a/n: Hey guys, so after going through all my messages for which story to be updated next, well, Elite Protections ended up getting the most vote so if you wanted an update for this fic, you should thank those who spammed my message box. Sorry for those who wanted She's My Brother, it came close. But since I never said no to sending more than one message...um...yeah...

anyways, just a heads up, this update is like a total 180 degree turn from the previous chapter. I kind of want to speed things up a bit for this fic so I apologize if things are too sudden. Hopefully it still flows well for you guys to enjoy~
 

Chapter 19

Author’s POV

“You know I don’t like being informed of such big news so late, do you not?”

“Yes Mr. President, I do and I apologize. There is no excuse for missing such a small detail and I take full responsibility for it. It was my mistake and I’m sorry for jeopardizing everyone’s safety.”

There was a moment of silence before the man behind the desk sighed. “Can I trust that you and your team are capable of protecting the girls in Paris?”

“Yes sir. My team and I are more than capable, you know that. We will be on guard at all times.”

Another sigh escaped the man’s lips. “Alright then, I’ll trust your words. Please do not make me regret my decision.”

“Of course. We will bring the girls back safely in a week’s time. Thank you Mr. President.”

The man nodded and picked up the phone on his desk. “I’m going to send several of our guys over to stay in your dorms while you’re away. I’ll have a private jet prepared for your departure. Come up with something to tell the girls about the jet, do not make them suspicious. I’ll send out a few of our men to Paris ahead of you guys to scope the area you’ll be staying at out first. They will be there until the day you fly back in case you need backup.”

“Yes sir.”

“This trip is extremely risky Taeyeon.” The man looked up from the phone. “Don’t disappoint me.”

The girl nodded. “I won’t.”


--- --- ---


“Hey unnie, you’re back. How’d it go?”

“Fine.”

“That’s good to hear. So are we all set to go?”

“Yep. We’re leaving on the jet early Monday morning.”

A big smile spread across the face of the girl on the couch. “Really? We get the jet?! Yes!”

“Shhhh.”

“Oops. Heheh, sorry.”

“Go to sleep Yoong, I’ll take over.”

“Are you sure unnie? You already stayed up the previous night, it’s my turn tonight.”

“It’s fine. I still need to take care of a few things so you go ahead and go to sleep. There’s no point in having both of us up and draining our energy.”

The younger girl looked hesitant but got up from the couch. “If you need anything, just come get me okay?”

“Alright. Now go to bed. It’s late.”

“Okay. Goodnight unnie.”

“Goodnight.”


--- --- ---


4am Monday morning.

“Is everyone set to go?” Taeyeon asked looking around at all the sleepy faces gathered on and around the couch.

“Dae.” Came a few replies.

“Great, let’s go then.” Taeyeon said as she heaved her bag over her shoulder before helping Tiffany with hers.

Everyone picked up their respective luggage and headed out the door.

Upon reaching the parking lot, they all separated into their different cars before heading off for the airport. It was a quiet and quick drive.
 

Flight to Paris.

“I still can’t believe your dad owns such a big private jet Taeyeon-ah.” Tiffany said as she continued examining the interior of the luxurious jet even though they’ve been in the air for about an hour now.

Taeyeon yawned and rubbed her sleepy eyes. She had gone almost 72 hours without sleep and it was finally catching up with her. Had she known Tiffany was going to be so energetic after they boarded the plane, she would’ve chosen to sleep a few hours before the flight because now her plan to catch up on some sleep during the flight has flown out the window. No pun intended.

“It has always been a dream of his to own a private jet and so after he became a successful workaholic business man, he bought one.”

“That’s amazing.”

Taeyeon yawned again, her eyelids growing heavier by the second. “I guess.”

“I think it is.” Tiffany said clasping her hands together in respect. “To chase after your dream like that is very admirable.”

Taeyeon shrugged sluggishly. “Sure, if you say so.”

“You don’t think so? I think—”

Taeyeon’s mind finally shut down and she could no longer hear what Tiffany was saying as her body went into slumber mode.

 

A few seats up front.

Krystal’s POV

I quietly stared at the sleeping figure next to me, slightly turning my body so I could face the person.

“I don’t understand.” I muttered softly to myself as I reached out to gently brush the older girl’s bangs to the side, letting my fingers linger on the soft skin.

Why has my heart been beating irregularly for the past few days whenever you’re around?

We didn’t exactly start off great and so many weird incidents have happened between us…..yet….for some reason…I feel—

My thoughts were cut short when I felt the girl next to me shift in her seat.

I quickly retracted my hand and closed my eyes, holding my breath until the movements stopped and the girl fell still again.

Ever so slowly, I cracked an eye open to check.

When I found the older girl still softly snoring away, I breathed out a sigh of relief and readjusted my position to face the small window.

What exactly is happening to me…..

 

9 hours later.

Amber’s POV

“Good morning ladies, this is your Captain speaking. We are about to begin our final descent to the Charles De Gaulle Airport. The weather there is currently around 4 degrees Celsius, 42 degrees Fahrenheit, pretty average temperature, though it is slightly chilly today so please remember your jackets. We have certainly enjoyed having you on board today. Please enjoy your stay and we hope to see you real soon.”

The intercom switched off and a few bodies adjusted in their seats.

I yawned and stretched my body out before straightening up in my seat. After checking my watch, I turned to look at Krystal next to me. She was still sleeping, her head leaning against the window. For a moment, I found myself just staring at her. The light from the window casted a soft glow on her face and I couldn’t help but be mesmerized. I knew she was pretty, but sometimes, too breathtakingly pretty.

“Amber.” Taeyeon came up to me.

I looked up at the older girl and understood what she wanted. Without another word, I got up from my seat and followed her to the back of the jet.

“Did Yuri brief you on everything before the flight?” Taeyeon asked and I nodded.

“Good. I know you already know this, but be sure to stay next to Krystal at all times. Yoona is still assigned to Krystal but she is your main priority, got it?”

“Yeah, but what about Seohyun? Don’t you want to let the two have some fun together?” I asked.

Taeyeon sighed. “This is a different country. Our resources and backups are limited. I would love to give the two some private time to let their new found love grow, but I still have to look out for the group’s best interest. We’re too unfamiliar with the territory and I just can’t take the chance. Yoona is fine with it so let’s just focus on our assignment.”

I nodded. “Okay, I got it.”

“Also.” Taeyeon reached into her pocket and pulled out a small silver necklace. “I didn’t get a chance to give this to you earlier, but find time to give this to Krystal today. It has a tracker installed in it and it’s already synced to both your phone and watch.”

Taeyeon handed me the necklace. “You also have access to the other’s whereabouts as well.”

I held the necklace up and observed it. “It’s really pretty.”

Taeyeon chuckled. “Yeah, well, Hyoyeon may be a fashion terrorist but she does have good taste in jewelry.”

I laughed and pocketed the necklace. “True.”

“Alright.” Taeyeon said patting me on the shoulder. “That’s it for now. Send Victoria and Sulli back here for me when you go back to your seat.”

“Okay.” I replied and headed back towards my seat, stopping to get Victoria and Sulli along the way.

“Bathroom?” Krystal asked as soon as I sat back down in my seat.

“Yep, you’re up?”

“Yeah, kind of bumped my head against the window.” Krystal replied placing her hand on the spot she bumped.

I couldn’t help but laugh at the slight pout that formed on Krystal’s lips.

“So much for your sympathy.” Krystal sulked, turning away from me.

Before I had a chance to reply, my hand moved on its own towards Krystal’s head, rubbing the sore spot gently.

Shock was evident on both our faces. Our positions were also slightly awkward as I had to lean towards Krystal a little to reach the left side of her head with my right hand which brought our faces quite close to each other. I could feel my heart thumping loudly against my chest and had to swallow when my eyes trailed down to the girl’s lips.

I wonder if her lips are as soft as it looks.

My thoughts immediately snapped me out of my trance and I jerked back, retracting my hand and placing it safely on my lap.

Holy crap, why did I just think that?

“Uh…um…s-sorry.” I stuttered and Krystal was no different.

“A-ah, it’s okay.”

We fell into an awkward silence and after a few minutes, Krystal excused herself to the bathroom.

I sat there and stared down at my hands questioningly.

What the heck was that?
 

Arrival at airport.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe we’re actually in Paris!” Tiffany squealed excitedly as she stepped off the jet and inhaled the morning air.

“Yah, move it.” Jessica ordered behind the excited girl.

After everyone exited the jet and settled into the cars prepared by Taeyeon, we headed off in the direction of the hotel. Krystal and I were back to talking normally with each other though neither of us can deny the slight awkwardness to our conversations. Nonetheless, we all arrived at the hotel safely and settled into our rooms before gathering down in the lobby.

“Oh my gosh Taeyeon, thanks for taking care of all this! You’re the best!” Tiffany bounced up and down in her seat happily causing Taeyeon to blush and look away.

“Yeah, I have to agree. From the private jet to the cars prepared for us and now this five star hotel. Seriously, it’s amazing. Thank you.” Sunny added as she tried to snatch some chips from Sooyoung who was sitting next to her munching on a small bag of chips.

“It’s no problem.” Taeyeon replied, still refusing to look over at the overexcited Tiffany.

I have to admit, I was quite amused with a shy Taeyeon. I’ve never seen her act like this before until she met Tiffany.

“Yah! Get your own!” Sooyoung’s shout caught my attention and I looked over to see the tall girl holding her bag of chips high up in the air, out of Sunny’s reach.

“I just want a piece. Why can’t you share like a nice person would do?”

“No.” Sooyoung replied and Sunny pouted, slouching back in her seat after many unsuccessful attempts at reaching for the bag.

“Why not?”

“Uh hello? There’s no we in food. Duh.” Sooyoung answered and resumed munching on her chips.

“Why do you like food so much unnie?” Luna asked and Sooyoung immediately stopped eating, staring at the girl as if she was on drugs.

“No no, you got it all wrong Luna.” Sooyoung replied and scooted towards the edge of her seat before pointing at the bag of chips in her hand. “I don’t just like food. No. That would be disrespectful. I LOVE food. LOVE. There’s a difference.”

Luna made an ‘O’ shape with and Taeyeon shook her head at the taller girl.

Sooyoung noticed and shifted her attention to Taeyeon. “Yah, why do you hate me so much midget?”

Taeyeon clicked her tongue at the word midget. “You’ve got it wrong Sooyoung. I don’t hate you. I’m just not necessarily excited about your existence, that’s all. I mean, think of all the starving people we could feed if you didn’t exist.”

Sooyoung leaned back in her seat. “Well aren’t you just multi-talented.”

Taeyeon nodded in acknowledgement. “Why thank you.”

“You can talk and piss me off at the same time.” Sooyoung said popping a chip in , smiling at her own comeback.

“Yah!” Taeyeon straightened up in her seat.

“What?” Sooyoung nonchalantly replied.

Yoona tried to stifle her laughter on the other couch but failed.

“Alright guys, cool it. We didn’t come here to watch you two fight with each other, verbally or physically.” Victoria spoke up and Taeyeon crossed her arms, huffing in frustration.

Sooyoung popped the last piece of chips in before getting up to toss the bag into a nearby trashcan.

“So what should we do now?” Tiffany asked, amused with the scene that unfolded earlier and quietly enjoying a sulking Taeyeon next to her.

“Sleep.” Jessica replied with her eyes closed and head leaning back against the couch.

I watched Yuri shift in her seat next to Jessica but didn’t say anything.

“We didn’t come here to sleep all day Sica.” Sunny replied and tapped her chin in thought.

“But I’m tired.” Replied the sleepy blond.

“Yeah, but it’s not even noon yet. We still have a whole day.”

Sooyoung snapped her fingers. “I know! Let’s get some breakfast!”

“Yah, we just had breakfast on the plane. Not to mention you just ate a bag of chips.” Taeyeon replied.

“What about lunch? Aren’t you guys hungry?”

After some debate back and forth, everyone settled on getting some coffee and just walking around the areas near the hotel. Do some light shopping.

Along the way, as much as Taeyeon and Yuri resisted the idea, the girls ended up splitting into three smaller groups and going their separate ways to shop around the area. Krystal, Yoona, Sulli, Luna, and I were in one group. Taeyeon, Tiffany, Jessica, and Yuri were in another group and the last group consisted of Sooyoung, Sunny, Victoria, and Seohyun.

“Okay, so don’t forget, we’re all meeting back at the hotel lobby at 5:30pm to go get dinner together.” Taeyeon reminded everyone before we all finally went off in different directions.

Since it was kind of hard to walk with all five of us next to each other along the sidewalk, Krystal, Yoona, and I walked in front while Luna and Sulli walked behind us. As the sidewalk grew narrower and with people walking in the opposite direction, it ended up being just Krystal and I up front while Yoona was behind us followed by Sulli and Luna.

“So what do you think so far?” I tried to strike up a conversation as we continued along the sidewalk.

Krystal looked away from the windows of the stores over at me. “Hmm, I don’t know. I heard Paris is much prettier at night.”

“I heard that—”

“Oh!” Krystal suddenly shouted cutting me off. "Let's go in there!"

Before I had a chance to reply, Krystal reached out and grabbed my arm, pulling me in the direction of the store across the street. Luckily there were no cars zooming by as we crossed.

We ended up entering an all female's clothing store and Krystal finally released my arm to go over to one of the racks by the entrance. I quickly scanned the store and noted down each person in there, including the store employees. Sulli went with Luna to a different rack while Yoona was called over by Krystal to give her opinion on some clothes. I was kind jealous that Krystal didn't ask for my opinion instead but quickly shook that feeling away. Besides, it would make more sense if she asked Yoona and not me considering I don't exactly dress in girly clothes.

As I was quietly observing the store, I noticed a girl wearing a cap and a dark hoodie lingering outside the store across the street. She was wearing a pair of sunglasses and the cap was pulled down covering half her face. Through the window, I could see her sneaking glances every so often towards the store. Normally, I would just keep an extra eye on her, but my senses had gone into full alert when I recognized her as the same girl back at the coffee shop.

Is she following us?

I moved towards the side of the store behind a mannequin to observe the girl without being spotted.

Did they seriously send people after us just a few hours after our arrival?

The girl had a cell phone pressed against her ear but from the looks of it, she was just pretending to talk to someone.

I took out my phone and contemplated texting Taeyeon. After debating with myself, I decided it would be better not to alert her just yet. Knowing Taeyeon, she would immediately come running over and that would put Tiffany and Jessica in danger if this turned out to be an ambush of some sort.

I furrowed my brows and walked over to Yoona, silently tilting my head towards the windows to let her know we're being followed. Yoona peered at the girl across the street before looking back at Krystal. After giving Krystal her opinion on the shirt the younger girl was holding, Yoona reached into her pocket and took out her phone. A second later, my jacket pocket vibrated.

I took my phone out and clicked the new message.

Yoona: Want me to check it out?

I looked up at the girl and shook my head, telling her to stay put for now with my eyes. Yoona nodded and pocketed her phone before returning her attention back to Krystal though discreetly sneaking peeks out the window every now and then.

I shifted my eyes to Sulli and found her looking back at me. No words were exchanged as she nodded at me, letting me know she understood the situation before going back to chatting with Luna.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I quietly scanned the people in the store again. Although judging from the situation, I knew it was highly unlikely that the girl across the street had anyone planted in the store, I still wanted to be one hundred percent sure so as to not be caught off guard.

Just as I was observing a peculiar looking female customer in the far back, the bells on top of the glass door jingled signaling that someone either came in or left. My head snapped in the direction of the entrance and I saw a guy in a black leather jacket make his way inside. Knowing this is an all female’s clothing store, I found it suspicious that a guy would come in here alone. I instinctively took a step closer to Krystal as the guy started walking in our direction. My eyes darted past the guy momentarily to see the girl outside crossing the street hastily, but my attention was pulled away when the guy stopped in front of me.

“Excuse me.” The guy said and pointed past me. “Can I get by?”

Of all the open area around us he could’ve chosen to take, he chose to squeeze through a path that was blocked by three people. Nonetheless, I locked my gaze on him and slowly turned sideways before pulling Krystal up next to me and shielding her with half my body, pressing our backs against the clothing rack behind us.

The guy smiled, though I could’ve sworn it looked more like a smirk, and squeezed himself past us, even managing to brush against Krystal’s shoulder slightly which caused me to pull the younger girl even closer behind me and Yoona to throw him a dirty look.

I kept my eyes locked on the guy as he continued towards the back of the store and watched him hug who I assumed to be his wife noted by the same ring on their fingers. However, I could not deem him harmless as of yet by the way he kept glancing over at us while he hugged his wife.

“Um...Amber?” Krystal's voice brought me out of my observation. “Are you okay?”

I shifted my eyes away from the man to the girl next to me. “Yeah, why?”

Krystal looked down at her arm and I followed her gaze only to realize I was still holding onto her arm rather tightly, almost looking a bit possessive.

“Oh! Sorry!” I quickly let go and distanced myself from her a little.

There was a light shade of pink donning Krystal's cheeks as the girl turned back towards the clothes behind her and muttered an “it’s okay” as she continued browsing through the different shirts. For some reason, I could feel my own cheeks growing warm but didn't think more about it when I felt Yoona nudge me from the other side. I turned around and the older girl flicked her head a little towards the window.

I glanced outside and although I distinctly remember seeing the girl wearing the cap crossing the street towards the store when the guy was walking towards us earlier, she was now nowhere to be seen. I didn’t like the weird feeling I was getting at the moment and quickly turned back around to check on the guy from earlier only to find him staring right back at me, his hand slowly moving towards the inside of his jacket. That’s when I caught sight of the steel object.

Sh*t.

I grabbed Krystal’s arm and pulled causing Krystal to yelp in surprise.

“Let’s go.” I said and from the corner of my eyes, I saw the man starting to walk in our direction and the woman he hugged earlier approaching Sulli and Luna.

As much as I didn’t want to leave Sulli and Luna behind, I knew I had no choice. I had to get Krystal out safely before anything bad happens. Fists are really no match for a gun in this situation though I could totally take him, but since I didn't want to cause a scene and endanger other innocent lives, the next best option was to leave. Yoona was right behind us as we quickly exited.

I felt a lot more relieved when I saw the guy following us out the store not because he was after us, but because at least Sulli only had to deal with the woman. I only hope that the lady wasn’t hiding a gun in her purse.

“Yoona!” I half shouted as I continued pulling a very confused Krystal down the street.

“Way ahead of you buddy.” Yoona replied behind us as she had her phone next to her ear calling for backup.

If they were able to plant that woman in the store when we didn’t even know we were going to go in there, then who knows how many more are stationed around this area. Add the mysterious girl across the street to their team and it’s starting to look like a bad idea coming here.






----------
End of Ch.19
Mianhe for the failed update T.T please forgive me~
Imma go hide until the next update now...