३०

Her stomach had started growling. After the incident Rumi didn't return to her room nor she went to check out the buffet as she had planned. She needed to cool off her mind after what she had done. She was really getting worse day by day, the more she tried to control herself the worse she got. "Ughhh!" She groaned getting up. She had run away from the site and found herself a bench, curled up on it beside a stone figure. "You are frustrated too aren't you?" She asked looking at stone figure which was in kneeling position while looking up in sky. "Gwenchana, everything will be fine." She patting his head and started making her way back. The shooting had begun and her subordinates were looking for her.

"Team Jang-nim!" Na-ra exclaimed upon seeing Rumi appear at the set. She came running to her side. Rumi wanted to scoff at the way people were whispering while staring at her. What's the point of whispering if I can hear you? "Where did you run off to?" Na-ra asked linking her arm with Rumi's.

"Umm I well-was looking around." Rumi answered scratching her head. "Wae? Is there something wrong? Did something come up with the shoot?" Rumi asked looking ahead at the villa where camera's were set up. "You were calling non-stop. Let's go see what it is?" Rumi started making her towards the set up.

"Ani. It's not that." Na-ra said following her. Everything looked going okay, the boys seemed to be cooking dinner. A griller was set out, with long dining table in the middle filled with food. Ah food. Rumi rubbed her empty stomach unconsciously. "Eo. You are here." Yeri said turning around to see Rumi and Na-ra.

"Eo." Rumi nodded her eyes not moving from the huge pot of ramen that Mingyu just bought out. "Is everything okay?" She asked finally turn to look at Yeri. Yeri nodded her head in answer. "Then, what's with all the spamming?" Yeri shrugged and nodded her head towards Na-ra.

"Umm, it was me." Na-ra held up her hand with guilty look on her face. "Ah! Mianhae! I was worried you suddenly disappeared after the incident for too long and these motherfuckers kept talking about you behind your back! About how you are attention seeker and how you've been clinging to boys! These motherfuckers, how can they talk about you like that and be nice in front of you!" Na-ra exasperated throwing her arms in air before covering her face in realization. "Ah ssibal." She cursed again. Rumi blinked her eyes few times and glanced at Yeri who again shrugged her shoulders and went back to watching the boys.

"Umm...okay." Rumi nodded her head. "I get it." She patted Na-ra shoulders in understanding. "But, you don't have to worry about me nor about what others have to say about me, hmm? I am used to people talking about me. So don't get all that angry for me and worry your little head." Rumi poking Na-ra's head.

"Yeah, it's not like you have anything in there to spend it on others." Yeri commented earning a hit from Na-ra. Rumi chuckled but covered it up with a cough when Na-ra threw her a glare.

"Rumi-ssi?" A new voice interrupted their talk. Rumi turned towards the person. "Ah! Annyeonghaseyo PD-nim." Rumi bowed towards the GoSe director in respect. The director smiled and greeted back politely. He put his hand out for a shake. "It's first time for us meeting right? I heard lot about you." He smiled as Rumi sheepishly shook his hand. Right, he must have heard about the scene she had caused on his set.

"Ye." Rumi sheepishly smiled. "Umm PD-nim, I wanted to formally apologize to you about what happened earlier. I didn't mean to cause such a scene. I am really sorry for disrupting the atmosphere like that." Rumi apologized bowing ninety degrees towards him.

The director chuckled and patted Rumi's arm telling her to straighten up. "You didn't disrupt any atmosphere here. And I don't know why you need to apologize when you did nothing wrong." The PD smiled looking at her. "I think you did great job, catching the guy. But, you should be careful hmm? He could've sued you for assaulting him." Rumi nodded pressing her lips together. "Sugohaesseoyo (Good work). I heard he has done something similar before which has a criminal record so you've done well." PD smiled patted her arm in appreciation before leaving.

Rumi turned around to look Na-ra and Yeri, her mouth slightly open in astound. "Why do I feel like I've accomplished something big?" She asked, Yeri snorted while Na-ra had a proud expression on her face as if Rumi was her child and she had just bagged first place in spelling bee. "Geuchi! (Right!) Uri Rumi is best." Na-ra said wiping her imaginative tears and hugging Rumi. "I didn't even get to thank you. You did all that to protect us." Na-ra mumbled hugging her tight.

"Ah ye." Rumi who has been always awkward with expressing such emotion in public, awkwardly patted Na-ra's back. "It's fine. I did what I had to." Rumi said as Na-ra pulled back with admiration in her eyes. Rumi looked away not being able to maintain eye contact. "Now, let's go back to work. People are staring at us." She said turning her attention to the boys who were now going around feeding each other.

"I thought you said you didn't care about other people?" Yeri asked as Rumi joined her.

Rumi chuckled and patted her back in answer. "Maybe I do?" She laughed. "Uh, baegopa.(I'm hungry)" Rumi sighed as she watched the boys feed the director and camera directors with ssam. Yeri was about to call her out on skipping their late lunch when Rumi pulled out her ringing phone. "Yah, you still haven't received their call?" She asked noticing the same caller id she had seen before. Rumi had been receiving the call since morning.

"Eo." Rumi said about to hang up on it.

"Pick it up, will you? They have been calling since morning." Yeri said. "It's not like you have anything to do now. Pick it up." Rumi glancing at Yeri and then at her phone.

"Okay." Rumi let out a sigh before excusing herself and leaving.

Wonwoo watched with narrowed eyes as Hoshi went around feeding ssam to everyone. He had no problem with him feeding others but that bastard stole the ssam he had prepared. Can't he make his own and feed others why steal his. He cursed as Hoshi returned back to table; plate filled with freshly cooked meat. "Who are you making that for?" Wonwoo asked as Hoshi filled the leaf with lots of meat.

"Eo? This?" Hoshi asked pointing towards the overflowing ssam. "Rumi." He smiled cheekily. Wonwoo scoffed rolling his eyes. "Rumi-ssi doesn't eat beef, you dumbass." He sneered and started preparing a plate with pork instead. "She doesn't?" Hoshi asked looking at the ssam he had prepared before shrugged and shoving it inside his own mouth.

Wonwoo shook his head and continued preparing the plate. Nicely plating lettuce leaves over them the juicy meat and then placing garlic, onion, kimchi and ssamjang on the side. Smiling at his masterpiece he picked up the plate and checked it from each angle. "Looks good." He nodded to himself and walked towards the camera set up looking for Rumi. "Eo? She was just here. Where did she go?" Wonwoo asked himself standing on tiptoes to look behind the crowd. Should I ask around? "Um jogiyo, where did Rumi-ssi go?" He asked the nearest person.

"Rumi-ssi? I think I saw her walking out there somewhere." The person pointing towards the river side. Wonwoo nodded and started making his way down. The villa had quite exquisite location, in the front it had a big yard where they were currently having barbeque while on the backside it had great view of the river. There were stone stairs which lead down to shore. "She's not down there, is she?" Wonwoo said climbing down the stairs. It's cold out there- Uh there is she. Wonwoo was about to call out her name when he noticed her standing on the stairs.

"Kay pahije kay ahe tumhala huh?!" Wonwoo stopped hearing the raised voice.

"Ka tumhi majhya maghe lagle ahat? (Why are you behind me?) Y'all did what you wanted. You made your choices knowing very well the consequences of it. Then you complained till you left it all behind. Behind for me and aai to suffer under his hands. Do you even have any ounce of shame and guilt?" Rumi-ssi let out a sigh pulling her phone apart for a second, it was as if she was trying to stop herself from screaming. "Tai, mi ready hoti, I was ready to take care of them, to clean the mess you both made before leaving. But it was you all. You asked me too leave. Tumhala noko hoti mi tithe rahilela. (You didn't want me to stay there)"

She let out a bitter chuckle. "Ani aata kay? (And now what?) You want me to come back? Kay vatli mi tumhala ha? (What do you think I am?) A puppet? That you will pull one string and I will return back just like that? Tai, you both did what you did because you wanted to live your life on your own accords but I can't do the same? I don't have any rights to live my life? Sang na? Tumcha aayusha aayusha ahe ani majha kay? (Tell me? Your life is life and what about mine?)" Her voice broke as those left her mouth.

"Tai, this is last time I am telling you. Let me have peace and stop interrupting my life. The day I left that house is the day I left everything related to it behind. I don't care about anything you all do. You all could die for fuck's sake and I wouldn't care." With that she hung up the call and was about to smash her phone in anger but stopped and slipped it inside her pocket. She looked up in sky probably to stop the tears from flowing and let out a little scream. Letting out a sigh she pulled her cigarette packet and placed a cigarette between her lips. Clicked her lighter to light the cigar but it just flickered not lighting the cigarette. Angrily, she started clicking it aggressively.

"Rumi-ssi?" Wonwoo called out her name making her stop and turn around; noticing him she quickly removed the cigarette from her mouth and hid it behind her back. Wonwoo smiled and climbed down the stairs.

"Wonwoo-ssi, what are you doing here? Is everything okay?" She asked looking behind him.

"Everything is fine. I came to give this to you." Wonwoo shook his head and held up the plate that he had specially prepared. "Eo? Really?" Rumi smiled in gratefulness. She barely had anything, Wonwoo bringing this to her is like angel guiding her to heaven. Rumi grinned and moved to take the plate but the hands were hiding the cigarette. "Should I help you with that?" Wonwoo asked and started preparing the ssam. Meanwhile Rumi slipped the cigarette and lighter in her back pocket. "Here." Wonwoo said holding the leaf pocket, Rumi grinned and bit into it. Wonwoo froze, I thought she would...

"Hmm... it's good!" Rumi mumbled giving him thumbs up. "It's really good." Rumi smiled devouring the ssam. "Did you eat it? Wahh I haven't eaten anything so good before." Rumi remarked preparing another one and holding it up to feed Wonwoo. "Ahh..." She said asking him to open his mouth. "Oh sorry, I-" Wonwoo leaned forward ate the ssam. Rumi froze staring at her fingers which had just touched his lips. "Cotton soft."

"De?" Wonwoo asked covering his face as he chewed on the food.

"Ani." Rumi shook her head and pulled back her hand. "It's good right?" She asked grinning at him. Wonwoo nodded avoiding eye contact, fortunately there was no light here or Rumi would've noticed his beetroot cheeks.

"Rumi-ssi?" Rumi hummed and looked at him. "I can help you with quitting." Rumi tilted her head in question. "I'll bring you something delicious to eat whenever you feel like smoking."

"Haha. So, you saw that." Rumi chuckled sheepishly scratching back of her head. "Ah I didn't want to show you that side." Rumi muttered under her breath.

"De?" Wonwoo had heard it quite well, his reddened cheeks and the evident smile he was trying hide with his hands were the proof.

"Aniyo it's nothing." Rumi laughed waving her hands. "How is it going to work though? You could be performing on the stage and I would get the urge, how would you help then?" Rumi asked with teasing smile on her face.

"Hmm...that's a big problem there." Wonwoo hummed making a thinking face. Rumi pressed her lips but burst out laughing at the face Wonwoo made, making him laugh along. "You are finally laughing." He whispered as he watched her wipe her tears of laughter.

"Ahh Wonwoo-ssi you are quite funny." Rumi said holding her stomach. "Oh?! You aren't supposed to away from camera for long." Rumi suddenly looked back upstairs. "Let's go! Let's go! I can't be caught causing trouble in shoot again." She said pushing Wonwoo back to the set.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

"Yah! Stop! Stop! Stop!" Rumi panicked when Na-ra tried to climb the palm tree. Pushing Yeri into Sang Hun's hands Rumi ran behind Na-ra and grabbed her from climbing the tree. "Na-ra, stop running away, will you?" Rumi cried holding her both hands together as if cuffing them.

"Hehehe. Shiro!" Na-ra giggled shaking her head. "I want to climb! Rumi-ya, let's climb!" She giggled and started jumping up and down. Rumi wanted to cry, she really wanted to. Maybe it was written in her fate, danger from drunkards. Somehow it is always her who is stuck with crazy ones. After the PD had decided to let the boys do whatever they want, with leaving cameras behind the staff had decided to have a party of their own.

"Ughhhh! I wanted to drink too!" Rumi cried looking up in the sky as Na-ra continued to giggle and jump.

"Rumi-ssi are you okay?" Sang Hun asked looking at her worried. Rumi turned and looked at him with tears in her eyes. "Rumi-ssi are you crying?" Sang Hun squinted his eyes trying to get a better look.

"Aniyo." Rumi shook her head. "I am fine Sang Hun-ssi. I am sorry about that." She apologized nodded towards Yeri whom she had pushed into his arms earlier. Sang Hun was already holding unconscious Tae-oh and now an half-conscious Yeri.

"Aniyo you don't have to apologise. In fact, I have it easy unlike that one." He said nodding towards the drunk Na-ra who pulling Rumi's arms trying to get her to climb the tree with her. "I'll bring these one to room first." He said dragging the two drunkards to their cottage.

"Ye." Rumi nodded solemnly and turned her attention to Na-ra. "Ah what should I do with this one?" Na-ra had finally stopped jumping around and was blabbering something in gibberish. Thank god that Sang-hun was sober enough to handle the other two though they weren't much of a problem unlike this hopping bunny.

"Rumi-yaaaaaaa..." Na-ra slurred suddenly put her arms around Rumi and hugging her. "I want to thank you, you know. You protected me. I love you; you know." And now she was suddenly conversing in English. "You should be awarded. Yeah awarded, you know."

"Eo. Eo. Gomawo." Rumi nodded patting her back. "Now why don't we go back to our room, hmm?" Rumi asked trying to push Na-ra away but she wouldn't let go of her. "Let go of me. We'll go back first."

"Shiroo. I want to stay here just like this." Na-ra said tightening her grip. Rumi sighed; the strong grip was giving her déjà vu but at least she was not trying to kiss her. "Okay, she's not running. Makes it easy for me." Rumi said to herself and moved her hands from Na-ra's back to under her thighs. "Na-ra, jump." As instructed Na-ra jump, Rumi grabbed her thighs picking her up.

"Ahh! I'm climbing Rumi!" Na-ra giggled unlocking her arm from Rumi's neck and leaning back. "Yah!" Rumi scolded pulling her back if not then both would be eating grass. "Hehehe." Na-ra giggled locking her arms and legs around Rumi. Rumi sighed and quickly started making her way back before she pulls another stunt. When Rumi reached the cottage Yeri was already in bed snuggling under the covers in one corner. Putting her one knee on the bed Rumi leaned down patting Na-ra's arm asking her to let go. "Na-ra let go, look we have reached the peak. Come on, look at these soft clouds, don't you want to lay on them?" She cooed.

"I want to! I want to!" Na-ra let go of her and fell on the soft bed. "Ahhh. Rumi-ya I'm laying on the clouds." She laughed rolling around in bed, Yeri moaned in annoyance but didn't wake up. Rumi let out a sigh in exhaustion backing away when there was a knock on the door.

"Rumi-ssi, it's me can I come in?" Sang Hun asked after knocking on door once. Muttering a yes Rumi opened the door for him. "I brought the mattress for you." He said bringing in the mattress. "I'll help you set it." He himself started setting the bed for Rumi. Rumi thanked the gods for if he had sent crazy ones like Na-ra then there were angels like Sang Hun. "Here it's all set."

"Sang Hun-ssi, jinja gamawoyo." Rumi thanked bowing towards him.

"It's nothing. Have a good rest." Sang Hun bowed and left for his own bed. Rumi wished him good night before closing the door. What a day it has been. She thought walking towards the window and looking outside. It has never been a dull day since she was put on this case, always something is going on.

She couldn't drink like other nor she could sleep now. But she should at least pretend to sleep until Sang Hun falls asleep. Checking the time, she got on the mattress laid down letting out a groan in satisfaction. "I might fall asleep at this rate." Rumi muttered to herself while putting her arm over her eyes. The universe seemed to be on her side in some absurd way. There was thud noise before an arm encircled her waist. Rumi sighed not moving a inch. "Na-ra, what are you doing down here?"

"Hmm? I don't want to leave you." Na-ra murmured cuddling closer. Rumi had lost her will to fight, she was too exhausted to even move. "Rumi-ya good night."

"Hmm go to sleep." Rumi replied. What am I doing here? Babysitting people? I wanted to drink too and I wanted enjoy that buffet. Rumi whined cursing her fate. "Have I done something in past to deserve this cursed life?" Na-ra muttered something in gibberish again and turned away. "Are you asleep?" Rumi asked leaning over her to look at her. "She is." Coming to conclusion herself she checked the time again. It was quarter to two. Checking if the both the girls were sleeping Rumi quietly got up and exited the room. The boys too seemed asleep, toe tipping her way she quietly went out the cottage door. "Ahh, it's cold." She shivered and started jogging towards where she would find her partners.

Rumi knocked on the door twice hoping they heard then decided to ring the bell when the door cracked open. Rumi raised her eyebrows. It was Hyun who had opened the door. Hyun stepped aside for Rumi to get in. "You are here." Gu Hwa asked standing up from bed. Rumi nodded and looked around, there were two bags in the corner and one bed. "You both sharing the room?" Rumi asked glancing at Hyun who looked away. Rumi wanted to tease him so bad but Gu Hwa cut her off.

"What were you thinking Rumi?" Rumi let out a sigh and stood in attention. "There was a crowd there. You could've called me or Hyun? Why did you have to run behind him yourself? And even if you did you could've just reported it to me. Did you really have to beat him up like that?" Gu Hwa scolded. "He could've sued you for assaulting him like that if not for his past records." Rumi stayed silent; she knew it was her fault. It was her fault for taking out her anger on him like that. "What is it?" Gu Hwa asked making her look up at him. "What is it that got you so angry that you took it out on him?"

"It's nothing." Rumi answered looking away.

"Rumi I know you better than I know myself." Gu Hwa walked towards her and put his hand on her shoulder. "Is it your family, again?" Rumi looked at him and shrugged off his hand.

"None of your fucking business." She swore. Gu Hwa was about say something again. "Look, you want to reprimand me for what I have done; I am okay with that since it was my fault I admit that." She looked him in eye. "But don't you damn talk to me about anything else than that. Don't go on talking about how well you know me. It fucking gets on my nerve." She spat every word seething with anger. "If you want to discipline me then do so." With that she stepped back, turned around and left.

Hyun called out her name, glancing at Gu Hwa who just stood there not uttering a word Hyun letting out a curse ran behind her. "Rumi, wait!" He called running behind her, she had walked of the complex to the stone path. "Rumi, wait!" Hyun caught her arm stopping her. "Gwenchana?" He asked to which her response was screaming out string of curses in her native language. Hyun chuckled, "Do you feel good now?"

Rumi laughed and nodded her head. "I do. Damn why is he so annoying? How can one be so annoying?" She sighed. Hyun lips formed a line as he nodded his head. Lately he had started thinking the same. "And what? Why did I have run behind him myself? What should I've done, let him go until he's long gone?" Rumi asked looking at Hyun.

"I know but you shouldn't have beat him up like that." Hyun said earning a look from her. "I-I mean yes, you did good catching him right there." He quickly fixed his words.

"I know right!" Rumi said slapping his arm. "I mean I know it is my fault for beating him like that but can't be scolding me for running behind him." She argued to which Hyun nodded. "Hyun-ah, tell me who is at fault here?"

"Eh?" Hyun looked at in question. Didn't she just admit it was her? "I don't understand. The guy maybe?"

"Aniya!" She slapped his arm again. "It is because of this double role we have to play." She revealed. "Look at this, I mean it's doesn't make any sense why do we have play this double role when we can just do our job simply that is to protect the boys." Hyun nodded his head agreeing to her point at some level because Hyun was already working in security department and they had set up another one with Gu Hwa so was there any need where he had to pose as someone from the Hybe. While on the other hand Rumi was placed in the production department which was the busiest one making it harder and nearly impossible for her to do her main job which was to looked into the security of the artists.

"Can't we just work around as agents why I am working my ass off, running around doing this office jobs?" Rumi sighed. "I used to assassinate criminals for day-to-day job and now I am babysitting grown ass men!" Rumi cried. Hyun nodded patting her shoulder when a voice called.

"Rumi." Both Rumi and Hyun froze at that.

A/N :

I don't know what was I writing at this point, a emotion ride maybe. A lot of things happenings. I just kept going and going. Anyways let me know what you think in comment section below. And don't forget to vote and share this story with your pal. Do add this book to your library and reading list so you won't miss an update.

Love,

Alba💜