Eunice
“Run!” I heard Mitch shout as we all separated from each other.
I can hear the siren from the police car that’s just around the corner. My heart raced even faster as I hear the siren getting closer to where I am.
“Hey!” One of the cops yelled but he was alone so he didn’t know where to turn to.
I got this opportunity to run even quicker and find a hiding place quickly.
I can’t get caught now.
“Gemini!” I heard Nanette calling my code name from a distance.
I looked at the direction of her voice and saw her on top of the brick wall. She’s already climbed the wall and was trying to stretch her hand so I could come with her. Her clothes are already ripped and covered in blood.
I quickly dashed to her and took her hand so I we could climb to the other side. Nanette pulled me successfully and we both jumped to the other side.
Both of us are panting because of all the running we just did.
“You good?” She asked as she eyed a bruise on my left arm.
I nodded. “Fortunately. You?” I asked as I was breathing fast.
She nodded and then we both fell silent and tried to listen to the siren from the police car. We stayed there for a few moments until we decided that it’s already safe to leave.
“I almost smashed her head this time.” Nanette said as we both walked towards our headquarters.
I shook my head. “You think Zinger’s going to be fine?” I asked.
Nan scoffed. “I hope she doesn’t. She’s such a pain in the ass,” she rolled her eyes. “And that’s not just her…it’s all of SeQret.”
SeQret is one of the gangs that are always asking for trouble. They always give out threat like they could handle it whenever they get beaten by us.
Tonight was an example.
This is Seoul. This is the real and hidden underground world of Seoul, South Korea. It’s lethal. It’s dangerous. It’s dark.
It is composed of different gangs that fight to be on top. It’s all about who the strongest and cruelest group. There’s no room for tears, no room for the weak. Because if one is weak, the whole gang will suffer—the whole gang will die.
Most of the gangs are from the elite community—or at least in my gang, it is—that’s why everyone needs to hide their identity for security purposes because as much as possible, the underground life of every gang member must be separated from the normal life. Hence, the use of codenames and masks.
Nanette and I arrived at our headquarters near a creak in the darker alleys of the neighborhood. She grabbed her keys and opened the door.
It was a rule to always lock the door even if someone is inside. No knocking. No making a sound from the outside because this is a hiding place. This is our safe place.
“Good!” Mitch seemed to have relaxed when she saw Nanette and I enter the hiding place. Her clothes are also ripped and crumpled. Her arms both have scratches which are all remnants of the latest fight we just had.
Mona was staring at us from the couch. She looked fine, unlike, most of us. Her T-shirt is crumpled a bit but I couldn’t see any bruise on her arms and face.
“Where have you been?” She asked as I sat beside her and tried to examine my bruises.
I heard Nanette sigh as she walked over to the fridge. “We almost got caught,” she explained as she took two bottles of mineral water and tossed me one.
I caught the bottle and drank from it.
“Good thing I saw Eunice, or else Astra will be screwed.” Nan kidded before gulping her water down.
I ignored her.
Mitch walked towards me and sat across Mona and I. “You’re bruised,” she commented with concern laced in her voice.
I just nodded. It was obvious. She didn’t need to reiterate.
Mitch Gong is the leader of our gang, Astra, is known as Andromeda in the underground world. But up to now, I still don’t know how she became the leader when all I thought Mona was a better fit for the role. But that doesn’t mean Mitch can’t do her job properly. She was just a little…cheerful. But on top of that, she’s also the daughter of the owner of biggest bank chains in South Korea.
Mona Yong, also known as Pisces, is the only daughter of the most popular shipping line in the country. She is dubbed as the most serious and the quietest among us which is also why I thought she was a better fit for the leader role. But nonetheless, Mitch was doing a good job.
Nanette Kim, on the other hand, is the most active among all of us. She’s talkative and girly but in the underground world, she’s one of the wittiest and most strategic. Her Mom owns the largest cosmetic stores in Asia, hence, her girly attitude. We call her Dipper because she seems to be the center of the group.
“Why are you even wondering, Mitch?” Nanette spoke from the bar counter. “Eunice is the strongest among us. She’ll get the most number of bruises.”
I immediately shot her a glare but she just shrugged and laughed.
I rolled my eyes and stood up to change my clothes. Mom’s going to call any minute from now.
“I should get changed,” I said. “You all should, too.”
True enough, before I even got to the dresser, my phone rang.
“Mom…” I lazily answered her call.
“Eunice!” Her voice seemed excited. “Where are you?” She asked enthusiastically.
I stopped and thought of an excuse for a moment. “Uhm…school,” I replied as I looked for a long-sleeved shirt so I could hide my bruises.
“You’re still in school?” she asked like she didn’t believe it. “Alright, come by the restaurant near your school. It’s called Hamlet and Pork.”
I furrowed my brows. “Why?”
“I need to tell you something,” she retorted.
“What?”
“It’s important so I want to tell you personally,” she replied as if she’s in a hurry. “Come here fast.” Then the line went dead.
I sighed and placed the phone back in the back pocket of my jeans. I took the black long sleeve button down shirt and a pair of white jeans.
“Going somewhere?” Mitch asked as she saw my clothes.
I sighed and nodded. “Mom wants to meet with me in Hamlet and Pork.”
Mona’s face went sour. “Hamlet and Pork? Isn’t that the restaurant near our school?”
I nodded.
“Eunice, our school is three miles away from here,” Nanette stated like I wasn’t aware of that fact.
I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care and stay away from the cops.”
Mitch laughed while Nanette and Mona both rolled their eyes at me.
“You need to. You’re covered in bruises. But Eunice, we’re just worried about you,” Mitch beamed.
I narrowed my eyes at each of them. “I’m fine. These are just small bruises. I’m not going to die from these.”
All of them just stared at me like they didn’t believe what I just said. I sighed and just shook my head and headed towards the bathroom to get cleaned.
Josiah“That hurts!” Hannah’s whines and moans could be heard inside my whole flat as I tried to put alcohol on her wounds. She has a lot of abrasion and bruises this time. This is more serious than the last time.I looked at her with narrowed eyes. “I really don’t understand why you have to involve yourself in a gang, babe. It’s too dangerous!” I scolded her.She just rolled her eyes at me. This always happens after her fight. And she doesn’t even tell if they won or not. I always end up knowing the results from my troupe.Hannah belongs to one of the most notorious female gangs in the underworld called SeQret. One could say that they could easily be the strongest out there if not for their rivals, Astra.“Josiah, you know I can’t quit on my gang. I am their leader,” she explained. “And besides, we need to beat the shit out of Astra before I quit the undergrou
EuniceI have no words.I can’t believe my parents just sold me out there to an arrogant-looking man! The only consolation one could get from a pragmatic marriage is to find a man that’s at least likeable! That Josiah is nowhere near likeable—damn, he’s not even passable!I’m not really the type to walk out on my parents. As a matter of fact, I always try my best to make them proud because that’s how I think it should be.I’ve always imagined my life to be piloted by me, and not by my parents. I’ve never imagined them taking the wheel in my life because I’ve always thought they believed in me more than anyone.I admit I am willing to do whatever they tell me to. However, this is not right. I am willing to do everything—just not this one.Marriage is not a joke. Marriage would mean I would share the same roof with the person I love and trust, not with a stranger who
JosiahEveryone was shocked the moment Eunice walked out.I smirked to myself. It seems like she’s not a goody-two shoes like every other elite girl is. She’s spoiled, well, that’s a given if your family owns a huge pharmaceutical group of companies.“I’m sorry,” Mrs. Lee stood up and tried to follow her daughter.Mom was already trying to console Mr. Lee who seemed sad and disappointed.Huh? Well, they should have thought about their daughter’s reaction first before agreeing to this.I shot a glare to my father and already saw him looking at me.“Josiah, this is needed by the company,” his voice was not pleading, instead, it sounded like a presidential order.I clenched my jaw and glared at him even more. How can he talk to me like that? How can he talk like that after the daughter of his business partner has already given her answer?I stood up with
EuniceMom went inside my room the next morning. No one bothered me the whole night and I liked it. I actually wished daytime would never come because I don’t want to be reminded of the nightmare that dinner caused me.“Eunice, let’s talk,” she said as I was still wrapped around my blankets.I don’t want to talk. I can’t do what they want me to do. I can’t do it. Why do they want me to do it?I wasn’t a rebel child.I was an obedient daughter, as a matter of fact.So why are they doing this to me?“Eunice…” Mom’s voice was soft. I know she’s trying to comfort me right now. She stroke my shoulder and I sighed, defeated.“Mom…” I said in a raspy voice. “I don’t want to get married.”I would definitely reconsider if the man’s not that arrogant. But he’s not. He’s the most arr
JosiahI see her sighing from her table. But I can also see her clenching her fists like she wants to fight someone right at this moment.“What, dude? You already in love with your fiancée?” Sage teased as he caught me staring at Eunice.I glared at him.I’m still angry. I’m still loathing the fact that Mom has successfully blackmailed me to marry this woman. I’m still hating the fact that she’s got her way to piss me off again.“What’s wrong with Hannah?” I asked, out of the blue, out of topic.Stan raised his brow at me. “Why are you asking?”“Because I want to know why you hate her,” I replied as I plopped myself on the stool.I want to know why every person in my life hates the woman that I love. It’s not like she’s unlikable. To be fair, she is so caring and thoughtful. She’d always think of me first. Tha
EuniceWhat. The. Hell.The last faint of hope I had has gone directly down the drain the moment he uttered those words to me.How could he agree to that?Why would he agree to that?I’ve already killed Josiah Kim a million times in my head since the day he told me that he’s also given in on what our parents want. I thought he might have the decency to decline. I thought he would rebel on his parents since he looks like someone who doesn’t want anyone directing his life.I thought he would retaliate.But he didn’t.I thought wrong.It’s been a week since the pragmatic marriage plans started and I am starting to lose faith in humanity.Mrs. Kim was giggling with Mom on the couch in the living room as I walked down the stairs. In front of them are numerous magazines with beautiful places and gowns.Dad and Mr. Kim are on the veranda and talking about something re
Josiah“Are you okay?”Hannah asked me as we ate in our favorite restaurant. It is our anniversary and she wanted us to be together for the whole day. Good thing, most of the day is free cut for me.I looked at her and smiled, assuring. “Yeah, I’m good.”I put more of the pasta on her plate and also put in some pizza. I stare at her face and she’s looking at me like she’s confused as to why I am being like this to her.“Jos,” she called as she breathed heavily.I smiled at her, silently praying that I would be able to shrug off anything that she will throw at me today.I haven’t told her about the merger. Hell, I don’t know if I could. How do I even tell her that I am getting married to someone that’s not her? I can’t. I don’t want her to get hurt.“Are you really okay?” she asked. “We can cancel, you know&hell
EuniceFuck!I was literally cursing in my head as I watched that arrogant Josiah disappear from the cafeteria.I glared at everyone that was on my way and started strutting back to our table.Mitch and Nanette looked at me weirdly while Mona was just staring.“What’s with you and your future husband?” Nanette just couldn’t help her mouth from speaking.I shot her a glare and she just shrugged. I am still mad. I am still so frustrated that I had to marry an arrogant guy instead of something decent.And now, Mom wants me to pick up my wedding dress with him. I couldn’t even hide the disappointment and anger on my face earlier when she told me that.“He’s handsome,” Mitch thought aloud.The three of us looked at her with questioning expressions. She blinked at all of us.“Come on, be real. He’s handsome. He’s probably one of the most