Red Ink | Lee Felix | Mafia

• 7

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Over an hour has passed, and I remain in the dimly lit room, dwelling on my situation. The echoes of multiple footsteps made their way down the ladder, causing my heart to beat rapidly. I exhaled softly, attempting to remain calm and collected. Throughout the hour, I contemplated of what I should say to him and how I would react, yet I still felt uncertain.

As the voices drew closer, I turned to face where the ladder ended. Upon looking, I saw Chan step down, our gaze connecting, his face displaying guilt and worry. Without delay, he hurried over, reaching me and extending his hands onto my shoulders. In a moment of anger, I hid my head on the floor, not wanting to be faced by him. I crossed my arms, displaying my displeasure at the situation.

Chan's eyes filled with relief upon seeing that I was uninjured. "Rose, I'm so relieved that you're okay." he started to scan me for injuries. "I'm fine, Chan-," I began, only for him to cut me off. "Rose, we are gonna explain everything-" I cut him off yet again, not failing to notice Felix's absence. "We? You and Felix both?" I said, realizing that Felix hadn't shown himself yet.

"Well," Chan responded, only to be interrupted by Felix stepping down the ladder, followed by Minho, Hyunjin, and the rest of the members until I found myself surrounded by eight boys. I let my gaze drift over Chan in disbelief, only to see him present a sheepish expression.

With not much excitement, Minho announced, "Jangmi, long time no see!" before making his way over to the couch and settling down in a manner that suggested that he did not require a response from me. "Just so you know, I didn't want to keep this a secret, being the honest and trusting person I am-." Jisung's rant was unexpectedly halted by the sudden intervention of Seungmin covering his mouth. I'm dumbfounded by the sheer amount of activity happening, my brain struggling to make sense of it all. Felix hid his face in his hands and vented his frustration out in a loud sigh. "Are you angry at us?" Hyunjin frowned.

The sight of the duffel bag full of money on the couch catches my attention, my hand pointing it out in irritation. "Angry is understandable," I declare, my emotions still running high. "I mean, how would you react to this?" I continue. My irritation only worsens at Minho's bored tone and careless manner. "Oh, this? Why, you want some?" he asks, his question dripping with lack of interest. As he reaches in the bag then tosses a band of money in my direction, my glare deepens, the anger in my expression growing stronger.

I raised my voice to express my exasperation, saying, "Really? All eight of you are a part of this- this..." "Mafia," Changbin spoke for me, surprising me with the confession. My eyes widened in shock, as I recognized that they were in fact, criminals. I looked at Chan for answers, he quickly said, "It's a long story, Rose. We really didn't want to live like this." 

"I don't have a problem with it." Minho confessed, making everyone in the room give him a sharp glare. Minho quickly went silent, seemingly getting the message to keep his mouth shut.