IRIS

14. UNHIDDEN

Now that the plan included being a couple,  Iris and Changbin walked hand in hand towards her place. 

He'd kiss her hand, she would blush, then kiss his cheek. He would blush. They were so focused on each other that at first, they didn't notice someone following them. 

Iris was the first to notice, so she pretended to whisper sweet nothings in his ear. 
"Pretend I'm telling you something sweet. We'rebeing followed." 

Changbin immediately followed her instructions, and smiled, kissing her cheek. He then turned around to walk backwards as if he were admiring her beauty. 

"You're so beautiful. Let me look at you!"

At the same time, he then looked at their surroundings and quickly identified who was following them, and decided to out them.

"Felix? Yo, brother!!! What are you doing in this part of town?"

Felix cursed under his breath. He wasn't supposed to be discovered, but no point in hiding it now.

"Hey, Changbin! Who's this? Is this the girl Jeongin was talking about?" 

"Yeah, I decided to follow the boss' advice and call her, and well… It worked out, as you can see. He lifted Iris' hand clasped with his to show they were together. "This is Iris."

"That's cool! Nice to meet you. I'm Felix. I work with Changbin at the Chopping Block. I'm happy for you. Mind if I borrow him for a sec, and have a word with him? It'll be quick."

"Nice to meet you, too! No problem." Turning to Changbin, "I'll meet you at my place, okay?"

"Absolutely gorgeous. I'll be quick." He gave her a peck in the cheek, and waved at her goodbye. 

"What is it? Make it quick I'm on a date! Why were you following us?"

"Ummm…  H…he made me. I'm sorry. He asked me to stake out her place to see if you'd show up. I don't know what obsession he has with both of you. Don't worry. I'll tell him I didn't see you this time, but I can't lie all the time. H… he catches on quickly." 

This was the most Felix had ever spoken to Changbin. Something was off. 

"No, it's okay. I was planning on telling Jeongin that I took his advice and called her."

Felix's face transformed. His pupils dilated, all color flushed from his face, and his jaw clenched. Fear clearly washed over him. 

"NO! Hyung, don't do that, please! I can't say much, but it's a trap. It was a test. You clearly failed it. If you want her to stay alive, please don't ever mention her EVER again. I… I have to go. I've already said too much. I'm sorry I can't say much more. H… boss has eyes and ears everywhere. I might have already sealed my fate by saying this much."

Felix began looking around like someone paranoid they were being followed. 

He liked Changbin. He always looked out for everyone at "The Block", and was a good hyung, even when Felix wasn't allowed to talk to him. Changbin always brought him chicken or jellies, like the young Aussie called them. He had learned from observation those were his favorite things to eat. 

Felix was a beautiful young man. He often changed his hair color, and that week, he often wore his medium long blonde hair in a half ponytail. 

He looked like an angel, and when he smiled, one couldn't help but feel almost moved to tears. He didn't smile much, but when he ate chicken or gummies, he smiled brightly. Changbin had grown to love seeing him smile, so he always remembered to buy extra chicken and gummies.

Changbin often thought that Jeongin was surely a terror, but he absolutely had excellent taste in men with Hyunjin and Felix around. 

When Felix left, Changbin immediately texted Iris through his work phone. Something was way off; there was something he'd missed, and they'd need to tread carefully.  He also texted Minho, and set up a meeting for everyone at the safe house.