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inzaghisgirlfriend · 2 months ago

Note

I've been dreaming about an AU where Jang Han-seo doesn't die and instead gets to live out his fantasy of being Vincenzo's little brother. They both get get brothers who aren't trying to kill them and stumble into a close familial relationship where they learn to trust each other. Han-seo calls Vincenzo for advice running Babel, and in return, he keeps an eye on the residents of Geumga plaza to make sure nothing happens to them. Han-Seo gets so close to Vincenzo that he gets to be his best man at the wedding in Malta to Hong Cha-young. Anything along those lines would be amazing!

In fairness, theirs isn't a dynamic I'm great at or a character voice I can give deserved justice to, but let's see where and how it goes...

- - -

When her surgery ends, and he gets both medical assurance and visual proof that Hong Cha Young's condition has stabilized, he asks Mr. Nam to keep brief vigil.

He somberly passes the men he has stationed at her door and the ends of the hallway to exit and descends down a back stairwell, climbing six floors to the ground level and then two more beneath it, exiting to a stand, hesitating, looking at set of double doors he's passed through just once before.

Inside them is a place he knows far too well.

He steps through them and then stands again a long while in silence, regarding the form laid out beneath the white sheet - all that's left of the man who'd laid his life down for both of them earlier.

And he says a final prayer for Jang Han Seo.

Before tossing a black duffel on the middle of the gurney.

There's a strangled sound and then motion, squirming, beneath the thin fabric.

"Hyung," a strangled voice grunts. "How is she?"

Alive, he wants to say. Because you tried to trade your stupid life for hers.

"Stable," he says instead, fully aware of how gruff and cold he sounds. Hoping it doesn't sound as feigned to Han Seo's ears as it does in his own. "Get dressed. Watch your wound. Cho-sajangnim is waiting outside. There's a passport in the bag."

"A fake one?!"

He doesn't answer - just turns and leaves the morgue without another word.

He can't stand this fucking place.

And wants to be the first person she sees when she opens her eyes again.

As well as the last one Jang Han Seok does before his close forever.

"Apologize to your brother," are his last words to the man, though the word settles poorly against his tongue for reasons he can't quite put a reason to.

Leaving her hours later is the closest thing he's ever felt to dying.

And in that miserable state, the last thing in the world he needs is company or another life to be responsible for. But both are what's waiting - and eagerly - for him, in a shitty, anonymous airport hotel room in Ankara.

"This shirt you packed doesn't fit me right," is the greeting he's offered, bone tired as he staggers into the room and past the smiling idiot to collapse face first on top the nearest of the two beds. "Nice material, though."

"It's tailored to my body," he mutters into the musty coverlet. "Of course it doesn't."

"These are yours," comes the excited answer. "Are they Booloara?"

"Booralro," he mumbles. "And close the damn door already."

Luca gives the guy's cheerfulness and guileless enthusiasm some major side eye when he, Matteo, Marco, and Nico arrive the next morning, a welcome delegation of loyal footsoldiers.

And Vincenzo hears his voice telling all of them to go easy on the guy.

Tries to cover it by adding something about recovering from a gunshot wound.

He can tell from Luca's quickly-hidden smile it's not convincing enough.

The six of them travel together to just outside Catania a day later, where they double their numbers, joined by a half dozen more who are disgusted by Paolo's bloodthirsty egotism and sloppy leadership.

Something they discuss at length. And often.

"Fratello," their ever-present hanger-on repeats quietly in an overdone accent, when yet another strategy session looses steam, slips, and drifts into the guys just cursing the asshole's name. "That means brother, doesn't it?"

He hates the way he doesn't hate the way the word sounds, suddenly, in either language, when it's coming from him.

Vincenzo spends a lot of of the next few days repeating things, moving from Korean to Italian and then back again. And a lot of what he's translating from Italian requires additional and very basic explanation. And from Korean, extremely heavy editing of some absolutely terrible ideas.

But he's surprised by the way the guys seem to have developed a odd fondness for 'Aldo', as he's apparently decided to re-anoint himself. And none seem to mind the way he sits and smiles so broadly while they debate and plan for war and bloodshed around him.

He does start to pick up a little Italian after awhile.

A lot of Italian, actually, which Vincenzo notices but dismisses somewhat, since the vocabulary he's best seems attributable to the late nights his men spend blowing off steam and playing poker than any to remarkable intellectual capacity.

Until he starts picking up Sicilian, too, casually, out walking the city's marketplaces and fetching coffee and pastries from the nearby cafe.

"The guy's smart," Luca says quietly one day, as they watch Aldo disassembling the safehouse's espresso machine, thinking he'll somehow find the cause of its recent failure. "You should try to find a role for him after you..."

Luca pauses, unwilling, like everyone seems to be, to say what needs to happen next.

"...when everything settles again," he finishes, eventually.

"He isn't smart," Vincenzo counters, gruffly, wincing at the way the emergency packet of instant coffee he's scoured from out of his hand luggage makes his heart yearn for a law office on the other side of the world. And the woman sitting behind a desk inside of it.

"And my goal is to get him out of my hair as soon as possible," he adds.

The next morning, Luca sets Vincenzo's espresso beside his breakfast plate, raising an eyebrow meaningfully. It smells freshly made; the ghost, it seems, has been successfully exorcised from its machine, which sits back on the kitchen's countertop.

And Vincenzo lets himself be quietly impressed.

When they arrive in Rome, there's four more men who join them. And a plan.

Aldo's authored parts of it, but in three more days, when Vincenzo makes his unannounced return to Milan, he won't be there to execute on it.

Aldo will go instead with Matteo and Nico and ready the island for the ones who survive long enough to join them.

"Hyung, I want to help," he whines, when he's given the news. "Not hide."

"Stop calling me that," is all manages to say.

Whether he'll let the man see violence or risk his damn life again isn't up for discussion.

Before they depart, though, Aldo comes and finds Vincenzo after sunset, standing with an untouched glass of wine on the balcony overlooking the Piazza Navona.

He clears his throat to announce his presence and entry, something he's always careful to do and a habit Vincenzo doesn't like thinking too much about the origins of.

"I thought you'd gone out to dinner with the others," he says without turning.

"I stayed," he answers simply, joining Vincenzo against the balustrade to take in the city lights that seemed to reach to and beyond the dark horizon. "Wasn't hungry."

This rings entirely false.

He knows only one other person on earth with an appetite more voracious.

Someone he misses more than anything.

Which resteels his faintly wavering resolve.

He needs, more than wants, to do what he's fated to tomorrow. Change his family for the better. Claim back what's his, what he's earned, from the one who mistook it for mere birthright.

Settle this score once and for all.

But images have been flooding his mind all day - trading good-natured insults while kicking the football around together in the vast yard to the east of the main house, driving together on meandering errands through Liguria talking over a radio turned up too loud, awake late at night watching movies together, laughing when they realize that they're both madly in love with with the pretty actress from Ho Voglia di Te.

It's that boy, every bit as much as the man he's become, that he must face.

"He tried to kill you once," says the soft voice of the man beside him, after a long moment's silence. "He'll only keep doing it until he succeeds."

He doesn't say anything. About the boy he remembers. About Fabio and what he'd think.

About the way he knows Aldo is right.

"You have lots of good men beside you," he says, still quiet, hesitating again before adding, "And gli amici sono i fratelli che ti scegli..."

And then he goes and leaves Vincenzo to his thoughts.

Which recall to him more recent memories. Violent confrontations, and another set of two brothers who really weren't.

A week later, when Vincenzo arrives in Pagliuzza, his unenviable task complete and his family once again in hand, Aldo's is the first face he sees among the men clustered and waiting there on the island's small dock.

And the only one that's somber the way Vincenzo's soul is still, despite the decisive victory.

Lucia Cassano is a distant cousin - second or third, Vincenzo can never remember how to count through the lines of consanguination correctly.

But when he gets word of how Fabio's uncle's daughter's daughter is being treated by her Luciano sottocapo husband, he dispatches Matteo and Luca to end it. End him. And bring her to Pagliuzza.

It's why he's built this island, after all, as a respite for those whose lives are steeped in violence they did not choose.

That Aldo makes a perfect close companion in those first few days shouldn't be a surprise.

That it continues, however, very much is.

As is the way his men are apparently the nosiest gossips to ever walk God's earth.

Though Aldo is no better, and, despite living now four months amongst hardened mafia soldiers, hasn't yet learned to keep his eyes on his own business and not ask questions he's got no right to.

Luca betrays it first, telling Vincenzo that Aldo's questioned him twice now about the postcards that Luca ferries to Valletta each month, along with the island's regular mail.

"And what did you tell him," Vincenzo bristles.

"That I don't know anything either," Luca answers, though it's clear he's only very loosely paraphrasing whatever was said. "Apart from what I saw when I visited Seoul..."

His candor earns him a glare.

Aldo, for his part, is far more direct.

"I'm sure she misses you, too, hyung," Aldo says, apropos of nothing, while continuing to use the nickname Vincenzo’s certainly never given him permission to.

"I don't know who you're talking about," he answers, stubbornly, as they watch the sun slip behind the ocean at the horizon in silence.

"Okay," Aldo answers him. "But she does..."

One afternoon, he appears in Vincenzo's office and asks, shyly, if Lucia can move into the villa at the farthest end that Aldo claimed for himself when they first came to the island.

It takes nearly all Vincenzo's resolve not to leap up from his chair and pull the man into a joyful embrace.

Instead he continues perusing the contract in front of him, huffs out a breath, and warns him to warn her about how life on the island means living as an open book.

And grins when Luca appears the next day with a scandalous grin and "news."

Six months later, it's those same two nosy assholes that scheme and corner Vincenzo in his office with big dopey smiles, a fake diplomatic passport, and a plane reservation.

Though it's Aldo alone who's tasked with retrieving him from the mission two days later, discerning in a single glance that Vincenzo's brief return went better than it had had any right to.

It's him Vincenzo trusts to arrange her first visit to Pagliuzza three weeks later. And to collect her from the airport.

He hears them chattering, even above the boat's motor, as Luca tosses a tow line to Matteo to bring it fast against the dock's mooring bouys.

It's been...he doesn't know how long, actually, since he's heard Aldo speak Korean.

Something he stops pondering the moment his eyes meet Hong Cha Young's.

Just before his restraint, his private nature, and every one of his best intentions give out on him all at once and he pulls her into his arms before her second foot even hits the planks of his dock.

Even with Luca and Aldo just standing there, grinning like idiots, watching them.

When she goes home ten days later, he thinks of sending Aldo back with her. To Seoul. Finally finding a way to send him back for good, return him home.

He could set him up to assist with driving the final stake into the blackened heart of Babel, he thinks, now that Cha Young's work has picked it nearly clean of both revenue and criminality and sent it into receivership and imminent failure.

And it makes some sense to send him back to keep watch over the rest of his family, with all of them still clinging so stubbornly to that wretched bit of concrete and glass in the middle of Seoul, their boss and queen forever bringing trouble its way.

But he also has her, and she's more than capable.

And in no need of a babysitter.

So Aldo stays.

Ahead of Cha Young's third visit, he calls her on their encrypted line, and tells her to pack an evening dress.

"We've been through this," she objects. "I'm not sitting through an opera. Even for you."

He rolls his eyes. He'll get her to one someday.

"No, there's a wedding this weekend," he says. "Small one. On the island."

And so they watch, hand in hand, that Saturday, as Aldo and Lucia stand facing one another at sunset, both of them knees deep in the warm surf off the island's western coast, with Father Efizio gamely standing there with them, the ends of his vestments swaying to and fro in the gentle tide.

He can't avoid the hug he's pulled into after they rings are exchanged and they're back in the beach with the rest of the revelers.

But mainly because Vincenzo can't see it coming soon enough to evade it. Damn salt air, always making his eyes water.

"Noona looks so pretty," Aldo says, years later, grinning broadly as he enters the small chamber where the groomsmen are set to assemble in five minutes' time. "The veil, the dress, all of it."

The guy's tie is crooked, as always, and Vincenzo sighs, standing up and moving towards him to undo it.

Aldo straightens his posture automatically as the ends come loose and Vincenzo busily takes them up to start over again.

The man's never really gained an eye for aesthetic detail.

"How is Elena," Vincenzo asks, entirely unable to picture the woman he's about to marry in bridal attire. "Does her dress fit right?"

Buying clothing for a three year old who grows like a weed was a bit like hitting a moving target.

Aldo laughs, though, a sound Vincenzo never tires of.

"Yes, but she got too excited to wait and dumped the petals out of her basket out front of the church. Matteo and Luca had to scramble around and save what they could."

He looks not the least bit chagrined, the way fathers always seem to be, even when their children run wild and are ill mannered.

Though he adores the girl, and couldn't not have had his goddaughter serve as his flower girl.

On which subject...

"Small change in how we rehearsed," Vincenzo interjects, as he finishes the knot and stands back to examine his work.

"Oh?"

He nods, less answer to Aldo's question and more expression of satisfaction with a job now properly done.

And then he turns back to the small table behind him.

He palms what he needs to from its surface, and then turns again, hand extending Aldo's way, smiling inwardly at how the sudden movement doesn't make the other man reflexively flinch anymore.

"Yes. You're standing on my left now," he says, mildly, reaching a little further forward to prompt Aldo to take what he's holding up between them. "Between Luca and I."

Aldo frowns but raises hand for Vincenzo to deposit its cache into his palm.

"But he's best man," Aldo says, looking down in bewilderment at the platinum bands he's now holding.

There's a knock at the door.

Speak of the devil.

Though Luca had been very understanding about the change.

"Ah," Vincenzo says, moving away and towards the door. "Yes. But I thought about it. And decided today's a day I need my brother beside me."

He isn't surprised when arms encircle him from behind before he manages to reach the door.

Or when that damn salty sea air clouds his vision once again.

- - -

The end.

I know it didn't entirely track along the lines you'd had, especially towards the middle and end, but characters sometimes do what they want, and I hope you enjoyed it anyway.

Thank you for prompt/ask (and reading it).

#vincenzo #vincenzo cassano #hong cha young #vincenzo fanfic #jang han seo

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mirajaneswritingshenanigans · 2 years ago

Text

When Fear Becomes Strength

Fandom(s): Vincenzo Series

Pairing(s): Jang Han-seo x BestFriend!Reader

Summary: All the signs were there in the past, only you were too young to understand what was happening. Years later, you’ve become a witness to Jun-woo’s vicious behavior towards Han-seo. Now Han-seo fears what will happen next. This time he turns his fear into strength.

Disclaimer: I do not own any character mentioned in this work. Every character and scene belongs to the writers, producers, and directors of Vincenzo. I am simply borrowing dialogue and characters to create this work of fiction.

A/N: Y/N-Your Name. This idea came to me at 3am (09/28/2022). Instead of sleeping, I had to write it. I think I wrote Jun-woo a lot worse than he actually is. I mean, Jun-woo is a horrible enough person as is. Cha-youhg doesn't get kidnapped. Han-seo lives, because I said so and that man deserved so much better than what he got in the show. Just saying. Anyhoo, I hope y’all enjoy this. Bold Italics is a memory. ✨✨✨✨-Signifies a time lapse.

Warning(s): Mentions of abuse. C-PTSD. description of violence/abuse. Netflix subtitle translation used. out of character moments? a few cuss words. abrupt ending? (I had no idea how to end this, I’m sorry.)

Word Count: 8,368

It felt like time had stopped. You weren't sure how to react to the scene before you. Jun-woo held Han-seo tightly by his tie. Anger clear on his face. His fist was raised, but stopped when he noticed you standing in the archway to the living room. He let go of his tie and began to straighten it up. "You should always remember to look your best." Jun-woo said in a sweet tone, trying to make it seem like he was helping and not hurting. You were stunned by the sudden change in his attitude. He gave Han-seo a hug whispering to him "we'll finish this later". Once he let go, he smiled at you and left the house, slamming the door on his way out.

Han-seo leaned against the wall, sliding down. He pulled he knees close to his chest and rested his forehead on them. You slowly walked towards him, kneeling in front of him when you were close enough. "Han-seo?" You whispered. "You were never supposed to see that side of him." His tone was filled with anguish. He looked up from his knees to meet your gaze. Your heart breaking when you saw the bruise forming on his right eye. The red mark in the corner of his lip. The hand print across his left cheek. What hurt the most was seeing the fear and pain within his eyes. Tears steadily streaming down his cheeks. "He's going to hurt you. He always hurts the people who find out about his violent side. That's why I can't keep friends. He... I c-can't lose you." Han-seo had a hard time speaking over the lump forming in his throat. The mere thought of Jun-woo hurting you terrified him and broke his heart.

He leaned forward, kneeling on his knees, and pulled you into his embrace. Sobs began to rack his body. You tightly wrapped your arms around him. At this point tears began to stream down your cheeks as well. Seeing him so hurt and scared broke you. You began to gently rub his back. After several minutes his body had stopped shaking. His sobs becoming softer.

"Please." Han-seo whispered. You pulled away from him to look at his face. "Please, what?" You asked with a puzzled expression. "Please, don't leave me." Han-seo said, his voice cracking. "I won't. I pinky promise." You held your right pinky out to him, he gently wrapped his left pinky around yours. He gave you a small smile when you pressed your thumb to his and kissed the tip of both of your thumbs. "I take pinky promises very seriously. No matter what Jun-woo attempts, I won't leave you." You reassured him when you pulled your pinky away. He leaned his back against the wall stretching his legs out and sighed heavily. You moved to do the same right beside him.

"How long has he been doing this to you?" You asked quietly. Han-seo sighed heavily before answering "since I moved into the Jang household as a child." You glanced at Han-seo, you could tell this topic pained him. "I'm sorry for you. Being hurt by someone that is supposed to love you and protect you is a terrible pain a person has to live with." You told him gently. He stayed silent staring off into the room. "I'm also sorry that I hadn't noticed sooner. I've been your best friend since we were children. Yet, I've missed all the signs that you were being abused and mistreated." Your voice became even softer as you spoke and sounded so much sadder than you had intended. "Please, don't feel guilty for that." Han-seo reached into your lap and took your right hand into his left hand. "You were a child! How could anyone hurt you?! It’s so wrong!" Your voice rose in anger as you spoke. You felt his grip tighten on your hand. You looked up to see that Han-seo had raised his right arm to cover his face and moved his legs closer to his torso again. For a moment you were puzzled. Then it hit you like a freight train derailing and crashing. Your tone and voice rising had triggered Han-seo. "Han-seo. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to..." You lowered your voice and spoke more gently.

You weren't sure if he heard you at all because he had stayed in that position for a few more seconds. Eyes shut so tightly, arm still raised to protect his face. Legs close to him to protect his abdomen. You took note of how heavily he was breathing at the moment. I swear I'm going to kill Jun-woo myself for this. You thought to yourself. You felt his grip begin to loosen on your hand. He slowly began to lower his arm and stretch his legs out again. He hated that hearing the anger in your voice had triggered him the way it did. A part of him knew you weren't angry with him. The other part felt threatened and vulnerable and told him he needed to protect himself. "I'm okay." He whispered keeping his gaze cast towards his lap. You turned your hand over in his, where you could interlock your fingers with his. "I'm sorry. I truly didn't mean to trigger you. I was angry that anyone has the audacity to lay a hand on you." You told him. "That happens sometimes." He told you. Silence had fallen between the two of you. Both of you sat like this for hours before moving to his bed to sleep.

✨✨✨✨

Your body cramped when you woke up the next morning. Sitting on the floor, not moving, for hours wasn't the best idea before laying in a bed. You had decided to stay with him last night. You weren’t willing to leave him alone. You were currently lying on your back. Han-seo snoring away on you. While you had slept he curled into your left side, his right leg lazily draped over your pelvis. You glanced down at his sleeping form. How is that comfortable? You silently wondered when you saw he had his left arm folded in between you and his chest. His other arm slung over your abdomen. His head laying on your chest, more towards your shoulder. He looked so peaceful in this moment. You gently moved his hair to check his eye. You sighed heavily when you noticed the swelling got worse over night and the bruising darker. You gently began to run your fingers through his hair. Han-seo sighed softly before his voice filled the room. “Morning.” You laughed a little at his muffled groggy voice. Even though his eyes were still closed at the moment you still decided to smile at him. Your heart melting at the way he was smiling with his cheek pressed into you.

Both of your bodies jerked when you heard the front door slam open. He quickly sat up in bed. "He can't know you’re here." He said in a panicked tone. He rushed to hand you all of your belongings before ushering you into his closet. "Just, stay quiet. Okay? This is for your protection." Han-seo pleaded with you as he handed you your phone. Your only response was a small nod before he quickly, but gently shut the closet door, leaving you in the dark. He was thankful that his room was farthest from the front door, almost clear across the house. He quickly jumped back into to bed and covered up. Making it seem like he was still sleeping.

"Oh, dear brother." Jun-woo called out. "I know you couldn't possibly still be sleeping." Your blood ran cold when you heard Jun-woo's slightly muffled sinister tone through the closet door. You flinched when you heard the bedroom door being slammed opened. Not being able to see what was happening may be a blessing or a curse. Though being able to hear, even if slightly muffled, was a curse as well. You weren’t sure which one you would consider worse. "Is something wrong?" You heard Han-seo’s timid voice. "I'm here to finish what I started. I was rudely interrupted by Y/N, remember." You wanted so badly to open the closet door and deck Jun-woo in the face.

"Hm, this won't do. Have you learned your lesson?" Jun-woo asked in a mocking tone. "Y-y-yes, s-sir." Han-seo stuttered out. "What is that lesson?" You could hear Jun-woo's footsteps moving across the floor. You figured he was walking closer to the bed to tower over Han-seo. "Th-that I-I'm your p-puppet. I-I’m not a-a-allowed to th-think for myself." Your heart felt heavy at how scared Han-seo sounded. "Very good. Get dressed, I've got to take you to the doctor. Make up a lie about those wounds." Jun-woo said before leaving the room slamming the door harshly behind him. Being in the closet, you had missed the way Han-seo had flinched and covered his ears.

About three minutes had passed before Han-seo opened the closet door. When he saw your face he gave you a sad smile. You slowly moved forward to hug him, but he held his hand up in a gesture to stop you. "If you hug me, I'll break." He said weakly. You wrapped your arms around yourself and nodded. "Is it safe to step out of the closet?" You quietly asked him, trying to peak over his shoulder. He shook his head no. "I need to get changed, quickly. Once you hear us leave the house, wait ten more minutes and then leave. Okay?" He said as he reached beside you to pull out one of his suits. You nodded "okay". "I'm sorry. For all of this." He gently told you before closing you in the closet again. You could hear him shuffling around his room. Trying his best to get ready as quickly as possible. "Come on!" You heard Jun-woo angrily shout from somewhere within the house. His voice clearly filled with impatience. "Coming." Before Han-seo left the room, he opened the closet once more. "I'll see you later, maybe?" Han-seo whispered. "If it's possible." You whispered back.

He closed the door once more. You sighed heavily. You never imagined that this is how your morning would go. You listened carefully for their departure. After a few minutes you heard the door slam shut. You figured that was Jun-woo's doing. You silently pulled your phone out and set a timer for ten minutes. Making sure it would only vibrate. You also made sure the phone notifications were set on silent. You didn't want to risk being caught if any of their guards stayed behind. Your mind raced with a million thoughts. Especially thoughts of how to explain to your other best friend and roommate Cha-young why you didn't come home last night. Those ten minutes began to feel like years to you. When the timer finally went off you quickly and quietly gathered all of your belongings and made your way out of the house. At this point you didn’t care that you were leaving the house in his over sized shirt, underwear, and socks. Your clothes and shoes bundled up in your arms. When you felt that you were a good distance away from his house you had decided to call Cha-young for a ride. You waited patiently at a bus stop for Cha-young to show up. You only had to wait for about ten minutes. You jumped up from the bench and rushed to her car when she parked to allow you to get in.

"Why didn't you drive last night?" Cha-young asked when you got into her vehicle. "Because, I didn't feel like it." You replied while shrugging. She gave your appearance a once over but didn’t comment on it. "Who did you visit last night?" Cha-young glanced at you when she stopped at a red light. She only glanced for a moment before turning her attention back on the road. "Han-seo." You told her honestly. Cha-young was fully aware of the friendship between you and him. Granted, she was shocked when she found out he is the childhood best friend you always spoke of so fondly. She was equally as shocked when Vincenzo told her that Jang Jun-woo was none other than Jang Han-seok. You remembered how shocked Vincenzo, Cha-young, and Mr. Nam looked when they discovered that by being friends with Han-seo meant you also got to know Jun-woo.

You were sitting at the table in the law firm office, sifting through a folder while waiting for Cha-young. "I've been fooled." You looked up to see Cha-young, Mr. Nam, and Vincenzo walk through the door. "Did I miss something?" You asked. "It's been revealed that her old colleague Jun-woo is actually Jang Han-seok." Mr. Nam said. Your heart dropped at the mention of the last name. Vincenzo gave you a puzzled look. "That can't be right. I mean, with what's happened so far, it doesn't make a lick of sense to me." Your words rushed out. "Why do you say that?" Cha-young crossed her arms. "Well, because Han-seo is my best friend, so I know his brother fairly well." Your words were met with surprised expressions. “How long have you known Han-seo for?” Mr. Nam asked curiously. “Since we were children.” You said. “When Han-seo introduced his brother to you what name did he give to address him by?” Vincenzo questioned. “Uh, he was introduced to me as Jang Jun-woo.” You told him honestly. “That would explain why you can’t imagine him as Jang Han-seok. But, how did you not notice before that he’s Cha-young’s colleague. You’ve also been friends with Cha-young for a long time, correct?” Mr. Nam asked. “I try to separate my work life from my personal life. I never talked about him around Y/N, and I never allowed the two to meet.” Cha-young answered for you. “Well, you did keep me away from your work up until you came to Jipuragi Law Firm. Then I started popping in whenever I could, just like now.” You told her. Mr. Nam still looked shocked at the information that was being shared. Vincenzo looked as if he was plotting something, and Cha-young looked neutral to it all.

Back then you couldn't fathom that Jun-woo would do such heinous acts of violence. Now, considering what you witnessed last night, you could believe it. You sighed heavily and slid down in your seat. "Something's happened." "Yeah, I walked in on Jun-woo hurting Han-seo." It wasn't a question but you replied anyhow. Cha-young sighed heavily as she parked the car. Being caught up in your own thoughts made you miss the fact that she had pulled up to Geumga Plaza.

Cha-young turned to face you. "Listen, Vincenzo and Han-seo have a plan. I don’t know what that plan is, but Vincenzo is trying his best to help take down Jun-woo. With help from Han-seo of course." Cha-young told you. "That's good news. Sounds like the two of you are pretty close now." Cha-young turned to get out of the vehicle. Clearly not wanting to address your assumption. You smiled to yourself at her reaction.

Once you got out, the two of you made your way to the law firm office. When you walked in you were greeted by a shocked looking Mr. Nam. You were puzzled by his look until you looked down at yourself. Your face grew warm when you remembered that you weren’t fully clothed. "There's a reason." You told him as you rushed to pull your pants on. "A reason for what?" You glanced over to see Vincenzo enter the room. "That they were barely dressed." Cha-young answered for you. "Interesting." Vincenzo said as he took his over coat off and sat at his desk. He leaned forward to rest his elbows on the desk and clasped his hands together. You figured that was your queue to explain yourself. You sighed heavily as you took a seat in the closest chair to you. You set your shoes and shirt from yesterday on the table in front of you. After doing that you leaned back, clasping your hands together and resting them on your abdomen. "I went to visit Han-seo last night. When I got there I noticed that the front door was wide open so I walked in." You began to tell them. "When I made it past the entrance I froze." At this point your voice grew softer as tears began to blur your vision. "Han-seo was being held tightly by his tie. His eye, his mouth, and his cheek already hurt. It looked like Jun-woo was going to hit him again, until he noticed me." You cast your gaze to the ceiling, trying your hardest not to cry. "You don't have to explain further, if it hurts to do so." Mr. Nam gently rested a hand on your shoulder squeezing it lightly. You nodded in response to him. Vincenzo had gotten up from his desk to hand you a box of tissues.

You had failed at trying not to cry. Some tears had fallen. You leaned forward for the tissues to clean your cheeks and blow your nose. "It hurts because I've known Han-seo for years. How did I miss all the signs of abuse?!" Sadness and frustration laced heavily in your tone. Mr. Nam sat down beside you. "Sometimes, the abused get so good at hiding the abuse, that no one can tell what goes on behind closed doors. Until the abused feels comfortable enough to tell someone, no one will know otherwise. Sometimes they never speak up at all due to fear of retaliation from their abuser." Mr. Nam spoke softly to you. "Han-seo told me that Jun-woo always hurts people when they find out about his violent side." You had rested your elbows on the table, clasped your hands together, and leaned your forehead against them. "My other problem is, why didn't I notice Jun-woo's sinister behavior before." You sounded so defeated at this point that it even made Vincenzo’s heart ache to see you like this. "Evil has a way of deceiving people." Vincenzo stated. "He's beyond evil! He’s a monster!" You didn't mean to raise your voice but you had reached your breaking point.

You stood up so abruptly that your chair fell on its back. "I can't take this bullshit anymore Vincenzo. Everything he has done thus far, it's cruel. Everything he continues to do is cruel. Either you figure out a way to stop him or I will." Your voice was filled with rage. "I'm begging that you let someone else handle him." You turned to see Han-seo entering the room. The pleading look on his face made your anger disappear and your heart ache. “How did you get away from your guards and Jun-woo?” You asked him. “Jun-woo didn’t stick around at the hospital. Said he had better things to do than wait around for me. As soon as they discharged me, I slipped away from the guards.” Han-seo replied. “Now, back to what I previously said. Please, let someone else do something about Jun-woo. I can’t lose you too.” You looked down at your feet as you processed what he was saying. Looking up at him you said “fine. But next time I see him I’m gonna slap him, and if he dares to hit back I’m gonna kick his “family” jewels.” Cha-young couldn’t hold back her laughter at the last part of your statement. “Fair enough.” Han-seo said with a smile. Your chest filled with warmth when you noticed it was his genuine smile.

“Since you’re here we should go over our plan.” Vincenzo began to walk towards him, when he was close enough he wrapped one arm around his shoulder to lead him out of the room. You, Cha-young, and Mr. Nam stood puzzled on what to do. You startled a little when you felt your phone buzz. Pulling it out of your pants pocket you opened it to see a new text from Han-seo. The less you know, the better.~Han-seo You held your phone out to show Mr. Nam and Cha-young. “Well, I suppose that makes sense.” Mr. Nam said as he walked to his desk to sit down. “Does it though.” You could hear the pout in Cha-young’s voice as she spoke. You couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that had suddenly washed over you. Maybe not knowing is the best, but that doesn’t make me worry any less. You silently thought to yourself. You took this moment as an opportunity to go change into the shirt you wore yesterday.

Two hours had passed before Vincenzo and Han-seo showed up again. “We’ve set the first part of our plan in motion. Later tonight the second and last part will be set in motion. If all goes smoothly, this blood feud ends tonight.” Vincenzo stated with such confidence that it concerned you. You decided to brush off that feeling considering you knew his background pretty well at this point. “I’m seriously sorry about this morning.” You turned your attention to Han-seo as he spoke. “You did what was best for me. Don’t worry, I don’t hold anything against you.” You told him, giving him a soft smile. Sometimes, the abused get so good at hiding the abuse, that no one can tell what goes on behind closed doors. Mr. Nam’s words from earlier rang loudly in your mind when you saw Han-seo’s posture become more relaxed.

All the signs were there, I was just too young to understand what was going on. You thought to yourself. “Is everything all right, you keep zoning out.” Han-seo’s voice pulled you from your thoughts. “Uh, yeah. I have a lot on my mind at the moment. That’s all.” You replied. Han-seo nodded and continued his conversation with Cha-young and Vincenzo. You missed the concerned look that Mr. Nam had been giving you for the past ten minutes. “The last part I will take care of, with help of course.” You turned to Vincenzo as he spoke. “Okay, you’ve told me that you both have a plan. Part of that plan is already in motion as we speak, and the rest is to happen tonight. But, you haven’t given me any details of the plan.” Cha-young stated in frustration. “It’s for your own safety. More details will be given out later.” Vincenzo told her. Cha-young ran her hands down the length of her face and sighed heavily.

“Let’s not discuss this further. Place an order of what you want for lunch, including you” He glanced at Han-seo as he spoke. Of course Han-seo had to be silly about it, he first looked around the room acting like that wasn’t directed at him. Then he pointed at himself with a smile. Vincenzo rolled his eyes at his antics before nodding his head at him. “Once the orders are placed, Y/N and I will pick them up for you.” He finished speaking. You gave him a puzzled look because you would think he would have the food delivered to the firm. You studied his face noticing he was giving you a look that said he needed to speak to you alone. Your stomach dropped as your mind began to run rampant with thoughts of why that could be. Once everyone wrote down their order, Mr. Nam made the call and said Mr. Cassano will pick up the order. He was told it would be done in an hour.

Thirty minutes of talking about anything and everything had passed by when Vincenzo suddenly stood up. “There’s no harm in going to wait for our order now.” He looked at you as he spoke. You nodded your head and stood up. Slowly following behind him. He had to stop once because you had fallen so far behind. You mumbled an apology when you caught up to him. The rest of the walk to his vehicle was filled with complete silence. Once inside the vehicle that’s when he began to break the silence. “I’ve discussed this with Han-seo already, but the last plan involves you.” Vincenzo said as he fastened his seat belt and then turned the key in the ignition, putting the vehicle into drive as he pulled away from the building. “Wait, why?!” You asked him in a panicked tone. “Because, you may not know this, but you’re Jun-woo’s weakness.” Vincenzo stated as a matter of fact. You gave him a puzzled look, even though he was paying attention to the road so it was pointless but whatever. “Vincenzo, how could I be a weakness to such a monster?” Your words dripping with hatred. “I’ve observed his behavior when you end up having to be around him with Han-seo.” “What behavior would that be?” “It’s the jealous look he gives Han-seo when you stand so close to him. The fact that when he looks at you he always shows you a genuine smile. It’s the way his posture is severely stiff and on guard around everyone except you.” “Vincenzo, what are you getting at?” “What I’m getting at is that man may believe he is in love with you. What I know is, he doesn’t know what love is. You’re more of an object that he wants to possess.” The vehicle was stopped at a red light when Vincenzo glanced at you. Your blood ran cold as you realized this was the other-shoe-waiting-to-drop. You also began to think hard about all the moments your were roped into spending time with him and Han-seo together.

As if on cue your phone vibrated in your pocket. By the time you were able to pull it out of your pocket, Vincenzo was parking the car. You sighed before unlocking your phone to see a new text notification. Heart pounding frantically when you read the name of the sender. We should talk tonight-Jun-woo You felt nauseous when you saw that he had added the emoji with hearts surrounding it. “Something wrong?” Vincenzo turned in his seat so his body was facing you more. “First off, shouldn’t your body be turned towards the door and not me. You know, never expose your back or whatever.” You pointed out to him. He gave you a smirk and nodded at you before turning his body towards his door. “Second, and lastly. Jun-woo texted me. His ears must be burning or something.” You turned your phone so that Vincenzo could see the screen. “Or the universe may be working in our favor.” Vincenzo stated. “Either way, I don’t like this.” You whispered as you sent a reply to Jun-woo. What time and what location-Y/N You silently stared at your phone impatiently waiting for a response from him. You barely heard Vincenzo say that he’ll be back. Time seemed to fly before you finally got a reply. How about my place, around 8pm. Don’t tell Han-seo. Let this be our little secret (winky face)~Jun woo You felt bile in the back of your throat. Hating the fact that Vincenzo may have been right about the universe working in your favor. It still made you wonder how you fit into his plan to knock Jun-woo down several notches. Fine. I’ll see you at 8pm, don’t expect me to dress fancy or anything like that.~Y/N This time you only had to wait three minutes for a response. Someone’s in a mood. I like it.~Jun-woo Vincenzo gave you a puzzled look when he got in the vehicle handing the food off to you. As he was getting in you made a gagging sound. Instead of explaining it verbally, you handed your phone over to Vincenzo. You watched a grimace grace his features. “Disgusting.” He said as he handed your phone back to you. He turned the key in the ignition and put the vehicle in reverse. Making his way out of the parking lot and back to the law firm.

✨✨✨✨

“How did Han-seo react to the last part of the plan?” You asked when Vincenzo put his vehicle into park at the plaza. The entire ride back had been silent up until this very moment. “He was fuming. He hates it. He’s fiercely protective of you. Have you noticed that?” Vincenzo asked as he pocketed his keys and unbuckled his seat belt. “I have. He’s always made me feel safe and comfortable.” You softly said as you unbuckled your seat belt. “Wait, I need to know that you consent to being part of this. That if it comes down to it, you’d be willing to face whatever comes your way. No matter what it may be.” Vincenzo gently grasped your forearm. “For Han-seo, I’d do anything. Even if it meant losing my own life.” You admitted. Vincenzo nodded as he let your arm go. The two of you stepped out of the vehicle and headed to the office. Walking together in silence. Your heart felt heavy and your soul felt tired. However, you meant every word you said to Vincenzo.

“We’re back.” Vincenzo announced when he walked through the doors. You walked to the table with the food in your arms. Setting the bag down on the table and passing out the correct orders. You sat down beside Han-seo. You pulled your phone out, opened the text messages, and turned the screen towards him. You closely watched his reaction to the texts he had to read. You could see the anger flash across his face, then it was replaced with a look of fear. He looked up into your eyes. Your heart sunk at all the emotions hidden within his stare. Fear, hurt, and anger. “Is there really no other way?” He turned to Vincenzo who happened to be mid bite. “There isn’t. Unfortunately for Y/N, this works more in our favor. I know the exact time and location.” “Wait, what if this is a trap.” You practically shout out. Vincenzo raised a brow at you. “I’m prepared for that. I just need to tell the others involved.” “Is there nothing we can do?” Cha-young asked motioning her index finger at herself and then at Mr. Nam. “Stand by and wait for instructions. That’s the best I can tell you.” Vincenzo finally took the bite of food after he spoke.

You glanced at Han-seo and noticed the way he was poking at his food instead of eating. You hated to admit that you had also lost your appetite as well. He looked up to meet your gaze and gently spoke “I’ll eat, if you eat”. You smiled and gave a small laugh. “Okay” you told him as you took a bite of food. Mind drifting to an old memory.

You tilted you head as you placed your lunch box in front of Han-seo. You noticed how he slumped and poked at his food. Something was clearly wrong but you didn’t know what. “I’ll eat, if you eat.” You said as you sat down across the table from him. “Oh, Y/N. I’m sorry I didn’t notice you at first.” He said in that cheerful goofy voice of his. “I’ll eat, if you eat.” You repeated to him. He gave you a look of curiosity before saying “okay” and began to eat. You didn’t ask what was wrong. Instead you talked his ear off about one of your favorite hobbies while eating. From that moment on, that phrase was spoken by one or the other between the two of you.

Han-seo smiled to himself when he saw a small smile grace your features. It was clear to him that his words triggered a happy memory for you. He startled in response to Mr. Nam tapping his shoulder. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.” Mr. Nam said. You glanced up to Han-seo, without thinking you spoke his name softly and reached for his hand. He didn’t flinch or move his hand away from you. Instead he intertwined his fingers with yours, squeezed a bit tightly, and took a deep breathe. When he was more composed, his grip in your hand loosened but he didn’t let go. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to react like that.” Han-seo said. “No need to apologize. I should have verbally announced myself before tapping your shoulder.” Mr. Nam spoke in a calming tone. I wish I wasn’t like this. Han-seo thought bitterly to himself. “It’s okay.” You told him as you gently squeezed his hand. “Thank you.” He said. You smiled at him before he turned his attention back to Mr. Nam “what did you need my attention for.” Mr. Nam took a moment to answer. “Oh, I was going to ask if you would like some tea or coffee.” “Tea sounds good.” Mr. Nam nodded as he walked off to get himself and Han-seo a cup of tea.

Cha-young and Vincenzo stayed silent during the whole ordeal, neither one knowing how to respond, but taking note of how to get Han-seo’s attention when they needed to. Vincenzo also took note on how it seemed like you were able to ground Han-seo. After about three minutes Mr. Nam returned to the table, carefully placing a cup in front of Han-seo. You gently gave his hand another gentle squeeze before releasing it. He took that as his cue to continue eating.

“We set into action the moment you arrive at Jun-woo’s house.” Vincenzo suddenly said. You nodded “I understand.” “This means that you need to stick to your part of the plan. Regardless of how protective you are of Y/N.” Vincenzo said in a stern voice. Han-seo looked up from his food “I’ll try my best.” “If that’s how it is, than I’ll accept that.” “When you said for us to standby. What did you mean?” Cha-young asked him. “What I mean is, the two of you will stay in the surveillance van. Mi-ri will hack into Jun-woo’s cameras so that we have a live feed of what’s going on and of what’s being said.” Vincenzo answered honestly. Cha-young nodded in understanding. She looked like she wanted to say more, but opted to stay silent instead.

No more questions had been asked, so everyone decided to finish eating in silence. Once the food was gone Han-seo slowly stood up. “I should head back now, before anyone notices my absence and begins to look for me.” He announced as he stood. Not that they care enough about me to do so. He thought bitterly to himself. “Keep in mind that you’re not supposed to know about Y/N meeting up with Jun-woo tonight.” Vincenzo said. Han-seo nodded. “I’ll play dumb, it’s what I’m good at apparently.” He gave a sad smile as he spoke. “Be safe.” Cha-young looked up to him as she spoke. You saw Mr. Nam nod in agreement to her statement. He gave you one last smile before he walked out of the office. After Han-seo left Vincenzo began discussing what he expected from Mr. Nam, Cha-young, and yourself.

✨✨✨✨

You looked yourself over in the mirror one last time. You had told Jun-woo that you weren’t going to dress fancy or anything. So, you opted for your favorite hoodie paired with a comfy pair of pants and combat boots. You startled when you heard your phone go off. Slowly you reached over to pick it up, unlocking the screen. Do try to be on time. I have a surprise for you.~Jun-woo That statement alone made you feel quite uneasy. I’m leaving my house now. Hold your horses.~Y/N You had hit send before you could change your mind about your wording. This was one of those moments where you knew your sass would get you in trouble. You sighed heavily as you walked out of the house, locking the door behind you. From what you understood, everyone was already in place for what would go down tonight.

The drive to Jun-woo’s felt like it took forever, that was just your nerves getting the best of you though. You slowly pulled into his drive way. When you had gotten close enough you silently stopped and put the vehicle into park. You took a moment to compose yourself before getting out of your vehicle. You rang the door bell when you got to the door. You couldn’t bring yourself to knock because your hands were shaking a bit.

“Look at that, you’re on time.” His words and wicked smile greeted you when he opened the door. You couldn’t help but roll your eyes at him as you stepped past him into his home. You had missed the way your attitude had made his lip twitch in annoyance. Jun-woo had his back facing you as he closed the door. You stopped dead in your tracks. Your heart sinking and your blood running cold. “Surprise.” Jun-woo said as he walked to stand next to Han-seo. He was currently kneeling on his knees, hands bound behind his back, head down and slouched forward a bit. Jun-woo roughly grabbed him by the hair to pull his head up. The moment his eyes locked with yours tears began to blur your vision. “What the fuck?!” You angrily shouted at Jun-woo. “Simple, he had what I wanted. I’m sure you understand what I mean by that.” He released him, pushing him roughly causing him to fall to his side.

Jun-woo crouched down next to Han-seo’s body, pulling a knife out of his pocket. You stepped forward but stopped when he pointed the blade in your direction, waving it back and forth in a motion to say no. “You’re a monster.” Your words dripping with anger as you spoke. He scoffed at your words “you realize I’m doing all of this for you, right?” “Why the fuck would I think that?” “It’s because I love you.” “Jun-woo, this isn’t love.” He lowered the blade to Han-seo, cutting the rope that bound his wrists. He used him to push himself to stand up. You stepped back as he stepped closer to you.

Han-seo slowly pulled himself into a sitting position. His head throbbed with every movement. His entire body ached. He froze, watching Jun-woo walk towards you. “You were never meant to get mixed up with this side of me. You were only meant to ever see the clueless, puppy like, and adorable Jun-woo. Not the cold blooded, I get my way, I never fail Han-seok.” His tone colder than you had ever heard it. “I refuse you.” You said defiantly as you threw a punch towards his face. You had clocked him in the jaw pretty hard, but all it did was made him stumble away from you a bit. Rubbing and flexing his jaw he turned to you again, this time pointing a gun at you. When he stumbled he had reached into his pocket to pull it out. Somehow you and Han-seo had missed that.

“This silly game ends here. You have a choice, him or you.” You froze when you heard the lever on the gun click. It was at this moment that Vincenzo burst through the door. This had startled Jun-woo and caused him to pull the trigger. The bullet had missed you and landed in the wall beside you. With this distraction you moved past him to kneel beside Han-seo. “It’s rude to interrupt.” He pointed his gun at Vincenzo. “You’re worse than I thought. You lure a woman to your house and kidnap your own brother.” Vincenzo said stepping more into the room, Jun-woo followed his moves with his gun. “As if you’re one to talk. I’m sure you’ve done far worse than I.” Jun-woo stated bitterly.

You slowly helped Han-seo to his feet as the two of you watched the scene before you. “Y/N, don’t think you can escape. I want you to stand next to Vincenzo, right now.” He commanded. “Hurry up now, or the next round goes straight into this idiot’s skull.” He turned his attention towards you. You gulped as you slowly made your way to stand where you were told. Han-seo didn’t move from where he stood, out of fear that one of you would be shot.

“Be a good brother and grab that hockey stick over there.” Jun-woo didn’t take his eyes off of you or Vincenzo as he gestured with his free hand. He took a deep sigh “either do as I say or one of these two get shot.” He stepped closer to you. You looked passed him to see Han-seo slowly walk towards the hockey stick. “I want you to beat this mafia scum to death.” You turned to Vincenzo, he didn’t even flinch. “You sick bastard. You never should have been born!!” You raised your voice in anger.

The sound of his open palm slapping your right cheek resonated throughout the room. The impact causing you to fall to the ground. Anger boiled within Han-seo. Jun-woo squatted down in front of you. “Now, that really hurt. I shouldn’t have been born?” Jun-woo grabbed your chin forcing you to look at him. “Brother, don’t you think that’s a bit harsh?” Jun-woo asked as he roughly released your chin and stood up again. “Now, unfortunately you have to stay where you are while Han-seo does as he was told.” Jun-woo’s form loomed over you, gun pointed directly at your head.

“If I kill Mr. Cassano, what happens next?” Han-seo asked without moving. “Simple, we have one less issue to worry about. And maybe the two of you get to live.” Jun-woo shrugged his shoulders as he spoke. “What makes you think I won’t speak out against you?” You raised yourself into a sitting position. “You’ll do as I say or else I could end you at any moment. Duh!” He responded. “Stop stalling.” He directed his words at Han-seo. “Do as he says.” Vincenzo said. You glanced up in shock. Looking between him and Han-seo. “I’m sorry… Mr. Cassano” He stepped forward slowly raising the hockey stick with every step. “It’s okay, you have no other choice.” Vincenzo spoke again. You looked over to Jun-woo in time to see his eyes roll. You could tell he was growing impatient with every moment that passed by.

“Okay. I’ll make a decision I won’t regret.” He angled the hockey stick and slammed it hard into Jun-woo’s side. The moment you saw him angle the hockey stick was when you decided to fall to your side. When the stick made impact with his side, it had caused him to pull the trigger, making the gun go off. The bullet barely missing you as it flew past. He groaned in pain as he fell to the ground. He was momentarily stunned by what happened. He was laying on his back when Han-seo was about to hit him for a second time. The gun went off again, the bullet lodging itself right into his left bicep. The stick fell loudly to the floor as he went to cup his wound. This gave Jun-woo enough time to jump to his feet. Han-seo lunged forward grabbing for the gun, still in Jun-woo’s grasp. “Please, stop!” Han-seo struggled against him. He was pushed away.

Jun-woo turned towards you and Vincenzo. Aiming the gun directly at you as you tried to leave with Vincenzo. He was able to fire twice before he was back to struggling against Han-seo. The first shot missed, the second one however, grazed your right bicep. Pain instantly making you stop in your tracks. Vincenzo giving you a concerned looked. That’s a six shooter. He’s only got one round left. You thought to yourself. You weren’t even sure how your panicked brain had figured that out, but here you were.

Han-seo continued to struggle against his brother. Frantically trying to steal the gun away from him. “Please, stop!” Han-seo begged, maneuvering the two of their bodies to where the gun was pointed at the floor. “Let go.” “You really… shouldn’t have been born. Never. You scum.” Han-seo tightened his grip, which had caused the gun to release the final round. Jun-woo used more of his strength to push against Han-seo. His movement causing them to stand and the grip loosen. He punched Han-seo in the face, knocking him to the ground before taking off. Vincenzo was distracted by checking your wound, giving Jun-woo just enough time to run out the balcony door and jump down to the ground below.

Cupping your wound you went to Han-seo. Kneeling down beside him as he began to sit up. Vincenzo made a call before he walked out of the house. “He’s going to get him. Don’t worry.” You told him. The two of you startled when you heard the door open again. Instantly relaxing when you noticed it was Cha-young and Mr. Nam. “Are you hurt badly?” Mr. Nam rushed to your side, helping you to your feet. Cha-young was helping Han-seo stand. “Just the wound on my upper arm.” You told him. He nodded as he led you out of the house. “Can I get your keys.” Mr. Nam politely asked when you stepped outside. “Uh, yeah.” You dug your keys out of your pocket and handed them over.

He unlocked your vehicle. You slowly lowered yourself into the backseat behind the driver’s seat. Cha-young sat in the front seat. Leaving Han-seo to sit in the back with you. At this point you began to feel woozy and light headed from the blood loss. “Here, let me turn this into a tourniquet.” Han-seo was taking off his tie as he spoke to you. All you could do was weakly nod your head at him. “It might hurt a bit.” He began to wrap it around your arm, pulling it tightly each time he wound it around. You winced in pain. “I’m sorry.” He whispered to you, tying off the tie. The ride to the hospital was rough. At one point you closed your eyes.

✨✨✨✨

When your eyes opened again, you were met by the brightness of a hospital room. You began to sit up slowly. Glancing to your right you see Han-seo with his head down, your hand in his. “Oh, you’re awake.” Mr. Nam spoke softly as he walked into the room. “How long have I been out for?” You asked him. “About six hours, give or take.” He responded. You glanced down to Han-seo again. “He’s been by your side the whole time after he was looked over.” Mr. Nam went to stand on your left side. You smiled softly “it’s always been like that. Whenever we’d get hurt, no matter how the other was feeling, we’d stay by each other’s side.” You gently ran your free hand through his hair. The movement causing him to stir. He sat up quickly when he noticed you were awake.

He was greeted by a soft smile when he met your gaze. He looked over to see Mr. Nam and his face became warm. Mr. Nam didn’t say anything, he only smiled. “Any word from Vincenzo?” Han-seo directed his question at Mr. Nam. “He said to let you know that Jun-woo is no longer a threat, also to say farewell, you’ll hear from him eventually.” Mr. Nam responded. “Okay.” You could hear the hurt in his voice. “This isn’t a forever goodbye, you’ll probably see him again, at some point in the future.” You gently squeezed his hand.

“If I didn’t know better, it would seem like the two of you are in a relationship.” You looked over to see Cha-young leaning against the door frame. A smirk gracing her features. Your face grew warm at her comment. “It’s funny, we’ve heard that from everyone around us since we were teenagers.” Han-seo admitted openly. “Well, I can see why. The chemistry between the two of you, it’s like you’re both puzzle pieces that fit perfectly together. Two souls that became one.” Mr. Nam said fondly. “It just feels natural to me. They’ve always been there for me.” Han-seo met your gaze, you could see fondness in his eyes. “Even when I tried to push you away at one point. You were stubborn and continued to stick by me. I’m sorry I was such a pain and said such hurtful words back then.” He spoke softly as tears began to blur his vision. Guilt overwhelming him. “Hey now, I could tell you were going through a rough time. I didn’t know what exactly, but my gut said you needed me more than ever then. I’m sorry that I hadn’t known what was going on sooner.” Your voice gentle as you spoke. “It wouldn’t have changed anything. Except put you in danger of his wrath.” With his free hand he reached forward towards your face, to gently wipe away the tears that streamed down your cheeks.

“Thank you, for being there regardless of not knowing fully what was going on.” He whispered as he stood leaning towards you to gently place a kiss upon your brow. Mr. Nam and Cha-young silently watched the two of you. “We should go.” Mr. Nam whispered to Cha-young. She nodded at him before speaking, “listen, we’re going to head home now. The doctors informed us that you have to stay here a few days before they discharge you. It’s because you needed a blood transfusion, so they need to monitor you.” Han-seo sat back in his chair. “I’ll still be here.” He reassured you. “You always are.” You said with a smile.

“I’m proud of you. Just so you know.” You told him. “What for?” He asked softly. “For being able to stand up against your brother.” He smiled softly, his chest filling with warmth at your statement. He was pretty proud of himself as well. It may have taken him years to do so, but he had finally turned his fear into strength. Making him able to go up against Jun-woo. However, he knew if it hadn’t have been for you, he wouldn’t have been able to do that. He wasn’t ready to admit it out loud, you were the reason he was able to do what needed to be done. Even if that had meant risking his own life.

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