Weeks had passed after that incident, but I still couldn’t forget it. Ever since that night the anonymous woman died in my arms I was never the same. Every night was the same nightmare. I would dream about the woman dying in my arms, while I sat in her pool of blood feeling helpless, and every night I’d wake up drenched in sweat. The only possible way to get myself to sleep was working ten times as hard as my best. By doing so, I would be too tired to wake from the nightmares or if I was lucky, not be able to dream at all.

“Let’s go again,” I heaved.

CL shook her head, “Hell no, I’m tired!”

Gummy smiled at my enthusiasm, “My are we working hard lately aren’t we?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “I’m just trying to show that I’m committed to this family.”

“That’s some major bull right there,” CL breathed.

She was right, but I’d rather lie than let her know as I smirked at her, “What? Aren’t you supposed to be the baddest female?”

“Damn right I am,” CL said with her usual y attitude.

I looked her up and down in disbelief, “Then prove it!”

She glared at me with those death rays she used as her eyes.“Okay, okay. If you want me to drop your then go ahead let’s do it!”

What she didn’t know was she was doing exactly what I wanted. Over the past weeks of training I learned that CL never backs down to challenges and she never loses them either! As I was walking back to take my place at the beginning of the obstacle Gummy shouted after me. I looked over my shoulder and Gummy waved for me to come back. I wonder what she wants.

When I was by her side Gummy whispered to me, “Minzy you have blood on your pants.”

“WHAT?!” I freaked out and tried to look at the seat of my pants. Sure enough there was blood! How could I have not felt that?! “What the ! Who shot me in the ?!”

At my comment CL busted out laughing.“Who shot me in the ,” CL imitated me before laughing even harder.

I didn’t see what was so funny when I knew the stitches were going to hurt like hell! “How can she be laughing like that when someone shot me,” I asked Gummy.

This made CL laughed so hard that she fell on the ground holding her stomach. Gummy shook her head before turning to me, “Minzy you didn’t get shot in the .”

“Then what happened?”

“How about we go get cleaned up and we’ll talk about this afterwards?” I nodded not understand fully what was going, but did as Gummy told me to do.

After I was all cleaned up Gummy gave me the talk. I don’t think I’ll ever be the same now that I understand what had happened earlier today. I couldn’t believe or understand why grownups did such things to have fun with one another and I definitely never knew how babies came to be!

“Do you have any questions,” Gummy asked. I sat paralyzed, half in shock and the other half in horror. “Minzy? Minzy I said do you have any questions about what we just talked about?”

I quickly shook my head feeling overwhelmed, “N…no.”

“Good,” she smiled at me. A knock came at the door which made me jump. “Come in,” Gummy called.

The door was opened and it was Dara. She smiled at the both of us, “The boss would like to see you Minzy.”

Oh gosh, is he going to give me another talk too?! “Uhh…”

Gummy nudged me, “Don’t worry you’ll be fine.”

“Okay…” unsure if I should go alone.

I followed Dara back to the main hall and surprisingly she started walking into the shadowed pillars to where the boss sat. I figured she was going to go and get the boss so I stood in place waiting in front of his thrown like chair. Dara appeared back from the shadowed pillars, “Follow me.”

“Oh…” was all I could say as I quickly fell into step with her. I was a little scared at first stepping into the shadowed pillars. As much as I wondered what was hidden behind the darkness, actually going into it scared me.

Walking into the darkness I saw that there were double doors right behind the thrown like chair. We entered them and walked into a hallway filled with many doors just like the other hallway. People could seriously get lost down here! We approached the end of the hall to be met by two huge guards.

They stood in front of us stretching their hands towards us, “Guns.”

I watched as Dara pulled out her weapons and I did the same. When we both were weaponless the guards allowed us to pass. We walked into a room filled with vases all on display across the walls on individual shelved cases. One vase caught my eye in particular. I couldn’t help but walk over to take a better glance at it. The vase was uniquely shaped and very intriguing.

As I neared the glass case I saw that there was something engraved onto it, “Song Baek Kyoung”

“He was a great person of loyalty and died with honor,” a deep voice spoke making me jump. I held my chest as I looked to a shadowed area where the voice had come from. “Thank you Dara. You may go.”

Dara bowed her head before leaving. What?! I became nervous. Out of all my time here, I had never had a one on one with the boss. To calm my nerves I blurted out the first question that came to mind, “Wha…what is this place?”

“Memorial hall, where all our faithful and loyal family members lay to rest.”

“So all these vases are filled with…with people’s ashes?”

“Yes.”

I became a little creped out that he would want to bring me to such a place. What was he trying to tell me?

“You’re probably wondering why I would bring you here right?” I nodded my head for him to continue. “The Memorial Hall is where I come to make big decisions and to think things out.”

“Why would you come here?”

“That’s a good question Minzy. I come here to remember.”

He comes here to remember, what’s that supposed to mean? “Remember?”

“Yes remember. Remember that as a leader I must remember that people entrust their lives to me. I must remember that what I decide must be for the better of our family. Do you understand Minzy?”

The thought of the woman who had died in my arms came to my mind, “So you mean to say that things are the way they are or the things that you will decide will be for the better of our family? To make sure that the family members that have passed have not died in vein.”

“Yes, you’re very wise for your age and to ensure the safety and well-being of the living family members.” So he cares for the people he leads? “You are included Minzy. Do you know what is coming up?”

“Umm…” I couldn’t think of anything at the moment. Gummy didn’t tell me there was a family event or anything that was coming up…I think. I squinted towards the shadowed area to try and make out the face to the voice but I couldn’t see him. I gave him an apologetic smile, “Umm…sorry Gummy didn’t tell me or at least I don’t think she told me about any family things coming up.”

He chuckled a little, “You really don’t know what’s coming up?”

I shook my head feeling embarrassed, “No.”

“Wow…you’d think a girl at your age wouldn’t forget about her birthday. Especially since it’s your sweet sixteenth birthday!”

“How did you know my birthday was coming up?”

“Minzy I’m the boss I know everything! Now tell me something, what would you like for your birthday?”

I coughed a laugh, “You’re joking right?”

“No I’m not. I take birthdays very serious. Especially in the life we live in. Living to see another year is a blessing!” I nodded my head as I looked around to all the vases of those who weren’t as fortunate as me to be living today. “Now tell me, what do you want for your sixteenth birthday.”

“Hmm…can I make any kind of request?”

He laughed at my bold question, “Well if it’s super powers you’re asking for then good luck with that.”

I laughed at his teasing. Even for a feared and well-respected leader he had a sense of humor. Knowing he for sure had money to work wonders I let my mind wander. What do I want for my sixteenth birthday? “Okay, I know what I want.”

“What is it?”

“I know that as a leader you must have some connections…”

“Yes go on.”

“Well…I would like to see my dad for my sixteenth birthday.” The boss went quiet and I thought that maybe I had requested too much. After some awkward silence I cleared my throat, “Well I mean, you don’t have too…”

“No I can do it.”

“Wha…what?! You can?!” I became so excited and giddy at the thought of seeing my father again!

“But I must say I’m surprised that you would wish for such a thing.”

“Why would you say that,” I asked confused.

“No reason. I just thought that you were going to ask for a pony or something.”

“Boss I’m turning sixteen not six!”

He laughed as I scrunched my nose feeling offended.“I’m sorry. But is that what you really want?”

“If you could, could you please try to find a way to prove my father is innocent?”

“Hmm…such an interesting girl you are. I would have thought you wanted a car or more clothes or something else. Well let me see what I can do.”

I was too happy for words that I couldn’t help but cry. I haven’t seen my father for years and never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be able to see him again. “Minzy…”

“Yes?”

“Don’t tell anyone of this request. This will take some work to get done and when the time comes I’ll let you know when you can go see your father.”

I bowed in understanding, “Yes sir, thank you.”

“Maybe seeing your father will help you with the hard time you’re having fitting in.” He knows? Well maybe because instead of going to the family holiday parties I would be working out instead. I couldn’t celebrate with my guilty conscious weighing me down.

“I apologize sir, I will try harder to fit in.”

“Good. Remember that we do what we do because we have to. In order to survive and in order to ensure that the family members that were lost weren’t lost in vein.”

“Understood.”

“You may leave.”

I gave him another bow, “Thank you sir.” As I rose I took one last look at all the vases that surrounded me.

I left the Memorial Hall feeling so happy and enlightened. “What happened,” someone spoke startling me.

I saw that it was Se7en, “You scared me. Umm… he just wanted to show me the Memorial Hall.”

He smiled at me, “Oh I see, he gave you the family is very important speech?”

“Yeah.”

He walked up to me and put his hand onto my shoulder making me look at him, “Well it is.”

At his touch I felt a little weird. It felt as if the warmth of his hand was giving me…STOP! “Well I gotta go,” moving away from him.

“Alright see ya around.”

I grinned at him, “Yeah…umm, sure.” With that I turned and raced off. What the hell?! Really?! Yeah…umm, sure?! “Oh gosh that was awkward!”

“What was awkward,” someone asked as I entered into the hallway of many doors.

I turned to see it was Seungri.“What? Oh nothing,” I lied.

He flashed me a charming smile, “Oh alright. How have you been?”

I shrugged my shoulders, “Good I guess.”

“Are you sure? I never see you at any of the family parties.”

“Oh…well, I’ve just been trying to focus on my training,” which was only half the truth.

“Okay, well don’t over work yourself.”

I smiled at him for his concern, “Thanks. I’ll try not to. Well I better go.” Let’s cut the crap, I hate being caught off guard.

He gave me an understanding smile, “Alright, see you around?”

“Bye,” I waved before entering the elevator. The thought of seeing my father makes me feel so happy I can’t really explain it.

As my birthday neared I became nervous. Would he really keep his promise? Did I ask for too much? A knock came at the door and I knew it was Gummy coming to get me for training today.

“Come in!”

“The boss would like to see,” called a deep voice from behind me.

I turned to see it was Top. “Oh sorry, I thought you were someone else. Okay.”

I followed him to the main hall wondering if today was it. Oh gosh am I going to see my dad today?! It has to be! “Yes,” I asked when I was in front of his thrown.

“I’ve got what you’ve asked for.”

“YOU DID,” asked excitedly.

“Yes. Bring him out,” he commanded. He got my dad out of prison and brought him here?! Suddenly a white pony was brought out from the shadowed pillars. You’ve got to be kidding me! “Try him out.”

“What?! I don’t understand.

”“Jump on the pony and try him out. Gummy could you please her and her lovely pony out.”

Gummy appeared with a smile on her face, “Yes sir will do.” Gummy took a hold on the reigns and waited for me to get on. I shook my head feeling embarrassed, especially when Top was standing right there. “Get on,” Gummy demanded.

I sighed and jumped on feeling my cheeks redden. Great I must look like a ing idiot! Gummy guided the pony out to the forest where I usually did my training. “Gummy can I get off now,” I whined.

I heard her laugh, “We’re almost there.” Almost there? We came upon a black Lamborghini just like the one on the night of my welcoming party. “Alright you can get down now.”

“What’s the car doing out here?”

Gummy avoided my question as she walked over to tie the pony up, “Just hop in.”

“Alright,” I said with unsure as to what was going on. Gummy drove us out into the city and I panicked.“I thought I wasn’t allowed out until the boss thought I was ready?!”

Gummy grinned at me, “It’s okay. I’m taking you to fulfill your birthday wish.”

“My birthday wish?” At that moment it hit me that she was taking me to see my father.“So the pony wasn’t my birthday gift?”

She laughed, “No it wasn’t. He was just trying to be funny and…” Gummy’s tone turned serious, “We had to do it this way as a front.”

“A front?”

“Like a distraction or putting on an act to make people think you really were going out to ride that pony.”

“Ooo… but why would you need to do that?”

“Just in case Minzy, you can never be too careful.”

I could hear the warning in her voice and understood what she meant. As Gummy drove I couldn’t help but watch the city fade away as we drove away. When the city was nowhere in sight I sat looking out to the plain lands. It was nothing but nature and this road that we were on for miles. Would he recognize me? Would my father still look the same?

“There it is,” Gummy finally spoke bringing me out of my train of thought.

I looked to the place that held my father prisoner for years. Gummy approached the gate where a guard stood. The guard nodded at us as if he was expecting us and opened the gate. Gummy parked the car and jumped out. I followed and fell into step with her.

There were gates and guards with guns galore. After going through what seemed like never ending security checks we were led to a waiting room.

“Alright,” a guard said as he approached us. “You have ten minutes and this never happened!”

I stood and bowed to him, “That’s more than enough!”

“I’ll be waiting here for you okay,” Gummy called after me.

I turned to nod before following at the guard. He led me into a room that had a small table with two chairs on opposite ends of it in the center. “Sit here,” he pointed to one of the chairs. “I’ll bring him out.”

“Okay,” I took the seat he had told me to take.

The guard left me alone in the room and my hands started to tremble. I don’t know why, but I became nervous to see my dad. When I heard the door knob turning I thought I was literally going to have a heart attack. My eyes were glued to the door as it slowly opened. The guard walked in and then…I felt my heart drop as I saw my father. He looks so different. Tired and aged!

As he took his seat across from me the guard spoke, “Ten minutes!”

I nodded my head towards him in understanding before he left. I looked back to my father and he broke down crying. Seeing my father cry made me cry. I got up and walked over to him and pulled him into an embrace. “I’m sorry Minzy, I’m so sorry,” he kept repeating as he held me.

“I…missed you,” I cried.

He squeezed me tighter, “I missed you too!”

I led my dad back to the table and he held my hand as I we sat down, “How are you adjusting?”

As I wiped my eyes with my other hand I looked to him confused, “What do you mean?”

“How are you holding up in the family?” I was shocked that he knew and I guessed he could tell I was when he followed with an explanation, “Minzy you must be really confused right now, but trust me, you’re in good hands.”

“Am I,” I coldly said.

He nodded in understanding as if he expected this reaction from me, “Minzy…” He took my other hand in his and placed something into the palm of my hand. Before I could say anything he squeezed my hand tight and gave me the look of warning not to speak of what I held in my hands. “Minzy I may not have been a good father to you, but trust me when I say this. I know the boss and he will take good care of you. Trust only him no one else you hear,” he whispered the last line. I nodded my head in understanding to my father’s warning. He quickly changed the subject, “I’m grateful that you would want to see me after all that had happened between me and your mother.”

I sighed, “How can I not want to see you?”

He dropped his head and wept some more, “Minzy I feel so blessed to have such a daughter like you.”

“Dad please don’t cry. It’s making me cry.”

The door suddenly flung open and the guard appeared, “Alright you two times up.”

WHAT?! ALREADY?! My father got up and pulled me into one last embrace, “I love you Minzy and happy birthday.”

I hugged my dad as tight as I could, “Thanks dad, I love you too.”

As the guard led my dad out, I slipped the piece of paper into my pocket. There were so many things I wanted to ask my father, especially now that I know that he knows about the life I’ve committed to. When Gummy and I were heading back I felt different.

“So how was it,” Gummy asked.

“I found my reason.”

“You’re reason?”

I stared out the window as I said a prayer for my father, “My reason as to why I respect the boss.” Even though I didn’t really know or have never seen him, I now have a deep respect for him. He gave me the opportunity that I thought I could only dream of. He made the impossible possible.

Author's Notes:

To be honest when I wrote this chapter I didn't really like it. But now that I'm posting it on here, I do. hehe, thanks for reading and commenting! <3 FYI Song Baek Kyoung was from 1tym.