The relentless downpour served as a fitting backdrop to the chaos unfolding in the narrow alley. The noise of turmoil in the alley broke her silence abruptly. The girl, Y/N, found herself trapped in the heart of a violent gang conflict, her only refuge being a makeshift shelter behind a garbage bin. Bullets whizzed past her, tearing through the air with deadly intent.
Amid the chaos, a sudden sound pierced her ears, freezing her in place.
"SAVE THAT GIRL, HYUNG..." A man in the hideout screamed, his voice cutting through the chaos of the moment.
"LEAVE HER BE, V. Consider her collateral damage," another man replied coldly, his tone devoid of empathy amidst the turmoil of the gang conflict.
How could a cold-blooded mob boss, focused on his ambitions, notice the quiet appeal of a girl who goes to school in such a desperate scenario? But still, before reaching her, Y/N can hear those words coming out from the man who is desperately trying to save her.
"I can't, Hyung; I really can't. Lucifer is dragging me. She's probably just a teenager, Hyung. We can't disregard her." With those words, the man's voice cracked with indecision as he hesitated during the chaos.
"V... STOP, V..." A desperate scream echoed through the alleyway, attempting to halt the man in his tracks, risking his life for the sake of the girl.
A burst of gunfire broke the silence of the night, followed by a rapid succession of shots. Out of the dark, a shadowy figure appeared-a man whose face was hidden in the gloom. With calculated precision, he maneuvered through the chaos, his movements fluid and purposeful. In a matter of seconds, he reached Y/N's side, pulling her into his protective embrace.
But there was no time for pleasantries. The opposing gangs showed no mercy, their relentless assault driving Y/N and her savior into a desperate fight for survival.
Just in time, his protective figure shielded her, and, trying too hard to find a safe shelter for her, a bullet tore through the man, grazing her arm. Despite her wound, her attention was solely on the man, her hands trembling as she attempted to keep him conscious. Tears streamed down her face, mingling with the rain, as she watched him with a mix of fear and gratitude.
Her anger surged at the sight of the man covered in blood and his selfless act to save her, leaving a profound impact. In that moment, amidst the chaos and violence, a bond is forged between them, uniting them in the struggle for survival against the ruthless forces at play.
With a burst of resolve, she grabbed the wounded man's gun-a sleek firearm that was unfamiliar to her. Without hesitation, she fired back at the assailants, her eyes tightly shut. The gunfire eventually ceased, and upon opening her eyes, she realized the danger had passed. She returned to tending to the wounded man, oblivious to her injuries. Soon, others arrived and rushed them both to the hospital.
As the battle raged on, Y/N couldn't help but wonder about the identity of her savior. Who was this enigmatic figure risking his life to protect her? And why did he seem so familiar, as if they shared a connection that transcended the chaos surrounding them?
And in that moment of triumph, amidst the smoke and debris, Y/N finally caught a glimpse of her savior's face-a face she knew all too well or the whole country knew too well.
The injured man they were carrying was none other than Mr. V, the infamous leader of one of the city's most powerful crime syndicates. But in that moment, he was more than just a feared Mafia boss-he was her savior, protector, and perhaps, something more.
Present day
I'm standing in front of the mirror, wearing white attire for my marriage. One of the many things that my wishes value is none. Five years earlier, amidst the chaos of a violent gang war, I found myself thrust into a world of danger and intrigue.A mysterious figure rescued me when I was alone and wounded. Their presence stayed in my memory like a haunting melody, deep and elusive.
Days passed, and a message arrived, revealing that the man who saved me had survived. His actions remained a mystery, and that had shaped my life.
Now, as I walked down the aisle to marry a stranger, I couldn't help but feel a sense of resignation. As I stood at the altar, exchanging vows with a stranger, I couldn't shake the feeling that fate was playing a cruel joke on me. But I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that true love was something I would never know.
Yet, deep down, I clung to the memory of those eyes that had saved me from the darkness. In them, I saw a glimpse of the love and warmth I had always longed for. And so, despite the uncertainty of my future, I held onto the hope that one day I would find my way back to him.
---
After we said our wedding vows, he got a sudden message that made him leave without proper conversation. A week later, a letter came from his friends, asking us to keep quiet about him.
For the six months since our wedding, he's been gone. My own family abandoned me, but my in-laws have been supportive. They've taken me in and treated me better than my family ever did. We faced some financial troubles because we couldn't access his accounts or get help.
To support my in-laws until I got my first paycheck from my corporate job, I asked the convenience store manager for a job. They gave me a part-time position since I had worked there during college. Things went smoothly for six months. I managed fine. But one day, when I came home from work, I saw a man sitting on the couch. I recognized him immediately and hurriedly told my in-laws to stay inside.
"Abonim, Eommoni, please stay inside until I say it's safe. Can you do that?" I spoke cautiously.
What is your reason for preventing them from coming?"His voice carried weight.
I beg you, don't harm them. They have done nothing wrong. I recognize you. You are not a cruel person."
"How are we connected, Teddy?"
You rescued me five years ago and suffered an injury. You were barely conscious, but you showed me that you are a good man, even as a Mafia leader. I beg you, leave them alone. You gave me a chance to live, and I don't mind if you take it away. But please, don't hurt them."
He asked why I should save someone so unimportant.
"My husband abandoned his elderly parents six months ago, around the time we got married. He may have done it to keep them safe, but I'm not sure how to feel about him for that. In any case, I have to take care of them now."
You sacrificed yourself for me and spared my life. I feel like destiny is against saving me."
"You are my queen, and no one can harm you. I will stand between you and fate and fight for you," he said with conviction, closing the distance and caressing my face. His touch sent a surge of energy through me, like a shock. Was this the feeling of sparks flying when your lover touches you?
"Hello, I'm Mr. Taehyung, but you can call me V. We've been married for half a year now. You might not remember me from our wedding day. You are Mrs. Kim Y/N Taehyung, aren't you?"
I froze, realizing I had married the love of my life. I had said yes to him. Or had I? No, no...
"I only agreed to marry you out of obligation. I didn't pay attention to you. As you bought me from my 'parents' who were facing bankruptcy, didn't you?"I stumbled over my words.
"Although it is true in a legal sense, I did not purchase you. My Queen is not a commodity that can be acquired with money. I welcomed you into my empire after I had secured it. Please forgive me for the wait. You have endured so much suffering."
"I could not help but wonder: why me?"
"How can I resist? You have been the only one for me since our paths crossed. You didn't rescue me, but you aided me by getting rid of my rivals. They had it coming. You are a worthy cause."
"Am I...?"
"As the Queen of the Luciferous, you have my underworld and me at your service. We are sworn to guard you. You are the source of my triumph."
"Are you in love with me? Or was our marriage just a way to expand your empire?"
Fearing that his confession would impose a burden, Tae kept his feelings hidden. He longed to proclaim his love, but he restrained himself, whispering, "You are the first one who made me feel this way. I can't define it. Let's stay together until we are old, and if someday I can give a label to these emotions, then they will have a label."
"Okay, I understand. Rest up. I'll help Eommoni with dinner after I change." I turned to go to the guest bedroom, but he stopped me and wondered why I didn't pick his room.
"I don't want to invade your privacy. Your father agreed to let me stay in the guest room."
"Is that where you'll be when I come back?" He asked with curiosity.
"Yes, I won't move until you want me to, not because of your title."
"You're sassy," he laughed.
"That's what you like about me, Mr. Kim."