Chapter 1
In a smoke-filled room deep within the labyrinthine corridors of the mafia's operations, Jungkook, a trusted lieutenant, stood with furrowed brows beside his boss, Mr. Kang.
The air was thick with tension as Mr. Kang's steely gaze scanned the room, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.
"Find out who leaked the information," Mr. Kang's command was terse and uncompromising, his fingers drumming impatiently on the polished wooden desk.
Jungkook nodded curtly, his mind already racing with plans and calculations.
He reached for his phone and swiftly dialed a number, his expression hardening as he issued orders in a low, urgent tone.
"Get me everything you can on the leak," Jungkook instructed his contact, his voice betraying no hint of emotion.
"I need names, places—anything that will lead us to him."
Minutes passed like hours as Jungkook waited, his jaw clenched in anticipation.
Finally, a text message pinged on his phone, delivering the crucial information he sought.
With a determined nod, Jungkook relayed the details to his team, his voice a quiet command amidst the controlled chaos of their preparations.
"Let's move," Jungkook ordered, his tone brooking no argument.
He led his men out into the gritty streets, their footsteps echoing against the concrete as they pursued their target with methodical precision.
The night swallowed them whole as they navigated through the shadows of the city, the distant glow of neon lights casting eerie silhouettes upon their determined faces.
Jungkook's mind raced with the weight of their mission, his senses heightened as they closed in on their quarry.
With each step, Jungkook's resolve hardened, his focus unyielding as they cornered the traitor in a dimly lit alleyway.
There, amidst the faint scent of garbage and distant sounds of nightlife, Jungkook confronted the betrayer with a gaze as cold as steel.
"You thought you could betray us and get away with it?"
Jungkook's voice was low and dangerous, his words laced with the unspoken threat of retribution. "You underestimated us."
The traitor's eyes widened in fear as Jungkook's men closed in, their expressions grim and unforgiving.
Without hesitation, they seized the traitor, their hands firm and unrelenting as they secured him with practiced efficiency.
Jungkook's gaze never wavered as he looked upon the man who had dared to jeopardize their operations.
In that moment, amidst the harsh realities of their world, Jungkook knew that loyalty and betrayal were currency traded in equal measure. And tonight, the debt would be paid in full.
He stood with his men, a gun aimed unwaveringly at their target.
His finger hovered over the trigger, poised to enact the ruthless justice demanded by their world.
The man before him, a traitor to their code, trembled under the weight of impending retribution.
But before he could finalize the fateful act, a sudden disruption shattered the tense tableau.
A girl, swift and determined, emerged from the shadows behind him. With a resounding slap, her hand struck his cheek with shocking force, snapping his gaze away from the target.
Stunned and caught off guard, he staggered back, his grip on the gun momentarily faltering.
Jungkook's fury burned hot as he stared at the Muslim girl in her abaya who had thwarted his plans.
His jaw clenched, hands balling into fists at his sides. The girl stood defiantly, her eyes blazing with righteous fury as she challenged his resolve with a single act of defiance.
The air crackled with tension, the moment hanging suspended in disbelief.
"Put that gun down !" Her voice cut through the tension like a blade.
Jungkook froze, startled by the sudden interruption. He turned slowly, the gun still aimed at the man before him.
His eyes met hers, filled with fiery determination.
"You can't do this," she said firmly, stepping closer despite the danger.
Jungkook's jaw clenched, his grip on the gun tightening. "Stay out of this, little girl" he warned, his voice strained with urgency.
"Why?" she challenged, undeterred by his intimidation.
"Who gave you the right to decide who lives and who dies?"
One of Jungkook's men shifted uncomfortably, exchanging uncertain glances with his comrades.
"Boss..." he began cautiously.
Jungkook's eyes flashed with fury as he silenced his men with a sharp gesture, his gaze fixed on the young woman standing before him in her abaya.
The sting of her slap still lingered on his cheek, but his expression hardened into a mask of cold resolve.
"You've made a grave mistake," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
"If you weren't a woman, I would have ended you right here. Get lost from here before I change my decision"
The girl met his glare with unwavering defiance, her own resolve unshaken despite the peril she faced.
The tension crackled between them, the weight of his words hanging heavily in the air.
Before either could speak another word, the distant sound of approaching sirens shattered the standoff.
Jungkook's jaw clenched in frustration as he glanced over his shoulder, assessing the growing threat of law enforcement.
"This isn't over," he warned, his tone a promise tinged with menace. "Next time, there won't be any mercy."
With a final, chilling look, Jungkook turned on his heel and disappeared into the shadows, his men following swiftly behind.
Left alone in the alley, the woman exhaled a shaky breath, her heart racing with the realization of the danger she had narrowly escaped.
She knew their paths would cross again, and when they did, she would be ready to face whatever darkness Jungkook brought with him.
After the tense encounter in the alley, Fatima hurried back to her modest apartment, her footsteps echoing in the empty streets.
Her heart raced with the adrenaline of the night's events, the memory of Jungkook's threatening words lingering in her mind.
She knew she had defied danger to stand up for what she believed was right, but now, as she faced the familiar door of her family's home, a new wave of apprehension washed over her.
As she entered the living room, her father's stern voice greeted her before she could even remove her shoes.
"Where have you been?" he demanded, his brow furrowed with concern and disapproval.
"I told you not to go out alone. I worry about your safety."
The young girl's heart sank at her father's reproach.
She had hoped he would understand, that he would see her actions as a testament to her strength and determination.
"I was trying to find a job," she explained quietly, her voice tinged with exhaustion and frustration.
"I wanted to contribute, to help support our family."
Her father's expression darkened, his worry shifting to anger.
"I don't want you out there, risking yourself," he insisted, his voice tinged with frustration.
"You don't know people and their intentions, the world is cruel." ,he said while yelling at her.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she absorbed her father's harsh words.
She had only wanted to make a better life for herself and her family, to lift them out of their struggles.
Her mother, a gentle and understanding presence, stepped forward, her voice soft with reassurance.
Her father sighed heavily, his features softening slightly at the sight of his daughter's distress.
"I just worry," he admitted gruffly, his concern for her safety battling with his desire to protect her from the harsh realities of the world outside their home.
The young woman nodded, her tears flowing freely now as she felt the weight of her father's expectations and her own ambitions colliding painfully within her.
She sought solace in her mother's embrace, letting herself cry out the frustration and fear that had built up inside her throughout the night.
"I'm sorry, Baba," she whispered through her tears, using the endearing term for father in her culture. "I didn't mean to worry you."
Her father's expression softened further as he gathered his daughter into his arms, his own emotions raw with the realization of how close he had come to losing her.
"I know, Fatima," he murmured, using the affectionate term for beloved. "I just want you to be safe."
Jungkook stood tall and composed in front of his boss, detailing the sequence of events from the previous night with a controlled yet firm voice.
His boss listened attentively, nodding occasionally to indicate he was following along.
Standing nearby, the boss's son, known for his arrogance and disregard for others, couldn't resist inserting his disdainful remarks.
"So, Jungkook," the boss's son interrupted with a derisive chuckle, "you let a girl slap you? She must be quite a fierce one. Why didn't you hit her back? Are you afraid?"
Jungkook's jaw tightened visibly, his fists clenching at the implication of cowardice.
He took a moment to collect himself, his gaze unwavering as he responded evenly.
"It's a principle of mine not to resort to violence against women or children."
The boss's son rolled his eyes, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Your principles are outdated," he scoffed.
"You said she was wearing an abaya, right? What's so special about them anyway? Why do they cover themselves up like that?"
"To save themselves from beasts like you. Bloody womenizer.If you had taken this much interest in missions, you wouldn't be standing here. LOSER!!"
"Yes, I am a womenizer. What's so about those bitches?? It's their work."
Jungkook felt a surge of anger rising within him, but before he could retort , the boss's son continued, his tone dripping with condescension.
"You let a weak girl disrupt your mission? Pathetic. Couldn't handle her, huh?"
The insult struck a nerve, pushing Jungkook to his limit.
In a swift and decisive motion, he lashed out, delivering a stinging slap across the boss's son's cheek.
The force of the blow made the younger man stagger back, his hand flying to his face in disbelief.
The room fell into a stunned silence as Jungkook's glare bore into the boss's son, a silent warning hanging in the air.
"Don't ever speak to me like that again," Jungkook's voice cut through the tension, low and dangerous.
With that final admonition, he turned on his heel and walked out of the room, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.
Left behind, the boss stared after Jungkook with a mix of surprise and contemplation.
He exchanged a glance with his son, who nursed his reddening cheek with a mixture of humiliation and simmering resentment.
The air in the room was thick with unresolved tension, the incident leaving an indelible mark on their relationship and the dynamics within the organization.
Jungkook: (glaring) I won't tolerate disrespect. Excuse me.
Alex: (nursing his cheek, seething silently)
Jungkook: (opens the door to his house and finds Mia sitting at the dining table, preparing dinner) Mia, what are you doing here?
Mia: (smiling warmly) Hi, Jungkook. I thought I'd make dinner for you. I know you've had a long day.
Jungkook: (frowning slightly) You didn't
need to do that. I can take care of myself.
Mia: (stands up and approaches him gently) I just wanted to do something nice for you. Please, sit down. Dinner will be ready soon.
Jungkook: (hesitates, then sits down reluctantly) Fine, but I don't want you going out of your way for me like this.
Mia: (sits across from him, concern in her eyes) Jungkook, why are you so distant lately? Is something bothering you?
Jungkook: (sighs, avoiding eye contact) It's nothing.
Mia: (reaches out and touches his hand) Please talk to me. I want to help.
Jungkook: (jerks his hand away, frustration evident) Mia, I've told you before. I don't love you. You shouldn't be doing all this for me.
Mia: (looks hurt but determined) I know you don't love me now, but I believe that one day you will. I'm willing to wait.
Jungkook: (stands up abruptly, voice tinged with anger) Stop it, Mia! I've made myself clear. I don't want you here tomorrow. Don't come back.
Mia: (tears welling up in her eyes) You'll regret saying that, Jungkook. One day, you'll fall in love with someone, and you'll understand how painful it is to watch them leave, to feel unloved and abandoned.
Jungkook: (laughs bitterly) Love? I don't believe in that fairy tale nonsense. It's just a distraction.
Mia: (wiping away tears, voice trembling) Love isn't a distraction, Jungkook. It's what makes life meaningful.
Jungkook: (turns away, voice softer) Mia, I... I just can't give you what you want.
Mia: (stands up, composed but visibly heartbroken) I know. But someday, when you find someone who loves you as much as I do, I hope you'll realize how precious that is.
Jungkook: (silent, conflicted emotions crossing his face)
After Mia left, Jungkook stood alone in his dimly lit living room, the faint aroma of the abandoned dinner lingering in the air.
He paced restlessly, his mind swirling with conflicting emotions stirred up by Mia's presence and their terse exchange.
As he gazed out of the window into the quiet night, his thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the hijabi girl who had intervened earlier.
Her image flashed vividly in his mind - the defiance in her eyes, the unwavering strength in her stance.
Despite himself, he found his thoughts consumed by her.
"What was it about her?" he muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice.
"Why did she have to get involved?"
The memory of the hijabi girl's eyes lingered in his thoughts like an elusive puzzle piece.
He couldn't deny the impression they had left on him - their clarity, their unwavering strength, and a hint of something he couldn't quite place; innocence, perhaps.
He found himself retracing their brief encounter in his mind.
Her defiance had initially sparked annoyance in him, yet now he couldn't shake the image of those eyes, piercing through his defenses.
"Why am I thinking about her eyes?" he muttered to himself, a faint furrow forming on his brow.
Jungkook sat alone in his dimly lit living room, his thoughts drifting back to Mia's words.
"You'll understand how painful it is to watch them leave," she had said.
He shook his head, dismissing her sentiment with a bitter chuckle.
"Who is there left to lose?" he muttered to himself, his voice tinged with resignation.
His mind replayed the series of losses he had endured over the years - the betrayal, the abandonment, the shattered trust.
His heart had grown calloused, hardened against the vulnerability of attachment.
He glanced at the empty spaces around him, reminders of those who had once occupied his life but were now gone.
There were no family photos on the walls, no traces of companionship in the silent rooms.
He had learned to rely only on himself, trusting no one, needing no one.
"And why would I want someone like her in my life?" he mused aloud, his tone laced with disdain.
His aversion to religious people was deeply ingrained, a reflection of the disappointments and disillusionments he had experienced.
He had long ago abandoned any belief in God, finding solace only in his own strength and independence.
The memory of the hijabi girl flashed briefly in his mind - her defiance, her unwavering faith.
It stirred a mixture of irritation and curiosity within him.
"Religious people," he scoffed, shaking his head.
"They live in a fantasy world." Yet, despite his dismissive attitude, a small part of him couldn't shake the intrigue she had sparked.
There was something about her courage, her conviction, that challenged his cynical worldview.
But Jungkook pushed the thought aside, unwilling to entertain the notion of letting someone like her into his guarded existence.
As he sat in the quiet solitude of his apartment, Jungkook resolved to keep his walls high, his heart shielded from further pain.
He had survived this long on his own terms, and he was determined to continue that way.
Love, faith, they were just illusions, distractions from the harsh realities of life.
With a sigh, he turned his gaze back to the window, the city lights flickering in the distance.
"No one to lose," he murmured to himself, a mantra of self-preservation in the face of lingering doubt.
The next morning, Fatima's friend, Ayesha, stood at her doorstep, her excitement palpable as she urged Fatima to join her for wedding shopping.
"Ayesha, I can't go," Fatima replied hesitantly, pulling at the hem of her abaya.
"But Fatima, it's going to be so much fun! You have to come," Ayesha insisted, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Fatima hesitated, torn between her desire to accompany her friend and her sense of responsibility at home.
She knew her father worried about her safety, especially given the current circumstances.
Yet, Ayesha's enthusiasm was infectious, and she found herself contemplating the idea.
After a moment of internal struggle, Fatima decided to seek her father's permission.
She approached him tentatively, finding him in the living room with a furrowed brow, deep in thought.
"Baba," Fatima began softly, "Ayesha invited me to go with her for wedding shopping. Can I go, please?"
Her father looked up, concern evident in his eyes as he considered her request.
He knew how much Fatima cherished her independence, but he couldn't help worrying about the dangers she might face outside their protective home.
After a brief moment of silence, he nodded reluctantly.
"Alright, Fatima. You can go. But please, be careful. And come back home before dark."
Fatima smiled gratefully, knowing how difficult it was for her father to let her go. "Thank you, Baba. I'll be careful, I promise."
As she prepared to leave with Ayesha, her heart felt conflicted.
She was excited to spend time with her friend and indulge in the joy of wedding preparations, yet she couldn't shake her father's worried expression from her mind.
With a reassuring nod to her father, Fatima followed Ayesha out of the door, a mix of anticipation and apprehension swirling within her.
Little did she know, this day would mark the beginning of unexpected twists and turns that would challenge her beliefs and test her courage in ways she had never imagined.
Jungkook stood in the dimly lit alleyway, the cold concrete walls casting elongated shadows around him.
His boss's orders echoed in his mind like a relentless drumbeat, pushing him forward towards the mission he had been tasked with - confronting their enemy.
The instructions had been clear and concise: find the target, eliminate the threat. It was a familiar routine, one that required precision and quick thinking.
Jungkook's gaze swept over the crowded mall entrance he had been surveilling from afar, searching for any sign of their adversary.
Inside the bustling mall, Fatima and Ayesha immersed themselves in the vibrant displays of dresses and accessories.
Ayesha's infectious laughter filled the air as they picked out outfits for the upcoming wedding, each garment more dazzling than the last.
"Fatima, look at this one! It's absolutely stunning," Ayesha exclaimed, holding up a delicate silk dress adorned with intricate beadwork.
Fatima's eyes widened in admiration. "Wow, Ayesha, that's beautiful! It would look amazing on you." Ayesha grinned, twirling the dress in front of the mirror. "You think so? Maybe I should try it on."
As they debated the merits of each outfit, their conversation floated effortlessly between giggles and heartfelt compliments.
For Fatima, being with Ayesha provided a rare moment of lightness amidst the heaviness of her responsibilities at home.
Meanwhile, Jungkook's sharp eyes scanned the mall's interior, his senses attuned to any suspicious movements.
He knew the target could be anywhere, blending seamlessly into the sea of shoppers.
His hand tightened around the concealed weapon at his side, ready to act at a moment's notice.
Just as Fatima and Ayesha moved to another section of the mall, discussing shoe options to match their chosen dresses, Jungkook caught a glimpse of movement that made his heart skip a beat.
There, near the escalators, was a figure that matched the description of their enemy - a man with a distinctive scar across his cheek.
His pulse quickened with adrenaline as he stealthily closed the distance, weaving through the crowd with practiced ease.
Sweat beaded on his brow, a testament to the tension building within him.
Every step brought him closer to the moment of truth, to the confrontation that would test his resolve and skill.
Back at the dress racks, Ayesha teased Fatima about trying on a bold red gown. "Come on, Fatima! You need something to dazzle everyone at the wedding."
Fatima chuckled softly, shaking her head. "I don't know, Ayesha. Red is a bit too... bold for me.I think this would be suitable for a bride"
"You'd look stunning in anything," Ayesha reassured her, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "But let's find something that makes you feel amazing."
Their laughter echoed through the mall, a stark contrast to the tension mounting outside their peaceful bubble.
Jungkook closed in on his target, his mind focused on the task at hand while inside, Fatima and Ayesha reveled in the joy of friendship and the promise of a celebration to come.
Little did they know, their paths were about to intersect in a way that would shatter the tranquility of their day, setting off a chain of events that would challenge their beliefs and reshape their futures in ways they could never have imagined.
Jungkook seated across his boss's enemy in the bustling mall cafeteria. The atmosphere was tense, words exchanged like venomous arrows between the two parties. "You know why I'm here," Jungkook asserted firmly, his gaze unwavering despite the guns pointed at him from all sides.
The enemy's smirk was sinister. "You're in no position to make demands," he retorted, his voice laced with menace.
"And neither are these people." "I'm not afraid of you," Jungkook declared, his voice firm despite the guns aimed at him. "And I don't give a damn about your threats."
The enemy smirked, his eyes glinting with malice. "You should be," he sneered.
"Because if you try anything, I have explosives planted here. If you come after me, everyone here dies."
Jungkook's heart pounded in his chest as fear gripped him. He had to find Fatima, protect her at all costs.
Ignoring the danger looming around him, he sprinted through the mall, his mind racing with one singular purpose - to ensure Fatima's safety in the face of an unforeseen threat that now threatened the lives of everyone present.
