Dancing in the dark

Chapter 14

Joon-Woo had Mina's things moved within two hours.

He had grown really closer to his boss in the past year because Nayeon had slowly turned out to be a kind hearted empathetic person instead of the heartless monster he had seen over the years. He considered her family now and she treated him like one too.

That's why he was willing to go above and beyond his duties to help Nayeon through this situation.

Nayeon rode the car back in silence with Jeongyeon. Chiyu-san's words kept playing in a loop in his ears.

Give the girl a fresh start, away from all this traumatizing past.

When she got home, Ari was sleeping next to Mina in the spare room that was set up with their meager belongings.

Mina looked so helpless and broken laying there, her skin bruised and swollen, her body slightly shaking with tremor every now and then in sleep as if she was having nightmares.

Nayeon knew what she had to do.

She closed the room softly behind her and sat across Joon-Woo who looked expectantly at her like he would do anything she asked.

She felt guilty thinking of all the times she'd shamelessly abused him with words.

"Oppa, I need you to do these things I'm going to tell you." She stated with a clear voice.

"Go on Nayeon." He took out his notepad and began to scribble down everything she listed.

"Consider it done." He promised after an hour of discussing and going over everything twice with the younger girl.

Jihyo looked at Nayeon worriedly. "Shouldn't you have discussed it with Mina before? You know how she feels about getting anyone's help."

Nayeon knew that but sometimes survival was important than self respect and Mina would never agree to that.

"Sometimes we have to force people to do certain things. For their own good." She rubbed a hand on her temple.

Jihyo squeezed her hands, "And what if she hates you? All her life people had forced her into doing things she didn't want to."

Nayeon knew there was a possibility she could react negatively, there was a possibility the younger girl could pull away from her completely, but that was a risk she was willing to take if it meant she could give Mina an escape from her past.

"You did what?" Mina gasped, but controlled the anger in her voice because Ari was still sleeping. "Nayeon-chan, you can't dictate my life."

Nayeon sighed, "I'm not doing that Minayah. Think about Ari, if you make it big someday, you could give her the life your father always wanted to give you both."

Mina softened a bit at the mention of Ari. "It's too much money Nayeon-chan." Her eyes glazed over, "I already owe you so much."

Nayeon took her hand between hers. "Minayah, I honestly believe you'll be a big name one day. And then you will pay me back won't you?" She smiled softly.

Honestly, the money was not even a small dip in the fortune she held, and she definitely didn't need it back but she didn't want Mina to feel like her charity case because she knew how much the girl valued her self respect.

"Every single penny." A soft voice whispered, as a drop of tear fell on their joined hands.

Nayeon wiped more away from Mina's cheeks, pulling her into a soft hug.

"Do we have to go?" Ari whined, reluctant to leave the group of girls she'd become close to over the past three weeks.

Mina sighed as she looked at her sister and it became deeper when she looked around at the girls who looked equally as upset as Ari.

"What's with the long faces?" Nayeon chided her bandmates. "It's not like we don't tour in The States often. We could always visit them you know."

They reluctantly forced a smile on their faces because the kid would refuse to leave if they didn't.

"Be a good girl for your sister okay." Chaeyoung pulled Ari into a hug, releasing a soft breath at the warmth she always got whenever she held the kid in her arms.

Ari nodded her head through her tears.

One by one they all hugged and bid goodbye to Mina and Ari.

Nayeon didn't want them coming to the airport because she knew her bandmates would just start crying over there.

Nayeon drove Mina and Ari to the airport, anxious and impatient for them to start their new life.

She helped the pair out of the car and dragged their luggage to the check-in area, where a friendly woman waited for them.

"This is Samantha, she's an expert in immigration procedures. She'll fly with you to New York, help you settle down in the neighborhood." She explained pointing to the woman, "My assistant already took care of your final year University registration and Ari's school registration, so don't worry about that. Samantha will help you set up social security numbers and other things you'd need."

Mina nodded her head silently.

"She'll only come back after you've settled down into your new life." Nayeon continued to explain without noticing how quiet Mina became as time ticked on.

"The house is under my name." Nayeon lied, if Mina knew she'd bought it under her and Ari's name she was afraid the younger girl would kill her or refuse to go or do both. "So you don't have to worry about bills or rent, just focus on your studies okay?"

Mina gave another quiet nod.

"You're going to be okay." Nayeon pulled her into a quick hug and stepped away pointing them towards the check-in. "You should go now, it's time for your flight."

"Bye Ari." She planted a kiss on top of her head.

The kid's eyes shining with tears unsettled her for a moment.

There was an annoyingly aching feeling in her chest.

When Mina turned around one last time before she disappeared into the waiting lounge, fixing her with a glance that was pained and miserable, the feeling in her chest grew.