Lies that bind:

Saeran poured a second mug of coffee from the coffee pot hoping to chase the haze from his hungover mind. He started to shoot a text to his supplier rescheduling their meeting to another day instead of today. He wasn't in the mood to deal with business right now. Before he could hit send the phone rang. It was Saeyoung, what did that asshole want? He clenched his jaw and fought the strong desire to just hang up. It rang for the fourth time before he answered it begrudgingly. He did actually need to speak to Saeyoung no matter how unpleasant it would be. "Hello Ran" Saeyoung spoke in a chipper tone using Rika's nickname for him that he now couldn't stand. "What the fuck do you want?" Saeran replied dryly. "Such language!" Saeyoung laughed "I was hoping to speak to your Princess, she isn't nearby by any chance?" It took a few seconds for the question to register. "Princess? You mean Shae." Saeran was struggling to maintain his composure. "Yes, that's her name. The sweet girl from last night. I think I'll stick with calling her Princess it suits her better." Saeran took a deep breath, "She's not here". Saeyoung feigned disappointment "So you didn't go home together? That's too bad. I hope there isn't trouble in paradise." He didn't need to see Saeyoung's face to know he probably had that same shit eating grin from the previous night on his face. "What did you do to her? She was so pissed off. If you hurt her I'm gonna…" He was interrupted before he could finish that thought. "I just teased her a little, she freaked out and ran away. Nothing really happened. She'd had a few drinks and was flirting with me all night. She even followed me to the balcony where she might have heard something she shouldn't have." Saeran didn't like what he was hearing. Shae might have been flirting with Saeyoung and he hated that Saeyoung's version of events sounded plausible. "She doesn't know much about you does she? What you do, what really you do… is she really your girlfriend? Well that's none of my business. What is my business is that she forgets all about the conversation she overheard last night. I haven't told Rika about that yet and I won't if you make sure she doesn't go blabbing. Rika doesn't allow loose ends to just run around. If she found out she'd want it taken care of and you know what that means." His tone was ominous. Saeran knew that Rika ran a tight organization and absolute loyalty and secrecy was a part of the job description. She had a mean streak and like punishing those who crossed the line. Shae would just be another name on a long list of missing persons, a casualty of the greater good.

That was Rika's ethos. Everything she did was for the greater good. People were going to buy and sell drugs anyway at least if she did the selling then some of that money would go to charity and worthy causes. She saw herself as a saviour or Robin Hood figure. It didn't matter if a few people got hurt along the way, more people got helped and karmically it all balanced out. "She won't say anything to anyone. You have nothing to worry about. Rika doesn't need to know." Saeran tried to keep his voice even. He didn't want to sound desperate even if he was somewhat. "Also about last night's misunderstanding, make sure she doesn't go to the cops. Not that she has much she can say. Magenta doesn't need any extra attention from law enforcement." Saeyoung's nonchalance was disturbing Saeran. How can I stop her from going to the cops? She says you grabbed her!" Saeyoung replied without missing a beat. "And I say we both had a bit too much to drink and she was giving me mixed signals. Lots of people saw us together, laughing and talking. If you were there you would have seen us for yourself but you weren't. Where were you again?" Saeran didn't answer him, he didn't need to.

They both were well aware that Saeran had spent his evening upstairs. "I don't care what you do. Just convince her it was a misunderstanding. If you can't I'll just have to do it myself. I can drop by her place and apologize in person, when she's home alone and maybe we can pick up where we left off. Have you been to her place? It's a cute little apartment, not much security and it's just her and her mom all by themselves and that neighbourhood can be so dangerous these days." That threat was the last straw. "I'll handle it! Just stay the fuck away from her!" Saeran snapped. "I'll trust you with it then and before I go Rika wanted me to tell you that she was really happy to see you again and she hopes that you and the Princess come to the next party as well. You wouldn't want to disappoint her would you?" Saeran ended the call. He had heard enough from that bastard. After all the awful things he had done to Saeran over the years they had known each other; this had to be the worst. Covering for that jerk. Convincing someone he cared about that she had misunderstood what happened and that she shouldn't call the police as she mostly likely wouldn't have a case even if she could prove something happened. The most convincing lies have an element of truth to them. He would tell her that he dated Rika and that Saeyoung was always jealous. Saeyoung only teased her to get back at him. Would she believe that Saeyoung wouldn't actually do anything bad and that he was actually a good guy? It was mostly true and hopefully it would be enough to convince her.

He checked the digital clock on his bedside table. He had a few hours to kill before the time he had arranged to meet with Shae. He kneeled down next to his bed and pulled out his stash box from its hiding place under the floor board. There was just enough time to get high and come down before she showed up. He had to do something about the guilt that was gnawing at him. He emptied a tiny packet of white crystals into a small foil square heating it up slowly with a butane lighter till wisps of smoke sated to rise. Using a thin metal straw, he inhaled deeply letting the acrid smoke fill his lungs as the rush washed over him. Starting from his head flowing through his body to feet and even his fingertips. He took a few more hits, placed his kit on the table and laid back on his bed staring at the ceiling. He wasn't angry anymore and wasn't sad either. He actually felt giddy, warm, tingly and oblivious to the world around him. He thought of Shae not crying in the elevator as he had last seen her but in her perfect dress. Her warm body wrapped around him, her voice whispering his name and her soft lips on his. He usually thought about Rika in times like this, when he was at his peak. When did that change, how long had it been Rika and only Rika occupying his thoughts? But here he was blissed-out with thoughts of someone else and right now that was exactly how he wanted to be.