You step back, shaking your head in disbelief. "That can't be right," you whisper, more to yourself than anyone else. "That's not Hyeyeon, it can't be."
Taehyung is holding Jimin, who's collapsed on the floor, overwhelmed with grief. Despite the heaviness in the room, you cling to a thread of hope. "Jimin-ssi, she's still out there. That wasn't her," you say, trying to inject some certainty into the uncertainty that envelops you all.
Jungkook steps toward you with a worried look. "Y/N," he begins, reaching out as if to offer support.
"No, stop," you cut him off, holding up a hand. "I don't need consoling. This is some mistake, it's all wrong," you insist, your voice trembling slightly with a mix of anger and denial. "When Hyeyeon comes back, just have her call me," you say, brushing past everyone toward the door, desperate to escape the crushing atmosphere.
As realization dawns on you, a sudden burst of adrenaline propels you towards your car. You can feel Jungkook's concern trailing behind you, but your focus is laser-sharp on what you need to do next. You quickly lock the doors as soon as you're inside the car, cutting off any attempt by Jungkook to join you.
"Y/N!" Jungkook calls out, his voice tinged with urgency, but you're already starting the engine.
You pull out of the driveway with a screech of tires, the car's speedometer needle climbing rapidly as you weave through the traffic. Your driving becomes more aggressive, the car barely missing others as you swerve around them.
Behind you, Jungkook's car appears, following closely, his presence a silent promise that he's there, no matter where this chase leads. You press the accelerator harder, the landscape blurring past as you push the car over 100 miles per hour, driven by a mix of fear, hope, and determination to find Hyeyeon.
As you navigate the streets with a singular focus, the speedometer needle climbs, reflecting your urgency. Jungkook, in restless pursuit, struggles to keep up, his anxiety evident in the way he maneuvers his car, trying to predict your next move. You dart into a side street, tires squealing as you make another sharp turn, barely avoiding an oncoming car. Jungkook watches in horror, his grip tightening on the steering wheel.
He makes another attempt to get ahead of you, managing this time to position his car across the narrow street, effectively blocking your path. Faced with the sudden obstacle, you slam the brakes, the car halting with a jarring screech just short of a collision.
Breathing heavily, Jungkook bolts from his car, his expression a mixture of relief that you're safe and anger over the danger you've just put yourself in. He approaches your car, his steps quick and determined, ready to confront you about the reckless chase.
You leap out of the car, sprinting into the street you'd been aiming for, your heart pounding with a sense of urgency. Jungkook is quick to follow, catching up to you with ease. He grabs you firmly, his grip unyielding as he tries to halt your frenzied dash. "Y/N, ENOUGH!" His shout cuts through the noise, forcing you to face him.
"Jungkook, I don't know why, but something drew me here," you plead, trying to catch your breath. "This place feels strangely familiar, yet I'm sure I've never been here before." Your eyes search his for understanding, desperate for him to see the sincerity in your confusion.
Sensing the genuine perplexity in your voice and expression, Jungkook's grip loosens. He steps back slightly, allowing you some space to breathe, his face softening as he processes your words. His concern remains etched on his features, but he nods, signaling his willingness to listen and understand what's driving you.
As you carefully approach the concealing spot, a sudden, sharp pain shoots through the back of your head, making you cry out and clutch it tightly. Jungkook immediately steps closer, concern etched on his face. "Y/N, what's wrong?"
Through the throbbing pain, fragments of a memory flash before your eyesâyou hear Hyeyeon's cautious voice, "Y/N, are we sure about this?" echoing as if she were standing right next to you. You can almost see her anxious expression in that same spot. A response echoes in your mind, your own voice firm and resolved, "You initiated this, so we're seeing it through." The vividness of the memory stirs a mix of confusion and clarity within you.
Gripping Jungkook's hand for support, you steady yourself, the fleeting memory leaving you both puzzled and alarmed. You take a deep breath, trying to piece together the disjointed images and sensations, wondering what they signify and how they connect to Hyeyeon's disappearance.
As you struggle with the swirling emotions and disjointed memories, tears spill over, blurring your vision. Jungkook's hands are gentle on your face, his concern palpable. "I don't know what's happening to me," you manage to say through sobs, "but I just know that Hyeyeon is alive." Your words are a mix of desperation and conviction.
Jungkook tries to soothe you, but another wave of dizziness overwhelms you. The voices in your head grow louder, the scene becoming more vivid. "How dare you hurt her, Seongjae!" you hear a familiar voice shout in your memory, the anger and fear palpable. "I don't care if she saw us together, she could've died today!" Another voice joins in, fierce and protective, "If anything happens to her, I swear to God, I'll fuck you up."
These snippets of memory hit you like physical blows, forcing you to recoil from Jungkook's touch. You push him away, needing space to breathe and process the chaotic flood of emotions and fragmented recollections. You look up at him, panic and clarity mingling in your eyes as you try to make sense of these resurfacing memories.
As the tension thickens, the unexpected sound of a car screeching to a halt echoes through the area, abruptly shifting the mood. From the dust settles, the car door swings open, and Bohyun emerges with a purposeful stride. His arrival feels almost daunting yet strong, casting an immediate and commanding presence that escalates the intensity of the scene.
"Y/N-ah," he calls out, his voice laden with concern and urgency.
Driven by a tumult of emotions, you push past Jungkook, whose protective stance momentarily blocks your path. Your steps quicken as you move towards Bohyun, propelled by both fear and relief. The familiarity of his presence brings a feeling of safety amidst the chaos.
Reaching him, you throw your arms around him, seeking comfort in his embrace. Bohyun responds with a firm, reassuring hold, his touch immediately calms you down.
BoHyun's quick-fire questions, laced with concern, hang in the air as he glances between you and Jungkook, his protective instincts fully triggered by the scenario he's walked into. His eyes, usually warm when gazing at you, sharpen as he turns to Jungkook.
"Who are you?" Jungkook steps forward, his voice steady but filled with an edge of defensiveness.
"Who are YOU? And why are you here with my girlfriend?" BoHyun counters, his tone rising slightly, marking the territory of his concern. The word "girlfriend" strikes a chord, echoing sharply in the tension-filled air.
Jungkook's reaction is almost immediate. His features shift as he processes BoHyun's words, the reality that you aren't aloneâthat you indeed have a significant otherâwashing over him. His eyes, a moment ago filled with concern and confusion, now flicker with a mix of betrayal and anger, reflecting the complex emotions swirling within him.
BoHyun's confusion intensifies as you mention Hyeyeon's possible demise, his eyes darting between you and Jungkook, seeking clarity in a chaotic situation. You cling tighter to Bohyun, your words laced with urgency and denial about Hyeyeon's fate.
"Hyeyeon's dead?" Bohyun's voice cracks slightly, the weight of your words settling in. He looks to Jungkook, expecting some form of confirmation or further explanation, given your distraught state.
Jungkook steps forward, his patience wearing thin, his voice firm as he tries to take control of the situation. "Y/N, get over here. I'm taking you back home," he insists, gripping your arm tightly as he locks eyes with Bohyun, marking his territory and role in your life.
"No, we can't go home. Hyeyeon needs us. We can't just sit at homeâ" Your words tumble out in a rush, desperation clear in your voice.
"Y/N, Hyeyeon is dead. You need to snap out of it!" Jungkook's voice escalates into a shout, breaking his usual composure in an attempt to jolt you back to reality.
The sharpness of his tone and the bluntness of his words trigger a swift, visceral reaction from you. Without thinking, your hand flies to his cheek, delivering a stinging slap that reverberates through the tense air. The sound of it marks a definitive moment, leaving Jungkook stunned and devastated, especially with the humiliation of being slapped so publicly in front of Bohyun. His ego takes a hit, his face a mix of shock and hurt as he processes the rebuke.
BoHyun's calm demeanor provides a stark contrast to the heated exchange that just took place. He gently takes your hand, leading you away from Jungkook and towards his car with a reassuring grip. "Y/N, we will find her, but we need to be smart about this. We can't do anything without a proper plan, right?" he reasons, his voice soothing yet firm.
"You're going to help me find her?" you ask, a glimmer of hope breaking through your distress.
"Yes, I am. I'll make some calls, and pull some strings. We're going to figure this out together," Bohyun assures you as he opens the car door for you, helping you into the passenger seat with gentle care.
After ensuring you're settled, Bohyun rounds the car to the driver's side but pauses to throw a significant look at Jungkook, who stands a few feet away, visibly upset and shaken.
"Sometimes, people just need to hear what they want to hear," Bohyun remarks sharply. "You'd understand if you truly cared." With that parting shot, he slides into the driver's seat, starts the engine, and pulls away from the curb, leaving Jungkook standing alone, reflecting on his actions and Bohyun's words.
As Bohyun's car disappears into the distance, Jungkook's emotions reach a boiling point. Overcome with frustration, he screams and unleashes his anger on his own car with a forceful kick. He feels powerless as he watches another man take you away, Bohyu's claim on you seemingly more rightful than Jungkook's.
The kick, meant to vent his rage, unexpectedly lands on something solid that feels uncomfortable beneath his foot. Expecting a mere pebble, Jungkook bends down to inspect the object, but what he discovers sends a shock through him. It's an engagement ring, unmistakable and ornate, one he had previously seen on Hyeyeon's hand.
His eyes widen in astonishment as the reality of the situation begins to dawn on him. He looks up in the direction Bohyun had driven, a flurry of questions swirling in his mind. "How did Y/N know Hyeyeon was here?" he wonders aloud, his thoughts racing.
***
Bohyun gently guides you to bed, his demeanor soothing amid the turmoil. "Alright, just take a nap for me while I see what I can do," he suggests with a caring tone. Before you can settle fully under the covers, he offers you a glass of water. "But before you go to sleep, drink this. It will calm you down," he assures you, holding the glass steady as you take it. The water tastes slightly off, reminiscent of the odd flavor of the orange juice earlier, but you drink it silently, trusting his intent.
"Good job. Now go to sleep, and hopefully, I'll have an update for you when you wake up," Bohyun says as he tucks you in, ensuring you're comfortable. Your eyes meet his, filled with hopeful inquiry.
"You're going to find her, promise?" you ask, the worry evident in your voice.
"Yes, I promise I'll do everything to find her," he responds with a firm nod, his expression serious yet reassuring. As he turns to leave, you reach out, grasping his hand to halt his departure.
"I love you," you say, the words heavy with gratitude and emotion, marking the first time you've reciprocated his feelings.
A subtle shift crosses Bohyun's face as he processes your words. It's the first time you've said them back, and the significance isn't lost on him. He pauses, watching you drift towards sleep, and whispers softly, "I love you too," his voice carrying a mix of joy and resolve. As you fall asleep, Bohyun stands by the bed for a moment longer, his thoughts undoubtedly racing about the promises made and the mysteries that lay ahead.
***
Bohyun storms into Seongjae's house, his anger palpable, a gun discreetly tucked into the back of his pants. "Yah! What happened last night after I left?" he demands, his voice thick with rage.
Seongjae, momentarily caught off guard by Bohyun's sudden and intense presence, rises from his chair. "What's wrong?" he asks, his tone tinged with apprehension.
Without wasting a moment, Bohyun closes the distance between them, his figure towering over Seongjae. "Did you hit Y/N?" he interrogates, his voice sharp and commanding.
Seongjae steps back slightly, under the imposing presence of Bohyun. "It wasn't me. It was one of my guysâthey spotted Y/N and that other girl snooping around," he explains hastily, attempting to shift some of the blame away from himself.
Bohyun's expression darkens, his anger now laced with fierce protectiveness. "Seongjae, you better deal with that man before I do," he threatens, his voice low and menacing. "If you ever let anyone hurt Y/N again..." His threat is left ominously unfinished, his intense gaze drilling into Seongjae.
"Your Y/N?" Seongjae shoots back defiantly, seizing the opportunity to challenge Bohyun. "I thought you were just using her to stay close to Kim Seokjin and leverage her when needed."The accusation visibly agitates Bohyun, his face twisting with frustration.
"I never said that," he retorts. "I didn't know who she was until I felt the bullet scar on her torso one day after I started dating her. That was when I had to dig deeper, and that's how I discovered she was Seokjin's sister," Bohyun explains with a steady, intense gaze. "I love her. And believe me, Seongjae, if you ever hurt her again, I wouldn't think twice before getting rid of you," he says, his words firm and unwavering, spoken through clenched teeth.
Seongjae lets out a mocking laugh. "So now you're in love with her? That's rich," he scoffs.
"Seems like you've forgotten about your brother's murder quicker than I expected," he taunts, poking at old wounds.
"I haven't forgotten anything. But it was the result of his own actions. My brother and my father should never have killed Seokjin's father," Bohyun counters, his voice rising slightly in frustration. "They started this war, and I'm not here to dig up the graves. I only returned for business, and you're well aware of that." "You know I have always despised the world I was born into,"
"Yeah, that too after your mother killed herself because she was so in love with Seokjin's father, right before your father murdered him out of jealousy," Seongjae adds, igniting the flames with a cruel truth.
"That is none of your business, Seongjae," Bohyun fires back, his voice almost a yell, his face a mask of pain and anger as he grapples with his tumultuous past and the dangerous present.
"You're just trying to take revenge under the guise of my wounds," Bohyun accuses, his voice stern. "Learn to fight your own battles," he warns, casting a sharp look at Seongjae.
Seongjae laughs mockingly at the accusation, his disdain apparent. "Fine, I'll stay away from her," he finally concedes, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
Bohyun's gaze hardens. "And what about Y/N's friend?" he inquires sternly. "Let her go," he demands.
"Let her go? I told Yeobin to get rid of her; she's probably dead by now, and they likely know it too," Seongjae remarks nonchalantly as he puts a cigarette between his lips.
"You did WHAT?" Bohyun reacts explosively, grabbing Seongjae by the collar with a sudden fury.
"Why do you care about her so much?" Seongjae retorts, startled by Bohyun's aggressive move.
"Because Y/N is devastated thinking her friend is dead, and I can't stand to see her like that. Call Yeobin. RIGHT NOW," Bohyun demands, his voice booming with urgency.
"Yeah, fine!" Seongjae snaps, wrestling himself free from Bohyun's grasp. He pulls out his phone and dials Yeobin's number, his actions forced under the intense pressure of Bohyun's threat.
"Yes, Hyung?" Yeobin's voice comes through the phone.
"Yeobin!" Bohyun interjects, snatching the phone from Seongjae before he can respond. "What did you do with Y/N's friend?" he demands without preamble.
"Don't tell me you killed her, I'll lose my mind," Bohyun warns, his tone heavy with urgency.
"Hyung told me to take care of her and..." Yeobin hesitates, causing Bohyun to tense.
"And what, Yeobin?" Bohyun's voice drops, filled with a mix of hope and dread.
...
"I couldn't," Yeobin finally admits, and Bohyun exhales sharply in relief. "We just had to make it look like she is dead. I planted another body in her car and had it burnt down," Yeobin continues.
"Okay, where is she now?" Bohyun asks, his voice steadying as he processes the information.
"I had our men take her to our hideout and keep her there until I figured out what to do with her," Yeobin explains.
"Well, let her go," Bohyun commands, firm in his decision.
"Can't," Yeobin pushes back. "She probably saw you, and she might recognize you the next time she sees you. Then Y/N will find out everything. All your efforts of feeding her that medicine which wiped out her memory will be for nothing," he cautions.
Bohyun pauses, absorbing the gravity of Yeobin's words, weighing the implications of every choice.
"Alright, keep her there until I figure out a leverage against her," Bohyun commands, his voice firm, signaling his intent to control the situation strategically.
"Understood," Yeobin responds, obeying his Hyung's orders before he hangs up.
"You care about Y/N too much, Bohyun. Does she care about you the same?" Seongjae taunts, attempting to provoke him further.
"Again, not your business," Bohyun snaps back, visibly irritated by Seongjae's intrusion into his personal matters.
"I can't believe you're talking to me like this because of a girl," Seongjae mutters, feeling betrayed by Bohyun's sharp demeanor.
"Seongjae, I don't want you meddling in my personal life," Bohyun states firmly. "If you continue to do that, I might have to put you in your place" he warns, ready to walk away from the confrontation.
"Well well well," Seongjae calls out just as Bohyun turns to leave. "Before you go, don't you want to see what YOUR girlfriend was up to while you were in Busan, rescuing me?" He reaches into a drawer, pulling out an envelope and slamming it on the table near Bohyun.
"What's that?" Bohyun asks, his interest piqued despite his annoyance, not wanting to waste any more time.
"Check it out yourself," Seongjae smirks, indicating the envelope. His expression hints at a mix of mischief and spite, suggesting the contents might further complicate Bohyun's already disturbed personal life.
Bohyun picks up the envelope, his fingers trembling slightly as he pulls out a stack of photos. As he flips through them, his eyes widen in shock, each picture stoking a growing fire of rage and hurt within him. The images reveal a side of Y/N he hasn't seen, each one a harsh betrayal of the trust and love he has given her.
"She doesn't even care about you, and here you are, putting off a war for her," Seongjae scoffs, his voice dripping with disdain as he observes the impact of his revelation. With a smirk, he starts to walk away, leaving Bohyun to grapple with the tumult of emotions the photos have unleashed. Seongjae knows he's ignited a new fire, one that might consume everything Bohyun holds dear.
_____
A/N: let me of any errors you see, I didn't proofread this chapter very well. Thanks in advance!!