Wick | 민윤기

Twenty-one

27 January 2017

Upon waking, Victoria was still in her room. She distinctly remembered being pistol-whipped the previous night and frantically began touching her head while she stared at the white ceiling. There was a piece of gauze taped to the upper right corner of her forehead. That's strange.

Slowly, she sat up, relieved when there was no pain to go along with the wound. Looking around, she found that Holly was curled up in her bed. Then she remembered Holly being kicked harshly by the man. More than anything, though, she felt afraid. If the second man hadn't stopped the first, she'd be dead right then.

As if summoned by this thought, Yoongi came out of the bathroom. Once his eyes landed on her, he flipped. He rushed over to her and sat down, taking her face in his hands and kissing her lips repeatedly before taking both of her hands and doing the same. "I'm so glad you're awake. I was so scared, love. I was scared that you wouldn't wake u—"

Victoria silenced him with a kiss of her own that was less aggressive and slower. A small part of her was still angry that he'd stayed away for so long, but she was just so happy to have him back right where she could see him. "I missed you so much, idiot," she mumbled against his lips.

Yoongi pulled away, guilt swimming in his eyes. He laid his forehead on her shoulder and played with her fingers. "I'm so sorry, baby. I should never have left. I was so stupid." She laced her fingers through his hair, placing tiny kisses to the shell of his ear as he rambled. "I should have just taken you with me. You're a part of this now, whether or not I like it. And there's only one thing we can do..."

"What's that?" she asked quietly, cherishing the feeling of his hands gripping her waist.

"We have to leave Korea." She furrowed her eyebrows but said nothing as he raised his head to look her in the eyes. "If we stay here, I..." He trailed off, averting his gaze to the carpet. "I don't know if I can protect you."

She leaned forward to press her mouth against his for another kiss. It was slow and sensual, and though Yoongi wanted to have her right then and there, he let her control the pace. He was most concerned about her at that moment. He was just thankful that she was okay after the assault the previous night. He knew who did it. She didn't have to say anything.

When they pulled away, she brushed some hair out of his face. "I'll follow you anywhere. But first, I think there's a lot you have to tell me." She took in a deep breath before adding, "Sam."

Yoongi tensed at the name but closed his eyes in resolve. He knew he would have to tell Victoria the story—the whole story—someday. He just wished it wouldn't have come so soon or have to be told under these circumstances. He spent the rest of the afternoon relaying his entire life story. They both ended up in tears by the time it was over, and Victoria finally understood why he was always so paranoid.

Together, the couple made plans to leave for Canada that night and began packing. Yoongi told her about his massive offshore account that would fund them wherever they went. The plane tickets were expensive, but he insisted that it was nothing compared to what he had saved. The only problem came when they left the shop for a few hours to pick up things like snacks for the plane, more wax so she could make candles abroad, just things like that.

And then, halfway through their shopping, Victoria got a call from Jimin.

She picked up to be met with his frantic voice. "Noona!" he shouted, sirens and yelling in the background.

"Minnie?" she asked, stopping where she and Yoongi were walking hand-in-hand through an aisle at a convenience store. He looked back at her in confusion, squeezing her hand tightly.

Jimin sounded like he was near tears. "You have to come to your shop! Right now!"

"Why?"

"It's gone up in flames!"

Victoria said nothing, dread dropping in her stomach like a weight. "Wh—what?"

"Get over here!"

There was a distinct "no" in the background and some shuffling before someone else said her name.

"Jungkook?" she asked numbly. Confusion clouded her brain. How could her shop be on fire? She hadn't left a candle lit. She— oh, god. Her father's candle was still there. Holly was still there. Her entire life's work was still there.

"Do not come back," he said firmly. "This place is littered with gang members. They're trying to lure you two into their trap. Get the hell out of Korea. Now."

Jungkook sounded so mature. He truly knew what he was talking about. He knew what to do. But she didn't realize that tears began rolling down her cheeks until Yoongi gently took the phone from her and pressed it to his ear.
"Kook, what the hell is going on?" He listened calmly, a grim look overtaking his features. "Of course. And Holly?" He clenched and unclenched his fists many times. "Thank God. Alright. I'll be in touch. Tell Jimin not to worry about Victoria. I've got her."

He ended the call and turned his attention to Victoria, who was now sobbing in front of some twinkies. "Love..."

"All of my things," she wept into her hands. "All of my memories." Yoongi pulled her to his chest, wrapping his arms around her tightly as she cried now into his shoulder. "Everything is gone, Yoongi. Everything..."

Yoongi didn't know what to say. "It's—" It's gonna be okay? How can I possibly say that at a time like this? So he said the only thing he could think of. He could only say the truth. "I love you, Victoria," he murmured. "We're gonna get through this."

But even that was a long shot.