I Knew You Were Trouble

Pairing : Jisoo (Seventeen) x Hana
Genre : Action, Mystery
Words : 10,035
Written By : Blu3Wind
 

A triquetra symbol.   That was the only thing I remembered about the man who brutally murdered my family.    My father had told us to hide as soon as an unexpected knock came on the door. I regarded it as a game of hide and seek, quickly hiding under the dining table where my father never managed to find me.   From underneath the dangling table cloth, I peeked at my father’s heavy footsteps heading towards the door. He was holding something in his hand. A handgun. But when he opened the door, it had been too late. All it took was a swift motion of the knife, plunged perfectly into my father’s neck, and he never had the chance to shoot the bullet.   My mother cried as she approached the bulky stranger. I don’t know what she was trying to do or accomplish, but she walked straight into the knife.   That day, I lost my family.   ***   “What’s that now?” The bartender asked, drying off a small shot glass with a damp cloth I doubted had been washed in days. He had the kind of face that wasn’t from around here. Probably had an exotic sounding name to go with it.   I grunted and took a quick glance at my surroundings. There was a man a few stools away from me, calmly sipping on his glass of gin and tonic, looking at the rows of empty Whiskey bottle decoration in front of him. He wasn’t concentrating on me, deeming it safe for me to continue.   “This,” I told the bartender, hurriedly lifting the sleeves to reveal a tattoo on my left wrist. It was the same symbol I had seen on the man’s wrist back then. A triangular symbol made of interlaced arch, except that one line had been missing to interrupt the seamlessness. “Have you seen this before?”   “It is quite a common symbol, miss,” he answered, taking a quick peek.   I grew more impatient by his uncooperation. I did not travel all the way to this bar where the most notorious villains and dangerous men frequented only to get a half-assed answer in return. My fingers itched to get the handgun from my coat, but I knew better than to create havoc in a place where I’d clearly be at a disadvantage.   No, to get the answer I want, I needed to offer something in return.   I leaned closer towards him over the bar. “I could offer you money,” I lied. Money should get people talking.    The bartender’s movement slowed, and if he was at all surprised, it did not show on his growing smirk. “Miss, money is not the currency we trade with in here.”   “Then what is?”   “We trade secrets for secrets, intel for intel. They cannot be bought with money, although there is a different way of paying, one which I doubt you’d agree with.”   “What?”   He motioned me to come closer, and as I hovered over the bar, he placed his lips to my ear the same time his fingers brushed over my arm.   “Your body.”   And with that, he bent his head to press his lips on mine. His other hand that had been on my arm, s around my back in an attempt to pull me closer. Despite his boyish appearance, he displayed the brute strength of a man, not budging as I tried to push away. Now would be a good time to reach for my handgun.   “Excuse me.”   The bartender let go as I nearly coiled my fingers around the handle. The suspicious man who had been drinking water stood beside me now. Without warning, he suddenly punched the bartender right in the face, causing him to stumble backwards.   My eyes widened in surprise, seeing the bartender’s nose bleed.   “Forgive my intrusion, but I don’t recall she ever gave you her consent.”   Then he drank the rest of his water, placed the glass on the bar with some cash, and walked out.   In my moment of panic, I quickly followed after him. This bar failed to give me the information I wanted, meaning I had no use for it. The stranger had created an opportunity for me to flee, and I took it.   Once outside, I saw the same man leisurely taking a cigarette. He placed it on the tip of his mouth without ever lighting it, and looked at the faraway distance.   My first instinct had been to flee, but he did save me. My parents raised me better than to ignore common courtesy.   “T-Thanks for helping me,” I blurted out, unable to keep a clear gaze on him. I wasn’t a damsel in distress and needing help only showed my weakness. I didn’t like it.   He chuckled, turning to me with a polite smile. “You misunderstand me. I was helping him.”   “Huh? The bartender?”    He held the cigarette between his fingers and deepened the smile on his face. “I saw you about to shoot him.” He motioned to my waist where I had, indeed, hidden my handgun. “It’d be troublesome for you if he died.”   Of course he would’ve seen it. He wasn’t that far away from me. There was no use denying it.   “Well, thanks for helping the bartender.”   He waited for me to finish, the smile still intact, before passing me his pack. “Cigarette?”    “I don’t smoke.”   “Neither do I. Alcohol and smoking is bad for your health.”   I frowned, watching him bite off the joint in his mouth to reveal… a chocolate stick. I frowned even harder. Why was a grown man chewing on a candy cigarette? And if he couldn’t drink alcohol, could the gin and tonic perhaps be… regular water?   Hesitantly, I accepted a stick. Though I found it extremely odd, I was still a er for candy, especially chocolate. I was about to murmur a thanks when he spoke first.   “If you don’t mind me asking,” he paused and took a new bar to his mouth, “Why do you have that symbol on your wrist?”   I frowned, unconsciously covering my left hand with the other. Though the guy possessed polite mannerism, I hadn’t decided whether or not I could trust him. “Why do you ask?”   His smile was relentless, and only now did I realized it had a forced edge to it. “Because I’ve seen that symbol before.”   “Where?”   “On an organization I’m trying to destroy.”   I fully turned to him, giving him my full attention. It was then when I took in his appearance. His dark hair was styled neatly underneath a barret, perfectly kempt as if he wore this look to sleep. His outfit was too prestigious for a bar visitor; a long light grey coat with a matching white blouse underneath.   “Explain,” I urged.   He looked as if he was about to speak, but stopped. “How do I know to trust you? For starters, we don’t even know each other’s name.”   I considered giving him a false name. He would never find out considering we’ll never see each other again. But my gut told me to be truthful.” He probably knew more than he let on.   “Seol Hana.”   “Hong Jisoo.” He smiled, holding his hands out to me. When I hesitantly grabbed his, he brought the palm of my hands to his lips, displaying the kind of mannerism I had never encountered before. It made me blush against my will.   “So why do you have that symbol on your wrist?” He let go of my hand, motioning me to walk ahead while he followed.    I kept my lips shut, making a mental list of the pros and cons of trusting this stranger. I supposed there was no harm in telling him my past.   “Because I’m looking for the man who killed my family,” I answered, my hands unconsciously going over to rub on my wrist. “I never saw his face, but I remembered the mark on his wrist. I tattooed it on myself as a reminder of my life purpose. I won’t rest until I’ve found that person.”   I shut my eyes, thinking of my family. Perhaps it may be stupid to liken myself to the enemy, but I was afraid I’d forget my true goal. After that dreadful incident, I barely had any other recollection of my past. It was as if I existed solely for the purpose of taking revenge. Nothing mattered more to me than avenging my loved ones.   My confession caught his attention, and for the first time, he regarded me without his gentle demeanor. His brown eyes gazed into mine, and when he leaned closer, I stepped back on instinct.   “You’re telling the truth,” he said.   I flinched. Had he known my intention to lie? I squared my shoulders, trying not to waver at his suspicions.   “Alright.” He drew his lips on a line, dismissing whatever it was he was thinking about. “I have some valuable information I could share with you, but not here. Not in public.”   I had every reason not to follow him, but even more reason to do so. Though he was odd and smelled like trouble, this was the first lead I got in years. Even if it were a trap, I had a handgun at my disposal.   “Meet me here in five days.” Jisoo handed me a business card of a place I didn’t recognize. “I got some things to take care of first, but I’ll see you there.”   ***   When he asked not to disclose information in a public place, I thought he meant a quiet and more private place—definitely not a club.   We met outside, and he waved at me with a kind smile. I quickly linked my hand behind my back in fear he’d kiss it again. He didn’t say anything and entered.   The incoming music blasted too loud that raising my voice became pointless. The place was darker than the bar I went to. It was only lit by several colorful spotlights that flashed around the dance floor. Jisoo’s entire presence did not match this place any more than it did in the bar.   “Jisoo, wait—”   Before I managed to push my way through, a sea of people bumped into me, each dancing their way through the limited space. I felt their sweaty flesh pressed against me and smelled their hollering breath of alcohol. I was suddenly very afraid that someone might accidentally knock over the handgun inside my coat and pull the trigger, if that was even possible.   A pair of hands held a foaming beer bottle above their head, carelessly spraying people with it. As I winced, knowing I was too stuck among the crowd to escape the incoming shower, a strong hand gripped me by my wrist and pulled me away. Soon, I felt another arm clutching around my shoulder, easing me to walk away.   “Stay close,” Jisoo spoke, his breath nuzzling my neck.   I stiffened at his touch, feeling my heart react in a way it wasn’t supposed to. Even if this was the first time a man had hold me this close, I trusted my heart better than to act all pit-a-pat like this. I needed to guard my heart, but when Jisoo glanced at me once, a concerned eyebrow tilting at the dilemma playing on my face, I felt my resolve crumble.    “We’re here.” Jisoo released his arm from my shoulder, leading me into a private room located at the far end of the club where the music didn’t quite reach the room. Was it soundproof? If it was, wouldn’t it be dangerous for me to be here? No one would hear me if I were to scream for help.   “Hana, meet Yoon Jeonghan,” Jisoo then said, revealing another person waiting in this room. Apparently he wasn’t alone. Around two bodyguards dressed in similar black attire surrounded him, and soon, a third one closed the door behind us.   The first thing I noticed was the deep scar running from Jeonghan’s forehead to the bottom of his eyes. Then I noticed his ridiculously long blond hair tied in a low ponytail. He had an arm draped over the lounge sofa and a glass of wine in the other.   “Jisoo, I did not think we’d be joined by a guest,” Jeonghan said, dark eyes fleeting to me as he took a sip from his glass. “Pray, tell, who is she and why is she here?”   “My apologies, but this is Seol Hana. She is after the same person as we are,” Jisoo said, leading me to sit opposite Jeonghan. I was secretly glad he decided to stay close to me. Though I didn’t fully trust him, I trusted him more than this pretty ponytail guy.   Jeonghan squinted his eyes at me, and I could tell our distrust was mutual. “Well, perhaps we should get acquainted first. Drink.”   “I don’t drink,” I said when one of the bodyguards placed a shot glass in front of me. I didn’t know what it was, but the smell made me dizzy.   “It wasn’t an invitation,” Jeonghan amended, holding his glass towards me for a toast. “Drink if you wish to stay.”   I glared at him, though I doubted he noticed through thr dimmed ambience. If drinking was the only requirement to get my first lead in years, surely I could swallow my personal distaste. I took the shot glass, shut my eyes, and brought the disgusting beverage to my lips. My head spun at the odd smell of it.   Before I managed a sip, Jisoo quickly took the glass from me, setting it on the table. “It would be rude to reject your kindness, but how do we know you haven’t poisoned the drink like last time?”   “Poisoned?” I flinched, looking from Jisoo to the glass. Was that what the dizzying smell had been? Not alcohol, but some sort of poison?   “You know me well, Jisoo. I was merely testing how well you trusted her. I wouldn’t relay any information if she held something over you.” Jeonghan chuckled, like trying to kill me had been a jest.   “Your concern is much appreciated, but believe her. Someone killed her family,” Jisoo said, leaning back against the seat. Was it me or did he sit a little closer now?   Jeonghan nodded and took out a pen from his pocket. Once he twisted the lid, a holographic image appeared from the tip. Glowing blue lines wove together into the image of the triquetra symbol. I couldn’t help but lean forward, recognizing the symbol of anguish.   “Miss, whom you are looking for isn’t a single individual, but an entire organization by the name of Sidelp,” Jeonghan informed, and the holographic image changed into a shadow of unidentifiable people of different heights and sizes. “Each of their members can be identified by the tattoo of the triquetra symbol on their wrist. They are quite famous assassins disguised as agents.”   “So why haven’t they been arrested yet?” I asked, assuming they’d be an easy catch since they were, apparently, quite well known.    Jeonghan laughed instead, the wine slightly shaking along to his tremors. “Because they work with the government. Going against them would be like going against the government.”   I parted my lips, unable to form a single response. My mind was jumbled, going over the facts I’ve learned. Technically, my family had been murdered by a person from the government. My enemy hadn’t been a single individual, but an entire government. I don’t think a handgun would suffice.   “I’m surprised you haven’t told her anything, Jisoo, considering you possess a lot of evidence that could expose their illegal acts,” Jeonghan said grimly, taking a sip from his wine. “Unless, you don’t trust her after all.”   Jisoo stayed quiet, but I saw the sudden change in Jeonghan’s glint, regarding me without the openness he had shown earlier.   “Miss, don’t think I haven’t noticed your wrist since you first stepped in here,” Jeonghan said, elegantly setting his glass down. “I don’t think you came here for information.”   He snapped his fingers, and at once, the three bodyguards moved. One blocked the exit, and two rushed to me.   “Wait, I can explain!” I immediately yelled, realizing his misunderstanding. Because I had tattooed the triquetra symbol on my wrist, he easily mistook me as some undercover government spy. “I’m not one of them!”   Jeonghan scoffed and parted his hair sideways to show the gleam of scar running down his face. “The last time I trusted that line, this happened. So no, Seol Hana, you may trick Jisoo, but you won’t trick me.”   One of the bodyguards grabbed me by my wrist, his large hands, twice my size, seizing over my fist. When I thought he’d simply haul me away, he proved me wrong by giving me a fine squeeze. I heard my knuckles and joints cracking, the pain so overbearing that I momentarily lost my ability to walk and ended up stumbling to the floor. It hurt to the point I couldn’t even scream and tried to to hold back my tears.   Through my glazing vision, I saw Jisoo stepping into my peripheral, grabbing the bodyguard’s arm. No, not grabbing, but digging his nails into his bulky flesh until his skin went from white to red.   “Has no one taught you how to properly treat a lady?” He asked, his tone inappropriately chipper, like he was teaching a simple lessons on proper etiquette. When the bodyguard didn’t let go, he exerted more force to the point the bodyguard began to cry in pain.   “Are you okay?” Jisoo then asked me, offering me a hand. But realizing my hand was pretty much numbed, he helped me up by hoisting me from my waist. Then he let go, and I held onto the wall for support. “Now would be a good time to use your handgun.”   I hesitantly bit my lips, taking out the gun from beneath my coat. My entire right hand trembled, so I awkwardly placed the weapon in my left hand, feeling the unfamiliarity around my fingers.    I watched as Jisoo battled the other bodyguard head on. He was nimbler and much faster than the bodyguard’s heavy movements. In the blink of an eye, it seemed like Jisoo managed to change his position, blocked an attack with his arm, swayed his head sideways to avoid an uppercut, and jumped when the bodyguard swung a kick. All the while, his smile never faded.   “Now, Hana!” He called.   In the midst of my awestruck staring, I realized I still had a gun in my hand. I took aim, swallowing once, and pulled the trigger.   The loud shot went off, but instead of hitting the bodyguard, I had shattered the window next to Jeonghan, causing splinters to fall on him.   “What the hell?” Jeonghan roared.   I held the gun close to my chest, realizing that I probably should’ve told Jisoo that I’ve never actually fired a gun. Surprisingly, aiming for the window and causing a distraction had been a better choice over dealing with a dead body. My amazement ended when a bodyguard moved from the door to grab a vase. He raised his arms right above Jisoo’s head.   “Jisoo!” I yelled, just in time for him to turn around and duck from the attack. But the moment I sighed in relief, Jeonghan flashed by before me, a piece of shattered glass in his hand. He swung too fast, and I covered my face too late. Before I knew it, my cheek stung, and the taste of iron dripped into my lips. I touched my cheek, horrified when I saw blood coating my fingertip.   “Jeonghan, we had a deal!” Jisoo growled, kicking the bodyguard off of him while he pushed the other one. He rolled towards the table to grab the pen, no longer producing a holographic image.   “You betrayed me by bringing her here. They’ll find us,” Jeonghan yelled, holding the piece of glass toward Jisoo, my blood still gleaming around the edges.   “She isn’t one of them,” Jisoo said, hurriedly coming to my side. He took a quick glance at my face, winced, and retrieved the gun from my hand. “Don’t follow us, or you’ll die by my hands before they find you.”   Jeonghan scoffed at his bluff. “You wouldn’t dare.”   Jisoo pulled the slide from its locked position and held the gun towards Jeonghan. “Don’t test me.”   With the gun still aimed, Jisoo gently helped me out of the room, ensuring I had made it out before lowering the gun. “Can you run?”   I nodded, glad that only my right hand and face were injured. My feet functioned well enough to make our escape.   “Then run.”   ***   If my parents were still alive, they’d probably be disappointed about me bringing over a guy at night, but after thinking things through, I thought being in my apartment would be safer than whatever place he’d take me to. In my apartment, I knew all the hiding places, the escape routes, and where I kept my kitchen knives.    “I’m sorry,” was the first thing he said when he entered my place. He looked down to his feet, a somber expression accompanying. I found him odd with his relentless smile, but even stranger without it.   “What for?”    “You’re hurt because I took you there.”   “It’s not your fault,” I quickly reminded him, taking off my shoes to enter the living room. “I chose to follow you and got some information in return.”   He did not seem convinced by my exaggerated cheeriness and slowly followed me from behind without looking up at my minimalistic interior. I hated seeing the guy this dejected, so I hurried to the kitchen to make him something.   “Since you don’t drink alcohol, can I interest you in some…” I opened my cabinet, seeing a lonely spider web occupying the empty space. “Um, water?”   “Water would be lovely,” he said, and awkwardly stood by the edge of the kitchen counter, rubbing his arm.   I had known he was well-mannered in his speech and action, but this sudden bashfulness without his forced smile on display made me nervous too.   I grabbed my wrist using my other hand, stopping it from trembling as I served him a glass of water. But then I realized my fingers couldn’t really bent, and I winced silently.   “Does it still hurt?” He asked, gently grabbing my injured hand within his. He traced over my fingers, perhaps to test my mobility, and perhaps to test the pain, but all I could focus on was the fact that my hand was resting in his, skin to skin.   “I-It should recover soon. I’ll just bandage it,” I said, feeling my cheeks heating up at my observation. I wanted to retract my hand, but at the same time, was secretly thankful that it hurt too much to do so.   “Do you have bandages? A medical kit?” He asked.   “Um, yeah… I’ll go get it,” I quickly said, not knowing how to face him when he was acting this concerned. I begged my heart to quiet down and stop beating so hard, especially when I was finally a step closer to my lifelong goal. I couldn't let some temporary infatuation distract me.   With my focus steered clear, I returned to the kitchen and placed the kit on the counter. “I didn’t notice you were injured, Jisoo. What do you need them for?”   He laughed, a gentle and kind laughter that set my heart in a frenzy all over again. I froze in my movement, trying to absorb the delightful tune of this moment.   “I need them for you.” He took a clean cloth and rinsed it with cold water before returning to my side. “May I?”   I unsurely nodded, feeling him lean closer to me. As I instinctively backed away, he closed in, trapping me between the counter and the heat of his body. I hitched a breath, feeling him brush my hair aside, tucking it behind my ear. Carefully, he dapped the cloth against my cheek, even tilting my face toward him. Everytime his fingers brushed my skin, I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping he wouldn’t hear my noisy heartbeat. I was filled with disappointment and relief when he finished by plastering a Band-Aid over my woun