Two days ago I was hiding from the American police as I happened to be a top member of the Gambino cult, which made the situation ten times worse was the fact that I was responsible for one of the leader's death. I was no one, just a wimp that was trying to run away for her dear life.
Pathetic.
Filled with poor judgement.
My father would have called me that if he was there.
But the perspective changed.
After the evening I saved the small girl, Lilian Harper, the second oldest daughter of Anderson Harper and Juliet Harper, my runaway mission had a twist. Furthermore, I heard about them, and I got to know that they were one of the richest families onboard. And they insisted on paying me back for what I have done as a result of the small tea party I joined in the early evening with the Harper's.
After a few hours of rest after Jungkook visited me I was pretty much better thanks to the great hospitality of the medic crew. When I left the Ship's bay on the way I met Jungkook on the deck. My instincts told me that he was expecting me already as the young man darted towards me from his position as I stepped towards that direction.
Jungkook was again in his captain uniform. After seeing Captain Smith earlier, I assumed that the ship was commanded by two of them. This man looked so much younger than his fellow mate. He must've been skilled and very dedicated that he got a spot in Titanic, that's no doubt.
He approached me with a decent smile.
He's way better than the arrogant heartthrob all the girls were drooling in my college.
"Are you feeling better now? Did they approve you to leave?" Jungkook asked in a bit of a stern voice but understood that he was making sure I was not sneaking out from the hospital ship. I chuckled,
"Yes they did, and they also advised me to take these vitamins" My hand slid into my pockets to grab the small bottle of pills they gave me. He looked rather satisfied after seeing that. I could say that he wanted to say something.
"Miss Park, do you mind taking a stroll with me if you could spare a few minutes of your time?" I felt my cheeks burn as he said that.
"Not at all Mister Jeon, I don't mind," I said with a replying smile. We both started taking light steps towards the other side of the deck as we continued talking.
"Captain Smith appreciates what you did yesterday Miss Park-," I disrupted him in the middle of the sentence,
"You can just call me Y/n, that's more comfortable and also feels less formal," he chuckled as an agreement.
"You might as well call me just Jungkook then, it also makes me feel more comfortable and less formal," I nodded.
I was already pleased by Jungkook's cheerful attitude. He reminded me of my big brother Jimin. A sorrowful sigh suddenly left as I remembered Jimin. He must be sick and worried about me, I'm longing to see you, my brother... My heart burnt as I felt the misery of detaching from him.
I wish I could see Jimin again...
Grief must've clouded my face, for a minute I shut and closed my eyes to sweep off the building agony. Jungkook caught the sudden affliction.
"Hey, are you alright? Your eyes look teary," he holt and turned to my face. I shook my head.
"It's okay," I tried to wipe down the tension.
"Are you missing someone?" Jungkook's voice is so soft, delicate and filled with care. My eyes drifted to the far horizon avoiding eye contact with him.
" My brother, I miss him." I leant to the railing with a heavy mind. Jungkook followed me. He stood right next to me. The light-intensive sunlight smooched our skins with its touch. The chipper of folk and the triumph of joy clattered the air while we both only heard the echo of the deep ocean's berceuse.
"I left my family a long time ago," Jungkook tried to console me as I stated about Jimin. I gazed at him as he talked.
"As for making them proud I had to sacrifice lots of things, including my family," his lips took the form of a thin line while his doe eyes were still fixed on the sea. " My family wasn't that rich but we had a good reputation,"
I had all ears for him.
"I have a sister, who I adored a lot. Her eyes are like yours, " he switched his gaze to me. His doe eyes twinkled like ripples of water " But when I went overseas I had to leave her, it's been ten years since I last saw her," he could pull out a smile, but through that smile, I saw something else.
Pain
"I guess we both are even then," I said. My hand involuntarily moved to his, trying to comfort him.
"Yeah, I guess," his orbs landed on my hand which was resting on top of his. I abruptly took my hand away and hid behind my back awkwardly. I was flushing with embarrassment but all he did was simply laugh.
"After the queen anchors I'm going to visit my family again, after all these years I'll get a chance to see them," he said joyfully, swinging on the railing.
"You should visit your brother too Y/n," I dived to my thoughts. Maybe I should...Maybe I really should... I inclined my head in agreement.
He cleared his throat before speaking. He changed the topic to where we began.
"Captain Smith is really impressed with your courageous action Y/n, he wanted me to send you a message." I curiously glanced at him.
"The girl that you saved, her name is Lilian, Lilian Harper, she's the second daughter of the Harpers," we again started walking slowly, enjoying the breeze that passed us.
" Her parents and Captain Smith are expecting you at tea this evening to give a token of appreciation for the risk you took for her," I raised my brows in surprise at what I was hearing. I didn't expect any of those.
"But Jungkook, anyone could've done it, I just merely happened to be there," I turned to him.
"And if it wasn't for you I wouldn't even be alive at this moment," I said, genuinely showing my gratitude for him.
"If you didn't reach me out there, both of us are as good as dead, and I never got to thank you even," I pouted my lips with the regret that I couldn't thank him properly.
"You don't have to thank me Y/n, I'm the captain, it's my ultimate responsibility to take care of every passenger onboard, and if something happens, I and Captain Smith will have to carry the burden," his hands gently grabbed my shoulders and he looked down at me with a sincere smile.
"That's why we both owe you, you saved us from a great mishap, you might not be aware but you just saved the future of the Titanic crew," I parted my mouth astounded as he said with glistening orbs.
"Did I do that much? "
"That family Y/n, is one of the main funders and a sponsor of the British white star line, and imagine what would have happened if their daughter faced such a tragedy," suddenly all made sense. It was more complex than I thought. My heart felt light and relieved. And proud...
It meant more than saving one life.
As Jungkook instructed me I met the Harper family and Captain Smith in Harper's stateroom. The place was kind of fancy but comfortable. From there, we could see the whole front part of the ship and the sea beyond. Everyone was sitting around the small marble coffee table, waiting for me. Both Mr and Mrs Harper dressed like they meant royalty. The amazing curled red hair of Juliet Harper was tied to a loose bun, highlighting her killer beauty bone and sharp eyes. Even though she was in her middle age, it didn't ruin her beauty, an older girl than Lilian who had blue eyes was clinging to her mom. I understood that it must be Lilian's older sister. Mr Harper was a very pleasant one but yet had a bit of that first-class typical pride and arrogance inside him.
Who am I to blame them anyways?
I nervously sat down between those fine people and tried to cope with them. To my relief, Smith gave me his usual hearty smile, which set me at ease. I fiddled my fingers until they started a conversation.
"Edward, is this the girl you mentioned?" Mr Harper asked the man who was next to me. He nod and answered.
"Yes Anderson, this is Park Y/n, she's the one who saved Lilian's life," he said. Mrs Harper grabbed my hands together and enfolded between hers.
"I'm grateful for you, I don't know what I would have done if something happened to her, " She started to shed tears of happiness. She held my hands tightly,
"Oh my poor Lilian, that stupid child, she was trying to pick up her doll from the edge," she said between muffled cries. Her husband patted her back.
"Now now Juliet, everything is alright now, isn't it?
"I agree with him, you shouldn't cry now," Captain Smith stated and flashed a wide grin, looking at me.
"Rather than that, we should reward this young lady"
Juliet Harper let go of my hands and swept off her tears, beaming at me with a smile of gratitude holding in the corner of her lips.
"We should indeed"
She turned to her husband. As she waited for him to talk about the matter, he fished out a small leather book from his pocket, which I instantly recognised as a checkbook. He was just about to scribble it before I stopped him.
"I appreciate your kindness Mr and Mrs Harper, but don't have to do this. I did something that anyone could've done," I tried to lure him not to do it.
"She's being humble" Captain Smith said. I remembered what Jungkook said, how things were complicated more than they seemed, how a cold war is going on between these men.
"I really mean it, captain, I really don't need this..." I shifted my gaze to the couple, "What is important now is that Lilian is safe, we can't equal the worth of her life for an amount of money right?"
Mr Harper dived into thoughts after what I said. But Mrs Harper immediately came up with another idea that came out like a bombshell.
"Do you fancy joining us for tomorrow's dinner Miss Park?" She said without hesitation without even getting her husband's permission. His eyes widened with her suggestion.
He whispered to her in a low voice but I could hear what he said.
"Juliet, you know it's no place for unwanted guests, it's meant for people that are ranked," I tried not to scoff and covered my sour expression, pretending that I didn't hear that.
"Do you not worth our daughter's life Anderson?" She questioned him firmly and monotonously, along with a cold expression. He couldn't help but step back at his wife's proclamation. He stretched his lips for a smile and turned to me.
"Alright then, it's settled, I hope you will accept our invitation, Miss Park?" He asked, landing his sharp hawk-like orbs on me.
I didn't know what urged me to agree on that but I did. Maybe it was the sudden rage that aroused inside me when he looked down on my self-esteem.
"I'll be delighted to "
Phew, a long chapter, a fun chapter coming ahead, I hope you guys enjoyed the story so far, don't forget to share, comment and vote if you loved it 😁 also I decided to add some banners related to each chapter, I added to the previous chapters too, take a look at them.
Stay Gold people ✨