Are You The One Jo Togame?

Chapter 27 - A Sudden Switch

The next morning, Togame leaves early, and I reassure him that I'll handle things with Megumi. But how am I going to do that? Should I just tell him the truth, or should I call off the wedding altogether? The questions swirl in my head as I sink into the couch, feeling overwhelmed and anxious.
Suddenly, I remember I turned off my phone last night. "Crap!" I mutter, realizing Megumi might have tried to reach me. I start frantically searching for my phone, finally finding it just as the doorbell rings. "Huh?" I think. "Togame must have forgotten something." Excited to see him again, I rush to the door, opening it with a wide smile. But instead of Togame, it's Megumi. "Oh my God!" I freeze. "What is he doing here?" I study Megumi's face—he doesn't look happy."Hi, Megumi! Good morning!" I force the words out, my heart pounding. Togame was just here. Did they run into each other? My nerves are on edge, but I try to keep my composure.
"Please come in," I say, surprised to see him so early. I open the door wide, welcoming him inside. "Ruby," he greets me, but there's a trace of uncertainty in his voice as his eyes scan the room. Quickly, I try to distract him. I shut the door, adjust myself, and swallow the growing lump in my throat. "Let me get you something to drink. Please, have a seat." Before he can respond, I rush off to the kitchen, my mind racing. Has he figured it out? I thought I was prepared for this, but now I feel like I'm falling apart.In the kitchen, I try to focus, reminding myself that Megumi likes his coffee black. Damn! My hands tremble, and I accidentally drop the hot water. Suddenly, Megumi rushes in."Hey, are you okay?" he asks, concerned, grabbing my hand as he turns me to face him. "You look like you're still hungover from last night," he says with a light smile. "Let me clean this up. Why don't you go freshen up? Looks like you just got up, huh? Sleepyhead," he teases, pushing me gently out of the kitchen. "Let your fiancé handle this, okay? I'll have breakfast ready for you in no time. Go on."I glance back at him, watching how cheerful and happy he is. My heart tightens as I walk toward my room and lock the door behind me. The moment I lean against it, I break down, sobbing quietly. What have I done?I should've ended this before it even started. How could I do this to Megumi? He deserves so much better. I look at the messy bed and shake my head. This never should've happened.I know I have to tell him the truth. He deserves to know.My phone buzzes—it's Togame. I can't answer now.
I quickly send him a message: Megumi's here. And then I wait, anxiously, for a reply.

Togame: What is he doing there? I didn't see him on my way out. This feels strange.

Ruby: I know... I don't even know how to act around him. I'm feeling awful, Togame. I can't face him. I'm a total wreck.

Togame: Do you want me to come over? I'm not comfortable with him being there so early. This doesn't feel like a coincidence. I know him well enough.

Huh? What does Togame mean by that? It's obviously just a coincidence. Maybe he's being paranoid. Feeling confused by his accusation, I respond:

Ruby: My phone was off all night, so it's not surprising he showed up. Anyway, I'm going to freshen up. Let me handle it, please. Don't worry, I'll be fine. Bye for now!

Togame: Alright, darling. I'll wait to hear from you. Love you!

I stare at his last message and decide not to reply. My head isn't in the right space. I step into the shower, hoping the water will clear my mind and prepare me for the day ahead.When I finally emerge from my room, I notice Megumi sitting on the couch in the living room, casually watching the news and sipping his coffee. He's even made breakfast. As I step into view, he turns toward me with a smile."There you are. Finally decided to stop hiding, huh?" he chuckles.His lightheartedness only makes me feel worse.
I force a smile, trying my hardest, but I'm terrible at hiding my emotions. "Sorry I took so long to freshen up," I say, my voice shaky. "The hangover was brutal. I needed to stand under the shower for a while... it helped. I'm feeling a lot better now." Quickly, I shift my focus to the breakfast on the table—cut-up fruit and oats.
"Gosh, Megumi, thanks for making this," I think to myself, the sight of it only makes my stomach churn. I don't feel like eating at all. "Why are you still standing?" he laughs lightly. "You really need to stop zoning out, you know? Come on, sit next to me." He pats the seat beside him.Reluctantly, I sit, trying to keep some distance between us, but I'm stiff, frozen in place. Megumi hands me the bowl of oats and fruit, sticking a spoon in it. "Here you go. You better eat—after last night, we drank like fish. Maybe we should slow it down from now on," he says with a chuckle."Thanks," I reply, forcing a smile again. "It looks good." I begin to eat, but every bite feels like a struggle. I can barely swallow, forcing each spoonful down as my nerves twist my stomach into knots.Then, out of nowhere, he asks, "By the way, why was your phone off last night? I tried calling you a few times, and I was getting worried." His gaze sharpens as he studies my face, reading my expression closely. My heart skips a beat.
I continue eating, filling my mouth so I can buy some time to come up with an excuse. "Oh, Megumi! Sorry, my phone died. I put it on charge and completely forgot to switch it back on when I woke up. I was so out of it, tossing and turning in bed until I heard the doorbell."He looks at me with a serious expression, his face hardening slightly. My nerves are on edge. Does he know? Is that why he's asking all these questions? I try to hide my anxiety, forcing myself to keep eating in silence. Suddenly, Megumi bursts out laughing, his sudden change in attitude startling me."You're adorable, you know that?" He pinches my cheek playfully, rubbing the top of my head. "I love messing with you. But next time, for God's sake, keep your phone on—and on loud." He leans in and kisses my cheek.Before I can react, he continues, sounding excited. "Now, onto the other reason I'm here." I'm still trying to process the shift in the conversation when he drops the bombshell. "The wedding date has been set, and the venue too. I wanted to go over everything with you before..."But I completely zone out, my ears ringing. The wedding date is fixed? No, this can't happen. I need to say something, but before I can, Megumi takes the bowl from my hands, kneels in front of me, and holds my hands tightly.His eyes are misty with emotion as he smiles wide. "It's finally happening, darling. I'm so happy. I can't wait for you to be mine."I sit there, frozen, my mouth slightly open. He notices a small cut on my lip and reaches out, gently touching it with his thumb. "What happened to your lip?" he asks, concerned. Shit! I'd completely forgotten about it. I quickly turn my face to the side. "Oh, it's nothing. I think I bit it last night," I laugh awkwardly, trying to brush it off. "You should be more careful. Has it been taken care of?" His voice is tinged with suspicion."Never mind, it's minor. Let's forget about it," I say, swallowing hard, desperately trying not to think about last night.Megumi stands up and sits next to me, letting out a loud sigh. There's a quiet moment before he speaks again. "Anyway, we'll be meeting my family later today, so please be ready. We need to start the preparations, okay?"He gets up, clearly preparing to leave. I stand too, walking with him toward the door. Damn! I haven't had a chance to say anything. Should I tell him now? I open the door for him."I'll be here by 7:00 PM, okay?" He steps out, then turns to me. "I hope you're as excited as I am, Ruby."His eyes search mine, and my heart races. "Megumi..." I say with a shaky voice."Hm?" He looks at me, confused. "What is it? You suddenly look pale." He leans in, cupping my face gently. "Are you okay?""I think we need to—" But I'm interrupted by the sound of his phone ringing. He glances at the number, his expression shifting. "Hold that thought, love." He steps away to take the call, speaking in a hushed voice.Shoot! I need to tell him right now. I can't wait any longer. I watch him pace up and down, wondering who he's talking to. I stare at the floor, gathering my thoughts, trying to prepare myself.Suddenly, he rushes back over. "I have to go, love," he says, still on the call. "Something important came up. I'll call you later. Don't forget to be ready by 7:00 PM!" He shouts the last part as he hurries off, already disappearing into the distance before I can respond.What the hell just happened? I stand there, stunned. I can't go tonight. I have to break the news to him before then.
I decide to get out of the house and clear my head, desperate for a moment of peace to figure out what to do next. How am I going to tell Megumi the truth? A walk in the park sounds perfect, so I head there, hoping it will help me collect my thoughts. As I walk, the crowd thins out, and I make my way to a quieter part of the park, where it's much more peaceful. Standing by the pond, I watch the ducks gliding across the water. Their calm movements soothe me, and I take a deep breath, trying to let go of the turmoil in my mind.I can't help but think back to last night. Omg, last night was... amazing. I blush, warmth spreading through me at the memory. But before I can lose myself in those thoughts, I'm distracted by a group of men approaching. "Hello, miss!" One of them grins, eyeing me. "You all by yourself here? What a shame." He looks at his friends and laughs. "Men, this was an easy catch. Looks like we've got a money bag right here in front of us. Easiest catch I must say."Before I even have time to react, they grab me. Panic surges through me as they duct tape my mouth and blindfold me. I struggle, but they're quick, shoving me into a vehicle. I'm crammed between two men, their bodies pressing against me, and my breathing becomes shallow. What is happening? My heart races, and my mind is spiraling. Is this my punishment for what I did?The men laugh and smoke as we drive, the air thick with the smell of tobacco. I start to feel dizzy, the smoke burning my lungs. I might pass out. What are they going to do to me? Their laughter only heightens my fear, and I silently pray, not knowing what else to do.After what feels like an eternity, the vehicle stops, and I'm dragged out roughly. I can't see, but I feel them push me onto a metal chair. They tie me down with a rope, tight enough that I can barely move. I'm trapped. I try to wiggle free, but then—"Stop moving, would ya?" A harsh voice snaps. Then I feel a hard slap across my face. My head spins, and my ears ring from the impact. I can't fight this. Maybe I deserve it... for what I did to Megumi.I slump in defeat, my body aching. Maybe they'll put an end to it all. Maybe this is my fate.The men start talking again, their voices muffled as if they're far away. "Call him. Let him know we have her here. Tell him we want 100 mil to spare her life. If he doesn't give us what we want, we'll put a bullet in her head. Simple."Their laughter fills the room. Oh no...I freeze. Are they going to threaten Togame? Or... Megumi?My mind races as I try to make sense of it.I hear them dialing a number, and they put the call on speaker. Please, don't be him.But then, I hear Megumi's voice. My heart sinks. No! Why does it have to be him? He's already dealing with so much. This can't be happening.The man yells into the phone, "Hey, bastard, we've got your precious fiancée with us. If you want her alive, bring one million in a duffel bag. We'll send you the location. But listen carefully—you come alone. If you bring anyone else, we'll put a bullet in her head. Got it, asshole?"There's a moment of silence on the other end. Why isn't Megumi saying anything? My chest tightens, anxiety gnawing at me. Finally, his voice comes through, calm yet tense. "Sure! I'll bring the cash over, just don't hurt her. I don't want a single scratch on her. If I see she's hurt, I won't spare any of you." Then, abruptly, he cuts the call.The room erupts into cruel laughter. "What an arrogant prick," one of the men sneers. "He thinks he can take us on. Let's see how long he'll last." They continue to joke about Megumi, but I can't focus on their words. All I can think about is him, walking into this trap. He's in danger, and it's my fault.One of the men barks orders. "Send him the location, and make sure to include a picture of her too. Let him see how well we're taking care of her. And make sure he comes alone. I don't trust him." One of them orders sharply before turning to the others. "Take her away. Put her in the back and keep a close watch on her." Two rough hands seize me, and I'm dragged across the cold, hard floor. Without any care, they throw me onto the ground, ripping the blindfold off. My vision is blurry, and the duct tape still covers my mouth, making it hard to breathe properly. I push myself up halfway, leaning against a cold wall.The room is small, like a storage area inside a warehouse, and the door in front of me is locked. There's no way out. Two men stay inside, watching me, while more are stationed outside the door. I'm trapped. I scan the room, but there's nothing useful. No windows, no escape routes—just metal crates and tools scattered around. I say a silent prayer, hoping nothing happens to Megumi. Please, let him be safe. But my thoughts are interrupted by one of the men, who's been staring at me with a disgusting grin on his face. He smacks his lips, his eyes crawling over me like I'm prey. I shiver, turning my head away from him, doing my best to hide my discomfort. I wish I still had the blindfold on. The feeling of his gaze makes my skin crawl, and all I can do is sit there, helpless.I sit there for what feels like hours, my body aching from the awkward position and the tension in the air. I'm thirsty, exhausted, but too wary to ask for water—they might try to drug me. I try to stay strong, though fear is gnawing at me from the inside out.Suddenly, I hear movement outside the room—a flurry of footsteps and muffled voices that set my heart pounding. Is it him? My pulse races, and I strain to listen, every fiber of my being on edge. The two men in the room exchange glances before one of them steps over and opens the door slightly. For just a moment, through the narrow crack, I catch a glimpse of Megumi. Relief floods me, my breath hitching as I realize he's here, but before I can fully process it, they step back inside and shut the door, sealing me off again.The men turn back to me with smug expressions, clearly satisfied with whatever instructions they've been given. One grins wide, his eyes lingering on me in a way that makes my skin crawl. "Well, sweetheart," he says, his voice dripping with mockery, "looks like your man kept his word. I guess we'll have to let you go now."He exchanges a chuckle with the other man, the sound sleazy and unsettling. "Though, I was hoping we'd have a little more fun with you first," he adds, his eyes raking over me as he speaks. I shudder, feeling the revulsion rise in my throat, but I stay silent, praying this will be over soon.Just then, a sudden commotion erupts outside the room. The sounds of scuffling and raised voices cut through the air, and the two men snap to attention, their expressions hardening. "What the hell's going on out there?" one of them barks, straining to hear more clearly. Before they can react, the sharp crack of gunshots rings out—loud, jarring, and terrifying. My heart plummets. Did they shoot Megumi? Panic seizes me, and before I can stop myself, a sob escapes my lips, tears spilling down my cheeks. No, no, please no.The men whirl on me, shoving me roughly to the floor. "Stay put!" one of them snarls, his voice edged with fear. They bolt for the door, throwing it open and rushing outside to confront the chaos. The door slams shut behind them, leaving me alone in the room. I'm trembling uncontrollably, my body frozen to the spot. My mind races, caught between the deafening sounds of gunfire and shouting outside. What do I do? My legs feel like lead, paralyzed by terror. Should I hide? Should I run? But I can't move. The fear is all-consuming.Then, as abruptly as it began, everything falls deathly silent. The stillness that follows is suffocating, as if the air has been sucked from the room. What just happened? My heart hammers in my chest as I strain to listen. Am I next? Is this it?  I press my back against the cold floor, trembling harder, bracing for whatever comes next.The door suddenly flies open with a loud bang. Megumi! He stumbles in, coughing, his shirt stained with blood. "RUBY?" he calls out, his voice hoarse, barely audible over his labored breaths. Relief surges through me so fiercely I nearly collapse. I scramble to my feet, rushing toward him, and without thinking, throw myself into his arms. His embrace is tight, desperate, as if he's afraid to let go. His chest heaves against mine, each breath ragged and heavy."Are you okay? Did they hurt you?" he manages between coughs, his voice raw with concern.I nod, tears still streaming down my face, my throat too tight to speak. "I'm fine," I whisper, though the sight of his blood makes me choke. "What about you?"His hand tightens around mine, grounding me. "Hold your breath," he orders, his voice firm despite his injuries. Without hesitation, he pulls me forward, guiding us through the smoke-filled room. The air is thick, choking, but all I can do is follow him, trusting him to lead us to safety. I don't dare look back—my only focus is on getting out, clinging to the hope that we'll make it out alive.We finally make it out of the suffocating warehouse, the cold night air hitting me like a wave of relief. I turn around, glancing back at the building—it's an abandoned, smoke-filled wreck, ominous in its silence. Not a single person in sight. Where did they go? The thought gnaws at me as I look over at Megumi. He's still struggling to catch his breath, coughing hard, his face pale from the blood loss. I step toward him, wanting to help, but he waves me off, refusing any aid. Stubborn as ever.As I try to gather myself, I see shadows moving in the distance. My heart jumps, and instinctively, I step in front of Megumi, trying to shield him, though I know I'm powerless if they try anything. He's hurt badly, bleeding, and barely able to stand. He can't fight them off. My nerves are a mess. What am I supposed to do?"Sir," a bold, calm voice suddenly cuts through the tension. "The area is clear. They're gone." I blink in surprise as a group of men approaches and rushes to Megumi's side. They're not here to harm us—they're helping him. One of them props Megumi up, supporting his weight. I stand there, bewildered. Are these his people?"Let's take Ruby to the hospital," one of the men says, eyeing me with concern.I shake my head firmly. "No, I'm fine. Megumi's the one who needs to go." My voice is insistent, but before I can argue further, Megumi grabs my hand, squeezing it so tightly that I wince in pain."You're hurting me," I manage to say, trying to pull away. He loosens his grip, but his face is tense, frustration evident."Sorry," he mutters, his voice edged with annoyance. "I didn't mean to." He's clearly in pain, but still, his stubbornness remains. "Let's go," he says to his men, who continue to support him.I stand frozen as they begin walking away, Megumi barely glancing back at me. Is he angry with me? I bite my lip, guilt swelling inside. Maybe he blames me for being so careless, for putting us both in danger.Watching him limp off with his men, I'm hit with a heavy realization. How could I do this to him?I've dragged him into something that nearly cost him his life. He saved me today, despite everything, and I owe him for that. More than I can ever repay.As the weight of the situation sinks in, my mind turns to Togame. Can I really continue this? After all that's happened, after seeing Megumi bleed for me, I know deep down that something has to change. I can't keep hurting Megumi like this. He saved my life—I can't repay him by staying tethered to someone else.With a heavy heart, I know what I have to do. I'll have to end things with Togame. I owe Megumi that much. I just hope Togame will understand.