𝐑𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐒

XVIII

"Now, you can use this phone here; I'll be in the antechamber listening in on the phone in here, all right?" I can't risk her making any trouble for me-

-the mindset of the prisoner. Being grateful for a modicum of humanity. Accepting it like a gift. Remember-

Rosé nodded, face eager, as Jimin smoothed his hands along the front of his impeccable black suit jacket and made his way into the small side room.

Rosé waited a moment, making sure his footsteps had faded-giving her at least the illusion of privacy-before lifting the handset off the base and dialing the Park family apartment's home line.

The phone rang with an incessant prrring, jolting Park Chanyeol awake from the fitful sleep he'd managed to pluck from the depths of endless worry-stomach pains-anxiety, ever since that asshole Park Jimin had taken his sister-all because of me, all because of me-

Hopping out of bed, shoving his glasses onto his nose, he half-ran, half-slid out of his room and into the kitchen, where the old phone, with its endless curly cord, was ringing so damned loudly.

Who could be calling at this obscene hour? It's barely eight-thirty...

He had half a mind to tell off whoever was on the line as he picked it up, his voice a petulant grumble. "Park residence, Chanyeol speaking-"

Rosé gasped at the sound of her brother's voice, coming in so clearly, through the handset. "C-Chanyeol, it's me-"

Chanyeol's heart came to a painful thud as tears welled up in his eyes, a single droplet snaking down by his nose as he choked out, "Sister-oh, God, it's so good to hear your voice-" After so long-ten days-it's been an eternity-

She felt herself sniffle slightly as she laughed, voice nearly bursting at the seams as she replied, "Oh,  Chan-I'm so happy to hear yours, too..." In this frighteningly silent, vast house...

Chanyeol's voice grew rough. "Is-is that asshole-that sick bastard-is he-has he-I swear to God, Rosé-if that creep has done anything to you-"

Jimin bit back a caustic remark from where he was listening in, handset pressed against his ear, breathing softly and quietly so as to not alert Chanyeol to his presence-that idiotic excuse for a human being-I cannot even believe they are related-

-anyway-I've been called worse-

Rosé just laughed, a tinge of acid creeping into her voice. "No, Chan-believe me, I'm fine-he's just been wining and dining me every night..."

Chanyeol sniffed loudly as another tear ran down his heated cheek, pushing his glasses up his nose as he sputtered, "Wh-what? What kind of kidnapper t-takes his hostage out for d-dinner?"

Rosé smiled sardonically to herself. "Haven't you seen, Brother? I'm all over the Seoul's papers and tabloids as Park Jimin's lady love..." And don't we just make the loveliest pair?

"That son of a-"

Jimin had to pull the phone away from his ear as Chanyeol released a loud torrent of incredibly foul epithets, all directed at him. Elaborate insults, those... I hadn't heard that one before-

Rosé giggled despite herself, hand fluttering up to cover her mouth. "Chan-calm down. It's just for the public-I promise. He hasn't so much as tried anything improper."

She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, leaning back and crossing her legs at the ankle. "Though, I wouldn't do that again, Chan, considering he's listening in on this call right now..."

Jimin stiffened, his spine like an iron rod. That was not part of the bargain-

Chanyeol paused for a moment as his glasses slid off his face and clattered to the floor, his face soaked with tears. "He is? That bastard is listening in right now? Then how do I know he's not got you ch-chained up in some b-basement somewhere?" I have half a mind to walk up to Park Manor and challenge him to a freakin' fistfight-

Rosé layered velvet into her voice. Comforting. Sisterly. "Chan,trust me, when I come home you'll see-the people here have been perfectly kind to me-I'm certainly eating better than I do when I'm at school-"

Then there is the whole fact of my planning to kill Jimin-

-that's rather a nice cherry on top-

"Is Jaehyun there?"

Chanyeol shook his head, briefly forgetting himself, then spoke up. "No-he's not. He's g-going to be so upset when he f-finds out you called..." He'll never forgive himself for missing it-

The alarm clock in his room down the hall began to beep loudly and annoyingly, announcing its presence with near-dramatic flair.

Damn-

"Rosie-I-I would love to stay and talk all day-and I can't believe I'm doing this but-but I have to g-go open up the shop-" He pawed at the tears streaming down his face uselessly, almost violently. "I-is this, like, your one phone call-or will I get to talk to you again?"

Rosé stood up from the couch and walked around the furniture towards the antechamber until she was face to face with Jimin, face impassive, holding the phone against his ear.

"I don't know, Jimin-will I?" she asked, a hint of steel in her voice as she looked up at him.

Jimin's voice, too loud in the receiver, made Chanyeol feel sick to his stomach. "Park-you'll be able to speak with her again. She'll be able to call you whenever she wishes-provided, of course, that I am there to monitor the call. Understand?"

Chanyeol's blood boiled beneath his skin, his breath coming in overlapping shudders. "You-you better not do anything to hurt her-or-or else I'm-"

Or else you'll what-? Jimin bit back the mocking comment, Rosé's blazing eyes like a warning as he cleared his throat, wanting to loosen his tie, his windpipe suddenly feeling tight- "Park, I made you that promise. And, if it will make you happy, I will repeat-I will not touch your sister." Despite what he may think-

What she may think-

I'm not a monster.

I'm not.

Hi everyone, its been so long hihi i hope you like this small chapter, ill update eventually. stay safe <3