Sounds were heard not only twice or thrice, but enough to conclude that they didn't mishear it. Xindy stayed still in front of the door which she tried to open with a key; but surprisingly was already unlocked even before they have arrived. Hence, she knew there might be an intruder inside.

'A thief?' She spoke her thoughts without sounds. 'But there's nothing to steal from me.'

Her throat has dried and she feels like gulping a thousand thorns as she eyed at her grip around the doorknob. When fear almost engulfed her, something big and soft held the back of her hand. It was then she realized that she's not alone.

Wonwoo cupped her cold hand and wrapped it with his. Gently, he removed hers from the doorknob as he waited for her gaze to slip at him. As Xindy tented to his side, Wonwoo nodded his head, as if he's saying that from now on, he'll be in charge.

An unexpected warmness pooled inside her while she looked at his calm yet serious face. It was that moment her anxiousness has reduced to half.

Breathing out, she withdrew her hand from his clutch and stepped back from the door. Wonwoo then slowly replaced her; he tiptoed, for it'll prevent the monster from waking up in his chamber. Although he planned to kill it soon.

He turned the doorknob around creating a metallic squeak sound. 'Clink.' Next, the opening door creaked as he opened it forward. 'Einngk.'

Xindy always turned the lights off before going out. Thus at this time, her apartment welcomed them in darkness. He won't clearly tell a thing unless the lights are on. Wondering for the switch's location, he groped the cold white painted wall that looks gray. He stopped when he found the switch and carefully pressed it. As the sudden brightness blinded them for a moment, they didn't waste time. Their eyes observed around to see a trace of anybody.

The first thing she checked are the windows, which are all closed. Well, she was hoping that it was only a cat. However, a secluded place with only an opened door says it's a person, not an innocent beast.

Her heart thumped so hard, it is burning inside her chest. Her head blew like an elastic balloon. It got bigger and bigger, soon it'll explode. It's surprising that she can still stand straight regardless of her wobbling knees.

As if she's looking at the last piece of the puzzle, she strived eagerly to stay alert in case she found something before Wonwoo. However, it was Wonwoo who saw it first. He spotted a man's black shoes behind the curtain!

Danger is near.

Wonwoo isn't sure what weapon the man has so carelessly taking an action is the dumbest thing to do. Sure, he has gun but, what if the authority got involved in this situation? He will have hard time explaining afterward.

"..." He hushed her, pressing his index finger on his lips and then pointed the intruder's location.

'That's...!' She gasped inwardly, covering her mouth. Her complexion lost its color as she trembled upon the sight of the man's shoes. How unlucky she is! Things like this always happened to her nowadays after she encountered Jeonghan. But, what if they didn't meet? What if there's no Wonwoo to help her in this situation? The thoughts of being alone when an intruder is inside frighten her even more.

Her place is clean. There are few things that were dropped, maybe it was when the intruder dashed to hide after hearing their voices. So Wonwoo wondered while he carefully walked towards him, 'Is he a just thief? But this place isn't a mess.'

The curtain where the man hides is thin. Surely, he can see Wonwoo and Xindy through it; Wonwoo guessed that. And so, before approaching in great distance, Wonwoo grabbed the mop beside the sofa.

To be honest, this kind of thing doesn't scare him. He encountered a lot at the past. But if he needs to protect the person beside him, that made him worried. On the other side, Xindy watches everything while shaking. She tried to halt her tremor but failed.

One step. Two step. Wonwoo is getting near.

His hand reached for the white thin curtain. And then...!

"Sh*t!" The man kicked Wonwoo.

"Ahhh!" Xindy shouted in surprise.

Fortunately, Wonwoo avoided his kick by stepping sideward and using the mop to support his weight. However, the intruder used this chance to run.

He was wearing all black, including his cap and his mask that covered half of his face. He looks like a ninjja, escaping the scene in full speed. BUT XINDY IS AT THE ENTRANCE! HE CAN'T GO OUT WITHOUT PASSING AT HER SIDE!

Unable to move, she watched him stride towards her. Then...their eyes met.

As if a huge dragon's eyes are looking at her, preparing to devour her meats, she got frozen.

"Xindy!" Wonwoo shouted. She saw him waving his hand, maybe telling her to step aside or run. It was like a slow-mo. But...

"Move away!" The intruder pushed her aside and ran out through the door.

Xindy fell down with tears on her eyes. Yet no sounds came from her pale lips.

The things that were so fast looks slow to her. In fact, she didn't notice the gun on Wonwoo's hand that was pointing at the door. It was as if her soul left her for a moment, it has no plan of coming back.

Holding his gun, Wonwoo ran and about to catch the intruder. But he hesitated. He couldn't move a step by the time her frightened expression caught his eyes. If he leaves her now, she'll probably break down. So he stayed.

He stayed with her until the police comes.

---------

Wonwoo's POV

I have ways to catch that guy but for now, we choose to leave everything to the police. We were escorted at the police station so we can give them our complaints.

"You are probably got scared, right?" The detective tried to soothe her.

Xindy is sitting beside me. She clasped her hands together and she haven't met directly at anyone's eyes since before. She is really...scared. If only I can hug her right...

'No. I shouldn't do that. Even considering of hugging her is not appropriate.'

"Do you have some place to stay? If you don't, you can stay here until the investigation is over."

"I'll take her in. We're fr..." I spoke an unfinished statement. It is because I guessed that saying that we're only friends but I'll let her come together in the same house doesn't make sense. So I changed it into, "I am her fiance."

Only then Xindy lifted her head. I could feel her intense gaze on my side profile but I didn't look back and kept my eyes at the detective.

"I see," the detective noted. He quickly moved on the topic and asked, "Miss Xindy. Did you check if there's something missing inside your house?"

"Yes," she answered. "W-We checked around my place. But nothing is missing."

That's right. So it means, this isn't just a simple robbery case.

"Hmmmm, he came when you weren't around but didn't steal a thing," the detective wondered, rubbing his chin. "So his purpose is the owner of the house."

Hearing that, I saw her trembled even more. I could see bullet of sweats on her forehead and her pupils shook.

"Is this the first time you experienced this?" He kept on interrogating in calm tone.

"N.." She opened her lips but she didn't finish her words. Maybe, she was trying to say that it wasn't the first time since she experienced the same with sir Jeonghan. "Y-Yes. This is the first time." Yet she lied.

"Okay. Uhmm, we will do our best to capture that bastard. We collected the CCTV footages around the area so hopefully, we can solve this. For now, please rest. We will contact you as soon as possible."

I looked at her who was nodding her head. I feel sh*t for not catching that bastard when he's just right in front of me.

Well, let him pray that he'll get caught by the police before me. Because if he ended by my hand first, he won't be able to see the light anymore.

"Then now, I'll take my fiancee," I spoke then held her hand.
-------

Xindy's POV

Secretary Jeon brought me at Jeonghan's mansion. I have almost nothing with me besides my phone and wallet.

"Prepare the guest room. This lady will sleep there," Wonwoo said to a maid.

Truthfully, there's a lot of things I wanted to discuss with him. But the day for me was too long so far. I'm tired from work and the thing that happened a moment ago. Even though it'll probably hard to sleep tonight, I have to rest my body.

Tomorrow is the day we will start our escape plan. I have to stay strong.

"You need things for tomorrow, right? I'll get it for you. Please write them down and I'll go at your apartment," secretary Jeon spoke to me.

I stared at his nonchalant eyes that don't show any emotions. If he's scared or worried, I don't have any idea. Since before, he hasn't ask me question like: 'are you okay?'

But still, I responded this, "Thank you, secretary Jeon. I can't imagine what would happened if you weren't there."

"Sir Jeonghan asked me to take care of your wound," He, then, pointed my bandage. "So this is nothing."

Right. Somehow, I also feel indebted to Jeonghan. Even if he wasn't there, he's the main reason why Wonwoo took care of me.

"Hmmm, I'll thank my wound then," I murmured before I put my bandage hand on my chest. The bandage is thick, but I could still feel the pounding of my heart. Whether it is because I'm thankful or because I suddenly pictured of Jeonghan's face, I was relieved.

Secretary Wonwoo went out after I gave him the list of things I need for tomorrow. It is awkward to stay together with one man but I shouldn't be naive. Besides, there are maids here so basically, we're not alone.

A few minutes later, I was called to rest in the guest room. I don't have a plan to sleep because I have to wash before going to bed but I lied down. Staring at the ceiling, the horror I experienced before flash back to my head.

His shoes.

His eyes.

His hand that pushed me down.

I shut my eyes and breathed sharply.

"I felt the same thing when I was abducted by Jeonghan. But I hope this time, it just a simple case," I whispered.

For now, I'm sure there's nothing more scary than the underground place at the mental hospital. Leaving that, I slowly put my mind in peace.

.

.

.

.

.

It's morning.

I fell asleep last night while waiting for Wonwoo!

As if there is a living bug inside my head, my consciousness asked me to wake me up. The curtain of my eyes opened and what welcomed me is an unfamiliar place; the blue painted ceiling and the sophisticated led lights each sides of it. It took me seconds to remember everything.

Sighing, I brushed my eyes and tilted my body on the left side. It was then, I saw a half naked man sleeping beside me.

Huh? Half naked man?

The man slowly opened his rigid fox-like eyes. In the moment when I was absorbing my thoughts, he opened his lips and greeted me with his baritone voice. "You're awake, miss Xindy," Wonwoo breathed.

To be continued...