Cartel│Mark Lee

You will regret this

From across the table Mark gleamed at me. The smile on his face seemed to never fade as he stared at me deeply. I tilted my head to snap him out of his thoughts. We sat at the big dining room table eating breakfast. What felt like miles stood between the two of us and I cursed this large table. I didn't think that the bad memories and thoughts that surrounded this table could be gently muted by Marks bursting presence. Last night felt like a dream and I was shy to face the consequences of my words this morning. I finally admitted I loved him. 

Mark sipped on his morning coffee with a grin as he looked at me. I bit my lip and nibbled on the crust of my toast quietly. Mark snapped his fingers for a maid to respond as he eyed me. I furrowed my eyebrows as a maid trailed into the room from Marks call. "I want this table gone by tomorrow morning. I don't care if you have to cut it apart to get it out the door." Mark looked at me as I gaped at him. My longing for this table to be gone from my sight was about to happen. I tied my hair back into a bun as I tried to hide my glee. The maid nodded and left the room silently. 

"Why are you getting rid of it?" I asked him and he grinned. "There Is no need for that table to keep distance between us anymore. It invites feelings in that we don't need. Why would I want to keep it?" He spoke almost wisely and I agreed with the hidden metaphor of the table. I nodded to his words and bit my lip. I hadn't felt this amount of peace since escaping away to the beach house with Mark. I used to believe the only bliss we could ever muster up together rested at that house overlooking the ocean. 

Now, looking at Mark I understood that bliss would follow us after the most extraordinary achievements. Mark was now sober and healthy. The grey sky above our wandering heads cleared up only to release the greatest amount of sun. The bond we shared ran deeper than what the naked eye could see. Money, power, and love was what I had acquired. The rush of those three things exhilarated me to the point of exhaustion. It was all I ever wanted. 

I stood up and straightened out my wrinkled dress. I walked toward the man I always yearned for. Marks light face held no sense of remorse as he stood up as well. His hand reached out to mine and I gladly took it. His callused hand felt rough against mine and as his thumb gently stroked my soft skin I wondered if things would always stay this way. I wished nothing but pure happiness for Mark.

My eyes darted to the side to get a glimpse of Mark as we walked out of the dining room into the foyer. My heart warmed at this sight of him grinning. He looked so pure in this moment and I savored it fully. "I like your smile," I said in admiration of the man's beauty. Although from his dark features and rough exterior Mark was very appealing. His skin was smooth like honey and his eyes were very soft in his resting state. Even with a sharp jaw, he had a boyish feel to him that complimented his dark persona very well. I guess that was what drew women into Mark in the first place. He looked to have everything you desired. 

Mark slightly grimaced at my compliment. He was always too focused on work and being in charge that he had yet to fully let go, the way he was right now. Mark seemed to have all his stress and hardness gone as he fully expelled happiness. He thought I was teasing him as he said "I'm not going soft Vanessa." A slight frown appeared on his face and I giggled. "I never said anything about that Mark." My hand caressed his cheek as I pulled at his face so he would smile again. He began to laugh as he shooed my hand away from him. His laugh remained contagious and I beamed at him. 

Our laughs were cut short by Taeyong appearing in the doorway. He looked to be out of breath as he shut the front door behind him. "Have you been running?" I asked and stepped away from Mark. As Taeyong caught his breath the look on his face was frightening. My eyes followed Mark as a look of concern came across his face. "What is it?" Mark urgently asked his guard and stepped closer to him. "Our territory. It's being crossed by another cartel." Taeyong said breathlessly. It looked as if he ran all the way to the house to tell Mark this. "What lower-ranked cartel had the confidence to cross my territory?" Mark yelled. A vein popped out of his neck as he gritted his teeth. I shrunk back behind Mark in the midst of the news. 

Mark ran the biggest and most well-known cartel in the world. He was used to owning and controlling everything. News like this startled him. Mark never liked it when other cartels tried to do business with him or tried to plan against him. I could only imagine the rage he felt knowing another cartel was taking over his territory as we spoke. "It is Taeils cartel, sir." Taeyong spoke with fear as he awaited Mark's response. Mark fell quiet as he looked to the ground. "Taeil." He repeated and I furrowed my eyebrows. Who was this Taeil that Mark seemed so concerned about? 

"Where are they located and how far have they crossed the line?" Mark asked and Taeyong looked defeated. "They are at one of our highest manufacturing factories. They killed all the workers there. Not only did we lose some of our best workers, we lost all the profit we were earning from making the narcotics there." Taeyong said steadily and watched Mark close his eyes in panic. I gulped and met eyes with Taeyong. I could tell we were in great trouble from the expression on his face. I felt almost scared for a moment until Mark opened his mouth. "Send as many men there as you need to kill everyone at that factory." 

Taeyong's jaw dropped from Marks words. "That is too harsh. We should just yield them to go back to their own land to work. Don't start a cartel war over this Mark. Their cartel is smaller than ours, there is no need to fight." Taeyongs eased words made Mark scoff. He walked over to his boss and rested his hand on Mark's shoulder in a small act of comfort. Instantly, Mark shrugged off his hand. "I don't care. Taeil needs to know he cannot cross me ever again. He needs to know there are consequences. Let's use this as a little warning to any other cartel that wants to test their limits on me ever again." Mark spoke evilly as Taeyong looked at him wearily. 

"I am the boss here Taeyong. What I say goes. I suggest you follow my orders and send the men out now!" His voice was firm and I could see his ears turning red from the anger he felt. Taeyong looked from Mark to me like he wanted me to intervene to help him. I understood why Taeyong didn't want Mark to start a battle but I also knew he would be in great trouble if he disobeyed Mark now. I looked at him sympathetically behind Mark's back and I cleared my throat. "You heard the boss Taeyong. Go." I said dryly. He stood there for a moment regretfully and I gave him a warning look as Mark stirred in his spot. "Now." I finally spat and he finally turned around slowly to start his mission. 

"You will be starting a drug cartel war now. I will tell the men to go and kill them now." Taeyong said as he walked to the door. He reached for the handle and turned back to us harshly. His eyes squinted at the man he thought was smart and careful about planning. Distaste crossed his face as he said, "You will regret this Mark Lee."