Crimson Madness #1 ⚖️: Commencement || SVT CRIME AU

16: Something Suspicious

Seungcheol's POV

   I smirked to myself as soon as Nari hop out of the car. Seeing her all flustered got me laughing as I parked the car in garage. I perceive her as a smart, brave, opinionated person whom I look up to, honestly. It's pretty rare to find people like her because in my world, almost everyone just wreaks havoc before thinking thoroughly.

   I got out of the garage and was immediately greeted by Joshua and Jeonghan. "We have to talk," Joshua trailed off.

   I know something's bad is up when these two shows up at the same time. Joshua's friends with Jeonghan, too and they confide with one another for advices. "What is it about?" I asked, as the three of us made our way to the meeting room.

   "Joshua found out something while he was helping Soonyoung investigate Mr. Jung's background," Jeonghan explained as we got inside. Soonyoung stood in front of the long table, with tons of files scattered around.

   "Guess what we found about little red's father," Soonyoung said as he handed me a folder.

Nari's POV

   To divert my thoughts about Seungcheol, I went to the library and proceeded doing my workload, but then I saw Wonwoo. We had a short conversation for a while which led to talking about books as we walked around from shelves to shelves.

   "48 Laws of Power is a dangerous book," Wonwoo observed as he grabbed an orange-red colored book from the shelf and flipped through pages.

   "I heard that book got banned from prisons in U.S," I said, pointing at the dusty book he held.

   "Yeah exactly because this dangerous book teaches you to manipulate. Have you read it?" he asked as he returned the book.

   "Yeah, I'm currently reading the second which is The Art of Seduction,"

   "Really? How was it?" he asked, eagerly as I picked out a random book from the shelves.

   "Well, it was a great boo--"

   "Wonwoo, general meeting," Jihoon appeared which interrupted our conversation.

   "Wait, right now?" Wonwoo asked.

   "Yeah," Wonwoo gave me a look and just smiled.

   "Well, see you around little red," he said before exiting the library with Jihoon.

   Meeting? I wonder what they're gonna talk about.

***

   Trying not to get caught due to my curiosity, I made my way downstairs and luckily, the door of the meeting room was ajar. I peeked inside and saw all seven of them, sitting on seats as they preview tons of documents, scattered on the table. The flipping of pages made rusting sounds along with their chatter.

   "Where'd you get this, Soonyoung,"

   "Just from my 'friends' you know," I tried listening eagerly when all of a sudden Jeonghan appeared. He plastered an unreadable expression before slamming the door right to my face.

   I rolled my eyes as I scoffed. "What a jerk,"

   I don't get why that guy still hates me. I mean, yes, I know his secret and I'm not a chatterbox so what is his problem with me? I'm not even doing anything against him.

Narrator's POV

   "I think we should stop here," Joshua advised as the right hand, which made all the flipping sounds of documents, stopped.

   "Why? but this still concerns Nari since her father is involve," Jihoon explained.

   "Yeah, but Nari's father ain't our business," Joshua contradicted. Seungcheol sat at the head of table, in silence. Observing his men, converse and speak out their opinions.

   "We shouldn't touch this topic because it's a family issue and we are NOT task to do something else about it," Joshua explained as he raised his palm towards the pile of documents on the brown, long table.

   "I agree with that Josh, but something is odd about it. Is Nari really fine with her father being the probable mastermind behind her mother's death? I mean, does she even know?" Seungcheol finally spoke.

   "She doesn't and maybe we should keep it that way-"

   "Hell, but she deserves to know the truth," Seungcheol got the best of his emotions to the point that he stood up from his seat and raised his tone. Jihoon and Soonyoung exchange looks while Wonwoo was stunned by the nature that his boss had shown.

   The shameless and usually confident Junhui became silent due to the unfamiliarity of Seungcheol's aura. Why does he suddenly care about her like that? - he thought to himself.

   Meanwhile, Jeonghan, who has been there with Seungcheol for more than a score, knew why his dear childhood friend is acting like this but he kept his mouth shut and plastered an unreadable expression.

  "Yes, but that is not up to us because it is NOT our business," Joshua emphasized the word 'not' and the two are clearly about to get into a heating argument.

   "Okay, but-"

   Joshua took a deep breath before speaking. "With all due respect, why do you care so much about her? Mr. Choi, she is our mission and what is tasked to us is what we must follow. No more, and no less," Joshua drawled, slightly emphasizing the important parts in order to halt himself from raising his voice which he is avoiding because it is not in his nature to shout.

   Seungcheol was taken a back and realized what he have been saying, almost revealing his true intentions towards Nari. "Yeah, you're right. I-I was just too immersed into this mission--dismiss, everyone,"

   He sat down as all of them left, but Jeonghan stayed in his seat. "What was that, huh?"

   "What was what?" Seungcheol asked, as Jeonghan stood up, fixing his suit.

   "Do you like her? hmm?"

   "Hell, why would I?" Seungcheol scoffed, looking away.

   "Oh Seungcheol, I know you for more than a decade and you can't fool me," Jeonghan walked towards him as he stuffed both of his hands inside his pocket.

   "I can see it in your eyes," Seungcheol directly looked into his friend's eyes to justify himself.

   "Don't even say it," he muttered.

   Jeonghan smirked. "I won't, but you are ought to do something about that because you know your boundaries and principles," he remarked before walking out of the meeting room, leaving Seungcheol in silence.

   Seungcheol is still flustered which is why he kept sighing. He ran his fingers through his hair as he pulled out a cigarette and a lighter. With that, he placed his foot up the table, still filled with documents. He began smoking, leaning back against his seat, as he tilted his head, enough to get a glimpse of the ceiling.

   He chuckled right after huffing out a smoke. "Tsk, like hell I would," he muttered, but then his smirk faded upon thinking about it, thoroughly.

   Do I care that much about her? - he thought to himself.