HANA

by Rainyday9090

For the longest time I studied revenge to the exclusion of all else. I built my first torture chamber in the dark vaults of imagination. Lying on bloody sheets in the Healing Hall I discovered doors within my mind that I'd not found before, doors that even a child of nine knows should not be opened. Doors that never close again. I threw them wide. Revenge is what I want.

36. Chapter 36

Hello, beautiful readers. Hope you enjoy the chapter and have a wonderful weekend.

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" Good morning," his soft voice she had been dreaming about finally had reached her ears.

" Good morning," Jandi responded as she placed the book down on her lap. She had been waiting for this moment since last night. Well, her sleep last night wouldn't even be considered sleep since her mind was fully active and processing the impossible thing Jihoo had done.

The second she got home, she had ran to her safest place. Her unclothed body placed under the cold water; she had sat in the shower, tightly wrapping her arms around her skin that was begging for mercy from the cold water. The pressure of the water attacking had done its job of regulating her body, but her ever-busy mind was running wild. From the second his hands landed on her neck to the minute they left the club, her calculating mind had been busy analyzing every second with no questions or thoughts about what happened but focused on the emotions. The rush of emotions that passed through all her veins the moment his hands touched her, it was obvious why she was scared to accept how the second his lips landed on hers, he had been able to halt all of the frenzy of emotions.

The alcohol she could taste on his lips, the sour taste of the alcohol was changed to something sweet as the electric feeling that started at her lips was spread across her nervous system. She should have been freaking out but was beyond calm. Her vision had him and only him before whatever had taken over her was making the shots and had ordered for her eyes to close. The flickering red lights had slowly disappeared as she gave into the enchanting world he was pulling her to. Her body drifting away from reality and its own consciousness, the clouds she always dreamed about floating on were finally lifting her up, ready to take her away. Trying to disappear with her into the rose-colored world, his lips were demanding an answer. The offer she couldn't say no to; she had no option but to let him lead the way. Her lips that parted, she wasn't even sure if what she did was the right reaction.

Her right arm held tighter, she tried silencing the left side of her chest, which was starting to move faster, copying the rhythm of her nervous heartbeat.

Her first kiss she had sworn would never happen not only had happened, but it was with the member of the F4. Not just some random man who she needed to get an information from, as she always had imagined it would most likely happen. She was sure she would have to use that one day considering all the things she does to find the people she had dedicated her life to find. Forget using it to get information, what the kiss from Jihoo did was leave her with more problems to deal with. Not some jerk but Jihoo has been the one to take the first kiss she will always remember. It had been the student president of the school she had dreamed about lighting on fire. Not only a member of the F4 but a boy with one of the richest and most powerful last names. How she has allowed that to happen was scary. But that wasn't the scariest part; what was horrifying was how she hadn't pushed him away or was even angry with him. All the rage-filled emotions she had thought she would use if anybody dared to kiss her, all the squishy and fluffy feelings were what had taken over rather than her instinct to protect herself. There was nothing more horrifying than realizing she was just human. Just a mere human who, despite her best efforts, can feel emotions other than pain and rage.

The anxiety.

The confusion.

The fear.

The mixed emotions she was wrapped up with were freezing her body which would be forced to snuggle under the comforter she buried herself in. There, she had spent hours in the dark space under the blanket, hoping the sleep world would be a better place to rest her mind, but no. Even when asleep, Jihoo had been the subject of her unconsciousness. He had also been the only thing when her eyes opened up before sunrise.

Her morning run spent figuring out if she should even go to school, she had decided to do so. Her confusion was hers to deal with. Why Jihoo did what he did, it had only taken less than a few minutes to accept the fact that he was just drunk and out of his mind. His body that had collapsed minutes later; from her perspective, there was no other reason than being flat-out drunk to do what he did. It wasn't the only odd thing he did that day. She saw him drinking, flirting, dancing, and throwing tantrums... all results of the alcohol he had consumed like it was water. Although she had accepted it as that, there was still a weird feeling as she walked into their office. Thankfully, Jihoo wasn't there and wouldn't be for hours. It was in the small break between their morning classes when her peace was disturbed by the phone call. Her eyes darted to it, and noticed the number she had memorized and saved attached to the mental images of the boy that was her first kiss.

" Good morning" the calming tone of his voice, for once she was able to pick on the uncertainty behind it.

"Good morning," she responded. The silence that followed she chose to let him lead the conversation. He had been the one to call, also she was interested to hear how he would explain himself.

" Thank you for making sure I got home safe" Jihoo started with that. The maids had informed him about how the driver that had driven his unconscious body home was called by someone. Jihoo was sure she was the one responsible for making sure all of them left with their drivers. Thankfully, his parents had left for a short trip the same day and he was welcomed by the maids who made sure to prepare food and take care of him.

" That was why I was there" Does he even remember? She asked herself.

" Last night was crazy" Jihoo, not even sure how he should bring it up and why he even decided to call and not just talk to her face to face, was regretting his decision. It was difficult to have a phone conversation with somebody who has a voice that is hard to read. Everything was better when he could see her face and she was in front of him.
" Is that why you don't drink?" She asked as she lifted her eyes from the book she was reading to the classroom window next to her.

" I drank way too much last night"

" Yijeong was also mixing so many drinks" Jihoo went on explaining

" I have a serious headache and had to take some medication" she had no response to what he said and the silence had solely started taking over.

" about what happened " he mustered all the courage he had to direct the conversation to what both were thinking about.

" Don't worry about it. I know you were drunk" her response was beyond quick. The dismissive tone of her voice, Jihoo was silenced by just that.

" You lost your mind last night," she added, concluding the issue of the kiss with short sentences.

Jihoo had the golden opportunity to correct her but he chose to be silent. His silence, with every second it went on he was losing his chance. His pinching mind was leaning more towards accepting her reasoning than using the emotions he hasn't even figured out as an excuse. The thousand confusing thoughts going through his body, he was beyond scared to even say one as he was reading too much into her breathing to figure out what she could be thinking about. But what was more important was what he thought of her. Why on earth has he crossed that line? He had nobody but himself to blame for the mess he had created.

Was she just the girl he was feeling sorry for?

Was she his friend?

Did he like her more than a friend?

And the most confusing miss of the puzzle, Seohyun?

The mess his childhood crush had created, she was also to blame for what happened as Jihoo was reminded she was leaving in a few days. Dealing with her wasn't enough now he had this to deal with. For most the Jandi situation would be easier to deal with but it was the hardest one for him. He had a lot of things to figure out before he had the confidence to say anything about the kiss that had left him more puzzled and unsure of himself, let alone what is going on between them. The girl on the other side, she was beyond meticulous and would put every word under the microscope for him not to worry and think twice about what he says.

Was it really just the alcohol? He questioned himself as he forced his mind to remember. The hazy memory, he didn't have as clear of a picture of it as hers. All he remembers was how soft she felt to his touch. In contrast to her scary demeanor, she was like an adorable doll and had turned even adorable the moment she was in his hands. The anger that immediately took over as he can't force his mind to remember anything else. The anger was causing some of the migraine he was processing. The fact that he was too drunk to remember their first kiss. Too drunk to even recall if she had kissed him back, if she welcomed it, or how she even reacted. The alcohol he had been drinking might have given him the courage but it had taken something worse as he had no clear memory of the most puzzling thing he has done in lucky for him, Jandi was quick to dismiss it all and continue their friendship. Unlike him, Junpyo doesn't have that much luck as the alcohol hasn't removed not even a single second of what he had witnessed from his memory.

The sounds of the rain hitting the tall window had a soft, melodic rhythm that could pull anyone into the dream world. His exhausted body, still processing the alcohol consumed without proper dinner, didn't need the rain, but it was helping it stay asleep. The open window letting the cold air enter the bedroom was in partnership with the rain sound as it had forced the tired body to stay wrapped under the warm blanket. Still recovering from the cold that was still lingering, his body was only working because it was at its prime and had dealt with worse. Like everything else, his body has also been conditioned to accept the ill-treatment it gets. The physical pain and exhaustion were easier to deal with than the invisible emotional ones. His wish for eternal sleep which hasn't been answered yet; nothing could emulate the stillness of the sleep world. It had reached a toxic point where he would do anything just to get there.

The silence of the dream world allowed him some peace until the clock hit 11 a.m. Right when the clock hit the top of the hour, a vibrating sound had started disturbing the nice surrounding sound his unconscious mind was enjoying. The vibrating sound of his phone against the wood of the bedside table was annoying and disturbed the thoughtlessness his mind was enjoying as his ears were forced to distinguish the sound. Burying his face into the blanket, he tried ignoring it, but it was useless. The sound had only stopped for a minute before the phone started buzzing again. His hands were sent to the pillow beside his; he picked it up and placed it on his head. The pillow used to hide his ears from the sound begging for his attention has done the opposite. The pillow he muffled his head with had brought a foreign smell, which his body had instantly reacted to. The new smell, his mind's first task for the day was to ask why it was on his pillow. His still-asleep mind wasn't keen on doing the investigation and his right hand had thrown the pillow away from his nose. In between trying to decide if he should question the foreign smell or not, his mind was becoming aware and had sent his right hand to silence the phone, still buzzing. Still laying eyes closed, he placed the phone on his face.

" Are you still asleep?" was the first thing Jihoo asked when his call was picked up.

"Yes," his rough voice, Junpyo responded as he adjusted the phone to sit on his right side before sending his right arm back into the blanket.

" It's 11 a.m. wake up?"

" Are you still sick?" Jihoo asked right when he heard the first cough of the body he was forcing to wake up. He didn't get a response. He knew Junpyo was probably annoyed by the call, considering how much he didn't like being bothered when he was asleep.

" Did you go home with the girl?" Jihoo asked a question that would instantly force Junpyo's eyes to open. What did he just say? The mention of the word girl had been a trigger as his mind was fully awakened. His eyes landing on the grand window a short distance ahead, Junpyo scanned the room to make sure he was somewhere he knew. The couch at the corner of the wall, next to the curtains, was the only clue he needed to answer his question. He was in his apartment. The second question to answer, his face as he slowly turned to the other side of the bed. Thankfully for his heart, there was nobody.

"Huh,' the sigh of relief escaped his lips. The relief was short-lived as his eyes started picking on the evidence left around the room that was enough to answer Jihoo's question instantly.

" Want to do dinner?" Jihoo's question wasn't registered as every item Junpyo's eyes examined was connected to the foreign smell his nose had picked for the pillow he had placed on his head minutes ago. The blanket hanging lower on the other side; the shape across the bed sheet was a marker of the other body that was sleeping on that side. His eyes that left the bed had moved on to investigate his clothes that were thrown onto the floor. His shaken eyes that returned to the bed were forced to closely examine the pillow he had muffled his face with and the red marks across the white pillow.

Even if his hangover mind couldn't recall what happened here last night; he had enough evidence in front of him to conclude all the possibilities. It has happened enough times for it to be anything else. As though he needed more concrete proof of what he had done; his eyes landed on the card on the other bedside table.

Thanks for the wonderful night. Hopefully, I will see you soon.

The neatly written words had done more than what the alarm or his phone to wake his body up.

"Sure. I will call you back," he responded as he hung up and immediately removed his phone from his face. His body slowly pulled up, he sent his left hand to the other side and picked up the card to re-read it. The card slowly placed on the bed; he turned back to the right side of the bed and pulled his legs down to sit at the edge of the bed. His hands slowly raised to his head didn't start with brushing his hair but squeezing his head that had already started hurting. It hasn't even been a minutes since he was awake, and it already hurts. It hurts everywhere. The rain tapping at the window in front of him, his confused eyes focused on the gloomy view of the city as his distressed mind tries to recall the last memory of last night. He doesn't remember anything that happened in his apartment. He doesn't even know how they got from the club to his apartment. His right hand brushed his hair away; he closed his eyes to see if that would help him remember.

The blurry view of the girl he was making out with in the bathroom, just as a clear image of her face replayed, his body quickly remembered all the ways she was caressing it. That was all he needed to remember before his body was quickly pulled off the bed, and he started his steps to the bathroom at the corner. The cause of the nauseous feeling that took over was hidden behind the hangover. His quick steps and the need to want to throw up was his body's reaction to the memory of what happened in the bathroom he had forced himself to recall. The door left open, he walked past it and quickly placed his tired body right by the sink. It took a minute of standing there for him to realize that there was nothing. The nausea and everything else was an emotional turmoil that he was forced to accept. The water he turned, his hands were sent to get some and splash it on his face. The cold water traveling down his naked body had reached his heart, trying to regulate its beating. His eyes, slowly moving up landed on the massive mirror reflecting his face back to him. Yet again, another proof: his eyes quickly noted the marks on his neck and chest. The red lip stain her lips were covered with, she was generous with the proof she had left all over his body. Even though his mind didn't remember it, his body had slowly reacted to the memories left across it. The alcohol he consumes to make sure he doesn't remember, for once, he regretted being that drunk to the point that he doesn't even remember how they got to his apartment.

His tired body dragged to the tub he placed himself in after pressing the water to fill the white tub. His head leaned back and rested on the small pillow-like towel; he let the cold water filling the tub start to erase any memory of what his body was doing last night. The calming effect of water had taken its time. All the way until he was forced to remember how she was moaning his name before the water took over his body, slowly becoming submerged. His skin, requesting something to mute its awareness, had finally found refuge in the cool water brushing against it. His arms stretched out the tub; his head had stayed leaning back as he focused it on the ceiling. Even with the light off, the beautiful lighting above was enchanting enough to help him return to the stillness and silence he enjoyed. His eyes slowly closed, his world was turned back to an empty, dark space. Only his chest moving up and down to the rhythm of his bothered heart was in motion as everything was responding to the calm the cold water had provided. But he knew that only lasted minutes. Lately, he had found something to obsess over that took over all of his thoughts the moment he closed his eyes.

It was worrisome how it was becoming a default setting as his memory was forced to recall when an uncontrollable feeling had invaded his whole being. Rather than opening his eyes that were fighting to ease the soreness the memory had brought, he forced them to stay shut as he demanded they provide him with a clear view of what he couldn't seem to accept had happened.

As it hit the middle of the dance floor, the flickering red light had exposed Jihoo's hands that gently landed on her neck and tilted her head up as his face was brought to hers. Before she even had any visible reaction to that, Jihoo's lips had landed on hers, forcing everything else to be removed from his view. The second Jihoo's lips landed on hers, all the alcohol in his system was wiped out as his consciousness became aware of everything. The perfect bird's-eye view of the two, his eyes still in shock, had turned to Jandi as he waited for a reaction. He had stood there and witnessed the impossible as he saw the girl who didn't even look like she knew the word fun when she was around him, smiling and giggling with his best friend. The girl in the middle of the dance floor was somebody different as she for once looked like a human with emotions. Even crazier, his eyes glued to her had watched as she sang along while her glittering eyes danced along with his best friend. All of the baffling things he was watching weren't enough, she had even let Jihoo touch her body; her arms Jihoo had started moving up and down, there was not even a sign she didn't want to be touched as her smiles had even got bigger. His eyes that had sharpened their gaze at what he was witnessing, Junpyo wasn't even sure when the air around him had turned dark. His whole body was taken over by the emotions that were melting into a weird mixture. His eyes being punished weren't ready to witness how she had just stood there letting Jihoo kiss her. One. Two. three, His fidgeting fingers had tapped as he counted seconds, waiting for her to react. To push Jihoo away. Maybe even slap him for daring to do that. She had to push him at least away, right?

The darkness had even poisoned his blood as it was mixed in with a new type of aggravating fire before it was distributed across his body demanding to retaliate for what it was being forced to feel. The inferno of all his emotions wasn't something he was ready to comfort as his intoxicated mind had chosen the easy way out, to retaliate. And he had just that as he gave his body permission to do whatever it wanted in order to silence the weird emotion that had taken over him.

" Huh," Junpyo sighed as he let both his arms and his head to sink into the cold water that had filled the tub. Floating in the cold water, he needed all the time he spent in there to accept the facts from the night. He forced himself to stay cuddled by the cold water. His arms wrapped around himself, he was responding to his body that was asking to be held tightly. The warm touch he craves more than anything else has been getting worse as it was becoming a sickness he can't find a medication for. Submerged in the water, he had stayed there until his fingertips had lost their texture and had turned pruney. His wet body pulled out, his right hand grabbed one of the towels neatly folded before he headed out of the bathroom. His wet hair left open, the cold his immune system was still fighting was not even one of his concerns as he walked to the side of the opened window. He tried to ignore everything around the room and focused on his phone on the table. Jihoo's number pressed, he continued his walk to the living room and across the hallway, to the kitchen and dining room.

The food laid out on the dining table; he could recognize the packing from the cafe right around the street from the apartment building. She must have gotten him something to eat; he wondered as he walked to the table and picked up the note left next to it. Thankfully, it only said "Enjoy!" and he was willing to do just that as he pulled the chair and sat down. His phone was placed on his left side after he put it on speaker.

"Fully awake now," the phone on loudspeaker echoed Jihoo's voice.

" I guess you're not coming to school today?" Jihoo asked as Junpyo grabbed the coffee cup and took a sip. He knew he should have started with the soup, but the coffee smell was too tempting.

" Are you at school?"

" Yes. I only missed morning classes." Jihoo sounded proud of himself for still having a functioning brain to attend any class.

" Why?" Junpyo asked,

" I had something to do."

"Does it have anything to do with last night?" Junpyo, who could sense something just from Jihoo's voice, asked. And his assumption was right.

" I shouldn't have drank," was all Jihoo said. The sound of regret in his voice only made Junpyo more curious about what happened last night and what Jihoo felt about it. Was Jihoo regretting kissing her already? Or was he regretting being drunk while doing it? Does he seriously like her? And an even crazier thought, have they kissed before? After his observation last night, these two might be closer than he had imagined. Jihoo has been to her house so it wouldn't be odd if he had already kissed her.

" Alcohol only brings out our desires." Junpyo, placing the coffee down, sent his hands to the neatly arranged breakfast. His head was already filled with so many questions, and he needed some food to figure out if the hunger and hangover were clouding his judgment or he really can't think anymore.

"Haha, that is true," Jihoo agreed.

" I saw what happened." Junpyo, still unable to control what emotion was being triggered whenever the image of the kiss appeared in front of him, chose to cut to the chase and say what he wanted. He shouldn't have to fish for information from his best friend. He should be able to say and ask any question to Jihoo.

"What does that mean? "

" I saw you kiss her." Picking up the fork, Junpyo started with the appetizing-looking omelet.

"Huh!" Jihoo's silence was louder than any Pyo, enjoying the soup he opened and brought to his side, sat there, letting Jihoo take as much time as he needed.

"I don't even know why I did it." Jihoo, a minute-long silence later, shared his confusing feelings he still hasn't gotten in order.

" I was thinking about not coming to school so I don't even have to see her, but"

"Did you talk to her?" Junpyo asked the most important question he wanted an answer to. He doesn't need to hear about how Jihoo was scared or why. He could imagine how scary it would be to cross so many boundaries and kiss the person he claimed was just his assistant. Junpyo's mind, which had only been awake less than an hour, had already looked at the situation from every angle, including Jihoo, the school president, kissing one of the people who reported to him. That is some kind of ethical violation. Not just that, Jihoo, who had been in love with Seohyun since Junpyo could remember, forced him to kiss a girl on the same day Seohyun announced that she would be leaving. Jihoo could have just been drunk and sad to do that. Or he might have genuine feelings for the girl he has been spending so much time with. That was when Junpyo's mind tried to calculate how much time Jandi and Jihoo spent with each other. The girl he had been protecting since day one, Jihoo, had been spending more time with her than anybody else. So it wouldn't be weird if he had developed feelings. It's only natural to like the person you spend most of your day with. If those feelings can erase Seohyun, that was when Junpyo's mind stopped. If Jandi becomes number one, beating Seohyun, then that was something serious. Then, it wasn't just friendly feelings or crushes. If that was the case, Junpyo had worse things to worry about since he wouldn't even be allowed to go near her.

" Yes, called her in the morning," Jihoo responded quickly, recalling his conversation with Jandi.

"And?" Junpyo asked as he pulled the phone closer to his side. He wants to hear this clearly.

"She was chill about it. Which was odd." The disappointment in Jihoo's voice was adding more to Junpyo's dilemma. Did he want her to make a big deal out of it? Junpyo was more focused on figuring out his best friend's feelings.

" She said she knew I was too drunk. I was, but i " Jihoo stopped himself.

" I don't know," Jihoo sighed.

" I didn't have to say anything, and we were back to casual." Jihoo, standing against the wall, leaned closer to the window and opened it to let the cold air come in. His view of the school garden had made him enjoy just standing at the endless campus.

" You don't want to go back."

" I don't know." The frustration in his voice, even Jihoo didn't seem like he knew what was going on with him.

" Why did you kiss her?" Junpyo, placing his spoon down, asked. He really didn't want to hear it, but he had to place his own emotions in the back seat and help his best friend. This moment was calling for him to be a friend and help Jihoo figure out his confusion.

" I don't know."

"Come on, Jihoo," Junpyo asked again. Jihoo was the only one in the friend group who didn't go around kissing random people even when drunk, so being drunk wasn't a full excuse Junpyo would accept. Maybe the alcohol helped, but it wasn't the full reason.

" It's you," Junpyo picked up his spoon and sent it to the hangover soup that would help clear his mind quickly.

" Maybe she looked so beautiful, and I couldn't resist. Why does it have to be something else because it was me? I should be allowed, " Jihoo had gone on, but his best friend had stopped at Jihoo, referring to Jandi as irresistibly beautiful. His memory that was working against his best interest had started replaying her laughing while she stood under the glittering red light. She was irresistibly beautiful but that wasn't the only time she was. Considering what happened by the water fountain, Junpyo's right hand that held her against his chest has a great memory of how hard it was to let go of the person he does everything he can to resist the urge to touch her. His mind he can't seem to keep in track he forced himself to revert back to Jihoo. Does Jihoo really see her as more than just a friend? Or more than his assistant? He has been saying she was just his friend. Was she more than that now?

" Because it's her." A few seconds later, Junpyo answered by providing the only answer needed to silence Jihoo.

" You know her enough to know the boundary you crossed," Junpyo added in another sentence that left Jihoo silent. He could have just left it at that, but Junpyo had continued, unsure why.

" She doesn't even have friends or likes being touched." Junpyo was the sensible one for a change. But his words were causing more harm as Jihoo was left even more confused and scared about what he had done and how easily they were downplaying it.

" Maybe she really values your friendship and doesn't want to lose it for something you don't even remember." Junpyo had hit the mark with this one, as even Jihoo's breathing was altered when the truth reached him. Of course, she would make excuses to forgive the mistake of her only friend. Because, in her mind, it was a mistake he made. A drunken mistake.

"You should be happy she is okay with it if you don't like her like that."

" I didn't say I didn't like her," Jihoo quickly jumped in. That should have been the main clue if he had any self-awareness. But for now, he had so many confusing things to filter thought before he realized it.

"Do you like her?" Junpyo sent his eyes to the gloomy sky his window was broadcasting. He waited, but the answer never came. The question he had sent to Jihoo was actually meant for himself. Both boys, staring into the distance, had no answer to the question.

" Maybe you should take time and figure out your feelings, Jihoo." The advice was also meant for himself, as Junpyo knew he had no option not to. He has to sort out his emotions and make the right choice before he gets into a mess he can't escape. She was a headache on her own, and as if that was not enough, now his best friend was added to the mix. His friendship with Jihoo wasn't something he would compromise for anything, and even though he does want to admit it, Junpyo knew he only had two options left.

" Even if I did, it's not like she would believe it" Jihoo seemed like he had thought about this.

"Huh," Junpyo's small smile was silent. What Jihoo said sounded logical. Jandi doesn't seem like the type to even know about any other feelings other than anger. He had tried annoying her by asking her if she had a crush on Ji Hoo, and with the annoyed and disgusted look she always had on her face when the topic was brought up, Junpyo could imagine how much of a battle it would be to convince her. But out of all the people, Jihoo had the utmost advantage. He had kissed her and lived to tell it.

" She likes it," Junpyo stopped himself. It was not his place to say.

" I don't know what's going on with you two, but "

" You need to figure yourself out first and Seohyun." Junpyo made the right suggestion that Jihoo needed to hear. His emotions scattered around; Junpyo was right in that Jihoo needed to clear a lot of things before he could even think about Jandi.

" I can't even think anymore," was Yahoo's response. But he knew Junpyo was right.

"Let's talk over dinner, you free?" Jihoo asked.

" Sure." There was no way Junpyo would say no to dinner with Jihoo.

" I gotta go."

" Wait, is the girl still there?" Jihoo asked before he hung up.

" No," Junpyo replied before a question popped in his head. How would Jihoo know who Junpyo left with, or was that just the assumption based on his past behavior?

" How do you know?' Junpyo asked before he asked if Jihoo knew how he got to his apartment.

" Jandi saw you leave with her & your driver," Jihoo answered both questions, giving Junpyo another headache. It may have been better to have driven home after the dinner and let her assume he took the girl, rather than actually being caught doing just that.

"Always proving your reputation." Jihoo's small smirk. Junpyo was the only one annoyed by what was being said.

" I am sure you had a great time." Jihoo was adding more fuel to the fire he had started.

" Lipstick marks all over your neck and what not" Jihoo went to as the anger at himself was reaching a point for Jun Pyo. Not only was she aware he had left with the girl, but she had also seen the proof of what they had done in the bathroom. In the car she had seen him get into after sending Jihoo's unconscious body home, Jandi had stayed by the curb as she watched Junpyo and the girl covered with his coat head to the car. The security of the club she had to inform, that was all she had to do for all their drivers to be notified. Junpyo's driver, who had held the back door open for the couple, had been the only one to notice Jandi standing by the curb. He had given her a small smile and a bow before he went to the driver's side and the car was gone.

" Why are you two talking about me?"

" It's fun." Jihoo's smile had changed to a laugh.

" We actually were arguing because she thinks you have a type." Jihoo was unaware of the hole he had dug and buried Junpyo in. Finally talking about something that was bringing him joy, Jihoo was okay with extending the call that should have ended a minute ago.

" I was telling her how you really don't care about any of them, let alone have a type. You don't even remember their names." Jihoo was all smiles as he continued talking about everything Junpyo says about himself and takes pride in.

" Anyway, I really gotta go now.

"See you later," Jihoo hung up.

The breakfast laid in front of him; Junpyo had taken a break from it as he had found the answer to where she got all her information about him from. It was Jihoo. All the little things she hated about him, Jihoo had been the one to share them, but he couldn't be mad at Jihoo. It was his own behavior catching up to him. Jihoo didn't say anything that wasn't true. If he wanted to blame anybody, it would be himself. His actions were finally catching up to him and he had nobody to blame but himself. His pessimistic mind quickly silenced all the worry with just one sentence. She hated him anyway. Why does it even matter if she thinks he's a fuckboy who sleeps with whomever. She would never see one positive thing in him, so why should he be worried about what she thought? It really doesn't matter.

The reality he needed to come to terms with it; he was more than okay with being honest with himself. He has to accept that she doesn't like him, and the path he is on will only lead to his own despair. He knew he had to let his weird fascination with her go. And now was the right time to end it all. She hated him. She hated everything about him, and if that was not enough, now she was tangled with his best friend. His best friend who might seriously like her. Now was the time to end his odd obsession with the girl. His body, returning to its safe space, had sunk back into the warm blanket he pulled over his head. The only way he could shut his conscious mind that was running wild was to force it to sleep. Unable to listen to the command, his mind was forced as he pulled the sleeping pill from the drawer on the table next to the bed and swallowed a single pill. By the time he woke up, the clock had hit 6 p.m. A black hoodie topped with a black overcoat; he had hidden his eyes with sunglasses as he walked past the security in the lobby and headed to the parking lot where his car should be parked. The security men giving him a small bow had followed by calling for the cleaning staff, who will be there in less than an hour to ensure the apartment was cleaned. His right foot stepping on the gas; school was his destination, and he focused his eyes on the road. The dinner he was scheduled to have with Ji Hoo, he decided to meet him at school.

He doesn't know why his car wasn't driven past the gate and was parked by the bus stop. Standing against his car, Junpyo was enjoying the only thing that gave him some peace; when he saw her take her first step at the curb, she turned to. The white smoke flying away with the wind had cleared out of his view. Past the dark glasses he had on, his vision was as clear as it gets as his eyes made out the puzzle he hadn't been able to figure out. Her black leggings and boots that were now part of her uniform; he was standing there watching her take every step while his mind was fighting against itself not to think about what he had witnessed last night. With the nicotine he inhaled keeping him calm, his eyes had zoomed on her face, and he turned to the phone she was tapping.

" You missed your bus." he chose to disturb both of them. Her eyes that shot up had landed on him. She took a second to analyze the situation. Her phone she started lowering down; she sighed as she fixed her eyes on him. The second she heard his voice, she knew who it was, so the bafflement was on why he was at school after the day was over. Her right hand placing her phone in her uniform coat pocket, she focused on the cigarette he inhaled. The glasses, his hair, the hoodie he had on top of his head, all had done their job of hiding him away. With the long black overcoat he had on, for once, he looked just as tall as he felt when he stood close to her. She would never admit it, but the long fabric covering his body from shoulder to ankle looked good on him. Black looks good on him. Especially when he covers up as much as he does now. When even half of his face and eyes were covered up, he looked too good even then.

Every step she took brought her closer; she placed her hands in her pocket. It was the right place to have them as they reacted to his silent gaze. Even hidden behind the dark glasses, it was worrisome how she could feel the heaviness of how his eyes looked at her. What does he want?

" You think I have a type." he broke the silence. He cannot let her bewitching eyes stare at him this long without saying anything. The little smirk on her face was a reaction to where he heard that from. Of course, Jihoo would tell him.

" Apparently you're a man whore" Her carefully chosen words were meant to be as direct as they sounded. The cigarette coming to his lips halted halfway; Junpyo should have known better than to expect anything nice to come out of her when she was talking to him.

" What do you do again?" He chose to attack back. The lingering emotions for what he was forced to witness last night were right under the surface. Her job he keeps reminding her of; Jandi was quick to accept that was the main and first thing he saw when he saw her. That was the first thing that piqued his interest in her.

"What do you want?" she asked as her hands were pulled out of their pocket and crossed.

"Huh," he breathed out the white smoke. His silence, he quietly was enjoying watching how her legs had changed their direction from the bus station a little distance away, toward where his car was parked. She was coming his way. Something that has become an adorable sight to see.

" Why do you keep asking me?" he returned the cigarette to his smiling lips. The offer she had made weeks ago as she whispered into his ear that she would do anything for him; he needed some nicotine in his system to help him not be reminded of it again.

" You have so many willing to entertain you; why can't you leave me alone?"

" They love crawling all over you," she added, the words that would be used to assume she had any interest in the activities he involves himself in. She had been forced to witness it twice now, and that was enough for her to swear never to want to see it again. The image of the girl from last night, Jandi, had stopped herself from being reminded of what she had seen when the two left the bathroom. Why the universe kept placing her in odd places at the oddest times for her to notice all of these was beyond annoying.

" You're entertaining" The white smoke cleared from his face, she had caught the words and a closer view of his face as she was only steps away.

" I would rather be skinned alive." She thought she had the upper hand, but Junpyo was operating from a different place today and had chosen to be just as mean as her.

" But I am sure it can be arranged for a fee." The cigarette he pulled to his lips, he enjoyed the nicotine that went in with the visible anger he had been able to force on her face.

" There is no amount of money you can throw at me to do that." Her sharp eyes had underlined her words as she stood in front of him, now standing three or fewer steps away from the car he was standing against. The cold breeze of the afternoon was slowly warming up, the energy emanating from the bodies separated by a short distance was the cause.

"I am sure it won't take money," the cigarette placed in between his lips; he knew he was pressing a trigger, but if it had to take that to get her to react to him, then so be it. He was already hated for it, so might as well stop being nice. His still hangover and bothered mind had convinced him that was a good idea.

" Your body seems to react to every touch." The reaction his words got, he was happy he chose to go this routine. He was finally learning how to crack her code as he started playing the character she had assigned him. He could play the bad guy. Being a bad boy was actually his thing. He never had to worry about anything and just doing what he wanted and felt like was second nature to him.

"Maybe because you hate me so much," his small laugh mocking the claim she always makes; Junpyo knew exactly what he was doing as he pressed another trigger.

" You really are full of yourself" Jandi was still in control of her anger as she crossed her arms. She was choosing not to engage. If she really wants him to leave her alone, she has to stop giving in to the ridiculous things he says to annoy her. She has to learn how to let it all go in one ear and out the other. She has to learn to let him say whatever he wants to and hopefully, he will get tired of talking.

" Oh, if you only knew." his laugh stopped when the cigarette was placed back in between his lips. With his sour voice, Jandi saved her words as she just watched his back lifted from the car, and he turned to the right. His head turned down, eyes facing the ground. His left hand and her eyes followed, she focused on his long fingers rather than the cigarette. The visible veins right under his ghost-white skin, the second she recalled how cold his touch felt, her eyes had immediately returned up. His hands that had never touched her skin, how even just their touch thought fabric could get this type of reaction from her was a mystery. A scary mystery. Like everything else, it was blamed on her hatred for him, but that line was becoming blurry by the day. Looking back up, her eyes caught his right hand which was finally pulled from his coat pocket and pulled his hoodie down. His hair brushed behind his ear; his ill-looking face was finally in full view as she focused on the right side. The black frame of the sunglasses he had on had done a wonderful job of highlighting his cheekbone. His fascinating face she had gotten used to closely examining, she would be quickly forced to stop when his gaze finally turned her way.

" Maybe I just want to know you" With his slow whisper, Junpyo had done it again as he forced all her attention on him and him alone. Nothing in their environment was registering as her eyes stayed on his face. Although for a second she had hoped she could see his eyes that wouldn't lie to her, both were thankful there was the dark glass separating their eyes.

" Why?" her quick question. She was already preparing lines of possibilities as to why while she waited for him to explain himself.

The cigarette he brought to his lips, he inhaled in silence. His words she would break down into tiny pieces and analyze, he knew to be very careful about what to say. But more than her, what he was worried about was himself. The answer to her question, he was scared to even think about it as he chose to be silent. Not even his own thoughts were allowed to answer the question as he forced them to silence. Nothing to do but just look at her and he stood there just doing that.

" Would you leave me alone if I admit I am an escort" Jandi, out of many possibilities, had chosen to go with the route of him being curious about her because he thinks she is an escort and a gang member. As sheltered as he is, she could imagine how interesting meeting a person like her could be for these spoiled kids. It had to be that. That has been what started his curiosity and if he gets his answers to that then it should be done.

" Are you? " he was willing to see if she really would admit it with her own lips. The hesitation he could see in her eyes, it was scary how fast he had learned how to read even the smallest of reactions of hers.

" How much do you charge?" he added as the cigarette he placed on his lips was envisioned to be the best tool to make him mute by the girl standing steps away from him. All the possible ways she could make him never talk again, this was the right opportunity for her to learn why he triggered him so much, but she hadn't any self-introspection left in her to wonder. It was better and felt way better just to imagine how she could make him spit out his own blood. No matter how violent her imagination was, she knew just playing into his childish game was the easiest way out in the real world. Considering what she did to get how far she had come along, why it felt like moving to tell him things.

" Depends on the client." Uncrossing her arms she sent them to her back.

"What do you need the money for?" the cigarette he threw on the ground, Jandi didn't pay any attention to any of his movements as she was puzzled by what he asked.

"Do you have debt or owe somebody money?" he added as both his hands were sent to brush his hair back and place it in the hair tie.

" People need money to survive." His facial structure becomes visible whenever his hair is tied away; she is the only one who had thought it should be covered when she heard the first of his coughs.

"I know that."

" Do you?" her sharp question; he knew she was trying to turn the conversation to focus on him.

" Do you know how much this costs?" she asked, pulling on her uniform coat. This was the first time in his life that he had to question that students weren't given the uniform and had to buy them. He had gone to this school all his life, not once had he thought about uniforms.

" Why not a regular job then?"

"This pays way more" her answer was short.

"And maybe I like living on the wild side" The humor she was adding, his careful eyes were able to pick on how it was used as a shield. He will get to the bottom of that later on. For now he was sure this is not a girl who lives on the wildside. Dangerous side of things maybe but not wild.

" So it's just about money."

" Most things are." How comfortable she was responding to him, she hadn't taken a second to question where the conversation was headed. She didn't care what he thought of her. Which slowly was making it easy to say wherever she wanted to say and share the darkest of things she does. What he thinks of her doesn't matter.

" So if I pay you, you would do whatever?" he asked, sending his hands to his overcoat pocket.

"What do you want ?"

" I want you to stop," his answer came before she even fully asked her question. Her lips left open, she slowly closed them as she needed some seconds to analyze what was going on. His offer was dismissed as soon as she heard it as nonsense.

"And?" Her pessimistic mind had gone full-on negative. That was where it immediately went whenever somebody offered her anything. It was never from a place of good intention but a favor she had to return with something more or a way to get her to do things.

" I don't want anything else."

" Really?" her arms returning back were crossed.

" If I wanted something, I could just use all the things I have on you." His response added to her fear of how much he already knows and all the evidence he has on her.

" I just want you to stop." his right hand pulling his glasses down, his eyes were finally made visible. And the moment she noticed the enchanting dark eyes & their sincerity, she was left even more puzzled. The fact that she had never slept with anyone, let alone with one of her so-called clients, who she spends every second fantasizing about all the ways she could kill them. The fact that they had never ever been able to get a kiss from her, let alone undress her, she kept it all to herself as all her energy was spent on wondering why on earth he cared. All the ways she was trained to knock somebody out to sleep, her job was to seduce & flirt and get information. Even with their touch, she had to train herself to be okay with their touches as her initial reaction was to want to break arms.

"Why?"

" It's not safe," the words she wasn't expecting him to say, She wasn't ready for what followed it either.

" I know you can fight, but something really bad could happen to you," he added as his right hand was sent to some of the hair that had started flying to the wind. His dark eyes, hers were glued to. More than his words, she was fighting not to accept the sincerity and weight of the emotions his eyes were displaying. He sounded worried.

" You were drugged and played it as if it was just another day." He brought his biggest proof of the dangerous risk she took every time she was in those undisclosed locations. For Jandi and even her whole team, who have become used to the danger they put themselves in, it was interesting to see how desensitized they have become to putting themselves at risk. For Jandi, willing to even die for the cause, it was nothing. Or was it? She had worked hard to convince herself she was more than willing to pay any price to get her revenge. There was nothing she wouldn't do. There was no price she wouldn't pay to the point it had never even been something she had to think about. Putting herself at risk was as casual as anything else. Why now, why when it slipped out of his lips, it had caused a tiny sourness. Why, hearing it from him, had poked at the dark box hidden behind all her demons; it was all so bizarre.

"The fact that it wasn't your first time," he stopped himself as his right hand was sent back to his hair. His face turned away to the right; he needed a second to calm himself down. Her drugged body he had taken care of, he couldn't even imagine anybody ever getting that close to her to do anything. The softness of his voice was bizarre when the rough and raspy voice had turned warm as it traveled through the cold air and reached her. The odd space she was placed in, her confused mind was given another puzzle as she couldn't process why he seemed angry about it all.

" Just stop." his eyes returned back to her. Was it a plea, a question, or a command? She took some time analyzing.

"And if I don't want your money?' she didn't know why she asked since she wasn't ready to witness the look in his eyes when her words registered. How she could drawn out every other thought and force him to sit with how much she hated him was starting to add to the anger that was festering around. Her hate for him extends to his money and everything he had.

" Why do you have to be so difficult?"

"How many times do I have to tell you?" she asked, hoping to use that to distract herself from why the anger and worry she can sense around him was starting to bother her.

" What do I have to do for you to get it?" she added. She was serious with her question. His honest eyes and their vulnerability were scary as even Junpyo startled himself by how easily he could share the discomfort she was causing him. His pain she had envisioned in so many formats, of course, she would be happy to cause even a tiny bit with just her words. She should be happy that he didn't look happy about what she had said. She should be happy that she could hurt him with just even words. She should have. But like everything else, everything she expected herself to do and be, the world she was in was an odd one where she couldn't even predict her reaction to the simplest movements of his face.

The silence between their eyes was disturbed by her phone which started buzzing. Her right hand pulled out her phone, her eyes shifted to it. Eun's number she had memorized, she quickly picked up the call.

"Hello," Janid greeted while she lifted her eyes to Junpyo. Rather than the cheery voice she was used to, the loud sounds coming from the other side had eliminated all her thoughts about the boy standing in front of her. Her whole attention was sent to the call.

" Eun" her worried voice, she called as she tried to focus and make out the crying voice of Eun she could hear in the back. The loud sounds, she was quick to realize they were items being thrown around. The glass she heard shatter, she could hear a loud man's voice mixed with the loud banging.

" Eun" Before she even finished saying the name, the call was disconnected. No matter how quickly she pressed the dial the connection didn't go through as she kept getting the message the other line was disconnected. Her worry-filled eyes looked up and had landed on Junpyo who didn't need any explanation to understand the worried look all over her face. The name he heard her call out, he could guess something was wrong with just the tone in Jandi's voice let alone the emotion that had taken over her face. Her eyes that had turned red in a matter of seconds, Junpyo was able to recognize the fear and rage displayed.

Their intertwined eyes had a few back-and-forth exchanges before Junpyo's right hand slipped out of his pocket and he threw the car keys her way.

"Let's go" was all he said as he turned around to the passenger door he was standing against.

She had one thing on her mind. Getting to Eun as soon as possible and the fastest way was the luxury sports car parked there. The keys that were thrown her way, she had caught them with her right hand as she wanted to take some time to think if this was a great option. But the cries of Eun that repeated in her ears - there was no time left to even think as she fastened the speed of her walk to the driver side of the car.

This was life and death and her ego could take several seats back, along with her backpack that was thrown to the backseat. Her only goal was to get to Eun. She got into the driver seat which she quickly adjusted. The engine he helped her turn on, that was the only thing he did before his left hand was sent to click his seat belt while the right was adjusting the seat back. His hands had stopped what they were doing, the second he heard the engine she stepped on. Her seatbelt on, her hands were sent to the steering wheel of the car as she stopped on the gas pedal. Her eyes had glanced back to see if there was any car; luckily there was none as the car was given some time to pick up its speed. Her effortless driving, she had changed two lanes and almost doubled their speed as Junpyo's eyes from the road had changed to her. Her right hand sent to adjust the rear view mirror, she didn't seem worried about the cars they were heading towards as she continued with the high speed they were on. Her right hand returning back to the steering wheel, his eyes couldn't help but notice the energy in her fingers that were tightly holding the steering wheel. The focus of her hands, her eyes were even scarier as they were busy calculating the roads she needed to take to get to Eun's apartment as fast as possible. The girl sitting in his seat wasn't the same as the one who was talking to him minutes ago nor was she the same one as the one dancing and smiling with Jihoo. This was something else. It was as though a button was pressed to change her between personalities as Junpyo hypothesized this was the one that was on when she had beaten up Woobin. How does she do this? That was an easier question to ask than the one that followed.

How many more sides does she have? Was a more interesting question he asked as his imaginative mind convinced it would take more than a lifetime to get to be the one to witness them all. All the things she keeps hidden behind her mysterious existence, Junpyo was already willing to do whatever to be the one to peel every layer one-by-one. The internal debt he has been having about letting his fascination go, it had only taken letting her drive his car for it to be ignited to a different level. How can a person look this enthralling and effortlessly cool doing regular things like driving a car? Nobody does except this girl. Nobody he has ever met had made him intrigued by everything she does including even when she wasn't doing anything. His bed she was laying in, his last name he saw her wear, now driving his car, his poisoned mind was uncovering an addictive sight that will become an obsession that will ruin not just his thoughts but his body she was mastering how to bindup without even trying.

His wild mind that has already started invisoning her covered in his family's rare diamonds, he had only himself to blame for his craving nobody but she could satisfy.

The traffic they were coming to, he turned his attention to the road. The speed she had lowered by a few digits, her hands tilting the wheel slightly left and right, it was as though this was child's play to them as the car responded to her every request to doge all the cars she was driving around. All the car's she was passing, the drivers could only stare at the car that was passing them like a flash. The right turn coming ahead being her only focus, Jandi slowed the speed while her eyes were directed to the coming traffic. The red light halting the cars from the other side, her turn was sharp as she sped up after the turn. The highway she was heading to, her right leg had stepped on the gas as she joined the second plane that didn't have that many cars. Her right leg asking for more speed , she got what she wanted as she headed straight to the light that was turning yellow.

" Run it," Junpyo whispered . He actually wanted the ticket.

The light turned red right when she got to it but she had done just that as she ran the light and continued. With the speed she was driving there was no stopping anyway. The cars she was passing left and right, her driving skills were being put to a small test with every car she passed before they joined the highway. Once they were in there, it was just driving straight until they got to the other side of the city Junpyo has never even been in. The straight path, they were on it for about ten minutes before she made the decision to leave.

The highway was a bit congested thanks to all the people heading home after work, Jandi was calculating her options as she started joining the lanes on the left, looking for an exit. Every car she passed, Junpyo couldn't help but look at the drivers after seeing the look on the guy she had just passed. He was sure nobody would be expecting somebody like her to be driving like this, let alone with a car like that. The startled and baffled look on the people was only about to get worse as she joined the exit lane. The roads he has never seen, he wasn't even remotely concerned as she started choosing smaller roads once they left the highway. The 35 speed limit of the small roads, she had doubled as she continued choosing even more weird looking streets Junpyo had never ever seen before. The boy left baffled by her amazing driving skills hadn't even questioned how she knows where they are going. The sketchy roads she had started taking, he wasn't remotely worried about any of that. It was all just fascinating as he glued his eyes to the weird signs of the buildings surrounding the narrow roads.

Even the color of the city had changed as it seemed darker and grimmer with every turn she made. The type of cars around them had also changed as he made out how the people walking around were getting more and more along with the to the quiet neighborhood, the sound of the blocks she was driving past was another point of fascination. It was a sight out of a movie for the boy that had never ever crossed the bridge from the middle of the city let alone come to this side of the city. His attention was finally brought back to her when her right hand landed on his seat, right next to his shoulder. His eyes from her hand had turned to Jandi who was looking back as she started backing the car from the truck that was in front of them. Her right hand sent back to the steering wheel, she had changed lane and speed past the truck. Where does one learn how to drive like this? She doesn't even drive cars on a daily basis?

His fascination he was willing to end, he never even had a chance to as he was forced to sit there and watch as she maneuvers thought traffic like it was a simulation game. Her focused eyes never losing their target, it was like she was set on a different mode as she gives him another weird fascination to add to the list of things he finds attractive.

The roads getting smaller, Junpyo's attention was on the surroundings and his eyes couldn't believe it. The buildings look like they had days before they start crumbling, even the roads looked like they haven't gotten any fix for decades. The car slowed Jandi had made sure she drove carefully in order not to let the potholes and broken road damage the expensive car that could by a number of buildings in this neighborhood. The people that were scanning the car, Junpyo didn't need any other proof that he was the odd one out here. The people scanning his car were enough of a sign. Is this also where she lives? His eyes had turned to Jandi the moment the question reached his mind. What she does to get money, He was quick to recall her question about if he knew how much the uniform costs. She can't possibly live here, his mind couldn't accept that as his eyes turned to the small vendors that were selling all the weird looking food. It was a scene out of those documentaries they used to make them watch in class.

His bewildered eyes didn't have that much time to question everything as the car was parked at the edge of the road by the building Eun lived in. Jandi pulling her phone had started texting after jumping out the car. Junpyo following behind had been the one to lock the car with the keys she had thrown his way. Her quick steps he followed, she had ignored the elevator as she headed up the stairs. The dirty building, he was trying but couldn't help but notice the chipping paint that was covered by the dust and odd markings. The shady lobby , the staircase was even worse as there was no light. The bulb that was almost gone,it was barely providing any light. His eyes were picking on everything as he followed her quick steps. She was too fast as she made another turn heading to the second floor. The door she opened , she didn't look back to make sure he had taken it but he was right there and had passed through before the door closed. The dark hallways, he followed her eyes to the corner of the wall to notice the camera at the corner of the wall. His eyes returning back to her, he was wondering if she was going to use the video as evidence but all of it was silenced when he noticed her right hand placed her phone back in her pocket. From her jacket, her right hand had moved down and slipped under her skirt. He was finally getting his answer to why her right hand always stays by her skirt when she gets ready to fight. Her right had returned with the black knife. The knife placed facing down she tightened her grip on it as her legs slowed down by the door.

His shocked eyes lifted up and landed on her back as she took a deep breath before she took a step back in front of the door. Not even a second to react to noticing how she carries a knife around, he was provided another as her right leg was sent to the door handle. He had witnessed what her legs could do to humans including his friend but this was new. She had kicked the door wide open before she took quick steps. Walking in behind her, he had stood behind her as his eyes landed on the body at the corner. The body in the fetal position, the shaking and whimpering voice was the only indication of Eun being alive as Junpyo's shocked eyes turned to Jandi in front of him. Her eyes on Eun, she wasn't moving at all as stood there taking in the view. The only reaction he saw was her hand tightening its grip on the knife.

" Hey"It was Junpyo who walked past her and headed to the body at the corner.

" Are you okay?" His quick steps her way, he brought himself down as he kneeled on the floor covered by all the items that were smashed and thrown around.

" Eun '' he lowered his voice as he kneeled down and tried to get a look at her face that was hidden behind her messy hair. The blood marking across the white t-shirt she had on, his eyes were quick as they tried to notice any cut.

" It's okay" he whispered as he tried landing his gentle hands to turn his way. The shaking body had only moved away from his touch. His hands were retrieved back quickly. He knew why she wouldn't want to be touched by anybody let alone him. He had quickly taken off his overcoat which he gently placed over her shivering body.

" Eun" when Jandi said her name has been when he saw the head covered with the hair move a little.

" Eun" Jandi who walked to them had lowered herself down as her right hand placing the knife back had gently landed on Eun's back. His ever observant eyes had noticed the garter on her thigh the knife was returned to.

" It's me. '' Jandi sent her left hand to start brushing the long hair covering Eun's face.

" Are you hurt anywhere?" Jandi asked as both her and Junpyo got the view of the busted lips where the blood was coming from. Jandi's hands had stopped for a second before she continued moving the hair away, fully exposing the face that would occupy Junpyo's mind for days. All the bruises, none were as horrifying as her puffy eyes that have cried themselves to the point she couldn't even see.

" I

" I " her whimpering voice, neither were able to hear. Jandi, moving even closer, had kneeled down on both knees as she started pulling Eun closer to her. She was using the hug to look if there was a broken bone or a swallowing.

" You're okay now" Jandi, unable to even look at Eun, had just brought the girl into her hug. " " "I got you" she whispered her hands tightly holding the shaking body in her arms. The crying that started was pinching at Junpyo's heart as his eyes were left frozen on the body trying to hide away into Janid's tight hug.

" It will be okay" Jandi whispered as she turned her eyes to Junpyo.

" Hospital" he mouthed without making a sound. Jandi nodded to agree, they didn't even need any more words to communicate as Junpyo had stood up. They had the same concern and only one goal in mind. How they were able to understand each other with just glances would be one of the reasons Junpyo would be the best person to accompany her. Much like Bom, she didn't even need to say anything, one look and he was learning to know exactly what she wanted.

" Eun we have to go to the hospital," Jandi, adjusting his coat to cover the shaking body, whispered while he left the room.

" They will help you" the arms of the overcoat were used to wrap the body as Eun's whole body was now covered with it. Jandi bringing her face closer to the body in her arms, had dismissed how the coat she had covered Eun was providing her with the familiar sweet smell that was starting to be associated with specific emotions.

" Eun, please?" She asked as she tried moving Eun's head away from her, but no. Eun had fought back as she brought herself even closer to jandi.

" I will be with you"

" Don't you trust me?" Jandi tried using that angle as slowly she started pulling Eun to look up.. She wasn't sure exactly what had worked, she was just happy that something had worked and Eun was letting her pull her up.

" Slowly' Jandi standing up herself started helping Eun stand up.

" I got you" She added as she helped Eun adjust her feet on the floor. The messy state of her cloth with splattered blood here and there, the solution was to cover it for now.

" Wear this' ' Jandi holding the Eun up started adjusting the overcoat so Eun could wear it. Her arms pushed through the arms, the long coat was wrapped around the tiny body. The collar pulled up, Jandi had let Eun messy hair cover her face. Eun's shaking body was receiving some warmth from the black coat that felt like a warm blanket covering her. Jandi's both hands had taken the belt and wrapped it around Eun before buckling it.

" Here '' Jandi had pulled the flippos that were next to the table that was flipped upside down and had lost one of ti's legs. Kneeling down she had helped Eun put them on and that was the last thing before the two left the door Jandi closed behind her. Jandi's right arm wrapped around her waist, Eun was taking slow steps as they headed to the slow elevator that works whenever it wants. Thank heavens it was working today and Jandi pressed the lobby.

" You are okay now" Jandi as Eun leaned and rested her head on her shoulder whispered. The silence in the elevator, Jandi kept her eyes on the head resting on her shoulders.

" Everything will be okay, '' she added as they walked out and started taking slow steps across the scary empty lobby people don't even use. The door she opened with her leg, Jandi had made sure she never let go of Eun as they walked past the door. Her eyes from Eun's careful steps had turned to the car that was turned around and was waiting for them. The back seat door opened, Junpyo was in the driver seat as he waited for them.

Eun, being helped, was the first to enter the back seat as Jandi followed behind. Her backpack and all the stuff that was in the back seat were placed in the truck, he had pulled the passenger seat all the way so they had as much space as possible. The node she gave him was his cue as Junpyo stepped on the gas that was already on. Her hands busy buckling Eun's belt and making sure she was comfortable, they were way past Eun's neighborhood when Jandi's attention was placed on the GPS that was directing them. Her eyes zooming in had tried to figure out what the destination was. Before she asked about it, her attention was brought to the body resting against her that started coughing.

" Are you okay?"

" water" Eun's small voice had asked for something Jandi didn't have. Before she responded her eyes were sent to the water bottle that was directed their way from the front. Her eyes from the water had turned to Junpyo's right hand holding it. His attention on the road, he had glanced at the rearview mirror to catch how she was looking at him. Slowly pulling it away from him, she opened the cap as she started helping Eun's head up. The small sips Eun was taking, the water was placed on Jani'd lap as she saw back. Her arms around Eun, her eyes were sent to the road as she started planning several action steps on what she needs to do.

First thing was first. Eun wasn't going to return to that place. Ctrl Jandi had texted. He and two of Bom's men were already on their way to the apartment to pack everything. Ctrl who was sent to look for any evidence, he will start with the camera which he would guess weren't recording anything. While her mind was busy thinking about if she could get Eun excused for a couple of days if not weeks, Jandi wasn't sure when her eyes from the road had turned to the one driving the car. His hands on the steering wheel, he was driving as smoothly as he could to make sure they were comfortable. His eyes on the road, she could thank the opened window by his side for forcing him to tie his flying hair back, exposing his face. His right profile, it was odd how it was always his right profile she gets to see if not his full face. Her hands that were placed on his coat, she was finally forced to take in the soft fabric her right hand was brushing up and down. The small movements of her hands against the black fabric that was supposed to help comfort Eun, was even calming Jandi's itching hands that were beyond ready to punch and break bones.

The hospital they pulled to, Jandi knew wasn't a regular hospital but it was useless to do or say anything since they were already here. The VIP parking space he had parked the car on; Jandi tried to focus on the most important thing as she helped Eun out the car. Junpyo leading the way, he had made sure he turned back a few times to make sure they were okay. The elevator he held open for them, he was the last to enter as he pressed 15, Jandi was sure this was some type of luxurious hospital as she noticed the amazing structure of even the elevator. Junpyo's hands busily typing, His eyes had looked up after he finished and placed his phone in his jeans pocket. Janid's eyes that were waiting for him.

"No police report" Jandi mouthed after making sure Eun's eyes were closed to notice what she had asked for. Junpyo's response was just a node. He knew exactly why she doesn't want a police report which doctors are required to make when they notice any sign of abuse.

The elevator that opened, Junpyo had led the way to the room on the corner. The nurse and doctor that were waiting for them, Junpyo had chosen to stay in the main room while Jandi and Eun were taken to the room with the hospital bed for inspection. His nervous hands playing with his phone and the apps he started scrolling, Junpyo had sat there for what seemed like hours, but was a little around an hour before anybody had come out of the room. Surprisingly it was Jandi. His crossed leg lowered, and he placed his phone down as he sat up. Jandi had started walking to the 3-piece couch set he was sitting by, and sent her eyes to the documents in her hands. His eyes following her steps, he waited for her to say anything but she didn't as she had walked all the way and chose the smaller seat right in front of the one he was sitting on.

"Is she okay?" he asked as his eyes lowered along with the body sitting down.

" She is fine. Just minor bruises and cuts" her eyes glancing at him, the anxiety in his eyes was calmed down by her revelation there was nothing major.

" They need to stitch the cuts. The doctor suggested resting her so she is out" Jandi, placing the document down, focused her attention on that.

" They can't make any reports or notify an

" They are not going to." She got a verbal answer. Her eyes looking up, she was able to tell how serious he was by just the resolution in his tone but his eyes had also helped.

" She was never here," he added, forcing her eyes to forget about the body in the other room for a second and question what he was doing.

" and how much is that going to cost?" she asked, the hospital bill she didn't even want to think about; she could imagine even walking into this hospital cost more money than a full check at the clinics they were used to.

" Cost for what?" he asked as he sat back, his back resting against the couch.

" She was never here" he added as he was quick to think about in what way she was going to spin this now. His money she had claimed she didn't want, he knew this was an odd situation for her. Her calculating mind, he was seeing it work as her eyes stayed on him while she crossed her legs and sat back. Her hands were sent to each other; she had pulled on her sleeves to cover the hands she crossed.

" Why are you doing this?" she asked. His eyes that hadn't left her had a question of thier own.

" I don't think that is as important as what you're going to do"

" What's the plan?" he asked knowing she probably had 4 or 5 plans ready.

" She is not going back to that place, so what's your plan?" he asked, leaving Jandi stunned for some seconds. It was starting to click how their minds work similarly as that was the first concern she thought about as well.

" I could book

" You have done enough." she cut his offer short before he even made it.

" I got it from here."

" What does that mean?" he questioned.

" It is better if you don't concern yourself with it." for once, she was making a sincere recommendation.

" Should I also ignore why you carry a knife around?" he asked as his right hand was sent to his hair he brushed back. His eyes lowered to her right thigh, Jandi's eyes followed his eyes to where she hid her favorite weapon that was always held against her right thigh.

" You would have killed him if he was there, wouldn't you?" he asked, crossing his arms. Her silence meant there was some truth to what he was saying. He knew that much.

" You wouldn't have?" she asked, trying to get past his confusing eyes that were hiding something.

" There is a sword in my car I would have loved to let you borrow." it took that sentence for her muddled mind to find some clarity as it was forced to stop thinking about anything else but his words. Just one sentence was all it took for her brown eyes to get lost gazing into his dark ones that were eliminating everything else out of her view as they convinced her the seriousness of what he said. Ten words whispered by the lower raspy voice of his was all it took for her world to stop and for once find something charming about the one she claims to hate. For some apparent reason, the silence between them had a melody of its own as it swung her mind to the memory it wanted her to think of. Her body held against his; every fiber of her body had recalled how his face was inches away from her while her arms were held behind her, her body held still by his. His soft hair that was brushing against her neck, his fancy sweet smell, even the tense muscle of his chest she was held against had replayed as her eyes stayed glued to his. With every second they were choosing not to say anything, the tension between the bodies separated by the glass table was reaching a new high.

Rather than being transported to a new world, she was being forced to sit with the reality of the one she was in as her anxiety that lives right under the surface was starting to itch at her skin. She had only one thing to blame for it, and it was his dark eyes that weren't even blinkingly. Religiously studying every inch of her face, his eyes had not missed a mark as they stayed, sending the tiny tingles that were starting right underneath her skin as they had started to warm. His eyes that were known to be dangerous, she was starting to learn why as they slowly started trailing down her beautiful face and landed on her lips. It should be a sin for anybody's lips to look this spellbinding. The natural cherry color of her lips, could be blamed for how much he was dying to not give into their spell. He wasn't even trying to hide any of the dilemma he was dealing with as his lower lip was pulled in and his teeth were sent to relieve its craving by biting it.

The distance between them had magically disappeared as his poisoned mind was convincing him she was just a touch away.

" I am done for today. '' The doctor that walked out had been the one to pull both back to reality as Jandi's eyes were the first to run to the doctor and nurse that walked out. Quickly standing up she took some steps to meet them halfway.

The nurse passing her the doctor's note for some painkillers, Jandi accepted with a small node. The doctor went on about the stitches and how to take care of them, Jandi had listened to everything she already knew. She knows how to even deal with gunshot wound recoveries let alone minor injuries. This isn't something new.

" She will wake up in a couple of hours. You can leave after or she can stay overnight. It's up to you" the doctor smiling at Jandi went on.

" The room is free for the night," he added glancing at Junpyo.

" We will leave so she can rest at home" Jandi was 100 percent sure that was the best call.

" That's fine too. Just make sure she checks in with a doctor in 10-15 days or bring her back here" the doctor went on with his recommendations. In a few minutes the doctor and nurse were gone, leaving the two behind. Jandi, not even turning to Junpyo, had gone to the room Eun was sleeping in. The resting body, the doctor had said she had at least 3 hours before she woke up. Her tender hand sent to Eun, Jandi adjusted the blanket up. While she stood there looking at every bruise bandaged or stitched, she hadn't even thought about Junpyo who had chosen to stand by the door.

" She is lucky to have you. '' His voice finally got her eyes to leave Eun and come his way. Her eyes that returned to Eun, Jandi's right hand was placed on Eun's hands which were cold.

" It is bad luck to have me. '' The blame she puts on herself for not being able to project her Jandi was already blaming herself for what happened., Junpyo was given a tiny window into her true feelings which even he was shocked by how calmly she had shared it. Her self-hate that begs for any reason to blame her and reminds her of how much she was curse to anybody who got close to her.

" You should go.'' the second she was made aware of how he was able to recognize her true feelings that had escaped her gates; she had turned her defensive mode on. She needed only one glance at his stunned eyes to know he knew where what she said came from.

" You don't need to be here," she added as she pulled her hand from Eun and started walking to the door he was standing by. Something had just happened; Junpyo kept his eyes on hers that were avoiding him.

" When she wakes up, we will leave as well." She continued her walk.

" I need to get my bag." as she got closer, she glanced up. Her nervous eyes avoided him, Junpyo didn't have it in him to force her to do anything that brings her this much discomfort.

"Okay" he whispered as he pushed the door open with his right hand and started leading the way out. Their silence filled the walk down the hallway. Jandi had stayed a step behind him even as they got into the elevator, and he pressed parking.

Walking out first, this time it had been her who was leading the way down the hallway that leads to the VIP parking in the back. Junpyo, following behind, had kept his eyes on the figure in front of him. The main door she opened, they had walked into the cold air that instantly started attacking them. Her hair started moving, and even her skirt was moving left and right, thanks to the strong wind. Her arms wrapped around her jacket; she picked up the speed as she made the turn to the car that was parked at the corner. Her tiny figure that looked even smaller whenever she had her arms wrapped around her, Junpyo enjoying the cold air that had passed through his hoodie and t-shirt and had started bothering his skin. His deranged thoughts, one had even wondered what would happen if he closed the gap between them and held her. His right arm he could wrap around her small frame; he knew she would fit into his embrace perfectly. He could keep her away from the cold disturbing her body and keep her warm.

His right hand, rather than what it was asking for was sent to pull the cigarette from his pocket. As they got to the car, Jandi turned around to notice him taking his first inhale of the cigarette he pulled away from his lips. The white smoke gushing from his lips, His face was covered by it as he walked to her side and pressed the key into the trunk. Her eyes changing to the trunk he opened, she pulled her backpack.

His right hand slammed it shut, he watched as she put her backpack on.

" I will tell her about what you did today." Jandi, who wasn't sure how to even say thank you for what he has done, chose to direct the appreciation that will be coming from Eun.

" You don't need to" His raspy voice had lowered his tone as her eyes stayed on his.

" You don't need to thank me. '' His response was for the question that was so clear to see swimming in her eyes.

Her lips might not have said it but her eyes had as he accepted her gratitude with a nod. There was nothing left to say but their eyes weren't keen on leaving each other and here they were again, not sure how to end their interaction.

Her eyes that had slowed down their observation, she watched as his left hand placed the cigarette between his lips. The step she took, her right hand, had only one goal as it reached all the way to his face and pulled the cigarette away from his lips.

" Stop." Her words didn't even reach the stunned Junpyo as he watched her hand drop the cigarette by her feet that stepped on it. His bewildered eyes from the smushed cigarette turned up. It was when she saw his baffled eyes that Jandi recognized what she had done.

" It's bad for you." her anxiety to cover for one odd act had done worse as she had given herself a tiny nervous attack by what had escaped her lips. Of all the weird things she said when she was around him, this one had topped the list.

" I need something between my lips. '' Junpyo had taken a risk as he chose to play a dangerous game. His words whispered with the tempting tone of his raspy voice; he was intentional as he had directed her disoriented eyes to his lips.

" a replacement so I can stop it," he added, taking the step between them. The thin line he was walking on Jun Pyo was careful with his hands that were ordered not to make any movements and have her freak out. His body that was brought into her personal space, even that was considered a huge win as he waited for a violent reaction, but she hadn't done anything. To be honest her touch he was beyond itching for; he was willing even to accept a slap if it meant she would touch him. A new trigger she had pushed, he needed to investigate if her touch would be able to do what the nicotine he inhales does. With every second that went by with no reaction from her, Jupyo's eyes demanded an answer for why she wasn't reacting. Her eyes were just as confused by why her body had just stood there, letting him be only inches away from her, they had no answer for him.

" try gum." God knows where the ability to stand there and chat with him was coming from as her lips had opened up and responded. Her eyes caught every minute reaction of his. From the small smirk across his face, the tiny sparkle in his eyes, even the soft movement of his hair was taken in.

" I want something sweeter. '' His voice he had lowered a whole register, wasn't even what had forced her fighting fingers to stop; it was the look in his suggestive eyes and the way he had bitten his lower lip. Unfortunately for her, her awareness had only had stopped on how he bites his lips rather than what seeing that does to every sense of hers. How easily he was turning into a walking-talking red flag she needed to stay away from at all cost, she tried to gain control of her consciousness he had poisoned as she took a deep breath.

" Try the strawberry ones," her cheeky response; her eyes turned away from him as she took a step and another step away from him. His smile he tried to hold in; he watched as she moved away. Her eyes had turned; he was more interested in figuring out why she looked shy for a second.

" If that doesn't work, call her." Jandi's eyes that had turned back to him had focused on his neck. The lipstick marks the girl from last night had left on his neck, which Jandi had seen as she watched them leave; she was referring to that as her eyes returned to the stunned Junpyo.

" huh" His smile he couldn't keep hidden; Junpyo couldn't help but smile as he had claimed another win as he was discovering that she did feel some type of way about what she had seen. His hands were sent to his pocket; he had let her win the game his body couldn't continue to play. His limits he was very aware of, Junpyo knew not to cross any of her boundaries as even being able to stand in front of her and talk to her was an achievement enough.

" If she doesn't pick up, try the other one." his eyes followed every step she was taking away from him.

" or the other one." Her mocking eyes had kept glancing his way. The small glow he could see on her face, he was lost in that and just that.

" Or the other one."

" Or the other one." Turning fully around, she added as a smile was forming all over her face. His fascination with her he was supposed to take the day to end; here he was, letting her melt his heart with just a smile.

" or the main one," she had air quoted the word main as her smile got bigger. It was impossible not to be enthralled by watching her smile.

" You have so many options' was the last thing she said before she turned at the curb and disappeared out of this view. Her eyes that had turned his way had given him one last view of her smiling face he took a mental picture of. Leaving him behind, she ran towards the door that automatically opened.