A Contracted Gangster Who Has to Die to Survive - Chapter 110

I woke up, silently screaming. Tears streamed down my cheeks, and my throat felt parched, as if I had swallowed a handful of sand from screaming too much.

It was a nightmare.

“Haa…”

The spot where Choi Taejoon had been sleeping was empty.

“It was just a dream. Just a dream.”

Alcohol Swab ends in a heart-wrenching tragedy.

In my nightmare, which was also the novel’s conclusion, Choi Taejoon was shot by the police while trying to save Park Ha Hyun.

“E-Executive Director!”

At my panicked cry, I heard Choi Taejoon’s voice. Following the sound in a hurry, I stumbled into the dressing room, where I saw his back as he was putting on a tie.

“Why are you up already? Go back to sleep.”

Seeing his unharmed face overwhelmed me with emotion, and my eyes turned red.

“Haa…”

I staggered toward him and threw my arms around his waist. My chest pressed against his firm back, and his warmth spread through me. This was undoubtedly the living, breathing Choi Taejoon.

“Don’t go anywhere. Don’t leave me.”

“Did you have a bad dream?”

His worried voice settled over my head.

“…I don’t know. It was just a terrifying dream.”

“I see.”

His gaze lingered on me as his familiar scent filled my senses, finally grounding me in reality. Embarrassed, I unwrapped my arms and let out an awkward laugh.

“The weather… It feels like it’s gotten quite cold.”

As if nothing had happened, Choi Taejoon responded naturally.

“I already told Madam to fill your wardrobe with winter clothes.”

“But I don’t think I’ll have much reason to go outside.”

At my slightly indifferent response, Choi Taejoon turned around. Ever since the incident with Secretary Kim, any chance of going out seemed impossible. It was clear that I’d have to stay cooped up at home until everything settled down.

I pulled my knees up onto the stool in front of the display cabinet and muttered,

“Now I understand why people who are trapped inside become so irritable and lethargic. I used to wonder why they hated their overprotective lovers so much… but now, I kind of get it.”

“Overprotective lovers?”

Constantly being told not to go out, warned that the outside world is dangerous, and restricted from stepping outside unless accompanied—it’s basically imprisonment, isn’t it?

“It really feels like I’m being locked up.”

“I’ve never locked you up.”

Choi Taejoon’s firm voice cut through my thoughts. He wasn’t wrong. It wasn’t like he had shackled my ankles or boarded up the doors. There were no physical restraints, and I was free to walk out the door anytime if I really wanted to.

But he always told me to stay inside.

Still, since he was so adamant about it, I narrowed my eyes and asked,

“Wait a minute. So, does that mean I can go out?”

He nodded.

That was frustrating.

“But you told me it was dangerous and that I had to stay inside for the time being. You also said not to let anyone into the house.”

“So, should I tell you to roam around freely and invite strangers into my home as you please?”

“Well, no, but—”

“And if I had really meant to confine you, do you think I would’ve left things this lax?”

His raised eyebrows twitched, and suddenly, it felt like he was the one being wronged.

“Wow. This is absurd… Fine! Then I’ll go out as I please now. Don’t stop me.”

Any drowsiness I had felt earlier was gone. This was all because of Alcohol Swab. Because I had taken the words and actions of the novel’s Choi Taejoon so literally, I had unconsciously assumed that my Choi Taejoon would be the same. Or maybe I had misunderstood?

I had seen him go to extreme lengths to capture Park Ha Hyun, so I naturally assumed he’d do the same to me! Of course, the fact that I had obediently stayed put was partly my decision as well. The chaotic state of his affairs played a role, and I didn’t want to be kidnapped again and become a burden to him.

But staying cooped up inside, waiting for him all day, was frustrating.

“Since we’re on the subject, can I go out right now?”

Choi Taejoon pressed his lips together, looking troubled.

See? He hated the idea.

He might not have locked me up, but he definitely didn’t want to see me wandering around freely.

I let out a bitter smile and sighed.

“I’ll assign you a bodyguard. Seo has already found a reliable guy and will be bringing him over today.”

“A bodyguard?”

“If you really need to go out, take him with you. I can’t always be by your side.”

It was more of a surveillance measure than simple protection, but if it meant I could go out, I wasn’t going to complain. When I nodded in agreement, Choi Taejoon finally seemed reassured.

For someone who had been seeking ways to die for so long, my willingness to accept a bodyguard must have felt like a significant shift.

“What do you even want to do outside?”

At his question, I fell into thought. What do I want to do…? There was nothing in particular. I just felt stifled by the mere thought of being unable to go out. I had no close friends or beloved family waiting for me here, nor did I have a craving for any specific food or desire to visit any particular place.

Instead, no matter where I imagined going, I instinctively pictured Choi Taejoon there with me.

Eating a meal, going to a café, watching a movie, or taking a walk in the park—I wanted him to be there for all of it.

Lost in my brief thoughts, I lifted my head, only to find him standing right in front of me in a crisp suit.

“What are you thinking so hard about that you can’t even answer?”

His dark eyes locked onto mine, calm and steady. Flustered, I averted my gaze and blurted out whatever came to mind.

“N-nothing much. Just going to the convenience store, picking up some necessities, maybe meeting a few people.”

He studied my face before stepping in closer.

“Do you have a fever?”

He touched my cheek, forehead, and then the back of my neck, tilting his head slightly. The suddenness of his actions startled me, and I instinctively leaned away, only for him to cup my face with both hands, preventing me from escaping.

“Your cheeks are red, and your voice sounds hoarse. Are you catching a cold?”

“N-no, I think the house is just too warm. Anyway, I’m f-fine.”

He gently held my chin and, without hesitation, kissed me.

Just like checking my temperature, it was a casual, natural gesture—so much so that I only processed it after he pulled away. My already warm cheeks burned even hotter.

“I’ll be back. Eat properly and don’t start talking nonsense about being locked up again.”

Still dazed, I watched him walk away, then suddenly called out to him.

“Executive Director.”

His retreating figure reminded me of the nightmare I had earlier. The situation had changed, and the story’s direction had completely shifted, so I knew that tragic ending wouldn’t happen. But still, no one could predict the future.

“…Do you have a bulletproof vest?”

At my absurd question, Taejoon’s eyes widened before narrowing slightly.

“Are you planning to shoot me because I kissed you?”

He chuckled lightly, but I couldn’t even force a smile.

“You… you have a gun, don’t you?”

“Yeah, I do.”

Ignoring his bewildered expression, I pressed on.

“Think about it. Accidents happen all the time—car crashes, knife attacks—so there’s no rule saying you won’t get shot.”

“In this country, the odds of dying in a car accident are much higher than getting shot.”

“That’s for regular people. You’re constantly surrounded by guns and knives.”

“Well… that’s true, but still—”

“I’m just saying, please be careful. Seriously.”

“I appreciate the concern. I’ll consider it.”

“Not just consider it. Promise me.”

“…Alright, I got it.”

Taejoon gave me a slightly exasperated look, patted my shoulder, and checked his watch.

Just then—

“Good morning, Executive Director!”

A loud, energetic greeting rang through the entrance, followed by a bit of commotion. Seo had arrived earlier than expected. Alongside him stood another man—a towering figure who loomed over me, his presence so overwhelming that it momentarily darkened my vision.

“…Captain Jo from Gaenari Crew?”

“What, you two already know each other?”

Seo looked back and forth between me and the man with a surprised expression. It seemed that the bodyguard he had chosen for me was none other than Jo, the former captain of Gaenari Crew.

At Seo’s question, Jo immediately nodded.

“We worked together briefly back when I was with Yeonhanpa.”

“I see. Well, I’m entrusting you with her safety. By the way, she’s Executive Director Choi’s cousin.”

“…Ah, yes! Understood. You can count on me.”

The fact that Taejoon’s cousin excuse still worked was honestly shocking.

Jo handed me his business card, instructing me to call him whenever necessary, before following Seo and Choi Taejoon outside.

The last time I saw him was the night of the lighter theft incident, when I had been framed and later got into a car accident in Taejoon’s place. I had occasionally wondered how he was doing, and judging by the fact that he had climbed the ranks since then, he seemed to have survived just fine.

Support A Contracted Gangster Who Has to Die to Survive