"MR. KIM... Y/N-AH IS MISSING. SHE'S NOWHERE TO BE FOUND."

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Author's pov

You walked into your college building, still trying to process the events that had transpired at Kim Emirates. You directly came to your college to meet your bestfriend Minjee as you wanted to share everything that had occurred with you. You spotted her near your classroom and made your way towards her.

"Minjee!" You called out, and she turned around, a look of surprise on her face.

"Y/N! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be at your new job, not here!" She exclaimed as she looked at you with a confusion on her face.

You smiled wryly. "I know, I know. It's a long story."

Her expression changed from surprise to concern. "What happened? Did something go wrong?"

You nodded, taking a deep breath. "Let's go somewhere, I'll tell you everything."

She nodded understandingly, and you found a quiet corner in the cafeteria. You began to recount the events that had transpired at Kim Emirates, from the termination to Taehyung's sudden change in behavior.

Minjee listened intently, her eyes growing wider with each passing moment. "Wait, he knows your father?" she asked, her voice laced with disbelief. "And he knows you too?"

You shook your head as yes, feeling a sense of confusion. "I don't remember him, nor have my parents ever mentioned him or his family. It's like he appeared out of nowhere."

Her expression turned thoughtful. "That's weird. But hey, at least he's being nice to you now, right?"

You raised an eyebrow. "Nice? You think offering me a check instead of a simple apology is nice?"

Minjee chuckled. "Well, I guess that's not exactly what I meant. But still, it's good that he's being helpful, even if it is a bit suspicious."

You sighed, feeling a sense of frustration. "I don't know what to make of him, Minjee. One minute he's being condescending, and the next, he's being all charming and helpful."

She nodded understandingly. "I think he's just trying to make up for his mistakes. Maybe he's not as bad as you think."

"You really think so?" You raised an eyebrow, skeptical.

Minjee smiled. "Well, I think so."

"Finally, I don't have to take stress alone for our exams, and I don't have to sit alone in class without you. You were thinking of dropping out, but Taehyung came along and saved the day." Minjee grinned mischievously as she stated those words.

You shook your head in disbelief while laughing at her.

"You're impossible, Minjee."

Minjee shrugged and laughed with you. "What? I'm just saying."

As you continued chatting with her, she suddenly remembered something.

"Oh, by the way, Hyunjin was asking about you." She informed while sipping her cold coffee.

You raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Huh!? Why?"

Her expression turned serious. "He wanted to know if you were fine after that club incident."

You nodded, remembering the night vividly. You had been falsely accused of stealing, and the memory still stung. "I'm fine," you replied, trying to brush it off.

Minjee's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I was about to tell him that you're doing okay, but-"

Before she could finish, she nudged you to look back. You turned around, and your eyes landed on Hyunjin, standing with his group of friends. He caught your gaze and beemed happily, walking towards you with a confident stride.

"Hey, how are you?" he asked, as he looked at you.

You forced a smile. "I'm fine, thanks."

Hyunjin nodded, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Good."

Then, to your surprise, he took a deep breath, bent down on one knee, and pulled out a rose from behind his back. You stared at him, shocked, as Minjee rolled her eyes beside me.

"Hyunjin, what are you doing?" You asked, trying to hide your embarrassment because everyone's attention shifted on your table because of his sudden act.

"I think it's obvious what he's doing."Minjee whispered, only you can hear.

You glanced at her, and she just shrugged, knowing you wouldn't accept his affections. You didn't have feelings for Hyunjin, and you weren't interested in his romantic gestures.

You looked back at Hyunjin, trying to think of a polite way to let him down. But before you could say anything, he spoke up.

"I just wanted to make sure you're doing okay, and maybe...start something new," he said, his eyes hopeful.

You felt a pang of guilt, knowing you had to reject him. You took a deep breath, preparing to let him down gently.

"Hyunjin, I appreciate your concern, but-"

He interrupted you, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

"I know we haven't always seen eye-to-eye, but I really like you, and I think we could have something special."

You sighed inwardly, feeling a mix of emotions. You didn't want to hurt him, but you couldn't pretend to feel something you didn't.

"Hyunjin, I'm flattered, but I don't feel the same way," you spoke softly.

His face fell, and he looked down, his eyes hiding a mix of disappointment and understanding.

"I knew it was a long shot," he uttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He paused, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "I guess I'll just have to accept that you don't feel the same way."

You felt a pang of guilt, knowing you had to reject him. "Hyunjin, I'm sorry," you voiced quietly.

He nodded, still looking down, and then got up from his kneeling position.

"It's okay, I understand. I just wanted to be honest about my feelings." He walked away, leaving you feeling a mix of relief and awkwardness.

Minjee, who had been quietly observing the exchange, turned to you and whispered, "Well, that was uncomfortable."

You nodded in agreement, feeling a sense of unease. You hadn't meant to hurt Hyunjin's feelings, but you knew you couldn't lead him on.

Before leaving the college, Minjee and you planned to study at her house because you had some doubts and also needed to learn things which was taught in the morning classes.

Time skip to Minjee's house,

As the clock struck 6 pm, you closed the textbook and stretched your arms over your head, arching your back to relieve the tension. Minjee, sitting across from you, did the same, and you both exchanged a look of relief.

"Time flies when we're studying together." She asserted, gathering her notes and pens making you in agreement.

"Definitely. Thanks for helping me understand that tricky concept, Minjee. You're a lifesaver!"

She grinned, her eyes sparkling. "Anytime, bestie. We're in this together."

"See you tomorrow, Minjee!" You said, waving goodbye as you headed out the door.

She walked you out, and you both shared a friendly hug on the porch. "Stay focused, and don't forget to review chapter 8." She reminded you, waving as you descended the steps.

You nodded, taking a deep breath of the crisp evening air. The sky was painted with hues of orange and pink, a beautiful sunset unfolding before your eyes. You began my walk home, feeling the gentle breeze on my face and listening to the chirping birds even in that cold weather.

As you strolled along, you thought about the study session and how much you'd accomplished with Minjee's help. Your mind wandered to the next day's classes and the assignments due soon. Lost in thought, you turned the corner onto your street, your house coming into view.

As you approached the door to your house, a sense of relief washed over you after a long day spent at Minjee's. You reached for the handle, expecting to insert the key, but to your surprise, the door swung open with a gentle creak.

"Aunty must have left it open for me. How thoughtful of her." You thought to yourself.

You stepped inside, calling out, "Aunty, I'm home."

The familiar silence of your house enveloped you, but there was something off. The air felt thick, heavy with an unspoken presence.

You flicked the light switch, bathing the room in warm, golden hues. The sudden brightness made you squint, but as your eyes adjusted, You sensed it. A chill crept up your spine. Someone was watching you.

Your heart skipped a beat. You spun around, and that's when you saw them. Two towering figures stood before you, their imposing frames casting long shadows on the walls. Their faces were expressionless, chiseled from granite, with eyes that seemed to bore into your very soul.

Time froze and your breath caught in your throat. Fear's icy grip wrapped around your heart, squeezing tight.

The men's physiques were intimidating – broad shoulders, thick arms, and chests that seemed to stretch on forever. Their features were rugged, with sharp jawlines and piercing gazes that made your skin crawl.

One of them took a step forward, his movements deliberate, calculated. You instincts screamed at you to retreat, but your legs felt rooted to the spot.

"Who...who are you?" You stuttered, trying to hide the tremble in your voice.

Their silence was oppressive, weighing heavily on the air. No response came, only an unblinking stare that made your skin prickle with unease.

Your mind racing, you frantically scanned the room for any sign of your aunt or an explanation for these strangers' presence. But there was nothing. Only the oppressive stillness, punctuated by the sound of my your ragged breathing.

Suddenly, the larger of the two men spoke, his deep voice low and menacing. "We've been waiting for you."

As the man's words hung in the air, his companion took a swift step forward, grasping your wrists with an iron grip. You tried to pull away, but his hold was unyielding.

"Let me go!" You shouted, struggling to break free.

The first man moved closer, his eyes glinting with a sinister intent. "You're coming with us," he growled, his voice dripping with malice.

You kicked and squirmed, desperate to resist, but they were too strong. The second man clamped a hand over your mouth, muffling your screams.

"Be quiet," he hissed, his breath hot against my ear.

Your world spun as they dragged you backward, out of your own home. The door slammed shut behind, and you were plunged into darkness.

Their grip never wavered, even as you fought and bucked against them. A black hood swooped down, covering your head, and everything went black.

You stumbled, disoriented, as they yanked you forward. Your senses reeled from the sudden darkness and confinement. The hood's fabric scratched against your face, making it hard to breathe.

"Where are you taking me?" You muffled, your voice barely audible.

No response.

Their relentless grip never faltered, hauling you through what felt like an eternity. Your legs trembled beneath you, threatening to collapse.

Suddenly, they stopped. A car door creaked open, and you were shoved inside. The door slammed shut behind you, enveloping you in a suffocating silence.

The engine roared to life, and you sped away from your home, panic set in, your mind racing with terrifying thoughts. Who were these men? What did they want from me?

As the darkness closed in, you screamed, but your cries were drowned out by the sound of screeching tires and the hood's suffocating fabric.

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced your neck as one of the men injected a sedative into your vein. You felt your strength waning, your muscles relaxing against your will.

"No...no..." you whispered, struggling to maintain consciousness.

The man's smile grew wider. "That's right, relax. You won't be able to resist now."

Your vision began to blur, and your thoughts grew foggy. You tried to call out for help, but your voice was barely audible.

As the sedative took hold, you felt yourself being lifted and placed into a dark, cramped space. The last thing you remembered was the sound of a door slamming shut and the faint hum of an engine roaring to life.

Everything went black.

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An hour later,

Your aunt, Lara, paced across the room, her footsteps echoing off the walls. Minjee mirrored her anxiety, eyes fixed on the phone.

"Try again," Minjee urged.

She dialed your number, but the call went straight to voicemail. "Out of network zone," she muttered.

Minjee's brow furrowed. "Aunty, we should tell Y/n's parents."

"You're right, Minjee. I'll call her mother."

Lara took a deep breath, steeling herself for the difficult conversation ahead. Her fingers trembled slightly as she dialed Mrs. Lee's number.

The phone rang, each passing moment feeling like an eternity. Finally, her voice came on the line.

"Hello?"

Lara's tone was calm, but laced with concern. "Hello, unnie? It's Lara."

Mrs Lee warmth was evident, even over the phone. "Lara, hi! How are you?"

Lara's hesitation was brief. "Unnie, I need to tell you something. Y/n's missing."

Mrs Lee's voice froze, her words suspended mid-sentence. The silence was oppressive, heavy with foreboding.

"What do you mean she's missing?" Her voice trembled, laced with panic.

Lara's explanation was measured, trying to reassure. "She left Minjee's house two hours ago, and... well, we can't find her."

The words hung in the air like a challenge, refusing to be ignored. Your mother's mind reeled, thoughts spiraling into darkness.

"She even came home from Minjee's house, unnie," Lara continued, her tone softening.

"Her bag is on the sofa, but she's nowhere to be found. And to make matters worse, her phone's out of network."

Mrs Lee's gasp was audible. "Out of network?!" Fear crept into her voice.

"We've been trying to reach her for an hour now, but it's still out of network. We've tried calling, texting... nothing's going through."

Tears pricked at the corners of your mother's eyes. "How could this happen?" she wailed, her voice cracking.

Her thoughts spiraled into worst-case scenarios. "Oh, God... what if something happened to her? What if she's hurt or... or worse?" Tears streamed down her face.

"She would never just leave without telling me," Mrs. Lee wailed.

"Something's terribly wrong, Lara. I just know it!" Her words dissolved into uncontrollable weeping.

Lara's soothing words offered little comfort. "We'll find her, unnie. Don't worry."

But Mrs Lee's fears had taken hold. "What if... what if someone's taken her? What if she's in danger?" Her sobs intensified.

Minjee took the phone in her hand in an attempt to calm Mrs Lee's frayed nerves.

"Don't worry, aunty. We'll find Y/n. I'll go ask the neighbours if they've seen her leaving the house. Maybe someone saw something."

Mrs Lee's sobs subsided slightly, replaced by desperate hope. "Please, Minjee, find her. I'll go crazy if anything happens to her. She's always been so responsible, never leaving without telling me."

Minjee's reassurance was swift. "I will, aunty. Please try to stay calm, and yeah, I'll inform you if I get any news from them."

Your mother's trembling voice replied, "Yes, please dear. Keep me updated."

As Minjee hung up, she turned to Aunt Lara, her expression a mask of calmness. "Let's go ask the neighbours if they've seen Y/n. Maybe they noticed something unusual."

Aunt Lara's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Minjee, I think I'll stay here instead."

Minjee's brow furrowed. "Why, Aunt Lara?"

Lara's smile was faint. "What if Y/n comes back home? Someone needs to be here. Besides, I'm not that familiar with the neighbours. You're better suited to ask around."

Minjee nodded, understanding. "Okay, Aunt Lara. That makes sense."

"I'll stay here and keep an eye on things," Lara continued. "If Y/n comes back, I'll inform you and unnie immediately."

Minjee agreed and walked out of the house, determination etched on her face. She would find You, no matter what.

Minjee then began their inquiry, knocking on doors and asking the neighbours:

"Have you seen Y/n today?"

"Did you notice anyone suspicious around our house today?"

The neighbours' responses were varied:

Mrs. Kim, from next door, shook her head. "I haven't seen her since morning. I was busy with my gardening."

Mr. Hwang, from across the street, frowned. "I was indoors all day, didn't notice anything. But I did see two  strangers lingering around the alley around 5 pm."

Minjee's eyes widened as she processed the information. "Two strangers, you say? Around 5 pm?"

Mr. Hwang nodded. "Yes, that's right. I didn't think much of it at the time, but now that you mention it, it does seem suspicious."

Minjee's eyes narrowed. "Can you describe them?"

Mr. Hwang thought for a moment. "Tall, wearing a black hoodie. I couldn't make out their face."

Minjee's grip on her phone tightened. She quickly dialed Mrs. Lee's number.

"Hello?" Mrs. Lee answered.

"Aunty, it's Minjee. I just spoke to Mr. Hwang, and he saw two strangers lurking around the alley around 5 pm," Minjee reported.

Mrs. Lee's voice turned urgent. "What did they look like?"

Minjee repeated Mr. Hwang's description. "Tall, wearing a black hoodie. He couldn't see their face."

Mrs. Lee's sigh was audible. "Okay, Minjee. Thank you for updating me."

Minjee hung up and hurried back to your house, her mind racing with possibilities.

As she entered, Lara looked up from her seat. "Any news, Minjee?"

Minjee's expression was grim. "Mr. Hwang saw two strangers around 5 pm. They were wearing black hoodies."

Lara's eyes narrowed. "Did he recognize them?"

Minjee shook her head. "No, he couldn't see their faces."

The room fell silent, the only sound the ticking clock on the wall.

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Meanwhile,

Your mother's hands trembled as she cut the call with Minjee. Desperation clawed at her chest, threatening to suffocate her. She immediately tried calling you again, but the same dreaded message flashed on her screen: "Out of network."

A strangled cry escaped her lips as she slumped against the wall, her body wracked with sobs.

"Y/n-ah, my baby, where are you?" she whispered, her voice cracking.

She began mumbling prayers, pleading with God to keep you safe. "Please, please, please... bring my daughter back to me." Her eyes streamed with tears, her face contorted in anguish.

Fear and anger wrestled within her, threatening to consume her sanity.

"Who dare kidnap my child?" she exclaimed, her voice rising in desperation. "Who would dare cross Kim Taehyung?" The thought of Taehyung's wrath sent shivers down her spine.

The shadows danced upon the walls as she searched for his number, her heart heavy with foreboding. Taehyung's protection had been a constant, suffocating presence since Y/n's childhood. His obsession with her safety bordered on madness.

His reputation preceded him - ruthless, merciless, unforgiving. Those who crossed him were annihilated, their existence erased. The whispers of his dark past sent shivers down her spine.

Now, as she hesitated, fear gripped her. Failing to inform him of Yoon-ah's disappearance would unleash his wrath. His fury would be a maelstrom, destroying everything in its path. His power and influence were boundless, his determination unshakeable.

With trembling fingers, she connected the call. Her heart pounded in her chest, threatening to burst free. "Please, Mr. Kim, answer... please," she whispered, her voice trembling.

Finally, his deep voice came on the line, sending a mix of relief and dread coursing through her veins like icy water. The sound was a palpable force, resonating deep within her chest.

"Hello?" Taehyung's tone was firm, commanding attention.

Your mother's voice trembled, barely above a whisper. "Taehyung, it's Mrs. Lee."

"What is it?" he asked, his tone measured, but with an undercurrent of tension.

Mrs. Lee's words caught in her throat, threatening to choke her. She forced them out, each syllable laced with desperation.

"Mr. Kim... Y/n-ah is missing. She's nowhere to be found."

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Heya Gangsters!!

Here you go with another interesting chapter. I hope you liked it and please do comment and share it with your friends.

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