The night wind hit Alana's face as she sped her sports bike out of Alaska's company building. She didn't care where she was going, as long as it was far from Alaska.
From behind, the sound of a car followed.
Alana knew it had to be one of Alaska's men.
She let out a sharp sigh.
"Does he think I'm a doll?!" Alana cursed, accelerating her bike.
She turned into a small street, evading the black car. After several turns, the vehicle finally disappeared from her rearview mirror.
"Yes, finally!" Alana muttered proudly.
But the relief didn't last long. As soon as she stopped at a red light, someone tapped her helmet from the side.
"Running away on a bike won't help you escape me, Alana." The voice made her blood run cold.
Alana turned and there he was, standing calmly Alaska. Black jacket, slightly messy hair, steady breath even though it was clear he had just chased her.
"How… how are you here?!" Alana gasped.
"Did you forget I have a helicopter?" Alaska gave a faint smile. "I landed on the apartment building across the street. Much faster than a car."
Alana huffed sharply. "You're crazy, Alaska. This isn't an action movie!"
"It isn't?" Alaska stepped closer. "This is my life. And now, your life is part of it too."
The light turned green. Alaska immediately grabbed Alana's bike handle and steered her to the side of the road.
On the quiet roadside…
"What do you want?!" Alana pushed Alaska's hand away, frustrated. "You said you were just protecting me, but you're chasing me like a criminal!"
"Because you ran like someone being hunted by death." Alaska lowered his head, staring into Alana's eyes from an impossibly close distance. "And that made me… very… very angry."
"Angry?!" Alana huffed. "You're angry because I didn't obey you?!"
"I'm angry because you could be in danger," his voice softened, "not because you rejected me."
Alana went silent, shocked. "That tone… it's not the Alaska I know. There's pain in his voice."
"Please… don't run again, Alana." Alaska closed his eyes for a moment. "I've lost too much in life. I can't handle it if you…"
"Alaska." Alana held her breath. "You're nobody to me. You have no right to ask that."
Alaska opened his eyes. There was something darker there not anger, but frozen fear.
"I know," he said softly. "But I still want you."
Silence. Only the night wind passed between them.
"You don't even know anything about me," Alana said more gently. "You're only interested because I refused you."
"I know everything about you," Alaska replied, his voice low, almost a whisper. "Your birthday. How you like to drink black iced coffee. You go to bars every Friday. You like to speed at two in the morning when you're stressed. You…"
"Stop!" Alana cut him off sharply, eyes widening. "You know too much!"
"I have to know," Alaska moved closer again. "Because if I don't, another world will reach you first."
"Alaska, this isn't protecting. This is restraining." Alana stared sharply. "I'm not yours."
Alaska stayed silent for a long moment. The wind carried the scent of his expensive cologne cold, yet intoxicating.
"Maybe you're not mine," he finally said, his voice nearly breaking, "but I've already become yours."
The words made Alana freeze. Her mouth opened, but no words came out.
Suddenly, gunshots rang from a distance. Twice.
BANG!
BANG!
Kenan appeared, driving a speeding car.
"Boss! We have to go now! There's a group of hitmen behind the old building, they're looking for you!" Alana stared at Alaska, pale-faced.
"They're looking for you… or for me?" Alana whispered.
Alaska touched his cheek, gentle but intense. "This is why I can't let you go."
He looked at her with eyes full of danger and fear of loss. "Starting tonight, you're coming with me whether you want to or not!"