Inferno Hearts | Xu Minghao

38. A Storm Brewing

₊˚ ✧ ‿︵‿୨୧‿︵‿ ✧ ₊˚

"I can't tell you what it really is,
I can only tell you what it feels like"

"Long time no see!" Lia exclaimed with bubbling excitement as she breezed into the living room, followed by Jun and Mingyu who carried her luggage along.

"Lia!!" Dokyeom's joyful shout echoed through the room, and he wasted no time in enveloping her in a warm hug. The rest of the members quickly joined in, creating a chorus of embraces that welcomed her back.

Amid the cheerful chaos, Minghao and Seungcheol stood patiently, silently awaiting their turn. They understood that Lia was already surrounded by the exuberant embrace of the other members.

Lia observed them with playful curiosity before turning her attention to Minghao and Seungcheol. With an endearing pout, she teasingly asked, "Didn't you two miss me?"

Her question had an instant effect—both members broke into warm smiles, their fondness for her evident. Without hesitation, they closed the distance between them and enveloped her in a heartfelt hug.

Minghao's lips brushed gently against her forehead in a tender gesture before his gaze locked onto hers. His eyes held a mixture of genuine affection and curiosity as he inquired, "We're all happy to have you back, but you haven't shared the reason with us yet."

Mingyu and Jun exchanged a fleeting glance the moment Minghao's question hung in the air. Their eyes held a silent conversation, a shared understanding that had been solidified back at the airport. In that unspoken exchange, they both acknowledged the impending storm that revealing the reason could unleash

"Well, first of all," Lia's voice carried a hint of curiosity as she swept her gaze around the room, "where is Jeonghan?"

Minghao released a soft sigh, his thoughts momentarily drifting back to the recent altercation he had with Jeonghan.

Minghao's response came with a tinge of resignation, his voice carrying a note of certainty. "He's probably at some club."

"Someone should definitely give him a call. He's not even aware that I'm here," Lia suggested.

Minghao turned his gaze towards Vernon, who was within his line of sight. "Vernon-ah," Minghao's voice held a polite urgency, "could you try giving him a call?" Vernon's prompt nod indicated his readiness as he retrieved his phone from his pocket and began dialing Jeonghan's number.

"Alright," Minghao began, a playful glint in his eyes. "Now it's your turn," he directed his attention to Lia, a warm smile accompanying his words. "Why are you gracing us with your presence?"

However, his smile swiftly faded as he absorbed her words. "I came to meet Min's murderer. I've been waiting for this moment for years," Lia's urgent declaration reached Minghao, and he watched as she moved closer.

The gravity of her statement settled in, leaving a weighty silence in its wake. Gathering his thoughts, Minghao met Lia's gaze squarely, her eyes demanding an explanation. "Now it's your turn," she confronted him, her voice steady despite the underlying intensity. "Why did you choose to keep this from me, Minghao?" The unbroken visual connection spoke volumes, held them unbroken.

"I've reminded you countless times to inform me if you ever uncover any leads," Lia's voice held a mixture of frustration and disappointment as she addressed Minghao, her tone tinged with urgency. "Tell me, Minghao," she demanded, her words carrying the weight of their shared history.

Minghao released a weary sigh, his response carrying a touch of weariness. "Lia," he began, his voice laced with explanation, "we never uncovered the true culprit. What purpose would it have served to inform you when I myself wasn't certain if she was truly responsible?" His eyes remained locked onto hers, his sincerity evident.