Rewrite the Rules

Coco's Karaoke:Part 59

The shrill ring of my phone tore me from a restless sleep. Disoriented, I squinted at the clock – 5:14 am. Who on earth could be calling at this ungodly hour? With a groan, I fumbled for the phone, the caller ID flashing "Work." My stomach lurched. Urgent work calls in the middle of the night usually meant bad news.

"Hello?" I croaked, my voice thick with sleep.

"Emma, it's Carlos," my VP"s voice crackled through the line. "There's been a major incident. We need you in ASAP."

My heart hammered against my ribs. "An incident? What happened?"

"Ransomware attack," Carlos replied, her voice tight with worry. "One of our biggest clients, Waynorthern Global Tech, got hit. Their entire system is down, and the attackers are demanding five million for the decryption key."

Dread coiled in my gut. Waynorthern Global Tech was a massive corporation, and a successful attack on them would be a PR nightmare for both them and my company. "Okay, I'm on my way," I muttered, already throwing back the covers. Sleep was a luxury I wouldn't be affording myself tonight.

"Hey Daisy, go into the bedroom and sleep I've got an emergency at work I'm gonna have to use the computer." I whispered to her as she slowly made her way off the pull-out sofa into the bedroom shutting the door.

As I signed into my computer, a sickening realization dawned. The concert. BTS. My heart plummeted. Frantically, I grabbed my phone and dialed Namjoon's number. It rang once, twice, then went to voicemail.

"Hey Namjoon," I whispered, my voice thick with disappointment. "It's me. Work emergency. I won't be able to make the concert. I'm so sorry..." My voice trailed off, the words a hollow echo in the empty room.

Deep in chaos, Daisy and Samina, woke up. had breakfast and made their way to the sound check. they were already sending excited texts and pictures from the sound check and later the concert. The thought of them experiencing the concert without me, the energy, the music, the sheer joy of seeing BTS live, was a fresh wave of pain.

But duty called. With a heavy sigh, working my laptop, the dream of the concert fading into a bittersweet memory as the harsh reality of the situation settled in.

---

Disappointment gnawed at me – a missed concert, replaced by a night spent battling cybercriminals. But seeing Namjoon's familiar face, etched with concern and relief in the dim parking lot light, washed away the lingering sadness.

Except, it wasn't the usual sleek black SUV waiting for me. Instead, a beat-up, cherry-red minivan sat there, looking oddly out of place. A suppressed grin tugged at my lips. This wasn't the first time the boys had defied their security detail for a stolen night out, and the sight of the minivan – surely a deliberate choice for maximum anonymity – sparked a thrill of anticipation.

"Hey you," I said, my voice hoarse from the phone calls and tension of the night.

Namjoon rushed forward, his arms wrapping me in a tight embrace. Relief flooded his features as he held me close. "There you are," he murmured, his voice a warm rumble against my ear. "I was starting to worry. Samina said it was a mess over there."

I pulled back, offering him a tired smile. "It was," I admitted, "but we contained it. Just another night saving the day, right?" A playful glint entered my eyes. "Though missing BTS for it definitely stings."

He chuckled, a low sound that sent shivers down my spine. "Don't worry," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "The members have... other plans for tonight."

Before I could question him further, a car door on the opposite side of the minivan slid open. Jin's face popped out, a wide grin plastered across it. "Get in, slowpoke! We're burning nightlight... or should I say, karaoke bar hours?"