Love Candidate - Roommate - Chapter 3

"We're at the national park. I wanted to go hiking with you," Seokjin mumbled. What? Hiking? This place- I froze when my eyes landed on the texts engraved on the massive rock.

BUKHANSAN NATIONAL PARK.

"Oh," I whispered in shock. So I'm not in a forest? They brought me to the park?

"Were you drooling during your nap in the car?" Seokjin chuckled with a bleeding nose when he noticed something on my face. He suddenly reached out to brush the side of my mouth to rub the spit off my face. I couldn't react but stared at him without blinking.

"We should clean your wound, sir-" The secretary worriedly eyed Seokjin's bleeding nose. Gulping, I glanced at the blood stain on his jacket in guilt.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to- Omo! What is wrong with me?!" I tried to apologize but gasped in shock when I realized I was still sitting on Seokjin. I quickly scrambled off his lap and stood up in embarrassment. Seokjin shook his head and darted me a faint smile as I patted my dress before him.

"I didn't know you were this violent-"

"No, I'm not! I just thought- Uh- I- There was a bug! I hate bugs, so I tried to swat them away! I didn't mean to hurt you!" I frantically denied as Seokjin got onto his feet to wipe his nose with a handkerchief provided by the secretary.

"You're afraid of bugs, huh? Sorry. I didn't know you hated the bugs that much. I shouldn't have brought you here," Seokjin exhaled. I gulped and glanced away.

"I forgot to inform Miss Jiyoung about the hike- so her outfit is a bit-"

"You brought spare sneakers though?" Seokjin nodded at the pair of sneakers on the ground.

"Neh. I thought she might want to change into it," The secretary nodded after bending down to pick up the sneakers. Seokjin sighed and turned to look at me with a worried expression, so I awkwardly glanced away in embarrassment. I can't face him. Why did I punch him so hard?

"Do you still want to hike? If not, we can just return-"

"Ah! No! It's fine! I'm totally fine with it. I don't want to waste your time," I quickly shook my head. I feel bad! I punched him in the face! How can I ruin our first date like this!? Aish! I'm such a nuisance.

"Alright. Here-"

"Omo- It's fine! I can do it myself!" I gasped when Seokjin took the sneakers from his secretary and bent down to switch them with my heels.

"Hold onto me," Seokjin chuckled as he pulled the new socks on for me and slipped the sneakers onto my feet. I pursed my lips and gently held onto his shoulder for balance as he carefully tied my shoelaces.

"Thank you," I smiled when Seokjin got back onto his feet.

"Aigo. I shouldn't have awakened you this early," Seokjin weakly smiled,  reaching out to brush the twigs out of my messy hair. I lowered my face when I felt my cheeks flushing red at his tender strokes.

"I'll be waiting for your return. Have fun," The secretary handed Seokjin a small lunch box, so Seokjin turned to smile at me, and we carefully walked up the trailed path. I refused to look at Seokjin because I felt really embarrassed and quietly followed him in silence. However, Seokjin wasn't the type to appreciate the silence. He talked a lot. Even if I wasn't responding to him, he'd keep on talking as we trekked along the path.

"WHOOOH! WE MADE IT IN TIME!" Seokjin gasped in excitement when we arrived at the rocky peak. I smiled when I turned to find the sun rising over the city.

"It's really refreshing up here," I smiled. Seokjin proudly looked at me and turned back to watch the sunrise.

"Are you hungry? I brought breakfast," Seokjin lifted up his food package, making me chuckle at his adorable lunchbox. He took off his jacket to spread it over the rocky base, so I could sit on it without staining my dress. We sat side by side to enjoy the pretty view of the golden sun over the morning sky.

"How cute..." I chuckled when Seokjin opened his food package to reveal a gimbap roll in his lunch box. The kimbap was decorated in teddy bear shapes, so I giggled and shook my head at him.

"The maids still think I'm a child. I apologize, but I can guarantee it's edible," Seokjin chuckled at the gimbap's childish decorations. I nodded at him, and we shared the gimbap before heading back down after the sun rose over the city. I felt a bit more comfortable around Seokjin when he kept striking conversations with me, so we chatted a lot on our way back. He loves to make weird and funny jokes.  I laughed at his humor and lightly nudged his shoulder.

"Oh. There's a bug on your shoulder," I paused when I noticed a bug on his jacket. Seokjin suddenly halted, turning his face to the side to stare at the bug.

"Uh- haha-" Seokjin shrugged his shoulders awkwardly, attempting to chase the bug away, but it wouldn't leave. I fanned my hand over his shoulder to chase it away when the buy suddenly flew off his shoulder and landed on his nose tip instead. Seokjin's eyes grew wide open as he stared at the bug on his nose with his eyes bulging open.

"ARGH! ARGH! ARFJDEWJGWD! AH!" Seokjin suddenly screamed in horror and frantically smacked his face. I gasped when he wildly waved his hand around to defend himself from the bug, so I tried to calm him down when he suddenly bumped into me, sending me toppling over a few steps of stairs. I screamed in fear when I lost my balance, desperately scrambling for the railings but lost my grip, tumbled off the track and rolled down the dirt path in pain.

"Ah!" I screamed when I finally collided against a rock on the side and whimpered in pain when I felt my ankle twisting.

"I'm sorry!" Seokjin gasped in horror after I slumped on the rough ground. He rushed up to me after chasing the bug away as I groaned in discomfort and got onto my feet. Seokjin helped me back onto the path with his arm around my shoulder, but I stumbled to the side when my ankle throbbed in pain.

"Oh no," I whispered when I looked down to find a swollen ankle. 

"I'm sorry," Seokjin worriedly eyed my feet, kneeling down to inspect my ankle while I held onto his shoulder.

"It's alright. I can walk-"

"No. I'll carry you. Get on my back," Seokjin shook his head, signaling me to climb his back.

"It's alright-"

"I caused the accident, so I'll be responsible," Seokjin insisted. I pursed my lips and eventually lowered my body onto his back. He picked me up with ease and piggybacked me down the hill. I couldn't help me smile a little when I turned to the side to find his stern expression. He's making me feel weird~! Ah... I'm enjoying this way too much.

"Don't throw me off the cliff when another bug attacks you," I teased. Seokjin chuckled at my words until his cheeks turned slightly red, so I firmly wrapped my arms around his neck and turned to smile at the pretty view.

"I won't," Seokjin responded. Smiling, I shook my head at him in disbelief. Seokjin carried me all the way back to the base of the park, and we departed. He insisted on taking me to the hospital, but I told him I was alright. I don't have time to visit the hospital because I'll be late for work. Ajumma needs me at her store. I quickly got changed as soon as I returned home and limped out of my house after I found Jimin fast asleep on the living room's couch. I'll talk to him after I return from work. Ajumma wouldn't let me heave the goods after noticing my injured ankle, so she made me sit at her desk to record the customer's forms instead. I returned home after my shift but decided to stop by the local market to grab some street food before heading back to my place. 

"What's wrong with your feet?" Jimin asked when I entered through the front door to find him mopping the floors in the living room.

"I fell. It's fine," I shrugged after placing the bags on the living room table and limped up the stairs. Jimin watched me in silence while gripping the mop as I made my way up the stairs and left to shower.

"Where did he go? Did he leave again? Aish. He can't keep on avoiding me like this? I really need to talk to him," I grunted under my breath as I dragged my feet into the empty living room. Jimin's jacket and shoes were gone again, so I exhaled and slumped onto the couch. He left with my keys again.

"At least he did the chores," I muttered when I noticed the polished floors. Fresh laundries were neatly folded in the basket. My cupboard was rearranged, and the dishes glimmered beside the sink. I exhaled and dug into the street food I bought when the door opened, and Jimin appeared again. He took off his jacket and shoes, then strolled into the living room with something in his hand.

"Where did you go?" I questioned. Jimin placed a bag on the living room table and knelt before me as I sat on the couch with a confused expression.

"You should've been careful," Jimin muttered as he rolled up the hem of my pants to reveal my swollen ankle.

"It's not that bad- AH! JIMIN! AAAAAH!" I muttered but screamed at the top of my lungs when Jimin suddenly gripped my ankle with all his might and CRACK. My eyes grew wide open at his sudden force until heavy tears filled my eyes. Jimin roughly snapped my ankle without warning me. I cried in pain while gripping his shoulder as the killer pain surged all over my feet.

"I'm sorry. You'll feel better after this," Jimin whispered as he settled my feet back onto the floor, then turned to search the bag for soothing gels.

"Ah~ What did you do?" I whimpered and leaned back against the couch to wipe my tears. The pain was so bad I almost fainted on the spot.

"You didn't sprain it. You dislocated your ankle. It'll be more painful if I don't fix it," Jimin explained as he applied the gel over my ankle, so I released his shoulder and closed my eyes to recollect myself.

"You could've warned me in advance," I muttered. Jimin got up to grab an ice pack from the fridge, finally returning with it to place the cooling pack on my swollen feet.

"You'd panic if I told you," Jimin exhaled as he gently pressed the pack against my ankle. I stared at him in silence with my tearful eyes. What am I feeling? I shouldn't be like this. I know a part of me still loves him... but I can't do this anymore.

"Why did you come back after leaving me?" I whispered in tears. Jimin halted as he sat on the floor before me.

"I can't find an excuse to defend myself after what I did to you. I'm really sorry. I realized I needed you more than anything, and I'm terribly sorry," Jimin whispered, finally looking straight at me with his guilty eyes. I stared at him in silence until I felt my chest churning uncomfortably.

"You can't keep on doing this. Coming to me and then running away," I shook my head and turned away to rub my tears.

"Just give me one more chance. I won't run away again. I promise. Oh? I know you still love me, and I still love you too. Jiyoung. I love you, so please... give me another chance," Jimin spoke in a pleading tone as he stared at me until his eyes glowered in tears. I gulped in difficulty, glancing at the icepack on my feet when I felt an uncomfortable ache in my chest.

"Jimin I-" I was interrupted when someone knocked on my door. Knock. Knock. We both turned to look at the door in confusion.

"Is it Jungkook? That asshole. He's here to irritate me again, isn't he?" Jimin grumbled as he stared at the door.

"It's not Jungkook. Jungkook doesn't knock. He bangs-"

"Jiyoung??? It's me! Seokjin!" The person called, repeatedly knocking on the door. My eyes grew wide open in shock. Jimin turned to look at me in confusion, then turned back to stare at the door.

"What the hell is he doing here- Jimin, you have to hide-" I gasped and tried to get up, but my ankle hurt so bad I ended up collapsing back onto the couch.

"What do you mean I have to hide? Who is it-"

"Jimin, no! Don't open the door-" I frantically called for him when Jimin got up and walked towards the door, and before I could stop him, Jimin opened the door.

"Annyeonghaseyo?" Jimin answered with his eyes trained on Seokjin, who was taken aback by Jimin's unexpected presence, so he blinked at Jimin in confusion.

"Annyeonghaseyo... is this Jiyoung's- Uh did I walk into the wrong house? I'm sure it's-" Seokjin paused in confusion while scratching his head, then turned to look at the properties next to mine.

"This is Jiyoung's house-"

"Seokjin! What are you doing here!?" I sprinted towards the door with a baffled expression. Seokjin glanced back and forth between Jimin and me with a questioning look but didn't say anything until I raised my eyebrows at him.

"Um. I- I brought you medication for your ankle," Seokjin lifted up the bag in his hand, unsurely glancing at Jimin, who was coldly eyeing Seokjin's clothes. I pursed my lips when I noticed Jimin's disapproving expression after averting his eyes from my ankle. I had no choice but to invite Seokjin into my house because I couldn't just push him away and slam the door shut in his face when he came all the way here to bring me medication.

"Who are you?" Jimin impatiently tilted his head at Seokjin with his arms crossed.

"Ah. I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Kim Seokjin. The heir of the Kim's Group," Seokjin smiled, politely placing his hand out for a handshake. Jimin shook his hand suspiciously as I nervously sat on the couch.

"I'm Park Jimin. Jiyoung's boyfrien-"

"Roommate! He's my roommate, haha!" I interrupted Jimin, so he turned to look at me with a baffled expression.

"Roommate? You never told me you had a-"

"He moved in recently! He's an old friend from high school," I thoughtlessly made up excuses. FUCK.

"Ah. Nice to meet you," Seokjin nodded at Jimin, who was doubtfully eyeing my pretentious acts.

"Why are you here at this hour to see Jiyoung?" Jimin questioned, tilting his head to the side.

"Her sprained ankle. I felt bad for hurting her, so I-"

"You hurt her???" Jimin questioned. He turned to stare at me in shock because I told him I hurt myself while walking back home.

"Yeah. I accidentally pushed her on our date this morning, so-"

"Date?" Jimin blinked at Seokjin with his eyebrows raised. Seokjin stared at Jimin's bitter expression unsurely, then glanced at me.

"Uh, it was a misunderstanding! You should head home! Jimin already fixed my ankle but thank you for being so considerate!" I quickly got onto my feet when I felt the unsettling tension inside the room and dragged Seokjin back to the front door.

"Are you sure you're okay? I'll take you to the hospital if it's still hurting," Seokjin furrowed his eyebrows at me.

"I'm fine! I feel so much better now!" I forced a laugh and nodded at him. Seokjin darted me an unconvinced gaze, so I pursed my lips in panic.

"Okay. I'll see you on our next date," Seokjin finally nodded and left through the gate. I exhaled in relief after he drove out of my street and closed the door, then limped back into the living to find Jimin sitting on the couch with his arms crossed.

"You were on a date with him? Why didn't you tell me you had a boyfriend?" Jimin questioned sternly.

"He's not my boyfriend," I shook my head in exhaustion.

"Then you're seeing him?" Jimin gritted his teeth in discontent.

"Oh. My parents want me to settle with a family soon. So we're still getting to know one another," I scratched my head as Jimin stared at me with an upset expression.

"You met your parents? Why would you-"

"It doesn't matter. I'll be free from them once I move out after the marriage," I shrugged and limped towards the stairs.

"You want to marry him? What about us?" Jimin questioned, so I halted before the stairs and turned to look at him with my pained eyes.

"Our relationship ended ever since the day you cheated on me. I need to move on, so please, stop coming back into my life. I already gave you too many chances," I exhaled sadly. Jimin gripped his fists at my words, so I gulped and walked up the stairs. I crawled into my bed after drawing out a photograph from the drawers and stared at the picture in silence until unconscious tears streamed down my cheeks.

I woke up the next day to get ready for work when I found Jimin putting the trash bag into the dumpster. He didn't talk to me and walked back into the house, so I sighed and left to work. I returned home after the sunset and yet... Jimin remained at my house. At this rate, I was getting pretty annoyed by his stubbornness, so I strode up the stairs without saying anything and came back down after I showered to find Jimin settling a few plates of food on the coffee table in the living room.

"Why aren't you leaving? How long do you plan on staying-"

"When was the last time you had a properly cooked meal?" Jimin dismissively placed the filled cups down, so I folded my arms and sat on the floor with my eyes trained on him.

"Answer me-"

"I'm your roommate, right? So I'll stay for as long as I want to," Jimin averted his dull eyes to mine.

"Moh? Are you out of your mind?! This is my house!" I snapped in irritation. Jimin dug into his pocket and placed a few crumpled 50000 won notes on the table.

"I'll pay to stay," Jimin exhaled and slid the cash across the table, so I glanced down at the money and back at him as if he's gone crazy.

"Who said-"

"I need a place to stay. The motel is too expensive, and I don't have much money. So let me stay with you for a while. I'll pay you extra if you think I'm adding to your expense," Jimin exhaled with his pained eyes. I gulped at his dispirited eyes, glancing at the healing wounds on his face and back to the money on the table. He asked me for money not too long ago so how did he earn all this money???

"What kind of trouble did you get into this time? Why were you hurt so badly?" I eyed him suspiciously. Jimin lowered his face to look at the food and glanced back at me with his guilty eyes.

"I joined a mafia cult," Jimin muttered. I froze in my place as I sat crossed legs on the floor.

"What? Are you crazy? M-Mafia-??!" I stared at him in horror.

"They promised good money, so I didn't think much and- worked for them," Jimin confessed. I lowered my face to rub my nose bridge in distress after firing him a disappointed look.

"Why did they beat you?" I questioned, and for some reason, I felt really unsettled.

"They assigned me a job. A dealer. I'd meet up with their new clients to deal drugs, but I got a bit greedy because it was easy money. So I started selling to teens and other desperate people I met at the clubs or motels," Jimin muttered while staring at his chopstick.

"You stole their money?" I whispered in realization.

"Yeah. Not much though- I was exposed after stealing a package of drugs while unloading the cargos. I didn't think they'd notice it because there were so many shipments," Jimin shrugged. I unfolded my arms and leaned against the table to rub my face after I heard his confession.

"You stole the drugs? Just return the money you earned," I exhaled in frustration.

"I spent it all," Jimin shook his head. I pursed my lips and stared at him in silence.

"How much is it worth? The drugs you stole," I stared at him in difficulty.

"12 million won," Jimin spoke quietly. My mouth dropped open as I stared at him in disbelief.

"Are you using drugs?" I whispered in horror.

"I did, but not anymore," Jimin shook his head while staring at me with a troubled expression.

"Why...? Ah... Are they still after you??? Is that why you're hiding here?" I questioned while gripping my hair in distress.

"They spared me after I promised to repay my debt, but they're charging a 10% interest for every passing week," Jimin gulped. My jaws dropped at his words.

"10% for every passing week? How long-"

"Three months already," Jimin muttered. I sucked in my breath with my terrified eyes trained on him.

"Your interest alone is as much as the debt you initially owe them! Your debt will double, then triple if you don't repay it-"

"I know. I know. That's why I'm trying to fix this. I'll find work around the area-"

"Even if you work three jobs a day- you will never earn enough! Are you nuts!? You will drown with debts!" I gasped with my eyes wide open. Jimin fell quiet and stared at me with his apologetic eyes.

"I'll find a way," Jimin shrugged. He picked up his chopstick and began to eat the food he cooked earlier. I stared at him in terror as I watched him eat with an unbothered expression.

"You're such a bad person! Wae! Why do you keep on doing this to me!?" I cried in frustration. I scrambled to his side of the table and smacked his chest repeatedly, so Jimin turned to look at me in bewilderment as I hit him with all my might.

"I'm sorry! Jiyoung!- Calm down- I promise I'll find a way!" Jimin firmly gripped my wrists to stop me from hurting him. I whimpered and fell back onto my butt to rub my face in distress. He's stressing me out!

"How can I move on- if you keep doing this to me??" I turned to glare at him with my glowering while Jimin stared at me in guilt. He slowly slid off the couch and reached out to hold my hands, making me whimper in frustration.

"You don't have to worry- Jiyoung! Jiyoung- Wait-" Jimin called out for me after I roughly pushed him away and hurried up the stairs. I banged my door shut and slid against the door to cry in distress. That's why he came back! Argh! He came back because he needed me! He always does this! I hugged my knees and buried my face into my knees to bawl in frustration until I calmed down.

Fast Forward

"Jiyoung, you don't have to- I said-"

"If you don't pay them back now- You'll never get out of trouble," I exhaled as I pushed the cash envelope into Jimin's hand.

"I swear I didn't come back to you for this-"

"You don't have to justify yourself. I don't have enough, but it's half of what you owe them," I sighed and left the house after handing him the money, leaving Jimin alone inside the living room. I dug my hand into my pocket and pulled out my phone to check my bank account.

Current balance: 300 000 won.

Withdrawal amount: 8 000 000 won.

I blinked at the red withdrawal numbers on my account, then glanced away with a bitter expression. Sighing heavily, I placed my phone back into my pocket and walked toward Ahjumma's store. It has been a few days since Seokjin contacted me. Is he upset? I punched him in the face, of course, he's mad. Or is he upset about Jimin? I shook my head and hurriedly heaved the boxes into the back of the truck. And what is Jungkook up to? He disappeared after the day his girlfriend called.

Third Person POV

Park Jimin made his way down the dark alley  in his raincoat as the rain drizzled over his head until he found a group of gangsters drinking at the far end of the rundown building.

"Ah. The thief showed up," One of the men chuckled when he noticed Jimin walking up to him.

"I'm here to repay the fees," Jimin muttered when the guy roughly slammed him against the soaked wall. Jimin grunted in pain when his head collided with the wall but didn't dare whimper as the guy searched his body for weapons.

"Hah. Where did you even get all this money?" The man chuckled as he peeked into the envelope with a sly smirk.

"I'll get you the rest- ugh!" Jimin tried to speak when the man struck him right in the stomach. Jimin groaned in pain and collapsed onto the dirty puddle of water with his arms wrapped around his abdomen.

"This is barely half of what you owe us! Did you think we'd let you off this easily!?" The man snarled as he crushed the back of Jimin's shoulder with his boot. Jimin grunted and clenched his jaw when he felt the painful surge spreading across his back.

"I'll get you more soon! Argh-"

"Stop hurting him!" Someone roared from the opposite end of the alley. The gangster halted at the unexpected order and turned to look at the person in confusion. Jimin's eyes grew wide open when he recognized Jiyoung's voice.

"What- What is she- Shit-" Jimin gritted. And just as expected, he turned to find Jiyoung stomping up to the gangsters with her fists clenched.

"Oh? Who's this pretty face?" The man chuckled with the others as she stormed towards them. He lifted his shoes off Jimin's back, fully turning to stare at Jiyoung with a smug expression.

"Jiyoung- What are you doing-"

"Stop hurting him! Here! I brought four million won! 12 Million in total! He doesn't owe you anymore!" Jiyoung threw a thick envelope at the man. He caught it with ease and glanced at the bundle of money with one of his eyebrows raised. Jimin slowly sat up on the dirty ground with his hand gripped tightly around his wounded shoulder.

"I think I've seen you somewhere...? Have we met before? Maybe at those slutty motels?" The man chuckled, leaning forward to examine Jiyoung's soaked face from walking through the rain.

"We're leaving. Don't bother him after this! Come on-'' Jiyoung seethed at the man as she grabbed onto Jimin to stabilize him. He limped forward when the man roughly tugged Jimin back with all his might.

"Where do you think you're going? This bastard still owes us the interest amount-"

"10% per week is too much! Are you crazy!? Just take the money and leave him alone!" Jiyoung angrily snapped at the gangster, so he scoffed at her attitude and took a step forward as she supported Jimin's weak body.

"14 million won interest for the past three months, or I kill him," The man snarled at Jiyoung.

"He doesn't have money!" Jiyoung screamed at the man in disbelief.

"THEN HE SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKEN THE DRUGS. HE'S A FUCKING THIEF- BE GLAD I SPARED HIS LIFE!" The man hastily snatched Jiyoung's collar and roughly tugged her forward to glare at her. Jiyoung flinched in fright as the man sneered with his crooked teeth. He was so close she could smell his foul mouth odor breathing on her face.

"Fine. I'll bring 14 Million won next week," Jiyoung gulped at the man as Jimin leaned weakly against the wall to recollect his consciousness.

"20% interest for every passing day," The man chuckled at her face.

"NO! NO MORE INTEREST! 14 MILLION WON IS ENOUGH! I'LL RETURN ALL OF IT NEXT WEEK!" Jiyoung roared at the man's face with her angered eyes.

"Wah~ The courage to bargain? Hmm? Who is she? Your girlfriend? Fine. I won't charge you any interest until next week only if you let me fuck you tonight," The man sneered, earning mocking laughter from his men.

"W-What?-"

"Don't touch her! Leave her out of this!" Jimin roughly pushed the man away from Jiyoung to protect her from the gangster's inappropriate grip.

"It's either you leave with the 20% interest, or I fuck her, and I'll dismiss the interest," The man smirked at Jimin's frightened yet angered expression. Jiyoung fearfully hid behind Jimin as the men played with knives on either of their sides.

"Fine. 20% interest," Jimin gritted and quickly dragged Jiyoung away from the gangsters.

"AH!" Jiyoung shrieked when the man roughly grabbed her wrist, yanking her back before she could take a step forward.

"What are you doing!? ARGH- YAH! STOP IT! DON'T TOUCH HER!" Jimin screamed when the man suddenly hugged Jiyoung from the back to fondle her body with a sly smirk.

"I changed my mind. I want to fuck her," The man nastily sniffed Jiyoung's hair as he gripped her waist to hold her in place.

"Yah! Don't touch me! YAH!" Jiyoung thrashed in difficulty when the man squeezed her buttcheeks, so she screamed and smacked him in distress.

"STOP IT! NO! ARGH," Jimin howled and tried to rush forward when the other men caught him. Jimin angrily elbowed the person and started punching the gangsters as the man dragged Jiyoung deeper into the alley. She frantically screamed and kicked the air with all her might after the man threw her onto his shoulder.

"ARGH! YOU BITCH!" The man roared when she grabbed his hair and yanked him around, so he roughly shoved her into the opposite wall. Jiyoung grunted in pain when the man slammed her hard into the wall until she slid onto the ground. Dazed by the impact, she lowered her head to cry in distress.

"AH! Let me go! I promise I'll bring you the money!" Jiyoung cried in fear when the man roughly dragged her by her hair, making her stumble across the dim alley and smack- Jiyoung suddenly bumped hard into someone. She fell back in pain as the gangster stiffened in shock, so she looked up to find another man standing before her in a raincoat. The hood protecting him from the freezing cold droplets.

"S-Sir-" The man suddenly stuttered at the raincoat guy as he stood before Jiyoung.

Jiyoung's POV

I blinked at the guy dressed in a black raincoat in fright while rubbing my aching head from being shoved into the wall. The gangsters seemed frightened of him because they were all trembling in fear upon his presence.

"What's with the nuisance?" The man spoke in a low and dull tone as I trembled on the damped ground.

"We- We were just beating our debtors. The asshole stole our drugs and sold it for his own gain," The man informed the raincoat guy. Is it their leader? The Mafia boss? The leader glanced at me, so I tried to identify his face, but I couldn't see anything but his piercing eyes from under the hood.

"Them?" The man glanced at me and then turned to look at Jimin, who was grunting on the damp ground with a bleeding lip.

"Just the fucker. He brought this bitch along with him to return the cash," The man roughly kicked me, so I whimpered and rubbed my arm in pain.

"Interesting. What's your name?" The leader questioned me, so I blinked at him in confusion.

"Hwang Ji-young," I whispered in fear as he loomed over me. No matter how hard I tried to get a glimpse of him, I couldn't. The man stood in silence as he gazed at me from under the hood, so I swallowed in fear as the rain drizzled over us.

"I can't touch his woman. Free them," The man finally spoke up.

__________________

WHO IS IT? You'll find out soon~! Haha! I'm back with another chapter~! Thank you everyone for showing me your enthusiasm and endless support for this new piece! I'm really grateful, so THANK YOU so much for believing in me! I'll work hard~! I love you guys~! Please take care of your health and stay safe! <3