Savage || Lee Haechan

Chapter 19 | "they're dead"

The two of them continued to train together once she got better, even Sungchan started to join them on occasion. It was obvious to everyone in the house that they no longer hated one another, often times spending evenings watching dramas or just talking in each other rooms until the sun started to rise.

"Heading out, Tae?" Minji asked from the couch as the older boy entered the room.

It was parents day coming up and all the other members had gone to visit their families for the weekend.

"Yeah, are you gonna be okay?" He asked, giving her shoulder a gentle rub.

"I'll be fine."

"I'm sorry, Minji, I know this is hard for you. I can stay if you want." He offered, sitting on the table in front of her.

"No, go see your family! It's been months and I know they miss you. And make sure to wish Areum a Happy 16th Birthday, and give her this from me." She said, handing him a small box and an envelope.

"You're the sweetest Ji, no wonder she always asks about you." He replied, taking the gift with a small smile.

"I'll go with you the next time you visits. I just... can't right now." She said slowly, a darkness filling her eyes which she tried to quickly shake away.

"I get it, and I'm sorry. I'll be back in three days."

"Don't sweat it, I'll hold it down here. Go have fun." She smiled as he left the room, hearing the sound of his car pulling out of the garage.

- - -

"You're leaving now too?"

Haechan stopped in his tracks as she called to him from the couch.

"Yeah, aren't you?"

"No I'm staying here"

"What? Parent's day is coming up! You're not going to visit your family?" He exclaimed with a disbelieving gasp as he went to stand in front of her. "You know, mafia members should still go see their parents, Minji."

"I can't."

"Sure you can, don't be a bad daughter."

"I'm serious, I can't."

"Don't even give me that, it's so rude not to-"

"My whole family is dead, Haechan." She said, cutting him off and staring up at him.

"W-what?"

"They're dead. My parents. My brother. My relatives. All of them are gone. Murdered. It's just me."

"Woah..." He slowly sunk into the seat next to her, a shocked frown on his face as his gaze filled with sympathy. "Minji, I'm sorry. I had no idea."

"Don't sweat it. This happens every year." She replied flippantly, blinking away the sadness in her stare and replacing it with a forced smile.

"Why didn't you go with one of the guys? I know you got Taeyong's little sister a birthday gift, why not go with him?"

"It's... complicated." he cocked an eyebrow at her as he waited for her to continue. "It's a long story."

"Well good thing i don't leave for another half hour."

She shut her eyes tightly for a moment, her muscles tensing briefly before she let out a deep sigh.

"I was visiting them on parents day, 5 years ago. My whole family was there, aunts, uncles, cousins, everyone. I was careless and one of our rivals tracked me to my house. We were all celebrating outside and I went in to grab something, I don't even remember..." she shook her head, scolding herself as she relived the memories.

Haechan gave her a moment to collect herself, seeing the angry tears welling in her eyes.

"All I know is that I heard the gun shots a-and by the time I ran back outside, everyone was dead. My whole family. Both of my parents were laying dead in the grass and my brother was bleeding out on our steps with my gun in his hand. He shot the person, some idiot from a small gang, but he got killed in the process." She stared off into the distance, her eyes dark and full of grief. "There's no one left for me to go visit."

"So that's the story you didn't want to tell...." Haechan trailed off, seeing her nod her head. "Oh Minji."

"It's fine, I'm fine." She quickly wiped the tears from her face and straightened up. "I have to be fine."

"You don't have to be-"

"Yes I do." She cut him off, a pained look in her eyes. "When I let my guard down, bad things happen. I'm okay. I'm dealing. I always do."

"Well, we always have extra room at my house if you wanted to come. I'm sure my little brothers would adore you." He suggested with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood.

"You, Lee Haechan, are really inviting me, Baek Minji, to your house?" She asked in disbelief. "You hate me."

"Hate is a strong word." He mumbled. "You're not as bad as I thought you were. Don't get me wrong, still annoying, but I guess I don't want to snap you neck all the time." The two of them chuckled, a genuine smile on her face. "So you in?"

She stared at him long and hard for a moment, contemplating her decision before slowly nodding her head. He smiled, offering her his hand and helping her to her feet.

"Then, let's get you packed!"

Thinking of releasing the first two chapters of my Taeyong mafia story soon... what do you guys think? Should I wait until this one is done or should I just do it?