𝐻𝑜𝑤 𝑇𝑜 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑎𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑎𝑟

04.

Returning to rehab was a bitter pill to swallow, but as I knocked on the familiar door, a sense of resignation washed over me.
"Welcome back" Jessica greeted me with a curled hair and a proud expression, ushering me inside with a knowing nod.

"Minji, known as Kodiak, is now back on the clock, which means..." she began, her tone businesslike as she launched into what sounded like a rehearsed spiel.

I couldn't help but cringe at her formal tone. "Do you really have to talk like that?" I interjected, unable to hide my discomfort.

"Yes," she replied curtly, her demeanor unyielding as she continued with her presentation. Just then, the door swung open, and Klaus entered, looking slightly disheveled with his hair mussed and his tie askew.

"Sorry I'm late, had to run an errand," he explained sheepishly before taking a seat beside Jessica. I shot him a knowing look, but he seemed oblivious to my silent reproach.

As Jessica turned her attention back to the whiteboard, the projector whirring to life, she outlined the rules and regulations that had governed my tenure since day one. "No smoking, no drinking, no sex," she recited, her gaze lingering on me pointedly.

Before I could respond, Jay barged in, his glasses askew and his fly still undone, taking a seat next to Klaus with an air of nonchalance. I exchanged a bemused glance with Jessica, who simply rolled her eyes in response.

"No distractions," she concluded firmly, her words carrying a weight of authority. "That means even if you fall for this woman again, you don't let it cloud your judgment."

I nodded solemnly, understanding the gravity of her warning. Hyein would be sending the coordinates to my phone soon, signaling the beginning of training tomorrow and my imminent departure. This mission needed to be executed swiftly and flawlessly—there was no room for error.

"Phone?" I prompted, realizing the oversight. Klaus reached into his drawer and produced a phone, tossing it to me with a nod of confirmation. A smile tugged at my lips as I caught the device, a tangible reminder that I was back in the game. "For me?" I confirmed, a sense of excitement bubbling within me.

He nodded in affirmation, and I couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. This was it—my chance to redeem myself, to prove my worth, and to emerge victorious against all odds. And a phone!
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With each punch thrown at the heavy bag, I could feel the tension slowly dissipating, replaced by a sense of clarity and determination. It was time to get serious, to channel the inner strength and resilience that had defined Kodiak.

As I grunted with each strike, memories of her flooded my mind, a tumultuous mix of emotions swirling within me. I couldn't deny the surge of anger and hurt that accompanied the thought of her betrayal, but beneath it all, there lingered a profound sense of longing—a longing for her presence, her touch, and the connection we once shared.

But there was no room for sentimentality in the world I inhabited now. I wrapped my hands in fresh bandages, the familiar routine a comforting ritual amidst the chaos of my thoughts. Downing a gulp of bottled water, I resolved to leave my personal demons behind and focus on the task at hand.

Paris awaited, a city of intrigue and danger, where every corner held the potential for both triumph and peril. I couldn't afford to let my emotions cloud my judgment—I needed to be sharp, focused, and ready to confront whatever challenges lay ahead.

With renewed determination, I resumed my training, each punch a testament to my resolve. I would channel Kodiak's strength and cunning, harnessing it to navigate the treacherous waters of espionage and deception.

And as I prepared to embark on this new chapter of my journey, I knew that I would carry with me the lessons learned from my past, using them to fuel my determination and drive towards redemption.