Rescuers hit the water, each armed with protective gear to search the river's depths. But Jackson and Daniel? No gear, no precautions. Just two plunging into the chill water unarmed, determined to find Jae before it was too late, making everyone appalled.
They were mafiosos, trained to hold their breath for long, long minutes. Time meant nothing compared to life on the line. This was personal.
Roaming their eyes hither and thither, they were trying their best to find Jae. Here Jackson and Daniel's heart clenched with fear due to the time it took them to find him. Then suddenly their eyes fell on something at the depth of the river, seeing which they started swimming towards that thing without wasting any time in the hope of that thing will be Jae's car, as there was nothing but darkness to see something clearly. Whereas, rescuers' eyes also fell on the thing towards which Jackson and Daniel were attracted.
As they all hurriedly swam closer, a collective relief washed over them, as the rescuers shone their lights down, it became clearer—a dark shape in the water. The glimmer they'd spotted turned out to be the same thing they were searching. They all pushed on faster, desperation fueling their every stroke. And fortunately, it was Jae's car, upside down, wedged in the river bed.
They swam nearer to the car, finding the window open. Peering into the watery interior, they searched desperately for any sign of Jae. At the same time, a chilling realization dawned—the water around the car had a faint redness to it. It wasn't visible before, hidden by shadow. But now, as the sun shifted with time, sunlight pierced the water's surface, illuminating that subtle crimson hue. The rescuers' flashlights added to the surreal sight.
It took a moment for their eyes to register the horrifying truth, the red water around the car wasn't an illusion, it was blood. Jackson and Daniel's hearts froze. They quickly peered into the car, searching desperately for Jae. There he was, upside-down, a mess of tangled limbs. His eyes were shut, one arm sprawled out while the other hung limp. The sight broke Jackson, who gasped, unconsciously releasing his breath. He gulped in the water instead of air.
The realization hit Jackson like a tidal wave—he was out of air. When Daniel urgently signaled toward the surface, he kicked upward, breaking through the water with a desperate gasp.
Meanwhile, below, Daniel and the rescuers circled Jae's overturned car. They started looking for a way to get him out of the car, as they tried to open the door, but it wouldn't budge, every tug met with stubborn resistance from twisted metal. No choice left, they had to go through the window. Hands reached in carefully but swiftly, gripping Jae's limp form as they worked to pull him free inch by inch.
Finally, they tugged him free, his body finally free of the sunken car. His blood seeped from multiple wounds, mingling with the water. At the same time Jackson also came back, it gave him a little relief to see that at least they were able to get him out of the car. He quickly joined them to take Jae out of the water.
While Daniel, he was struggling too, the time without air was starting to take a toll on him. However, soon they managed to get Jae to solid ground.
Bella's breath caught in her throat as the group emerged from the river, Jae limp between them. Without hesitation, she rushed forward, many people and police at her heels.
They lowered Jae onto the damp riverbank. Jackson immediately pressed his temple to Jae's chest, listening desperately for a heartbeat. Beside him, Daniel gulped in air before grabbing Jae's wrist to check for a pulse, hands shaking slightly with fatigue... but not panic yet.
The police officer stepped forward, brow furrowed in disapproval. "Are you both okay? What were you thinking? That was reckless, no gear, no backup. You could've drowned!"
But Jackson and Daniel didn't even glance up, too focused on Jae's unmoving form. Suddenly the officer's expression changed into skepticism as he noticed Jackson's face a little because Jackson wasn't wearing any mask.
"Is his heart beating?" Bella's voice was tight with worry.
"His heart is beating….but slow... We need to get him to a hospital. Now….or else…" Jackson's answer was barely above a whisper, his voice quivering, making everyone even more concerned. Jackson's own eyes filled with tears as he gazed at Jae's pale face, so still, too still.
Whereas, the police officer froze in place after recognizing Jackson's.
"Or else nothing will happen. Get him to the hospital immediately." With an urgent gesture to the ambulance, Daniel ordered, his voice sharp, as he stood and starting lifting up Jae.
The ambulance rushed towards them, the paramedics ready to load Jae inside. On the other side, the police officer remained silent, staring at Jackson before landing his gaze at Jae's body in dubiety.
Soon, they all rushed to the hospital.
▪▪▪▪▪▪
Bella sat stiffly on the hospital bench with culpable expression. Her fingers twisted together as she watched Jackson pace like a caged animal, back and forth in the sterile hallway. His shoes clicked against the tile, restless. Desperate.
Every glance toward the ICU door felt like another twist of a knife in his gut, when would it open? When would someone tell them Jae was okay? The waiting was torture.
"Jackson, please—sit down. You have been walking for a long time, he will be okay. Please sit." Bella's voice trembled with worry.
But when he didn't respond to her in his tension, she swallowed hard, fingers knotting together in her lap. "I'm… so sorry….This... this is my fault. All of it." Her words were barely above a whisper now, weighed down by guilt. "If I had just understood how desperate he was to find Jia—if I hadn't said those things—"
A choked breath cut her off as she stared at the sterile tiles beneath her feet. Jackson finally stopped mid-step and turned toward her only for his chest to tighten at what he saw next, tears spilling silently down Bella's eyes, tracing silent paths down her cheeks before slipping away onto her lap, each one a quiet confession of regret.
Jackson's stride faltered as he had never seen a strong girl like Bella crying who was breaking down and crying today. He crossed the remaining distance in two long steps and sat beside her, his voice gentle but firm, "Hey–hey. Bella! Bella, listen! Don't blame yourself…you did nothing ... .keep my words in your mind that nothing had happened because of you, understood??"
Getting no response from her, he started getting more restless. "Bella, look at me!" His tone was soft and serious but she didn't move her muscles even a little bit.
"I said look at me." Cupping her face, he made her look into his eyes. However, his own heart ached when their eyes locked. At that moment, for a while, he got into thinking why he was feeling so much pain and agony seeing tears in the eyes of that woman—the woman he barely knew, with whom it hasn't been long since he met.
After realising her gaze on him, he snapped out of his thoughts before he gently wiped her tears, his voice low and strained, "Please... don't cry. Seeing you cry is... it's hurting me beyond limits."
Bella's tear-filled gaze locked onto Jackson's even more intensely.
Suddenly their shared moment shattered by the approaching footsteps, causing the pair to hastily sit up straighter, creating a distance between them. Jackson turned his head to find the same Police officer walking toward them.
The officer approached, his expression stern. "Sir, I have come to inform you that you have to join me for the investigation regarding this case."
Jackson stood, his expression darkening, he stared at him with a rancour feeling inside him. He shot Bella one more look before following the officer.
••••••
As they were entering a random empty room of the hospital, the officer spoke, "Fortunately the car didn't explode, he could have died on the spot."
Jackson remained impassive, his face giving nothing away.
The officer continued in a serious tone, turning around to face Jackson. "Let's get started. First, tell me, where was he going in such a hurry and why with a faulty car?"
Jackson stood across from him, his gaze meeting the officer's squarely, an undercurrent of hostility simmering just beneath the surface.
Jackson's voice dropped dangerously low. "You're interrogating me in some random hospital room?"
The officer shrugged. "Don't need special accommodations for—"
"Cut the act." Jackson shoved his hands in his pockets, drilling the man with a cold stare. "We both know you recognize me."
A dry chuckle escaped the officer's lips as he leaned back slightly. "...That makes this interesting."
"It would be better if you clearly say what you want instead of wasting my time."
The young and attractive officer smirked, his tone contradictory as he spoke. "No, no, no, I don't want anything from you, I already got what I wanted….. and this interrogation? It's just a formality, as a Police officer, it's my duty."
A theatrical pause.
"Though... the way you risked your life and waded into the river to save multi-billionaire Jitoku Jae ... .It could be clearly ascertained, he is none other than the mafia king 'Venom'," His triumphant gaze raked over Jackson's scarred knuckles. "My only wish was to see the mafia king Venom's face... and that wish had been fulfilled, now I don't want anything else."
Jackson closed the distance between them in one predatory step, towering over him while intimidating, eyes black with warning. "It would be better if you don't remember his face."
The officer raised his palms. "I've zero interest in tangling with Venom, or an early grave."
A slow smirk curled Jackson's lips as he stepped back. "Smart man."
"Now…I don't think you would like me to interrogate you regarding Venom's case," the officer straightened his collar, recovering some bravado. "I'll... handle this case differently."
"Wise of you to reach that conclusion on your own." Jackson's voice was ice. The officer gave a stiff nod, turning toward the exit.
But at the door, he paused. Slowly, he looked back—dead serious. "One more thing." A beat of silence. "You should know… you might be invisible to most, but not all. I recognized you today. Who's to say someone else won't tomorrow?"
Then he was gone, leaving Jackson alone, who stood there in silence. Minutes passed as he just stood there before he finally strode out as Jae's face flashed in his mind, expression unreadable… but inside? A storm raged.
••••••
Bella sat hunched on the same bench, her gaze locked on the cold tile floor with a repentant feeling. Around her, the hospital hallway stretched, empty, silent. Only the distant hum of fluorescent lights reminded her time was still moving.
Then the sound of approaching footsteps gradually echoed through the hallway.
Her head snapped up just as Jackson came into view, his presence cutting through the sterile air like a blade. As soon as she saw him, she jolted to her feet.
Jackson stalked toward her, stopping only when their eyes locked. Silence stretched between them, neither knowing what to say in this situation.
But suddenly, the ICU door slammed open, drawing their attention.
Daniel stood there, with two nurses beside him. He nodded to them and they left without a word. A beat of silence. Then Daniel's gaze flicked between Bella and Jackson as they quickly ran to him, their faces filled with a mix of worry and hope.
"H-how is he?" Jackson demanded, voice cracking. Eagerly waiting with Bella for this response as both staring at Daniel like he held the world in his hands.
Daniel let out a tired sigh. "Massive blood loss. Multiple lacerations." He paused that made both of them's breath hitch—
"But now he is out of danger."
Jackson's knees almost buckled as Bella heaved a sigh of relief.
But Daniel wasn't finished, his tone laced with worry, "...Consciousness is another matter. It is difficult to say when he will come to his senses… . So we just have to wait."
The unspoken concern hung heavy in the sterile air.
"Can I see him?" Jackson asked, face lined with concern.
"Soon, but before we have to transfer him to another roo–" Daniel's words got cut off by the noise of his phone ringing. He immediately took out his phone and frowned at the unknown number, but answered nevertheless. Bella and Jackson watched in addle and keenness.
"Hello?" Daniel answered sharply.
A rushed voice crackled through the phone. "I'm so sorry, Boss! When Jackson Boss called earlier, I couldn't answer, Myung's servants were everywhere, even he himself was in front of me. By the time I got away to call back… Jackson boss's phone was unreachable! So finding no other option I have called you to inform."
Daniel stiffened, this had to be the same man Jackson mentioned last night. His gaze flicked to Jackson just as realization struck, Jae had smashed Jackson's phone in a rage.
"His phone was broken. You did well to call me." Daniel's voice stayed steady despite his concern. "Now listen well."
The man's voice immediately sharpened. "Yes, boss."
Daniel continued, each word weighted. "Myung has kidnapped actress Kang Jia. Discreetly but quickly find out where he is keeping her, and report back immediately"
Jackson and Bella's expressions shifted into inquisitiveness.
"Actress Kang Jia??" The man asked in a confused tone.
"Yeah."
"But how can he kidnap her?" He asked, making Daniel confused with his words.
"Say clearly what you want to say." Daniel's tone was serious.
"Actually, Myung and Kang Jia have a history. I've seen her at his mansion many times. Last night, at 3:00 am I accidentally saw his manager take her to the underground secret area which is completely protected by artificial intelligence about which no one knows except Myung and his manager. But while extracting information about all of them, I also came to know about their underground secret area which is in the back side of Myung's own mansion but I noticed something that last night Miss Jia was not in her senses."
"Do you even know what you're saying? You were sent there to gather intel, why wasn't the underground secret area reported sooner?" Daniel's voice was sharp, barely containing his frustration.
The man's reply came quickly, defensive. "Boss, I only discovered the underground facility last night, the same moment I saw Kang Jia being taken there."
Daniel exhaled through his nose, grip tightening on the phone. "Then tell me this, do you have proof they really know each other?" His gaze flicked briefly to Jackson and Bella, whose expressions wavered between confusion and curiosity, by every word of Daniel's.
"Yes boss, I cleverly clicked a lot of pictures of the two of them together thinking that this information would be useful to give y'all ... .just wait I am sending you the pictures." After listening to his words, Daniel waited for a moment and after a few moments, he got a notification.
He quickly clicked on it, and as he clicked it, he frowned his brows in disbelief and shock as he saw all those pictures of Jia and Myung. While in curiosity, Jackson peeked into the phone.
"What the hell is this?" Jackson's voice was raw, the words ripped from him before he could stop them.
In one violent motion, he snatched the phone from Daniel's grip, fingers tightening around it as his eyes raked over image after image.
Bella stood frozen, gaze darting between their faces. Daniel's grim silence, Jackson's unraveling shock. "Someone tell me what's happening!" Her demand attracted their attention.
"Bella," Daniel's voice was low, probing. "Did you know Jia had history with Myung? That they've met before many times?" His gaze pinned her for any answer.
Bella frowned slightly. "What? I don't even know who Myung is!" Her voice climbed in bewilderment as she glanced between them.
Jackson shoved the phone into her hands before she could protest. "Look at these pictures carefully and say whether you have really never seen him before. Who is with Jia in these pictures?" Jackson uttered as he pointed at the screen, making her look at him then at the screen in confusion. While both men waited for her to answer.
Bella gazed at the photos and her eyes widened in shock as a name slipped out like a secret, "Liam?"
Jackson's question cut through the silence, "Did you say something?" She startled, looking up at their questioning gazes.
Her response was quick, almost defensive, "Huh? N-no. Never seen him. Or him with Jia. I don't know who he is... or how she knows him." Her voice wavered.
Both men exchanged a glance, silent communication laden with suspicion.
Daniel muttered, "Something's fishy about Jia." His tone implied the words were more for himself than them.
"If they know each other, then why would he kidnap her?" Jackson thought aloud.
Suddenly, Daniel's focus shifted, realization dawning. "Oh shit!" He cursed beneath his breath. "I forgot that the call is still going on." Taking back his phone from Bella's hand, he said.
Daniel raised the phone back to his ear. "Status?"
"Still here, Boss." The man's voice crackled through the line, alert.
Daniel's tone turned razor-focused. "By staying there, keep informing me from time to time about Jia's safety"
The man answered swiftly, "Boss, he treats her like glass. I've watched them, I don't think he will harm her." There was certainty in his words… but Daniel's grip on the phone whitened at how confidently he said it.
"Perhaps you've forgotten, he's psycho and can do anything. Do. Not. Take. Him. Lightly. Just follow my orders, if there is any danger to her, you have to report us immediately. Understood? " The words landed like blows.
The reply was swift, "Yes, Boss."
After this Daniel hung up the call.
Jackson shifted, breaking the silence. "Now what?"
Daniel exhaled. "First, we have to confirm whether she is really kidnapped or if there is something else."
"It means she is with Myung at the moment." Jackson uttered while Daniel nodded in affirmation.
But then they noticed Bella. She was silent and distant, as if lost in thought.
"Bella?" Jackson called, dismayed laced in his tone.
She didn't respond.
"Bella!" He repeated, only then she looked up, her gaze meeting their.
"What happened?" Jackson asked.
"Huh? I….i also find something fishy ... ..we should exercise patience, nothing should be hurried related to Jia." She said suddenly. While they both nodded at her words and were looking at her in leery.
●◇◇◇◇◇◇●
Jia was wolfing down food like a starved animal. With a straight face, Myung sat beside her. "Jia, you know you've been kidnapped, right?"
She responded with a hum, not meeting his gaze as she continued, unbothered.
"Then explain this behavior. Act like a kidnapped person should."
Jia set her noodle cup down, looking up at Myung. In a mock plea, she clasped her hands together and feigned crying. "Please, let me go home! I beg you. Why have you imprisoned me like this?" She sobbed dramatically.
But Myung's blank gaze and impassive voice cut through her act like a knife. "Miss actress Kang Jia, maybe your acting skills slipped. This is overkill, not performance."
She stopped after hearing his words and picked up the cup of noodles, eating it again.
"So what do you expect from me? That I should be afraid of you?? Till date you haven't been able to lay a finger on me, so why should I be afraid of you?" Jia took another loud slurp of noodles. A smirk curled at the edge of her lips as she glanced up, mocking him. "But yes, the dangerous manner in which your manager brought me here, I should be afraid of him and not you—"
A sudden yank of her hair jerked her head back. Myung's breath hit her cheek as he leaned in, his grip punishing, eyes dark with something unreadable.
Yet Jia only clenched the noodle cup tighter, knuckles white, as if starvation were still her greatest threat over him.
"I've kept you unharmed intentionally because I want this body to be fine to f*ck you." A threat laced beneath the words. "You're the first woman I'm waiting for consent...otherwise what I can do to you and how much I can hurt you, you can't even imagine…. . So don't mistake patience for weakness. And quickly convince yourself to say yes... or I'll take what I want forcefully and bury every secret you're digging for with it."
Suddenly she laughed. Bright, unshaken. His fingers slackened in confusion as she tilted her head back, grinning like this was all a game he didn't understand.
"You want to be intimate with me?? Then okay!"
"What? You really agreed?" Myung chuckled with a mix of disbelief and amusement. While a wide smirk playing on her face.
Suddenly he released her from his grip before standing on his feet with Victorious smirk and started unbuttoning his shirt with the speed of light.
"Wait—wait!" Jia raised a hand, halting his frantic movements. "You can't just jump into it. You have to impress me first."
Myung froze mid-motion, fingers still clutching his half-unbuttoned shirt. His victorious smirk shattered into bafflement as he stared down at her with raised brow.
"Means treat me like a queen," she said. "My every whim would be obeyed. Impress me… and if the day I'm impressed with you, maybe I'll reward you."
Myung went dangerously still, then laughed, low and rough, as if she'd spun the game on its head. Crossing his hands against his back, he bent down to her level, voice a velvet threat, "Clever girl. But I don't take trophies by force... I make them beg to be claimed. So your orders will be obeyed, my queen."
With that, he straightened, rebuttoning his shirt with sharp precision before exiting, leaving Jia alone with her noodles… and the smirk of someone who'd just dodged a blade while holding the hilt.
●◇◇◇◇◇◇●
With the setting sun of the evening, the sounds of wild insects and bushes in the dense forest, and the sound of applause accompanied by the wind, creating a very relaxing and different time. But what was making this relaxing time even more melodious and fun, was an eleven years old boy with light brown hair, dark coloured eyes and with attractive features and an eight years old girl's laughing voices, who were looking no less than angels while running through the dense forest. The boy was desperately chasing the girl as if she would disappear in the blink of an eye. The speed with which both of them were running, looking at them, it seemed as if they were racing with the strong evening wind of the forest.
"Fairy!" the boy called breathlessly, pushing faster. "That's cheating! I have already found you—you can't just run now! That's totally cheating!"
The little girl glanced back over her shoulder, her honey doe eyes sparkling with mischief. The wind caught her hair as she taunted him, "If you can catch me, then catch me! And if you catch me once… I promise I'll never run again." Her voice danced on the breeze as she didn't stop running
"I'll definitely catch you, alright, and don't think I'm letting go!"
She laughed, the sound bright and free. "Go ahead, Cure. I'm waiting ... .let's see, if you can catch me!"
Hearing her challenging words, he increased his running speed with determination.
Finally after a long run, the chase ended at the cliff's edge, where the river spilled into mist below. His both hands closed around her tiny wrist, gentle but firm, as he spun her to face him.
Sunset blazed in her hair, turning each strand to spun bronze. The dying light caught in her honey doe eyes like liquid gold. And her natural pink lips were like a small flower petal. She was just like a fairy.
"See?" He grinned, breathless with triumph. "Told you I'd catch you."
The girl only offered a cute smile.
"Nature and luck supported you, that there was no more space left for me to run ahead. If this cliff didn't exist, you'd still be chasing my shadow." She teased, voice softer than the wind through birch leaves.
"Even if nature hadn't supported me, I would've still caught you." He said, making her scoff.
"And yeah, you have cheated in the game by running away from me and forcing me to chase you ... .now I will give you punishment!" His expression was displeased as he released his grip on her, while she started laughing at his last sentence.
"Seriously—" A sharp gasp tore from her lips as her foot slipped on the moss-slick edge. For one suspended second, time fractured, fingers grasping at empty air before gravity yanked her down. She crashed into the churning river below, as it dragged her mercilessly toward the roaring waterfall's brink.
On the cliffside, his blood turned to frost. Horror locked his muscles, but only for a heartbeat. Then he was moving, diving over the edge to save her without thought or hesitation.
"FAIRY!!!" He screamed her name.
○□○□○□○□○□○
"FAIRY!!!" Jae jolted awake with a gasp, his entire body surging upright on the hospital bed. Sweat clung to his skin as his chest heaved, eyes wide with lingering horror. His pulse hammered in his ears.
Then, a voice, bright and relieved, cut through the haze of panic. "Oh my gosh! After twelve days, you've finally come to your senses!"
His breath hitched. Slowly, dazed and disbelieving, he turned toward the sound… only to find a nurse standing beside him, her expression warm with triumph.
His throat tightened around disbelief as he choked out, "What? Twelve days?"
She nodded emphatically, hands clasped together near her chest like a prayer answered. "Yes! But thank goodness you're awake now!"
Suddenly shock flashed across the nurse's face as he tore wires from his hand, blood welling in their wake. She lunged forward, trying to restrain him.
"Sir, what are you doing!? You've just regained consciousness after so long! This isn't good for your health!"
When her words had no effect, she gave up and hurriedly summoned Dr. Daniel, fear now lacing her voice.
"Doctor! Doctor! Please come! The patient regained his consciousness and is out of control, please come fast!" The nurse's frantic cries brought Daniel and Jackson rushing in, who were standing out of the room, shock mirrored on both their faces. Jae stood on trembling feet, rage burning in his eyes. He shoved the nurse aside, desperation fueling his strength.
"I will save her," he declared, voice raw with determination. "I can't lose her again. I won't lose Jia… I'll bring her back. Whoever took her, I'll tear them apart… I'm coming, Jia! Wait for me!"
And then he made his way to the exit door.
●◇◇◇◇◇◇●