Smoke Me.

Chapter 43: Close Call

AN: Happy Birthday Smokers! We've spent one whole year together and it's been lovely. We felt so many emotions and I can't wait for us to feel some more. I'm really grateful for each and every one of you.

And here's the new chapter:

"I didn't know French cuisine was your thing."

"You don't know a lot of things about me, Monster."
"You got to quit calling me that V. One of these days, you're gonna forget people are around and..."
He interrupted me by taking a loud sip of his cappuccino and smacking his lips afterward.

"And I'll have to explain how normal nicknames do exist."
I frowned.

"Ex-dealer money must be good to have, I gotta say."

Elbows on the pristine white tablecloth, a wide grin matched the one a boy wearing a bonnet had from the painting behind him.

The ongoing piano song was calming our hangovers, and keeping our tired minds up, but it was nowhere as loud as it should be considering our conversation.
"Since you've brought up dealers, I gotta ask. Who's yours?"
"Whatdya say?"
The genuine confusion irked me.

I tried again: "Who brings the bread from the bakery?"
"Who do you think it is?" He leaned over the table, smirking.
"Either Jay or Martin."

V scoffed, leaning back.

"Is it you then?"
"Disrespecting Dwayne like that. Tsk. You're so cold and both of you are Kim's too. He'd be so hurt if he could hear you right now."

He dramatically covered his chest with one hand and then started swirling the whipped cream from the top of the pancakes with a blue straw.

"It's Dwayne then?" The thought had me squinting.
"Dude, I wish it was." He sighed as if this subject was frustrating for him as well.
I shut my eyes, feeling a headache coming.

"Who the fuck it is then?" I snapped.
"None other than Jungkook, of course."
The grin he had on right now was not evil. But somewhat proud. Whether he was proud of Jungkook or himself for knowing something that I did not. It was hard to tell.

"Is that why you wine and dined me, Monster? That's what you wanted from me after pulling me out of a warm bed with promises and...this?" V reached forward and pushed a long-fallen strand of hair away from my face.
"Who's he buying from?" I went on, undisturbed and unblinking.
"How am I supposed to know?" The innocent tone was scratching my eardrums.
"You've never met him?"
"No. Why?"
"Why the fuck not?!"
"Namjoon." He sighed with feigned exaggerated weariness and then stabbed the cappuccino with the straw. "Jungkook has not been as...talkative as he was when he was sober. He's been a high mute before you even came around. And why would those guys carry around a boring mute? Use that brain of yours."

He looked up, appearing a bit annoyed at me because I haven't figured that one out already.
"But who's selling Jungkook the stuff?" I punched the table without thinking. The cup moved a bit, but all things considered, just a few startled glances and no harm was done.

"I don't mind being dined and wined but you've picked the wrong guy." He shrugged, continuing to look sad, "The only person who knows is Jungkook, himself."
"Then go with him."
"Where?" He arched an eyebrow.
"Whenever or wherever he seals the deal. Go with him! See who he is. Or she. Doesn't matter. Take a picture, find out a name...just..."
"Wow, dude! Seeing you so desperate is tickling parts of me that were joyless before."
"I'm glad that I am getting your tiny dick wet, but you know I can break your nose anytime I want, right?" I uttered through clenched teeth.

"Look. You might not want to hear this, but he's not in the dorm 24/7 and it's not like he tells me anything. All I know is that the guys give him money the second he brings some. Which is frequently, but not so often that..."
"He's already sleeping with his new dealer?!"
"Shht! They'll kick us out."
"I'll kill him..."
"Who?"
"Him...them!" I threw my hands up in the air.
V sighed, covering his head from the people staring at us.