Heartless

{16}

Guards greet them at the door and allow them in once they see the familiar man who gives a short nod in recognition. As they walk inside, she takes in her surroundings before her eyes fall upon a silver-haired man who sits on the couch and proceeds to stand, turning to meet his guests with a warm smile that spreads across his plump lips and makes his eyes turn to slits.

"Good, you've arrived just on time. I hope the ride over was pleasant. No trouble I take it?" The man asks Dong-Wook who nods.

"That's good then." He looks over at the woman staring at him in curiosity, her mouth slightly agape as she blinks slowly and tries to process that this is her brother in the flesh.

His hair was dyed silver and slicked back, exposing his forehead and the purple suit he adorned had instantly caught her attention. He was gorgeous just like his sister, and every bit as sweet and sour.

It was astonishing to meet him after all this time, so much so that she was rendered speechless. Although he didn't look much like their mother, assuming he shared most of his traits with Jae-jun, she knew in her heart by the look in his eyes it was him. This was her older brother. Her flesh and blood. Even Jimin had to take a moment to look at her, to process who was standing before him.

"Runa, it's nice to finally meet you after all these years. You look beautiful." He compliments genuinely as he steps forward.

Cookie doesn't growl but instead cocks her head curiously when he takes her small hands in his own, hoping to snap her out of the daze she was in. She clears her throat awkwardly and unsurely glances at Dong-Wook who gives a reassuring smile. Then she turns back to Jimin who stood at about Yoongi's height, shorter compared to both her bodyguard and the underboss/consigliere who watched the family reunion.

"It's nice to meet you too." She smiles, feeling him gently squeeze her hands for comfort and warmth blooms in her chest from the sweet gesture.

Noticing that she seemed stiff, he let go of her hands and allowed her dog to sniff his to gain familiarity with him. She happily did so, before he carefully moved to pet her head, realizing he was in the clear once she reciprocates affection by licking his palm.

"This must be Cookie. What a sweet thing. That was very thoughtful of you." He glances over to the bodyguard who stays silent, only returning a respectful nod.

"If it's alright, I'd like to speak with you privately in my office." Jimin asks his sister with an unfaltering smile, one that didn't unnerve her but made her feel like she belonged with him.

Taking a questioning glance towards her bodyguard, checking to see if she had permission to leave with him alone, she's both relieved and caught off guard when the man in black nods assuringly. Jimin picks up on their interaction, observing how she looked to him for an answer.

"Yeah, let's do that. We have a lot to catch up on I imagine." She breathes out, and while Jungkook and Dong-Wook wait in the living room, Jimin leads his sister and the Doberman towards the staircase and down the hall.

Her heart thuds with every step as she trails behind, breathing in deeply and keeping a level head about this. She thanked him when he opened and held the door for her, and by what she's seen so far from him, he was respectful and she didn't feel any odd twisting in her gut. That was a good sign. His carefulness being a comfort.

Jimin could see how reluctant she was as she made herself comfortable on the leather couch, petting her dog who remained at her side. She was confused, and he remembers all too well what that felt like. The fear, the anger, the pain.