46

After Jungkook's little stunt yesterday, I thought that my karma for surprises was over. I was wrong. I was in for round two. Round two of surprise, astonishment and reality check. That my life wasn't all about company trips. This was a fucking survival show. And each task could be worse or better than the last. Why? Because—surprise~

My concrete senses were telling me I was in—in the words of the esteemed DJ Khalid—another one. Because the foot with which I had dented someone's car was about to connect with the same someone's ass so hard that they'd never need a laxative again.

I had almost forgotten about Taehyung.

Keyword: almost.

Because as soon as I stepped out of my house the next morning to return to Neureva's Hell Incorporated, he showed up. I kid you not, he brazenly appeared just a few kilometres outside my house as if we met on the way. MY house. He did not even take a moment to think 'Oh! Maybe Miss Kang's house is not where I should appear, let's try to keep it natural! Let's try to make her comfortable!'

But no, NO, NO~

Let's bamboozle her! Yeah, 'cause that's what our mothers taught us growing up. Bamboozle the fuck out of girls to make sure they don't have any personal space left. I'm sure the fathers are the actual culprits of this behaviour but the world isn't ready for that kind of conversation.

And I am a strong person. I can be a bitch when I want to. But when someone decks a scratched car on my way to the office, I go 404. Confidence, not found. I could get killed there and any stupid thing could happen to me, including me getting caught on a tape and falling prey to social media jokes. What if I get raped by this bastard who thinks it was just a 'delay' to the consummation of our romance?! I couldn't just wait for it to happen.

Not to me. I'd chew my own arm off before someone does something like this to me. Chew my arm and spit it at them.

So I did the only thing I did to such harassers.

I pulled my baton out of my bag. The ultimate warrior pack that I would not hold back in using. That's right. That's me.

Snap. Baton extended.

This man was about to get some Mr Han treatment. Sorry, Seokjin. I'm not sorry.

I looked down at my skirt and the heels I had worn today. Shit. Shit. Shit. This was going to be a major drawback if I had to run. But the heel could do me good if I ever had to poke his eye out. I contemplated all my choices mentally, passing the notes to headquarters. My eyes, however, were fixated on him getting out of the car. The baton now extended next to my thigh like the beginning of a Samurai showdown.

"You rat bastard just invaded my privacy. Your brother is going to be questioned." I seethed.

He looked at the baton, amused and then his eyes clicked at me. Amused. This fucker was amused. Was he confident that I couldn't do him any harm? Oh fuck. Oh fuck no.

My grip on the baton was so hard that my hand trembled. Last time I used this baton, Jungkook was next to me, sacking and whacking it, but right now I was alone. I had to be tactical. Or this could go south.

He calmly stepped forward and my footing screeched on the cemented pavement.

"That is a cute baton, I must say. But I'm no Mr Han."

I nearly slipped. My jaw dropped. How the—what the fuck—when—HOW?! He didn't even exist in my life when I had this encounter with Mr Han!

Okay, okay, I had to be sturdy. That look was telling me that he was enjoying this. Way too much.

"And you're wondering why I know this?" He smiled, pleased. Pleased by what, motherfucker? "It's as I said, we're destined for each other, Haerin—"

"I'm not Haerin for you!" I held the baton up like a sword.

"Don't worry, you will be." He stated, not bothered at all as he continued to stalk towards me.

"Stay back you prick. I won't show any mercy, I swear. Your heinie is yours to save so think before you act."

He smiled, "Oh I don't want my heinie to be saved. Believe me. My heinie is your biggest fan, only second to my di—"

"Ewwwww!!!!" I screeched, swinging the baton and missing him by an inch.

He smirked, "Slow but cute." With that, he grabbed the end of the baton and yanked it so hard that I went flying forward, straight into his arms.

Think Haerin. Think. How to get out of here?! How do I escape this bastard!

I needed some immediate backup from the headquarters. This instant!

"Now, let's talk, baby. I want us to get through this rough patch smoothly." He whispered low. I cried out, trying to yank the stick back. His grip was iron. All those baggy pants were really hiding a monster underneath. A fucking monster!

"Don't baby me—" It hit me that I could just let the baton go and let him fall.

No. This motherfucking doofus had telepathy or something. He let the baton go and I landed hard on the pavement, my butt getting squashed so hard that my sanitary pad was actually living the life of the girls in the period advertisements.

I looked up, horrified, hair falling over my face. I blew it off and glared.

"You dare hurt me." I trembled, avoiding his help to stand up and then got off my shoes, throwing the baton to the side. Because this? This was going to be murder. "You dare—"

"You want to beat me up? Let's do it in the car, please?" He pointed at his SUV and my head exploded.

"What?! Do you understand what you're talking about? Why will I get in any car with you?" I turned the heel of the shoe in my hand and pointed it at him. "I'll kill you if you touch me."

"Scared?" His brow shot up. "You weren't this scared when you let other men touch you now, were you?"

"Other men—what are you talking about?"

"Don't play the fool, darling." His eyes narrowed. "You know it hurts me when you betray me like that. Do you know how many times I contemplated showing up at that cheap management trip and showing that side bastard of yours exactly who you belong to?"

"What are you talking about...?" My voice shivered this time. I didn't want it to but I didn't know anymore.

"You have a little learning to do about your boundaries," he nodded to himself as if whatever the fuck he was saying made any sense. "But I'm ready to teach you that. That's what love is all about, right?"

"Fuck you, asshole. You're not anybody to me. You're just a pathetic stalker." I launched the heel at him but he had grabbed my wrist and pushed me against his burning hot SUV so fast that I couldn't even scream.

I gasped, my body already falling numb at how tight he had gripped me. "Let—Let go. Let go, Taehyung!" I cried and launched my knee into his groin with all the force of the universe.

Perfect aim.

He sucked in a sharp breath, saying fuck or something, but I was already running barefoot in the other direction. Not my home. Never my home. Because my mom wasn't at home and she must have already locked the door to leave for the market.

I didn't care if my skirt was riding up or whatever the hell was happening. People were staring at me. Not many. Just a few people were around but when I turned onto the main street, several eyes turned to see why I was barefoot.

Okay, Haerin. Don't panic. It's fashion! Going barefoot is fashionable. Just be confident.

I stuck my hand out to the cabs, my throat drying so fast I remembered the water Jungkook had offered me and I had refused.

Damn it I should have drunk that water!

"N—Neureva building!" I told the cab as soon as I jumped inside. "Please! Fast!"

The driver was shocked but he didn't argue and started his car. I didn't even wait to see if Taehyung was following up on me or something. I didn't care. I was going to the office and beating the hell out of Seokjin before dragging him to the local police station to complain about his brother for his terrible upbringing.

I pulled my phone out, immediately ordering heels and a baton to be delivered near the office entrance, estimating the correct time that it would reach when I got there.

What next? What next?

Bo Ah.

I had to call Bo Ah!

I dialled her, rattling the seat with how badly I was shaking. Shaking with the need to rip that man's dick off!

"Bo Ah!" I yelled into the phone as soon as she answered. "Bo Ah that stalker tried to—tried to put me in his car!"

"What?!" Her cucumber peels fell off her face as she sat up, eyes wide. "What the hell? Haerin? Wait. Are you in a car? Did that fucker—"

"No! I'm in a cab!" I slapped my face to stop myself from breathing so hard. "I kicked him and ran. But—no one is at home, so I'm going to the office. And I'll drag that shitload's brother out!"

"Haerin, you have to get home too! File a complaint! I'll come over to your office! I swear, I'll kill that bastard!" She cried, already ripping her beauty mask off as she thundered across the floor. Maybe she slipped and fell, but I couldn't catch that surely enough.

"I'm fine! I'm fine, Bo Ah. It's just—I'll opt for the cab. I'll opt for the company's cab service today. I'll call you when I get to the office because I don't even have shoes right now."

"Oh, my baby!" She screeched. "I'm going to drop by your office and I don't care! I'm coming! I'll bring a machete!"

She hung up the phone, leaving me stunned and breathing sharply.

Oh my god. Oh my god. Was this real? I immediately checked the windows to see if I was still being followed or if that bastard had brought his SUV to race me to Neureva. But I couldn't see him. The roads looked clear but oh fucking goodness, I couldn't even be sure if he was going to take another route to get to me. Taehyung was sick. Fucking sick.

I covered my face with my hands. I was almost about to be abducted by that dickhead!

Keyword: almost.

Because I don't let someone like him triumph over my ego. No way that fucker was going to do that. See, I'm all for obsessive romance. And I like when guys are hot about how much they need me but ahoy matey, do you need to creep in like a stalker? At least, give me the chance to know you and want you too! What was this weird way of forcing me into his car?

My calculations turned out correctly when I arrived at Neureva. The shoes and the baton had arrived. I rushed over and quickly unboxed those temporary players, immediately put off by the colour.

"I thought these were peach coloured?" I looked at the deliveryman, pushing my feet into the first pair. "They look orange-y."

"Ma'am, this was the only one left." He guiltily added.

"Okay..." I sighed, my fight lost because I was still slightly trembling. I paid that man and picked up the empty box, sashaying down the premises, towards the building waiting for me. I had been assaulted but look at this corporate worker, still headed to be a slave.

Once I had put the baton in my purse and thrown away the empty shoebox, I headed to the elevator, pressing the button, tapping relentlessly.

I blinked at the numbers coming at me. I blinked again, my chest heaving because I couldn't wait to see the Kim brother. I smacked my heels on the marble, frustrated through the corridor, dropping short salutes to anyone who said good morning because my mouth wanted to curse so bad. I could not risk saying anything to anyone. Or else my job would take a hit too.

Not yet.

I decided to map the road through the pantry because that's exactly where Seokjin would be, drinking coffee. Unaware that his assistant manager was about to puke.

"Hey, Miss Kang!" Jimin waved first. "How was the trip?"

The trip my foot. I turned to Seokjin, who was gathered around several of my team members who couldn't stop asking me how the trip was. But I couldn't see anyone else but Seokjin. My brain was burning, focused like a laser on his head.

"Mr Kim. My cabin, this instant."

Oh, but I didn't have a cabin. Fuck.

I rubbed my temple, "Never mind. Just—just follow me."

Seokjin stood up, confused. "Okay. Don't kill me." He muttered.

I turned, fuming as he followed me aside. Then, I whipped my hair as I looked at him, "Let's get one thing straight, I'm not blaming you."

"For what?" He frowned.

"Your brother tried to shove me in his car this morning. Hence why my heels are orange instead of peach." I snapped, and Seokjin's eyes widened, his jaw falling apart to look at the orange felony I was pointing at.

"Miss Kang—are you—did he do anything—?" He stammered, covering his mouth with his hands.

"Not yet. But I'm not giving him the chance to." I sterned, my knees threatening to fall. "I am going to file a police complaint against him. And I'm serious."

"A police complaint?" Mr Min appeared and my soul slipped out of my body.

I whipped around and faced Mr Min, who was frowning at both of us. My hair slapped over my face and then I stepped back when Jungkook appeared from behind him, equally confused.

What. The. Fuck.

I blinked.

My cheeks burned for a moment when Jungkook's eyes met mine. But I didn't let him in and looked away.

Mr Min was going to kill me dead. Kill. Me. Dead.

My hands trembled and I saw Seokjin's face pale as a sheet. I had to get out of here. Anyhow. Any-fucking-how. My eyes snapped at Jungkook's again and I pleaded with him almost desperately.

He waited. Raised a brow.

Come on, dude! You like me! Do something! Save your girl, fucker!

"Is this...about the bad cookies you bought last time?" He finally interrupted and a relieved breath rushed out of me. Yes! Saved!

"Right! Right!" I immediately stepped towards my saviour. "Come on, I'll show you the packet his brother just sent. Seokjin, follow me."

"Yes ma'am!" He charged after me.

Jungkook didn't even ask, he began walking with me towards the corridor. I stopped by the elevators and sighed.

"Thanks, Mr Jeon."

"My cabin. Now." He turned, pressing the button to his floor, and my heart dropped.

What now? What the hell now?

"Why your cabin?" I scowled.

Jungkook glanced at me and then at Seokjin, then back at me, "Because I'm curious. What police complaint? And you'll get the much-needed privacy to beat the crap out of this man if you want to."

"I didn't do anything!" Seokjin protested, walking into the elevator with us when the metal doors opened. "It was my—"

"Alright, dude." I raised my hand to silence him. "Zip up. There are cameras here."

The corner of Jungkook's mouth almost twitched at me. And honestly, Seokjin was taken aback by my language too. But that professional Haerin couldn't come to the phone right now. Cause she was dead to Seokjin the moment his brother crossed the line.

Seokjin stayed quietly in the corner of the elevator and then quietly followed us to Jungkook's cabin. But the temperature was already set to something low.

I nearly stalled and looked around, confused. Was I in the right place? Because it wasn't cold enough here to make me want to die anymore. What an experience.

"Yeah, I changed it for y—" Jungkook began and I had to interrupt again with a clap.

"Sit down, Seokjin." I pointed at the chair.

"Miss Kang, are you hurt?" Seokjin nervously asked as he lowered into the chair. I leaned against the desk, my butt throbbing already from falling that hard.

"Very." I started, fire at the tip of my tongue.

Jungkook stood behind me, hands folded as he listened. And to be honest, maybe I was a needy bitch, but I actually wanted to tell Jungkook what happened to see his reaction and there was no perfect way to do this than the trap that this man had set up for himself.

"Did I not tell you before to speak to your brother? And did I not tell you that I will not let this go if it happens again?" I sneered.

Seokjin shuddered, "I know, I know, Miss Kang. I really do. And I'm terribly, terribly sorry for whatever happened. I'm going to talk to him. He listens to me—he won't come near you again. I swear! If he does, you can hand him over to the authorities yourself."

My eyes narrowed, "What? So I have to wait for him to do something worse?"

Seokjin gasped and straightened, "No! That's not what I meant—please. Please, Miss Kang. You know that's not what I mean..." He blinked at me so pitifully that my heart wavered.

Bitch. Why the fuck the empathy? Wrong place.

But I had already melted.

I cleared my throat, "Talk to him now." I demanded. "And talk to him in a way he understands what your position is in this. Okay?"

"Yes. Yes, absolutely." Seokjin nodded hastily and stood up. "I'll talk to him now. Now."

"Okay..." I nodded. "Okay..."

"Miss Kang," Seokjin called and I blinked at him. "Where—I mean, where are you hurt? I'd like to pay for any damages."

"The sentiment is sweet but no, Seokjin. You're not the one at fault so you don't need to pay for anything." I muttered.

He didn't answer that.

I unfolded my arms and stepped forward, ready to leave, but Jungkook blocked my way, "Stay."

I blinked up at him, "Am I a dog?"

His jaw flexed, fists clenched and he exhaled defeatedly, "Please, I need you to wait back, Miss Kang. It's a request."

The corner of my mouth curled. Hah. Down bad boy. Down bad.

"Seokjin, I'll follow you. You can leave." I said and he obliged, shutting the door after himself.

I adjusted my heels, regretting the decision to stay as soon as he cornered me into the desk, eyes searching my face. "What happened? And I'm serious."

"Of course, you're serious." I nodded and then scoffed. "This is not a joking situation."

"Miss Kang..." He pleaded. "What the fuck happened? Why the police complaint? And what did that chap's brother do?"

Why the hell was this man so needy all of a sudden? It was fucking weird!

I sighed, my eyes flickering up to him finally. Then, I cracked a smile.

"Honestly, it's not your business, Mr Jeon." I stretched my lips. "This is my personal life. Thank you for the cabin but—"

"You say that after last night—"

"Whoa ho!" I raised my hands to slow him down because what? "Husain Bolt. Stop. You have to realise that it's not your place to ask me if I'm okay, Mr Jeon."

His jaw tightened again. He drove a shaky hand through his hair and then nodded to himself. "So...what do I have to do to make it my place?"

My head shot up, eyes wide.

"What will make it my business, Miss Kang?"

I waited, eyes wide with inquisition as to what he was saying.

His brow twitched. "Tell me. What should I do to be yours?"

There was a point-blank silence.

I couldn't believe that I was hearing him say this. My mouth opened, a scoff shot out and then closed again. He was asking me what he could do? He wanted to be mine? What the fuck, Haerin? This was new.

I blinked, my limbs shaking a little too much and my eyes fluttering too hard because I didn't know how to react.

What...what could I say?

My face was scarlet on a hot stove and my body was like a tanker of heart explosions. I opened my mouth and blurted out the most random thing I could have said.

"Make-up."

"Make-up?" He frowned, trying to assess if he had heard it right.

I nodded rapidly. "Yes. Make up. Skin prep, foundation, eyeliner, the whole package. And then maybe you can call yourself my boyfriend."