The Shadows of power

26

---

Chapter: Unraveling Secrets

“Okay, but still, what is a cobra doing inside the armoire?” Jin asked, crossing his arms, a curious look in his eyes.

Namjoon’s mind raced as he fumbled for an explanation. “Actually, you know, Uncle John—he was my father's best friend—he and his wife went to the zoo. I told you, this room is haunted. Uncle John's wife was not satisfied in her marriage, so when they were coming inside this room, Cobra… well, Uncle John didn’t know how to use this room properly, but Cobra did, and it became a distraction. So, Mrs. John killed it.”

“Mrs. John killed the cobra? That’s illegal!” Jin exclaimed, eyes wide.

“No, no, the cobra is still alive! Mrs. John killed her husband, and now his spirit is inside this room. She doesn’t come here anymore, but the cobra and Mr. John are here. The cobra visits Mrs. John sometimes,” Namjoon explained, trying to keep a straight face.

Jin looked skeptical. “Okay, leave it. But still, why was Uncle John your father’s best friend, I mean, best friend only?”

Namjoon quickly backtracked. “Actually, he was my mother's grandfather's daughter's father's best friend's son. So, he was my father's son eventually.”

“Okay, leave it,” Jin replied, shaking his head, trying to process the convoluted explanation. Just then, his eyes caught sight of the bar area. He walked over, peering at the various bottles and smoking paraphernalia displayed on the shelves.

Jin turned to Namjoon, glaring with an intensity that made Namjoon instinctively back away until he hit the wall behind him. “Tell me clearly, Kim Namjoon. Don’t you dare hide anything. You used to come here and drink, right?”

“If you actually knew what I came here to do, you would kill me,” Namjoon said, his heart pounding.

“What?” Jin asked, curiosity piqued.

“Nothing! Nothing,” Namjoon quickly replied. “I mean, I used to, baby. I swear, since the day you snatched the alcohol bottles from my hand, I’ve never touched it again.”

“I don’t believe my husband,” Jin said, crossing his arms.

“You should believe your husband,” Namjoon insisted, trying to maintain his composure.

“Not at all! I am not believing you!” Jin shot back.

Just then, Jin’s gaze was drawn to a large curtain hanging against the wall. Thinking there might be a window behind it, he pulled it aside, revealing a picture of Namjoon shirtless, flexing his six-pack abs and winking at the camera like a Greek god.

The sight made Jin flush with embarrassment, but Namjoon, instead of posing confidently, instinctively covered his face with his hands, mortified.

“What is this picture doing in this room?” Jin asked, a teasing glint in his eye.

“Nothing,” Namjoon muttered, feeling cornered.

“What are you doing in the picture?” Jin pressed.

“I was just posing for the camera! It was required for biology practicals. Why are you doubting me?” Namjoon defended himself.

“But still, tell me clearly. You used to drink alcohol, right?” Jin continued, not backing down.

“No, baby, I swear! At least listen to me!” Namjoon pleaded, desperation creeping into his voice.

While the couple bickered, the other members watched from the meeting room, both shocked and entertained. They hadn’t known Namjoon and Jin were married, but now, connecting the dots, they realized the love story Jin had recounted during a game was actually about him and Namjoon. The drama unfolding was like a rare treat, watching their usually composed leader squirm under Jin’s scrutiny.

As their argument escalated, a sudden voice echoed from the large washroom attached to the room, causing Namjoon to freeze. “See, you woke up the ghost!” he exclaimed, a hint of panic creeping into his tone.

Jin turned to flee just as a figure emerged from the washroom, wearing a pant shirt and putting a watch on his wrist.

“Who is this figure?” Jin asked, eyes wide with surprise.

Namjoon stood frozen in place, dread pooling in his stomach. “Uh… let’s see in the next chapter,” he said, heart racing as the mystery of the newcomer loomed large.

---