The tension in the room was apparent as the footsteps approached. Jungkook, his eyes wide with anticipation, drew his gun and aimed it at the door, the weight of the situation bearing down on his shoulders.

"Get behind me," he commanded, his voice low and resolute. "This is going to get ugly. Do you know another way out of this room?"

Haneul shook her head, her voice trembling as she responded, "No, it's literally just that door."

The inevitability of the confrontation loomed closer, the footfalls growing louder and more menacing. Jungkook's hands began to tremble slightly, betraying the adrenaline coursing through his veins. "If anyone comes in here, guns are bound to go off, he thought. People will get hurt... maybe even Haneul."

"Those people out there," Haneul's voice wavered, fear creeping into her tone, "they're here to kill you, aren't they?"

Without a word, Jungkook stepped forward, gently but firmly shifting her behind him, his eyes glinting with a dangerous mix of resolve and anticipation. "Many have tried to kill me, Doc, but none have succeeded."

The sound of at least three distinct footsteps echoed. Jungkook could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. Haneul ran a hand through her hair, squeezing her temple as she took a deep breath, trying to calm the panic rising within her.

"This is insane!" she burst out, her voice tinged with desperation. "You can't take them all on at once. What if... what if you get hurt? I could get hurt-!"

Her words were abruptly cut off as Jungkook turned to her, placing the barrel of his gun gently against her lips, silencing her with a stern look.

"Hey," he murmured, his tone soft but firm. "That's not going to happen, okay?"

Haneul's heart pounded in her chest, fear and uncertainty gripping her. "I don't want to get caught in this crossfire-I could die! I need to protect myself... and him. Maybe I can distract them so Jungkook can leave the office and escape."

"Jungkook!" she whispered urgently.

"What?" His voice was sharp, on edge.

The footsteps grew louder, a relentless drumbeat approaching them. Jungkook cocked his gun, ready for the imminent clash.

"It's now or never," Haneul thought, her mind racing. "I need to do something!"

"Jungkook, listen to me," she urged, her voice trembling with urgency. "Let me distract them, and then you can make a run for it."

Jungkook frowned, shaking his head as he tightened his grip on his gun. "No, Haneul. You don't understand, these people are dangerous."

"I know that!" she snapped back, frustration mingling with her fear.

"And if they find out you helped me, they will kill you-or worse."

"Worse?" The thought sent a shiver down her spine, barely giving her time to process it before a loud bang on the door shook the room.

"Quick, hide! Over there, no-there!" Haneul whispered urgently, her voice shaky as she motioned for Jungkook to take cover. She hastily shoved the medical supplies into her drawer before cautiously approaching the door.

Okay, Haneul, you can do this, she told herself, her heart pounding in her chest. Just... breathe!

She opened the door, and her breath caught in her throat as she found herself face-to-face with a giant, brutal-looking man. He exuded danger, his presence overwhelming.

"Well, look what we have here," he sneered, his gaze raking over her, making her skin crawl.

Haneul swallowed hard, backing up slowly as the man cocked his head, his eyes trailing down her body with a predatory gleam.

"Did you see a guy pass through here looking a little... busted up? Maybe bleeding?" he asked, his voice dripping with menace.

"Well, this is a hospital," Haneul replied, trying to keep her voice steady. "You're going to have to be more specific."

"Oh, you'd know this fellow," the man said, his tone darkening. "Big, rough-looking, probably wearing a bad attitude. Is that clear enough for you?"

Haneul's mind raced. "I've got to say something to get rid of him!"

"Actually... yes, he left just a minute ago," she lied, praying the man would buy it.

"Really? Which direction did he take?" The man's eyes narrowed, suspicion lacing his words.

"Down that staircase at the end of the hall," Haneul answered, her voice trembling despite her efforts to remain calm.

"Fine." The man's hand shot out, grabbing her by the throat and tugging her close. She gasped, fear paralyzing her as his grip tightened.

"If I don't find him, I'm coming for you," he hissed, his eyes cold and unforgiving. His gaze flicked to the door, noting the shiny nameplate. "Dr. Haneul Kim."

He dropped her with a thud, and she clutched her neck, coughing as he and his men headed toward the staircase. Panic struck, leaving her motionless until the sound of gunshots nearby jolted her back to reality. "Oh god, oh god, he saw my name! What am I going to do?"

Grunts and thuds echoed up the stairwell, and suddenly, a muscular arm pulled her back against a warm, firm chest.

"That was impressive, sweetheart," Jungkook whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her skin. "Come on, we've got to leave."

Haneul stumbled out of her office, her mind reeling as Jungkook led the way. His gun was pointed ahead, every movement calculated, every step filled with purpose. Her eyes fell on a group of unconscious men, but as she got closer, the horrific reality hit her-they were dead.

"Oh my god! I've seen my fair share of bodies, but I've never seen anything as violent as this." Her heart sank further when a figure emerged from an alcove, gun drawn.

"Yo!" the man called out, his voice casual, almost friendly.

Haneul flinched, but Jungkook squeezed her shoulder reassuringly before waving at the man. "Don't worry, that's Tyler," he said, turning to him. "What took you so long, Tyler?"

"Sorry, boss," Tyler replied, a hint of guilt in his tone. "I got held up. We need to go, like now."

Jungkook nodded, moving Haneul closer to Tyler. But her eyes widened in terror as Tyler raised his gun, pointing it directly at her head.

"What are you doing?!" Haneul cried, jumping back into Jungkook, her heart pounding as Tyler stared her down.

"I'll take care of the girl, sir," Tyler said coldly, his tone devoid of any emotion.

"No, not this one," Jungkook replied, his voice hardening, a dangerous edge creeping into it.

"What? Are you kidding?" Tyler scoffed, incredulous. "Think about it. She saw everything. She knows who you are! What if she sells you out later on?"

Jungkook stiffened, his eyes narrowing.

"Wait, I-" Haneul began, but her words were cut off as Jungkook interrupted.

"You gonna sell me out, sweetheart?" Jungkook asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"Me? What about the CCTV? That's what you should worry about!" Haneul shot back, her voice shaky but defiant.

"That we can handle," Tyler said, his tone dismissive. "You, on the other hand... we'll have to silence."

Jungkook gestured to Tyler, who nodded in agreement. Fear surged through Haneul, her mind racing for a way out.

"W-W-Wait, Jungkook!" she stammered, desperation in her voice. "I saved your life! That has to mean something, right?"

"Yup," Jungkook replied with a smirk. "It means you're coming with me, sweetheart."

"Wait, what?!" Haneul exclaimed as Tyler grabbed her arm, pulling her toward a door.

"The car's around back," Tyler informed Jungkook.

"No! Get your hands off me!" Haneul shouted, pushing Tyler with all her strength, but he only chuckled in response.

Jungkook gritted his jaw, raising an eyebrow. "I guess we're doing this the hard way," he muttered before scooping her up effortlessly, hauling her over his shoulder.

"Put me down! Jungkook, please!" Haneul pleaded, her voice rising in panic.

"Sorry, Doc," he said, his tone almost apologetic. "You gave me no choice."

"I gave you no choice?!" Haneul spat, her voice filled with fury. "Screw you! This is freaking kidnapping! And if you don't put me down right this second, I'm going to kick you so hard in the balls that your cousins will feel it!"

"Shoot, boss," Tyler said with a laugh. "We've got ourselves a fighter."

"Give her some time-she'll learn," Jungkook replied, a smirk tugging at his lips.

No matter how much Haneul kicked and screamed, Jungkook remained unmovable. They led her to a car and threw her inside, her wrists bound tightly. As Tyler screeched away from the hospital, Jungkook chuckled beside her as she struggled to free herself.

As the car sped through the dark streets, Haneul's mind raced, desperately searching for a way out. The ropes around her wrists were cutting into her skin, but she didn't care—she had to escape. Jungkook sat beside her, watching her struggle with an amused expression.

"The more you fight, the tighter those knots will get, sweetheart," he said, his voice calm, almost mocking.

"Can't believe she tried to take you on, boss," Tyler chimed in from the front seat, glancing at them in the rearview mirror with a smirk. The two men laughed, recounting the last few chaotic minutes, but Haneul's anger was bubbling over.

"You’re a real jerk, you know that?" she snapped, glaring at Jungkook. "I took out the bullet, stitched you up, and risked my life to stop those guys from finding you, and this is how you repay me? By tying me up and making me an accessory to murder?!"

Jungkook’s expression softened slightly as he looked at her, a mix of admiration and exasperation in his eyes. "Oh, Doc... trust me, I’m grateful to you. I’m even impressed. It takes guts to stand up to a guy with a gun. I’ve got men on my payroll who can’t even do that."

"Then why are you doing this to me?!" Haneul’s voice cracked with frustration. "Please, just let me go!"

Jungkook sighed, glancing at Tyler, who rolled his eyes in response. "Maybe we should have gagged her," Tyler muttered under his breath, but Jungkook ignored him.

Haneul turned her head away from them, staring out at the road ahead, trying to block out their voices. The lights of the city blurred as they sped down the highway, and a deep sense of hopelessness began to settle in her chest.

"Silent treatment, huh, sweetheart?" Jungkook’s voice broke through her thoughts, but she didn’t respond.

"Thank god," Tyler grumbled from the front. "I thought she’d never shut up."

Jungkook leaned closer to her, his voice dropping to a more serious tone. "Believe it or not, I took you away from that hospital to protect you, Haneul."

"Yeah, sure," she muttered bitterly, still not looking at him. "It’s got absolutely nothing to do with the fact that you’re a maniac and a murderer!"

Jungkook’s jaw tightened at her words, and he reached out, gripping her chin and turning her face toward him. His eyes were intense, filled with a mixture of frustration and something she couldn’t quite place.

"Haneul, look at me," he ordered, his voice firm.

"No!" she spat, trying to turn away, but his grip tightened, holding her in place.

"Look at me!" he repeated, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Haneul’s eyes reluctantly met his, and for a moment, the anger and fear in her gaze were met with an unyielding resolve in his.

"The man who saw your face," Jungkook began, his voice low and dangerous, "He got away. He knows you helped me, and the first thing he’s going to do is run to his boss and rat you out. Do you know what men like him would do to you if they found you?"

Haneul’s breath hitched, fear flashing in her eyes as she imagined the horrors his words implied. "What? What would they do?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Jungkook’s expression softened, and he let go of her chin, his hand dropping to his side. "I’ll spare you the details," he said quietly, the weight of his words hanging in the air.

A cold, haunting realization washed over Haneul as she glanced down at the ropes still binding her wrists. Her heart pounded in her chest, the reality of her situation sinking in deeper with each passing second.

"Just trust me, Doc," Jungkook said, his voice taking on a more gentle tone. "It’s for your own good."

Haneul's eyes narrowed as she glared at him, her voice filled with bitterness. "Why would I believe a word you say? You almost got me killed!"

Jungkook’s lips pressed into a thin line as he looked at her, frustration evident in his eyes. "Come on, Haneul," he said, his voice softening slightly. "You’re a smart lady. Ask yourself, what reason do I have to lie? You know I’m telling you the truth. It’s what’s got you so scared."

"Yeah, yeah," she muttered, turning her head away again. "You’re a saint."

But her mind was already working on an escape plan. "The first chance I get, I’m out of here, she vowed silently, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and determination."

As she took a deep breath to steady herself, Haneul caught Tyler smirking in the rearview mirror. But when she glanced at Jungkook, she noticed his eyes were fixed on Tyler, his expression dark and full of fury.

"Something funny, Tyler?" Jungkook asked, his voice low and dangerous.

Tyler's smirk vanished instantly, his fingers drumming nervously on the steering wheel as he fumbled for an answer. "Nothing, sir," he stammered. "It’s just..."

"What?!" Jungkook snapped, his patience wearing thin.

Tyler hesitated, his voice barely above a whisper. "I just haven’t seen you be so patient with a chick before—it’s... new."

Jungkook’s eyes narrowed, his gaze hard and unyielding. "Watch it, Tyler."

Haneul’s heart raced as she listened to their exchange, dread gnawing at her insides. If this is how Jungkook behaves when he’s being "patient," she thought with a shiver, I don’t want to know what he’s like when he’s not.

The rest of the ride was filled with a tense silence, broken only by the sound of the car’s engine as it roared down the highway. Haneul kept her gaze fixed on the road, her mind focused on finding a way out of this nightmare.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they arrived at the back entrance of a large, secluded property. The car came to a stop, and Jungkook got out, pulling Haneul with him as Tyler remained behind the wheel.

Jungkook led her into the house, his grip on her arm firm but not painful. The interior was surprisingly elegant, with dark wood floors and modern furniture, a stark contrast to the violent world outside. He guided her into the living room and finally untied the ropes around her wrists.

Haneul winced as she rubbed her sore wrists, the skin raw and red from the tight bindings. It was just the two of them now, the atmosphere between them thick with unresolved tension.

"So," Haneul began, her voice steady but guarded. "What now?"

Jungkook paused, adjusting the buttons on his jacket before responding. "You stay here and behave."

She crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing in defiance. "I was thinking you could take me home."

"Haneul..." Jungkook's voice softened, a hint of regret in his tone. "You’ll be staying with me for a couple of days until I can get this mess from tonight straightened out. Then, and only then, will I take you home."

Haneul's heart sank at his words, the reality of her situation crashing down on her. She was trapped, alone with a dangerous man who claimed to be her protector. But deep down, she knew she couldn’t trust him—not completely. As she stood there, her mind raced with thoughts of escape, her resolve hardening with every passing second. She had to find a way out of this, and she had to do it soon.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Author's Notes

Hello everyone! After a long long time I am uploading a chapter. Thank you for reading this chapter, and I hope you enjoyed it. I would love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment if you are interested. Also, if you enjoyed it, please vote. Another thing. I have decided to be punctual from now on so I'll publish a chapter of this story every Monday and Friday. The next chapter will be out next week Monday. See y'all soon. Thanks a lot!

Word count: 2672
©Novelist_Susanna
23/08/2024