The Mafia's Heir

Chapter 17

"How was the meeting in Japan and Korea?"

"Good. We're heading back now for your birthday week."

"Really?"

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it for the world."

You missed it for the past seven years. How does showing up for one birthday make this any better?

"Alright. Everyone is at lunch, so I'll call you back when I can."

"It's fine. Just eat like you're supposed to."

Yeah, yeah. Like I really won't eat. I shoved my phone in my pocket and took a few deep breaths. I needed to calm down. Maybe there was a reason why I was being all moody. I had refused to go back to the doctor, so lots of people were assuming the same thing. It couldn't be possible. I hadn't had any sexual contact with anyone since...Zach. No, no, no. Whyyy?

I opened the door to the cafeteria and all eyes were on me. I threw glares at them and they looked away. The group I ate with almost everyday were fawning over Ryder and how handsome he was. Ew. I bet he had multiple girlfriends. When they saw me, they all waved. I did my best to smile and waved back. This was a sucky day.

"Tia, how was your morning?" Nicky asked with a slight smirk.

"Good," I answered in a clipped tone. "How much work did you finish, Nicky? Or were you worrying about me all morning?"

"A little bit of both. You are worrying a lot of us."

I sighed and poked at the salad in front of me. I wanted some ribs. I wanted some fried meat. Something that had so much fat it felt like it was clogging my arteries. But, I couldn't eat any of that. The smell was disgusting and unbearable. If I even caught a whiff, I'd vomit. Nope, I am most definitely not pregnant.

"Guys, I'm going to go eat in the studio on the fifth floor. I still have that meeting with the new group," I said.

"Want me to come with you?" Nicky asked.

"No. I'm most definitely fine."

"I'll come with you," Ryder spoke up.

"Especially not you. Stay here and enjoy lunch with much more civilized human beings."

I got up, took my food, and left the cafeteria. I needed some alone time. Away from people and all their stupid questions. If it meant being around people I didn't know, then so be it. I would rather answer a few questions about music than hear about my health.

Once I was in the elevator, I breathed a sigh of relief and pressed the button for my floor. The elevator music was the most annoying sound in the world with it's repeating tune. Who thought this would be relaxing? It sounded like the starting sequence to a romance.

Before I knew it, I was standing outside the studio door. I could hear one of the boys practicing a song I'd never even heard of. Or maybe my brain wasn't processing how he sounded so good. I really wanted to see them dance. They had come to me asking if they could make a new music group. Me being me, I said yes and here I am.

I walked in quietly, not wanting to interrupt them. Two of the boys looked up and waved. I waved back and found a seat in the near empty studio. They then joined the first guy and the lyrics began to sound familiar. I had heard the words before, but I didn't know where. Suddenly, a new voice rang out. It was a higher pitch and it sounded like they knew what they were doing. They sang on 'ah' and boy did it sound amazing.

"So...how did you like it?" Minwoo asked. "It took us a couple of days to get the tune right."

"It's amazing," I gushed. "The lyrics are...familiar."

"They should be. They're your lyrics," Jihyun said.

"My lyrics?"

"Yeah. We found them in our stack of songs and wondered who put them there. Hopefully you aren't angry with us for that."

I couldn't find any words to express how happy I was. I thought this was amazing. Finally someone sees what talent I have and they use it. Even if it was without my consent. I think this is probably going to be their debut song. I wondered what their dancing was like.

"Yah, we should dance. I think it's high time we did that," Minwoo said and stood up. The boys followed his lead. Yes, they're total mind readers. "We've been working on our dancing for about a week now. It's not that good, but...I think we can manage. The song is called Bet Bet by NU'EST."

"Never heard of them."

"Amazing group."

After watching them dance, I really had to pee. I left the room silently and came back to find that the boys were getting ready to leave, too. It was only two and they were leaving. I needed another distraction. I still hadn't eaten much of anything, so my stomach was growling like crazy. Curse you, salad.

"We're going to head back to work, Mrs. Black. We'll see you...next week?"

"Of course. I might be heading home early, so if you have any questions, speak now or forever hold your peace."

"...I really hate that saying."

"So do I, but I'm serious."

"We got nothing. Just about to go work on the lyrics some more and find out if the eighth floor is free for evaluation."

"Have fun."

I headed to the first floor, where I locked up my office. I then headed to the lobby. I was surprised to see that Ryder was waiting there. He couldn't have known that I was leaving early. Not unless he had been stalking me and heard me talking to the boys.

"Your mother wanted me to take you home. She said something about a surprise," he said as I walked up.

"I can take a taxi," I muttered.

"You aren't taking a taxi, Cynthia."

"Watch me."

I walked around him and out the revolving doors. That made me dizzy as heck. I latched onto the nearest thing, which happened to be Ryder. I should have known he would follow me.

"That's why you aren't leaving alone," he snapped. "We have a lot to talk about."

"Ryder, I'm fine," I assured him. "The doors just made me a little dizzy. It happens to everyone."

"...Just get in my car. I don't have time for arguing with you."

Stupid men and their stupid rules.

∴∴∴∴

So, the music video is below. I knew of NU'EST a couple of months back. After they were put under Bighit Labels is when I actually started binge watching their music videos. Enjoy it. They're like so good and I don't say that about any group.

💦XÃÑĐŘÍĄ

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