Cartel│Mark Lee

The cartel war starts now

His hand gripped at my thigh from underneath the table and I released a short breath. He was nervous. The hairs from his arms stood tail as his eyes darted around the room. We sat at a large table awaiting a response from the other cartel. Taeil was the leader's name and Mark seemed to be terrified by him. Though his face stood still and calm, his grip on me told another story. I felt almost sorry for Mark. He had to stay calm in a world lit on fire. Only I knew the inside feelings of Mark Lee. People looked to the man in charge like he was a god, like he feared nothing. 

I could see that Mark had built this act up to be at the top of his throne. Mark had inner feelings most couldn't see. He was goofy and soft. Mark cared about what people thought about him and it limited his growth. Mark, who even once was a mystery to me, built a solid wall around his persona. To the world, he was strong and stern, with no existing feelings other than the lust for money. To me, Mark was lovable and admirable, with feelings deeper than the depths of the ocean. One thing was similar between the Mark I knew and the one the world knew, he was someone you could lean on. 

"I trust you," Jaehyun said from across the table. His eyes dug into Marks and his shakey breaths were far from unnoticeable. Jaehyun had to trust Mark. If he didn't, where would he turn to? Mark had to be trustworthy in a time like this. We had to lean on him. Mark nodded his head at Jaehyun in approval. "Taeil will send a letter either declaring a war or not today." Mark's voice was bitter as the words slipped from his mouth. I skimmed my fingers against Mark's hand from underneath the table. It was another world below the surface of the wood table. Mark and I communicated our feelings from our fingertips as it was unnoticeable to everyone around us. His latch on my flesh eased as I continued to calm him down silently. The energy in the room was high as everyone stayed silent. The only sounds came from the men sipping lightly on their whiskey. 

The sound of footsteps echoed from outside the room and Mark raised himself out of his chair. A boy, no older than sixteen, raced into the room we were in. He was out of breath as he raised a single piece of paper up to Mark. The boy's eyes were terrified and I couldn't help but arise from my seat as well. Mark ripped the paper out of the boy's hand as I walked closer to them. As Mark's eyes skimmed over the piece of paper I rested my hand on the boy's back in a soothing manner. I bit my lip in anticipation as the other men in the room raised their heads to look at Mark. "What does it say," Taeyong spoke slowly as if he was afraid of the answer he would receive. Mark turned around slowly to meet the eyes of everyone in the room. He lowered the paper to the side as his expression looked deadly. "The cartel war starts now." 

His mouth was left open as those dry words left wounds in everyone's minds. I looked down towards the boy and felt a sense of sadness take over me. I could feel his fear as it reminded me of how I felt when I first joined the cartel. He was scared and unsure of the future. I leaned down to the boy. "You can leave now. Go and run to a safe area for the time being." I whispered quietly to him. He nodded and quietly left the room.  A few more moments went by before Mark regained his composure. "This war is for turf. Although Taeil has fewer men, he is still well equipped." Mark spoke as he reviewed the documents on the table. A large map hung on the wall and Jaehyun starred soundly at it. "You all heard me. Get to work. Now!" Mark yelled and the men began to scatter.

All the plans we had gathered over the past few weeks are finally going to be used. I looked at Mark as his eyes pleaded with mine. Although I felt terrified, I managed a faint smile to give to Mark. It wasn't convincible but he still appreciated my efforts as he walked over to me and snaked his arm around my waist. Jaehyun stood still with his eyes on the map. The room cleared out and it left just the three of us alone. "I never thought this would happen," Jaehyun mumbled and Mark straightened his posture. "That's the risk you take while working with a cartel. You never know what is going to happen." Mark was apprehensive about the new profound relationship between Jaehyun and him. They had worked silently and well together throughout the past couple of weeks. 

"You must like wild cards, Mark. That is why you like Vanessa here right? I've been trying to reason with you and figure you out." Jaehyun tore his attention away from the map and onto Mark. Mark pulled me closer into him and I stumbled over in my heels. "You don't like being secure because you've never had security before. That is why you make harsh decisions that make your gut turn. Aren't I right?" Jaehyun stepped toward Mark and my eyes widened. "Jaehyun don't do this," I begged him. He looked at me with regretful eyes and sighed. "I wanted to do anything for you once Vanessa. I offered an amazing life to you, with happiness and the feeling of being safe. You gave that offer up for this man who has turned everyone's life upside down."

"I didn't want war. I didn't want to risk myself and my men for your own selfish reasoning. You just want to beat Taeil." Jaehyun continued and I found myself confused about the relationship between Mark and the other cartel's leader again. Mark gulped and eyed Jaehyun. "You should be careful from now on. Get to work before you really do risk yourself." Mark spit out his words and Jaehyun let out a dry laugh. He looked at Mark and shook his head. "Anything for the king and Queen." He sarcastically said. He pushed past us to leave the room and Mark grabbed his shoulders harshly. "Maybe you should stop trying to 'figure me out' and do something important with your time." Mark snarled and let Jaehyun pass him out of the room. I found myself smiling wickedly at Jaehyuns last words. King and Queen, that's what Mark and I looked like together. 

Mark sighed at Jaehyuns outburst and looked down at me. "Are you sure that you are ready for this? There is still a plane waiting for you Vanessa." Mark whispered in my ear. "I am hurt that you would even ask me that." I raised an eyebrow at him mischievously and gleamed at the potential this war could bring us. I now had a queen's perspective on this.  If we won, we would have more land, which means more power and money. My eyes trailed along the lining on Mark's expensive suit and I licked my lips. I tightened his tie and brought my hands to his chest. My lips touched the bare skin on his neck lightly as he moaned for more. I smiled at my effect on Mark. "We are wired for these types of things. We are meant to lead together. That means we are bound to win this cartel war." For better or for worse. Between life and death. Mark and I had each other in this and that was all that mattered.