Zen entered MC's apartment carefully. She was still in a state of shock, and he slowly approached her after closing the door.
"Hey… are you alright?" Zen asked worriedly.
Wide brown eyes met his worried red ones. MC took a shuddering breath and closed her eyes. Relaxing herself, she opened her eyes and smiled softly at Zen.
"Yeah… thanks," she said shakily. "It's just… I…"
MC walked away dazedly, sitting down on the couch looking defeated. Zen sat next to her, and he could hear her muttering to herself.
"Have to get away… Gotta call Saeyoung… He'll get me away again…"
He lifted her chin to meet her eyes. She could see they were full of concern and worry.
"MC, talk to me," Zen said gently. "What's going on?"
"I can't involve you in this," she replied quietly. "This is something I have to deal with."
"I want to help," he said firmly. "You can't go through this alone."
"Saeyoung will help me," she replied. "It's how I got away the first time."
"First time?" Zen asked, perplexed. "MC, tell me what's happening. Start from the beginning."
"I can't," MC said with sad eyes. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"I won't get hurt," he reassured. "Let me help. Please."
MC sighed tiredly. She didn't want to talk about her ex-boyfriend, but seeing how concerned Zen was made her want to open up.
"Okay," she said, meeting his red gaze. "I'll tell you."
Zen felt relieved. He hoped she wouldn't shut him out.
"A year and a half ago, I broke up with my ex-boyfriend. His name is Saeran."
She took a shuddering breath.
"We weren't together long, but I could tell our relationship wasn't one I wanted. So, I told him it wasn't going to work out. He didn't like hearing that."
Zen could see fresh tears forming in her eyes. He waited patiently for her to continue as his hands clenched into fists.
"After that, he harassed me nonstop. My phone rang all the time no matter how many numbers I blocked; he even came to my old job numerous times. Fortunately, his twin Saeyoung was able to help me escape before it got worse. I moved here, Jaehee helped me get a job at Jumin's company, and I've been happy ever since."
Wiping the tears from her eyes, MC looked at Zen.
"I've been even happier after meeting you."
Zen's heart leapt.
"But, now it seems Saeran has found me. I can't stay here anymore. I have to move again before he tries anything else. Saeyoung can help me move somewhere else; somewhere untraceable."
"You're leaving?" Zen asked with a frown.
"I don't have a choice," MC said sadly. "I'm not safe anymore. I can't risk putting my friends in danger."
"You think that he will stop after you go somewhere else?" he asked incredulously. "If he found you now, he can find you again if you leave!"
"Zen, you don't understand," she shot back. "He will go after people I care about if I stay here. If I go somewhere far away, I don't have to worry about that. He'll be too busy focused on me to go after anyone else."
The animalistic snarl escaped Zen before he realized it. One of the beads on the bracelet cracked as the rage he felt continued to build. MC looked at him with wide eyes, not expecting that kind of sound to come from a person.
"Zen?" she questioned worriedly.
He took a deep breath. Knowing getting angry wouldn't help, he did his best to calm down.
"I'm fine," Zen said finally. "...I just don't get why you feel running is the best option."
"It's the only way to keep my friends safe," she repeated. "I can't go to the police. He and his brother are hackers. They are basically nonexistent according to official records."
"Let me help you," he implored. "I can protect you."
"I don't want Saeran to hurt you," MC said.
"He can't," Zen replied. "Trust me."
Seeing the firm look on Zen's face made MC feel a lot safer for some reason. She could tell he was serious about helping her, and she still felt uncertain about having someone she cared about getting involved. The brunette didn't want to leave behind the friends she made and the new life she had. Sighing, ran a hand through her hair.
"Okay," she finally said. "I'll trust you Zen."
The smile she received from him calmed her frayed nerves. MC felt exhausted from all of the emotions she went through on top of the buzz she still felt from the drinks earlier in the night. Zen noticed her eyes beginning to droop again.
"Go to sleep," he whispered as he helped her to her feet. "I'll still be here when you wake up."
"Okay…" she trailed off sleepily.
Zen watched as she trudged to her room, rubbing one eye. He was reminded of a child, and he laughed to himself. She was too cute.
He sank back onto the couch, a hand running through silver hair. He didn't realize MC was hiding something so serious, but he was glad she trusted him enough to let him in on the situation. Zen refused to let her run away; she was too precious to him to just let go. Looking down at his bracelet, he noticed the cracked bead on it.
He sighed tiredly.
Zen knew he'd gotten too angry. He could feel the demon within him gleefully waiting for him to lose control of his emotions again. Lying back on the couch, he let himself fall into an uneasy sleep.
Morning came and Zen could smell coffee being made in the kitchen. Getting up feeling sluggish, he trudged his way to the source of the smell. MC had her back to him, breakfast cooking on the stove. Zen smiled to himself finding her purple pajama set cute.
"Morning," he called before a yawn took over.
"Oh! Hello Zen," MC replied happily. "Breakfast is just about ready. Take a seat."
Zen sat at the table as he looked at MC fondly. She turned around with two plates of food, and his stomach picked that time to rumble a little too loudly. A blush stained his cheeks as the brunette laughed.
"There's plenty if you're hungry," she said after her giggles subsided.
"Thanks," he said sheepishly, the blush still evident.
As they ate, both of them couldn't help but feel as if they were a legitimate couple living together. Zen's blush darkened as MC's cheeks began to redden as well. The silence began to feel awkward to MC, so she started a conversation.
"So, why did you choose Zen as your acting name?" she asked. She was genuinely curious.
"Hmm, no one has ever bothered to ask me that," he answered thoughtfully. "It's kind of a long story."
"I've got time," MC said before she bit into her toast. "No work today."
"Alright," he said. "I've never really told this story, but here goes."
MC perked up in her chair, her undivided attention on the man in front of her.
"When I was a kid, my parents were really strict. They wanted me to be like them, and I knew their life wasn't the kind I wanted to lead. While I was in school, I discovered music and the drama club. It made me realize that acting in musicals was what I wanted to do with my life. It was the only time I felt at peace. My mom found out I liked to sing, and immediately tried to make me stop. I fought a lot with my parents because I focused more on what I loved than my studies. At 15, I ran away from home."
"Oh goodness, that's terrible," MC said sadly.
"I guess it is," Zen said with a shrug. "At the time, I felt that being homeless was better than being stifled. I started working a ton of part time jobs and managed to save enough to move into the apartment I live in now. It took a while for me to get my start in musical theater because of all the odd jobs I did, but when it happened, it all clicked. The peacefulness I feel when acting is why I chose Zen to be my stage name. I don't regret anything I've done up to this point. My dream has come true, and I wouldn't trade it for anything."
The content expression on his face made MC feel happy for him. Even though it sounded like he had it rough growing up, Zen made a way to pursue what he loved. She admired that.
"That's amazing," she said with a small smile.
"Thanks," he replied with a smile of his own. It felt good to talk about it.
The rest of breakfast passed in a companionable silence. They would occasionally glance at each other; if they locked eyes, they turned away blushing brightly. After eating, MC freshened herself up and got dressed. Zen stared openly at her as she emerged from her bedroom. She was beautiful even in casual wear to him.
"You should pack some things and stay with Jaehee for a while," Zen suggested. "I don't want you to be alone in this apartment with that guy on the loose."
"Yeah... sure," MC replied, her mood dipping after remembering Saeran.
"Don't worry, I'll always stay in contact with you," he told her. "Come on, I'll make sure you get to her place safely."
After packing a light suitcase, MC and Zen left the apartment. The brunette kept looking over her shoulder nervously, the thought of Saeran watching her never leaving her mind. Zen clenched a fist angrily; he didn't like to see her look so afraid. He honestly wanted MC to stay at his apartment with him, but he wasn't sure how receptive she'd be to that idea. They didn't really know much about each other, and he wasn't sure if he'd be able to control himself if they stayed in such close proximity.
They arrived at Jaehee's house, and MC informed her of the situation. Jaehee's eyes widened, then turned sharp.
"I will make sure you're safe here," Jaehee told her firmly. "We will always leave together. Don't ever risk leaving anywhere alone."
"Thank you Jaehee," MC said gratefully.
"I appreciate your help Ms. Kang," Zen said as he bowed.
Jaehee's face erupted into a bright shade of red. It was a dream come true to meet her favorite musical actor; to have him talk to her and thank her was almost too much.
"I-It's m-m-my pleasure," she stuttered out. MC snickered.
"MC, I'll call you later okay?" Zen said gently as he turned to her.
"Alright," MC answered softly. "Thank you Zen."
Zen grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze before leaving. Jaehee looked from the closed door to her friend, her eyebrow quirked in inquiry.
"Are you two dating?" she asked without preamble.
MC choked on air.
"N-No!" she exclaimed adamantly. "We've only known each other for a little more than a week!"
"Stranger things have happened," Jaehee said with a shrug.