Bohyun returns home, his emotions still raw from the revelations. As he enters, he finds you pacing the living room, anxiety etched on your face.
"You're home!" you exclaim, relief momentarily brightening your expression. "Did you find anything about her?" you ask eagerly, hoping for good news.
"Not yet," Bohyun replies curtly, brushing past you as he heads straight for the bedroom. His demeanor is tense, a contrast to his usual composed self.
"Is something wrong?" you inquire, following him into the room, concern mounting as you watch him fidget with his belongings, putting things away with more force than necessary.
"Nothing," he responds coldly, his back to you as he continues to busy himself unnecessarily.
"No, something is wrong. I have never seen you like this," you insist, stepping in front of him to block his path as he attempts to leave the room with a pile of laundry in his hands.
"I said nothing is wrong, Y/N," he suddenly groans, his voice rising in frustration. His eyes meet yours, intense and foreboding, making it clear that something deeply upsetting is weighing on him, even if he's not ready to share it.
"Okay, I'm leaving," you announce, visibly upset by Bohyun's cold demeanor.
"Where are you going?" he asks, his tone shifting as he turns to face you.
"Nothing you need to know about," you retort, beginning to gather your things with a mixture of anger and defiance.
"Really?" Bohyun's voice takes on an edge. "Because I thought you were going to see that guy I just saw you alone with. What are you going to do? Kiss him again while you have a boyfriend?" His words, sharp and accusatory, reveal his hurt.
At that, you freeze in your tracks and turn to face him, shocked by his blunt confrontation. Bohyun, eyes filled with a mix of pain and betrayal, pulls out an envelope and throws it at you. You catch it reflexively, open it, and your heart sinks as you see the photos inside: images of you kissing Jungkook at the university on the day he got into a fight with Yeobin.
The reality of the situation hits you both hard, opening up a chasm of mistrust and hurt between you.
"Bohyun-ssi," you start, your voice tinged with regret as you try to navigate the sudden tension, but he swiftly cuts you off.
"Are you going to lie again? Just like you did when you said you loved me?" he questions, his voice harsh, reflecting the turmoil within him.
"I said that?" you respond, genuinely puzzled, not remembering ever declaring your love. Bohyun's face tightens as he realizes you probably don't recall because of the medicine he mixed into your water, which you drank right before confessing your feelings.
"Nevermind," he says dismissively, looking away and turning his back to you, masking the conflict inside him.
"Who took these pictures?" you press, trying to understand how this situation escalated so quickly.
"Doesn't matter," Bohyun replies curtly, brushing off the question.
"Yes, it doesâ" you insist, but Bohyun interrupts you again.
"Is there anything going on between you two that I should know of?" he asks, his voice low and controlled.
"There's nothing going on between us," you affirm, hoping to alleviate his doubts.
"Was there at some point?" he probes further, not entirely convinced by your response.
You open your mouth to deny it, but the truth weighs heavily on your conscience. Realizing that denying it would be lying, you remain silent, your hesitation speaking volumes.
Bohyun's voice softens, vulnerable, as he asks, "Every time I say that I love you, you never say it back. Is he the reason?" There's a tremor of fear in his question, as if he's not sure he wants to hear your answer.
You pause for a few seconds, gathering the courage to be honest with him. "No," you begin slowly, your words deliberate. "It's because I'm not sure if I love you. I spend more time away from you than with you, and I don't think you've given me a reason yet to fall in love with you yet," you confess bluntly.
This admission hangs heavily in the air between you, its impact palpable. You've laid bare the truth of your feelingsâor lack thereofâwhich may not be what Bohyun hoped to hear, but it's the reality of where your relationship stands.
He just stares at you, the silence stretching into long, painful minutes before he finally speaks, his voice tinged with defeat. "You are never to see or be around that guy ever again," he commands, trying to impose some control over the spiraling situation.
"Jungkook," you assert firmly. "His name is Jungkook, and you better learn that because he is a part of my life that I can't just erase. I've tried several times and failed every single time. So no, I can't do what you're asking me to do," you respond with resolute honesty.
"Y/N, I can fucking die for you. That's how much I love you, and you don't even reciprocate an ounce of that. How hard is it for you to understand that? I'm asking for this one thing, and if you can't do that for me, I don't think we canâ" he pauses, his emotions raw, reconsidering the harshness of his initial reaction. "I don't know what to do or say anymore," he finally admits, softer now, veering away from the ultimatum he was about to lay down.
As you see the struggle in Bohyun's eyes, the gravity of what he was about to sayâbut didn'tâsinks in. He was on the brink of ending the relationship, yet he pulled back, leaving the situation unresolved and fraught with tension. "I need to go," you announce, turning to leave, the weight of the moment pushing you toward the door.
However, you pause and turn back to face him one last time. There's a sense of regret in your expression, a softening as you address the hurt you've caused. "I shouldn't have kissed him. I am really sorry for what I did to you," you say sincerely, acknowledging your fault.
Then, with a deep breath, you add, "I wish I could cut him off, I am not ready to cut him off."
These words, laden with complex emotions, highlight the tangled loyalties and intense connections that define your relationships.
With those final words, you turn and begin to walk away.
"Y/N," Bohyun calls out as you head for the door, his voice firm, carrying a finality that you hadn't anticipated. "If you leave right now, don't bother showing me your face ever again," he declares, drawing a line in the sand that pushes your emotions to the edge.
You pause, his words hanging heavy in the air. The ultimatum stirs a mix of anger and hurt within you, pushing you further away rather than pulling you back. Despite the gravity of his words, or perhaps because of them, you find the resolve to keep walking. You leave, fully aware of the consequence he has laid out.
Outside, your car has been dropped off, waiting like an escape from the emotional turmoil inside. You get in and drive off roughly, each turn and acceleration a release for the pent-up frustration and sadness.
After putting some distance between you and Bohyun's house, you pull over to the side of the road. The quiet hum of the engine is a stark contrast to the storm of feelings inside you. You stare at the windshield, taking deep, shaky breaths as tears begin to well up in your eyes. The dam breaks, and soon you are sobbing uncontrollably. The weight of your breakup with Bohyun, compounded by the ongoing distress over Hyeyeon, overwhelms you. It's all too much to handle, and in this quiet moment, you allow yourself to break down, the future uncertain and your heart in pieces.
As you sit in the parked car, the tumult of emotions makes you reach for your phone, hoping to find some solace in memories. You scroll through pictures and videos with Hyeyeon, each image and clip intensifying the ache in your heart. "You can't just leave me, Hyeyeon-ah," you murmur, tears spilling onto the phone screen, blurring the cheerful faces frozen in time.
Driven by a need to hear her voice, you navigate to the voicemail app, intending to replay some of Hyeyeon's old messagesâa familiar comfort in unbearable times. But as you open the call log to find her voicemails, something unexpected catches your eye. A recent call from Hyeyeon listed from just last night, lasting over 20 minutes. This revelation stuns you; you have no recollection of this conversation whatsoever.
Confused and anxious, you quickly switch to the text messaging app to check for any conversations that might explain this mysterious call. Scrolling through the messages, nothing unusual appears until you spot something else startlingâa shared location from Hyeyeon.
Her location was still active, indicating that she was exactly at the location displayed on your screen. The sudden realization halts your tears, and you're instantly alert. You consider informing someone, but you dismiss the idea, anticipating they might suggest her phone was merely discarded there. Determined, you resolve to check it out yourself.
The address leads you to one of the denser, more notorious areas of Gangnam, a place avoided by most due to its reputation. This part of town is known as a haven for drug addicts, gangsters, and other unsavory characters, making it a risky venture, especially well after midnight. However, the possibility of finding Hyeyeon compels you to proceed.
You reach for the gun stored in your dashboard, a precaution given the dangers of the neighborhood. Tucking it into the back of your shorts, you feel a surge of determination mixed with apprehension. With every intention of uncovering the truth about Hyeyeon's mysterious call and location, you set out towards the designated area, ready to face whatever awaits.
To blend in better with the rough surroundings, you decide to change your attire. Removing your bright, conspicuous yellow oversized shirt, you toss it into the back of the car. From the trunk, you grab a zip-up jacket and throw it over your black tank top and shorts, opting for a more inconspicuous look. To further obscure your identity and avoid drawing attention, you also don a mask over your mouth.
Feeling more prepared, you exit the car and start walking briskly toward the specified location. The streets are dimly lit and populated with shady figures. As you pass, you catch the gaze of various men along the wayâsome look at you with suspicion, others merely gawk, their stares lingering uncomfortably. Despite the unsettling attention, you keep your focus sharp and your pace steady. Your hand occasionally brushes against the gun tucked at your back, a silent reassurance of your preparedness for whatever might arise.
As you approach the exact location, you find a large, shady house pulsating with the sounds of loud music and lively chatterâa massive party in full swing. The place is swarming with people and surrounded by numerous cars, making it a hub of activity that night. You quickly scan the surroundings and spot a back door and large windows, potential entry points that could be less conspicuous.
Deciding to blend in, you head inside, melding with the crowd. The thought that Hyeyeon's phone, and possibly Hyeyeon herself or her abductor, could be in this exact house sharpens your senses. You try to stay alert, scanning the room for anyone or anything that seems out of place or overly suspicious.
As you survey the area, a drunk man approaches, slurring his words as he invites you to take a "love shot" with him. You politely ask him to leave you alone, but he persists, becoming more invasive and handsy. Just as you're about to deal with him more forcefully, you notice a group of men descending the stairs. They move with a purpose and coordination that stands out from the chaotic energy of the party. They scan the room, seemingly ensuring everything is secure before dispersing into the crowd.
This catches your attention, raising further suspicions. These men could be crucial to understanding what's happening here, possibly linked to Hyeyeon's situation. You decide to keep a discreet watch on their movements, hoping they might lead you to more concrete answers about Hyeyeon's fate or whereabouts.
Reacting swiftly as the man becomes too handsy, you deliver a sharp knee to his shin, causing him to crumble to the floor in pain. The sudden action draws gasps and stops some of the dancing around you, drawing unwanted attention. Noticing that he was part of a group, and seeing their offended reactions, you realize you need to move quickly to avoid further confrontation.
You push through the crowd, making your way towards the stairs. As you ascend, the atmosphere changes dramatically. The lively sounds of the party fade into a quieter, more subdued environment, occupied mainly by couples engaged in making out and having random sex in the various bedrooms. You hasten your steps, climbing to the next floor, seeking the source of Hyeyeon's mysterious location.
As you reach the top of the stairs, the quiet of the upper floor is broken by a sharp call. "Hey! Where do you think you are going?" A man's voice comes from behind you. Turning around, you see him approaching quickly, his demeanor indicating that he isn't just another partygoer. His presence suggests he might be part of the security or somehow involved in whatever activities are taking place in the more secluded parts of the house.
Your quick thinking leads you to spin a lie, hoping to diffuse the situation without raising further suspicion. "I'm just looking for my boyfriend. I saw him going upstairs with another girl," you explain, trying to sound distressed and confused.
The man eyes you skeptically, his gaze lingering on your masked face. "What's with the mask?" he probes.
"So that his friends wouldn't recognize me and alert him," you reply smoothly, adding a layer to your story to make it seem more plausible.
"You can't go up there. Your boyfriend's not upstairs. Check on the floor below," he insists, his tone suggesting he's not fully convinced but ready to move on. He waits for you to start descending.
"Oh, okay, I'll search for him downstairs then," you say with a forced smile, your eyes the only part of your face visible. You start walking down the stairs slowly, making sure he sees you comply.
As soon as he turns his back and heads upstairs, you seize the opportunity. You pause to ensure he's far enough ahead not to notice you, then quietly turn around and follow him up the stairs. His direction and urgency suggest he's going to a more restricted or important area of the houseâa place where you might find the answers you need about Hyeyeon.
You keep your distance, careful to stay out of sight as you track his movements, hoping this will lead you closer to discovering what really happened to your friend.
Carefully tracking the man leads you to a more secluded part of the house, hidden from the main party's chaos. As you approach, you overhear a conversation that sends chills down your spine.
"Yah! Did she drink the medicine?" one of the voices asks sharply.
"No, the bitch would always spill it," another voice responds with frustration.
"Boss is going to kill me if we don't erase her memory from that night," a third voice chimes in, a note of panic in his tone.
"It won't work anyway now. She had to take the medicine right after that night when she was unconscious. We should probably just get rid of her like the initial plan," suggests a fourth, his voice cold and calculating.
As you process their words, a sudden hum, muffled yet unmistakable, cuts through the conversation. Your heart leaps as you recognize the voiceâit's Hyeyeon! She's alive. The realization fills you with a mix of relief and horror.
"Shut up. No one's gonna hear you, so save it," one of the men snaps. The sound of a slap follows, and you hear the girl wince in pain. The situation is dire, and she's clearly in danger.
Fear grips you at the thought of confronting at least four men alone, you realize entering the room might result in you being captured just like her. Suddenly, the sound of approaching voices heightens your anxiety. Caught between the danger inside the room and the approaching threat, you feel trapped. Frantically, you attempt to find refuge, but all nearby rooms are locked, leaving you exposed in the hallway.
Your heart races as the voices draw closer, and you brace yourself to face whoever is coming. But before you can confront them, a hand clamps over your mouth, and you're swiftly pulled into a bathroom. You struggle against the grip, but another arm wraps tightly around your waist, overpowering you with ease. The person maneuvers you into the bathtub, quickly pulling the curtains closed to hide you both.
Pressed firmly against their chest, their hand still covering your mouth, they whisper urgently into your ear, "Shut up or we both die today." The muffled, desperate tone conveys the gravity of the situation, forcing you to cease struggling and consider the potential ally or captor holding you.
As the voices outside the bathroom begin to fade, tension pulses through the cramped space. You seize the moment to assert some control, biting the hand covering your mouth hard. The person winces and loosens their grip, allowing you to break free. Without hesitation, you whip out your gun and aim it directly at them.
The figure before you, also masked and hooded, muffles a curse of pain. "Fuck," he groans softly, then looks up at you, only to find your gun pointed squarely at him. "Seriously?" he questions in disbelief. "You're pointing my gun at me?"
Taking a step back, he pulls off all his hood and removes his mask, revealing his eyesâeyes you recognize instantly. The recognition hits you like a shockwave. "Jungkook?"