"Baby," He whispered. The girl didn't move.

Jungkook sighed and looks down at Lisa's beautiful, relaxed face in sleep as she's curled up against him. He shouldn't have stayed as long as he did, but he wanted to hold her for a little while longer.

He thought of the names to the things he's feeling for her - there were so many but not quite enough. He pictured what their lives would've been like if he wasn't the way he is now. The things and places he would have done and gone with her. The knowing words to make her feel safe in his arms would've made everything a thousand times better.

His mother already adored her, that he knows! He'll take such good care of her. He'll never have to leave and will love her day and night. He'll give up everything to make her happy. Just for her smiles and laughs. Yes...I'll trade everything for just her if I could...

But the reality was never even close to his ideal thoughts, and it's something that he can't change. It doesn't justify what he had done and how she loved him. She thought she knew him more than the idea he represents. She loved him without knowing, and it's unfair for them both. It was all my fault.

He shouldn't have searched for her after she saved him that night. He should've come clean when he had the chance to. Perhaps if she were to leave him for it, it would've been a better scenario for her. Jungkook shrugged off the 'what-ifs' since it's already too late to be thinking of it!

"Baby," He calls again, shaking her shoulder a little. Lisa opens her eyes lazily but even in the dark, he could see the adorable twinkle in her big eyes. She must be so tired... "I'm sorry I woke you. I didn't wanna leave without saying anything,"

"No!" She whined sleepily and clutched on his shirt. "You can't -"

"Hey..." He shushed softly and gently pats on her hair. "I have some work to do...I promise you won't miss me for too long, okay?"

"You promise?"

Jungkook forced a smile and nods, suppressing the urge to cry in front of her. "I love you, Lisa...no matter where I go in this world, I'll always love you, okay?"

She shuts her eyes - seemingly happy to be hearing his comforting words - and he leans down to kiss her temple. I don't know what will happen today, my love...but I'll carry you with me along the way. I just hope you won't cry for too long.

...

The lock was too easy to pick that he had to shush himself from laughing out loud. It's funny that rich people seem to think they're safe and protected against any intruders with all these security systems! Oh, if they only knew...

The dark room welcomes him with its stillness. Jungkook makes his way to the mahogany office desk and scans around the cabinets and drawers with his small flashlight. Marco will flip if he finds out that Jungkook is trespassing Han Ji Hyuk's office at the moment, but he's focusing on the achievement it will bring if he managed to find something...he's not sure what he's looking for really...but that something could also be the key to his freedom.

Jungkook's not oblivious to the fact that he's messing with something bigger than what he was used to. There is no way a powerful guy like Han Ji Hyuk would let him get away with conning - even if he's put behind bars. There will always be those links that the guy could rely on, whether it's to carry on the business or to take revenge.

Jungkook is nothing if not prepared. What Marco had in plan is good...for a short period of time. If it works, it'll save him just enough time to spend with his family until revenge comes knocking. But Jungkook has a better idea and he'll see it through to the end - however bitter it will be.

Marco might be fairly confident about the man showing up tomorrow, but Jungkook will be prepared if he didn't. They had men monitoring all the warehouses owned by Han Ji Hyuk but he wanted more than that. He needed something more solid - the bigger picture of Han Ji Hyuk's entire operation and network. 

Jungkook sets up his laptop and plugs it into the switched-on PC. He lets it work by itself while he goes through the drawers and cabinets carefully. Please give me something! Please work with me! He's not quite sure who he's talking to for help - with his need to ensure that the man - if he ends up still being alive - will be left with nothing to count on. 

He'll have to ponder on his decision to mess with Marco's life through his entire lifetime, and there'll be nothing he can do about it!

...

Lisa has been walking on air since morning. Although she didn't wake up with Jungkook by her side, she somehow felt like everything will surely be alright. Her longings were fulfilled, her body is well-rested, and her heart and mind are fresh with his voice - declaring his love for her and promising that he'll be not too long gone.

Now waiting for her last shift to end before she takes a break to prepare for the finals, she can't help but felt giddy - wondering when Jungkook will come back from his work. She hasn't heard from him since morning but she didn't want to jinx anything by putting silly assumptions in her mind. 

He said he loves me...no matter where he goes, he loves me. He said I won't miss him for too long, so he will come back soon! It's the most beautiful thing he's ever said to me and I trust him!

"Whenever you miss this place, you can always come back, okay?" Irene said when she found Lisa staring at the bouquet in her hands.

"Yes, unnie! It won't be long, that's for sure! And if you really need help -"

"Aishh...just focus on your exams! It's never too busy around here that I can't manage," 

Lisa laughed, watching Irene carrying the baskets to the store behind. Her phone buzzed and she took it out from her pocket.

Chae:
Lali are you okay?
Where are you I'll come to you now

Am I okay? Why is she asking me this again - I've updated them in the group chat this morning -

Her phone rings and it's Jisoo. Lisa frowned upon answering it.

"Lali, I'm so sorry! Where are you?" She sounds like she's in a panic. 

"I'm working...finishing up soon. Why?"

"The flower shop right? We'll be right there -"

"Unnie, calm down!" Lisa laughed a little. "Why, what's going on?"

"You...you haven't heard - she doesn't know!!" She could hear Chaeyoung crying near Jisoo as the elder gasped.

"Know? Know what?"

"Lali, call your mother now!"

"What -" A sick feeling washed over her and her heartbeat began accelerating. Just then, she hangs up the call and dialed her mother's number. Her feet shook, nervous about what news could this phone call possibly bring. "Hello? Mom?" She asked once it's picked up.

It's the weirdest thing that all she could hear are the faint sounds of her mother's crying...as well as the busy muffling voices that she couldn't make from who in the background. Her mother was always either too cheerful or too upset at her when picking up the phone...but now none of those could be heard.

"Mom, talk to me!! Is everything okay?!" She wasn't sure why or when she started crying, but the nerves have gotten the best of her. "Where's dad? Let me talk to dad - tell me what's going on!!"

"Lalisa...it's your dad," Her world started spinning. What - is he sick? Did they argue or something? "He...he was shot,"

The phone slipped off her trembling hand, and the ground felt like it's collapsing right beneath her feet. Lisa ran into the storeroom with tears on her face.

"Yahh - Lisa, what's wrong?"

"Unnie...unnie!!!" She cried as loud as she could - her hands forming into fists as if she could grip the words of her mother and throws it out, as far as she can. "My dad...my -"

Irene got up instantly and reached up to Lisa's tearing mess. "It's okay...go. Go now," 

Lisa nods and she ran to her locker to take out her bag. It doesn't matter if she's still wearing the apron - she just needs to get there as fast as she can! Then she ran back to the counter and grabbed her phone laying on the floor. In small running steps to her car, she called her mother again.

"Where is he? And where are you?"

"They took him to Asan Medical Center. I - I'm on my way -"

She got in her car and her hands shake as she puts the key into the ignition. "Mom, don't cry - he'll be alright! He'll be alright, I know it -"

A strong force of hands appeared - suddenly on her neck and covering her mouth. Lisa's phone dropped as she gasped in surprise and tried hard to set herself free. She could hear the faint sound of her mother calling her name and she tried harder to shout, but it only made the force on her stronger. 

The struggle for air had her breathing deeply into what strongly smelled like chemicals. Vividly, she could hear her mind shouting for Jungkook - desperate for him to hear her. The seconds felt like the longest battle...and it ended with her world becoming pitch black.

...