Rhum & Regrets 🥃

Chapter 6

I am still processing everything.

"Can you give me further details about this recording unnie?" Tzuyu didn't give me time to digest everything.

"W-well. It all happened 3 years ago. I do not know how, but Bambam knew that Chaeyoung l-loves me. He talked to her. He told her that we love each other. But Chaeyoung didn't believe him so s-she confessed to me. That day."

Tzuyu nodded. "So that's the reason why Chae suddenly decided to confess. I see."

"Y-yeah. B-but I was so shocked with her sudden confession that I lied to her. T-that she is just a friend and a colleague. B-but..." I was hesitating to tell Tzuyu my honest feelings towards Chae. But she smirked.

"I know Unnie. You love her, don't you?" Huh? How does she know?

"H-how-?"

"Perks. I was trained to read between logical thinking. And you're quite obvious, actually." I was obvious?

"And I also know one more thing." She handed me her phone. My eyes widened.

"Evidence. You're Chae's first kiss."

It's a photo of me kissing Chae's lips during that time that she came home drunk. About 2 years ago.

I looked at Tzuyu. She deleted the photo. "Chae thinks Somi is her first kiss. Need to get rid of this evidence."

Tzuyu cleared her throat. "Anyways, please proceed Unnie."

My face is all red of embarrassment. But I still continued. "Then I met Elkie. In the pub where Henry works before." I remembered that lady in black. If only I've known that she works for Bambam.

"I had a meeting with Henry that day. We finished around 2:35 pm. I don't know how to drive yet so Henry wanted to drive me home but I declined. And that's where Bambam's men took me forcefully."

As I narrate, my hatred towards Bambam grew. "I was blindfolded. When they took it off, I was sitting in front of a white board. With a projector. And then Elkie went in, with him. That monster."

Flashback...

"Good evening Milady." Bambam greeted me with those evil smile.

"Fuck you. What do you want?" I shouted at him.

He chuckled. "Hmmm, didn't know you've got this side Mina. Feisty but sexy. I like it."

I was struggling on the chair. I want to slap him real hard. "I also didn't know you were this evil. You jerk."

Bambam laughed. "Now who's fault is it bitch?" He grabbed my hair and made me look up. "If only you accepted my marriage proposal. We shouldn't be here. I shouldn't be using my father's men."

"I won't marry someone I don't love."

He let my hair go. "And who do you love? That woman?" He pointed to the white board and a photo of Chae popped up.

"Don't touch her!" I shouted at him.

"Oh no no no. I won't. If you.." She looked at my entire body then back to my face. "Give yourself to me."

I shivered on how lustful his eyes were. I began to tear up. I don't know this devil anymore. I'm scared. Chaeng.

"But." He continued. "You can't do that now. The press is still on me. Fuck this industry." He squatted upto my eye level.

"So I will give you 3 years, Mina. 3 years of freedom, then after that..." She caressed my face. "You're mine."

I spitted at his face. "Dream on."

"Hmm." He said and snapped his fingers. The woman who went in together with him gave him towel. He wiped his face. "This is Elkie. You met her yesterday, didn't you?"

This woman. She is that woman in black dress from that pub. "She will tell you something interesting."

The woman took out a remote control and played something. It's a video clip of Chae. From walking out the dorm, to going to our studio. Even a video of her going home to her house.

"We have every means to erase her from this world. Even her entire family if Bambam wanted to." Elkie said in a poker face.

"You are all demons. Why are you doing this to me?" I glared at Bambam who's at the corner.

"I always get what I want Mina. And I want you. You should've let me have you in the first place. But look at you. Falling inlove with a woman." He looked despised.

He walked towards me. "But that's fine. I can still have you in no time."

"I won't give myself to you. I'd rather die."

He clapped his hands. "Hmm, you really are something Mina. But no, I can't let you die."

"I'll report you to the police. You will pay for this. Screw you." I shouted at the top of my lungs.

He leaned closer to me. "Go on. I can even escort you." Then he laughed. "I am the authority Mina. So don't waste your time."

He stood up and talked to Elkie a bit. He then looked at me. "I'll see you after 3 years Milady." Then he walked out.

I cried due to my hopelessness. His confidence tells me that he is higher than the authorities.

"Don't try to runaway." Elkie suddenly spoke to me. "He will still find you. Unless..."

I didn't bother to answer.

"Here." She put something inside my pocket. "This will help you. At the right time."

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"I see. So it was Elkie who tipped Bambam about your meeting with Henry." I nodded. I think so as well.

I kept on thinking. "Who is Bambam Tzuyu?"

She was contemplating if she would answer me or not.

"Oh well, since you're directly involved. I'll tell you." She took out the coin again. "This coin is carved with the symbol of a notorious syndicate that the FBI are pursuing for 10 years already. They can't trace them before. But luckily, we've got leads 5 years ago. That was why they made me train as an Idol. Because Bambam, who is also an idol that time, is an heir of the founding leader."

My legs lost its strength. Syndicate? I am facing against a syndicate? That's why no matter how I report the incident. The police are not making a move. I sat down and cried.

Tzuyu held my hands."We can help you and Chae unnie. We can enroll you to our Witness Protection Program. We will give both of you a new name, a new life, a new identity. Far from this country."

But I can't leave my family. The girls. We are just starting to reach our dreams. I can't just leave.

"H-help.. help me Tzuyu-yah. I don't wanna run. I want Bambam to pay for doing this to me. And I don't wanna put Chae's life to danger. I can't do that. Please, help me. Help us." I pleaded Tzuyu while crying.

It's already been 3 years. My deadline is near. I am not sure when will Bambam take me away. Or what will he do to take me. I'm scared. I really am.

Tzuyu hugged me."I will do everything to help you Unnie. Ssshhh. You've been brave. Let me and my team take good care of the rest." I sobbed on Tzuyu's shoulders. "Now I understand why you choose to stay away from, Chae. You are just protecting her."

I nodded slightly. Yes. That is why, her, falling in love with someone else is for the best. It is for her to stay alive. Even if that means I am dying inside.