2 : GANGWON DO

As they traveled for hours, the scenery shifted from bustling cityscapes to serene landscapes, and finally, they arrived in the picturesque city of Gangwon-do. The chilly air and tranquil atmosphere were a balm to Jungkook's frazzled nerves.

His sleek black car turned heads as it navigated the quiet streets, sparking curiosity among the locals. Why would a VIP be visiting this rural route?

Upon arriving at the village, Jungkook and Taehyung stepped out of the car, taking in the crisp air. Jungkook rubbed his palms together, feeling the cold seep into his bones. His hair fluttered in the cold air that calmed his self, welcoming something fresh and new inside him.

For a moment, he forgot about his demanding life as a mafia leader and businessman. The peaceful surroundings, the gentle rustle of leaves, and the warmth of the sun on his face were a welcome respite. His eyes had a visual treat of the beautiful land and his mind played some forgotten moments of him with his parents.

"This is exactly what I need," he thought to himself. "A sanctuary from the chaos." He envisioned himself retreating to this mansion whenever the pressures of his dual lives became overwhelming.

That's when Taehyung's voice broke his chain of thoughts, reminding Jungkook of their purpose. "Jungkook, they're waiting for us."

Jungkook nodded and joined the group of people gathered nearby. The architect and landowner greeted him with a respectful bow. "Good afternoon, Mr. Jeon Jungkook."

With a curt nod, Jungkook signaled for the meeting to begin. "let's get straight to the point."

They were discussing everything so keenly that they didn't notice the villagers were gawking at them from afar.

They were awstruck and surprised when people like them, who looked rich and important would ever come to this remote village. They were murmuring to each other while looking at the group of unknown yet dangerous people and this was noticed by Taehyung.

As the conversation unfolded, a woman in her late 40s, AhnSeorin, and her daughter, Ann YN, in her early 20s, approached the group. The crowd's faces lit up with warm smiles.

The head of the village greeted them, "Hello Seorin, hello YN! Where are you headed today?"

Seorin replied, "We're on our way to the city hospital for my regular checkup." The village head knew about Seorin's health as he asked, "How are you feeling now?"

Seorin downplayed her condition, "I'm good..." but YN cut in, her concern evident. "No, uncle, she's not. I've been begging her to go to the hospital, but she refuses until her condition worsens."

That's when her neighbor chimed in, "Seorin, you must take care of yourself atleast for YN's sake." Unbeknownst to the others, Seorin had been secretly struggling to save money for YN's future instead of spending it on her own treatment.

Seorin's health issues had been ongoing since her bout with pneumonia months ago. Now, symptoms were resurfacing, but she insisted, "I'll be fine. It's just a small fever. I'm strong enough for my daughter."

YN's frustration boiled over as she demanded, "Omma, enough!"

As the conversation continued, The village head gestured toward the VIPs, "Look, some important people have arrived for a construction project. I get an uneasy feeling from them, though – their demeanor seems dark and intense, contradicting their appearances."

YN's gaze drifted toward the group, and her eyes narrowed, particularly at Taehyung and Jungkook. Their faces stirred a sense of familiarity, but she couldn't quite place them. Lost in thought, YN tried to recall where she had seen them before, but the memory eluded her.

Taehyung couldn't ignore the villagers' judging gazes any longer. He glanced at the crew, noticing that everyone avoided eye contact except one person - YN. She continued to stare at them from afar.

Taehyung leaned in close to Jungkook's ear, "V - do you think they're talking about us? They're literally judging us hard."

Jungkook smirked, "No doubt. Let them judge. When they find out about their soon-to-be neighbor, they'll know their place."

Taehyung nodded, then added, "But that girl is still staring at us, even though the others have looked away."

Jungkook's expression turned curious, and he turned to look at YN. Just then, a gentle yet chilly breeze swept through, veiling her face with her long, loose hair.

Jungkook's eyes narrowed, trying to get a clearer view of her face, but her hair blocked his line of sight.

Jungkook's eyes remained fixed on the mysterious girl, even as her beautiful thick long hair fell across her face, obscuring his view. She looked away, her fingers brushing the strands aside, not revealing her profile.

Jungkook's gaze followed her as she walked with her mother, his attention lingering until she disappeared from sight. He turned to Taehyung, his voice low and intrigued. "How was she?"

Taehyung raised an eyebrow. "Does that even matter?" Jungkook's smirk hinted at his interest. "Who knows if it will matter or not?"

Taehyung dismissed the idea. "Jungkook, they're just villagers." But Jungkook's tone turned icy, his words deliberate. "Taehyung... don't... interfere... in... any... of... my... personal... matters."

Taehyung's anger flared, evident in his tight voice. "She was good." Jungkook's smile hinted at his amusement. "Well, my eyes didn't fall on her... yet. I'll be living here, right? I'll catch her later."

With that, they refocused on discussing their plans, the tension between them momentarily set aside.

Months later

As the mansion's construction progressed, its enormity left the villagers awestruck and intimidated. The dark, foreboding aura surrounding the estate cast a shadow over the village, fueling fear and apprehension, something they are forbidden about.

However, amidst the ominous atmosphere, YN remained ubothered and a ray of warmth, radiating kindness and compassion that touched every heart in the village. She was a beloved fixture, embracing multiple roles: daughter, elder sister, and younger sister. Her breathtaking beauty captivated all, but YN remained humble and unfazed by the attention.

Her genuine nature and warmth earned her a special place in the villagers' hearts, making her an integral part of their close-knit community.

YN's mother had once lived a happy life with her husband in Seoul. Her father, a government office clerk, was wrongly accused of embezzling 2 million won due to a coworker's careless mistake while doing the entry in the bank register. The family's life unraveled as they sold their Seoul home to pay off the debt, relocating to a village in Gangwon-do when YN was just five.

Tragically, the stigma of being labeled a thief proved too much for YN's father, and he took his own life. Neither YN nor her mother knew he was struggling with the shame. Initially, life without him was difficult for a wife and mother like Seorin who depended on her husband for everything. She thought she lost the purpose and a gem in her life, stumbling in between before they could even start. But the will to live and make it up for her daughter as a single yet strong parent boosted her morale as she worked hard and restarted from the crumbs that were left behind.

Fortunately, YN's father had left her a secure financial foundation, depositing money in her name that remained untouched during the crisis. After his passing, YN and her mother faced immense hardship but persevered, finding ways to rebuild their lives.

YN received basic education, while her mother worked alongside other women in pottery, farming, and earned a decent income. However, when her mother fell ill, YN took on the responsibilities, using the saved money for her mother's treatment and caring for her.

The harsh climate of their village exacerbated her mother's illness, but financial constraints limited their options for relocation. Despite this, village life offered a sense of calm and tranquility.

As October drew to a close, winter's chill began to creep into the village. Snowflakes gently fell, blanketing the remote areas in white. The beauty of this village blessed everyone's eye, but the coldness it provided alongside made life in Gangwon-do difficult, but the people's never complained because the nature provided with every thing they needed to cope up the winter.

The villagers scrambled to stockpile food, vegetables, kimchi, and meat for the harsh winter ahead. Sheep rearing was a common practice, and people began donning self-knitted sweaters to brave the cold.



People started wearing self-knitted sweaters. The village started becoming more beautiful day by day.

On her 22nd birthday, YN felt elated when her mother gifted her a adorable white puppy, which she named "Snowball" because it reminded of her of how beautiful and soft the snow looks. Tears of joy welled up in her eyes when she encountered her puppy for the first time. Even though YN was a grown up adult, her mother couldn't help but treat her like a child of 5, her child who was always understanding and well behaved.



Her mother became happy as how her daughter was growing well.

Meanwhile, the mansion's construction was complete, and new staff, including maids and guards, were appointed. The villagers were astonished by the mansion's grandeur, wondering who the owner could be.



YN strolled past the mansion, cradling Snowball in her arms. Just as how she was loved by everyone, Snowball too had a special place in everyone's heart.

She gazed at the impressive structure, the beautiful mansion amidst the blankets of snow but her thoughts drifted to the two men she had seen earlier, particularly the one with pierced lips and eyebrows. A shiver ran down her spine remembering how danger screamed from their aura, and she quickly looked away, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling growing inside her. Despite her efforts, her heart whispered warnings of an impending, dreaded event.

********★★★*************