House Of Cards || NCT Mafia

Chapter forty-eight : Stuck inside

Taeyong let Mark in his office after he had requested to see him.

"What is it, Mark?" he asked, putting his feet on his desk and letting his head fall back. Saying he was tired was un understatement, so he enjoyed closing his eyes in his chair to enjoy the sun on his face. Those few seconds of rest were appreciated.

"I'm sure you're aware that having a girl here is going to change a few things... right?" Mark began. Taeyong hummed, signaling he was paying attention, but didn't move. "Well, you see, she's gonna needs clothes, and toiletries... and stuff like that," he continued, eyeing his leader. He took a deep breath before adding, "So, I was thinking maybe we should take her buy a few of the things she needs...?" he trailed off.

As soon as he finished his sentence, Taeyong's eyes shot open.

"Out of question," he sternly said.

"But, hyung, how do you expect her to stay- "

"No buts." He spoke, his voice cold. "She's not leaving. If she wants clothes, we're going to buy some for her, but she isn't leaving this house, clear?"

Mark gulped and nodded. He knew Taeyong wouldn't be thrilled by the idea, but he didn't think he'd be that opposed to it.

"Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?"

"Yes," Mark replied. "About tomorrow, should I let the guys know about the plan?"

"That'd be better, yes," Taeyong frowned. "Tell them about the whole thing and try to come up with a detailed idea. Like where the fake fight will take place and such. I want them away from Jeno as soon as possible," he said.

"And about Iseul?" Mark asked.

Taeyong let out a sigh, closing his eyes again, "What about her?"

"Well, her friends are gonna notice she's not here, same with her teachers," the youngest noted.

Without opening his eyes, still enjoying the sun, Taeyong reached for a drawer on his right, blindly looking for something. He finally got out a small device, that he threw at Mark. The boy caught it without trouble, observing it.

A smartphone.

"It's hers," Taeyong spoke again. "Send a message to her friends explaining she's going to be away for a while, or sick, I don't know you come up with something," he waved his hand. "Or ask her to do it herself, it'll seem more natural."

Mark agreed and left the office, walking to the common area and leaving Taeyong to rest for a bit.

"Hi, guys," he greeted a few of his members. "I was thinking that Iseul was going to need some clothes, and, well, since she's staying here- "

"You mean since Taeyong forbid her to put even just a foot outside," Yuta corrected, not even looking up from the weapon he was polishing.

"Well since she can't go shopping herself, no, and that I'm not really good at this stuff, I was wondering if one of you wanted to come with me...?"

Understanding the situation made him feel awkward, Johnny got up quickly, surprising Ten who was sitting next to him.

"I think it's time for..."

"Please don't say it, please don't say it," Doyoung mumbled.

"Johnny's Fashion Evaluation!" Johnny said, a large smile on his face.

"And... he said it," Doyoung deadpanned.

"Great," Mark replied, relieved he wouldn't have to go alone. "Anyone else?"

"Count me in," Lucas joined. "I need to get out of this place."

"What do you mean?"

"Taeyong-hyung is getting on my nerves," he whispered, hoping the leader wouldn't hear him. "I don't like how he's behaving lately. Since we came back with WayV, he's been a pain in the ass."

"Language," Kun spoke, joining them in the room.

"As for Taeyong's behavior, he's been like this for a while now, I just feel like it's getting worse," Ten said.

All agreed.

"Guys, let's just worry about what we need to do with Kang, alright?" Kun added.

"Uh, Johnny-hyung," Mark spoke. "Where are we gonna go to buy clothes? It's Sunday..."

"Don't worry, I know people," he winked.

Mark, Johnny and Lucas then left the house, promising to come back soon.

Iseul was slowly waking up from her morning nap, fully rested and ready to face whatever was coming next. She changed into a set of clothes given by Jaemin, and walked out of what was now her room to explore the house.

"Oh, hi," she said when she noticed a boy in the corridor. "You're Jisung, right?" she asked softly.

The boy froze, surprised she knew his name. "How do you know my name?"

"Oh, Kun told me when I saw you this morning," she explained.

An awkward silence suddenly filled the atmosphere, soon replaced by a high-pitched voice yelling through the house.

"Jisung-ah! I've been looking for you everywhere- "he stopped himself when he noticed Iseul in front of him.

"Oh, hello, you must be Iseul," he greeted, politely bowing. "I'm Zhong Chenle."

"Nice to meet you," she replied.

"We heard a lot about you from Jaemin-hyung and Jeno-"

A sudden slap on the back of his head cut him off before he could finish his sentence.

"Hi, Iseul," Jeno smiled at the girl after glaring at Chenle. "Don't listen to the kid, he has a habit of exaggerating things," he said, pointing at the Chinese boy.

"Hey, I'm not a kid," he retorted. "You're only one year older than me!"

Iseul laughed at their behavior. Truly sibling energy. For a second, she forgot she was stuck in a house full of criminals and appreciated their company.

Back at her house, however, things were far from being so light-hearted. Her father had just called Park Min-Seok, informing him that he had found out about a certain Lee Jeno. They had agreed on the fact he'd be tracking him down as soon as he went back to university.

As for his daughter, just like Taeyong had predicted, he wasn't worried. He just assumed she was at a friend's house, probably processing things. He congratulated himself upon the lie he had told her, she definitely wasn't ready to hear the truth, he thought.

If only he knew.