Payback

Reformed

I sat on a small stool in the bathroom across the hall from Jungkook's office. Water droplets rolled down my skin from my newly washed hair as Jimin stitched the wounds on my body. I held a towel to cover myself even though Jimin has seen me naked before. This is a different circumstance so I decided on modesty rather than comfort.

"So, how do you feel?"

I sighed, unsure how I really felt.

"I don't know. I thought I would be blubbering like a baby, but I'm not. I guess I'm just confused right now."

I winced as Jimin sprayed alcohol onto one of my cuts.

"I meant how do your wounds feel, but I'll take that."

"Oh." I bit my lip in embarrassment. "They sting, but I've been burned and cut a lot from work. I'm used to the pain."

"Good." Jimin said in a calm voice as he finished up his stitching. "Some people who are sensitive and can't heal quickly don't last too long in this line of work."

"I can't blame them." I murmured as I heard Jimin shuffling things around behind me. I looked back to see Jimin grab a few bandages. He proceeded to bandage up some of the deeper cuts before giving me a little pat on the thigh, letting me know that he was finished.

"You're all set Princess."

"Thanks, Jimin." I said before he gathered up his things and left the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

I proceeded to put on my black work dress and put my make-up on for the night. Even if I got my sword tonight I still have go into work. There's no way that they're letting me off easy.

Knock knock.

"Get your ass in here!" I heard Jungkook shout.

It's become like a regular thing for Jungkook to say that every time I knock on the door to his office. I smiled and turned the doorknob. I walked in and saw Jackson was there along with Namjoon, Jimin, and Hoseok. I suddenly felt uncomfortable as they all watched me. I closed the door behind me before I made my way over to the group. Namjoon was sitting on the couch with Jackson who was already stitched up. Jungkook sat on his desk while Hoseok and Jimin stood to his right and facing me.

"Jackson here told me that you did well for your first time."

It was Namjoon who spoke first. He looked down at a long black box that sat in front of him on the coffee table before speaking again.

"You still have to go through a lot more training before we give you more dangerous missions, but I think it's best if you train with a real sword from now on."

Namjoon then gave Jackson a nod, to which Jackson nodded back and stood up. He opened the long box and set the lid down before pulling back the long red velvet cloth that covered a beautiful katana sword. The handle of the sword was black with a little bit of gold woven into the handle. The sheath for the sword was a dark, almost black wood. A small golden tassel hung off the side of the sheath just below the black hilt of the sword.

Jackson pulled the sword out of the box and slowly unsheathed the sword. The metal was spotless and shone even in the dim light of the office. I was amazed by how beautiful the sword looked. It looked brand-new.

"This sword used to belong to one our best assassins. He recently retired from this line of work and is now teaching new trainees."

Jungkook spoke as Jackson slowly maneuvered the sword in the air.

"I didn't want to give you this sword, to be honest, but with your knowledge in sword-fighting, I figured you already know how to take care of a sword. Be sure to take special care of it."

How could Jungkook give me such a precious sword? I'm just a girl trying to pay off her dead father's overwhelming gambling debt.

Jackson handed me the sword in the midst of my confusion. As soon as my hands gripped the sword I felt a small smirk creeping its way onto my lips. It felt a little bit strange after not holding a sword for a long time, but it felt good. I slowly moved the Katana sword in the air, going over some of the moves that I have been practicing.

"So, what do you have planned for me?" I asked as I handed the sword back to Jackson who put it back into the box. I wanted to hold it longer, but I knew that I would only be wasting time here.

"You will be going with Jackson to train with Mr. Yu, who is the original owner of this sword. You will be going as much as you can while you take some smaller jobs in the meantime. Also, since you will be getting more and more scars on your body, you won't be desired at the restaurant or the lounge. You will, however, need to work more at the nightclub when you're not on a job."

I tilted my head. "No more working at the restaurant?" I asked as I looked down at my dress.

"No. So I suggest you read up on your mixology before going into work tomorrow."

Jungkook walked around his desk and sat down in his chair before opening a folder on his desk.

"Over the past month, you have managed to pay off five-thousand dollars."

"Eight-thousand." Jimin corrected.

Jungkook looked up at Jimin, not looking amused.

"I thought this was updated?"

Jimin shook his head. "I haven't been able to put in her earnings for the job from earlier."

Jungkook sighed and slammed the folder closed in frustration. "Then why did I open the damn thing?"

"Jungkook."

Namjoon gave Jungkook a warning look.

"Right. You still have a lot to pay off, so the more you train the sooner you can get the higher-paying jobs. You better not disappoint us, Akio."

"I won't." I said with confidence. I need to do this. I have no other choice. I fight or I die in a human trafficking ring. I choose to fight. "When do I start?"

Jungkook smirked. "Now."

Just then, I heard the door to the office open. A tattooed man walked into the office. His dark brown hair was swept to the side, revealing a large scar on the side of his head where his hair was shaved. He wore black shorts and a black tank top that revealed a bandage over his right shoulder. He didn't look any older than me, but the bandage on his shoulder told me that he didn't retire voluntarily from his line of work.

The man didn't smile as he walked over to us and stood beside me. He just glanced at me for a second before looking over at Namjoon.

"Is this her?" he asked in a casual voice.

Namjoon nodded and looked at me.

"Akio, this is your new instructor. Mr. Christian Yu."

Christian looked back at me and finally gave me a smile. He didn't even bother to say hello to me. The only words that came out of his mouth were: "Are you ready?"