Valorous.

Walking inside the tigers's den, fearless end emotionless, empty gaze, and straight face that showed no specific demeanor.

In contrast with his acts, Jungkook was troubled to say the less, knowing what may happen next worried him greatly. It wasn't about his self, but more about her, knowing about the length she went through only to save him, risking her own life, and the entire empire she had, Jungkook couldn't stay still. It wasn't in him to take advantage of people, albeit he may have done so with strangers in order to gain his bread, he was no man to do such a horrendous deed to his beloved ones. At least not to her, and that he knows.

The lair consisted of a family of five cubs, and two fully grown tigers, obviously, the place was kept and maintained illegally, as such a petting for wild animals was strictly forbidden, if not for national parks that could manage the fierce ones, or, zoos.

Throwing to the wall the long speech Katarina forced him to hear, Jungkook made a decision of his own, not really wanting to accept any freebies from anyone, not even her. He couldn't stand being on the receiving side, he wanted to turn everything he received in merited payments in a situation based on pure give and take. After having heard the conversation that took place in her house the other night, especially that call she received from the head jury who managed the match, Jungkook faced a feeling that he couldn't quite describe, like a child that has been casted away, maintained in the dark while provided everything he needed, just to remain protected, being treated like a china in her huge collection, watched with amusement, but throughly hidden, from everything.

He was right, he was hers, only for her to ruin, to protect.

He resented her for having took a decision, she never discussed with him. He hated the way she played him around, forcing him to do unexplainable things, and then, playing tricks to keep him away from those exact things she were after. Being ignorant about his surroundings, or following blindly some sort of orders, wasn't something he really enjoyed, nor a typical behavior of his, bluntly speaking, he was the exact opposite of that all.

" What the hell is going on?"

"None of your business Jungkook, I suggest you take care of your son for the time being, he needs you"

" You think I'm some sort of a rug that you can drag alone wherever you want? Do I seem like that type of a person to you? You think you can just go around, casting decisions and changing them as you please, without even considering me at all, and you expect me for real to just follow?"

" You will, Jungkook— you will, as you have no saying in all of this you understand? Its only me who can decide, and you—- you will just follow, my love"

Greeted by the veterinary who took care of the lair, he decided to familiarize his self with the fierce mammaries before the real talk begins. There were only some days left for the aggressive encounter, but he was invited today to speak with the jury, and also, to make few details clear. The fact that he won't withdraw, and they needed to insure her safety if they needed a gladiator.

He was familiar with wrestling, free hand fights, shooting, and has great knife skills, but fighting against an animal? A wild one at that, was no frequent occurrence for him. It was on another level, and needed some other kind of bravery.

The black suit he was cladded in brought his porcelain skin to the spot light, he was ethereal. The long raven locks that framed his face handsomely, hanging freely around his eyes, long enough to cover the back of his neck, but trimmed nicely enough to portray masculinity. The silver earrings on his pierced ears provided an extra touch, an alluring one. Wild, just like those creatures he was supposed to fight with.

That suit was on his perfect size, maybe, a little bit tighter on his biceps though. It may have felt uncomfortable for him, as he loved dressing casually most of the time, but he surely rocked that suit, adding an extra hotness to his prepossessing aura.

He walked with confident steps toward the main gate, a menacing stare on his eyes as he scrutinized his propinquities. Two strong men following him closely, keeping an eye on his acts, ready for an ordered attack if necessary. If he doesn't behave accordingly .

As he walked further to reach the barred door, which seemed luxurious and expensive just as the mansion generally speaking, huge colossal decorating the entry from right and left, adding a royal touch. At the momentum, the fabric of his shirt stretched, exposing from the opened buttons, his sturdy and muscled chest adorned by ink, adding another alluring element to his dangerous demeanor.

Jungkook has been halted right after passing the big gate, as two men stood guards in front of the metal detector that was placed few steps after the entry, while more fully geared men stood still right behind the little passage, one of them was seated behind the two screens, scanning throughly the bags or the human-beings who passed throw it, maintaining safety for his boss, by avoiding any unexpected attack. There was no need for blind trust, or over arrogance, the man was working by the books, better safe than sorry. It makes perfect sense.

As he stood still few meters before the gateway, Jungkook was instructed by one of the guys to stretch laterally his arms, while the man cross-checked his body throughly, taking out the knife that was hidden in the conceal that was hanging on his leg, throwing the latter in a bin until differently instructed by his boss. With few searching touches, the man found a conceal-arm cladded to his shoulders, the latter had two side, one on his left an the other at his right; in both sides, a fully loaded p30, a fine gun that Jungkook mastered it details, he used it a lot indeed, since a very young age. Few checks more, as he seemed suspicious after the goods they have retrieved from his body, the guards sent him throw the metal detector, to inspect any sharp blades or other tiny but dangerous items.

Welcomed by a lady in her mid-thirties, who led him toward a grandiose two-ways stairs, motioning him to follow her as she took the latter up to the first floor. The corridors were decorated with few hanging paintings, they were definitely pricy, they succeeded fully in attracting his attention, his love for art brought out at the sight, he actually used to paint a lot, whenever he spent time with his late wife, he would be busy drawing her, he had some beautiful brush strokes, he handled oil colors very well, it was a technique he mastered and enjoyed. He couldn't help but musing while stealing looks at the beautiful tableaux.

"Jeon Jungkook, our finalist, our gladiator, welcome"

The masculine voice at the end of the corridor shifted his attention toward it, looking at the man who stood with his arms open, welcoming him with a cunning smirk, Jungkook's gaze tensed again, brows furrowed, he took a long stare before parting his lips softly, letting out a small smile that was nothing near honest.

As he reached the older man, he motioned his arm in a handshake, showing full respect to the man in front of him, although he wished to empty a gun in his head, had he still has his gun to begin with.

" Thank you, its a pleasure meeting you finally"

" The pleasure is surely mine, please, come inside"

As they entered the office, Jungkook took a seat on the couch, crossing one leg over the other, while carefully inspecting the huge office. He started finding similarities between the man's lifestyle and the one of Katarina, however, between those resemblances, a soft contrast couldn't go unnoticed. Katarina was more toward a modern style, the decor of her house was dominated by black and white, leaving no space for a third color, a style that has definitely suited her character. While the mansion he was in, was more of a classic one, woody decor, accentuated by some classic vibes. Brown was dominant.

" What is the drink that our gladiator favors?"

"Anything could do the deal"

The man served some fine Rinascente Decanter to the both of them, before settling down on the couch, across from the younger's figure.

" I really enjoy this whiskey, although it bitter after-taste, something that reminds me greatly of this life, bitter, but still desired, just for that faint sweetness in it"

" Such a deep philosophy, I must admire the fine metaphor in your wise words"

Jungkook was never someone who liked hitting on the bush, he was straightforward, expressing his stance clearly, without dragging it around. However, he always found it fascinating how those rich people muse at vague talks, they really liked intriguing their listeners, so he decided to do just the same.

Yet differently.

" If you don't mind my question, what has triggered your love toward wild animals?"

"You sure you wanna know about that, and not about my love for Munera?"

" Both, I guess"

" What made you accept such an offer Jungkook?"

"Different reasons actually, but now most of them disappeared, only one left behind, one of high importance I must say"

The man really enjoyed Jungkook's company, mused to his talks, loved his honesty and self-esteem. Jungkook was different from the other gladiators he met before, he has a clear motive and the latter wasn't financial. Scrutinizing his comportment and body language, the man got convinced, Jungkook was no-one to give up, and he really liked it, that fact made his mission easier, instead of the endless persuasion he planned to change Katarina's mind, his goal came until his house, without fighting, loosing time, nor money.

The man was one of Mr Park's dear friends, he had a special bond with Katarina, as he saw her growing up into the fine woman she became. When he was followed by the police after a huge inspection from the prosecution office, regarding his tax invasions and money laundering, he escaped to Russia, there, where Mr Park provided him a shelter, and took care of the matters in Korea until the situation died down. He never forgot the kindness, in the end Mr Park was the only one who provided help, when everyone else in his entourage casted him out, having problems with the prosecution office was very much similar to being infected with pest, everyone stayed away, not really wanting to get contaminated by it. Being in a bad relation with Katarina was never in his interest, as she called him to retrieve her player, he was really disappointed and tried to talk some sense to her, convincing her smoothly to change her inappropriate decision, seeing how she denied him many times, he felt obliged to follow their ethics in handling such situations. Only then, an idea came to his mind, deciding to get in contact with the direct affected person, to sense his thoughts before taking harsher steps.

" Something you value? Something you can give your life up for?"

" And more if needed"

A cunning smirk adorned the man's lips, as he leaned back while intently gazing Jungkook, a speck of satisfaction already seen in his eyes. He got the deal.

Jungkook was almost out of the main gate, after recuperating his goods from the guards, he loaded his self, and leaded his way toward his car that was parked outside the mansion.

Buckling up in his car, turning on the engine for a prompt maneuver, Jungkook's attention shifted toward his buzzing phone, obliging him to halt before moving further.

" What is it now? Any new decision I should know about?"

" How was your meeting Kook?"

He never told her about the meeting, he wanted to maintain it secret as instructed by the head jury, seeing that she was already aware about it, startled him a bit, but he wasn't shocked at all, spying and stalking is a lot like her, he got used to it.

" Your men didn't give you further details? Not at all talented, you may wanna consider recruiting some others"

" Kook, my love, why you don't lay low? You should have stayed quiet, why you keep forcing me to take extreme decisions?"

" I'm not your doll Katarina, you can't mold me as you please"

" Love, what a bad choice of words, you're definitely not my doll, but. You belong to me Kook, I guess I told you many times how much obedience is a nice aspect haven't I?"

"I'm busy Katarina, bye"

His hand reached the engine button to start it again, this time hurriedly, a glimpse of anxiety visited his heart as he saw the approaching cars, they were definitely police he was sure, although the cars were civil, but the vibes were clear. Without trying to discover more, he decided to take off, avoiding the men at once, bidding goodbyes to problems that were not necessary at that specific time.

One car speeded ahead, almost visible from the rear mirror view, just when he spotted it, the driver maneuvered harshly, turning to the other line, now following Jungkook. Hitting by the surprise of the momentum, Jungkook stepped on the gas, accelerating a bit more in a poor attempt to loose them somewhere. Not long after, the car that was in front of him, turned to face his car in a harsh and sudden maneuver.

Jungkook took a hard break, avoiding an almost collision with the car. As his hands rested on the steering-wheel, his chest rocked up and down. If he had a small doubt before, well, now the situation got clearer.

He has been followed, and now, cornered.

" Jeon Jungkook-ssi, I suggest you exit your vehicle, you are under arrest, any signs of resistance are going to be held against you, and may be used in your disadvantage at the court"

No, no, that couldn't be happening, not when he was doing his best in protecting and saving his sinking life, everything was awry from the beginning, that he decided many times to end that life at once, but now? Now was not like then, it was different, a different meaning to his life just discovered, providing him new reasons to fight everything, to overcome it all, to survive.

But that hope is now death, he can welcome back the sorrow.

Munera: Fights that took place inside the Colosseum in the Roman times.

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