Kim Myung
I walked out of the baby shop, my trusted guard next to me as he insisted on holding all of the bags. ‘Beom, you know I can carry a bag or two of baby clothes,’ I said, chuckling slightly as I walked with one hand on my belly.
‘I know you can ma’am but I won't let you,’ he responded as he smiled that huge smile of his. I shook my head in disbelief.
‘You spoil me too much,’ I replied while he shrugged in response. ‘I know for a fact Namjoon doesn’t tell you to do this,’ I said as we continued to walk together while the other two guards followed behind from a short distance so as not to attract attention.
‘No, you’re right. He doesn’t tell us but every guard loves you ma’am. You show us respect and just because we’re your guards you don’t push us around, not you and not even your husband, even though he is the leader of Bangtan. Any of the guards would gladly give their life for you or boss,’ Beom whispered.
I just smiled and nodded. Namjoon had been the leader of Bangtan for the last five years. He was only twenty-one years old when his father was murdered by a rival gang during a deal which was a trap. There were those who doubted Namjoon’s ability to lead since he was so young but he quickly showed them what an amazing leader he was.
He had carried on his father’s legacy and enforced the rules his grandfather had started. They were the reason why Bangtan had reached the pinnacle in the world of crime. They made others respect us but also fear us and Namjoon was not going to destroy the foundations of Bangtan.
Namjoon was never cruel and always tried to be fair in everything he did. It made him different than other leaders who would shoot a guard for not bringing their coffee hot. He respected them, listened to them and took their opinions with seriousness. He never ridiculed them or made them feel less important. He trained with the newbies and made sure everyone knew that they belonged to Bangtan and for that reason they loved him back. As Beom said, there was not a single person in Bangtan who would not be ready to die for Namjoon or his wife.
‘Ma’am?’ I heard Beom call out. I turned to look at him as he looked on worriedly. ‘Are you okay? You zoned out,’ he said.
‘I’m okay. I was just thinking,’ I replied.
‘Maybe we should head back ma’am. Boss did say not to let you out too late. Besides, you need to rest,’ Beom said.
‘Aish now you sound like my husband,’ I said, shaking my head which made him chuckle. He motioned to the two others who nodded. One approached closer while the other went to get the car ready.
‘Let’s go ma’am,’ Beom said as he started leading me out of the mall. I smiled, happy that I got to buy some clothes for my baby boy. We walked slowly due to my condition but they did not seem to be in a rush.
‘I’m sorry we have to walk like snails because of me,’ I said, chuckling a little.
‘Don’t worry ma’am. We’ll go slow,’ he replied as we reached outside. I see our car which is brought next to the main door. Beom helped me get into the back as he sat next to me while our other guard took his place at the front.
‘Ready to go ma’am?’ Kwang asked and I nodded. He started the engine and began to drive towards our home. I felt the fatigue approaching and I leaned my head against Beom’s shoulder. Beom shifted so I could lean more comfortably on him.
The car screeched as suddenly, jolting me up from my nap. I looked at Beom in panic as he looked tensed, his gun in his hand. ‘Beom what’s going on?’ I asked.
‘There’s a black car following us. Kwang press on it and Jung call Namjoon,’ Beom ordered. I felt a shiver run down my spine. Maybe it was a bad idea to go shopping but there have not been any threats towards me lately. Then again, I am pregnant and that tends to raise the bid on my head.
The car took a harsh turn round the corner and I looked at the mirror which showed the black car which was not relenting or giving up.
‘Sir, we’re being chased by a black car. We’re trying to get ma’am to safety,’ I heard Jung saying on the phone. I could only imagine what Namjoon was saying on the other side of the line. ‘Understood, ma’am, he wants to talk to you,’ Jung said as he handed me the phone.
I took a deep breath to clam my breathing before I put the phone against my ear. ‘Joon,’ I said.
‘Baby you’re going to be okay. I’m on my way and so is back up,’ he said and I smiled a little, hearing the worry in his voice.
‘I love you,’ I replied and heard him curse loudly.
‘I love you too baby. I’m coming,’ he said and I nodded to myself even though he couldn’t see. I hung up the phone as Kwang took another hard turn, this time left. He was trying to buy time by going in circles and trying to lose them but they were good.
Suddenly, I could hear gunshots and bullets ricocheting off the car. ‘*,’ I heard Beom say as he went out of the car, half his body dangling out as he returned fire. The front of the car was getting riddled with bullets which were probably damaging the engine.
The windshield which was cracking suddenly broke and I saw Kwang’s body reoil backwards. Blood splattered all over the car and I let out a little shriek while Jung tried to take control of the car. We swerved but Jung could not control it while Beom came back inside.
‘*! *,’ he yelled as he pushed me down and protected me with his body just as the car crashed into the wall. I heard Jung yell out in pain as glass shattered and then there was silence.
My ears were ringing and my breathing hitched. For a moment, all I could hear was a buzzing sound until it calmed down and I could hear Beom calling me.
‘Are you okay ma’am?’ Beom asked. I could feel my heart racing and my head felt heavy but I was uninjured.
‘I’m okay. K—Kwang is dead,’ I said and Beom nodded. I felt my heart break – Kwang was always so good to me. He turned to look at Jung as he reached over and checked his neck. He looked back at me and shook his head. ‘No,’ I muttered as I realized Jung was also dead.
‘Come on, we need to get you out of here Myung,’ he said, calling me by name for the first time. I simply nodded as he slipped out of the car and managed to pry the door open. He helped me out and the two of us hurried away. He kept looking everywhere, both of us knowing we were being tailed.
Beom led me away from the road when suddenly I heard a loud gunshot. Beom’s body *ed forward as he fell to the ground, groaning in pain. ‘BEOM!’ I yelled as I kneeled down beside him. ‘Beom?’ I called out again as I reached to touch him.
I could see the blood oozing out of his back as it trickled down, forming a pool beneath him. He gasped in pain as he started coughing out blood. There was a look of fear in his eyes but his eyes stuck on me.
‘I’m… I’m s-sorry fo—for not pr—protecting y—you b—better,’ he choked out. I shook my head and squeezed his hand.
‘No Beom, you did, you did. Please hold on,’ I cried as I held him. Suddenly, I could hear clapping and I turned around to see four guys standing there. They were holding guns as they laughed and smirked.
‘Well who do we have here?’ one of the man asked as he laughed bitterly. I looked at Beom who had stopped breathing and I felt a sudden rage build inside me. I stood up as I stared them down.
‘You made a terrible mistake attacking me and killing my guards. Whoever the hell you are, my husband will end you,’ I said, refusing to let them scare me. Their laugh echoed in the alley while the leader stepped forward.
‘I don’t think he will be saving you love,’ he said. His breath stunk with whiskey and cigarette. His hand reached for me as he grabbed my arm tightly.
‘Let go of me if you value your life,’ I threatened but he just laughed even more.
‘Cute threats princess,’ he said as he started to drag me. In the old days, before I was pregnant, I would have tried to fight back but I can’t put my baby at risk. He dragged me behind him and I almost stumbled when suddenly, a figure showed up.
We stopped moving as everyone’s eyes fell on her. She was at the end of the alley, her arms crossed against her chest. She stood straight and although I could barely see her face because of the mask, I knew she was intimidating.
‘Let the lady go,’ she said calmly. Her voice showed no panic and no fear and I couldn’t help but be compelled to look at her. The four men turned to look at her but the one that held me didn’t let me go, nor did he let go of the gun in his hand.
One of the men approached her and smirked. ‘Do you think a little girl like you can take on the four of us?’ he asked. She removed her mask and I saw her smirking as if she was taking pleasure in this challenge.
‘You won't last two minutes,’ she replied bluntly. They burst out laughing in her face and I swallowed. I wasn’t sure what she was thinking because even I doubted she could take on four armed men. She tilted her head slightly, her smirk not leaving her face. Her arm moved slowly as she took out her sword.
The laughing ceased and I could feel the shift in air. One moment they were laughing at her, mocking her, the next I knew they were scared of her. We all knew what that sword meant. She was not a random woman who happened to come to my rescue.
‘You're.... you're a Scarlet,’ he stuttered, clearly afraid of the woman who simply nodded. She inched closer as she smiled.
‘Unluckily for you, yes, I am,’ she replied as she suddenly moved her sword. She moved so quickly that I barely caught the movement. Her sword moved swiftly and then I heard him gurgle. He dropped the gun from his hand and his hand flew to his neck.
He turned around and I saw the blood spluttering everywhere. He fell to the floor as he gasped and gurgled as he drowned in his own blood. I heard the other three gasp in horror.
‘Now, let’s see whose next,’ she said without any worry. The two men that were right behind me charged at her. Stupid, amateur moves – I thought to myself as she moved gracefully.
Her sword found itself embedded in one of the men’s chest while she ran towards the other who went to shoot her. She dodged and then used her foot to kick the man in his knee, bringing him down to his knees. She smirked and before I knew it, she turned his neck. There was a horrible, loud crack as his body slumped forward.
She went to the other and pulled out her sword as she aimed it at the man holding me. She had blood on her face and arm but it was not her blood. ‘Let the lady go,’ she ordered.
The man gripped me tighter but I could feel him shaking. Although I felt somewhat scared and nauseated, I could not help but be in awe. ‘You *,’ he yelled as he raised his gun to shoot her.
‘No!’ I yelled as I pushed his arm slightly. He pushed me and I fell on my ass but by the time he turned around to shoot the mysterious woman, she was already upon him, her sword driven into his chest.
He fell down dead as she pulled out her sword. She sighed, her smirk falling and replaced by a worn out look. She came to me and squatted down next to me. ‘Are you okay Mrs. Kim?’ she asked and I nodded.
‘Thanks to you but my guards,’ I said as I looked at Beom who was on the floor. She sighed as she helped me to get up when I heard running footsteps.
‘Get away from my wife!’ Namjoon yelled as I saw him along with some of the members. They were all holding guns as they aimed them at her.
‘Namjoon no!’ I screamed as I went in front of her. Namjoon’s eyes went wide as he ran to me. ‘Not her. She saved me,’ I said, turning back to the woman who remained stoic in her stance. He looked around and saw the mess around us and then at her.
‘I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions. I owe you my life,’ Namjoon said as he extended his hand to her. She tilted her head and reached his hand which she shook.
‘I was not going to let your pregnant wife get kidnapped but you might want to increase security around her. She was targeted and things could have ended up much worse if I wasn’t here,’ she said.
‘Come with us tonight. We have a lot to discuss,’ Namjoon said and I looked at him and nodded.
‘Yes, please. Come with us,’ I said and the woman sighed. She pulled out a piece of cloth from her pocket. She brought her sword upwards and cleaned it.
‘Lead the way,’ she said, smirking all the way.
And so we have started. We meet with Kim Myung who is Namjoon's pregnant wife. We also meet with this mysterious Scarlet. Who is she? What was she doing there? Most likely we will be having shorter chapters to create the pace of the story. I look forward to hearing what you've got to say. - Tae's Misfit
"I never thought love was worth fighting for but then I looked into your eyes and I was ready for war."
