The Thirteen Shadows / SEVENTEEN FF

Chapter 4: The Normality

'To study the abnormal is the best way of understanding the normal.'

-William James

After meeting Seungkwan and DK, I was waiting for any orders as I was starving, instead I was ordered by one of the maids to join the others for breakfast.

"I really need a shower..."

I quickly took a warm shower and got dressed into the random spare clothes that Vernon told me about. As I was trying to quickly dry my hair I looked at myself in the mirror.

"These are definingly one of the members clothes, but I really don't give a shit. I wonder whose they are."

Coming back to my senses I quickly finished up, realizing I was most probably already late for breakfast.

I hurried down the stairs, recalling my memories from last night, my heart pounding as I reached the dining room, only to find all six men already seated, their eyes immediately locking onto me as I entered.

Author POV

"You're late," Seungcheol said coldly, his gaze like ice.

"I—I'm so sorry," Maya stammered, feeling the weight of their stares.

"I didn't realize the time." He eyes narrowed, and he leaned back in his chair, exuding an aura of dominance that made the air around him feel heavy.

"You'll learn to be more punctual. We have rules here, and you will follow them. We are to all eat together, at the same time."

Maya nodded while looking down, swallowing hard as she took a seat at the far end of the table, trying to avoid their gazes. But that didn't stop them from making her uncomfortable.

Wonwoo, who was sitting closest to her, leaned over, his voice low and taunting.

"You're shaking, sweetheart. Nervous about something?"

Maya's breath hitched as she felt the heat of his fox like eyes gaze on her, and she quickly looked down at her plate, her cheeks burning.

"N-no, I'm fine..." He chuckled, a sound that sent shivers down her spine. "Wonwoo is my name. You don't look fine. Maybe we should help you relax. "

Before she could respond, Mingyu, who was seated across from her, added with a smirk, "I'm sure we can think of a few ways to make you feel... more comfortable. Oh and I'm Mingyu"

Maya's heart pounded in her chest, and she glanced nervously at Seungcheol, hoping he would intervene. But he just simply watched her while nibbling on his bottom lip, as if he was deep in thought, his expression unreadable, as if he were testing her reaction.

Feeling cornered, Maya took a deep breath and forced herself to look at Mingyu, her voice trembling slightly.

"I'd appreciate it if you didn't... joke like that, Mingyu." His smirk widened.

"Who said we were joking?" Wonwoo leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper that only she could hear. "You're in our world now, Maya. It's only a matter of time before you realize how deep you've fallen into it."

Maya's skin prickled with anxiety, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her mind racing for a way out of this situation. But then Seungcheol's voice cut through the tension, cold and authoritative.

"Enough," his gaze snapping to Wonwoo and Mingyu, his tone leaving no room for argument. "We don't need her fainting at the table."

As he said that Maya noticed DK and Seungkwan quickly looked at her to make sure if she was okay.