Fic: The Heist (Part VII)
Oct. 31st, 2015 06:21 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
boxxsaltzTitle: The Heist
Author: Boxxsaltz
Pairing: Yoona/Yuri
Rating: R
Summary: There was no job and no money worth the kind of brokenness Yoona endured ever again…except maybe this once.
Author: Boxxsaltz
Pairing: Yoona/Yuri
Rating: R
Summary: There was no job and no money worth the kind of brokenness Yoona endured ever again…except maybe this once.
AN: Shoutout to checkinyourbra for dancing monkies :3
Part VII
Yoona’s feet thundered beneath her.
She panted. The gun in her hand was slippery against her sweaty palm. She clutched tighter, finger sliding over the trigger. A bullet hit the ground in her path. She veered out of the way before another zipped through the air even closer.
Five figures stood in the distance before her. Yoona turned, arm raised. She pulled the trigger, aiming for the things in the distance. A bullet clipped near her foot. Yoona hit the ground and rolled. Looking up, she saw the last figure. She shot. The bullet pierced through its head.
"Time!"
Yoona rolled to her back, breathing in the cold air. It burned her lungs with a welcomed chill. Sooyoung came up on her side, blocking out offending sunlight where she towered above her with a rifle held at her side. She looked from the targets to Yoona with a grin.
"Two out of five.”
"You could've blown my foot off." She was all for interactive training but damn. Trained sniper versus inexperienced rookie was unfair.
Sooyoung took Yoona’s gun from her to examine it. "Where'd you get this?"
She sat up. "Family heirloom."
“P88, semi-automatic.” Whatever that meant.
Sooyoung’s phone rang. She handed the gun back to answer it. Yoona pushed off the ground, dusting flakes of dried grass from her clothes. They were in another field with sparse trees and a road a good fifteen minutes drive back. Far, far in the distance Yoona could just make out a silo.
"Sun's onto something. She wants us both back at base. Is that okay?”
“Yeah.” She didn't want to be at the apartment alone and being by Seohyun's bedside was starting to turn bleak.
Dropping into the car, Sooyoung cranked up the engine and pulled them to the dirt road that lead to the main road. It was a long ride back. Reclining her chair, Yoona propped her feet on the dash and closed her eyes.
"You joined them last, right?"
"No one but you since I got on."
"Do you trust them?"
"They're good people." It didn’t exactly answer Yoona’s question, but knowing Sooyoung’s past anyone was good against the things she once did.
"Do you ever feel like they're keeping something from you?"
She opened one eye to see Sooyoung glance her way. Both of her hands were now on the steering wheel instead of one. It was a slight change in demeanor, but it said something.
"Whatever happened before me, I think it screwed them all up. No one talks about it and I don't pry."
"Do you know what happened?"
"All I know is someone died and they almost lost Taeyeon, too."
That was more pieces added to the puzzle. Knowing Taeyeon's life was at risk in it all put reasoning being Tiffany's over-protectiveness. It put reasoning behind why Taeyeon retire and why she needed Yoona.
"That's it?"
Sooyoung shrugged. "it was hard breaking in with them at first. I don't think they were ready for another person yet. Taeyeon was barely around and Tiffany would only talk to me when she had to. I spent most of my time with Sunny, but even she was off then. It got better over time."
"You're okay with it? With not knowing?"
Sooyoung's brow wrinkled. "They're not really forthcoming with that information."
They pulled up to the back of the warehouse. Nothing she was told squelched her curiosity. It only made it worse.
"There is one thing.” Sooyoung shut off the car. She seemed to weigh her words. “You wouldn't notice it because you're new, but they started to act on edge when you got here. Maybe it's the assignment and we're all nervous but I don't know. Tiff and Taeng argue a lot. Sunny tries to stay out of it, but she hates to see them like that. Especially Tiffany. It's weird."
Yoona's brow furrowed. She suspected something with those three, but hearing it was different. Her mind began to rethink past interactions. Everything came into question.
Sooyoung must've sensed her uncertainty. "They are good people. We all have something we don't want to get out, you know?"
She didn't need to be told that. She was just like them if not worse.
Getting out, Yoona led the way inside and over to Sunny's station where she waited for them. She noticed things she hadn't before. The bags beneath Sunny's eyes, the extra bit forced into her smile, the hidden patch of red peeking from the collar of her sweatshirt. All that Sooyoung told her put everything into a new perspective. She didn't know how to feel about it yet.
"What's up?" asked Sooyoung, striding up to Sunny's station.
Sunny rolled aside for them to grab seats by her. "We did it. I'm listening in on a meeting now."
Yoona's eyes bounced between faces sitting around the conference room. She recognized a few but some she didn't know. “Who is everyone?”
Sunny used her cursor to point at each individual. "You know Senior Kwon and Jessica. Right there, that's Jung Soojung. She's Jessica's younger sister and personal assistant. You seldom see one without the other. Beside her is Zhou Mi, the main representative for the Lotus Group."
“And that?" She pointed.
“Lee Donghae. He’s one of the lead scientists from Renascence Pharmaceuticals."
Renascence Pharmaceuticals. It must be the provider for whatever concoction they were using for the bio-weapons. Yoona's skin crawled.
Sooyoung tapped the screen, sifting through feeds of the few camera they managed to tap. "Where's the lady of the hour?”
“Gone.”
Sooyoung turned over to Sunny. "Why would they have a meeting without her?”
"This isn't the first time it's happened. We could be right. Maybe she doesn't know."
"She and her father don't get along," said Yoona. "Think about it. Ion's been into this business for years. Once Yuri comes in, security triples, Senior Kwon continues to call the shots, and meetings are scheduled around times Yuri can't be there. She's blind. All she is is a face and a puppet."
"Maybe." Sunny rubbed at her chin. “Soo, can you send me the archived audio from the past two days? I want to review it.”
“On it.” She got up to go to her station across the room.
Sunny leaned back in her chair, arms folded behind her head as she stared thoughtfully at the screens. "If you're right, then your job just got easier. If she doesn't know then she has no reason to be over cautious. You could get all over that building without her suspecting a thing."
"I'll get that keycard. She used a PIN number, too."
"Even the most tech advanced places keeps written files. Find their room of records if you can.”
“I’ll do what I can.” Yoona narrowed her eyes, watching Jessica closely. There was still something odd about her. ”Can you zoom in on Jessica’s hand? The left one.”
The image blew up and Yoona squinted. She hadn’t been seeing things that night at the Estate. There it was. A light band of skin around the base of her ring finger.
“She’s married.”
Sooyoung popped back up behind them with a hard drive in hand. "No way.”
“Couldn't be." Sunny went to work. Her fingers were lightning across the keyboard, minimizing windows and opening new ones to start a search. Yoona kept her eyes on the live feed that still showed on the second screen. “I’m coming up blank so far. I’ll check divorce records, too.”
“It could be an engagement.” No one had a tan line like that from just any random piece of jewelry. “Why would she hide it?"
"Better question. Why would she go after Yuri?” asked Sooyoung, dropping back into her seat.
“Weak link?” Sunny suggested.
"You think Jung is trying to deceive Kwon?"
Likely, but something still wasn’t lining up. “Senior Kwon is still in control. There’s no way Jessica doesn’t know that."
Sunny rubbed at her chin as she plugged in Sooyoung's audio drive. “I’m going to do a little more digging to see-”
The screen glitched out in black and white flickers.
Sunny flipped a switch beneath the table. A few taps at the touch screen monitors and a couple buttons pushed in a panel, things booted back up.
"What was that?"
"We use a lot of power in here. It happens occasionally." Sooyoung waved it off.
Hitting a series of keys, all the windows they lost returned on the screen. The meeting had ended. The others packed up their belongings to leave while Jessica stood by talking with Donghae and Senior Kwon. The latter checked his wristwatch and motioned for the door, signaling time for them to leave as well.
A text chimed on Yoona’s phone. She fished for it from her back pocket.
--Ion Building. South entrance. One hour.
Something in Yoona swelled.
"It's Kwon. I have to go."
Sooyoung taunted her with a catcall while Sunny made obnoxious kissing noises. Yoona rolled her eyes. She hated them a little more because of it.
Don't forget the card and codes. We'll be watching from here!" Sunny called at her back.
Yoona made sure to flip them both off before she left.
-/-/-/-
Minho met her at the south entrance. He greeted her with a bow and turned for her to follow into an elevator.
"You don't say much, do you?"
He only smiled and hit a number. The doors chimed open on the 21st floor.
“End of the hall.”
Reaching the door, Yoona knocked.
"Come in."
Like the first time she saw Yuri in person, she found her behind a desk, head bent in her work. Unlike that time, Yuri smiled when she looked up at her. Yoona found herself echoing it as she stepped inside, letting the door click shut behind her.
“Hey.”
"Hi.”
“I like it.”
The office was spacious. Windows took up the entire back and side wall with sheer, white curtains drawn over them to shade it just enough. Lights hung from long beams like spots, shining a soft glow while the fluorescents in the ceiling remained shut off. Cool gray and white strewn throughout in the carpet, the desk, the chair, the decor with accents of blue peered about. Everything was simple, sharp, and minimalistic. It was very much Yuri.
Yoona walked across the room to the far side window. Peeling back the curtain, she stared out at the city view. She jumped off a building much like this to get to this point. Standing here with Yuri approaching on her side made it feel like she was coming full circle.
“Do you stand here and stare scornfully down at your peasants?”
Yuri chuckled. “It’s not the best view.”
“No, but this is.”
Yuri’s cheeks dusted pink when she saw Yoona was looking at her. The way the sun came through the curtains made her skin glow and the browns in her irises sparkle. Yuri was a pretty sight.
Yoona grabbed at her fingers. She was surprised when she let her take her hand and lead her into her, arms slipping around Yuri’s waist.“Let’s get away from the window first.”
Backing them up, Yoona eased Yuri down onto the edge of the desk. She bumped at her knees to spread them apart and ease between them. Arms draped over Yuri's shoulder, drawing her close enough for lips to brush.
“How many times have you done this?”
“Once or twice.” Hands circled her waist with an impatient tug.
Yoona pouted. “And here I thought we could do the christening.”
"How did you say before? Oops?"
Yuri’s lips were tasty. There was a difference in the way she kissed her. The sure way she’d taken Yoona the night on the balcony was in each little suck and nip. Though still soft, she was confident - at ease. Yoona smiled and Yuri kissed it right off, massaging her pillowy lips against hers. Hands ran up the back of her thighs and Yoona rolled her hips on instinct. Leaving her mouth, she kissed down her neck, nipping a trail up along her jaw.
“You’re burning me up, Yoong.”
Yoona bit into the soft skin of her earlobe at that. “Are we close enough for nicknames now?”
“Sorry, it slipped.” Slipped just like Seohyun’s gorgeous, serene face on early mornings curled up on the couch with a book slipped into Yoona’s mind.
She shook it quick. “Try master.”
“I’m the President here.”
“Who’s the one usually taking orders?”
Yuri glared playfully. Yoona claimed her mouth again.
“As much as I’d like to,” Yuri paused for a tongue to have its way with her, “there’s somewhere we need to be.”
“Where?” Because the one place Yoona wanted to be right now was her face between those built thighs that rested around her legs.
Yuri went shy. The heat in Yoona went fuzzy. “I thought I could show you around? I know it’s unoriginal but…”
“I’d like that.”
“Really?”
“Show me your world.”
Yuri grinned. She slipped off the desk and straightened out her blouse. Swiping up her keycard, she tucked it into her back pocket. Yoona stared at the sliver of it peeking out against the black fabric as they entered the elevator. It dipped with the press of a button and chimed on every stop.
Yuri took her to various floors, acting as the perfect tour guide. From senior executive offices to the IT floor, to merchandising, promotions, sales, security, break rooms, and research halls. Yoona remembered them for future reference and information to give to the team than for her own interested. She was more entertained by how excited Yuri was showing her around. Like a little kid showing off their hard work at gluing macaroni noodles to a paper plate, Yuri was all smiles and pride.
"Our showroom."
They stepped into a large, dome-like room. It reminded Yoona of the planetarium she went to on a grade-school field trip. Seats lined in a circle around a hexagonal stage in the center propped with a podium and a tall, swivel chair. Above hovered a rounded projector screen that could be lowered.
Yoona took the short set of steps onto the stage. Yuri remained on the floor, smiling up at her with one of the proudest looks.
“You look good up there.”
Yoona approached the podium, fist raised and shaking in the air. “Buy my product! Give me your money! Science rules!”
“Is that what you think of us?”
“I found one exception.” Yoona walked around the stage, eyes wandering the large hall. "Where does the science happen?"
“Downstairs in the labs.”
“Can I see?”
“I’m not allowed to take anyone down.”
“I’m not anyone. I’m a possible, new sales member,” as Yuri told anyone who asked while on the tour.
“Anyone unauthorized.”
“I can keep a secret.”
Yuri returned her smirk. “Okay.”
She offered her hand to help Yoona off the stage. She held onto it until they reached the showroom exit and took them to another elevator hidden at the farthest end of a hall. The button panel had the normal list of floors, but others were added. Each marked with an L beside the number. Sticking her card into a slot, Yuri selected the top L1 button.
Yoona took hold of her hand once the fears above started cranking. "There’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.”
She pulled Yuri to the far side of the elevator out of the camera’s view. She pressed her into the corner, lips covering plush ones. She let her hands wander, sliding along her hips while her tongue kept Yuri distracted on her mouth. Easily, she got two fingers into her pocket. Plastic hit at her fingertips and she scissored them around the keycard to draw it out. The elevator chimed. She sank her tongue into Yuri’s mouth, tasting her one last time as she shoved the keycard into her own pocket then pulled away.
Yuri was winded and flushed. "You're crazy."
The husk in her voice was dangerously seductive. Yoona wiped a smear of lipstick off her bottom lip right as the door opened. “After you, President.”
Yuri erased her dopey smile to lead the way.
They passed by rooms with large windows to see inside. Researchers and scientists in their white coats and blue gloves worked at stations filled with equipment. It put Yoona’s high school chemistry lab to shame. The real deal was better than their faulty bunsen burners and stained lab coats.
“L1 is the preliminary floor. Extensive research, first round testing, and creation happens here.”
Five other labs like the first stretched down the hall, each with different types of equipment, but each conducting science all the same. The next level down had no large windows. Only wide hallways lined with doors, fire extinguishers, and emergency escape route signs.
“L2 is where the experiments and major testing takes place.”
Yuri unlocked an empty lab. Machines stretched from the ceiling and sterile instruments sat organized in white cases along counters against the wall. A curtain sectioning off the room hid a stretcher in its shadow. She wondered what sort of tests they were doing that required the use of a stretcher and tools she’d seen many times at the hospital.
"Creepy." Yoona pulled away from a case of very, sharp objects to walk out the door Yuri held open for her. The place was starting to develop an eerie feeling.
“Last is L3, our high-risk labs. For liability reasons, only those selected have access.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, but we can’t go. Half the floor has been in quarantine since a biohazard a month ago. We only let a few down to continue work. For safety reasons, I’m not permitted. My father handles that.”
Yoona’s brow furrowed. That was it. That had to be the floor.
“Madame President.”
They stopped short of the elevator that let out the two people walking toward them. The first was the man from Z1 she’d seen at the Winter Showcase with his middle part and plastic smile. Right behind him was Lee Donghae, teeth as bright as he was handsome.
“Mr. Park.” Yuri’s shoulders went square and rigid. Yoona stayed behind her as to not draw attention.
“President, this is my colleague, Dr. Lee,” he introduced. They shook hands, exchanging a greeting. Donghae’s eyes cut to Yoona. She smiled, softly. “I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“I extended my short day to a long one. How’re things with the project?”
“Progressing smoothly. Hello again.”
Yoona bowed.
Yuri didn't take the time to feed them the lie she'd told others. “We’ll get out of your way. tI was nice to meet you, Doctor.”
“And you.”
Bows exchanged, Yuri started for the elevator. Yoona could feel Donghae’s eyes on her back until the doors shut. Ground floor selected, the wires yanked them up.
“Is it okay that they saw us?”
“I don’t think it’ll cause any question.” Yuri relaxed, soft smile on her lips when she turned to Yoona. “That’s all I have for today.”
“It wasn’t as boring as I expected.” The purse in Yuri’s lips held the hint of a smile. Yoona had the overwhelming urge to kiss it right off.
Familiar hallways passed them by until they stood at the doors of the south entrance. Yoona felt a pang of sadness that it was already over.
"I'm glad you came."
“Me, too."
Yuri chewed her bottom lip. “That’s not all I called you here for.”
“We could pick up where we left off in the office.”
Yuri laughed, She shook her head. “I want you to come over tonight. For dinner. If you don't have any plans, that is. I know it's last minute and I could’ve messaged you, but in case you couldn’t, I wanted to see you at least once to-”
"You had me at come.”
"Eight o'clock?"
"No Jessica?”
“No Jessica.”
“I’m yours.”
A quick sweep of the hall, Yuri drew her in. Yoona held back a whimper when lips peeled away from hers, wanting more.
“We can finish tonight.”
-/-/-/-
Sliding back the door, Yoona poked her head into the hospital room. Seohyun sat in the middle of the bed, remote in hand and eyes on a dancing monkey acting a fool on the overhanging TV.
“Hey.”
“Go away.”
Yoona blinked, taken aback. That wasn’t the greeting she expected.
Any good feeling Yoona had evaporated. She paced across the room to sit on her usual stool by the bed. Seohyun wouldn’t look at her. Yoona hated when she did that.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“What did I do?”
Seohyun shut off the screen, putting them into a tense silence. She finally turned to Yoona. Her brow drawn and mouth tugged into a frown. She wasn’t joking. She was upset. Yoona shifted. She never did well when Seohyun was angry with her.
“You’re not around anymore.”
Yoona crumbled. “I’ve been busy.”
“With what? Don’t say job search. Everything is digital in this age.”
Busted.
Yoona pouted. This was not what she wanted. Not yet. She wasn’t ready to come clean if that’s what Seohyun was pushing her to do.
“Juhyun- Hey, look at me. Hey.” She ducked her head to meet Seohyun’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”
"You're distant."
"I'm not, I’m- I don’t know what else to say.”
Grabbing her blanket, Seohyun laid down with her back turned to her. Crap.
Yoona poked at her shoulder.
"Scoot over. Please?"
She moved over giving Yoona just enough room to ease into the bed next to her.
“Turn around.”
Reluctantly, Seohyun rolled so they faced each other. Big, brown eyes stared back at her. She was sad, Yoona could tell. Sad and scared and troubled. She didn’t like it. None of those emotions were befitting for her steady, pragmatic Seohyun.
"Forgive me?”
"I worry about you, too."
"I'm a big girl. I can take care of me."
Seohyun scoffed. "You wet the bed until you were seven."
"Hey!”
The smile she cracked lasted only a second. Reaching down, she twined her fingers with Yoona’s. “When you’re gone like that, I worry. I’m stuck here. I can’t do anything if something happens to you.”
Yoona’s brow wrinkled. She thought back to the conversation they had over dinner weeks ago. The one where Seohyun admitted her grief for not being able to be there for Yoona the way she was for her. There was such helplessness in her voice and pleading in the way she gripped Yoona’s hand tight.
“Nothing is happening to me.”
"I can't lose you either, okay?"
Yoona’s stomach knotted. She thought so much about her life without Seohyun that she let her own selfishness blind her from how much it would affect Seohyun if she were to be gone. Tiffany may be right, Seohyun was strong. She could fight through anything and keep a level head while in the midst of great sorrow, but the look in Seohyun’s eyes at that moment was of sheer terror.
"I know,” Yoona muttered.
She realized just then that they were both playing with life or death. Every moment spent in this hospital room was precious. It could be some of their lasts, and throwing them away how Yoona had been, allowing Yuri to siphon away those minutes from the person she cherished more than anything broke her.
“I’m sorry.”
Seohyun pressed her lips to Yoona's forehead, letting it linger in the spot. She'd been kissed there so many times, but none broke her heart like this one.
"Promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise."
The hand in hers let go to cup her face. Forehead to forehead, eyes full of affection locked onto hers. Yoona was caught off guard by the intensity of it. It frightened her - made her insides twinge and flutter at the same time.
"You're my everything," Seohyun said it like a confession. Yoona trembled.
"So, are you."
And so much more.
“Will you stay with me tonight?”
“I can’t.”
Seohyun cloaked her hurt before it could completely show. “Okay.”
“I’m so-”
“Okay.”
Yoona's jaw clenched.˙ Seohyun leaned in, pressing her face into Yoona’s chest. She curved her arms around her, holding her close. There was only so much longer she could deal with this. The truth needed to come out whether Yoona was ready or not.
-/-/-/-
Guilt followed her all the way up to the Estate door where she smacked right into contradictory nervous excitement when Yuri answered. She stepped inside and bowed to Minho who took her bag and left to store it away.
“Hi.”
“Hey.”
"You look amazing."
Her red leather over black dress was eye-catching, but Yoona had already formed a weakness to Yuri in stark white button downs. Even more so to sheer ones that showed everything underneath.
Yoona picked a piece of parsley from Yuri's hair. Food fight?”
"How embarrassing." Yuri raked fingers through her hair.
“You’re still beautiful.”
Yuri’s grin burst across her face before she could tame its intensity. "We'll be back in the garden tonight.”
Large doors led to the backyard. Walkway lamps lit up a path through a green luxury garden accented with colors popping from an array flowers in bushels, hanging arrangements, and garlands wrapped around high, bird feeder posts. A fish pond trickled in the cool quiet, flowing beneath a footbridge that led over to a glass pavilion lit up with pillar candles that sat on plates suspended on wires from the ceiling.
Yuri held the pavilion door open. Yoona stepped through, entering warmth coming from a clay, fire pot that flicked with a glowing flame. In the center was a table, spread with various dishes, wine on ice, and burning incenses that added to the fragrant aroma.
Yoona was speechless.
"Wow. You did all of this?” She’d never been on a date quite like this. It was like something plucked out of one of Seohyun’s story books. The garden, the candles, the food, the thought. It was unreal.
“Is it too much?” Yuri was like a worried puppy, unsure of what to do on a first date. She was cute. Yoona couldn't deny it any longer. Same as she couldn't deny her infatuation. It swelled up in her chest when she saw Yuri’s worried expression.
“It’s just right.”
Yuri blushed as she pulled out Yoona’s chair. Tucking her dress, she sat and grinned when Yuri fumbled to get to her own seat. Her nervousness was endearing.
“There was still a few minutes left on the main dish. Minho will have it out soon.”
“You cooked, too?”
Yuri bit her smiling lip, eyes cast down in poised humility. “I hope you like it.”
Yoona was taken aback once again. Yuri must've spent all evening preparing. She didn’t deserve this. Yuri was a perfect gentleman, pouring her wine and thanking Minho for bringing out the rest of their food. Yoona could see just how grateful he was when Yuri told him she’d left a plate for him warming in the top stove and gave him the rest of the night off. Yuri’s kindness was something to be envious of. Yuri’s heart was something to be in awe of. Yoona was both as well as shamed for playing with her so easily.
However, when she looked up over the single candle burning on the table between them, Yoona didn’t quite feel like she was pulling strings anymore. Not now. She was sucked into the moment, outside world forgotten, and a new world found in Yuri’s soft, brown pools that kept glancing over at her.
“How was it?” asked Yuri, dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief.
Yoona's stomach was full but satisfyingly so. “Five-star.”
“You’re being nice.”
“I’m being real.”
Yuri hid her content with a sip from her wine glass. God, she was bashfully charming.
“How did someone like you end up alone?” Because Yuri was not the type Yoona thought would get caught in the cycle of calling up women for one-night flings. She had much more packed into her for something real and something lasting.
“It took me a long time to figure out what I really wanted. It wasn’t until…” Yuri trailed off, shaking her head with a timid smile.
Yoona grinned. “Until?”
“I don’t want to bore you.”
“I want to hear about the one that flipped President Kwon’s switch.”
She laughed softly. “It’s a long story.”
“The night’s young.” Yoona propped her elbows on the table. “Tell me.”
Taking a breath, Yuri tucked a stray of hair behind her ear as she began. “A few years ago I had to go on a business trip with the company. There was this woman - a representative from a business we’re affiliated with in Japan. One night everyone went out. I didn’t want to be around Hyuk or my father, so I stayed back at the hotel. She came by, asked if she could come in. She ordered us room service and spent half the night telling me about different types of wine. Then she kissed me. I was so surprised, I didn’t know what to do. She knew, but she didn’t apologize. Instead, she poured me one more glass and left. It happened like that every night until the trip was over and I could finally kiss her back without shaking.”
The images playing in Yoona’s mind were sickeningly romantic. More storybook moments painted into Yuri’s life. “What happened after?”
“We stayed in touch and eventually became serious. She’d visit me. I always tried to take her to new places, but she’d take us to the older ones she knew from when she lived here in Korea. It was one of the nights when we went back to the Villa that my father caught us. He threatened to exploit her, to ruin her career. She didn’t care, but I did. I asked her to leave.”
Yuri’s brow wrinkled. Yoona could see her reliving the moments. Her shoulders were rigid, her hands clasped in her lap, her eyes strayed into the distance, staring into her past. She understood the feeling. To be faced with so much fear all of a sudden could alter everything.
“Did you see her again?”
Yuri nodded. Her voice dropped. “We tried to make it work, but things weren’t the same. One weekend I visited her where she stayed in Yokohama. I told her we couldn’t see each other anymore. She called me a coward. I knew she was saying in out of hurt, but I’ll never forget it. She was right. I was. I am.”
“You were trying to protect her.”
“That’s what I tell myself, but…” her gaze shifted up to meet Yoona’s, begging for her to fill in the blanks. She could. Easily.
“There was no one else?”
“Some, but the damage was done.” Bitterness seeped into her tone. “My father forced me into the company knowing I’d never give him or our family a bad name for my own want. After too many failed attempts, I started making calls. Here I am now.”
Yoona could sense her self-loathing. There was nothing comparable to having the real thing. False imitations of love conjured up in the few seconds of pleasure highs was a weak substitute. It did not fill the void. Instead, it expanded the chasm, deepening the canyon so the next fall would not only be further but hurt worse when you hit the bottom.
It was something Yuri probably knew. It was something Yuri probably knew. It was probably what drew her into the shell she’d been in for so long.
Until now.
"What you said about Jessica last time was right. I like the idea of her wanting me, but...she scares me."
"Why?"
“She reminds me of her. Ambitious, mysterious, provocative. It would be easy to fall for her, too. So, I stay away.”
“What does that make me?”
“A change.”
Yoona could say the same about Yuri. The soft, business type was not the sort she ever took a chance on. Yuri was...normal. She was simple. She was the type of woman you could bring home and know would please the parents.
She was not the leader, but the follower thrust into the spotlight and stresses of a job not fit for her character. She was gentle, but she was fiery. She was an ocean of affection, but she was hesitant and wary. Yuri reminded Yoona of Seohyun in some ways. There was no reason to look very deep into Seohyun. It was the same with Yuri. Her reservations were easy to pick apart and her timidness was nothing more than an easy door to walk through and shed with enough time and trust given.
"What about you?” asked Yuri, arms folding on the table. “You're funny, pretty, persistent, but who are you really?"
Yoona’s entirety tensed. "You wouldn't look at me the same if you knew."
"How?”
"I'm part of a team of con artists, thieves, hackers, and assassins who work to ruin big corps like yours."
Yuri rolled her eyes. "And you're full of stories."
"I'm no one." Yoona shrugged.
"I don't believe that."
Yoona looked away. Yuri was sweet. She looked at Yoona as if she was someone more than the usable, broken, guarded girl that she was. If only she knew. If only the ones she cared about really knew her, what would they say? What could they see? What would they do?
"I haven't really known who I was since my father passed away.”
To admit that out loud cause Yoona’s pulse to quicken. It was something she hadn’t even told Seohyun. She was feeling exceptionally transparent tonight, trapped in a heated gazebo with Yuri who so willingly wore her heart on her sleeve after being so cautious before. It only seemed fair.
“What happened?”
“There was an accident.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Yuri frowned. “Was there anyone for you?”
The only person that came to mind was-
“My best friend.”
Yuri’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh."
“It isn’t what you think. We’ve been together since we were kids.”
Her lovely Seohyun was more than Yoona deserved. She was beautiful inside and out. She was the sunshine after the storm and the breath of fresh air on an early morning. Just thinking about her and the many memories Yoona had stored up made her body simmer.
“If you didn’t say she was your best friend I might feel jealous from the way you talk about her.”
“You’re the first person I’ve seen outside of her since she’s gotten sicker.”
“Is it bad?”
Yoona nodded. She was overwhelmed. She never talked about this to anyone. Not even Tiffany could beat it out of her.
“If I’m taking you away from her-”
“No. It’s- She...she’s strong.” Yoona tried to put color in her laugh but remembering her time with Seohyun at the hospital before this put a damper on everything. “She’d probably tell me to have fun on my own anyway.”
“I don’t want to come between you two. I can tell you really love her.”
There it was again. That squeeze in her gut and the flutter in her chest. Too many emotions were leaking through the levees. She didn’t need this right now.
“Yoona? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m-”
Her ringing phone cut through the moment. She fumbled in her jacket pocket, trying to find the cell. The blocked number could be no one other than Tiffany. She never called her unless it was necessary.
“I have to take this.” Might as well tell her about her date with Yuri before she went all kung fu psychiatrist on her again.
Yuri nodded in understanding and Yoona got up. Leaving the pavilion, she crossed the garden out of earshot before she answered.
“Perfect timing as al-”
“Whatever you do, do not call this number again. We’ll contact you.” Tiffany was frantic.
“Wait. What’s happening?”
“Your phone will be wiped within the hour. Wait for my call. Stay where you are.”
“Tiffany, wait. Hey!”
The line went dead.
Yoona stared at the device. She tried the number back. The call didn’t go through.
Something was wrong and Yoona didn’t have a good feeling about it.
She glanced over her shoulder at Yuri, at the meal, at the candles, at everything. She’d gone over the top for a first date. She’d given so much to a call girl she was taking a chance on.
Yoona hated to do this but-
“I have to go.”
Yuri tried to hold back her disappointment, but it leaked in the most painful of ways. She didn’t want to leave, but something in Tiffany's voice worried her.
“Is it your friend?”
She nodded, unable to voice that lie. “I’m really sorry.”
“No, no. Go. She’s more important.”
Double the guilt weighed on Yoona’s shoulders. Juggling Yuri and Seohyun in her hands would soon take its toll on her in the worst of ways.
“I’ll make it up to you?”
Yuri’s smile was sad. “You don’t have to.”
Grabbing her face, Yoona kissed her long and deep.
“I will make it up to you.”
She meant every bit of it.
-/-/-/-
Yoona took the gun from her glove compartment and stuck it in her jacket.
The warehouse district was quiet. Yoona stared at the cluster of buildings from where she stood by the car. She went to dial Tiffany’s number, but there was nothing left. The phone had been restored.
This didn’t feel right.
She walked across the lot, turning the usual path to reach the hidden most entrance. The door creaked as it lifted and Yoona cringed when it slammed shut behind her putting her in darkness.
She blinked, willing her eyes to adjust to what portion light came through the windows along the high walls. Little by little, she saw the destruction of the place. Sunny’s station was a shattered mess, wires and screens cracked and broken with bullet holes. The couch was flipped over. Papers scattered the entire place. Sooyoung’s tools lay knocked to the floor. The briefing table sat in two pieces with the projector reduced to bits amongst the rubble.
What the hell happened?
Yoona rushed to get to the landline tossed to the floor by Taeyeon’s station. Skipping over a busted filing cabinet, she reached out to snatch it up when arms wrapped around her from behind.
She barely got a scream out when a palm covered her mouth while the other held a knuckle blade at her throat. Yoona struggled to get away, body flailing and fighting back against the burly strength of her attacker.
A hand grabbed her by the collar, yanking her forward then threw her back so her skull cracked against the nose of the attacker. He groaned and Yoona gasped when her face was pulled into the chest of the person in front of her. A gun went off and the man dropped away, blood oozing from the hole in his head.
“You okay?” It was Sooyoung.
Yoona pulled back. Aside from the back of her head throbbing, “Yeah?”
“Got that gun?”
She dug into her jacket pocket. “Yeah.”
“Head for the emergency hatch, and whatever you do, don’t come back here." Sooyoung started to pull off. Yoona yanked her back.
“What happened?”
“No time, we have to go.”
"What about you?
"I have to finish putting this place on lockdown.”
Something clattered in the distance. They both started.
Sooyoung pushed her. “Go!"
They split. Yoona charged for the hatch at the opposite end of the warehouse. Shots from an assault rifle fired at her and she ducked, covering her head as she weaved through Sooyoung’s station.
A single shot rang in the darkness followed by the sound of a body hitting the ground. A door creaked open and closed behind her, but Yoona didn’t have a moment to turn to see if Sooyoung got away. She had the hatch in her sights. Yoona sprinted, making her-
Something halted her with a blow to the stomach. Yoona groaned in pain, body keeling forward. She looked up. Eyes stared down at her from beneath a black cloak. A face mask covered the attacker’s mouth. There was a symbol printed on the front. Yoona didn’t get a chance to examine it. Metal glared and she shot her arm up in time to keep the knife from piercing into her neck.
She punched with her other hand, fist making contact with the hardness of bone at the base of their chest. A knee to Yoona’s side distracted her from another swipe of the blade. Yoona dodged it. Another came. Catching their wrist, Yoona twisted. They shrieked. Yoona cocked their wrist a fraction more. The knife clattered to the ground.
She kicked, knocking them away. She came back fast, light on her feet, ready to attack. A butterfly kick sent Yoona flying. She rammed into a shelf, causing equipment to topple to the ground with her. Weight pressed into her back, pinning her to the floor. Thin, garrote wire wrapped around her neck and pulled taught. Yoona choked.
Hands flailing out, she reached for the gun across the floor that fell from her pocket. The wire cut into her neck. She panicked. She couldn’t breathe.
Fingertips hit metal. She used her nail to get the gun just in reach and into her grasp. Pointing it backward, she pulled the trigger.
Her attacker yelled as the bullet clipped across their cheek, dangerously close to the eye. A hand over the bloody wound and Yoona whipped around, using her gun to punch them out. They dropped to the floor and Yoona scrambled to stand. A hand gripped at her ankle and she struck with a harsh kick to the head.
They didn't get up.
Back on her feet, Yoona went for the hatch. She cranked the lever to raise the door high enough for her body to get through and dove in. Yoona ran along the sparse, greenish, ghost lights of the escape corridor.
She got only so far until she had to stop. Dropping to her knees, she wheezed, pulling fresh air back into her lungs. Her entire body was shaking. The pain in her neck was searing. Yoona reached up to touch at the cut left by the wire only to feel thick, wetness against her skin.
Blood coated her hand.
A puddle of it lay beneath her. Yoona jumped up, following the trail of crimson through the corridor.
Hissing voices grew louder the deeper Yoona went.
The beam of a stark flashlight greeted her at the end of the hall. Yoona froze.
Taeyeon sat on the floor with Tiffany crouched beside her. She was working quickly, hands drenched in blood that spilled from Sunny’s side. A wet bullet sat on the ground in a pool of blood. Light flickered off something metallic. Yoona’s veins turned to ice when she noticed it was a needle going in and out of Sunny’s flesh finishing the suture.
Sunny didn’t make a sound of pain.
Sunny didn’t move at all.
"What happened?"
Necks snapped to her.
Tiffany lost it.
She came at Yoona fast, backing her up into the concrete wall. There was terror in her colorless face, smeared with blood. For the first time, Yoona was truly scared of her.
"Do you ever follow orders? I knew you were insubordinate but this!”
Yoona went on the defense. “Back off.”
“I could kill you right now.”
“Leave her alone.”
"Don't defend her!” Tiffany snarled back at Taeyeon. “We never should've done this. We never should've brought her into this. I never should've let you convince me that this was a good idea. She ruins us.”
Taeyeon’s face went white. She shook her head. There was no sound coming from her mouth, only what could be read off her lips. "Don't do this right now."
"Look what's happened, Taeyeon!” Tiffany hissed. “You know as well as I do that-"
"Miyoung.”
Tiffany’s mouth clicked shut.
Taeyeon pleaded. “Please.”
Like a switch, she reined in her fury to a subdued anger.
“Not again.” Tiffany whispered.
“I know.”
“I can’t go through this with you again.”
“We-” Taeyeon's eyes widened. “I can’t feel her pulse. I can’t- It’s not there.”
Tiffany abandoned Yoona to drop back to the ground. Yoona stayed put, watching as she moved Taeyeon’s hand away to press her fingers against Sunny’s neck.
“It’s there. It’s right there. Here.” Tiffany grabbed Taeyeon’s fingers and held them to the spot. “Do you feel that? It’s still there.”
“It’s faint.”
“That’s all we need.”
"Fan..."
Yoona let out a tense breath as relief washed over Tiffany. She grabbed Sunny’s face in her hands. "Hey, I'm right here. I need you to stay awake.”
"Even the dead are awake with all your yelling."
A smile broke through Tiffany's anguish, wide and pure. That was the Tiffany who Sunny talked about. That was the Tiffany she was hiding in order to assume the role of protector. But Yoona could see that no amount of callousness could protect oneself against yourself.
“Stay with me.”
Sunny nodded weakly. Tiffany kissed at her cheek, her temple, the place beneath her ear where she remained, muttering things Yoona couldn’t hear.
“Yoona.” Her attention snapped to Taeyeon. “You have to leave.”
“Let me hel-”
“No.” Tiffany growled. Her lips were bloody. Yoona almost couldn’t look at her. “You will leave. Right now. There’s a covered car out back. You’ll find a spare key underneath above the tire on the driver side. Do not go home.”
“Then what?”
“Wait for my call. Can you do that?”
She nodded. “What about you?”
“Go.”
“But-”
“Go!”
Yoona didn't wait. She rushed to the exit door and didn’t look back.
Part VIII
Yoona’s feet thundered beneath her.
She panted. The gun in her hand was slippery against her sweaty palm. She clutched tighter, finger sliding over the trigger. A bullet hit the ground in her path. She veered out of the way before another zipped through the air even closer.
Five figures stood in the distance before her. Yoona turned, arm raised. She pulled the trigger, aiming for the things in the distance. A bullet clipped near her foot. Yoona hit the ground and rolled. Looking up, she saw the last figure. She shot. The bullet pierced through its head.
"Time!"
Yoona rolled to her back, breathing in the cold air. It burned her lungs with a welcomed chill. Sooyoung came up on her side, blocking out offending sunlight where she towered above her with a rifle held at her side. She looked from the targets to Yoona with a grin.
"Two out of five.”
"You could've blown my foot off." She was all for interactive training but damn. Trained sniper versus inexperienced rookie was unfair.
Sooyoung took Yoona’s gun from her to examine it. "Where'd you get this?"
She sat up. "Family heirloom."
“P88, semi-automatic.” Whatever that meant.
Sooyoung’s phone rang. She handed the gun back to answer it. Yoona pushed off the ground, dusting flakes of dried grass from her clothes. They were in another field with sparse trees and a road a good fifteen minutes drive back. Far, far in the distance Yoona could just make out a silo.
"Sun's onto something. She wants us both back at base. Is that okay?”
“Yeah.” She didn't want to be at the apartment alone and being by Seohyun's bedside was starting to turn bleak.
Dropping into the car, Sooyoung cranked up the engine and pulled them to the dirt road that lead to the main road. It was a long ride back. Reclining her chair, Yoona propped her feet on the dash and closed her eyes.
"You joined them last, right?"
"No one but you since I got on."
"Do you trust them?"
"They're good people." It didn’t exactly answer Yoona’s question, but knowing Sooyoung’s past anyone was good against the things she once did.
"Do you ever feel like they're keeping something from you?"
She opened one eye to see Sooyoung glance her way. Both of her hands were now on the steering wheel instead of one. It was a slight change in demeanor, but it said something.
"Whatever happened before me, I think it screwed them all up. No one talks about it and I don't pry."
"Do you know what happened?"
"All I know is someone died and they almost lost Taeyeon, too."
That was more pieces added to the puzzle. Knowing Taeyeon's life was at risk in it all put reasoning being Tiffany's over-protectiveness. It put reasoning behind why Taeyeon retire and why she needed Yoona.
"That's it?"
Sooyoung shrugged. "it was hard breaking in with them at first. I don't think they were ready for another person yet. Taeyeon was barely around and Tiffany would only talk to me when she had to. I spent most of my time with Sunny, but even she was off then. It got better over time."
"You're okay with it? With not knowing?"
Sooyoung's brow wrinkled. "They're not really forthcoming with that information."
They pulled up to the back of the warehouse. Nothing she was told squelched her curiosity. It only made it worse.
"There is one thing.” Sooyoung shut off the car. She seemed to weigh her words. “You wouldn't notice it because you're new, but they started to act on edge when you got here. Maybe it's the assignment and we're all nervous but I don't know. Tiff and Taeng argue a lot. Sunny tries to stay out of it, but she hates to see them like that. Especially Tiffany. It's weird."
Yoona's brow furrowed. She suspected something with those three, but hearing it was different. Her mind began to rethink past interactions. Everything came into question.
Sooyoung must've sensed her uncertainty. "They are good people. We all have something we don't want to get out, you know?"
She didn't need to be told that. She was just like them if not worse.
Getting out, Yoona led the way inside and over to Sunny's station where she waited for them. She noticed things she hadn't before. The bags beneath Sunny's eyes, the extra bit forced into her smile, the hidden patch of red peeking from the collar of her sweatshirt. All that Sooyoung told her put everything into a new perspective. She didn't know how to feel about it yet.
"What's up?" asked Sooyoung, striding up to Sunny's station.
Sunny rolled aside for them to grab seats by her. "We did it. I'm listening in on a meeting now."
Yoona's eyes bounced between faces sitting around the conference room. She recognized a few but some she didn't know. “Who is everyone?”
Sunny used her cursor to point at each individual. "You know Senior Kwon and Jessica. Right there, that's Jung Soojung. She's Jessica's younger sister and personal assistant. You seldom see one without the other. Beside her is Zhou Mi, the main representative for the Lotus Group."
“And that?" She pointed.
“Lee Donghae. He’s one of the lead scientists from Renascence Pharmaceuticals."
Renascence Pharmaceuticals. It must be the provider for whatever concoction they were using for the bio-weapons. Yoona's skin crawled.
Sooyoung tapped the screen, sifting through feeds of the few camera they managed to tap. "Where's the lady of the hour?”
“Gone.”
Sooyoung turned over to Sunny. "Why would they have a meeting without her?”
"This isn't the first time it's happened. We could be right. Maybe she doesn't know."
"She and her father don't get along," said Yoona. "Think about it. Ion's been into this business for years. Once Yuri comes in, security triples, Senior Kwon continues to call the shots, and meetings are scheduled around times Yuri can't be there. She's blind. All she is is a face and a puppet."
"Maybe." Sunny rubbed at her chin. “Soo, can you send me the archived audio from the past two days? I want to review it.”
“On it.” She got up to go to her station across the room.
Sunny leaned back in her chair, arms folded behind her head as she stared thoughtfully at the screens. "If you're right, then your job just got easier. If she doesn't know then she has no reason to be over cautious. You could get all over that building without her suspecting a thing."
"I'll get that keycard. She used a PIN number, too."
"Even the most tech advanced places keeps written files. Find their room of records if you can.”
“I’ll do what I can.” Yoona narrowed her eyes, watching Jessica closely. There was still something odd about her. ”Can you zoom in on Jessica’s hand? The left one.”
The image blew up and Yoona squinted. She hadn’t been seeing things that night at the Estate. There it was. A light band of skin around the base of her ring finger.
“She’s married.”
Sooyoung popped back up behind them with a hard drive in hand. "No way.”
“Couldn't be." Sunny went to work. Her fingers were lightning across the keyboard, minimizing windows and opening new ones to start a search. Yoona kept her eyes on the live feed that still showed on the second screen. “I’m coming up blank so far. I’ll check divorce records, too.”
“It could be an engagement.” No one had a tan line like that from just any random piece of jewelry. “Why would she hide it?"
"Better question. Why would she go after Yuri?” asked Sooyoung, dropping back into her seat.
“Weak link?” Sunny suggested.
"You think Jung is trying to deceive Kwon?"
Likely, but something still wasn’t lining up. “Senior Kwon is still in control. There’s no way Jessica doesn’t know that."
Sunny rubbed at her chin as she plugged in Sooyoung's audio drive. “I’m going to do a little more digging to see-”
The screen glitched out in black and white flickers.
Sunny flipped a switch beneath the table. A few taps at the touch screen monitors and a couple buttons pushed in a panel, things booted back up.
"What was that?"
"We use a lot of power in here. It happens occasionally." Sooyoung waved it off.
Hitting a series of keys, all the windows they lost returned on the screen. The meeting had ended. The others packed up their belongings to leave while Jessica stood by talking with Donghae and Senior Kwon. The latter checked his wristwatch and motioned for the door, signaling time for them to leave as well.
A text chimed on Yoona’s phone. She fished for it from her back pocket.
--Ion Building. South entrance. One hour.
Something in Yoona swelled.
"It's Kwon. I have to go."
Sooyoung taunted her with a catcall while Sunny made obnoxious kissing noises. Yoona rolled her eyes. She hated them a little more because of it.
Don't forget the card and codes. We'll be watching from here!" Sunny called at her back.
Yoona made sure to flip them both off before she left.
-/-/-/-
Minho met her at the south entrance. He greeted her with a bow and turned for her to follow into an elevator.
"You don't say much, do you?"
He only smiled and hit a number. The doors chimed open on the 21st floor.
“End of the hall.”
Reaching the door, Yoona knocked.
"Come in."
Like the first time she saw Yuri in person, she found her behind a desk, head bent in her work. Unlike that time, Yuri smiled when she looked up at her. Yoona found herself echoing it as she stepped inside, letting the door click shut behind her.
“Hey.”
"Hi.”
“I like it.”
The office was spacious. Windows took up the entire back and side wall with sheer, white curtains drawn over them to shade it just enough. Lights hung from long beams like spots, shining a soft glow while the fluorescents in the ceiling remained shut off. Cool gray and white strewn throughout in the carpet, the desk, the chair, the decor with accents of blue peered about. Everything was simple, sharp, and minimalistic. It was very much Yuri.
Yoona walked across the room to the far side window. Peeling back the curtain, she stared out at the city view. She jumped off a building much like this to get to this point. Standing here with Yuri approaching on her side made it feel like she was coming full circle.
“Do you stand here and stare scornfully down at your peasants?”
Yuri chuckled. “It’s not the best view.”
“No, but this is.”
Yuri’s cheeks dusted pink when she saw Yoona was looking at her. The way the sun came through the curtains made her skin glow and the browns in her irises sparkle. Yuri was a pretty sight.
Yoona grabbed at her fingers. She was surprised when she let her take her hand and lead her into her, arms slipping around Yuri’s waist.“Let’s get away from the window first.”
Backing them up, Yoona eased Yuri down onto the edge of the desk. She bumped at her knees to spread them apart and ease between them. Arms draped over Yuri's shoulder, drawing her close enough for lips to brush.
“How many times have you done this?”
“Once or twice.” Hands circled her waist with an impatient tug.
Yoona pouted. “And here I thought we could do the christening.”
"How did you say before? Oops?"
Yuri’s lips were tasty. There was a difference in the way she kissed her. The sure way she’d taken Yoona the night on the balcony was in each little suck and nip. Though still soft, she was confident - at ease. Yoona smiled and Yuri kissed it right off, massaging her pillowy lips against hers. Hands ran up the back of her thighs and Yoona rolled her hips on instinct. Leaving her mouth, she kissed down her neck, nipping a trail up along her jaw.
“You’re burning me up, Yoong.”
Yoona bit into the soft skin of her earlobe at that. “Are we close enough for nicknames now?”
“Sorry, it slipped.” Slipped just like Seohyun’s gorgeous, serene face on early mornings curled up on the couch with a book slipped into Yoona’s mind.
She shook it quick. “Try master.”
“I’m the President here.”
“Who’s the one usually taking orders?”
Yuri glared playfully. Yoona claimed her mouth again.
“As much as I’d like to,” Yuri paused for a tongue to have its way with her, “there’s somewhere we need to be.”
“Where?” Because the one place Yoona wanted to be right now was her face between those built thighs that rested around her legs.
Yuri went shy. The heat in Yoona went fuzzy. “I thought I could show you around? I know it’s unoriginal but…”
“I’d like that.”
“Really?”
“Show me your world.”
Yuri grinned. She slipped off the desk and straightened out her blouse. Swiping up her keycard, she tucked it into her back pocket. Yoona stared at the sliver of it peeking out against the black fabric as they entered the elevator. It dipped with the press of a button and chimed on every stop.
Yuri took her to various floors, acting as the perfect tour guide. From senior executive offices to the IT floor, to merchandising, promotions, sales, security, break rooms, and research halls. Yoona remembered them for future reference and information to give to the team than for her own interested. She was more entertained by how excited Yuri was showing her around. Like a little kid showing off their hard work at gluing macaroni noodles to a paper plate, Yuri was all smiles and pride.
"Our showroom."
They stepped into a large, dome-like room. It reminded Yoona of the planetarium she went to on a grade-school field trip. Seats lined in a circle around a hexagonal stage in the center propped with a podium and a tall, swivel chair. Above hovered a rounded projector screen that could be lowered.
Yoona took the short set of steps onto the stage. Yuri remained on the floor, smiling up at her with one of the proudest looks.
“You look good up there.”
Yoona approached the podium, fist raised and shaking in the air. “Buy my product! Give me your money! Science rules!”
“Is that what you think of us?”
“I found one exception.” Yoona walked around the stage, eyes wandering the large hall. "Where does the science happen?"
“Downstairs in the labs.”
“Can I see?”
“I’m not allowed to take anyone down.”
“I’m not anyone. I’m a possible, new sales member,” as Yuri told anyone who asked while on the tour.
“Anyone unauthorized.”
“I can keep a secret.”
Yuri returned her smirk. “Okay.”
She offered her hand to help Yoona off the stage. She held onto it until they reached the showroom exit and took them to another elevator hidden at the farthest end of a hall. The button panel had the normal list of floors, but others were added. Each marked with an L beside the number. Sticking her card into a slot, Yuri selected the top L1 button.
Yoona took hold of her hand once the fears above started cranking. "There’s something that I’ve always wanted to do.”
She pulled Yuri to the far side of the elevator out of the camera’s view. She pressed her into the corner, lips covering plush ones. She let her hands wander, sliding along her hips while her tongue kept Yuri distracted on her mouth. Easily, she got two fingers into her pocket. Plastic hit at her fingertips and she scissored them around the keycard to draw it out. The elevator chimed. She sank her tongue into Yuri’s mouth, tasting her one last time as she shoved the keycard into her own pocket then pulled away.
Yuri was winded and flushed. "You're crazy."
The husk in her voice was dangerously seductive. Yoona wiped a smear of lipstick off her bottom lip right as the door opened. “After you, President.”
Yuri erased her dopey smile to lead the way.
They passed by rooms with large windows to see inside. Researchers and scientists in their white coats and blue gloves worked at stations filled with equipment. It put Yoona’s high school chemistry lab to shame. The real deal was better than their faulty bunsen burners and stained lab coats.
“L1 is the preliminary floor. Extensive research, first round testing, and creation happens here.”
Five other labs like the first stretched down the hall, each with different types of equipment, but each conducting science all the same. The next level down had no large windows. Only wide hallways lined with doors, fire extinguishers, and emergency escape route signs.
“L2 is where the experiments and major testing takes place.”
Yuri unlocked an empty lab. Machines stretched from the ceiling and sterile instruments sat organized in white cases along counters against the wall. A curtain sectioning off the room hid a stretcher in its shadow. She wondered what sort of tests they were doing that required the use of a stretcher and tools she’d seen many times at the hospital.
"Creepy." Yoona pulled away from a case of very, sharp objects to walk out the door Yuri held open for her. The place was starting to develop an eerie feeling.
“Last is L3, our high-risk labs. For liability reasons, only those selected have access.”
“Do you?”
“Yes, but we can’t go. Half the floor has been in quarantine since a biohazard a month ago. We only let a few down to continue work. For safety reasons, I’m not permitted. My father handles that.”
Yoona’s brow furrowed. That was it. That had to be the floor.
“Madame President.”
They stopped short of the elevator that let out the two people walking toward them. The first was the man from Z1 she’d seen at the Winter Showcase with his middle part and plastic smile. Right behind him was Lee Donghae, teeth as bright as he was handsome.
“Mr. Park.” Yuri’s shoulders went square and rigid. Yoona stayed behind her as to not draw attention.
“President, this is my colleague, Dr. Lee,” he introduced. They shook hands, exchanging a greeting. Donghae’s eyes cut to Yoona. She smiled, softly. “I didn’t expect to see you today.”
“I extended my short day to a long one. How’re things with the project?”
“Progressing smoothly. Hello again.”
Yoona bowed.
Yuri didn't take the time to feed them the lie she'd told others. “We’ll get out of your way. tI was nice to meet you, Doctor.”
“And you.”
Bows exchanged, Yuri started for the elevator. Yoona could feel Donghae’s eyes on her back until the doors shut. Ground floor selected, the wires yanked them up.
“Is it okay that they saw us?”
“I don’t think it’ll cause any question.” Yuri relaxed, soft smile on her lips when she turned to Yoona. “That’s all I have for today.”
“It wasn’t as boring as I expected.” The purse in Yuri’s lips held the hint of a smile. Yoona had the overwhelming urge to kiss it right off.
Familiar hallways passed them by until they stood at the doors of the south entrance. Yoona felt a pang of sadness that it was already over.
"I'm glad you came."
“Me, too."
Yuri chewed her bottom lip. “That’s not all I called you here for.”
“We could pick up where we left off in the office.”
Yuri laughed, She shook her head. “I want you to come over tonight. For dinner. If you don't have any plans, that is. I know it's last minute and I could’ve messaged you, but in case you couldn’t, I wanted to see you at least once to-”
"You had me at come.”
"Eight o'clock?"
"No Jessica?”
“No Jessica.”
“I’m yours.”
A quick sweep of the hall, Yuri drew her in. Yoona held back a whimper when lips peeled away from hers, wanting more.
“We can finish tonight.”
-/-/-/-
Sliding back the door, Yoona poked her head into the hospital room. Seohyun sat in the middle of the bed, remote in hand and eyes on a dancing monkey acting a fool on the overhanging TV.
“Hey.”
“Go away.”
Yoona blinked, taken aback. That wasn’t the greeting she expected.
Any good feeling Yoona had evaporated. She paced across the room to sit on her usual stool by the bed. Seohyun wouldn’t look at her. Yoona hated when she did that.
“What’s wrong?”
“I don’t want to talk to you.”
“What did I do?”
Seohyun shut off the screen, putting them into a tense silence. She finally turned to Yoona. Her brow drawn and mouth tugged into a frown. She wasn’t joking. She was upset. Yoona shifted. She never did well when Seohyun was angry with her.
“You’re not around anymore.”
Yoona crumbled. “I’ve been busy.”
“With what? Don’t say job search. Everything is digital in this age.”
Busted.
Yoona pouted. This was not what she wanted. Not yet. She wasn’t ready to come clean if that’s what Seohyun was pushing her to do.
“Juhyun- Hey, look at me. Hey.” She ducked her head to meet Seohyun’s eyes. “I’m sorry.”
"You're distant."
"I'm not, I’m- I don’t know what else to say.”
Grabbing her blanket, Seohyun laid down with her back turned to her. Crap.
Yoona poked at her shoulder.
"Scoot over. Please?"
She moved over giving Yoona just enough room to ease into the bed next to her.
“Turn around.”
Reluctantly, Seohyun rolled so they faced each other. Big, brown eyes stared back at her. She was sad, Yoona could tell. Sad and scared and troubled. She didn’t like it. None of those emotions were befitting for her steady, pragmatic Seohyun.
"Forgive me?”
"I worry about you, too."
"I'm a big girl. I can take care of me."
Seohyun scoffed. "You wet the bed until you were seven."
"Hey!”
The smile she cracked lasted only a second. Reaching down, she twined her fingers with Yoona’s. “When you’re gone like that, I worry. I’m stuck here. I can’t do anything if something happens to you.”
Yoona’s brow wrinkled. She thought back to the conversation they had over dinner weeks ago. The one where Seohyun admitted her grief for not being able to be there for Yoona the way she was for her. There was such helplessness in her voice and pleading in the way she gripped Yoona’s hand tight.
“Nothing is happening to me.”
"I can't lose you either, okay?"
Yoona’s stomach knotted. She thought so much about her life without Seohyun that she let her own selfishness blind her from how much it would affect Seohyun if she were to be gone. Tiffany may be right, Seohyun was strong. She could fight through anything and keep a level head while in the midst of great sorrow, but the look in Seohyun’s eyes at that moment was of sheer terror.
"I know,” Yoona muttered.
She realized just then that they were both playing with life or death. Every moment spent in this hospital room was precious. It could be some of their lasts, and throwing them away how Yoona had been, allowing Yuri to siphon away those minutes from the person she cherished more than anything broke her.
“I’m sorry.”
Seohyun pressed her lips to Yoona's forehead, letting it linger in the spot. She'd been kissed there so many times, but none broke her heart like this one.
"Promise me you'll be careful."
"I promise."
The hand in hers let go to cup her face. Forehead to forehead, eyes full of affection locked onto hers. Yoona was caught off guard by the intensity of it. It frightened her - made her insides twinge and flutter at the same time.
"You're my everything," Seohyun said it like a confession. Yoona trembled.
"So, are you."
And so much more.
“Will you stay with me tonight?”
“I can’t.”
Seohyun cloaked her hurt before it could completely show. “Okay.”
“I’m so-”
“Okay.”
Yoona's jaw clenched.˙ Seohyun leaned in, pressing her face into Yoona’s chest. She curved her arms around her, holding her close. There was only so much longer she could deal with this. The truth needed to come out whether Yoona was ready or not.
-/-/-/-
Guilt followed her all the way up to the Estate door where she smacked right into contradictory nervous excitement when Yuri answered. She stepped inside and bowed to Minho who took her bag and left to store it away.
“Hi.”
“Hey.”
"You look amazing."
Her red leather over black dress was eye-catching, but Yoona had already formed a weakness to Yuri in stark white button downs. Even more so to sheer ones that showed everything underneath.
Yoona picked a piece of parsley from Yuri's hair. Food fight?”
"How embarrassing." Yuri raked fingers through her hair.
“You’re still beautiful.”
Yuri’s grin burst across her face before she could tame its intensity. "We'll be back in the garden tonight.”
Large doors led to the backyard. Walkway lamps lit up a path through a green luxury garden accented with colors popping from an array flowers in bushels, hanging arrangements, and garlands wrapped around high, bird feeder posts. A fish pond trickled in the cool quiet, flowing beneath a footbridge that led over to a glass pavilion lit up with pillar candles that sat on plates suspended on wires from the ceiling.
Yuri held the pavilion door open. Yoona stepped through, entering warmth coming from a clay, fire pot that flicked with a glowing flame. In the center was a table, spread with various dishes, wine on ice, and burning incenses that added to the fragrant aroma.
Yoona was speechless.
"Wow. You did all of this?” She’d never been on a date quite like this. It was like something plucked out of one of Seohyun’s story books. The garden, the candles, the food, the thought. It was unreal.
“Is it too much?” Yuri was like a worried puppy, unsure of what to do on a first date. She was cute. Yoona couldn't deny it any longer. Same as she couldn't deny her infatuation. It swelled up in her chest when she saw Yuri’s worried expression.
“It’s just right.”
Yuri blushed as she pulled out Yoona’s chair. Tucking her dress, she sat and grinned when Yuri fumbled to get to her own seat. Her nervousness was endearing.
“There was still a few minutes left on the main dish. Minho will have it out soon.”
“You cooked, too?”
Yuri bit her smiling lip, eyes cast down in poised humility. “I hope you like it.”
Yoona was taken aback once again. Yuri must've spent all evening preparing. She didn’t deserve this. Yuri was a perfect gentleman, pouring her wine and thanking Minho for bringing out the rest of their food. Yoona could see just how grateful he was when Yuri told him she’d left a plate for him warming in the top stove and gave him the rest of the night off. Yuri’s kindness was something to be envious of. Yuri’s heart was something to be in awe of. Yoona was both as well as shamed for playing with her so easily.
However, when she looked up over the single candle burning on the table between them, Yoona didn’t quite feel like she was pulling strings anymore. Not now. She was sucked into the moment, outside world forgotten, and a new world found in Yuri’s soft, brown pools that kept glancing over at her.
“How was it?” asked Yuri, dabbing her mouth with a handkerchief.
Yoona's stomach was full but satisfyingly so. “Five-star.”
“You’re being nice.”
“I’m being real.”
Yuri hid her content with a sip from her wine glass. God, she was bashfully charming.
“How did someone like you end up alone?” Because Yuri was not the type Yoona thought would get caught in the cycle of calling up women for one-night flings. She had much more packed into her for something real and something lasting.
“It took me a long time to figure out what I really wanted. It wasn’t until…” Yuri trailed off, shaking her head with a timid smile.
Yoona grinned. “Until?”
“I don’t want to bore you.”
“I want to hear about the one that flipped President Kwon’s switch.”
She laughed softly. “It’s a long story.”
“The night’s young.” Yoona propped her elbows on the table. “Tell me.”
Taking a breath, Yuri tucked a stray of hair behind her ear as she began. “A few years ago I had to go on a business trip with the company. There was this woman - a representative from a business we’re affiliated with in Japan. One night everyone went out. I didn’t want to be around Hyuk or my father, so I stayed back at the hotel. She came by, asked if she could come in. She ordered us room service and spent half the night telling me about different types of wine. Then she kissed me. I was so surprised, I didn’t know what to do. She knew, but she didn’t apologize. Instead, she poured me one more glass and left. It happened like that every night until the trip was over and I could finally kiss her back without shaking.”
The images playing in Yoona’s mind were sickeningly romantic. More storybook moments painted into Yuri’s life. “What happened after?”
“We stayed in touch and eventually became serious. She’d visit me. I always tried to take her to new places, but she’d take us to the older ones she knew from when she lived here in Korea. It was one of the nights when we went back to the Villa that my father caught us. He threatened to exploit her, to ruin her career. She didn’t care, but I did. I asked her to leave.”
Yuri’s brow wrinkled. Yoona could see her reliving the moments. Her shoulders were rigid, her hands clasped in her lap, her eyes strayed into the distance, staring into her past. She understood the feeling. To be faced with so much fear all of a sudden could alter everything.
“Did you see her again?”
Yuri nodded. Her voice dropped. “We tried to make it work, but things weren’t the same. One weekend I visited her where she stayed in Yokohama. I told her we couldn’t see each other anymore. She called me a coward. I knew she was saying in out of hurt, but I’ll never forget it. She was right. I was. I am.”
“You were trying to protect her.”
“That’s what I tell myself, but…” her gaze shifted up to meet Yoona’s, begging for her to fill in the blanks. She could. Easily.
“There was no one else?”
“Some, but the damage was done.” Bitterness seeped into her tone. “My father forced me into the company knowing I’d never give him or our family a bad name for my own want. After too many failed attempts, I started making calls. Here I am now.”
Yoona could sense her self-loathing. There was nothing comparable to having the real thing. False imitations of love conjured up in the few seconds of pleasure highs was a weak substitute. It did not fill the void. Instead, it expanded the chasm, deepening the canyon so the next fall would not only be further but hurt worse when you hit the bottom.
It was something Yuri probably knew. It was something Yuri probably knew. It was probably what drew her into the shell she’d been in for so long.
Until now.
"What you said about Jessica last time was right. I like the idea of her wanting me, but...she scares me."
"Why?"
“She reminds me of her. Ambitious, mysterious, provocative. It would be easy to fall for her, too. So, I stay away.”
“What does that make me?”
“A change.”
Yoona could say the same about Yuri. The soft, business type was not the sort she ever took a chance on. Yuri was...normal. She was simple. She was the type of woman you could bring home and know would please the parents.
She was not the leader, but the follower thrust into the spotlight and stresses of a job not fit for her character. She was gentle, but she was fiery. She was an ocean of affection, but she was hesitant and wary. Yuri reminded Yoona of Seohyun in some ways. There was no reason to look very deep into Seohyun. It was the same with Yuri. Her reservations were easy to pick apart and her timidness was nothing more than an easy door to walk through and shed with enough time and trust given.
"What about you?” asked Yuri, arms folding on the table. “You're funny, pretty, persistent, but who are you really?"
Yoona’s entirety tensed. "You wouldn't look at me the same if you knew."
"How?”
"I'm part of a team of con artists, thieves, hackers, and assassins who work to ruin big corps like yours."
Yuri rolled her eyes. "And you're full of stories."
"I'm no one." Yoona shrugged.
"I don't believe that."
Yoona looked away. Yuri was sweet. She looked at Yoona as if she was someone more than the usable, broken, guarded girl that she was. If only she knew. If only the ones she cared about really knew her, what would they say? What could they see? What would they do?
"I haven't really known who I was since my father passed away.”
To admit that out loud cause Yoona’s pulse to quicken. It was something she hadn’t even told Seohyun. She was feeling exceptionally transparent tonight, trapped in a heated gazebo with Yuri who so willingly wore her heart on her sleeve after being so cautious before. It only seemed fair.
“What happened?”
“There was an accident.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
Yuri frowned. “Was there anyone for you?”
The only person that came to mind was-
“My best friend.”
Yuri’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh."
“It isn’t what you think. We’ve been together since we were kids.”
Her lovely Seohyun was more than Yoona deserved. She was beautiful inside and out. She was the sunshine after the storm and the breath of fresh air on an early morning. Just thinking about her and the many memories Yoona had stored up made her body simmer.
“If you didn’t say she was your best friend I might feel jealous from the way you talk about her.”
“You’re the first person I’ve seen outside of her since she’s gotten sicker.”
“Is it bad?”
Yoona nodded. She was overwhelmed. She never talked about this to anyone. Not even Tiffany could beat it out of her.
“If I’m taking you away from her-”
“No. It’s- She...she’s strong.” Yoona tried to put color in her laugh but remembering her time with Seohyun at the hospital before this put a damper on everything. “She’d probably tell me to have fun on my own anyway.”
“I don’t want to come between you two. I can tell you really love her.”
There it was again. That squeeze in her gut and the flutter in her chest. Too many emotions were leaking through the levees. She didn’t need this right now.
“Yoona? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m-”
Her ringing phone cut through the moment. She fumbled in her jacket pocket, trying to find the cell. The blocked number could be no one other than Tiffany. She never called her unless it was necessary.
“I have to take this.” Might as well tell her about her date with Yuri before she went all kung fu psychiatrist on her again.
Yuri nodded in understanding and Yoona got up. Leaving the pavilion, she crossed the garden out of earshot before she answered.
“Perfect timing as al-”
“Whatever you do, do not call this number again. We’ll contact you.” Tiffany was frantic.
“Wait. What’s happening?”
“Your phone will be wiped within the hour. Wait for my call. Stay where you are.”
“Tiffany, wait. Hey!”
The line went dead.
Yoona stared at the device. She tried the number back. The call didn’t go through.
Something was wrong and Yoona didn’t have a good feeling about it.
She glanced over her shoulder at Yuri, at the meal, at the candles, at everything. She’d gone over the top for a first date. She’d given so much to a call girl she was taking a chance on.
Yoona hated to do this but-
“I have to go.”
Yuri tried to hold back her disappointment, but it leaked in the most painful of ways. She didn’t want to leave, but something in Tiffany's voice worried her.
“Is it your friend?”
She nodded, unable to voice that lie. “I’m really sorry.”
“No, no. Go. She’s more important.”
Double the guilt weighed on Yoona’s shoulders. Juggling Yuri and Seohyun in her hands would soon take its toll on her in the worst of ways.
“I’ll make it up to you?”
Yuri’s smile was sad. “You don’t have to.”
Grabbing her face, Yoona kissed her long and deep.
“I will make it up to you.”
She meant every bit of it.
-/-/-/-
Yoona took the gun from her glove compartment and stuck it in her jacket.
The warehouse district was quiet. Yoona stared at the cluster of buildings from where she stood by the car. She went to dial Tiffany’s number, but there was nothing left. The phone had been restored.
This didn’t feel right.
She walked across the lot, turning the usual path to reach the hidden most entrance. The door creaked as it lifted and Yoona cringed when it slammed shut behind her putting her in darkness.
She blinked, willing her eyes to adjust to what portion light came through the windows along the high walls. Little by little, she saw the destruction of the place. Sunny’s station was a shattered mess, wires and screens cracked and broken with bullet holes. The couch was flipped over. Papers scattered the entire place. Sooyoung’s tools lay knocked to the floor. The briefing table sat in two pieces with the projector reduced to bits amongst the rubble.
What the hell happened?
Yoona rushed to get to the landline tossed to the floor by Taeyeon’s station. Skipping over a busted filing cabinet, she reached out to snatch it up when arms wrapped around her from behind.
She barely got a scream out when a palm covered her mouth while the other held a knuckle blade at her throat. Yoona struggled to get away, body flailing and fighting back against the burly strength of her attacker.
A hand grabbed her by the collar, yanking her forward then threw her back so her skull cracked against the nose of the attacker. He groaned and Yoona gasped when her face was pulled into the chest of the person in front of her. A gun went off and the man dropped away, blood oozing from the hole in his head.
“You okay?” It was Sooyoung.
Yoona pulled back. Aside from the back of her head throbbing, “Yeah?”
“Got that gun?”
She dug into her jacket pocket. “Yeah.”
“Head for the emergency hatch, and whatever you do, don’t come back here." Sooyoung started to pull off. Yoona yanked her back.
“What happened?”
“No time, we have to go.”
"What about you?
"I have to finish putting this place on lockdown.”
Something clattered in the distance. They both started.
Sooyoung pushed her. “Go!"
They split. Yoona charged for the hatch at the opposite end of the warehouse. Shots from an assault rifle fired at her and she ducked, covering her head as she weaved through Sooyoung’s station.
A single shot rang in the darkness followed by the sound of a body hitting the ground. A door creaked open and closed behind her, but Yoona didn’t have a moment to turn to see if Sooyoung got away. She had the hatch in her sights. Yoona sprinted, making her-
Something halted her with a blow to the stomach. Yoona groaned in pain, body keeling forward. She looked up. Eyes stared down at her from beneath a black cloak. A face mask covered the attacker’s mouth. There was a symbol printed on the front. Yoona didn’t get a chance to examine it. Metal glared and she shot her arm up in time to keep the knife from piercing into her neck.
She punched with her other hand, fist making contact with the hardness of bone at the base of their chest. A knee to Yoona’s side distracted her from another swipe of the blade. Yoona dodged it. Another came. Catching their wrist, Yoona twisted. They shrieked. Yoona cocked their wrist a fraction more. The knife clattered to the ground.
She kicked, knocking them away. She came back fast, light on her feet, ready to attack. A butterfly kick sent Yoona flying. She rammed into a shelf, causing equipment to topple to the ground with her. Weight pressed into her back, pinning her to the floor. Thin, garrote wire wrapped around her neck and pulled taught. Yoona choked.
Hands flailing out, she reached for the gun across the floor that fell from her pocket. The wire cut into her neck. She panicked. She couldn’t breathe.
Fingertips hit metal. She used her nail to get the gun just in reach and into her grasp. Pointing it backward, she pulled the trigger.
Her attacker yelled as the bullet clipped across their cheek, dangerously close to the eye. A hand over the bloody wound and Yoona whipped around, using her gun to punch them out. They dropped to the floor and Yoona scrambled to stand. A hand gripped at her ankle and she struck with a harsh kick to the head.
They didn't get up.
Back on her feet, Yoona went for the hatch. She cranked the lever to raise the door high enough for her body to get through and dove in. Yoona ran along the sparse, greenish, ghost lights of the escape corridor.
She got only so far until she had to stop. Dropping to her knees, she wheezed, pulling fresh air back into her lungs. Her entire body was shaking. The pain in her neck was searing. Yoona reached up to touch at the cut left by the wire only to feel thick, wetness against her skin.
Blood coated her hand.
A puddle of it lay beneath her. Yoona jumped up, following the trail of crimson through the corridor.
Hissing voices grew louder the deeper Yoona went.
The beam of a stark flashlight greeted her at the end of the hall. Yoona froze.
Taeyeon sat on the floor with Tiffany crouched beside her. She was working quickly, hands drenched in blood that spilled from Sunny’s side. A wet bullet sat on the ground in a pool of blood. Light flickered off something metallic. Yoona’s veins turned to ice when she noticed it was a needle going in and out of Sunny’s flesh finishing the suture.
Sunny didn’t make a sound of pain.
Sunny didn’t move at all.
"What happened?"
Necks snapped to her.
Tiffany lost it.
She came at Yoona fast, backing her up into the concrete wall. There was terror in her colorless face, smeared with blood. For the first time, Yoona was truly scared of her.
"Do you ever follow orders? I knew you were insubordinate but this!”
Yoona went on the defense. “Back off.”
“I could kill you right now.”
“Leave her alone.”
"Don't defend her!” Tiffany snarled back at Taeyeon. “We never should've done this. We never should've brought her into this. I never should've let you convince me that this was a good idea. She ruins us.”
Taeyeon’s face went white. She shook her head. There was no sound coming from her mouth, only what could be read off her lips. "Don't do this right now."
"Look what's happened, Taeyeon!” Tiffany hissed. “You know as well as I do that-"
"Miyoung.”
Tiffany’s mouth clicked shut.
Taeyeon pleaded. “Please.”
Like a switch, she reined in her fury to a subdued anger.
“Not again.” Tiffany whispered.
“I know.”
“I can’t go through this with you again.”
“We-” Taeyeon's eyes widened. “I can’t feel her pulse. I can’t- It’s not there.”
Tiffany abandoned Yoona to drop back to the ground. Yoona stayed put, watching as she moved Taeyeon’s hand away to press her fingers against Sunny’s neck.
“It’s there. It’s right there. Here.” Tiffany grabbed Taeyeon’s fingers and held them to the spot. “Do you feel that? It’s still there.”
“It’s faint.”
“That’s all we need.”
"Fan..."
Yoona let out a tense breath as relief washed over Tiffany. She grabbed Sunny’s face in her hands. "Hey, I'm right here. I need you to stay awake.”
"Even the dead are awake with all your yelling."
A smile broke through Tiffany's anguish, wide and pure. That was the Tiffany who Sunny talked about. That was the Tiffany she was hiding in order to assume the role of protector. But Yoona could see that no amount of callousness could protect oneself against yourself.
“Stay with me.”
Sunny nodded weakly. Tiffany kissed at her cheek, her temple, the place beneath her ear where she remained, muttering things Yoona couldn’t hear.
“Yoona.” Her attention snapped to Taeyeon. “You have to leave.”
“Let me hel-”
“No.” Tiffany growled. Her lips were bloody. Yoona almost couldn’t look at her. “You will leave. Right now. There’s a covered car out back. You’ll find a spare key underneath above the tire on the driver side. Do not go home.”
“Then what?”
“Wait for my call. Can you do that?”
She nodded. “What about you?”
“Go.”
“But-”
“Go!”
Yoona didn't wait. She rushed to the exit door and didn’t look back.
Part VIII
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
YAAS (07)!
Date: 2015-11-01 02:24 am (UTC)And Yoonhyun is on the rocks. It broke my heart when Seo confessed and Yoong couldn't stay.
On the other hand, Yoonyul is progressing nicely (even if it is part of a con ;P). They seem to be really falling for each other and are starting to let one another in.
So Sicaboo has a boo... Is it Krys? Haha ;P. Also, I'm getting he feeling that Yul's first love was Tiff??
Thank you for the update, Boxx! Can't wait till the next!
P.s. Happy Halloween!
RE: YAAS (07)!
Date: 2015-11-01 02:39 am (UTC)Thank you again!
--YAAAS!
Re: YAAS (07)!
Date: 2015-11-07 03:17 pm (UTC)Sica has a boo lol it’s not Krystal /smirks/. I can garuntee you now that Yuri’s first love wasn’t Fany and you’ve figured that out already lol. Soon!
I made an account just to comment!
Date: 2015-11-01 02:36 am (UTC)So my guesses for why their base got hijacked are either Jessica's company found out about Yoona or Donghae has something to do with it? Yoona must have messed up somewhere along the way from the way Tiffany is reacting.
Poor Yul bb :(((( She's falling so sweetly for Yoona but she's going to find the truth eventually and I'm not prepared for the inevitable angst even though I've been anticipating it from the start.
As for Seobb, omg you're going to kill her, aren't you?! >:'( Is she going to die saving Yoona, or will she have a fatal medical accident one day while Yoona is out with Yuri? I'm predicting that either way it's going to cause Yoona a world of guilt and grief because she's going to blame herself for it.
You got me smoking cigarettes, I'm in stress becauseicantwaitforthenextchapter~
Re: I made an account just to comment!
Date: 2015-11-07 03:21 pm (UTC)But isn’t it fun to follow chap by chap instead of binging? So much more anticipation and feels! Someone def messed up along the way.
At this point yoonyul feels like a ticking timebomb for truths and lololol you think imma kill Seo? Am I that cruel? Am I reaaallllyy??? Yoona’s already got enough guilt and grief she’s gotta deal with regardless of Seo being alive or not :33
Hahaha I’ll see you soon
no subject
Date: 2015-11-01 02:45 am (UTC)All the lies Yoona held could break them all.
Yoona was Seohyun's only trusted and loved person, a family. She couldn't bear it if she had to lose Yoona, as much as Yoona couldn't lose her, and she knew something was happening that might cost that, something different from the lies Yoona gave from her other jobs. She might be waiting until Yoona tell her.
And Yuri, gosh.
I really hope she wasn't as naive as she looked. As much as it's exciting to see the spark between YoonYul, it hurts too. It hurts knowing she's played like this. Played by her family, company, affiliates, and now Yoona? It's too much for her. She doesn't necessarily need to be evil, I just wish she's not completely clueless. Gotta be strong on her own! lol
The last scene was intense, so intense it got my heart racing.
Wth happened caused the chaos O__O and Sunny was critical, Gosh...
Was it something Yoona unconsciously caused, why would Tiffany say Yoona ruined them hm
I got a feeling Yoona was somewhat found out during her job, and maybe she's also somewhat tracked. Ion should be a scary place haha I'd be thrilled if it's Yuri :p
Anyway, I'm so looking forward to what just happened and would happen to the team.
This is getting more exciting.
no subject
Date: 2015-11-07 03:26 pm (UTC)Hohoho
“why would Tiffany say Yoona ruined them hm” :——)
“I got a feeling Yoona was somewhat found out during her job, and maybe she's also somewhat tracked.” :——————)
That’s all I’ll say on that matter lolololol
See you around :D
no subject
Date: 2015-11-01 07:38 am (UTC)BEFORE I SPAZZ AT ALL ZE ACTION....
Ugh. Why are the trio so mysterious? Even Sooyoung doesn't know what's up. I am VERY curious. I want them answers. Please throw us the flashbacks.
DAMN YOU!!!! My poor Yoonhyun hearto can't handle all the akdkslajdlks. I'M CRY. That stare, Seobot, I understand your heart. Boxxy, send her to me, I'll make her happy. ;_;
THEN, Yoonyul... OTL
Thanks for throwing lovesick Yul at me. Baby girl went the extra mile for Yoona. After that night tho, she'll probably stop being extra. lolololol /prays to yulsus/
NOW...Who is after them? How'd they find them? Why the masks? It was Jessica, wasn't it? God, so many questions. After all that's happened I'm sure Yoona is not gonna let things slide. She's going to get her answers. I just hope Seohyun's fine. If these guys found their hideout it's not hard to find Seohyun. ;.;;.;.;.;.;
"We use a lot of power in here. It happens occasionally." Sooyoung waved it off.
NAH GURL, THAT WAS HOW THEY TRACKED YO ASS.
Who is onto them? Sunny will be ok, right? I didn't prepare tissues for this fic. I should've. Damn it.
I should probably end my comment here. It's long. First time I've written such a long comment. Tho its all over the place. I guess that's what you'll get from me when I mix red bull and coffee. Whoops. Great chapter as always. Can I expect answers next week? :D
Good day.
no subject
Date: 2015-11-07 03:32 pm (UTC)They’re mysterious cause they’re shady. I’ll say what I said before: Trust no bitch!
Aww would you take good care of Seo? Don’t worry. Yoona will make it up to her. Isn’t our Yul such a cutie? :33 Going above and beyond for some rando stranger and trying to do things better than she did in the past. Can’t wait to wreck her world :3
Obviously it was Seohyun who attacked them. She’s faking her illness and is actually a super badass. Duh. loljk More answers come next chapter. Many, many answers next chapter.
Sunny’s gonna die.
I enjoy reading long spazzy comments, don’t worry :)
no subject
Date: 2015-11-01 12:05 pm (UTC)Lol Yoona did the exact opposite of what Tiffany told her to do. She's quite headstrong and rash. Goes with her gut a lot. Maybe that's what got them in trouble?
Anticipation is up!! So many questions with this update. Thanks girrl.
no subject
Date: 2015-11-07 03:32 pm (UTC)Thanks girrl
no subject
Date: 2015-11-02 05:48 am (UTC)Our Cube Crew is getting more sus as the days pass. Awkward silences and not enough answers. Sooyoung isn’t even briefed on everything, but they’ve become like family…so, ughhhh. I WANT INFO. YOONA, GURLFRAN. WATCH EVERYTHING.
I totally read ‘Senior Kwon’ as ‘Señor Kwon’. Heh.
JESSICA AND SOOJUNGIE. Attached at the hip, are they? Understandable, but I’m positive that it spells trouble for our team. And Yuri’s not invited to the meeting because she has cooties. Mean. );
”…Yuri can't be there. She's blind. All she is is a face and a puppet.”—Hm. Okay then, Yoona. Even if it’s true….douchetastic.
IS JESSICA MARRIED TO ME??? D: IS SHE???
<.< That ‘screen glitch’. If it’s happened in the past, they’ve been counter-hacked even before Yoona arrived. Ya know, if that’s the case.
MINHO IS SKETCH AS ALL HELL. I HOPE IT’S ONLY ABOUT HIS KWON YURI TELL-ALL. D: I was nervous about Yoona eating food that he touched.
Sexytimes is interrupted by a tour of the facility. I believe my imagination was bouncing around as much as Yoona’s eyes. SO FASCINATING. AND DESTINED FOR DOOM. LIKE YURI. I FEEL LIKE HER DAYS ARE NUMBERED. HER GETTING ALL FLUSTERED FROM THAT ELEVATOR KISS IS HEARTBREAKING. AND THE PRECIOUS OVER-THE-TOP DATE. IT’S OVER.
DEAR GAWD. WHAT IF YOONA LOSES BOTH YURI AND SEOHYUN????
WHAT IF YURI IS PLAYING US ALL??????
WHAT IF I’M MARRIED TO JESSICA????????
Yoona approached the podium, fist raised and shaking in the air. “Buy my product! Give me your money! Science rules!”—Heh. I loved this. Plus, this whole situation reminded me of Dr. Leekie from Orphan Black. :00
Seohyun sat in the middle of the bed, remote in hand and eyes on a dancing monkey acting a fool on the overhanging TV.—AYYYYYYYYY. Obvs, Seohyun was mad because Yoona interrupted her show. REAL TALK, THO. THINGS ARE CRUMBLING.
"I'm part of a team of con artists, thieves, hackers, and assassins who work to ruin big corps like yours.” Ace quote. :thumbsup: Really, though. Yoona’s letting her defenses down. Even now, I’m seeing all these holes in her tactics—which one caused the MADNESS AT THE END???
THERE YOU GO. HURTING SUNNY AGAIN. I SWEAR.
THIS COMMENT IS ALREADY A MILLION WORDS LONG. I HAVE TOO MANY FEELINGS. THIS WEEK UNTIL THE NEXT CHAPTER IS GONNA BE A TOUGH ONE. WHICH MEANS YOU’RE AWESOME. KIDDING. I’M NOT GONNA BOOST YOUR HEAD UP MORE. >:(((
no subject
Date: 2015-11-07 03:42 pm (UTC)It’s like a real family. There’s always these deep, dark secrets hovering about no one talks about until someone flat out asks. “Señor Kwon” tho. I got the image of him with a mustache and sombrero. Thanks.
Attached at the hip cause they fkin. You’re married to Jessica, yes >_> Yo, Minho is a harmless fly hanging out over there let him live!
“DEAR GAWD. WHAT IF YOONA LOSES BOTH YURI AND SEOHYUN????” :————))))))
“this whole situation reminded me of Dr. Leekie from Orphan Black” YES! You read my mind I was thinking OB! Especially when Cosima mocked him. Things crumble before they get better :—) Yoona dun goofed long time ago girl just wait.
:—————————)
k i’m done lolololol bye
From the person in love with your mind
Date: 2015-11-02 06:24 am (UTC)The clues you put in this chap ain't cancelling my first theory yet but they sure did confuse me, also, made me kind of hopeful to push the ExGirlfriend! Fany and Fell in love with your target! card too. More people are getting fishy. Somehow, I think Minho was put there as a spy too. A plausible argument if you're gonna ask me coz that Biotechnology is a really big thing. I bet a lot of people wanted it in their hands. Taeng and the gang couldn't possibly be the only people knowing about this. Also, one of these companies involved possibly wanted it for themselves too. Who knows, there could be a bigger boss in the play and they hired Taeyeon to organize a heist for them. Which reminds me of my second theory wherein Taeng and Co and Yoong's father weren't in the same side, but are actually rivals who were after the same target. Wouldn't cancel of contents of theory 1; just the fact that they worked together. They might have been hired by two different companies or one of them are playing independently. They might even be the ones involved in the thing that caused the stir between Z1 and Ion years ago.
And Sica being married! Is she perhaps, married to Donghae or WAS marriend to Taeyeon? Coz Taengsic <333 lololol jk. Anyway, you add another mystery to solve huhu so far I'm only trying to figure what happned before but now I could try figure what's happening now. I'm loving this! MOOOOOREEEEE.
Before I forget, 2ny!!!!!! OGMSADKHFSDJKCKSJDNCJKSDHcSKJDNCSDNCJKSDN I lvoe you! The red in Sunny's neck, was that perhaps a product of kinky stuffs? dfghadfkgadf Anyway, the scene in the end where she's trying to keep Sunny alive and keeps kissing her and she smiled too, I'm <33333333333333333333333333333333333333333
/Turns a blind-eye on the YoonHyun moment coz// The YoonYul date!
Could Yuri be more adorable and sweet and romantic and sincere and cutie patootie. She's so dreamy, I want her. :(( I love every YoonYul moment in this chap, even Yoona's cheesy lines which never failed to give me (bad) goosebumps. Oh my God, when will those lines stop? I cannot. Not gonna elaborate more, I just love everything. Every bit of their convo and moment on their garden date is worth remembering. /sighs////
Hey, why do I think the nematode thingy they put in Ion backfired. If they had tapped on Ion's system, Ion could tap into theirs easily as well coz they have a connection now. Well, I dont know about techs so yeah, just a hunch. It's weird that they got attacked when all of the party except Yoong was in their hideout. Too much of a coincidence? Plus, those computer black-outs seemed like they were mentioned for a purpose.
Thanks for this update! I enjoyed it so much. I'm sooooooooo excited for the next chapter!
P.S. Please don't kill Yuri. Have a heart. ;;A;;;
P.P.S. DON'T EVER CONFIRM ANYTHING EVER.
Re: From the person in love with your mind
Date: 2015-11-02 06:39 am (UTC)Re: From the person in love with your mind
Date: 2015-11-07 03:49 pm (UTC)Ohhh these new theories. You’re getting warmer but still cold. All this thought, my friend. It’s actually very simple. And you won’t have to wait long to find out. Because Chapter 8 is Tell All!!! lol @ that random taengsic like how could that even work? Yeah those marks are from kinky *cough* 2ny *cough* things. Too bad Sunny’s gonna die tho >_>
lol awww don’t ignore the yoonhyun D: and to think this garden date was a last minute add scene after a chapter rewrite. It’s done well hehehe but good, fluffy things only last so long with the boxx. Time to kill Yuri :)
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
I’ll see you next chapter (with our without Sooyoung :D)