Vows and Bullets
Chapter 36: Not On My Watch

Chapter 36: Not On My Watch

"Glaring? I’m not glaring at you," he said as he raised his eyebrow.

Not buying his lie, I paused the treadmill and stepped closer to him. I lifted my hands and tapped on the space between his eyebrows.

"Yes, you are. Your brows have been wrinkled since earlier."

Realizing it, his gaze softened. He opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but he halted and simply sighed deeply.

"Haaaah... Nevermind. I’m just... feeling a bit grumpy because I couldn’t sleep well."

Oh? So it wasn’t just me, huh?

"Then don’t take it on me. It’s not my fault that you didn’t sleep well."

At those words, he suddenly grimaced at me as if I were the culprit. I didn’t disturb him last night! He went to his room, and that’s it. Unless...

"Hey. There you go again with that glare. Why? Don’t tell me you—"

"NO!" he denied, and maybe a little too much. His eyes widened, but his ears turned red. That’s the disadvantage when you have rosy white skin. It’s too easy to tell when you’re blushing.

"Pft! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" I laughed at him so hard. "Don’t even try to deny it. Your face tells it all! Ha-ha-ha-ha! I can’t believe this. So you do have moments when you can’t hide your emotion. You’re so easy to read. Ha-ha-ha-ha!"

"Shut up before I shut your mouth."

Probably embarrassed by the whole thing, he shot murderous looks at me.

Still laughing, I tapped on his shoulders to comfort him a little.

"Don’t worry. It’s alright. You’re a healthy young man. It happens."

Pissed off, he shoved my hands and walked away from me toward the pull-up bar. Oh well, he’s probably too embarrassed to admit. I’ll let him off the hook this time.

We continued exercising until 6:30 am, then went to our rooms to bathe. Later on, our secretaries, stylists, bodyguards—not that we needed any but just for show—and so many other staffs, including the chefs that would prepare our meal came knocking on our room one after another.

"Here are your schedules for the day...."

"What would you like to eat today?"

"For your first appointment, this is what you’ll wear...."

"Team Alpha, Beta, and Omega are ready. We will follow you at a distance all day to ensure your safety and comfortability at the same time."

On and on, they talked like TV commercials advertising themselves and showcasing their competence and talent towards the high and mighty Jeon Eun-Woo, and me, his fiancée. They were all very polite and professional. I heard most of them were his dad’s people. No wonder they’re excellent.

And so, our busy day started.

***

[At a luxurious fashion boutique...]

After a bunch of meetings we went through this morning—mainly with Eun-Woo’s family’s business partners—we visited the fashion district once again. This time, to check on the other dresses I would wear during the wedding’s after-party.

By the looks of it, I would have to change my outfit at least five times for the entire ceremony. Or who knows? Maybe more? Aside from the chosen outfits, there were still other alternatives in case of emergencies, like if I happened to spill a drink on my dress, at least I’d have something to change into.

My stylist already had an idea which ones would suit me, so all I needed to do was try it on or look at it and say yes or no. Of course, I chose the most comfortable ones. Once done, Eun-Woo’s stylist would then choose a matching outfit with mine or something that would complement it.

While everyone walked back and forth, busy doing their own stuff, the bored me looked through the window and watched the pretty flowers outside. As I did, I noticed something weird was happening on the other side of the road—four men in black suits was surrounding a little girl.

At first glance, anyone would think they were her bodyguards, so the few people nearby didn’t notice anything was amiss. But it’s not the same for me—I’m a top-tier agent at Mythos. I know how bodyguards should move, and I know how they should act.

First, the child wasn’t in a crowded area, so they didn’t need to cover her on all sides. Two, the distance between them and the child was too near—an indication that they were either aiming a knife at her somewhere or a gun. Third, the way they moved hastily and kept looking at places where the police would usually come. Fourth, that fake luxury car parked beside the road where they were ushering the child to get on. And most importantly, the pale complexion of the child indicating her fear!

There’s a lot more, but just one look, and I already figured out they weren’t real bodyguards. They were kidnappers! These a**holes! How dare they kidnap and traumatize a child! I’m going to kill them!

Outraged by the madness I accidentally saw, I quickly grabbed a few dresses from the rack and took my bag. I also pulled Eun-Woo’s hands and asked him to come with me.

"Babe, I want to try on these dresses. Come with me and help me put them on," I smiled the best I could despite the rising anger within me.

"Huh?"

’Oh, come on, just go with me this once! I need you for a cover-up!’

Since he didn’t respond immediately to me, one of the staff offered to help me.

"Ms. Ye-Ji, how about I help you? Mr. Eun-Woo might be a little shy."

"That’s alright. There’s no need to be shy," I chuckled and pulled him hard, getting him up from his seat.

"Babe, that’s a bit..." he replied.

"Please?" I begged cutely. This stupid partner. Just come with me already!

He blushed and checked the other’s reactions.

"Fine. If you don’t want, I’ll do it myself! Nobody follows me!" I snapped and stomped my feet towards the dressing room.

The staff tried to coax me, but I ignored them. Sorry kind staff, but I have no time for you right now.

"Wait!"

To my surprise, Eun-Woo conceded and followed me to the dressing room. As soon as we got in, I locked the door and rushed to remove the current dress I was wearing.

"What the—what are you doing?" Eun-Woo snapped at me, though careful not to raise his voice.

"Don’t worry. I’m not going naked. I’m still wearing something underneath."

"That’s not what I mean. What is this all about?"

"A little girl was kidnapped across the road. I’m going to follow them and save the child. So stay here until I come back, and don’t let anyone in."

Eun-Woo furrowed and stopped me as I tried to change into my battle suit that I always carried in my bag.

"So this is why you always choose to carry a larger bag," he said as he clicked his tongue. "I’m telling you, you better stop this! It’s outside our mission, and you will risk breaking dozens of protocols and our own mission. The child’s family will be notified once those kidnappers make the call—it’s probably for ransom, so they will summon either the police or request a mission for Mythos agents for that. There’s no need for you to—"

"NO," I answered him firmly. "I don’t know about you, but as for me, I’m not turning a blind eye to this. Not when I have the power to act."

I shoved his hand away and finished up changing. I also took the silver laced mask from my bag and put it on my face—a mask with a pattern of the moon like my codename, Selene. In missions like these, Mythos agents should always go incognito.

"See you later."

With that, I sneaked out on the back window that was connected to an alley and faded into the dark.