Mine

CHAPTER 3

She lounged in her study, legs casually propped up on the edge of the polished sleek black desk. The room was bathed in the soft, muted glow of a single desk lamp, casting long shadows across the scattered papers, files, and meticulously detailed sketches that covered every inch of the surface in front of her. She twirled a pen between her fingers absentmindedly, her mind deep in thought as she studied the designs with a discerning eye. Each line, each curve of the gun sketches held her attention, yet something still didn't sit right with her. The quiet of the room was almost palpable, charged with the intensity of her focus.

Suddenly, the door to her study creaked open, breaking the silence. Aera didn't look up immediately, but the soft thud of footsteps drew her attention. A figure stepped into the room, his presence announced by the stark contrast of his striking white hair against the deep black of his hoodie. The faint glint of piercings caught the light as he moved closer, adding an edge to his already sharp appearance.

"Hey, dude," Aera greeted him casually, finally dropping her legs from the desk and sitting up straight. There was a hint of affection in her tone, masked by the nonchalant way she addressed him.

"Hey," Luis replied, his voice low and steady as he crossed the room to stand beside her. Despite his cool demeanor, there was an unspoken bond between them, a shared history that didn't need words.

"So, did you get the news?" Aera asked, her curiosity barely veiled as she met his gaze. Her eyes searched his face for any hint of what was to come.

"Yeah..." Luis began, his tone taking on a more serious edge. "Min Yoongi. The Mafia King." He confirmed what she already suspected, but the weight of those words still hung heavy in the air between them.

"Do you know when exactly we're supposed to get married?" she asked, her voice steady, though there was a flicker of something more—uncertainty, maybe even a hint of fear—lurking beneath the surface.

Luis shot her a look of complete exasperation, his brows knitting together in frustration. "Bitch, how would I know?!" he snapped, his tone sharper than usual. It was clear that the whole situation was wearing on him too, despite his attempt to keep his cool.

"Sorry, hehe," Aera chuckled, trying to lighten the mood with a playful laugh. But there was a tension in the room that even her laughter couldn't completely dispel.

Luis sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly as his expression softened. Beneath the rough exterior, he was still her little brother, and his concern for her was evident. "Aera, do you really want to marry him?" he asked, his voice tinged with worry. Despite being younger, his protective instincts had always been strong, and now they were kicking in full force.

"Yes, Luis. Don't worry," she assured him, her tone firm but gentle. She wanted to ease his mind, to make him believe that everything would be fine, even if she wasn't entirely sure of that herself.

"Alright," he said, though the doubt in his voice was unmistakable. "But if you ever need to run away, or need backup, or if you decide to kill someone, please tell me first."

"Sure, sure, don't worry," she said, waving him off as she turned her attention back to her work. The conversation had already lasted longer than she'd intended, and there was still so much to do.

Luis glanced down at the papers spread out on her desk, his curiosity piqued by the intricate designs. "What are you working on?" he asked, leaning in to get a better look.

Aera hesitated for a moment before answering. The project she was working on was highly secretive, even by her standards. "It's a laser gun design," she explained, her focus still on the sketches in front of her. "I'm still working on it, so don't disturb me, please!"