Hanuel
*One year later*
We were all gathered in the mansion’s back garden, enjoying the food, wine and beer as well as each other’s company.
The past year had been eventful. We had to make sure that the marriage between me and Hoseok solidified everyone’s position. It took some time before people started getting comfortable with the idea of Bangtan and the Scarlets being so close together. Eventually we did get there when people started to realize I was not going to use the girls to just run people down. They know that I would not kill anyone unless they deserve it.
Minji and Yeonjun have been taking care of the Casino aspect here in Seoul but also in Daegu and Busan so those two got to travel often. Yeonjun is the happiest I have ever seen so I could not be more happy for him than I am.
Adamantem and Glacies got married two months ago and have decided to go around the world, after making me swear that if I needed them, I would call.
Logan has been growing up really quickly. He has started talking and walking. He was tall for his age, mirroring his father. He had his dimples and his mother’s nose and eyes.
Hoseok and I have grown even stronger together. We understand each other, sometimes without having to say anything at all. He can read me like an open book. He knows whether I am sad, angry or happy and he’s always there to make sure I am okay. He gives me space if I need it but he seems to know exactly when I need him too.
‘I can’t believe it’s already been over two years since you joined Bangtan and a year being married to Hoseok-hyung,’ Jungkook said with a smile that I could not help but share.
‘It’s been an amazing year, right yeobo?’ Hoseok asked as he tightened his grip on my waist while I sat on his lap.
‘It definitely was,’ I said. I could not help but just smile, feeling happy and content when suddenly the door opened and Soobin walked in.
‘Sorry to barge in but noona, there is someone who wants to see you. He says it’s urgent. His name is Wonho,’ Soobin said.
‘What?’ I asked as I jumped off of Hoseok and stood up. My eyes went wide and I felt my heart race.
‘Tell him to come in,’ Namjoon said. He seemed to realize that something is really wrong. I looked at Hoseok because I knew this was going to affect him too. God, don’t let it be what I am thinking.
‘Yeobo, is everything okay?’ Hoseok asked as he reached for my hand. My heart started beating even faster than before. What if Ae-Cha and Minho were found? How was I supposed to tell him the truth?
Soobin walked back in with a worried looking Wonho. He looked at me and I rushed to him.
‘Wonho, where are they?’ I asked as I grabbed him by the arms. I took a look at him and took in the number of scratches and bruises on him. His face was bruised and he had a scratch on his cheek. He had dried blood on his forehead, as if he was knocked out.
‘They came, in the middle of the night. I… I tried to save them Hanuel but… but I couldn’t. She’s… she’s in the hospital and they took Minho,’ he said.
‘*,’ I said as I let go of him and ran my hand through my hair. Hoseok took a step closer as he looked at me and Wonho.
‘Baby what’s going on? Is a friend of yours in trouble?’ he asked. I felt my tears spring out, unable to help myself. They rolled down quicker than I could wipe them. Hoseok seemed shocked because he knew it took a lot for me to cry. ‘Baby, baby it’s okay. We’ll figure things out,’ he said as he came to hug me but I pushed him away and looked at him.
‘You don’t understand Hoseok,’ I said as I looked at Wonho who looked just as broken. ‘It’s your Ae-Chae and your Minho,’ I said.
‘What?’ he asked as he stared at me without blinking. It was almost like I could see the cogs in his brain working as he shook his head. I could see the others exchanging confused looks. ‘Baby, you’re mistaken. They’re dead and you—’ he said but I shook my head.
‘No, they aren’t Hoseok and I would know because I was supposed to kill them. I was the Scarlet that was sent to kill them but to save them, we decided to fake their death. Do you understand now?’ I asked.
Hoseok took a step back as he looked at me and Wonho once more. He shook his head in denial as I tried to approach him but he raised his hand. ‘Ar…are you telling me that Ae-Cha and Miho are alive? That you knew and you never told me?’ he asked, his voice raising in pitch. I covered my mouth as I tried to hold in the sobs as I nodded.
‘I’m so sorry Hoseok. Please believe me,’ I said among sobs but he continued to shake his head, like he did not want anything to do with me.
‘How could you do that to me? You know how much I suffered because of their loss and you what? You thought it was a good idea to keep it a secret from me?’ he yelled.
I flinched because I knew he was right. Ae-Cha was his wife and Minho was his son. Who was I to keep it a secret from him? I would not have even blamed him if he hated me. Yet, I knew I could not say anything. I swore to her. I swore to not say anything so they would be safe... but they still were not safe.
‘I… Hoseok I swore to her,’ I said but he scoffed. He turned around as he punched the wall, making me flinch once more. The punch made a horrible sound that got to my heart.
‘Hoseok maybe right now you shouldn’t focus on this but on the fact that they need help,’ Namjoon said as Hoseok turned around and looked at Wonho.
‘Who are you and what happened? You said that Ae-Cha is in the hospital and Minho was taken? Who took him?’ Hoseok asked.
‘My name is Wonho. I’m Ae-Cha’s boyfriend,’ he said and Hoseok seemed to stare at him. ‘I’ve known about her faking her death so we lived quietly away but they found out and they just came. There were too many. I tried… I tried to fight them but they knocked me out. When I woke up, I saw…I saw Ae-Cha on the floor. She was sh—shot and there was no, no sign of Minho,’ Wonho said.
‘Was it Exo?’ I asked as Wonho turned to look at me. He nodded and I sighed as I took my hair tie and tied into a tight ponytail.
‘It was Sehun. He said… he said he was impressed by how long we managed to fake it but that he… he wanted Hoseok to pay,’ Wonho said.
‘They went after them again to hurt me,’ Hoseok said as tears began to pool in his eyes. No matter how long ago it was, Minho would always be his son.
‘Hoseok,’ I said as he turned to look slightly at me. His face was full of emotion – betrayal, pain, hurt, anger, sadness, but at least he was listening to me. ‘I’ll get Minho back. I promise,’ I said as I grabbed my sword and turned to leave.
I half expected him to follow me but he didn’t. He was too shocked to do anything. There was too much for him to process but I could not waste time. I needed to get backup to ensure that Minho would be safe. I did not care if I had to get the Scarlets or the devil himself.
I went to my room as I took off my stupid dress. I opened the wardrobe and put on my black pants. I put on my corset as I started lacing it up. I grabbed the boots and put them on one by one when the door opened.
I looked up and saw Hoseok there. ‘What… what are you doing? Where are you going?’ he asked as he reached for me.
‘I’m going to get Minho back and make them pay – each one of those *s who hurt Ae-Cha!’ I said, feeling the hatred and anger boiling in my veins.
‘Hanuel,’ he said as he grabbed me by the arm. ‘I’m sorry I shouted at you. I know you must have your reasons for not telling me this huge thing. I want my son back but not at the cost of losing you,’ he said.
‘You should go visit Ae-Cha in the hospital and stay with Wonho. I’ll get Minho back, I swear to you,’ I said.
‘Did you hear a word I said Hanuel?’ he asked as he squeezed my arm. ‘I love you and this doesn’t change the fact that I do. I may be angry and disappointed and confused, but I don’t want to see you hurt,’ he said.
‘I won’t die but I need to go. I’m going to get the girls and then we’ll plan something with Bangtan,’ I said, wanting to reassure him.
‘Okay. I love you,’ he said and I smiled, feeling relieved.
‘I love you too. I have to go. I’ll call you or text you,’ I said as I kissed his cheek and ran out of the room.
