My Pretty Woman

Chapter 5

Jiyong furiously pressed the button of the elevator as he stormed out of the car. His finger almost crushed the button, demanding the doors to open. His mind was already filled with the dread of something terrible happening to Dara if no one intervened. Anxiously, he watched the elevator's digital number, which still indicated that it was on the 12th floor. Without hesitation, he dashed to the emergency stairs and began to rush up the steps, with Seunghyun and Kiyong following closely behind.

"Security is already chasing the robber, hyung," Kiyong reported, trying to keep up with Jiyong's pace as they ascended the stairs. They were all out of breath, struggling to match Jiyong's fervent climb.

Please, don't let anything bad happen. 

Jiyong's thoughts were in disarray as he ran up to his company's highest floor, knowing that the only way to reach the penthouse was through the hidden stair inside his office room. He quickly made his way to the room where the emergency stair was located, knowing that only he and his trusted people knew about it.

Upon reaching the highest floor, Jiyong's heart sank as he saw the scattered belongings inside the penthouse. His chest tightened, feeling as though oxygen couldn't pass through his throat. He surveyed the room, noticing the open drawers in the kitchen, living room, and every other room, except for his private room.

Finally, he spotted a woman, whom he had been searching for, sitting on the floor amidst the broken glass. There were red spots on her white dress, unmistakably blood stains.

"Sandara!" Jiyong rushed over to her, his heart racing with worry. "Are you okay?!" He demanded, seeing her sitting there motionless, cleaning up the broken glass.

"Kwon Jiyong-ssi... I'm sorry," she murmured, her face drained of color as the blood on her dress continued to spread.

"It's just a picture frame!! LOOK AT ME!" Jiyong yelled, grabbing her cheeks to force her to look at him. He was filled with a mixture of anxiety and relief when she finally met his gaze. "Are you okay?" he asked more gently, his tone softening as he looked into her eyes. She's nodding at him slowly

As he pressed his hand over the blood stain on her dress, making her wince in pain, she finally seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation. "I'm bleeding," she whispered, trying to press against the wound.

Jiyong's face betrayed his emotions as he struggled to maintain his composure. "It can't be like this. Let's go to the hospital," he said, trying to sound calm despite the panic rising within him.

Just then, Kiyong and Seunghyun rushed into the penthouse, gasping for breath. Jiyong turned to them, hope flickering in his eyes. "Did you find-" he began, but their shaken heads answered his question before he could finish.

"Kiyong, he must be somewhere in this building! Find him!" Jiyong shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

Meanwhile, Seunghyun rushed to Sandara's side as she nearly collapsed. "Yah Jiyong!" he called out, supporting her as she struggled to remain conscious.

Jiyong's panic escalated as he realized the severity of Sandara's condition. "Sandara! Open your eyes..." he pleaded, his voice trembling with fear. "Please! Open your eyes." With trembling hands, he lifted her up and carried her to the elevator, where Seungri, Daesung, and Taeyang were waiting.

*****

[Sandara's POV]

It might have seemed foolish, but all I had to defend myself with was a fork. I wasn't sure if it would be enough to protect me, but I had to try. Slowly, I entered the room where the files were supposed to be stored neatly in drawers and closets, but now everything was scattered about. I couldn't make sense of the papers strewn across the floor; they seemed to be about trade contracts, but the details eluded me.