#few notes

He takes a deep breath. “Old Man Choi owns most of the property in Zeus’ territory. There is a small fee included in the rent. I pick that up once a month and if the business have problems that require...help...I show up and help. I spend most evenings protecting escorts when they are contracted to go to a buyer’s home.”

“That doesn’t sound like a lot. How often do you have to help out?” She doesn’t look at him. She is going to get him into college if it is the last thing she does. He needs more than this. He is worth more than this.

“You’re going to try and save me,” Ji-Hyuk says softly. “I know what that look means, Soo-Ah. You should stop right now.”

“Why? Is collecting rent and beating up people really what you want to do with your life? Look at yourself. You’re really hurt and if you’re living here, they aren’t paying you enough. What about your medical bills?”

She juts her chin out at him and widens her eyes as he just stares at her. “I didn’t lie much. I’m moving into that complex next month with Hyun-Soo. The gang puts up the key money, Soo-Ah, and they paid my medical expenses. Lee Hyo-Shin will get the other gang to put up some of the cost too. I don’t expect you to understand.”

“Because my father is rich?” She curls her hands into fists. She knows she doesn’t understand hunger. She knows she comes from the kind of life he wants. “Because I’m supposed to go into banking? You know that’s not what I want to do.”

“I can make more money moving up in the gang.”

“For how long?”

“As long as it takes.” He clenches his jaw. “I figured my banker girlfriend would teach me how to invest my money. Or do you think that’s too dirty, too.”

“I didn’t say that,” she snaps and tears start to leak down her cheeks. “I would never look down on you. You know that’s not what I’m saying or why I’m upset. You collect rent from businesses and when they can’t pay you push them out and when they can you put yourself in danger when they have outsider problems. I listened to your answers. You’re in a gang and you already are marked for life, oppa. I came to feed you soup and give you scholarship applications. I didn’t come for this.”

Ji-Hyuk looks away. “I know. Don’t cry.” He wraps into his arms and hold into her tightly. She barely comes up to the middle of his chest and his warmth just makes her cry more. “I’ll walk you home.”