♡ Part ~ 14 ♡

Jimin lay on the plush bed, staring blankly at the ceiling. His thoughts raced, tangled with frustration and hopelessness.

How did my life turn into this?

He missed everything—his university, his freedom, his best friend. He had spent his whole life struggling, fighting for his own place in the world, and now he was trapped like a bird in a golden cage.

But suddenly, something clicked in his mind.

His eyes widened as he sat up abruptly.

There has to be a way out of here!

Without wasting another second, Jimin pushed himself off the bed and hurried out of the room. His bare feet padded softly against the expensive wooden floor as he roamed through the massive mansion.

His heart pounded against his chest as he checked every corner, every hallway, every possible exit.

But the mafia had been careful.

The windows were sealed, the doors locked, and the entire place was crawling with bodyguards, stationed like statues at almost every entrance and exit.

Jimin’s chest tightened with frustration. His fists clenched at his sides as he finally made his way to the living room, shoulders sagging in disappointment.

He threw himself onto the couch with an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his damp hair.

“This bloody mafia,” he muttered angrily under his breath.

But then, another idea sparked in his mind.

His head snapped up, eyes gleaming with sudden determination.

Yoongi had left for the company.

He was alone in the house.

And this time, Yoongi had forgotten to lock the main door.

Jimin’s heart started beating wildly.

He quickly got up from the couch, his hands slightly trembling from adrenaline. With hurried steps, he made his way to the main door, praying that luck was finally on his side.

He reached the entrance and was just about to step outside when—

A firm hand landed on his shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

Jimin’s breath hitched.

He turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting the sharp gaze of a man dressed in all black.

“Where do you think you’re going without sir’s permission?” the bodyguard questioned in a deep, intimidating voice, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

Jimin swallowed hard, forcing himself to stay calm.

Think, Jimin. Think.

A curse slipped past his lips, but an idea popped into his head almost instantly.

He took a deep breath and put on the most convincing act he could muster.

“My medicines are over,” he said, forcing a worried expression onto his face. “I need to go to the medical store to get them.”

The bodyguard didn’t budge.

“No,” the man said firmly. “You cannot go. I will get them for you.”

Jimin mentally cursed the man.

Of course, the mafia had trained his men well.

But he wasn’t going to give up that easily.

His eyes darted to the floor as he let out a small, shaky sigh. Then, he looked back up at the guard with a mix of frustration and feigned concern.

“No, you don’t understand,” Jimin said, his voice urgent. “You don’t even know which medicines to get. What if you bring the wrong ones? And if I take the wrong ones and something happens to me…” He trailed off dramatically before dropping his voice lower, eyes piercing into the guard’s.

“…And if your boss finds out that you were responsible for giving me the wrong medicines, just imagine what would happen to you.”

The bodyguard stiffened.

Jimin could see the flicker of panic in the man's eyes, and it almost made him smirk.

Gotcha.

There was a long, tense silence.

Then—

“Fine.” The guard exhaled heavily. “You can go.”

Jimin felt his heart leap with excitement, his lips parting slightly in shock.

Holy shit, did that actually work?!

But before he could celebrate—

“But I will be going with you.”

Jimin froze.

His excitement crashed down like a wave.

His jaw clenched, and he forced himself to nod, masking his disappointment.

“Fine,” he muttered, trying to sound nonchalant.

But inside, he was screaming.

This wasn’t part of the plan.

Now, he had to figure out another way.

Because no matter what—

He was not going to stay here forever.

The black car pulled up in front of the medical store, its engine humming softly. The bodyguard remained seated in the driver’s seat, his sharp eyes surveying the area, ensuring nothing seemed out of place.

Jimin, sitting in the back, clenched his fists in his lap, forcing himself to stay calm.

This was his chance.

If he played his cards right, he could finally escape from Yoongi’s suffocating grasp.

With a steadying breath, he pulled on the handle and stepped out of the car.

“You wait here. I’ll go get the medicines,” Jimin informed, making sure to sound casual.

The guard merely nodded, not suspecting a thing.

Jimin turned on his heel and walked toward the store, his heart pounding in his chest.

As soon as he stepped inside, the familiar scent of medicine and antiseptic filled his nose. Rows of shelves lined with bottles and boxes stood before him, and behind the counter, a man in his mid-30s stood, arranging some prescriptions.

The moment their eyes met, the man’s face lit up in recognition.

“Oh hey, Jimin! How are you? Haven’t seen you for a long time. Are you feeling well?” The man, Tom, greeted with a warm smile.

Jimin forced a small smile, stepping closer.

“Oh, hello, Tom. I’m fine,” he replied, keeping his voice low. He leaned in slightly. “Actually, I need your help.”

Tom’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

“Help? What kind of help?”

Jimin discreetly pointed toward the black car parked outside. The bodyguard was still seated inside, his head turned away as he focused on his phone.

“You see that black car out there? The man sitting inside is keeping an eye on me.”

Tom’s eyes followed Jimin’s gaze before he looked back at him, even more puzzled.

“Why? What’s going on, Jimin?”

Jimin sighed, shaking his head. “I can’t explain everything right now. But I need to get out of here without him noticing. Please, Tom, help me.”

His voice was almost pleading, desperation clear in his eyes.

Tom stared at him for a moment before nodding.

“Alright, here’s what we’ll do.” He glanced around the shop before gesturing for Jimin to follow him. “I have an extra pair of clothes in the back. Change into them. He won’t be able to recognize you, and you can slip past him easily.”

Jimin’s eyes widened in relief. “Really?! Oh my god, Tom, you’re a lifesaver.”

“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Tom chuckled before grabbing a bag from under the counter and handing it to Jimin. “Go change quickly.”

Jimin wasted no time. He rushed to the back of the store, disappearing behind a shelf, and quickly changed into the new clothes. They were slightly oversized, but it didn’t matter.

When he stepped out, Tom eyed him critically before shaking his head.

“Wait.”

Jimin stopped. “What now?”

Tom smirked and handed him a pair of glasses and a cap. “Here, put these on. Just in case.”

Jimin slipped on the glasses and pulled the cap low over his face.

“Now, he won’t recognize you even if you walk right past him.” Tom grinned.

Jimin turned toward the small mirror hanging on the wall and stared at his reflection.

The person looking back at him barely looked like Park Jimin.

His lips curled into a smirk. “Damn, you’re a genius.”

“I know.” Tom rolled his eyes playfully. “Now, go. And don’t forget—you owe me an explanation later.”

Jimin turned to him with a grateful smile and quickly pulled Tom into a brief hug.

“I swear, I’ll explain everything. But for now, I have to leave. Take care, okay?”

“You too, Jimin. Be careful.”

With that, Jimin slipped out of the store.

He kept his head down, walking briskly past the parked car. His heartbeat was so loud in his ears that he swore it would give him away.

The bodyguard was still focused on his phone.

Jimin didn’t stop.

Didn’t look back.

Didn’t even breathe properly.

And the moment he turned the corner, out of sight—

He ran.

Freedom at Last

Jimin didn’t stop running until he was several blocks away. His lungs burned, his heart pounded wildly in his chest, but he didn’t care.

He had escaped.

A breath of relief left his lips as he slowed his steps, his hands trembling slightly.

Now, he had only one place to go.

Busan.

His hometown where his some relatives lives.

He quickly made his way to the small apartment he had rented before Yoongi took him away.

The moment he stepped inside, he locked the door and leaned against it, exhaling deeply.

He was safe.

For now.

But he had to be quick.

Without wasting time, Jimin grabbed a duffel bag and started throwing his clothes into it. His hands moved swiftly, stuffing in whatever he could find.

As he zipped up the bag, he took one last glance around the room.

This place had been his refuge for a while. But now, he had no choice but to leave it behind.

He slung the bag over his shoulder and stepped out.

The sun was already setting when he reached the bus stop.

He adjusted his cap, pulling it lower as he scanned the road.

His heart pounded with anticipation.

The bus to Busan would arrive soon.

And once he got on—

The mafia would never find him again.

♡♤♡

The streets of Seoul were bustling with activity, cars honking and people rushing to their destinations. Taehyung sat in his sleek black car, waiting for the traffic light to turn green. His fingers drummed lightly against the steering wheel as he absentmindedly glanced around.

That’s when his eyes landed on a familiar figure standing near the bus stop.

A boy, wearing a cap and glasses, with a duffel bag slung over his shoulder.

Taehyung narrowed his eyes, his heart skipping a beat.

"Wait… is that—"

His breath hitched as realization hit him.

"Chim?"

He blinked rapidly, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

"What is he doing here? And why does he have luggage with him?"

A frown formed on Taehyung’s lips. He hadn’t seen Jimin in a long time, and now, out of nowhere, he was standing at a bus stop looking like he was about to leave the city.

"Why didn’t he tell me anything?"

Before he could think twice, Taehyung made a sharp turn, driving straight toward the bus stop. He parked the car in front of Jimin and quickly got out.

Jimin, who had been lost in thought, suddenly stiffened when he saw a familiar tall figure approaching him.

His stomach dropped.

"Shit… Tae."

His grip on his duffel bag tightened, and his heart started racing. He hadn't expected to run into his best friend, especially not now when he was trying to disappear.

Taehyung walked up to him, his expression a mix of confusion and concern.

“Chim, what are you doing here? And where are you going, huh?” Taehyung asked, his voice laced with confusion.

Jimin swallowed nervously. He needed to think of an excuse—fast.

“Abb… Tae umm… actually, I’m going to my hometown,” Jimin replied hesitantly, avoiding eye contact.

Taehyung raised a brow, folding his arms over his chest. “Why? What happened?”

Jimin licked his lips, his mind racing for a plausible explanation. He knew he couldn’t tell Taehyung the truth—if he did, things would get worse. Tae was protective, and if he found out that Jimin had run away from the mafia, he wouldn’t just sit back.

Taking a deep breath, Jimin forced himself to stay calm.

“Actually…” he started, but his words trailed off as he struggled to find the right ones.

Taehyung noticed Jimin’s hesitation and stepped closer, placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Chim… Jimin?” He called gently, shaking him slightly.

Jimin snapped out of his thoughts and quickly blurted out the excuse he had come up with.

“Umm… Tae, actually, the landlord where I used to live kicked me out because I couldn’t pay my rent for three months, so I have no choice but to leave the city and go to my hometown. I’ll find work there and manage somehow.”

The lie felt bitter on his tongue, but he forced himself to keep a straight face.

Taehyung stared at him, his jaw tightening. “What the hell? You’re not going anywhere. Do you understand?” His voice was firm, his anger evident.

Jimin’s eyes widened slightly. “But Taetae—”

“Oh, and what about your studies?” Taehyung interrupted, his voice sharper now.

Jimin bit his lip, trying to come up with another excuse. “I’ll study from there, and when I have exams, I’ll come back to take them.”

Taehyung huffed in disbelief, shaking his head. “Are you serious right now?”

Jimin opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, Taehyung grabbed his wrist.

“You’re coming with me. That’s it. I don’t want to hear anything else.” Taehyung said firmly and started pulling him toward the car.

Jimin panicked, trying to resist. “Tae, no! I don’t want to bother you. Please.”

At those words, Taehyung stopped abruptly.

Jimin flinched when he saw the way Taehyung’s expression changed. His best friend looked genuinely hurt—his eyes dimmed, and his lips parted slightly in disbelief.

When he spoke, his voice was quieter, but the disappointment in it was clear.

“What… what did you just say?”

Jimin swallowed, suddenly feeling small under Taehyung’s gaze.

“I-I… actually… Tae, I don’t want to b-bother y-you.” Jimin stuttered, lowering his head.

Taehyung clenched his jaw, stepping closer. “‘Bother’?” He scoffed. “So you think you’re bothering me? It means you see me as a stranger now? I’m not your Tae anymore? Is that it?”

Jimin’s eyes widened. “No! Tae, I didn’t mean it like that. Please don’t get me wrong!” He quickly grabbed Taehyung’s hands, desperate to fix the situation.

“You know I love you so much. You’re my soulmate. I’m sorry if I hurt you.” Jimin pleaded, his eyes already glassy with unshed tears.

Taehyung inhaled deeply, his emotions all over the place. Seeing Jimin like this, seeing him cry—it hurt.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair before gently wiping Jimin’s tears away.

“Don’t cry, pabo. I love you too.” He whispered, pulling Jimin into a tight hug.

Jimin clung to him, his fingers gripping Taehyung’s shirt as he buried his face in his best friend’s chest.

After a moment, Taehyung pulled back slightly and looked at Jimin.

“So… you forgive me, right?” Jimin asked in a small voice.

Taehyung smirked. “No.”

Jimin pouted. “Tae…”

Taehyung placed a finger on his chin, pretending to think. “But… I might forgive you if you do something for me.”

Jimin blinked. “I’ll do anything! Just tell me.”

Taehyung’s smirk widened. “Come with me.”

Jimin’s shoulders slumped. He should’ve known.

Sighing, he nodded. “Fine… I’ll go with you.”

Taehyung grinned, taking Jimin’s duffel bag from him and tossing it into the backseat before opening the passenger door.

“Let’s go, Chim.”

Jimin hesitated for a second but eventually got into the car.

As Taehyung drove off toward Kim Mansion, Jimin glanced out the window, his heart still heavy with worry.

Would the mafia find him again?

Would he ever be free from the mafia’s grasp?

For now, at least, he had Taehyung.

And that was enough.

The guard sat in the black car, tapping his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. Jimin had gone into the medical store a while ago, and yet, he hadn’t returned.

He glanced at his watch. It had been too long. Something didn’t feel right.

With a deep frown, he stepped out of the car and walked toward the store. The small bell above the door jingled as he entered.

The pharmacist, Tom, looked up with a polite smile. "Oh, hello! How can I help you?"

The guard’s sharp eyes scanned the store. No sign of Jimin. His jaw clenched.

"The boy who came here just now. Where is he?" his deep voice demanded.

Tom feigned confusion. "Boy? What boy?"

The guard narrowed his eyes. "Don’t play games with me. He came in here a while ago. Where is he?"

Tom exchanged a glance with his assistant before shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but no such boy came here."

The guard's patience snapped. He stepped forward, his large frame looming over the counter. "I saw him walk in. Are you saying I’m blind?"

Tom held his ground, forcing a confused expression. "Sir, I don’t know what you’re talking about. No one like that came in here. Maybe you should check somewhere else."

The guard’s nostrils flared in frustration. He looked around the small shop, hoping to catch a clue, but there was nothing. It was as if Jimin had vanished into thin air.

His heartbeat picked up. He stormed out of the store and looked up and down the street. Empty. He jogged to the nearest alley, checking every possible hiding spot. Nothing.

A cold sweat broke out on his forehead. He’s gone.

His mind raced. What will happen to me now?

He knew his boss well. Suga was not a man who tolerated failure. If he found out that Jimin had escaped under his watch…

The guard swallowed hard, his hands trembling. Will I even live to see another day?

His legs felt weak as he made his way back to the car, gripping the door for support.

Should he call his boss now? Should he lie and say Jimin was still inside? No, Yoongi would find out eventually.

He exhaled shakily. There was no escaping this.

He had to tell him.

But the thought of facing Suga's wrath made his blood run cold.

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