You lean against the counter for support. You're feeling light-headed.

"Who are you?! What more do you want from me?" You demand, trying to steady your voice. A low laughter erupts from the mouth of the blackmailer.

"Didn't I tell you? Your crime partner."

With that, he disconnects the call.

"I think we need to track this call." You look at Jhope, you bite your lips to stop them from trembling.

You can't handle so much. You're so tired. But, you can't give up. You can't fall weak. Whoever is challenging you has to be dealt with and you will make sure of it.

You don't even know why you're telling him that, but your phone rings again.

You scowl heavily as you look at the caller ID. On checking the contact name, you relax.

"Hello?" You for the first time in months feel happy to speak to him.

"Y/n! Are you safe?!" Jungkook pants heavily.

"Yes, I am. Are you? What happened?"

"I received this envelope.."

×××

You're cramping so bad, you feel awkward to admit it to Jhope. You just tell him you're not feeling well with the threats and stress and he offers to drop you home. Jungkook asked to meet you at the rooftop terrace. But, on Jhope's advise you decide to change your rendezvous.

It's decided that since you've been followed all day, at least till you feel better, you shake off the shadowers. Namjoon suggests you to stay at his apartment, but you really don't need any more favours.

Jhope informs Namjoon that he will drop you wherever it is necessary and Namjoon calms Leena down. You inform Taehyung that you won't be able to get in touch because you're sick. He sounded worried and asks if he should drop by, but you tell him you'll see him yourself when you feel better. He doesn't press.

You respect him for that. He's a gentleman. If you put all the cold attitude, the stolen kisses, the stupid contract and the weird obsession with research, aside.

Okay.. you really don't know anymore.

You turn to see that San Ji has fallen asleep and there are dark circles under his eyes. He barely takes sleep and his eyes are sinking into his skull. Jhope drives in silence.

You feel so grateful and so ashamed. Your boss driving you home is too much for you. "Why did you offer to drop me? I could take the train." You have to commute everyday anyway.

He laughs and looks at you as he turns his eyes back on the road, "Before Namjoon receives death threat by his girlfriend, I'll receive death threats from him."

You roll your eyes, "They aren't that-"

"You have no idea. You're lucky, though." He adds as he rolls his eyes back at you and then takes a turn. The roads are getting dark and the highway you take is silent and eerie.

You feel uncomfortable. Jhope is not one of those people you can be comfortably silent with.

"About Yoongi.." you begin and Jhope looks at you questioningly. "What kind of mafia is he a part of? Why mention that to me?" You ask.

He chuckles, "Y/N. Yoongi is not the kind of person that you need to be afraid of. He's a very smart guy even though he appears to be the kind that remains in hibernation mode 26 hours a day all around the year."

You shake your head and peep in the back seat to see if San Ji is still asleep. "No, I meant.. does he.. kill?"

"Do you think he would tell me if he did? I could turn him in. I just know that he's joined hands with a lot of underground people that he doesn't speak of in a normal casual conversation. But, he can surely help you."

"Help me? How? By killing the guy?"

"Is murder the only thing that looks like a solution to you?" He laughs and you go red in the face. Of course, not.

"Murder is the only thing that I don't want to use as the solution." You reply. He's silent for a long time.

"Why is he here then?" You ask.

"You are very curious about Yoongi." He notes and you nod unapologetically.

"He got sick of it." He says after a long pause. You inhale deeply, "Why?"

"Because he has a heart that still beats for humanity."

"Then why join a mafia in the first place?" You raise an eyebrow.

"I'll set you a date with him if you're that interested. Ask him yourself." He laughs shrugging and you giggle back in response.

"Can they leave the underground?" You are just so curious because this is all just new to you. You suddenly feel a sharp cramp stabbing in your abdomen and you bend over in pain.

He instantly hits the break and turns to you. "Are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?" You look up and he's staring at you intently.

You don't know why but you're entrapped in his mesmerising gaze and then you're reminded of Dr. Kim. Every time you're in the company of another good looking man, your mind jumps to Kim Taehyung.

As if there's some unspoken vow of loyalty you took to never be distracted.

You keep getting bias wrecked. Life is so hard.

You clear your throat, blinking hard to break the stare. "I'm fine.. I just-"

"I understand, I'll hit it." He hits the accelerator and the car launches forward smoothly. "This is wickedly smooth. Reminds me of Batmobile." You note as you carefully observe the seats and everything around you inside the car, humming in content to yourself.

"Kch. That's BMW for ya." He winks and smirks at you.

"Back to my question." You continue.

He blinks slowly, "What question?"

"Can they leave the Mafia?"

"Y/N, you're asking me these questions as if I write the constitution for the Mafia. Relax, girl. I'm just a regular CEO of Shinsegae group." You roll your eyes.

Yeah, because that's no big deal.

You take a deep breath and throw your head back on the car seat.

"I don't know what's happening with my life. What's the point of living-"

"Hey, hey." He stops you, "Life's gonna get better. There's hope! What's my name?"

"Jung.. Hoseok?" You raise your eyebrows, wondering how this could be related at all in any way.

"No." He shakes his head, "What do my friends call me?"

"Er.. Sunshine butterfly rainbow rider?" You say slowly.

He bursts out laughing, "Aww, Y/N. You're so cute." He beams at you, "Jhope!" He reminds you.

San Ji stirs in his sleep at the sudden raise of Jhope's voice. "You call me Jhope. I'm your hope, you're my hope. I'm Jhope." He throws you a finger heart.

You're worried that your boss may have been mentally still trying to retain his attitude as a 6 year old. He's so innocent and pure.

"So.. how does that benefit me? Does that pay my bills?" You laugh sarcastically.

He can't help but laugh in reply and shake his head, "If you want." He finally says.

"What?"

"I'm your boss, Y/N. You do know I'm paying you more than you work." Your smile fades as you simply stare at him.

He's right.

"Why? Charity?" You hate charity.

"No, no." He shakes his head frowning. "I care about you. I want to see you happy."

"Why? What am I to you?" You don't accept unreasonable affection from anybody. You have always been around people who had an underlying motive for everything they do, good or bad.

Kindness is very expensive when it comes to receiving. Everybody wants it, but nobody really ever wants to give it without something in return.

So whenever you receive it, you are disarmed.

"You're.. well, here we are." He hits the break in front of a sauna.

"You're good to go. Ping me if you need something."

"You've done more than enough." You say and you're about to leave, but you forget you've got your seatbelt on and it pulls against your chest.

You double over in pain, because your chest has been sore from all the cramping.

He instantly bends over and helps you unbuckle your seatbelt. "You seem to be in a lot of pain, Y/n. I really want you to be okay. Let me know if I can help you in any way." He says as he's undoing it and you come free.

"Thanks." You say and his hair brushes your face. You inhale deeply and you just sit there staring at him.

Boy, does he smell good

He looks up at you and your face feels hot. You don't know what is happening with you. Your heart begins to do its own special marathon in your ribs.

Maybe, it's just that you're menstruating that your hormones are all over the place, but you can't deny that he looks incredibly handsome even otherwise.

"Don't look at me like that, Y/n. It takes a lot to exercise self control." He licks his lip as he stares at yours.

"What?" You ask blankly.

"I think your saviour is waiting for you in that sauna. You may be getting late." He changes the topic quickly as he jumps out of the car and holds your door open for you.

You climb out and then look at the backseat. Jhope follows your eyes and then pushes his hands into his pockets, "I'll drop him home. I know Leena's apartment. She'll take care of him."

You shake your head, "He will get stressed out."

"He's asleep for now. We shared some quality time at the Shinsegae. He's warmed up to me, don't worry." He assures you, giving his special dimpled smile that warms your heart so much.

You slowly nod but, you don't really buy that. You're worried about his safety.

"Y/n, you do realize nobody is gonna tail a Shinsegae group CEO at this time of the night while he's riding around the city in his BMW, right?" You say nothing so he goes on.

"People have better things to do. Your brother is safest with me for now. No murderer is gonna suspect. You taking him with you will get more stressful. We'll figure things out later, tomorrow. Go." He pushes you as you slowly nod again.

Your heart is not in leaving San Ji behind, but your phone rings and you realize Jungkook has been waiting for half an hour.

You rush inside and sure enough Jungkook stands near the cashier.

He grabs your arm, "What were you doing? Out with your Dr. Watson solving this mystery alone? I grew grey hair waiting for you!" He exclaims as he tows you inside, quickly looking around.

You sigh. You almost forgot how possessive he used to get. You are about to bend to remove your shoes when the monthly visitor grates the insides of your body and you wince with pain.

He quickly bends down to untie your shoelace for you. You are about to fight back, but he grabs your ankle to make you stay and you almost trip. Your reflex is grabbing a handful of his hair tightly as you steady yourself.

It's his turn to wince and he goes, "Ow!" And you both are just putting on a good comedy show for the watchers. After the struggle is over you follow him to the reception desk.

You're given towels, a pair of pajamas and a key to the changing rooms.

He pays the fee for both of you, despite your protests, and then tows you all the way inside to the canteen. The aroma of steamed eggs wafts in your direction.

"Let's wash up and get ourselves some good steam." He suggests. He's busy walking, but you stand back to stare at him incredulously.

"Are you serious?" You ask when he finally realizes you're not with him and turns around.

"What?" He points at the locker key at his wrist. "We can't just go sleep? Saunas are a thing for a reason."

"And what's the reason?" You demand mockingly, crossing your arms stubbornly over your chest. You jut your lower lip out in disbelief, waiting for him to realize what you're really here for.

He promised to show you the envelope on meeting up.

"It's good for our body!" He whispers aggressively as people start giving you looks for standing and arguing right in the middle.

"So you think we met to do something together that's good for our bodies?" You ask sarcastically. He opens his mouth to argue back, but then his expression changes and he smirks.

"God, no. Jungkook, stop. You're disgusting."

"What? I didn't even say anything-!" He laughs. "It crossed your mind too, huh?" He says, wiggling his eyebrows.

"Not until you made that face."

"What face?"

"Shut up."

unedited;