I'm A Gangster (1)

"I do."

Naeun felt that he was sincere and serious while saying it.

"But you're so handsome." Naeun mentally face-palmed herself for speaking before thinking. "Like you can get a million pretty girls, so why me?"

"I'd rather have you than a million pretty girls. Besides being pretty, I like your personality too. So tell me. Can I call you mine?"

Thump, Thump, Thump.

"B-But I don't know anything about you." Naeun lowered her voice. "And you don't know anything about me."

All this time Taehyun's hand was gripping Naeun's gently. When she tried to slip it out, his grip tightened.

"If there's something about you that I'm not aware of, and it could break us apart, just don't say it."

Stop making my heart pound that fast, you cute bastard!

"Even If I didn't tell you, we still can't be together."

"Why? Because you don't know anything about me? Ask me whatever you want."

"Who are you? All I know is your name and your car, which is the most expensive model in the whole world. You are extremely mysterious."

Now go on and lie to me. I'm ready for all the lies you're going to-

"I'm a gangster."

See? I knew it!... I never should've trusted-WHAT!?

Never in a thousand years could Naeun be more shocked. She wasn't expecting that. How could he tell her that he was a gangster? He was the biggest Mafia in the whole of Asia! He was supposed to hide it.

"H-Ha stop joking! I thought we were having a serious conversation for once, Gosh!"

But Taehyun remained serious.

"Wait what? But you said that your family was rich a-and about the car being expensive, and all that."

"My family isn't rich, I'm rich myself. I'm a criminal. So, are you going to leave me now?"

Naeun knew what the prize of overreacting here could be. If she uttered something wrong in a hurry, he could kill her on the spot. Though his actions proved that unlikely.

"But Taehyun, you're a good person."

"But I'm still a criminal."

"I believe that you must have a good reason for doing what you do."

"You really are different," Taehyun said and chuckled.

How much?

"Are we going to spend the night here?" Naeun asked, intending to change the subject.

"No. We need to talk about something now that you're a little better. Let's get in the car, it's getting cold."

Please, don't pick me up again. Please, please, please~

But Taehyun once again carried her to the car and then sat in himself.

"How did you find me, by the way?"

He started driving, "I have my ways."

"I thought you were a normal gangster. Never thought that you would be a 'big' gangster."

"Let's get on to the main topic. Answer my question. What happened?"

"I'm pretty sure you have ways to find that out as well."

"I do, but I want to hear it from you."

Naeun felt Taehyun was serious this time and no lie would do. She decided to go with the truth.

What's the worse that could happen?

"My step-father was forcing me to marry his friend's son."

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

How could I when I was suddenly kidnapped myself?

"What difference would it have made?" Naeun asked, looking outside the window.

All of a sudden, she felt the speed of the car increasing. She glanced at Taehyun and he looked angry. His hands were gripping the steering wheel tightly and his jaw was clenched. Naeun couldn't figure out why.

"Who do you want me to kill? Your step-father, his friend, the son, or perhaps all?"

The heck?

"I don't want you to kill anyone! Are you crazy?"

"In my world, if we don't like someone, we kill."

"Your world is absurd."

"Then what do you want!?" Taehyun burst out, frustration visible in his tone.

"I just...never want to go back. My father is powerful. It'll be a matter of time that he'll find me and then he'll drag me back to that hell. I don't want to contact my friends because I don't want to put them in danger. I don't have anybody else left and I've never felt so helpless. So, damn, helpless."

"Come with me. Nothing will happen to you."

"Go with you? I can't depend on anyone else."

"Do you have a better option? Are you planning to live on the streets? Or do you have money? Your father will still end up finding you."

Naeun wanted to argue but it would be useless. She looked down. He was right. Taehyun had power and he could probably protect her from Mr. Han.

Naeun felt tears brim up in her eyes and she looked out the window to hide them. Her face displayed helplessness. But Taehyun knew she was crying.

"Don't cry. It makes me want to rip their heads off."

"Don't hurt them!"

"Why do you care so much?" Taehyun exclaimed.

"Because Mr. Han is Harin's father, the girl who's like a sister to me. And I'm pretty sure, that the guy was also forced into this marriage."

"Then make a decision. Step out of this car and you'll return back to your pitiful life. Or put aside your stubbornness and come with me and things might get better."

Naeun was startled. She had never seen Taehyun this angry and scary. She buried her face in her hands and started sobbing. Taehyun stopped the car and grabbed Naeun's hands. He then, unexpectedly, wrapped his arms around her body and pulled her in for a hug. Naeun stopped crying.

"I'm sorry Naeun. This is how I am. I forgot that you never saw me like this. I shouldn't have been harsh. Don't cry. Your tears are more precious than diamonds."

"It's okay Taehyun. I'll come with you."

"I promise I'll protect you."

Thump, Thump, Thump.