't know where you are since Rika's address has been kept a secret for years.
[ZEN]: And, it's not like we can't meet somewhere else.
[ZEN]: Like we did at the theatre, lmao!
[ZEN]: Still crazy to realize how close I've been to you!
[ZEN]: Still regretting that I didn't notice it had been you back then, MC.
[ZEN]: I'd have loved to properly meet and greet you.
[ZEN]: Properly welcome you in the R.F.A.~!
[ZEN]: And, selfish as it may be, I'd have loved talking to you, face-to-face, before the others got the chance at the party. ^^
[ZEN]: The encounter would have felt that much special to me~!
[ZEN]: I'd...
[ZEN]: I'd really like to meet you, MC.
[ZEN]: But I also wouldn't like to overwhelm you with such a bold request.
[ZEN]: Since we've never met before... it might prove a lot to handle.
[ZEN]: ...
[ZEN]: I should leave and shower this hospital grime off.
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- ZEN has left the chat room -
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- MC has entered the chat room -
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[MC]: Zen...
[MC]: ...
[MC]: I...
[MC]: I'd like to meet you, too. ^^
[MC]: Before the party.
