I'm a rich man's slave (Zumin) [On Hold]

Chapter 5

Zen also fell asleep, catching up on the sleep he missed when leaving his home. Someone knocked, and opened the door. Someone else with red hair and golden eyes with just a bit of a mint color mixed in them. He stared for a bit then at the cup of water in his hand.

"Wake up."

He raised the cup, and let the water fall on top of Zen and Saeyoung. They gasped, and quickly opened their eyes. Zen blinked at looked up, meeting the other boy's eyes. He then turned to look next to him, and saw Saeyoung complaining.

"Twin?" Zen mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

"Yeah, he's Saeran," Saeyoung told him, getting up and drying his face with his sleeves.

"Jumin told me to take Zen to get a make over or something," Saeran said, figeting and avoiding eye contact.

"He's back?!" Zen jumped to his feet, running a hand through his hair. "I don't want to see him so soon."

"N-no, he's not but he called," Saeran told him, trying to calm him down.

"Why are you so nervous?" Saeyoung asked. "Zen won't bite."

"E-erm...it's because it involves cats and I doubt Zen will like it," Saeran told his brother, still avoiding Zen's confused gaze. "And I don't think Zen wants anyone to mess with his hair."

"Can I just leave?" Zen pleaded, sitting on his knees. "You can just say you didn't find me. Please, let me go..."

Saeran was taken back by surprise. He did understand that Jumin was a jerk, but to already have someone be afraid of him was rare. Saeran and Saeyoung never really got along with Jumin, but he didn't treat them bad. In fact, they were treated better then what other slaves would be treated.

"I-I can't do that," Saeran said, genuinely feeling bad. "You can leave now, but I don't want to know. I'm bad at lying, and if I say something, us three will be in for a lot of pain."

"I can leave any other time, then? I have five or six people that know me, so I don't know how...," Zen whispered, looking down. "Saeyoung."

"Zen!" Saeyoung exclaimed, putting his hand up in an attempt to cheer Zen up.

And it worked. Zen smiled, making Saeyoung happy.

"I can go with you somewhere today, but if I'm ever gone, like disappear, then it's because I left or Jumin has locked me somewhere," Zen told him, adding the last part as a joke but who knows? Jumin might actually do it.

"Where do you want to go?" Saeyoung asked, kneeling down in front of him. "We can go buy some food. I'm pretty sure our masters want something to eat."

"But only for them," Zen muttered darkly, looking away.

"Well, we get food too of course, but you're right," Saeran said, frowning.

"I got some coins hidden away." Saeyoung winked, surprising his twin and Zen. "The problem is, I don't know how much...I...don't know how to count them."

Saeyoung sounded so sad, making Zen feel bad about wanting to leave them. He didn't want to leave them, especially after what he saw Saeyoung go through just now. He didn't know who his "master" was, but he was sure that even though he said he was okay, he wasn't happy.

"I can help," Zen offered, his voice small. "I mean, if you want."

"Really?" Saeyoung grinned, his eyes bright. "Thanks. I was never really taught because my previous master thought it was unnecessary. Here too, they just give me what I need."

"I see...my family are merchants, so I have quite a bit of knowledge about money, though my family's business wasn't too well after I was born," Zen said, shrugging.

"I'll go get the money right away!" And with that, Saeyoung ran out of the room.

Saeran looked at the door, and then down at the floor. He didn't make eye contact with Zen whatsoever. Zen felt a bit uncomfortable, and a bit sad. He knew Saeran wasn't at fault, he didn't want to hurt the twins, but he really wanted to leave. Well, where else could he go? His best bet right now was to stay a while, and find out how to escape and where to go while he did whatever he was told to outside of the house.

Saeyoung came back quickly, and shoved a small bag to Zen, who held it with a shocked expression.

"This is heavy," Zen whispered, and opened it. "Yep. Definitely quite a lot. How'd you get this?"

"Sometimes they give me a bit more without realizing, and they gave me some back, so I kept them," Saeyoung told him, pushing his glasses up nervously. "Thought I could have a use for them later. I feel like some took advantage and didn't return what was left over."

Zen smiled. The twins were like children, and he already felt close to them despite meeting them just today. He felt like he should stay with them, to protect them. They weren't too young, but definitely a year or two younger than Zen.

"Alright. You two get whatever you want, and I'll pay. No one will steal anymore from you anymore," Zen told them, smiling.

Saeyoung cheered, and dragged Saeran out of the room. They went to go ask if they could go out, and they were given permission. Even Zen, who didn't even work for them. They left like excitded children who were promised candy, dragging Zen behind.

They got a whole bunch of things, Zen making sure they could afford it and that Saeyoung still had some left for another trip. Zen promised himself that as long as he was there, he would look out for Saeyoung and Saeran because he had no idea what they went through as kids and how they were treated. He would also somehow get some gold for him and the twins until he left.

They weren't children, but they sure acted like it. Zen felt like they were like little brothers, and hated that someday, he would try to escape and leave them behind.

But...he didn't have to right? They could leave this behind, and start again? That's what Zen had wanted. He still did, and now he wanted the twins to know what real happiness was.

Zen would show them that one day, the bright side of life.

A/N: Anyone still here? I'm just busy with another fanfic, but decided to finish this chapter. Sorry! Hope you liked it though. :)