''We can't contact any of the boys...'' Minzy said as she sat on the couch.

 

 

''I think it's best unnie stays here first. She really looks weak.'' CL suggested while still tapping on her phone sending messages to the boys. They need their help for Dara's proposal to make it successful. ''Bom unnie...''

 

 

 

''Hmmm...''

 

 

 

''Unnie come here, look at this menu... and should we put the ring inside the sushi? Or inside a cake? Or in the wine glass or…Or should unnie just propose all by herself?'' Minzy asked as she keyed in reminders on her ipad.

 

 

 

 

''Hmmmm...''

 

 

 

''Unnie????''

 

 

 

''*Chomp chomp chomp*  Hmm? Yeah... *chomp chomp chom* just... *chomp let her propose... No need for *chomp other props.''

 

 

''I can't believe this! That's already your 8th corn!'' CL stood up and shoved her phone to her pocket.

 

 

 

''My doctor said grains are good for me.'' Bom said as she wiped before grabbing a bottled water. ''Listen you two... Darong wants the proposal to be as simple as possible, arasso? It's enough that it's done over a dinner with Jiyong having no idea she's about to propose. And she wants all the people important to her appear when he says yes. That's her instruction.'' she said as she pointed to Dara who went back to sleeping once more.

 

 

''Noted unnie!'' Minzy said. ''I'll be going in a while. I need to meet my staff. If Daesung oppa can decide without me, I can do the same!''

 

 

''Aisht! Why are these babos not picking up?'' CL said after trying to contact the boys.

 

 

 

''Omo! Uncle Hyun Suk is ringing Darong's phone!!! Otteoke???'' Bom squealed and threw her corn.

 

 

''Yah you can't let them know!!!'' CL said and took the phone from Bom's hand.

 

 

 

''Yoboseyo?'' CL tried to calm herself and sound normal.

 

 

''Hello? Chaerin?''

 

 

''N-n-eh, Uncle. Dara unnie's... Dara unnie's inside the restroom! Neh... We're having early dinner right now uncle.'' CL said while closing her eyes.

 

 

''Oh, is that so? Hmm... I just want to let her know that the boys are on an important operation. I was afraid she's getting overly worried again. Tell her not to. Arasso? Or maybe I'll just try to call again later.''

 

 

 

''NO NEED UNCLE!!!''

 

 

''Bwoh?''

 

 

 

CL clamped and looked at Minzy and Bom but the two are just biting their lips.

 

 

''I mean, I'll just let her know. Don't worry uncle. Ehe... Neh... Neh... Arasso! Annyeong!'' CL said and finally heaved a sigh of relief when Dara's father already hung up.

 

 

 

 

''!!! We really need to get through with this! It's hard keeping a secret, damn it!''

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

“We’re already surrounding the entire vicinity, Jiyong.” TOP’s voice came booming in Jiyong’s ears signaling Jiyong that he can proceed infiltrating the area. Shoving his hands inside his pockets after adjusting his hood, he walked casually into the dark alley when men in black suits started to  arrive one by one. Seungri went straight with a bag, blending himself in with the crowd while Daesung and Youngbae stayed behind them backing them up.

 

 

 

 

“You two, make sure not to show your face for some of the men might recognize you.” TOP reminded the other two since they were part of the team that went to the bank robbery scene at Mapo-Gu.

 

 

Looking at each other as if sending signals, Youngbae and Daesung quickly grabbed two men into a corner and silenced them with a punch and a hit on their nape. They quickly rummaged through the men’s pockets for the red ticket which they need to get in.

 

 

 

“Hey…” the tall man with a scar on his face approached Seungri and held his hand in the air, telling him to stop.

 

 

“Yes?”

 

 

“I don’t think I’ve seen you before punk.”

 

 

 

“Oh, that… It’s actually our second time here. Too bad you weren’t able to see us the first time.” Seungri said with a smirk.

 

 

“What’s going on here?”

 

 

Seungri looked behind him and saw Jiyong tilting his head, his eyes scrutinizing the three guards before them.

 

 

“Boss, they say they don’t know us.” Seungri informed.

 

 

“Aiyoo… Someone wants to get his head busted. Where are the red tags?” Jiyong asked Seungri.

 

 

“Boss!” Daesung and Youngbae came in with their respective red tags.

 

 

The guard snatched it from the two and checked it before nodding to the other two.

 

 

The four boys could just look at each other while the men checked on their bodies before allowing them to get in. Seungri was the last to be checked and everyone sighed in relief when the door finally opened up.

 

 

 

“Wait!!!” one of the men called them and run towards them making them all pause into a halt.

 

 

“Open the bag.”

 

 

Seungri rolled his eyes and ped it he took two bundles of cash and thew it to the man.

 

 

“Want more?” he asked making the three idiots nod. “I believe we have to let your boss know about this though.” He added making the three gasp in terror and shook their heads.

 

 

“M-m-mianhe! Go inside please!”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“We can’t waste any moment!” Jiyong told the boys as they stepped out of the elevator. “Seungri, you go inside the arena and inform us everything that’s going on. “Bro, you go there, Daesung, head this way.,. I’ll find the VIP area.” Jiyong said and ran away immediately.

 

 

 

 

“ hyung! Hyun Bin’s already going up the ring!” Seungri in formed as he leaned forward to see clearly. “And his opponent’s a freaking huge kid yah!”

 

 

 

 

Jiyong didn’t answer and just continued to run his way up the elevated platform surrounded with glass panels for the VIP’s viewing. He doesn’t need to be informed. The announcer’s voice is loud enough to echo around the whole place.

 

 

 

“Already seated here inside the control room. Those boys were easy.” Youngbae said, still panting via his communicator. “What’s up Dae?”

 

 

“I found another exit point… I’m not just sure what’s behind this… I’ll try to contact TOP hyung so they can use this door.” Daesung said before turning around only to see a bunch of men going his way. “Damn!” he cursed and ran towards the door and struggled to open it since he has nowhere else to run to.

 

 

“Wae? Oh !!! Youngbae panicked upon seeing the men on the camera nearing Daesung.

 

 

“What’s going on?” TOP asked on the other line.

 

 

“Hyung, go to the southwestern part and take as many men as you can! There’s a gate right there and Daesung’s got cornered!”

 

 

---

 

 

 

“Aisht, unnie, you’re so persistent!” Minzy scowled at Dara.

 

 

“I need to be here. What if Jiyong suddenly comes home and I’m still in the hospital? Besides, Dr. Kim told me everything’s fine. I just need to get some rest that’s all.” Dara said as Joongki settled her on the couch.

 

 

“Yeah, yeah… Jiyong oppa here, Jiyong oppa there… Aiyoo unnie.” CL twitched her lips. “Between you and Bom unnie, I find it harder dealing with you. You’re so stubborn.”

 

 

“CL-roo…”

 

 

“Yeah, you just don’t want oppa to get worried, right.” CL rolled her eyes.

 

 

“And you just want to surprise him… right…” Minzy seconded.

 

 

 

When Dara woke up, she immediately insisted to go home. The girls argued with her but Joongki, knowing how persistent Dara is, took the girls home to Dara’s apartment.

 

 

“Yah, Darong! Your bed’s already done, come on sleep early.” Bommie came out of the bedroom and called Dara to go in.

 

 

“Aiyoo, I’m not a child, why are you being like this?”

 

 

“We can’t take risks!!!” the girls shouted in unison.

 

 

“If something happens to you, all our efforts for the D-day will be put to waste!” Bom told her,

 

 

“Aiyoo… Just when I thought you’re all concerned about me.” Dara snapped at them.

 

 

“I… I… guess I should be going home.” Joongki rubbed his nape and smiled at the girls. “it’s getting late.” He added before turning to Dara.

 

 

“Yah, we don’t have a shoot tomorrow. I’m pretty sure the co-owner of DB & Co. can take a leave in her own company?” Joongki told Dara.

 

 

“Neh, oppa.” Dara chuckled. “I don’t have any plan of going to work tomorrow. The girls and I are going to  be busy with something else.”

 

 

Joongki smiled knowingly. He nodded and heaved a sigh before speaking up once more.

 

 

 

“I’ll go ahead. Goodnight.” He said making the girls just nod at him.

 

 

“Keep safe oppa!” CL told her cousin and she couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

“AAAAAH!!!” Hyun Bin grimaced in pain when he earned a punch in the jaw from his opponent.

 

 

“Yah!!! Get up!!! Don’t waste our money here!” the crowd shouted at him.

 

 

He slowly held onto the ring for support and tried to stand up. His knees are already shaky, his eyes puffy and his lips swollen from all the beating he got but no, he is not going to fight back. He knows the other kid is just a victim just like him.

 

 

“Ahjussi…” his tears started to flow as he felt helpless towards his current situation.

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

“TOP hyung and the boys already got in, hyung. We gotta move faster, Hyun bin is already limping! Yah hyung!!!” Seungri’s voice echoed in his ears.

 

 

 

“Everybody ready?” Jiyong said as he cut the wiring from the main electrical supply making everyone gasp in the dark.

 

 

“Aisht!!! You should’ve warned me first! Now I’m lost inside the da---- OUCCCH!!!” Seungri shook his head when he felt someone hit him from behind. He nudged the man behind him and spun around to kick him hard in the shin as he struggled to fight in the dark. “Damn hyung, they’re attacking me!”

 

 

“That’s for being too noisy, you rat!”

 

 

 

 

The whole crowd was in chaos and everyone fled away from their seats while Seoul PD cops made their way inside, searching for other children and victms of the gang.

 

 

 

“Hyun Bin… Seungri, find Hyun bin!!!” Jiyong said as he run up the platform. He saw a light still flickering inside the booth giving the entire arena a view of what’s going on inside.

 

 

 

“Freeze! Don’t move!” Jiyong said as he kicked the door open. Youngbae came running to his side with his gun ready.

 

 

“Drop your weapons and put your hands over your head!!!” Youngbae told the four figures before them and they could just shakily hold their hands up.

 

 

“What the ???!!!” Jiyong furrowed his brows as he stepped nearer the men before them.

 

 

“Oh crap these are minors!!!”

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

“Bro, we’re losing them!!! Jiyong said as he leaned forward to check their distance from the black car.

 

 

“I know! I’m trying my best here!” Youngbae said.

 

The two couldn’t believe they’ve just been fooled.

 

So this gang really uses minors for everything even for their own protection and personal gain.

 

 

Jiyong carefully slid himself out of the car window and aimed his gun towards the black car before them but realized he’s still too far.

 

 

“Bro, a bit mo--- AAAAHH!!!”

 

 

Jiyong went back in when a series of gunshots were fired at them.

 

 

“Damn where’s our back up?” Jiyong slammed his hand on the dashboard before finding tilting his head out of the window and counter firing the bunch of gangsters running away for their lives.

 

 

“There there there!!! Jiyong we’re near!!!” Youngbae told him as he maneuvered to sharp turn in pursuit of the car. Jiyong fired his gun and aimed for the wheels but he missed it.

 

 

“AISHT!!! I’M GETTIN’ RUSTY DAMNIT!”  he said. He tried firing another shot again and this time he consecutively hit it making the car swerve and lose control as they approached a curve, allowing it to bump onto the concrete post by the road.

 

 

“Aiyoo… Finally busted!” Youngbae said as the jumped out of the car.

 

 

 

Jiyong turned around  to see another Seoul PD car approaching and couldn’t help but feel worried seeing only Seungri and TOP inside but immediately shook his thoughts away. Questions can wait. Right now they need to arrest these criminals before them and get through with this case.

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

“Oppa… oppa…” Eunbi called Hyun bin, tyring to wake him up from his bed. “Oppa…”

 

 

 

“Hey little girl, your oppa is just sleeping. He’s okay… Don’t worry.” Daesung said and the girl’s hair.

 

 

“I dreamed about him. I was so scared.”

 

 

“He’s safe now… You both are, Eunbi-ah.” Daesung assured the girl before lifting her in his arms. “Stop crying now, arasso? We wouldn’t want to wake him up do we?”

 

 

Eunbi just nodded and wiped her tears away before hugging Daesung.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

Dara’s eyes automatically snapped open upon smelling a familiar scent hit her nose.

 

 

She sat up and squinted her eyes in their dimly lit room only to find Jiyong seated on the side of the bed clad in his towel as droplets of water trickled down from his wet hair down his exposed body.

 

 

“Ji?” she slowly moved towards him and wrapped her arms around his neck, hugging him from behind, not minding how wet he is from taking a bath.

 

 

“Hey…” he said and held her hands, rubbing it as he brought it to his lips. “How’s my baby?”

 

 

Dara flinched at his words. She bit her lips to control herself not to spoil her surprise and tell him they now have a real baby growing inside her womb.

 

 

“Jagiya?”

 

 

“N-n-eh?”

 

 

“I was asking you… How’s your day?”

 

 

“F-f-ine… But it’s so much better now that you’re here. I was really worried.” Dara said and even tightened her arms around Jiyong.

 

 

“Aaaacck!!! Cant… Breathe… babe…”

 

 

“Omo! I’m sorry!” Dara said and pulled back. Jiyong just smiled and lie down the bed.

 

 

“Aiyooo, that’s fine baby. Come here.” He said and opened his arms for his baby girl.

 

 

Dara smiled and laid herself on top of him, enjoying the warmth of just being close to him after all the things that happened since yesterday.

 

 

“Ji, did you happen to see the girls here a while ago?” Dara asked upon remembering the girls planned to stay over night in their apartment.

 

 

“Neh… The boys came with me a while ago and CL decided to stay next door at Seungri’s while Daesung took Minzy home. TOP hyung of course was with Bom noona. Why we’re they here by the way?” Jiyong asked.

 

 

“Oh that… it’s because we’re working on a project… right… hehe…”

 

 

“Stop working too much babe I really feel bad everytime you do that.”

 

 

“S-s-orry... Hmm...Ji…”

 

 

“Hmmm?”

 

 

“A-a-re you still mad about… Joongki oppa?”

 

 

Jiyong heaved a sigh before answering her question. He almost forgot about that bastard, he thought.

 

 

“Ani… It’s just that I saw some news about you and him and even finished watching your show. I felt envious jagiya… I think he even spends more time with you more than I do… and like what I said last night, baby trust me… he likes you or even more than that---

 

 

“But does it matter?”

 

 

“Hmm?”

 

 

“Does it matter if he likes me? I like him too yes…”

 

 

“YAH!” Jiyong raised his voice and pushed himself up a bit startling Dara from his sudden reaction.

 

 

“Let me finish will you? I mean, I like him the way I like Teddy and se7en oppa… I like him as a friend… as an older brother. Nothing more than that, Jiyong. So please, stop hating him.”

 

 

“Who knows he’s taking advantage of you. Dara you’re too naïve to even notice about that.”
 

“Yah!” Dara pushed herself up and looked at Jiyong.

 

 

“Omo! You got some bruises on your face!” Dara said when she noticed upon seeig his face up close.

 

 

“Oh don’t mind that. Those bastards tried to fight even if we already surrounded them. I was caught off guard because I was preoccupied that time.”

 

 

“With???”

 

 

“You.”

 

 

Dara rolled her eyes and ticked her tongue. “Mushy mushy Jiyongie… Aiyoo.”

 

 

“But you liked that didn’t you?”  Jiyong wiggled his brows at her.

 

“Stop doing that, you look like a retard!”

 

 

“A cute retard…A y one, right jagiya?”

 

 

“Pscht! A conceited one, that is!” Dara chuckled and tried to get off him but Jiyong wrapped his arms around her waist.

 

 

“Baby let’s just stay this way please. I miss you…” Dara could just laugh at how childish Jiyong is right now. She looked away and chuckled before turning back to him, cupping his face and kissing the bruise on his lower lip.

 

 

“Oh boy… the sweetest cure ever.” Jiyong said as he closed his eyes, feeling her sweet lips make its own magic against his.

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

“BWOOOOHHHH!!!” Seungri choked on his hot coffee the next morning and hit his chest hard as he tried to catch his breath. He cleared his throat before speaking up once more but CL yelled back at him.

 

 

“CAN YOU JUST SHUT THE UP!!! AISHT!!!” CL slapped Seungri’s shoulder and stood up from her seat.

 

 

“But…But… Yah! Say that once again! I really can’t believe it!” Seungri said as she followed CL to the living room.

 

 

“You dumb! I said Dara unnie is going to propose to Jiyong oppa this Friday and I need your help so please just do as I say! Arasso???”

 

 

“THAT JUST CAN’T BE KITTY CAT!!!”

 

 

“W-w-ae?”

 

 

“Because Jiyong hyung is going to propose too on Saturday!!!”

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

 

“I’m sorry for calling up so early… How is she?”

 

 

 

Jiyong scowled at the man before him in disbelief. He barely had enough sleep and Joongki called him up earlier to meet him at the nearest cafe. He even had to make excuses to Dara for eh didn't want her to know he'smeeting Joongki. And now he's asking about Dara casually.

 

“Hyung, just go straight to the point. I don’t have plans answering your questions if it concerns about her.”

 

 

Joongki bit his inner cheek and leaned back down his chair. “Too bad, I came here to talk to you about her.”

 

“Hyung,…”
 

 

“You’re right… You’re right all along. I like her… well I think that’s even an understatement.”

 

 

Jiyong shut his eyes and ran his palm across his face. “So now you’re finally talking like a man!”

 

 

“Jiyong listen…”

 

 

“No, you listen to me hyung.” Jiyong pushed himself forward across the table. “Back off.” Jiyong said as he pointed his finger to Joongki. He then walked away as fast as he can, out of the cafeteria.

 

 

Joongki could just slam his hand on the table in frustration before standing up and following Jiyong to the carpark.

 

 

 

 

 

---

 

 

 

“Hey… I’m still talking to you.” Joongki held Jiyong’s shoulder and spun him around but then Jiyong welcomed him with a punch on his face.

 

 

 

“AAAAGHHH!” Joongki fell back and held his jaw. “Why you!”

 

 

Joongki stood up and launched a punch at Jiyong, this time he hit arm. Jiyong then countered him with another punch in the face making Joongki fall back to the ground once more.

 

 

“Take that, you traitor! You can never have her, arasso? Huh!!!” Jiyong said as he landed a punch after another on Joongki’s face.

 

 

Joongki didn’t fight back this time. He allowed the pain to seep inside his system, waking him up and making him realize the battle has ended and he has lost. But he can only do so much for Dara.

 

He’ll never let her stoop that low.

 

 

“You… don’t… know.. how… ing… lucky… you are… to have… her!” Joongki said in between his breath. “I know something about her that you don’t, you bastard!”

 

 

Jiyong stopped beating the hell out of Joongki and pushed himself up, dragging Joongki up by his shirt.

 

 

“What did you just say?”

 

 

Joongki smirked as he spat blood and wiped his bloodied face.

 

 

“I’m saving her dignity… as a woman…”

 

 

“YAHH!!!” Jiyong was about to attack him once more but Joongki said something that made Jiyong’s world stop.

 

 

 

“She’s going to propose to you, you moron!”

 

 

 

“Bwoh?”

 

 

 

“Friday night… at Minzy and Daesung’s resto… she’s going to propose to you because you’re one heck of a slow sloth you got her so damn frustrated you don’t even have any plan to marry her soon!”

 

 

“T-that’s not true.”

 

 

 

“It’s true… I hope it’s not but it’s true, you as*hole! She even shoved it to my face, that million dollar ring. Do you even deserve it? You’re becoming a father and you don’t even pay her much attention!!!”

 

 

Jiyong furrowed his brows and shook his head, unable to process Joongki’s words.

 

 

“B-b-b-woh? M-m-e? A father?” Jiyong stood frozen to the ground, his mouth agape in disbelief.

 

 

 

“She fainted yesterday… And you should’ve been the one by her side right? She asked us to keep it a secret… She said she wants to surprise you. All her deeds, all her thoughts, it’s always been you she considers first and still you feel that insecure? Damn you Jiyong! Just damn!!!”

 

 

 

Jiyong shut his eyes in confusion. How long has he been away? Since when did she plan about this?

 

 

And Dara… she’s pregnant…

 

 

She's carrying a child... Their child.

 

 

 

Jiyong didn’t realize the stream of tears falling down his face. He smiled and wiped the tears away. He marched towards Joongki and grabbed him by his shirt once more.

 

 

“You’re not kidding are you?”

 

 

“Do you think I’d let you beat my handsome face just for the sake of a joke? You’re really unbelievable!”

 

 

Jiyong bit his lip as he suppressed his laughter but failed to do so.

 

 

“Yah, yah!!! Don’t you dare Jiyong I swear I’m---“

 

 

 

“KYAAAAHAHAHAHA!!! I’M GOING TO BE A FATHER!!!” Jiyong jumped up and down in joy.

 

 

“Oh !” Joongki palmed his beaten face in embarrassment.

 

 

“Can he be any crazier?” Joongki peeped in between the spaces of his fingers watching Jiyong acti like a total lunatic

 

 

“YAH, YAH, AHJUMMA! HYUNG SAID I’M GOING TO BE A FATHER SOON!!! HHAHAHAH!!! MY LITTLE KWON IS COMING!!!” Jiyong talked to an ahjumma passing by them like a madman who just escaped from a mental institution.

 

 

Joongki shook his head and walked away, aiming for his car when Jiyong noticed it.

 

 

“Yah hyung”

 

 

“What now???”
 

 

“Yah, where do you think you’re going?”

 

 

“Home? What, do you want me to watch you lose yourself in this place the whole day?”

 

 

“Ani… You’re not going home.”

 

 

 

"Yah. I've had enough from you today! What the hell are you talking about?"

 

 

 

“You’re going to help me and the boys with my proposal.”

 

 

 

"BWOOOH???

 

 

---

 

 

 

 

A/n:

 

 

Aiyoo... Mianhe for the crappy updates, i sometimes wonder why I still have readers... TT_TT

 

 

But I really do appreaciate all of you dear susbcribers and silent readers and everyone who supported Ahjumma Next Door up to this crazy sequel. Thank you to those who shared their lovely lovely comments and for boosting my confidence up in writing and for giving me inspiration to go on.

 

 

Two chaps to go... Dunno if I should feel sad or relieved. TT_TT

 

Thank you guys... See you all until the last two chaps!

 

 

silentapathy

 

 

twitter people, let's follow each other! mine's @silentapathy18