37 Chapter 37: Giving up

Yuna's eyes fluttered open. Where am I? she thought. Her body felt light - as if she was lying on air. She sat upright slowly, surveying her surroundings - the cover slipping from her. Her heart started to pound in her throat. The last thing she remembered was getting into Jin's car.

"Where did he bring me?" she asked, climbing out of bed; she felt something soft tickling her feet. So, he did remove her shoes - "Jin - baby! Are you feeling under the weather?"

The shrillness of the voice startled her, and she grabbed her heart. Yuna noticed that the door stood ajar. It wouldn't hurt to take a peak, would it? Scared that the voices may hear her, she tiptoed to the door. She muffled a cry of astonishment . . . her eyes scanned the surroundings outside the door. The walls were white, with big windows covering one side of the wall and a statue of the Greek god Apollo. She knew with her luck that she would get lost in this mansion. She pushed the door open, taking a step over the threshold . . . slipping slightly and grabbed the door to pull her upright. She would need to be careful with the marble flooring. Slowly she made her way to the staircase, and to her surprise - someone was already standing there scowling.

"Wish you could burn witches in this day and age."

Her voice was soft but dripping with venom. Yuna gulped as she approached her. "Ex-excuse me . . . Would you be able to tell me where I am?"

Yuna's voice quivered. She felt her legs tremble when the woman turned her gaze towards her. Like the weather, her face changed to a bright smile.

"Good afternoon - I would love to tell you, but I think the master of the house should tell you," she replied in a high-pitched tone.

"Where would I find the master?" Yuna asked hesitantly.

"Downstairs in the foyer," she replied, emphasising the word foyer. "Don't get your hopes up . . ."

Yuna blinked as the woman walked away. She never bothered to ask her for her name. She turned towards the staircase and grabbed onto the railing. The voice she heard earlier was getting louder with every step she took.

"Why are you here?"

Yuna stopped at the bottom of the stairs and crouched down. She knew that voice . . . Jin! He had brought her to his house. She could hear the anger in his voice. It was slight, but it was still there.

"I couldn't find you at the company, and I thought something was wrong . . . So - I came here to see if you were alright."

Yuna's heart sank - she knew that voice as well. It belonged to none other than; she peaked and swallowed a surprise. Her heartbeat sped up. Were they still together? Did Jin still love Minyu?

A million thoughts sped through her mind - she almost missed Jin's reply.

"I am fine. You do not have to worry about me."

There she heard the irritation in his voice again. Yuna was so confused about what was happening and how she was feeling.

"But I do worry about you," Yuna heard Minyu wine, "Can't you see that I still love you?"

"Please leave."

Jin's answer was short. Yuna watched as Minyu stepped closer. What was she planning? Yuna thought and leaned further from her hiding spot to watch the scene unfold.

Minyu had her arms around Jin's neck. Her body crushed against his - it was too much for Yuna to bear that she sped from where she was hiding, running towards the door - throwing it open, then slamming it shut with a slam.

The door rattled behind her. When Yuna reached the road, she realised; she had forgotten to put on her shoes and didn't have her handbag. How was she supposed to call someone? She didn't have a choice . . . she would have to hitch a ride. Tears battled their way into her eyes. She wiped angrily at them. She would not let her heart make the choices anymore.

The road was hard on her feet, but she did not care. Even if they were -

"Yuna!"

She did not stop running. She was almost at the gate. She didn't want to be in Jin's presence anymore - she was going to let the Tae know that she was done. . .

"Yuna! Yuna, please - please stop and -"

The wind drowned out Jin's voice. Yuna wouldn't stop - the gate loomed before her. She grabbed the metal poles and rattled on them. A security guard came out, bewildered and "Why are you making all that noise?"

"Please," Yuna started to beg, "let me out."

The guard looked her up and down, worry spread across his features, and his right eyebrow shot up.

"The boss do something to you?" he asked, opening the gate a smidge.

Yuna just shook her head, passing through the gap. She didn't want to answer him, then realised what the gravel had done to her feet. She looked down. . . her feet were bloody, and she bit her tongue to stop her from crying.

At a distance, she heard Jin's voice. He sounded out of breath and pleading, but she would not stay to listen to his excuses.

"Thank you," she said, her voice quivering. "I'll be okay from here."

The security guard narrowed his eyes. He did nothing to stop her from leaving. His eyes glanced down at her feet, and Yuna did not care what he was thinking. She turned down the road, looking for anything indicating where she was.

*****

Jin kept calling for Yuna to stop, but she ignored him flat. He wanted to reach her before she reached the gate, but fate was not on his side. As Jin kept running down the road - and noticed blood droplets. When he looked up - Yuna was through the gate.

"Dammit!" he roared angrily. What was he going to do? He needed to explain and . . . Blood droplets?

The blood in his veins turned ice cold. Was Yuna bleeding? He had to think quickly. Jin reached the gate and was met with an angry voice. "What did you do to that poor girl?"

"Nothing . . . " Jin replied in shock. How could his security guard think he had anything to do with . . . "What do you mean?"

"She was bare feet, and they are bleeding," the security guard replied coldly. "She didn't want to say-"

"Did she say where she was going?" Jin interrupted, "I have to find her."

The guard shook his head. "I don't know."

A freckle of worry spread across Jin's forehead. Yuna didn't know this neighbourhood, and because of what transpired . . . she would not come near him.

Jin took out his cell phone, dialling whilst tapping his foot. "Pick up! Dammit!"

"Hello?" a sleepish voice answered.

"Namjoon! I am in big trouble and need your help," Jin said, distressed.

"What did you do?" Namjoon replied. Irritation filled his words.

"I cannot explain, uh, right now, but you have to drive past my house," Jin said quickly, "And pick up Yuna."

The line went dead. Did Namjoon hang up? Jin thought. Namjoon knew the neighbourhood better than anyone - he would be able to find Yuna more quickly and . . . She is hurt. Jin gulped. Was Namjoon going to leave him hanging?

He only wanted her safety. The blood on the road; had him worried. Jin's gaze shifted towards his house. Minyu had to pay for what she'd destroyed.

"Fine . . ." came Namjoon's reply. "But you better tell me what the fuck is going on."

Namjoon is pissed at me. "I will. Please . . ." Jin begged. "She is barefoot and might be bleeding and -"

The call disconnected. A sigh escaped Jin's lips. Namjoon was going to kill him, and he would let him. Yuna was bleeding - he was sure of it, even though he hoped she wasn't.

Jin couldn't delay any longer. He had to turn his worry into anger and - and what? With his thoughts racing about the situation and what to do about it - he made his way back up the road towards his house.

With every step he took, his hatred built up for the woman who had used him, abused him and finally broken his heart.

*****

Yuna wrapped her arms around her shoulders, another thing she had forgotten. With a sigh, she gazed around. The streets weren't familiar to her. Her feet burned, and people were staring as she walked past.

Fear settled in her heart. What if I never get out of here? Will someone look for me? Yuna wiped at her eyes as tears battled again. No! Never am I going to cry again! she thought angrily.

Oh, yeah? a Small voice whispered into her thoughts. You were always the little crybaby. You never could stand up for yourself.

The voice was right. . .

Yuna sat on the corner of a bench when she couldn't take the pain in her feet; anymore. Should she even look at them? She tilted her head to peek at her feet -

"Yuna?"

Yuna's gaze snapped upwards - she was saved . . . "Namjoon? Oh, thank goodness! I thought I was going to be here forever," she stammered.

She could make out a light smile as the corners of his mouth twitched. Yuna also noticed that his demeanour was off.

"What are you doing here?" Namjoon asked, offering her his hand. "You are far from your neighbourhood."

"I don't want to talk about it," she replied, taking his hand - winching at the pain. She didn't want him to notice . . . but he had . . .

"Who did - what happened?" Namjoon growled as he turned and picked her up, bridal style.

Yuna was happy for not being on her feet anymore, but something in Namjoon's tone suggested that she shouldn't answer him. What if he . . .

"I don't want to talk about it," she replied, exhausted and leaned her head against his chest.

"If you are sure," he said with a sigh. "We have to make a trip to the hospital."

"I don't think we have -" Yuna interjected, but Namjoon interrupted.

"Jungkook woke up."

Yuna felt her heart skip a beat. After so many weeks! Jungkook finally woke up . . . This time she did not stop the tears.

"Is he alright?" she asked between sobs.

"Yes."

Namjoon shifted Yuna slightly so she may cry into his chest as he took her back to the car. He opened the door, gently putting her on the seat and. . . with one look at her feet with his brow frowning, closed the car door.

Yuna hooked the seatbelt over her, winced at the pain then let out a small breath. "When did they inform you?"

"A few minutes ago," Namjoon replied, starting the car and speeding away.

Yuna carefully looked at his facial expression. He looked irritated and- worried. She was happy that Jungkook had found a friend like him even though she did not like Namjoon from the beginning.

"I am so happy."

"I know it has been difficult for you both these past few weeks, but I -" Namjoon said softly.

"But you?" Yuna pressed when he stopped talking.

Namjoon shook his head. "If we get to the hospital, they will look at your feet, and then we can go to see Jungkook."

"It is -"

"No, it is not, Yuna," Namjoon chided. "Afterwards, I am taking you home and then - you will tell me what happened."

Yuna averted her gaze towards the window. Why was Namjoon suddenly playing big brother now? She didn't want to tell him what had happened. She wanted to get to a phone as soon as possible and give up on her dream as an actress.

They sat in awkward silence the rest of the way. Her thoughts - against her wishes - returned to Jin. Was love supposed to hurt like this?

*****

Jin took the steps two at a time. When he opened the door, Minyu leaned against the pillar next to the stairs with a small grin on her face.

"Jin darling! Did you make sure the pauper left our home?"

"Leave," he screamed.

He watched as Minyu's eyes narrowed and her lips thinned. "Excuse me?"

"I said leave," Jin's voice raised, and his body shook with the anger in his veins. He opened the door and waited.

Minyu did not move, folding her arms across her chest. "You expect me to believe you . . . do not care for me anymore?"

"I asked you to leave," Jin snarled, and with his newfound anger - he grabbed Minyu's arm and threw her out the door. "Never - ever, show your face here again."

Jin didn't wait for her reply as he closed the door. He took out his phone, searched for Namjoon's name and started typing.

"Namjoon? Did you find her?"

He stared at the screen for a few seconds. No reply came, and he felt his heart sinking. Maybe I should go? Jin thought and looked for his car keys, but his thoughts darkened - what was Yuna thinking?

"Sir, " Nina said behind him. "Here are your keys."

Jin wanted to kiss Nina as he took the keys. "Thank you!"

He ran out the door and did not notice Minyu hiding in the shadows as he climbed into his car, speeding away from his house.

*****

Namjoon opened the car door and gently picked Yuna up. "They don't seem to be that busy."

Yuna didn't answer as she hooked her arms around Namjoon's neck as he placed his left arm under her legs. "Not talking to me, now?"

"I have nothing to say," she replied.

"Oh?" Namjoon chuckled, "You forgot to say something."

"Excuse me?" she said, eyes going wide as she racked her brain on what she had forgotten.

"Yes," Namjoon replied, kissing her brow, "You forgot to say thank you."

"I - I," Yuna stammered. Her ears flushed slight colour of pink, and she did not know what to say. She had been so preoccupied with her own thoughts that she had forgotten. . .

"I am only messing with you," Namjoon laughed as he walked up the steps, pushing the doors open with his shoulders, and tracked a nurse down.

"My friend was in an accident - will you please have a look at her?"

"Of course," she said and led them to a room.

Namjoon placed Yuna on the bed while the nurse closed the blinds and turned to them. She took one look at Yuna's feet and asked, "Will you tell me what happened?"

"I was chased by a dog and didn't have time to put my shoes on," Yuna said without meeting the nurse's eyes.

"Well then . . . Let us get you fixed up."

Yuna winched each time the alcohol touched her feet as the nurse cleaned them, moving her eyes all over the room and seeing Namjoon texting on his phone, looking angry.

"All done," the nurse said while bandaging her last foot, "I will recommend staying off those feet for a while."

Yuna nodded. Namjoon thanked the nurse and looked at Yuna with a solemn expression.

"Tell me what happened."

"I give up," she said, hanging her head low.