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Nari let the door lock being her before turning down the corridor, veering left as she tried to get to them before Beom got to them first. She had turned another corner, a sudden chill running down her spine and the hairs at the back of her neck rose as a presence inched from behind.
Nari dropped to the floor as a bat careened past her head, narrowly missing her as it slammed into the pipeline to her left. She rolled back to her feet, turning around as a man, concealed behind a mask grunted before pulling his arm back.
“Holy shit dude that could’ve killed me!” Nari gaped as he swung again. She swerved back, the tip of the bat inches from her nose. “Oh god you are trying to kill me!” she yelped as he managed to land a swift kick to her leg. She crashed to one knee, barely having time to stand before his bat collided with her arm. A sickening crack echoed through the corridor and Nari cried out in pain, her right hand reaching to cradle her left as she collided with the floor.
”Where is the other bitch?” he hissed, crouching over her as he leaned on the handle.
“She’s not interested” Nari spat before extending the baton and swiping at his feet. He was knocked off balance. Nari scrambled to her feet as he did, she slammed the baton clean across his face. His head whipped to the side, a loud grunt reaching her ears before she slammed it into his gut.
“This is not the way to win a lady’s hand” Nari scolded as he rightened himself up and lunged towards her. Her foot moved back, her body folding as she ducked under his swing and managed to land an uppercut which caused him to stumble. “You’re too old as well. It’s weird man” Nari winced as she shook out her hand, the throbbing in her arm pulsing with every move she made.
”What are you even on about?” the man gritted out as he managed to tackle her into a pile of empty boxes.
Nari withheld a gasp as her back crashed into the boxes, dust falling over the two as she hit and clawed at his arms and back.
“I assume you’re interested” Nari huffed out, squirming as she tried to pry him off her. ” You guys sure as hell seem obsessed with us” she said before managing to free her leg. She lifted it high enough to press her knee to his chest, pushing him slightly off her before wedging her foot between them and kicking him clean off.
Her breath was coming out in pants as she stood, leaning against the wall to regroup as he laid on the floor clutching his chest.
”But I’m sorry to say I have my eyes on someone else” she said before kicking the side of his head. She watched as a thin trail of blood seeped from his forehead, his eyes rolling back into his skull as he fell limp, shoulder sandwiched between floor and body weight.
“Jeez dude” Nari winced, wiping the wound on her brow and shaking out her arm gently with resulted in a grimace. Her face crunched in pain at the sight of him. ” Could’ve been more gentle” she muttered before crouching down over his limp figure and finding a pair of handcuffs strapped to his waist.
She glanced around, nothing really she could handcuff him too until she noticed a pipe. Hoping he was incapacitated long enough for her to return; she took her chances. Dragging his body to the pipe felt a lot more strenuous than she would’ve liked. He was heavy. She managed to righten him against the wall and cuff his hand to the pipe.
“Stay put” she said to his unconscious figure before making her way to the storage room, hoping to find them alive and breathing and hopefully not too badly beaten.
Nari used the railing as a crutch as she all but glided down the stairs, staggering with every step she yanked the door open; grunts and groans filled her ears as she rushed into the storage room.
To Nari’s horror, Woo-jin was slumped on the ground, gasping with cuts and blood all over his face as he clawed at his throat trying to get some air back into his lungs. He was looking at Geon-woo in slight horror. Nari followed his gaze where Beom was on the receiving end of Geon-woo’s punches. The man was unrelenting, his fists connecting again and again with his face, his chest, his stomach. Beom took it all.
”Geon-woo!” Nari yelled urgently as he continued beating Beom to the floor, his vision hazy as if he had buried himself in a trance. Every emotion he had experienced since Beom, Smile Capital and Kim Myeong-gil entered their lives resurfaced. All their pain, their anger, their grief, channelled in him and in his every punch. He wanted Beom to suffer the way he did. He wanted Beom to feel the pain he’d inflicted on him, on Nari, on his mother. He wanted them to feel it all. He couldn’t see further than his fists, only concentrating his every emotion onto the man before him. He hated him. He hated them. He hated this whole thing. His fist connected with Beom’s jaw and blood spewed across his cheek and dribble down his chin.
Nari watched horrified as Beom drowned in his blood. She rushed towards Geon-woo, her arms wrapping around his waist as she brought his back against her chest, pulling the two of them away from Beom who groaned pathetically against the floor.
“Geo-woo, stop, you need to stop” she said softly, her head barely peeking over his shoulder as she pressed her hand against his erratic heartbeat. “Breathe, look at me okay” she urged as she turned him around and away from Beom’s pathetic sight. She cupped his face in between her hands, her thumb lightly running over the cuts on his face as his teary eyes struggled to meet hers.
His breathing was laboured, and he felt himself struggling to breathe. Nari remembered, way back when he had found her, unable to breathe air into her lungs when Yang-jung had dropped his big secret on her. He had managed to calm her down despite them only just starting their relationship together. She remembered him telling her that he understood how she felt as he had them too. Panic attacks, that’s what this was or the beginning of one at least. Nari followed his gaze, matching it with equal exigency as she held him closer to her.
“You’re okay, you’re okay” she assured softly. ” She placed his hand on her heart, her other hand resting over it and pressing it closer to ensure he felt it. “Breathe with me” he couldn’t at first but then his eyes locked on hers and something flickered. Those brown eyes. Nari was looking at him desperately, only him. His brows scrunched and his lips parted but Nari just nodded encouragingly. He hesitated but then he started mimicking her. Every breath she took, every look she sent him. They didn’t tear their eyes away from each other, not even when Woo-jin sent them heartbroken looks and then tied Beom to the gate to keep him at bay
They only focused on each other.
“You are okay” she said and she let his forehead rest on hers for a second as he composed himself.
”We need to get going” Woo-jin said in a whisper, breaking the two away from each other. His eyes held concern for his friend, who sent him a nod before he glanced at the woman in his arms. He was a little more hesitant to let her go but she slowly dropped his hand and started helping them with gathering the trolleys.
“I left Hyeon-ju in the store, we tried to warn you โ” Nari said as they grabbed the trolleys and made their way back upstairs. “But I ran into a complication” she finished.
”Is that where you got that?” Woo-jin asked, pointing to the wound on her forehead. Nari nodded in return. Geon-woo hadn’t even noticed her wound. Suddenly he felt like an asshole, but Nari just smiled at him when she saw his concern and guilt.
”I’m fine, he’s actually right-” she trailed when she saw nothing but a broken pipe and empty handcuffs. “here”
“Oh shit” she cursed as they rushed into the store.
“Took you long enough” Hyeon-ju said in slight exasperation, but she was relieved to see that they were okay.
“No time, they’ll have back up soon” Nari rushed as they all worked to together to make the boxes, load the money and fill the van. ” I just want to get the hell out of here”
“You and me both” Woo-jin agreed as he lugged another couple of boxes out of the store.
“Is that the last of it?” Nari asked as she eyed all the scattered files, piled books and left over boxes.
” The safe” Hyeon-ju’s eyes widened.
“The safe?” Nari echoed in disbelief.
“Shit, you get the car ready, I’ll get the safe” Hyeon-ju said as Woo-jin and Geon-woo rushed back into the store.
“Let’s go” Geon-woo said as he gestured for them to leave. He just wanted this night over with.
“I forgot the safe” Hyeon-ju said.
“Do we need it?” Woo-jin asked, fidgety. ” How much is in there?”
“Billions at least” Hyeon- ju said and all three swore.
”Okay, Geon-woo start the van, Woo-jin help her and for the love of God be fast. You have 5 minutes. I’ll be in the mustang” Nari ordered and Hyeon-ju looked apprehensive about her friend driving her baby but this was life or death so she brushed the discomfort aside before making her way to the back with Woo-jin at her tail.
“This is crazy” Nari muttered as she stood outside the car, Geon-woo leaning against the van as they waited anxiously for the other two. ” Insane. How has this become our life. They’re bound to be here any minute and if those two aren’t back we’re dead. You’re dead, I’m dead. Dead. D-e-a-d” she rambled, her hand tugging at her hair, she winced as she knocked her wound.
” And we’re hurt, always hurt. How much can a body go through? I used to be pretty. Now look at me, sweaty, bloody and bruised.” She cried. “Are you going to say something or just keep staring at me” Nari said, turning to Geon-woo who hadn’t stopped staring at her, not even as she started pacing and slewing everything in existence. She was paranoid and high strung and on the brink of insanity. Months ago, she was just a woman trying to get through life with her brother and father in her normal mundane job at the restaurant. Now she was transporting money while being on the run by bloodhounds who wanted them dead. How had this become her life.
” You look pretty now too”
Nari threw her hands at her side, swivelling to him in confusion and slight exasperation.
“What?” she exclaimed as he shrugged.
”You said you looked pretty; I still think you are” he said in sincerity.
Nari was stunned. Her feet were rooted to the floor, and she found herself gaping like a fish. That was not what she had expected him to say. Her eyes were wide and flustered, ears and cheeks tinted red from the cold or was that her sheer embarrassment.
“I- oh, thanks” she stammered. ” I think you’re pretty too I guess” Oh heavens, she was not good at this. Did she try and compliment him too and that’s the best she got. I mean she didn’t lie, Geon-woo was a very pretty boy. With his black hair, dimpled smile, really really attractive body. Nari didn’t realise she had actually slapped herself until she felt the sharp sting on her cheek. She needed to snap out of it.
Geon-woo looked concerned as she winced, swearing slightly as she flusteredly tried to open the door.
“Are you okay?” he asked, slightly bemused as Nari smiled before it slipped off her face as she pried open the door, leaning against the side, she shot him an a okay sign.
“Peachy. Why don’t you start the car, the second they’re here we need to bounce” she said, not giving him a chance to reply before she slotted herself in the car, the door slamming shut after her. She clutched the steering wheel, her head thudding against it with a groan. Someone kill her now.
” You look like you’re about to explode”
Nari jumped, she hadn’t heard Woo-jin throw himself into the passenger seat as he chucked a bag into the back.
“Shut up” Nari grumbled as she started the mustang, Geon-woo doing the same a couple of paces in front of them.
“Oh come on Riri did something happen while we were inside” Woo-jin teased and Nari shot him the nastiest glare that had him raising his hands in surrender and shutting his mouth.
“Now is not the time” she chided. ”We need to go”
They had not even made it out of the parking lot when a bunch of vans halted in front of them blocking their route. Nari slammed on the breaks, Woo-jin lurching in his seat as men climbed out of the vehicles, swinging bats and crowbars with evil grins.
“Oh, you’ve got to be kidding me” Nari winced before Woo-jin’s phone blared through the silent car.
“Nari” she heard Geon-woo’s voice, his tone worried.
“I’m here” she said, eyeing the vans worriedly.
“Do you have a plan?”ย Hyeon-ju’s voice came next.
Nari glanced at Woo-jin who shrugged, his eyes nervously flickering to the blocked exit.
“Uh, I do. But it’s a very stupid plan” Nari said, her hands tightening on the steering wheel. ” Just stay on my trail” she warned, sparing a glance at her friend.
“I’d hold onto something” she told Woo-jin who gulped and before he could grab the handle or anything really, Nari slammed her foot against the gas. He was sent hurtling back. Geon-wo didn’t hesitate after.
She tightened her grip on the wheel as she swerved onto the road, Woo-jin gasped as he turned in his seat seeing Geon-woo at pace but not nearly as fast as she would like.
“Can you speed up?” Nari asked hurriedly, glancing in her rearview mirror as she floored it.
“We’re a little tied down right now Nari” came his reply.
Nari cursed, seeing the men gaining speed. Nari had a silly idea.
”Okay, on my signal just press the gas as hard as you can” she told them, glancing into her side mirror as Myeong-gil’s men started catching up.
One, two, three,
“Now!” Nari swerved lanes, allowing a slot for Geon-woo to overtake. He listened, slamming his foot against the pedal, they shot forward. Nari veered back into the lane, Geon-woo now in front with her at his tail.
“This is so stupid” Woo-jin exclaimed. ” I should’ve gone with them” he said as Nari let out a manic laugh.
“But then it’s no fun” she said, sending him a grin.
”At least I’ll be alive!” Woo-jin yelled when suddenly they were slammed into. Both Woo-jin and Nari grunted as they were thrashed to the side. Nari barely got the car straightened as Geon-woo and Hyeon-ju’s concerned cries were ignored. They turned a sharp corner, Nari swerving the car enough to run one of the vehicles off the road. She glanced back in satisfaction, seeing it combined with a streetlight. It was one less car she needed to worry about.
” You really need to try to go faster Geon-woo” Nari said when suddenly the car started shaking.
“Shit shit shit” Nari yelled as the car started slowing. ” Hyeon-ju the car’s acting up” she said, pressing her foot on the gas but the car was not moving past their current speed. Woo-jin and Nari were suddenly sent hurtling forward as a van slammed into their rear.
”Are you guys okay?” Geon-woo panicked as he and Hyeon-ju heard the impact from the phone followed by their curses.
Nari’s eyes widened as a van crept up to their side, the driver shooting her a malicious grin before trying to ram into her. Nari slammed on the breaks causing the van to veer completely out of control and hit the wall, it flipped the vehicle, and it went skidding into view.
“We need to get out” Nari said, heavy breaths leaving her lips. “We need to go now” she said more urgently as she turned to Woo-jin, hastily unbuckling her seatbelt, she tumbled out the car as smoke drifted from the bonnet.
“Grab a bag, we won’t be able to carry it all” she said to Woo-jin who looked at her with a pained expression. ” It is not the time to be greedy Woo-jin” she scolded and he nodded, tugging at a bag she grabbed the other handle as the two sprinted to the van.
Nari heard the thundering of footsteps but she couldn’t look back as her and Woo-jin made a dash for it. Hyeon-ju had hopped outย of the van allowing for Nari to throw the bag into the back and crawl in while Woo-jin hopped in after followed by Hyeon-ju.
Geon-woo didn’t think twice as he slammed his foot on the gas and the three held on for dear life as Myeong-gil’s men slowly faded from view.
Nari let a sigh of relief pass her lips before she glanced at her friends and a soft chuckle left her lips before they joined her.
Geon-woo smiled brightly as he glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his face lifting as she smiled, apologising to Hyeon-ju about her car as the other woman merely scoffed, swatting her hand away.
They were okay and that’s all that really mattered in the end. They had managed to foil Myeong-gil and they could do it again. He would not win, not this time.ย
Uggg I love them๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ๐ญ
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