Entwined Destiny

(2021)

Myeongdong pedestrian street, Seoul

South Korea...

10:45pm...

With a heavy heart, she walked down the lonely street, oblivious to the surroundings.

Being a famous street for all sort of crimes, she was taking a big risk by walking all alone.

She sighed for the nth time and proceeded to her destination with quick short steps.

Soon, she heard voices ahead of her. She stopped abruptly and subconsciously checked the time on her phone.

She gasped as she realized it was late and it dawned on her that the street was deserted, leaving her to whatever she was gonna face ahead of her.

"Please...sir...give me..one more chance to prove myself worthy, I promise...not..to fail you this time". One of the voices she heard, said shakily.

"This is the third time you wretched fool! You're totally useless and I don't deal with useless garbages". Another voice said, he spoke with so much terrifying power and authority.

She tried to take a peek at what was happening and tiptoed closer.

Her curiosity soon changed to regret as she sighted some armed men, towering over their victim.

They wore all black and their faces weren't revealed because of the nose masks they had on.

'Kkangpae' ('thugs') She thought, biting nervously on her index finger.

"Kill him!" The powerful voice ordered and her heart dropped.

Gunshots filled the air and a short, agonizing scream from the victim.

She just ran into a murder scene!!

"Eotteokke?" ("What do I do?")   She pondered as her phone and bag trembled in her hands.

"Make sure the site is clear, no one else should be a witness to this".

She gasped upon hearing the last order and thought of a way to hide.

If she tries running away, they might or surely get her...

Or so, she thought.

Looking left and right in a haste, she felt her throat coming up upon pressure.

"No, no, not now". She gasped out and rummaged around in her bag for her inhaler.

With all manner of carelessness, all the contents in her bag dropped, her bag following suit. It created such disturbing noise.

"Who's there?!"

"Shit!" She cursed silently and grabbed her bag, ignoring the contents while she found a place to hide, behind an incinerator.

She heard footsteps approaching the incinerator and sucked some air in, holding her breath.

'Save me this once Lord! I promise to be a good girl from now on, I promise I won't stay out late again, I promise to be good to Unnie, Appa and Umma, I promise to be an obedient girl...I haven't even had my first kiss yet, I can't die like this...I promise to be good from now on...'

She prayed in her heart.

As if on cue, her heart began to beat rapidly.

"No...no...no". She cried silently as she fumbled with the watch on her wrist but was late.

It began to beep all of a sudden and she cursed her life.

It was actually a heart rate monitor watch.

Suddenly, she was pulled out of her hiding place by the hair and she bit on her lip to suppress the pain she felt.

"P...please don't kill me". She begged, joining her palms together.

Then, she successfully stopped the beeping and looked up at her predator with teary eyes.

He was dressed in a black hoodie, Jean pants and black nose mask.

"I...I didn't see anything...I..I..beg you". She stuttered, running out of breath.

It was difficult to see his face in the dark but she knew he was staring back at her.

She hit her chest repeatedly and gasped out for air..

"I...I..", She tried to talk but with difficulties.

"My... inhaler". She pointed towards the spot where her stuffs fell.

Not that she thought the killer would help her, she just did whatever was in her mind at the moment.

Surprisingly, he went to pick up her inhaler for her and she puffed in some air.

"Did you find the meat?" Someone was coming their way.

She was grabbed by the arm, yanked up and in seconds, was tossed to a very much dark corner.

"No.... there's no one here". The hooded guy said as one of the armed guys approached him.

"I'm pretty sure I heard a meat nearby".

"As you can see, there's no one...go back while I check the whole area".

The other guy left, leaving the hooded one who withdrew the girl from the corner..

She was panting heavily as though she just finished running.

"Go.." He ordered.

She nodded quickly and was about to leave...

He grasped her hand and pulled her back, she went bumping into his chest.

"Mi..Mi-an-hae" ("S..sorry"). She puffed out breathlessly, apologising.

"Not a word to anyone got it?" His tone was stern.

She nodded continuously like a bubble head.

"Now, I want you to run as fast as you can and don't make me get to you..

If I do, I won't be considerate and forgiving anymore. I'll just pretend I didn't see you for now....but if I get you the second time, I'll slit your throat". His tone was cold this time, she felt a cold chill run down her spine.

"Run!"

She didn't need to be told a second time, she took off with all her strength and energy left.

After ten counts, he also took off, in hot pursuit.

*

(2022)

The Kim's Mansion....

💞Kim Soo-Min's p.o.v💞

"Young lady Soo Min, your breakfast's ready".

"...."

"Lady Soo Min, everyone's waiting for you at the dining".

I groaned as my sleep was being interrupted. I rolled over to the other side of the bed and was about to continue sleeping.

"Yah! Soo Min, get your princess butt down here, you can't keep us waiting for you all the time!".

That was Mi Young, my elder sister.

"I'll be down in a minute!". I yelled back and sat upright.

"Good morning Lady Soo Min". Our maid greeted.

I couldn't even get mad at her for interrupting my sleep.

"Morning, maidservant Cha". I murmured as I grumpily got down from bed and rushed to the bathroom to brush my teeth in a hurry.

Soon, I went downstairs...

"Finally, the princess decided to join her minions". Mi Young said, pissed.

"Mi Young unnie, I told you guys to always eat without me, I don't even feel hungry right now".

"We have a rule to always eat together as a family Soo Min". Dad said.

"Where are your manners young lady? Or greeting isn't included in your schedule for today hmmh?" Mom asked.

"Oh, Good morning Umma, morning Appa". I was quick to correct my mistake with a smile.

"Come on, we don't have the whole day, I need to get to work". Dad said, beckoning on me to join them.

"She doesn't get to work that's why she has no idea how late we are and how she's always keeping us late". Mom rolled her eyes.

I hopped to the dining and we ate our meal in silence.

*

"Please do well to return those boxes to Mi Young's latest suitor". Mom told Chief Bang, our family oldest driver.

Yeah give me a break...

I rolled my eyes as Chief Bang gathered the gifts.

Aside being the daughter of a wealthy, influential entrepreneur like Dad, Mi Young was famous for her beauty.

Mom said she got it from her...

She was a brand ambassador for Dior and modelled for famous fashion designers, she was also a model for countless skin care products.

'Beautiful flower petals' as her name implies, she was the most cherished flower at home and obviously Mom's favorite.

She had many suitors from different parts of the country as she was the apple of many men eyes. She turned heads wherever she walked to and caught their attention.

This would be the nth proposal she turned down or rather mom turned down for her and the suitor wasn't just anybody, but the son of one of the most renowned CEOs in Southern Korea.

She was like a puppet to Mom and Mom, the puppeteer.

But who cares? As long as she loved mom and viceversa.

Unlike me, the least favorite or should I say unloved one.

I was nothing but a burden to my parents.

Diagnosed with Arrhythmia at the age of six, my life was full of sadness, anxiety and all.

My parents feared for my life and spent so much at the hospital because of me.

Growing up, I developed Asthma and Mom was so fed up with my mental health.

"I keep doubting I gave birth to you, how can you be so sick?!" She once yelled at me out of frustration.