Chapter Fifty-Six: Troubles


I stepped out of the subway and took a deep breath in. The bustling streets of Itaewon always made me feel alive. Ara and Briar were already waiting for me at the station entrance, looking gorgeous as ever.

"Hey girls," I said, trying to shake off the anxiety that always lingered in the back of my mind.

"Gio, you look stunning," Briar said, and Ara nodded in agreement.

I thanked them, feeling a little better already. Maybe tonight would be a good distraction from my problems.

We walked down the street, admiring the lights and the different stores. I tried to focus on the present moment and not let my mind wander off to the thought of Gunwook and Bongcha together.

"So, where are we going?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

"Briar suggested a rooftop bar," Ara said with a grin. "It has an amazing view of the city."

I nodded, liking the idea. As we entered the elevator, my mind started to wander again.

What if Hannah found out about my legal troubles? I could get kicked out of the academy. And what about Gunwook and Bongcha? Why did their relationship bother me so much?

"Gio, are you okay?" Briar asked, noticing my sudden silence.

"Yeah, just lost in thought," I replied with a forced smile.

We finally arrived at the rooftop bar, and I was stunned by the view. The city looked beautiful from up here, and the lights twinkled like stars.

We ordered drinks and food, chatting and laughing. It was good to be with my friends and forget about my problems for a while.

But as the night went on, I found myself getting more and more anxious. I couldn't shake off the feeling that something bad was going to happen.

"What's wrong, Gio?" Ara asked, concern etched on her face.

"Nothing, just a little tired," I lied. I couldn't tell them about my legal troubles or Gunwook and Bongcha. It was too personal.

We finished our drinks and headed out. As we walked down the street, I noticed a few paparazzi following us. My heart started to race. What if they found out about my legal troubles? What if they followed us to the academy?

"Let's take a different route," I said, trying to shake off the paparazzi.

"Are you sure, Gio?" Briar asked, worried.

"Yeah, I know a shortcut," I replied, leading them down a narrow alley.

But as we turned the corner, we were met with a group of guys who looked like trouble. My heart started to race, and I felt like I was going to pass out.

"Hey, beautiful," one of them said, leering at me. "Why don't you come with us?"

I tried to back away, but they were closing in on us. My mind was racing, and I felt like I was going to be sick.

"Hey, leave her alone!" Ara said, stepping in front of me.

But the guys just laughed and started to close in on us even more.

"Giovanna," One of them said. "I heard some rumors about you." He smelled like beer and sweat, making me almost want to gag. "You have a reputation in that academy, Gunwook, Gyuvin,...-"

That was when I heard the sound of someone running towards us. A familiar voice yelled out, "Get away from them!"

It was Gunwook. He had come to rescue us. With lots of noise and angry movements he scared the drunk guys away from us. My heart was racing and the adrenaline was picking up speed, but the guys left us.

After Gunwook saved us from those guys, we were all a bit shaken up. Briar and Ara were still in a state of shock, and I could see the fear in their eyes. As for me, I was angry. Angry at those guys for thinking they could do whatever they wanted to us, angry at myself for not being able to defend my friends, and angry at Gunwook for being the one to save us.

But as we walked away from the scene, Gunwook stayed close to me, almost protectively. I could feel his gaze on me, and I knew he was waiting for me to say something. I turned to him, ready to give him a piece of my mind, but the words died in my throat as I looked into his eyes.

There was something there, something I couldn't quite put my finger on. It was like he was looking at me with a mixture of concern, sadness, and...something else. I couldn't quite read it, but it made me feel uneasy.

"Are you guys okay?" he asked finally, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, we're fine," Ara spoke up, her voice shaky.

"I can't believe those guys thought they could just grab us like that," Briar said, still in shock.

"I know," Gunwook agreed, his eyes still on me. "You guys need to be careful, especially with everything that's been going on lately."

I bristled at his words. Was he insinuating that I wasn't being careful? That it was my fault those guys had targeted us?

"I know how to take care of myself, Gunwook," I said icily.

He looks at me for a moment, as if considering his answer. "I didn't want to see you get hurt," he finally says.

I scoff. "Right, as if I can believe anything you say."

I saw him and Bongcha making out in one of the studios yesterday and I know he had seen me watch him.

Gunwook's expression darkens. "I know what you saw, but you don't know the whole story."

"Then tell me," I challenged him.

Gunwook just glared at me with danger in those eyes.

I glared at him for a moment longer, but then I nodded. "Fine. But don't think this changes anything between us."

Gunwook nodded in understanding. "I don't expect it to."

"They were just some drunk guys," I finally said, hoping that would be enough explanation.

But Gunwook was not easily deterred. "Are you sure that's all it was?"

I took a deep breath and decided to come clean. "They were asking us about the competition, and...well, they mentioned your name."

Gunwook's expression darkened. "What did they say?"

I shook my head, not wanting to repeat the nasty things that had come from the men's mouths. "It doesn't matter. We're fine now."

He nodded, but I could tell he was still worried. "You girls should be more careful," he said again, glancing around the crowded street. "There are a lot of unsavory characters out here."

I brushed past him. I didn't want to talk to him anymore, I didn't want to be near him. I wanted to be alone, to think.

I could feel his eyes on me as I walked away, but I didn't turn back. I needed to be alone to sort out my thoughts.

"Don't go into empty streets alone, jagi! goddammit!" He groaned, but I flipped him off as I ran towards a bustling side street.

My mind kept replaying the Gunwook and Bongcha kiss on repeat. They were together, and it hurt to think about it. But at the same time, I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. I wanted what they had: someone who understood me, cared about me, and would do anything to protect me.

Even with what I had seen tonight, I knew that wasn't Gunwook. He was a complication I didn't need, especially with everything else going on in my life.

I didn't realize how far I had walked until I found myself yet again on a quiet street, away from the noise and chaos of Itaewon. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. What was I doing? Was I running from danger or straight into it?

Suddenly, my phone rang, and I groaned when I saw it was Hannah.

"Where are you?" she demanded, her voice sharp.

"I'm...out," I said evasively.

"Well, get back here. We need to talk."

I sighed, knowing that I was in real trouble now. I turned back towards the academy, dreading the conversation that was about to take place.

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