TMS | MW [✔]

13. Wonwoo

I smiled as I leaned back in the corner of the couch and then took a sip of my hot chocolate. Mingyu had been a genius to make us sandwiches and soup with hot chocolate for dessert. There were even some mini marshmallows.

We all had full tummies and now were relaxing in the living room. It had only been an hour since Mingyu told us about our parents, but we still hadn't had word from Jake. Not knowing what was going on down in the lobby was making me very anxious, but I was trying to hide it for Wooshik's sake.

He seemed a little more freaked out than me.

I had to wonder about that. The man who was curled up under a blanket on the other end of the couch slowly sipping his hot chocolate as he stared off into space was not the fun-loving Wooshik I remembered.

I knew that my parents were toxic as hell, but I didn't think they were bad enough that they would suck the life out of Wooshik. What had been going on the last three years?

What had they been doing to my brother?

"Wooshik." I smiled when he glanced up. "Can you tell me what have you so scared about Mom and Dad?"

"What do you mean?" He asked. "You know what Mom and Dad are like."

"I do, but I suspect that there is more going on than even I know about."

Wooshik glanced away. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He was lying. I knew it and he knew it. He just didn't want to talk about it, and that was okay. I wouldn't force him. That never did anyone any good.

I jumped when someone knocked on the front door and turned toward the front door even though I couldn't see it from where I was sitting.

Kato walked over and opened the door. I heard him speak to someone and an answering response, and then he walked into the living room. A man in a police uniform walked in behind him.

"Mr. Kim," Kato said as he looked directly at me, "this officer needs to speak with you."

I set my hot chocolate down before I spilled it. "Mingyu," I called out. "Can you come in here?"

Mingyu walked out of the kitchen drying his hands with a towel. "What's up, babe?"

I gestured to the man with Kato. "This officer needs to speak to me."

He glanced toward him. "How can we help you, officer?"

The officer nodded in my direction. "I need Mr. Kim to come down to the lobby with me."

"No," Mingyu said simply.

"Sir, my supervisor sent me up here to get him. Mr. Jeon agreed to release his hostage if Mr. Kim came down and talked to him."

"Not happening," Mingyu growled, but I was already standing.

"I'll go."

Mingyu's head snapped around. "Wonwoo!"

"Mingyu, if there is any chance that my father will release his hostage, I have to go. You know that."

"He's already tried to kill you once," he snapped out. "I'm not letting him have another chance at you."

The officer tried to take a step forward, but Kato held out his arm, keeping him in place. The officer glared at him for a moment before turning to look at Mingyu again.

"You said that Mr. Jeon tried to kill Mr. Kim before?"

"Yes," Mingyu snarled, crossing his arms over his chest. He was staring at me with narrowed eyes. "He hired a hitman to kill my husband but ended up shooting our bodyguard instead."