𝐓𝐀𝐌𝐄𝐃 || 𝐊.𝐍𝐉

𝟿 | 𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐃𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐎𝐍 ☽

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"What do you mean?" I can't believe it spread that fast.

"The photo spread, Emiko. That's how the internet works. Now, we need to get out of here before any unnecessary attention comes our way."

I don't argue and quickly follow his lead since he seems to have a plan out of this. In all honesty, if I knew it was going to be this much trouble going out, then I would've stayed at Jungkook's. However, I don't want to be in that house full of faded, and nearly forgotten, memories.

Hoseok opens the door underneath the red, exit sign, and he motions for the all-clear.

I quickly rush out first and circle the white mustang parked in the back alley. Hoseok waits a moment and then runs to the vehicle, too.

Smoothly, he unlocks the car and slides in while reaching over and opening the passenger side door for me.

I quickly get in and shut the door. Hoseok fumbles with the keys and finally cranks the car soon enough.

"Okay, we're going to your place before anyone else can notice you-"

In a matter of seconds, we both duck when the back window shatters. We turn around and see three men starting to throw bricks, and Hoseok instantly puts the car in drive. He doesn't waste any longer and speeds forward without warning.

I watch behind us through the broken window and see the three men running after us at a distance, but we're too fast.

When Hoseok pulls out onto the street, we blend in with the traffic-well, as much as anyone could blend in with a shattered back window.

"Fuck!" Hoseok curses, wetting his lips while frantically eyeing everything in front of him. "That was insane!"

I can barely say a word. People are so mad at me that they want to hurt me. I did nothing wrong. If anything, I'm the one in danger.

"I'll have to call our boss and tell him what happened when I drop you off." He calms down while trying to concentrate on the heavy traffic.

"Okay, so give me directions to where we're going." He tries to remain calm, but I can tell it's getting to him.

Despite his tough exterior, he's a huge softy on the inside and probably isn't used to so much violence. I'm not used to it either, but I'm more shocked than terrified at this point.

"Take a left up here and drive straight for a while," I admit when he nods. "I'm sorry for getting you involved, Hoseok. I feel awful. If I would've known it was this chaotic, then I would have never left."

"It's okay, Emiko. I've been informed everything from the boss and what I've learned from the news. Honestly, I would stay out of sight for a while if I were you. You know, until everything settles down. That was scary back there, and I wouldn't want to imagine what would've happened if it was you alone by yourself. So please, for your safety as well as for my worry, stay home until the police can solve this."

Hoseok's right in every way possible. I was being so reckless that I would've rather put my friends and myself in danger rather than stay at his place because of what happened in the past.

"You're right. I don't know what I was thinking..."

That's all I can say because I truly don't know anything else to add. I'm going to pay for my boss's window, and I'll owe him majorly for letting me continue to work at his business.

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When Hoseok pulls up at Jungkook's, I see him inside the garage working underneath a vehicle.

Once he parks the car and I step out, Jungkook rolls out from underneath the car with a confused face.

"Emiko?" His eyes move from me to Hoseok. "Stranger?" Jungkook's eyes are slightly narrowed by the bright sun that shines on his face.

"I thought going to work would be a good idea to get my mind off things, but it turns out I was wrong. I got my boss's window smashed in." I admit with a sigh when Jungkook stands with a dirty, red rag.

He wipes off the grease from his hands and walks around the back of the Mustang. He inspects the damage and nods accordingly.

"I can take care of this." He admits while both Hoseok and I turn to him.

"You can?" We both accidentally say the same thing.

"Yeah," Jungkook nods. "Have your boss swing by here whenever he's available, and I'll take care of it. I've got about three windows in the back that I've had for emergencies like this. Tell him I'll cut down the price since he's my cousin's boss."

Hoseok nods thankfully, but soon, his eyes glance from mine to his. He points to both of us. "So you two are..?"

"First cousins," Jungkook points out. "Her mother and my father are siblings."

Jungkook reaches up and pulls down the garage door until it hits the ground. "I'm taking a small break. You two are welcome to anything in the kitchen." He admits and turns to me. "I'll be back in about an hour. If anyone calls, tell them I'm out, but I'll be back later."

Jungkook starts walking down the street with his hands in his worker's suit.

"He's off to lunch?" Hoseok asks while watching him walk off in the distance.

"Something like that." I sigh, watching him head in the same direction. "However, I bet he's on his way to the cemetery." I stare hard after him, and I notice the way Hoseok's eyes flick to mine with curiosity.

"It's a long story, but the short version is that his sister... was going through depression and decided to take her life. She called him the night it happened, but he never answered, so he blames himself because he thinks he could've saved her."

"Our family split up after that. His parents divorced and moved off to separate parts of the world, and we kind of lost touch. He was grieving and alone, but he wanted to stay that way, so I haven't had much to do with him except for coming here and talking to my parents at times."

"Oh wow... that's... uh..." Hoseok rubs the back of his neck.

"I know. It's a lot, but it's not your burden, so don't worry about it." I quickly shrug my shoulders before my thoughts turn to sad ones for the rest of the day.

"Come inside and eat a bite with me. It's the least I can do after you drove me back." As if he's looking for anything to change the topic, he takes me up on the offer, and we both walk inside for lunch.

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