Bride.exe | JAYHOON [Hiatus]

2.2: NO ESCAPE

༻♡⃛༺

The bustling city outside seemed like a different world, detached from his silent struggles. Days turned into nights as Sunghoon tirelessly searched for his runaway sister. His pursuit led him through dimly lit alleyways, bustling markets, and places he never imagined he'd tread. His father's network proved useful in tracking Minjoo's potential whereabouts, but the task remained daunting.

Despite his initial reluctance, Sunghoon's determination to protect his sister drives him to unravel the truth behind her disappearance. Caught between loyalty to his family and his sister's dreams, Sunghoon grapples with the moral complexities of his situation. With time running out and danger closing in, he must confront his own demons and make difficult choices to rescue his sister and break free from the suffocating grip of his family's legacy.

On one fateful evening, Sunghoon found himself in a nondescript neighborhood, with a vague tip from an informant. He sat inside a quaint cafe, the scent of freshly brewed coffee mingling with the chilly breeze. Through the fogged-up window, he spotted Minjoo, walking away with a group of people around her age.

Relief washed over Sunghoon as he exited the cafe. "Minjoo!" Sunghoon shouted to get her attention. His eyes met Minjoo's startled gaze. Minjoo's eyes flickered with a mix of surprise and guilt. Before Sunghoon could go near her she started running, leaving her group of friends.

Sunghoon's eyes widened in shock. "Minjoo stop right there!"

Sunghoon darted through the crowd, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he shouted his lungs out. Minjoo didn't look back and vanished into the sea of strangers.

"Minjoo-yah!" He shouted for the last time before giving up. She was gone, there was no other way to get her again. Sunghoon sighed and retraced his steps.

As Sunghoon hurried through the market, he was suddenly halted by Minjoo's friends, who regarded him with suspicion.

"Hey, who are you?" one of them demanded, blocking his path.

Sunghoon, slightly out of breath, tried to explain, "I'm Minjoo's brother. She disappeared from home without a notice, and I'm trying to find her."

The friends exchanged uncertain glances, still wary. "Prove it," another friend challenged.

Sunghoon quickly pulled out his phone and showed them a photo of him and Minjoo together, hoping to convince them. "See? That's us. Please, I need to find her. Can you give me her current contact number? I have to talk to her."

Reluctantly, the friends softened their stance, realizing their mistake. "Sorry, we didn't recognize you. We'll help you," one of them offered, reaching for her phone.

The next day, Sunghoon paced back and forth in his apartment, his phone clutched tightly in his hand as he dialed his sister's number for what felt like the hundredth time. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the call connected, and a flood of relief washed over him as he heard his sister's voice on the other end.

"Why have you been avoiding my calls, Minjoo? Do you even realize the chaos unfolding?" Sunghoon's voice dripped with frustration and anxiety, his words echoing with the weight of their predicament.

Minjoo's tone remained surprisingly nonchalant, masking the storm brewing beneath the surface. "What? Dad dispatched you to hunt me down after failing to reach me through his thugs?" she retorted, her words slicing through the tension with a hint of sarcasm.

Struggling to maintain his composure, Sunghoon pressed on, "Minjoo, this is serious. Why didn't you reach out to me when they arranged your marriage?" he implored, his voice tinged with a sense of urgency.