Dara

 

"Are you ready?" Jiyong asked as he started the engine.

 

 

"Yeah," I confirmed while I buckled my seatbelt into place.

 

 

"I'm not," Jiyong said. I frowned. Nevertheless, contradicting his own words, he proceeded to drive.

 

 

"Of course, you were. I can't believe I really expected you to not do this right now," I said, sighing. I looked away from him in disbelief.

 

"What?" Jiyong asked, "Do what?"

 

"Stop me. You are trying to stop me again. You said that you were doing it for the best of me and I got that, but now it's
starting to feel like I'm being trapped all over again." Within in me, I could feel my anger boiling.

 

Jiyong

 

"I'm not trying to stop you," I said, trying to difuse the tension in the atmosphere.

 

"I'm just telling you how I feel. I know that it is selfish of me to want you to stay. I just hate the thought of you being so
uncomfortable around Top, Chaerin, Tae, and I."

 

 

I glanced at Dara for a split second beforebringing my eyes back on the road. Dara shifted in her seat. Her whole body was
pointing away from me, not a good sign.

 

"It's not that," Dara assured me, looking out of the passenger window.

 

"Then what is it?" I asked. I wanted to hear her explanation. I had heard enough from my father, from Chaerin, from everyone else and I wanted to figure it out for myself.

 

 

"Jiyong," Dara said. Her voice had dropped to a whisper. "I'm leaving because I realized I had made a mistake."

 

 

Dara looked at me. At the brim of her eyes, tears pooled. Before her tears fell, she turned away and sniffled. In her lap, she
fumbled with her fingers. Occasionally, Dara would pull her hands apart in order to wipe her tears that ran down her cheeks.
With her voice quivering, Dara explained,

 

 

"I shouldn't have joined the mafia, and I knew it was wrong. I guess I didn't know how wrong it was until I got caught by
Kyesang. I have never once fought for my life like that, never once have I felt so terrified, so hurt, so guilty. I'm guilty
because I brought this upon myself. I'm guilty because I murdered someone. I went rom a doctor to a criminal. Then, a
criminal to a murder." 

 

 

"It's not your fault," I jumped to defend her for herself. "I shouldn't have let you gone back alone. I should I told Top
to bring you back to the car that night or escorted you myself. You did nothing wrong, Dara. I'm so sorry you went through
that, but it wasn't your fault. You were a victim to my stupidity and Kyesang's unmerciful cruelness." 

 

Dara shook her head, unswayed by what I had said, "I just want to go home. I want to go back to my old life where I don't
have to worry about being captured, where I don't have my life on the line. I need a cleanse. I want to forget everything bad that happened these past few months."

 

 

"Dara, you will still be looked for by Kyesang," I told her. I know that wasn't something she wanted to her, but it was the truth.

 

 

"I'll tell him I have no connections with your mafia anymore." 

 

 

I clenched my jaw. Dara was of many things, but why does she have to be naive.

 

"If he does capture me, it'll be my share of karma," I caught Dara whispering to herself the afterthought she had.

 

I tensed up, gripping the steering wheel as I made a promise in my head. Kyesang won't  get to her. I'll make sure of it.

 

 

Dara

 

I wiped my tears for the last time. My eyes had dried out and I was grateful that Jiyong didn't mention my crying to further push my level of embarrassment. To make sure there was no way for us to spark another conversation, I reached over to push a button on the dashboard.

 

With the radio , my sniffles from my clogged nose were drowned out. We were about half an hour away and I was counting every last minute until we got there. As we pulled into the parking garage, I felt for the keys to my apartment. Instead of finding the small piece of metal that opened the door to my
apartment, all my pocket was empty.

 

 

"Oh no," I said, with dread and congestion in my voice.

 

"What's wrong?" Jiyong asked, parking.

 

Jiyong

 

"I forgot my keys," Dara said, answering my question. Hearing that, I pulled out of the parking space. She asked, "Where are we
going?"

 

"We are going back. It's late, you can sleep the car ride now and at the house. We can come back tomorrow with the key."

 

 

"No," She opposed. I frowned and let a small sigh escape my lips. I slowed down to a stop, right at the exit of the lot. Seeing
that there are no cars behind us, I put the car into park.

 

 

"What do you want to do?" I asked turning to her as I waited for her reply.

 

 

After giving it some thought, Dara said, "Take me to my friend's house." 

 

"Gummy?" I raised my eyebrows. Ila nodded to confirmed and I shook my head. I have not yet looked into her. Although, I do know that she is also Dr. Dongwon's girlfriend. "I have money on
me. How about we a hotel room for the night?"

 

"No, I miss her. I was planning to see her sometime anyways."

 

 

"At this time of night?" I asked her, seeing if there was any possible way of convincing her not to go.

 

 

"It's 10, she should already be out of the hospital. If she's not home when we get there then we'll find a hotel."

 

 

Dara

 

I punched Gummy's address into the GPS of the car and Jiyong followed the directions. We pulled into her driveway within ten minutes and I was relieved to see that the lights were on in her
house. I really didn't want to end up in a hotel room with Jiyong. Leaving him was already hard enough and I'm sure something would have happened there that'll cloud my mind.

 

 

"Are you sure?" Jiyong asked me as he killed the headlights.

 

 

Instead of answering him, I unbuckled my seatbelt and got out. I went to the back of the truck and opened it. Jiyong followed
me soon after. He appeared beside me and brought one of the suitcases to the ground. I manage to lift the other and
successfully brought its wheel to the floor without it tipping over.

 

Without speaking a word with each other, we wheeled a suitcase each to the front door of the house. I extended my arm to
ring the doorbell but I hesitated. I turned to Jiyong, facing him.

 

 

"I think you should go now," I said.

 

 

I put my hand on the free space of the handle attached to the suitcase Jiyong was holding. He didn't let go, instead, he
moved his hand over mine. Jerking it closer to him, it brought me inches away from him.

 

 

"Dara," Jiyong said, giving me this look that made my heart sway.

 

 

Realizing what he was trying to do, I moved back. Countering my action, Jiyong pulled me in once more. This time, I bumped into Jiyong's body and his free arm held me there.

 

"Don't do this to me," I begged. I could feel my heart tremble and I wondered if it could handle any more of this. Jiyong's hand slide from my lower back to the back of my neck. He gently guided my head forward to meet his. "Don't make it harder for me."

 

 

Ignoring my plea, he drew his lips to mine. This kiss, unlike the others, was long with a story. I felt his emotions that were never once spoken of or shown. He was fighting for me. This was his way of showing me how much he needed me to stay.

 

 

Touched by the sincerity and genuinity, I soon found all thoughts stripping itself away from me. Just as passionately, I was kissing back. Still submissive in my role, the authority in his kiss pulled at my heart.

 

 

Overwhelmed with such emotions, I needed to pull away. Blindly reaching behind me, I searched for the doorbell. Finally, my fingers fumbled over a button and I pressed it. From where we stood outside, the doorbell could be heard from the inside.

 

 

Jiyong pulled away and sighed agitatedly. At the sound of the door unlocking, he gave me once final stern look before going back to the car. Before I could call out to him, the door was opened by Gummy.

 

"Dara? Is that you?" Gummy asked, clearly surprised.

 

 

"Hey, Gummy," I greeted, forcing a smile upon my freshly swollen lips. "I just got back from Busan and I forgot the keys to my apartment. Can I stay for the night?"

 

"Of course," she said as she opened the door wider for me to enter. Looking over my shoulder, Gummy asked, "And who is
that?"

 

I looked behind me to see Jiyong pulling out of the driveway, slowly. He kept his eyes on me. There was a glare in his gaze
that sliced sharply through my conscious. Was he mad at me?

 

 

"Oh, him? He's just my uber driver," I told Gummy, lying through my teeth.

 

 

Dara

 

"How is your dad? Was your flight okay? How are you feeling?" Gummy bombarded me with questions as she took both of my luggage out of my hands. "Was traffic bad? Also, I saw Sanghyun's Instagram post of him with a dog. Did he get a dog?"

 

 

With my head already fried, comprehending answers to reply seemed impossible. I rubbed my head and asked, "Um... can we start this in the morning? I'm really tried."

 

"Ah, jetlagged?" she questioned, wheeling the suitcases as she led me to the guest room.

 

 

Seeing it as a convincing lie, I nodded my head and followed behind her. "You can stay in this room and you already know where the bathroom is."

 

"I'll shower in the morning," I said. Already, in my mind, I've decided to jump straight into bed as soon as Gummy left
the room.

 

"Okay, goodnight. Make sure you get a good amount of sleep because I want to hear all about it in the morning," Gummy said. She set the suitcases aside and closed the door behind her after
exiting.

 

I plopped onto the bed. Face first, I was sinking into the blanket-covered mattress.

 

 

I stayed long enough until it was hard for me to breathe. In and out, I exhaled and inhaled harder. A scent filled my nose.
Oddly, it smelt like Dongwon's cologne.

 

 

I turned, rolling onto my side to lay on my back. Letting out a sigh, it was now easier to breathe. No matter how many times
I did this, the heavyweight at my chest came back and it made me suffocate. Staring at the ceiling above, I broke.

 

 

As my eyes watered once more, I thought hard about my decision. In conclusion, I was sick of it. I felt sorry for myself,
among other things like bad and guilty. I was done feeling that way. I'm finally out of organized crime and I'm finally going
to stop worrying about it.

 

 

My choice was right. Leaving the place that puts me in
harm's way was the correct choice. So I'm asking myself, why do I have to convince myself that? Why do I feel so wrong?

 

 

Jiyong

 

I'm not mad, I thought to myself. Upset? Disappoint? No, I'm fine. Almost missing my turn, I made a sharp left. The turn was wider than expected and the car slightly drifted. Checking the
speedometer, I was going 30 over the speed limit.

 

I guess I could calm down, I thought as Islowed down my speed. Eventually, the car brought me to the mafia mansion. I didn't mind to park in the garage, stopping the car right in the driveway.

 

I entered through the front door and I saw Aiden. Unlike the last time I saw him, Top had a familiar-looking cane by his side. He was using the walking stick rather than crutches to walk.

 

 

"Is that my grandmother's walking stick?" I asked, pointing it out.

 

 

Top looked down at the cane, "Yeah. Why? Is your nonna looking for it?"

 

I said, "No, she's in Italy right now."

 

"Oh, okay, good."

 

Before Top limped away, I stopped him. "Why exactly are you using her cane?"

 

"Taeyang is keeping my crutches away from me," Top explained and then he asked me questions in return, "Where is Dara? Didn't she leave with you?"

 

I frowned because he had reminded me of my current situation. Not wanting to answer, I walked passed Top. I sped up my walk, ignoring anyone who called for me. I didn't stop until I reached the pantry where the good liquor sat on the shelves.I grabbed a few bottles and headed to my room. I need a drink. 

 

 

Dara

 

I woke up and from my room, I could hear the shower running. Gummy must have reached the bathroom before me. I laid
in my bed, stretching and yawning. My sleepiness went away and I got out of my bed. I walked over to my suitcases and
brought them over to my bed. Opening it, I pulled out my outfit for the day and set it aside, on the bedside drawer, for when
the bathroom was free.

 

I closed the suitcases and placed it back where I had gott it from. Working on my bed, I fixed the pillows and the blankets. By the time I finished making my bed, there was a soft knock at the
door. The door opened slowly until Gummy saw me standing.

 

 

"Oh, good, you're awake," Gummy said, giving me a bright smile.

 

 

Her hair was wet from her morning shower and water at the ends of her hair damped her shirt.

 

"I'm done with the shower, you can take one now."

 

"Okay," I said, grabbing my clothes and towel.

 

 

"I'll be cooking breakfast in the meantime."

 

"Great, I'm starving. I'll see you in 30 minutes," I smiled.

 

 

I quickly showered and dressed. Finished, I unlocked the door to the bathroom and walked out. A sudden unpleasant smell
filled my nose and it got stronger as I walked closer to the kitchen.

 

"Is this what you made in 30 minutes?"

 

I asked, staring at the pan that Gummy had frantically moved off the stove. Inside it was things unidentifiable. Whatever she
had made was burnt to a crisp. "I knew something smelled funny when I got out of the shower."

 

 

"Those were the last of my eggs,"

 

 

Gummy said, frowning. She sadly scrapped the brunt eggs into the garbage. Placing the pan into the sink, she set it to soak.
I went to the fridge and opened it. Not expecting much, I peered inside the almost empty fridge. I saw a jug of milk and checked the date. It wasn't expired. I pulled it out and suggested, "Do you have cereal?"

 

Gummy pointed to the cupboard by the fridge. I pulled out a box and waited forGummy to get the bowls and spoon. We
made our breakfast and walked to the table to sit.

 

"Five stars," I joked as I ate.

 

 

Gummy laughed and asked, "So, how have you been? What's up?"

 

"Where do I begin?" I asked.

 

"You can start where you never showed up at the donut shop. I waited for an hour, Dara."

 

I smiled sheepishly and apologized, "Sorry. That's when I got a call from my mother about my father's medical problem."

 

"Why didn't you take your car?" Gummy questioned, "I think it got towed away."

 

Lying, I said, "I thought it was better than leaving it at the airport so I took a cab instead."

 

Gummy nodded her head as she bought what I told her. I felt bad for lying; however, I couldn't help but feel relieved.

 

"How's your dad?" Gummy asked, taking another spoonful of cereal to .

 

"He's doing fine now," I assured her.

 

 

She sympathized, "I'm sorry, Dara. It must be tough."

 

"No, no, it's okay."

 

The conversation ended and Gummy went on her phone. She pulled up my brother's Instagram account and showed me the picture she had mentioned the night before.

 

"So, about this dog, is it his?"

 

Examining the picture, I guessed, "I think it's the neighbor's because that's not his backyard."

 

"That makes sense. His backyard wouldn't have anything living," Gummy said, referring to the plants.

 

We were done eating by the time I caught her up on my life.

 

 

"When are you going to work?" I asked, placing our used dishware into the sink.

 

"I have an hour before I have to go," Gummy said as she checked her watch to see the time.

 

"I'll have someone pick me up before then."

 

"I can give you a ride back to yourapartment," My friend suggested. I shook my head, "No, it's fine. They'll be bringing my keys anyways."

 

I went on my phone and texted Chaerin.

 

Dara: Can you come to pick me up? Make sure you bring my apartment key. Ask Jiyong for the address, he knows it.

 

 

Chaerin: Sweetie, Jiyong already left to get you.

 

Dara: What do you mean?

 

Chaerin: He left like four hours ago. If he left four hours ago, he should be here by now. I looked outside the window of the front house and saw Chaerin's G Wagon. Jiyong was leaning against it. How long has he been waiting?

 

"Hey, Gummy?" I called for her.

 

"Yeah?" Following her voice, she was in her bedroom fixing her hair.

 

"My ride is here."

 

"Already?" She asked, surprised.

 

 

I went to the room I had stayed in last night and gathered my things. Gummywalked me out and I asked, "Why does the
room smell like Dongwon?"

 

A blush rose to her face as she opened the door for me. Looking outside, she counter-attacked me and asked, "Why is that your uber driver has the keys to your apartment?"

 

"I'm not going to answer that since you didn't answer," I said, trying to hide the truth.

 

"Wait, I'll tell you because I want to know. It smells like Dongwon beca-"

 

"Nope," I cut her off, halting the exchange of information. "I got to go. Bye!"

 

I rushed to Jiyong. Gummy watched from the door as he put my suitcases in the car. Waving, I got into the car and waited for Jiyong to get in the driver's seat. By the time we pulled away from her driveway, Gummy was back inside her house.

 

Jiyong

 

"Did you bring my keys?" Dara asked. I took out her keychain from the cupholders and handed it to her. "Thanks."

 

 

We arrived at Dara's apartment complex and I wheeled both of her suitcases behind her as she walked. We took theelevator to the one floor up. Dara got ready to use her key, but I stopped her.

 

"You don't have to unlock it. It's already opened," I said. I grabbed the doorknob and turned it to show her. She looked
shocked to see it wasn't locked. A small smirk appeared at my lips in response to her reaction. I opened the door to show
her that Taeyang and Lorenzo were inside waiting for us.

 

"What are you guys doing here?" Dara asked.

 

"We came to bring the rest of your stuff," Lorenzo explained, pointing to the boxes on her living room floor.

 

 

Dara smiled, gratefully, "Thanks, guys." She stopped smiling when she noticed that Taeyang was frowning. "What's wrong,
Tae?"

 

Taeyang threw his arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug, "I'm just sad you're leaving. You haven't even gotten a taste of me yet." 

 

I frowned. Being to the side and behind Dara, I locked gaze with Taeyang and glared at him. He winked back and proceeded to whisper in Dara's ear.

 

Dara

 

 

"I'm sorry. I know it must be hard,"

 

 

Taeyang whispered in my ear as he hugged me, sounding serious and sympathetic. He then joked again, "When you get restless at night and can't sleep, you can call me."

 

 

Not once has he never let down the chance to cross the line. I felt Jiyong's hand on my shoulder as Jiyong pulled me away from Taeyang's grip.

 

"We should get going," Jiyong said. "We have a meeting to attend."

 

Lorenzo sighed and purposely asked, "What will we do if we get shot and there's no doctor to help us?"

 

 

Taeyang and Lorenzo looked at me with puppybeyes. I nervously laughed and suggested, "Dr. Dongwon?"

 

 

Everyone sighed, disappointed with my answer, and filed out of my home while muttering sad goodbyes.

 

 

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