My stomach clenches as Keeho stares at me with fear.
"Jackson broke out of prison."
"Oh my God!"
I feel the world spinning as I fall to the ground, unable to breathe. Changbin and Keeho are both at my side.
"(Y/N)! Just breathe." Changbin says.
"When did this happen?"
"They're not sure, but the warden said he was seen running north." he informs me.
"That's towards Yongin-si! Jackson told me he would find me. He said if he ever got out, he would come for me."
Changbin rubs my back as Keeho wraps his hand around my arm and looks at me with a brotherly gaze.
"Jackson doesn't know what country you live in, let alone what city or house." Keeho reassures me.
"You'll be safe, (Y/N). I promise you, Jackson is not getting anywhere near you."
Changbin gives me a small grin. My breathing starts to return to normal, but the idea of my ex on the loose still gnaws at my stomach.
"You're right. Jackson and I lived in Daegu, he doesn't know I moved out here to Yongin-si."
Changbin and Keeho help me back up to my feet.
"Why don't I take you home? You should be somewhere you feel safe right now."
I exchange a glance with Changbin, who gives me a half-smile.
"Are you going to be okay?" Changbin asks caringly.
"I won't let Jackson keep controlling me. I lived in fear when I was with him, I refuse to live that way again."
"That's very brave, but it's okay if you're scared. You can stay here if you need to."
Keeho looks between Changbin and I.
"You know, you never told me why you were here with Changbin in the first place." Keeho says with a cocked eyebrow.
"Oh, well--"
"(Y/N) wasn't feeling well, so I brought her here so she could lie down."
A bead of sweat runs down my brow as Keeho studies Changbin's face. Finally, Keeho breaks into a grin.
"I jumped to some crazy conclusions, Changbin. I thought I was going to have to kick your ass...but I'm glad to hear you were just looking out for my baby sister."
Changbin clears his throat, giving me a relieved sideways glance.
"Of course, Keeho." Changbin replies.
"Ready to go, (Y/N)?"
Keeho starts to walk to his car, but Changbin grabs my elbow and pulls me close.
"Wait. I was going to tell you something before Keeho showed up. Can you hang back a minute?"
Keeho turns and looks at me expectantly.
"I'll be there in a second, Keeho. Changbin needs to talk to me."
Keeho looks between Changbin and I before shrugging his shoulders.
"All right, but make it fast. I'll be in the car."
Keeho walks off to the front yard, leaving Changbin and I alone.
"So. There was something I wanted to tell you."
Changbin steps closer, the wind blowing his musky scent towards me.
"It's important to me that you hear this."
"I'm listening." I tell him with a smile.
"I want to thank you for letting me open up about my brother."
Changbin takes another step closer, making my breathing quicken.
"When you first walked into my bar, I knew there was something special about you...and the fact that I could talk to you about Wyatt proves it. You're special, (Y/N)."
"I don't know about that." I giggle.
Changbin traces his hand down my arm, my heart rate skyrocketing.
"I do. I've never felt--"
"(Y/N)? Are you coming?" Keeho interrupts.
"I'd better go." I tell Changbin while looking into his eyes.
"Before you go, are you sure you're okay? About Jackson?"
"I'm obviously scared, but Keeho is right. He doesn't know where I am. I'm not going to let him make me live in fear. Not again."
Changbin gives me a sweet smile, making my knees weak.
"You're a brave soul, (Y/N). You're showing maturity way past your years."
Changbin reaches out to stroke my cheek, his hand inches from my face
"(Y/N)! Come on!"
I tell Changbin goodbye and run to hop in the car with Keeho and head home.
The next day at work, I'm checking my Timber matches when my boss is suddenly in my face.
"(Y/N)! My office. Now."
I begrudgingly follow JYP down the hall.
"Do you know why I asked you in here?"
"Um...you want to give me a promotion?" I say sarcastically.
"Not unless you stop breaking rules."
"What rules was I breaking?" I ask curiously.
"You were on your phone! You were late yesterday and now this. Phones are to be left in your locker during your shift."
"That's never been a rule. You literally just made that up."
JYP looks me up and down with a sickening slowness.
"I'm in charge here, (Y/N). And if you don't want to get written up...maybe you should sleep with me."
"What?!"
I was shocked at the fact that he said that or even suggested that!
"You heard me."
And I wish I didn't.
"Have you completely lost your mind?"
"I've never thought clearer."
JYP takes a step closer to me and slides his hand down my arm with a sly smile.
"Come on, baby. Let's have a little on-the-clock fun."
I slap JYP's hand off my arm.
"I am not sleeping with you, JYP!"
"Why not? Don't forget that you need me to sign those papers for your nursing school."
He tries to blackmail me.
"If you ever ask me to sleep with you again, I'll report you to HR." I threaten.
"Come on, (Y/N). Don't you want to have a little fun?"
He steps towards me again, but I push him back.
"Not with you."
"Fine. Whatever. Go do some work before I write you up."
I hear a scream from one of the patient's rooms, and I rush to see what's going on.
"Bang Chan! Are you okay?"
"I'm more than okay, sweetie. I have a date with Ryan Reynolds later today! Do you think you could help me get my hair done? My hands aren't what they used to be."
His excitement is infectious, and I welcome the distraction from thinking about Jackson being out of jail. I sit down next to Bang Chan on the bed and start applying some hair gel.
"We're going to Changbin's bar for drinks, and I can't wait! I hope I get lucky tonight."
"Bang Chan!" I laugh wishing I didn't hear him say that.
"What? I deserve a good romp in the sack. What about your love life? How is that Timber app treating you?" He asks.
"Terrible. Changbin is helping me sort through guys on Timber, so hopefully it will start going smoother."
"Seo Changbin. What a specimen. That poor man has been through a lot. First his brother, and then that whole girl fiasco."
I freeze halfway through combing Bang Chan's hair.
"What? What happened?"
"Back in the day, all the girls swooned over sweet and playful Seo Changbin. But then he was with this girl Jihyo. Nasty thing. She completely broke his heart."
"Oh my God...what did she do?"
"I don't know the details, but rumor has it she was running around with other guys."
"Wow, I had no idea."
"Changbin put up an icy wall after the whole affair. Now all the ladies admire his rugged handsomeness from afar, knowing he won't show any interest."
I grab hairspray from the counter and Bang Chan leans in close, giving me a spirited smile.
"But it looks like he's showing interest in you." he grins cockily.
"I don't know about that. For one thing, he's older than me."
"Ryan is a few years older than me, too. Age is just a number, sweetheart." he laughs.
"Well, Keeho showed up and made it very clear that I was off-limits. Changbin and I haven't talked since. Even if Changbin was interested, Keeho would never be okay with it."
"I guess we'll just have to see."
My phone buzzes, and you see that it's a text from Changbin.
CHANGBIN - I know finding out about Jackson yesterday was rough, how are you doing with everything?
"You see what I mean? Men don't check up on girls for no reason. That boy is interested." Bang Chan elbows me looking at my screen.
YOU - I could definitely use a hug.
CHANGBIN - I'll remember that the next time I see you.
I set my phone down and put the finishing touches on Bang Chan's look.
"Perfect! Thank you, (Y/N). Could you do me a favor and go check on Ryan? It took him months to work up the courage to ask me out, he's probably feeling a little nervous." he smiles sweetly.
"Sure thing."
"And see if you can get him to wear his blue cardigan. It makes his eyes pop."
I head over to Ryan's room and almost trip over the mountain of clothes scattered on the ground.
"(Y/N)! Thank God you're here." Ryan sighs in relief.
"Ryan...did a tornado come through here?" I ask in shock from the pile of clothes.
"I'm so nervous about making the right outfit choice that I'm considering just canceling this date altogether." he said with a sad tone.
"No, you can't do that! I haven't see Bang Chan this happy since I started working here!"
I try and cheer him up.
"I don't want to let him down...and Changbin has already made preparations for us at the bar. Maybe you can help me, then."
"Of course I'll help you, Ryan. A big part of my job is making sure my patients are happy. Bang Chan mentioned he loved you in your blue cardigan."
I help Ryan find the sweater in the pile of clothes and he slips it on.
"How does it look? You're the expert here, so I'll wear whatever you think is best. And if we can't find the perfect outfit...then I'll just have to tell Bang Chan the date is off."
Bang Chan would be crushed if Ryan cancelled, and Changbin is waiting for them at the bar!
"Ryan, you should wear the blue cardigan. Bang Chan just mentioned that this cardigan makes your eyes pop."
"We have a winner, then! If Bang Chan asked for the blue sweater, then he gets the blue sweater. Thank you so much for your help, (Y/N). I don't know what I would have done without you." He smiles with excitement.
"You look great, Ryan. Bang Chan is going to be thrilled." I smile at him.
"I suppose I'd better go meet him. Would you be our chaperone? JYP has been cracking down on leaving the facility unsupervised." he asks.
"I'd be honored, Ryan. Let's go get your man."
As I walk down the hall with Ryan, my phone buzzes again in my pocket.
CHANGBIN - Are the lovebirds on their way to my bar yet?
YOU - Almost. And I'm tagging along too.
CHANGBIN - Well my day just got better.
My heart races as I read his text over and over
YOU - So did mine. Getting paid while hanging out at your bar? Dream come true.
CHANGBIN - Let me know if you need a ride. I'm happy to come pick the three of you up.
Bang Chan comes out of his room and stops short when he sees Ryan.
"My, my. You look good enough to eat, Ryan."
I hide my laughter as Bang Chan unapologetically looks Ryan up and down with hungry eyes.
"I'm glad you like it. (Y/N) help me pick it out." Ryan says flirting with Bang Chan.
"Thank you, (Y/N). You did fine work here." Bang Chan praises me.
"Anything for you, Bang Chan."
"Shall we go?" Bang Chan asks looking at Ryan and I with a smile.
"(Y/N) here has agreed to be our chaperone. Can you give us a ride, dear?"
"Oh, I can't drive...but I know someone who can."
I video call Changbin and my heart skips a beat when his handsome face pops up on my screen.
"Hey, (Y/N). Couldn't wait until you got here to see me?"
"How would you like to save the day?"
"I do love to play the hero."
"Do you think you could come pick the three of us up for Ryan and Bang Chan's date? If it's not too much trouble."
"It's no trouble at all. I'd love to come get y'all."
"That would be great, Changbin. Thank you."
"(Y/N)! Didn't we talk about phones while on shift?"
"I'm sorry JYP, I'm just organizing a ride so I can escort Ryan and Bang Chan on an outing."
"You need a ride, you say?"
JYP saddles up next to me, his face so close I can smell his rancid breath.
"I can give you a ride. I wouldn't mind you owing me a favor, if you know what I mean." he chuckles licking his lips.
"(Y/N), I can come get you. Just say the word." Changbin says seeing how uncomfortable I am.
"Yes, please come get us, Changbin."
"Got it, I'm on my way." Changbin says grabbing his keys and hanging up.
"I said I could drive you!" JYP whines.
"Changbin already offered. Besides, I'm sure you have important work to be doing." I smirk.
The three of us load up into Changbin's truck and he takes off down the road with a smile.
"I'm glad I could save you from spending time with that boss of yours. He seems like a pill." Changbin says patting my leg.
"You don't know the half of it." I giggle.
"This is quite chivalrous of you, Changbin." Bang Chan says.
"Just doing my part, sir."
He pulls up to the bar and cuts the engine before running around the truck to open my door for me.
"Wow, you're taking this chivalry act seriously."
"It's no act. I'm just treating you with the respect you deserve."
Ryan helps Bang Chan out of the car and he gives me a knowing smile.
"That Changbin sure is...courteous."
I swat him playfully as the four of us head inside. I get Bang Chan and Ryan situated at a booth, then head over to the bar where Changbin is mixing drinks.
"What are you making?"
Changbin rubs his hand against his chiseled jaw as he looks up at me.
"It's a 'Ryan Bang Fizz.' I made it up for their date."
"You made Bang Chan and Ryan a specialty cocktail?"
I knew he was sweet.
"I thought it would be cute. You know, because it's their first date and they picked here to have their special moment. So I made something special for them."
"Seo Changbin, that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard."
His eyes light up and he gives me that half smile that drives me crazy.
"Why don't you come help me make them?"
I join Changbin on the other side of the bar and he places the ingredients in front of me.
"Are you going to show me how to mix this?"
Changbin comes up next to me and guides me through mixing the liquors, his biceps flexing as he works.
"Just like that. You're a natural."
"Thanks again for picking us up. I wish I had my license already." I tell him while mixing drinks.
"How come you never learned to drive?"
"I started dating Jackson when I was sixteen, and he was controlling from the start. He didn't want me to learn to drive because he didn't want me to have a way to get away from him."
Changbin's jaw clenches, his grip too tight on the bottle of gin.
"I hate that that piece of shit got to take away so many experiences from you."
"I got my learner's permit a few weeks ago, but Keeho has been too busy to take me out to learn."
Changbin turns to me, his anger quickly melting into a playful smile.
"Well that settles it. Tomorrow I'm taking you out for a driving lesson."
I practically leap for joy.
"Are you serious?"
"Of course I'm serious, (Y/N)."
Changbin takes a step closer, his eyes fixed on my face.
"I want to give you all the experiences you never got with Jackson."
My heart pounds as Changbin leans in closer, his gruff physique towering over me.
"Starting with getting you your driver's license."
"This is the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me, Changbin. I don't know what to say." I laugh as he looks deep into my eyes.
"Say I can take you driving tomorrow." he says looking for permission.
"Of course you can take me driving, Changbin. Thank you!"
"It's my pleasure, (Y/N)."
My heart races as I close the distance between us, standing on my tiptoes to reach Changbin's face. I softly kiss his cheek, his stubble rough against my lips.
"You have no idea what this means to me."
I lower back down from my tiptoes as Changbin touches his cheek where I just kissed him.
"I think that gave me a slight idea of how much this means to you."
We look into each other's eyes, the warm moment hanging between us. Changbin puts the finishing touches on the Ryan Bang Fizzes and hands them to me.
"Thanks for your help on these. Why don't you deliver them to our lovebirds?"
I head over to Bang Chan and Ryan and set down their drinks on the table.
"How's it going over here, you two?"
"Just wonderful. Bang Chan here is just a dynamite guy." Ryan says without looking away from Bang Chan.
"Thank you for tagging along, dear. I hope Changbin is keeping you...entertained."
"Changbin is going to give me driving lessons." I say with excitement.
"I'm sure he'll show you how to handle his stick."
"Bang Chan!"
We all laugh at Bang Chan's dirty joke.
"All jokes aside, I've known Changbin his whole life. That man is as good as they come." Ryan tells me with a sweet smile.
"I couldn't agree more. I'll be at the bar if you two need me."
I head back to the bar, where a group of women from the city are ordering drinks. One woman is leaning over the bar and shamelessly hitting on Changbin.
"What do you say you and I get out of here, cowboy? I could ride you like a bull."
Who does this lady this she is?
"No thanks, ma'am."
Changbin's gruff façade is up, clearly uninterested. The woman is practically drooling on him as she gives a dramatic pout.
"What's the problem? Why won't you give me what I want." She says throwing the puppy dog eyes at him.
"Sorry, ma'am. I only have eyes for one woman."
"Oh yeah? And who would that be?"
My heart stops as Changbin points right at me.
"This woman right here. (Y/N) Munroe."