credits: ISHIEMARU

credits: masterseungri

credits: annejiyongi

DARA’s POV

"Let's party!" Bom threw her hands up in the air as we entered the wrap up party of the Product Convention. I let her run wild in her natural habitat seeing how delighted she was. I should be ecstatic since everything went smoothly, but there was still something bothering me at the back of my mind. Jiyong already apologized and I believed his explanation but somehow, I don't think it's about the lipstick mark anymore. The two of us are okay and we're living our lives like how we used to, but why do I feel like I'm missing something?

My thoughts were cut off when a glass of cocktail was hovered in my line of vision. I looked up and saw Haejin standing beside me, tipping his chin up as if urging me to take the glass.

"I'm sure the Deputy Mountain Master has more pressing matters to attend to than guarding a mobster's woman," I said as I accepted the drink.

"The Dragon Head is doing a very good job in keeping tabs of our opponents and in upholding the Triads' name, so we have fewer headaches nowadays," he explained as he took a sip of his drink. "Since I'm already here, might as well enjoy."

I kept my silence and scanned the crowd, making sure that Bom was not causing any trouble that would put our company to shame. She made new friends in a span of minutes and was extending her empire as time passed by. I'm really in awe with Bom's social skills.

"I heard Jiyong visited you a few days ago. It really got me curious what it is between you two, so I did my research. It's cute and sweet – you and Jiyong's story, that is. The subordinates call you Mafia's Romeo and Juliet," he snorted, or I thought he did. I was not too sure if he was capable of laughing.

"We all know how that tragic love story ended," he added. I think I need more alcohol to tolerate him. I feel like he was brainwashing me to do what he thought was right.

"I told you before, it's our business, not yours. Why are you so insistent in breaking us up? Do you have a score to settle with Jiyong that's why you're using me to get back to him?"

He arched his eyebrows at me in bewilderment. "Jiyong and I are sworn brothers and we came from the same generation of 49ers. I don't have any beef with him."

"Then, why are you doing this?"

"Doing what? I'm not doing anything. I'm merely stating my opinion."

I took a sip of my cocktail and the two of us were enveloped with silence while watching the people enjoy the party. At that point, I knew that there was no way in hell I was going to enjoy the damn party, what with the king of negativity by my side.

"You're wasting your time, Haejin," I said, grabbing his attention. "I know what you're doing. You're stating your opinion riddled with advice of me leaving Jiyong. You're pretending to give me a choice but you're pushing me on the path that you wanted. You want me to leave Jiyong."

"Yes. And now would be the perfect time to do it."

"I refuse," I said firmly. "Why do you want me to escape this life?"

I thought I saw a glint of sadness in his eyes before he averted his gaze. "Let's just say I have a soft spot for people who should not have been pulled down to the underworld if they were not deluded by the promise of unchanging love."

Unchanging love. Is our love changing?

"The Dragon Head unit is heading to Jeju together with the elders, which is the other reason why I stayed. My men have been requested to guard you for an extended period because of their sudden schedule."

"Jiyong is going to Jeju?" I asked. "For how long?"

"A week. You forgot your phone in your room. He was calling you and got riled up when you're not answering so he called up my men," he informed me. "Here's your phone."

The phone rang as soon as he handed it to me. Seeing that Jiyong was calling, I immediately excused myself and ran to the balcony.

"Hello?"

"I told you so many times not to forget that damn phone," Jiyong's irritated voice entered my ears. A feeling of exhaustion washed over me with the annoyance I heard from him.

"You're irritated again," I told him wearily.

I heard his heavy sigh before he spoke again. "Babe, you really need to stop forgetting your phone. You got me worried back there."

"Okay," I said. "I heard you're going to Jeju for a week."

"Yeah. The elders invited us and we couldn't turn down the invitation. We're flying to Jeju tomorrow."

"We'll be coming home tomorrow. I guess we won't be seeing each other when I get home."

"Yeah. I'll see you in a week."

As soon as we hung up the phone, I couldn't help but stare at the night sky again. It would have been a beautiful view if he was here with me, but just like me, Jiyong was getting busier each day.

The changes were gradual, which was why I didn't think much about it. But now, it was becoming evident. We got used to each other so much that it felt like we were functioning by muscle memory alone. Are we going to be okay?

"Are we okay, Jiyong?" I whispered as a strong wind blew, carrying my whisper away.

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TOP’s POV

'Daddy Youngbae,' I mouthed and twitched my lips upside down. He widened his eyes at me and tilted his head to the ongoing meeting of the elders together with Jiyong. They've been discussing boring Triads stuff and it was honestly hurting my brain. I was already praying that 'someone, please attack us!' so I could pull out my gun and start doing cool stuff instead of standing by the wall to do guard duties while being subjected to information overload torture.

When at long last the meeting was adjourned, I stretched my arms widely and lifted my chin up with my eyes closed, ready to receive a hug from Daddy Youngbae, or Seungri, or Daesung, or... "Hug, anyone?" I asked, but they just threw me a disgusted glance and walked past me. These people are so shy.

I jumped merrily between Daddy Youngbae and Seungri and draped my arms over their shoulders. "The night is young. Let's go get some booze!"

"We're too tired to drink, hyung," Daesung said. He, together with Seungri, immediately fled before I could tie them up and drag them to the nearest bar.

I playfully shifted my gaze at Youngbae and blinked at him multiple times. "I guess it's going to be a date between you and me," I said in a tiny voice.

"Shut up."

"Oh come onnn! Let's meet people with and give them some lovin'!" I exclaimed.

"Hyung. Language," Jiyong muttered as we were about to walk past him. I looked at him curiously and he tilted his head to the direction of Nana who was standing beside him.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Am I not allowed to say in front of people?" I teased, and Youngbae immediately elbowed me to save my skull from being blasted by our unamused boss.

"Sorry Nana," I grinned, rubbing my waist which was the recipient of the elbow strike.

"It's okay," she smiled. "I'm going ahead. I'll see you outside boss."

Youngbae and I frowned and stared at Jiyong.

"You two going somewhere?" I asked.

"I'm accompanying her around."

"AGAIN?!" I exclaimed, earning a sharp glare from him. "Again?" I repeated in a sweet voice. Seriously, they've been roaming around almost every night. "Boss, you could ask anyone to do it instead of doing it yourself."