Tiger Inside ||Stray Kids Mafia AU||

Chapter Thirty-Six

I hurried down the hall, my sock-clad feet slipping across the slick wood every so often. My phone was clasped tightly in my hand, and the message was still surely lit on the screen as I approached Chan's office door. It hadn't been a good morning to choose to sleep in, blinking groggily as my fingers had fumbled to unlock my screen.

It was waiting for me. The text came in the late hours, after my head had finally hit the pillow. The sight of it had snapped me out of my daze instantly, waking me fully. I had thrown the blankets off me, jumped from bed, and not even spared a thought of changing out of my pajamas.

I just needed to talk to Chan.

I turned the corner, quickly halted in my spot at the sight of Minho leaning up against the door, focused on the phone in his hand.

"Move, I need to talk to Chan." I tried to push my way past him, but he promptly stopped me by stepping into place and blocking my way.

"You can't go in. He's in a meeting."

"What?" My focus snapped to him, brows furrowing. "With who?"

"No clue," he shrugged. "But he left strict instructions not to be disturbed."

Frustration bubbled inside me, and I took a step closer, trying to push past him again. He outstretched his arm, firmly holding me back.

"Minho, I got another text last night. I need to talk to him now."

His eyes met mine, gazes far too close for comfort, as I tried to hold my ground.

"I understand, but it needs to wait."

"Please, Minho," I pushed, my voice edged with desperation. "It feels like they're getting more threatening."

He sighed, his gaze flickering between me and the closed doors behind him. After a moment of internal debate, he turned back to me. "Look, I get it. But he gave specific orders. I'll make sure he knows to see you right after he gets out, okay?"

I opened my mouth to argue, but the determination in Minho's eyes made me pause. While his stubbornness dug deep into my nerves, I couldn't blame him entirely. He was just following his orders, no matter how agitating he was.

"Fine," I muttered, stepping back reluctantly. "You better tell him."

Minho nodded, finally relaxing. "I will. I promise."

With a resigned sigh, I turned and walked away. Minho's jest echoed after me, his teasing tone both exasperating and oddly comforting.

"Put some pants on!" He called out.

I couldn't resist firing back, my frustration dissipating into banter as I turned on my heels, calling out as I stepped backward. "Oh please! The shirt is practically a dress. Calm down!" With a roll of my eyes, I circled back, turning the corner and leaving Minho's chuckle in my wake as I sought someone else who might be able to assist me.

Hopping down the staircase, I peered over the railing and down the hall, sure enough seeing the exact person I was hoping for planted on the couch, fully engrossed in his laptop as usual.

"Felix! Buddy!"

He eyed me cautiously as I dropped onto the couch beside him, trying to muster up the best doe eyes I could.

"Why do I feel like you want something from me?"

"You're just the person I wanted to see!"

"Hmm, should I be worried?" Felix teased, setting down his laptop and giving me his full attention.

"Not at all," I replied with a grin. "I just need your genius brain to help me with something."

"Oh, damn. You're laying it on thick. What happened?"