It was getting dark now, almost twilight and the two had spent most of their day lolling about the apartment.
Willow went about her day contemplating what she considered to be her stupidity. Allowing herself to follow this man to a society she wasn't even sure existed in the first place.
But she did it anyway. Sitting by her bag of clothes and other necessary items she clutched onto her phone and waited with her guest, whose eyes never left the television.
"Aren't you gonna need to slip into something else?" She eyes his scrubs.
He briefly smiled at her, "I needn't do that. They'll be here any moment now." He said as he sank into his chair.
And true to his words, not more than a minute later, her phone rang.
"It's a private number." She said
"Answer it."
Cluelesly she pressed answer and put it against her ear, "Uhm..." She replied softly when no-one spoke over the line
"Open the door Willow." A rather soft voice spoke and immediately he hung up.
"Okay, so he knew my name. He said to open."
He heaved himself up and went to open the door and immediately two men walked in and shut the door.
One was taller than the three of them, dark haired handed him a bag.
"All your stuff, boss."
Immediately he began to remove his clothes- right in front of everyone.
Willow stood there, eyes glued to the two men as they spoke in hushed tones to each other.
The clothing was mostly black and fit for a bodyguard in combat.
"...what are you gonna do about the girl?"
"She's coming with us."
The shorter man of the two piped up at this, "Ah boss are you serious?!" He laughed in what she deduced to be joy
He walked up to her and stood right in front of her and stared at her with a wide smile on his face. He had the most cheery face she'd seen in a while. His smile was wide set showing almost all his teeth, eyes crinkled so much they disappeared and cheeks puffed out in mirth.
"What's a pretty boy like you doing in a gang?" She breathed
"Oh!" He snorted as he turned to the two, the tall dark haired man who looked annoyed by her sudden outburst and her patient who merely smiled in amusement as he fastened an expensive looking watch on.
"You're an interesting one! I wonder who you are to let Ace bring you along."
"Ace?" Willow frowned
"Again, that's my name princess. Well here anyway."
"But honestly speaking, aren't you just Jungwoo Park."
He sighed, "Long story, we'll have plenty of time to discuss it when we get home."
"Anyway, I'm Jared." The pretty boy spoke up and held his hand out for her which she took
"I'm Willow."
"Like the wood?" He chuckled
"Yes. Like the wood." She let go of his hand as she stared at the otehr man, "Oh that's Titus!" Jared said
"Why do I get the feeling that these aren't your real names?"
Ace shook his head.
"Well you see-"
"Listen Willow, this is dangerous business, I've used at least ten names in the past year alone - but I'm here now as Titus, because you never know who to trust ." Titus drawled on as he leaned against the wall.
Jared smiled at him, "Pipe down dude."
"She's got a fine enough ass I would like to pipe her."
The crude comment left his mouth faster than Willow registered, but before she could growl at him, Ace got to him first.
"Hey! She's not one of them girls you pick up here and there you hear me? She with me, for business purposes - I'll have none of your seduction, nor will she." His voice was loud and clear and dark
"I can fight my own battles." Willow told her eyes
"Can you, really? If so why did you ask for revenge as your end of the deal?" Ace hissed
"That was low." Jared shook his head as a reprimand at Ace
Ace stared at Titus once more, "Even if she tolerates your seduction now I want to hear none of it ever again. There is more to this than you just wanting to get in her pants. This is a mission."
"Okay damn. I was joking boss, she's not my type anyway." Titus surrendered
"Ditto." Willow replied
"Okay Willow! Nevermind him alright, you're Ace's partner and that's all there is to it. Right Titus?"
"Whatever."
"Okay let's go." Ace announced
Immediately Titus walked out, and Jared grabbed her bag and set out after him leaving Willow standing there in a flurry of second guessing which Ace didn't miss.
"You coming?"
"I don't know." She answered truthfully furrowing her eyebrows
And when she didn't move Ace stepped towards her and stood towering over her.
He looked healthier than he had in days and the last light of day hit his scar and his lips as he spoke, "Maybe this is a good time to tell me why exactly you're doing this." He whispered
"Must I?" She sighed
"You're allowing yourself to go with three unknown men to a place which shouldn't even exist but you're sure it does. I think it's worth asking what exactly you are looking for."
"Answers." She answered in an exhasperated voice
"I know that, Willow."
"They took more from me than they should've, and I want to know why they did that and left me alone ever since. I'm confused yet I'm so sure. I need absolution, and even if it's not Javelin you said you'd help me. You promised okay?"
She flinched as he brought a hand up to her face and let a finger slightly brush her temple, "I never denied that."
"Were you doubting me then, asking that?" She stared him dead in the eye
"No. But you were doubting yourself."
With a nod she pointed at the door, "Aren't they waiting?"
After one final glance he let her walk out and he shut the door right behind her as they made their way to her driveway.
"Here." Jared tossed the keys to a black car to Ace.
"We'll catch up." Titus said as he walked right back to her house
"Later Willow." Jared winked as he stalked off as well.
"Why are they going back?"
"Protocol. Security, they're gonna monitor the place for a while to get enough data so we won't be tracked...and stuff." He said as he opened the door to the car
She climbed in and sat down.
Soon enough they were both seated and Ace started the car.
"Willow." He said seriously
She looked at him, "Yeah...?"
"Thank you for, well, for not giving me away."
"You threatened me." She deadpanned.
"Not really. But even then thank you." He placed a hand on her knee, "We'll get your answers, I promise."
She sucked her lips in and nodded.
His hand was heavy on her leg and she looked out the window as he began to drive. He hadn't removed his hand and she was feeling his presence with an intensity she hadn't expected.
That was until he had to use both hands when he came to the nearest turn and she shifted in her seat as he placed both hands on the wheel and curved round the corner.
And she heard her phone chime as Eva sent her a message
"Don't answer that. We have to deal with your phone when we get settled. No communication for now."
Willow rolled her eyes, "Fine then."
"And Willow, don't be so obvious." He laughed
"About what?" She said while looking at him and he too briefly glanced at her
He had on the cheekiest smirk she'd seen on him yet, "About the fact that I turn you on."