Fear

5. looks can be deceiving

I'm starving. It's been two days since I've eaten and not because they didn't give me food, but because I refuse to eat anything they give me. In these two days, only Joshua has been checking up on me and giving me food. He was the only one who would talk to me even if I didn't want to reply him. It's surprising how he has the patience to handle my stubborness.

The door creaked opened and I could already feel Joshua's presence. I thought he was going to come into my room with a tray of food in his hands again, but instead, he came empty-handed. Upon seeing his face, I quickly flip myself to the other side of the bed, not wanting to face him. I heard him sigh, "Is this how you want to die?"

I furrowed my eyebrows from his sudden response which triggered something in me. I sat up from the bed and decided to face him. "No, but this place is making me want to die." I retorted in slight anger.

He sighed again, then gesturing me if he could sit on my bed. I simply shrugged in response and could feel the sudden weight on the bed. "Who do you think we are?" he suddenly asked, and I could feel his eyes staring at me.

"Mafians. Murderers. Merciless people." I didn't sugarcoat my words nor held back. He deserved to know what they really are. After my reply, he didn't speak or make a single noise which made me felt a little bad for being harsh.

"You're not wrong," he says after. "But, what if you didn't know who I am? How will you think of me then?" I felt puzzled. Why was he asking such questions?

"You would look like a fine gentlemen. A guy who looks calm and intelligent." I replied as we locked eyes.

"Exactly."

"What are you trying to say?"

"Aera, there's two sides and a story of everyone. Right now, you are looking at one side of me, but do you really think that I'm just a merciless murderer?" His words caught me in a tight spot. I didn't know how to respond. He was right. Everyone has two sides and stories of their own.

"I know you have yours too so it's up to you if you want to eat or starve. Just think about what I said." Joshua got up from the bed and gave me another unreadable expression before he left, but this time it felt different. I stayed in my bed for awhile, thinking.

Right then and there, my stomach made a growling noise and started to hurt. That was my answer. My guts were telling me to give them a chance. No, not a chance— but to know their stories. I stood up from the bed after what seemed like forever and made my way out of the room.

I could hear muffled voices and my legs automatically walked down the stairs. The closer I got, the louder and clearer their voices become. As I made my presence, the voices came to a halt and all eyes were on me. There were seven of them, but I'm pretty sure there were more.

Seven pairs of eyes were all staring at me. I know I looked like a mess but Joshua's words lingered in my head that I didn't care about anything else. Nobody spoke, only their eyes did. I skimmed through each of their faces until I locked eyes with Joshua who shot me a comforting smile.

"Join us." Joshua was the first to speak and he gestured to an empty seat, telling me to join them. As I walked over to them, I expected glares and death stares but there were none. Their eyes says otherwise; curiosity and optimism.

I lower my gaze, hoping not to make anymore eye contact with them. The moment I walked in, it was already awkward. "It would be nice if you guys would stop looking at me like that." I spoke in a small, yet tough voice. I didn't want to show any signs of weakness, but my eyes screamed fear.

No. I'm not going to show them that I'm scared.

I looked up and examine each of their faces and they did the same. I cleared my throat, "Weren't there more of you guys?"

Joshua nodded. "The older ones left to do some business and Jeonghan told me to stay to look after you and them." That name caused me to shudder but I quickly regained back my posture.

"Honestly, we don't need anyone to look after us." one of the few guys retorted and the rest agreed while Joshua just shook his head like a parent.

"Older ones?" I questioned, and all seven heads suddenly turned towards me in synchronisation. Not gonna lie, that was really creepy.

"Yeah, the older group includes Seungcheol, Jeonghan, Joshua, Jun, Soonyoung, Wonwoo and Jihoon." the guy sitting opposite of me explained, and I realised he looked foreign just like Joshua.

"We are the younger ones. I'm Boo Seungkwan."

"Nice to meet you, I'm Hansol Vernon Chwe and yes, Joshua and I are mixed." the guy who sat opposite of me introduced himself.

"Hello, Aera! I'm Lee Seokmin." the latter beside me flashed a bright smile.

"I'm Xu Minghao." he showed a peace sign.

"I'm Kim Mingyu and I hope you'll like the food I cook." he gestured the food on the table.

"I'm Lee Chan, and we are the youngest here."

My mouth parted slightly. They seemed too friendly to be a mafian. If one were to look at them, they just look like a bunch of close friends. Maybe this was why they say 'don't judge a book by its cover'. Because looks can be deceiving.

"I know it's a lot to take in and you will need a lot of energy. So eat up." Joshua stated and with almost no hesitation, I quickly put a mouthful of food in my mouth.

My eyes widened at the taste of the food. It was like as if Gordan Ramsay had cooked the food. Yes, I know I'm quite exaggerating but it's so good.

I could hear giggles and when I looked up, all of them were staring at me as I stuffed food in my mouth. "Slow down." Mingyu laughed and the rest joined in.

They're strange for a group of mafians.

—

i am finally back and honestly, i did not like how this chapter turned out ugh