Crime, Betrayal, and Love (A Seventeen Street Racing AU)

XXXV | Important Meeting

A quick scan around the room shows that the three of us are the last to arrive. Per usual, everyone is gathered around the long couch, rounding the room; the only difference is that Jun and Sana aren't together. Jun is seated on the farthest left couch, while Sana is one off from the right, sitting on the edge beside Hoshi, who is neurotically whispering between Sana and Seungkwan.

Wonwoo and Minghao are together with Jun in the same section, and unlike where Jun's girlfriend is, their section is very quiet and still. Minus Minghao, who is obviously staring at me.

The couch piece beside them is a rounded corner, with Jeonghan and Joshua sitting on each side and no one in the middle. Joshua has a cool air to him, as he usually does, acting like this meeting has nothing to do with him. Jeonghan, on the other hand, tries to act the same way, although the way his eyes dart around the room and the way his finger continuously taps against the armrest are noticeable.

Finally, Woozi, Vernon, and Dino are in the first center sectional. In a similar way to Joshua, Woozi has a cold demeanor, but instead of it seeming like this means nothing, it's as if this meeting means everything. Vernon and Dino seem to be the least affected by the tense mood. Every time I've interacted with Vernon, he's acted distant. However, at this moment, he's very laid back, a grin shown while talking to the younger.

With Mingyu's section being the only one left with room available for the three of us, we swiftly go and take our seats as S.Coups paces the room with an unnerving sense of anxiety. Mingyu nods his head as we take a seat but doesn't say anything, his face staying grim.

Now sitting beside Mingyu, I realize that S.Coups is standing in the center alone. In each meeting before, he has had someone with him, either co-presenting the meeting or simply using their presence to say something. But tonight, Jeonghan and Joshua are in the crowd, looking as confused and nervous as everyone else.

Finally stopping his pacing, S.Coups stands in the center of the room and glances over the group, eyes stopping at Wonwoo. He opens and closes his mouth a few times, then turns to see behind him before remembering no one was up with him. With a disappointed, angered sigh, S.Coups starts, "I'm not sure how I'm supposed to address this to you," He goes silent again, staring into Wonwoo. "You've been disqualified from the Golden Rose."

"What!" Wonwoo yells, abruptly standing up, a raging shock displayed over his face. "Why?"

The room is full of exclamations and whispers as multiple people, including Mingyu and Minghao, stand up as if to rebel against the disqualification.

"That's ridiculous! What for?"

"They can't just do that."

"Was this Monsta X?"

S.Coups lets the panicked commotion go on for a minute before he forces quiet again. "Everyone calm down and sit back down," he says, voice loud and firm but not yelling. However, only a few listen.

Wonwoo continues standing, dumbfounded at his elimination, and Woozi calls out, "What the hell are we supposed to do about this? This could ruin us!"

"Shut up and sit down!" S.Coups demands.

Woozi snaps his mouth shut and leans back on the couch. Wonwoo still hesitates but quickly falls back into his seat with a small tug from Jun.

Once everything is calm again, S. Coups takes a deep breath before continuing. "They got a recording of you going into the arena and tampering with Yeonjun's car." S.Coups' voice is nothing but a silent fury as he speaks to Wonwoo, eyes boring into his soul. "That's why DK got attacked," he adds, purposefully trying to add more guilt to the man.