Scalpel [EXO Gang AU] DISCONTINUED

iv

That night, neither of them slept on the bed. When Yixing awoke, he found Ji Ah asleep against the bed-frame. 

Rain pounded on the window, starting an endless rhythm.

He slipped his phone out of his pocket, not surprised by the immense amount of texts he'd received from the group chat.

The most recent one told him to come downstairs for a meeting. 

He rushed downstairs, playfully sliding down the railing. He nonchalantly strolled into the meeting room. He sat down next to Chanyeol, who was carelessly tipping his chair backwards. 

"What's this for?" Yixing asked, tilting his head. He played with the rings that hugged his fingers.

"Turns out this girl is of some importance," Sehun said, directing the meeting. He sat at the head of the table, Luhan accompanying him on his right. Thanks to his lifelong friendship with Junmyeon, he was given the leader position when Junmyeon was out.

"Yixing, what's the girls name?" Sehun asked.

"Ji Ah."

"They weren't lying." Sehun swore, rubbing his temples. "It seems we have a decision to make, then. According to Bangtan, the girl's uncle is Min Si-Hyuck. He runs AUGUST, the leading tech industry in China, who's also—unfortunately—a mob boss. Bangtan is willing to drop the 500 grand for her, as the ransom Si-Hyuck will pay to get her back is supposedly high."

"And how did you figure this out?" Luhan questioned, lazily gazing up at the ceiling.

"We sent her phone with Kyungsoo when he left so he could look through it. We got her name, career, siblings, and other things. Then, I asked Bangtan if she would be an acceptable replacement-"

Scoffs and shouts echoed throughout the room.

"So you sunk that low, Sehun?" Baekhyun yelled. "We may kill people, we may kidnap people, but something we swore to never do was human trafficking. That's not-"

Sehun slammed his fists down on the table, ending the chatter. "Baekhyun, Who is your superior? Who makes the decisions when Junmyeon is gone?" He growled, staring Baekhyun down. Baekhyun didn't say a word in response. "Listen, I didn't like the idea either, but we all know that we don't have 500 grand to spare. They offered it, so I asked them about it. We are desperate."

Chanyeol and Yixing exchanged glances. Tao cleared his throat, leaning on the table. "Then why don't we just hold her for ransom, get the money, have a little extra, then pay the 500 grand?"

"Payment is due next month, so we'd have to do it quickly, and from your experience Tao, ransoms don't go as smooth as expected."

Tao's eyes narrowed. Sehun had pulled the trump card by bringing back unpleasant memories of his. Accepting defeat, he leaned back, taking his elbows off the table.

"And what does Junmyeon think about this?" Baekhyun questioned, anxiously tapping his foot. He twirled his lip rings around with his tongue, distracted and lost in his own thoughts.

"Junmyeon said to do whatever it takes to get the 500 grand, if giving them Ji Ah is what it takes, we'll have to do that."

Yixing scowled. "Is there any other way?"

"Why do you ask that?" Luhan replied, interrupting Sehun.

"Because, this just doesn't feel right. I don't want to feel responsible when Bangtan puts her through hell."

"So? I'm sure we've put others through much more."

Yixing glared at Luhan, who simply glared back. "This is our family. Let's remind ourselves who we serve." Luhan snarled, averting his gaze back to Sehun.