20 Seconds of Bravery Ch 23
Sorry updates are taking so long >.< I’ve been busy going to various graduation parties for family members
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V's father was standing right in front of me and I had no idea what to say. He had asked me a question but I hadn't done anything but stare at him. "Um yes. Sorry I didn't realize you were coming." I took a deep breathe and tried to smile but his facial expression remained stern. "I can take you to him if you want." My voice sounded so small and I was kicking myself for it. V's father nodded and I turned back around to head back towards the room. I knocked on the door and heard V tell us to come in. When I walked into the room I could see the slight shock on Jumin's face, but he quickly recovered.
"How did your phone call go MC?" I let out a nervous laugh.
"I didn't make it. Instead I ran into your father." V's shoulders straightened up once I said that. He stood up and held his hand out to me. I took it in an instant and he leaned on me.
"Hello Father. Why are you here?" His father seemed to stiffen at his question.
"My secretary was informed that you were having surgery so naturally I was concerned." V let out of sigh but I didn't understand it.
"I'm assuming that you had something to do with this Jumin." I looked over at Jumin and he was almost smirking.
"I will neither confirm or deny that, but MC and I will step outside so you two can talk." Before I could say anything in protest Jumin was pulling me out of the room and out into the hallway. He stuck his head into the door to say one last thing but I could barely hear it. Once he closed the door he began to walk down the hall. I was beyond shocked as I chased after Jumin.
"This is going to sound very rude, but what the hell Jumin? Was that really V's dad? Why did you call them here?" I was so full of questions but I stopped when Jumin put his hand on my shoulder.
"They have a lot to talk about. V and his father are very distant and I think it's time they close that gap. Plus I know that my father would want to know if I had a life changing operation. Do you oppose to V seeing his father?"
"Of course not. Everyone should be with their family if they can. I just feel bad about surprising him with it. He's barely been awake for an hour. What if this overwhelms him." I looked back to the room and Jumin sighed.
"I'm sure V will be fine. He may not admit it but he misses his father and I also think his father would want to be part of his son's happiness. That means meeting you and knowing about V's life." I was blushing now as I recalled my encounter with V's father.
"Well I'm positive I already made a terrible first impression." We were now at a vending machine and Jumin was studying it. "Not to mention my appearance. I look like I just rolled out of bed." Jumin glanced at me as I leaned against one of the machines. Thinking more about it I didn't really know anything about V's father. All V had ever told me was that he owned various galleries and other art business. He seemed like a very serious man from what I saw of him. I had never met anyone's parents before. Hell I wasn't even used to the people in my life having parents, let alone such serious ones.
"I don't really see what your appearance has to do with it. You're in a hospital so you're not expected to be dressed in a professional manner." He began trying to put a fifty dollar bill into the vending machine only to have it spat back out.
"Says the man in a suit who is trying to put a fifty dollar bill into a vending machine." I rolled my eyes and handed him a one dollar bill instead. "Use this and then punch in the letter and number of the item you want. I can't believe you've never used a vending machine before." He followed my instructions and seemed almost amazed.
"It's not something I've come across before now. As for the way I'm dressed, it's not necessarily by choice. I was at the office all morning so I didn't really have time to change. Not to mention reporters are still following me ever since it leaked that you're staying at the penthouse." His face had become annoyed as he reached down for his snack. I didn't blame him for being annoyed. Those gossip articles had been such a pain by saying that I was dating Jumin. They all started when Jumin came to the shops grand opening ceremony and offered me a ride home. Even though V was there with me one of the reporters twisted it to look like I was dating Jumin. Ever since then he was constantly being bugged by reporters about it. That's part of the many reasons V's operation was at a hospital two towns away.
"Yeah but my point still stands. You say first impressions matter all the time." We had began walking back towards the room and Jumin was pouting.
"They matter in business. You know that's what I said. This is hardly business. Just don't worry about V's father. Once he actually meets you and talks to you I'm sure you'll charm him." As if on cue we saw V's father leaving the room and heading towards us. He stopped in front of us and shook hands with Jumin.
"It was good to see you Jumin. Tell your father I said hello."
"I will. Also I'm not sure if you were aware but this is MC, Jihyun's girlfriend. She's a very talented web designer and artist." Jumin gestured to me and V's father reached his hand out to me. Just pretend he's a potential client, I said to myself in my head. I shook his hand and smiled at him.
"It's very nice to finally meet you sir." His handshake was firm and he didn't return my smile. He gaze was so stern and I felt like he was judging me. Inside I was freaking out but I somehow managed to hold it together. When he let go of my hand he didn't bother to say anything else as he moved past us. Once he was out of sight I let out a breath. "Well that was interesting. I honestly couldn't tell if he liked me or not." I opened the door to V's room and saw a nurse in there holding some papers. She was obvious to us coming in as she sat on the bed next to V and handed him the papers. It may of just been my insecurities but her hands seemed to linger a bit too long when she did it. I listened to her as she read everything on the papers to V and even as she giggled at some of his comments. Then she put her hand on V's shoulder and kept it there. I cleared my throat and she jumped off the bed. V smiled in my direction
"I was wondering how long you were going to stand there Darling." I couldn't see his eyes but he was clearly amused which means he knew the nurse was flirting with him. I walked over to V and kissed the top of his head. The nurse and I locked eyes but she didn't seem to be intimidated by me. She then bent over and was very close to V's face.
"And lastly here's my personal number if you ever have any questions. You can call me anytime." She shot me one last look and strut out of the room, almost as if she thought she had won. I gently took the papers from V and sneered at the number.
"Well we definitely won't be needing that number." I said scratching it out with a pen. I heard V laugh and I glared at him.
"MC are you jealous?" I blushed at his accusation and held the papers close to my face.
"No! She was just obnoxiously flirting with my boyfriend instead of doing her job." I had never been jealous of anyone in my life and I wasn't about to admit it had just happened, at least not with Jumin there. "So are you all set to leave now?" I was desperate to change the subject.
"Yes as long as you're willing to help me leave." He held out his hands and I helped him up. "I'm supposed to wait for them to bring a wheelchair but we can avoid that if we hurry."
"Alright." Jumin opened the door for us and we headed out. When we finally got to the lobby I really needed to pee. "Jumin can you help V to the car? I need to use the restroom before we leave." Jumin nodded at me and guided V to the car. I walked over to the sign that showed where the restroom was but they were closed for cleaning. I let out a sigh and began to head back to an entrance when I felt someone tug on my arm. It was man about Saeyoung's height with ashy blonde hair. "Do I know you?" I asked trying to pull my arm back. The man just looked at me and and tightened his grip on my arm.
"No but I know very well who you are. We really need to talk so you should just come with me." This time I jerked my arm away and stepped back from him.
"Why the hell would I do that? I don't even know you and my ride is waiting on me." My heart was beginning to race and this guys serious stare didn't help. He stepped closer and whispered in my ear.
"Because if you don't come with me then your car is going to crash and they'll take you by force. Jake knows you're here and I'm supposed to take you to him." I immediately tensed at his words. "Don't worry I'm not going to follow through with my orders. Just call the CEO and tell him you met an old friend. Once you know they're safely home I'll let you go and tell Jake that you got away. You've been training with Jane right?"
"How do I know I can trust you?" My throat was so tight that the words barely came out. The guy let out a sigh and I could tell he was getting frustrated.
"Let's just say that I don't like Jake and I owe Jane a favor. Now make the call before the guy who came with me comes over to make you comply. I'll tell you more once we're in my car. Now make the call." He had grabbed my arm again and was squeezing it. My brain was screaming to kick him and run away but if there was even a chance of V getting hurt I wasn't going to risk it. I pulled out my phone and called Jumin.
"Hey Jumin. I ran into an old classmate from school so I'm going to catch up with him. Go ahead and take V back to the penthouse.
"Are you sure MC? Do you want me to send a car back fro you?" I could hear V's voice in the background asking questions. It broke my heart to lie to them but I had no choice.
"No they'll bring me back after it's done. Just let me know when you guys get back to the penthouse. Tell V I love him if you don't mind."
"I will. Please let me know if you need a car or anything else. Goodbye."
"Good bye." I hung up the phone and the guy began to drag me towards the parking garage. "Do I at least get to know the name of my kidnapper?" We stopped next to a black car and he faced me.
"It's Gavin. Now be quite and just do what I tell you to." He opened the trunk of the car and pulled out a roll of duct tape and a a blind fold. "Don't worry I'll let you out as soon as I can. Now turn around." I did as he said and he put the blind over my eyes. He took my hands and folded them behind my back and I felt him tape them together. My heart was going nuts and I was beginning to panic. He walked me around the car a bit and I heard the door open. "Lay down. Jake's going to call soon so act scared."
"Like that's hard to do." I said as he closed the car door. I heard it open again as he settled into the front seat.
"Oh I almost forgot about your mouth. It will look suspicous if I don't." I tried to sawllow the knot in my throat as he pressed the tape on to my mouth. It was quite for a moment before I heard the car door open again and heard a new voice.
"Damn that Ricky is a pain. He left with a damn nurse and took the keys with him. So did you get the girl?"
"She's in the back seat. I'm just waiting on the boss to call and check in. What am I supposed to do with you? Boss said only I should go to the safe house cause three will look suspicious." The frustration in Gavin's voice was obvious.
"I guess you'll have to ask him." He let out whistle and I felt someone move hair out of my face. I instantly moved away and the new voice laughed. "Damn she's hot. Think the boss will let us as some fun with her before he comes to get her?" He sounded almost excited and a whimper escaped me.
"I guess you'll have to ask him. For now just leave her alone. She belongs to the boss."
"I know but nothing turns me on more that a tied up girl. They just look so helpless." I didn't know who this other guy was but I could tell that he was as sick as Jake. I also knew that Jake had no problem sharing me with his 'friends' as long as he got his hands on me. While I was lost in my thoughts Gavin's phone began to rind and snapped me out of it.
"Hey boss. I got the girl but Ricky ditched Nathan. Should I still go to the safe house?"
"Let me see her." Jake's voice shot through me like cold steel. My breathing became erratic and I didn't feel like I was getting enough air. "Perfect. Take her to the safe house and I'll meet you there in three hours. You two may do with her as you please until I get there. Just don't over do it."
"Alight! You're the best boss. I promise not to break her before you get there." Nathan was laughing as the car began to move. I still didn't know if I could trust what Gavin said but it looked like now I had no choice. I just hoped he could get me out of there before Nathan got to me.