I need you to respect it, even if you don't like it

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Akai's pov

I can see one of Zha's man leading a man to the V.I.P area. I wonder if it's the person they've been talking about. If what I heard was right than tonight they will 'capture' him. But I'm not sure if this is the guy since they leading him upstairs...this is fishy plus the time is too early.

"KiKi!" Loona pulls me back away from the curtains and into her arms. "I seriously still can't believe I'm filling in for you. The one and only legend KiKi," I laugh at her enthusiasm. I definitely did miss that. Loona is the only true friend I had in this business. I never had to compete with her as she wasn't shallow like that.

"You'll do great," I encourage. "After all you and I were the best ones here,"

"Only except that I wasn't in the running show unless you were," she mentions.

"And that's why you need this recognition. Once The big boss sees how much they love 'me' when you're on stage. You can just take off the mask and prove to him that it was you and not me and that you're the best," I state.

"Asking me to fill in for you is one thing but asking me to actually fill the position you created for yourself is another. Heck Kiki you became a legend. The trio bitches still talk about you,"

I laugh at that. "Don't tell me the trio bitches are still here?"

"And they get the more money,"

"Don't worry about the money. Once you get my role you'll never lack anything. All the money you want will be yours. Just don't remove that mask," I tell her.

Even though I'm back at this strip club, I'm not performing. I promised Namjoon and myself that I wouldn't head back in this life. I just came here because Taehyung has business here.

Who knew that all along Taehyung owned part of this club? If I were still working here then I'm sure that I would've met him sooner or later. We were always gonna meet.

She lets go and rolls her eyes underneath the black bunny mask. "Don't worry. I will not let this mask fall off my face. It'll be an honour to dance in your place, and get the money you were supposed to get. It would be nice to earn higher then those trio bitches,"

I keep laughing as I take the lead when opening the door to the changing room. Of course the trio is seated on the round couch, their eyes all go to me and they bust in anger.

"Why are you here?" Seolhyun asks with disgust.

A few yelps are heard along with greetings I never thought I missed from the others strippers. The trio bitches, however, all have frowns on their faces.

"Heard you were missing me, so I had to come back." I smile at the trio bitches on the chair.

Choa, Seolhyun and Nayeon all stare at me with evil eyes. The trio bitches classic look.

"We don't care," Choa stands up walking to the mirror and fixing her bra.

"You will," I state half closing the door. "Once my big large boobs start taking in all the money again,"

I know I've struck the right nerve when both Seolhyun and Nayeon on the couch stand up and rush to the mirror next to Choa. They add more touchups to their makeup and remove more of their lingerie. So much for costumes.

"Don't try to hard. You might loose more then you barely earn." I smile and close the door turning back to Loona.

She holds in her laugh and we both head behind the stage again. "So if you aren't gonna perform, why are you dressed like that?"

I look down seeing I'm dressed the same as her in the sexiest lingerie bunny outfit. I'm only missing the mask with bunny ears.

"Let's just say," I look away from her keeping my eyes on the main entrance. "I'm taking cover,"

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Namjoon's pov

The time Taehyung comes into the room it's almost past midnight. He greets me and sits next to me creating small talk about himself, of course.

Did he forget what he did in college. Did he really forget? Is that why he's speaking as if we're cool?

I'm about to spring out my issues but the room turns dark and all he can say is "Show time."

The room turns dark leaving only the stage to light up.

I'm sure I don't even understand how the introduction started but my eyes are fixed on the stage as each girl does their work. I've never felt so... alive before.

"You enjoying, I see," Taehyung says. I swallow the lump on my throat. "The best hasn't yet come so you might wanna control your friend,"

I quickly look down my pants seeing something I haven't seen since in a long time. A large tent.

I try calming myself down only thinking light and sipping the red wine. I glance at Taehyung and he's barely watching, he's on his phone speaking lightly before standing up and leaving.

"I'll be back. If I'm not back I'll send someone to drop you home." He says before closing the door.

Great.

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Akai's pov

"It's a woman?" I whisper to myself when I see one of Zha's man, Slick leading a lady into the unknown corridor. That corridor leads downstairs to the basement. It's where Zha disappears all the time. I was waiting for the perfect opportunity to see and know what he does down there since I always see men enter but never leave.

"Okay I gotta go," I face Loona, who's busy practicing some of her easier moves. "You're gonna kill it as KiKi. I know you will."

She grins. "A student can't be as great as her master,"

"But you aren't a student anymore. You've got this," I smile at her as another girl steps off stage and another one goes up.

"Okay." She breathes in nervously.

As I make my way to the exit door, I slip on the only piece of clothing that's not see through. A black button down shirt. The hallway is dark but I make it to the exit.

The place is packed. Mostly groups of men are morphed infront of the stage chanting and screaming in ecstasy to the stripper on stage. Only a sum of men are scattered here and there making out with strippers, while a few are by the bar getting drinks or rather trying to touch the girl serving. The music's high and upbeat adding to the vibe of the atmosphere of people. Speaking about atmosphere, the place is stuffy and warm almost like I can taste the air. I spot the hidden passage far in the deep end of the corner with barely a soul passing. Now's my chance.

"Hey sexy," a groggy drunk steps infront of me groping my butt. "Wanna give me one?"

"No-" I struggle to set myself loose as the drunk forces me against the wall breaking some of my buttons. "I said NO!" I spit on his face jabbing my knee deep in his groan. He backs away gripping the space between his legs before rushing forward again. I'm about to slap him but a giant fist thrusts his jaw to the side, breaking the man's neck.

"Damn," Jay smirks and turns to me. "You fight?"

I chuckle embarrassingly. "He wouldn't take no for an answer. Thank you. I need to pee." I blurt out quickly ducking from his gaze trying to make it to the passage but urgently stop. "Shit."

Not one but 5 of Zha's men are all standing by the passage where Slick took the woman in. I assume they're securing it. Jay walks back to the pack and slides easily past them heading deep in the darkness. Where did they come from? Whatever, I need to get through.

Ideas pass through me and they're all bad except for one. I smile and open up the shirt fully exposing my piece while messing my hair. I make my way to them quickly in my heels closing up the shirt from the bottom while panting hard.

"Oh crap-" I pretend to trip completely catching all their attention. I stand up straight looking down to continue closing the buttons. That dumb drunk idiot ripped a lot of these buttons, I roll my eyes looking back up. They're smiling and licking their lips enjoying the play I put out for them. "Oh!" I fix my hair while crossing my legs with a cheerful naughty smile. "Zha's a beast. Anyway, I need to get ready for the show, but Zha sent me down to get you guys. He wants you all upstairs. All of you," I smile and walk away, back to some dark corner hoping my plan worked.

I look back to the passage and their all gone. Not waiting a second longer I carefully make it to the passage sticking to the wall as I move fast into the darkness. The whole passage is dark enough for me to bump my head to the wall, but I do see the bright red neon lights at the end. It's pointing to the staircase that's around the corner.

When I get to the staircase I look back seeing far that Zha's men are back to their posts. That was fast. I go downstairs seeing light at the bottom of the stairs. It's white all over.

There's two corridors once I get down. Where would Zha go? The one looks short while the other one is longer. I go the short way turning to the corner seeing a sign for rest room and underground parking.

It's the other way. I head back the other way and walk a bit faster hoping none of the men come and spot me here. Downstairs doesn't look secured as much as upstairs. I wonder why? I stop by the stairway leading upstairs and remove my heels from making further sounds.

Once I turn I see double doors deep into the passage. That must be it. Taking a deep breath I stick to the wall...which is useless but still.. and begin tracking closer to the double doors.

My feet stop when an ear piercing cry breaks free from behind the double doors. I freeze for a bit and walk a bit faster getting closer. I need to see what they're doing to that woman. My heart beats faster hoping and pleading that Zha isn't guilty of what the detective might be accusing the gang of doing. Murdering.

I jump the moment arms grab me from behind pinning me against the wall.

Jungkook, or should I say Slick.

He turns his head to the door with his eyebrow raised. He turns back to me looking down at me. There's no smile on his face but there's only the deep scowl I've grown to know.

"You could get yourself killed." now that I notice it, his other hand is holding a knife to my neck. "But I'm not gonna do anything to you." He lets me go standing back.

I press my hand to my heart clearing my throat.

"Zha would kill me if I dared." He answers to my curious gaze. "You're his Apple doll. Remember?"

I step back to the wall intimidated by his gaze. He doesn't look like Jimin or Jay. He doesn't look friendly at all, only wild and untamed yet cold. "Would you kill me if I wasn't his Apple doll?" I ask.

His face shows no emotion but his action surprises and frightens me at the same time. His finger brushes against my face, it goes down to my chin lifting it up to meet this cold eyes.

"Yes, I would. It's orders." He answers bluntly. "But rationally no. You're cute. Too cute. Even for death."

I stare at him and break out a little laugh just as he's standing there leaning on the other wall. I wonder where he came from...maybe he's the one securing this floor.

"Listen." He speaks again. "I've noticed you for a while," my heart hitches in my throat and he nods his head with a smirk as if he knows what I'm thinking. "You always want to be by Zha's side."

I let out a breath realising he hasn't caught me..yet. "That's true," I tense up when his gaze changes.

"But let me warn you." He's serious again. "For some things, he needs to be alone. Otherwise you'd be scarred, or worse. Killed. I mean that. So what I suggest, take your little ass back on stage and leave him alone."

I suck my lips looking into his deadly eyes.

"Or else I will kill you myself." He leans back on the wall. "And hint. Take the shortcut back upstairs. Going out the way you came in could get you in lots of trouble."

Huh. This whole passage way is secured by him.

No wonder Zha calls him Slick. Because Jungkook moves in a way that no one can see.

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Thirds person pov: Back in the v.i.p lounge

Namjoon can't look away from the sexy masked girl's performance. Everything about her, from her body to her costume has him hooked and aching for her. He doesn't want to admit it, neither does he want to see her performance but he had no other choice. She was the only woman with a mask on. It made it all to hypnotic and mysterious.

He's not the only one paying attention as the rest of Zha's crew is downstairs by the door of the V.I.P stairs and sections, they all watch with lust evidently. Judging by the costume that the girl has they have an understanding that it's Akai.

She gets off the stage leaving the crowd going wild. The presenter comes on, madly blushing as always, as the girl brushes her hand on his shoulder. "I can't believe my eyes either y'all. Akai's back! Give it up for The Exotic Sexy Kiki!"

Namjoon's eyes enlarge but for some reason he isn't surprised. This must've been what she was hiding, what she was moody about. She was getting too deeply involved in her past, in the dark world. The only thing that made her jump right back into it was because she was doing this for Sindy. Namjoon shakes his head. "I should've known."

The door swings open startling Namjoon. He looks back expecting to see Taehyung but instead he sees Akai being calmly pushed in by another familiar face. Jungkook.

Namjoon can't even react to Jungkook because indeed Akai is dressed the same way just like she was on stage, the only difference is that she's now in a black buttoned up shirt (which is missing some buttons) and this time she's holding her shoes in her hands. He stands up from the couch making Akai aware of his presence.

Akai's mood shifts to discomfort and she tries to hide her body trying to make the shirt not reveal too much. He watches her every move and points back to the stage. "I saw everything."

Akai is confused for a second till she understands that Loona took her place. That must mean Loona did a good job since Namjoon's pants are tightly around his area. She sighs and shakes her head. "You've got it wrong Nam-"

"What? You're telling me that wasn't you? KiKi-"

Akai rolls her head walking over to him placing her hand to her chest. "Namjoon I know what you're thinking. But I need you to trust me-"

"Akai. What the hell were you doing up there?" He asks looking at her up and down.

"Namjoon listen to me please-"

Before he can even say anything more the door swings open making them both look. Jay stands there for a while before closing the door again.

Namjoon quickly removes his jacket standing with her and covering her.

"Akai..you're beautiful, but not like this. You're worthy of so much more than this kind of life." he whispers to her wrapping his arms around her. "I'm not trying to make you defend your body and what you wanna do with it, all I'm saying is have some self respect. You were doing much better before this chase started,"

"Namjoon you don't get it-"

"Your ride's ready." Jay comes back in, looking directly at Namjoon. "Let her go."

They stare at each other before Namjoon let's me go. He barely looks at me but from his movements, I know his disappointed in me.

I wish he'd just listen.

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