"How could you even think that you can leave me?" Jia questioned while her grip on the edge of her navy blue asymmetrical skirt firm, as she fought to hold back the tears that threatened to spill from her doe honey eyes.
"Why are you not answering me?" she persisted, watching as Samuel stood in front of her, his hands casually tucked into the pockets of his black tight bull denim jeans, his blank expression unwavering under her gaze.
"I want a break for a while," Samuel replied evenly, lacking any emotion as he spoke.
"How can you call the whole life a little while?" Jia queried, shaking her head in incredulity, her gaze locked with his.
"It's sad but it's true," he stated flatly, reaching out a hand towards her cheek, pausing just before making contact. But then, mid-way through, he suddenly froze, his features betraying a hint of unease as he looked at her, swallowing nervously.
"You…you…h…have to compromise," he sputtered anxiously, hastily retracting his hand and returning it to his pocket, standing up straight.
"Yeah you have to compromise it that i'm gonna lea---" Samuel tried to complete his sentence, but his words were cut short as a loud groan escaped his lips after she landed a hard knee strike into his crotch. He crumpled to the ground, clutching his private area to alleviate the agony.
"B!tch gonna leave me." She chuckled mockingly, wiping her dry tears. A light smirk formed on her face as she glanced down at his suffering form.
"CUT! CUT! CUT!" bellowed a middle-aged man. The cast members and staff stood frozen in disbelief behind the cameras, unsure of what to do next. Two men quickly rushed over to assist Samuel to stand, yet he was still holding onto his injured private area. The impact of her strike was all too apparent.
The middle-aged director stood before them, his eyes darting between Samuel and Jia with a look of concern.
"Jia," he queried, "why did you hit him?"
Jia shot back a defiant glare, her gaze locking onto Samuel's private region before meeting the director's gaze. With no hint of remorse, she declared, "I just don't want that thing to exist. "
The director exhaled deeply. "That's not a valid reason to act like that, Jia. You need to understa—"
"Whatever! I refuse to work with such incompetence. Ensure he learns the scripts thoroughly, or I'll have him removed from the movie contract."
With those words, she exited the place, leaving Samuel and the director alone. It wasn't like she hated Samuel or had any grudges against him, it was all about his negligence in remembering the scripts.
Frustration etched on the director's face, he turned to Samuel, his words punctuated with clenched teeth, "Damn it, Samuel! You forgot the lines again? How on earth will you manage to work with her if you keep messing up like this?"
Samuel, steadying himself, signaled to his men to depart. Turning to the director, he declared, "Don't be mad at me, Dad. I will do my best to work with her now, and give my all." Samuel's intense determination was evident as he patted the director's shoulder.
"You need to rest, Dad," he concluded before walking away. The director stood there, frustrated and alone, in the wake of Samuel's departure.
[Profile.
Name: Kim Samuel
Age: 26
Occupation: A famous actor, known for his striking good looks, standing at an impressive 1.86 meters in height, Samuel also boasts an athletic physique.
Family: Samuel's father, Kim Minho, is a renowned South Korean film director and producer.
Relationship Status: Samuel is currently single.
(Samuel harbors affectionate feelings towards Kang Jia.)]
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Jia was seated in the passenger seat, her head leaned against the headrest with her eyes closed. Her left arm hung loosely out of the open front window, while her right arm dangled inside the car. She appeared half-asleep or even on the brink of consciousness, giving the impression of being completely exhausted.
[Profile.
Name: Kang Jia
Age: 22
Occupation: Multi-talented actress widely recognized for her exceptional acting skills.
Family: Kang Jia's mother, Kang Mia, is a Millionaire woman.
Relationship Status: Jia is currently single.
(Popularly known within the Korean film industry as the "Princess.")]
The tranquility inside the car was shattered as Bella's voice cut through the air.
"I've already booked hotel rooms for our overnight stay. Should we head to the hotel or go somewhere else?" Bella inquired, her soft smile directed at Jia, who kept her eyes closed, resting her head on the headrest, seemingly oblivious to the surroundings.
After receiving no response, Bella spoke again. "Miss Jia, are you listening to me?"
Jia finally responded in an indifferent tone, but her eyes remained shut. "I don't know...Take me wherever you desire."
"I reckon you have to take some fresh air." Bella sighed and started the engine before starting to drive. Jia finally adjusted her seating position, closing the window before resting her temple against the glass, glancing into the side mirror, where two black cars were tailing closely behind.
Jia muttered quietly, her annoyance evident in her words, yet loud enough for Bella to hear. "When will they stop hovering me like some oversized, shadowy bovines?"
Bella chuckled softly, catching a glimpse of Jia before refocusing on the road. "They're here for your protection, Miss Jia," she replied, her tone lighthearted.
[Profile.
Name: Bella
Age: 25
Occupation: Personal bodyguard of a daughter of a millionaire, Kang Jia.
Family: Deceased.
Relationship Status: Bella is currently single.
(Bella's primary concern and responsibility revolves around ensuring Kang Jia's safety at all times.)]
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Seated on a spacious, well-cushioned sofa, he adopted a figure four leg lock pose, his head resting on the backrest's upper portion. His hands were spread wide, one hand wrapped around a handgun.
His powerful physique was concealed behind a black baggy hoodie and raw denim jeans, the hood of the hoodie partially concealing his face, along with a black mask. His eyes were closed, facing the headliner of the jet, as his tousled, light brown hair obscured his face partially.
His stillness exuded an ominous aura, his ten bodyguards stationed quietly in the cabin, awaiting his slightest command. The silence of the cabin was broken by someone's voice.
"To mark our initial encounter, I wish to show you something extraordinary," William said, dressed in a business suit and seated opposite him. "But before that, I'd like us to share a cup of coffee." He made a request, an evil smirk playing across his face as he gestured for someone to bring two cups of coffee.
A man entered, carrying a tray bearing two cups of coffee, which he set down on the cabin's coffee table before leaving.
"Let's enjoy this cup of coffee to celebrate our special day," William remarked, taking a sip of his own coffee.
"For our special day..?" The man's deep, authoritative voice finally resonated throughout the cabin as he fixed his dark gaze on William, the intensity in his eyes radiating a dangerous aura that sent chills down the spine.
William placed his coffee cup on the table, his eyes locked with the man's gaze.
"It's pleasant to hear your voice, Mr. Jitoku Jae," he remarked.
Jae returned his gaze with a smirk and a hint of mockery, saying, "Fulfilling your desire to meet me... and now you want to see my face, too? Mr. Fool betrayer!" He chuckled as he delivered his words, causing a brief look of shock on William's face.
"W-what betrayer?" William stuttered, his voice betraying a hint of uncertainty.
There was a tense silence for a few seconds before Jae asked calmly, "You believed you could swindle my business dealings without me finding out...? Anyway, you were going to show me something extraordinary? Where is it?"
At this, Jae rested his head back against the upper part of the sofa's backrest, focusing on the headliner of the jet.
"This here is your end, that's what I wanted to show you," William declared, standing and pointing a gun directly at Jae's head. Instantly, Jae's bodyguards rose and pointed their weapons at William, but then obeyed Jae's gesture to stand down.
William smirked, proclaiming, "Before I take your life, let me reveal my true identity... I am a spy working for your rival, Kang Myung. I am capable of killing anyone and would gladly die for him. And it is with his orders that I have come to end your life today." As he spoke these words, he swiftly pulled the trigger.
However, his expression turned to confusion and worry as the gun failed to discharge. He tried to fire more shots, but to no avail.
Suddenly a loud thud coming from the side caught his attention. He whipped his head towards the sound only to find himself gaping in terror. His lips parted as he discovered the large transparent plastic-wrapped bodies of five lifeless people laid out on the jet's floor, looking like mere objects. The two guards stood on either side, adding an unnerving touch to the scene.
"Would you like to go near your partner's souls?" Jae's chilling words filled the cabin, the dead bodies serving as testament to his ominous presence, his gaze fixed on William's petrified figure. "Who came to spy on me exactly like you, but in the end, they had to taste the feeling of death."
William's expression was apprehensive, voice was laced with hesitation and fear as he asked, "Why have you kept decorated them in polythene like this?"
"Impressive, you still have the audacity to question me... but I have no desire to humor you." He paused for a moment, a smirk spreading across his face. "Congratulations, you won't meet the same fate as them. Instead, 'THE VENOM' himself will be the one to personally end you, with his own hands."
William's face grew pale, and the gun fell from his hand. A shiver ran through his entire body as he registered the implications of Jae's words.
His voice trembled as he inquired nervously, "V–venom... the mafia king?"
At Jae's dangerous unwavering gaze, his body trembled in fear, and he quickly got down on his knees, pleading desperately for his life. He knew all too well the ruthless reputation of Venom and the excruciating nature of his killings. Death itself held no terror for William, but the thought of facing the excruciating process leading up to death at Venom's hands filled him with unbridled horror.
William pleaded with unwavering desperation, "Forgive me, Venom. I'll do anything... I'll be your slave for the rest of my life... just spare me!" Tears welled up in his eyes, trembling with fear.
Jae's finger curled around the trigger, pointing the gun directly at William. His tone was cold and resolute, declaring, "You claimed you could die for Myung. Now, you must. You cannot deceive him like this and go unpunished."
Jae pulled the trigger without hesitation, and the bullet found its mark multiple times in William's chest, leaving him lifeless on the jet's floor.
With a casual nonchalance, Jae said to the lifeless form, "I truly wished to unleash pain upon you, but my time is far too valuable to waste." He tossed the empty gun onto the sofa without a second thought.
"Boss, we've arrived." One of his men informed him, standing like a statue by the sofa.
"Quickly clean up this mess," Jae commanded before exiting the jet and heading towards his car. He took the driving seat and began driving.
[Profile.
Name: Jitoku Jae
Age: 25
Occupation: Enigmatic billionaire businessman, whose name people only know but do not recognise, seen by only a precious few at the upper echelons of society. In the underworld, however, he reigns supreme as the ruthless and feared boss of the Deadly Fangs mafia organization.
Family: Undisclosed
Relationship Status: Unattached
(The underbelly of the criminal underworld knows him simply as 'Venom.' Unseen by any but revered by all, his mystique only adds to his intimidating aura.)]
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Bella glanced at Jia, standing beside her on the beautiful bridge. The dark clouds loomed overhead, casting a shadow on them.
Bella asked curiously, "I hope you're feeling better now."
With a nod from Jia, she found herself the subject of a sudden burst of amused attention from Jia. Intrigued, Bella inquired, "What... happened?"
Jia's response was a soft whisper, her gaze fixed on Bella's eyes. "Your eyes."
"Huh?"
"Your eyes… They remind me of someone every time I look at you." Jia murmured.
The words hung in the air as Jia turned away, her gaze drifting to the peaceful sight of the lake before them. Bella's curiosity deepened, yearning for more information.
Just as Bella was about to inquire further, a raindrop landed on her hand, interrupting her next words.
"It's starting to rain. We need to go, and the evening is already here." Bella turned her heel towards the car and gestured for the bodyguards to move forward, their cars waiting nearby. However, she paused as her gaze fixed on Jia, who remained motionless.
"Jia! Come on, let's go!" she called out, rain now falling more heavily. Quickly closing the gap, Bella reached out and grasped Jia's wrist from behind, attempting to drag her towards the car. But Jia opened her mouth to speak, preventing Bella from moving further.
"No! I want to get wet in the rain." Jia said, releasing her wrist from Bella's grip.
"But Jia, it's not good for your health. You may catch a cold." Her tone was filled with concern.
Jia, however, remained nonchalant. "I don't care." Spreading her arms wide, embracing the rain, she closed her eyes and smiled as the raindrops cascaded down her face. "There is a different scent in the air today."
Bella stood silently in front of Jia, admiring her radiant smile, a rare sight. As she watched, she reminisced about the first time they met - two years ago. It was during Jia's final year of university when she was 20-years-old.
<<<<<<>>>>>>
Flashback to two years ago
"It's nice to see you again." Mia said smilingly looking at her opposite sofa's sitting figure.
Bella met Mia's gaze with a warm smile. "It's delightful to see you too," she replied. "I must admit, I have missed you a great deal since I went to Canada."
Curiosity piqued, Bella suddenly inquired, "I've been informed you called me back to South Korea to guard someone... may I ask, who is that person?"
Mia handed a file to Bella as she responded, "My daughter. I have decided that only you are capable of protecting her."
"Your daughter?" Bella's expression turned quizzical as she flicked through the file, and the first thing she noticed was a picture of a girl named Kang Jia. Her eyes lingered on the image for a moment before she delved into the information within the file.
"This is the details of my daughter's daily schedule," stated Mia, her words carrying a sense of pride and concern for her beloved child.
As soon as Bella heard Mia's voice, a suspicious frown crossed her face. "I had no idea you had a daughter... it feels strange to find out only now."
Mia's response was simple, matter-of-fact. "Because I never mentioned her," she explained.
Bella nodded in acknowledgment, not wanting to ask further, considering her reply. "It is indeed an honor for me to protect your daughter," she agreed, her expression softening with a sense of responsibility.
"Very well. She is currently at Seoul University, and she should return in an hour. But you can go pick her up if you wish to start your duties immediately."
"Sure," Bella rose to her feet, making her way to the exit as Mia's man accompanied her to the car. She graciously thanked him before stepping into the driver's seat and started to drive.
••••••
Stopping the car in front of the entrance of the university, Bella stepped out of the car, closing the door behind her. She waited, her arms crossed against her chest, leaning back casually against the car. Suddenly, her attention was drawn to a figure standing on the university's top of the terrace. Concern etched across her face as she noticed the individual preparing to jump. Bella squinted her eyes, trying to get a better look, but the distance made it difficult to identify the person clearly.
With a sense of urgency, Bella entered the university and quickly informed the guards about the situation. The guards sprung into action, some heading to the elevator while others raced towards the stairs, following in Bella's wake.
The terrace door was locked from the other side, leaving them momentarily hindered, but Bella didn't waste any time. She ran through an empty classroom, leaving the guards behind as they continued to struggle with the locked door.
As Bella quickly approached the classroom window, she swiftly raised the glass. Pushing her head outside, she extended one leg through the opening, then grasped a sturdy pipe firmly on the window's exterior. With precision and finesse, Bella extended her other leg, securing her hold on the pipe. Skillfully, she ascended upwards, her grip tight and unyielding, reaching the upper edge of the terrace.
As Bella gracefully landed on the terrace floor, she saw a girl standing on the edge of the terrace wall, she tip-toed silently towards the girl. Taking care not to startle the girl, and approached her from behind, as her back was turned.
Bella couldn't help but whisper under her breath, a chuckle escaping to her lips. "What is she waiting for? Perhaps she's reminiscing her whole life before she jumps."
As soon as she reached close enough to the unsuspecting girl, she grasped her wrist firmly from behind and pulled her downwards. The ensuing thud and groan echoed through the air as the girl slumped onto the terrace floor.
"WHO THE F**K ARE YOU?!" the girl exclaimed, now on her feet, her enraged gaze fixed on Bella. Shocked, Bella's eyes widened as she recognized the face - it was none other than Jia herself.
Bella's concern laced her words as she inquired, her hands grasping Jia's shoulders firmly. "Why were you going to su!cide?"
Irritation flared in Jia's eyes as she shook Bella's hands off her shoulders, retorting, "Don't touch me, b!tch. You ruined my perfect death." She turned to climb the terrace wall again but before she could attempt that, Bella swiftly wrapped her arms around her waist from behind, firmly restraining her.
"Why do you want to die?"
"Cause this is my wish." Jia replied, struggling in Bella's grip.
"This is not a good reason to die."
"To live life there must be a good reason too...but I haven't any reason to live."
"If you don't have any reason to live then at least make one."
Fueled by anger, Jia shouted, "JUST SHUT UP!" She wrenched herself free from Bella's hold with a powerful force, and landed a solid punch on Bella's face, causing her to stagger backward.
Recovering her balance, Bella stared at Jia incredulously. "Did you seriously just punch me?"
"Yes, and I will give you more." Jia responded defiantly, attempting another punch, but Bella deftly dodged it by bending down.
"Are you insane? I'm not your punching bag!" Bella exclaimed, evading Jia's impending kick with a swift sidestep.
Jia persisted in launching kick after kick, but each time, Bella deftly dodged them all before maintaining a strategic distance with a confident boxing stance.
With a smirk on her face, Bella said provocatively, "Oh, so you want a fight? Let's have a match then."
Exhausted, Jia finally questioned, her breathing labored. "Who are you?"
At the very moment, the terrace door abruptly burst open, causing both women to divert their attention to the guards pouring into the area.
"Thanks for saving her." The guards bowed Bella in thanks.
Bella acknowledged the guard's gratitude with a nod before replying, "It's my responsibility to safeguard her. No need to thank me."
Jia's suspicion deepened as Bella's words rang in her ears. "Responsibility? Who are you, anyway?" she pressed.
Bella responded casually, "I'm your personal bodyguard."
Jia's eyebrow shot up, eyeing Bella from head to toe. "You? My bodyguard?" she repeated incredulously.
"Indeed. Your mother, Miss Mia, engaged me as your personal bodyguard," Bella affirmed.
Jia's voice was suddenly tinged with sadness and resignation as she whispered, "Mom... ?" when Bella confirmed it with a quiet nod.
Bella observed Jia's visibly unhappy expression and asked, "Do you have an issue with this?"
"No...I don't have any issues. Why would I have?" Jia responded, her bitter smile directed towards Bella. After a second of stare, Bella turned towards guards, bowing at them. "Thank you for helping me,"
The guards bowed in return, respectfully acknowledging Bella's words before leaving the terrace. The silence lingered between them as Bella cast a pointed gaze towards Jia, prompting a sidelong glance from Jia.
"WHat?"
"You must accompany me and address your mother for your behavior today, Miss Jia." Upon hearing this, Jia rolled her eyes, sighing in irritation.
With a raised eyebrow, Jia asked sarcastically, "Do I even have any choice but to comply?"
"No, you must go with me," Bella firmly refused.
"So what are you waiting for? Let's go then." And just like that, Jia nonchalantly made her way towards the terrace exit door, leaving Bella momentarily disbelief. She couldn't believe that she managed to stop Jia from her attempt, and even more incredulous that Jia complied so readily. Bella hurriedly followed after her, determined to carefully decipher Jia's personality and tread cautiously.
End of flashback
<<<<<<>>>>>>
"No, I can't take a risk," Bella implored, hoping to reason with Jia. "You must understand, Miss Jia."
Their attention was abruptly attracted by the sound of hurried footsteps, their gaze directing towards a group of girls rushing forward, holding umbrellas above their heads while two of the girls held closed umbrellas.
One of the girls exclaimed, concern etched on her face, "Princess, you're getting soaked! You'll catch a cold." She promptly unfurled the umbrella and covered Jia's head, while her friend extended the other umbrella to shield Bella from the rain.
"We noticed you were both getting drenched without any umbrellas, so we hurriedly brought these for you," they explained.
Jia responded with genuine gratitude, a smile on her face. "Thank you very much for the umbrellas."
"We're big fans, and we've enjoyed all your dramas and films. You're truly an inspiration to us." The excited girls confessed, their admiration evident in their voice.
One of the girls requested, "It's hard to believe you're standing here before us, can we take a picture with you?"
Jia graciously responded, "Of course. Please, go ahead." The girl quickly handed her phone over to Bella, anticipating a group shot with Jia.
Bella clicked the picture and returned the phone to the girl. "It's best if you head home now, or someone might steal you away from us. It's already getting late, and the rain is pouring heavily," The girl suggested with a chuckle.
"Of course. Thanks very much to all of you," Jia replied, bowing graciously.
The girls bowed in return with equal enthusiasm, then departed from the scene, leaving Jia and Bella standing alone once again.
"Your fans have already pointed out the obvious, haven't they? It's time to go." Bella commented, her smirk conveying a sense of triumph.
Jia responded decisively, turning and heading towards the car. "So what are you waiting for? Let's go then."
"She hasn't changed yet," Bella muttered to herself, shaking her head in disbelief before following closely behind Jia.
●◇◇◇◇◇◇●
The car stopped at the grand entrance of the sprawling hotel, and as soon as Jae exited the vehicle, the hotel staff and guards promptly bowed in respect or perhaps a mix of fear, acknowledging the return of the formidable owner of the establishment, who was known for his ruthless ways.
He tossed the car keys to a nearby guard, barking an order. "Park the car." Without a moment's hesitation, he received the room key from the manager, his strides purposeful as he swiftly entered the elevator. The guards and staff trembled in fear as he glided past them, barely noticing their anxious gazes.
Reaching the top floor, he strode off the elevator and walked down the hallway. He stopped in front of a door and, without a moment's pause, unlocked it, stepping inside a lavish hotel room.
After closing the door from inside, with practised ease, he discarded his hoodie onto the bed, revealing his bare upper body. He approached the expansive glass window, taking a small cigarette box from his pants pocket and extracting a cigarette. Using the lighter, he ignited the tip of the cigarette, taking measured drags while looking at the cityscape night view through the glass. One hand leaned against the window as the other held the cigarette, releasing wisps of smoke into the air.
And suddenly there was a sound of opening a door....
"Who are you?" It was Jia's voice.
Jae froze at his place after hearing a girl's voice.
"How did you get in?"
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