Makayla POV

"Despite the kind of business Antonio is operating, it's a well oiled machine." I said, looking to the projected images of the warehouse I had captured over the past two weeks. "His guys are on a strict schedule, and the building is secured by 20 to 25 men on average, 24/7."

"However." AJ chimed in. "That routine they have is going to be our blessing as long as we move in fast enough."

AJ paused and took over the presentation we were giving to Krystal in our hideout.

"The men are in rotation and securing the same spots, with a few roamers that monitor the rest of the premises." AJ proceeded. "I created a heat map on a blueprint of the building I was able to retrieve after some serious digging. Red indicates consistent human detection."

"That's a lot of red though." Krystal said, her arms crossed as she examined the technical drawing. "Certainly, this indicates way more than 20 to 25 people. Right?"

"Absolutely." AJ replied, pointing to one of the six large red blotches on the projection screen. "Notice the trend. With each patch of red, on the other side of the door is a small dot."

"So a man is monitoring each of these rooms. Do you think this is where all the human trafficking victims are being held?" Krystal asked.

I shook my head. "No. Based on the items we noticed being discarded from the warehouse, we think this is where the drugs are being manufactured. However, we are confident infiltrating this building will give us more information to find those victims."

"This sounds concrete." Krystal approved. "Good work ladies!"

"Oh I can't take any credit for this." I admitted, nudging AJ with my elbow. "I still don't get how your hacking skills solved what our legal system hasn't been able to in over a year."

"Well in all fairness, my ways aren't exactly ethical." AJ chuckled. "And don't be so humble. I might have provided the equipment, but I could only make the heat map because you were brave and stealth enough to scope out the warehouse on your own."

We bumped fists, beaming at the discovery we were able to achieve in just two weeks.

"So what's the plan from here?" Krystal asked.

"We want to make our move next week." I replied. "Winter break started today for Harvard, and I got confirmation Antonio is going back to Italy for a month."

"Plus with the holidays, it's likely everyone's guard will be down more than usual." AJ said. "We think we should take advantage of Antonio's absence and burn the house down if you catch what I am getting at here."

"Arson?" Krystal asked. "You want to set it all on fire?"

"It won't be hard to do if we're right." AJ replied. "Almost everything in that warehouse will be flammable, and considering the illegal things going down in there - I am sure Antonio will go above and beyond to stop any investigations."

"How do you propose starting the fire?" Krystal asked. "Surely you understand, it has to start from the inside if we want to keep our tracks as clear as we have done so far."

I nodded. "Of course. That'll be my role in this."

"Makayla, are you sure?" Krystal asked. "So far the crimes you've committed have been minor. Arson is a different story, and it could lead to deaths. There is a high probability the people making the drugs are also victims being forced to work there. You understand that, right?"

"I do. That's why I'll be strategic about where I start the fire. If I can initiate the fire in the right place, people will have enough time to get out but it'll be so destructive that there is no way to recover the product unless people risk their own lives to carry it out themselves."

Krystal smirked. "Looks like you already chose the starting point?"

"Yes ma'am." I looked to the projection screen and pointed to a room towards the back of the building. "As you can see, this room is quite isolated in comparison to the others and it has the lowest footprint. Yellow/Orange indicates there is some traffic, but nothing consistent. It means a small amount of people go in and out of it, and the room also happens to be next to the door where items are discarded from the building frequently.

"I think this is the storage unit, which means it's housing chemical products that are naturally explosive when in contact with a flame. If I start the fire there, people will have plenty of time to get out but the business will be significantly impaired."

"How do you plan on getting insight about the human trafficking victims?" Krystal asked.

"This room a few yards away." I replied, pointing to it on the drawing. "I think that's the main office and where our answers are. Antonio and his number two likely manage the business in there every single day."

"We still have no information on his right hand man by the way." AJ admitted. "That is the only risk. We got a picture, and I've searched his face as far as I can go, but he's basically nonexistent in the US. We can't confirm what Makayla is walking into if he's onsite when we do this."

"That makes me nervous." Krystal sighed. "He must be dangerous."

"I'm not scared." I confirmed, and Krystal chuckled as she rested her hand on my shoulder.

"That's exactly what worries me." I guiltily smiled while Krystal took a deep breath and looked back to the screen. "I'm going in with you that night, Makayla."

"Are you sure?" I questioned. "I imagine there will be a lot of physical conflict on my way in."

"Girl, how old do you think I am?" She replied, making the three of us laugh. "I left the force by choice, not because I can't hang. I can take those goons down in my sleep. Plus, you both did a lot of work to pull this plan together. It's my job to tighten up lose ends, okay? Let's get in there and get it done, ladies."

"Hell yeah!" AJ enthused, the three of us high-fiving and celebrating our next plan before I felt my phone vibrate.

(Ho-seok): SOS - Breaking my back third-wheeling for the both of us right now.

"Oh shoot." I gasped. "I have to head out! I'm late for a dinner."

"Oh la la! Is this with your new man?" AJ teased.

"Stop it!" I blushed. "No. It's with my career mentor and a few friends. We're all getting together before everyone heads home for holidays."

"Hurry on then." Krystal encouraged. "You're stuck with us for the holidays with a plan like this, so have fun while you can! We'll sync tomorrow on next steps."

"Sounds good! See ya'll later."

I rushed out of the hideout and hopped on my motorcycle before I was speeding down the road on this brisk Friday evening.

Despite how dangerous this plan to take down Antonio's drug lab was, I was confident about it. I felt our odds for success were high, I could save people in the process, and there was even a chance I could learn more details about London's death.

Last but certainly not least, Ho-seok was going back to South Korea for the entire winter break, which meant I had three weeks to wreak havoc on Antonio's business and not have to worry about the implications for a person I had grown to care a lot for these past few months.

If things worked out as well as I felt they would, my revenge would come to an end quickly and a part of me was ready for that. Of course, I was still eager to right the wrongs that had been done to London, but I was also starting to feel like my life had purpose again.

I enjoyed my job and felt fulfilled with every life I saved, I was fortunate to meet a man who was patient with me and was okay with dating at my pace, and spending time with Ho-seok and the new friends I had recently made because of him reminded me what it was like to feel happy, supported, and ultimately - Just not alone.

I parked my bike in a garage I was familiar with now that I was back in the familiar streets of Boston, and as I waited for my Uber I gussied up for the night ahead.

My hair was straight and surprisingly my helmet and scrunchy didn't do too much damage.

Though I was still in all black, I ditched the leather jacket for tonight's dinner. I was wearing a almond colored cropped sherpa jacket, partnered with a turtle neck that was tucked into my distressed skinny jeans and I wore my Chelsea boots instead of my combat boots for once.

My makeup was fairly natural, though I did go for a bold smokey eye and as my Uber parked in front of Johnny's building, I confirmed my lips were perfectly glossed using a compact mirror.

"Thank you!" I chimed to the driver, closing the door behind me as I looked up the luxury condo building.

I then made my way inside and up to the top floor, where Madison's new man lived.

When I rang the doorbell, only seconds past when the door opened and I saw Ho-seok's bright and charming smile.

"Finally!" He exclaimed. "You're almost an hour late! That's not like you!"

"Sorry! I got wrapped up in an emergency surgery at the hospital."

"I swear, if you weren't saving lives I wouldn't be so forgiving."

I chuckled, despite the guilt forming in my core from lying to him. "You gonna let me in?"

"Of course, my bad!"

I walked past Ho-seok, and into the impressive home.

Johnny's taste was similar to Ho-seok's but a little more warm.

The ceiling was high, the space was open, and the condo was well decorated yet so simple.

The walls were white and held a few pieces of expensive art. Many of the walls were also lined with floor-to-ceiling windows and there was a single accent spot, a clad wall behind Johnny's lit marble fireplace.

The further I walked inside, I saw a brown staircase the spiraled to the second floor, and just beside it was a well organized desk.

In the heart of the home was a stunning wine room, surrounded by four glass walls and just past that I saw a walnut-colored modern circular table that was set for four.

"Makayla!" Madison chimed, rushing out of the kitchen. "Finally! What took you so long?"

"Why even ask?" Ho-seok answered as I embraced my mentor in a hug. "You're her boss. You know the hospital is always calling her in."

"Really?" She questioned, looking to me with furrowed brows. "I thought you were off today. The hospital is pretty decent about this with residents."

My lips parted as I wracked my brain to come up with an excuse, but Madison read me like a book and placed a smile on her face.

"I guess it is different with you." She proceeded. "You're a favorite amongst surgeons, and too gifted to treat like the rest. It's a blessing and a curse, no?"

I forced some laughter, and nodded as she covered for me. However, I knew I would have some explaining to do following this evening.

"Makayla!" Johnny this time enthused. I walked past Madison and shared a quick hug with him next. "I'm glad you were able to make it! Not gonna lie, I worked hard to feed us all tonight."

"It smells amazing! Thank you so much for hosting a dinner before the holidays. I'm looking forward to it."

"Of course." Johnny beamed. "Ho-seok, grab her a glass of wine. Madison and I will bring out the food."

Ho-seok got me settled in my chair before he did as his mentor requested.

He served me a bold Cabernet Sauvignon to pair with the tender filet mignon Johnny cooked, partnered with baked asparagus and chunky skin-on red mashed potatoes he prepared from scratch. Johnny even started the meal off with homemade caesar salad and buttermilk roles that literally melted in your mouth at the bite. 

It was safe to say, Madison found a good one.

"Okay. Let me know what I am setting myself up for." Johnny said. "As doctors, do you really have no control over your work schedules? I mean, I'm constantly on call and for the first time in my entire life I've met a woman who is busier than me, and that's saying something. AHS Group clients are rich and very needy, and I'm basically at their beacon call 24/7."

"You know, I wouldn't make this comparison between our two professions." I replied on behalf of Madison and I. "Obviously, surgeons and lawyers both save lives but it's in different ways. You guys have scheduled court dates that you can plan for. We could be eating lunch, and suddenly we end up in a nine hour operation to address heart failure."

"Wow... Um, I have never felt so shitted on in my life." Johnny replied, the table cracking up.

"I'm sure that's not what she meant to do!" Madison cackled.

"No, it definitely is." Ho-seok added, making me nudge him.

"Stop instigating! I was just saying a lawyer is going to have a much more predictable schedule than a surgeon, and it's because we're always the last lifeline for our patients. That's the career path we chose. It's demanding, and saving lives always comes first."

"Oh how noble of you." Ho-seok teased, and I shrugged.

"Being a surgeon is indeed a very noble career and that's probably one of the reasons he finds Madison so appealing, right?" I asked Johnny. "You're a handsome and successful guy, and you can get a pretty woman easily. You like that you've found someone just as dedicated as you."

"I can't deny that." He replied, his gaze fixated on Madison. "I don't just find her appealing though. I am quite crazy about her."

"Is that so?" Madison blushed. "What does that mean for us then?"

"This is a conversation too serious for the kids." He joked, and soon his attention was grabbed by the new song playing through the condo's speakers. "Care to dance Dr. Brown? Perhaps we can continue this conversation in private?"

Madison didn't hesitate to accept his offer, and Ho-seok and I watched in silence as the two walked near Johnny's grey sofas and began swaying to a John Mayer classic, Slow Dancing in a Burning Room.

Seeing Johnny and Madison was lovely to witness. They were happy, comfortable, and excited about their blooming romance. It was hard for me not to smile seeing my mentor experience a feeling that just weeks ago, she didn't think she'd ever get to in her life given our demanding profession and the overall bad luck she had endured with dating all this time.

"Looks like it'll be official by the end of the night." Ho-seok said. I glanced to see he was just as happy for his mentor.

"I'd say so." I confirmed, Ho-seok and I smiling at each other. "When do you fly out?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"Are you excited?"

"More than words could express. I miss my brothers back home so much." I looked down to my plate, and began playing with my food as it dawned on me how much I was going to miss Ho-seok during the holidays. "Is Jackson staying in town?"

I nodded. "Yes, he is thankfully."

"Good, so you won't miss me too much then." He winked at me, and I playfully rolled my eyes as the two of us laughed amongst each other.

"What, you won't miss me?"

"Of course I will." He cleanly replied. "Three weeks will go by fast though, and you can call me whenever you want while I am there."

I smiled to him before we both looked to the "adults" in the room.

The couple's noses grazed as they slow danced to the peaceful songwriter ballad, Johnny's forehead rested against Madison's while they stared intently into one another's eyes.

"They're so smitten so quickly. This is actually the first instance of mature love I've witnessed up close." Ho-seok said. "As you know, I didn't have the best example growing up."

"That's so shocking to me, still." I confessed.

"Really?" He asked. "Why is that?"

I grew quiet, furthering Ho-seok's curiosity when the song ended and Johnny's voice grabbed our attention.

"We're going to pardon ourselves." Johnny said. "Take your time and enjoy yourselves. Ho-seok knows where everything is. Help yourselves to anything that catches your eye."

"Thanks, hyung. Dinner was amazing."

"Of course!" Johnny replied. "Make sure Makayla gets home safely, tonight. And Makayla, Happy Holidays if I don't see you before I head back to Canada."

"Thanks! Happy Holidays to you too."

Ho-seok and I waved goodbye to the two lovebirds while they walked up the stairs, but once they were out of sight he wasted no time resuming our conversation.

"So are you going to leave me hanging?"

I jokingly shrugged. "I forgot where my thoughts were even going."

Ho-seok scoffed as he watched me deviate while taking a sip of my wine.

"Why are you still like this?" He pressed. "I open up to you so much. You know about Sam and even my familial struggles back in Canada. I'm an open book with you, Makayla. When are you going to do the same for me?"

"I do open up to you. I'm just a reserved person in general, so you might not feel like I do."

He sighed as my favorite single started playing through the speakers.

"I love this song!" I diverged.

"Kayla." Ho-seok groaned, watching as I stood up from my seat.

I then set down my wine glass, and moved towards the living area as I danced to Please Don't Fall In Love With Me by Khalid.

"If you ask me, I'm ready." I softly sang, my back facing Ho-seok when suddenly I felt him grab my wrist and turn me around.

Pulling me even closer to him, Ho-seok slipped his hand into mine while his other took a hold of my waist.

"W-What are you doing?" I stuttered.

"Bulldozing through this wall of yours." He replied. "Dance with me?"

Though hesitant, I went along with his gesture and rested my arm along his before we began moving to the R&B track.

"This is kind of random, don't you think?" I shyly asked.

He shrugged. "Since you literally ran away from a conversation I sincerely just tried to have with you, I figured I might as well get a hold of you while I can so we can continue it."

"You're relentless sometimes, you know that?"

"Oh I'm relentless all the time. That's actually one of my biggest charms I think."

We laughed together, but as that faded Ho-seok looked me in my eyes.

"Can you answer my question? What did you mean? Why is it so shocking that I'm the result of a loveless marriage?"

"Because." I caved. "For someone who wasn't raised around a lot of love, you're probably one of the most caring, tender, and compassionate people I've ever met. Okay? There, I said it."

Ho-seok chuckled as my cheeks started burning from embarrassment.

"Why was that so hard for you to say?" He asked.

"Because it felt weird." I murmured, the skin between his eyebrows scrunched. "That response, let's just say its a reflection of what I thought about you the first night we met. Okay?"

"Really?" He gaped, though the corners of his lips began curling up. "Are you telling me that's how I made you feel that evening?"

"I shouldn't have said anything." I sighed as I attempted to cut the dance short, but Ho-seok kept a hold of me.

"Let's talk about it."

"What is there to talk about?"

"We had sex." He blatantly said. "We had a very steamy night together before we became friends. I joke about it, but we never just talk about it and it appears you actually need to."

"I still don't know what there is to talk about."

"It's more about not avoiding it. You shouldn't have been so uncomfortable, you couldn't tell me something so simple just now."

"Okay well I don't really know where to start."

"You left that night with no thoughts or questions about me?" I felt my palms growing sweaty, and I chose to answer his question with silence. "Fine, I'll start. I left that night with a lot of thoughts about you."

"Really?"

He nodded. "I've always wondered what you were thinking. That night, your personality had a lot of phases. You started off cold, then you loosened up and we had fun at the bar, and then when we were having sex there was a point you had a look in your eyes. You seemed angry, and then suddenly you were so soft and vulnerable during the last half of things.

"Now that we're friends and we know a lot more about each other, are you comfortable with telling me what was going through your mind back then?"

I nibbled on my bottom lip. "You're going to think I am crazy."

He chuckled. "Try my, Kayla."

"You've been wondering how reckless I can be." I replied. "Well when I'm upset about London, that's when I become the most reckless and that night, you seemed like an easy target."

"Easy target?"

"It was obvious you were checking me out, and I wanted to test my luck." I paused, as I braced myself for his reaction to the destructive behavior I was coming clean about. "One out of every six American women has been a victim of sexual assault or rape. I wondered if my luck would be as bad as London's that night, and I would say I even welcomed that threat."

Ho-seok's lips parted, his eyes widening despite the control he was trying to show.

"Fortunately" I proceeded. "You ended up being as harmless as I knew you would be. While we were having sex, I did go through a whirlwind of emotions. Anger and guilt were amongst those feelings, but that didn't last long. Even back then, something about you made me feel safe."

"Safe?" He softly smiled.

"Maybe that's not the right word?" I questioned. "Basically, it goes back to what I said earlier. I wanted to be cold to you that evening. I wanted you to be a bad guy, but you were the exact opposite. You were kind, selfless, gentle, and your jokes made me feel comfortable with you. All of that made me want to blindly trust you, even if it was for just one night."

"It was the same for me." He admitted. "And I didn't want that to be a one night stand back then. When I woke up, I regretted not making that clear. I wanted to see you again."

"And now that you have?" I teased. "I'm not as mysterious or badass as I made myself appear. Do you still think the same about me?"

"I do." He replied, surprising me. "The banter was fun and the sex was great, but it was the pillow talk that made me realize how natural our relationship was. I held back a lot because I wanted to spill all of my shit to you, which is not normal for me."

I chuckled. "Same actually."

"Then why did you sneak out on me in the morning?"

"Because, I thought that was for the best and what you openly said you wanted. Plus, I wasn't emotionally available and I still don't know if I am at this time. Even when it comes to Jackson. I just know, I like the relationship you and I have and I am happy with where we are right now."

"Me too." He replied, our gazes locked as that same feeling I experienced on his rooftop last time we were this close appeared between my chests.

I stumbled into a state of awe observing those handsome features of his up close again. His round brown eyes, his perfectly shaped nose, and those full lips I was all too familiar with.

"What is it?" Ho-seok asked, pulling me out of my trans though not for long. The pearly whites he was flaunting through his million dollar smile were just as impressive. "Ah it must be too much for you. My handsome face up close for this long, it's a lot right?"

"Your confidence is uncanny!" I chortled, playfully pushed him away when he took my by surprise and pulled me into his embrace.

My heart skipped a beat feeling his firm peck against my cheek, and his large hand nearly covered my back as he held my body against his.

"If it's really too much, we can just dance like this."

Though I was speechless, I accepted his recommendation and continued to sway to the R&B song as I closed my eyes and listened to his strong heartbeat.

I soon felt him rest his chin on the top of my head, somehow soothing me even further while I relished the familiar scent of his rich cologne.

"Makayla." Ho-seok called for me, though I couldn't bring myself to look up to him at this point. "Don't ever do that again. Don't put yourself in danger every time you miss your friend. Call me instead, and I promise I'll come running to you."

I nodded against his chest, a smile forming on my face as I accepted the warmth of the safe haven Ho-seok was offering me. 

____

Author's Note: Hello everyone! How did you enjoy the chapter?

As you can see, a lot of confusing feelings are arising for both Makayla and Ho-seok! How will Makayla navigate such intrusive thoughts as she starts spending more time with Jackson, especially with Ho-seok being away for an entire month?

Also, how are you guys feeling about Johnny and Madison? Don't we just love them? They are definitely becoming a favorite side story of mine!

Lastly - I'm excited to share a bit of a spoiler for the next chapter! Ho-seok is going back to Korea so you know THE BOYS will be making their first appearance in Acquit to Love You! 

I am so excited to write the upcoming chapters!

Please remember to vote and comment! Thanks for the support!

- Zelene