You woke to see a bleeding boy next to you. Blinking tiredly, you tried not staring at Kennah too long. Nothing stopped his glazed eyes to stare at you woken however. There was a glint in his eyes. Nothing sad or inappropriate. Playful. You hated how real it looked as you moved close into the pillow that helped your head sink thoroughly in.

"You avoided me last night."

"So?" you popped, closing your eyes and pretending he wasn't there. You tried so hard to not think about him, knowing that was how he would leave. But he didn't. He stayed present and you groggily whined when he touched you and you didn't feel it.

"It's alright that you kissed the leader last night," Kennah piped, chuckling as you whined again for him to leave. "Although its sweet that you're feeling bad."

"How could I not?" you asked genuinely. Tired and confused with all of last nights events even more now that you were awake and facing a new morning.

"I'm dead," he reminded for the hundredth time. Hearing it over and over didn't make the pain in your chest ease.

"Well you live in my mind."

"And heart. I'm only assuming from the way you deny your attraction for the cutie across the room." He smirked. Teeth bloody as always.

You scoffed. "Aoroma?"

He laughed, clarifying. "No, you beautiful idiot. Namjoon."

You grew hot.

His frame noticed and there was the glint back and stronger than ever.

"I don't want to talk about this."

"We've already talked about it, there's nothing to add. Just get over me and be happy already," he hummed, sinking into the pillow himself as he rested his hand under his head. His elbow grazed your nose. You felt none of it.

You blinked. "It's hard."

"Is it?" he teased, wiggling his brows and focusing on you again.

You smiled as he did. There wasn't a moment before where you so badly wanted to hit his chest and shove him off the bed. Unfortunately, that wasn't possible for you in the means that were presented to you. Kennah was dead and would stay dead. Sighing, you exaggerated your breath and nodded. "I'll get there."

"With Namjoon?"

You rolled your eyes at his grin grow. "Him and his group are bad news considering all that might happen to them if Jules gets the USB."

"Then be truthful and tell them."

You deadpanned. "They'll know that you, my ex-dead-boyfriend was responsible for some of the events on the device. It'll nip me in the ass."

"Sure, they might be mad at me," he said, shrugging, "but I can tell they're sweet enough hearts to not blame you for all I did."

"You did what you did for us," you whispered. He was dead, a fragment of your imagination, and yet you felt like you had to argue and tempt him to believing he was in the right due to his situations prior to his death. "You were fired and needed money."

"I left morality behind."

"Sometimes that's how people get things done," you said through your teeth. All you thought of was the groups of individuals that held you captive without even knowing your name. They were there, being controlled by a character named Jules like lost puppies. You understood why they did it and why they let their loyalties lie with this mysterious woman. You understood. Did you agree? Not necessarily.

He shook his head in disagreement. "It should never end that way. I wish I would've died a better man than being claimed as something so degrading."

"The world doesn't know yet. Not yet and they won't."

"They will," he said soft, "and I want you to be the one in control of that situation."

Your brows knit. Hand pressing into the pillow as you shifted on the bed sheets, your eyes met his glazed over ones. It was hard to stare at him straight in the face, as mentioned before, but for some reason, you wanted to read him. You wanted to understand why he was here, always here. Why his body, image, and persona followed your every move since he died.

"How?"

He took a moment. "Tell Namjoon everything."

-

"Tell me what?" Namjoon asked, confused.

The guard at the porch was tired and the leader could sense it from the way he was trying to talk. But the occasional stumble of words made Namjoon's eyes soften. "Find some rest after briefing me. I'm sure I can find help for myself in the day."

The man nodded before continuing, "After dinner, Miss Aoroma settled for a walk and I guarded up front. The second in charge was at the back and the driver that was sent with us fell asleep. Everything was silent."

Namjoon nodded.

"I've reported back to BangPD and he claims that it's safe enough here for no further backup that the few more security they are sending."

"I can't help but agree," Namjoon chuckled. "I'm sure the days here will fly by."

The man nodded and Namjoon requested for him to find some rest. Seeing the look of relief on the man's face, the leader chuckled when the man bowed. Bowing back, the security stretched along the back, stepping in the grass and moving towards the outer cottage for some rest.

"Inform the security in the back to find some rest as well," Namjoon called out, feeling bad and wanting everyone to feel slightly refreshed.

The leader genuinely believed the day-light was a saviour. Nothing happens when the sun is out, right?

Having a seat on the porch chairs settled out. Namjoon stared over at distances houses or other cottages. Seeing none, he smiled lightly at how peaceful and segregated this area was. Build like the suburban, but designed for the urban, Namjoon couldn't help but feel at ease. Plus, the fact that the hot water didn't run out so fast was a great combination.

He relaxed. Rested and feeling better compared to the night before where he sweat through his clothes. He was able to shower and walk taller with his strides. It was a refreshing feeling to be able to speak again without feeling the mucus at the back of his throat stop him from doing so. Even his coughs and sneezes were at a minimum. Namjoon felt healed.

"Sleep well?"

He grew startled at the sweet question. Glancing over at the small frame that moved out of the house and onto the porch, Namjoon's brows furrowed light at the sight of Aoroma. "Yes, did you?" he asked, chuckling over her already up and about.

"I slept like a baby," Aoroma sighed out, chuckling along with Namjoon as she stared around.

Namjoon nodded. "That's good."

"You care for people a lot," she whispered, seeing the guards no longer in sight, "It looks good on you...a genuine image that I can respect."

He smiled. More awkward than anything. "I'm guessing that means the image you held for me before wasn't the greatest."

She smiled, but it was forced. It was easy for her to perk-up her personality as she cutely shook her head. "No, not at all. It was just a different image and persona I saw."

"I was a horn dog," he mumbled, apologizing right after.

Aoroma seemed to tense but Namjoon didn't notice. His eyes were on the grass, the gravel and the bulky black cars that had previously carried them.

"If you don't mind," her forced adorable exterior was back, "How many were there?"

Namjoon swallowed at that. Eyeing her with awkward eyes, he chuckled nervously. "W-Why you ask?" he piped, unable to see the sense of how this question would be good for either of them.

"I was curious oppa," she said with a soft smile. "All I recall is that you fell in the sheets with the famous journalist after me?"

Namjoon gulped, eyes bugged. First, that sentence alone didn't seem right coming out of her mouth. Second, he flushed when remembering how he had gotten in contact with the journalist Jules right after Aoroma. Did he know she knew about it? Of course not! He panicked, "How'd you know that name?"

"There was word around the staff that you might've had a fling with a big-shot reporter," she lied, smiling lightly to herself when seeing the panic on Namjoon's face.

He nodded slowly. Not wanting to question the rumours, he couldn't help but direct attention on one specific thing, "Do you uh," his throat hurt from swallowing too hard, "Did you know anything about her?"

Aoroma was sweet but malicious as she said the next bit. "How would I know oppa?" she popped, "You're the one who fucked her."

Namjoon's eyes widened at that slight snap. Taken aback, he watched as she waved and excused herself for another walk. His throat was back to being ripped apart as he followed her skip away from the cottage and over to the little bits of gravel road. He could no longer see her face that was incredibly serious and furious.

"Oh my go-"

"You look like you've seen a ghost," a voice piped. Namjoon jumped again. Pouncing higher than before.

His eyes that were large met yours that were softened and laced with discomfort.

"I uh," he shook his head, trying to knock out the moment out from his head and focus on nothing but you. Forcing a light smile in your direction, it slowly became meaningful and sweet when seeing how awkwardly beautiful you were around him this morning. His voice was stable as he finished, "I've just been thinking a lot."

"About what?"

"Us," he mumbled.

Your brows jumped, gaze falling over to his fast as you almost slipped while finding a seat to sit across from him on the porch. Managing to seat yourself well, he noticed your expression and corrected himself fast.

"Our situation..."

You nodded slow.

"There are still so many questions unanswered and now I feel like there's more..."

You swallowed hard. You thought to last night when you shared moments with the leader, only to the morning faced with Kennah, and now the results of the predicament both of you were in. BTS and you were in this mess for a reason. There was a reason such a coincidence in finding them and ending up in their car took place...both of you were on the same time and you couldn't deny that any longer.

It was hard. You normally didn't trust anyone so easy and fast with your answers and knowledge before now. Namjoon seemed to carry an open-booked attitude and you felt ease over the fact that you could read him, maybe even confide in him and the truths he deserved to know.

"I'm willing to answer some questions you have now," you whispered, unsure over how soft your voice sounded to the man.

He heard you. His confusion and shock growing more than the initial nudge Aoroma had left behind.

"What?"

You smiled at his expression. "Clocks ticking. Hurry before I change my mind and run inside for breakfast instead of talking to you."

Namjoon smiled. Huge and alert as he shifted in his chair and straightened up. "I...gah! I don't even know where to start, I'm just-" he froze when seeing your discomfort.

"You sure?" he asked, a little softer now, smile falling.

You nodded. You didn't see Kennah, nor did you think too hard about him. You focused on Namjoon and only him. As you did, your dead boyfriend didn't show up. It hurt, but also relieved you in a way; along this being a intriguing observation. Now that you thought of it, the more you were about the idol, the less Kennah even showed...

"I'm sure."

Namjoon nodded curtly, searching for questions.

"Jules, this character, this persona...she's also behind whatever happened to you?"

"You claim yours was a journalist," you said softly, "I'm assuming if she's harassing you, she probably was behind my kidnapping and torturing."

"Why were you kidnapped."

Kennah was now here. You ignored his presence sat by the door as you came out with it.

"My boyfriend-" Namjoon's eyes narrowed at that. You cleared your throat, fixing your words, "...well he was my boyfriend...he was the boy that the media ruled out as a suicide a while back."

"Off the main hotel near the BigHit building?" Namjoon asked, remembering the news story. He also remembered receiving texts from 'Jules' about how the death was "his fault". It had ruled him terribly when thinking that he might've accidentally had anything to do with a boy dying.

You nodded. You could feel Kennah's soft smile but you didn't dare look over.

"He was in charge of distributing the USB to the highest bidder eventually...that was before Jules and her people came in to try and take it without any money in the picture."

"She wanted it. She was willing to steal it?"

You brows furrowed a little at Namjoon skip away from the truth behind Kennah. It was as if it didn't phase him at all. You couldn't help but ask, "Yeah...but you aren't mad or hurt? I was involved with a boy that deliberately had so much on you and your group members."

Namjoon took a while to hold a saddened smile. It as directed to you because of the relation you shared with Kennah. You could see and sense the softness. "There's no point in being mad at a boy who horrifically pasted. There's no winners in such a scenario."

You felt relief stroke your body. Most importantly, you felt like you had seen more of a surprise from the one man that continued to wiggle his way up your liking the past week; especially on this trip. Seeing the genuine smile right after his words, your heart fluttered when he whispered his condolences.

Kennah disappeared from the door.

"That's a great way of looking at it," you whispered, still in awe.

Namjoon chuckled when spotting your face so shocked. His smile grew once again. "It should be the only way. I'm sure your boyfriend had his reasons...along with you," he whispered the ending, pursing his lips into a smile when you nodded and took in his words.

"And besides, I'm sure we've got a common enemy now. That's all that we should focus on."

"I uh," you tried to blink back into reality. "Yes. Yes."

He nodded, waiting for you to continue. You did. Very slow, and very simple.

"After he was killed, I gave the USB to his friend. Sarah. She's a pimp," you smiled a little when thinking about Kennah's partner in crime.

Namjoon's brows jumped at that. He was so intrigued over all the people you knew. It was hard to see such a pretty face mixed in with underground work such as this. "So you were a pretty busy girl around busy people then," he chuckled.

You smiled, understanding that it must be weird for him to hear. "I gave her the USB and she ran. She's holding it and protecting it. Kennah trusted her with his life and that makes me have faith in her and her decisions as well."

"Then you got abducted?"

You nodded. "I didn't dare tell them where she was, or where the USB was. I couldn't do that to Kennah who is attached to this whole scammin'."

"I'm guessing Kennah is his name?"

His voice was soft and you swallowed hard. Nodding, you continued. "He was a good man."

"I'm sure he was." Namjoon's smile matched his tone. Soft.

You quickly changed the subject and he noticed. He smile sad, but listened to you continue either way. "But I uh, before I gave away the USB, I caught a glimpse of every file on it. I saw your members and everyone's file."

Namjoon shifted in his seat. Moving up and forward, his seriousness was at a high. You knew he begged with his eyes for you to continue so you took a breath and slowly started to unfold the mystery behind the USB.

"The maknae line weren't serious."

He nodded, demanding more information with his gestures.

"Jungkook and Jimin were photographed talking to a few women that could be twisted for reporters to create stories out of. They seemed close to the females...close enough for media to lie over."

Namjoon's jaw clenched. He tried to keep an open-mind and not get overly protective for his boys while hearing this come from your mouth.

You continued, "Taehyung had caught footage in the public bathroom. It's one of the top most revealing images on the USB. It can be easily exploited if anyone were to get a hold of them."

Namjoon's anger was now starting to spike. Not on you, but on your words and the reality of the true danger that they were in. He needed this information so he absorbed it.

"Hoseok was tapped and filmed for his connections with an old fling. There were also mentions about him having a child {Accidental Father reference ;)}. This news became irrelevant as the world knows now. However, there are certain pictures of the two being intimate that could still sell and be easily manipulated."

Namjoon pursed his lips at that. "They're getting married."

You were taken a back at that. You thought back to how Hoseok had refused your flirtatious traps in the beginning of your journey with BTS. Now, you understood why. Smiling lightly at the loyal man, you genuinely felt a sense of happiness for someone you didn't even know well. "I'm glad things worked out."

Namjoon nodded, wanting more as he waved his hand for you to move on.

"Yoongi, uh, his were more rumour based as people believe he might be associated in a potential arranged marriage soon. So, there were images of a person with him at his parent's home." {this is a little teaser/hint for a future fic I'm working on}

Namjoon's brows furrowed at that. He seemed to be surprised over such information himself but held it off as just a rumour. This. This one didn't harm his protective aurora much.

"And Jin, well," you wanted so hard not to smile knowing that it would be inappropriate. "But you know Sarah? The one that has your USB and I trusted?"

Namjoon hummed, "Yes, the pimp."

You sighed. "Yes, well she runs a brothel and Jin was caught...visiting it a few times." {another teaser for a fic coming soon}

Namjoon's eyes widened at that. "What?!"

You nervously chuckled. "Whether he's spent nights with the women, I'm not sure. But there are pictures of him around the area and entering the place. Plus, there's Sarah to confirm that it was true."

The man had never been so shocked in his life. Namjoon couldn't imagine that, let alone believe that.

You swallowed hard at his expression. "But uh, the only video type footage on the file is for what they have on you."

His expression fell. Even more in disbelief. Namjoon looked as if he was about to fall ill any minute. The fact that he was feeling better was suddenly tossed away; instant feeling of shit cascaded his mind.

"What," he looked like a child waiting for bad news, "W-What did it have on me?"

"It was videos and images," you tried to make him feel better by quickly going, "really short ones-"

"Spill it," he ordered.

You gulped. "You were with a woman – may I add, she was beautiful and your taste is fantastic –" he glared at you so you forced yourself to get to the point, "caught you with a chick on some desk table going for it."

Namjoon's face paled.

"You both seemed to enjoy all that was happening though," you tried, voice chirpy but failing when seeing him distressed.

"They have evidence on me having sex."

You nodded.

His brows slowly found their place in a knit. He couldn't understand one thing you mentioned.

"On a desk?"

You were quick to answer. "Yes. Yes, it was a beautiful area. There were these large windows and her underwear was dangling off her computer screen, it seemed sexy so maybe the news will twist this into a positive?"

Namjoon ignored your rambling, in his thoughts. He thought to that moment and remembered it well. It was one of those instances and experiences he remembered well because Namjoon had fun that day. It was the day he slept with Jules, the reporter in her own office. Apparently, it was after hours and dangerous to be around cameras so late at night in her building, but as a vacation spiel, Namjoon had followed her, giving into the exhilarating factor that came with penetrating the strong woman in a place so high-class like.

"That was Jules," he whispered.

You were the one confused now. "Pardon?"

Namjoon was too distressed to even think about Jungkook as he focused on the issue and confusion at hand. "The woman, those videos and pictures. I was with Jules. I remember because I loved it, I-"

You were beyond confusion at this point. "That makes no sense, if Jules is behind our tormenting, she wouldn't film herself so visible in the screens. Why would she self-incriminate herself?"

Namjoon was in deep thought. "Are there no other footage with different women?"

You shook your head in disagreement, "All I saw was the sexy desk destroying."

Namjoon rolled his eyes at what you called it. Instead, his eyes were hard, fixed, and determined.

"Why would Jules put herself on a device that could possibly ruin her own life?"

"Maybe that's why she's looking for the USB? Maybe she's afraid and wants it destroyed?" you suggested.

Namjoon shook his head. "Then she wouldn't be threatening me."

Your voice was soft. "Are you sure you haven't slept with any other Jules?"

"I'm sure."

"Then why-"

Namjoon blinked. "What if the reporter I slept with-"

"Jules," you added and he nodded, acknowledging the name.

The leader continued, "What if she's on the USB because she's supposed to go down with me? She's a high-end reporter with a popularity that could be dreadful to her career if she lost it..."

"But you said you were sure that the reporter was the one behind our attacks."

Namjoon licked over his bottom lip slowly.

"...I mean, why else would anyone else want to take on the reporter's name and torment you pretending to be her? It doesn't make sense."

Namjoon's brows furrowed. He glanced over at a set of feet that were making it back to the house. Seeing her smiling, skipping and waving over at him happy, Namjoon eyed Aoroma for a moment.

"It would make sense if there was a second person who felt anger for both me and Jules...maybe even envy over my time with the reporter. What better way to destroy two lives with one petty stone?" Namjoon's jaw was clenched over all he was thinking, inferring, and assuming.

He watched Aoroma with testing eyes as she moved up the driveway and neared them.

Before you could glance over your shoulder and look at what he was staring at, you found yourself to relish in the information he quickly let out soon after his questioning.

"Once we're back, I'll meet with Jules the reporter and try to get answers," he stated, matter-of-factly.

You nodded before finally looking back at Aoroma who skipped up the steps of the stairs. Her smile was sweet when spotting you seated across from Namjoon. The man, well, Namjoon seemed to be eyeing Aoroma with confused eyes; almost as if he was trying to convince his brain from not thinking what he was thinking. The suspicion that grew within him regarding the intern suddenly doubled when remembering the snap she had directed his way before she had went off for her stroll.

Namjoon couldn't help but get lost in a dark hole of questions.

"Good morning new bestie," Aoroma chuckled out, greeting you sweetly.

You smiled tiredly at the intern that you had previously misunderstood. Bowing your head in her direction, you found her to stare at Namjoon before glancing back at you.

"What's this little chat about? And may I join?" she teased. You could hear the want in her voice to know however.

"Breakfast," Namjoon popped, chuckling forcefully as he glanced at you. Resting his hand over your knee as he bent forward, you nodded, following up on the lie.

"I'm starving but wanted to wait out here for you to get back."

"Aw, that's sweet!"

Namjoon's smile fell. He was back to eyeing the petite sweet woman like a hawk.

"Here, let's go make something together since Namjoon so sweetly helped me with dinner last night," Aoroma chimed, tapping your shoulder to have you stand.

You did, ruffling out your attire as you were shocked at her grab your hand so easily. Allowing her to drag you to the door in excitement, you chuckled, allowing yourself to finally smile and relax in her presence.

Namjoon's voice stopped the both of you at the door.

"I hope you join us for breakfast," Namjoon said, staring at Aoroma.

Your brows furrowed at the harsh glance Namjoon held for the woman who nodded sweetly and bowed.

"Of course."

Namjoon forced on a smile and before you could communicate with your eyes and ask what his deal was, your hand was yanked forward and you were pulled back into the doors of the large cottage.

The leader was uncomfortable. He was in distress, aching, and feeling like his head was going to explode from all the bizarre information he had collected. Sighing and wanting to view what happened on the indoors, he felt a pressure to know what was going to happen next even though he was confused and had no control over what was to happen here. Alone and secluded, anything could happen.

Namjoon picked himself up, moved his hands in his short pockets and glanced around the beautiful morning one last time.

His eyes met a huge vehicle that looked as if it could eat and gobble up the black ones he had travelled in. Forehead crinkling, he watched as the sunroof slid, windows slid, and faces were out in the open. The vehicle slowed down as it moved over the cottage Namjoon stood tall and alert around.

The leader of the group had his pants practically fill with bodily fluids as he grew terrified. Guns, pistols, shot guns, and large black tools he had never seen in his entire life before were brought out from the opening of the windows.

Figures. In black, hoods, and masks all stared right at Namjoon as they aimed their weapons.

-

another shout out to @secret_admirer_29 ! they asked so I guess I'm willing to just this once.