Secrets Aren't Lies

Chapter 19

Ken P.O.V

Sungyeol enters our hotel room with a bag of food that he discretely went out to buy. As we eat, we go over our plans of what we are going to do.

"How do you expect to find her?" He questions with a mouthful.

"To search until I'm dead." I reply firmly, eating hungrily.

"That may be sooner than you think if Ravi finds you. We killed his father for fucks sake. He could have your phone bugged, Ken. He could bust through that door any second." Sungyeol explains lowly, looking me dead straight in the eyes. "Let's just skip town."

"I know what I'm up against and I'm willing to risk anything to get her back, alright? She means the world to me, she needs to know that." I state. Sungyeol shakes his head and just continues eating. Soon after we finish and dusk breaks, I head out again for my relentless search.

First place I check is always her apartment, just in any case she might be there. Kijun and her seem to be friends, but there's no way she would go there with Ravi being there. "Where the hell else could she be?!" I whisper in anger to myself after checking around her office building.

"I didn't know living here would hustle me into this much mischief." I sigh, only wanting to at least see Jiyeon one more time. I keep my search going all night, just walking around the city inconspicuously, as usual. I text her again, telling her to meet at my hotel room.

Jiyeon P.O.V

I look around after gaining my senses, trying not to be so sleepy anymore. I don't hear or see Leo anywhere, wondering if he made it back. I begin to search for my phone to text or call him, but it's nowhere. I freeze in place, shocked and wide eyes, suddenly remembering that Hakyeon had my phone last. But I never got it back. Well, where the hell is it? I frantically panic, standing up and pacing back and forth.

I stop and take deep breaths to calm down. 'It doesn't matter. It's only my phone. I'll get a new one.' I think to myself. 'But then where's Leo?'

I pad over to the window and see that his vehicle is here. I feel a little better, but I head to the hallway and peak in all the rooms, finally finding him on his bed. "Oh gosh, there you are." I let out a sigh of relief softly.

"Yeah, your bag is in your room. I didn't want to wake you. You alright?" He rises to his feet, looking at me concerned.

"I'm fine. Thank you for getting some of my stuff. I know I can't stay here forever though." I look back at him, rubbing my arm.

"It's okay, stay as long as you need." He embraces me softly in his warm arms. I hug him back gently, leaning my head on his chest.

"I have something of yours by the way." Leo says, reaching his hand into his pants pocket.

"Oh?" I inquiry, watching his movements.

He pulls out my phone and puts it in my hands. My eyes expand in confusion. "Where and how did you get this?" I asked, deeply relieved though.

"It was, uh, at your apartment." He says, scratching the back of his neck.

"Thank you!" I gleam, going through it, seeing all of the messages from Ken. "Excuse me..." I say softly and return to the couch, reading every single of the texts.

My heart sinks of guilt, anger and sadness. 'Meet him at his hotel room? How can I trust him after what I found out? Is he insane?' My mind feels like it's going to explode. There's no way I can forgive him and go see him. Why should I? That's what my brain is telling me anyway, my heart is torn to pieces. I liked Ken so much before I knew he was in the Mafia, why should that change anything, right? Deep down he's such a sweetheart.

He seems like he really cares for me and needs to talk. I should give him at least another chance, but I'm too afraid to. What if it's just all a trick? I stare at the messages, trying to come up with something, but my state of mind is too frazzled. I couldn't possibly take Leo with me and Kijun is obviously out of the picture, but they are the only close friends I have.

I keep scrolling through the mass messages from Ken, happening to spot one from Kijun. I click on it instantly and my eyes begin to scan it quickly. 'Ravi is not going to stop until he kills Ken and Sungyeol. Jiyeon, you must leave. Stay away from all of this please. I'm sorry.'

My eyes widen in fear. 'Kill Ken? He can't, I don't want him dead too. I have to see him.' I think painfully. I weep softly, hoping Leo is still in his bedroom. What if Ravi made her text that and it's just setting me up to go see Ken and Ravi will be there waiting to kill us both? My brain is filled with every little possible thought that could go wrong.

I sigh in sheer confusion and sneak out of the back door of Leo's house into his backyard. I just collapse into the grass covered in leaves on my back and grip the green blades between my fingers. Some leaves get caught in my hands and they crunch loudly between my fingers. I clench my fists harder, my mind being indecisive about what I should even think about all of this. My eyes are fixed straight up into the morning blue sky, watching the clouds slowly pass.

"Mom, please tell me what I should do. I'm so lost without you, without dad, without Hongbin. I've been through so much shit lately, have you seen? This is crazy." I articulate feeling beyond puzzled, seeking advice. I listen to the birds sing as they fly overhead and leaves brush across the yard. My grip loosens around the grass, just running my fingers through it slowly.

"Please, I need help." I whimper, scanning the entire sky, looking for some sort of hint. I get nothing. I feel helpless. I guess I just need to seek answers on my own, finding out the truth for myself. I can't sit here and wonder what will happen if I don't go see him, I need closure. I groan in agony, pulling out my phone.

I assume we don't dare meet in the city, but I guess we wouldn't be easily spotted in a crowd. Either I meet him at the hotel, or meet him downtown at a market, but a market is kind of an awkward place to talk. I bite my lip and place my fingers on my keyboard, just thinking hesitantly. 'Meet me at city square tomorrow at noon, the marketplace. There is a bench near a tourist attraction statue. Go there.' I press send after typing quickly and slip my phone away, considering if I shouldn't of done that, if I will regret this decision or not. I go back indoors and shut my eyes in anguish.