House Of Cards || NCT Mafia

Chapter fifty-nine : Missing the outdoors

Iseul made her way back upstairs after grabbing a glass of water, a bit upset. When she passed by Taeyong's office earlier, she had heard him yell at Renjun, and she felt bad for the boy. She didn't linger, not wanting to eardrop, but a part of her was still curious. When she passed by it to take the stairs again, however, everything was silent, and she reached her room where the Dreamies were laughing at something Donghyuck had said.

After a while, Renjun came back and sat at his previous spot, relieved no one asked him anything about his sudden disappearance. He seemed normal, smiling when his brothers were making fun of Jeno for not being funny, or when they teased Jisung for always being so shy around girls.

But Iseul noticed he also seemed troubled. She didn't know if the others hadn't noticed or if they pretended they hadn't in order not to embarrass him, but Renjun definitely looked bothered by something. He didn't look at Iseul when she spoke and basically ignored her presence.

When it was time for them to go back to their own rooms, Iseul tried to hold him back.

"Hey, Renjun," she spoke.

The boy turned around, signaling for his brothers to go.

"I, uh... wanted to make sure you were alright?"

She bit her bottom lip, internally scolding herself. What was she thinking? They were not friends; they barely knew each other. And a few hours ago, he still hated her too.

He seemed baffled by the question, "What do you mean?" he frowned.

Just because he had been decent with her for the past hour didn't mean he appreciated her all of a sudden.

"I didn't mean to eardrop, I swear, but I heard Taeyong yell at you earlier..." she trailed off.

Suddenly, his face turned pale, afraid she'd heard them talk about her father, "What did you hear?" he urged.

"Nothing," she said truthfully. "Just muffled yells."

Renjun looked relieved, and a sigh escaped his lips.

"Don't ever do that again," he warned.

"But I didn't mean to, it's not my fault walls are made of paper in this house!" she defended herself, not liking the accusation. "I just wanted to make sure you were fine, that's all," she said, resentful.

"Yeah well that's none of your business," he spat back.

Iseul's mouth went agape. "What is wrong with you people?" she burst out. "I just try to be kind and nice with you all, and this is how you react. Can't you just be nice back like normal people?"

Renjun let out a dry laugh, "Listen here, princess," he spat, "we're not 'normal people', and we will never be, maybe it's time for you to get that in that in your head. 'Kindness' like you call it, is what gets you killed in our world. So get over it," he snarled.

Renjun slammed her door shut on his way out, leaving Iseul alone in her room. She knew he was right. They were mafia members for heaven's sake. She couldn't expect them to be all sunshine and rainbows.

About two days later, nothing really changed. Iseul stayed inside, like Taeyong had told her, she had been helping Kun cook a lot as well and she had gotten to know pretty much everyone. Well, those who were willing to talk to her, of course.

But she was starting to get tired of staying inside. She had always loved to take walks outside, and the fact that spring was finally here made it even harder as the sun was up in the sky.

She had tried to ask Taeyong if she could go outside for just a few minutes, and in their backyard, which resembled most to a small wood in her opinion, but every time, his answer was the same.

"You will not leave this house."

Jeno would always come to her after his day, though, to tell her about it and vice versa. Jaemin would come see her too, give her the homework she needed to do and telling her about his day as well. She felt less lonely, and grateful than most of the Dreamies were friendly with her. The only ones still reluctant about her were Renjun and Donghyuck. The first one would always try to avoid her, not always in a very subtle way, and the second would openly glare at her.

"What got you so down?" Mark had asked her when she was sitting at the dinning table, her head low.

"Nothing," she smiled. "I just wish I could go outside and that this whole thing could come to an end, but nothing seems to make progress."

Mark took a seat next to her.

"You haven't even been here for a week, yet," he said. "I know it must be annoying to stay inside, but I promise Taeyong and the others are trying to come up with something about... your father. But it's not that easy, you know. Everything has to be well thought out. You don't just come up with a vague plan and attack somebody. Or else you'd get killed right away."

"Yeah, I guess you're right," she nodded. "I'm still new to this whole mafia thing."

"You'll get used to it, don't worry," he tried to reassure her.

But what if I don't want to? She thought.

Once their little conversation was over, the other members started to get in and take a seat too, ready to eat dinner.

Iseul went back to her room, expecting to spend yet another boring evening, but someone knocked on her door before she could get in bed.

She thought it was the Dreamies, they came to her room a couple of times before to play games with her before going to bed, and she made her way to the door with a smile, ready to welcome them.

"Hi, Jaemin," she greeted. "Where are the others?" she asked when she realized he was alone.

"Oh, we're not having a game night if that's what you thought," he said. "We're gonna do something better," he smiled.

"What do you mean?" she frowned.

"Mark-hyung told me you were tired of staying inside..."