Requested by inky_jin ♡

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"Three bullets"

"T-hre- Th-ree bullets?" The helpless poor soul couldn't get a hold of his mind to be clear with his words and how could he when his head was about to be blown away?

"Yes, just three bullets are loaded," There landed the dominating voice that reverberated across the hall. "Let's see..." Teasing the tied man on a dusty wooden chair, a smirk sculpted on his lush lips, "if you're lucky enough."

"P-please, forgive me. Give me just a month m-more. I... I'll repay you the l-loan," His breath caught up in his throat as the man in black tee pointed the loaded gun at him.

"Tsk!  We already gave you three extra months," It was unusual for him to wear a tee and a leather jacket over instead of a vest or neat tux but this borrower needed to be taken care of that instant. He had the money for other stuff but not repaying the loan so, undoubtedly this day was waiting for him.

"I promise, I'll p-pay you back this time."

His hysterical laugh took over his cold persona, veiling the demon he held within.
"No mercy," and he pulled the trigger back, seated on top of the table, a few feet away. Just like darkness, everything washed over with absolute silence.

Hosung sat there gasping for air like a crazy person. He proved himself lucky since an empty bullet was shot.

"Oh, seems you're lucky, Hosung. Okay, let's try one more time," He was now being played by his predator but he didn't know if it was still a joke or if he literally wanted to shoot him.
"Okay and..."

Hosung was in dilemma and this man in front of him wasn't done with him just yet. After two more pulls of the trigger, he actually was still alive and breathing. He couldn't believe all the shots were null.

"Looks like you're in luck, Hosung. Well, you can run along. I free you from this pressure."

"Rea..." It was unconvincing yet a relief to him.

"Untie the ropes. Let him go at once," His words held certainty but the assisting gangsters were appalled at this decision.

"But boss, he..."

"I said, I free him from his pressure," Each syllable left with a profound touch of vocalization and how could one deny this overpowering voice and the demand it did?

Hosung was almost running when he was untied from the chair, "T-thank you," He scurried away from there and the daredevil got off the table, standing on his feet now and that coy smirk adorning his face.

He aimed the gun at Hosung and...

"No mercy."

・●・

"Seokjin, my boy, you did a great job. You're ready to take my position," The jolly man whom no one could accuse of being a top lead mafia patted his son's cheek in admiration – He was simply proud of the man whom he called his son.

Seokjin just smiled though he was just as contended as his father was.

"Before we begin with the contracts, I've got one more thing for you to do."

・●・

"Whom do we have to find boss?"

"Stay put, I'll be back," Jin's hand traveled to his back, feeling the gun he had beneath the coat he wore as a way to disguise it.

"But boss, at least tell me..."

"Shut the fuck up, Geun," He got cut off by Jin, and dare he had the audacity to ask any further questions, "You'll be told to do your job when needed." He wasn't the type to plan out a whole discussion when there wasn't much to do and he hated it when obliged to answer.

Geun being aware of the wrath Jin could warmly conspire against him, decided to just stay outside the house he went in. It seemed as if Geun was guarding the house when in reality he could burn it down if asked. Quite some time passed and the sudden opening of the entrance door caught him off guard. A guy, running in terror, flew past him.

"Geun! Get that bastard!" Jin came fast on his legs and the gun was now in his hands.

"Onto it, boss," He chased the unknown person with the speed of a bolt and for a moment Jin felt proud of him.

He was behind them as well and still running as fast as possible. There was no time to get inside the car which would've been easier but Geun already chasing him would still help him accomplish the mission.

The gun he had been holding in his hand whilst he sprinted through the streets might get the people around in fear. So, he placed it near his abdomen, gripped by his pants, partially towards his left. Though hidden it was visible from time to time with the flapping of his coat in and out.

He could see Geun almost holding the man in front of him in his grasp but an immense bump made him lose his track. Jin fell back, hard on the ground and the woman, who unfortunately or fatefully, crashed into him, got her fishbowl shattered. The running water was all over that portion of the street and the flowers she held were ruined so, did her dress.

"What on earth..." He dropped his sentence mid-way when her raven hair moved out of the way and she looked at him. He was stunned by her sublime beauty and immediately got up when the realization hit him, "I'm so terribly, sorry."

He helped her up, guilty at the sight of her ruined dress and broken fishbowl. She jerked her hand onto her skirt to allow some wetness to dry away. Jin produced a handkerchief out of his pocket and gave it to her. At this point, Geun, the other guy, the affair, didn't matter at all.

"It's all my fault. I should've been more careful."

"It's okay. I'm fine," She passed him a smile and it made him even guiltier than he already was.

"No, it's not fine. I'll pay for your fishbowl, dress, and..." He looked around himself "and your flowers. I apologize once again."

"You don't have to do all that. It's fine like I said."

That day he walked her to her home as she did not accept any of the things he offered and this was the last try that she agreed to. If only she knew with whom she was walking.

"At least tell me your name, Mister," She was holding the keys in her hand.

"Umm... I'm Jin."

"Anastasia."

・●・

"Where were you boss?" Geun asked.

"Just received some credential information on the way so, I didn't join you," A clear lie out of nowhere slipped off his tongue.

"Understandable," Noticing the odd behavior of Jin he asked, "Won't you ask me if I got him or not?"

Jin seemed baffled but then caught up on what he meant, "I'm assuming you did... right?" With that, he left his sight.

"Yeah-"

・●・

"Coming!" The knock on Anastasia's apartment door called out for her. She clutched the handle and opened the door, "Jin?" She wasn't expecting to see him again yet there he was. "What are you doing here?"

He held a fishbowl in his hands and it was comparatively larger than the one he got broken.

"Hi, Anastasia."

Her mouth was slightly ajar, "Good heavens, Jin. You didn't have to do this."

Instead of reacting to this, he asked, "Now where should I place this?"
She stepped aside letting him enter her apartment.

・●・

One meeting led to another and he didn't realize how hard he was about to fall again but this time for her. He had been postponing his dad's calls and missing the meet-ups he held. He didn't feel right about taking over his position and maybe all this was caused by just one thought.

What would Anastasia think if she found out about his background?

He was afraid that she would leave him and now the attachment and fondness they developed over time were hard to let go of. Those striking rays of the sun made him close his eyes and he stood near the Han River. The top buttons opened of his white button-up shirt and hands inside the pockets of his pants. He was thinking of a way to tell her the truth but that might end up in a conflict with his dad.

"Will you be mine forever?" A person from amongst the crowd was proposing to his girlfriend, a few meters away from where Seokjin stood, and the people around broke out into emblazing the couple.

She accepted and Jin just stood there watching the duo with something different creeping up his mind.

I know what to do.

・●・

"Father, I'm not ready."

Mr. Kim stopped flipping over the pages of a file present on his table, "How do you mean, son?"

"I'm not cut out for this actually, I never will be."

He neared closer to Jin with a concerned expression, "Are you not well, Jin? Is something bothering you?"

"No father, I just can't do this," Before Mr. Kim could caress his cheek and compel him to sign the contract he stepped back.

Mr. Kim didn't like this behavior and came to the conclusion on spot, "Forget you ever had a father." The words pierced him like small sleek needles through his heart but Jin didn't turn back once and left his study. After all, he had now realized the wrong deeds his dad had indulged in that took Jin with him and he could never wash off those prints.

Mr. Kim took a deep breath, clenching his fist and banging it against the table but alas! It was already done.

・●・

Jin knew if Anastasia didn't accept him after hearing him out he would lose the love of his life as well that evening. His laborious steps walked towards her apartment. Taking in a fair amount of air and prepared himself mentally, before he knocked on her door.

She opened it and found her with a sweet smile smeared atop her countenance his heart always soothed seeing after. "Jinnie," She greeted him with a hug and a kiss followed it. For some reason, she felt him not being himself. The kiss itself was not the kind he always went for, "What is it, Jinnie?"

His eyes trailed down to the floor, "I have something to confess."

・●・

"I'm so sorry, Ann. I should've told you this sooner but it was me being selfish to keep you to myself."

Anastasia was in tears, she didn't know what pair of words should be used to explain what she felt. She never thought the man she would ultimately fall for would turn out to be a mafia's son, evenworse ― a murderer. He had told him everything from the beginning of their firstmeet-up. Why he was in such a hurry that day he bumped into her? Why didn't he answer his dad's call?

Everything.

She was silent yet tears never ceased streaming down her precious face which Jin was so addicted to. He was broken by how he hurt her and such a different feeling he was experiencing that he never got while shooting those bullets. He left her side, standing up.

He perceived her silence as the answer.

"I understand why you do not wish to speak to me. You made me realize just how bad of a person I am, Ann. But this cold heart learned to love, to care and it was all cause of you. Thank you for pulling me out of this darkness. I..." his voice cracked, "I'm really grateful that you came into my life and you deserve better."

He sauntered towards the door and turned the handle, "Are you going back to sign the contract then?" Her voice was low but audible to him.

He didn't turn around but a dry chuckle left his mouth, "Never in my wildest dreams I'm going back to that rotten place but surely, I won't be a burden to you anymore."

The soaked tears were met with fresh streams and Anastasia darted out from the couch to rush towards him. She engulfed him in her embrace, tight, afraid of letting him go.

He changed.

He changed just for her.

So, why not give him a chance to prove himself?

"I'm not letting you go, idiot," She squealed, wrapping him from the back. He smiled at the contact and closed his eyes in satisfaction. That threatening tear in his eye finally freed and made its way down his porcelain face. Love has the power to bloom and illuminate the darkest corners of your heart and change is the sidekick assisting this beautiful creation of nature. Not always pleasant but surely, for the best, at times through realization and at times for the feasibility of the atmosphere.

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Written on: 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟏𝟎, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟏

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