Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"I have nothing to prove." The youngest girl said again. Her gaze was still fixed on that fixed point. Since they had started talking, she had not looked at the brown-haired girl.

"I know. I know you're still not used to this, I can even tell you still hate it." She had been trying to talk to her all day, until she found her in the place she thought she should look first. "Nayeon...."

The atmosphere and the somewhat peculiar smells emanating from the various plants brought a strange tranquility to both girls. That peculiar room described the perfect peace, quite the opposite of its exterior. Which managed to reassure the chestnut girl.

She looked again at the dome, watched as the sun's rays passed through, delivering the sunlight to all the plants that needed its small pisca to live. A beautiful view when it was past 4 o'clock, an ideal time to go to her ideal place.

"I am nobody interesting, or important Jihyo, I didn't choose this." She had not controlled the voice in which she had said those words. She didn't want to behave in a bad way, let alone show a bad attitude. Because Jihyo was already a friend, even though she was probably the only one who saw it that way".

"You still don't get it, do you?" she sighed "I understand that it's still hard".

"I know it is, but why me?.... There are thousands of people in the world who are so much prettier than me, so much nicer, I can't help but feel that I'm not interesting. I have no special talents, no skills that distinguish me from others, and most importantly I have nothing interesting.  Maybe one of them would accept this. But not me, I'm not the right person.

At this point, and because of the various circumstances. Jihyo seemed more like an older sister listening to her little sister's innumerable complaints. Even if neither of them realized it.

Because now, Nayeon needed someone.

"She sees you in a different way, for her you are her everything. She can't accept that you're only hers".

"I didn't ask for that," she paused for a moment. "Jihyo explain to me why... because I still feel this".

It was hard to accept himself, though. Nayeon was not someone interesting, outside of her place of study she was just another person. She didn't have a captivating, heartbreaking or dramatic life. 

Yet she clung to it.

Tranquility, peace, an everyday life. It was all she wanted, even though her own life was already written. To be the center of attention of a person who was able to sacrifice absolutely everything, to lie, to torture, to murder. To protect you with his own life. It was the last thing she would have thought and wanted in her life.

"Feelings are strange and painful".

The little tears stopped flowing, and the smile began to appear. Although it was a little confusing, she knew why.

"To have feelings for Jeongyeon is a crime," she wiped the sleeve of her sweater across her eyes, the almost visible tears disappearing. "It's literally a crime".

She knew it and for that reason she let out a small laugh, because even though it was somewhat true. Saying it that way made her laugh.

What could you do when someone has been looking for you all your life?

"Come my princess I will make you feel like my queen."

Those are Jeongyeon's words attracting her and at the same time scaring her, while she just wished to disappear. She couldn't deal with the person she didn't even want to see in paint.

"You should go down, everyone is very excited and uneasy when they didn't find you. Besides, everything is ready".

"I'm sorry, I needed to be alone and think about it for a moment. I'll apologize to all of them later." The last thing she did was to rub the leaf of the plant that was beginning to bloom.

Then Jihyo followed her towards the exit.

No matter which way she had chosen, everything indicated that they were going to find her. What can you do when someone has been looking for you all your life?

"Life is raw and short, even if it hurts and you hate it, it's realistic. If so, why hate me for a lifetime?"

Chapter Text

"What a nice cloud"

"Nayeon, let's go!" exclaimed a distant voice of the girl.

But Nayeon just stared at that distinctive cloud, why not stop for a moment and stare at the sky. Nayeon used to do it habitually, since seeing the sky itself for her was to see a gigantic work of art without end. Seeing the beauty it formed to her own clouds. She looked at everything like a sea with different waves, all above her. But in spite of seeing the beauty of the cloud she could not describe what its shape was like, she wanted to see what image could be found in that deformed white blob in the sky. She couldn't get it, maybe not now.

"Earth to Nayeon" Appeared in front of Nayeon before distracted with the sky, a girl with really pale skin, repeatedly moving her arms so that she could get even a little attention from the other.

"I'm listening to you Dahyun".

"It doesn't look unnie, I think looking at the sky is more important than getting to your classes on time. "I raise my head trying to look at the same place that Nayeon kept looking at with great attention. "I don't understand unnie, what are you trying to see, I only see clouds, simple white clouds".

"There are things that sometimes you can't see with the naked eye Dahyunnie, you just have to wait patiently to find the shape".

"Today you turned out to be a poet of high caliber, watch out future William Shakespeare".

Nayeon gave her a light stroke

"Au! Oh come on unnie!" Dahyun complained for the sudden blow "I just don't understand why you still like to look at the clouds, I thought it was just a childish pleasure".

"I just like to do it, maybe that little childish taste will stay with me forever," Nayeon finally looked away from the sky to look at her cell phone.

"What, what's wrong unnie?" Dahyun peeked of the cell phone and noticed the time it showed "Magnificent Nayeon, we're already late, let's go!"

The pale girl started to run, continuing on the path that was her main goal for the day.

"And I won't wait for you!" he little girl shouted already running away from her, at a considerable distance from her unnie.

Nayeon took one last look at that cloud and started running after Dahyun.

[...]

"I made it!" Said a tired Dahyun, for having managed to climb three floors of that building in a row, holding on to the door.

"Slow down, Lightning," said Nayeon next to her, without a hint of tiredness.

"It's your fault, Unnie," Dahyun was still panting from exhaustion, "I'm not fit to run for more than 5 minutes".

The older girl just laughed and walked to her seat next to Dahyun's.

"I consider it more important to be able to walk calmly and arrive on time, than to almost feel like running a whole lap around the unnie field".

"What did I hear, a little black-haired girl speak?" A new manly voice appeared, sitting in front of the two girls.

"Good morning to you too Jackson, thank you," questioned Dahyun answering him.

"You're welcome, is Nayeon getting distracted at the worst times again? Was it something huge or something small this time?"Jackson knew that the only reason they would both be late was because Nayeon would again be distracted by the slightest thing, damaging them both over time most often, and Dahyun bearing the brunt of it.

"I wasn't distracted by something small, this time it was a weird cloud, it looked beautiful but really rare shaped," Nayeon spoke as she took her things out of her bag.

"Don't tell me and it sure shined too" the guy let out a laugh.

"Yes".

"What?" Jackson now showed a face of confusion.

"Well, it didn't glow, but it did have some distinctive pastel colors and other various shades, almost like a rainbow," Nayeon began to write something in her notebook.

"Narcar cloud," the pale girl blurted out.

Jackson looked at Dahyun

"Cloud of what?"

"What Nayeon unnie looked at was a mother-of-pearl cloud. These clouds are considered really beautiful but dangerous, as their colors contain a composition of nitric acid. Cast by ice crystals that are catalysts of gases, something like the greenhouse effect. "Now it was Nayeon who looked at Dahyun incredulously, "In a way, they are largely to blame for the loss of ozone in the stratosphere. It is rare that such a cloud has appeared in this place, even more so in Korea, and that Nayeon has managed to see it since they usually appear in very low temperatures".

"Did you know what that cloud was?" Finally one of the two spoke.

"Of course, unnie".

"Why didn't you tell me".

"If I did, you would have stayed there longer, and it was too late. I wasn't going to miss ontology class! "Nayeon snorted.

"My favorite class, of course, yes," Jackson replied with sarcasm.

"Perhaps the young masterr should pay more attention to class and less to colorful clouds," mentioned another girl sitting next to him.

"Listening to the little genius is more interesting, I say goodbye before Dahyun says something worthy of a brainiac again and before this person next to me presents me with a new concussion. "He said goodbye, turning his back to the other girls.

"Dahyun, I had no idea you even knew the cloud types," Nayeon let out a slight smile.

"I just read it, it's not a big deal either." The conversation ended when the teacher entered the classroom.

And Nayeon knew that Dahyun was capable of spending hours reading about a similar topic in articles, forums, websites of any topic that interested her or even researching more if it really intrigue. Nayeon knew that the little dubu was a genius. For despite being a year younger than Nayeon, Dahyun managed to enter college a year ahead of schedule, skipping a year of high school, Nayeon expected it from her. But although the junior was too smart, she was somewhat lazy and clumsy occasionally. If Dahyun had put more effort into her middle and high school, she would have been sure to be about two years ahead in college. But Dahyun didn't want it that way, rather than spend hours in a library or in front of a computer studying about advanced algebra or the constitution.

She wondered again why Dahyun chose philosophy as her major, she knew Dahyun had the potential and intelligence for any other career like medicine, engineering or physics. But Dahyun would only give her a banal answer of, "It's not what I like unnie, if I don't like it I won't do it."

"Unnie, did you bring your book?"

And that's when Nayeon remembered the other why. The younger girl was also too forgetful with some things and not with others. She thought that must be her disadvantage for being someone smart.

"Yes Dubu, here you go," Nayeon passed her book to the aforementioned.

"Thank you!" Dahyun looked down and noticed the drawing her elder was doing in her notebook. "Unnie, are you drawing that cloud now?"

"You know I'll draw the things I find curious later".

"That notebook must be full of weird things," Dahyun finished speaking and turned her attention back to the class.

Nayeon looked at the notebook and her drawing already lightly colored trying to put the shape of the cloud she saw a moment before. She drew there things that she really liked, or things that seemed curious to her, she thought about looking at some pages of her drawings, but she noticed that she was already a little late with the class and she should pay attention

[...]

Nayeon was leaving the university with Dahyun at the end of her classes.

"Are you sure you want to join me again? "Nayeon asked the younger girl while waiting for the signal to change from green to red.

"Sure Unnie, this time I already memorized the way back so don't worry".

"Call me if you take the wrong street again".

"Yah!, even though it's a bit far I like to walk with you".

"Just because I get tired of hearing you say you want to meet the coffee shop.".

"Your best friend should be there when she gets her first job!"

"Yes, but that's the first day, not 3 months later".

"It was because you didn't want to take me back and get me lost again" Dahyun jumped a small ladder on the way "Besides I know you tried your best to find a job that fits your schedule, if you miss any task you can tell me. Dahyun will do everything possible to help you."

"If you explain me something I don't understand, it's okay Dubu," I rub her head messing up her hair.

"You helped me all through middle school, it would be nothing for me to do it too," Dahyun smiled.

Nayeon remembered a little Dahyun, the little girl she met for the first time and wondered, What if he hadn't turned to look at a little black-haired girl complaining in front of a tree?. What would have happened, if she had not helped that little girl get her backpack down from that tree, which was thrown by other children who hated Dahyun, leaving the little girl without a backpack to go home to.

Perhaps she would now be walking alone to work, completely alone

"Yeah, help me get my bag down from the rack this time, too."

"Hey!"

The walk to the cafeteria was about 30 to 40 minutes.

As they walked, Dahyun was again telling little facts she used to read in forums to her elder, and Nayeon again told her that she didn't want to hear about how sea turtles abandon their eggs.

[...]

"Once?" Dahyun asked, looking at the medium sized sign showing the coffee shop.

"Mmmj," said Nayeon.

"Why Once?"

"Mmm... "Nayeon was trying to remember the meaning of why the coffee shop was called Once "I'm not quite sure, because the owner never said it specifically. But what I remember is that once you go in you will be satisfied twice".

"Why twice," Dahyun began to analyze the cafeteria.

"I don't remember but it had something to do with being amazed.

"It's really nice..."

At first glance, Dahyun saw a small store made of wood and bricks. It had a thin decorative roof with lights hanging from it. She counted them, there were 9 lights in total. In front of it, there was a single door of a very dark green color and a window on its right side of the same color, with many flower pots around it as decoration. In front of the place there were 3 tables for those who wanted to have a coffee outside. On top of them, a white plant in the middle of each one.

"Let's go inside, I'm a little late," she looked at the younger girl inspecting the place, "Come on, the inside is also very nice".

Nayeon headed for the door of the cafeteria.Once inside, Dahyun appreciated the place again, it wasn't that big but it wasn't small either. She thought it was the perfect size and really comfortable. The mostly wooden decor brought her a nice feeling, everything was simple and normal, as it had everything a regular coffee shop would have. But the atmosphere and decoration really pleased Dahyun, she thought about the option of going to the place after a long day of studying, and getting to relax in one of those chairs that looked so comfortable at first glance.

"You can sit at the counter while you wait, I'll go change and bring you something." Nayeon disappeared through the employee's door.

"Let it be nothing bitter!"

Dahyun began to spin around fiddling with the swivel chair he had been sitting in. In a way he was grateful that the place had such chairs. She continued to look around inside more. She noticed that the place was entirely a rustic coffee shop, he was surprised that it had taken her so long to discover what kind of coffee shop it was. Of course, every coffee shop had a different concept. Maybe it was because she was too focused on her beauty.

She wanted to turn to see if her friend had finished, but what she found was a girl with catlike eyes looking at her.

"Bu".

"Ah!" she backed away in fright.

"Why are you scared, my beauty scared you?" answered the girl leaning on her arms still looking at the little girl, her look was really intimidating.

"N-no that's not... but-"Dahyun got a better look at her, she was a girl with brown hair just like Nayeon's, her eyes really looked like a cat's, he visualized her uniform, she guessed she was from the cafeteria which meant she works there too.

"Don't scare her when it's her first time meeting you Jennie," At last Nayeon had returned, the little girl appreciated it" Sometimes you can be very intimidating.

"I can't help it".

Nayeon noticed that Dahyun was still afraid and with a distrustful expression on her face.

"Take it easy dubu, Jennie is really friendly you don't have to be afraid of her".

"I-I understand unnie.... It's ok".

"Have a chocolate frapp" Nayeon put the drink on the counter right in front of Dahyun.

"Thank you unnie!" Dahyun took some of the drink., and looked around the cafeteria again.

Dahyun was surprised by how quiet the place was, she had just visualized about 2 people at different tables.

"Usually, but it's fine for us," Jennie replied. "It's a quiet place, though not well known for where it's located, if it were me I'd be grateful to have found this place. It's like a hidden treasure".

"I thought so too when I saw it!. Unnie you didn't tell me you also had a friend working with you.".

"You never asked me.

"Hey! You don't have to hide me from people," Jennie demanded, "Everyone loves me when they meet me," this time she spoke looking at Dahyun, "and of course Nayeon did tell me about you little dubu".

Nayeon laughed.

"Okay Jennie, I'll do it next time when a person asks me the time".

She gave her a threatening look

"Jennie, do you take good care of Nayeon unnie when I'm not around?"

"Ohh~ Of course I take care of her," Dahyun tilted her head, "I take care of her from of every guy who flirts with her on her or asks Nayeon for her phone number".

"What you're doing is scaring them Jennie".

"It's not my fault that every day a new guy comes in with the excuse to buy a coffee, which in my opinion is an excellent advertisement. He asks for your number and I have to save you from the situation."

Nayeon was grateful to have Jennie by her side as a co-worker and friend who would save her from those awkward moments. Jennie was too witty to say any excuse like. "My best friend is not interested in that stuff", "My friend is too smart to date someone like you", "She prefers to give it to millionaire gentlemen past 40 and I don't see you being that for my friend", "If you are looking for sex, I doubt you would be good at satisfying my friend".

Each one had to include the word "friend" or "best friend" in the sentence as it meant having to put up with her along with her, and most noted a distaste for having to deal with Jennie. And every time she finished an excuse, she would throw an intimidating and challenging look sending the message of. "She likes you like shit and would rather not give you the number because you're a pain in the ass."

She hoped she wouldn't have to tell Dahyun about how Jennie "cared" for her.

[...]

Dahyun left about 30 minutes later when she finished her drink. She had a nice conversation with Jennie, found out that the brunette was older than her and older than Nayeon by a year and that she was working there for a top secret mission, or so Jennie said. They both agreed when they held a debate that chocolate was better than mint chocolate.

The day for both chestnuts was a bit hectic, more so than it used to be. More customers showed up than usually come in a month. Nayeon was exhausted, too many coffees to make and too many blenders to wash. Her limit came when a child dropped all her drink on the floor. Nayeon lost rock paper scissors to Jennie and had to clean up the mess.

"I hope this day never happens again, where did so many people come from!" Jennie lay defeated on the counter of the café, she raised her head and looked at the clock, "Ah, thank goodness my shift is over, it's your turn to close today Nabongs.

The older woman left and went to the employee's room.

"Just finish washing this blender and you will be free Nayeon." As she was rinsing the last blender, the door bell rang. Nayeon inwardly cursed to herself.

"Who comes in at this hour for coffee?"

She turned to see the person who entered the shop, it was a woman. She was wearing black glasses and a mask, but she seemed to be in a suit. She had short dark brown hair. Nayeon didn't usually see many girls wearing a suit casually, especially brown. But she thought maybe they would if they were on a date. The girl approached the counter.

Nayeon wondered if this would be her last coffee.

"Good evening, what can I get you," she asked helpfully.

The woman stared at her for a while, without saying anything. Nayeon decided to wait, maybe she was just looking at the types of coffee shown on the sign, but the girl was only looking at her, she got fed up.

"Excuse me, will you order something, miss? "It was uncomfortable for her to stare at her.

"Im Nayeon... "Said in a low tone at last the girl with glasses.

"Excuse me?" She thought she had misheard or really heard her name mentioned.

"Her name tag, it says Im Nayeon," the girl didn't move at all, just fixed her eyes on the name tag she mentioned.

Nayeon was silent, how could she have forgotten that, for a moment she thought she was being investigated or that she was a stalker for suddenly mentioning her name.

"An American coffee," she blurted out.

Nayeon reacted.

"Y-yes right away," she turned around and took care of preparing the coffee. While Nayeon was taking care of the ordered coffee, she felt the gaze of the strange girl on her. She perceived how he was analyzing her or maybe he just wanted to look at her. She wanted to finish the coffee as quickly as possible, so she hurried.

"It's 4600 won." She quickly handed over the coffee without wanting to look at the girl.

The other woman paid.

"That was very fast," the woman picked up her coffee.

Nayeon only showed a fake smile.

"Enjoy your coffee," she was already irritated with the girl.

"Thank you, though it's not for me, I hope to see you again Nayeon," she mentioned her name strangely and Nayeon noticed it.

She just waited for the girl to come out and thus finally finish her turn. Nayeon thought she should just consider it one more day.

[...]

Somewhere in Seoul

"Hazelnut milk," the girl set the American coffee on the desk in a noticeable thump.

"What do you mean?" The opposing voice just looked up, looking away from what she was looking at, and cast a quick glance at the coffee.

"You asked to know even her favorite drink, there you go, hazelnut milk." She took a few steps back, positioning himself in front of the rest of the men standing in a line. "I also brought you your favorite coffee.

She let out a small laugh.

"So that means everything went well," She began to drink the coffee she had brought, "perfect.

Chapter Text

Nayeon's shift was over, but before returning home, she remembered that she had to go shopping for some things, so she looked for a coexistence store.

"You're always a dream for me," sighed, returning the pork belly to its place. 

As much as he wanted to buy some meat, only had money for the right things. Some rice, a package of pasta and milk.

As she was about to go to pay, a child appeared running towards her. Causing him to collide with her, and automatically falling to the ground.

Nayeon was surprised, as she did not have time to react to avoid him. She saw the child still on the ground trying to get up and with tears threatening to come out. 

It wasn't a hard hit either...

Reacted quickly.

"H-hey, are you okay?" she bent down in front of him to help lift him up, though she was a bit clumsy in the process. "You shouldn't be running like that, it's dangerous."

The child sniffled his nose, trying not to cry. "I-I'm sorry, Noona." He spoke while pulling himself together.

Nayeon smiled slightly, at least he apologized to her. "It's okay, but next time you should be more cautious," the brunette caressed the child's head trying to calm him down, but still the child couldn't calm down at all. Looked for something in her bag and handed it to him, "Here, you should go to your parents.

He calmed down when she handed him the small candy lollipop, nodded quickly and smiled. There was no trace of further tears on his face.

"Thank you noona." He gave a small bow, retreating.

"That was quick..."

Being the last thing Nayeon saw, was the child running.

After walking another 20 minutes home, she arrived thankful that despite the late hours of the night all was quiet around her.

Once inside, she expected to hear a welcoming voice, but again she heard nothing.  

She was used to it, but there were days when she did manage to hear a voice in that house welcoming her, although it happened very infrequently. Perhaps it became less frequent as she grew older.

She left her keys on the cabinet next to the door, and headed to the kitchen to prepare her dinner. It was already late and he figured he would be home in a few minutes, or another hour. She thought a good dinner for today would be kimchi, so she set about preparing it.

She left both plates of kimchi on the table for two, looked at the clock and waited for the door to open. She hoped it would come soon so that both dishes would not get cold. Still waiting, 30 minutes passed and the kimchi was starting to get cold, Nayeon sighed and waited for a little more time to heat it up later. 

After an hour had passed, she heated up both dishes and as she expected, the door lock finally rang.

"Welcome!"

She heard the other person's footsteps approaching the kitchen, and a woman appeared through the door.

"I see you prepared dinner Nayeon-ah." she replied.

"You know it's a habit, Aunt Taeyeon," she spoke as she took the dishes out of the microwave, putting them back on the table, "I think it came out really well today."

"I thank a Nayeon-yah for waiting for me with dinner ready," the adult sat down in her respective seat, "It's like remembering a little Nayeon, waiting for me every day to prepare abalone soup." She began to eat what her niece had prepared.

"After all, you... were the one who took care of me," Nayeon quickly took a spoonful of kimchi. Her aunt just looked back at her, smiling. 

Taeyeon knew what Nayeon was trying to say, she had caught her, because in spite of everything she was the one who knew her niece more than anyone else. 

"Hey, you know we'll always have each other, Nayeon.

The contrarian smiled slightly at the answer, slowly showing her rabbit teeth.

"I know... and little Nayeon knows it too," she let out a small smile at the last thing she said, it had sounded very childish of her. She looked down a little bit concentrating on her plate, trying to avoid her aunt's gaze, "we are both happy and thankful for being able to have Aunt Taeyeon."

You couldn't leave a little girl alone in a house until late at night almost every day, but for Nayeon it was something she got used to as a child. At a young age she understood that she had to stay home alone, but even so she didn't entirely dislike it, as she could distract herself with anything a child's little mind would allow, after all she was too imperative at a young age. Although clearly her favorite part of the day of little Nayeon was when her aunt came home, because enjoying a meal alone was not the same as enjoying it with company.

"Did something happen Nayeon, you're usually not... melancholic. You can tell me anything." She smiled showing a sense of motherhood towards the brunette, she put aside the spoon she was eating with in a reflex action to concentrate on what her niece was telling her.

"Nayeon, you're thinking about..."

"Calm down aunt" she interrupted her ", ignore it, I was just remembering when we were playing with Khaengie, now that I remember I should wash it."

Khaengie, a small stuffed rabbit her aunt gave her as a 4th birthday present. A year later she was in her care. Which despite the years she would continue to care for, and more so when she almost lost her once. Which he would thank as a little companion in her childhood. Just like Taeyeon

Because despite her aunt's question, in Nayeon's mind ran slight memories, vague memories of her with Taeyeon, maybe since she remembers being with her, from a little girl to a hormonal teenager. Because after all that time it was just the two of them and no one else. No matter how much she hoped or wanted, only they would be. Because despite the years she understood it perfectly.

"By the way, I bought the list you had left on the table." Deflected the subject.

"Nayeon, you know it's necessary. It was something I was supposed to do," they both resumed their dinner. "I guess you did it as soon as you left the cafeteria."

"No way, I was just passing through too." She smiled showing that it really wasn't something that bothered her. Taeyeon knew that Nayeon always used to help her in any way she could. Despite the repeated times she kept telling her that it wasn't necessary for him to do so, her stubborn niece would still do it.

She felt a little guilty, because it wasn't the first time she did it. Nayeon tried to help with everything, ever since she was able to run her first errand at a store. From that moment on she learned to worry her aunt, from not finding her at home one day because she heard from her aunt that she needed milk, to finding her outside the house with a carton of milk trying to open the door, which even at her young age she could not. without reaching

Taeyeon knew that Nayeon was always trying to contribute a little to that small household. Despite insisting that it wasn't necessary, her stubborn niece ended up doing the opposite. At least that was the only thing she disobeyed in.

She smiled knowing she could be proud of her "So how was your day at college, will you finally let me meet someone?" she joked, knowing it would anger her niece.

"Oh, stop it, you're evil," they both laughed.

Homesickness kept creeping up on her, though she kept trying to avoid it altogether, and try as she might, she hated to keep thinking about it.

When she ran into that child, she remembered that something.

Maybe it was just for a moment, for a moment which was a daily occurrence.  But even so, she would still feel nostalgia at the sight of a child running to hold his mother's hand, next to his father's hand.

Even if he wished for an instant for that moment, she knowed that she should stop being selfish about it, it was not mature of her. No matter how much she imagined it.

But it didn't matter because she had her family. The one she cherished the most, even if it was just the two of them, she was happy.

It didn't matter, if they were not present before or now.

Nayeon knew it and accepted it.

[...]

Even so, I knew that Aunt Taeyeon would always take care of me.

"What do you think unnie?" said the little black-haired girl walking with her unnie, straight to her college.

"What did you say Dahyun?" She was totally lost, and hadn't paid attention to her friend.

She let out a small snort.

"How the human body releases and secretes dopamine when we are happy. Although dopamine not only secretes happiness...." she said in a whisper.

Maybe she was too distracted to know why Dahyun had started talking about that topic. She had no idea why she started talking about it.

Thought it best to play along.

"Suck out dopamine? What do you mean by that."

"Mmm... An example would be when you like something, like when you like someone!"

"Did you read it again on a forum?"

"Yep!" she affirmed "Did you know that when you only like a person that attraction only lasts for 6 or 8 months. If you pass that period it means that you really fell in love or that you came to love. Several people believe different forms of falling in love, they say there are like 3, 5 to 7 stages."

And Dahyun had gone off topic again.

"I didn't know there was a strict time for that."

"It was checked unnie."

"So little Dahyun, what is the "according to" first stage."

"The "Limerence" or it is also called the falling in love stage. In this stage phenylethylamine is released, which forces the release of dopamine. This has similar effects to amphetamines, which produce a natural euphoria. The brain also releases large amounts of serotonin and noradrenaline. That is why when we fall in love we feel excited, full of joy and believe that life is magnificent. Like taking a drug, isn't it funny?"

"Dubu, is there a simpler way you can explain it? I think my brain has no idea what noradrenaline is."

"-Let me think about it," the black-haired girl started rubbing her chin. "I know! In other words, It is when you feel attraction towards that person for the first time. You create a total illusion towards that person and an enormous desire to only see it at all times. Like a euphoria, but because of that you can see that person as someone totally perfect, in your eyes, flawless, flawless, flawless. And being in that illusion one cannot see the consequences of that, and because of that we can omit the dangers of that person, like a drug!."

Nayeon paused for a moment to think about why her friend had become interested in that subject, until the question occurred to her.

"And dubu, have you already taken an interest in someone to know all that?

"No, but I wouldn't mind the idea. Besides, I have very high standards, you know."

"Oh, come on, what are those high standards?"

"They must like to eat like me! they must also like chocolate, and they must make me hot chocolate! Maybe they must teach me how to play the piano. And that they don't like horror movies either." With that little said, Dahyun was already starting to think about all the things required for her future partner."

"That's what you call standards?" Nayeon laughed lightly.

Dahyun's enthusiasm stopped abruptly, along with her body stopping in the middle of the way.

"Why, isn't that it?" she look with her head cocked toward her unnie.

"I guess so, but what I mean is, maybe it should be a tall, sturdy guy? I don't know."

"That sounds more like your standards!." Dahyun had stopped her before she went on with more of her demands. "I guess those standards are high enough to not manage to get someone who meets them completely, right?" she spoke wryly.

The chestnut let out a small laugh, "very difficult indeed."

"Come on! I doubt it would be hard for Nayeon to get someone like that. It's not complicated for you to get suitors, besides they always say you're very pretty. A bonus point."

Nayeon managed to remember the countless times some boy would stress to her that she was too beautiful for this world. Or the numerous flirtations she received from some boy of higher grade, these being of her total displeasure, couldn't they come up with something more than just saying. "This wolf wants a she-wolf", "I think I can get close because I haven't seen you with a man who claims you as his own", "if I were you, I be with me"

"They always exaggerate about it. You know I'm not interested in dating any boys at the moment."

Thought for a moment. "You could accept some statement, since you are not lacking"

"Getting a totally handsome guy who is also not a total jerk is hard to come by," she laughed, "I'm sure Dahyun is also looking for a guy who's completely attentive and chivalrous."

"Again with it!", she claimed. "Besides, I don't think it necessarily has to be a boy, it could be a girl too, who knows! They say that they are much more affectionate and attentive, but. As long as it's someone who loves me too much and pampers me, I'd be happy." She showed her characteristic smile with closed eyes to Nayeon.

The higher reciprocated her smile with a tight-lipped one. She put her arms around the younger one's shoulders bringing her to her.

"My little friend is already growing up. I shouldn't be surprised if someday she introduces me to someone," she tried to sound dramatic pretending to cry, "Dubu will leave me alone like an old maid mother!"

"Yah, you're not a saint either," their laughter combined, but suddenly Dahyun's suddenly stopped little by little, "What about you unnie, how should that person really be?."

Nayeon's smile was slightly diminishing but still retaining a small one.

Despite what she had said to Dahyun, her ideal type? Even though she had dated someone in the past, being the typical love of a puberty girl entering into full adolescence and this person only fulfilling one aspect she liked. Ending that relationship in total failure.

She never thought about it. Although, it was one of her dreams to find the right person whom she would love for the rest of her life. That only remained a child's dream. Because Nayeon didn't really care, the only thing that mattered to her now was to finish her college degree and find a stable job, maybe the rest would be for later.

"I think if that persona really loves me and won't leave me. That would be more than fine." She lightly messed up her friend's hair.

"What a corny unnie," she tried to tease.

"Look who's talking, Miss High Standards."

"Oh, I forgot, Shouldn't have dogs either."

[...]

Dahyun said she had to leave early due to a call from her father, apologizing, so today on the 30-minute walk Nayeon would be alone.

Although it was better than being accompanied by some hormonal boy she had already rejected again when she was leaving her college. And something that had also happened hours ago.

During the course of her schedule, she had really disliked running into that guy, which had left her in a bad mood for the rest of the day. 

So perhaps he suspected that he would also be in a bad mood during his work in the cafeteria. Thinking to distract himself for a moment to make his anger fade away, he decided to take a different route, passing through a large park. It was longer, but it was adorned with trees on the sides.

A nice view might improve his mood.

The more he walked through the park, he noticed that the people were slowly thinning out. It was something normal that used to happen every time she passed by that place, since the path she took was little known. The path was slowly turning into a totally remote and lonely area, where hardly any people passed by.

But that little bit of solitude didn't really bother her, she used to take that road when she had time to spare or when she simply wanted to distract herself a bit.

Nothing had ever happened before, what could happen to him now?

Without warning a girl with big eyes appeared in his field of vision. 

"Excuse me." she had even been surprised by the fact that she hadn't heard her or felt her presence before, being all alone in that place.

She stopped immediately.

"Yes, how can I help you?," she spoke politely.

"Im Nayeon, am I correct?"

That had left her blank.

How does that girl know my name?

"Excuse me? Do I know her from somewhere?" It was sudden for her.

"Park Jihyo," she introduced herself without warning. "We met at her workplace, the cafeteria."

Despite the countless clients - though they were few - that she had served at work, she would not really expect to be able to recognize each one of them if she ran into them on the street. And luckily -or unluckily- if he managed to distinguish her, it was her, the girl in the suit he had last seen the day before at work.

"Oh, so you're the girl with the dark glasses." Nayeon's discomfort was beginning to set in.

Jihyo nodded.

"You are correct.

"What's the reason for this sudden encounter," she tried to sound friendly. It had happened before. She would meet several boys who claimed to have met her at the café, but she would get rid of them by saying she didn't have time, when they asked to talk to her for a moment. This time would be no different.

"I only have orders to ask you one question" What he had said took her by surprise, "Could we talk about it in a more private place?

Nayeon was confused, was she in charge of asking her for something? Did she want a date or her phone number? Whatever it was, that had been very disconcerting. She had never been told anything like that before. The brown-haired woman seemed like someone nice and good, so what she had was very strange to her, she thought it best to walk away. She wasn't in the mood to confront her either.

"Excuse me, I don't have time, I have to get there first." she resumed her walk.

"We can talk about it while she gets to work," a friendly smile appeared on the other woman's face.

As she had mentioned, Jihyo joined her on her way to the café. Her temper was not the best today, and this could make it worse. She wasn't going to let this girl follow her, she had to think of a quick way to get rid of her.

She knew it would be very rude of her, even if it was something she wouldn't do, but she didn't feel like dealing with it now. She had to be direct

"If it's a request, I'm not interested, I'm sorry." She spoke looking straight ahead, without even looking away to speak to her.

"I wouldn't say it's 100% some kind of request." She was playing with her.

"Then what do you want, Miss Park?"

"I'd say it would be a rather odd request. Although it really is something very unusual." Even in the words he was saying, Jihyo still had a gentle composure. Nayeon noticed.

"I can't know until you say so."

Jihyo smiled, "You're right, but even I know it's a peculiar thing to ask."

"If you put it that way, I wouldn't know what to think."

"I would like to say this first, I had no choice but to say it any other way. Someone is very stubborn about it." If Nayeon already distrusted the brown-haired girl, now she felt she should run away from there.

"Well, I guess..."

"My boss, asked me to kindly propose to Miss Im, if she would be willing to go with her." she interrupted.

The chestnut stopped her pace quickly.

"Who are you talking about, go where?" This time she had turned her gaze to observe her completely.

"To live with her. She is interested in you, she asked me to take you to her." Her tone of voice spoke a little straighter.

Surprise was not enough to describe Nayeon's feeling.

That totally strange girl, named Park Jihyo, who was mentioning to him to go with her, to who knows where, with who knows where too. What infuriated him the most was that she was asking him in a strangely kind way... Was she crazy with that kind of request?

Jihyo noticed that the girl was no longer walking beside her and turned around to see that Im was standing perfectly still.

"Something wrong, Miss Im?"

What angered Nayeon the most was that she was still smiling politely. Anyone would think that this totally polite and correct person, which she implied from afar, would never be able to ask such a question. She would never be able to ask such a question.

"I don't think I'm not understanding what you mean, or I think I misheard you," she tried to take it as a joke.

"Of course, I'll explain it to you more specifically. My boss is totally interested in you, she sent me specifically to talk to you about her proposal. She really wants you, and is proposing you to live with her in her house, clearly, completely by her side. You will be able to receive great benefits in return. A huge house, clothes, cars, jewelry, whatever you ask for, she will give it to you. On the only condition that only you accept.

"Are you playing with me?" She let out a light laugh, but noticing that Jihyo's totally neutral expression didn't change, she began to believe that she was really saying it.

"Is totally serious."

"I don't think you're serious about something like that Miss Park. It sounds very unrealistic and unbalanced. A complete stranger wants me to take me with her, and expects me to stay with her for supposedly "all she can give me"?" She made quotation marks with his fingers on the last sentence, looking at Jihyo with a frown, "Do you think I can believe something. only worthy of cheap movies?

Nayeon knew she was being very rude at the moment, but her temper coupled with the brown-haired girl's strange words gave her no reason to be polite to her any longer.

"I can assure you that, if you ask her to buy the cafeteria she works at. She would buy it and give it to you, if you wish. So the limit as to how much she can give you," she thought about it for a while, "I would say it would be almost nonexistent." Little by little Jihyo's posture became straighter and more serious, leaving behind his friendly smile.

"Because someone would buy something like that just by asking for it." She was totally irritated with what she had told her, she was tired. "Even if everything you said was "supposedly real", I'm sorry to say that I would never accept something like that. I don't know what kind of person you are taking me for.

It was true, Nayeon's sense of rationality and principle would never let her accept something like that, joke or not. There was no way she could trust someone who would show up like that and tell her something like that. For a moment she thought, that maybe any other girl would accept that kind of proposal, and that they would tell her to her face "idiot" for wasting an opportunity. But the reality could hurt, what odds confirmed that it was totally true, what would happen after she accepted that "proposal"-something that absolutely dont wasn't going to happen-. As soon as she left with that girl, would she be kidnapped and killed?, or was she simply looking for naive girls who would fall into her ridiculous trap and meet a tragic end that would never be told.

Why, was the brown-haired girl considering her as a totally easy girl? Nayeon didn't have that image, or did she?, she began to question. Even if everything she expressed to her was only minimally real, she didn't think she would become a companion of some old millionaire, or old millionairess, as Jihyo mentioned.

"It's not just something "supposed to be real" Nayeon." The short girl one started to approach her, changing her expression to a totally serious one. "She asked me in a clear and precise way, to first ask her if she wanted to go with her, and give her the chance to accept. "

The serious way in which Jihyo began to speak frightened her even more. And she didn't like it at all.

"Stop it Miss Park, it's not funny, I wouldn't accept something like that. Stop saying that, it's clear that you're playing games." The vague idea that she was just making fun of her was still going on. "Are you upset that I turned you down in the first place?, I'm sorry. But that doesn't mean I can come up with something so far-fetched."

"I can assure you that it's totally real, so I would calmly ask you to come with me," She raised her hand as a sign for Nayeon to take it and go with her.

She knew something would be wrong if she was still there, she didn't see anyone else around her, if she ran now, she could escape before she did something weird.

Nayeon spoke seriously "Jihyo, even if everything you say was real. I would never agree to be some millionaire's mistress or her new whore. I'm sorry I didn't accept your "boss's" proposal," she turned around determined to go somewhere else.

"It was something I expected," she showed a small tight-lipped smile, "my boss specifically asked me to ask her first about her proposal. It's kind of idiotic of her, don't you think?, I knew you would react that way."

Nayeon turned back to look at the girl for what she just said, the other girl just stared at her and stood there.

"I'm sorry Nayeon, but I must take her at all costs."

The last thing she saw was the girl approaching and hands grabbing her.

The last thing she saw, was the brown-haired girl approaching and a hands behind her grabbing her.

Although that moment and that conversation had been a total strangeness, Nayeon managed to remember for a few seconds what Dahyun had said, even though it was somewhat contradictory to what she had said. Jihyo really had been someone distinctive and rare that she had met that day, even though it was an unfortunate encounter, along with their strange conversation. But still, she would pray with all her soul to come out of whatever was going to happen intact.

Nayeon reminded herself that it was kind of silly to be thinking about it at that moment, the little consciousness had played her wrong, causing her to remember and think about it. For that moment she hated her own mind again, playing, thought that she didn't want to remember or understand herself. Perhaps if she were stronger she could have avoided it, could have prevented her vague mind from taking control of her again. Maybe she could have avoided staying there for a few more minutes.

Then everything turned into complete darkness.

Chapter Text

"Im Nayeon, 19, was born on September 22, 2002. She is currently a sophomore at Konkuk University in Seoul and lives with her aunt Taeyeon in a small house in Gwangjin-gu. She works at a coffee shop called "Once", which is about 20 minutes away from the university. She is reportedly accompanied by a girl named Dahyun, but no other close friends are known".

Reading the sheets in her hands, I look up at the seat in front of her. "Is that all?" she ask. 2I know you have more papers".

"It's other data, I only mentioned what I considered most important," she answered.

"Tell me everything, I told them I want to know everything about Im Nayeon".

The atmosphere was heavy, as she watched the chair move back and forth, her stress could get worse. Although she constantly convinced himself that she could control it, claiming that she had a strong mind for this job, it was all too heavy. God a was too young for an eye twitch to appear!

She sighed and went through the rest of the papers.

"She is 1.63 meters tall and has brown hair. Prominent teeth, is an outstanding student. At first glance, very attractive is considered really cute and smart. She doesn't belong to any clubs or take an extra class because of her job at the cafeteria. The cafeteria and college are the only places besides her home that she goes to.

"Is there an interest in anyone in particular?" She asked as she swiveled her chair around to face Jihyo.

"According to our research, it would be negative," Jihyo replied.

"Good work, Jihyo," she had apparently begun to fiddle with a pen. 

 "That's all the information we could gather," she added.

"I guess my mens couldn't gather any more information," she complained, sweeping her eyes over the rest of the people behind the brown-haired woman. "You have gathered a lot of information, but I am not satisfied...."

She immediately threw the feather toward the men, who quickly caught it.

"How is it so hard to gather information about a 19-year-old girl!" she exclaimed, slamming her desk down hard. The fine bottle of tequila might have fallen to a better life.

She watched the men, wondering how stupid the 15 capos who managed another 20 men each must be. So stupid that they couldn't even bring her information as simple as what the girl's favorite flower was. 

If they couldn't bring back something so simple, she thought she should reduce the number of men each capo led and maybe demote them so they would finally do their job. 

"In the next report, I want more information on Im Nayeon, Jihyo. Let me see the papers," she ordered, and the other woman immediately handed them to her. "No matter what it costs them. I even want to know what her favorite drink is. If you don't bring what I want, you'll all be demoted. Now go and bring me what I want to know! Get out of here!" she shouted to the men, who had their heads down.

Thus dictated, one by one, she left the office.

"With your permission I'm leaving Boss," said Jihyo ready to go.

"Wait".

"What's wrong Boss?"

Jihyo observed that now her boss was starting to pour some tequilla in a small glass cup. How long she had been at it, she was already halfway through.

"I want you to do something," she walked to the large window in his office, sipping the fine drink, "take it as a mission.

"I'm not sure about that, Boss...." Jihyo focused her gaze on the other's back, "You know I'm only in charge of treaties and other matters."

"Oh come on, don't you get bored of being all day with those papers, or those absurd meetings?" she turn slightly looking at her. "I want you to meet Nayeon at that cafe you mentioned where she works, and talk to her when she is about to close".

She flashed a small, tight-lipped smile.

"I don't think I should be the one to go and talk to Miss Im, maybe it would be better to send a-".

"I want it to be you, the one who has to go", she interrupted. "There is none of my associates that I trust more than you, you are ideal to make the first interaction," she turned to confront her as she finished the glass of tequila poured, with that look, Jihyo knew she was totally serious, "An easy mission, right?"

After all, she could not oppose any order.

"As you command," giving a quick bow she was ready to leave.

"Contact Eunbi, she will give you all the information and how it should be carried out according to my orders".

"Jeongyeon..." she paused at the foot of the door of that office.

"What's going on," she continued, looking at the view through the huge window.

"Are you sure you want to act now?" She looked back at her boss.

"Totally".

End of FlashBack

[...]

Her head was burning, but her body felt slightly relaxed as if she was lying on a fluffy cloud. Totally weird for the fact that she had just been kidnapped, it would be more logical to expect her to be lying on a cold concrete floor in a tiny, smelly room.

Work, park, brown-haired girl, proposal, kidnapping, of course! She shot to her feet.

Just like a stressed-out student forgetting to set the alarm clock, waking up with a horrible headache after a party, finding herself in a completely unfamiliar place, was that really happening? 

The difference was that she didn't have a headache as if she had been drinking uncontrollably to pass her exams, and she wasn't waking up in the middle of a field or in the middle of a jail

A big difference clearly, she was in a very comfortable bed and with what little vision she regained, also in a completely white room, almost like royalty. She continued to observe, had she really been kidnapped or did she die and just reincarnated as a princess of the medieval era. She didn't mind the latter, only because of the one drawback that in that era, she would be forced to marry.

But another thing she had noticed was that she was no longer wearing the clothes she wore before, now it was a dress. Oh my god!, she quickly inspected her body in every corner she could, but there was no trace of pain or any mark, of what she was possibly praying for, so it had not happened, nor did she feel any discomfort, nothing. Was that good?

A door opened scaring her, instinctively covering herself with the sheets as if hiding from something.

But she only witnessed how several maids, or so it seemed, were entering one after another, positioning themselves in front of her. Well, she was not in a medieval era because her uniform was too modern for that time.

And as one last person entered, she recognized her, the brown-haired woman from the park! 

As an instinct of defense Nayeon quickly stood up from the bed and moved as far away as possible from the people present. Her face reflected pure fear.

"Miss Nayeon." Jihyo spoke looking at her strangely, a little more and Nayeon could almost notice, "I would kindly ask you to collaborate. You can choose the one you want".

Once she spoke, each of them showed a different box, opening what looked like jewelry, shiny and very expensive from what could be seen from afar.

"You...," she breathed deeply, her gaze completely terrified. Returning to reality and the true reason.

What the hell was she doing in that place, even more so, what were those women doing in front of her. Despite still opposing the idea, it was true, she was a victim of a kidnapping.

What are the chances of that happening? Maybe 3%. They were negligible but never impossible. She felt like the unluckiest person in the world.

She quickly reorganized herself, not wanting to ask stupid questions like "where am I?" or "what's going on here?" It was a fact that she was captive in an unknown place, and she had to think about her next move.

First, stay calm. Being in such a position, the worst thing she could do was scream for help or run away. She wasn't stupid. So she had to stay calm and find out what she did to get herself in this situation -clearly, rejecting the supposed proposal was the cause-.

However, her gaze betrayed her fear, fearing that if she lost control, it would lead to punishment. She thought that if she started screaming or trying to escape, the brown-haired woman would get angry and take her to the totally dark and abandoned basement. And she would leave her there to rot and then do whatever she wanted with her.

"I would ask you to remain calm if you know what I mean."

"What? No, wait, what are you trying to do?"

"It would be best if you cooperated with what we indicate, if you trust that nothing bad will happen, I advise you," again a strange look that Nayeon noticed. "I would ask you to choose the one you like best," she showed the different boxes again with her hand.

With deep fear, she looked at the rest of the staff. What should she do?

Approaching with distrust, she chose the one farthest from the stranger.

"Perfect," another maid automatically grabbed the jewelry and approached Nayeon, who quickly stepped back, "if it's not too much trouble, the maid will just take care of putting it on. I recommend that you don't move too much."

The stares were completely on her as if waiting for an order or something. Discomfort was the perfect word to describe that moment.

She sighed and left her neck exposed by her strangely well-groomed hair at that moment. Once the jewel was in place, each one was leaving, leaving only the brown-haired woman with her. Nayeon remained silent.

"Come with me," and one thing she noticed was that there were some men outside the room. Jihyo's gaze was fixed on her, with no choice, she nodded.

There was no other option, there were a few men outside the room when she approached Jihyo.

They surrounded her like a military formation, making any attempt to escape impossible. Even if she could try to escape, those men would prevent it completely, they could easily carry her like a bag.

Nayeon discreetly looked at Jihyo, she didn't seem to change except for her neutral expression.

Even without being able to assimilate it, she tried to relax, looking around since everything seemed too elegant. The tour was like seeing a museum, with paintings and sculptures decorating the way. Different doors and windows kept making their presence constantly felt every time they continued on that tour. Strangely, seemed like a museum, but Nayeon couldn't enjoy the beauty while fearing for her safety.

Several moments passed through her mind in which she managed to push one of those men and run away, but once they went down some stairs, she witnessed more uniformed men escorting, the untested plan had failed.

Her heart was beating faster and faster, she felt completely cornered like a vulnerable prey in the midst of all those people. She tried to calm down, she couldn't appear weak now.

The more they walked, the more her body trembled, she tried to regulate her breathing. Dahyun once talked to her about a breathing method, it seemed that could help her now.

"As she said, 1 2 3 inhale... 1 2 3 exhale... 1 2 3..."

"Open it."

She hadn't noticed when they arrived, barely assimilating. One of the men opened a door.

Everything was in complete darkness, only the light at the end of that room was barely perceptible. Jihyo entered first, indicating that she should follow her. They were only a few steps away when a chandelier in the middle illuminated, huge and beautiful. Finally, Nayeon was able to see a few individual armchairs and a small table in the middle of them.

"Please sit down," she indicated, and Nayeon did so without complaints.

Her nervousness turned out to be worse when she was sitting than when she was standing, Nayeon's legs involuntarily began to tremble, along with her hands. She tried to squeeze her legs and keep them still, she knew that Jihyo noticed her nervousness.

"Damn."

What could she do now, totally surrounded, watched, and apparently, no escape route in that room. Would they kill her now? It was very likely, perhaps that strange person liked to kill or torture their victims in that room, they surely loved that satisfaction, but who knows what weird fetishes some killers might have. She just hoped that if they were going to kill her, it would be quick and not so painful.

"You may leave," as she commanded, the rest left the room. She fixed her gaze on Nayeon again, who was she fooling, she couldn't even see her. Should she do something? "I would advise you not to get upset."

Nayeon immediately turned to her, looking confused, clearly that was an impossible request, indicating that what she had just said in her position, made no sense.

Even with fear to the tips of her toes, she dared to answer her, maybe it was just because of the fear of the moment.

"What do you mean... was all this because I rejected your request?" She scolded, "Did that lead you to kidnap and bring me here? What will happen now, what do you want?"

"You'll find out everything in due time."

She had remembered the conversation they had had before. No matter how much she convinced her or told her those great requirements for accepting, something so imbalanced would not be created if she rejected it completely. She didn't want to be forced to be with a person, what could all that involve, what would happen to her after that? Maybe it would completely deprive her of her life. 

"I don't care how much he can give me... I don't care how much power she has... But even rejecting it, she can't just kidnap people like a maniac!" she said with difficulty, even wondering where she got the courage to yell at her captor.

"Im Nayeon, you just dug your own grave."

The younger one clenched the armrest of the armchair tightly, trying to calm the trembling that was starting to show in her body. She was starting to get angry and she thought she was going to cry.

"Relax, Miss Im. My boss just wanted to meet with you to talk," she said

Nayeon lowered her gaze, trying to hide her face behind her hair. "And was kidnapping me the best way to do it?" she asked with frustration. "What does she want from me?"

She expected the worst, maybe just being one more lover of the typical wealthy people, clearly forcing her to do things she didn't want to do. Or be the revenge of all the members who worked there. Did they want some information? she thought. But all she did every day was study and go to her part-time job, her life had nothing interesting for someone like that to want her.

"You'll know when she comes, she'll also tell you the reason,"

"You already told me, right?" Nayeon replied, determined to be direct. "Your boss wants me to be her lover, is that what she wants?"

"You shouldn't jump to conclusions," clearly Jihyo's words wouldn't tell her anything and she didn't plan to talk about anything else.

"Because we're here. I don't understand what I did to be in this place," her voice faltered for a moment as she looked down at the ground.

She sighed. "Miss Im, I know this is terrifying for you. Let me tell you that you have nothing to worry about," she noted as her tone became somewhat soft and empathetic.

Nayeon looked at her incredulously. "How can you say that? I've been kidnapped and I have no idea what they want from me."

"It's best to trust what I'm telling you."

Jihyo looked at her with an expressionless face, as if waiting for something to happen. A ray of hope seemed to illuminate her when she heard voices, many voices somewhere in that room, they were not few, it seemed like a meeting of more than 10 people, they were close somewhere.

Nayeon quickly writhed pleadingly, "E-excuse me, but wouldn't you have a pill? all this scenario I think made my body anticipate certain things... it really hurts," she pretended to have a faltering voice with her limited acting ability, classes that Dahyun forced her to take.

Jihyo approached a little more. "Is your discomfort very intense?" she asked, and Nayeon nodded quickly. "I understand... I'll inform one of the guards to take care of bringing you something," she said, but Nayeon quickly got up.

"No!" she stood up quickly, looking at her confused. "It's uncomfortable for me to have one of them take care of something like this... I think it's better if you take care of it, if it's not too much trouble," she suggested, trying to get Jihyo to leave the room.

The elder thought for a moment, her face becoming more expressionless, and Nayeon realized that she may have caught on to her desperate plan to escape in some way.

"Don't worry, a maid will take care of bringing it," she replied, realizing that Jihyo had already suspected something.

"Damn, she's too smart and I'm too clumsy."

A few knocks on the door distracted both of them from the moment.

"Excuse me, Miss Jihyo, but the Numerale is requiring your presence. It's urgent," a guard interrupted from the door.

"Right now?" she received a nod in response. "Tell her it's not possible, this is a more important matter than any other. Those were the orders."

"She tried to contact the Boss first but couldn't reach her."

"With the Boss? How urgent is the matter?"

"She informs that she needs complete orders and specifications to ensure her mandate."

"I see... where are the others? I can't leave now."

"The Numerale specifically requested to see you, she says you know the reasons. And as for the superiors, they haven't notified us of their presence and we can't find them."

"They can't not be here..."

Jihyo let out a deep sigh and looked at Nayeon for a moment, she had no other choice.

"I'll take care of it now," she said before leaving the room. She approached the guard, "you two, keep an eye on her."

Nayeon's face turned hopeful, but immediately destroyed when she saw two other guards enter and position themselves just beside the door, without even looking at her.

There was no way she could do anything now, what if she managed to dodge them and run? They were twice her size, it was pointless.

Every second that passed surrounded by those impassive guards was like an eternity, and the idea of escape had become her only obsession. Despite her size, she was agile and thought she could do it. She knew she had to be brave, but every time she tried to move, paralyzing fear stopped her in her tracks.

Finally, Nayeon clung to the armrests of the chair and began to stand up, moving slowly so as not to attract attention. Every muscle in her body was tense, waiting for someone to stop her at any moment. But the guards remained unmoved, without even blinking.

Just when she thought she was safe, the door suddenly opened, causing Nayeon to jump in her seat. A blonde figure appeared out of nowhere.

"Attention, I was sent to let you know if you haven't seen-" Her curiosity seemed evident as she fixed her gaze on her. She seemed eager to get to know her, although she also seemed to have a somewhat challenging attitude. "Hello, special guest... if you're here, then you're who I thought, wow!

"Excuse me?"

Perfect, someone else she didn't know, but it seemed like that person knew exactly who she was.

"You two," she pointed with two fingers at both guards. "Do you know that you are not allowed to be alone with her?" They nodded. "Then what are you doing here? These guys have such boring faces, don't they?"

Dumbfounded, Nayeon tried to process the situation, shaking her head, but the girl didn't seem to believe her. She looked at the guards, who remained serious and quiet, and focused on her again.

"Are you trying to escape?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, I wasn't trying to..."

"Well, never mind, I'm not here to stop you," she continued with a playful smile. "In fact, I'm here to take you to a place where a lot of people are waiting for you. They're really taking too long."

Nayeon furrowed her brow, confused by the girl's words.

"Why should I go with her?"

"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm just waiting for that short-haired lady."

"Sure, she sent me to take you," she smiled kindly.

"I don't think I should... I don't know you. Who are you?"

"Questions can come later. Don't you think it's better to come with me and stop waiting here, in this boring place?"

She thought about it for a moment. A place full of people, could that be the place where she heard the voices? It was exactly where she wanted to go, and she wouldn't allow herself to stay there now that she had the opportunity.

Nayeon accepted her proposal by nodding. Maybe going there could help her escape.

She got up from the couch, and the other girl understood perfectly.

"Perfect, just follow me."

"Excuse me, miss," one of the guards intervened, "but we can't let her go without a direct order from boss Park."

"How about this order?" she replied confidently. "The Underboss sent me to take her. She's very impatient to meet her. Is that order perfect enough for you?"

She understood that this person was someone of great importance, not just a simple stranger intervening. The guards felt intimidated, so they didn't say anything else and let them go, still under surveillance. Nayeon noticed.

Still distrustful, she didn't plan to engage in conversation with her because she suspected that everyone in that place was untrustworthy, so she decided to keep her distance.

As she progressed on the journey, she felt the tension in her body increase, but the voices grew louder.

"You seem very observant, looking for an escape route, huh?"

"No! I'm not..."

"Well, that's a relief," she laughed. Nayeon was angered by this because it seemed like she was making fun of her and her current situation. "Returning to the previous topic, would you like to meet some interesting people?"

Distrustful, she hesitated to continue the conversation. "What do you mean?"

She smiled maliciously. "People, it's simple, some people, let's say... somewhat important. But, what does that matter? I'm sure you'll have fun with us."

"What are you talking about..."

"Oh, come on. Don't worry. It's nothing." She spoke to her again, mocking her, and then stopped for a moment, now examining her from a distance. "I always wondered why there was a certain importance in you, and I came to think that your person is hiding something."

She looked at her, more disoriented than ever. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"Well, it just makes me think that you're here for a reason," she approached her a little closer. "Are you here to see someone in particular, or what does that little mind of yours think? Tell me what you're hoping for, Nayeon."

She didn't know how to respond, and the blonde just laughed at her, knowing that she was still mocking her.

"You have nothing to say, huh? It's okay. Don't worry. I won't tell anyone," she said, and something else that surprised her was getting a playful tap on the shoulder. "Come on, after you."

Nayeon was confused and disoriented by her words, trying to understand if she was trying to find something out or just trying to bother her. So much so that she didn't realize they had already arrived.

Apparently, they had entered through a back part of the place, because they were now in what looked like a stage. And that's where the rest of the people she had heard earlier were. It seemed to be a gala party, but something in the atmosphere made her feel uncomfortable.

The room was lit by golden chandeliers that reflected on the crystals and mirrors that adorned the walls.

The room was decorated with fresh flowers in white and gold tones that gave a romantic touch to the atmosphere.

Elegant, very elegant for that situation she found herself in.

She was so busy looking around that she didn't notice when the stranger left, leaving Nayeon alone. She backed up slowly until she hit the wall, a quick glance to her left and she saw another man watching the entrance to the stage, she was trapped in that place.

She only came back to herself when she heard a man's voice echoing, but Nayeon decided not to pay attention. She focused on finding an escape route, observing if there were more guards in that place, and clearly there were.

They seemed to be watching every door in that damn place.

If she could blend in with the crowd and disappear into the darkness, maybe she could lose the guards. She was dressed for the unknown occasion, so she wouldn't attract attention.

"Hey," she didn't realize when that stranger returned. "I'm going up, and when I mention your name, you just go up on stage."

"What are you talking about? Wait!" she couldn't say more, she had already walked away far enough.

She looked carefully at a few people inside the place. Everything seemed too strange.

***

Jihyo quickly returned with the pill, foolishly following Nayeon's request. But before she could open the door, her subordinate stopped her.

"Jihyo! Wait," her subordinate called from behind, running quickly.

"Bang, you're not allowed to be here. Keep taking care of the security for the event," she ordered.

"I understand, but there's something you need to know," he insisted, panting from the effort.

"Say it later. The boss could arrive at any moment. Now, return to your position."

"Has the boss not arrived yet? I thought she would be the first to see Nayeon. Everyone is really stressed out," he said.

"Strangely, no. And it's better if no one interrupts at this moment," she said, turning the doorknob.

"I understand! But it's really important to tell you what happened to Nayeon."

Before she could respond, Jihyo opened the door to the room and entered, closing it behind her.

Jihyo was stunned for a few seconds, trying to process what had just happened. There was no Nayeon there. How was it possible that she had disappeared from the room? She was sure she was being completely watched.

BangChan entered the room after Jihyo and was also speechless when he realized Nayeon was not there.

"J-Jihyo, d-do you also see what I see?" he asked, with his eyes wide open.

Jihyo always had something to say in the worst moments, or maybe just a comment, but at that moment her mind went blank. Her heart began to beat at full speed. How could Nayeon have escaped from that room? Was there someone else involved?

"Jihyo-ssi?" he touched her shoulder, seeming to finally react.

"But how, if she was completely watched..."

"Boss Park," a voice behind them appeared, quickly being hit against the wall.

"How the hell did she escape, what happened!" Although he seemed weak, that man really felt the strength with which his shirt was being held.

"Miss Im was removed by a call from the Underboss and was taken directly to the hall. We couldn't oppose the order."

"What are she thinking?" she sighed, letting go of the man. "Yes, I understand who you're talking about."

Jihyo sighed and rubbed her temples, cursing her own imprudence. She had been too confident.

"Now what do we do?" her nervousness was evident. "This wasn't planned. If the boss arrives right now... I don't think we'll be the only ones with problems," she looked at the guard. "At least not with the biggest problem."

"Well, let's stick to the original plan. Keep security in the area and make sure no one enters or leaves without my authorization. Let's go and hope they haven't started anything yet. When was she removed?" she asked the man directly.

"Just a few minutes ago, Boss Park."

"Specifically, who took her?"

"It was the youn-"

A sound from her pocket interrupted the conversation. Jihyo quickly checked it, getting nervous about the name that appeared on the screen.

"She's already in the place."

***

She looked around, trying to identify someone who could help her or at least offer her some information.

That was when her gaze fell upon a couple who seemed to be speaking in a low voice. Although she couldn't hear what they were saying, both of their attitudes seemed somewhat suspicious. She decided to approach them to hear better.

"I think we should leave before it's too late," said the woman with a worried tone.

"We can't leave yet, we have to wait for the guest to arrive," he replied.

Nayeon shuddered at those words and decided to walk away before attracting their attention. But just then, she heard the voice of the strange blonde.

"Welcome, today is a very special and anticipated day for all of us. Each one of you has been invited here today to witness something very important, you have been called by your Boss to be here today," she said.

The audience immediately fell silent, attentive to every word she was going to say.

"Today, I have the honor of introducing someone very special to you. Someone whom I hope, not only me, but all of you, will treat with due attention and respect," she paused. "Because this person is important to our Boss."

Nayeon was confused and started to feel uncomfortable, especially when she heard the nickname Boss. What did she mean by that word?

"We have been waiting for this person to arrive for a long time now, as you all know from prior knowledge. But unfortunately, we Boss is not with us tonight, so I will introduce this special person myself," she continued with an enigmatic smile. "The Boss has been waiting to introduce this person personally, but due to a delay, it is inevitable that the time will come much sooner, I doubt any of you want to wait any longer."

Nayeon watched attentively from the side of the podium, not quite understanding what was happening. But the people in that room looked strangely upset as soon as she began speaking.

"And now that they are finally here, it is important that we all understand the gravity of the situation. With this new stage, we expect great discretion and loyalty from all of you. As you well know, loyalty is the most important thing in our organization," continued the blonde. "It is what keeps us together, what makes us strong. And the Boss expects everyone to follow the orders given in relation to our special guest. The protection of this person is our absolute priority."

Why was she talking like that? What had she done? She felt a chill run down her spine. What organization was she talking about? Every second she spent in that room, she knew that things were getting more and more problematic. It was enough to know that it could be a corrupt or even criminal organization, otherwise why would she be almost threatening everyone present? This could also clearly explain her kidnapping.

The blonde continued speaking with a grave expression on her face. "Remember that any action that puts the safety of our guest in danger will be severely punished. No matter what type of personnel it is. The Boss does not take these things lightly, and I hope everyone understands the gravity of the situation. Any display of disloyalty towards her will be treated with the most severe punishment."

Nayeon continued to observe, increasingly scared and confused. Many questions began to pile up in her mind, while the blonde continued speaking on stage.

"Is she talking about me?"

The tension in the room was palpable, and she began to feel that something very bad was about to happen. What did they expect from her? She didn't know whether it was better to run out of there or stay and find out what was going on.

"As you all know, we trust each and every one of you with utmost loyalty, and that's why I'm presenting Nayeon to you all today."

But it was already too late, just as she had warned before, and she had to go up on stage. She swallowed hard.

Clearly, she had no choice but to go up there. She saw the blonde woman watching her, indicating that she should go up quickly, but she bumped into what seemed like another guard, pushing her slowly to go up.

She had no other option.

She walked slowly towards the bright light, trying to remain calm.

When she reached the center of the stage, she found herself facing the curious and expectant gazes of dozens of people. The blonde woman was beside her, with an enigmatic smile on her face.

Nayeon tried to speak, but her voice came out trembling and weak. But what exactly was she supposed to say? What did they expect her to say?

It made no sense that she was there now. She could scream and ask for help, but for some strange reason, she understood that no one would do anything. All she had to do was listen to everything the stranger said.

She was completely trapped and exposed.

The blonde woman gave her a small push to continue speaking, and she tried to articulate coherent words while her mind was elsewhere.

"I really don't know where I am... or who you're talking about. I don't understand anything about this place."

Concern and fear were reflected on her face, and that did not go unnoticed by some of those present at the event. Nayeon felt vulnerable and exposed, and wished with all her might to get out of there safe and sound.

"Oh, I didn't expect Jihyo to take too long to explain things to you. Apparently, she didn't put you in any context at all. Interesting... maybe my partner was too hasty in her decision. I apologize in advance."

"Nayeon, you've been waiting for a long time," the blonde woman said, with a soft but firm voice. "The boss brought you here because you're special to her. She expects you to accept and cooperate with us."

Nayeon was dazed and didn't know how to react. Even with what she had said, she didn't understand what they expected from her. But something in the blonde woman's gaze made her feel that she had no choice but to go along with it.

"I'm sorry, but I don't understand anything that's happening here," said Nayeon, trying to remain calm. "I don't know who you are or what you want from me. I'm not going to cooperate in this foolish game."

The blonde woman looked at her seriously. "Unfortunately, we're not giving you a choice here. You're expected to cooperate, and if you don't, there will be consequences."

"I'm not going to play along with this stupid game," she said, with a voice full of defiance. "I have nothing to do with your boss or your organization. Let me go!"

The people began to murmur among themselves, and some seemed to be really surprised. But the blonde woman remained firm, without showing any sign of weakness.

"I'm sorry, but we can't allow you to leave," she said. "Anyway, there's no option. But don't worry, once you understand the scope of our work, I'm sure you'll change your mind."

Nayeon shook her head, with determination in

The small argument was interrupted when the main door was opened, showing a few uniformed personnel entering, seeming to escort something.

Once they dispersed, the new guest came into view. And that's when Nayeon saw her.

Chapter Text

"I want you to bring Nayeon completely flawless, I don't want any marks that show signs of force."

Those were her exact words the day she asked me to bring her.

I felt like a little child obeying the orders of the strictest, most annoying, and heavy-handed teacher. A descendant of insipidity and monotony -well, now I could give her a good punch-. Which I would end up hating and probably have a psychological sequel of distrust, too personal perhaps. I felt the same way, although now as an adult it would be funny to still think that way. I still convinced myself that I could solve everything just by talking, I vaguely clung to it.

"Be careful, hold her tightly, make sure she doesn't fall!" I tried to sound tough, with a slightly louder voice.

I watched as the rest of the guards tried to carry Nayeon, trying to touch her as minimally as possible. As if that were possible while carrying a person. I was too stressed out by how aggressive Nayeon had become with the proposal, and I still was because in a way my intelligence and abilities were completely insulted by my boss's stupid request.

I thought the fastest and most effective way was simply to get her away, catch her, kidnap her even though it sounded very rude, and the job would be done.

But in Jeongyeon's orders, she insisted that I should ask Nayeon if she wanted to go with me first, as that would make my job easier -according to her-. Clearly, I thought that would be a total stupidity. It was not possible for a person to accept the proposal of living in the house of a complete stranger who was totally in love with her and who would give her everything she asked for if she went with her, right? Or maybe it was?

But as I expected, apart from not believing it, Nayeon totally rejected it. I don't blame her, I probably would have done the same, although I would have run much faster.

"I'm not paid enough," I muttered.

"Oh, I think you are, Jihyo-ssi," I heard behind me, and turning around, a boy in a suit introduced himself, surprising me a little, "what you receive for your position is a really satisfactory sum, what I wouldn't give to be in your place," he tried to banter.

And there was one of the reasons why I was still in that place.

As much as it cost me, my subordinate was telling the truth. The amount I earned in that business was really large, being able to give me a really comfortable life until I die and maybe to my descendants too. Certainly, I couldn't complain about the money.

"I'm not too young to retire... am I?"

But it wasn't time to question how much money I had.

"Then all of the Boss's businesses would go down the drain, Bang Chan," I replied.

"That offends me, Jihyo-ssi."

"I think being in the position you're in, Christopher is better."

"Oh, come on, don't be so cruel, it hurts too much, do you really not think I can ascend? maybe then you can take a break," he stood there, looking at me with a cunning smile on his face. I knew there was something else on his mind.

"What do you want, Christopher?" I asked with a sigh.

"Well, I couldn't help but notice that you're wasting a great opportunity. After this assignment, I'm sure the Boss will reward you satisfactorily. Why don't you take that money and go on vacation? I doubt she'll refuse if you ask for a few days. You deserve it after all the work you've done.

"I don't have time for vacations, Christopher. I have a lot of work to do."

"I know, I know. But sometimes it's good to take a break and recharge your batteries. Plus, you can't keep working like this forever."

I remained silent for a moment, thinking about his words. Maybe he was right. Maybe I needed to take some time for myself, reflect on my life and what I was really doing.

"I'll think about it," I finally responded.

Christopher smiled and nodded. He seemed satisfied with my answer.

"You should. I guarantee you won't regret it. If this job is done satisfactorily, maybe the Boss will even accept a request from me."

"Everything is ready, boss," another formal man appeared, interrupting their conversation. "Without any scratches, bruises, or any cuts, we placed her as delicately as possible in the car, as ordered."

"Okay, I'll go with her in the same car."

I walked away, feeling his eyes on me as I headed towards the car where Nayeon was already waiting. I wondered if Christopher was right. Maybe I did need a break. But for now, my priority was to get Nayeon to safety.

The driver took me to the car, and I made sure Nayeon was completely clean and healthy as instructed. And yes, everything seemed to be in order, she was lying calmly in one of the individual seats while being guarded by more men around her. Orders to watch her in case she slid off the seat or maybe even fell, none of these men would allow her to get hurt.

"Maybe I should go alone with her." I sighed.

"They know enough to understand that nothing can happen to the girl," I said sternly to the four men, with a demanding voice. "Anything that happens to her or even the slightest trace of a bruise on her; the Boss will take care of you, and believe me, it won't be pretty if anything were to happen, so do your job well." I quickly glanced at the girl "and make sure to cover her with a blanket."

I knew I had to be firm, but I hated having to threaten someone, especially those who were just doing their job. But Jeongyeon ordered and insisted that I had to order and warn them that if anything happened to the girl, she personally would take care of them. I didn't want anything to happen to anyone, so I had no choice but to give these orders.

I got into the passenger seat of the Mercedes, hoping to get there as quickly as possible to relieve this anxiety.

"Let's go, as fast as possible," I was really strict with the driver.

And we set off, inevitably some cars got in front of us and others positioned themselves behind us. It almost looked like they were escorting someone really important or even the President of the United States. And yes, these were also Jeongyeon's orders, and I thought it was an exaggeration. It would have been more discreet if it were just one car.

I hoped to arrive as quickly as possible to get rid of the terrible anxiety that was gnawing at me. I wasn't the right person for this kind of job, I was still conflicted about why I had accepted it. I knew I wasn't capable of doing something of such magnitude. That's why I always kept myself as far away from what could be called "dirty work" and only handled administrative tasks.

I hoped Jeongyeon would be calmer when I returned. I couldn't stand her attitude since yesterday. She repeated the orders over and over again, demanding perfection, and many people had to suffer the consequences.

Lying down for a moment, I thought about everything that had happened in the last few hours. It was a tough job, but someone had to do it. Sometimes I wondered why I stayed in this business, but then I remembered what my grandfather used to say, "If you want something in life, you have to work hard for it."

I turned slightly to the back, looking at Nayeon who was sleeping deeply. Now I felt another sense of guilt, my conscience was tormenting me. I felt sorry for the kidnapped girl, I couldn't know exactly what could be going through her head, but I knew one thing, fear and desperation were inevitable.

I could try to reassure Nayeon and try to explain Jeongyeon's crazy plan. Maybe she could understand the Boss, could she? I saw it as really null and impossible.

Along the way, I did some very questionable things that could put my own ethics and morality at risk. But I also knew I had no other choice, it was expected of me, and I couldn't turn back.

It was just a matter of time before I became an accomplice to a job of that size. Always from behind and never in action, I liked that position and never complained about it. But since I got involved with Jeongyeon, I knew I would have to put aside some of my principles.

I knew that when I saw her for the first time and she gave me that opportunity, everything would be morally questionable.

So I focused on what was ahead: taking Nayeon to a safe place. And if that meant obeying Jeongyeon's orders, then I would. But, perhaps, after all of this, I would have to reconsider many things.

There was no clear answer. I knew I would have to live with the consequences of my actions for the rest of my life.

After a while, interrupting my thoughts, I felt the car slowing down and realized that the cars in front were already parked. How much time had passed? It felt too short for such a long journey.

"Ready, boss, we've arrived," said the driver, quickly getting out to open my door.

I took a deep breath, ready to face what was to come. I opened the back door of the car and directed the men to lower her.

"Now you just have to lower her and take her inside the house, you know the drill. But it doesn't hurt to repeat it, there must be no marks on her in any way," I waited patiently as the four uniformed men and four guards outside carefully lowered her. Anxiety invaded me as I saw how slow they were.

When they had successfully brought her down, I breathed a sigh of relief. I was completely sure now, there was nothing more to worry about and no other failures, it was a completely successful mission. Now we just had to wait for Jeongyeon's arrival.

"To be honest, everything went smoothly..."

Did I really have another option? Of course not, this was my first time and I hoped I would never have to do something like this again. I just had to follow orders.

[...]

They brought her inside the huge house, and Jihyo was sure that nothing could happen once inside the property. But what she didn't expect was that, once upstairs, one of the men stumbled on the stairs, and that mistake caused a new scratch on the girl's leg.

Jihyo didn't notice it as she was busy ordering the other men to move the entrance decoration away. They looked at each other and shook their heads, knowing that this mistake would cost them much more. Even more than failing a mission, which their boss considered a total failure.

But at least failing a mission meant they could still keep their lives. They looked at the slight and almost imperceptible scratch on the white leg and cursed themselves internally.

They hoped that no one had seen them make that huge little mistake, they just had to hope that the universe was on their side.

But another mistake they made was not realizing that their superior, Bang Chan, was behind them the whole time, and saw everything. He knew it was a fatal mistake, he knew he had to report it to his boss immediately. And he clearly knew what would happen. But the fear of also being punished was greater.

He knew he was the second in command of that mission and not making sure that the men did their job well made him stay quiet for now. He just clasped his hands and started biting one of his fingers frantically, also hoping that the universe was on his side. "Oh god Jihyo don't kill me"

"The way is clear, continue," spoke Jihyo from inside that house.