From Reluctance to Desire: A Mafia Story

✨BREAKING FREE✨

The next morning, I woke up with a heavy feeling in my chest, my mind consumed by the events of the previous day. I couldn't shake the image of Jungkook's cold eyes, the way he had looked at me as if I was nothing more than a tool in his ruthless world. I wanted to hate him, but the situation was too complex. I had to be smart about my next move.

My thoughts drifted to Zalgo Chernobog, the man from the file—my father's supposed ally. Everything I had read about him screamed danger. He was ruthless and feared even by the worst of the mafia underworld. But he had helped my father. Namjoon had said that my dad trusted him more than Jungkook's family. That alone had to mean something.

I wasn't sure if I could trust Zalgo, but with the way things were going, I needed to make some choices. My father had placed his faith in this man, and maybe... just maybe, I should too. The very thought of it made my stomach twist with fear and uncertainty. Still, I had to get more information. I needed to see Namjoon.

The problem was, that Jungkook's guards were watching my every move now. After what happened in his office, I knew they were suspicious. I had to be more careful than ever. As I sat in my room, I devised a plan. I had been studying the mansion's layout for weeks, noting blind spots in the security cameras and guards' rotations. If I timed it just right, I could sneak out without anyone noticing.

I told the maids I was going to take a long shower and specifically instructed them not to disturb me. With them out of the way, I quickly changed into dark clothing and slipped out of the bathroom window. My heart raced as I navigated the blind spots I had memorized, keeping low and out of sight. The mansion was a fortress, but it wasn't perfect.

Once I was safely out, I breathed a sigh of relief. My freedom was short-lived, though. I had to move quickly before anyone noticed my absence.

I made my way to the place where I knew Namjoon would be waiting—the treehouse deep in the forest where we used to go as kids. It was a place he always retreated to when he needed to clear his head, and I knew he would be there now. Sure enough, as I approached, I saw him sitting inside, his expression grim and heavy with the weight of our father's death.

When I reached him, I wasted no time. "Namjoon, I need to talk to you. It's about Zalgo."

His eyes snapped up to mine, alarm flashing across his face. "What about him?"

I explained everything I had learned from the file, including the cryptic codes and locations, and what I overheard during Jungkook's meeting. Namjoon listened in silence, his face growing more serious with every word.

"You have to meet Zalgo," he said abruptly.

"What? No, I can't do that," I stammered. "He's dangerous—worse than anyone I've ever heard of. How can I trust him?"

Namjoon's expression softened for a moment, but the urgency in his voice remained. "He's ruthless, yes. But he helped our father. That means something. You can trust him... at least more than you can trust Jungkook and his father."

I hesitated, my mind spinning with doubt. Could I trust a man like Zalgo? The idea of meeting him made my skin crawl, but I had no other options. Namjoon was right—Jungkook would never let me in on his plans, and I couldn't continue living like this, constantly looking over my shoulder.

"You have to go to him, Y/N," Namjoon insisted, his voice steady but firm. "If you want answers—if you want revenge—this is the only way. Zalgo can help you. He has resources we don't have. But you have to be careful. Don't let him manipulate you like Jungkook did."

I bit my lip, fear gnawing at the edges of my resolve. But then I thought of my father, of everything Jungkook had taken from me. I couldn't let his betrayal go unanswered. I needed to know more about Zalgo, about what role he played in this mess, and if he could be my way out of this nightmare.