Chapter Text
Hyunjin keeps a straight face as he feels a flock of people staring at him as he strides confidently, clad in a sleek, all-black Tom Ford suit. Although he was dying from the pain of the previous job that he had, he can’t ever let anyone see that.
Showing weakness is not an option.
Especially not for him.
He can feel his organization’s eyes all on him but no one dares to approach him. His regal aura dominates every turn he takes as he makes his way to his father’s office.
As Hyunjin approaches the imposing double doors.
Hell's door, as he calls it.
He halts for a brief moment, remembering Minho’s stern voice on the phone telling him his father has business with him, which is something out of the ordinary for him.
Hyunjin is curious.
What could his father possibly need that is this urgent that he needs to see him? His father rarely requests his presence unless something significant is at play.
Two well built men flanked the doors that lead to one of the most heavily secured rooms in the building. Hyunjin enters his father’s office and finds his father sitting on his sofa rather than at his desk, waiting for him with a cigarette tucked into his mouth.
Hyunjin knows what this means.
His father has a serious topic to discuss. The air feels different. Tenser, heavier than usual.
"You're late," his father says, his voice cold and detached.
Hyunjin bows, “good afternoon, father.”
His father, Myunbin, takes a puff from his cigarette. He ushers him to take a seat opposite him and Hyunjin does.
“Minho said that you wanted to see me,” Hyunjin says, waiting for his father to reveal the reason for his calling. His father taps his cigarette into the edge of the ashtray and hums.
Hyunjin is rarely anxious, his father teaching him to take control of his emotions from the age of eleven. But, he sees his finger slightly tremble as he waits for his old man to just spill what he needs from him.
Hyunjin loathes unexpected news the most.
“How is Minho? I haven't seen him in so long,” Myunbin notes.
Classic, Hyunjin thinks. His father never changes, always wondering about everyone else but his own son.
“He’s fine,” Hyunjin replies, voice monotone, clearly unimpressed with his father’s stalling and unnecessary conversations.
Myunbin nods, eyes on the window as he ponders, “any updates on Mitsuki?”
“Negative, we’ve been tracking him for days but he’s ought to show up. Dogs never stray that far from their owners.”
Myunbin hums.
A pause occurs. Hyunjin notices the air of anticipation building up in the room.
“I have a task for you, Hyunjin.”
I know, Hyunjin wants to say. For all his twenty five years, Hyunjin has never seen his dad seem anywhere remotely close to being anxious. But, Hyunjin can see a glimpse of that today. Hyunjin can guess it could be two things. Either the task that his dad has for him might kill him or it will piss him off. Hyunjin thinks it is pointing to the latter. His father is too heartless to care about Hyunjin’s life.
“An old friend reached out to me,” Myunbin starts.
Hyunjin nods, squinting his eyes.
“She asked me to keep her son safe. The Lee’s are after him.”
That’s it? That’s the task?
Hyunjin almost scoffs but keeps calm, “since when do we take such jobs? We are the fucking mafia, we’re not the feds.”
There.
His father’s eyes show a glint of softness. No one could have picked up that short second of his father’s mask falling off but Hyunjin can identify that from the years of surviving his father’s wrath.
“This friend… she must be very special for you to agree to this job,” Hyunjin remarked smugly.
Hyunjin can see his father’s gaze soften at Hyunjin’s statement, confirming Hyunjin’s suspicions.
There is only one woman who his father has ever loved his whole life.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t Hyunjin’s mother.
Hyunjin would know as he and his mother had to suffer the aftermath of his father seeing the woman he loves marry another man who was not him.
“Since I am the one running this organization and this is an important job, I thought I'd trust you with this operation. Afterall, you are my successor and you are the strongest one here, Hyunjin.”
Hyunjin tried his hardest to not let his expression waver but his fist betrayed him as it coiled tightly on his thigh. He can feel resentment throbbing strongly in his veins at his father’s blank face while saying those things.
“You call me in here to tell me I need to babysit your lover’s son?” Hyunjin spat coldly.
“Careful, Hyunjin,” Myunbin huffs, “she’s not my lover.”
“When was the last time you saw my mother, who I recall, is your wife?” Hyunjin asks. Although Hyunjin's tone was calm, he used so much acidity on each word he spat.
“Hyunjin, this is an order.”
Hyunjin is holding himself from spitting on the man in front of him. He can't believe his ears. He hasn't seen his father for months and this is what he calls to see him for. For another woman’s son.
Bullshit .
“He will be here today. You will pick him up from Barracuda tonight at 11. It can be no one else but you. The boy’s father is the leader of the Lee’s, you know how ruthless Hyunjae gets.”
“Do you not think this might all be a trap set by Hyunjae to destroy us, once and for all?”
“Hyeri wouldn't do that,” Myunbin said, “the boy is not involved at all with his father’s business. He lived in Australia his whole life, unaware of the underground life.”
Hyunjin stands up.
“Hyunjin.”
He sees his father’s expression turn cold in a millisecond, his mask quickly falling off. If it weren’t for the window blinds being open, he knew his replies would have earned him a strike. His father never disappointed him growing up, red bruises covering all of his body almost monthly. And he dares call another father ruthless?
“You dare to start a war against the Lee’s for a mere boy who doesn't even share our blood?”
“Hyunjin, any mark on that boy, and you will get it thrice.”
Hyunjin took a deep breath, willing himself to not give into his emotions, knowing that he needed more than just a bullet to take his father down. Maybe this operation could serve as the bullet he needed to destroy his father once and for all? Hyunjin speculates.
Hyunjin shakes in anger, trying his hardest not to go up to his father and murder him on the spot. With that, he doesn't even give his father a response and slams the door on his way out, feeling satisfied as he can hear the echoes of his father calling him.
Felix’s eyes were fixated on the nightlife of Seoul from outside the window inside a fancy Maybach that he never thought he’d ever get to ride. His tears almost spilled at the thought of the events that led to him leaving Sydney. He still remembers his mother frantically weeping, telling him the plan to get him into South Korea, not even giving him a day to pack.
It’s all because of him .
Felix’s father.
Lee Hyunjae.
Felix has never met him before but all he knows is that suddenly, after twenty three years of Felix living his life, he decides he wants to be a father again.
Felix was appalled when he witnessed the marks on his mother’s skin. His father’s hands were on her neck, threatening her life to tell him Felix’s whereabouts.
“Your father is a mob leader, a very evil one,” Felix remembers her mom explaining to him that night.
Finding out his father was a bad man broke Felix’s heart to pieces. And knowing he is threatening your mother’s life to look for his has shattered him completely. Which is why he is currently in this predicament.
He is trying his hardest not to shed a tear as he knows his mother probably feels the worst.
She had to sell her son’s soul to the devils just to be able to keep Felix safe.
“We have reached our destination,” Felix looks out the window at the bar he was told to go to.
Barracuda.
He nervously gets out of the car, remembering what his mother told him.
‘I contacted an old friend who is very strong, Felix. He will do his best to protect you. Please, trust your mother and go to this location.’
Felix makes his way into the bustling bar, telling the bartender his name. He notices the bartender’s eyes widen briefly before he discreetly signals to his colleague of Felix's arrival. His well-dressed peer smiles kindly at Felix before asking him to follow him.
Felix is taken into a room in the back. Its interior was dark and sleek. There was a huge mirror covering the ceiling. Rather than contemporary sofas, the room is furnished with traditional Japanese floor seating arranged around a black wooden table.
“Take a seat, Felix. I am Jisung. Food will be served for you in a bit, help yourself. If you need anything, I will be right outside of the door.” Jisung bows.
The man’s voice was deep, but not unkind, and Felix found himself relaxing despite the uncomfortable situation he was in.
Felix timidly nods before seeing Jisung exit the room. He tries to calm his heart that can’t seem to stop beating wildly. He will be meeting Seoul’s most baddest men and he isn’t sure what to expect.
“Fucking cunt,” Hyunjin fumes.
“Calm down, Hyunjin, otherwise we will die before we even reach the bar,” Minho scolds.
Hyunjin is currently speeding down the streets of Seoul, the traffic surveillance cameras flashing every ten minutes. But, Hyunjin could care less about the fines that he’ll be getting.
Hwang Hyunjin spent his whole life being a prisoner to his father’s cage of being his successor. His father is the leader of one of the biggest mob organizations in Asia. From a young age, Hyunjin barely knew anything about his father. His mother is the only one in his memories from his childhood.
Hyunjin owes his life to her, he never felt that he needed a dad as his mother fit that role perfectly. She was his mother and his father, two in one.
Hyunjin was ten when he witnessed his father landing a strike on his mother’s cheek for the first time. Myunbin came to visit them after not seeing them for seven years. What was meant to be a happy reunion for young Hyunjin quickly turned sour. Hyunjin immediately went to his mother’s aid. He ended up doing the right thing, but it cost him his own safety. His father’s new target was him. He hit Hyunjin that day until Hyunjin could barely see straight. He recalls his mother crying, begging for Myunbin to stop.
Minho is the only one who knows about all of this.
Growing up, Minho was the estate chef’s son. Naturally, due to Hyunjin’s home schooling, he was alone most of the time. But, Minho filled that gap pretty quickly. Hyunjin would be dead without Minho. He is the only one who had Hyunjin’s back growing up. He is the one who witnessed his fathers’s harsh beatings.
Minho will never forget Hyunjin vowing to him that he would be the one to take his father’s last breath. He can never forget the lethal look on Hyunjin's face when he uttered those words.
Hyunjin parked the car, getting out of it with Minho following.
Barracuda was a bar that his father owned. It was a popular establishment that served as a decoy for his father’s dirty antics.
“For all we know, we could be walking into our death trap right now,” Hyunjin scoffed.
As soon as they go in, the smell of booze invades Hyunjin’s nostrils. He can feel several women stare at him in attraction. It’s expected, he had his handsome features from his mother and the tall build of his father. Add on his status and his fighting skills and you have a group of women and occasionally, men, throwing themselves at him.
Hyunjin is tempted by a gorgeous man at the bar. The man fit his type: pretty and petite. Distracted by the man fluttering his lashes at him, he can hear Minho telling him to focus on the job, “you’ll earn your prize later.”
Minho called the bartender over, “where is he?”
“The black room.”
They both reach the room, seeing a familiar short man at the door. Hyunjin smirks as he sees Minho almost drooling at the male in front of the door.
Han Jisung.
Minho's crush has been ongoing for the past three years. Although Minho is the second strongest in the organisation, second to Hyunjin, he acts like a high school teenager when it comes to Jisung.
“Is he here?” Hyunjin asks, almost laughing at his quiet friend, who is obviously attracted to this man. So much for focusing on the job.
“Yes, sir.”
Hyunjin doesn't hesitate or wait for his lovestruck friend to lead him in before opening the sliding door harshly.
Hyunjin’s eyes lazily landed on the table first, not bothering to pay attention to the boy sitting. He notices his father’s 'new son' has not touched any of the food that he was given. Hyunjin sits on the cushion opposite him and grabs the bottle of soju, opting to pour for himself and Minho.
Then, Hyunjin’s eyes slowly glance up.
Lee Felix.
Hwang Hyunjin came in not expecting much. His father didn't show him any pictures so he barely had time or the resources to imagine what Lee Felix would look like. All he knew was that the man lived in Australia all his life. And that his father would kill to have him as his son. His father’s taste in women was disgusting, so he didn’t really expect Felix to be a looker. He expected Lee Felix to be the ugliest man on earth.
But, he surely didn't expect this .
Hyunjin is stunned, eyes fully focusing on the man in front of him.
He was a beauty.
Hyunjin almost laughed in disbelief at the irony.
Lee Felix looked like an angel.
An angel who should have never been brought near Hyunjin’s or his father’s realm.
The boy was fair and had freckles that decorated his cheeks prettily. His hair was a beautiful light shade of blonde, slightly longer than average, tucked at the back of his ears neatly.
His eyes, oh, his eyes were mesmerising, they were big and doe-like. Hyunjin almost gasped when he saw him blink, his features resembling an elf, alluring and soft.
His cheeks were slowly reddening, probably due to Hyunjin’s nonstop intense staring.
It was also probably Felix’s clothes that made Hyunjin think of him as an angel- his outfit consisted of a soft white fitted top, cream coloured shorts, and white knee high socks that Hyunjin managed to take a glimpse of from under the clear table. The icing on the cake was the white lace choker around his neck. It was all so virginal that it made Hyunjin lick his lips.
And the way he sat so timidly, with his tiny intertwined hands on the table. His fingers were so pretty and delicate. Hyunjin could see a slight shake in them, probably due to fear. Hyunjin felt his protective instinct kick in so bad. It was the complete opposite image of what Hyunjin expected.
Fuck.
“Ahem,” Minho coughs, trying to wake Hyunjin up from his trance.
“I am Lee Minho and this Hwang Hyunjin,” Minho says, “as you know, we will be the ones taking care of you for the next few months.”
Hyunjin sees the petite boy nod nervously. Hyunjin takes a sip from his drink, eyes never leaving the boy in front of him.
“I am F-Felix, it’s nice to meet you.”
Hyunjin hid his shock at the boy’s deep voice. It didn't suit his face at all but it was strangely attractive to Hyunjin’s ears.
“As your mother requested, you will be under our protection. We would love it if you cooperated with us. It’s for your safety afterall.”
“Yes, of course,” Felix bit his lips.
Hyunjin carried on sipping from his glass, not even offering a handshake or a nod of acknowledgement. His expression remained blank even as he carried on staring at the man in front of him, making the younger feel self-conscious.
Hyunjin then decides to speak up.
“You will be residing with me, we already had the driver take your bags to my penthouse. You are not to leave anywhere without my permission. Since I do run this organization, there are days where I won’t be home. Whenever I am not home, you will have men guarding the apartment of course,” Hyunjin explains.
Felix’s eyes turned glossy at that, feeling his heart drop. Hyunjin won't lie and say it didn't spike his heartbeat but he won't let it affect him. This boy was his job. A job from his disgusting father so no way in hell will he satisfy him and give in to his father’s debauchery.
Hyunjin shouldn't get deceived by Felix's looks. Anything his father loves is probably disgusting just like him. This boy and his mother were the reason why Hyunjin’s mother was hit every time his father came to visit them at their estate. Felix was the reason his pure and innocent mother suffered so badly.
“Your outings will be limited, especially the next few weeks. When you need to go out, you have to tell me where you are going, who you are going with. I will have my men escort you all the time.”
Hyunjin felt heartless when he saw the boy’s dejected face, he almost pitied him.
Almost.
But then he kept on remembering that this is the son of the woman who was the cause of the abuse that his mother went through. Felix’s mom is the one who pushed Hyunjin to grow up without a father. That fact left such a bitter taste in Hyunjin’s mouth.
He can feel Felix judging him, but he is used to being under scrutiny from people all his life. But just a glance into this boy’s sad and soft eyes, and Hyunjin already feels, dare he says, bad. Felix could potentially be dangerous if he carried on looking at Hyunjin with these eyes.
Hyunjin grew up knowing that bullets were the most dangerous if they came against your heart. But he never thought danger could be in the form of a small petite male whose eyes were the softest Hyunjin has ever seen. Hyunjin must maintain his distance. Hyunjin suspects it's probably in this boy’s genes to corrupt men and lead them astray, just like what Felix’s mother did to his father. And Hyunjin definitely doesn't want history to repeat itself.
“If I may interrupt, I would like to carry on with my studies and attend university, is that fine?” Felix asked softly.
“That can be sorted out, but as I said before, expect my men to be near you at campus all the time,” Hyunjin said, not failing to notice Felix’s rosy cheeks as he looked at him.
Seems like the attraction is mutual.
“I am truly sorry about the situation I am putting you in, both of you. It’s truly not in my hands. I promise to cooperate and not cause the both of you any trouble,” Felix said as he kept his head down, fidgeting with his hands nervously.
Hyunjin’s eyes widened as a tear managed to fall from the soft boy’s eyes. He felt Minho stiffen next to him, probably not expecting the boy to be this soft either. Hyunjin wishes it was another man. An annoying piece of shit who Hyunjin can hate. But, so far, the boy in front of him showed him nothing but pure eyes and a gentle heart. Felix wasn't the boy who Hyunjin had in mind.
Hyunjin is conflicted.
Felix showing tears had taken Hyunin aback. From the situation that Felix was put in, the man’s tone had remained kind, resigned maybe, but without a hint of malice nonetheless at all.
Still, Hyunjin refuses to feel sorry for this man.
Hyunjin scoffed, “I am one of the leaders of the biggest mob organisation in Asia, and the fact that i have to babysit you is a fucking pain in the ass. So if you think crying is your way of cooperating, then you are not sorry.”
Hyunjin knew he was harsh. He felt Minho look at him angrily. But Hyunjin didn’t care.
This is for the better.
Felix feels caged. He feels sick to his stomach at his new life. But he knows it's for his safety and he knows his mom already has a lot on her plate, he doesn't want to add more burden on her shoulders.
Felix didn't expect Hwang Hyunjin to look like this. He only remembers his mom telling him she trusts an old friend who will keep her safe. And that his son will be personally protecting Felix from harm’s way.
Felix was too shy to look up at first when the man came in but as a heavy silence carried on, Felix lifted his eyes up timidly and blushed at the sight he saw.
Hyunjin was a sight.
He was pale.
His unfathomable, dark eyes were striking and contrasted well with his jet black, long hair. They were so deep and seductive. Felix was able to catch a glimpse of a mole underneath his left eye which only added to the alluring vibe that he portrays.
His features were sharp and the way he had his first couple of buttons of his blouse open, giving Felix a glimpse of his tattooed chest, was so enticing. He takes a peek at the tattoos that seem to go from his neck to underneath his top. He makes out a snake and some letters in Japanese that Felix would never even try to guess what they mean as he only knows how to say hello in the said language.
Felix blinked.
The man in front of him was so intimidating.
The moment they made eye contact, Felix knew this man was dangerous. Hyunjin’s eyes held so much experience and looked so intense for someone so young.
Felix felt himself blush at how the man in front of him can’t stop intensely staring at him. He can tell the mafia man is not happy with Felix’s appearance in his life. Felix can also deduce that the man in front of him usually never takes orders but gives them. But there was something else that Hyunjin’s sharp eyes were conveying that Felix couldn’t put his fingers on… attraction?
Felix would be flattered if so, as the taller was even more handsome than what Felix ever imagined.
He was definitely what Felix likes.
“Whenever you need to go out, you have to tell me where you are going, who you are going with. I will have my men escort you.”
Felix knew this was going to happen but it still sucked hearing it. Why can’t Felix live like any normal twenty three year old? Why did Felix get to have a psychotic dad who intended to hurt him and his mom?
Felix felt his heart break when he heard the man in front of him speak so harshly. Felix tried to dry his tears but it was out of his control.
He then saw the man in front of him stand up, “Minho, take him back to the apartment. I have some business I need to tend to,” Felix sees the man say to his friend.
“Hyunjin, this is not the time to play around,” Minho says sternly, earning a smug look from the Mafia leader.
Hyunjin opens the door and ushers Jisung to go in. Hyunjin gives Minho a smirk before looking at Felix, “Jisung, you are responsible for Felix when he starts his studies on campus. Please, accompany Minho and take the kid to my penthouse.”
Just before exiting the room, Hyunjin’s eyes focused on Felix, gaze lingering as he gave him one last look.
Felix felt rooted to his spot.
He felt like a prisoner to Hyunjin’s strong gaze. Although it felt like an hour as the duo stared at each other, in reality, it was only a minute. A full on sixty seconds and Felix’s breath was already caught in his throat.
Then, Felix looked elsewhere shyly, too intimidated by Hyunjin’s keen staring. And just as he looks back again, he sees Hyunjin exiting the room.
As soon as Hyunjin leaves, Felix feels Minho’s eyes on him, “finish your food before we leave."
Felix timidly nods before taking a small bite from the sushi that's in front of him.
“Did you get your car?” Felix sees Minho ask Jisung.
“Yes.”
“Alright, we’ll take it to the penthouse.”
Minho and Jisung wait for Felix to be fed before leaving the bar. As Felix gets escorted out of the room and back into the main area of the bar, his eyes immediately spot a familiar head of pitch black hair sitting with another man at the bar. Felix stares as he sees Hyunjin’s hands trail down the man’s back, eyes seductive and full of lust. Felix stops walking as he looks at the sight.
He softly gasps when he sees Hyunjin’s eyes land on him as he whispers into the man’s ears. Hyunjin’s eyes got him rooted to his spot. Jisung is calling out to him but his ears go deaf as he stares into Hyunjin’s deep, dark orbs. Felix feels… strange. When Hyunjin finally breaks eye contact, Felix finally walks out of the bar.
There is only silence in the car as Minho and Jisung take Felix to his new residence. Felix would text his mom just to tell her he is safe, but she forbade him from reaching out in fear of them getting caught. He can feel his throat clogging up, tears are threatening to fall. But, he can't cry. Not now.
Felix feels himself doze off, his body still trying to overcome the jet lag. Half an hour later, Jisung starts shaking him off, alarming him that they have reached Hyunjin’s penthouse.
“Follow my lead,” Minho said, as he motioned the duo to follow him.
“This will be your temporary home,” Minho said as he opened the doors to where he will be staying temporarily. Felix took the chance and looked around his room. The room was gorgeous. It's bigger than the one in Sydney but only by a few. The bed was big and had drapes decorating it. There was a high ceiling window that looked into the beautiful view of the city. The decor was kept to a minimal.
Oh, Felix wishes his mother was here too, she would’ve fit in the bed with him alright.
“Felix,” Minho calls, interrupting Felix’s short self tour.
“Yes?”
“I advise you to keep to yourself, ” Minho’s gaze softened, “as you know, we are not the police.”
Felix’s mouth opened slightly before he closed it again, “s-sure, Minho. Thank you.”
“And, here, this is the phone that you should be using.”
Felix took the phone from Minho’s hand, “Hyunjin’s contact is on speed dial. I put my number in and Jisung’s too.”
“If you need anything, text me. If I don't reply, text Jisung. Hyunjin should be your last option,” Felix bites his lip.
“But, in case of an actual emergency, call Hyunjin immediately without hesitating,” Minho said before wishing him good night and closing the door.
Felix looked around the room. Only when he was in the safety of his own presence did he let his mind wander back to his earlier conversation with Hyunjin.
All of the tears that were waiting to spill at the bar started falling. Felix cried that night and hugged himself to sleep. He remembers he heard Jisung knocking on the door for him but Felix ignored that in favor of resting. He cried even harder remembering his mother and wishing she was here. He feels as lonely as ever.