⚠️ Trigger warnings

Kidnapping

Strong Language

Angst

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Haneul's POV
A few hours later...

So here I am, lying huddled on the cold, damp and hard stone floor on Valentine's day, in a far corner of this large, frigid room. I stayed as still as possible, listening for any signs that suggested if Doofuses one, two, three and four have indeed fallen asleep.

No luck so far though.

It's been about three or four hours since I've been taken into captivity; so, here I am, silently biding my time until I find a way out of here.

Because sooner or later I will find a way out. I have a business to run and a family to feed.

I don't have the luxury to play games like these people do.

Did I mention how hungry I am?

I didn't get to eat breakfast this morning and when I got to the shop, well, these creeps cut the power off so there wasn't any chance I could eat some of the inventory before I began my day.

Of course they'd given me a bowl of soup and a few slices of bread to eat. But these idiots had completely forgotten to untie my hands!
Now, you may be wondering to yourself: 'Hey, Haneul, why didn't you just slip the stupid ropes off and eat?' ... right?

After all, these numbskulls hadn't tied the ropes tightly around my wrists.

Contrariwise, and I promise this bit will make more sense, my dumbass captors were still oblivious as fuck to the fact that they suck at tying people's wrists up. It is obvious that they're new in the kidnapping industry.

And for their first gig, they seemed to have a big head about it.

I mean they don't have any stealth mode installed, they're bad at executing any operation and they lack the tools and the skill that it takes to be a master kidnapper. Let's face it, they're definitely highschool dropouts.

Mathematics and science must have been hard in them...

But on the bright side, if I ever get bored of being a baker, I think I'd be a pro-kidnapper. Someone's gotta show these brainboxes how it's done.

My street name would be White Paws. It will strike fear in the hearts of all.

On the other hand, their lack of skill is such a good addition to my escape plan; so I don't want to mess it up.

Then, there's also the fact that these numbskulls had given me an anesthetic, assuming that it would shut me up, because I'd been screaming insults at them for a good half-hour. Though between me and you, the joke is on them because those things don't work on me!

Hehehe...

I had discovered this interesting, and yet, painful fact, last year, when I had gone to the dentist for a minor surgical procedure. It had led to me screaming out in agonizing pain; as the dentist hadn't thought to check if the anesthesia had in fact done it's job.

Yet another dumbfuck living among us in society.

So, being the little detective that I am, I decided to act as if I were asleep, playing along anyway to their silly little kidnapping scene. In all honesty, in doing so, I have indeed gained a ton of valueable insight within the first few hours of being here.

Some of it might even help me in my attempts to escape this bloody dungeon.

Because that's what their silly little mistress had called this place.

The woman's words had sounded as if a young person were speaking. But, at the same time, her voice sounded mature and husky enough to be a mother.

It could have been two voices, or it perhaps was a trick of the spaciousness in this dumb place. I listened more closer, drawing to a conclusion that made me feel just a little bit self conscious and insignificant.

She had addressed Doofus one as Markus, who'd grovelled so low, he would have out done any old grovelling servent in the dark ages; even Kreacher's grovelling to his old mistress Bellatrix is nothing compared to Markus'.

The woman sneered at Markus, much like Bellatrix would. They looked almost identical, perhaps she was a cousin of his?

I'm itching to ask her...

And then, she spoke of 'her Jimin', which made me to scoff to myself. If we're talking about the same Jimin, she's a little Delulu in the head.

Apparently, she's got a bone to pick with Jimin for some reason or the other.

So much for 'her Jimin'.

Pssht...

If this woman was indeed Jimin's mother, I'd say he had definitely taken up after his father's side of the family; because Doofus one, two, three and four were this woman's brothers. It explains why she's completely loopy in the head, even if she's the better looking from all of them.

And they didn't have a single bone of good looks, nor did they have much by way of good manners in them.

She then went on to elaborate on the fact that Jimin was to take on the throne soon enough.

This had me perk my ears up. Was he royalty? That would explain why he has this particular sort of discipline to him? I mean apart from his occupation.

"Perhaps he just needs some 'persuasion'." She'd mused to herself, pacing dramatically with a swish of her extravagantly long, velvety, emerald dress with matching nails and eyeshadow. I ducked my head down, and sighed with relief. She almost caught me laughing at her dramatic behaviour.

Delusional bitch.

This woman clearly needed a psychiatrist - and if I ever get out of here, the first thing I'm going to do, is give her my uncle's number, just so she can get herself checked.

Love you imobu!

Although, I don't understand why she'd referred to it as a 'throne'.
Because I eventually realised that it was clear as day that they are part of the Mafia.

Okay. This really put things into perspective.

It certainly explained why he never asked me out, despite having taken me out a few times. We've been to the movies a couple of times and he'd been so overprotective about it, he carried his gun and would look around, surveying the area as we walked.

Ooohh... He's supposed to take over the 'business'.

Silly me... I'm really slow sometimes. But you have to love us Scorpios.

Wait.... Am I the persuasion?

But that's ridiculous. I'm nothing to him... Right?

We're just friends who exchange gifts for Valentine's and White day.

Oh....

Well that explains a lot then.

I guess I'll have to wait to ask him whenever I see him again.

If I see him.

My officer Park.

Judging by her pacing footsteps, she didn't want to come too far into the room.

Also, she'd insinuated that I smelled. Which wasn't very nice of her, because if I had a chance, I'd tell her that she's the one that smelled like mouldy onion.

Perhaps her nose wasn't functioning well after COVID.

Because I shower every morning and evening, and I even dressed up a little this morning. Besides, I'm a baker, I often smelled like vanilla.

Jimin always says that to me.

Maybe her nose doesn't function well anymore since she hangs out with four men in a dungeon.

After all, the dungeon didn't smell very nice.

Or... perhaps she wrinkled her nose at the dungeon's foul smell?

I could never tell. I'm not good with people. Give me a bowl and some flour any day!
.
.
.
.
.

I now had some information which would help me roughly map out an escape route.

I also wasn't sure if this Jimin she spoke of was the same man I'm in love with. Because he seems frightening.

My Jimin is sweet and very kind.

The woman referred to this place as a dungeon once more and had referred to the upper floors as 'the palace'.
Based on the stone beneath me, it was true to some extent. South Korea still had a lot of ancient palaces that were now in the possession of the government.

I looked carefully at the details of the engravings on each stone slab.

I might just know this palace!

It's actually not too far from the Police Station in Seoul! I used to visit it a lot with my Appa and Omma when I was younger, before they passed away. So, I won't be lost if I manage to successfully escape.

Don't get me wrong. I would love to play the damsel in distress and wait here for Jimin to find me.

But I can't afford to. I still have a shop to run. Customers would probably be wondering what's going on - or worse, people might raid my shop, given that the doors were left unlocked when I was unceremoniously dragged here.

Albeit, it looks like any plans I have for escaping are not going to happen anytime soon. Not with Markus and Doofuses Two, Three and Four watching the door instead of me.

No sir...

My best bet is to gently loosen the rope they'd sloppily tied around my wrists and grab the kitchen knife they've dropped a few centimeters away from me, for defence.

They were playing with throwing knives and used the kitchen knife when they ran out of knives to throw out the room through the wide open doors.

Yes, I know, I'm blessed to have such bright captors.

Actually, maybe that knife could be more useful!

Checking over the cover of the table above me, I spied the idiotic woman's face.

She was both young and strikingly hideous. She wore high-heeled shoes that matched her emerald dress - possibly in the hopes of meeting Jimin for Valentine's Day. (Usually people wear red, but I'm not judging. It's clear this one's a little touched in the head.)

The woman paced the floor in front of the door and occasionally looked my way. Suspense hanging in the air.

"Markus! Bailey! Samuel! Thomas!" She barked at them.

"Yes, ma'am." They replied in unison, appearing in front of her like the villain's henchmen in cartoons often tend to do.

"Watch the girl, will you? I don't want her ruining my surprise for my Chimmy." She crooned.

Oh, they're watching me now, alright. They're watching me like hawks.

Wait. Did she say a surprise for Chimmy? That's not fair! That's my nickname for him!

Ludicrous bitch.

Based on the designs visible inside and the echoes of her heels ricocheting of the dungeon walls; I guessed that the exit point would be somewhere above my head.

The woman disappeared with a swish of emerald green and a strong whiff of perfume. I curled into a ball on the floor and found myself, for the first time in my life, crying helplessly, wishing that someone would notice that I'm missing and come to rescue me.

But I knew that wasn't going to happen. I'm all I have.

Overall... I'd rate this whole kidnapping experience 'a one out of ten'.
I definitely wouldn't do it again.

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Jimin's POV

11h00

It was her.

I knew it. I felt uneasy the moment I opened my eyes this morning. My only thought was to wrap my hands protectively around Haneul.

Alas, I couldn't. Because she's not with me. She wasn't even living in the same complex as me.

That bitch has kidnapped my Haneul! How dare she attempt to threaten me!

And on Valentine's Day!

Thankfully, Haneul was wearing the bracelet I'd gifted her last year. I had the forethought to install a tracking device in it for an unfortunate event like this.

Haneul loves that bracelet. She never left home without it.

I could never be too safe. There were too many enemies and only one Park Jimin.

In any case, I had a feeling that someone would notice my happiness. Someone from my hometown. There were plenty of ill-disguised spies surrounding me, whom I chose to ignore. I knew they would tell the people back at home and I knew that these people would try to interfere with my happiness.

It was about time too.

My mother has been trying to get me to agree to managing her business. And she'd been forcing me to marry her so-called "business partner's" daughter.

Apparently, me being a police officer isn't as important to her as me marrying that spoilt brat abc taking over the title from her.

My father sure had it easy in all of this. He was dead.

I suppose that's why mother insisted I take over. She wanted the heir to take over.

'Take over her throne' my foot! It's all fucking bullshit. She smuggles weapons and liquor illegally into the country to save on import quotas and levies!

I could never do that!

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Flashback

"Ji-ah is perfect for you Jimin. Marry her. Take over the family business. You'll be financially stable for life." My mother had insisted on several occasions before I had escaped her madness.

Ji-ah was the daughter of one of my mother's biggest business partners, Lee Dong-Gu. And just like a typical movie, they wanted to solidify their hilarious alliance through our marriage.

I had left the week before our engagement was set, a stitch in time if you asked me, which had annoyed my mother greatly, having finally been accepted at the force in another part of Busan for training.

It hadn't been easy, but I managed to avoid my mother and her 'family'.

Two years later, I landed in Seoul and then I met Haneul and fell in love with her.

And suddenly my life had been given meaning.

I knew from the minute I locked eyes with Haneul, that she is the one for me. But, I also knew my mother's capacity for crime and the power she held in the underworld.

She reined over the underworld.

I had to take all precautions to protect my woman from that world. It is why I haven't asked Haneul to be my wife yet.

"It's not like you don't have a stomach for bloodshed my son." She'd said to me in our last call, two years ago.

"I don't shoot to kill unless I have to do so, mother. That's the difference between us." Was all I said before hanging up, I never called her again.

End of flashback

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"Sergeant Park, we're waiting for you to confirm a rendezvous point." I heard Nina say to me, tapping my shoulder lightly, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Right. Sorry about that. We will rendezvous at the Buddhist temple in the east side of the palace. They would never set foot in such a holy place. At least, I know she won't." I scrunched up my nose in disgust at the woman who would dare to harm even a hair on my Haneul's head.

"Uh... Sergeant Park, if I may, who would dare do this to Haneul?" Came the quiet voice of Jungkook, a new Lieutenant at our station.

"Lee Ji-ah... Ahn Yuri's apparent heir." I spat, not at the team I had on my side, but rather at my mother's cheek to persuade me to marry Ji-ah.

"Sir-" Jungkook began, but had fallen silent as the tracker that helped us locate Haneul began to beep incessantly.

Oh, I got her now.

"Jungkook, you rally the team from the south gate of the palace. Nina, You take the north gate, Seokjin hyung will take the west gate and I will take the east gate. There's no way she's going to escape now."

'I'm going to save you Haneul. I'm on my way. Please hang in there a few moments longer. I hope you don't hate me after you find out my truth.' I think to myself.

Please don't hate me.

After a few seconds, the beeping stopped.

Ji-ah thinks she is so smart, trying to smash my tracking device. Haneul definitely didn't have that bracelet on her anymore.

I should have fun taking my Haneul away right under her nose.

And it will, no doubt, be fun to see her trying to survive behind bars... I'm sure Nina will enjoy watching over her.

Because that's exactly what I am going to do to Lee Ji-ah for her callous actions towards my woman.

"Let's move." I gave the order, moving towards the palace.

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A/n:
I always pick Korean names for the female lead characters. So here are some pronunciations and meanings. I usually choose a name because of its meaning and it usually hints at the character's personality - as is with most Asian cultures (including my own hehehe).

Some characters may not have Korean names - I left their features to your own imagination 😉

Pronunciations of the names of the lead characters:

Haneul: Ha-nil

(using English sounds to assist in pronunciation).

Meaning of the name Haneul: 'Heaven or Sky'. It is usually a feminine name in Korean culture.

Jimin: Ji-min

(Ji can be pronounced as Chi in some dialects - try listening to the name being pronounced. Min can be pronounced similar to 'min' in minimum.)

Meaning of the name Jimin:
'My wisdom will be higher than the sky'. Jimin is a gender neutral name in Korean culture (there is a female singer also called Park Jimin who now goes by the name Jamie).