²⁴

4.5K 240 50
                                    

"Please – just tell me where my husband is".

"I don't understand? How do you not have a clue?".

"It's been 4 days!".

Her frantic voice caught the eyes of many cops and strangers down at the station. Anastasia needed answers. Her patience had run out. It's been 4 days since taehyungs arrest – yet none of these cops had a clue where and what she was yapping about. Anastasia figured that they were lying and probably hiding him. What if they killed him? Her mind was running loose.

She bangs the smooth counter with her tiny fists. "Tell me – please ", she was close to sobbing. "Mam , you need to calm down. Maybe go out , get some fresh air", the cop behind the counter said. He had no answers for her. "No! I am not leaving without seeing my husband!", she yelled. Her voice loud pitched and full of fear. "Mam-", another cop appeared, wrapping his hand around her arm. "You need to leave ", he began pulling her when she refused. "No! Why won't you let me see him -", she yelped as he pushed her out of the station, almost falling onto her knees. "We are tired of seeing your face. Your husband is not some innocent man. Many people want him dead. He is not here. Most probably his body is drifting in sea or stuffed in a garbage disposal. Now please leave –", he groaned and walked back in. Anastasia sniffled, sobbing into her palms.

It was her fault.

All of this is her fault.

She had nowhere to turn. No one to turn to for help. Yes , her husband was not an angel. But he saved her. He did all this for her. He set himself on fire for her. What if the cop was right? What if he was dead — the thought had her head swirling. The vomit crawling up her dry throat. She had not abandoned their home. She had barely slept in these 4 long days. Being alone never felt more miserable. Anastasia always believed she'd thrive alone. She'd build her own kingdom and be happy without anyone. But – taehyung had knit himself into her soul. Sure he was an asshole most days but recently he was a sweetheart. He truly was.

The rains showered from heaven. Her dull eyes focusing on the puddles being drowned with more water. The honking cars just added to her hammering headache. Her body slumped against the bricked wall. The cop had kicked her out but her legs refused to carry her away. Why won't they help her? She couldn't even ask her parents for help. She refused to let them into tae's world. It would be too dark for them to navigate. She was still finding her way through.

Her life was put on hold. College, work – everything. She just needed to find taehyung. To know he's well and alive. She needed that guilty taste within her heart to fade. Being responsible for his death was as good as lifting a weapon and murdering someone. But most importantly — she missed him. His touch, his smell,  the way he smiled at her. She missed his presence.

"What are you doing here?".

Her eyes lift to find the cop who had arrested taehyung. "You-", she whispered, standing straight. "Why are you here?", Jacob gestured to the station. Anastasia swallowed the lump in her throat, shoving her cold hands into her hoodie pockets. "Taehyung– where is he? I've been coming here for the past 4 days. I have no idea where else to search ", the weeping returned. Jacob raised a brow , eyes scanning their surroundings before inching closer. "I did not bring him here. Infact , I let him go the same day. Taehyung isn't anywhere near prison ", he said in a hushed voice. Anastasia furrowed her brows , tears pausing. "What? I don't understand ", she shrugged. "He's not here. You should probably ask his boss", Jacob suggest. Anastasia took in a deep breath. She did not wish to see Ben or Rick ever again. They had caused enough problems in her life.

"Where can I find him?", she whispered.

Jacob hesitated to give out that information. Anastasia was a little , fragile  creature. He knew they'd hurt her if she spoke in an arrogant tone. "I can't allow you to go into a snake pit. Why don't you go home. Taehyung will return soon", he suggest. "No. Please. I need to know if my husband is okay", she begged. Clasping her hands together as if praying. Jacob scratched above his brow. "Well, Benjamin owns a bar on Smith Street. It's called dollars. I'm pretty sure he's there right now", Jacob said while digging in his little tote bag. "Thank you", Anastasia was grateful for a little spark of hope. "Here -", he held out a small tin of pepper spray. Her eyes bouncing from the tin to his face.

The Husband Arrangement| TAEHYUNG Where stories live. Discover now