Family dinners were awkward. Very much so. Mina looked around the table with a grimace. Taerin and Taeyong were avoiding each other. Jeno was probably trying his best not to choose sides with his siblings. Haechan was silent. Ten shared similar thoughts and feelings with Mina. Mark was still in Canada and Uncle Lee was at the head of the table trying to make small talk.
Uncle Lee: So-
Ten: Uncle, I think its time we address it. Its been a week. Not sharing that information with the rest of us had Mina in serious danger. A Claw helped her out of there. That's gotta sting.
Uncle Lee: I know. But it was all Taeyong's decision-
Taeyong: Yes I know... I messed up but its only because i really thought it was supposed to be a minor attempt like the file said.
Haechan: Maybe you should ask the person you got the file from.
Taeyong sent him a glare but quickly faced Mina again.
Taeyong: I'm sorry. I should have thought it out through and shouldn't have underestimated the Reapers of all things.
Mina: Its okay... but you still need to share the file with us. And I know that it was Doyoung who gave it to you.
Taerin and Jeno's eyes widened. Haechan suspiciously didn't have any reaction to it.
Taeyong: How did you-
Mina: It wasn't too hard to get Ten to spill what he knew and i figured the rest on my own.
Taerin: You got help from the son of the boss of our rival and didn't mention it to anyone?
Taeyong: Well...
Taerin: Seriously Tae?
Taeyong: I got it, I messed up big time.
Taerin: Yeah no shit. Hand over the file.
Taeyong: what?
Taerin: You heard me. File.
Mina and Ten shared a look of concern that was soon cast over to the present boss, knowing very well that the twins were about to break into another fight.
Uncle Lee: Okay calm down, Taerin. Taeyong will keep the file.
Taerin: But dad-
Uncle Lee: And Taeyong, you should start sharing it with everyone.
Mina: Yeah. No more secrets okay?
Taeyong and Haechan shared a look that didn't say much, except the fact that maybe they did have a serious secret shared only between them.
---
Jaehyun held his coat close around him as he made it to the supermarket in the dark. Once he was inside the warmth from the heater made him sigh in relief.
It was getting really cold here in the US. His mother was well resting and asked for strawberries despite it being almost midnight. But who was he to deny her of any comfort. Undoubtedly Jaehyun would do anything for his mother. She was the sole person he held so much respect for, so much so that he almost didn't have much to give others.
He stood in front of the fruits with a frown. They looked fine. But he hadn't shopped by himself for so long that he couldn't tell much of a difference.
Suddenly the hair on Jaehyun's neck perked up and he turned right in time as Mark pushed him back and pressed a gun against his temple.
A few things clattered down and the two glanced at the worker by the counter. She looked over in a bored look and continued to chew her gum before looking back at her phone as if nothing was happening.
Girl: Just don't spill blood in here.
She muttered and ignored them. Jaehyun turned back to Mark who faced him again, tightening his grip on the older's collar and pressed the metal further against his forehead.
Mark: Are you following me?
Jaehyun: I should be asking you that. Why are you here?
Mark: You should know. You've been following me.
Jaehyun scoffed and tried to push Mark away but he wouldn't budge. So he just sighed and leaned back against the shelf.
Jaehyun: I meant- Shouldn't you be in Canada?
Mark: How... How did you know?
Jaehyun: Mina had mentioned it.
Mark stared at Jaehyun, not very fazed. But by the way Mark's eyes had widened an inch to nothing, Jaehyun knew that he was shocked.
Mark: Why are you talking to my sister?
Jaehyun: She told me not to tell you.
Not really, but I knew it was a sensitive topic, learnt from the girl herself.
Mark: Yeah right.
Jaehyun: Let me go, kid.
Hesitantly, but surely enough Mark let him go and tucked his gun away.
Jaehyun: What are you doing here anyway? Like I said, I expected you to be in another country.
Mark: I don't need to answer you.
Jaehyun: Come on man. Does Mina know you're here?
Mark: Why do you care?
He snapped and turned away to grab a bunch of bananas. Jaehyun took a stand next to him, eyeing the strawberries again.
Jaehyun: I'll take that as a no... You know I can just ring her up and tell her that her brother is in an entire different country.
The younger turned to Jaehyun, an accusing glare directed to him.
Mark: Can you mind your own business?
Jaehyun: I was. Until you sneaked up on me and held me at gunpoint.
Mark: You're my rival. I only let you go because I know my sister is not dumb to talk to you. If she is... she has a good reason to. Because she does hate your guts just as much as I do.
Jaehyun: Great. What a normal conversation to have.
Mark scoffed and turned back to the bananas in his hand, a blank stare in his eyes. He put the bananas back and looked through the fruits for a better bunch.
Jaehyun: You messed up a mission didn't you?
Mark: Back off man.
He picked his bananas and turned to head to the counter.
Jaehyun: I'm going to tell your sister.
Mark turned yet again, anger burning in his eyes and for once it didn't seem like it was directed towards Jaehyun.
Mark: Yes, I fucked up. And I'm kind of too embarrassed to tell my sister. Now keep it to yourself and don't tell my sister or I'm going to fucking kill you.
Jaehyun: Wow... like sister like brother. Even she likes to threaten me. But... you should probably inform her. If anything I have learnt about Mina is that she cares about you a bit too much.
Mark: Yeah right. That's why she has me in the dark about... this.
He pointed at Jaehyun and Jaehyun just rolled his eyes.
Jaehyun: Ever thought that she doesn't want to tell you because she is afraid you would get hurt? Or it would affect you? Cause it affected her, you're bound to get reactive too.
He thought for a moment and then sighed.
Mark: God I hate to say this, but you're right.
Jaehyun: I always am.
Mark scowled and muttered a small "bastard" before walking to the counter. Jaehyun picked up a random pack of strawberries and head to the counter as well. Mark glanced at him but overall ignored the elder.
Girl: Together or separate?
Mark: Separate.
The girl just got to billing. She didn't look very unfazed and it didn't sit right with Jaehyun. His eyes travelled to her employee badge that read her name.
Jaehyun: Yasmine?
She looked up to meet Jaehyun's eyes only for a second.
Jaehyun: How are you not afraid... of guns?
Yasmine: I mean... as long as its not pointed at me I couldn't care enough. You should be the one who is afraid, hottie no. 1. Hottie no. 2 almost killed you.
Mark: I'm no. 2? How is he no. 1?
Yasmine just shrugged and Jaehyun chuckled in disbelief. He turned to Mark.
Jaehyun: That's your concern?
This time Mark shrugged and the eldest sighed in disbelief. They payed for their fruits before he got back to the topic
Jaehyun: And if I point a gun at you?
Yasmine: Okay hottie no. 1. Clearly you have money and you don't need the twenty dollars in this cash register. I know you won't point the gun at me. And even if you did... I would much rather be okay with that than go home. Now get out will you? You're interrupting my drama time.
She held up her phone that had a video paused and went back to it.
Mark: Weird.
He muttered as they got out of the shop together.
Jaehyun: Tell me about it.
Mark: Oh hell no. We're not speaking anymore.
He strode off in another direction that Jaehyun couldn't care about enough.
I love this chapter, probably because of the Mark and Jaehyun interaction lol