Mafia in the Morning || Ryeji [RE-UPLOAD] [ONGOING]

Presence

[The only place I felt her presence.]

The billiard hall was nearly silent, the only thing breaking the stillness was the occasional sound of the billiard ball hitting Ryujin's palm as she playfully threw it up and waited it to land on her hand. Ryujin stood by the green felt tables, her eyes cold and sharp. Lia and Yuna lingered in the shadows near the back, their presence more felt than seen. Chaeryeong was perched on a stool, her fingers tapping nervously against the edge of a table, her gaze darting left and right, up and down, as if searching for an escape.

The room was dimly lit, overhead lights casted a harsh glow on the pool tables. "Do you have any idea what you've done?" Ryujin's voice cut through the silence, sharp as a blade.

Chaeryeong looked up, meeting Ryujin's icy stare. She opened her mouth to respond, but Ryujin didn't giver her the chance.

Ryujin dropped the ball she was playing with on the table. "You pulled a gun on Yeji. I mean, do you even comprehend that level of recklessness? The kind of heat that could bring down all of us?"

Chaeryeong's jaw tightened. "I'm sorry. I didn't know she was Soobin's-"

"No, no, no. I completely understand that part." Ryujin aimed her palm at Chaeryeong, like she was shutting her up. "What I don't get is you pulling out a gun in a place like that. A fancy place with customers and cameras. What if, Chaeryeong, just what if one of the employees or customers told the cops? You will be facing 10 years in prison for possession of a gun without license. Now tell me, Chaeryeong. What the hell were you doing?"

"I did it for my sister. Yeji fired Chaeyeon in front of people. I couldn't just let that slide. She's my sister," Chaeryeong said, her voice steady but defiant.

Ryujin stepped closer, her presence towering over Chaeryeong. "Next time you pull off that kind of shit without telling me, you're done. Got it?"

Chaeryeong nodded and answered, "Got it." Her gaze dropped to the floor, her shoulders slumping slightly. "D-does the boss know?"

"No. I covered it for you, but if it escalates, he has to know," Ryujin said, receiving the weakest smile that Chaeryeong has ever put on. "Okay. Class dismissed. Yuna, go with Chaeryeong. Check Red Casino for me. I heard there was a fight there last night."

Yuna and Chaeryeong left, leaving the billiard hall nearly empty with only Ryujin and Lia left. The sound of Chaeryeong's car start up and drive away echoed faintly. Once they were gone, Ryujin turned to Lia, who was still standing nearby. "Lia, you know anything?"

Lia glanced around to ensure they were alone before responding, "Not that much. We were just playing here, she stepped in and they talked outside. However, I did do some background checks on Chaeyeon..." Lia paused, smiling and puckering her lips at the same time, waiting for some words of appreciation from Ryujin for doing her assignment in advance.

"Well, what?" Ryujin said.

"No 'that's cool. I'm proud of you for being smart for once'? You always seemed like you don't appreciate me." Lia pouted.

The memories of their past surfaced in Lia's mind. Lia had been introduced to Ryujin by Soobin when Ryujin was making a name for herself in the underworld. Lia was an operative, initially tasked with gathering information about new players. Lia admired Ryujin's pragmatism, while Ryujin admired Lia's loyalty and sharp instincts. What began as a professional connection solidified into a genuine friendship over time.

"God," Ryujin scoffed. "You want an award for that? Here." Ryujin jokingly grabbed her gun from her holster and pointed it at Lia for a second.

Lia giggled and decided to continue, "Alright, but seriously... Chaeyeon lives in a shitty apartment, not so far from here, maybe 10 minutes away. She got debts to pay that's why she wants the job back so bad. That's all I got so far."