A Kiss For A Kiss

09

I went to Jisoo's, not home. Staring alone at the walls in my apartment gave me the creeps, especially considering I'd just come back from stabbing someone. Her mansion felt like a refuge, so I prayed she'd let me in despite my unannounced visit. She did, of course—sweetheart that she is.

Right now, she's busy texting on her phone, biting her lower lip. If I'm not mistaken, a blush of pink paints her round cheeks.

"It's Taehyung, isn't it?" I ask, snorting.

Jisoo nearly drops her phone. "What?" She shakes her head far too quickly. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You slept with him, didn't you?" I shake my head slowly, eyeing her with mock amazement through lowered lashes. "You're much more daring than I gave you credit for."

"Chaeyoung," she snaps, her voice taut, "if you don't want to get kicked out, I suggest you shut up."

My eyes widen in faux surprise as I raise my hands above my head. "Sorry!" I lean closer, my voice dropping to a whisper near her ear. "By the way, did you like it?"

Jisoo shivers, her head whipping toward me as she punches me lightly in the gut. "Chaeyoung!"

I clutch my stomach dramatically, pouting. "That hurt."

"I know you can handle way more," she mutters, going back to her texting. She's not entirely wrong.

Honestly, I'm bored as hell. I can't deny it—being involved with criminals is as thrilling as it is terrifying.

"Anyway," I say, starting to gather my stuff, "thanks for dinner and for taking me in, Soya. I'mma head out."

Jisoo stands from the couch, placing her hands on my stiff shoulders. "Stop by anytime you want, love. You're always welcome."

I smile, pulling her into a tight hug. This girl deserves the world. "Don't forget," I tell her softly, "I'm always here too. If anything's bothering you, you can vent to me, okay?"

"Okay." She grins. "Bye-bye."

I wave back at her, stepping out into the night, greeted by the sweet scent of blooming flowers in her perfectly tended garden. The wind is brisk, but it doesn't bother me nearly as much as the unsettling silence of the alleyways surrounding her mansion.

I close the garden gate behind me and start walking toward the nearest metro station. The streets are eerily empty. No one in sight, just the flickering streetlights making me jump every time they blink off and on.

Taking a sharp corner, I find myself on an unfamiliar street. Crap. I must've messed up the directions. I shake my head and keep walking. If something happens, I just need to scream, and the neighbors would hear me, right?

...

It's been over an hour. Fuck, I'm really starting to panic now. No service, my phone's at three percent, and I'm completely lost. Shouting for help seems like a bad idea—it might just attract danger.

Just then, a hand slams down on my shoulder, hard. My soul practically leaps out of my body as I whirl around, finding a man with the creepiest smile I've ever seen plastered across his face.

I try to shake off his grip, but his hand doesn't budge. "Let go, you creep," I hiss.

He clicks his tongue, his smile widening. "How could I, when your skin feels so soft under my touch?"

Ice floods my veins as true fear sinks in.

"I said, let go, you disgusting shithead," I spit, trying to pull away.