Married to Gangster

“Run!” I heard Mitch shout as we all separated from each other.

I can hear the siren from the police car that’s just around the corner. My heart raced even faster as I hear the siren getting closer to where I am.

“Hey!” One of the cops yelled but he was alone so he didn’t know where to turn to.

I got this opportunity to run even quicker and find a hiding place quickly.

I can’t get caught now.

“Gemini!” I heard Nanette calling my code name from a distance.

I looked at the direction of her voice and saw her on top of the brick wall. She’s already climbed the wall and was trying to stretch her hand so I could come with her. Her clothes are already ripped and covered in blood.

I quickly dashed to her and took her hand so I we could climb to the other side. Nanette pulled me successfully and we both jumped to the other side.

Both of us are panting because of all the running we just did.

“You good?” She asked as she eyed a bruise on my left arm.

I nodded. “Fortunately. You?” I asked as I was breathing fast.

She nodded and then we both fell silent and tried to listen to the siren from the police car. We stayed there for a few moments until we decided that it’s already safe to leave.

“I almost smashed her head this time.” Nanette said as we both walked towards our headquarters.

I shook my head. “You think Zinger’s going to be fine?” I asked.

Nan scoffed. “I hope she doesn’t. She’s such a pain in the ass,” she rolled her eyes. “And that’s not just her…it’s all of SeQret.”

SeQret is one of the gangs that are always asking for trouble. They always give out threat like they could handle it whenever they get beaten by us.

Tonight was an example.

This is Seoul. This is the real and hidden underground world of Seoul, South Korea. It’s lethal. It’s dangerous. It’s dark.

It is composed of different gangs that fight to be on top. It’s all about who the strongest and cruelest group. There’s no room for tears, no room for the weak. Because if one is weak, the whole gang will suffer—the whole gang will die.

Most of the gangs are from the elite community—or at least in my gang, it is—that’s why everyone needs to hide their identity for security purposes because as much as possible, the underground life of every gang member must be separated from the normal life. Hence, the use of codenames and masks.

Nanette and I arrived at our headquarters near a creak in the darker alleys of the neighborhood. She grabbed her keys and opened the door.

It was a rule to always lock the door even if someone is inside. No knocking. No making a sound from the outside because this is a hiding place. This is our safe place.

“Good!” Mitch seemed to have relaxed when she saw Nanette and I enter the hiding place. Her clothes are also ripped and crumpled. Her arms both have scratches which are all remnants of the latest fight we just had.

Mona was staring at us from the couch. She looked fine, unlike, most of us. Her T-shirt is crumpled a bit but I couldn’t see any bruise on her arms and face.

“Where have you been?” She asked as I sat beside her and tried to examine my bruises.

I heard Nanette sigh as she walked over to the fridge. “We almost got caught,” she explained as she took two bottles of mineral water and tossed me one.

I caught the bottle and drank from it.

“Good thing I saw Eunice, or else Astra will be screwed.” Nan kidded before gulping her water down.

I ignored her.

Mitch walked towards me and sat across Mona and I. “You’re bruised,” she commented with concern laced in her voice.

I just nodded. It was obvious. She didn’t need to reiterate.

Mitch Gong is the leader of our gang, Astra, is known as Andromeda in the underground world. But up to now, I still don’t know how she became the leader when all I thought Mona was a better fit for the role. But that doesn’t mean Mitch can’t do her job properly. She was just a little…cheerful. But on top of that, she’s also the daughter of the owner of biggest bank chains in South Korea.

Mona Yong, also known as Pisces, is the only daughter of the most popular shipping line in the country. She is dubbed as the most serious and the quietest among us which is also why I thought she was a better fit for the leader role. But nonetheless, Mitch was doing a good job.

Nanette Kim, on the other hand, is the most active among all of us. She’s talkative and girly but in the underground world, she’s one of the wittiest and most strategic. Her Mom owns the largest cosmetic stores in Asia, hence, her girly attitude. We call her Dipper because she seems to be the center of the group.

“Why are you even wondering, Mitch?” Nanette spoke from the bar counter. “Eunice is the strongest among us. She’ll get the most number of bruises.”

I immediately shot her a glare but she just shrugged and laughed.

I rolled my eyes and stood up to change my clothes. Mom’s going to call any minute from now.

“I should get changed,” I said. “You all should, too.”

True enough, before I even got to the dresser, my phone rang.

“Mom…” I lazily answered her call.

“Eunice!” Her voice seemed excited. “Where are you?” She asked enthusiastically.

I stopped and thought of an excuse for a moment. “Uhm…school,” I replied as I looked for a long-sleeved shirt so I could hide my bruises.

“You’re still in school?” she asked like she didn’t believe it. “Alright, come by the restaurant near your school. It’s called Hamlet and Pork.”

I furrowed my brows. “Why?”

“I need to tell you something,” she retorted.

“What?”

“It’s important so I want to tell you personally,” she replied as if she’s in a hurry. “Come here fast.” Then the line went dead.

I sighed and placed the phone back in the back pocket of my jeans. I took the black long sleeve button down shirt and a pair of white jeans.

“Going somewhere?” Mitch asked as she saw my clothes.

I sighed and nodded. “Mom wants to meet with me in Hamlet and Pork.”

Mona’s face went sour. “Hamlet and Pork? Isn’t that the restaurant near our school?”

I nodded.

“Eunice, our school is three miles away from here,” Nanette stated like I wasn’t aware of that fact.

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll take care and stay away from the cops.”

Mitch laughed while Nanette and Mona both rolled their eyes at me.

“You need to. You’re covered in bruises. But Eunice, we’re just worried about you,” Mitch beamed.

I narrowed my eyes at each of them. “I’m fine. These are just small bruises. I’m not going to die from these.”

All of them just stared at me like they didn’t believe what I just said. I sighed and just shook my head and headed towards the bathroom to get cleaned.

“That hurts!” Hannah’s whines and moans could be heard inside my whole flat as I tried to put alcohol on her wounds. She has a lot of abrasion and bruises this time. This is more serious than the last time.

I looked at her with narrowed eyes. “I really don’t understand why you have to involve yourself in a gang, babe. It’s too dangerous!” I scolded her.

She just rolled her eyes at me. This always happens after her fight. And she doesn’t even tell if they won or not. I always end up knowing the results from my troupe.

Hannah belongs to one of the most notorious female gangs in the underworld called SeQret. One could say that they could easily be the strongest out there if not for their rivals, Astra.

“Josiah, you know I can’t quit on my gang. I am their leader,” she explained. “And besides, we need to beat the shit out of Astra before I quit the underground.”

I looked at her and saw anger in her face. They must have lost…again.

This is why I don’t like her to be part of the underground. She gets hurt because she always wants to fight the strongest. But I guess, that’s what we all want. We want to be the strongest of all so everyone will bow down to us.

My jaw clenched when she flinched the moment I damped the Betadine-soaked cotton on her wounds. Anger started to consume my system. I hate seeing her like this.

“The next time they hurt you, I’m going to crush them into pieces,” I told her with my voice seething in anger.

Hannah smiled and leaned closer. “Sweet,” she hissed before kissing my lips.

I caressed her cheek and bit her lower lip making her moan. I thrusted my tongue inside her mouth, exploring every single corner of her mouth.

“Please don’t make me angry again,” I whispered as I kissed her forehead.

She smiled and nodded. “I won’t.”

I sighed and pulled her into a hug. Hannah and I have been dating for three years now but every after her fight with Astra, she would always go home with bruises and wounds.

I hated it.

I hated Astra because of it.

And I swore that when I saw Astra, I would literally crush them all because of what they did to Hannah. I won’t ever forgive them.

“Babe, your phone is ringing,” Hannah said as she broke from the hug.

I sighed when I saw my mother’s name on the caller ID. I knew she up to no good because she really loves to ruin my life. And besides, she doesn’t like Hannah for me. She thinks Hannah is trying to bring me down…which I don’t know why she thinks that way.

I lazily picked up the phone and answered, “Why, Mom?”

I looked at Hannah who’s examining her arm and trying to tend to her own wounds.

“Hello to you too, son,” Mom’s voice was sarcastic.

I rolled my eyes. “What now, Mom? I’m busy,” I asked, starting to get impatient.

I heart some noise in the background, like she was in the middle of a crowd or the mall.

“Busy with what? Tending to your girlfriend’s wounds?” Now she’s even more sarcastic. “Son, you can’t even tend to your own wounds.”

I narrowed at what she said. “Did you just hire someone to spy on me?”

Mom scoffed. “I had to because you are very secretive these days,” she retorted. “Now, I want you to get to a restaurant near your school right away. It’s called Hamlet and Pork.”

“Why would I do that? Why would I go there?”

I heard Mom sighing from the other end of the line. “Come here now or I will tell your girlfriend’s parents that she’s in your flat, wounded by god-knows-who,” she threatened.

I shut my eyes in irritation. She really knows how to push my buttons sometimes.

“Fine,” I uttered after a deep breath. “But don’t you dare touch my girl here.”

Mom laughed. “Son, you better come here now,” she said before the line went dead.

“Fuck!” I cursed as I gripped tightly on my phone I can feel it bending a bit.

Hannah sat up and wrapped her arms around mine. “Why? What happened?” She asked in worry.

I looked at her and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “I have somewhere to go,” I told her.

She pouted at me. “Where?”

“Mom just asked me to go to Hamlet and Pork. I need to be there right away,” I explained as I caressed her cheek. “Will you be fine here alone?”

She smiled and nodded. “I’ll wait for you,” she replied before leaning in to kiss me once more.

~*~

I walked inside the restaurant with a heavy heart. I didn’t want to leave Hannah at home but I also I didn’t want my mother to tell her on her parents.

I sighed and fixed my shirt as I was greeted by a receptionist. She smiled at me and I just nodded.

“I’m looking for Mr. and Mrs. Kim,” I informed her.

She smiled at me. “Your parents are in the VIP lounge, Sir,” she replied as she led me towards my parents.

My narrowed when I saw my parents in a table with three other people. I stopped for a moment before walking towards them.

“Son!” Mom exclaimed when she saw me. She immediately stood up and walked towards me to give me a hug. “What took you so long?”

I stared at her, wanting so bad to roll my eyes if not for the guests. “Sorry, Mom, I had to run some errands.”

She smiled at me and led me to my seat. “Sit here so you and Eunice can talk,” she said as she made me sit across a woman.

I stared at her and saw how serious she is. Her face seemed stoic and cold—like no one would want to be stared by her.

“Josiah,” Dad called.

“Dad,”

Dad smiled. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Lee of the Lee Group of Companies. I’m sure you know about their company,” he said so enthusiastically I wanted to vomit at this hypocrisy.

Dad and I never really got closer since I told him I was not interested in running our family business. I believe he got disappointed because I am an only child and am expected to be the heir of the Kim Group of Hotels and Restaurants but I didn’t want to do so.

I stared at the elder couple in front of me. So, they own the largest group of pharmaceutical companies around South Korea…

“This is our son, Josiah,” Dad started when he noticed that I wasn’t going to introduce myself. “He’s taking up Business Administration in Seoul National University. He’s already in his final year.”

Mr. Lee’s eyes widened in surprise or delight, or both. “Really? Our daughter, Eunice, is also studying there. She’s taking up BS Pharmacy and is on her third year,” he beamed.

I looked at this girl, Eunice, and saw her rolling her eyes at her father. I almost laughed at her reaction. It’s so obvious that she didn’t want to be here, too, like me. She bowed her head and just continued eating the steak in front of her.

I also started eating while the elders started to have a conversation on their own.

This is so boring. It was better to cuddle with Hannah than be in a dinner where only my parents are excited and happy. I hate this!

Eunice looked up and caught eyes with me. I stared back at her but she her brows furrowed before rolling them at me.

Wow. Fierce. Definitely not my type.

I wanted to scoff at her but then she wasn’t already looking so what’s the point? Instead I just continued staring at her. She’s not that bad, though. I think she’s the girl Sage would go for. He likes beautiful girls with mysterious and dark auras.

It was not long until Dad spoke again, “So, we’re gathered here tonight to celebrate the merging of our companies.”

I narrowed my eyes at what he just said. “Merging?” I couldn’t stop myself from asking.

From the sound his voice and from his excitement, I can already see where this conversation is going. And I am loathing it with every second.

Dad smirked. “Yes, son,” he replied.

Mr. Lee nodded. “We’ve made some arrangements and came in to this conclusion because merging two businesses in different fields would be very beneficial for both of the companies.”

We all heard the sound of a utensil slammed on the table. I looked at Eunice who looked so angry at her father.

“Don’t even go there, Dad,” she said in a voice almost seething in anger.

Mr. Lee sighed while Mrs. Lee caressed her daughter’s arm. “It’s fine, sweetie. This is what the company needs now.”

But her mother’s consolation wasn’t enough. If not, she only grew even angrier.

“Stop it. I’m not going to marry someone I just met in a mad meeting disguised as a simple dinner,” Eunice spoke totally losing it.

My parents couldn’t speak as well. I was stunned at how this girl, Eunice, just freely spoke her mind in front of elders.

I looked at Dad who was already staring at me. “I have a girlfriend, Dad, Mom. You can’t make me marry someone I don’t even like.”

Eunice threw me a glare and I just glared back. What? I’m already helping you, woman!

“Josiah, I know you have a girlfriend now but that doesn’t mean she’s the one meant for you,” Mom said.

I threw Mom a look. “Then who’s meant for me? This girl?!” I asked her with my voice already rising.

Mom’s expression hardened at what I just said.

“Excuse me, Mr. But if you don’t like me, all the more that I don’t like you,” Eunice told me before walking out of the restaurant.