Silent Echoes

.18.

The morning light filtered into the room as Taeyong hovered near the doorway, watching Ran stare at her untouched breakfast. She was deep in thought, the weight of the past few days clearly heavy on her shoulders. He sighed and walked over, dragging her to the table.

Taeyong:-Come on, you need to eat.

Ran picked at the food absentmindedly.

Taeyong: What are we going to do next?

Ran blinked and looked up, her expression serious.

Ran:-I don't know. But I think I'll have to take over the business.

Taeyong raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Ran:-You didn't like it before, though.

Ran shrugged.

Ran:- I know, but I have to do something.

Taeyong: What do you mean?

Ran: I want to give back the money my father stole from people. Those families deserve it. I can't erase the damage, but I can make it right somehow.

Taeyong smiled, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.

Taeyong:-That's so... unlike your father. You're really not anything like him.

Ran chuckled at that, grateful for the lightness of the moment.

Ran:-Thank god for that.

They laughed together, the tension breaking slightly. Then the mood shifted, and Ran looked at Taeyong with a seriousness he wasn't prepared for.

Ran: Taeyong.

Taeyong: Yeah?

Ran: Now that my father's gone, you're free. You don't have to stick around and be my bodyguard anymore. You always said you wanted to go back to your grandmother, right? This is your chance.

Taeyong's heart sank. He had always talked about leaving, but now, faced with the reality of it, he felt torn. Ran had been more than just a boss to him. She had been his family. He thought back to the time when his grandmother was sick and he had no money. Ran had stolen from her father to pay for the medical bills. She was always there for him, and he couldn't just walk away now.

Taeyong: I know I said that before, but I've changed my mind. I want to stay. You've done so much for me, Ran. You treated me like family, especially when no one else did. I don't want to leave you now, not when you need me.

Ran's eyes softened a rare vulnerability showing through.

Ran:-You really don't have to, Taeyong.

Taeyong shook his head. I want to. I'm not going to change my mind.

Ran smiled, touched by his loyalty.

Ran:-Stubborn as always

She reached out and hugged him tightly, and for a moment, they both stood there, holding onto each other. She knew she couldn't push him away. He was the closest thing to family she had left.

Ran: Let's go back to Korea.

Taeyong :-Okay.

---

The day finally came when they were leaving Thailand. Ran boarded the plane, her heart heavy as she settled into her seat. She hadn't told Vegas she was leaving. A part of her wanted to, but she couldn't bring herself to face him again. Not after everything that had happened between them.

Ran , muttering to herself: We weren't anything. A kiss doesn't mean anything. We're just enemies.

She repeated the words like a mantra, but deep down, they didn't feel true.

---

Back at Vegas's base, Johnny stormed into the room, breathless.

Johnny: Sir, she's already left the country.

Vegas was sitting at his desk, his expression unreadable. At Johnny's words, he clenched his jaw, his hands tightening into fists.

Vegas: Get out. Now.

Johnny hesitated for a moment, but the coldness in Vegas's voice made him leave quickly, shutting the door behind him.

Vegas leaned back in his chair, staring up at the ceiling. His mind was racing, frustration and anger bubbling beneath the surface.

Vegas: What's wrong with you? She's not the only woman in the world.

He tried to convince himself, but the more he thought about it, the more restless he became. He'd hooked up with several women since she left, trying to shake her from his mind, but nothing worked. Every time, it was her face that flashed before him. Every time, it was her voice that echoed in his head. He was losing control, and it pissed him off.

Vegas, muttering under his breath: Damn it, Ran.

He stood up, pacing the room, his heart thudding in his chest. He had fallen for her, and he hated that he couldn't stop thinking about her. He had never been one to care about anyone, and yet, here he was, losing sleep over a woman who had just walked out of his life.

He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.

Vegas:-You're lying to yourself,

he whispered to no one in particular. But he couldn't deny it any longer. He was in love with her, and it was driving him crazy.

---

Meanwhile, on the plane, Ran looked out the window, her heart heavy. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had left something important behind. The memories of her time with Vegas haunted her, and as much as she tried to bury them, they kept resurfacing. That kiss, that moment by the river-none of it was meaningless, no matter how hard she tried to convince herself otherwise.

As the plane soared through the sky, both Ran and Vegas found themselves locked in a battle they couldn't win. No matter how far they ran, or how hard they tried to deny it, they were bound by something deeper than either of them was willing to admit.