I stare at my reflection. The diner's restrooms have the worlds worst mirrors. Cheap things that far too easily distort the images reflected within. Sometimes, though, it's easy to believe that the world on the other side is reality and I am actually trapped within a nightmare. The perversions of the images before me remain etched into my soul, even after I splash my face with water. I can't help but wonder if everyone else sees in me the same soulless eyes that I do as I exit the restroom.

This morning, just before work, I had received another call from one of the few numbers that I know so well. My aunt, Michelle, had somehow gotten a hold of my newest phone number. I have changed my number at least ten times since moving here to Korea. And she has called each and every one of them. This time had been the longest I'd gone without receiving a phone call from her. Of course, I never answer. If I answer then I would surely confirm her suspicions. But the fact that she's calling at all means she knows anyways and that frightens me.

Aunt Michelle will never be on my side regarding the situation. Despite knowing all about Jacob, she is adamant that I should marry him like he wants. Then, in her twisted and messed up mind, she is convinced that she'll be able to get a part of his riches too. But I have no interest in that. All the money in the world is not worth being shackled to such a despicable man. No amount of fancy cars or designer dresses, no amount of mansions or diamonds, could make me marry someone so incapable of loving another human being.

I can feel the patrons staring at me as I round the corner into the kitchen. I don't blame them. I'm normally very composed, and even during my training days, I'd never dropped a plate once. Today alone I've dropped five. I am a jittery, anxious mess and I am convinced that it shows. Their judgemental glares irk me. As if they wouldn't be affected were they in my position. I scoff. 

I am startled when my manager taps my shoulder, attempting to gain my attention. "Chloe, is there something wrong?" Everything about Jun Ho is gentle, and he always treats me like fragile glass.

The observant sort, he is always quick to notice when I am in a mood. I think that on some small level he might even have suspicions of my predicament.  He is the only one I have come even remotely close to trusting since I moved here, but I can never seem to cross that final hurdle and actually tell him everything.

"I'm fine. Just a rough morning," I reply.

I appreciate his concern, more than I can find the words to say. But he knows. The look in his eyes isn't an uncommon one when in regards to me, sympathy.

"Luckily your shift is over, so you can go on and head out for the day," he says "but please keep in mind that we can't have a repeat of today. Take some time off if you need to, get your head together. The boss man is angry that we've had so many customer complaints today, and I don't want to see you go."

I nod my head, grateful that at least one person in this world doesn't seem to have it out for me. I honestly wonder if it would make any difference in the proprietor's mood if he knew what I am going through, but I highly doubt it. I am content enough to know that Jun Ho would care. The thought alone makes me feel just that little bit better, enabling me to cope with the situation at hand. 

I say goodbye, and gather my things as I run all the different scenarios I can possibly imagine in my head. Initially, I'd believed that if I simply didn't answer she would assume whatever sources had found the number for her was wrong. But it's been over a year since I moved to Korea, and there's been no sign of the calls stopping. No. Ignoring it won't work for very much longer. But the question that makes me the most uneasy is this; who is her source? Who could possibly be finding each new cell phone number for her? And is Jacob paying for it?

Stepping into the restroom once more, I make my way to a stall. My large tote bag can no longer hang on the peg situated on the back of the stall door since last week I managed to bust the straps. Instead, I seat it next to the toilet as I sit down, feet weary and aching. My best guess is that Jacob must have hired a private investigator to find me. But who? And are they here? Or are they there, in America? 

"That has to be the case," I reason with myself.

If Jacob had an address he would have already attempted retrieving me. The PI must be in America, I don't believe that I'm being watched. Yet. Surely if I was being watched Jacob would have already shown up to collect me.

"Are you gonna be getting out of that stall anytime soon?" Shouts a feminine voice.

I sigh as I notice the small set of feet shuffling around beside the feet belonging to, assumedly, the voice I'd just heard. In a rush, I nearly rip my uniform from my body. I am dressed in record speed, grateful that I'd picked a simple sweater and a pair of jeans. I'd be lying if I said I didn't pick the fuzzy sweater because I know that the shade of pink suits me. But Taehyung doesn't need to know that, nor does he need to know how much he intrigues me.

I step out of the stall, tote in hand, just as the small child begins wailing. Shooting the mother a sympathetic look I flee, eager to be anywhere but here.

I don't even make it to the door before that Taehyung guy has looped his arm around mine, dragging me off to God only knows where. Apparently, he'd decided against waiting for me outside the diner like I'd explicitly asked him to.

"Just wait until you see where I'm taking you!" He yells excitedly.

He is now dragging me through the parking lot, not in the least phased by my useless struggling. I can't believe how strong he is, despite how lean he appears. After determining that flailing doesn't work, and after realizing that I cannot pry his arm from mine, I come to one final, desperate conclusion. I literally don't seem to have any other choice but to follow this psychopath. I sigh as I resign myself to my fate. On the plus side, if this man murders me and dumps my body somewhere at least Jacob will never find me.

I am more than a little surprised when he leads me to a rather nice, if not slightly old, sedan instead of some kind of ritual burial grounds. Don't ask. I have no idea either, but I've learned to expect the worst. Then again, maybe the burial grounds are next. I gaze at him from the passenger door, trying to determine why he is taking things this far just for a date. Is he an actual psychopath like Jacob? It seems like a plausible idea. Jacob never gave me those kinds of vibes either. You know, the dangerous ones?

I instantly stiffen as he demands I get in the car, but slide in nonetheless. What am I doing? Shouldn't I honestly call the cops? I watch, hanging out of the window slightly in relief as a cop car pulls into the parking space next to us. 

"Excuse me, sir!" I yell, waving my hands out of my window frantically.

He notices me but, to my immediate dismay, he also seems to recognize Taehyung. And from the looks of it, most definitely in a friendly manner.

"Hey Hyung!" Taehyung waves at the older man goofily. There is a boxy grin on his face, and though it is honestly one of the most adorable things I've ever seen I am also incredibly frightened. Is this cop his brother?

"Hey Tae. You're always raving about this diner and that waitress, so I thought I'd give her a try," he says with a wink as he leans into the passenger window.

I am flabbergasted by his words and his invasion of my space.

"I'm sorry Yoongi hyung, you can't," Tae responds enthusiastically. "I'm taking her out on a date!"

Only now does the cop remember that I am here. Leaning back only partially, and still halfway in my face, he says "Oh, you're the waitress huh?"

I nod feebly, unsure of what to say. If this man really is his brother I highly doubt he will believe me even were I to say anything. The way that he's looking at me doesn't help either. He studies me so intently that for a moment I forget how to breathe. And then, my fear reaches new heights as he opens his mouth again.

"You kidnapping people again Tae?"

My heart literally stops in my chest. I take it back. I take it all back. Even if death would free me from Jacob I still want to live. I'm only human after all. Why do I always attract the crazies?

It seems that the elder brother has noticed how visibly pale my face has become. He looks at Taehyung once more. "What's wrong with her?"

Taehyung simply shrugs his shoulders. Yup. Literal crazies. "I'm gonna die," I groan inwardly.

I'm so distraught that I barely notice the way my captor leans over me to buckle me in as he tells his brother "Well, we've gotta get going! Enjoy your meal hyung!"

Only when the man Taehyung had called Yoongi is withdrawing from the car entirely do I realize that we are about to leave. This man is about to take me to God only knows where. I'm so screwed.

"It's a long drive," Taehyung tells me cheerfully, completely oblivious to my inner turmoil. "Make yourself comfy!"

He flashes me that incredibly charming, boxy grin, and for a moment I forget the situation at hand. At least, that is, until the car begins to move.

"Where are you taking me?" I squeak.

"Way to go Chloe. You totally sounded so incredibly intimidating just now," I berate myself.

"It's a surprise!" He replies, clearly much more enthusiastic than I. "If I tell you it'll ruin half of the fun! But I really can't wait for you to see it!"

I am stiff with fright the entire ride.