Worst Behavior | KNJ

Chapter 3: Summer of the Shark

I was up before dawn, the early morning light filtering through the thin curtains of my small apartment. The streets of the city were still shrouded in a sleepy haze, a stark contrast to the chaos that usually defined my days. My mind was already racing through the events of the previous night—the meeting with Samuel, the tension in the air, and the weight of responsibilities that seemed to press down on me more each day.

I poured myself a cup of coffee, the rich aroma a small comfort against the backdrop of uncertainty that enveloped my life. As I sipped the steaming brew, my thoughts drifted to Diavian and the new reality she was navigating with me being in her father's cartel. It felt like a lifetime ago when we'd sat in those classroom desks, dreaming about our futures and pretending the world was ours for the taking.

Now, our lives had diverged in ways we'd never anticipated. Diavian was entrenched in a world that was both familiar and foreign to me, caught between her father's empire and her own sense of morality. Her involvement in the senior care facility was a glimmer of normalcy in her otherwise turbulent life, and it was something I had come to appreciate, especially with my grandmother's care now being managed by her.

I glanced around my apartment, the modern white walls adorned with art pieces that told stories of moments I wanted to remember. Each room held a piece of me. In the living room, a large, slide-open window let in the fresh morning air, and several pairs of shoes lined up neatly in front of the door, a chaotic hint at the life I lived outside these walls. My eye caught the framed picture of my grandmother holding me as a child, a reminder of the love that grounded me amidst the storm.

As the coffee warmed my hands, I thought about the stain on my expensive black wood table, a mark from a careless moment when I hadn't used a coaster. It annoyed me, a constant reminder of how pricey the table was. The few vertically stacked books next to my couch, their spines worn from too many readings, were another testament to my attempts at escaping reality—at least for a little while.

I grabbed my jacket, the chill of the early morning air bracing against my skin as I stepped outside. The streets were quiet, save for the occasional passing car and the distant hum of the city waking up. My mind was occupied with thoughts of the day ahead—a meeting with my crew to discuss the complications DC had mentioned and a follow-up on the new shipment Blue had alluded to.

As I drove to our usual meeting spot, an unassuming warehouse on the outskirts of town, I couldn't help but think about how much things had changed. The warehouse had become our base of operations, a place where we could escape the prying eyes of the world and focus on the business at hand. It was a far cry from the high school hangouts we'd once frequented, but it was our sanctuary now.

The warehouse door creaked open as I approached, and I stepped inside, greeted by the familiar sight of Rob, Blue, and DC already gathered around the table. They were engaged in animated conversation, their voices a mix of frustration and determination. The table was cluttered with documents, maps, and various other paraphernalia related to our operations.

"Morning," I said, trying to inject a note of normalcy into the proceedings. "How's everyone holding up?"

Rob glanced up from his spot at the table, his expression a mixture of annoyance and amusement. "Oh, look who decided to grace us with his presence. Did you sleep well, or were you too busy thinking about how to fix all our problems?"

I smirked, taking a seat beside him. "Just trying to get a handle on everything. It's been a hell of a week, hasn't it?"

Blue looked up from the stack of papers he was sorting through, his face breaking into a grin. "You could say that. We've got some serious shit to deal with, but nothing we haven't seen. You know how it is."

DC, who had been quiet and contemplative, finally spoke up. "Shipment first. It's delayed, and our contact isn't giving us a clear reason. We need to figure out if there's a problem with our end or if someone's trying to fuck us over."

I nodded, leaning forward and spreading out the documents on the table. "I've been thinking about that. If there's a problem with our contact, we need to get to the bottom of it quickly. I don't want any more static with Samuel."

Blue nodded in agreement. "I've already made a few calls. Hopefully, we'll have more information by the end of the day. In the meantime, we need to keep a low profile. If word gets out that we're even being lenient, it could jeopardize everything."

Rob, who had been idly tapping his fingers on the table, suddenly spoke up. "What about the facility? How's your grandma doing, Joonie?"

I glanced at him, surprised by the question. "She's settling in well, thanks to Diavian. It's been a relief to have someone I trust looking out for her."

Rob raised an eyebrow, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Diavian, huh? I've heard a bit about her from Samuel. She's got her hands full."

DC, who had been quietly observing, chimed in. "I've heard some things. You two go way back, right? Ever thought about making it more than just friends?"

I paused, the question hanging in the air. The idea never crossed my mind, but if it had, it never seemed to align with the reality of our friendship. "Honestly," I began, choosing my words carefully, "it's never really crossed my mind. Diavian has always been a close friend, and that's how I've seen her. She's beautiful, no doubt about it, but I've always valued our friendship more. She's the only constant in my life, and I wouldn't want to jeopardize that."

Blue leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "It's interesting, though. You two seem close. Sometimes, those kinds of relationships evolve in ways you don't expect."

I shrugged, feeling a mixture of uncertainty and relief. "Maybe. But right now, I'm focused on navigating our jobs. I don't want to complicate anything else."

DC, who had been listening intently, added, "It's important to recognize the value of those relationships. Sometimes, the bonds we form are meant to stay as they are. And that's okay. The business we're in doesn't leave much room for personal entanglements. But it's good to talk about it. Sometimes, understanding our own feelings helps us deal with the external pressures better."

The gravity of DC's words was not lost on me. The boundaries between our professional and personal lives had become increasingly blurred, and it was something we all had to navigate carefully.

Rob, ever quick to deflect with humor, decided to lighten the mood. "Speaking of entanglements, Blue, how's things with your girl? Still seeing her on the downlow?"

Blue, usually so dry-humored, looked slightly flustered but managed a smile. "Yeah, things are still going strong. She's been patient with the whole private thing. It's not easy. She wants more time together as do I, but my schedule and mind are all over the place."

"Understandable," DC said, nodding. "It's hard to balance a personal life with what we do. But it's important to make time for those who matter."

Blue sighed. "True. It's rough. Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it. But she's great, and I don't want to lose her."

Rob turned his attention to DC, who had been uncharacteristically quiet. "We all know DC's been on lockdown for a while."

DC laughed and rolled his eyes, a rare moment of softness breaking through his usual stoicism. "Laila's doing great. Busy with her own work and handling things at home. She's been incredibly supportive, especially with everything going on."

Rob raised an eyebrow. "Supportive, huh? I'm not surprised she's the one keeping things in check at home. I've heard good things about her. She and D are good people."

DC nodded, his pride evident. "She is. We've been together for years, and I wouldn't be where I am without her."

Blue leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful. "You know, it's good to hear that. We all need that kind of support in our lives. Especially in our line of work."

As the conversation shifted, Namjoon finally made his entrance, looking sleepily disheveled. He shuffled over to the table, rubbing his eyes and stifling a yawn.

"Joon," Rob replied with a smirk. "Since when did you start wearing glasses?"

Still half asleep, I fumbled with the frames I'd just put on. "Since I didn't feel like squinting all day," he mumbled, rolling his eyes at the teasing.

"Oh, so now you're the studious type," Blue chimed in, clearly enjoying the rare moment of levity.

I groaned, trying to ignore the ribbing. "Yeah, yeah. Just give me a minute. I'm still waking up."

The lighthearted banter continued as we settled into their usual routine. Despite the ongoing challenges, the camaraderie and easy humor among us provided a welcome distraction from the weight of their responsibilities. The warehouse, with its familiar chaos and clinking coffee cups, offered a small respite from the complexities of their lives.

As we discussed the shipment and other pressing matters, I found my thoughts drifting back to Diavian. Her presence in my life had always been a source of stability, and now, as we both found ourselves entangled in the complexities of our respective worlds, I couldn't help but worry about her.

Our meeting eventually wrapped up, with Blue promising to follow up on the shipment and Rob heading out to check in on some of his other contacts. DC and I lingered, our conversation turning to less pressing matters. "You sure you're good?" DC asked, his voice softening as he looked at me with genuine concern. "You seem a bit off today."

I smiled, adjusting my denim jacket. "I'm good. I promise." But as I said it, I felt the weight of my thoughts pressing down on me. DC nodded, his expression thoughtful. "We all have our burdens. It's important to keep an eye on each other, especially when things get tough."

The warehouse door creaked open, and I glanced up to see Rob pausing in the doorway. "Hey, Joonie," he said with a grin, "don't let this shit get to you. We've got you."

I nodded, appreciating the sentiment. With that, we parted ways, and I headed back to my apartment. The city was coming alive with the sounds of morning, but I felt a sense of isolation amidst the bustling streets. My thoughts were consumed by the intertwining threads of my life—the cartel, my grandmother's care, and my friendship with Diavian.

As I entered my apartment and closed the door behind me, I sank into the worn armchair by the window, letting the quiet of the space envelop me. My apartment was a reflection of me, a mix of modernity and warmth. The white walls were adorned with art pieces that told beautiful stories of moments I wanted to experience. I couldn't help but smile at the picture of Diavian and me at her college graduation, framed and sitting next to my bed. She looked radiant, full of promise, and I felt a pang of nostalgia wash over me.

My phone buzzed with a message, and I glanced at the screen to see a text from Diavian.

"Hey, just checking in. How's everything on your end?"

I smiled, grateful for her thoughtfulness amidst her own challenges. I typed out a quick reply, reassuring her that things were manageable and expressing my appreciation for her concern.

"Thinking about you. Let's catch up soon."

As I set my phone down and settled into my apartment, I felt a renewed sense of determination. The road ahead was uncertain, but with the support of my crew and the enduring bond I shared with Diavian, I felt ready to face whatever came next.

I rose from the chair and wandered around my apartment, my gaze landing on the vertically stacked books by the couch—a mix of fiction and philosophy that often served as my escape. I picked up a novel, flipping through the pages, but my mind kept drifting back to Diavian.

She was a force of nature, navigating the turbulent waters of her family's legacy with grace and resilience. I admired her strength, her ability to confront the darkness of her reality while still managing to find light in the smallest moments. It was that light that drew me to her, that kept me tethered to our friendship even as the world around us threatened to pull us apart.

I thought about how much I cared for her and how her laughter could brighten the darkest of days. The memory of us sitting together in our high school classrooms, daydreaming about the future felt like a lifetime ago. Now, we were both entrenched in a world that was far more complicated than we had ever imagined.

I stepped into my bedroom, the simple white sheets and blankets a stark contrast to the chaos outside. The picture of us at her graduation still sat on my desk, a reminder of a time when our dreams felt tangible. I could see the pride in her eyes, the hope for what was to come. But now, I wondered if she felt trapped, caught in a web of expectations and responsibilities that weighed heavily on her shoulders.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair as I tried to push those thoughts aside. I knew I had to focus on the present, on the business that consumed my life. But the thought of Diavian, her struggles, and the delicate balance of our friendship lingered in the back of my mind, a constant reminder of the choices we both had to make.

As the sun began to rise higher in the sky, casting a warm glow over my apartment, I felt a sense of clarity. I had to be there for her, to support her in whatever way I could. The bond we shared was too important to let slip away, and I wasn't willing to risk it.