Hello, beautiful readers! Happy Friday! I hope this chapter will be a great start to a wonderful weekend.

Would you believe this chapter is over 28,800 words (49 pages)? 10,000 more words than the last. I am beyond surprised how I got to writing a chapter this long. I will keep editing for the spelling mistakes and smaller changes, but I wanted to post the chapter and not make you wait any longer. Thank you all for your support and for taking the time to read and comment.

As always, can't wait to read your reactions. Have a wonderful weekend!

P.S. The italic words in the bracket are the lyrics to the song.


There was something about running in the rain that she found comforting. The moment she woke up and heard the sound of raindrops tapping at her window, she had been excited to be underneath the tears falling from the sky. That was always a great way to start her day. Her quick shower was followed by enjoying a cup of warm water and a banana. The energy bar that followed was also part of her routine before a morning run. Per her training, it was eaten 30 minutes before her run as she followed it, getting her rain-running gears ready. The dead silent neighborhood was still asleep as she was one of the few people awake hours before even the sun. She liked it that way. In the dark and quiet neighborhood, most would be scared even to walk in; she preferred it when it was just her versus the darkness. Getting familiar with her fear of the dark had taken quite some time. It had taken years and various training to get her to overcome it. But even now, once in a while, the fright she had buried deep down peaks its head and reminds her of why darkness was never her friend. She was still scared of it, but she can't afford not to face it.

In her neighborhood, darkness was just that, just dark—an absence of light and nothing else. There was nothing to be scared of. There could never be anything else as long as Bom was here. Nothing could ever happen to her in these blocks as long as he was alive. The sense of safety that comes from knowing that always makes it easy to be the only soul running through the neighborhood at 4 am in the morning. In these cold streets, a few names could only be whispered to instill fear in most, and most would guess that short list includes Bom. Even if not for him, the people trying to survive and make it to the end of the day, there was a comfort she got being around people with a mountain of problems the world had dealt them with to worry about her. In these streets, she was a known nobody. Just like some members of her team, she was a ghost. A ghost: the people who call this neighborhood their home have never seen or heard of them whenever asked by the police and journalists who are always snooping around. No matter who asked, the answer is no. Nobody knows who they are, what they do, where they are the little kids to the grandmas that run the stress shops, nobody knows the girl that was the second deadliest weapon in their town, who was under the protection of the deadliest one. Bom, who runs the car shop on the edge of town. The streets that raised him, most had been there to witness his transition from the day he got marked by the first tattoo to the man now covered with names and dates. The boy the streets raised, he had returned the favor but raising the girl who some still speculate to be his daughter. Anybody with a working brain would find that crazy considering he was only 12 years older than her.

The form-fitting rain jacket zipped up; she had matched it with the black running leggings it was bought with and her waterproof running shoe. Tied into a tight bun, her hair was covered with a waterproof hat. She placed her phone in the pocket of her leggings, which were covered by her jacket; the other side had her keys and some money notes. By the time the clock hit 4:33 am, she was out of the house and walking up the block to warm her legs up. The first few drops tapping at her shoulder were like a gentle massage. With the almost non-existent street lights the city council has been arguing about funding for the last ten years, she had turned the flashlight Ctrl had built on her hat to guide her steps. Her Bluetooth earphones plugged in; she made sure the sound didn't drawn out her surroundings as she started quicking her walking steps. The only sounds she could make were the raindrops and some of the wind pushing against the not tightly screwed signs of all the shops around. She was waiting for her running playlist to kick in before her focus was on her body that would be tasked to push her legs to try and break her record. There was a reason she had to train running on the tiny roads of her neighborhood. Mainly because her training wasn't just about running; it was jumping, making quick turns, learning how to problem solve, and deciding between hiding and running away.

Her body being at its prime, she was never amazed by what she could do compared to others who always seemed shocked. The only other person not shocked had been Bom, who was the one to train and push her body to its limits. Ever since she was as tall as his legs, he had been the one who had gotten her physique and mental state ready for what she had claimed she wanted to do. A few years back, he backed off from monitoring her training. She was trusted to do it on her own, for the most part. There were a few types of training she needed him for. Running and her daily exercise was a task she managed by herself. Her eyes focused on the night and shallow streets; her legs started moving faster, following the song's rhythm in her ear. Her 10-minute stretch at home had prepared every muscle ready for the task.

Her mind, needing something to focus on, replayed the most puzzling moment of yesterday. The second her feet switched their speed at the turn, Jihoo's flawless face that was inches away from hers had been the trigger that warranted her legs to speed up. That image was what she finished her run with as she turned the timer on her watch off to document her speed and heartbeat. The dark night lightly welcomed the hint of light coming from east, Past 5 am her neighborhood was known to start waking up. She would be joined by all the shop owners who had to wake up before sunrise and prepare for another day. The fish market she decided to go through, she kept her eyes on the trucks delivering the fresh fish. The loud sounds of the market, she enjoyed the chaos as she decreased the song's volume in her ear. There was something she enjoyed about the crazy hassle of the early fish market that ended before the sun was even out. With her hands in her pocket, she moved through the crazy crowd. All focused on juggling and bargaining for the items they were buying, nobody paid attention to the girl dressed in all black and just walking along. Her eyes from the long tucks moved to the police cars at the main entrance. The two police cars, the officers standing against them and drinking their coffee, Jandi zeroed her eyes on their sealed-in guns, right next to their pepper sprays and tasers. Their eyes focused on the people shouting at the truck drivers delivering the fish; it was funny how, even with all their weapons, the lethal person in the space was her.

"What's up, princess?" she heard a familiar voice that grabbed her attention away from the police officers.

" Morning run," Kangsan added as he watched her scan him up and down.

" Chef is sick," he explained why he was the one sent to make the purchase for the restaurant.

" Stop calling me Princess." Jandi gave him a soft warning as she looked up at the boy, who seemed to be growing by the day. Whatever he was eating at that restaurant he spends all his time in after school must be the cause. There was no other explanation for how he was starting to get taller than her. His love of food, it made sense for him to grow considering he ate almost everything that was cooked in Mrs kim's restaurant.

" You are a princess." She knew he wasn't going to stop annoying her with it. He has been doing it for years.

" You better get some before they run out." She pushed his shoulder to get him to move to the crowd in line to buy the fresh fish.

" Mrs Kim?' she asked, raising her voice to the boy walking away.

" Making breakfast, She is going to the car shop to talk to Bom about something," he shouted back before running towards the line.

"How's the rich friend of yours?" he asked, turning around and winking at her. Jihoo, who had stopped by the restaurant once, Ctrl had been the one to add more detail about how much time she was spending with the so-called student president. Jihoo who Mrs. Kim, Kangsan, and the Chef had seen in person; only they could attest to the true beauty of the handsome Jihoo. Mrs. Kim has never failed to talk about him whenever Jandi's school is mentioned.

Ignoring his question, Jandi had turned around, heading to the car shop. Her choice of streets getting smaller and empty, she was enjoying her walk in the rain that had stopped a few minutes ago. Her hat she placed in her pocket, she quickened her steps. The two-floor car shop Bom runs, he had bought the warehouse and the office above it from the city that was getting ready to demolish it. It took six months for the warehouse to get renovated into a fully functioning car shop, with the second floor completely renovated office space and an open apartment. What better way to hide their cars and bikes than to run a car shop? Bom and the boys had built it all from scratch. It was easy to tell it was a men's space. The car shop on the massive ground floor, and upstairs was an open floor including a living room, kitchen, office, and a small gym. The boys who worked at the shop used it all the time, but the bedroom and office on the second floor were reserved for Bom. The massive warehouse, the car shop wasn't the only thing it housed. The boxed and caged items that were stored in the back, not even the cops had questioned the massive trucks that come to the car shop and what they deliver. It was easier to hide everything right under their nose, under a licensed business.

The backdoor entrance she knew the passcode to; she pressed the code on the system and entered the long hallway. She had waved at the security camera hidden at the corner, behind the plants arranged on the wall. She was sure Bom would smile looking at her when he checked it occasionally. The second floor being her goal, she ignored the left turn towards the car shop as she turned right and started going up the stairs. Her phone that started buzzing had her attention as she started replying to Ctrl's text about where she would eat breakfast. Before she even went halfway, she heard a step and glanced up to see Bom coming down from the second floor.

"How long?" was his first question as Jandi placed her phone in her pocket and returned her eyes to Bom going down the stairs. His pajama pants were the only thing he wore as his bare feet, not even making a sound, took slow steps. His clear eyes and not even remotely tired-looking body, she wasn't sure how he always woke up looking like this. NO puffy face, sleepy eyes, or tired body that needs a second to wake up. When he was up, he was ready for the day. But then again he had to, considering how many lives depended on him.

"School and back," she responded to his question about the distance she ran. The elementary school on the other side of town was what she was referring to.

" I saw Kangsan at the fish market. He said Chef was sick." Both had landed on the first floor almost simultaneously. Bom was first, and she was okay following his steps toward the living room and the attached kitchen.

"It's just cold." he gave her the answer to ease her worry. Taking her jacket off, she placed it on the couch and followed Bom behind. Her eyes, from the black ink across his naked upper body, turned to the marks on his back she had never been okay seeing. The ice patch on his left shoulder, she was reminded of his left arm that was still hurting from the car accident weeks ago. The massages and treatments he gets from the local shops have been successful in speeding up his recovery. From that, her focus shifted to the kitchen he was leading them to. She could guess there was some group dinner last night or some kind of dinner in the now clean and organized dining area. It smelled like cleaning supplies and looked too organized. Bom was clean and organized, but something was off about this one.

"About the girl, Ctrl said he could."

" I found the videos," she interrupted as she walked past him. She headed to the dining table and took the chair facing the kitchen.

" I will get it today," she added as she focused on Bom walking to the fridge. The bowl from the shelf above was pulled and placed on the counter before he opened the metal door of the fridge. The milk placed by the bowl, he walked to the wall-wall shelf that had all the pantries and picked up the cereal box.

" How?'' he asked as she saw him pull out the banana, blueberries, and honey he would add on top. He always had a habit of making anything he was eating more appetizing than he should. He was a great cook whose food was saved for rare, very rare occasions.

" Somebody got a hold of them, and I am getting a copy."

" Do I need to ask who?" Glancing her way, he asked. His hands cutting the banana could manage to do it on their own and didn't need the help of his eyes. He was a master at using sharp objects.

" It doesn't matter," she said with a smile when she saw him start making her bowl first. He always shared food, and it was a known fact how he made sure he served others before he got his. Making sure people around him eat before he takes a bite is an odd representation of the responsibility he carries. No matter the cost, one of the items he never minded spending on was the groceries that were weekly delivered to all the places everybody he was responsible for lived. Ensuring everybody was well-fed was priority number one. If he had any, providing & sharing food would be his love language, especially with the people closest to him. Jandi, at the top of the list, had always eaten before or with him.

" Mrs. Kim said she needs to see a doctor." The whole-grain oats & wheat cereal were mixed in with hazelnuts and almonds as he added them after pouring the milk in.

" She is not ready," Jandi recalled how Junpyo had said the same thing. She also remembered the conversation with Eun, even suggesting the school nurse. Eun's absolute no was respected.

" Just let me know if you need me," the banana he had chopped and the blueberries added; he had topped it with the honey before he walked to her and placed the bowl and a spoon in front of her.

" I told them to make a space for her in the dormitory if she needs a place."

"Mrs. Kim also said she could stay with them," he added, giving Jandi the best news of her day. She had to wait until he gave her permission. Eun, who lived by herself, Jandi had asked if she could stay with them for a while but she had to wait for Ctrl to do a background check and clear the girl and for Bom to give the okay. Her excitement was fully visible on her face. She can't wait to offer Eun to come and stay closer to her rather than live alone. Mrs Kim's place would be perfect for her, and it was only a walking distance from Jandi.

" She could stay with us," Jandi had asked a question she knew the answer to.

" I know," she responded to his sharp look. She knew nobody was allowed in the apartment she lived in. Ctrl and her and where they stayed was something he couldn't compromise on. He hides them away, even from the most trusted people he worked with, let alone a new face.

" She is just," Jandi didn't finish as she took her first bite. This was delicious. Just like everything else his hands touch.

" She is what?" Turning around to face her, he stood against the counter. As he took his first, his eyes were focused on examining Jandi, who had started showing some signs of forming an attachment. The amount of hours she spent at that school, Mrs Kim has been the only one to convince him it was a good idea. He didn't think so, and he witnessed the first signs as she started to soften up.

" She is so scared of" Jandi stopped her talk when she heard some steps from the floor above. Her eyes from the roof she looked up to turned to Bom. Quietly eating his food, he waited for her to continue. His lack of reaction to the sound meant only one thing. His silence and nonchalance were her confirmation as she knew to get ready for what was about to happen.

" Oppa, did you see my phone?" she heard a woman's voice—her eyes from the stairs where she heard the voice turned to Bom. None of the boys were allowed to go to the second floor so she knew to expect a woman. Why it still surprised her to see the girls leave his bedroom was odd. Her protective nature that goes into effect instantly, she never trusted anybody to lay next to his body. Which they would have easy access to attack. Her father/older brother figure, one of her worst fears was that she wouldn't be there to fight or protect him if somebody dared to attack him when he was away from her. That fear was the main reason why she still gets startled when she sees them leave.

"Never mind, I found it," she heard the voice again as Bom continued enjoying his food. With their silent stares, Bom and Jandi didn't need words to communicate. The silent conversation continued until the girl finished her walk down the stairs.

" Hello," the girl adjusting her jacket greeted Jandi, who just gave her a slight bow.

" I am going to leave. I will see you around." The girl had given both a smile as she started heading down the stairs. Her long legs weren't much-covered thanks to her miniskirt and the just as long jacket. Jandi's eyes, from the beautiful legs, noticed the red heels the girl was holding as she quickened her steps down.

" She's pretty," Jandi whispered, turning her attention to Bom. She had never dared to say anything but complement them. There was nothing to say because she knew none of them would be there again. There was no reason even to ask their name or recognize their face. There was a new face every time, and that was intentional. Keeping people away from him was like his second nature and included not even sharing his real name or bothering to get to know theirs. Life was just easier that way, and nobody had dared to question him about it. The only person with the guts to say something and was correct almost every time was Mrs. Kim, who had arrived right on time to see the girl leaving the back door.

" I didn't know we had guests over." Mrs. Kim's loud voice from the first floor had caused a slight smile on Jandi's face. The way Bom had sighed, she was happy that Mrs Kim had caught the girl leaving. She would say everything Jandi would be scared to mention.

" She's pretty, "Mrs. Kim added, walking up the stairs. Bom, placing his bowl down, had started walking to the stairs. Just from her breathing, he could tell she was holding something, and his unconscious reaction was to help.

"That's what I said,'' Jandi added, enjoying the banana she placed in her mouth. With the two women who were always ready to gang up on him, he knew he would start his morning with a lecture.

" You're setting a great example." Mrs Kim choosing a new angle to attack him started while handing him the bags in her hand. Bags he easily lifted up he was quick as he went up the stairs. He doesn't have an answer to her question; he never does. He just has to accept what she says in silence.

" I wonder how you would react when different men start coming out of her place." Mrs. Kim had left both gagged as she finished her walk up the stairs and started coming to the kitchen.

" Why would they be at my place?" Jandi had been the one to speak back before Bom even thought about what to say. His big smile had extended into a laugh as he placed the bags on the table. She really is exactly like how he had raised her, and he can't help but be proud of her sharp and quick response.

" He said the same thing when he was your age. Look at him now," Mrs. Kim threw her first slap at his naked shoulder. Her rain coat and purse were placed down, she washed her hands before she started unpacking the breakfast she had bought.

"Aren't you always praying for us to have someone? Bom added, helping her unpack. The amazing smell of the boxes he started opening the food that was being laid across the table as Jandi left her chair and got some plates and utensils form the shelf.

" What is her name?'' Mrs Kim, pointing at the stairs down asked. His lack of response, her hand had landed another slap on his shoulder.

" I pray you find someone that loves you, not people to sleep with," Mrs Kim didn't mind clarifying the thing he always intentionally misinterprets.

" You think I have time for that" Bom was honest with his question as he pulled the chair and sat down. Mrs Kim started arranging the food, and he was ready to eat. Before taking a bite, he had pushed some of the stuff to Jandi, setting it across the table.

" You have time for this."

" Maybe I am not built for that, you know." his adorable smile, even Jandi was smiling as she waited for what Mrs Kim would say.

" Why is your body marked with names and dates?" folding her arm Mrs. Kim asked.

" Exactly," was his response as everyone was reminded of the reason he marks his body with permanent ink. In the underworld his life existed in; there was no space for anything but worrying about not just his but everyone's life and death on a daily.

" I have shit to worry about '' he reminded Mrs. Kim of what occupies his mind 24/7. He has no space left in his brain, let alone let anybody into his heart that was considered nonexistent by most who have received his harsh punishment.

" What's the benefit anyway?" Jandi had asked while getting a silent stare from Mrs Kim, who was expected to explain. Even Bom had turned to her to explain why she kept bothering him about this. She always claimed she wanted an easy life for them but there was nothing easy about thier lives.

" Why involve somebody in your messed up life?" she asked a question that Mrs Kim knew no explanation would answer.

" One of these days, you will find your answer," was all that Mrs could say as she watched both turning their smiles towards the breakfast they started enjoying.

" You too," she had whispered to Bom as she gently massaged his left shoulder.

" Can you pray for something useful instead?" he asked as her gentle hands quickly slapped him.

The breakfast conversation turned to Eun; Jandi was the first to leave to go home change into her uniform and head to school. The rain was still falling down, and her umbrella had been her shelter as she walked past the grand gate of the school. Her slow steps, she enjoyed walking to the rhythm of the water hitting the ground. The calm rhythm of the rain matched the nice movement of the branches on the trees she was walking along. Thanking a deep breath, she had left the cold that entered her system to provide her with the calm she needed to survive another day on this campus. Mrs. Kim, who had done everything to convince her to finish out the semester, even Bom had joined in as they made sure she agreed to stay in school. What her life was going to be like once she was done with this school? she had never spent even a minute wondering about what the day after graduation was going to be like. Subconsciously, she was choosing not to think about that because that would demand her to accept that she had failed. That they had failed to achieve the only thing she had joined this school for. That was a harsh truth she was trying to avoid. Underneath that was the tiny new thing that made going to this school bearable—the school president.

The handsome and kind friend of hers; the only student at this school she feels comfortable talking to and being around. The only one to slow everything around her with just a smile and his soft voice. The only man to make her blush with a single touch that mercilessly didn't even trigger her body was always ready to fight or run away. The only person who makes her feel normal to the point she is okay and, at times, looking forward to coming to this hellhole. The dangerous way Jihoo had been slowly pricing through her gates, it was easy not to think much about it. It was Jihoo, after all. How easy it was for him to become the person she looked forward to seeing every workday. How quickly he had become the person she waited for before she even ate lunch. How easily his office had become her safe space. It all felt beyond natural and easy to do as he had become a normal part of her school life. If she had the self-awareness to dig deep, she would realize how Jihoo was being given a special place for the mere fact she could just be normal around him.

She didn't need to be anything. She could just be. In his office, where she starts her day with the amazing tea he had her addicted to, only soft smiles and words were exchanged. In his office, she was just a normal girl that worked with him. The outside world she was at war with was left at the door. How he never tried to poke into or even ask about her past, her anger, her pain; that was what made him the only person she would save once she set this school on fire. Which if she spent more than a minute thinking about why should be a red flag.

Today was different as Jihoo wasn't even on campus when she arrived, nor would he be for the first half of morning classes. He was at a conference with the school director. The council members were all notified of it and have been given tasks, except her. Jihoo had made sure she had a free morning, which Jandi was thankful about. The grand library she wanted to take advantage of before leaving this school, she had quickened her steps to the 5th floor. One of the books she had kept away to read in hand, she had rushed to her hidden corner of the library. On the quiet last floor of the building, she had hidden by the wall-to-wall window of the left corner, hidden behind the French literature books nobody ever reads. It was the perfect corner to hide and read books while having a grand view of the rain falling down on the garden of the school, across the driveway of their building. Her eyes were glued to the words; she was lost in the story while she had given her eyes a minute or two breaks every 30 or so minutes by glancing up at the grand campus. The rain that had paused it was in one of those moments when her eyes from the garden were pulled to the black car slowly driving along the long way from the gate to the driveway.

The smooth black car; the moment she recognized who it was, her mind went through all the images of Junpyo she had in memory to play the most problematic ones. Well, technically, all of them were problematic. Considering she shouldn't even have any saved in her memory. Her eyes glued to the car, she followed it all the way to the driveway of their building where it slowed down its speed before coming to a full stop behind the flashy yellow car. That was when she even noticed who the yellow car belonged to, Yijeong standing next to it, who was on his phone. Of Course, he would have a shiny yellow car. Her eyes from Yijeong, she scanned, turned to the driver's door of the black car. Just like she had guessed, the body covered in all black had stepped out slowly. The black hoodie he had on was matched to the black jeans and the ankle-length boots. Her eyes following his every step, she caught the small node the two friends exchanged as Yijeong went on with his call. Junpyo standing by the passenger side of his car; her eyes followed his right hand that went to his pocket and pulled a cigarette.

He smokes a lot. The second she made the conclusion, she was reminded of the reason he had provided her when she asked about why. Anxiety. What on earth does this spoiled brat have to be anxious about? Was the question that started it all as her resentful eyes followed the cigarette that was placed in between his lips and lit with the black lighter he threw into his car. His left hand was responsible for removing the cigarette after the first inhale; she didn't follow the hand; her eyes had started on his lips that breathed out the white smoke. Such a disgusting habit, she added to the endless list of things she hated about him. It was so disgusting, which explains why it fits his whole aesthetic. She was making assumptions as her eyes followed the cigarette placed back in between his lips. Her eyes zoomed in; it was odd how they were able to notice even the movement of his lower jaw as inhaled the nicotine before the white cigarette slowly was pulled out of his lips. The white smoke gushing out his lips had flown away thanks to the wind as her eyes slowly shifted their focus up. His face was covered by the hoodie over his head, plus his hair; it was hard to make out if he was all better off smoking like this or even being here. The last time she saw him, he was very sick and almost about to pass out.

As though the universe was responding to her intrusive thoughts and questions, Junpyo's right hand came to his head, and he pulled the hoodie away. Her eyes instantly were focused on his hair which started flying in every direction. The cigarette placed in between his lips, both hands were sent to pull his hair into the hair tie he took from his wrist. Finally, his face was in clear view, but before she analyzed it to see if he was still sick or not, she was left with a more confusing matter. Yijeong, who she hadn't noticed, had finished his call and said something that forced Jupyo to start laughing. The cigarette pulled away; his lips parted for a big smile that turned into a small laugh. Luckily, she was too far away to notice his killer dimples, which were always able to draw anybody in. In exchange for the pretty dimples of his, she was given a tiny insight into his adorable, shy behavior, which her brain couldn't even process and was just confused by. His right hand covering his lips, Junpyo had even turned around to hide his smiling face away from Yijeong, who had continued with whatever he was talking about. Yjeong's big gestures, even laughing as he walked to Junpyo, who was hiding his smiling face. These people really live in their own little world.

The cigarette that returned to his lips, why her mind played a short clip of how Bom also smoked with his left hand, Jandi hated it as she shook her head to get every thought out of her mind and return her focus back to her book. Unfortunately, the bell rang, warning all to head to class, which she did. Knowing he was there, she saved getting the only thing she needed from him for the lunch break. The moment the lunch break bell had rung, she had quickened her steps to the F4 lounge area, which she hoped he would be in. Her mind focused on getting the videos. She hadn't even considered what she would use as an excuse if Jihoo and Yijeong were there. In the 3rd-floor lounge, she entered after knocking three times and getting no answer.

Her eyes quickly scanned the room and found it empty. Her eyes noticed the three doors that were spread around the room, so she decided to head to the first one on her right. Before she even got halfway toward the door, she heard a noise coming from behind her and turned quickly.

"Hello," it was Yijeong who walked into the lounge. With his big smile, Jandi was now getting used to seeing; she turned fully towards him.

" What are you doing here?" he asked as he crossed his arm. His eyes started scanning her, he could tell he wanted her to know he was looking at her. The official playboy of the school, Jandi, had done the same as she started scanning him from head to toe. What on earth do these girls see in these jerks? She asked as her eyes made out the brands of all the items he was covered in. Maybe money does really make people attractive, she assumed, as she didn't see how he was considered the most handsome person in the school. Maybe it's the money and the fact that he's an artist and comes from a long line of famous artists. It had to be that.

" Jihoo is not here," Yijeong answered his own question as he started debating why she was looking at him with that puzzled look. The girl he couldn't seem to read, even he had started finding her interesting enough to pay attention to everything she did whenever she was in his view. It was hard to ignore her, considering how odd she was. Of all the types of girls he had dealt with, this one seemed to be the only one not charmed by the smiles he used to disarm girls and give in to his demands. Let alone his smiles; she doesn't even seem that interested to talk to him.

" Jun Pyo?" was all she said as she started walking his way. He was standing by the door which she was heading towards. With her black boots and leggings, Yijeong was finally picking on her weird style that was always about comfort rather than looking good. Her strong steps, there was something about the way she walked that demanded attention.

" Why are you looking for him?" he asked a question he didn't get an answer for. She just started back as she started getting closer.

" You should leave Junpyo alone, '' Jihoo whispered, leaning her way. It was one of his first pieces of advice that she would dismiss. The silent observer of the group, if anybody had actually cared to listen to him, he would have saved the friendship that would be tested beyond limits and the endless havoc waiting for all, thanks to this girl.

" Why?" The girl who didn't like being told what she should or shouldn't do asked. She was always quick to make the assumption that Yijeong was about to remind her of her place and why she was underneath all of them, let alone Junpyo.

" He is not like Jihoo '' was all Yijeong said as the girl gave him the first sign of her small smile. She didn't think deeply about what he said as she accepted it as him just stating something even somebody who didn't know the two would pick on the first interaction. Thank God Jihoo was nothing like his best friend was all she thought about as she started thinking about the list of things that differentiated Jihoo from the one she was looking for. The girl who doesn't know both that well had missed a lot of the points that were different about the two Yijeong would have highlighted as the main difference

" Where is he?" She finally said a full sentence as she crossed her arm, and her eyes demanded a clear answer.

" Who?' she heard a familiar-sounding voice from her back. The husky voice was deeper than usual but it only took a fraction of a second for her mind to figure out who it was as her eyes turned back. Junpyo came out from one of the doors in the corner; her eyes landed on his face. His hair tied back, she had an easy view of it. His hollow-looking eyes, for once, there was some color on his clear face. Unfortunately, the hint of pink hue on his cheeks and the dark color under his eyes was a sign of the cold he was still dealing with. The black cloth he was obsessed with wasn't helping either, as she took a second to assess his well-being and concluded he was okay but not fully cured of the cold.

" She is looking for you?" Yijeong was the one to answer Junpyo's question as Jandi slowly turned around, standing beside Yijeong and facing Junpyo. Her eyes on Jun Pyo, Yijeong had focused all his attention on how she was looking at his friend. He had always found it interesting the way she looked at his friends. He hadn't seen it a lot, but even with the small number of interactions, he was able to recognize how her gaze was different when she looked at Jihoo compared to the one in front of them. He knew she didn't like Junpyo; it was easy to see her detest for his friend. But Yijeong, who has always been able to read women, was okay with making assumptions about why her eyes hadn't left his friend. Not only had they stayed on Junpyo, but she was slowly scanning every inch of his face.

" Why are you looking for him?" Yijoeng asked as he slowly changed his focus to Jun Pyo. What made it even more interesting was how Junpyo looked back at her. The dinner, which had been the first instance when Yijeong was able to pick on the way Junpyo had been looking at the girl all through the night. Now, standing in front of him, Yijeong focused his attention on his friend. He knew Junpyo well enough to see what on earth was going on. Junpyo, who had sent his hands to his pocket, Yijeong's didn't need much more than junpyo's eyes for his six senses to be aware of the odd strain that was building around them. Did Junpyo do something to her for slapping him? Yijeong asked himself before his focus was shifted to the girl who had dared and slapped Junpyo.

" The copy," Janid's voice broke the silence as she used a hint rather than saying video and making Yijeong even more curious about what was being discussed.

" In my car." Junpyo's response was quick as he started his first step their way.

" I'll be back." Junpyo finally turned his eyes to his friend. Yijeong, silently watching the two, didn't say anything. He was saving all his questions for later as his eyes stayed following the two that started walking out of the room. What is going on? Was all he wanted to know as the two left the room.

The moment they walked out of the room and joined the hallway, Jandi had intentionally chosen to be on his left side. Her right hand being her more dominant hand, she needed that to be the closest to him just in case. Protecting herself and being ready to fight was her natural state and something she did unconsciously. Her right leg would land precise kicks to break bones; she had chosen it to be the closest to him as she started walking by his left side.

" He asks too many questions," she broke the silence. Her eyes had quickly shifted from the long hallway to Junpyo next to her. The small laugh she heard had been what forced her to turn. Her eyes, placed on Junpyo's left side profile, caught the small and soft sound that escaped his smiling lips. His raspy voice, which always had a deep vigor behind it, was described as soft because his smile accompanied it. It would have reached a different level of softness if she had witnessed the dimples that formed at the center of his cheek, but his smile wasn't full enough for that. In exchange, his right hand came to his face to brush the dark hair away. With his long fingers, she followed the dark strands of hair landing behind his ear, which had allowed her eyes to start their scan from his triple-pierced left ear, across his sharp jawline that led to his smiling lips.

" You will get used to it." His response had simultaneously reached her ears as his head turned her way. Her sharp eyes didn't even look away or change their gaze as his eyes turned to her. She was doing something he was becoming familiar with, staring at him. Her brown eyes weren't afraid or shy to avoid looking at him as much as they wanted to. It was only Junpyo that was warned to make it stop. The tingling feelings that start when her eyes stay on him for more than a second, it was only him that was warned about looking into her eyes. He was asked to make it stop, but he chose not to. He welcomed her curious eyes without hesitation or worry about what they could cause. The way she looks at him, talks to him, reacts to his presence, Junpyo was sure there was some type of weird fascination she had with him. That is the only thing that would explain how much she hates him to death. It was beyond personal and no words could describe it. Her detest of him, he couldn't wait to dig to the bottom of it and expose it all. He was okay with whatever it would cost him. Blinded by his curiosity, Junpyo was in no position to realize the path he had chosen would cost him his sanity and become the only thing he couldn't use his money and power to get. Her hatred for him, he was getting obsessed with; he also knew the strong reaction she has to him would lead her to a path she wouldn't be able to return from. Rather than letting her stop, he was more than okay encouraging it. His odd interest lately is actually to make sure she takes that path. Whatever he had to do, he was willing to use it all to direct her anger-filled attention his way. He was okay with letting her hate him as much as she wanted because that meant she still felt something when she was around him. Hate is a strong emotion.

The questions he could see swimming in her honey-brown eyes; he didn't know when he started being able to look past her mesmerizing eyes and notice what she hid behind them. Her endless thoughts he would do anything to hear, but he knew he would never be allowed to. The visible walls she had around her, he was very aware of how the walls get thicker and longer whenever he was around. Her lips she kept sealed; it was easy to recognize how private she was. Even if she weren't, he would be the last person to get anything out of her willingly. Let alone tell him things; most of the time, she didn't even seem physically comfortable being around him. Her tense body, her hands he could always see in their fighting positions. Junpyo was very aware of how being around him by itself was something she didn't enjoy. For her, it was a stressful situation. The second the sore realization reached his mind; he had to change the subject.

" How is she doing?" he asked as his right hand was sent to his hair and he started brushing it back on his face.

"She is okay," Her response was short.

"She is scared of me." Junpyo, remembering how Eun had run away from him, shared something that wasn't even remotely surprising.

" Everybody is' ' Jandi's eyes that glanced at him had directed him to look back at exactly what she looked at. The F4 logo by the room they left behind. That was the answer to the question of why Eun had run away from him and why everybody was scared of him.

" Everybody except you?" he phrased his response as a question as his eyes returned to her. The way her eyes had looked at him, Junpyo knew he had just pressed a button by signaling her out. Her eyes didn't stay on him long; they were sent to the hallway.

" Or you're scared of me too?" he asked, knowing he would not get an honest answer. To be honest, he wasn't remotely ready to hear the answer to that question, and even when he eventually gets her honest response, it would be soul-crushing.

" Do I have a reason not to be?" Her answer was a hint to what he would have to do. It was on him to prove why she should not be scared of him. He had done things that should terrify anybody to even talk to him. Lucky for him, she wasn't easily intimidated and had dealt with so many traumatic situations her mind didn't even bother with his childish games of his.

" You beat Woobin to a hospital bed, and you're scared of me, '' he asked with a small smirk that always gets her attention. The type of fear they were talking about was different.

" You were able to get all the surveillance videos that apparently don't exist" her eyes turned his way, Jandi wanted to see if he could pick on why she found him scary. His power was more than what he could physically do. In fact, all his power was on everything he could do without even lifting a finger. She had never considered the option that she wouldn't be able to beat him up physically. All the way she had envisioned killing him, none of them included an option of him fighting back. Why? Nobody knows. In her imagination, she was able to beat him to death without any retaliation. She was scared of everything else and not what his body could do if she ever got to leave physical marks of her pure hatred on it. Why Junpyo physically hitting her or fighting back never even registered in her mind was a red flag.

" You can get anything when you have enough money" was his response about how he got those videos. So he did pay for them. She finally got her answer, but now she was curious about how much. Maybe she could pay it back so she doesn't have that lingering feeling of owing him anything.

" Of course, you can," she whispered as she started contemplating the money.

"Almost everything." his words forced all her attention back to him.

"Some people hate me for it," he added, turning her way.

"That's all they see when they see me," his calm voice, thanks to his sick throat, was deeper than ever as it reached her ears. He didn't not sound okay about what he just said. She hates how she could easily sense it in his tone. Another thing has now been added to her hate list. How she could easily tell what this jerk was feeling just based on his tone and his eyes. She hated the uncomfortable situation. Not just because she hates him but she wouldn't even know what to do with it, if she didn't. She doesn't even know how to process and deal with her own emotions she had tried to kill and bury away, let alone other people's emotions. To make it worse, for her to deal with his asshole's emotions, that would be the day she would claim she had lost her mind.

" What else is there to see?" Her sharp words were chosen to attack back at the discomfort she felt by being forced to read between the lines. She was always ready to cause as much pain as the discomfort she was given, if not more, her eyes followed her words to see the impact. With one look into his eyes, she claimed a win. The tiny arrow he had sent her way, Junpyo had only himself to blame for the sting he caused himself by realizing she really didn't see him as any different than the rest of the world. The hate she has for him is the same reason people who didn't even know him threw themselves at him. It was two sides of the same coin, but for some odd reason, he liked her side better. It was better to be hated for it than to get fake affection and admiration from people who just want his money. It didn't take therapy to figure that out; it only took 12 or 13 years of his life. They were all just performing to care in order to get something.

" It takes a hollow soul to enjoy bullying others' She knew exactly what she was doing when she sent this one. Her anger being the primary emotion, she wasn't able to realize how much she was choosing to attack because she was fully aware that he was listening to her. Not only listening to her but really taking in what she was saying. Her eyes, looking for a clue of the damage, were given enough as she watched the light on his face slowly disappear. It really was odd how instantly she was made aware of the darkness that was starting to take over him.

" That's who you are," she finished as she turned her eyes to the elevator they were approaching. The second time she used the same exact term to put him back into the neatly arranged box she had categorized him in. A box filled with the names of her enemies. That box was where he belonged, that box and only that box.

" You don't know me," his soft whisper was like a plea as he was thankful his hair had slowly shifted back to his face, which her eyes returned to.

" I don't want to," her quick response. She had chosen the powerful tone of hers. More than him, it was to affirm her stance rather than feel any of the things his soft voice could cause. She had chosen to attack. It was weird that even though he was fully aware of how much she hated him, it still stung a little to hear these things come out of her lips. The things she says right to his face with no remorse. He deserved it and accepted it willingly, but it still hurts. Unlike her, his immediate go-to when hurt wasn't to fight back or attack. It was to attack himself.

" It would make it easier to hate me." his right hand was sent to his hoodie, which he lifted to place on his head as she took a step ahead and pressed the elevator button.

" If you knew how fucked up I am" The cold tone of his voice and the hauntingly sad look in his eyes had paralyzed her just to stand there, looking at his face now hidden behind his hair and the black fabric. Her hand she retired was placed behind her as she fought to order her eyes to look away from him. As always, she had options on what she wanted to do as she was being provided another opportunity to learn a valuable lesson she hadn't picked on yet. To leave the ticking emotional bomb dressed in all black and standing steps away from her alone. For once, she made the right choice as she ignored it. Her eyes turning to the elevator, she sent her fingers to battle each other.

" am not hollow inside, just fucked up" This one got a reaction out of her as she turned her eyes his way. His gloomy eyes, which had glanced up, looked terrifying as they hid behind the dark strands of hair.

Silence took over as neither had anything to say.

The elevator doors opened, she was quick as she took the first step into the glass box. She chose the left corner while he walked to the right after pressing the lobby button. The hint of a smirk she saw on his face, she needed a second to process what was going on. His head pushed back to rest against the glass wall; he stood there, giving her all the time she needed to stare at him with her examining eyes. His silence, for once, she was enjoying it as his lips stayed shut. But the lack of spoken words meant his eyes were the loudest and she could hear everything they were saying as they stayed on her. His sick and twisted eyes weren't even shy as they slowly lowered their gaze from her eyes to her face, then down her neck. With every blink of his infected eyes, the skin of hers he was inspecting was starting to warm up as Jandi, unable even to understand what was happening, stood there, letting his eyes wander.

The top button of her dress shirt, as they finished her unclothed skin, his eyes hadn't stopped but went roaming over the uniform cardigan she had on. His family name stitched to the left side of her cardigan; his eyes had found something to focus on for a few seconds. He wasn't sure why or for what, but he had taken a mental picture of the black thread name of his that was plastered on the left side of her chest. Something about seeing his last name on her demanded his attention to admire it. The neatly threaded letters didn't take much for his attention to shift to noticing the rhythm of her breathing that was forcing the shirt to move. His eyes lifted back to hers, he had noticed her looking down at what he was staring at.

"Can't wait to burn it." Why her immediate reaction to anything he did was violence was scary. Her words, more than a reaction to his stare at his last name, directly resulted from how his aberrant eyes had surveyed her with the strange gaze she couldn't define and had felt across every inch of her skin his eyes had scanned. If anger wasn't her regular state of mind, she might have understood that whatever was making her triggered when she was around him was a dangerous force she wouldn't know how to fight back against once she crossed the line. Her rage that only leaves her vulnerable; it will take a bloodbath to even say no to what his eyes will start demanding. There was no getting back once she crossed the red line surrounded by the electrocuting barbwires, which were already giving her hints as to what they would do to her body that couldn't even handle his eyes. His presence that always had to be kept a distance away from her; it will take battles for her to learn what it could do when his body was close enough for her to feel the burning fever he happened to be the first to be infected with. Her world would come crumbling down if his cold finger ever dared to touch her; she would be given enough warning and red flags to stop it before it even started.

She was given the first one of the day, as it was waved in front of her and her eyes followed his lips that started slowly parting for a smile. His disbelief in what she had said, he could only smile it off as he sent his eyes to the floor. Lucky for her, she didn't have much time as the door opened, and her attention was drawn to the elevator. Wrapped in her own confused thoughts, she hadn't noticed how he had stayed put until she took the steps and was the first out of the elevator. He had let her walk first. Following behind, Junpyo joined the lobby, where they would have to take the side exit to head to the VIP parking lot.

The silence was back as he decided to stay a step behind her. His right hand sent to his hair; he took a deep breath as he focused his eyes on the girl walking in front of him. His eyes were pulled to focus on her hands. Her right thumb scratching her left hand, he zeroed in on that.

Was she angry?

Was she nervous? Anxious? Does she even feel anxious?

Does she feel anything other than anger?

The questions going through his mind were gradually silenced as he made out the red marks her nail was leaving on her hand. With every line her nail drew, the voice wishing for his hands to reach out and calm her fingers was becoming loud enough to silence the rest. Why it felt like she might despair into thin air if he ever touches her, why it was terrifying to even think about what her skin would feel to his touch, how every new red line her nails scratched across her skin was causing a reaction on his hands ...none of these questions and answers as he unlocks another door she opened with her right hand, that was when his thoughts were brought back to Jandi who had looked back at him as she walked past the door. The cold breeze that welcomed them; they both needed it as they took deep breaths. Jandi, quickening her steps to the car she could see ahead, had turned to look back when she noticed his hands moving. The cigarette she saw him pull out was quickly lit up and placed in between his lips. Her eyes had returned to her steps once he had noticed her looking at him. His smoking she wasn't fond of; she had the answer but wasn't able to connect why he needed it now all of a sudden. The cigarette she zoomed her eye on, she was able to notice how different it looked from the one she had seen Bom smoke. Even the smell was different as she saw the first white smoke gushing out of his slips. There was some sweetness to the white cloud. What does he actually smoke? She asked before she was quickly ordered to shut her curiosity down.

She just needs to get the video and leave him be, she had thought as she turned her steps faster. But her eyes were forced to turn back when she heard him start coughing. How is he sick and still smoking? The question was just for her as she turned her eyes to his car. As her legs continued, so did his coughing. In the cold air of the day, his sick body was still fighting to be taken care of and be hidden away from such harsh weather. The car she walked up to, stood a step away from the passenger door as she waited for him. Her arms crossed, she sent her eyes to the cigarette he pulled from his lips and the white smoke he breathed out. His fingerprint he used to open the driver's door; he had jumped in to look for the flash drive that should be somewhere in the documents that had taken over his passenger seat. Her eyes on the files he was pushed aside, she noticed the energy bar that was only halfway eaten and the coffee cup. They were the only things in the car that weren't documents. His hand grabbed the dark flash drive, she followed as he pulled himself out of the car.

" huh" he had sighed as he extended his right hand, holding the drive her way. The black flashdrive she gently pulled out of his grip, she knew she had to say at least thank you. He had done almost all the work to find these videos and collect enough evidence for Eun to pursue a criminal case if she wanted to.

" She needs to see a doctor and therapist." As he placed the cigarette between his lips, Junpyo shared his last opinion on the matter.

" For her own sake," he added as he inhaled the nicotine that was providing his body with whatever it needed to continue talking to her. His genuine words, after watching him last night, Jandi knew he was worried about Eun.

" She is not ready" as a payment for what he did; she decided to play nice and respond.

"It's an invasive examination." The darkness of her voice, Junpyo had to shut the beyond-ridiculous thought that crossed his mind. Why did her answer instantly take him to such a dark space? He shook it all off. There was no possible way.

" Do you want her to know you got these?" she asked as she took her first step away from the car they were standing by.

" No," he breathed out the white smoke after lowering the cigarette away from his lips. His eyes she glanced at, that was the only goodbye he was going to get as she started walking away. His back rested against the opened door, he inhaled the mix of the cold air and the warm drug his body needed to stay regulated. As he got into his car and decided to head home, he knew that wasn't the only time he would see her that day. 7 Hours later, he would arrive at Seohyun's home to be welcomed by Yijeong and Jihoo, who had arrived before him.

After six hours of sleep and a nice shower, Junpyo arrived looking completely different from the man they saw during the day. His hair brushed back, he had tried to look presentable by changing his hoodie to the red two-piece suit he had worn on top of the black long-sleeve shirt. A nice shower and a bit of his moisturizer had done his face good, as it was glowing. The golden light surrounding the garden and pool, where the party was being held, was helping as well. At their table at the back, Junpyo had sat down after unbuttoning the suit jacket he had on.

"I thought you were sick," Yijeong asked as he scanned Junpyo up and down.

" Medication." Jumpy, placing his phone in his pocket, signaled for the waiter to bring him the champagne they were walking around with.

"Did you eat it before?" Jihoo, enjoying his drink, asked.

" Yes", his little smile. Both Yijoeng and Jihoo had taken note of his little smile as he responded to Jihoos question.

" Are you dressed for Seohyun?" Yijeong crossed his arms. He can't help it. It wasn't much, but it had been long since he saw Junpyo with brushed hair, let alone a suit. Even Though it was a casual two-piece suit, it only takes that kind of little effort for him to look good. Yijeong was aware of all of that.

" She said to wear a suit, Right?" Taking the champagne-filled glass from the waiter, Junpyo sent his eyes to Jihoo, wearing a full suit, which Yijeong has done as well. They all had gotten the same warning for Seohyun.

" You look nice." Jihoo was the first one to complement his best friend's effort. He was good at not trying to be bothered by who Junpyo had dressed up for. Junpyo, not even his girlfriend, could get to wear anything; it would take Seohyun to have him wear whatever she wanted.

"Only you can pull this off." Junpyo adjusted his jacket, he complimented Jihoo in his own way.

" I don't know how you can wear this all week. '' He added, sending his right hand to brush his hair that was brushed and staying behind his ears. The awkward action of his, both Yijeong and Jihoo, had picked on as they glanced at what Junpyo was reacting to. Yijeong was the only one to smile at the sight of the three girls across the pool who were looking at them. Specifically at Junpyo, who was seated facing the girls. While Yijeong turned his eyes to Junpyo, Jihoo scanned one of the girls to catch her at the right moment. The girl in the black dress, her perfectly lined eyes, were beyond seductive as she pulled the champagne glass to her red lips and took a sip. The small smile of hers, Jihoo followed as he turned to Junpyo next to him, all of the flirting was sent towards.

" What did you do?" Jihoo whispered before realizing it.

" I just got here." Junpyo's complaint was hilarious as Yijeong went on smiling.

" Can you switch?" Junpyo added, signaling for Yijeong to switch seats with him.

" No"

" Sit there and flirt back."

" We need some pretty girls to make today fun. It's already sad and gloomy," Yijeong protested as he pushed Junpyo to sit back down.

"Woobin is still sick, now this! We need some innocent fun, don't you think?" His question was for Jihoo, who had just stared back as he continued with his drink. His friends might be right this time.

"You and the word innocent don't mix," Jihoo said seconds later.

" Trust us, Jihoo, we know what will make you feel better about it all," Yijeong, signaling for the waiter, added leaning closer to the table.

" One way to get rid of a heartbreak is to find somebody else," he said, opening his arms to signal the garden surrounding the pool and all the people around them.

" There is no girl here that wouldn't throw herself at you; why hang up on the one that is leaving? '' Yijeong was speaking some truth as even Junpyo sat back, trying to see if Jihoo was listening. Jihoo, who had been drinking since he got here; the alcohol he had been consuming was meant to help him deal with the main reason there was even a dinner tonight but it was doing something else as Yijeong's idea didn't seem that bad. His mind wants to shut down; he needs a few more drinks before he accepts anything Yijeong offers as a way to silence his anger.

" What has sleeping around brought you, honestly?" Jihoo asked.

" A lot of pleasure. Lots and lots of it," Yijeong tapping at Jun Pyo, he was the only one to answer as Jihoo dismissed him. His eyes had turned to Junpyo, who he wanted to answer the question. Sipping his drink, Junpyo didn't respond.

" You should try it once." That was the last thing Yijeong said to Jihoo before he focused his attention on the waiter. He started describing the drinks he wanted him to bring for them.

"Let's make this fun." Yijeong had made the decision for the table as he raised his hands and signaled for the girls to come over to their table.

" Don't." Junpyo's hesitation was left unheard as Yijeong had already signaled for the girls. Junpyo glanced at his best friend he was worried about as the girls started walking across the pool.

" What did you do that for?"

" So we can have fun. He is not saying anything." Yijeong pointed at Jihoo, who was just enjoying his drink. It was clear that Jihoo was not his usual self tonight. The alcohol he was sipping was the first clue; then, there was his downhearted face. Neither one of his friends even wanted to ask; it wasn't necessary. They knew it had everything to do with the dinner and what Seohyun was going to announce. It takes something as major as the news that would be broadcasted to all to get Jihoo to act this off. His usual cheerful self gone, the pouting and annoyed-looking Jihoo had made sure to stay away from most people and just sit with Yijeong and enjoy his drink. The alcohol he had been sipping before the grand dinner that would be served in minutes, Jihoo was having one of those days where all the advice the people give him might be accepted for once.

" am sure Seohyun nonna wouldn't mind," Yijeong had winked at Junpyo who had glanced back to see how the girls walking their way were only a few steps away. The waiter, who was instructed to bring more chairs by Yijeong, had made sure the chairs added were in between the men. Some pretty girls to drink and have conversations with always make everything better, and Yijeong was right as their table in the back corner had become more lively a few minutes after each girl was seated in between the friends. The champagne bottle ordered for the table, even the special drinks Yijeong had ordered, had arrived as the drinks helped liven up the table that was filled with smiles and lively conversation. The black-dressed one sitting on Junpyo's right side had marked him for the night while Junpyo focused on taking the interesting sight of Jihoo talking to the red-dressed girl on his right side. Jihoo talking to women is not a foreign sight, but the way he was talking to this one. The way he was leaning closer to her shoulder, which the strapless red dress wasn't covering. The way he was smiling at every little thing she was saying. The way he had let her slender fingers land on his shoulder and chest, it was interesting to witness Jihoo being like this.

" He actually doesn't let people touch his hair. '' Yijeong, always the wingman to his friends, was leading the game as he forced all attention to the girl in the black dress that had sent her hand to Junpyo's hair.

"Does that mean I am special?" The girl smiled as her fingers slowly brushed Junpyo's already resting hair behind his ear. Her fingers had slowly fallen down to his ear. The three hoop earrings across his ear, her soft fingers started playing with that as Junpyo sipping his drink turned his eyes her way. Her touch denying his attention, he had given in as he turned his eyes her way.

" Do you want to be?" His raspy voice had a charm of its own as she decided to list it as the third thing she found sexy about him.. His suit-covered body was number 2, while his quiet demeanor took number 1.

" What do I get if I am special?" Her fingers still on his ear, she asked as her eyes said what her lips wouldn't dare say, at least for now. Maybe after a few more drinks and when they were in private. She knew even then it might not be necessary since Junpyo understood exactly what she meant. His dark eyes on hers, it was easy to pick on all she wasn't saying as her finger sket playing with his ear. Her perfectly lined eyes blinked as she pulled his focus to her lips she brought her champagne glass too. The matt red lipstick was the perfect choice to go along with the black dress and simple jewelry she had on as it stood out, forcing all eyes to be drawn to it.

" What do you want?" Junpyo asked as he placed his glass down. She had done the same as her glass was placed back on the table. Both Yijeong and Jihoo had, for a few seconds, left the conversation they were in as they caught her sensual body, covered with the risque dress that was lifted a bit up to expose almost all of her right leg she crossed, slowly sliding closer to Junpyo. The black satin fabric of her dress wasn't thick enough to hide the curves of her body as she shifted it to rest it against his right side while she brought her face to his side. Her red colored lips headed to his ear as she whispered her response. Her perfume that took over his space, Junpyo couldn't help but ignore it for a moment as his attention was pulled to her chest and she rested against his right side. His right arm trapped between her chest and the chair, was forced to recognize how it was only the soft satin fabric that separated her glowingly enticing body from his touch. While his body was processing all of that, his eyes focused on following her red lips that came to his right side.

" Only you" Her voice was as faint and sultry as her warm breath that spread across his neck. Her head, she slowly started pulling away, her eyes were just as seductive as her words. The small smile that escaped his lips, Junpyo had to give himself a second as he looked away, only Yijeong knew it meant this girl might actually get what she wanted tonight.

" You better ask for something; he might be in giving mode tonight," Jihoo said, trying to see if that would get her to share what she had asked for. It wasn't just him; everyone across the table was curious about what she had whispered.

" Is he?" she asked as she moved her body slowly away and grabbed her drink. Just like her, Junpyo had grabbed his glass. He will need some of the alcohol in his system if he is to survive tonight.

" He can't say no to pretty women," Yijeong added as he took his phone from the girl next to him, who had added her Instagram account to his. Her modeling they were talking about, he had demanded to see pictures to be the judge of how good of a model she was.

" Neither can he." Yijeong, before he changed his focus to the Instagram page of the girl, pointed at Jihoo.

" Yes, he seems very generous." The girl in red next to Jihoo had forced a smile on his face.

" You really are a model," Yijoeng brought everybody's attention to the girl he was talking to.

" Look at these." He slid his phone Jihoo's way. Jihoo, leaning forward, focused his eyes on the Instagram page photos Yijeong was scrolling.

" We all are,"

"Maybe you all could model from some of my work," Yijeong offered the excuse he uses to get everybody in his studio. The wild parties turn crazier once they walk into the wide art studio, people have to sign Ndas for the crazy things that happen there.

"Omg, that would be amazing," the excitement of all the girls, Yijeong was just following his regular script.

" We would love to see your work." The one next to him was the most excited out of all. She didn't know much about these boys, but she was happy to be the one who had the attention of the most handsome one, who happened to be an artist.

" Is this the campaign you were talking about?" Jihoo asked, pointing at the Calvin Klein ad photos on her Instagram.

"Yes, that's how we met Seohyun; she was the brand ambassador." The girl responded as Jihoo pulled the phone closer, and he started examining the photos that had his dear Seohyun at the center.

" She is the nicest person ever. She invited us to dinner and got us gifts after the shoot." The girl went on raving about everything they did with Seohyun.

" Are you friends with her?' Sipping her drink, the girl in black asked Junpyo.

"Yes," his response was short as he chugged what was left in his glass in one sip. His eyes were on Jihoo; he was more concerned about what was happening with Jihoo tonight than anything else.

" He's her childhood friend," he added as she followed his eyes to Jihoo.

" Oh, you must be sad about her leaving then," the one next to Jihoo asked, immediately getting a reaction as Jihoo placed the phone down and slid it back to Yijeong.

" How do you know?" Yijeong asked.

" Oh, she told us she was moving to Europe during a girl's night trip" The one next to Jihoo was the one who had answered.

" It's sad to see her go, but I can't wait for all the things she will accomplish there," She continued as she started talking about their plans to meet her in Italy when they go for a photo shoot in two months from now. The silence that took over the table was odd.

"Excuse me," Jihoo had been the first to leave the table, followed by Yijeong and the two girls, who headed to the dinner buffet.

" You don't want to eat?" Junpyo, turning to his right, had asked the first question of the night.

"I am not hungry for food?"

" Yet," her smiling lips were covered by the glass she brought. His smile she was witnessing in a closer view, she tried enjoying it in silence. His smiling eyes, his dimples, and his bottom lip habit, she was enjoying his small reaction to her words as he continued looking at her. The change in his gaze, even his eye shape, looked like it had changed as he leaned back against his chair while he sent his eyes to examine her.

" Your eyes are dangerous," she whispered as she took a sip.

"Are they?"

"And your smile," she added, trying to see if flattery works.

" I mean, everything is but," she continued as his smile grew bigger. His dimples becoming more prominent; it was odd how they quickly changed his striking face to adorable.

" I am sure you know it."

" I don't think I am dangerous." Between his smiles, he disputed,

"Everything about you is dangerous." leaning his way, she whispered.

" I am sure all the girls you have had your wicked way with would agree." her body that was brought closer to his had stayed there as she noticed his right arm reacting to her body that had landed on it.

" I have a girlfriend."

" I'm sure you do." There was a smile hidden behind her words as she sipped her champagne.

" It would be weird if you didn't," she added. Not even a hint of backing down was displayed as Junpyo recalled Yijeong's claim that Junpyo having a girlfriend actually made him more desirable. .

" I am sure she doesn't mind sharing," her flirtatious smile was aimed at him and just him.

" It would be too selfish to keep this to herself." She had done the same as her eye started going down his body. But unlike him, her thirsty eyes weren't hiding their intention as they went down following the collar of his jacket. He never needed any clue, but this was the most obvious one. Witnessing the craving she intentionally displayed in her eyes, Junpyo was left silenced. He must take in that, even if it was surface level, somebody was showing visible interstate in him. Even if it was just physical, somebody desired him. Not just wanting him but not afraid to pursue it and make it evident. And that was what he couldn't say no to. It wasn't how pretty they were. It was the attention they gave him he responded to. Even if it's for a night, there was no drug he could take to give him the emotional high of being wanted. No matter how surface-level and fading it was, the people who enthusiastically pursued him were addressed a need. Although it was a drop in a bucket, it was still a need being met.

If he has to give access to his body to get it, he has been willing to pay that price since he was 15. By now, it has become a routine his body was beyond used to. Five years in, he has learned how to use every inch of his body to give them what they want in exchange for the silence they provide his mind and the tenderness his body gets from their touch. His money, fame, power, and even his body was a tool he didn't mind using to get some moments of solace before the night ended and he woke up to the same hollow bucket none of them had been able to fill no matter how many kisses and marks they left on his exhausted body.

" I need a smoke," his right hand brushing his hair; he whispered.

"Can I tag along?" she asked as she stood up. Junpyo, waiting for her, used that as a response.

As they left the table and headed to the back of the garden, the rest returned with their dinner. Even Jihoo was back from the bathroom. The waiter asked to bring him the specific food he asked for; the table was back to its lively conversation. Seohyun, who had started walking around talking to each table, glanced at their table for a few minutes before she decided to stop by. The girls sitting with them, that was what she focused on as she led the conversation. Jihoo only responded with short answers; Yijeong had decided not to stir anything as he stayed silent.

"Where is Junpyo?" Seohyun asked, pointing at the empty chair.

" Oh, they are in his car,," one of the girls who had gotten a text from her friend responded with a smile.

" What?" Seohyun's confused eyes turned to the girl.

" He is with Jen in his car," the girl answered again as Yijeong sent his eyes from Seohyun to Jihoo, who had glanced up at her. The look on her face was, Jihoo can't help but hate seeing her give a damn about what Junpyo does with whomever.

"What are they doing?" Seohyun asked. She knew exactly what but her mind was unable to accept it.

" What do you think?" Jihoo, leaning back, asked. With the tone in his voice, Jihoo, for once, had stared back at Seohyun.

"and why do you care?" he asked as he crossed his arms. Forget Junpyo; Seohyun's attention was now shifted to the attitude hidden behind Jihoo's tone. He has been off and acting weird for weeks now, but this was something else.

" Are you drunk?" she asked, stepping towards him.

" No," he responded as he moved his head away from her right arm that was sent his way.

" Jihoo?" her voice raised, she asked. The girls enjoyed their dinner; even they were able to pick on the tension that had taken over the table.

"What is wrong with you?' she asked as he stared at her

"What is wrong with me?" he asked back. The change in his voice, the look in his eyes, Yijeong and Seohyun were the only ones to pick on the two. The anger his body was displaying was masking the sadness his voice and his eyes weren't able to hide.

" You out of everybody, should know," he added as he picked up the glass and started drinking.

" Put that down," she steps to his side. She was quick as she snatched the glass away from him.

" Come with me." Her right hand holding his arm, she started pulling him up.

" I am eating'

" Jihoo" her voice that has changed, it was that and her eyes that turned to him that had delivered the seriousness of her request. Jihoo didn't respond; he just stood up silently. He can't say no to her.

" Sorry about this.." Her small smile was sent to the girls.

"Enjoy the party." She gave them another smile as she started ragging Jihoo away from the table. The slouched body following her behind, Yijeong kept his eyes on the two. It was pathetic to watch how much power he had over his friend, and if he had to be honest, Yijeong was somewhat happy about her leaving. Jihoo needs to be freed from the cuffs she has him in. By the time Seohyun and Jihoo returned to the table Junpyo was also back and enjoying his dinner.

"Hello?" Seohyun crossing her arms greeted Junpyo who placed his fork down and sent his eyes up.

" Hi," he gave her a small smile. Her eyes from him had slowly turned to the girl next to him. Junpyo followed her eyes to the girl.

"Enjoying dinner , Jen?" she asked, her smile she sent to the girls she had talked to hours ago when they arrived and gave her the parting gift.

" Yes, the food is delicious"

" He has a girlfriend" Seohyun cut the chase short.

" I know" Before Junpyo even said anything Jen responded with a big smile as she sent her back to rest against the chair and sit up. In silence, the two girls were having a conversation of their own as Junpyo decided to stay away.

" Just making sure" Seohyun smiled as she rested her right arm on Jihoo's shoulder.

" That hasn't stopped him in forever," Yijeong whispered , adding more fuel to the fire he wanted to see.

" Did you two ever date?" the girl sitting next to Yijeong asked, pointing at Junpyo and Seohyun. The question that had won her Yijeong for the night. The mood across the table instantly shifted, all the girls were confused as they turned towards Seohyun. Even Jihoo has sat back waiting for Seohyun.

" NO" he response was suspicious

" Him ?, No" she added as all who were not buying her response turned their eyes to Junpyo who started brushing his hair as he tried to hide his smirk.

" He's like a little brother to me," she added as she started taking steps to Junpyo.

" He's an annoying bad little boy" her words accompanying her hands that were sent to his shoulder she hugged, nothing was matching as all watched Junpyo fight to free himself from her grip.

" I have a sister already" he used both his hands to free his shoulder from her tight hug.

" It just seems" the girl who started paused when Seohyun's eyes turned her way. Yijeong was the only one happy about the girl not afraid to ask about what she was witnessing.

" Doesn't it?" he asked, getting a serious look from Junpyo.

"These two actually have a thing. '' He added to the fire as he pointed at Jihoo. Seohyun as quickly as she opened her lips to yell at Yijeong turned her attention to Jihoo, who was just looking at her and her hands still on Jun Pyo. Her hands slowly leaving Junpyo, she took a step or two to separate her from Junpyo.

" Really?" one of the girls asked.

" he had a crush on her since we were young" Yijeong was not afraid to share.

" hey" Junpyo gave his first warning.

" What?" Yijeong, as always, was defiant.

" She is leaving. He has to grow out of his childhood crush" He added as she glanced at Seohyun waiting to see if she would dare challenge him on it.

" You might help with that" Yijeong had winked at the girl in the red dress Jihoo had been talking to all night. It was then when Seohyun had looked at the girl sitting next to Jihoo.

" Did you two ever date?" the one in the red dress asked to make sure she wasn't flirting with an ex of somebody she considered a friend.

" No" Jihoo was quick with his response.

" One sided crushes are the worst' Yijeong in between his sips whispered as all hearts across the table were breaking for Jihoo.

" Don't worry too much about it" Jihoo's words were pulling at the girls who didn't know him well but could feel his pain as he tried to make Seohyun feel better.

" Like you said, some distance might help " he was okay with repeating what she had said to him.

" and great company" he had added as he turned to his right and gave the girl next to him a smile. Both Yijeong and Junpyo had glanced at Seohyun. It was weird seeing Jihoo smile at another girl while Seohyun was there. It was beyond odd and her reaction to it was proving it. For somebody that has been telling Jihoo to get a girlfriend, she didn't look happy about seeing him smile at the girl next to him who had smiled back.

" Miss, the event manager wants to talk to you about the speeches and cake," the waiter that walked to Seohyun had whispered, forcing her to remember where they were. But before she left she had made sure to drop a bomb.

" Is this why Jandi is not sitting with you all?" Seohyun after taking a step asked as she pointed at their table that had no empty chairs. The confused look on Jihoo's face was all she focused on.

" I thought she was your friend" She added, all her attention on Jihoo who placed his glass down as his puzzled eyes stayed on her.

" What?" he asked.

" She is here" Seohyun lifted her eyes from him, turned it to the other side of the pool and pointed at the right corner of the garden. All eyes that followed her hands had landed on the only girl not in a dress. Her black shirt covered with the black sweater she had on, Jandi was easy to notice thanks to her outfit. The girl in the black dress had been the first to look away from Jandi as she turned her attention to Junpyo when she heard him start coughing.

" Are you okay?" she asked as she noticed his right hand covering his lips. She didn't get any response as she followed his eyes that turned back and were sent to the girl across the pool everybody was looking at .

" She's been here for a while, '' Seohyun said, raising her hand and waving at Jandi. As Jandi's right hand was raised to signal back at Seohyun, all the other girls had turned their focus to the reaction of the men around them. The smile on Yijeong's face, he was the only one who seemed to have a positive reaction to the girl across the pool. His eyes from Jandi , Yijeong had turned to Jihoo who looked frozen.

" She said your table was full and you were busy when I asked why she was there. '' Seohyun was giving Yijeong more reasons to smile about. Not only had Jandi been here, she had also been watching them, that was what Yijeong was smiling about as he brought his glass to lips.

" Enjoy your dinner" Seohyun left the table as she followed the waiter that was waiting to lead her to the event organizer that was waiting for her.

" Do you know her?" the girl next to Jihoo asked as she watched him grab his water glass and finish it all in one breath.

" I'll" he was quick as he stood up.

" I'll be back" he gave her a small smile as he stood up. His quick steps away from the table, Yijeong chose to answer the girl's question.

" She goes to our school. They are friends'' he made sure to put some emphasis on the word friends. His eyes from Jihoo were sent back to Jandi.

Her eyes even from a distance were sharp as Yijeong could help but follow them to what she was examining. His eyes that landed on Jun Pyo had caught his friend brushing his hair. His hair that had spent most of the night away from his face was slowly pulled to his side as Junpyo's left hand grabbed his glass and brought the alcohol to his lips. It wasn't only Yijeong that was watching Junpyo, the girl sitting next to him had also been baffled by his actions.

" Do you know her? '' the girl leaning Junpyo's way asked.

" Ohu '' was his response as he sent his eyes across the pool. She made sure to follow his eyes. Her eyes lifted from Jandi returned to Junpyo next to her as he brushed his hair while his other hand started signaling for the waiter to bring him another glass.

Jandi bringing the mocktail Seohyun had recommended for her, took a sip as she kept her eyes on the shameless asshole she didn't need another reason to hate but was provided as she had witnessed what he was up to in the parking lot she had to walk past as she was the only one to arrive in a taxi that dropped her at the gate. She had heard his reputation and even seen him in action but still. There was something that she can't seem to look past every time she saw another beautiful woman attached to him. Girls flirting with him wasn't even surprising; not even seeing him makeout with them was new but it all felt unsettling. Why? God knows the answer to that as the sight she had seen had done its job of running the party before it even started. Why had that been her first sight of the evening? Why her? She had thought it couldn't get worse but she had walked into the garden surrounding the pool to be pointed at the table at the back corner and found Jihoo adjusting the hair of the girl dressed in red sitting next to him. His smiles, Jandi had stayed there watching his smiles and endless chats with the girl. Her legs were paralyzed by the sight she was taking in. Jadi had chosen to stay away from that table until she made sense of what on earth was going on.

The Jihoo she knows, the one obsessed with his childhood crush, her kind Jihoo wasn't the same as the one she had stood there and witnessed flirting with the girl in the sexy red dress. Maybe it's the alcohol, her mind ready to make excuses for Jihoo, who blamed that as she took mental pictures of every smile of his. Her eyes couldn't even lift away from his smile,it was odd how somehow she was a tiny bit happy that he was happy and having a good time, something she rarely sees outside of campus.

" Hi" his soft voice Jihoo greeted her as he walked past the tree she was leaning against.

" Hello," she responded with a smile.

" I didn't know you were here already. I was"

" It's fine" she cut his explanation short. There was no need for any explanation.

" Why didn't you come to our table? '' He asked as he adjusted his tie her eyes glanced at. Every part of him was aware of her eyes that were studying him.

" You seemed busy" she responded as she bought her drinks and took a sip.

" I am never busy for you" the alcohol infused mind of his that was still startled by her presence had shared an honest truth that had caught Jandi off guard. She will blame the alcohol he has been drinking later but for now, she had no way to say no to his gorgeous eyes that were looking at her and only her. The arresting way his eyes were looking at her wasn't enough; his lips had parted for the warm smile he sent her way. It was ridiculous how he was able to eliminate everything she had witnessed tonight as nothing with just a sentence and a smile.

" Come on" he grabbed the drink she placed on the counter.

" I don't"

" You're coming with me" the first surprise of the night had happened as Jihoo grabbed her right hand and started pulling her towards the way he was leading.

" I" her words were silenced the moment his hand had grabbed hers. This was the result of the alcohol , the liquid courage, he had been sipping for hours as it was only her that was forced to be alarmed by her hand he was holding. Her eyes from their hands had moved up to Jihoo leading the way across the pool. Forget being triggered to fight or get away, her body was being asked to move faster to catch up with following him to wherever he was pulling her to. His touch, it only took his hand holding her for the people they were walking past to turn into faceless figures as all her attention was focused on Jihoo,who had kept glancing back with his smile getting bigger.

" You will have fun tonight" his words weren't what reached her mind but his small wink.

His right hand holding hers were the gateway to the rose-colored world he pulled her to last time, now it was his soft skin touching her and his smile as she was back in the space his caressing fingers had placed her in yesterday. The foreign space she was in, that was how her body arrived at the table.

" Hello" Yijeong was the first to welcome her and bring her attention away from Jihoo.

" We got you a chair, '' he said, pointing at the chair now placed between Jihoo and the girl in the black dress.

" Hi '' Jandi had given all a small bow as she started walking to the chair. Jihoo, standing until she sat down, made sure to push her chair in. Jandi on his right and the red dress girl on his left, Jihoo sat down after ordering the waiter to bring him a glass.

" am Jen" the girl next to Jandi introduced herself followed by her friend who gave Jandi a small smile.

" Nice to meet you" Jandi just gave them a bow.

" She's Jandi , she goes to our school" Jihoo was the one that did her introduction as he placed her drink by her side. The attention he was giving her since she got here, it was all so obvious.

" Really?" one of the girls asked as she scanned Jandi up and down. Everybody at that table knew what she meant.

" She's a scholarship student," Yijeong responded.

" That's so cute" the girl was quick with her words as even Yijeong sent his eyes to Jandi. The condescending way the girl had said it, he expected Jandi , who had slapped Junpyo, to react but no. She didn't do or say anything, just stared at the girl. Her eyes were enough to scare people off .

" You're so lucky to go to school with them. I wish I could" the girl trying to play nice went on smiling.

" It's nice how you watch out and are kind to the poor kids" she sent her second attack, turning her focus to Jihoo who could only smirk at her nonsense.

" He is beyond kind" The one in the red dress placing her hand on his shoulder added a compliment Jihoo accepted with a smile. Yijeong rather than Jihoo had kept his eyes on Jandi who had made sure to catch where the girl's hand had touched Jihoo.

" Our school president is special. '' Yijeong shared a fact the girls didn't know.

" Wait, you're the school president?" they asked as the conversation was focused on that. Yijeong from the conversation pulled himself out as he caught Junpyo's eyes that were on Jandi. While everybody was laughing at Jihoo explaining the list of presidential power he had when he became the class president in kindergarten, Yijeong was busy witnessing the exchanged glance between the two people that haven't even greeted each other. The dark eyes of his friend and her shape,Yijeong had caught their silent gazes at each other one or twice, which was enough for his six senses to be triggered. Before he disrupted the conversation , everyone's attention was pulled to the stage at the corner of the garden and Seohyun started talking.

"Thank you everyone for coming. I hope you enjoyed the dinner" she started as the light across the garden and pool was dimmed to focus the light on her. Jandi , had been the only one to watch the waiters moving around as they started getting ready to set the cake that will be cut shortly. Always ready to access danger , she was aware of every exit and everybody that was moving while her ears were listening to what was being said.

" If you are here, it's because you mean something to me and I value you" Seohyun had started with the kind words she was known for.

" As much as today is a celebration it is also filled with so much heavy emotions' ' that was when Jandi's full attention was placed back onto the stage and the beautiful seohyun covered in the light blue gown.

" I am not that good at this so I will just get to the point" Seohyun gave the waiter who passed her the napkin a soft smile.

" As most of you know by the end of the week I am moving to Italy '' that was when Janid's eyes changed their focus to Jihoo next to her. She got her answer to his weird behavior in that one sentence.

" I will be finishing my last year of college there and will continue into law school, '' she added, which got some claps from everybody celebrating her.

" Some of you I have talked to you one and one but I wanted everybody to come together and celebrate the time we have spent together" Jandi's eyes from Jihoo drinking his alcohol in silence turned to Junpyo. Jihoo, who had kept his eye on Seohyun, needed somebody to confirm what she was hearing was really happening. Junpyo, who had turned to make sure Jihoo was okay, had caught Jandi looking at him . Her worry filled eyes, he had no way of avoiding as his eyes gave her the answer she was looking for. This really was happening. Not only was it happening but almost all of the bodies across the table were told a week or two before. Jihoo and Junpyo have had private conversations with Seohyun, they were one of the first people to know of her decision.

" and to thank you all for the person you have helped me become" Seohyun went on talking as Jandi leaning closer to Jihoo asked.

" Are you okay?" her faint voice, Jihoo had only given her a small smile as he nodded. She was too cute when she was worried about him.

" Today is a celebration more than anything" Seohyun's sad smiles, the people cheering on were forcing it to be bigger as the waiters started pulling the cake to the stage.

" Thank you all for the amazing years and I will work hard to make sure all of you are proud of me in my next journey. '' Her soft words were getting more cheers and claps as the crowd started getting louder. The girls sitting across the table had also started clapping as the three F4 boys had stayed put; silently enjoying their alcohol.

" Really love you all" Seohyun's eyes from the crowd had landed on Jihoo. His two friends and Jandi had been the ones to catch how the kiss Seohyun waved was sent for him. The fake smile he gave Seohyun back, all three knew he wasn't okay with what was happening to be smiling about any of it. The alcohol he had been drinking all night was a clear sign as Jandi started connecting all his weird behavior throughout the week to the big revelation she had discovered in the last few minutes. How Jihoo was going to survive this, that was where all her attention was on as she sat there examining his every move.

" Thank you for everything. '' Seohyun went on giving bows until the waiter handed her the knife.

" This is to celebrate all the 24 amazing years. '' She turned everybody's focus to the amazing cake she started cutting. All the cheers and clapping were drowned out once the fireworks started. Jandi's triggered body had turned to the loud sound to catch the bright lights of the fireworks decorating the dark sky. All eyes focused on the bright lights. It was Jandi who had caught Junpyo leaning forward and saying something to Jihoo next to her. Jihoo leaning closer to the table, she followed his attention to what was being said. Unfortunately they were speaking in Japanese. A couple of words , only a few words were exchanged before Jihoo gave Junpyo a smile and sat back, turning his eyes to the stage. Seohyun getting off the stage had given him a sign as Jihoo slowly started standing up.

" I'll be back" he gave Jandi a smile as he picked his glass as he finished what was in his glass before leaving the table. He had made sure to use the corner pathway so as to not disturbed all the people enjoying the fireworks. Her eyes following Jihoo had stayed on him until he got to the side of the stage. Seohyun grabbed his arm and the two walked away, leaving the garden and heading into the house. Seohyun's hand tightly holding Jihoo's arm, Jandi focused on that before her eyes returned to the table.

" They seem like a couple, '' the girl dressed in red who had hoped to get Jihoo whispered, forcing everyone to look in the direction of Jihoo and Seohyun walking away.

" He seems very sad that she is moving," She added.

" Well you can make him feel better" Yijeong had the right solution as he focused his eyes on Jandi. She didn't disappoint with her reaction as her sharp eyes landed on him.

" If his girl doesn't object" he winked at Jandi as all the girls turned to Jandi he was looking at.

'`Wait what?' the girl asked as all waited for Jandi to say something but she didn't say anything.

" Are you his girlfriend?"

" That's impossible" the girls went on smiling as they answered their own questions.

" are you?" the black dressed girl on her left asked.

" Do I look like one?" Jandi had a question of her own as she brought her drink to her lips. The non alcoholic drinks might not be enough to help her survive this night.

" She looks like .." the girl in the red dress had silenced herself. Well actually she was silenced when her laughing eyes had looked up and faced Junpyo's dark eyes waiting for her to finish her sentence.

" She is scary. I thought she was haunted for the longest '' Yijeong had jumped in when the girl failed to state her honest opinion.

" We thought she was mute too," he added.

" Something seems off with her, '' the girl next to him leaned closer to his shoulder as she whispered.

" It's really nice your school accepts all types of people that need help. '' The girl in the red dress was now sharper with her words as she turned all focus to Junpyo. From him, all had returned their eyes to Jandi when they heard her smirk that was hidden behind her glass. Her makeup-less face, her hair neatly tied into a ponytail, her shirt, cardigan and jeans outfit, all the girls had scanned her as they couldn't even understand why she was sitting at that table.

" Is she really his girl?" The one in red dress needed definite answer before she concluded tonight to be a waste.

" Apparently she is just his assistant " Yijeong started explaining Jandi's position.

" Oh, that makes sense. '' all accepted it. It was actually considered a bonus point for Jihoo to work with somebody like her.

" He seems to be sweet and kind so it makes sense why he would work with people like her" she turned her focus to Jandi sitting an empty seat away from her. Jandi was really biting her tongue as she sat in silence. These childish people,she knew it would be ridiculous to engage in any way with them. It doesn't matter what they think of her at all.

" It would make sense if she had a crush on him " the one leaning closer to Junpyo, she was now supporting her friend.

" everybody has a crush on Jihoo"

" So you're joining a long line, '' Yijeong added to the girl in the red dress. His smile was reciprocated with her laugh.

" but you might have a golden opportunity tonight". The sad and drunk Jihoo, that was what Yijeong was presenting as a golden opportunity.

" You might have to help me. '' The girl leaning to Yijeong, him and the two girls on his side started their own conversation as Jnadi turned her focus to the girl in the black dress that had leaned closer to Junpyo and asked if he was okay. His silence since Jandi arrived at their table, was worrisome only to her.

" am fine" he responded as he finished the champagne left in his glass.

" I need a smoke" he had given her a small smile as he stood up and in a few seconds he was gone.

While Yijeong and the three girls started chitchatting, leaving her out of the conversation, Jandi had decided to leave the table and get some fresh air around the garden. She needs some peaceful silence to calculate what she needs to do. She needs to weigh how long she needs to stay before she can leave. All she had to do was say bye to Seohyun and leave this place.

The garden she entered, all her attention was placed on the fountain she saw. Standing by it she was given a few minutes before her alien time was disturbed.

"When did you know she was leaving?" Jandi asked, turning her eyes from Junpyo walking to the water fountain, towards the water her eyes were following down.

"She told us a week or so ago," Junpyo, sending his hands to his pocket, responded. During his slow walk around the fountain, his eyes stayed on her fingers, slowly caressing the flower petals they had picked from the water. Her slender fingers, the light hitting them, had a nice glare as it hit the water. Her ever-soft-looking skin was, even more, enthralling as it slid against the yellow petal of the flower in between her fingers. Her hands that always seemed to be in motion, there was a subconscious wish to hold them still as his eyes finally were lifted up and fixed on her face. She seems conflicted about something.

" Jihoo was the first to know '' he used that to figure out if it was about Jihoo. Her eyes that turned his way, he had the water to blame for how enchanting they looked. But it wasn't just the water separating them, it was the beautiful moonlight that was enhanced by the golden lights across the garden, and the honey-brown color of thier's, which he couldn't seem to get enough of. The resentment she had towards him, it was also the weight of that emotion that made her eyes even more arresting.

" He is not taking it well," he added as he continued his steps around to come to the side she was standing by. Her full view he wanted, it was nice to slowly get it as he slowed his steps across the fountain. The black cardigan she had added to the t-shirt she had underneath, he hadn't failed to realize how much black she wore. It was her color and matched her constant state of rage. For such an angry person, he always expects some scary jewelry to match her vibe but he never found any. She never wore anything. What she would look like covered with some jewels and pearls, it was left to his imagination. Would she even wear pearls? Some dark rare stones and diamonds maybe? No. This girl would never dare to wear diamonds but he can't help but imagine what she would look like covered in one of the diamond pieces his mother keeps locked at the federal bank volts. She would need to be Mrs Shinwa to even try one of those but in his weird subconscious imagination, there was no stopping her from being the one to inherit everything from his mother including the Mrs Shinwa title. Her striking face his eyes landed on, he could only imagine what some dark diamonds over her neck could do to highlight them and make her the most beautiful creature in any given space. His wild thoughts he shook away, he focused his attention on her full view he finally got. The cardigan that ended by her waist, and the black jeans she had on were perfectly matched with the black tennis shoes she had on. Ensuring there was a good enough distance between them so she wasn't triggered,he stopped. The water fountain he rested against. He sat at the edge of the concrete holding the water.

" I know" he heard her whisper. Her focus on whatever she was thinking about gave him the right opportunity to keep up with her fingers that placed the flower in the water before they started gently touching the water. The cold water providing her some calm as it brushed against her skin, the water falling from the top was where her eyes were fixated on. Lost in trying to figure out why on earth she was this concerned for Jihoo. He was her friend and she cared about his well-being but there was nothing she could do about it. There was nobody she could fight or get rid off to make him feel better but that was all she was good at. Revenge was all that she was good for. What could she do to make him feel better? The water easing her guard down, Jandi was in her own mental space as the confusion she was battling with was starting to become visible on her face. Unfortunately for her, the person who could easily read her was a short distance away.

"You worried about him?" Junpyo asked as Jandi was finally reminded of his presence and turned her eyes his way.

" He's too fragile to handle this," the word she had used to describe Jihoo; Junpyo focused on that. Jihoo is one of the strongest people Junpyo knows. So for him to be described as fragile, for her to use that term; she must care a lot. She would have to care a lot for such a thing to make him look fragile in her eyes. How much empathy and kindness she extended to Jihoo, was what he was caught up with as his mind couldn't even fathom how no matter what he does, he would never get even a fraction of the kindness Jihoo naturally gets out of her. But she had cooked for him, his mind was quick to remind him of that shocking fact he hadn't been able to figure out. She had made him something to eat from scratch. In his own kitchen at that. Something no other girl has ever done, not even his mom. Has she done it for Jihoo too? He questioned as he recalled how Jihoo had seen her home already. She eats with Jihoo every day so it would make sense if she had cooked for him or shared one of the weird lunches she brought to school. Jihoo gets everything first.

" We all don't know how to handle this," he added as his right hand started brushing his hair.

"Making out in the parking lot didn't help." Her sharp-edged words had paused everything, even his right hand was frozen at the top of his head as his startled eyes stayed on her. The hair he was supposed to brush had started flying in every direction as his frozen body focused on her daunting eyes that turned his way. The smirk that escaped her lips was a reaction to watching him be this shocked about it. Her head shook in disbelief, she turned her eyes back to the water. The words his mind wanted to not accept, one look into her eyes and he was given clear proof that she really had seen him. The tiny shock wave that went down his spine, why the realization that she had seen him was causing such a reaction was unclear.

" He is not like you," she added as her right hand in the water started moving left to right. The cold water felt really nice and was keeping her calm from the image that was replayed in front of her eyes. Why she had to be reminded of the girl in the black dress who was sitting on his lap and pulling his face to her red-colored lips that had taken over his. Why she even have a mental picture of their intertwined lips? Jandi wasn't happy about being reminded about any of it. Her own mind forcing her to do it was blamed on Jun Pyo. It was a default setting, to blame him for everything as she channeled her anger toward the water. She dipped her hand deeper into the cold water and her eyes stayed there until she heard his deep sigh. Both hands sent to his face; she watched as he squeezed his face as hard as he could before both hands were sent to brush all hair back. His restless hands were sent to each pocket as the right pulled a cigarette while the left pulled his lighter. He needs something to silence whatever was poking at him.

He could blame it on the fact that she keeps comparing him to Jihoo, which he hates more than anything but it wasn't just that. It wasn't just anger he was processing, there was a mix of other emotions with guilt being the odd one out. But even that was masking other emotions. Why he felt embarrassed to be caught? Why it felt odd to realize that this wasn't even the first time she had caught him in clear view ... All of it needed to be silenced and his dear nicotine was all he had with him until he got to the table and chugged down the alcohol that would cloud his judgment until he stopped being conscious of any of it. The cigarette he quickly lit up, he took a deep breath inhaling the poison he had become addicted to that seemed to get the job done most time. Unlucky for him tonight wasn't going to be it as even that was taken away from him.

" You smoke a lot" Her soft voice reached his ears as he breathed the white smoke. Her fingers dancing in the water, she had found the element to calm her down and place her at peace as she, with just one sentence, chose to keep disturbing him. His lips begging for the cigarette to return to them and his anxious nerves asking for another inhale, they weren't getting a response as his left hand stayed down. Her eyes she had kept on him, his left hand was forced to stay down as only her hands moving softly in the cold water were the only thing in motion.

1

2

3

... the seconds kept adding up, just the cold breeze of the night brushing against his skin became the only thing he could feel while he stood still. His dark hair moving left to right, even his hand which was always busy brushing his hair wasn't lifted. He stood still until he was freed from her eyes when she turned them back to the water.

" I am " his words as quick as they had formed had dispersed when her unnerving eyes turned his way.

" You seem scared of me" She thought it ridiculous as she started smiling.

" I am" her eyes returned to him, she caught him right at the moment the cigarette was placed between his lips. The hollow dip in his cheeks when he inhales, his cheekbones that stand out whenever he does that, she ignored and focused on the cigarette itself. Such a bad habit.

" Why would you be scared of me?" she asked, trying to focus on the topic rather than the weird habits of his she shouldn't be caring about.

" You are a gang member who beats people" Her smile that followed his words, it was embarrassing how just seeing a hint of a smile on her face simmered down the restless thoughts that ran through his mind.

" I am and you should be scared" Her smile had moved across her face and reached her eyes as she turned them his way. She was enjoying the ridiculousness of her being considered a gang member but she was fine with it if it meant he would be scared and stay away.

" I have big tattooed men that will kill for me" she was sharing a fact as she smiled.

" I know," the cigarette he brought to his lips he only needed a tiny bit.

" I saw them when they picked you up" he shared something she wasn't aware of. Her smile was quickly erased as she questioned what he was talking about. Who has he seen?

"Pick me up?" she asked, her hands stopping their movement.

" The pool night, two of them came to pick you up" he tried explaining as he realized she probably didn't know that was the first time she was in his house. He could understand why Jihoo might have not told her.

" They picked me from school?"

" Yes, I was there" he was quick to find a cover to not tell her that her unconscious body was at his house that day. Not just at his house but inside his bed.

" Who did you see?" she asked as her hands were pulled out of the water. If she recalls Bom had driven there to pick her up. Does this jerk already know Bom's face? That can't be it.

" There was a big bold guy who carried you and there was a very scary one, with tattoos in the driver seat" So he saw Bom.

" he was staring at me like you do" he kept on adding more to her dilemma.

"Like he wanted to kill me" Junpyo wasn't sure what was going on with her as he saw her fingers pull down the sleeves of her cardigan and both her hands were sent to her back.

" Aren't they your people?" he asked, not sure why she was surprised by him knowing.

" Did he say anything to you?" she asked as she took a step towards him. Junpyo was the only one to notice the step she had taken towards him.

" No"

"Both didn't say anything" he breathed out the white smoke as he focused on her. Is she nervous about something? That was the only thing he could guess.

" They seem very protective of you," he added, bringing her attention back to him.

"Like they will kill for you" He went on smoking as she was calculating what terms to use so he would be dead scared to mention anything about what he had seen to anybody or try to find any of them. The only thing she could do now was make sure he was scared to death of the faces he had seen but she had to be careful on how to phrase it. But before she figured that out, Junpyo had given her another headache.

" Are you sending them to the teacher?" he asked, leaving her shocked for the second time in a span of a few minutes.

" Or is it you who will do it?" he added, fully enjoying the blank look on her face. She is thinking.

" What are we talking about?" She tried faking ignorance.

" You're not submitting that evidence to the police, are you?

" It's not my choice. If she decides to do so she has it. I got it for her" Jandi tried lying her way out. She was good at lying. She was taught how to get her body to fake her way out of lies.

"Haha" His small smile instantly triggered her anger, she forced herself to stay calm as she just watched him stand away from the concrete he was sitting against.

" Woobin is still recovering from what you did " the cigarette he pulled to his lips.

" If anything happens to the teacher, I know it's you or your people" he interrupted her

" So why try to hide it from me?"

" Your friend got what he deserved" Again, Junpyo was the only one who was aware of the step she had taken toward him.

" Is the teacher going to get what he deserves too?' he asked. Her closeness was in full effect as he could feel the anger emanating from her body.

" I got you those videos hoping he gets what he deserves" his right hand brushing all his hair away from his face, Jandi had a clear view of his face that was showcasing how he was telling the truth as he shared the reason behind the effort he had put in.

" For some reason, I have a feeling it is a job for you"

" And for an odd reason I trust you to deliver it to the fullest"

" Just because I know how to fight a bunch of sissy boys doesn't mean I am out here beating people'' she tried hiding behind downplaying herself. His friend she had called a sissy wasn't even registered as Junpyo couldn't even be bothered to go back and forth about her skills. It was better to have a live proof , a demonstration. He was quick as he closed the gap between them and sent his right hand her way.

The moment his body entered her personal space, she leaned back as both her hands were sent to get into her fighting position. His right arm that came for her face, it was an unconscious movement as her right hand came to her defense and used the edge of her palm to push his hand away. How quick and effortless everything she did was, was about to leave even her startled as her quick eyes were able to calculate his next moves and dunk down under his left arm that came for her side before her right hand landed against his stomach. The edge of her palm and wrist she had used to punch his stomach, Junpyo had gotten the first test of her punches as he immediately was sent bending down

" Fuck" both his hands sent to his stomach he had taken a step back as he went on making pain sounds. Standing a step away, Jandi had sent both her hands to her back as she waited to assess the situation. Her fighting mode turned on , she needed some seconds before it was regulated and she was back to normal. She was beyond fast and her skinny looking hands had way more force than he anticipated. She hadn't even used full force but it was enough.

"Ahh"

" What the fuck" his loud cry. That had immediately removed her fighting mode as it even forced her to smirk at the boy bent down, holding his stomach and crying out loud. The cigarette he dropped, both his hands were squeezing the exact place her wrist had landed.

"Aaa" he tried to stand up straight.

" There is' ' as he tried using the short concrete wall keeping the water of the fountain to stand up, she had taken the step between them to make sure his side didn't hit the light pole.. Her right hand she sent to the pole, she was about to learn the biggest lesson of the night when her hand was grabbed and she was pulled. He was just as fast.

The force she was pulled with, her legs had taken the steps they were forced to take to keep her standing up as they brought her body to stand by the concrete wall that was as tall as her tights. Her body pulled against the cold concrete, not just her right hand but her left was also grabbed and held behind her before her body even had a second to register his speed. His crying he had used to lower her guard, Junpyo, in a fraction of a second had stood up, pulled her body to be locked in between him and the concrete wall as he brought his body behind her. His hands tightening their grip, her hands he held behind her, his tall body was used to push her against the fountain wall.. The startled Jandi was immediately sent to her fighting mode as she tried using her legs but he was even faster as he locked both of them by pushing her legs against the fountain with his. His body she had underestimated she was getting a tiny test of its strength as it was used to lock her in, unable to move. She had tried moving, but it was the wrong decision as his body was brought even closer he pushed it against her back. His chest pushed against her back, all her attention was placed on her hands that were held tightly against his stomach and the strong muscles her hands couldn't help but feel past the shirt he had on.

His broad shoulders and chest her small frame was imprisoned by, the rhythm of his breathing had pierced through the fabric separating their skins as she was forced to feel it. His legs holding hers captive, her triggered body had no choice but to feel every muscle covering his slim body. How quick he was with his moves, that wasn't even what was scary. It was the fact that he had figured out the right moves and what to do to keep her locked so she had neither her hands nor her legs to use. Her head she tried to use as she pushed it back, Junpyo had shifted his head to the right moving it away from her attempt. Even that was making it worse as his head was lowered to come to her right shoulder, almost resting on her shoulder.

" Now what?" The shock wave his raspy voice sent down the right side of their imprisoned body had started at her neck, his cold breath brushed tantalizing electric pinch that was spread across her body, it was added to the list of foreign emotions her frightened body didn't know what to do with. Every sense of her body heightened, she was forced to feel everything and anything all at once. Every muscle of his body that was pushed against hers, his overpowering smell, those would have been enough on any given day but at this moment the scariest thing was the little things. The strands of his hair she could feel brushing against her neck, his heartbeat she could feel on her back, and to finish her off, his face she had turned to as she made another wrong move and turned her disturbed eyes to her right. What his voice whispered right to her ear had done to her body, her eyes had turned as they landed on his face that was merely inches away. The body she had always made sure to stay away from, his striking face placed on her shoulder had turned the blood her triggered body was demanding cold. The dark eyes his long lashes cover, were deadlier than ever as they were closer than ever. While her body was triggered to the max, her mind was challenged to ignore it all down and follow his eyes as they trailed down her startled face.

His adventures eyes , he knew she was paying attention to what he was looking at as he followed her nose to lips. Her blood, his beautiful face had turned cold, his ravishing eyes were demanding the opposite reaction as the blood flowing thought her body started warming up. The fever his eyes infected her blood with would be extended to her skin the second his eyes landed on her lps. Whatever was left in her was tasked with only freeing her body as she tried to free her hands but had failed as his hands had tightened his grip and used his chest to keep them locked in. Every aspect of her body dealing with the strange prison he had placed her in, Jandi wasn't sure why her vision hadn't turned red , giving her body permission to let the monsters she kept caged free. The demons she was ready to use to free herself and punish him for daring to cause her whatever he had caused, Jandi wasn't sure why her body was left doing nothing, giving into the odd type of fear he had poisoned her with.

" Your move" his voice that had lowered a register was making it worse but not more than his eyes that slowly left her lips and were pulled back to her eyes. All the hours she had spent fantasizing about ways to draw blood from him, all the visuals she had smiled at when thinking about what she would do to him, all had evaporated as her eyes stayed glued to his.

" Let me go. '' She asked, doing everything to battle the frightened state she was in.

"Or what" his deep voice was raising the disruption to another level as it was accompanied by a little smirk. His face inches away, every strand of his hair flying that was touching her face was like a needling piercing at her skin begging for her to run away.

Her panicking body, that was all it asked for. To run and hide away somewhere. To run away from whatever he had done to her.

Get yourself together - the voice that finnlay got a hold of her body commanded as her right elbow was used to push against his back which provided her a ting gap to move her right leg which she used to turn around. With all the power she had she had landed another elbow punch at his chest as she pulled her hands out of his grip. Her hands she had freed, he had chosen to let her go as he only had to use his leg to push her right leg to cause her to lose her balance. Her body falling back was headed to the cold water. It was only Jun Pyo that was worried about the water she was headed towards as the only thing she was concerned about was attacking until she had enough space to run away. His shirt collar she grabbed to pull him closer, her goal was to land a punch at his face.

Her left hand that was supposed to land the punch never did as her body was pulled to land against his chest. Ignoring her left hand he knew was aiming for his face. It was unconscious decision as he sent his right hand to land behind her and he pushed her toward him to make sure she didn't fall into the water. His right arm around her waist, she was brought to land against his chest. Her body held against his, she was now given a moment for the front side of her body to feel his body it was held to. The closeness of their bodies, finally there was nothing left between them. Her feet were still touching the ground, it was odd why his arm wrapped around her, holding her body to his, felt like it was the only thing needed to remove gravity from one of the things she could feel. It wasn't the only thing as everything around her was completely erased. The only thing left was the nice breeze brushing against her but even that cold air had changed its flow as it slowed its movement to a more melodic swing, left and right.

His shirt her right hand was holding, it was her fault for the fact that she had pulled his head down to land it closer to the point his hair moving to the swing of breez was brushing against her face. Every strand like a tiny needle piercing at her skin, it was sending the strange feeling to her already infected mind. Her body paralyzed, only her eyes were in motion as they moved from her right hand tightly holding the collar of his shirt to his skin she had made visible. The hint of his silky skin, her eyes had also caught the rhythm of his breathing that matched the movement of his chest she was resting against. The bones that make up his collarbone, she was given a slight view of them before her eyes went up his neck some of his hair was brushing against. His sharp jawline, it was a mistake to ever have looked at him as her eyes were forced to not pay attention to another feature and land on his eyes that were calling for her attention.

The dark circle of his glowing eyes, it was as though there was crystal buried inside them as the light emanating for the iris was pulling her brown ones to follow it to the depth of the darkness hidden behind them. His deadliest weapon, even Junpyo wasn't aware of what his eyes were doing as they eliminated every thought out of her frozen mind. Right then, even the cold air was deemed irrelevant for her to be aware of, as her eyes followed the command of the dark energy that had taken over her and landed on his lips. There was no way her beautiful eyes looking at his lips weren't going to trigger a reaction out of him even if she wasn't this close but when she was in his grip, that was all it took to tighten the rope he was captured with. His upper teeth were tasked with biting his lower lip that was demanding for something it can't have. The pain from his sharp teeth was nothing compared to the itching that started right underneath the skin of his lips her eyes were still on.

Her confused eyes, the second they noticed the hint of red that covered his lower lip thanks to the pressure he put by biting them, were sent back to his eyes. The only thing that could provide her with some clarification and answers , his blinking eyes had no answer this time as they themselves were searching for something to help them make sense of this. Her small waist his arm was wrapped around, he was still processing that and had no capacity to deal with what her eyes had just done.

The red flag waved for her was as big as it could as the voice in her head was screaming to get her attention. Her right hand opening its grip, she used it to signal for him to create a space between them as she tried moving back. But there was no space to move back at as her body leaning to the water was held back by his right hand still behind her. Even past three layers of fabric, the touch of his arm around her waist was triggering , as she finnlay tried moving it away from him.

" Let me go," she whispered as she lowered her eyes down. She knew not to look at him. There was no looking at him after this. She just needs to leave.

" Please" her request was answered as Junpyo, pulling his hands away, took a step back. Her body finally freed, she didn't even need any more space as she had used the tiny space to move her body to the right and get away. Her hands she sent to her cardigan, Junpyo watched as she started wrapping herself with the cardigan she started pulling to cover her chest. Her quick steps away from him, she was almost running away as she disappeared into the right turn she took that was covering her behind the trees.

Just leave. LEAVE. Had been the order from the voice that runs everything as she rushed to the house and the bathroom there was designated for guests. Her fidgeting fingers placed under the cold water. She wasted minutes splashing the cold water across her face and her arms. Even her neck was provided some of the cold water to rid it off the tantalizing feeling still present from his breath that had brushed against it. The cold water she used to rub her neck had only left her neck red.

What the fuck is wrong with you? It was a serious question she asked herself as she raised her eyes to the mirror and stared back at herself. There was a reason she didn't like looking at herself and her already triggered body was weak to not give into the dark thought that instantly slipped in to remind her how odd she was to be freaking out like this. Her anxious hands tugging at the sleeves of the cardigan, why her body had to be such a pain to deal with... there was nobody but herself to place the blame on. Why can't she just be normal? Her anger used to hide her away from the world, its main use was to actually protect her from herself . Her dark thoughts have found her unguarded and as always they were merciless as they started whispering.

" she is a freak"

" She is cursed" the words she had heard since the day the heavens decided to rip everything she cared about away from her and cursed her soul to rome the earth filled with nothing but rage and pain. The simple words were repeated as her eyes stayed glued to the face they were staring back at. Her tongue she bit into, she drew the first blood as she had chosen to punish herself for every odd emotion, she can't even name let alone understand he had forced her to feel.

Get yourself together- the battle she was fighting to gain control of herself , the blood she started testing was used as a means to fight against pushing everything back into its cage. Her miraculous teeth kept pushing into the muscle asking for forgiveness as she wrapped her hands around her arm, building a little protective armor around her body. She needs to shut down rather than feel anything. It was better to shut every emotion down than even for a second think about what his eyes had been able to do. It would take 10 minutes to be locked in one of the stalls. Her arms wrapped around her as she sat there regulating and shutting her body down. At the ten minute mark, her hands lowered as she left the stall, heading to the sink to wash her hands. Her eyes looking at her reflection, they weren't even able to get a reaction out of her as her robot state was on. There was nothing that could happen to bring her back on after this. She had shut down for good. Her goal was to leave the place, she had asked the waiter for where Seohyun was. The waiter had directed her to the garage as she quickened her steps to the direction he provided her. Walking all the way down the empty hallway she had opened the door to walk into the large garage.

" Jandi '' Seohyun screamed as all turned towards the person that had opened the door.

" Oh my God, this is great" Seohyun, leaving Jihoo she was standing by, had started walking towards Jandi standing by the door. Ignoring even the girl walking her way, the person Jandi's eyes landed on was Junpyo, standing by Yijeong.

" Fuck" his whispere was caught by Yijeong as he brushed his hair and turned around turning his back towards the direction Jandi and Seohyun were coming from.

" okay?" Yijeong leaning to Junpyo asked as he saw Junpyo sighing and brushing his hair.

" Jnadi you're still here' Jihoo was the only one to welcome her with smiles as Jandi was being pulled by Seohyun towards everybody standing in the middle of the garage.

" I just wanted to say Bye and thank you. '' Jandi , trying to free her arm from Seohyun, mentioned why she was there. Her eyes were advised to not even turn to the general direction of Jun Pyo; she focused on Jihoo and the red dress girl next to him. That's when it registered that the three girls were still there with the boys.

'' Oh thank you for coming but I have a favor to ask?' Seohyun pulled Jandi and placed her next to Jihoo.

" These three are going to a party and I can't go so can you go to make sure this idiot doesn't do something stupid" Seohyun asked pointing at Jihoo.

" You're the only one I can trust," she added while glancing at the girl in the red dress.

" I can't"

'"Ask them, '' Jandi said, pointing at Yijeong.

" Haha' Seohyun started laughing. Even Jihoo was laughing at that.

" It's them i don't trust"

" I will be fine. I am not a kid" Jihoo tried protesting but was hushed. Jandi, turning his way, noticed who he was a bit drunk.

" I would go but I have guests and "

" Please it will be like a farewell gift from me" both her hands around Jandi's arm she asked.

" He says he has to go so just be there and make sure he doesn't drink and drive" she started describing what Jandi had to do.

" I am fine" Jihoo was hushed again.

" Just watch him so they don't get him to do something stupid and send him home in a cab or call his driver," Seohyun started begging.

" She could just come to enjoy it" Jihoo giving Jandi a smile came to her side.

" Why can't you just go home?" Jandi's question was for Jihoo.

" Because I want to have fun"

" I don't know why I need a babysitter" he turned his annoyed eyes to seohyun.

" Can we go' Yijeong was now added to the whole thing.

" Please" Seohyun asked, turning her puppy eyes to Jandi.

" It's for him. '' She didn't know how much power her last sentence had as Jandi turned her eyes to Jihoo. This was an easy thing to do for him. He has done much more for her.

" Fine" as she whispered it out , Seohyun had wrapped her arms around her for a hug. Her body that was already shut down, Jandi didn't even feel anything as she stood still.

" Really?." Jihoo asked lowering his head had to Jandi

"Really?"

" This is going to be fun" his excitement had reached a new level as his smile got bigger.

"Let's Go" Yijeong shouted as he started heading to his car that was in the parking space. The girl he had been chatting with all night followed him while adjusting his coat she was wearing.

" I will go with them. '' The girl in the red dress had decided to go in Yijeong's car as she started walking alongside her friend.

" Please watch out for him. '' Seohyun had slowly whispered in Jandi's ear before she let go of her hug.

" You . have a good time but behave" she warned Jihoo.

" Yess mama"

" Give her the keys" she commanded as Jihoo pulled his keys out of his pocket and handed them to Jandi who slowly accepted the keys.

" I can't believe this is happening' Jihoo couldn't even hide his excitement.

" Call me tomorrow," Seohyun commanded as Jihoo started taking the steps towards his car that was parked at the edge of the garage. His car was the only one in the garage.

" I will call you, we need to do lunch or something before I leave" she gave Jandi a small smile which Jandi responded with a small bow. Turning around she started following Jihoo heading to his car.

" See you there Junpyo" Jihoo's words , when she shared the name had been when Jandi had turned to look at Junpyo standing by the wall. Seohyun caught Jandi's eye that had turned back , and she followed them as they landed on Jun Pyo. His right hand sent to his hair he started brushing , Seohyun watched as he quickly looked away.

" Are you okay?" she asked as she took two steps towards him.

" ohu' was this response as he started walking away. His car is also parked in the parking lot, he has to walk out of the garage and through the hallway to get to the parking lot. The same path Yijeong and the three girls had taken. The black dressed girl that would be going with him, she had whispered that she would wait for him by the car as she had left with Yijeong and her friends.

" Jun Pyo" Seohyun, grabbing his arm, pulled Junpyo to stop waking. His face that turned her way, she quickly scanned.

" What's wrong?" she asked. She knew him too well to not notice when something was off with him.

"Am fine,' his right hand brushing his hair, he gave her a small smile. His eyes that were trying to avoid her, she lowered her head to catch them.

" Look at me" she commanded as she grabbed his arm he tried to free and walk away.

" hu" he sighed as he raised his head up and turned his face her way. Her eyes focused on him, she took some time to read them.

"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice turning soft. She knows how to soften things up to get him to answer her questions.

" Nothing" he gave her a small smile.

" I'm just sad you're leaving" he added another smile as she let go of his arm.

" We're still having dinner before Ileave?" she asked

" Of course '' his right hand was back playing with his hair.

" have fun but please stay safe"

" Good night" he gave her another smile.

The ever observant Seohyun had been able to catch his eyes glancing behind her. She stood there watching him place his hands in his pocket and started walking away. Her eyes from him had returned behind her, in the same direction she saw his eyes glance at. Her eyes landing on Jandi, Seohyun had quickly turned to Junpyo walking away.

" Junpyo, " she shouted, forcing him to turn around. The question she couldn't dare to ask, she had just kept her eyes on him as she found her answer written all over the face of the boy she had known since he was a baby. Unable to accept the thought that appeared in her mind, her attention was pulled to the event organizer that came screaming for her attention. While she was rushing to the event, the three cars had left the house in a row.

Yijeong leading Jandi driving Jihoo was asked to follow him while Junpyo was behind her." I can't believe you are coming. '' Jihoo , still surprised, was busy adjusting the temperature of the car while Jandi's eyes from the straight road Yijeong was leading were sent to the rearview mirror. Her shapely eyes had zoomed in to land on the driver of the car behind her. Junpyo, driving with just his right hand, had rested his left hand, his head was leaning against it, on the window open next to him. His focus, just like her, wasn't on the road but on her eyes he could make out looking at him. The girl sitting next to him, who was talking about God knows whatever, Junpyo was busy trying to figure out why he can't just drive away home and end this night. He could but that is going to lead to all assuming he had taken this girl home. Which wasn't something new and he could care less about whatever body thought but there were eyes looking at him. The last thing he could do tonight was give her any clue that he was going home with this girl. Even the fact that she was sitting next to him, even that was bothering him. Why? He had no answer to that. His girlfriend, his friends, even his sister and Seohyun knowing about what he does was something he had found to be okay with. Why Jandi knowing about all the things he did with the random girls his apartment had seen, Why that bothered him was becoming annoying as Junpyo sent his face to the window, letting the cold rush of air take cold night had done what it was asked to do as it had helped calm him down. The breeze playing with his hair was brushing against his skin he left visible as he had taken his coat off and was left with the long sleeve shirt he had pulled the sleeves up to. His eyes focused on the car in front, he had caught every thing happening as he witnessed Jihoo start laughing. Whatever Jandi was saying must have been funny since Jihoo was laughing like crazy.

The girl sitting next to him wasn't dull as she had noticed hsi fixed gaze and followed it to the front of the car ahead of them. She chose to stay silent , just enjoying the drive. Thankfully the drive wasn't long as they arrived in less than 20 minutes. The Vip section of the first floor they were placed in. The drinks were already there and more people, who Yijeong knew, were added to their section. Lucky for her, the weird girl dressed with the Jeans and cardigan had stayed away from their section as she chose to get the water bottle and stood by the corner of the balcony, her eyes focused on the dance floor below. The flashing light of the dance floor, the first floor their VIp section was in, even had a darker light as Jandi was hidden behind it as she stood by the corner watching the people in the dance floor. She had stayed there after claiming to leave to the bathroom minutes ago. This was better than sitting at the corner and watching them which she had done for quite some time. Jihoo, who was the one to ask her question and pull her into the group, she had felt sorry for him and all he had to do to make her feel comfortable. It was better for her to leave him to have fun with people like him. She had made the decision by herself but Jihoo wasn't going to be okay with that and had started looking for Jandi who had been gone for about 20 minutes.

" Why are you here?" Jihoo asked as he scanned her up and down. His messy hair Jandi was amazed at what he had turned to. He actually looked a bit more free when he wasn't wearing a full suit, his tie and coat left in the car even his sleeves were pulled up along with three of his button open.

" Just looking," she said, pointing to the dance floor.

" Why just look"

" Let's go," he had grabbed her right arm as he started pulling her towards to the pathway that will take them down the stairs to join the dance floor.

" Wait Jihoo" trying to free her hand, she started protesting.

" You're here to have fun" tightening his grip he had continued dragging. Trying to lose her steps, Jandi focused on the stairs they were taking down.

" Jihoo'

" Jihoo stop" her voice was instantly drained out by the loud music as he kept pulling her through the crowd. All the bodies moving to the rhythm of the song, it was weird how the only thing she felt was the gentle hold of his hand pulling her. For the second time in one day she was being pulled into a new experience by the only person she would let get away with this. Her only friend, he deserves it, especially if it will make him feel better. Before she knew it, they were in the middle of the dark space only the flashing red lights were providing any light to. The base of the song vibrating even the floor, it was hard not to get intoxicated just by the beat and the energy of the dance floor.

" Omg is that Jihoo" Yijeong pushing the girl away from him had sat up before heading to the balcony .

" Jihoo is down there"Yijeong had said as he turned around towards Junpyo sitting on the couch.

" Omg we need to join him, come on' Yijeong had called on the two girls who jumped up and headed his way. As she watched her friends leave, the girl in the black dress was happy to have Junpyo alone as she turned her focus his way. Sipping his drink, his eyes from the dance floor his eyes were glued to was pulled to her as her right hand landing on his cheek had gently pushed him to turn her way.

" Why don't we just leave' her right hand from his face had slowly started moving down his neck and his chest. Moving back up, her fingers started playing with the collar of his shirt.

" Some quite might be fun" she added as her body was brought closer to his.

" hu?" she asked as her head was brought to his neck where she landed the first kiss. His mind already intoxicated with the mix of alcohol he had been drinking, Junpyo had a battle to fight against himself as he couldn't decide what to do with his body that was being tempted with something that could silence it and get him what he needs, even if it's for just the night. She wasn't helping as her red lips landed another kiss on his neck while slowly moving up his jawline and finally coming for his lips. Whatever he was trying to prove to himself, Junpyo had let her take the lead as he left his lips open for her to take over. Her soft kisses, she had slowly moved her body almost onto his lap as she added some energy to her lips that were demanding him to participate. Jer hands softly holding his neck had pulled him more into the kiss. His lips she invaded, even her tongue moving past his lips and entering his mouth was accepted as his eyes were closed. His body was willing to surrender to her sensuous touch and sweet kiss. His eyes closed, forcing his vision to turn dark. But the moment the darkness was switched to the image of Jandi's rapid beating heart held to his chest, her right hand holding onto his shirt for dear life while her frightened eyes stare into the depth of his, it took only that image for his body to revolt against the delicious temptation placed on his lap.

" stop" his right hand had finally touched her as he gently pushed her hands away from his neck.

" What's wrong' only moving her lips away from him?" she asked. Ignoring his request she had tried sending her lips back to his but he had moved his head away.

" Stop" his head tilted to the right, she didn't need much to figure out he wasn't into it, to put it nicely.

" Sorry I just" his hand gently pushing at her, he wasn't even turning his eyes her way as he slowly moved her body away from him.

" Huh" she sighed as she left his body and moved a short distance away on the round couch.

" I am going to the bathroom" her irritated voice had reached his ear as she left the table minutes later.

Both his hands sent to his face, the first task was to brush the red stain her lips had left on his. His right palm used for that he brushed his lips before his hands were sent and squeezed his head that was starting to hurt. The deep sigh he let out, his eyes that opened up were immediately sent to the dance floor as he stood up and headed to the balcony. The glass balcony he stood against, he found the subject of his curiosity as the flashing red light had helped him notice Jihoo dancing in circles around Jandi standing there. Her small smile, her eyes were smiling as they were kept on Jihoo doing silly moves around her. The fast pace of the song, Jihoo was matching the beat as he started waving his fingers in front of her face.

The words of the song Jihoo was mouthing, it was as though he was daring her as he moved around her. Even though her body stood not affected by the rhythm of the addictive song, her eyes had followed every move Jihoo was making. The enchanting lights, the drunk friend of hers, the base of the popular song, it was only given it will eventually get to her as her smiling lips had mouth one of the words of the chores. Jihoo, smiling big had pointed at her lips he had caught saying the word.

" I knew you know this song' Jihoo moving in close' had brought his face to her right side as he spoke the words directly to her right ears that were left unprotected for him to lean into.

" Let it out" he added before his almost shining beautiful face, now even more enchanting thanks to the flashing red and golden light, was brought to the view of her captured eyes.

" Come on," he mouthed as his hands signal for her to join him. His shoulders moving the beat of he song, Jandi hadn't even noticed how he had been able to lower her guard just by watching him this happy and smiling. Every move of his she was taking a mental picture of, she was really surprised by how flawlessly he was moving to the song. This new side of him she was witnessing in real time, that easily it was able to place her back in the soft fluffy world his touch pulled her into. The lovey-dovey world where only they existed in, she was placed at the center while she watched the drunk Jihoo fully filled with the joy the beat was providing. His silly dances around her while his eyes stayed on her, this time they had been enough to remove her from the world she was in. Taking her to the rose-colored world where everything felt soft to the touch. His hand that came to her face, his finger didn't touch her as they only traced the shape of her face. The silly face movement he started making, they had finally gotten her smile to turn into a laugh. Her shy laugh she turned away from him, had only been a drug he was willing to get addicted to as Jihoo leaned down to catch her laugh.

(You got my heartbeat racing)

(My body blazing ) he kept singing along as Jandi raised her eyes back to him. As though her laugh was the green light he needed, his right hand had dared to grab her right hand. If he wasn't drunk he would be surprised he was allowed to do it but Jihoo was on another planet as he raised her right hand which he started twirling under.

(I feel the rush added to your touch)

(It's so good. It's so good) - the song goes on as Jandi tries to control her smiling lips. She really was glad she came to this as it became the best moment of her night. Seeing Jihoo like this, she would have paid money to have this experience. The beat of the song was all to blame as she didn't even mind when her right hand was placed on his shoulder that was moving up and down matching the beat.

"Come on" Jihoo, getting closer had demanded as his eye that had bewitched her pulled her even deeper into the odd world where nothing but the boy dancing in front of her even existed. The floating feeling that was starting to appear had started when Jihoo grabbing both her arms, he started moving both up and down to match the rhythm .

" Oh Wow you're dancing" his beautiful laugh.

" Who knew you could dance?" He had added that to the list of things she can't get enough of as she started laughing at how ridiculous they looked while he was moving her arm up and down while she stood still. His hands now moving her arms back and forth, he was making sure his movements matched the song. When the beat started slowing to adjust before the beat dropped he had used her arms to move her whole body left and right . Right when the beat dropped her arms were wobbling up and down again.

It was only human for her to give in as the moment her head moved to the beat, his hands had stopped moving as his mouth was left open making a big O. She had finally give in to his demand. His utter shock at her simple head movement, Jandi couldn't help but give him more as she started singing the song lightly.

(You got my heartbeat racing, My body blazing )

(I feel the rush, addicted to your touch)

(It's so good, it's so good ) ... the words she was whispering, Jihoo intoxicated eyes were forced to make out every word she was whispering as he stood frozen. His head spinning thanks to the alcohol, was finally slowed down as even time was slowed when the lyrics of the song had finally reached whatever consciousness he had left. The words, erasing everything out of his view, expect the beautiful girl with the irresistible laugh standing in front of him.

His hands had started falling down to his side, his captured eyes were forced to stay on her lips mouthing the words that were demanding action.

(Breath 123 take all of me, it's so good)

His hands were the ones that had moved slowly as they were raised up while he took the step between them. His cold hand that landed on her neck had gently tilted her head up as his lips landed on hers.

The blood-red lights flashing down on the dance floor; it was only one person who had caught everything leading to it along with the quickness Jihoo had closed the gap between them as he landed his lips on her. He had a clear bird eye view of the kiss. It was him and the girl who was walking to him , as she had turned her attention to what had caused such a reaction on Jun Pyo standing by the glass balcony.

" So she really is his Girlfriend" she spoke as his scary eyes turned her way.

" What" her words were abruptly stopped as he came her way. Her right arm he grabbed, she didn't mind following wherever he was pulling her to.

The scary look in his eyes, the tightness of his grip along with the force he was pulling her with, was actually exciting as she let him pull her down the dark hallway she had returned from. The bathroom door he kicked open, before she even had a second to say anything her body was pushed against the wall as his lips took over hers. His kiss she had been wanting all night, she wasn't ready for the force behind them as she was left shocked by the pure anger directed passion that was being poured into her. His lips demanding she matched his energy, she was responding as her hands were sent to his lush hair. His cold hands on her neck were ignored until they moved down her body and had slipped underneath the dress she had on. It wasn't just his hands, even his lips were hungry to explore as they left her lips he had devoured and were sent to her neck. The kiss from his full lips on her sensitive neck had gotten the first of her moans as her eyes closed while she kept whispering the sounds his hands and tongue were forcing out of her. Her hands itching to touch his skin, had moved from his hair to his shirt and she started pulling up. The black shirt he had on, he had helped her remove it before it was thrown onto the counter. His warm body brought even closer was holding her hostage against the cold tile behind her as her hands landed on his tense muscles of. Her eyes feasting on the arousing body she has been fantasizing about, the tattoos by themselves were adding to the excitement as her hands were sent to wrap around him. Her body he had easily lifted up, she needed to tightly hold onto him while he carried her to the counter she was placed on.