A/N: And I'm back! It was nice to have a little break, but I'm also glad to be writing again. This chapter is a little less heavy, and also features a character who had yet to make an appearance in this story, so I hope you enjoy!
Rain pattered steadily against the glass pane of the mostly empty café. MC's fingers absentmindedly drummed to the same rhythm against the disposable cup, little currents of warmth through her cold body.
For the fiftieth time that afternoon, her eyes darted away from the haziness of the bustling street side to the stillness of her phone on the table. She blew out her cheeks at the lack of notifications. Five days…it had been five days since she'd seen her boyfriend, so phone calls and texts were the only things keeping them in contact.
She understood the situation with Saeran, so she didn't complain when Saeyoung's phone calls were short. But she would be lying if she said she wasn't starting to feel lonely.
Since V's funeral, the rest of the RFA had been busy or unreachable, in Yoosung's case. Saeyoung had told her to start looking through old files in Rika's apartment to pass the time. Since she agreed to continue her position as the RFA party coordinator, she spent most of her hours doing so. But, soon enough, guest names and information began blurring in her head—and eyes—and she needed a break. Who knew the reprieve would be more painful than the work?
Small vibrations rattled against the surface, and her heart slammed against her ribs in anticipation. She picked up the phone, her fingers shaking from the poor combination of caffeine and eagerness. So much so that she had to put the device back down to read the contact name.
Jumin Han.
She rolled her eyes, pouting at the disappointment. She let the call go to voicemail.
Jumin had been calling MC a lot lately. He'd call in the morning, and ask if she needed something…and proceed to ask of Saeyoung's whereabouts. He'd have Jaehee call in the afternoon to ask if MC was doing well in Rika's old apartment…and then not-so discreetly ask of Saeyoung's whereabouts. Once more in the evening, if MC even bothered to pick up then, he would again ask of Saeyoung's whereabouts.
MC had never been subject to torture—drugs, maybe, thanks to the ordeal at Mint Eye, but never torture. Still, the amount of calls the man sent her way rivaled that of her own boyfriend, and she wondered if she would eventually break if it persisted another few days.
She was nearing that breaking point when her phone lit up a few minutes later, the CEO's name perfectly visible on the screen. With a surrendered sigh, she answered and pressed the speaker to her ear. "Good afternoon, Jumin. I'm doing well, thank you. No, I'm not going to tell you where Saeyoung is. So, how is work?"
To her surprise, he actually chuckled. "Work is busy," he replied after a moment. The sound of shuffling papers always seemed to accompany the trustfund kid's calls. "But, work is always busy, which is why I'm giving up on asking about Saeyoung. There's no place he can be now other than his bunker, and I'm not bothering hiring an army just to reach him."
MC couldn't help the relief that ushered her next breath. "Sorry, Jumin," she said with a small smile. She leaned back in her seat, redirecting her attention to the water droplets streaking the window. "So, why did you call?"
Jumin let out a low hum, almost as if he were doubtful of that original decision. "V left his old apartment to Rika," he said finally. Despite the business air in the man's voice, there was no mistaking the hitch in his breath as he spoke of his two old friends. "So, I went there to remove the last of his things yesterday. There are a few items that I think belong to Saeyoung."
The box and Saeran's Christmas gift, MC guessed. "I would love to help, Jumin, but I can't exactly go there whenever I want," she said. "I don't have a car, since it's easy enough to walk or get public transport around town. And Saeyoung's bunker is a good distance away, still."
That and the fact that Saeran was still unstable at times.
"I see," he said. He inhaled deeply, and MC heard the creak of a chair. "I'm sending you a rental car. You can use it however long you need."
Her eyes widened, and she scrambled to sit upright. Scattered protests flew from her lips, but she was pretty sure they were far from coherent. Silencing herself for a moment, she shook her head and forced her tongue to listen to her brain. "You're very generous, Jumin, but I can't ask you to—"
"I don't often give things for free," he replied, a hardness barely masking the fondness in his tone. "But if you insist, consider it an exchange. You deliver the box, and you can borrow the car for a little while. Trust me. I have plenty of cars at my disposal."
MC's mouth hung open, another protest begging to be released. But…it had already been almost a week since she'd seen Saeyoung, and the detachment was carving a hallow behind her ribs. Even if she could have five minutes…
"That's not an even trade," she demurred further.
Jumin exhaled sharply, obviously not thrilled at being challenged. He cleared his throat. "Very well. As you already know, I've been researching the actual scope of Mint Eye. There might be some things in Rika's apartment that I may ask to look at briefly."
"Okay, just let me know," she agreed. She licked her lips. "Th-thank you, Jumin."
"Of course," he said dismissively. "You're a part of the RFA, and to me, the RFA is family. You know how I feel about family, MC."
A small chuckle edged up her throat. "Yes, Jumin. But really…thank you. Not just for this, but…everything so far."
There was a long silence. MC would've assumed he hung up if it weren't for the ringing of office phones drifting through the line. When he spoke again, a heaviness cloaked his words. "You're welcome, but…my only hope is to unite the RFA again. To make us better. It's what V would've wanted, I think. No…I know."
MC's lips tugged downward. "Hey... if you ever need to talk—"
"I appreciate the offer," he said, another deep laugh resounding through his speech. "But, I am fine, MC. I'm sorry to cut our conversation short, but I have some things to attend to. I'll deliver the box and car to you this evening. Give Saeyoung my regards as well. Good bye."
She set the phone down onto the table with yet another sigh. Jumin's demeanor worried her, but as she was constantly reminded since joining the RFA, she couldn't always fix everyone. But to see everyone broken… it hurt like hell.
She rubbed her eyes and attempted to stretch her legs out in the small booth. She wasn't expecting a person's legs to brush against her own. She jumped in her seat, and her knee rammed against the top.
She bit back a cry and looked up to see who had invaded her little space. For the second time in her life, she came face-to-face with one of the most beautiful people in perhaps the whole of South Korea.
Zen's hand covered his dazzling smile. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."
MC breathed into a laugh. Relief swam over her in waves. It wasn't because the stranger happened to be completely safe and not some creep. But because for the first time in days, she actually had company—not over a device.
"It's good to see you, Zen," she said sincerely. They had met at V's funeral, but the circumstances didn't warrant a friendly conversation. It was nice to see him casual…and a little more carefree.
"Same to you," he replied, cradling a coffee cup of his own. "I saw you when I came in, and I couldn't resist joining you. You looked so lonely."
MC rubbed her neck, eyes absently straying to the side. "Am I that obvious?"
It was his turn to jump. He leaned forward on the table in an almost conspiratorial manner. "I was saying a joke, but you really feel that way? Do I need to scold Saeyoung for making his girlfriend feel upset?"
MC waved her hands frantically, hoping to stop him before he really did call up the red head—or worse, just go there in person. When it came to Zen, she didn't doubt it. And knowing Saeyoung, he would take the admonition deeply, and that would not end well.
"No, no!" she said. "It's not…It's not Saeyoung's fault. I just haven't left the apartment much. Guess I got spoiled after a month-long road trip with my boyfriend, huh?"
She attempted at a joking spirit, but it soon dissolved into awkward chuckles when he didn't respond accordingly. Any spark of playfulness diminished, leaving traces of the same sadness that seemed to plague all the RFA members lately. His gaze fell onto his cup, and his thumbs traced along the edges. "You know, we didn't get to talk much at the funeral," he began. Reluctance exuded from the man despite his laidback posture and easy-going mien. "Are you okay? I mean after everything…"
MC snorted, self-consciously tugging at her long sleeves. "I got a few scratches from Mint Eye," she said with shrug. "Besides that, everything has been busy, so I guess it's helping me get back to normal."
"But that's what I'm afraid of," Zen said, sitting forward again. He bit his lip and met her eyes. "How can I explain this? So…there was a friend I knew awhile back—er—when I was in that motorcycle gang. He had some sort of escapade involving a life or death situation, and afterwards he seemed normal. Everything was back to routine, and that's when it hit him. It was weeks later, and he just started breaking."
MC took a sip of her coffee. It was lukewarm now, but she was glad of the brief pause. She didn't want to admit that she had been thinking much of the same. She had been fine after the whole ordeal. Too fine...almost distant. And that terrified her. "What happened to him?"
Zen shrugged. "He got over it eventually, but…he changed. Everyone does when something traumatic happens."
"I'm fine, though," the words wandered off her tongue more as a question.
"Good," Zen nodded, his hand patting hers. He gave a half smile. "But even if you're not and you need support, that's okay too. You're strong, but not invincible. You should be careful."
MC fiddled with the lid of her cup. She was aware of Zen's pervasive gaze, but she avoided it. She hated being reminded of that fact. She was so accustomed to being driven by helping others, that it was almost painful to be told that she was human and needed others just as much. Especially when those around her were in need of strength. "Funny," she muttered. "Saeyoung said something similar to me the other day."
Zen slammed the flat of his hand against the table. He gave an approving thrum and nodded his head vigorously. He really was an actor…drama and all. "That boy has a sensible side after all! I approve," he said. His facial expression switched into an instant, and for a second, MC was really convinced he was a threatening older brother. "But that doesn't mean you can let your guard down. If he gets too close or if he starts talking in a really deep, husky voice, you back away—or kick him really hard in the—"
"Zen!" she burst, heat flushing her face. She pressed a hand to her cheek, glaring when he cracked up laughing.
"Young love is very funny," he finished with a flourishing sigh.
"You speak like you're an old man," MC said, satisfied when he actually looked insulted. She leaned her elbows on the table, her embarrassment fueling her to change the subject as quickly as possible. "And what about you? Are you okay?"
His smile faltered, and once again, gloominess draped over the tiny booth like a thick curtain. He pulled out his phone and checked something, though MC figured it was more of an excuse to prepare some sort of answer. "I am. I mean…I have a lot of questions, but I think the answers aren't as important to me as they are to Yoosung."
MC hadn't seen or heard from the blond since V's funeral. She knew he hadn't taken the death or Rika's current mental state well, but besides that…
"Is he still attending school and everything alright?" she asked.
Zen shook his head with a tight-lipped smile. "He insists on taking care of Rika. I've tried convincing him, but…he's really attached to her."
MC stiffened at the mention of the woman. She bit down on her tongue before a scoff escaped. Bitterness harbored around her insides, overwhelming the pity she had once held for the woman. Even when she wasn't running a cult, Rika seemed to have a tight hold over people. Poor Yoosung…
"Right there," Zen blurted. His eyes studied her face, and a coldness engulfed his features. "You, Jaehee, Jumin…you all get that same face whenever Rika comes up. Like you're sad, but also angry. Why?"
She parted her lips, but she couldn't find the words. Resurfacing guilt impeded any quick response, and she knew the delay only flared Zen's suspicions. How she wished Saeyoung was there right now. He was the one who knew how to smooth things over when it came to the RFA's secrets-not her.
"Let me guess. You can't tell me," Zen said. It was the first time she had heard any real vitriol behind his voice. But she couldn't begrudge him for it. When Jumin and Jaehee first suggested hiding what really happened, MC's conscience screamed. But she also saw the complexity of the situation. Rika…V…both of them were so entangled into the lives of people that the truth could do more damage than good if revealed at a poor time. Not to mention the consequences if an official investigation began…
She shook her head apologetically. His scowl softened, but hurt flickered across his face. "Zen, I'm sorry," MC emphasized.
"I know," he said, digging into his pocket. He pulled out a pack of cigarettes, setting them on the table preemptively. He interlaced his fingers together and rested his woven hands on the table. "Do you want to know the best relationship advice I've ever gotten?"
MC froze at the sudden non-sequitur. "Communication is key?" she drawled.
He downed his coffee like it was a shot of alcohol instead of a probably blazing hot beverage. The way he gazed longingly at his cup, she wondered if he didn't wish it were. He wiped his upper lip against his jacket. "That too, but no. It was this. Honesty is like rain. It can be messy, damaging, and sometimes uncomfortable. But it's necessary for anything to flourish."
MC tugged the end of her ponytail. "I have a feeling you're not just talking about romantic relationships."
Zen chest rose in a deep breath. He flipped open his pack of cigs and slid one out. "You're smart, MC. I trust you'll make the right decision," he said with a wink. He gathered his things and stood. "I'm sorry, but my break is over. Call me if you need anything, and…remember what I said about taking care of yourself."
She nodded, forcing a smile even if shame threatened to batter her spirits. "You too."
He patted her head before departing. The jingle of the bells finalized his exit, and MC was once again left in solitude. She glanced around, suddenly noticing the influx of couples in the place. The sight accentuated the growing cavity inside her chest, and she quickly turned away.
When her phone vibrated against the table a second later, she swore Saeyoung was a wizard who could read her mind.
Saeyoung: I miss you…
The text simultaneously emphasized and filled the emptiness inside her. She wasted no time shooting back a reply.
MC: Me too…if I said I had transportation, could I come see you tonight?
Saeyoung: Please... I'll be waiting for your call.
She frowned at the uneasy feeling swirling in her gut. The tiredness she had been hearing in his voice the past few days was now leaking into his texts. With a sigh, she slid her phone into her pocket.
Despite the excitement rushing through her veins as she exited the shop and stepped into the drizzling rain, her conversation with Zen wouldn't stop replaying in her head. Right now, the RFA was recovering. Jumin was mourning, Saeyoung was opening up slowly, Jaehee probably was regaining trust, and Yoosung was falling even deeper into the pit he was stuck in before. But even when all of that was over, would they be able to become the RFA again with so many secrets?
Looking back at the organization history, she wasn't so sure…
She was part of this family now. She cared for them—all of them—deeply, and she wouldn't be able to stand it if they were torn apart by more hiddenness. As she pulled herself onto a bus, she made a promise to herself.
She didn't know how or when, but somehow, she was going to fix this schism once and for all. And this time, she would do it with the truth.
A/N: Oh, MC...are you breaking too?
I hope you guys enjoyed this lighter chapter. The past few have been angst and plot heavy, I know. But, I think MC has a lot coming for her yet. Anyway, I hope to hear your thoughts this week, and I hope you have a non-suckish Monday (if it's not already Monday in your timezone). Thanks for reading, and I will see you next time:)