Insight into the chapter 

"When you get to know that you were getting tracked all this while, what will you do?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

"Where are you?"

Uncle Chang! He would not be texting me at two am if it was not important.

"I am at my apartment," I replied.

"Good. Get dressed then. I will be at 357 in thirty minutes."

357? It's one of the locations he informed me of that we could use for emergency meetings. It's an underground parking lot about two blocks away.

"Yeah. I will be there."

"Good. See you soon."

I looked over my shoulder at you sleeping and subtly brushed a stray strand of hair from your eyes.

He looks so cute. I hate to wake him, but he should know I am heading out.

I shook you gently by the shoulder and you murmured as you woke up. "What happened, Eun Jeong?"

"I am sorry to wake you, but I just got a text from Uncle Chang. He wants to meet me immediately."

You immediately sat up in bed, alert and ready to move. "I will get dressed."

"Hold your horses, Jungkook. I need to meet him alone. We can't risk him spotting you."

"So, I am just supposed to let you go out there alone?! Not at all. What if those shooters track you down?"

"I will keep my head down and stick to shortcuts, I promise. I won't take long. And I will text you immediately when I am done."

You pouted and shook your head- refusing to let me go alone.

I said please with my eyes and you sighed as took my hand to kiss it. "Okay. But take a weapon with you anyway."

"Like I would leave without one."

You smiled and pulled me in for a sweet soft kiss. It left me briefly lightheaded, and I cleared my throat.

"I will have coffee ready for you when you get back," you said, not letting me go.

"That sounds lovely," I said, trying to set myself free from your embrace knowing that I would not be able to leave if I continued to look into those eyes of yours.

You kissed me once more and I reluctantly pulled away from you to leave.

----

As I descended into the underground parking lot, a chill went up my spine. It was barely empty and dark filled with ominous air.

It feels like a freaking horror movie. But of course, we would be meeting somewhere eerie and shady. Can't let anyone overhear something they shouldn't.

I spotted two silhouettes at the back of the parking lot, cloaked in darkness and talking in hushed tones.

Is that Uncle Chang? But we were supposed to meet alone! They have not noticed me... maybe it is not Uncle Chang, after all this place is not safe. I need to confirm if it is him somehow without alerting them. But how?

I took out my phone and quickly type out a message. "I am almost there."

PING! The sounds went off and one of the figures fished out its phone.

It is Uncle Chang! But who is that another guy he is meeting with? He would have told me about him.

Suspicion gnawed at my gut, and I glanced down at my phone.

I could pretend to be late... It would get me time to find out what is going on here. So far, Uncle Chang has barely been of any help and now he is talking to some stranger behind my back. I could be wrong, but right now, I can't afford to risk it. My dad's life is on the line... Jungkook's too. I need to know what they are talking about!

Hastily, I typed out a text you Uncle Chang. "Think someone is on my tail. Will be late."

PING! Uncle Chang's phone went off and I used the opportunity to sneak up behind the cars as close as possible. Crouching behind the trunk, I peered over it to spy on Uncle Chang and the unknown man.

"What is it, boss?"

Boss? So, the dude works for Uncle Chang.

Uncle Chang does not reply to my text and shoved the phone into his pocket. "We have a little more time. So, I want you to listen to me very carefully, Jack. Gather up your boys and do you damn job. I have given you everything you need to keep track of them and paid you double your usual gig. So, get off your asses and wipe them out!"

Wipe who out? Who is he talking about?

"I heard you loud and clear, Boss."

Shoot, I should record this!

I slipped my phone out of my pocket and opened my video recorder. I pressed record and turned my phone in the direction of Uncle Chang and Jack.

I can use this later!

Uncle Chang sighed and pushed his hands into his pockets. "This is what I get for hiring mercenaries."

Mercenaries?

"If you want to get someone else for the job, go ahead. Oh but... we are the only ones who said yes, right?"

Uncle Chang bristled with anger. "Get out of my sight. The girl is going to get here soon."

Jack snorted, bowed his head with a mocking grin and left the parking lot.

Why did Uncle Chang hire mercenaries?! What is going on?!

Quietly, I moved back to the front of the parking lot. Despite my heart hammering away in my chest, I composed myself and approached Uncle Chang as if I have just arrived.

Uncle Chang immediately softened when he saw me. "Kid, sorry I woke you up so late."

"Don't apologize, it seemed like an emergency."

"I really wish it wasn't, kid. We have a... complication on our hands."

"What sort of complication?"

"Seems like the Brenard family have been emboldened by the power vacuum your father left behind."

"What? The Brenards?"

"Yes. My source told me that two nights ago, they sent out their gunmen to attack Jungkook Jeon."

"Wait! You mean on the night of the gala?"

"Yes! Were you-"

"I was there, yeah. Barely got out alive."

"Kid, I am sorry, but I really had no idea. All of this was on the down low. I barely managed to get the info from my source."

He looked earnest, but suspicion still gnawed at the back of my mind as I thought about the man he met in secret.

He only knows about the first shooting. But I am going to keep this to myself for now. I need to figure out why he kept the meeting with that stranger a secret. So, I better keep things civil.

"Fine. At least we have this info now. But you need to look into this further immediately. I can't have them jeopardizing my mission."

"Of course, kid. I will get my men to spy on the Brenards and get more intel. But until I get more information, you keep your head low and continue as planned."

I nodded and softly sighed. "You have anything else for me?"

"No, that is it for now. But I will keep you posted."

"Thanks."

He curtly nodded, and I left the parking lot, typing out a message to you that I was on my way back.

As I approached my apartment, I spotted you beside your car, looking underneath every nook and cranny.

"Jungkook? What are you doing?"

"Eun Jeong! Come here!"

I hurried to your car as you looked underneath it. Your eyes widened as you reached under the vehicle to pull something off with an angry grunt. You pulled your hand back and revealed a small device in your palm.

"That is a tracking device!" I exclaimed.

"This is how those people found us!"

"Which means they know where we are now! We need to go immediately!"

"Do you have stuff to carry?"

"Not much. I can pack it fast."

"Let's go then. And then we will find someone to examine this tracker for us. Maybe there is a shot this tracker can lead us to the gunmen."

"Do you know anyone who might help us with that?"

"I will have to check my contacts. But first, we need to get out of here."

You turned off the tracked and pocketed it as I mulled over my thoughts.

We would need someone tech savvy. Wait! Didn't Yu Jun want to study IT? Maybe she could- No, what am I thinking? We can't put her in danger. I am sure Jungkook will be able to find someone.

Hurriedly, we entered my apartment.

I grabbed a small sports bag and began gathering my things. You were alert looking out the window and surveying the street carefully.

I noticed the light tapping of your foot and the cold look in your eyes.

"Jungkook, it's going to be okay, don't worry.""

"I am not worrying."

"I am pretty sure your body language says otherwise."

You briefly glanced downward, then stole yourself with a deep breath, before meeting my gaze.

"I just can't stand seeing you in danger over and over again, Eun Jeong."

"Well... that's part of the job, right?"

"Not for long. I promise. Once we save your father, we are going to clean up the business and won't ever have to deal with shit like this again."

"We?"

"Of course, Eun Jeong." You edged closer to me and cupped my cheek. Even with death is on my heels, I felt safe in your presence. "I have you, babe. I... I care for you so much. I have never felt like this about another woman before. And with the situations getting more and more grave, I can't keep it in any longer."

My heart was running a mile in a minute. I never thought I would feel happiness at such tender words, but here I was.

It's been hard for me to admit it, but now that Jungkook had said it... I can't hide from it any longer. I care about him; I want him to be safe and get out of this alive with me. I need to let him know that!

"Jungkook..." I placed my hands on your chest and leaned up to brush my lips over yours. Electricity sizzled between our mouths. My heart hammered away in my chest. I have never admitted my feelings to anyone, I was sure for a long time I did not even have any.

And yet...

"I care for you too. Like... A lot. It's the last thing I expected to happen and it kind of scared me in the beginning. But I would not want it any other way."

"Piccola..." your voice was low and sultry, and a happy smile slipped across your lips. You dived in for a passionate kiss as you tangled your finger in my hair.

I kissed you back with a soft moan and you pulled away with a chuckle. "Sorry, I don't think we can do this now."

"I am sure we have five minutes, right?"

You smirked and shook your head with a playful glint in your eyes. "I wish we did, but we don't. Plus, I want more time with you than that."

The two of us softly laughed and you gazed at me affectionately. "I am glad I met you, Eun Jeong."

"I am glad I met you too, Jungkook."

Your smile widened and the two of us shared another kiss, barely able to tear each other away from one another. But we finally pulled away and zipped up my back.

PING! Your phone went off and you grabbed it to check the newly arrived text. Your eyes widened when you read it.

"Jungkook, is anything wrong?"

"Do you remember the guard I mentioned to you?"

"The one looking over my dad, right?"

"Yeah. He wants to meet with me immediately. Says he has some important information."

"But you have to go alone, right?"

You placed your hands on my shoulder and gave me a reassuring look. "I do, but I promise it won't take long. You just go to the Sunset Motel, and I will meet you there."

"Okay,"

You kissed me swiftly and rushed out of the apartment. I grabbed my bag and just as I was about to leave, I heard a thud came from the bathroom.

What was that?

Quietly, I took out my switchblade from the bag and dropped it to floor. I sneaked up to the bathroom door, but before I could reach for the doorknob, the door suddenly opened!

"I got you now!"

What the?!

TO BE CONTINUED