The Road to Defeat

EIGHT

Adventuring outdoors

Emily woke up early today to the morning sun shining brightly into the room. She reached out, eyes still closed, searching for Taehyung. Emily rolled onto her stomach when she realized that he wasn't there. On the bedside table there was a note from Taehyung.

Good Morning Em,

I have a very tightly packed schedule today, full of meetings with the rest of the group. Once you get up and get ready, come find me, I'll likely be in the meeting room, just knock. I have something to tell you.

Love Taehyung.

Emily smiled at the note and sighed, not wanting to get out of bed, but also not wanting to feel lazy. She decided on getting ready and grabbing something to eat quickly before making her way towards the meeting room. Knocking twice was enough to get the attention of those inside the meeting room. Tae answered the door with a smile, realizing that it was probably Emily outside the door, and he motioned for Emily to come into the room.

It was full, every mafia member seemed to be here today. Emily was shy under everyones glances.

"I have decided that for my own comfort and reassurance, I would like for you to have your own personal body guard with you when we aren't around." Taehyung told Emily with a sympathetic smile. It had been almost two weeks since the house was invaded, and although Emily constantly reassured Tae that she was okay, he had refused to leave her side since that night. Emily wasn't too excited about this conclusion Taehyung had come to, she knew that this is something that would help him while also keeping her safe. "Vincenzo has agreed to take on the position as your personal bodyguard." Taehyung spoke with a smile. Emily looked towards the grumpy looking man in the black suit, she looked back to Tae and nodded. Won't this be fun.

Emily had decided that instead of spending another day in the house she wanted to go out to the store and just explore the neighbourhood a bit. So Vincenzo and Emily made their journey outside the mansion. Vincenzo drove while Emily rode as a passenger. The drive was quiet and honestly kind of awkward. The two had yet to get to know each other, and honestly Vincenzo didn't seem like the talking type. Emily was excited yet again to be in all of the Italian streets, which were rough and aged, and yet so beautiful.

"Oh I want to go to that bookstore back there!" Emily said excitedly. Vincenzo complied, finding a parking spot then walking with Emily to the bookstore. Vincenzo insisted on waiting outside for her as she went into the store. Emily was relieved he didn't follow her in. She wasn't a huge fan of having a guard, and was glad he wasn't hovering too much.

The store was gorgeous inside. It was nothing special at all, but something about it's worn, antique atmosphere made the place feel like home. Emily made her way to the back of the store, and was delighted to find a small manga section. As she was browsing through the books, a loud thud was heard from next to her.

"Oh my God I am so sorry! I can be such a klutz sometimes!" The woman next to her had fallen to the ground, tripping on what seemed to be her feet. She was holding a pile of books in her hand that were now laying across the floor, and it wasn't until Emily got down to help her pick them up that she noticed the woman's name tag.

"It's all right I actually have a friend who is crazily clumsy as well. Do you work here?" Emily asked in anticipation, although she had already assumed the question's answer. The woman seemed really nice and Emily was open to having a conversation with her.

"Yeah I do, and honestly that just makes this whole situation even more embarrassing." The woman giggled as the both of them stood back up, both holding the fallen books in their hands. "My name is Chloe, what's yours?"