𝗞𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗧 ∣∣ 𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗧𝗟𝗘 𝗠𝗨𝗦𝗛𝗥𝗢𝗢𝗠

↳ 𝐔𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬

Waiting was the hardest part.

Kang Jun may appear calm on the outside, but on the inside, he was a mess. And that's because of his traitorous mind that often makes up awful scenarios and what ifs. Even if he would reassure himself that Josh would uphold his promise of protecting An Ze, his mind would often contradict that thought.

After all, when it comes to a life and death situation, it's only human nature to save oneself over others' well-being, is what he thought, making him sigh tiredly for the umpteenth time.

"A penny for your thoughts?"

Kang Jun looked to his side and a smile appeared on his lips. "Good to see you, Doussay," he greeted, nodding his head. "You're still lovely as ever."

Doussay chuckles, pleased at the compliment. "Flattery will certainly get you anywhere, my dear." She leaned on the wall beside him and took a long drag of her cigarette before blowing out a mouthful of smoke. "You look troubled," she noted.

Kang Jun sighs. "Was it that obvious?"

"Mm," She hums. "You look like you need some company to ease your worries. Perfect timing. I know plenty of people who are eager to take the opportunity. How about it? Interested?" she smirks.

Kang Jun snorts, thinking back on the troublesome days and nights where someone would come up to him, asking for sex. Of course, he'd always turn them down. If they were persistent, he wouldn't hesitate to teach them their place. "No thanks."

"Such a shame," Doussay smirks. "You would've made millions just by using that pretty face of yours."

"Madam," one of her lackeys called, interrupting the two. "The client's waiting in the other room."

"I'll be there in a moment," Doussay says.

"You sure are busy," Kang Jun comments.

"Well... My services are highly needed after all," Doussay chuckles, taking another drag of her cigarette before blowing out another mouthful of smoke. "Anyway," she briefly patted the brunet on the shoulder and said, "If you ever need any help, I'm just here, okay? You don't have to shoulder it alone."

Kang Jun smiled gratefully. "Thanks, Doussay."

"Don't mention it." Doussay walks away with a wave of her hand. "If you ever change your mind about my offer, come and find me. I'll be sure to give you and your lover the biggest room!" she hollered.

"Yeah, sure," Kang Jun playfully scoffs, shaking his head. Talking with her has certainly put him in a lighter mood than before. After gathering his belongings from Mr. Shaw's workplace, he suddenly felt like he was forgetting something important. He tried to recall anything, but none came to mind.

Maybe it's nothing important, he thought, shrugging his shoulders. When he was almost at the exit of the Black Market, he abruptly stopped, eyes widening upon seeing a certain someone he didn't want to cross paths with ever again. Shit... The brunet cursed mentally. He wanted to slap himself for forgetting such an important thing.

Before the man could even spot him, he quickly hid with the other people, hoping he wouldn't be noticed as he made his way to a secret exit of the Black Market that only a handful of people know. Unbeknownst to him, the man he was avoiding did noticed him, his cold green eyes trailing after the brunet's leaving form.

"Colonel?" asked a young Judge in training. "Is something the matter over there?"

"It's nothing," the Colonel said curtly, turning back his attention onto the people exiting.

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"Phew! That was close!" Kang Jun breathed out a sigh of relief as he placed a hand over to his chest. "I should be more careful not to forget next time," he murmured, shaking his head. Then, he entered the building where he lived with An Ze and Josh.

As he was heading upstairs, he was shocked to cross paths with Josh who mirrored his shocked expression. "Josh...?! You're back...! Then...!" The brunet's face beamed with excitement. Without wasting anymore time, he ran past Josh, missing how the latter called for him to wait, but he couldn't. He wanted to see An Ze as soon as possible and make sure he's alright.

Finally, he arrived in front of An Ze's room. After catching his breath, he knocked on the door. "An Ze?" He called softly, but there was no response. He knocked once again, but nothing. Is he sleeping? Kang Jun wondered. "I'm coming in, okay?" He entered his room, expecting to see An Ze asleep, but he was nowhere in sight. Where could he be?

Suddenly, he heard Josh call his name from behind, startling him. "Damn it, Josh!" he hissed. "Don't just pop out of nowhere!" he scolded, then calmed himself. "Anyway, where's An Ze? He's not here."

Instead of answering, Josh only clenched his fists and looked down with a torn and guilty expression on his face. At that moment, all the excitement that Kang Jun had earlier vanished and was replaced with dread. Still, he chose to remain positive. For all he know, they could just be pranking him. Maybe An Ze would pop out from somewhere and surprise him.

But all of those thoughts went down the drain when Josh finally spoke up. "I-I'm s-sorry..." His tone was laced with undeniable grief, guilt, and shame. Tears have also began streaming down on his face. "I-I'm r-really s-sorry, J-Jun..." he sobbed.

Kang Jun didn't know what kind of expression he was making. All he knew is that his mind went blank and a certain numbness took over his body.

An Ze's gone.