Love Candidate - Bloody Freak - Chapter 10

Only Park Jimin can touch my body without triggering my past traumas.

I exhaled in relief after dumping the last lump of vomit into the toilet bowl, shakily leaning back against the wall as I sat on the bathroom floor with my hands gripped tightly in my hair to force the triggering thoughts out of my head. I glanced at Seokjin to find him leaning his arms against the sink with his head hung low. I tried to explain the situation... but my lips were trembling so much I couldn't find my voice, so I rubbed my face in frustration. What have I done? Why did I suddenly hallucinate? Why?

"Come here. Let's get you out of my bedroom... maybe it'll help you breathe better," Seokjin suddenly placed his night robe over my body, carefully lifting me off the ground without making direct skin contact with me. I sniffled as he carried me into his living room and hurried to get a cup of warm water after settling me onto the couch. I quietly drank the water with my eyes trained on my feet, so Seokjin knelt before me with a few tissues to dab my lips with a worried expression.

"Do you want to go to the hospital? You don't look well," Seokjin watched me with a troubled expression as I fought to regain control of my body. I gripped my fist and took a deep breath before averting my tearful eyes to his.

"I- I want to- go home," I whispered as streams of tears slid down my cheeks. Seokjin pursed his lips at my shaken condition, eventually releasing a deep sigh.

"Was it because of me-"

"I just want to go home," I shook my head and lowered my face to brush away my tears. I can't speak right now.

"Okay. I'll take you home," Seokjin agreed in defeat when I refused to say anything else. He tried to reach out for me, but I quickly got up on my own, strode away with my arms wrapped around my body and hurried out of his villa without my shoes. Seokjin unlocked the door for me just as I reached the car with his car remote, so I scrambled into the backseat. I don't want to sit next to him. Seokjin got in his seat and placed my shoes and handbag on the passenger seat, worriedly glancing at me through the mirror but chose not to say anything. He started the engine without speaking to me, and we left his property. I wasn't crying anymore, but I was half out of my mind, so I stared out the empty night street in silence. What's the matter with me? I've never felt like this before. I thought I healed, but why is it back now? I thought I liked Seokjin... So why did my body react the way it did?

"I'll stay with you at your house-"

"It's fine. You should head home," I shook my head and hurried toward the gate when he offered to take me inside.

"You're like this because of me- I can't leave you by yourself. I'm dead worried about you right now," Seokjin sighed in frustration when I refused to tell him the reason behind my unexpected episode. I stopped in my position, slowly turning to find Seokjin staring at me with an upset yet confused frown.

"It's not you. It has nothing to do with you," I reassured Seokjin, yet he still didn't look convinced and stared at me with a skeptical look.

"Whatever happened at my place... it is definitely not normal. If you need help, then I'm right here-"

"Just please go home," I interrupted him with my tearful eyes fixed on his. I'm having trouble understanding myself too. Seokjin furrowed his eyebrows, clearly hurt by my rejection, but he held back and nodded at me in defeat. I watched him sorely as Seokjin got into his car and drove off without another word. I turned back to my gate and rushed into my house.

"J-Jimin?" I hoarsely called as soon as I got to the living room, but the couch was empty. I tried to stay calm when another terrifying surge of memories stuck me again, so I gripped my head in distress and hurried up to my room.

"J-Jimin!-?" I gasped, frantically pushing my bedroom door open to search for him, but he wasn't inside either. I sobbed in fright as I stumbled back down the stairs to find my phone. I quickly dialed Jimin and shakily brought the phone to my ear, but I couldn't reach him no matter how many times I called. Whimpering, I rubbed my face in difficulty when endless memories flooded my head until my body went weak. Flash. His evil smile. His rough movements over my body. The unwelcoming touches. I shrieked in panic when I failed to fend off the disturbing incident, eventually collapsing onto the floor with a loud thud to clutch my sensitive body in fear.

"Jiyoung?- What's the matter?" Jimin suddenly entered the house after opening the door. He stopped dead at the doorway when he found me weeping hopelessly on the floor.

"J-Jimin!" I gasped, frantically leaping onto my feet, and rushed towards him. Jimin stared at my condition in horror as I ran toward him, unconsciously grabbing onto my body and tightening his grip around me as soon as I slammed into him.

"Ji-Jiyoung-"

"I'm scared! The memories- His touch- His dirty touch on my body- Jimin, I'm going crazy-" I broke down in his arms. I shivered in fear when I felt the invisible and cold sensation over my body, reminding me of the areas my stepfather fondled without my consent.

"Hey. Hey. He's not here. Don't think about him. You're safe here with me, alright? This is your house- Jiyoung, this is your home. I promise you're safe with me- I love you- shhhh. You're safe with me, I promise," Jimin firmly embraced me against his body as I mentally shattered in his arms. My legs suddenly grew weak, making me wobble towards the ground, but Jimin was swift. He lifted me off the floor, carried me to the couch, and sat me down on his lap, so I turned to bury my swollen face against his chest as he rubbed my back to comfort me. And after a moment of holding him... I grew hushed at his calming strokes, and the memories in my head began to fade away from my mind as I listened to his steady heartbeat. Thump. Thump. Thump... pounding at a constant pace against my ear until my eyes dropped. Jimin softly kissed my forehead as he ran his fingers through my hair to soothe my mind, so I exhaled in relief after easing my body and tugged him closer to me. His warmth... reassuring of my safety. Jimin cuddled me on the couch until I fell asleep against him.

I woke up late the next day on the couch after stirring in discomfort when I felt my head aching. Fuck... I'm sore. I grunted and sat up to rub my face sleepily.... turning to find Jimin cooking in the kitchen.

"Shower first. The food will be ready in a moment," Jimin glanced at me when he noticed I was sitting on the couch. I didn't say anything and went to my room to shower. I stood with my eyes closed as the warm shower trickled down my body, washing away the dark thoughts. I lose myself whenever I try to move forward. What should I do now? Knowing I'm still stuck at the exact spot I've been fighting to leave behind? I stepped out of the stall to wipe the foggy mirror and stared at my dark circle in silence. My eyes were bloodshot from crying, and there were even blood spots under my eye bags because I puked too hard. My throat felt very sore, and my body felt so numb... I could barely move my muscles. Shaking my head, I got dressed and strolled back into the kitchen to find Jimin placing the warm seaweed soup on the table for me with a rice bowl.

"Thank you," I whispered, weakly lifting the spoon to stir the bowl.

"Your fever went down. Take the pills for your headache and sore throat," Jimin exhaled, reaching over the table to feel my forehead after placing a few pills on the table for me with a glass of water. He's used to my episodes... I had it often when we were still together, so he had to get me medication every time. Jimin sat down across from me to eat his food. We ate in silence because I didn't feel like speaking at all. It's been a year... I thought I was getting better, but I was wrong.

"What did he do to you? Was it him?" Jimin finally sighed, looking up at me with his anxious eyes.

"No. It wasn't Seokjin," I whispered, carefully blowing on the steaming soup. 

"You only get the attack when you sleep with people," Jimin exhaled at me. I stopped chewing with my eyes trained on the floating greenish seaweed in the bowl. Jimin knows... he knows I was getting intimate with Seokjin.

"Yeah. I was with Seokjin when it happened... but it wasn't his fault," I shrugged and continued eating. Jimin stared at me with his torn eyes, suddenly stuffing a spoonful of rice into his mouth because he didn't want to lash out at me.

"So you're seeing him now?" Jimin questioned with his eyes fixed on his bowl.

"I thought I was ready, but I don't know anymore... not after this," I shook my head. I wanted to give Seokjin a shot, but the problem wasn't him... it's me. I'm the problem.

"I understand your decision to move on, but he doesn't know how to handle you. Did you tell him? About your past?" Jimin swallowed in difficulty as he stared at me.

"No. I didn't tell Seokjin anything. I'll tell him when I'm ready," I shook my head, reaching out to grab the pills, and swallowed it until I drained the water from the cup.

"Jiyoung. I know you want to move forward- but what if he shows his true color after you tell him the truth?" Jimin gulped at me with a concerned expression.

"What do you mean?" I looked up at him unsurely.

"What if he's only good to you because he thinks you're a pure and pretty woman? We both know you're far beyond that image. Jiyoung, you need someone who will accept your dark past because that's the real you. You can't hide from him forever. You'll collapse- just like you did last night. I pray he's a patient and understanding man, but what if he uses it against you? What will you do then? What if he treats you differently after knowing about your past? Can you afford to be used by another person? You have to be wary of him," Jimin spoke in a concerned tone. I grew quiet at his words.

He's right. What if I tell Seokjin about my past with my stepfather, and he backs off because I'm not a pure woman? What if he uses it against me? He saw my panic attack... he knows it'll destroy me. Can I trust him? The thoughts suddenly brought back past memories of Seokjin, eyeing me worriedly after he brought me home. He seemed... worried about me? I don't know what to do anymore. But Jimin is right. I need to think this through.

Jimin left the house afterward after ensuring I was stable, and I knew he was going to work for Taehyung again. I don't want to think about him anymore. I'm so tired. I felt really stuffy, so I decided to visit ajumma. I pulled on warm clothes and headed to the shop... but it was closed, so I went to her house instead.

"Ajumma?" I called after pushing her gate open, steadily walking up the stairs leading to her door.

"Aigo! What are you doing here?!" Ajumma gasped after opening the door, so I stepped inside with a few bags of street food I bought on my way to her place.

"I went to the store today to ask you for a sick leave, but the shop was closed, so I came here instead," I smiled as I settled the packages on her small dining table in the center of her living room.

"Are you sick? You look terrible! What's the matter? Did you visit the hospital???" Ajumma frowned at me, worriedly feeling my cheeks while examining my dull expression with her anxious eyes.

"I'm fine-"

"You never visit the hospital when you're sick! Why are you so stubborn!? I'll ask Changwon to check on you when he returns," She mumbled as she turned to unpack the food on the table.

"Changwon?" I questioned, unsurely slipping off my jacket.

"Eomma~ I'm home!" A guy suddenly strolled through the door with grocery bags in his hand. He was a very tall man. Natural honey skin and black buzz-cut hair. Oh. It's her son from the states.

"Annyeonghaseyo," We greeted one another. He looked at me in surprise when he noticed my unexpected presence in their house and averted his eyes to his mother.

"Ah! I forgot to tell you Changwon came back to Korea yesterday! That's why I closed the shop for a few days to spend him with my lovely son! Changwon, this Jiyoung! She works for me," Ajumma proudly patted Changwon's back. He softly chuckled at his mother and turned to smile at me.

"Nice to meet you," He weakly smiled after placing the groceries away in the kitchen.

"Nice to meet you too! You look so much like your father," I chuckled. I thought he'd look like ajumma, but no... he had more of his father's features.

"Ah. I get that a lot," Changwon laughed, nodding at me as we settled down in the living room.

"He came back from the states to be a doctor here! I won't be away from you anymore! Aigo! I miss you so much! Did you even eat at the states? You're so skinny," Ajumma adorably kissed her son's cheek until his face flushed red. He cutely whined at ajumma, making her chuckle as she placed a glass of water on the table for me. Unlike ajumma's claim, Changwon looked pretty healthy to me. He looked strong and stable.

"You're a doctor? Wah~ That's why ajumma wouldn't stop bragging about you," I nodded at him.

"Oh! Changwon- Why don't you give Jiyoung a check-up? She's not feeling well," Ajumma patted his shoulder and left to cook in the kitchen.

"You're not feeling well?" Changwon blinked at me in concern.

"No, no! I'm fine~! I'm just a little tired, that's all-"

"You vomited, didn't you?" Changwon asked as he examined my face. I pursed my lips as he inspected me with his eager eyes.

"How did you know?" I whispered with my eyes fixed on him in surprise.

"Petechiae. The blood spots on your eye areas are due to pressure on the blood vessels. Broken capillary blood vessels. It must be severe for you to vomit that hard- Maybe, you should visit the hospital," He exhaled after diagnosing me.

"I'm really alright! Don't worry! I felt a lot better after vomiting," I shrugged. However, no matter how hard  I tried to convince ajumma of my well-being, she wouldn't rest until Changwon took me to the hospital. Nothing was wrong with my body... as expected. They only gave me supplements to boost my energy. I stayed with Changwon and ajumma the entire day and went back home at dusk to find Seokjin leaning against his car.

"I've been waiting for you," Seokjin immediately straightened his body when he found me walking up to him.

"You didn't have to... I told you I'm alright," I shrugged at him. Seokjin anxiously studied my worn-out face and glanced down at the medication package in my hand.

"I could've taken you to the hospital," He sighed, looking up at me in guilt. I stared at him in silence while thinking about Jimin's words.

"Let's not see each other for a while," I finally spoke up. Seokjin froze at my request and stood staring at me with a baffled expression.

"You don't want to see me anymore? Why? It was my fault... wasn't it?" Seokjin asked as he searched my eyes for answers.

"No. It's not you- I just don't want to-"

"So, are we breaking up?" Seokjin questioned, clearly hurt by my words. I pursed my lips when I noticed how upset he was. Why is he taking this personally? Do you really like me, or is it all an act? I can't tell.

"We never really dated," I sighed, sadly staring at him. I don't think it's going to work between us.

"But we kissed. We kissed plenty of times. I told you if you feel good about me then-"

"Oh. I feel good about you. I really do, and this isn't your fault. I just need time, that's all," I shook my head at him. Seokjin grew hushed again to process my words. He seems restless, even with my assurance.

"I'm not the type of person to neglect my responsibilities-"

"Seokjin-"

"You were screaming and crying on my bed... in my house... after... I touched your body. Don't tell me it has nothing to do with me because I was also there. It is my responsibility. You don't like to be misunderstood- The same goes for me... I don't like to leave things unresolved. Especially when it's someone I care about. I understand you want to take a break. Fine. I'll respect that, but I don't want us to end here. Not like this and definitely not with you in this condition. Talk to me when you're ready, and I'll be waiting for you. Okay?" Seokjin firmly shook his head at me. My heart ached at his words. But it's really not your fault. I wanted to argue, but I knew he was getting frustrated.

"Okay. I'll contact you when I feel better. I promise," I nodded at Seokjin in defeat. Seokjin eventually left after we bid each other goodbye, so I slumped onto the couch in the living room with my listless eyes trained on the blank tv screen. Why did I drag an innocent person into this? Seokjin must be blaming himself for the incident, and I don't know what to tell him. That I was raped by my stepfather? That I saw my stepfather when I was having sex with him? It'll drive him nuts. Seokjin is trying to cover my stepfather's blood money. If he really cares about me, then what will happen to my stepfather's project? What if Seokjin turns his back on the project as well? Jaehyun will kill me!

A few days passed after I talked to Seokjin, and he didn't visit me anymore. Jimin disappeared as well. I tried to contact him, but his phone was unreachable. I don't know where he went, and my life is a fucking mess. I tried to go to work as usual, but I wasn't as energetic as I used to be, so ajumma was very worried about me. She told me to stay home until I feel better. I sat on the couch with my eyes trained on the TV screen to anticipate my favorite drama because I didn't feel like going out.

"The female Supreme Alpha is- JANG SORA."

"Daebak?! So she's the supreme alpha!? Jang Sora??!?! Waaaaah~!" I gasped at the screen after the society exposed her status. The female character froze in her place as her second-rank ex-boyfriend stared at her in disbelief. The TV show suddenly ended, and the OST came on, so I gasped and rubbed my face in disbelief, stunned by the latest drama episode. 

"Wah, that's unbelievable! Well- It was pretty obvious from the beginning, but it's still shocking! Her parents gave us so many hints before- Knock. Knock," I stopped muttering to myself when I heard the faint knock on the door. Who is it? Jungkook doesn't knock. Jimin has my house key. Seokjin? Why is he here if he told me he'll wait for me? Did he lose his patience? I switched off the TV, dismissively walking toward the door and fully opened it to expect Seokjin. My heart sank when I realized who it was... Kim Taehyung.

"What-" I was cut short when he suddenly stumbled forward, colliding into me. I gasped in panic, unconsciously grabbing onto his heavy body as he struggled to stand on his feet.

"Let me inside-" Taehyung grunted in pain. What's the matter with him-?

"No- Leave me alone-"

"I'm not asking you. It's an order," Taehyung gritted, straightening his body with a gun aimed straight at my forehead. I stood staring at him in horror and shakily took a step back when he took a step forward. His killer eyes... burning right into mine as he closed the door behind his back. I gulped and retraced my steps back into the living room with my eyes wide open. Taehyung slumped down on the couch, groaning in pain with his gun directed at me. Is he hurt???

"Do you have liquor?" He grumbled as he took off his heavy coat and tossed it aside. I froze in my place when I realized Taehyung's face was beaten and his lips were bleeding. Why is he like this-

"I- uh-"

"Bring me an alcoholic drink!" Taehyung roared at me, making me flinch in fright. I quickly stumbled to my fridge to grab a bottle of plain soju and shakily handed it to him. He roughly snatched it from me to uncap the bottle, taking a mouthful gulp to numb his discomfort before exhaling in relief. I stood frozen in my place... unblinkingly staring at his odd condition in confusion. He suddenly yanked off his black turtleneck shirt to reveal his beefy body and tossed it aside. My jaws dropped when I realized there was a severe gash on his lower abdomen... the cut was about a hand length.... and it was so deep... blood was trickling out of it. Taehyung seethed in distress as he poured the soju onto the open gash, making me screw my face in discomfort.

"Are you- alright-" I stuttered in horror when I noticed the deep cuts and dark bruises all over his torso. Did he get into a fight?

"Fuck. Do I look like I'm alright!? Bring me your goddamn first aid kit!" Taehyung glared at me in irritation. I quickly rushed to grab my kit, shakily placing it on the table. He roughly tore the kit open to snatch the antibiotics, angrily pouring the substance over his open wound. I shuddered at the gruesome sight as Taehyung gritted his teeth until bulging veins formed all over his arms and neck. The drug lord grabbed my cotton bandage and wrapped it around the bleeding wound without proper treatment. Finally slumping his shirtless body back against the couch to catch his breath. His body was covered in blood, sweat, and dirt. 

"You need to leave my house," I insisted, nervously watching him breathe on the couch with his eyes closed. 

"I will leave whenever I want to. Don't you dare call my brother, or I'll tell him about your roommate boyfriend. Don't even bother calling the police because they're under my parents' control! Don't fucking call the hospital, or I'll accuse you of murdering me," Taehyung threatened with his eyes closed. I stood in fear as I watched him clutch onto his bleeding torso. He's still bleeding. If I leave him alone... maybe he'll bleed out and die but how will I get rid of his body?

"Why did you come to my house then!? Go to your mafia apartment!" I snapped back in irritation.

"One of the fuckers betrayed me. I need to stay low until I recover first," Taehyung groaned and rubbed his face in distress.

"Hah. Even your druggies turned their back on you-"

"Mock me one more time, and I'll fucking put a bullet inside you," Taehyung violently snatched his gun, swiftly averting it to me in anger. My body froze in fear as I stood before Taehyung, who was sitting on the couch... shirtless... with his legs spread out. I gripped my fists and stormed up to my room in frustration. I frantically locked the door after slamming it shut, then hurried towards my bag to search for my phone.

"Don't try calling your best friend... I'll greet him with a blast in his head if he takes a step inside your house!" Taehyung roared from the ground floor just as I was about to call Jungkook. I gulped in fear and lowered the phone, turning pale at his constant threats. Fuck! He's really crazy! I can't contact anyone! Even Jimin is unavailable! I rubbed my face and sat down against the wall in distress. Why is he beaten up? I thought he was the leader- He said someone betrayed him. Whatever! Maybe he'll leave tomorrow. But I was wrong... Taehyung didn't leave my place. I carefully walked downstairs in the morning to find him asleep on the couch. The cotton bandage around his waist was now dark brown, so I glanced at the gun on the table and tiptoed towards it. Should I kill him? I lowered my hand to grab the gun when he suddenly yanked my wrist just as my finger grazed the handle.

"AH!" I screamed when I lost my balance and tumbled onto him on the couch.

"Don't be sneaky around me. Behave yourself if you want to live," Taehyung gritted, firing me an angry glare as he remained beneath me. I gulped at him in fear when I felt him tightening his grip around my wrist.

"I'm going to work," I muttered. Taehyung stared at me with his furious killer eyes in silence, finally shoving me off his body, so I fell back onto the floor and rubbed my back in pain. Thud. I hurried out of my house and rushed to work in a hurry. Ajumma asked me to help her handle a few deliveries, so I did as she requested. After taking care of the batches, I finally sat down to rest in the store before the cool fan when Changwon appeared with a bag of corndogs.

"I brought some refreshments~" Changwon smiled as he settled the bag on the table.

"Aigo! I thought it was your first day at work today! What are you doing here?" Ajumma gasped as Changwon sat in between us with a bright beam.

"My shift starts next week. I only visited the hospital for a brief tour today," Changwon smiled at his mother as he handed her the corndog.

"Thank you," I smiled when he gave one to me.

"Aigo! There's a customer. You eat. You look so awful today!" Ajumma quickly got up when I tried to greet the customer. I exhaled and ate in my seat when I noticed Changwon staring at my bruised wrist.

"Did someone hurt you? It looks swollen," Changwon nodded at my hand, so I quickly pulled my sleeves down to hide it. Fuck. Why is he so observant?

"No- I got into an accident," I shook my head, uneasily avoiding his eyes as I chewed.

"You should seek help if someone at home is hurting you. Domestic violence shouldn't be tolerated," He lowered his voice as he ate. I gulped and glanced back at him but didn't say anything. Ajumma told me to head home early because I was struggling to lift the goods. I refused to leave her alone even if I had little to no energy left in me because I didn't want to go home. Not with the bloody freak around. I halted on the sidewalk when my phone started vibrating, so I quickly drew it out of my pocket and answered it.

"Where are you!?" Jungkook snapped through the phone. Fuck! He told me he was waiting at my house, so I ran as fast as my legs could carry me to find Jungkook waiting by my gate with a confused expression.

"Why- are you here-" I tried to speak, but I was completely out of breath, so I huffed in exhaustion while waving my hands at Jungkook, painfully bending down to catch my breath with my arms wrapped around my aching stomach.

"Open the gate- What's the matter with you? Why do you look like a zombie!?" Jungkook nodded at my gate but halted in shock when he noticed my pale expression.

"Go home! I'm not feeling well!" I snapped as I straightened my back to glare at him.

"Why are you sick? Did you go to the hospital-"

"I did. Just go home!" I whined. Jungkook furrowed his eyebrows at me and tried to open the gate... so I shoved him aside in panic, sending Jungkook stumbling across the ground.

"Yah! What the hell?! Why did you push me!?" Jungkook snapped his head towards me in confusion. He can't go inside! The freak will kill him!

"Just go home~ I'm really tired-"

"You've been acting very suspicious... ever since he took you to his house. I'm not leaving until you tell me everything," Jungkook stubbornly crossed his arms with his doubtful eyes narrowed at me. I gulped at Jungkook in dread as I stood between him and my gate.

"I have a date with Seokjin in a bit! I need to get ready so leave! I'll tell you later, but not today!" I firmly shook my head as I gripped my fists in fright.

"You've got dirt on your cheek-" Jungkook suddenly took a step forward to rub my cheek with his thumb. My heart leaped at his touch and slowly... he averted his tender eyes to mine.

"Ah!- Yah! Andwae!!! Did you think you could fool me!? Go home!" I shrieked when Jungkook tried to shove me aside to crash through the gate, but I forced him away in time.

"I'll get you next time!" Jungkook glared at me, walking back to his motorbike in defeat when I refused to let him in my house.

"Wait! Here! You should get your own chapstick!" I snapped, stomping up to Jungkook as I reached inside my bag to search for my cherry balm. I grabbed Jungkook's face, roughly squishing his cheeks to pucker his lips as he sat on his bike. I uncapped my chapstick to rub it over his dry lips before shoving it into his hand. Jungkook stared at me in silence as he tasted the chapstick on his lips.

"I'll use it well," Jungkook waved the chapstick in my face and rode away on his bike. I gripped my bag and slowly walked inside to find Taehyung sitting on the couch with his eyes trained on the TV. I sideways glared at the freak and walked up the stairs without speaking with him. Should I call Seokjin? I should call him after I shower. I took a warm shower and stepped out of the bathroom in my towel with soaking wet hair to find Taehyung sitting my the bed... facing me... without any shirts on. My body turned cold when he averted his mischievous eyes to mine, slowly pressing his hands against the mattress with his legs spread out as he sat eyeing my body on my bed. Shit. I glanced at the opened door... I didn't lock it.

"Get out! Don't trespass my room!" I snapped, pointing at the door in irritation, so Taehyung scoffed and stood up from my bed. I backed away in fright when he approached me with a sly smirk instead of leaving.

"Stay away! Yah! I will fucking hit you!" I threatened, grabbing whatever I could reach and threw it at him. My hairbrush hit his firm chest and fell to the floor, making him stop dead at the sudden impact. He glanced at the fallen hairbrush on the floor with an unbothered expression and proceeded to walk towards me until I was cornered against the wall in my towel.

"I like your soap... it smells good," Taehyung whispered, lowering his face to inhale my scent as I stared at him in horror. He was so close I could feel his humid breath panting against my neck. He pressed one of his arms against the wall beside my head and tilted his face to look at me with a sensual gaze.

"You stink," I gulped when I smelt his foul body odor. He smells like blood and sweat. Taehyung scoffed at my comment and suddenly pinned his topless body against mine to taunt me with his unpleasant scent.

"Oh really? Want to give me a bath then?" Taehyung spoke in a low voice as I whimpered against the wall when I felt his body panting against mine. I want to resist him and run off, but I'm barely covered. He might take advantage of me.

"Stupid freak-"

"Argh! Yah! How dare you-" Taehyung shrieked, jerking away from me in pain to clasp his injury after I dug my fingers into his swollen wound. I tried to dodge his arm and rushed out of the room when he firmly swept me off the floor by my waist with his strong arm, and even before I knew it... I was slammed hard onto the mattress with him on top of me.

"Get off me! Yah! Don't touch me!" I screamed in frustration as he held my shoulders down. I gripped his muscular arm in panic when he lowered his face towards mine as he held me down in my loose towel to scowl at me with a furious expression. My trauma- It'll attack me again if he keeps on touching me like this! I whimpered in fear when he tilted his face to brush his lips against the side of my face.

"Bring me a fresh towel and pants," Taehyung roughly released my shoulders and got off the bed. I gulped in fear and slowly sat up with my hand gripped securely over my towel as Taehyung strode into my bathroom. My eyes bulged open in shock when he stripped his dirty pants down without shutting the door. I quickly turned my face away from the bathroom, frantically grabbed my clothes from my wardrobe and stumbled down the stairs to the ground floor bathroom to pull on my clothes in a hurry. Fuck! I really need to call someone! But who can I call!?

"TOWEL!" Taehyung bellowed from my bedroom, startling me with his demanding voice. I gulped and hurried back into the room with a towel and Jimin's spare sweatpants as Taehyung requested.

"Wah~ So refreshing!" Taehyung suddenly stepped out of the bathroom, fully naked with his arms stretched out, causing my face to flush red as he ruffled his hair before me. His body was dripping wet...

"Ah! What's the matter with you?! You're bleeding all over my room!" I screamed in frustration. His blood is dripping all over the place! Taehyung chuckled and walked toward me, so I screwed my eyes shut. He's not even ashamed! How can he walk around naked like this!? He's a fucking freak!

"Come on. I know I'm hot. Look at my body," Taehyung chuckled at my face, but I refused to open my eyes and kept my eyes shut, so he took the towel from me. I quickly turned away to search for my way out of the room when he grabbed my aimless hands and placed them around his firm body. I opened my eyes in shock to find him standing before me in his towel as I held onto his waist. He chuckled and leaned down to kiss me, but I roughly smacked his head with my fist and stomped out of my room in irritation.

"I think I'm being too generous with you! Come back here!" Taehyung stomped after me as he struggled to pull on Jimin's sweatpants.

"I don't care if I'll go to jail for murdering a fucking pervert like you!- Take another step forward- and I will fucking stab you!" I snatched the knife from the counter and held it up at Taehyung as he walked into the kitchen with his hands in his pockets. He scoffed at me and shook his head in disbelief. I sucked in my breath in shock when he strolled towards me with an unbothered expression until the knife's tip sank into his bare chest.

"Go on. Stab me. Give it a rough push and kill me," Taehyung encouraged as I stared at him in horror with the knife pressed against his chest. Blood began trickling down his torso as he stood with the blade in his flesh.

"What- Are you crazy- Yah!" I gasped, dropping the knife in panic when he took another step forward, pushing the blade deeper into his chest.

"Don't act tough with me when you're this hopeless. Oh-? The fridge is empty? How do you even live without food!?" Taehyung glared at me, dismissively turning to frown at the fridge as heavy blood dripped onto the floor. He's bleeding all over my house!!!

"There's a corndog in my bag! That's all I have! And stop bothering me! If you're well- then leave!" I snapped at the bag on the table and hurried back up the stairs to avoid him. I slammed the door shut and made sure to lock it securely before slumping down on the mattress. I'm going crazy! Where's Jimin!? I stayed inside my room the entire night because I was too scared to be downstairs with Taehyung and eventually dozed off on my bed.

I grunted under my breath when I felt the room growing a bit humid, so I ruffled my hair on the pillow and sleepily kicked the blanket off my body. I turned over on my bed to hug my other pillow and buried my face into it. Eh? Why is it so warm? I dismissed the thoughts and snuggled against the smooth flesh. The person shifted in his position, turning to wrap his arms around my waist. He smells good... Is Jimin back home?

I was so drowsy... I didn't bother to open my eyes and gently drew his body closer to mine, so he scooted closer to me on the mattress. I groggily grumbled and pressed my nose against his firm skin to inhale his oddly relaxing scent. He softly breathed against my face while combing his fingers through my hair and gently kissed my forehead as I rubbed his back... until I felt... a bump. I traced my hand over his back to feel the bumpy scars on his skin as he massaged my upper arm. Hold up. Jimin doesn't have any scars-

"Why are you touching me, clumsy woman?" A hoarse voice whispered in my ear. My heart almost exploded out of my ribs when it suddenly struck me. I flung my horrified eyes open to find the mafia freak smiling at me as he lay sideways on my bed with one arm tucked under his head. My eyes grew wide open. I glanced down to find him sleeping shirtless beside me and back at his devilish smile.

"YOU STUPID FREAK!" I screamed in horror and smacked his head with my fist again. Taehyung grunted at the blow in his face and grabbed his forehead in pain, so I kicked him hard until he rolled off my bed and thud. He landed hard on the floor. I sat up on my bed in horror when he suddenly grew hushed. Gulping, I leaned over the edge to find him sprawling flat on the floor beside my bed.

"Yah... That's not funny! Yah!- Oh shit-" I poked his bare back unsurely with my feet until I noticed... blood seeping from under his head. What the fuck- I glanced at the edge of my nightstand, and it was bloody. Shit! Did he hit his head!?

"Yah! Stupid freak! Wake up!" I gasped, scrambling off my bed to kneel beside him and rolled his heavy body over to find a deep gash on his forehead. Shit! I slapped his face a couple of times, but he wouldn't respond to me, so I punched the wound on his abdomen... thinking he was pretending to play dead. But no matter how hard... I poked his wound... he wouldn't respond to me and remained unconscious on the floor. The blood seeped heavily from the gash on his head until I was sitting in his pool of blood. Gulping, I stared at my stained shirt in horror. SHIT. He can't die in my house- Fuck! I grabbed a spare towel and pressed it on his forehead to stop the bleeding. Fuck! What should I do? Should I call the ambulance!? He's losing too much blood! The hospital will question me though- and he will frame me when he wakes up! Fuck! Argh! Seokjin? No- He can't find his brother shirtless in my house! Jungkook? I can't drag him into this mess!!! AHHHHHH! I stared at Taehyung's lifeless body in panic until sweat beads formed on his forehead. What if his druggies comes after me??!?!

I'm so screwed!

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Hola!!! How's everyone doing? Did you enjoy the chapter? I hope you did! I'm doing amazing on my school break hehe!!! I hope you're all well~! Thank you so so so much for supporting Love Candidate hehe! I'm still working on the storyline so I'll do my best regardless of the troubles I'm facing! I love you guys! <3 Take care~!