we stopped abruptly because of the heavy traffic. i sighed and drove towards the dark alley instead. through my peripheral vision, i can see seungwan looking through the window. i am sure she's assessing the place. it would be impossible if i were to tell that she was familiarizing because from the looks of it, the memory of this area's probably clear in her mind. everything that happened back then's probably apparent to her, no details missing.

the same thing goes for me.

she looked nervous, frightened.

"do me a favor and keep calm, will you?" i uttered.

"why would i?" she questioned, "you dragged me all the way here."

"you're aware i'm doing you a favor."

"i am. and for what, exactly?"

i pursed my lips and stopped the car. i opened the door without answering her question and walked over towards her side of the door, opening it. she sat still, not bothering to look up towards me. her hands tightly gripped on the hem of her shirt as she bites her bottom lip. i cursed under my breath and slightly kneeled down.

"look, i don't have the whole day with me. we only have minutes to spare. if you do anything that'll go against this plan, you have no idea how much capable i am to get rid of you immediately."

"then why don't you? fucking get rid of me already," she daringly states back, glaring at me.

"i'll have a word with you once we get back. just let me help you this time," i quietly said and bit the inside of my cheek, "don't you want to see her?"

i stood up and turned my back on her, massaging the bridge of my nose. she's not making it any easier yet for some reason i can't help but to loosen the irritability within myself as i heard her sniffle. i turned towards her and by that time, she had already stood up and without uttering another word, i lead the way towards the small feculent restaurant that was right at the end of the street. the place felt muddled as we walked closer so i stopped ourselves from going further.

i pulled her over to the side and glanced towards seungwan who seemed to already know what i'd usher her to look over at. it was her sister. her name is yerim, at least that's what i remember. the information i got from my connection was right. she's indeed working for that place and for how long? i have no idea.

"i-i gotta help her," seungwan took a step and i held her back. she was fighting back her tears but losing it.

"no. it's dangerous," i muttered, "we have to go back. that's all the time i can give."

"then leave me here," she wiped the tears that tainted her cheeks and looked back towards her sister, "just leave me."

i distraughtly run my fingers through my hair and pulled her close to me, "no," i stare right into her eyes and placed both my hands on her shoulder, "he's going to find you still."

she dissolved into tears as she looked down. i bite my lower lip and whispered to her, "soon. i promise you."

i couldn't stand the perturbing place anymore as i felt as if we were being watched. i accompanied her back to the alley, back to the car and drove back to the mansion before the time turned seven as i was asked to drop by the office to take care of my brother's shithold of work.

i heaved a sigh before making my way through the fields, handling an envelope of money to the guard as i do so. it was one way to keep their mouth shut if they were ever asked about what occurred today and they very well understood. she was quiet up to the time we walked back to the manor, until i was about to plead my goodbye to head off once again.

"why?" she asked me with a shaking voice, "answer me. you said you'd have a word with me."

i stopped walking and clicked my tongue, turning my head towards her direction, "because i wasn't able to do something back then. that's why."

she didn't ask anymore. i immediately walked my way down, eyeing the maids that lined up to the front door as i went out. they refused to look back at me yet i can see right through them. the only thing i appreciate about this whole place are the people who seemed to play loyal when their upper hand is here but turns into puppets once hard cash are handed out to them by someone else.

as i drive my way to the office, i couldn't help but picture her. she looked as if she cared so much that she didn't want to leave. yet she's locked up against her will. me, on the other hand, has no fucking idea as to why i'm doing this, as to why i'm directing trouble towards myself for someone i barely know.

God, i'm not even sure if my reason is even real anymore. all i know is that i badly want to get her out and maybe that's the only way i can drive myself out of guilt.