Playing with Fire: A BLACKPINK Story

Chapter 14: One Last Thing

2019.

Everything, quite literally, went wrong immediately. I didn't even make it to the car when Jisoo came charging out of the house, running after me. I cringed when I saw her coming. This was what I had been hoping to avoid. Not because I didn't want to see her—but because I didn't trust myself in the face of whatever pressure she might decide to put on me. Because she would likely be right.

<Where do you think you're going?>

<Wait,> I said, holding up a hand. <Don't—>

<Don't what? Question you? You didn't even tell me you were leaving! I understand not wanting to tell us everything, but I don't even know how dangerous this could be for you!>

Which is precisely why I didn't want to tell you I was leaving.

<What if you had gotten hurt? What if I had never seen you again?> She was angry, but her anger was born from concern. And as I had feared, she was right.

She was inches from me now, and I could see the worry and hurt in her eyes.

<Okay,> I exhaled. <You're right. I'm sorry.>

That didn't seem to be the response she had been expecting, because she froze, the anger on her face turning into blank surprise. <You... what?>

<I said you're right. I should have at least told you what my plan was.> I found myself meaning the words, not just saying them to get her off my back. I should have told her. I would have wanted her to tell me. And I didn't need to tell her every little detail.

<Oh. Well, yes. Of course I'm right! What were you thinking?> She was trying to regain some of her outrage, but she was clearly struggling in the face of my agreement.

<I wasn't, clearly,> I said with a small grin.

She sighed. <I can't stay mad at you.>

<We'll see how long that lasts,> I said. <I can't tell you everything. I don't want to put you in danger.>

<Just tell me where you're going.>

<A hotel that's tied to YG. I need to see something for myself. Then I'm going to confront Hyun-suk.>

She chewed her lip nervously. <Is that safe?>

<Honestly? Probably not. But you know I can take care of myself. You don't have to worry about me.>

<I'm going to worry anyway. The same way you worry.>

<I do not—>

<Terrible liar,> she laughed. Then, disregarding the driver behind us, who was still waiting for me to get in, she leaned in a kissed me. It was a quick kiss that held the promise of more in the future. <Come back soon, okay?>

<As soon as I can.>

There was so much that we were both leaving unsaid. From the fact that we knew that everything was about to change. If I was right and I confronted Hyun-suk, it would bring the full force of the law down on YG. And on me. If I was right and things got violent, that would mean my employment would be terminated.

If I was wrong... I didn't even want to think about that. That would mean I had stumbled on an international sex trafficking ring that was running parallel to YG's other operations. But there was no possible way I could be wrong. Not now. The only thing I needed was physical proof, and the only way to get it was going to Burning Sun myself.