Jimin had never been a club person. The loud music, flashing lights, and throngs of people were overwhelming, but tonight was different. He was at Jin’s club, where he had gathered with his friends, enjoying the rare night off from the responsibilities that came with managing his café and the hidden mafia work. He had hoped to relax and let loose, if only for a few hours.

As he scanned the room, his gaze landed on a familiar face—Rosalia. She was dancing with her friends, her laughter ringing above the thumping bass, illuminating the dimly lit club. She wore a sleek, black dress that hugged her curves perfectly, and her hair cascaded over her shoulders, glimmering under the lights. For a moment, Jimin was entranced, captivated by the way she moved with such freedom and joy.

But as he watched her, a sense of unease began to creep in. The club was filled with people, many of whom seemed more interested in their own desires than in ensuring the safety of others. He could see a few men casting lingering glances her way, and an instinctive protectiveness surged within him.

“Hey, Jimin! Come join us!” Namjoon called from their table, waving him over with a grin.

Jimin tore his eyes away from Rosalia, forcing himself to focus on his friends as he made his way to the table. They were already on their second round of drinks, laughter echoing as they exchanged stories and jokes. Jimin felt a warm camaraderie envelop him, but his attention kept drifting back to Rosalia, who was still dancing, her smile radiant against the backdrop of the club.

He was torn between wanting to keep an eye on her and joining his friends, but his instincts urged him to remain vigilant. He glanced at his drink, the alcohol warming his insides, but he chose not to indulge too much; he needed to be aware of everything happening around him.

As the night wore on, he noticed Rosalia chatting with a group of guys, one of whom seemed to be a bit too forward. His heart raced as he watched her laugh, oblivious to the way he kept leaning closer. Jimin felt a surge of anger rise within him. He couldn’t stand the thought of someone taking advantage of her kindness or her cheerful demeanor.

“Yo, Jimin!” Hobi nudged him playfully, interrupting his thoughts. “Stop staring at her and come enjoy yourself. We’re here to have fun!”

Jimin forced a smile but kept his eyes trained on Rosalia. He could see her raising a drink to her lips, the glint of the liquid catching the light. That was when he noticed something that made his stomach drop—there was a flash of hesitation on her face as she took a sip. A sudden clarity hit him like a brick. He remembered the stories about drinks getting spiked in clubs. The blood drained from his face as panic set in.

“Rosalia!” he shouted, pushing through the crowd toward her, his heart pounding furiously in his chest. But he was too late. Before he could reach her, she had downed the rest of the drink, laughing with her friends.

His protective instincts flared as he closed the distance between them, but he remained calm, trying to assess the situation. “Hey! Rosalia!” He approached her, attempting to break into her circle of friends. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

She turned to him, her smile brightening as she recognized him. “Jimin! I didn’t see you there!” She was swaying slightly, and Jimin’s heart sank deeper.

“Hey, you okay? What did you just drink?”

“Oh, it’s nothing! Just something fruity!” she giggled, her words slightly slurred, and Jimin’s anxiety intensified.

“Are you sure you want to keep drinking? You look like you’re having too much fun,” he said, his voice lower as he tried to gauge her condition.

Before she could respond, a couple of guys from earlier approached her, clearly looking for an opportunity to talk. Jimin’s jaw clenched as he sensed their intentions were anything but pure.

“Hey there, beautiful,” one of them slurred, leaning closer than he should have. “You should come dance with us.”

Jimin stepped in between Rosalia and the guy, a protective stance taking over. “I think she’s good right here, thanks,” he said firmly, glaring at the guy.

Rosalia looked up at him, confusion crossing her features. “Jimin, it’s okay. They’re just being friendly.”

“Yeah, friendly until they’re not,” he muttered, keeping his gaze locked on the men. “I’m just looking out for you.”

As the minutes passed, Jimin’s heart raced. He stayed close to her, navigating through the crowd as she chatted with her friends. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. He could see her energy waning, her laughter growing more sporadic.

“Let’s get some fresh air,” he suggested, finally guiding her toward the back exit. The club was hot, and the air outside was a welcome relief. The moment they stepped outside, Rosalia leaned against the wall, her eyes fluttering as she took a deep breath.

“See? Much better,” Jimin said, attempting to lighten the mood, but the concern gnawed at him.

“Thanks for looking out for me, Jimin,” she replied, her voice softening. “You’re always so sweet.”

But just as he began to feel a little reassured, he noticed her legs buckling beneath her. “Rosalia!” he exclaimed, instinct kicking in as he rushed to catch her. She fell limp against him, her eyes fluttering shut.

“C’mon, stay with me,” he urged, his heart pounding as he cradled her in his arms. Panic surged through him. He had to get her out of here.

“Jimin?” she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yeah, I’m here,” he said, his grip tightening around her waist. “I’m going to take you home.”

He didn’t think twice. He scooped her up into his arms, her body feeling weightless against him. The sound of the club faded as he navigated through the throng of people, his mind racing. The last thing he wanted was for her to be in a vulnerable position, especially with the scummy types he had seen earlier.

“Hold on, Rosalia,” he murmured as he stepped outside into the cool night air. He hailed a taxi, his heart racing with urgency. “Take us to my place, please!”

Once inside the cab, Jimin held her close, adjusting her head to rest against his shoulder. He could feel her breathing unevenly, and a sense of dread washed over him. What if something happened to her?

“Jimin…” she sighed, her voice soft and laced with confusion.

“I’m right here,” he reassured her, running a soothing hand through her hair. “Just relax, okay? You’re safe with me.”

The drive felt agonizingly long, but eventually, they arrived at his apartment. He paid the driver hastily, then carefully lifted Rosalia out of the cab, her body leaning heavily against him. He managed to fumble with the keys, the lock clicking open, and he ushered them inside.

Once in the apartment, he laid her gently on the couch, making sure she was comfortable. He tucked a blanket around her as he knelt beside her, worry etching deeper lines on his face. “Rosalia, can you hear me?”

Her eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, she looked lost. “Jimin?”

“Yeah, it’s me. You’re okay. Just breathe,” he said, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions swirling inside him. He grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen, returning quickly to offer it to her.

She took a few sips, her eyes searching his face. “What happened?”

“You drank something at the club, and I think it was spiked,” he replied, keeping his tone calm. “You just need to rest, okay? I’m here.”

“But I wanted to have fun…” she murmured, her voice trailing off as the realization of her vulnerability hit her.

“I know,” he said, his heart aching for her. “And I want you to have fun, too. But I need you to trust me when I say that you need to be careful. People can be… dangerous.”

She nodded slowly, her eyelids heavy. “I didn’t want to ruin the night.”

“You didn’t ruin anything. You’re safe now. That’s what matters,” he reassured her, taking her hand in his. The warmth of her skin against his sent an electric pulse through him, a reminder of the connection they shared.

Jimin stayed by her side, making sure she was comfortable as the minutes passed. He turned on the television to provide some distraction, the soft glow illuminating the room. He didn’t want her to feel alone in this moment; he wanted her to know she was cared for.

“Jimin?” she asked softly after a while, her voice barely a whisper.

“Yeah?”

“Thank you for being here,” she murmured, her gaze meeting his.

He smiled gently, though concern still flickered in his eyes. “I’d do anything for you, Rosalia. I’m just glad you’re okay.”

As she settled more comfortably on the couch, he couldn’t shake the feeling of protectiveness that enveloped him. He realized then that he would always stand guard over her, ready to shield her from harm, both seen and unseen.