Heartless

{17}

Jimin led his guests into a dining room where a spread was laid upon the table by the housekeeping. It was unexpected, the amount of effort he put in to make a good first impression, and it didn't go unnoticed. Everyone sat down and began eating, Jimin discussing his childhood with his sister while Dong-Wook occasionally nodded since he was busy eating, and Jungkook who observed everyone with an untouched plate.

It was interesting to hear how different things were for him, but somehow relatable even in two opposing situations. Much like her, he didn't get a lot of parental love from his adoptive father but his mother was a different story. It was comforting to hear that although the late mafia boss wasn't the most affectionate, he always cared and treated for his son. That was how it was supposed to be. Just like how every other mafia heir was raised, there was a rigorous schedule every day of the week.

It seems that in Russia, the training was a lot more complex due to the high standards and pressure put upon young children that essentially made them grow up faster. Much like his sister, he was one of a kind. He excelled at everything he did, overcoming anything thrown his way. Having good parents surely helped him with that, a stable environment ensuring his rise to the throne.

Regardless of how strict his father was, he at least grew up in a good family unlike her. It was possibly the attitude of that generation of parents but she couldn't help but wonder if her mother was alive how different her father would be if at all. Family meant everything and it makes her feel good knowing her brother didn't grow up alone. He didn't experience what she experienced and she was grateful for that. He deserved to be happy. They deserved it after what they were put through as children.

She too spoke about her past, including her close friend and ex-boyfriend Yoongi who has been there from practically the start. Jimin wore a distasteful frown when she mentioned the Min heir, but he was being playful of course and they shared a few good laughs that made them feel better about the messy situation they were in. Jimin knew about the situation with her ex since he encouraged it, thinking that having someone on the inside of another powerful crime family would make a difference in gaining more leverage against Min-Su.

He had a plan in mind which would later be discussed. For now, they enjoyed dinner while trading war stories as the underboss liked to call it. In her heart, being here with these men felt like for once she had a true family, that she was loved.

That's something that she's always wanted to have and knew it was never realistic because her mother was gone and Min-Su never tended to his fatherly duties. He could barely look her in the eyes most days, and now she seems to know why. She's too much like her mother.

Things felt tense when talking about him, but with Jimin casually nodding along and looking at her intently so she knew she was heard, it was reassuring. When Dong-Wook made the sudden change of topic towards Yoongi again, she was both grateful to halt further discussion about her father and ungrateful because of the man that was currently being spoken about. The sly gleam in the consigliere's eyes had her feeling on edge.

"Please don't embarrass me." Runa sharply cuts in before the man can let out a word, and he holds his hand up dismissively.

"I won't."

Jimin glanced between them unaware of what she meant by that, and he took a sip of his win before asking. "I haven't heard too much about him actually. Just a vague description. White hair, tatted, a cunning bastard for sure since he's a Min. Is there something else I should know?"

The hardened look on her face was a warning but the older man can't help but love seeing her face turn red so he says the exact thing she was dreading, her mouth hanging open at his audacity.