After the big mission a few weeks ago, Mr. Kim made Taehyung and I mission partners. Sakura and Aikoku are mission partners too and occasionally we all four go together on missions. Currently, I’m on a mission with Taehyung. All we have to do is pass a harddrive to their allies, the Chinese Mafia.
“When are they gonna get here?” I complain, sitting on the floor in the alley way. “We’ve been waiting here for like an hour and a half already.”
“Just be patient.” He replies, sitting in front of me and laying his head on my lap. “I’m sure they’ll be here soon.”
“They better. I’m gonna straight up leave if they don’t hurry.”
“Just don’t forget the code phrase this time.” He teases. I roll my eyes.
“It was an accident, I’m sorry.” I comb my fingers through his hair. He chuckles.
“I know. Just-” A gunshot interrupts him. We both quickly stand up. Taehyung holds up his gun and pushes me behind him. “Who’s there?” He demands in a deep, sexy voice. Another gunshot. “Stay behind me.” He whispers.
“No I can-”
“Stay behind me!” He commands. He walks forward a little and someone peeks their head around the corner. “Put your hands up!” Taehyung yells.
“But sir, the weather’s very dull today.” The code phrase. Taehyung slightly lowers his gun.
“Are you sure?” Taehyung asks.
“Yes. Or tell my father to kill me.” The other code phrase. Taehyung disarms the gun.
“Pleasure doing business with you.” Taehyung says, handing the man the hard drive.
“Thank you.” The man bows and walks away. I punch Taehyung’s shoulder.
“The point of mission PARTNERS is to complete the mission TOGETHER. You just pushed me to the side AGAIN.” I reprimand him.
“I’m sorry but I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Really? You expect me to never get hurt with this job? I’ve gotten hurt plenty of times before I met you.” I cross my arms. “I have a way to cope.”
“Ok.” He comes closer to me. “I’m sorry. Do you forgive me?” He hugs me.
“Only if you promise to let me help next time.”
“Depends on what we have to do.”
“Ok, whatever.” I reply. “Let’s just go.” I start walking to our motorcycle and sit at the front. “Also, I’m driving.” I say handing him the other helmet.
“Ok.” He hops on the back and wraps his arms around my waist as I drive off. When we arrive back at the mansion I get off the motorcycle, smashing my helmet against Taehyung’s chest. “Akari, wait!” I ignore him and walk inside.
“Hey sis! How was the mission?” Sakura asks.
“Fine.” I reply walking upstairs.
“Are you ok?” she asks, following me.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Are you? You seem upset.”
“Taehyung is so annoying. He didn’t let me do anything, AGAIN.” I roll my eyes.
“Have you talked to him about it?”
“Of course I have. He keeps saying ‘it depends on what we do next time’ but he never actually lets me do anything.”
“Well that’s just because he doesn’t want you to get hurt.”
“I don’t care. I’m capable of defending myself.”
“Akari, wait!” Taehyung calls. “Look I’m sorry and-”
“No, you’re not. You never let me do anything. I’m not a helpless baby.”
“I’m just gonna go now.” Sakura says awkwardly, walking away.
“I know you’re not. I just….I’ve never…..I always.” He stutters. “I don’t know.”
He’s so cute. I try to hide my smile.
“Whatever.” I start to walk away.
“Wait.” He grabs my arm and pulls me to him. “I’m truly sorry.” He says, looking in my eyes apologetically. I melt under his gaze. Then I quickly peck his lips.
“It’s ok, I guess. Just promise to let me help next time.”
“Ok. It’s hard for me to say this…but I promise.” He says. I hug him.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He replies as we walk into my room. Kimchi and Yeontan are cuddling together on Kimchi’s cat bed.
“Awww. They’re so cute!” I squeal. “I’m glad they get along so well.”
“Me too.” Taehyung says. “They’re so cute!” He pulls out his phone and takes a picture of them. I sit on my bed.
“Aren’t you gonna give your father the mission update?” I ask.
“Ohhhh yeah. I forgot.” He chuckles. “Be right back.” He runs out of the room. I put my phone on my nightstand and lay down. I’m tired after completing two missions today.
“I’m baaack!” Taehyung announces.
“Great. Now be quiet. I’m trying to nap.” I reply.
“Ok, fine.” He pulls out his AirPods and sits next to me. “But I wanna cuddle with you.” He whines.
“As long as you don’t wake me up. And stop whining.” I say.
“Ok.” He replies and lays down beside me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I close my eyes and relax, knowing that nothing can harm me when I’m in his embrace.
An hour later….
“Akari,” Taehyung whispers. “Sorry to wake you but my father wants to meet with both of us.” I roll over to face him.
“Why?” I mumble, tiredly.
“I’m not sure.”
“Can’t you just go and tell me what he says?”
“No sorry.” He brushes my cheek with his hand. I sigh.
“Fine.” I reply, slowly sitting up. I lean my head on Taehyung’s shoulder. I yawn and look at my phone. “Wait, it's only 2:20 pm?”
“Yeah. You only slept for like an hour.” He kisses my head. “Now come on. I told him we’d be down there quickly.”
“Ugh! Fine.” I slide out of bed and onto the floor, very dramatically. Taehyung laughs.
“Come on drama queen.” He helps me up and takes my hand as we walk downstairs.
“What were you two doing in there?” My brother asks.
“I was napping.”
“With Taehyung?” He remarks.
“Well he wasn’t sleeping. At least I don’t think he was.”
“I was watching you sleep.” He grins.
“Creepy.” Aikoku says.
“I’m just kidding, I dozed a little.” Taehyung replies. “We gotta go, though. See you later Aikoku!”
“Bye!” My brother says as we walk to Mr. Kim’s office.
“Finally, you two are here.” He says.
“Sorry we’re late. It took a second for me to wake Akari up.” Taehyung says.
“Whatever.” I reply, rolling my eyes. “Why’d you call us in here?” Taehyung elbows my arm.
“Be polite.” He whispers. I roll my eyes again.
“Well, I just looked at the news and saw this…” He switches on the TV.
“The Mafia’s son, Kim Taehyung, is rumored to be dating the Japanese Mafia’s daughter, Kimura Akari. Are these rumors true? Stick around after the commercial break to find out.” The newscaster says. Mr. Kim switches off the TV.
“Now tell me, how do you think this could jeopardize your safety?” Mr. Kim asks.
“I don’t know.” I shrug.
“Me either. How?” Taehyung asks.
“Well this ‘rumor’ is all over the news, which means our nemesis Mafia’s from North Korea can see it.”
“And that’s bad how?” I ask.
“Well, they now know that Taehyung is tied to you so they can use that to their advantage.” Mr. Kim answers.
“Meaning if they want something from me all they have to do is get to Akari?” Taehyung asks.
“Exactly.”
“Oh.” He replies.
“So for the next couple of missions, you two have to be very careful.”
“Ok.” I say. “Thanks for telling us.” I bow quickly and walk out of the room. Taehyung thanks his father and follows behind me.
“This is just great.” He says. “Now everyone is gonna be out to get you and I can’t do anything to protect you.” I place my hand on his shoulder.
“It’s ok. I can fend for myself if I need to. My father always told me to never depend too heavily on other people because they won’t always be there to help you.”
“Well then.” He replies.
“I’m gonna take Yeontan for a walk if you wanna come.” I say walking into Taehyung’s room.
“Who gave you permission to go into my room?”
“I did.” I put Yeontan’s collar on and attached the leash. “You coming or not?”
“Yeah I’m coming.”