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55. Before You Go / Last Warning

He pulled back the covers and laid down, facing her. Despite the close proximity, he made sure to keep his distance from her.

"Suddenly you're so awkward. What happened to cool, smooth Taeyong?"

He laughed. "I don't know. You're making me nervous all of a sudden. I feel like you could either forgive me or tell me you never want to see me again at any moment. You've had this blank expression this whole time and I can't read you. It's different...like you've slipped away from me."

"I think I'm still trying to convince myself that you're not a ghost." She poked at his angular jaw and looked at him curiously.

He put his hand over hers and held it against him.

"You're stuck with me."

"But you're leaving tomorrow. If I get hopeful now and you don't come back...it was hard enough the first time..."

"One week...just wait for me for one week. Everything is already planned and we have the numbers on our side now. I know I've promised this before, but this time there's no doubt. After this, I'm finished."

She scanned his face and sighed.

"If you don't come back, I will never forgive you."

"There's no chance I won't."

Her arm slipped around his waist and she pulled herself close to him, nuzzling her head against his chest.

"Then before you go, let me stay like this for a while."

A feeling of utter relief washed over him with her gesture of forgiveness. He wrapped his arms tightly around her in response and kissed the top of her head.

"I missed you so much." Her muffled voice vibrated against his skin.

She slept better than she had in a long time.

***

The sun had not yet risen. Taeyong opened his eyes and felt the warmth of Yuna pressed against him. It was something he dreamed about every night for months, but now it definitely wasn't a dream and the feeling was surreal.

It pained him to separate from her, but after a few minutes he finally willed himself to quiety slip out of bed, being careful not to wake her.

He wanted to leave before she woke. He couldn't stand to say goodbye because it wasn't goodbye. It was one week he could endure without complaint in exchange for his long-awaited new life.

With that in mind, he softly kissed her cheek and snuck out of the room. He stopped by to see Yejun, too who was still sleeping soundly.

"Bye kiddo. I'll see you soon. Take care of her while I'm gone, ok?" He whispered.

***

Yejun's cries woke Yuna from her sleep. She got out of bed and rubbed her eyes, stopping for a moment when she realized Taeyong wasn't there. She went to Yejun's room and picked him up to soothe him. She cradled him and rocked him as she walked around the house looking for Taeyong.

He was gone.

She couldn't hide her disappointment, but she was somehow thankful that at least now, without a goodbye, it didn't feel real. It didn't feel like he was there and now he's gone, it felt like he was there and he'll be back soon; no need for formalities or last words, she would see him again in a week.

***

"How can we get anything done when you are so mopey like this?" Mark nearly shouted from across the table.

"I'll get done whatever I need to. Mind your own damn business and let's continue the conversation." Taeyong snapped back.

"Da Reum was right. It's not like it matters that you're gone. You've been gone this entire time and they managed just fine without you, so get it together and focus on the issue at hand."

Taeyong clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"I said mind your own business, you little shit. You seem to think I'm one of your lackeys and can speak to me however you'd like, but I'm warning you one last time. Remember who you're talking to."

Lucas and Jungwoo tensed at being referred to as lackeys. Jaehyun, Doyoung and Winwin responded and suddenly the two groups who sat across from eachother were staring one another down, emanating aggression and hostility.

"I'm talking to the pathetic guy who is spacing out on our planning because he's thinking about the pregnant girlfriend he abandoned." Mark spat. "Twice." He added.

Rage boiled over in Taeyong. As though someone had lit a fuse and it exploded, Taeyong leapt onto the table and lunged at Mark. In an instant, Mark did the same.

In the quick, long strides it took them to meet in the middle, Mark had grabbed the collar of Taeyong's jacket in each hand to push him back while Taeyong drew back his fist and struck Mark sharply in the jaw.

The impact knocked Mark off the narrow table and he stumbled as he tried to stand. Taeyong jumped down and grabbed the back of Mark's jacket before bringing his knee up to meet his face.

Blood started to flow from Mark's nose. The other's stood by, ready to start a full on brawl if any of them interfered, but right now, it was a personal matter between two men. They stood back and let them settle it on their own.

Mark wiped the crimson blood from his face along the sleeve of his jacket and stood upright, a slight stagger in his step after the disorienting blow. Taeyong straightened his clothes as if it was a small, inconvenient matter and stood with cool calm, though an intense fire burned in his eyes.

"You've been waiting for this for a while, haven't you?" Taeyong took a casual step toward him. Mark bared his teeth in a grimace. "We've squared off many times, haven't we? But never to this extent. Now's your chance kid, let's clear the air."

"Gladly."

Mark lunged to tackle him. He pushed him to the ground and moved to land a punch to the side of his head but lost his balance when Taeyong quickly wiggled to the side and pushed him off with his legs. They separated again and both stood, circling one another like lions on the prowl.

Taeyong smirked. A wordless, condescending taunt that grated on Mark's nerves. He again took two quick steps forward and this time, his fist made contact with Taeyong's ribs. Taeyong doubled over from the pain but was able to straighten up before catching the next blow with one hand, and landing another punch to Mark's face with the other.

Mark saw stars after the last hit. He didn't have time to recover before pain shot through the other side of his face, then his chin and finally a sharp twinge to his stomach. He curled in on himself and fell to the floor, his vision skewed and foggy. He felt like he would throw up from the last hit and he laid still trying to catch his breath.

He was suddenly shadowed by Taeyong's towering figure. His body went stiff and his muscles clenched, anticipating the next hit. Instead Taeyong crouched down to be able to look him in the eyes.

"We have some preparations we need to take care of. We'll meet here again in two days." Taeyong said, as though their altercation had never happened...until he added coldly: "Remember...I owe you a debt but it's still important for you to know your place."