Before The Shadow: White Chrysanthemum Flowers

Chapter 6: Safe House

We have been travelling in the car for quite some time now, Jungkook told me briefly earlier that we were going to a safe house. Yoongi hasn't spoken or so much as looked at me since he told me that he was part of the Mafia, that they all were. I can't fully decide how I feel about all of this, knowing what they do for a living. I know that I love him but can I also accept this part of his life? 

Jin is driving the car we're currently sitting in, Yoongi decided to sit in the passenger seat while Tae is sitting in the back with me and the rest of the boys are taking another car. This whole silent treatment from Yoongi is getting annoying. I press my head against the window and listened to the hum of the radio, watching the rest of the world whizz past me. 

We're doing this because this other group are after us and they have put their mark on me but why exactly? Because I'm dating the boss of BTS? Do they think I'm the weak point in BTS's shield? No. I refuse to be used like that! I'm not some damsel in distress, I can take care of myself. 

After three hours of driving, we arrive at our destination in a small neighbourhood where all the houses are tiny and look the same with simple designs in different shades of beige and grey. I notice a few houses have cars in the drive while others have for-sale signs. It must be a fairly new neighbourhood. 

I step out of the car, Yoongi got out too and walks straight into the house. Tae shoots me a small smile and gestures for me to follow him inside. The interior of the house is rather simple with a minimal amount of furniture in each room, it's clean though so someone must be keeping it in working order. I look in the living room and see Jin and Yoongi conversing. I lean against the door frame. "Jin, show Hailey to her room," Yoongi commands. Seriously, you still won't talk to me?

To my surprise, Jin sits down on the sofa and pulls out a magazine from his jacket pocket and begins reading it. Did he just ignore Yoongi? Are you allowed to ignore the boss like that when you're part of the Mafia?  Yoongi sighs frustratedly before facing me, his expression is hard "Follow me."

Yoongi walks past me and heads up the stairs and I slowly trail behind him, he leads me to a bedroom at the back of the house. It's decent-sized, there's not a lot of furniture in here either just a chest of drawers, a nightstand and a double bed. Are we sharing or is he staying in another room?  Yoongi comes to a stop in the centre of the room and I close the door behind me. I need a moment alone with him. "We need to talk." 

"Say what you want to say," Yoongi says in a thick voice and turns to look at me, his expression unreadable. 

"Well first of all you lied to me, all of you did." 

"I know." 

"And you drag me here without so much as looking or talking to me!" Yoongi doesn't respond and shifts his gaze to the side of the room.

"And now you won't even say anything or even try to defend yourself." I frustratedly throw my arms up into the air. 

Yoongi rubs his forehead "What do you want me to say, Hailey? Everything you just listed is true." 

"I want you to fight for this, for our relationship!" Is he seriously ready to throw the towel in on everything? "What, so you announce that you're part of the Mafia and now you just don't give a damn about me!?" Tears sting my eyes.

"That's not it!"

"Then what is it Yoongi? Why won't you just talk to me!?"

"Because I'm scared!" Yoongi admits and his eyebrows crease into an anxious expression. He closes his eyes for a moment before opening them again and looking at me.

"But I can't afford to feel like that. I'm not allowed to be like that Hailey. I am the boss here. I call the shots. I give the orders. I have to be strong." He sighs and sits on the bed.

"I didn't want you to see any of this, to know the things I've done." His voice breaks slightly as he looks into his hands.

"Yoongi I-"

"I understand if you want to leave me but let me just sort this out first. Once I make sure you are safe then you are free to go back to the Dojang-"

"Wait, stop!" Yoongi peers up at me confused. I sit down next to him on the bed and squeeze his hands in mine. "I don't want that...I love you."

"You do?"

"I'll admit knowing the Mafia part is scary but I've already fallen for you Min Yoongi." I cup his cheek with my palm and stroke my thumb across his skin. He holds it with his free hand before kissing my palm tenderly.

"Please don't ignore me like that again. I can't take it." 

"I'm sorry," Yoongi leans his face close to mine before pressing his lips against me for a kiss. The ache I have been feeling eases instantly at his touch, even though it hasn't been that long since our last kiss it has felt like years since he held me like this.

We exchange tender touches before lying down on the bed together. I press my head against his chest and wrap my arms around his sides, he holds me with one tucked around my back and the other stroking my cheek. I enjoy the sensation of holding him, just having him near and hearing his steady breaths.

"So what is this place anyway?" I ask, popping our silent bubble. 

"It's a safe house...we have a few for situations like this."

"You do? Has anything like this happened before?" I shift my head to look at him.

"We have had other groups threaten us but we haven't had to use any of the safe houses before."

"Oh...Is that because you've...you know...dealt with them?"

"Yes." He says bluntly. Jin was right then, he has had to kill people to ensure his safety. "Are you scared?" He asks quietly.

I shake my head into his chest "No because I know you would never do anything to hurt me." I say honestly and it's true. Even though Yoongi has never shown me this part of his life before I know who he is. I know I can believe him and trust him.

"The boys will be glad." He chuckles.

"And why's that?" I ask, turning over to lie on my stomach to fully face him. 

"They were worried you'd run away."

"Really? I'm not that weak! I've busted their asses so much in sparring that they should know how strong I am." I grumble and Yoongi laughs at me.

"They know that. It's just that this can be difficult for anyone to accept, especially when you're not brought up in it."

"Well, I'm tough." I sit up and flex my muscles.

"Yes, you are." Yoongi grins and pulls me down for another kiss.