Piling out of the dorm and into the van the next day was a light, refreshing feeling for the boys and (Y/N) alike. With their comeback the boys had had little time to relax and just be themselves; practices had been gruelling and tiring, little time to do much other than sleep. (Y/N) had been working on a new way to gather a larger fanbase and something that would be enjoyable for the boys too and she couldn't wait to tell them. Too bad she needed to be at the company to do it, so here they were driving to BigHit.

I was driving, Yoongi oppa in the passenger seat, having won it through an uncommon sight of sprinting to the van yelling shotgun over his shoulder, the boys had been too shocked a the sight to register what had happened until it was too late. So, in the back, she could see through the rear-view mirror, the sight of a pouty Jin oppa- the maknaes and the 94 line having cheered up easily when she turned the radio on.

The weather was perfect too. There was a nice cool breeze, clouds in the blue sky and the sun just peeping through. Not too hold, nor too cold. Perfect. The window was open, and the cool breeze ran through my hair tussling it gently, and I felt at peace.

On the way to BigHit, after I had turned at the intersection, I noticed a black SUV tailgating our van too closely, I shrugged it off and increased the distance between us keeping a safe gap between us. However, the car increased its speed and closed the gap again- I frowned at the reckless driving and tried to express my thoughts through my eyes as I glared at the interior rear-view mirror before my eyes widened, involuntarily. The person driving it was a masked figure, that wasn't uncommon to see in South Korea but when my eyes caught on the registration plate, I realised it was the same vehicle reported by witnesses for Lia's accident but also the car that had tried to run me over a while back.

We were being followed. And by the expression in the figure's eyes, they'd realised I had caught on and just mockingly waved their hand at me. My grip on the steering wheel tightened, I had to get the boys to the company safely, they weren't at fault nor involved so why on earth should they be dragged into my mess.

Forgoing a warning, I jerked the steering wheel to the right, the car's sudden jerk sending the boys toppling into one another and letting out shouts of alarm. Yoongi oppa who had been peacefully napping with his headphones around his ears jerked awake and swore.

I had to lose this tail, I needed to get them away from this all, the SUV followed- also drifting into the lane behind me.

My knuckles were white as I gripped the steering wheel furiously.

"Hold on." was all I got out before I started cutting through traffic and interweaving through stationary cars, desperate to get off the main road as quickly as possible.

The SUV was following, at a slower pace now, but still following. Noticing that the light was soon going to turn red, I sped through just as it turned amber, the SUV forced to stop as the cars from the opposite side and side roads began driving.

Just as I turned into a sideroad, so as to use the inner roads to get there, I saw the figure thump at the steering wheel furiously clearly having not anticipated it. I smiled, but it was tight and grim. The traffic light would open soon, but I needed to be gone long before then.

Even though I stuck to the inner roads, I made sure to keep changing courses as I drove, using shortcuts not many were familiar too whilst being highly conscious of the vehicles around me, highly alert should the SUV appear.

The boys hadn't spoke yet, their hands gripping tight onto each other and anything to strongly grasp onto. Yoongi oppa was sitting up, mouth drawn tightly, and I could feel the tenseness rolling off him in waves.

The rest of the journey was silent and tense, but I didn't blame the boys- I couldn't exactly comment on the ambience when I myself hadn't let the tightness leave my body. My body was thrumming with pent up energy and nerves, my subconscious niggling at my mind that it was a matter of time before the SUV caught up to me again.

The moment the van drew up outside the agency, I braked and waited for the boys to get out the van, engine still running, just as Yoongi oppa stepped out his mouth opening to say a question, I shook my head- both apologetically and urgently.

"Coffee." Was all I got out, as though it was a normal day and I wasn't itching to rush off.

There was no time, I needed to take the trail away from the boys, I reached over and pulled the door shut, meeting the eyes of the seven members, hoping and trying to convey how apologetic I was but also my determination that they needed to let me do this.

Yoongi oppa's mouth opened, his eyes wide and furious, Kookie and Jiminie were gaping at me open mouthed in shock, Tae didn't say anything but just held his arm outstretched towards me- as though the gesture would enable him to reach me through the glass. Hobi and Joonie oppa both looked sad but there was a level of understanding in them but Jinnie...Jinnie oppa looked betrayed and hurt. I knew I wasn't strictly breaking a promise, but neither was I keeping them.

But to be honest, I wasn't lying... I was going to get coffee. After making a few rounds around the company and settling my riled instincts that they were safe. We were all safe.

A few rounds later, I realised I had lost their tail and that there wasn't any lurking danger for now. Appeased by this, I parked the van and got off to get the promised coffee as well as some baked goods to make up for it...and to delay the inevitable grilling I was going to get.

I picked up my purse and left the van, locking it behind me as I walked towards the café- one of my favourites to visit, I was yet to take the boys here, it had a gorgeous cosy vintage vibe and the menu was to die for, not to mention it was tucked away in a side street so it was out of sight too. Looking down at my phone, I saw a text from Seijin oppa about the meeting the managers, PD-nim and BTS were going to have regarding the new promotion idea. As I was typing out an affirmative, I collided with a figure and I looked up hastily to apologise.

Freezing, I met the towering figure of a masked figure, specifically the masked figure whose eyes had been haunting my sleep and consciousness. Before I could jerk back or make a sound, a hand muffled my mouth and dragged me into an alley.

They slammed me into the wall, my back protesting with pain and head jerking back and smacking into the bricks. Pain flared through my head, that was going to leave a nasty headache. Trying to shake away the pain, I looked into the eyes filled with loathing staring down at me.

A hand came to clutch my neck, squeezing tightly, their large hand easily spreading across the pane of my throat. I choked, struggling to draw in a breath of air, but the hand squeezed tighter, black dots filling my vision.

"Listen here and listen well. It is not over, it never was. This is the beginning of a new chapter for you. You're in for a whole lot of pain and torment... I don't think our fun's over...do you babygirl?"

The term of endearment sounding poisonous and bitter as it was spat at me, flecks of spit spraying my face- each touch burning me.

I tried to pull at the hand clutching my neck in a vice, but it was futile, my hands could only scrabble weakly at the thick arm.

My breaths were becoming shallower and more laboured, each gasp was a struggle, and it was then the thought came to mind- that I would die like this, in a dark alleyway, where no-one would find my body and I'd be left here, suddenly vanishing from the face of the world.

As my vision grew blurry, all I could make out was the cruel twist of the figure's lips from underneath the mask before the air was pierced with a sudden loud cry.

"Hey, get away from her. What do you think you're doing?!" the voice was male and unknown but at that moment I'd never been more grateful for a stranger.

I heard quick footsteps then the thundering of the feet as the owner of the voice grew closer, the figure holding me panicked, eyes going wide before twisting their head back to face me.

"This isn't over babygirl...I'll be back." Before suddenly releasing their hold on me and flinging me towards the stranger.

The man had no choice but to stop, catching my stumbling body and steadying me before I fell, I slumped in their hold, grateful for their presence. Gasping for breath, I stayed in their hold, the cool breeze now chilling my body and making me shiver.

----

As much as the man wanted to follow that figure and beat him to a pulp for treating a young lady, no anyone like that, he had more important matters to tend to.

The young woman in his arms was shivering and boneless, all the energy drained out of her as it took her a large amount of effort simply to force air into her lungs.

He felt furious looking down at her weakened state, thankful that he'd been sent on the coffee run that day, god knows what would've happened if he hadn't been walking past at that moment. After some time when the young woman had stopped shivering and gained a bit of strength, she pushed herself to her feet almost stumbling. His hand shout out to steady her at the waist and waited for her to regain balance before withdrawing his hold on her.

When she looked up him, he realised that this person was younger than he'd assumed. Her face still had the sense of childhood innocence, her eyes large and frightened as she looked up at him. The fact that his height towered over hers didn't help, and in that moment, he was even gladder that he'd intervened.

"Thank you for saving me, if it wasn't for you...I wouldn't be alive." Her voice hoarse and slightly husky.

"No need to thank me, it's just helping another human. Humanity hasn't completely lost its worth yet." He said, voice low and soft.

When he was staring down at her he couldn't help but feel strong waves of protectiveness wash over him, something instinctual almost cried within him to help her, to shelter her, to protect her from the world.

The small silence that had fallen was broken by the shrill ringtone of his phone, flustered, he hurried to pick it up.

"What...yeah, I know what you all want, give me some credit, yeah yeah, it'll take me a little longer, but I'll get there ASAP."

The young girl in front of him stared at him with sorrow and regret. Why? He didn't know.

"I'm sorry, because of me you're late. I'm so sorry and thank you." She bowed quickly and straightened up again.

"No don't worry. It's no problem. What's your name?" he asked smiling down at her.

"My name is (L/N) (F/N). It's a pleasure to meet you...." She tailed off.

"Ah. I'm Jackson Wang. Pleasure to meet you too although I wish it was in better circumstances."

After making the introductions, we chatted as we walked out of the alleyway and turned into a side street. On reaching the café and neither of the two departed, they laughed realising that coincidentially both intended to visit it. Looks like they were both stuck as running for coffee that morning.

JACKSON POV:

I gestured (Y/N) to enter first and she did so cheeks flushing slightly. Aigoo...she's cute. The café wasn't full, the emptiness setting me at ease, it'd be horrible to run into someone who recognised me. It wasn't that I didn't adore my fans, but I didn't want to drag poor (Y/N) into any unnecessary trouble just for being there with me. Everyone knew the media could rip people to shreds.

As I approached the counter, I listed out the large order for the boys- they ate like their stomachs were bottomless pits. It never ended.

The nice halmeoni at the counter smiled and nodded, calling out the order over her shoulder.

I waited for (Y/N) to finish browsing the food on the display shelves as she made her way to the counter too.

"Halmeoni, how are you? How's your back now?"

I was startled, they knew each other. Ahh...was this the nice 'agashi' the halmeoni would always chat to me about whilst the order was being made.

"I'm good dear, thanks to you. The massage cream you gave me did wonders. I feel refreshed now."

(Y/N) smiled softly at that.

"It's no problem halmeoni, you work so hard and the orders I always come with are always so long. It makes me feel bad."

The old woman smiled at her, cupping (Y/N)'s small hand with hers. The love with which the halmeoni was looking (Y/N) with made me feel like I was intruding on something.

"(Y/N) your order...?" I prompted.

"Ah yes. Halmeoni can I have an iced americano with an extra shot, a caramel frappucino, a hot chocolate, a cappuccino, a strawberry frappe with extra cream, a rainbow aid, a mocha and an iced chocolate-coffee. All of them in large except the iced chocolate-coffee please. Also, seven slices of your chocolate gateaux, a tray of filled donuts and a mozzarella and sun-dried tomato panini please."

My eyebrows rose at that, and I thought I had big orders. Just who on earth was she taking so much for?

"Big group?" I asked.

"Uh huh, sometimes I could swear they're all bottomless pits those guys." She sighed.

Huh...the more I learn about her, the more interesting she seems.

"How old are you (Y/N)? if you don't mind me asking that is? You look too young to be wandering around alone?"

She huffed at that, "I'm a 99 liner."

Yup, too little. Aish...what was this kid doing wondering around alone? What kind of jerks send a little girl to do their errands for them?

"Well, call me oppa. You're under my wing little one." and rather than shying away I was beaming when she smiled at me nodding.

"Ahh...the least I can do is call my dashing knight in armour, oppa."

This girl's got good taste.

We heard both our orders being called and walked over to carry the takeout boxes.

I swung (Y/N)'s large takeout bag into my hand too, eomma's teachings of chivalry drilled into me acting unconsciously, she followed carrying the drinks shouting thank you over her shoulder.

Cute and well-mannered, aish...this girl was gonna kill me.

(Y/N) and I walked for a bit, before she stopped gesturing at the van.

"This is me oppa, so I'll have to get going now. Thank you for helping me today."

"Are you sure you don't need me to go with you?" I worried; she had just survived an attack not half an hour ago.

She nodded and it was then my eyes caught on the purpling marks on her neck, the finger-shaped bruises marring her throat. My blood boiled at the sight, but I forced myself to stay calm.

As she set the food and drinks on the empty passenger seat beside her, she leaned back over to me.

"Bye oppa, get back safely."

But I wasn't ready for her to leave yet.

"(Y/N)-ah, phone." I gestured for her to hand it over, she did so confusingly.

I typed in my number and saved it.

"Call me when you get back, I'll be waiting for your call young lady. And also..." I unwrapped the scarf from around my neck and looped it gently around hers.

"I doubt you'd want to enter with bruises littering your neck. From what I can tell about you, from the short time I've known you, you seem to avoid unnecessary attention. But it's up to you..." I started rambling, had I crossed a line, was it too weird?

She placed her hand gently on mine that was resting on her shoulder.

"Thank you oppa, really." And smiled before tugging the scarf tighter around her neck so as not to let any skin show, I winced at seeing how tight she was pulling but I didn't comment. For now.

She waved cutely at me before driving off, and I made my own way to the company, thoughts running through my head but what I was unable to process was...

Why had that guy been after her in the first place?

(AND THAT'S IT! (Y/N) WAS ON A MAD CAR CHASE, GOT ATTACKED IN AN ALLEY AND GOT SAVED BY NO OTHER THAN JACKSON WANG! PHEW...WHAT A ROLLERCOASTER RIDE TO WRITE ABOUT. ANYWAYS...WILL THE BOYS PICK UP ON YOUR LATENESS GETTING COFFEE, ASK ABOUT THE MAD CAR CHASE, WONDER WHERE THAT SCARF APPEARED FROM, AND DROP THE MATTER WITHOUT COMMENTING?? HOW ON EARTH ARE YOU GOING TO CALM EOMMA JIN DOWN?? NEXT CHAPTER...MAYBE A FUSSY BUNCH TO DEAL WITH AND SOME MORE JACKSON POV BACK AT HIS OWN COMPANY. IT MAY SEEM LIKE THEY DROPPED FORMALITIES RATHER QUICK, BUT! (Y/N) IS A SOCIAL BUTTERFLY AND SHE'S GONNA HAVE A WHOLE RANGE OF PROTECTIVE OPPAS HOVERING AROUND HER! LIKED IT, LOVED IT, HATED IT? LET ME KNOW! ANY PROMPTS YOU WANT ME TO INCLUDE...?)

How's everyone doing?? I was cackling watching the last RUN BTS episodes when they came out and I think to survive this isolation period and pandemic- I'm gonna LIVE off BTS content.

Stay safe and healthy and happy ARMY!

PurpleQueenie <3