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chapter ten

The boys wake me up by knocking on the door countless times.

Taehyung is still deep asleep as I shake him awake. "Taehyung, wake up."

"Five more minutes, mom," he mumbles while pushing me away by laying his large hand directly on my face.

Though I swiftly swat his hand away. Ew.

"The boys are in front of the door!" I tell him. His eyes suddenly widen as he stares at me. He hastily stands up from my bed.

"Don't open the door!" He states nervously.

"Why?" I gaze at him in confusion.

He moves his arms around, trying to explain why. "They'll understand it wrong!" He disputes.

"What would they understand wrong?" I ask him, still not understanding his behavior.

"I don't know," he panics, "but they would misinterpret so many things!"

"Or you could just say that you wanted to wake me up?" I offer with a slightly judging tone.

A light bulb switches on on top of his head and he visually brightens. "That's the intelligent Ahri I know!" He dramatizes while ruffling my hair.

I stare at him with raised brows. He looks at me dumbfounded. "Could you go out so I can get ready?" I ask him with an obvious tone, bobbing my head to the side.

"Oh, yeah, right. See you later, Nana." He waves lightly and goes up to my front door.

"Don't call me that!" I yell behind him as he closes the door with a deep chuckle.

Sighing loudly, I get out of my bed and put some clean joggers on. Really, all I wear at the time are jogging suits.

I rub my tired eyes while brushing my teeth. Combing my tangled hair, I later go to the kitchen to eat some bread with jam.

"Ahri, let's go now!" I hear Namjoon yell from outside my dorm.

Quickly rushing to the doorway, I hastily put my shoes on and open the door to see all the boys waiting for me again.

"About time," Yoongi mumbles grumpily while going out already.

Staring at him confusingly, I look at the others for an answer. "He didn't get much sleep," Jin reasons as he shrugs.

Nodding slowly, I close my front door and we make our way to the building like every other day. My life has become so monotone these past few days. It's always practice, work, sleep.

More like practice and work since I can't seem to fall asleep peacefully.

At least the pain of my legs alleviated and I don't fully feel like I'm dying.

We start practice as soon as we arrive at the entertainment.

"When do you guys think we'll debut?" I ask them while we're taking a break.

Sweat flows down Hoseok's face as he answers, "I honestly don't know. I hope soon," he smiles.

"I hope that they will like us," Jimin wishes, looking rather insecure than confident.

I nod along with the others. "I just wish that we won't get too much hate," I state quietly while looking at the ground.

"Everything's going to be fine," Namjoon encourages us, smiling lightly.

"I hope so," Jungkook whispers. Since he's next to me, it's easier to look at him.

I lay a comforting hand on his shoulder. He looks up and smiles at me fondly.

"Hey, what time is it?" I question no one in particular.

"Don't you have a phone?" Seokjin asks me.

I shake my head lightly. "I never had one," I tell him quietly.

Yoongi suddenly looks up and gazes at me, his eyes unreadable once again. Sometimes, I really want to know what's going on in his head.

"We have 3:27 p.m." Jimin looks at his watch.

I nod and thank him. "I'll leave now, I have work," I stand up from my spot.

"Why do you even work, Ahri? Doesn't your grandma take care of you?" Taehyung asks me curiously.

I gulp harshly. "I-I."

I don't know what to say. I don't want to lie to him again. It doesn't bring me anywhere.

Fortunately, Yoongi saves me from my misery. "Taehyung-ah, should we play hide and seek?" He asks the younger one. "The winner gets free ramen."

Taehyung's face immediately brightens and a huge smile makes it's way to his face. "Yes!" He exclaims happily.

I chuckle as I open the door and make my way home to take a quick shower.

After having a short shower, I head to the cafe. Enjoying the warm weather and chirping birds, I take in the scent of nature as if nothing has ever been so sweet.

The fragrance of summer grasses and meadow flowers had always been apparent to me, but now they jump out at me like a candy commercial.

Opening the door of the cafe, the scent of cake and coffee enters my nostrils. Soft music is playing in the background as I put my apron on. "On time, Ahri. I'm proud," Jaehyun startles me and I quickly turn around.

"We can't always come late now, right?" I ironically ask him while we both head to the counters to take care of the hungry customers.

"Right," Jaehyun breathes while smiling at me. After smiling back at him, I clean the counters swiftly.

"Ahri, could you take care of the cash register? I have to take a look at the kitchen real quick," Jaehyun informs me.

"Will do, boss," I state loudly and make my way over to the register.

Organizing the counter in front of me, I don't notice someone already standing in front of me. I hear a deep voice clearing their throat and I look up, smiling fondly.

The smile immediately leaves my lips as soon as I see him.

His ink like hair is styled back, showing and presenting his forehead. On his ears are several piercings and jewelry. He has a cut on his right brow on his perfectly shaped face. He stands straight, increasing his already tall height.

"Long time no see, Arquero."

I cringe at the name he addressed me with, disgust and anger build in my system as soon as he opens his mouth. Taking in a deep breath, I remind myself to control my fire and not burn on myself.

"What do you want here?" I ask him impatiently.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk," he chuckles, "Still the unfriendly girl, I see?"

"Still the cocky bastard, I see?"

He chuckles again and smiles at me, showing his pearly teeth. "You know," he starts, "I've really missed you."

Before my brain could think of a witty remark, he holds his ring filled hand up and stops me. "I've searched you for a while. What does a little girl like you do in a big city like this?" He asks as his eyes roam over the small cafe.

"You don't even have a family, so who do you live with?" He sneers, nearing his face to mine.

Every time he opens his mouth I get angrier. I don't take a step back, that would only make him feel empowered and would boost his ego more than it already is.

"Why do you care?" A frown is on my face, breathing impatiently. "You wanna play traitor again, or what?"

"Ahri-ah, don't act like I don't care about you," he pouts and whines in a fake manner, but smirks as soon as he notices my disgusted face.

Jaehyun suddenly stands beside me and smiles at him. "So, I see that you've already met Ahri. She's the best worker we have here," my boss states proudly of me, laying his arm around my shoulder.

The familiar person stares at Jaehyun's arm around me but smiles falsely just a few moments later.

"Oh, yes I've already met her," he smirks, gazing at me. "Will be a nice time working with her."

My eyes widen in shock. I just stare at the person in front of me, mouth agape.

What the fuck.

My brain formulates no thoughts other than to register that I'm shocked. I close my mouth, then look down at the counter before glancing back up to catch Jaeuhyun's eye.

"He will be working here?" my dumbfounded self asks Jaehyun while pointing at the person, who will soon be my co-worker.

"Yes," Jaehyun gazes at me confusingly, surprised by the unusual harshness in my voice. He puts my hand down with his own. "Is there a problem, Ahri?" He asks me.

"Yeah," the person in front of me speaks up. "Do you have a problem with that?" He smirks, eyes filled with dangerous mischief.

"No," I clench my jaw, gazing at him with anger.

"Good," Jaehyun smiles, "let's get back to work now, Ahri. He'll start working here tomorrow."

I nod my head slowly and comprehend what just happened. He's going to work here?

Jaehyun turns towards my future co-worker and smiles at him in his genuine friendly manner. "I'll see you tomorrow, bye!"

"See you tomorrow," he replies, winking at me before leaving the cafe. My eyes widen because of his audacity.

This motherfu—

"Everything okay, Ahri-ah?" Jaehyun asks me, concerned. He snaps me out of my thoughts and I lightly nod my head.

"I'm fine," I answer while looking at the floor.

"Are you sure?" He questions me again, pulling my head up with his finger softly.

I nod my head again while gazing at his warm brown hues, "yes."

"Good," he smiles, his eyes crinkling at the ends. "Let's get back to work now."

My legs and arms ache, but I'm kind of getting used to the pain these past few days. I smile at Jaehyun as I get out of the cafe and head home.

I enter the alley I always make my way home to, but today it seems different. It seems darker and kind of intimidating.

Knowing my instinct and how I'm always right, I hurry up and pray that nothing will happen.

Something is gonna happen, and then I'll just get scolded for it. God, I know I ignore your signs all the time, but I swear it's because—

My heartbeat quickens as I see many men standing in front of a bar. I glance at them and their eyes are already roaming over my body.

Act confident. Don't let anyone see you weak, Yona.

"Where is a little girl like you going at this hour?" One of the men asks while smirking.

Writing you onto the list of hell, you son of a bitch.

Scoffing at their disgusting behavior, I hurry my steps even more while breathing heavily.

I sense them quickly walking behind me and my anxious self immediately takes over me.

God, please, help me.

In the verge of tears, someone suddenly grabs my arm swiftly and pulls me into another alleyway.

I groan as my back is harshly pressed against a wall as I'm being held back by someone strong.

Trying to scream as a reflex, I fail because a hand is already placed on my mouth.

This is my end.

Thanks for nothing, God. And there I was, about to listen to your signals from now on.

"Don't scream, it's me," he whispers, motioning for me to keep quiet.

"They will hear you, so be quiet," he holds a finger up to his mouth.

My eyes are wide as I stare at him. He looks around and releases his hand from my mouth when he doesn't notice anyone suspicious.

He smiles at me, "what's up, Ahri."

Staring at him angrily, I'm disappointed in myself because I can't even protect myself properly. All of that karate, and for what?

"What do you want from me?" I ask him harshly.

"Why do you always have the need to follow me?" I bombard him with questions, eyes filled with irritation and fire.

"Look, I—" he starts, but I soon cut him off.

"No, you look!" I yell at him, having enough of him and his presence.

"You have no control over me anymore, Lee Seojun!"