Chapter 16
Jin burst into the shooting range, panic written across his face.
"Sir, we have an emergency!"
Will didn't lift his eyes from the target he was lining up. "What happens?"
"Lena… I mean, Miss Morisawa, she's been kidnapped!" Jin blurted.
Will finally put down his gun, his calm demeanour shifting into sharp focus. "Who?"
"It's because of the district we want to acquire," Jin explained. "Build Construction has been trying for months, and now that we have it, they're trying to force you to sign it over… in exchange for her life."
Will's eyes narrowed. "Coward, Mr. John has really lost it. Do you have her location?"
"Midway Park… near the kids' attractions," Jin replied.
"Call the police. Let's go."
Lena woke up in a daze, her head spinning. She was seated in front of two masked men, tied to a chair, her mouth gagged.
"Finally awake," one said. "Thank God. I thought she'd never come around with all that stuff in the bag."
The second added, "I told you it was just enough to knock her out for a while."
Kidnapper 1 smirked. "Hey girl, can you see my two fingers?" Lena could only nod. "Good. Don't try anything smart. We don't want to hurt you… but if you do, well…" He pressed the knife lightly to her neck.
The kidnappers waited until the headlights of a car pierced the darkness.
"Look at the girl," Kidnapper 1 muttered. "Not sure if this is the boss's girl yet."
Before they could act, Will stepped out of the car, sleeves rolled up, his eyes sharp.
"Mr. Shade," Kidnapper 1 said nervously, "I hope you've… dealt with my boss."
Jin's voice cut in. "Be careful, Sir."
Before the sentence ended, Will launched himself at the kidnapper, punching hard. The man tried to swing a knife, but Will dodged with lethal precision, countering with an uppercut that sent him sprawling. Another kidnapper moved to attack Lena—but Jin was already there, knocking him out cold.
The police arrived minutes later and took the men into custody.
"Help her out," Will instructed Jin. "Check for injuries. Then put her in the car."
In the car, Lena shivered as the adrenaline faded. Will handed her a blanket.
"Put this on. It's a bit chilly," he said calmly.
Her hands trembled as she tied a tissue from her skirt around his bleeding hand, carefully dressing the wound. Will watched silently, his eyes fixed on her, a strange mix of gratitude and surprise in them.
When they arrived at the mansion, Marry was waiting.
"Jin called ahead. Are you both alright?"
Will waved her off. "We're fine. Just some street punks."
Marry guided Lena inside. "Thank God nothing happened. Come here, you poor thing, shower first. I've prepared everything. Emergency box on your table—let me know if you need anything else."
Lena nodded and went to shower. She noticed a small knife wound on her neck and tended to it with the supplies from the emergency box. She remembered Will's injured hand and carefully stepped out to his room to apply medicine.
She noticed his bedroom door slightly ajar and peeked in. The dim light revealed a sleek, modern space: black sheets, dark grey walls, and a closet full of fine suits, jackets, and a dazzling watch collection. Following the sound of the shower, she stepped closer.
Will appeared suddenly, towel around his waist, hair damp.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked, eyes narrowing.
Flustered, Lena stammered, "I just… I wanted to put ointment on your wound."
He glanced at the watch in her hand. "Is that why you're holding my watch?"
"I… I'll leave it here, I put the oil on your table, you can put it on yourself," she muttered, backing away without watching—until she hit an automatic sliding door separating the bedroom from the closet. Will's reflexes were sharp; he caught her before she could fall.
"I'm so sorry," she whispered, heart racing.
He held her steady, watching as she inadvertently clutched the towel around him, panic flickering in her eyes.
"Let go," he said, calm but firm.
"Of what?" Lena asked, realizing her hands were in the wrong place. She quickly withdrew them.
"Sit down here," Will instructed, finally dressed in black pants and a shirt. She obeyed, heart still pounding. He barely applied the ointment to his hand, wincing slightly.
"What happened today was stressful," he said. "I wanted to speak with you tomorrow, but… since you are here. I'm sorry for everything you went through."
Lena's eyes widened at his sincerity.
"You were scared," Will continued, "especially since I know you had nothing of value, and they could have just killed you. And I know I play a big part in that. I'll make sure your year with me goes smoothly—and safely."
Touched and annoyed by the way he was applying the oil, Lena stepped closer, taking the ointment and carefully applying it to his hand herself.
"What do you think you're doing?" he asked. She came closer to his face and put her finger on his lips, and then let go, saying,"Shutt… She continued: " You apologized, so let me respond," she said softly. "I was scared, yes… but thankful you saved me. Since I am here for a year, you can ask for my help with this small thing, too. Please, use me sometimes so I feel I'm not wasting your time—or mine."
Will suddenlypulled her into his bed, leaned over her, his chest close to hers. "Don't tell a man late at night in his bedroom that he can use you. It could be… interpreted differently. I don't particularly like you that much, but I am a man."
Flustered, Lena stammered, "I… I'm sorry. Please let me go."
He stepped back, raising his hands. She grabbed the emergency box and bolted from the room.
Will collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. "What was I thinking? I need to focus. This isn't me."
Lena returned to her room, heart racing, mind spinning. What was that? This is too… much. Too much trouble for me.