Uncover

23.

Meanwhile, Johnny and Jaehyun had freed themselves and had also managed to somehow knock Sungchan unconscious and tie him up without making any noise. Johnny had been moving towards Bomin and Jisoo to free them but listening to the footage had made him stop and look over to Jieun in concern.

Jieun wasn't looking at him. She was still looking at the tablet in a daze. Johnny felt bad for her but he knew there was no time to be lost on pitying the girl, he had to get on with the mission. He looked back to Jaehyun and saw that he was freeing Ten. The three shared a look and with one nod they all proceeded to their own tasks. Jaehyun and Ten moving towards Hwanhee.

Hwanhee's focus was only on Jieun. He was enjoying the look of betrayal and pain displayed on her face. Jieun on the other hand was trying to steady her breaths in an attempt to get herself and her thoughts together. 

Taking  deep breaths, she finally lifted her head. The look of amusement on Hwanhee's face was met with Jieun's glaring eyes.  

"It doesn't matter who did what. I believe in my dad and Jungwoo."

"Oh do you now? Even if they simply used you?"

Jieun gritted her teeth. "They are my family. I know that they must've had a reason to do so. I trust them because I love them. Oh but you wouldn't know would you? A criminal like you wouldn't understand, because the only thing you people know is revenge....and hurting people for it."

Hwanhee's amused look changed to hatred in a split second. "Damn the orders. I'm going to kill you!!" He took out his gun and pointed it at Jieun.

From the other side, Jisoo and Bomin screamed, "NO!!"

Jieun looked at the two and saw that Johnny had brought them down and was now untying their hands and legs. Shotaro was nowhere near them and she wondered why. Shrugging off her thoughts, she eyed Jaehyun and Ten behind Hwanhee and then glanced back at Jisoo and Bomin being held back by Johnny. 

She quickly flashed a small smile at her two friends as if to say 'its okay, all of this will be over soon'.

~~~

"Taemin hyung!"

Taemin turned around to see Kun and Yuta running towards him. He frowned. "What are you two doing here? Why aren't you back at the HQ?"

Yuta nudged Kun and Kun nudged him back, each urging the other to answer. Taemin sighed and crossed his arms. "You two have 10  seconds to answer. 1..2..3..4.."

"It was his idea!" Yuta said pointing at Kun. "What? It was your idea!" Kun pointed back at him.

"Yours!"

"No yours!"

"Hyung do you see this? He's lying to your face!"

"Hyung you know I don't lie."

"You and lying-"

"5..6..7..8.."

"Okay fine! Yuta thought it will be better if we were here. More security for Mrs Kim and Jungwoo. Also, we lost connection with the team. There's nothing to do at the HQ anyways."

Taemin sighed and mumbled to himself. "So now I have to babysit you two as well?"

~~~

Looking Hwanhee straight in the eye, Jieun chuckled. Standing up from the chair with a smirk, she walked towards him. She could feel the pain from her wounds but she did not let it show on her face.

Hwanhee's eyes widened a bit. "How-" He then looked at the fallen rope on the ground and ran his tongue over his teeth in frustration.

"What? Didn't think that my dad would have taught me basic defence and escape tricks?"

"Impressive but you don't stand a chance against three men with a gun. I'm sure you realize that kid."

Jieun stopped a meter away from him. "Three who? I only see one, got your math wrong there Hwanhee."

"Sungchan! Shotaro! What are you two idiots doing! Grab her!"

When no reply came, he tightened his hold on his gun. "Sungchan? Shotaro?" He risked turning his head to search for the two and that's when Jieun lunged forward and kicked the gun out of his hands.

"Wha-" Hwanhee stumbled back only to get captured by Jaehyun and Ten. Jieun picked up his gun and twirled it a little before handing it over to Jaehyun. She gave Hwanhee a stern look which turned soft as soon as she looked at her friends. "I told you didn't I, you will let my friends go." 

Ten smiled at Jieun and whispered to Jaehyun. "Teach's daughter for sure." Jaehyun hummed in approval. He noticed her arm bleeding but before he could say anything, Jieun ran to hug her friends.

First stopping before Johnny, she carefully engulfed him in a hug. "Thank youuuu! Thank you for coming for us, thank you for saving my friends, thank you for keeping them out of danger, thank you Johnny!"

Johnny giggled and ruffled her hair lovingly. "We gave you our word Jieun, of course we had to keep it." Then to himself, he muttered "plus Tae would have murdered me if I hadn't kept you guys safe." Releasing himself from the hug, he affectionately poked Jieun's nose. "And you are forgetting it's our duty."

Jieun smiled and bowed her head in gratitude. "Still, I should thank you."

Johnny returned the smile. "If you really want to thank me young lady, then get those wounds looked at. It's hurting a lot right?" 

Jieun just gave him another warm hug. "The moment you saved my friends, I felt better. Plus, the knife just scratched me. It's not that deep but if it assures you, I will get it bandaged." 

Pulling out of the hug, he motioned towards Jisoo and Bomin. "Go on." But before Jieun could even move a loud noise came from across the room. Everyone turned to see that Hwanhee had pushed Ten and Jaehyun towards the pillar to grab his gun. 

Pointing it at Jieun he smiled evilly. "Getting too happy are we?"

It all happened in a matter of seconds. Ten lunged to tackle him to the floor but unfortunately for him, Hwanhee had already fired his gun.

Jieun closed her eyes instinctively but when she didn't feel anything she opened them only to be met with Bomin's back.

Sorry for that, I didn't want to but my fingers didn't listen to me... :(

Go ahead and scream at the author.