"Every man has his secret sorrows that the world knows not. And often time we call a man cold when he is only sad."
The perfect man.
Made rough through time.
He lies, yet he is the honorable one.
He kills, yet he is the most righteous.
He is gentle...
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Depiction of violence ahead:
"Then enemies?"
Min Jun's heart raced, panic flickering in his eyes. "For God’s sake, don’t speak in riddles! What are you trying to say?"
Ailee’s expression hardened, her gaze fixed on the sleek black car creeping closer. "I think they’re looking for you. Otherwise, there’s no way they’d come here." She gestured toward the vehicle, its presence a dark omen on the narrow road.
Min Jun shook his head, disbelief etched on his features. "There must be another reason. You came here too."
"And you called me crazy for that!" Ailee shrugged, tension radiating from her as she released the clutch and pressed the accelerator. The car jolted forward, but the distance between them and the strangers narrowed too quickly.
The road was so tight that there was no way to pass. A sudden stop from the black car forced Ailee's instincts into overdrive, a warning alarm echoing in her mind.
Three men climbed out, all dressed in dark clothing that blended with the evening shadows. One man lingered near the car, while the other two positioned themselves on either side of the road, their postures radiating menace. A chill ran down Ailee's spine as their intentions became clear.
Ailee slowed down, her voice low and urgent. "Min Jun, listen carefully. Don’t ask questions now. They’re here to cause trouble. You might know them, or maybe you don’t. But right now, it doesn’t matter. You’re in no shape to take a beating. Whatever happens next, don’t move until I say so. Got it?"
"Have you gone mad? They’ll come all the way here to rob someone?" Min Jun’s voice trembled with disbelief.
"They came for something even bigger," she replied, her gaze locked on the men. "The one in the back—he's got a gun in his jacket. No matter what happens, don’t get out. Sit tight."
Min Jun gulped, feeling the gravity of her words as he glanced at the looming figures.
Ailee leaned against him, her determination palpable. With swift precision, she loosened the latches on both her door and Min Jun’s. As the road widened, she pressed down on the gas, increasing their speed.
"Hold the door so it doesn’t swing open suddenly," she ordered, gripping the steering wheel with fierce focus.
What was she planning? Min Jun’s mind raced, but clarity eluded him.
"Stop the car. Let me see if we can talk this out," he suggested hesitantly.
"Fifty yards more," Ailee murmured, her eyes narrowing. "We’ll need to stop within ten seconds."
As the men’s expressions became clearer, Min Jun noticed a calculated confidence that unsettled him. "Can’t you just stop the car?" he yelled in frustration. "Why cause trouble?"
"Shut up!" Ailee snapped, her voice laced with urgency.
She had to maneuver between the two men blocking the narrow path. The third man, casually watching them, gripped a dagger menacingly. Ailee's heart raced as she signaled Min Jun to release the handle of his door.
In a split second, she slammed the brakes, the tires screeching in protest as the car swerved slightly. Min Jun’s body jolted forward, only to be pulled back by the seatbelt. The doors swung open violently.
The man on Min Jun’s side barely had time to react as the door slammed into his right hand and shoulder, an ugly cut forming as he stumbled. On Ailee’s side, the second man raised his hands too late; the door caught his fingers with a sickening crunch, eliciting a shriek of pain.
In a blur, Ailee leaped from the car the moment the door swung wide. Min Jun, still reeling, could only watch as she spun like a dancer, her foot arcing high. The kick landed squarely on the jaw of the man with the broken fingers, sending him crashing to the ground.
With astonishing agility, she vaulted over the car hood, landing gracefully before the second man could fully recover. He raised his gun, but Ailee was faster—a swift kick to his elbow sent the weapon spiraling away, followed by a powerful karate chop to the back of his neck. He crumpled to the ground, unconscious.
Before Min Jun could fully comprehend the chaos, the third man charged at Ailee, dagger aimed menacingly at her throat. In a flash, she executed a kick to his kneecap, causing him to collapse in a heap. As he struggled to rise, she delivered another double kick to his torso, the sound of air escaping his lungs echoing in the silence. He fell back, gasping for breath, a broken doll on the asphalt.
Ailee delivered one final, merciless kick to his nose, the sickening crack of bone reverberating through the air.
Min Jun's voice came out hoarse, "Ailee..." But she seemed oblivious to his call, kneeling beside the fallen men. Her fingers moved deftly over their bodies, extracting weapons with a practiced ease. She retrieved a gun and a dagger, checking pockets methodically before tossing the contents aside.
"Anatole Rozario and Hans Simon," she murmured, examining a .38 Webley and Scott revolver from the holster of the man with the broken fingers. "Do those names mean anything to you?"
Min Jun’s breath caught in his throat as he watched her climb into the black Citroen. "No," he replied, averting his gaze, the weight of the moment settling heavily on him. "Why do you ask?"
"I don’t think they came for me," she said, glancing back. "If they were after you, you should know them."
"Really? I don’t think so..." He swallowed hard, frustration boiling within him. "I think they saw you coming and thought they could take advantage of a lonely chick here. Well, if they wanted to, I can’t blame them. You are a beautiful young woman!" His voice dripped with bitterness. "Unlucky them, they chose the wrong girl today."
"I’m not so sure about that," Ailee replied, her voice losing its certainty for the first time.
"You sure made quite a show..." Min Jun struggled to catch his breath, the adrenaline still surging through him.
"Calm down," she said, reaching out to touch the back of his neck. The gesture was meant to be reassuring, but he recoiled.
"No need to comfort me," he snapped.
"It’s okay," she said softly, a calm smile on her lips.
Min Jun felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him as he looked into her kind eyes. "I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be angry with you. You saved me. Thank you."
"I’m giving you two sedatives," Ailee said, pulling out a small bottle from a first aid kit. "Sleep. When you wake up, you’ll find yourself in a nice hospital, safe. Just relax."
Through bleary and teary eyes, he watched her, uncertainty creeping in. "Tell me, Ailee before I sleep, I won’t ask more. Is Ailee your real name?"
