Paul POV

I slowly started to open my eyes, despite the throbbing headache beneath my skull.

I winced even further feeling a sharp pain along my ribs and when I looked down, I realized I was laying beneath a rich set of emerald sheets.

Grabbing my bare ribs, I sat up and looked around the expensive bedroom that had a Roman flare to it. The ceiling was high, two luxurious gold chandeliers hanging from its center. I could guess who's spot this was given how well decorated the airy space was and the lack of clutter aligned with the concealed and smart storage options Italy is well known for.

I removed the sheets from my legs and identified my shirt and blazer hanging on a white chaise lounge. Though the pain was excruciating, I slipped on my clothes and made my way out of the bedroom - just to hear the boys talking down the hall.

"Antonio, this is really bad man." Spencer panicked.

"How many times are you going to fucking say that?" Antonio replied through his thick accent. I could already smell the familiar scent of Antonio's favorite cigaret, and given the smoke I saw at the end of the hall it was clear he had smoked many of them. "I get it. Last night was rough, but I've got it under control. Stop worrying so damn much."

"What about Paul?" Donnell asked. "How are you going to explain this to him when he wakes up? We shouldn't have waited this long to tell him about Lux."

"I was planning to open up to him about things last night." Antonio groaned. "Shit just got out of control before I could, but as soon as he wakes up I will tell him what he needs to-..."

"Paul." Chase said, noticing me as I stepped into the cosy minimalistic living room.

My eyes locked on Antonio, and I glared at the stressed out Italian. Like the rest of the boys, he had dark circles under his eyes and he was wearing the same outfit from last night.

"How are you feeling, man?" Spencer asked, grabbing my arm. "Come sit down."

I snatched my arm from his hold, and continued to direct my wrath at Antonio.

"What the hell are you into?" I asked him, watching as he stood up from the velvet upholstered sofa. "What did you drag me into, Antonio?"

"It's nothing major, relax." He replied, stepping closer to me.

"Nothing major?" I rebutted. "Look at me! Do you see the state I'm in?"

"This never happens." Antonio assured me. "There was a misunderstanding, and I am taking care of it. Don't worry."

"What was the misunderstanding? What type of illegal shit are you involved in?"

"Lux is my nightclub, and there are businesses I run through the club." He confirmed. "This past week, a fellow business leader was told I intercepted his business and he came to give me a warning as a result."

"And what exactly is this business you're talking about?" I questioned, but it was clear Antonio was still trying to decide how much he should tell me.

We stared each other down, until two gigantic men wearing all black entered the room. They went straight to Antonio, and began speaking to him in Italian while I took this time to observe how shaken each member of The Elite was.

I could tell Chase had ran his fingers through his hair nonstop, Spencer's face was flushed and a tint of pink, and Donnell's broad shoulders were sitting low as he looked to the ground from his seat on the sofa.

"Grazie, manda anche Marco." Antonio ordered before the two men left us alone again.

"What did they say?" Chase asked.

"The issue's been handled." Antonio replied. "No one needs to worry about any follow on assaults or retaliation. You're all safe."

"Oh thank, God." Spencer sighed, collapsing on the armchair.

Chase and Donnell also expressed their relief, taking deep breathes as they allowed the weight of the tension to roll off their shoulders.

"Are you still going to ignore my question?" I asked Antonio.

"The less you know, the better." He replied as he stepped closer to me with a calm demeanor. "Let's be honest, I'm simply doing what you've always done with us. I'm telling you what you need to know, and nothing more. If you want in on everything, how about you break down those barriers of yours and I'll do the same. Deal?"

"Whatever, man." I murmured, and as I started to walk past Antonio he grabbed my wrist.

"I know you're pissed." He said. "But what happened last night and its association with Lux, it's best this stays between the five of us in this room. Understood?"

"Is that a threat?" I questioned, making him smirk.

"Of course not. It's just a reminder, with being a part of The Elite and all the benefits associated with this group - there is a loyalty and we protect each other. Don't forget that."

He continued to show me that grin of his, his hand moving to my shoulder as I looked around and saw the rest of the group cower at his warning.

I decided not to respond to him, and walked out of his living room before I started seeking the exit of the large townhouse.

It didn't take long though, and as I stepped outside I heard Donnell follow me.

"Let me drive you home." He requested. "You're in bad shape."

"I'm good." I replied, walking through the gates of Antonio's inclosed home, and as I saw a cab approach I waved it down but the driver sped right past me.

"I know you're mad, but don't get on his bad side Paul." Donnell advised. "It's dangerous."

I scoffed. "So it's true?"

"What's true?"

"Did he have something to do with the Harvard medical student that was murdered?"

Donnell's eyes widened, and he stepped so close to me our shoulder's were nearly touching.

"Don't ever bring that up in front of him." Donnell continued to warn me.

"What the hell is he? He's a politician's son, how dangerous can be be?"

"Come on, read between the lines. You saw it for yourself last night and look at your condition, man. Isn't that enough for you to understand the type of business Antonio's involved in? He's a politician's son, yet he's cleaning money through an expensive nightclub in the heart of Boston. He's even got this much power and he's only been here for two years. Let that sink in, and take it from there. Don't poke the bear though. I'm telling you this for your own good."

Donnell stepped away as he waved down a taxi for me with ease.

"Paul." Donnell called for me when I took my place in the backseat. "You're not fully in like the rest of us. His decision to not tell you everything, it's actually a blessing. I recommend you stay your course, and maintain this distance you've created."

He showed me soft smile, and closed the door before the driver pulled off.

I briefly looked at Donnell through the rearview mirror, but was quickly reminded of how much pain I was in within seconds.

"Where to, sir?" The driver asked, and rightfully he was observing my bruised face.

"640 Aspen Drive." I replied.

I closed my eyes for the majority of the ride home, my mind swirling as I did my best to piece everything together. I was in way over my head, and I needed help.

As the driver neared my house, I called Johnny. I was sent to voicemail immediately, but he followed up with a text letting me know he was out golfing with an important client.

I called Sam next, despite the risk, and she also screened my call just to follow up with a text telling me she was with her fiancée and family at the moment.

After I paid my driver, I struggled to get inside my house.

I was growing dizzy, my body was warm, and I could barely walk.

I stumbled inside the house, hoping to find my new roommate but Shawn also appeared to be out at the moment.

Per usual, I was alone in this city.

I staggered up to my bathroom, grabbing anything I could to help me balance my body. I ran into every wall on the way, and when I entered the bathroom I probably added to the damage when I tripped into its door.

I slowly removed my jacket and shirt, fully getting a glimpse of my bruised ribs, the random cuts on my body, and the bruised lip and black eye on my face.

I was also sweating like crazy, and I knew I had a fever.

I tried take a cold shower, but that didn't helped. I couldn't even stand long enough to wash my my face and I was lucky enough to slip a pair of sweat pants on before I collapsed on my bed.

I had my phone in hand, though my vision was becoming impaired, and contemplated calling 911 - but I heard both Antonio's and Donnell's warning loud and clear earlier.

"There's only one person I left." I whispered through my dry lips.

I opened Makayla's contact information and called, but she too didn't answer. With the last strand of energy I had left - I texted her instead.

(Me): I need you. 640 Aspen Drive. Code 0608.

I placed my phone on my nightstand, and rolled on my back as I looked up to the ceiling.

It was getting harder for me to focus. My whole body was aching, and I was beyond confused. I was scared, I felt alone, and I missed South Korea more than ever.

My eyes started to close, despite how badly I knew I needed to stay awake. I couldn't help it though. I had never felt so weak before, and with each breath I gasped for my eyes fell heavier and heavier. I found myself going in and out of sleep for quite sometime until I felt someone shake me.

"Ho-seok!" Her familiar voice called for me, my eyes briefly opening. "Can you hear me?"

I couldn't utter a single word, despite how grateful I was to see her.

"Stay with me, okay?" Makayla encouraged.

I closed my eyes again, and let the doctor get to work.

I felt her check my temperature, though she only needed her hand to feel the heat radiating off my forehead. I then felt her cold stethoscope as she checked my pulse as well as the condition of my organs.

"Ho-seok, this going to hurt a little." She said to me. "But I have to apply some pressure to make sure your ribs haven't ruptured anything, okay?"

I again couldn't answer her, but indeed groaned as I endured what she warned me about.

"Everything feels good, despite the pain." Makayla said. "I'll take care of that too. Give me a few minutes."

My eyes closed again, but I could still hear her going to work and within minutes I felt the relief she assured me once she slid a needle through my vain.

I relaxed as the the IV fluid as well as the pain medication she injected did it's job and as I began to dose off I heard another familiar voice.

"Paul?" Shawn called for me as he entered my room, and I heard his gasp shortly afterward. "What the hell is going on! What happened to him?"

"I don't know." Makayla sighed. "He was out with The Elite last night, though."

"Man, I keep telling him they are bad news. Why won't he listen?"

"Hopefully he learned this time." Makayla answered.

"How can I help?" Shawn asked.

"I have all the medical supplies I need. He'll be hungry when he wakes up though."

Feeling the most comfort I had in the last 24 hours, I fell asleep and endured as many nightmares as I did dreams.

Th bright side, showing me my brothers back at home and the amazing South Korean food and traditions I was missing. The dark side reminding me of my reality, and how hard it would be to navigate my decision to join The Elite for the remainder of my time in Boston.

I could feel my body struggling to recover yet throughout the hours of me going in and out of sleep, when I would open my eyes Makayla was always keeping my temperature down with a cold wet rag. I also witnessed her monitor my IV bag, and even replace it when it ran low.

By time I woke up, it was well into the evening and she remained by my side even though she was sleeping.

She had a hold of my hand, her head rested beside the intertwined pair, and all her hard work had pulled me through these rough 12 hours. My pulse finally felt stable, my fever had broke, and I was myself again.

"Makayla." I softly called for her, knowing she had to have been so uncomfortable. "Makayla."

"Huh?" She uttered, slowly waking up before our eyes locked. "Ho-seok, you're awake!"

I softly smiled, nodding as she shot up and placed her hand on my forehead.

"Your temperature broke, thank God." She replied. "How are you feeling?"

"Much better, thanks to you."

She brought her fingers to my wrist, and looked to her watch as she checked my pulse.

"Everything seems okay, but I really think you should get a formal x-ray on your ribs."

I nodded. "Yes ma'am. I'll do so in the morning."

She looked to me, trying to decide on the right questions to ask.

"Why didn't you go to the hospital? Why did you call me instead?"

"I think you know why." I responded, and I had never seen so much concern in her gaze.

"Are you hungry?"

"I am actually." I smirked. "Did you cook me something?"

"It was Shawn for the most part actually." She beamed. "I'll be right back, don't move."

"As if I could go anywhere."

She chuckled, and I did as well while I watched her rush out of my room.

I saw my phone was still on the nightstand, and when I looked to the screen multiple texts from Sam and Johnny had come in. However, I just grew angrier looking at their messages. Now that it was convenient for them, they were worried I hadn't replied.

I chucked my phone back on the nightstand, and grabbed the remote instead.

I searched through Hulu as I did the best I could to ease my mind, and by time I decided on rewatching Attack on Titan, Makayla was entering the room with a tray holding a bowl of steaming soup and a glass of soda?

"You are so lucky to have a roommate like Shawn." She cooed. "He made you homemade Chicken Noodle Soup before he crashed for the night."

"You can't be for real." I laughed. "You're bringing me chicken noodle soup with a soda on the side?"

"Is there a better way to get past a fever?" She joked, and I sat up as she placed the tray on my lap. "What do you guys eat in Korean when you're sick?"

"Porridge." I responded. "I'm sure there will be a day I make it for you."

Makayla smiled to me, watching as I took the first bite of the soup.

"Good, yeah?" She beamed, watching me sip on the soda next. "Thoughts?"

"I get the hype." I confirmed, making her laugh. "Thank you so much. I'm sure you were busy today, but I had no one else I could call."

"No, I'm glad you called." She affirmed. "I don't know everything that went down, but you can always call me. Especially if you need my help like this."

"Didn't you have to work today, though?"

"Yeah, but I switched shifts with someone for the week. It's all good. I said this was a family emergency."

"Family, huh?" I teased, making her softly nudge my shoulder.

"Eat up." She replied, standing up. "I should get going."

"No." I pleaded, grabbing her wrist. "You were just sleeping. You must be tired. Crash here for the night."

"You have a roommate now, so there isn't anywhere for me to sleep silly."

"Sleep here." I responded, surprising her as she looked to the vacant spot beside me on my queen sized bed. "You see my condition, but I promise not to touch you nonetheless."

Our gazes locked and I'm sure the look in my eyes told her what I wasn't able to verbally admit.

"Okay." She cooed. "But if you touch me, you're dead."

I smiled watching Makayla walk around the bed before she took her place beside me, and when she got settled she looked to the flatscreen ahead of us.

"You watch anime?" I asked.

"I do." She answered. "And if we're watching Attack on Titan, can we at least skip to the best season?"

"Oof, this could make or break this relationship. What season do you think is the best?"

"Season 3, for sure."

My eyes widened. "I wasn't expecting that. Everyone says season 4 usually."

"Is it season 3 for you as well, then?" She asked, and I nodded making us both chuckle. "Eat up then. I'll shift the show to the third season."

I did as she said, enlightened as I ate another spoon full of soup and took comfort in being beside the only person I could rely on in Boston. 

____

Author's Note: After this past week, I am shocked I was able to update today!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter! 

Naturally, Paul is truly learning the reality of the world he now lives in. Putting energy towards a woman who still doesn't prioritize him, a friend who is too invested in their business, and a group associated with heavy illegal activities. 

Is this the moment Paul starts to remove himself from these unpleasantries? How far do you think he'll go to embrace those that have shown care and their reliability?

Please remember to vote and comment! Life has been rude, and honestly I could use some interaction on here to stay motivated. 

Thanks for your support!

- Zelene