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sweetinsaniiity · 22 days ago

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Sick, Little Games (PART II) Bonus Chapter Kinktober 2024 Special

► 𝙿𝚊𝚒𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐 - psycho!mafia!mingi x fem!reader!Y/N ◄

► 𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎/𝙰𝚄 - mafia au, plot with heavy smut (warnings below), established relationship, !dom Mingi, he's !sweet to you, a !dick to others, !toxic Mingi, but so is the reader, fourth wall break if you squint, my beta said it was funny (?), extreme jealousy, possessiveness, gaslighting, union, expecting, betrayal, reading is !passive aggressive, bullying (not by ML), college setting for Y/N, Mingi is a !smoker ◄

► 𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐/𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐 - PG-18+ so MDNI!!!, Mingi has a !filthy and !offensive mouth, BDSM, hate sex, restraint (via chains), corruption kink, Mingi is a !sadist, so reader has !masochistic tendencies, spanking, hair pulling, hard biting, cock riding, doggy position, overstimulation, pain and pleasure, blood play (from biting lips), pussy eating, free use (rough consensual), anal fingering, anal fucking (via vibrator only), ass play, double penetration (with vibrator), cum shot, cum swallowing, cum swapping, no protection (DO NOT DO THIS!!!!), violence as !mafia members towards others, cursing, offensive language ◄

► 𝚆𝚘𝚛𝚍 𝙲𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚝 - 25K+ words ◄

► 𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜 - You try to maneuver your life while being the prized obsession possession of the esteemed mafia lord, Song Mingi. After that fateful night in the subway a year ago, it hasn't been easy. His possessive and overbearing nature, and not to mention his jealousy, has been rough on your relationship. His overprotectiveness towards you has left you feeling like you're not your own person anymore. There were times were you think you can't take it, but Mingi doesn't mind, he'll just tie you up again like he did before. And this time, he'll do it even tighter. ◄

► 𝙽𝚘𝚝𝚎𝚜 - This is the bonus (and last) chapter for Sick, Little Games due to popular demand! I wasn't going to do it, but a lot of you have requested it, so here it is! Not a standalone fic, I would HIGHLY recommend reading the first part here so you get a gist of what Mingi's personality was and how it connects to this one as well as Y/N's perspective before the relationship. ◄

► 𝚃𝚊𝚐𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝 - @ginger-mingi @0rangemilk @ruubyrubes @oddracha @jaytheatiny @juicy-red @cheolliehugs (let me know if you want to be added in the permanent list!) @roxannecos ◄

► 𝙽𝚎𝚝s - @cultofdionysusnet @wonderlandnet @othersideoutlawsnetwork @whipped-kpop-creators @illusionnet @pirateeznet ◄

“Come on, babydoll, you can do it,” he smirked as beads of sweat started to roll from his forehead down to his chin. His voice was hoarse from pleasure and his grip on my hips were getting tighter. “Give it to me.”

I bit my lip and sucked on it in anticipation. Mingi raised his eyebrows at my refusal to move even though he could see how red my face was from all the work.

"Don't play with me, Y/N. It's not a good idea," his fingers dug on my skin even harder and I was pretty sure it would leave marks the next day. "Move."

"How am I supposed to ride you properly if you're pushing my hips down?" I hissed.

His eyes narrowed into dangerous slits before he lifted me by the waist and then roughly slammed me down and effectively impaling me on his cock. I screamed out loud when I felt him hit that sweet spot he knew that made me hot and bothered.

"Mingi, please," I whimpered, my shaking hands finding their place on his toned chest where the 'A' tattoo laid. I felt him tense underneath from my touch, it made his cock twitch inside me and I couldn't help but bite my cheek in the pleasurable sensation.

"Hey, this isn't my fault," he cheekily said, his hands trailing from my stomach, and then higher until he groaned when he palmed my tits. "This is the consequence of your actions around me."

"You know I hate when you do this," I pouted. I gripped his shoulders before I completely wrapped my arms around his neck. "You can't just manipulate me into fucking you, if you want me, just ask."

He shifts from sitting down to completely laying down, his cock effectively going deeper inside me as I straddled him. "Now where's the fun in that?"

I gasped when he suddenly grabbed my shoulder and pulled me down. "Now fuck me, and you better fuck me good or you're not getting up from this bed."

"What---oh!" I sputtered out when his hips bucked up so he could fuck me even though I was on top.

I whimpered when he grabbed a handful of my hair and roughly turned my head towards his to capture my lips in a rougher kiss while his other hand firmly held my ass and pushed it down to deepen his cock inside me.

"M-Mingi, yes, you feel so good i-inside me," I moaned out after he had driven deeper in my core, my head swimming in pleasure until all I could think of was how cock dumb Mingi always made me.

I heard him moan against my ear. "Yeah? Only for you, my love," he planted a quick kiss on the side of my head as his thrusts got sloppier. "Only for you."

All I gave him were my loud moans as I bounced up and down to meet his thrusts. Soft, vanilla sex has never been a thing between me and Mingi, but I swear I fall in love with him every single time I try and see him restrain himself so he wouldn't hurt me.

I grabbed his face so he could look at me and I almost came at how dark and seductive his eyes were. "Come inside me," I was breathless, but it was like I stole his breath with how his cock seemed to harden even more inside me, if that was possible.

"Fuck, babygirl, you always take my cock so well," he gritted his teeth. He groaned lowly when I clenched around his length. "Oh, fuck, I'm gonna fucking come---"

The warm gush of his semen triggers my own orgasm, albeit weaker since this was probably my third ever since we started, but it was still mind-blowing, nonetheless.

I collapsed on top of him while we both rode out our highs, with him still inside me. After a couple of minutes, I felt him shuffle a bit and I saw him grab the familiar packet of cigarettes he always kept after we have sex.

"Want one?" he offered me. I shook my head and he hummed in acceptance. "Want this to be the last time I ever ask you?"

"Yes," I whispered out, eyes still closed. He always offers me out of respect and out of pressure to try it. I have never been interested in smoking, but I didn't mind anyone who did. It wasn't my business.

Mingi's love is what I would describe as soothing. It's been a year since we got together, and it wasn't smooth sailing, but I never loved him any less.

Like right now, I could fall asleep with how he slowly rubbed my back soothingly. It was difficult to believe that this was the Don that everyone literally feared and respected.

"So, university next week?" Mingi gruffly asked as he puffed out smoke from his lips. I hummed out a small 'mhhm' in response. "Hmm," he hummed back. "Who's dropping you off?"

"I'm not too sure," I tried to avoid eye contact. "Everyone has been busy training, I didn't want to impose."

I moaned softly when Mingi pulled out from me and laid me on the bed beside him after covering me gently with the blanket. "Nonsense," he raised a brow, his face turning serious. "And don't lie to me."

I blinked at him repeatedly, my heart beating fast in nervousness, but in the end, I gave in. "Please, I'm not incapable," I frowned. "I can take myself to school, I can drive or take the bus---"

"Stop talking," he closed his eyes and rubbed his temples with his fingers. "I don't want to hear it."

Hot, red, searing rage seeps into my bones and I sit up in anger, not bothering to cover my exposed chest. "Mingi, you can't just shut me out whenever I want to say something."

He takes the cigarette in between his index and middle finger and taps it, the ashes slowly falling on a tray as his eyes slowly rakes over my exposed skin before he smirks. "Seonghwa will escort you to college," he stares at me, eyes firm and absolute. "And that's final."

I had this blinding urge to scream at him and unleash all my frustrations, but before I could, he sits up and covers me up before he wraps his arms all over me. It would have been sweet had I not been mad.

"If you know what's good for you, you'll listen to me," he sighed. "It might seem harsh, but I'm trying to protect you. I'll burn this world if something bad happens to you."

I understood, I really did. Now that I have been exposed to this world, there's always a chance that, for example, a vindictive enemy might take me and use me to their advantage because I was Mingi's biggest weakness.

He tried very hard to hide me so I'd be safe, but that could only last so long and the next thing we knew, random people would bow to me in respect in random places. Mingi had cursed hard back then, it meant that the word had spread.

"It's like you don't trust me to take care of myself," I couldn't help but resent him.

"That's not true, my love," Mingi frowned. "I trust you, it's them I don't trust."

He lifts up a small box for me to see. I didn't even notice him getting it. "Open it," he grinned excitedly after I took it from him.

The most beautiful bluish-purplish ring bestowed itself upon me. I raised a brow in curiosity as I took it from its case and examined it against the light. I couldn't help but be in awe, and Mingi seemed to be pleased.

"What is this?" I asked as the light shone through it, a sudden viridescence from it making me raise my brows.

"This," he began, grabbing my hand and inserting the ring on my middle finger. "Is what we call an alexandrite, my water lily."

"It's beautiful," I stated truthfully. "But you know I don't like flashy things."

"No," he wiggled fingers playfully. "You said you didn't like diamonds, we never agreed upon anything else."

I rolled my eyes. There was no escaping how scheming and cunning he was. "Where'd you get it? They are rare here."

"Oh, from that guy we were dealing with from last month," he shrugged, crushing the cigarette butt on the tray to put it out. "I got it from him."

I paused for a bit, then frowned deeply. "You mean that deal you had? That guy hates your guts," I pointed out in confusion. I squinted my eyes when I saw his lips threatening to smirk. "What was he doing?"

"He was pretty busy," he stated nonchalantly.

"Busy as in?"

"Busy, uh," Mingi cleared his throat as he got up from the bed and began dressing up. "You know, busy passing away..."

I almost reeled in shock, not because of what he said, but how nonchalant he was over it. But I suppose it was his line of work after all, so I can't really say anything about it. I was perfectly fine with Mingi's world not revolving around me.

If only he could slow down on hovering over me, however.

"You killed him," I deadpanned, unimpressed. "For the ring?"

"Well, yeah," he was fiddling his tie and then sighed in defeat. "But not necessarily for that alone---kitten, can you fix this for me?"

I gingerly put a bathrobe on and began tying it for him. "You know you can't buy my affection," I looped the tie once before pulling it. "But thank you, I appreciate it."

He eyed the ring on my finger in satisfaction before bending down to give me a quick kiss. "I'll be back in a couple of days, call Hongjoong if you need me, but until then, behave for me."

I hummed. He was going on a "business trip" of some sorts, with what? That I didn't want to know. Of course, he couldn't leave before a little quickie with me.

"And why should I do that?" I smirked, pulling on his tie to give him a kiss of my own.

I yelped when he squeezed my ass. "Because you're a good girl, and you know it," he whispered. "Or you can act up, I don't mind. I'll have fun punishing you when I come back."

"Bye, Mingi," I giggled. "Come back to me soon, okay?"

His eyes softened before he pulled away. "You know I always will."

I went straight to the shower when Mingi left. I didn't want him to leave, he never liked it when I did it anyway. It was already difficult to leave me, he said. Me watching him would tempt him to take me.

Life was well, or it was as good as it gets. I quit my job as a waitress a couple of months back because it was difficult to manage two lives now. He did let me keep it so I'd still have a semblance of normalcy in my life, but it was better this way.

I did enjoy the life that Mingi provided for me. It wasn't all bad, he would keep me away from as much violence as much as he possibly can, and he was an amazing lover. The rest of the members were also good to me. Sometimes, though, I just couldn't help but feel lonely.

My whole world revolved around this life now and Mingi was always busy. Everyone respected me, but that respect was only because I was Mingi's special person. Of course, they don't want to face his wrath.

College was a thing I truly enjoyed, it gave me time off from this life, and I also loved studying in general. True to his words, he did pay for my tuition so I wouldn't work anymore.

"Trouble in paradise?" Yunho asked in amusement when I marched downstairs where. He bowed to me respectfully. "Hope you're having a great evening, our Queen."

"Your boss isn't here, loosen up," I chuckled as I sat down across from him in the lounge room of Mingi's house - also known as his lair.

Yunho was currently cleaning his pistol, a small rag used to shine and polish the barrel into perfection. "How are you doing, Y/N?"

I smiled. Everyone used to call me something formal but I fought Mingi for them to call me by my name. I disliked the divide between me and the members when all I was in reality was a regular person, after all, before my relationship with Mingi.

"Same old. Just living life little by little," I shrugged. Yunho smirked at my response and chose not to say anything. "Are you my guard until Mingi comes back?"

"That would be me," a voice behind me said just as Yunho was about to shake his head.

"What's up, Yeo?" I grinned when I turned around and the muscular man patted my shoulder once before he sat down next to me. "Love the hair."

"Yeah?" Yeosang brushed his fingers through his hair. "I thought Hongjoong did a whack job before he bolted behind Mingi's balls."

Yunho and I snorted at the imagery. I still remember when I met him, though the memory wasn't all good when I was cornered in that alley a year ago. His then green hair was now a lovely shade of mahogany brown.

"Nice ring," he pointed out after noticing it on my finger.

Yunho glanced once and looked away, but then did a comical double take with widened eyes. "Hold on a damn minute," he nudged my finger up with the tip of his gun. "This ring looks awfully familiar."

Yeosang's face lit up in recognition. "It's from that stake out last month," he frowned. "I'm surprised, he was hostile. What changed his mind?"

"Oh, you know. Mingi said he was pretty busy," I shrugged.

"Busy as in?" Yunho squinted his eyes.

"Busy passing away."

"What?" he hissed, banging the gun on the table roughly. "He killed him? I needed that guy, I told him I needed him, that crazy fuck!"

"Why are you so surprised?" Yeosang scoffed. "Remember that restaurant in Barcelona?"

"Ugh, don't even mention that," I groaned. A couple of months ago when we traveled to Spain, I mentioned I pointed out to the first restaurant I saw, but it was via reservations only.

Let's just say that the owner thanked us not for eating there, but for sparing his life at the end of the night.

"I gotta thank you though," Yeosang snorted as he elbowed my sides. "Life's been peaceful for us ever since you came. You tamed the beast."

"Where did you meet again?" Yunho questioned, completely setting his guns aside to tune in. "Mingi's story changes three times a week depending on who's asking."

I laughed nervously. I was not about to tell them that their boss technically coerced me into a relationship - well, not really, I liked him anyway. The point stands, however, and I knew Mingi; if he didn't tell anyone, that means he didn't want anyone to know.

"You can ask Seonghwa, he was there," I deflected. it was the truth, he was there.

"Ha! That stuck up will talk if only hell freezes over," Yunho rolled his eyes.

"Hongjoong was there, too."

"That's liar number two," Yeosang deadpanned.

"Yun! Are you ready to go?" a voice suddenly called out. I let out the breath I was holding. That just saved me from an awkward conversation.

"I'm coming!" Yunho called out, craning his neck in the direction of the voice calling out. "On second thought, come over here and pay your respects!"

Footsteps approached from the other side of the room and the group's master combat fighter approached us with the most intimidating aura, but make no mistake, this man is the sweetest person behind his big muscles and fierce gaze.

"I am terribly sorry for my disrespect, dear Queen, I had no idea you were here," San bowed lowly and respectfully towards me. When he looked back up, he was grinning. "Nice ring, Y/N. That guy put up a fight."

"Bastard," Yunho shoved San's shoulder, steam virtually coming off of his ears. "You know I needed that cunt."

"Not my fault," San glared at the taller. "I'm just following orders. Plus, that maggot was pissing me off anyway. I hate whiners."

"Where are you guys going?" I asked curiously, trying to change the topic when Yunho stood up and put his gun in its holster while he fist-bumped San anyway.

"Hey, Yeo," San nodded at the latter before looking back at me. "Your boyfriend asked us to train some rookies while he's out."

The redhead rolled his eyes playfully before he continued. "He just can't stand us being idle even though he's not here to supervise us."

"Permission to leave, my Queen," Yunho bowed respectfully before he left with San. I shook my head, no matter how much I tell them to be casual, I just have to accept that they'll always think me higher than I actually am.

"Want to get ice cream with me, Yeo?" I offered, twirling my car keys between my fingers, the same Bugatti that Mingi gave me last year. "I'm bored."

"Are you doing it for me or you just want to go out?" Yeosang raised his brows. "Mingi knows everything."

I giggled, caught in my lie. "Well, both at this point. I don't want you tattling to Mingi."

Yeosang laughed. "It is for your own good," he gently said, walking towards the door with me. "And I'd love to get ice cream with you, my Queen."

I repeatedly fixed my hair on the car visor in anxiety. I was usually never one to care about my appearance, but today I was especially anxious for no reason.

"You look nice, Y/N, I like your hair," Wooyoung side-eyed me affectionately before he resumed concentrating on driving. "Is there something the matter?"

"No, Woo, thanks for asking though," I sighed as he turned to the university gates, cruising along slowly, but not without the many students staring at the marvelous car.

I cursed, usually any of them would take me in a regular car, or another high end car that's at least inconspicuous enough, but Mingi had taken it with him because he also needed something unnoticeable and undetectable.

"Friend to friend," Wooyoung spoke with a small frown. "I promise not to tell Mingi, are you having problems with school?"

I frowned. Of all the members, Wooyoung knew me the most. We were co-workers in the restaurant I used to work at for years before I even found out he was only using it as a front so he looked like a regular student.

"No, at least, not that I know of," I truthfully told him. "I'd just look for you whenever I have issues."

"I'd skip my classes for you in a heartbeat," he smiled. "But I need a definite reason so I have an excuse to drag Jongho."

Right. The three of us went to the same college. They were both a year below me so we had different schedules and different buildings. I shook my head to assure him.

"I'll be sure to call you if I do, I promise," I sincerely told him. "Anyway, I want to go to lunch with the both of you later, so make sure to tell Jongho."

"Noted dutifully, my Queen," Wooyoung finally turned the engine off after he parked. "You wanna meet up here or at the hall later?"

"Hall's fine," I waved offhandedly. I got a bit distracted and I was a bit taken aback when my door opened. Wooyoung had already gotten out and opened it for me. "Stop doing that," I frowned.

I groaned when he ruffled my hair with a giggle. "I'd do anything for a beautiful lady like you," he winked flirtatiously when I got out of the car. "But seriously, I don't want Mingi to cut my head off and plant it on a stake."

I snorted as we both walked towards the entrance. "He's not here to see."

"Are you kidding me?" Wooyoung deadpanned, stopping at the hall intersection. My class was on the left and his was on the opposite side on the right. "Mingi knows everything," he shivered. "Trust me."

"I'll see you later, Wooyoung," I rolled my eyes playfully. He bowed lightly, muttering his respects before he left for his class.

When I walked to my classroom, it was empty and I realized that I was a bit too early, so it was not a surprise. With a sigh, I decided to hang by the hall that overlooked the entire school.

I thought about Mingi. I haven't seen him in almost a week by now and I couldn't help but wonder what he was doing. During these moments, he never usually held his phone - something about his enemies tracking him - so talking to him was a dud either.

I'd gotten so used to him and it did feel lonely that he wasn't with me, but at the same time, it was slightly liberating. He would never take me to university, himself, but he would mouth off anyone to do it because he was extremely overprotective of me. I bit back a smile, it was always the little things that proved he truly loved me.

"So yesterday, it was that scary tall guy, but today it was Jung Wooyoung. How many men do you have on your notch, Y/N?"

I closed my eyes and bit off the urge to groan loudly. That was the source of my hesitation to Wooyoung earlier when he asked if I was okay. It was the bane of my existence, the one and only biggest thorn on my side and for what? I have no idea.

"That's none of your business," I frowned. She was referring to Seonghwa because he walked with me all the way to my class and picked me up as well, garnering all the attention. I can't say I don't understand - Seonghwa was an attractive man.

"Seriously, how do you do it?" she giggled in that fake laugh of hers, high pitched and grating. "That pussy of yours must be magical."

I gritted my teeth, but kept my cool. The last thing I wanted was attention. "What do you want, Hana?"

Ever since the start of the school year, this girl and her cronies have always had it on me. It all started when Ateez guided me and picked me up on different occasions. The fact that they were hands on with me all the time certainly held a different implication.

"Mind your tone with me, you whore," she hissed venomously. "I hate people like you, you know? The ones that pretend that they're all that..."

She went near me and I froze when she leaned towards my ear. "But they're nothing but sluts like you who spread their legs for different men everyday," she whispered with a smirk.

It took everything in me to not yank her hair. It was all jealousy, I knew. After all, all the flashy cars, the handsome men, and my newfound sophisticated fashion would get noticed somehow, but I had a boyfriend and his organization to protect.

There is always that option to annihilate her, and I did try bringing it up to you Mingi at one point, but it wasn't worth it.

"Must you always irritate me?" I raised an annoyed brow at her. It wasn't like she was nothing either, Hana was our school topnotcher and she was actually cute if she wasn't such a nuisance.

She began glaring at me, looking at me from bottom to up, until her eyes landed on a specific area. "Nice ring," she stated. I harshly swatted her hands away when she tried to look at it. "Don't be like that, Y/N!"

"Leave me--hey!" I exclaimed when her claws gripped my hand a little too hard and had actually taken my ring off.

But I was no pussy. She screamed when I yanked her hair and tried to grab the ring that Mingi had gifted to me as a proof of his love. I wasn't about to let no bitch take it away from me. He literally killed a man just so he could give it to me.

"Let me go!" I screeched when her cronies held me by the arm and stopped me. I saw red when Hana put the ring on her finger and lifted her hand to examine it. She giggled afterwards, muttering how good it looked on her.

I couldn't resist the rolling of my eyes. I was too old for this high school bullshit, really. I shook her cronies arms off of me successfully. "I didn't know you liked blood diamonds," I smirked, riling her up. "I suggest you give it back, you don't know where that came from."

I mentally cursed when the hall began to fill with people. Hana used that to her advantage and smirked dirtily at me. "You can always ask for more from your sugar daddies," she laughed before walking away.

I took a deep breath to control the oncoming rage that threatened to swallow me whole. I glared at her back as she started to walk away, smirking.

She can have her fun for now. I wasn't Mingi's partner for absolutely no reason. I will get my payback even if it took me a while.

It didn't stop me from feeling like crap the whole day, though. I had to cancel the lunch with Wooyoung and Jongho because they'll notice my sour mood. And they weren't dumb, they'll find Hana and they'll kill her. She's a horrible bitch, but I don't want Ateez to be the center of attention.

But overall, I was just upset about the ring. I didn't care how expensive it was, I loved it because the love of my life gave it to me. I unconsciously touched my finger, feeling naked without it, but I'll leave it for now.

Dumb, I know. Certainly unbecoming of a proper female lead like me, I'm aware, but that's fine, I'll play the game but just know - Hana will get her unbecoming from me.

"Everything okay, beloved Queen?" Seonghwa frowned when he saw how silent and tense I was. I was so pissed all day that I didn't even realize that the day was over.

I glared hard at Hana, who was busy showing off the ring and gloating in the attention she was getting for something that was mine. She turned and saw me, glaring hard at me when she noticed how Seonghwa put an arm across my shoulder.

I rolled my eyes so hard I was surprised they didn't pop off. What a hypocrite, the way she stared at Seonghwa like a piece of meat was disgusting.

"I'm just tired," I deflected. "Thanks for picking me up, Hwa. I wish I could just drive myself home so I wouldn't bother you guys."

"With all due respect, Y/N, but that is the dumbest thing you've said in a while," Seonghwa opened the door for me and I got in without hesitation.

I didn't miss all the stares the car got but at this point, I didn't care. "We love taking our time to serve you, Y/N, please believe me," Seonghwa said as sped the engine and began to zoom across the city. "Is everything okay though? I heard you canceled lunch."

"Yes. Is Mingi home?" I tried to change the subject. If one more person asked if I was okay and I would explode on the spot.

"He certainly is, our Queen, he was actually looking for you," Seonghwa smiled. "Would you like to go home and see him or would you like to buy a snack for yourself?"

"You spoil me," I giggled.

Seonghwa laughed. "But, of course. Mingi will literally carve out our internal organs and hang them outside."

I cringed. First Wooyoung's head-on-a-stake threat, and now this. It gets worse each time. "Seonghwa," I began. His dragon-esque features contorted in question. "Do you guys...only treat me like this simply because I'm Mingi's special person?"

Seonghwa was visibly taken aback by the question. "Y/N, how long have you been thinking about this?" he sighed at my lack of response. "Y/N..."

"I just can't help but wonder," I murmured. I was ashamed of myself, Hana really got under my skin. "And Mingi---"

"I'm gonna have to stop you right there," Seonghwa's voice was stern. "While, yes, it did start out as paying respects to our moll, but we genuinely like you for you," he softly explained. "And don't get me started with Mingi, he genuinely loves you."

"You think so?" I asked meekly, fiddling with my purse like it was interesting.

"Y/N, I know so. We are not blind, plus we know Mingi. Hongjoong kept complaining because Mingi's patience ran thin quickly when you're not near."

Everyone always told me that apparently, Mingi was a completely different person before he met me. "Granted your, uh, the way you met wasn't the best," Seonghwa cleared his throat. "But please believe me when I say that his feelings for you are genuine, and we do consider you as our friend, if that's not any disrespect, my Queen."

I patted his hand that was on top of the gear stick tenderly. "Thank you, Seonghwa," I smiled warmly at him. "I suppose a snack wouldn't be too bad, what would you like?"

"I'm not too picky, plus it's your snack, not mine," he chuckled. "You're very thoughtful, Y/N. It's no wonder Mingi loves you."

I decided on buying a crap ton of doughnuts in the end. Mingi had a habit of watching over the training grounds whenever he came home after a long trip. I know for a fact that the rest of Ateez would be there, so I decided on a snack that's light and easy to grab.

"What took you guys so long?" Hongjoong greeted us by the door after me and Seonghwa got out of the car. He bowed down low when he saw me right behind Seonghwa. "Greetings to the Queen."

He patted me on the shoulder once as he grabbed the doughnut boxes. "It's good to see you, Y/N," he smiled back. "These doughnuts? What's the occasion?"

"Not much," I shrugged, nodding when Seonghwa asked for permission to leave. "I just figured I'd get everyone something. How was your week with Mingi?"

"Atrocious," he snorted as he led me to the area where new recruits would train. "I saw a glimpse of the old Mingi, this was the longest time he was away from you and he's like a damn toddler."

I couldn't help the loud laugh that bubbled from my chest. "That bad, huh?"

"You have no idea," Hongjoong laugh out loud. "He's Mr. Lover Boy with you, but he's a massive dick on the scene. Don't tell him I said that."

I cackled without grace at his statement. Leave it to Hongjoong to talk without any filters on. It's what I like about him the most, it was so refreshing because the rookies would always tremble and wouldn't even look me in the eye when I'm speaking.

"Anyway, he's in a nasty mood right now because he thought you'd be home when he came," he said. I rolled my eyes. "Would you like to see him, still?"

"Yes, please. Thank you, Hongjoong."

I've seen Mingi in action, this was no different. He was the coldest of the cold and it might seem like a teen cliche flick, but that's how he was. It worked very well in his favour, though, you don't just own a mob without reason.

Mingi was the second son of the Song family. He refuses to tell me the details, and all I knew was that his older brother never wanted the throne, but Mingi did and so he coveted it, and that's fine. I didn't need to know the details to love the man.

I was just an orphan who was trying to struggle in this world. It wasn't all that bad, I actually did enjoy my life before I met Mingi. I loved him dearly, and he does I, but it was a mutually beneficial transaction after all.

As we neared the grounds, I could hear the familiar booming scream of someone that always talked to me like I'm fragile glass.

"It's not that difficult, it's not like I'm asking you to eat a whole fucking lettuce and shit out some Greek salad. You should've stayed as a blowjob, fuckface. On with it, go!"

"Is he always like this?" I asked Hongjoong with an amused face as Mingi's yells bellowed on the entire space.

"Yes and no," Hongjoong chuckled. "He doesn't actually get involved in the training, well, we don't really train per se, but if you're asking about his mouth, then yeah. That's how he is."

When we both stepped on the grounds, nobody even noticed us. I raised my brows in fascination, there were multiple people - people who I assume are trying to get in the ranks - spread out in varying positions, but all of them stood stick straight as they looked forward.

Everyone was there too, minus Wooyoung and Jongho who both still have a couple of classes.

"What seems to garner your attention rather than us, bottom feeder?" I heard San's voice at the far end of the field. I looked at Hongjoong and he was smirking.

"Uh," the poor lad who was San's victim pointed at the sky. "I saw some g-geese flying around..."

"I see," San nodded a bit before looking at the flying geese, himself. "Well, do you feel like flying, yourself?"

"I-I'm sorry, S-Sir?"

"You heard me," San grinned. He snapped a finger and Yeosang, who I didn't even notice, pointed a gun at the poor bloke's foot. "Fly."

"B-But---"

"And you better chase after them real nice," Yeosang smirked. "Come on, my finger's really itchy right now..."

I watched in morbid fascination as the guy yelped and actively chased the flying geese around, his arms flapping out towards the sky as he mimicked the flying birds.

The other people gulped but stood still so they wouldn't be the next one. I watched San turn around, his face contorting into the most painful looking smile as he tried not to burst out laughing. He discreetly high fived Yeosang, who also sported the same expression.

"Never gets old," Hongjoong chuckled, himself.

"Who exactly are these people?" I frowned.

"Underlings, so to speak. They handle petty crimes," he explained. "The youngest ones, San, Woo, and Jongho, used to do it simply because of the seniority we held, but as Ateez grew, we eight only handled the most important ones."

My prize was on the uppermost frontal area, however. I smiled softly when I watched the man I haven't seen in almost a week, wanting nothing but to run towards him and give him the tightest hug ever. I took my time raking my eyes over him and I couldn't help but feel hot all over.

He was currently with Yunho and the two seemed to be in a serious conversation with Seonghwa as the bird-man fiasco was going on in the background. They didn't seem to notice me and Hongjoong lingering around the corner.

"I could ask Yunho to bring over Mingi here," Hongjoong suggested, but I shook my head, muttering 'it's fine' under my breath.

Suddenly, Mingi nodded once to Seonghwa, face as serious as ever, and patted him twice in the back before he broke off and marched towards the front again.

"If that flying twat over there doesn't stop, I'll toss you as bird feed," Mingi pointed at Yeosang before he rubbed his temples in annoyance. "The rest, spread apart by a foot."

Wordlessly, the underlings held a formation that even I found pathetic. Mingi's vein popped out of his neck. "You call that a formation?" he barked loudly. "Spread out!"

They were too spooked to do it, but did so anyway in a poor attempt. "Further," Mingi chided with a raised brow. "Further, you cocksuckers, further."

Just then, I saw Seonghwa point in our direction and Yunho made eye contact with me in surprise. He bowed his head lightly as he stood up. I shook my head at him with a small smile and pointed at Mingi.

"I said a foot, worthless pigs, a foot! How hard is that?" Mingi bellowed so loudly, I was tempted to cover my ears. "What in the fucking world, Your girlfriends and boyfriends have been lying to you!"

He looked absolutely murderous. It was nothing short of horrifying - Mingi was tall, and this attribute of his made him look more intimidating, and the way he carried himself in his authority was something to be rivaled. He was also an intelligent man, he knew when to use this authority and when not to use it for his advantage.

If I was at the end of all that yelling, I suppose I'd be terrified as well. This was the side of him that he refused to let me see.

"My Queen, I think that's our queue," Hongjoong pointed at the field. By this time, San and Yeosang had already seen us as well and everyone else's eyes were on me now. I shifted uncomfortably at the attention.

"The fuck are you little cretins looking at?" Mingi snarled. He turned to look at San, and the man coughed while he pointed in my direction.

For a second, Mingi's vicious eyes were pointed at me when he looked, but it soon melted into a mix of shock and innocent excitement with all the love he held for me.

"My beautiful sunshine," he breathed in, as if not believing what he was seeing.

"Hi," I greeted weakly. Mingi smiled widely at me, much to the astonishment of everyone present, and spread one arm out, beckoning me to come to him.

I didn't hesitate and ran as fast as I could to him and he didn't think twice to pull me close to him. All my worries melted away in his embrace as if they never existed in the first place. "I missed you," I whispered.

"Did you now, sweet pea?" Mingi had a small smirk on his lips that was nothing short of affection towards me. He kissed my forehead tenderly before he leaned his head on the crook of my shoulders.

"You weren't here when I came home," his muffled voice sounded.

"I'm sorry that I have a life to live," I chuckled jokingly as I ran my fingers through his hair. "Weren't you supposed to come home later, anyway?"

"I rushed, it was hell without you," he groaned before he lifted up and held my face gently. "You should wait for me naked next time."

"No, Mingi. We talked about this," I giggled. "By the way, I bought some doughnuts for everyone."

"Yeah?" Mingi hummed and looked at Yunho and Hongjoong helping themselves. "Slobs," he rolled his eyes. "Why are there a lot, though?"

"Oh, I bought some for them too," I gestured to all the underlings on the field like it was nothing.

Mingi paused, his eyes hardening as he looked out towards the field. "No," he hissed, his eyes darting dangerously at the wide-eyed men one by one.

Mingi's public display of his affection towards me rendered them into an awkward silence. I frowned when I felt Mingi spin me around and now I was faced with fear-stricken individuals who don't even want to look me in the eyes.

"Everyone, this is my love and also my queen," Mingi began, voice resolute and tinged with hardness. "And yours too, should I accept any of you. Pay your respects."

Nobody moved, not even an inch. Has Mingi really changed a lot? It was so mind boggling to me because he's been nothing but a great support system for me. And these people looked terrified of me in extension.

"Well?" Mingi's voice boomed from behind me expectantly. I jumped a bit from the intensity of his voice and he murmured a quick apology to me along with a small kiss to my head.

It seemed to make everyone's blood rush away from their faces. At first I didn't understand, but Jongho explained it to me well one evening.

"A man who has his greatest weakness in the form of their love through another person is far more dangerous than a thousand armies because he has everything to gain and everything to lose."

I was Mingi's greatest weakness, but I could bring death. If anyone touches a single hair on my head, then it's over for them.

I smirked, it felt great to have all this power in my hands. Mingi's squeeze on my hips indicated that he knew what I was thinking and he approved.

"So it's true, the almighty Song Mingi and Ateez does have a queen..."

"Who said that?" Mingi snarled, his hold on me tightening. "Are you an idiot from the bottom of your heart?"

Yeosang, with a huge strawberry doughnut with sprinkles in his mouth, kicked a boy no older than twenty-one behind his leg to push him forward.

"Think you're tough shit, small fry?" Mingi called out. I heard snickers from behind us, from either Seonghwa and Yunho. "I bet that even if it rained pussy right now, you'd still have a dick in your mouth. Name?"

I ignored Mingi's vulgarity. "S-Shin Myungsoo, Sir," the boy hesitantly looked at me. "I p-pay respect to the esteemed Q-Queen."

Mingi hummed in approval. "Good," he beamed, baring his teeth like an apex predator. "But you do look like you haven't fucked with anyone before."

The poor boy squirmed under all the Don's attention. "You ever fucked another man, Myungsoo?" Mingi asked in amusement.

"N-No, Sir, not that I recall..."

Mingi blinked repeatedly, tilting his head in curiosity. "Would you like to?"

"Mingi," I elbowed him discreetly so as to not embarrass his authority as loud guffaws of laughter and cackles from the rest of Ateez could be heard from behind me.

"Alright, I'm sorry, love. Let's go," he gently guided me by the waist, his sweet attitude throwing me off as well. He tossed something that Hongjoong caught easily. "Joong, take over."

"Aye," the latter smirked.

"He's in," Mingi pointed at Myungsoo with his thumb. He turned to the said kid and nodded. "You got balls, kid."

He got a doughnut for himself before we both walked out of there. "Enjoy your day, ladies."

We were met with groans of faux annoyance and Mingi only laughed when we had walked away. The moment we were out of sight, Mingi leaned down and our lips met.

I yelped when he suddenly lifted me in his arms bridal style. "Don't scare me like that," I laughed out loud as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "I really missed you, baby."

"I'm never doing that again," he mused with a small shake of his head as he started walking while he carried me. "I should take you next time."

I hummed in fascination. "I always ask to come, you're the one who always says no..."

I trailed off, tilting my head and Mingi looked at me expectantly. "You have, uh," I pointed at his lip. "A little something here."

He got one of those powdered donuts and it left its trail on his lips. Mingi tried to wipe his lips repeatedly but he couldn't seem to get it out.

"Let me," I murmured. Without thinking, I leaned in and instead of wiping it with my fingers like a normal person, I licked it away. Sweetness automatically covered my tongue.

"You did not just do what I think you did," he smirked at me, his eyes significantly getting darker by the minute. I shrugged in response. "Do it again."

I blinked repeatedly before I did as he wanted. It was only the start of our night and the night was long ahead of us.

Things went back to normal a couple of days after. I decided to skip my classes - do as I say, kids, not as I do! - so I could spend time with Mingi

"May I ask why you're making me park towards the back entrance, my Queen?" San, my designated driver for today, had a curious look on his face.

I grimaced, not expecting him to actually ask questions. The others always did it without hesitation, except San.

Whenever I went home, Mingi is always in his office doing things I don't understand so I'd have time to compose myself before I went to him, but lately ever since he came home, he's been hanging out in our bedroom for some reason.

"Can you just do as I say, please?" I cringed. It never really felt good to me whenever I'd command anyone in general. "I'll make it up to you--"

"A bit too late for that," he interjected. "Look."

I sighed, dejected. By the back door was Mingi, he was just standing there as he watched San park the car. "How did you know I was avoiding him?" I wondered.

"Sometimes, I think that you forget what it is that I do," San winked. "And for the record I didn't," he hesitated a bit before he continued. "You should know that Mingi knows everything."

I was screwed. It was the same warning that Wooyoung told me before. I said a quick thanks to San for picking me up and I got out of the car with the fakest smile I have ever mustered on my face and gave Mingi a chaste kiss on the lips.

"How was your day, little dove?" Mingi's deep voice always brought me comfort, but this time, it brought me anxiety.

That, or I was just extremely paranoid.

"It was good," I shrugged, the lie making my tongue itch. "Yours?"

His eyes travelled all over my face before his smirk grew wider. "Good," he placed a hand around my waist. "Is there anything you wish to tell me?"

"N-No, Mingi, I don't," I managed to stutter out, avoiding eye contact at all costs.

"Where's the ring I gave you?"

I froze in my place. There it was, the sole reason why I was avoiding him. The excuse I was formulating in my head was that if he asked, I would have told him that I already took it off and kept it in the room.

Again, I couldn't do that because he's been in our room a lot.

"Oh, I didn't feel like wearing it today," I said a lot more smoothly than I thought I'd do since it was a big, fat lie. "W-Why are you here anyway?"

I didn't want him involved. I'd get my ring back, myself, and I'd teach that little shit the lesson she needed.

Mingi raised a brow. He looked at me inquisitively, but he didn't say a word.

My heart was about to leap out of my chest, it was the most tense fifteen seconds of my entire life, it was much worse when we were at that subway station a year prior.

"I see," he drawled out lazily. "Look at me, Y/N."

I yelped when he pushed me back against the wall as he towered over me. I craned my neck up robotically to look at him. I was already nervous as all hell and he was making it worse. He rarely called me by my name at this point.

"I-Is there a problem?" I managed to stutter out.

"I don't know, you tell me," he shrugged in mock fashion. "Why have you been entering from the back door?"

I grimaced. "I wasn't."

He stared at me some more, his eyes holding an expression I couldn't pinpoint. It was like he knew what I was thinking, but the little smirk on his face indicated that he'll let me have my secrets for now.

I mentally shook my head. There was no way he knew. I knew Mingi, if he actually knew, there would have been no stopping his fury. It wasn't much of a secret that Mingi can kill someone faster than he could blink.

"Kitten," he began, his finger slowly tracing my cheek, my jaw, down to the outline of my cleavage. "Are you sure?"

If I listened to my intuition, I would have keeled over and spilled everything to him. Mingi had always been the apex predator, and I had always been his prey that he's been absolutely obsessed with for some reason.

"Positive," I responded after a while with a small smile on my face to assure him.

I was going to regret that, I could feel it. He leaned away, his eyes expressionless. "Very well."

I released the breath I didn't know I was holding when he turned his back on me. The air was so tense, I could feel the panic in my chest threatening to take over. There weren't a lot of things that rendered Song Mingi silent, I wasn't sure about this one.

"College treating you well?" Mingi's deep voice filled the silence. He began pouring rum on the fine crystal glass that lay waiting on the nightstand. He had a thing for keeping alcohol in our room.

"As good as it could get," I replied dryly, removing my accessories and my clothes to change onto something more comfortable.

He hummed, low and slow. He took one swig of the earthy alcohol on his hand before nodding in appreciation of its taste. "Remember to keep a low profile," he grunted out. "Don't forget."

"I know, you've told me this before," I frowned. "I'm not associated with this...world enough to give it out for other people to take."

"Sure, you are," his voice tilting towards that possessive edge. "You're mine, that is your identity."

I paused. "What does that mean?" I asked, my voice strained from confined vexation.

"Exactly what it sounds like," he deadpanned, his face stony, his eyes dark, and his form relaxed. He looked like a true villain. "It is by far the most important thing you'll ever be."

I resisted the urge to scoff. The nerve of this man and his audacity will never fail to surprise me. "And what?" I raised a brow. It was a challenge to his authority. "My identity besides that doesn't matter to you? L/N Y/N, the college student, doesn't matter?"

He tilted his head at me, unimpressed and borderline displeased. "This isn't for me," he reiterated, the tone of his voice tinged with annoyance. "I'm not with you 24/7 to swoop in to save the day. And I still need you."

"But I don't want you to save the day, Mingi. Seriously?" I untied my hair in frustration and I yanked my own hair a little too hard. "And what the hell do you mean 'you need me'? I'm not your doll---"

"You better not finish that sentence, Y/N, I'm warning you," he slammed the glass down the table with a loud thunk. "You know that's not what I mean, do not put words in my damn mouth."

"What was I supposed to think, then?" I hissed. I glared at him so hard, my own eyes hurt. I almost wanted to scoff, he didn't even seem fazed.

His grip on the glass tightens, however. "Y/N," he gritted my name out in warning.

"No, Mingi. You're going to listen to me," I declared, not caring what he said after. "I'm my own person too, goddamn it. Everything is about how you'd feel or what you wanted, but what about my well-being or my own personal growth?"

This wasn't the first time we've had this argument, if you could call it that since it's like talking to a brick wall. I knew he always had my best interest at heart, I really did, but as the year passed, it got difficult to see and feel.

Everything still ended up with either what he wanted to happen, or whenever he'd ask what I'd do, it always ended up back to him. The worst was that he only did things for me when it benefitted him.

"Where is this coming from?" Mingi loosened his tie roughly and took another shot of the rum. "You talk as if I don't give a flying fuck about you, Y/N."

"But it sure as hell feels like that," I retorted in anger. "I know you love me, but do you love me because you need me, or do you need me because you love me?"

My heart bled when his face dropped for a split second. Suddenly, something in him snapped. "What are you doing? If you have all these problems, you could have talked to me a long time ago," he snarled.

"We are talking, no? This is exactly why I don't," I snapped, going forward and taking a shot, myself. I hated it, but I was too pissed to show it.

"Goddamn it, goddamn you," he hissed. He snatched the glass from me and threw a bottle of water at me. "Drink it."

"I'm not done---"

"Drink it," he growled at me and for a second, he looked horrifying. "Or so help me God, Y/N. You're testing my patience."

I scowled, twisting the cap off and quickly downing at least a quarter more than the amount I'd usually drink in one go to wash off the unpleasant taste of the alcohol from my mouth. "Happy?" I sneered.

"Hardly," he snatched the bottle and slammed it against the table. He crossed his arms and continued berating me. "I don't know what your pretty little head has been thinking, Y/N, but let me tell you something. Whether or not you believe it, I do care for you. I care for you more than I've ever gave a fuck on this damn planet."

"Let me be my own person, Mingi, please," I whispered in defeat. "It's like you don't trust me to not spill your secrets or something, that pisses me off. I get why you don't let me out alone, I really do, so I'm way past that."

I waved my arms around to gather my thoughts, overstimulated with all the emotions I was feeling all at once. "But it's the fact that all these decisions of yours that involve me, I don't even have a say in it. It's like you don't care about what I feel."

"But I do, my angel, is that how low you think of me?" Mingi sighed very loudly in exasperation. He pauses, like a thought just struck in his head. "Am I suffocating you?"

"Yes," I replied without missing a beat.

He squinted his eyes on me, not loving my answer, but he didn't say anything. "It's almost as if I was the 'prize' that you already claimed and now you can just do whatever you want."

For a moment, we both didn't say anything. The air was so brittle that it could snap in a moment if one of us broke the silence. When everything was said and done, I automatically regretted everything I said. I was so stressed about everything that I used Mingi as my punching bag.

I looked at him and he was royally pissed, as he should even though it hurt me. Rage painted his face, and sadness washed over me because he usually never directed that look of pure anger towards me.

But I wasn't going to prevail. I loved him, and that's why I feel bad, but my point stands.

"Of all the people in this godforsaken planet," Mingi began, his eyes setting on me with a hard glare. "I am the last person you'd ever want to pick a fight with, bunny. Trust me on that."

He had always been the dominant type, and the fact that I just questioned his love for me not only bruised his pride, but also hurt his feelings. I could see it on his face.

He began to swirl the amber-coloured spirit in its glass slowly before he took one last sip and set the glass some indefinitely tonight. It was moments like this where I remember how intimidating he actually was.

"Can I ask you something?" Mingi finally said after a while. I didn't reply, but he asked anyway. "Do you love me, Y/N?"

"Of course," I blurted out.

"So shut your mouth. I have had people talk like this to me many times before," he spoke, his voice quiet. He dug into his coat pocket and produced a cigarette stick and proceeded to light it up.

"No one who did it is alive to tell you how poorly that worked for them," he slowly dragged out the stick and blew smoke rings. "You are the only one I allow to talk down on me like this, Y/N, but I am warning you."

His index finger pointed at me as a cautionary gesture. "This is the last time this conversation will ever happen. If you have nothing good to say, better not say anything at all. Understood?"

I nodded as I avoided eye contact, but he wasn't having it. "I need words, angel. I don't ever want to hear that I don't love you. Answer."

"Yes, I understand," I replied gingerly in defeat.

"Good," he said flatly. "Get out of my sight."

I was taken aback at his hostility. I stared at him, but all he did was stare back. He was really pissed. "You can't kick me out," I frowned. "This is my room too!"

"Fine," Mingi started to stalk forward until he stopped directly in front of me. "I'll stay in the guest room for now. You can take all the time in the world to fix this bitchy attitude of yours."

"Fine, you dickhead," I gritted. "I don't want to see you anyway."

He chuckled and I gasped when he suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he took that as his queue to lean down and give me a quick peck. "I love you," I murmured. "But fuck you."

His eyes widened before he burst out laughing. "I guess I deserved that," he shook his head in amusement before he pulled away and went to open the door. "I'll see you later, love."

True to his words, he actually did end up staying in the guest room and he was there for probably a week now.

Now that I was without his domineering and overwhelming presence, I was able to think properly. Mingi wasn't a saint, but I was no angel, either. We were both toxic.

But he was much worse. I ended up loving him, but to this day, I'm not sure if he loves me or he just lusts after me. So I did the next best thing I could think of so he could have a taste of his own medicine.

"Y/N, can't you guys just talk?" Jongho groaned in frustration, banging his forehead against the marble table. "He's been in the worst fucking mood I've ever seen ever since I met him!"

We were currently on the rooftop just relaxing since it was the weekend and there was nothing better to do. "I didn't do anything," I shrugged.

"Exactly, you're not doing anything," Jongho sighed. "He's still so salty that you blocked him."

"It's not like he's blowing my phone up."

A vein popped on Jongho's neck. "My great Queen," he smiled sarcastically, trying to rein in his annoyance. "Let's just say that he's close to incinerating his phone from how much he's using it lately."

Before I could reply, we both whipped our heads towards the direction of the stairs where poor Yeosang was climbing while he carried the biggest bouquet of flowers I have ever seen.

"Special delivery," he grinned as he handed it to me. I smirked as I inspected it, I had to hand it to him, Mingi knew his flowers.

There were blue hyacinths, white orchids, and lilies of the valley combined all together - all of which are flowers that symbolize an apology and an acknowledgement of how they messed up.

By the third day, Mingi had realized how much he had fucked us up and he had tried everything in his power to see me, but I wasn't stupid. University suddenly became a blessing because I'd have classes coincidentally whenever he'd try something.

Calling me was a no-go either. I blocked him the moment he left the room that day, though it wasn't supposed to be this much of a problem. We literally lived in the same house and it's not like he's been traveling anyway.

"Give it back to him, I don't want it," I shoved the bouquet back at him. Like I said, I wasn't an angel either.

When that didn't work, he had sent Seonghwa to me with a distinct set of car keys from the dream car I've always wanted. I rejected that too.

"Keep it up," Seonghwa laughed out loud. "I like the fact that you're putting him in his place."

"That's not even it," I sighed. "When will this man learn that he can't buy my affection?"

The last straw was when he actually dragged Jongho from one of his classes so he could try something with me again, but I wasn't having it.

But I wasn't that vindictive. I missed him, I truly did. As much as he was the way he was, I couldn't help but miss his warmth and comfort. He loved me in the way he saw fit and that will always count for something.

As I was about to sleep, I heard a 'ding' from my phone. At first, I wasn't going to look at it, it might be Mingi or someone he put up to woo me and win me back, but when I looked, it was an unknown number.

Dear VIP customer, show this message to the stylist to receive the next hair cut FREE! Offer valid thru 05/06 plus 10% discount on purchases! Reply 'STOP' to cut out subscription.

I raised a brow in amusement. Of all the messages I was expecting to see, a promo scam was the last thing I expected.

I was in need of a nice haircut, now that I thought about it. Maybe it'll help Mingi see what he's been missing.

"Business nowadays are so creative," I chuckled as I began to type 'stop' on my phone.

I set my phone aside and began to try and find a comfortable position to lay down and sleep, but I growled in frustration when my phone dinged again.

I hastily grabbed my phone, but my anger dissipated when I saw that the same number had replied back.

Great. Unblock me. Now. - SMG

I blinked repeatedly on my phone in disbelief. Did he just do what I thought he actually did? With that, I laughed out loud. I laughed so hard tears started to form in my eyes and I had to make an effort to actually stop since my stomach was beginning to hurt.

The moment I had unblocked Mingi's number, my phone started to ring incessantly. I immediately picked it up.

"My peach?"

More tears started to spring from my eyes, but this time, it was out of relief and peace of mind. "H-Hi, Mingi."

I heard the same sigh of relief on his end and it was only then that I realized that I wasn't the only one hurting during this entire time. "I missed you so much," I sniffled. "I'm sorry for being a terrible girlfriend and for the things I said."

"Hush now, darling. I'm the one who should apologize," he whispered. "I'm so sorry that I've made you feel the way you did. I promise I'll be better."

"Can you come in the room so we can sleep?"

"I'm very sorry, but I'm not home right now," Mingi apologetically said. "I left an hour ago to the neighbouring city. I thought you were already asleep. I'll be back soon, okay?"

"I see," I muttered, sadness penetrating the line. "Am I disturbing you?"

"You could never disturb me, my love," he assured gently. "Do I have the privilege of taking you out to dinner tomorrow night to make up for it?"

The nervousness in his voice was so endearing to me. It reminded me of why I love this man so much. "Are you sure?" I asked hesitantly. "I don't think I deserve such good treatment from you..."

"Please, don't talk like that, sweetheart," he pleaded softly. "You deserve everything and more."

"Then, I'd love to go to dinner with you," I sincerely answered.

He made a small noise of excitement and we both laughed at his antics. God, he was so cute. "I'll let you go, you seem to be doing something," I said. "I'll see you soon, I love you."

"Wait," he suddenly blurted out. He hesitated, a pause on the line, before he spoke out. "Would you like to stay on the line until I get home?"

My heart exploded, a small smile painting my face. "I'd love to. Are you sure, though?"

"I'd like to see someone try and stop me," he chuckled. "Sleep, my sweet nectarine, I'll be here with you."

It proved to be the most peaceful sleep of my life in a long, long time. True to his words, Mingi stayed on the line, sometimes talking to me, sometimes just not saying anything, and I slowly fell asleep to the rhythm.

Mingi said sweet nothings and comforting things until his voice was directly near my ear without the barrier of the phone.

I felt the ghost of his lips kiss my forehead as he snuggled up behind me to spoon me. "I love you too," he whispered.

When I woke up the next day, Mingi was already gone. All he left was a note on the bedside table.

You look so cute sleeping, I didn't have the heart to wake you up to see me go. If you need me, call Wooyoung this time. I'll pick you up, myself, after your classes.

I bit my lip to stop myself from screaming in excitement. This would be the first time that Mingi has ever offered to pick me up. He hated the public eye, and so he avoided even his own alma mater.

"You said he's going to pick you up, himself, huh?" Yunho smirked as he walked me to the college entrance. "I don't believe it."

I gave him the note that Mingi had left for me that had his distinct penmanship in the morning and showed it to him. "Huh," he huffed in amusement as he gave it back to me. "I wonder what he ate this morning."

"Who made breakfast?" I raised a brow, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of stares that me and Yunho got, especially him. Curse Mingi for hiring attractive people.

"Hongjoong."

"Ah, that probably explains how shitty it tasted."

We both laughed out loud, not caring if we received looks. "What did Mingi say?" I snorted in between laughter.

"Almost shot the poor guy," Yunho replied with difficulty in between his own laughter.

I held onto his arm for support as I imagined my poor boyfriend's face as he put whatever monstrosity Hongjoong had made. Both Seonghwa and Wooyoung were sent somewhere to oversee another transaction, and Mingi didn't trust anyone enough to even bring us a glass of water, so that left the next best thing.

We parted ways when I was near the entrance since Yunho also didn't want to enter the school. He also went here for college, and as a matter of fact, everyone did. They all met here, actually.

"Oof, I'm sorry," I apologized to whoever I had collided with as I was walking.

I was instantly in a glaring match with none other than Hana, who had probably bumped onto me on purpose.

"Another eye candy, Y/N? You never get enough," she smirked as she looked Yunho up and down as he walked away.

"Eat shit and go die in a ditch somewhere, Hana," I sneered, hitting her on the shoulders with mine to make a point. I heard her call me back to give me a piece of her mind, but I ignored her.

I got to my classes with no issues. Luckily, this period - creative writing - was one of my favourites so my mood was lifted instantly. I mean, it's how I was being brought to life in this story.

Soon enough, the professor was assigning everyone in pairs for a short group project that was to be submitted by next week since everyone already had this class once a week.

"Hey, Y/N, I'm so fucking glad I'm partnered with you!"

"Me too, Keeho, urgh, you're the only I tolerate in this school," I rolled my eyes playfully as I jokingly shook his hand while he pulled the chair to sit beside me.

"I'm sorry if that's the case, people are dumb," he offered as consolidation. "People are just jealous. To be fair, your chaperones are all hot as hell, seriously, where do I sign up?"

I laughed out loud at his statement. Keeho had told me he was bisexual before. "Or maybe you're the only one who has a working brain," I chuckled. "Are you okay being seen with me, though? I don't want to damage your reputation."

"Reputation, my ass. That doesn't exist with me," he laughed. "There's a catch, though. I'm not free this week, unfortunately, how do we figure this out?"

"It's fine," I waved off. "My, uh, boyfriend has been working home lately so my place is off-limits as well," I smoothly lied.

It would be difficult to meet Keeho somewhere since the boys would have to tell Mingi what I'm doing. They love me, but their loyalty towards Mingi will always supersede that. It's nothing bad, Mingi was just abnormally jealous and possessive.

I decided to skip my next two classes to focus on the project, but for the most part, I did it so I wouldn't be tempted to kill the crone that was Hana since she was both in those classes with me.

Keeho and I went to the cafe nearby and spent the majority of our time there. When it was starting to get too crowded, we moved to the university library. I've never been partnered with him before, but we both proved to be a good team.

"And that's it," Keeho enthusiastically pressed the 'enter' button of his laptop before he turned it to me.

"Looks good for a one day project," I grinned, raising my hand for him to meet in a fist bump.

When we walked out of the library and towards the parking lot, it was almost empty since classes ended a while ago. "I'll text you the day before we present," I told him.

"Sure thing," Keeho smiled. He looked around and I was confused. "Is your ride here?"

My eyes widened a little when the thought had struck me. Mingi was supposed to be here already. "Ah, he should be here any minute," I said, nervous and hesitant even at my own words. "Maybe there was traffic."

"Alright, I'll wait with you," Keeho waved his hand towards me. "Let's sit on my trunk so we don't have to stand."

"No, I don't want to keep you. Don't you have a date right now?" I appeased him, not wanting to ruin his night just because of me.

"I do, but I'd feel uncomfortable if I just left you here alone," he explained. "My date would understand. I'll just tell him."

"I'll tell you what," he continued right after. "If your ride doesn't come within ten minutes, you should call. Fair?"

I nodded and then we waited. And then we waited some more, but it was becoming increasingly evident that Mingi wasn't going to come soon.

I willed the tears that were forming in my eyes to go away, angrily wiping them off with my palms. Keeho looks at me sadly. He put a hand on my shoulder and just as he was about to say something, my phone rang.

"Hello?" I greeted angrily when I saw the name on the screen. Keeho raised a brow on my hostility.

"I know you're mad, and you have the right to be," Mingi began, his deep voice strained. "I didn't mean to forget, baby, I just got caught up in a lot of shit---"

"It's fine," I cut him off in a clipped tone.

"I'm with Seonghwa right now, I had to break Hongjoong out of jail," Mingi deadpanned, voice extremely pissed. "I am so, so sorry, babygirl."

My eyes widened in visible shock. I was pissed, but on the other hand, I can't get mad too much because this will always be Mingi's priority, and I accept that. I took a deep breath before I said anything.

"Just take care, I'll figure something out," I sighed. "Bonk Hongjoong in the head for me."

I heard a loud smack and a small 'ow!' in the background. "You piece of motherfucking horse shit," I heard Mingi spit out, his voice far away from the phone. "I should just kill you right here..."

I rolled my eyes and put my phone down. I smiled sheepishly at Keeho who was just waiting patiently for me to finish. "Rough night, huh?" Keeho snorted.

"Something like that," I replied. "Say, is it too much for me to ask for a ride home?"

He smiled and got down from the trunk. "Hop in, I'll drive while you talk."

I thanked him multiple times before I did hop in. Mingi wasn't done berating everyone even when Keeho had already started driving to the address I gave him.

"Y/N, where are you?" Mingi growled lowly when he got back. "Are you in a fucking car?"

"Yes, I most certainly am," I smirked. "A friend is taking me home since you're not here."

Mingi scoffed loudly. "Are you serious? I was gonna send Yeosang to pick you up! And your friend, you said?"

"Eh, too late," I put the phone on loudspeaker. "Say hi, Keeho."

"Hello, Y/N's boyfriend!" Keeho chirpily greeted, you know, like a normal person.

I couldn't say the same for my own boyfriend, though. "Are you serious, Y/N?" Mingi growled, still on loudspeaker. "I swear--"

"Bye," I quickly hung up the phone and turned it off. Call it a little revenge for forgetting about me and not even letting me know beforehand.

It's bringing me satisfaction that he's probably going crazy over the fact that I was with another man right now and he can't reach me. But, oh well.

In the wise words of the entirety of Ateez, me and Mingi deserve each other.

"No offense, Y/N, but your boyfriend is hot," Keeho giggled.

I laughed. "I don't want to disappoint you, he's a little rough on the edges."

"Girl. Boys who have voices like that are bound to belong to a hot man," he sassed, making me laugh harder. "Anyway, what does your man do? Your chaperones' cars are damn nice."

I got caught off guard with the question. I knew everyone would notice, but I still wasn't expecting the directness. What I didn't tell was that each member had been using their own cars and Mingi had given them the liberty to do so.

"He's what I would call self-made."

"Oh? Like a big business?"

"You could say that," I laughed nervously.

We stayed silent to bask in whatever peace we had left, at least, that's what the rumbling of my stomach was telling me.

Sooner or later, we reached the house. It took a while since Mingi preferred isolation. At first, Keeho had driven past it, but when I told him he did, he turned back around.

It wasn't that he believed that somebody like me couldn't possibly live in a place like this, it's just that Mingi's lair was abnormally huge and abnormally grand.

"State your name and your purpose," a familiar voice monotoned from the intercom when I had pressed on the familiar button.

"Hey, Jjong. Can you open the gates for me, please?"

"Y/N?" Jongho's surprised voice sounded out. There was a slight pause on his end. "Oh? Is that the friend that Min's bitching about?"

Keeho raised a brow but I just chuckled without any humour. "Jongho, please."

And then we were in. Keeho whistled in awe at how big and vast the gardens were. Mingi had a thing for this aesthetic. There were different arrays of flowering shrubs around us, the most memorable ones being jasmines.

But by far the most luxurious addition was the massive water fountain by the front. We weren't even near the house yet and we could both see it. It was an homage to Mingi's father since all of his was his legacy.

"Holy fucking shit, Y/N. Who the hell is this guy?" Keeho's eyes were wide as he took in his surroundings, his mouth was ajar at the disbelief. "Is he hiring?"

I was about to laugh and say something, but the breath from my lungs got caught and it began to constrict as my heart leapt to my throat when I saw Mingi by the doorway. He stood straight, his legs apart from each other a bit, and his arms were crossed over his chest as he stared at me through the windshield.

He looked relaxed, like he was just outside for some fresh air, but I knew better than that. He was livid - he was so mad that what's usually mistaken as an easy stance was him rigid from so much wrath and undiluted rage.

Keeho gasped when he looked at where my line of sight was. "Who's the hottie?"

I sighed. “That would be the boyfriend.”

He squealed and playfully nudged my shoulder. I internally cursed, if he only knew. Unfortunately, Keeho had reached the front lawn a little too quickly and I had no choice but to get out. But I froze in my seat even after Keeho had already gotten out.

The door opened on my side and I was about to get out, but I jumped back when I realized that it was Mingi who had done it. His head leaned low and had stuck his head inside the car to stare at me.

It was awkward, at least on my end. Mingi was just staring at me. It was the same stare he used for everybody except me, and I never realized how frightening it was until it was directed towards me. I have never seen him this enraged before.

"Let this be a reminder," he began, his voice leveled, quiet. "Of the consequences of your own actions."

His statement had left a bitter taste in my mouth. He cocks his head to the side and I suppressed a yelp as I crawled out of the car with my tail between my legs, if I had one.

"A-Are you mad at me?" I dumbly asked, not knowing what else to say.

"No," Mingi replied. He rotated his head until his neck cracked along with his knuckles. "I'm very fucking mad. I could kill him."

"Would you?" I paled, my knees threatening to buckle underneath me.

"No," he replied once more, but this time, for a second and no longer, his eyes flashed with pain. "Because I love you."

Dreaded shivers travelled down my spine when Mingi changed his expression from fury to like that of a smiling businessman. Before I could say anything, he had begun to walk towards Keeho, who walked away earlier to give me and Mingi a bit of privacy.

"I would like to extend my appreciation for bringing my beloved home," Mingi had his arms wide in a welcoming stance with a grin on his face. "You, Sir, are one brave soul."

I tensed, this voice form of talking was only used when he was Song Mingi, the ruthless Ateez mafioso, and not Mingi, the love of my life.

Keeho was confused for a second, I cringed at the poor guy's attempt to gaslight himself to believe that everything was okay.

I wasn't going to stand by this. I stomped closer to them just in case Mingi did something stupid. Thankfully, he looks like he just wanted to shake Keeho's hand.

"Mingi!" I gasped in horror when Mingi had punched Keeho in the gut when the latter had gotten closer.

Keeho was hunched over in pain while Mingi looked over his shoulder to give me a wolfish grin and a terrifying glare.

"That’s for being with my girl,” he glared. Then, he smiled and patted Keeho's shoulders as he coughed. “Thank you, though.”

He grabbed Keeho’s hair and shoved him roughly. “That’s for approaching a moll.”

My legs ran before my mind could comprehend and I was about to help the poor guy up, but then, Mingi's glare on me intensified and it rendered me frozen.

"M-Mingi?" Keeho's eyes widened as his eyes snapped towards the taller man. A panic stricken look of recognition crossed his face. And Mingi grins sadistically. “S-Sir, I really didn’t know!”

“I know,” Mingi laughed, getting a napkin from his pocket and wiping his hand with it. "It is my right-hand man that you recognize. You do know him, yes?"

Keeho nodded hard, so hard that I was scared his neck would dislodge from his body. "K-Kim Hongjoong, Sir!"

I was surprised. Keeho was in this world. It makes sense, Mingi's presence was rarely seen, if not, never. It was also the reason why Hongjoong had never driven for me or picked me up, he usually sent him in his stead. He wouldn't have recognized either.

I felt betrayed a little, though it is unfounded since no one who is a mafia member would ever admit it anyway.

“You’re lucky I like your father," Mingi crossed his arms again in displeasure. "I would’ve shot you dead by now and I'd have fun doing it."

He leans forward a little, his bulked figure leaving an imposing impression. "However, I am merciful. And you did bring my beloved home safely," Mingi gestures towards the gates. "I'll give you a thirty second heads up to leave, if you're still here by then, I'll instruct my men to shoot."

The poor guy scrambles to get up and runs towards his car, tripping in the process, gets in, and starts it by record time. "Say hi to your father for me, you fucker," Mingi spat.

Without waiting for Keeho to completely disappear out of view, Mingi turned to me and unleashed his demons. “You. Upstairs. Now.”

The command brought an entire army of goosebumps that spread all over my skin, enveloping me in fear and apprehension.

It was just him and I standing face to face, the only thing that could be heard was the rustling of the tree branches that surrounded us and the palpable beating of my heart that increased every minute.

"Mingi, please," I whimpered, my body locking as a fright response to Mingi's darkening mood.

Regret started washing over me as if a bucket of cold, freezing water was poured over me. This was my nightmare incarnate, just like how Mingi was everybody's boogeyman - the thing you're scared of that's living under your bed.

He hummed, deceitfully calm. On surface level, Mingi looked nonchalant; the epitome of grace in the eye of a brewing storm. He looked like he didn't care, but I knew Mingi. I knew that on the inside, he was consumed with so much incandescent rage, he didn't know how to express it with me since this was the first time that that type of anger was directed towards me.

"Follow me," he instructed, and without waiting for me to respond, he briskly turned around to go back inside the house. When he saw that I wasn't moving, he went back and grabbed my hand.

"Mingi, stop it, please, j-just let me talk this out," I pleaded as he started dragging me not harshly, nor roughly, but just enough for me to start walking.

"You have deliberately disobeyed me," his voice was wrapped in gloom, while he said it as a statement, it sounded more like venom. "You do not get to bargain for your case."

He tugs on my hand for me to go faster and it was already starting to get the attention of the others. "Mingi, seriously, you're going a little too far now," I tried to reason out, highly embarrassed that he was dragging me like a rag doll around.

"My little dove," Mingi chuckled darkly, his voice overtaking something I didn't recognize. A yelped when he roughly slammed me against the wall and held my shoulders.

"W-What are you doing?" I stammered.

"You're testing me, Y/N. No amount of begging will stop me when I start with you, I'm telling you," Mingi's voice drops down to a dangerous octave. He smirked as he ran his finger through my hair. "But you like that, don't you? You like it rough."

I whined when he pulled and jerked my head backwards. He leaned until his lips were almost touching my ears. "You either follow me willingly or I will carry you, myself."

I tried to push him back, but he wouldn’t budge. It was like pushing a big metal door. Mingi had always been an extremely possessive and jealous man, however, he has the most self-control out of every man I’ve ever met. These things never usually bothered him.

Between the argument we had a week prior and San going to jail, what little of his self-preservation has dwindled away. Me being in a car with another man was the straw that broke the camel’s back.

”What’s going on?”

We both turned to the source of the voice - Yunho along with a surprised Jongho. Behind them were a couple of people that I didn’t know, but of this life, nonetheless. “Mingi, what on Earth?”

“Get out,” Mingi whispered.

Jongho tried to approach, but was held back by the taller. “Min, I know you’re mad, but please don’t hurt her,” the strong maknae had tried to persuade, but all in vain. “Is it because of the guy earlier?”

”What guy?” Yunho frowned.

Mentioning that was a mistake and everyone could see it.

”Get the fuck out, I said!” Mingi bellowed this time. His outburst came as a surprise to everyone, and it also instilled a type of fear that layered on top of whatever existing fear they already had for him. “Out!”

Yunho had ushered everyone out, but not before looking back and giving Mingi a nasty glare, but the former could care less. I whimpered when Mingi grabbed my arm roughly and dragged me along with him upstairs.

I was hastily shoved in our room, jumping a bit when Mingi slammed the door so hard behind us that I felt the entire house shake. He didn’t say anything, he just began to slowly stalk towards me and I kept backing up until I dropped to the bed.

The adrenaline rush of everything had completely melted off of me, leaving me numb and scared. The way he hovered over me, he looked like a massive predator. All I could was stare at his cold, empty eyes.

“Mingi, I am so sorry,” I spoke first hoping to break the tension between us.

He raised an angry brow. “I don’t recall telling you to speak unless I asked you to.”

I was stunned. It was the last thing I expected him to ever say to me, especially when he was this mad. I lowered my head in shame.

“I made a promise to you back then, Y/N. And I’d rather lose myself than break it,” he began. I held my breath when he grabbed my chin and roughly titled it up so our eyes would meet. “Do you remember?”

I nodded, at least, I tried since his grip was hard. “Everything I do is for you,” he whispered. “I told you I’d please you and protect you. Why is it that you do all these mental gymnastics to literally not do what I tell you?”

Tears had begun streaming down my face at every word he emphasized whilst his hold tightened and he began to shake my head furiously. “You’re fucking lucky that you had befriended the third son of the Yoon family, Y/N.”

“It’s also why no one has dared approach you, while no one may know you’re mine, it’s an open secret that the Yoons are in this world,” he let go of my face, shoving it roughly. “Tell me, Y/N. What goes in your brain whenever you know something will piss me off?”

"I-I’m sorry, please,” I sobbed. “I’m hard-headed I know, but I will do whatever it is that you tell me—-”

"No, you will do it, because you have no fucking choice,” he hissed. He stood away from the bed and began to walk across the room to get something I couldn’t see. “Though, I must admit, I’m not perfect, either.”

"The only difference is,” he continued. “You will be the one paying for it, not me. You can’t just fucking get in another man’s car just because you’re mad, Y/N. Do you have a penchant for dying?”

"I know, Mingi, I know, you’re right, please,” I sniffled, the whole truth spilling out of me.

“No, you don’t,” he snapped. “Because if you did, you wouldn’t have done it. My enemies will do anything to get their filthy claws on the one thing I have ever loved - you. They would do anything to weaken my standing."

"Are you going to tell me all the reasons why I messed up and why I should be subservient to you?"

"No, doll face, I don't believe in should," he came back with a bag, it's content, I have no idea what. "I do believe, however, in showing you the consequences of why you should never do it ever again."

A wave of shame and despair washes over me and I take a deep breath. My mind just goes blank and I hear my heartbeat pump ideas into my head. What was he planning?

"Here's what's going to happen," he said flatly without any emotion, yet firm and absolute. "You are going to take all of your clothes off, turn around, and kneel on the bed, back facing me."

My world stopped then and there. "W-What?"

"You heard me clearly, Y/N. Get to it before I completely lose my patience with you," he deadpanned, his eyes shining with a certain type of sadism I've never seen before.

I did as told, shaking all the way through. I must have blanked out for a moment because the next thing I knew, I felt my wrists being shackled by something cold; something metallic. My jaw dropped, I was pretty sure that Mingi had chained my wrists together behind my back.

"You look so pretty like this," he mumbled from behind me. "Doesn't this remind you of something?"

It did. I gulped loudly, memories flashing through my mind like old films. How could I forget? This was essentially how we met, with Mingi shackling me against my will a year back. It was the same uncertainty, but twice the fear because now, I knew what Mingi was capable of doing.

I began to tremble, especially when I couldn't hear anything from behind me. I was afraid to turn because he would punish me, so I stayed still. The silence was completely overwhelming, I couldn't even hear his own breathing.

I whimpered when big hands were suddenly placed on my shoulders and I felt a hot breath at the back of my neck. I was startled, Mingi still hasn't spoken, and it was killing me not knowing what he was doing.

I felt fingers tracing my skin from the back of my neck slowly all the way down to the lower part of my back, shivers following its wake, and then the same fingers went back up to my neck.

"Close your eyes," I heard Mingi's soft whisper. "And don't open them until I tell you. If you disobey me, I will punish you. I'm not fucking around this time, so don't try me."

I immediately did as told, scared of the consequences. His fingers were back tracing my skin until it concentrated on my neck. The sensation was so overwhelming that I couldn't help but let out a soft moan.

He grabbed my hair firmly, not enough to hurt, to the side to further expose my neck. I felt my body heat up when his lips grazed my collarbone, and for a moment, I lost myself to the dizzying sensation.

Until he bites, and he bites hard.

"Ah! Mingi! I-It hurts!" I screamed, but all that did was make him groan softly against my skin as he bit harder.

I couldn't move, the pain was too much, but all of a sudden, that pain turned into bittersweet pleasure as Mingi sucked the area that he bit into. There was a dull, throbbing pain when he let go and I could already feel a bruise forming.

But he had set me up. When he roughly grabbed my chin to make me look at him, he took my lips in a reeling kiss, but I tried to pull away when he bit my bottom lip so hard, I could taste the familiar metallic taste of my own blood.

I was horrified when he pulled away and stared at me. He had the most sadistic grin I've seen, and his teeth were stained red from my blood. He was getting off on my pain.

All the breath left my lungs when Mingi stuck his tongue out, his saliva that was tinged in red dripping down slowly from his sinful mouth down on my thighs. My eyes dilated, and I clenched around nothing, extremely aroused at the sight. I’ve never felt so horny before.

"Why are your eyes open?” Mingi drawled. I paled at the realization.

He pushed me forward all of a sudden, my ass sticking up in the air. I had to position my face properly because my pose was so compromising. However, that was the last thing in my mind.

I screamed in pain, startled, when the first hit landed on my ass. The chains that bound my wrists felt so hot on my skin when I tried to rub my behind with my hands.

"Stay still,” he ordered, his voice strained.

I screamed some more at the first few hits, but more from shock. For someone so dominant, Mingi was never the type to hit me for sexual gratification. He treated me like fine glass, so the first hits were hesitant.

"Mingi, uh, please,” I whined, not knowing what exactly I was pleading for.

He found his rhythm, his pattern, and he hit me harder, and harder. My throat was starting to wear off from all the screams, the gasps, moaning his name. I could hear him groaning from behind me and it turned me on to no end.

My ass was on fire, but Mingi didn’t care. And neither did I.

“Please, touch me,” I begged him pathetically when he would tease my pussy lips, but he never did touch it.

“I could do this all day,” he grunted. He squeezed my ass cheeks so hard and on top of its already reddened state, it hurt a lot. I grimaced in pain, hissing at the sensation.

He was spanking me long and hard enough for me to realize how pissed he was at me. All that anger and rage he was pouring with every hit. I couldn’t help the weak yelps.

But that only served to turn him on. My pained face spurred his ego and soon enough, I yelped when I heard him groan loudly from above him, my eyes dilating when I saw the crotch of his pants darkening with his release. He just came untouched from his own sadism.

”Fuck,” he hissed in oversensitivity when I moved my head to lick his clothed dick, savouring the taste of his cum seeping from his pants. I could hear him breathe heavily even when he grabbed my hair again, albeit weakly.

He bit his lips when I looked up at him, still licking. An idea popped in my head and I acted on it. With all my strength, I lifted my upper body and planted my face on his crotch. I felt his cock twitch beneath me when I undid the button of his pants and pulled down the zipper with my teeth.

”Fuck, you cockslut,” he groaned as I slowly took his underwear and pants with my teeth before he shimmied out of them. “You’re so hungry for my cock, you can’t even wait until it's out.”

I moaned softly when his cock stood stiff and erect in front of me. Suddenly, he positioned me back where my face was planted on the bed and my ass up in the air again, my hands still tied.

The anticipation was killing me, especially when I heard the distinct rustling of someone looking for something, and in this case, I can only assume it was from that bag that Mingi brought earlier before he decided to tie me up.

”I was going to use this after we got married,” he grumbled from behind me, voice clearly upset. “But this calls for an emergency disciplinary action.”

I couldn’t focus on what he was saying, all I knew was that he was going to punish me in a way he saw fit for his desires.

My eyes widened when I heard a click of a button and something whirs to life, and Mingi realized that I knew and he chuckled as he set the small vibrator aside for now.

I shivered when I felt his hand caress my back, down to the sore parts of my ass. It felt soothing because my ass was on fire. I heard him groan, his voice low, and it sounded so hot.

"You have the prettiest pussy I have ever seen," he whispered. "I don't think you have any idea of the absolute mess you've made me."

The surging desire I felt for Mingi skyrocketed into levels I don't even recognize anymore. "This position is embarrassing," I whined, my admittance coming from my mouth reddening my face.

He hummed and I shrieked, squirming when Mingi lightly pressed on my pussy lips and spread it aside. "You're so full of shit," he scoffed. "You're mine, if I want to make this more embarrassing for you, all I have to do is..."

I made a garbled noise that resembled a dying racoon more than a moan when Mingi licked a stripe up my wet cunt. He stops and stares at me with a devilish smirk. I squirmed some more when I felt his finger slide inside of my snug heat.

I sighed shakily, at first, he gently finger fucked me, my moans spurring him on, but I slowly descended onto madness and that sweet spot close to orgasm when he began to run his tongue on my slit, his face pressing onto me as if I wasn't aroused already.

"Fuck, my precious kitten, you taste fantastic," he groaned, stopping in between his licks to say the dirtiest things to me known to mankind.

The sounds I made in conjunction with Mingi's slurps and low groans were music to both our ears. His fingers continued their onslaught rapidly. He was so rough with it that sometimes I'd feel his fingers on my asshole.

But that turned into something else when he would concentrate for a few seconds on that hole. "M-Mingi, what a-are doing?" I asked nervously. He completely stopped to peer over me.

"Sweetheart," he began, his face shifting into the Mingi I knew and loved. "Do you trust me? I want you to think before you answer."

"More than anything in the world," I answered without hesitation regardless because it was the truth. "I'm all yours, Song Mingi. Use me."

His eyes widen in shock, his grip unconsciously tightening on my hips, and something in him snaps. "Safe word?"

It was my turn to get wide eyed. We have never, ever had the need to use a safe word before. "Pineapples," I murmured. It made sense. I was allergic to them.

I stayed still as Mingi got off the bed and began to completely remove all of his clothes and accessories, especially his rings. "I can't wait to bury my cock in you, princess," I could practically hear the smirk in his voice. "Gonna hold you down and fuck your brains out."

I trembled at his words. A sick part of me was excited for this. I twisted my hands in anticipation, the chains bounding them clinking together. Where did he even get this?

I moaned and thrashed when he gripped my hips and his mouth was back in my pussy. However, when his mouth began to travel higher, I didn’t realize it until he was basically lapping at my ass like a starved man. Stars littered my vision, my body leaning forward with the sensation but Mingi held onto me so I wouldn’t fall.

”Mingi!”

My moans rose higher in octave as his tongue swirled expertly at my puckering hole. His fingers began to massage that area around it and the pleasure was out of this world. “Relax, love, can you do that for me?” Mingi whispered.

I nodded, moaning in response. I shivered in excitement, panting and quivering as Mingi stroked me, and soon enough, I felt myself surrendering and relaxing to his touch. He planted soothing kisses across my back, it worked because I felt his finger breaching my hole, sliding in and out for a couple of seconds before it was replaced with something else.

”M-Mingi, fuck, Mingi, that feels so good,” I cried out.

The small bullet vibrator was snug in my ass. There was a small sting but overall, the sensation was indescribable and absolutely delectable. “It feels weird,” I admitted, wiggling my ass to find a bit of relief.

“You’re doing so good, love, fuck, you look so hot,” Mingi groaned lewdly from behind me. “Can I move it?”

”P-Please…”

I whined sensually when he slid the toy out of me very carefully, and I can tell from his movements that he was hesitating if he wanted to plow it roughly in me or if he wanted to take it slow.

I’ve never done anything remotely close to anal and we’ve never talked about it before so this was a pleasant surprise for me. I could tell that he was enjoying this because of the way he moaned behind me as the vibrator went in and out of me. My sexual partners before Mingi never made a sound and it always felt like I was fucking a mute, but Mingi was never ashamed of it and it turned me on so much.

”Y/N,” Mingi called out. I raised a brow. He was also never one to say my name during sex, opting for pet names. I hummed in question. “I’m going to ask you again, do you trust me?”

”Yes, I do, Mingi.”

”Why?”

I wiggled my hands behind my back and he held them tenderly. “Because I love you. It’s really that simple.”

I felt him squeeze my hand tightly before kissing it, then climbing on the bed to position himself behind me. It was essentially a glorified doggy position, but it was arousing, nonetheless.

In one thrust, his cock was inside me. My eyes rolled back in my head as I felt so full, but I screamed when Mingi turned the vibrator on. I reddened` being double penetrated by Mingi’s cock and the vibrator brought a heat inside me that threatened to burn me whole.

“You’ve always been so tight, like you were made for me,” Mingi grunted. “But fuck, my love, you feel so fucking incredible.”

”I-I’m so full, Min,” I stuttered, squeezing my pussy and moaning when I could barely do it because of the fullness.

The pain mixed with the feeling of fullness made me absolutely feral. One rough hair pull started it and Mingi was railing into me hard. I couldn’t even moan out properly - he was using me as if I was a sex toy only made for his pleasure. He was so rough with me like never before.

”If you’re not going to listen to me, I hope my dick sends my message well,” he laughed sadistically at my moans when he pushed the vibrator in my other hole deeper. “Now, do you understand?”

”Y-Yes, fuck! Y-Yes, Mingi, oh God,” I slurred out, feeling my toes curl into themselves at the wild pleasure Mingi was giving me.

The only thing I could do was moan for more. He would alternate between thrusting his cock and the vibrator, each thrust would take my breath away, and I was sure that he had just permanently ruined me for everyone else. Something about being owned like this was exhilarating.

I squeaked when I felt Mingi leaning down, his chest pressing on my back, driving his cock even deeper in my pussy while his one hand held the vibrator in place. “Oh, baby,” he moaned against my ear. “You feel good?”

The only thing I could do was nod. His other hand suddenly grabbed my head and his mouth collided with mine. It was rough, demanding, and more of an act of dominance rather than an actual kiss.

I moaned against his mouth but it went unheard because of his relentless pounding. And then my orgasm came unwarned. I could have sworn I blacked out for a moment and I could tell Mingi was surprised too because I’ve never come untouched before since I got my high off of my clit more than penetration.

”Fuck, you’re going to make me want to come as well,” he growled, his thrusts growing even rougher. I opened my mouth in a silent scream as I took his stuttering thrusts with my never ending orgasm. “Fuck it, open your mouth wider, I want my cum in there…”

I yelped when Mingi pulled his cock out, but my other hole was still plugged and impossibly, I felt another tickle in my tummy that signaled another orgasm that almost made me want to explode. It was beginning to slightly hurt.

“Mingi, I-I’m gonna, ah, t-take it out,” I pleaded, drool coming out of my mouth in desperation.

He positioned is cock in front of my mouth, his face twisted in intense pleasure, as he stroked it. “Keep your mouth open, baby, please,” his own moans were high-pitched. “Let it go, kitten, come for me again.”

I bit my lips so hard that Mingi, in the heat of the moment, grabbed my face harshly and pressed my cheeks to keep my mouth open so he could come inside my mouth. His thick release and borderline animalistic growls triggered another orgasm in me, albeit weaker than the first, but it still sent me to a higher heaven.

I began to slightly choke on his cum and I opened my mouth to try and spit some out, but Mingi suddenly lifted me and put me on top of him as he laid down. He grabbed the back of my head to share an intimate kiss with him.

I was pretty sure I was wet again. The kiss was nasty, it was sticky from all the cum that was dribbling out from both our mouths at this point. I moaned when Mingi broke the kiss for a second to lick some of the cum that trailed down my neck and then kissed me back again so he could push it in my mouth with his tongue.

“I hope I didn’t hurt you,” he mumbled, hands removing the chains from my wrist before he slowly pulled out the vibrator from my ass.

My arms laid limp on his chest, they were raw and red from all the friction, but I didn't care. I whined when he laid me back on the bed and then left. My heart did swell when he came back with a glass of water and a basin so we could both get cleaned up and rinse our mouths.

"You're my pride and joy, have I ever told you that?" Mingi hummed as he blew some smoke away from my direction. Again with the cigarettes.

I surprised him by snatching the cigarette and inhaling, myself. I grabbed his face and he automatically opened his mouth as I blew the smoke in it. I blushed at his smirk, it was so intimate. "I thought you hated the smoke."

"I never said I didn't know how to take it, though."

He chuckled, clearly amused. "Oh, I know you could. In fact, you take it so well."

I swatted his mouth jokingly at his perverted jabs. "You were the one who wanted to do that anal stuff after...."

I trailed off, realizing something. He raised his brows in anticipation. "Married."

"Yeah, but I couldn't wait," he shrugged.

My head grew weary in thought, my skin got cold from the stark realization of what Mingi meant after all the high from the pleasure had gone down. "What do you mean?" I blurted out. "You want to marry me?"

His brows furrowed and his mouth dropped down to a frown in confusion. "Yes, my sweet girl. I thought I made that clear when I gave you that ring?"

My brain short-circuited, but in a positive way. Happiness made its way in my heart, and it was so intense, like a beam of light shining directly onto my soul. I turned to look at Mingi, who was genuinely confused. I couldn't help but laugh out loud, and he looked even more confused.

"You dummy," I kissed his cheeks. "I didn't know that was a proposal."

"Darling, I killed a man for that specific ring," he pinched my cheeks hard mischievously, making me whine. "What more could you possibly want?"

I reeled in the anger that almost soured my mood, but not because of what he said, but because of the thought of my stolen ring. No wonder he was upset when he noticed I wasn't wearing it. I seethed, I was going to make that skank pay for taking what's mine.

"Are you going to say 'no'?" Mingi looked away, his eyes refusing to meet mine. "I'm just saying, you really can't anymore. I refuse."

A sudden flashback reigned itself in my mind. It happened directly after I was accepted as Mingi's woman, right when I was still learning how to operate this world.

"They're all staring at me," I mumbled, squirming on my seat and ever so slightly shifting. "Why are they all staring at me?"

"Let them," San shrugged, lifting his glass and sipping on his dry martini. "Does it bother you?"

We were at the local bar. Mingi had left with Jongho to 'finish some business,' so they say, and San had asked to hang out and talk.

"I know what they're thinking," San smirked, lifting his bruised and bloody hands. "They're probably thinking that I got knocked out of my ass and now I'm hanging out with my boss' girl."

"Well, they should've seen the guy you knocked out," I scoffed. "That's not what it is, though."

"Right. So the point is, you shouldn't give two shits about what other people think, Y/N. They're going to think what they think, and you can't control it."

I looked down, not bothering to take a sip from my own liquor. "Does it get better?" I asked.

"That depends on how you handle yourself," he replied. "It takes a lot of guts and strength to handle one Song Mingi, let alone his empire."

He turned to pat my shoulder. "You're a good person, Y/N. We all can see it," he sighed. "You're the flower in this deserted, barren land."

"Sometimes I think this world isn't for me," I admitted. "I'm not a hypocrite, I do love power."

"Then hold on to it," San smirked in approval. He signaled the bartender to refill his glass. "You know, Mingi isn't like you."

"How so?"

"Because he has nothing to live for, except the life he built for himself, but you," San emphasized by pointing at me. "You have a center. You will be his center. You have the ability to give him what he thought he couldn't have before."

"And you," he continued. "Will do everything in your power to make sure that you have yourself centered so you both don't lose yourselves in the process."

"I-I don't understand," I looked at him in apprehension. "I don't want to pretend that I understand."

"In due time, dear Queen, in due time,” he said cryptically. "He's going to take all of you, when he does, you will have nothing left, and when you choose to leave, the best of him will leave with you."

Shivers travelled up my spine at San's warning. He's giving me an out, if I so damn well please decide if I do want out. "Mingi does love you," he whispered, consoling me. "But I want you to understand that his way of showing his love won't be what you want."

"I think I can manage with that," I nodded my head.

"You're too good for this place," San completely downed the rest of his drink. "You're too good for this world."

I cradled his face in between my hands. My heart felt a little pinch when his eyes shined with vulnerability even though I could see he was trying to hide it.

This was the man who would hand me the world if I asked him right now, all I have to do after is thank him. He’ll burn everything just to see a glimpse of my smile.

"Marry me, Mingi. I don't want to be with anyone else," I smiled, a lone tear escaping my eye.

He leaned in towards me, his lips meeting mine in the sweetest kiss we've ever shared. "I was already your fiancé for months, you just never knew it."

I was a woman on a mission as I stomped my way onto the college halls, slamming door per door, seething in rage while I went on finding my goal.

"Are you looking for something?" Keeho nervously asked when he saw me doing what I was doing. "Listen, about the other day, had I known it was Song Mingi, I would have never offered."

"What are you talking about?" I frowned. "Is he that bad?"

"On the contrary, he's looked up to by everyone, both younger and older, in this, uh, industry," he sheepishly stated as he followed me around. "News was that a girl has significantly calmed him down. My dad sent his regards..."

I laughed, stopping in my tracks to rest a bit. "I would have never let him do anything to you," I sat on the grassy plains of the campus. "I apologize on his behalf."

"N-No!" Keeho shook his hands in fervor. "I completely understand---"

"Calm down," I rolled my eyes playfully. "I would hate it if you treated me differently because of what you know now."

He released a breath he was holding and laughed. "You have leadership qualities," he nudged me lightheartedly. "Anyway, can I help you with what you're looking for?"

I told him everything - the ring that Mingi gave me, how it was taken from me, and how my ring was being flaunted by someone who wasn't meant to have it. Keeho frowned in thought.

"I know Hana, she's been trying to get with another friend of mine," he shivered. "Jongseob told me in passing about that ring, and yeah, she's been flaunting it."

"That little bitch," I muttered under my breath. "That was my proposal ring. I really, really need that back."

He paled. This was big news in this ��industry.” Marriage wasn’t taken lightly, and a head marrying meant that all fights would temporarily cease in celebration of that head’s union, enemy or not. "W-What? Does Mingi know?"

I shook my head. "Okay, I'll call Jongseob to see if he can lure her out--"

"No need," I raised a hand to stop him. In the distance, I saw the thief who stole what’s mine quickly approaching us with her cronies who were stupid enough to be associated with the campus skank.

I smirked when they got closer, and I was surprised when Keeho's attitude changed instantly in a protective stance. It reminded me of Yunho and Wooyoung with how aggressive they can get when crossed. I smiled at him in appreciation. I get it, in this world, we protect our own.

"Well, look who it is," Hana giggled with her fake friends. I squinted my eyes at the ring shining snugly on her ring finger. A dark thought crossed my mind as I imagined Mingi proposing to her instead of me.

"Cut the shit, you pathetic worm," I stood back up, dusting my pants for dramatic effect. "I believe that you have something that belongs to me."

She laughed, her shrill giggles making my head hurt. "This one? I don't think so," she smirked, kissing the ring, before pointing at Keeho. "You should ask for one from your new boy toy. He drives a Ferrari, I'm pretty sure he can get you another one."

"Watch your fucking mouth," Keeho hissed in animosity. Hana scoffed, offended.

Our little argument had caught the attention of the other students and they stopped what they were doing to stare. I cursed under my breath, it was the worst time because it was the end of the period and everyone was trying to relax before going home.

I stood up and Hana got closer to me. “I mean I get it,” she said mockingly. She looked at me up and down with a nasty smirk. “Nice ass, Y/N. How much did it cost?”

I saw red then and there. My body wasn’t something I wasn’t proud of and Mingi had made sure I knew how good I looked for a year straight. I wasn’t about to let his efforts go down the drain completely.

Without thought, I charged at her and grabbed her head, pulling it behind. She immediately started screaming in pain. “I’ve swallowed your bullshit for far too long now, you ugly fuck,” I sneered, pulling her head harder and not letting go even when her long claws were scratching me.

“Let me go, you bitch!” Hana screamed, her eyes going wide in panic. I can hear Keeho behind me laughing.

”And for the record,” I slapped my butt for effect. “God gave me this ass for free,” I mockingly looked at hers. “Looks like He gave me your share.”

There were bouts of laughter around us and Hana had the audacity to glare at me. I couldn’t help but laugh, Mingi was definitely rubbing off on me. As I was about to grab her hand and take my ring back, I groaned when I felt my own hair being pulled and then I was shoved to the ground.

When I looked up, it was her cronies that had pushed me away. Keeho tried to help me up, but I shoved him away a little harsher than I intended. I muttered a little apology. “Look,” I started, still pissed. “I just want the ring back, Hana. You can do whatever you want.”

She raised a brow. “What’s so important about this anyway?” Hana sneered, her eyes shining with unspoken greed and the will to make me even madder. “A ring as pretty as this doesn’t belong to you.”

Keeho and I looked at each other with a ‘is-this-bitch-serious’ expression’. I sighed, reeling in the anger that threatened to actually end her. I was done not involving Mingi. Consequences be damned.

”It has value to me, though you wouldn’t understand,” I spat, to which she scoffed. “I’ll give two options - I'm going to tell the Dean everything you've done and have both you and your cronies expelled.”

I was dead serious. The Dean was her father and he had no idea about his daughter’s debauchery. “And two - I'm going to call my husband, because he gave it to me. He’s not a nice man, and I can assure you, he will rip you piece by piece with his bare fucking hands”

I don’t know what possessed me to refer to Mingi as my husband, but man, that actually felt good and the term felt nice rolling off of my tongue. It was so ridiculous, and clearly, I'm not the only one who thought so.

"Husband?" Hana laughed. "Who in their right mind would marry you? And have you this so-called husband of yours all of your sugar daddies?"

My temper got the best of me and I charged impulsively. “You should get tested for gonorrhea, you whiny little bitch,” I gritted my teeth.

I gasped when I felt a sharp slap hit my face. The force of it was hard and it made my head turn. I cursed when I felt my lip split open. It was commendable, if it wasn't so disrespectful. When I turned to look back at Hana, even she was surprised at her own strength.

"Oh, fuck, he's going to kill me," Keeho panicked beside me as he tried to dab the blood of with a cloth that I had no idea where it was from. "A-Are you okay?"

"Fine, fine," I snorted, spitting on the ground before I glared at Hana. "You're going to pay for this."

It was an all out brawl, or rather, cat fight between me and Hana, but more so me taking out all my anger at her. It had caught the attention of everyone by now and they had gathered all around us in a circle as if we were in a fighting ring.

I could hear people around us trying to stop us and break us apart - thank God this wasn't high school anymore - and I got distracted. I fell to the ground on my butt with a small yelp. I heaved small, but hard breaths as I looked up and glared at Hana, who was hovering over me, with all her might.

I smirked and I could tell it pissed her off. She was never going to see the satisfaction of seeing me defeated, but I, on the other hand, smirked victoriously at her disheveled state.

"I hate you, you know?" Hana seethed, her true colours showing. "That top spot in the scholarship program should have been mine. You think you're hot shit just because you have these men hovering over you like flies?"

I was surprised. So that's what it was. I was part of a scholarship program that was sought out in the university and Hana had landed on the second spot directly below mine. It wasn't even bad, she was just greedy.

I closed my eyes as Hana braced her fists up in the air to presumably give me a nasty punch, and I waited and waited, but the hard blow I was expecting never came.

"W-Who are you?!" I heard Hana exclaim.

I opened my eyes in distraught and I felt myself being helped up from the ground by hands that held my arm. "Y-Yeo?" I whispered when I turned around to see who helped me. "What...?"

I was so confused, and then I remembered that I was supposed to be at the front gates a while back. Whoever was picking me up must've panicked when they didn't see me.

I looked around to see what was happening and I couldn't help but cover my mouth in surprise. I prided myself in being strong, but I felt myself tearing up when I saw the man I fought so hard for to get the symbol of his love back.

Mingi had let go of Hana's fist to turn to me in worry. I quickly rushed and he enveloped me in a strong hug. "It's okay, love, I'm here," he whispered before tenderly kissing me on the forehead.

When I looked around, I could tell that everyone was stunned by Mingi's appearance. It wasn't his fault, he naturally caught everyone's attention wherever we went. He had this imposing shadow around him that intimidated everyone, but that was what made me love him even more.

"W-What are you doing here?" I blurted out, arms wrapped around him.

He smirked, pulling me closer. "I told you I'd pick you up one of these days," he coolly looked around everyone who stared. "Wasn't expecting this though."

He turned his attention to Hana, who I've never seen mesmerized in my entire time unfortunately knowing her. I smirked as we stared at each other. Mingi was exactly her type, I could tell how bitter it was making her.

"Excuse me," she cleared her throat. "You're with her?"

Mingi raised a brow, amused, with one eye ticking, annoyed. "I don't see why that's a problem," he replied, uninterested.

I could see the gears in her brain going on overdrive. "You're making a mistake," she bargains, a small smirk on her face. "Y/N has multiple men around her, you shouldn't waste your time on her."

"And who should I waste it on?" Mingi challenged, his voice going an octave deeper. "You?"

Hana reddened in embarrassment. When I looked around, I noticed that all the students that had gathered around us had disappeared. It was just Hana and her followers. Before I could question it, Yeosang quickly appeared with Jongho and Wooyoung.

"We cleared them out," Yeosang said. "Paid them a little extra to keep their mouths shut too."

"That's them!" Hana exclaimed, pointing at a confused Wooyoung. "They're the men she's around sometimes!"

Realization dawns on everyone, but Mingi wasn't having it. “What the fuck is this bitch talking about?” Mingi sighed in irritation. He turned to me. "Little peach?"

"She thinks they're my sugar daddies," I rolled my eyes, giggling in all the stupidity.

Mingi hummed, and turned to Hana. "You never seen chaperones before?"

Hana's eyes widened in embarrassment, but we weren't done. "Wait a minute," Wooyoung frowned, taking a closer look at her. "I know you, you asked for my number at the other department."

"I-I didn't know," she whispered in shame. The look in her eyes was laughable, she screwed up and she knows it.

"Ah," Jongho laughed. “She never liked you, Woo. Just wanted to ‘steal’ what was Y/N’s,” he patted Wooyoung's shoulder before turning to me. "I'm sorry this was happening under our noses, Y/N. I swear we didn't know."

I shook my head at them, covertly telling them that it was okay. I started pulling on Mingi's sleeves and signaling that I wanted to leave. I just wanted to go home and all this mess wasn't worth it, but Mingi just wanted the last laugh.

He let go of me and proceeded to go to Hana. She screamed in pain when he began to twist her arm and then proceeded to take the ring off of her finger before he slammed her on the floor.

"You really shouldn't steal," he mocked her before turning to the others. "You three, trash her car and make sure she's expelled by tomorrow."

Wooyoung held my arms and I started to walk away while Mingi stayed behind to tell Hana more choice words. I couldn’t hear what he was saying, but Hana started to sob incessantly on the ground. I couldn’t even say I feel bad for her, rather, I felt satisfaction.

I didn't pay her any mind and just walked away with Wooyoung until we had reached the car. Mingi immediately followed after and we started driving away. It was such childish games, but I didn't realize how much of a toll all of this had taken on me.

Mingi didn't say anything as he started driving, and he drove for a while. I smiled in appreciation as I stared out the window and onto the passing city. I knew what he was doing, he knew that I loved to drive to clear my head and whatever was worrying me.

A trickle of shame dropped onto all my resolve. I should have gone to him before it got too far, if I did, none of this fiasco would have happened.

"How much do you know?" I asked all of a sudden, breaking the comfortable silence around us. "Please tell me the truth."

Mingi doesn't respond for a while, just staring at me once in a while with that look of his that I couldn't read, and I patiently waited until he wanted to talk. He might be mad at me.

"Everything," he said after a while. "The rumours, the bullying, the ring, I knew everything."

I wanted to be surprised, but I couldn't. Everybody did warn me about that one thing, but I chose not to listen - Mingi knows everything.

"Why didn't you say anything?" I frowned, fiddling with my seatbelt in nervousness. "Are you mad?"

He sighed, reaching out to hold my hand tightly while his other hand still held the steering wheel. "Believe or not," he started, his deep voice surrounding me in a comfortable cocoon. "I do want you to be your own person. This is your life and I'm just a part of it."

All the breath from lungs left me, his words suddenly becoming the oxygen I needed to live. I wanted to choke from all the emotions that were clawing up my throat, but let him continue.

"I wanted to see how you handled it," he explained gently with one squeeze of my hand. "The only time I would have gotten involved is if you had told me. I wouldn't have made a move unless you did, my queen."

"So when you asked about the ring...?" I trailed off, waiting for what he was about to say.

"I knew even before you got home that day," he admitted. "Don't blame the boys, they were just looking out for your best interest."

I sighed in relief, laughing at how ridiculous all this had been. All that time they were warning, it wasn't so I wouldn't keep a secret, they were warning me that Mingi had already known anyway and there was no point.

"Are you saying that you would have been okay if I solved everything myself and never told you?" I asked nervously.

"Are you asking me to be okay with it?"

"I want to know what my future husband thinks," I admitted shyly, looking out the window so I wouldn't see his expression.

"Then the answer is yes," Mingi said. "Your happiness has been the most important thing to me ever since I met you, my dearest love."

I could have cried tears of joy. Why did I ever doubt all his love and pure intentions with me? He's not perfect and neither was I. We both had bouts of toxicity between us, but we had always made it work, didn't we?

"I'm sorry," he kissed my hand. "I'm very sorry."

I was confused. "For what?"

"That you thought you couldn't come to me," he whispered. It rang loud in my ear regardless. "That you thought you'd be in trouble or that I'd get mad at you for it."

He turned to me, his eyes shining with sincerity, his heart on his sleeve as he was about to pour his emotions to me. "I'm the one safe person you can always turn to, Y/N, the love of my life," he kissed my hand again but this time, his lips lingered a bit longer. "It breaks my heart that I didn't do well enough for you to know that."

"I know it now," a tear fell from my eyes. And then multiple of them followed. "And now is all that matters."

"Don't cry now, precious," he tried to lighten the mood, wiping my tears away with his free hand. "You're going to ruin that pretty face."

"You can't just say things like that," I sniffled, smiling through my tears anyway. "I-I have nothing to offer you, baby, I'm just an orphan you picked from the streets, I have no proper guidance on how to do this."

I have no idea where all my insecurity was coming from, but it was there. "No," Mingi whispered. "You can give me everything."

He swiveled the car in a random park we passed on and he parked at a spot where we could see the sunset clearly. He took his seatbelt off and started rummaging through his pockets.

"Let's do this again, okay?" Mingi smiled as he lifted the ring he gave me before, but this time, he took out another ring I'd never seen before.

My tears started falling downwards at a faster rate as Mingi took my hand in his. "Look, I'm not going to pretend I'm good with this," he started, making me snort. "I love you and you're the only thing I want, nothing more. Would you spare me the torment of being without you and marry me?"

I looked in awe when he connected the alexandrite ring with the other ring so there were two rings in one before he put it on my finger. "I'll think about it," I said.

His eyes widened in surprise, but before he could protest, I laughed out loud, definitely not lady like, and pulled his face to mine so I could kiss him deeply.

"If you do that again, I'm going to tie you up even tighter next time," he bit my bottom lip gently.

"Wow, I'm so scared," I giggled after we both pulled away. "So, what now?"

"I was thinking of where to send you to another university earlier," he shrugged. "To avoid all the bullshit earlier. That is, if you want to."

"Yeah, what happened to keeping a low profile?" I teased him. I bit my lip before I continued. "I was thinking of doing the rest of my semester online."

Mingi grinned, his happiness evident. He's been begging me to do online schooling from the start because by being home, he doesn't have to worry about me as much since even if he's not home, there will be others to watch me. But other than that...

I giggled, ticklish as Mingi buried his head on my neck as he planted little kisses on them. "Picture this," he grinned. "I'd be inside you while you're in one of your classes..."

I pushed him away jokingly. "You wish!"

EPILOGUE:

Black and red spots started to dance in my vision. I was rendered temporarily blind in my rage. The person in front of me didn't even want to meet my eye.

"What did you say?" I whispered menacingly, not bothering to raise my voice. "Does Mingi know?"

Beads of sweat started to drip from his forehead all the way down his chin from how hard I was glaring at him. "No," he admitted. "Not yet."

I scoffed in disbelief, but he wasn't done yet. "Please, my queen--"

"Don't call me that," I snapped. "Damn it, Myungsoo. I was there when Mingi took you in, this is the least you can do. So far the last time, what did you do?"

I raised an unamused brow when he joined his hands together in a pleading manner. "I-I didn't mean to," he cried. I rolled my eyes. "T-They offered me a lot---"

"How much?"

He hesitated. "Twice the amount."

I sneered, nodding in mock understanding as I pressed my tongue on the inside of my cheek. I shook my head at him. "You pathetic fool," I whispered, looking him directly in the eye. "You selfish piece of shit."

He began sobbing right there and then. It pissed me off so much and I wasn't about to let his crocodile tears affect me. "You sold us out, Myungsoo. Where do you get the nerve?" For what? Money you and I are sure Mingi could easily double? You know what, come here..."

Without much thought, I grabbed the collar of shirt and pulled him to me harshly, and when that didn't satiate my anger, I decided to grab his hair and started to drag him across the halls of the house.

He started kicking and screaming as he was forced to follow me, but not daring to grab onto my hands because it was a lose-lose situation for him anyway - if he did that, he'd lose his hand to Mingi anyway.

The commotion had caught onto the others and everyone only had two expressions - either their jaws were dropped or their eyes were widened, there was no in between.

"What in the hell is going on?" Seonghwa's form had stopped in front of me. He looked so confused. "Myungsoo?"

"Hwa, with all due respect," I gritted my teeth. "Get out of my way. Have you talked to Yunho and Jongho yet?"

"No, wh---"

"Hey, you motherfucker, I was looking for you!"

We both turned to the source of the voice and if you really speak of the Devil, and he shall really appear. Yunho's malicious sneer was directed to a shaking Myungsoo. Jongho had the liberty to kick the asshole on the rib.

“I see he told you,” Jongho smirked. “You should lay down, though. This isn’t good for you,” he turned away. "Come, I'll tell you what this cunt did," he motioned for Seonghwa.

Someone held my shoulders in worry and I looked up to see who it was and smirked. "Want to have a piece of this dogshit, Joong?" I pulled on Myungsoo's head and he whined in pain.

"Nah, I wouldn't want to get my hands dirty. And you shouldn't stress yourself out either, your body needs a lot of energy," he smirked. He motioned to another person behind me and waved for them to come closer. "Hey, Yeosang, come get a load of this!"

The handsome man frowned, but walked over in curiosity anyway. "Y/N, what are you doing up? You shouldn't be here, let alone drag this piece of shit right here."

I rolled my eyes. "Guys, stop treating me like I'm going to break."

"No, but Mingi will have all of our heads if you get stressed high-time," Yunho deadpanned as he motioned for Yeosang this time.

He got debriefed real quick and he smirked, crossing his arms. "I knew it," he scoffed, leaning down to glare at our victim. He raised his hand. "Pay up, fuckers."

I raised my brow in fascination as everybody grumbled and handed a triumphant Yeosang some cash. I looked at him in question and he started laughing. "I had a slimy feeling with this one," he shrugged, his eyes glinting with malice. "Made a bet that he'll fold within six months."

I didn't wait for that fiasco to finish and had resumed my dragging business before they started beating each other up.

"P-Please, you're hurting me---"

"Shut it."

Finally, we reached the door I knew Mingi would be in. I cursed under my breath when I listened in and I heard multiple voices inside, which would mean that he was in a meeting. But this couldn't wait.

I busted through the door with determination and fire in my eyes, with a sobbing Myungsoo behind me as my hand had tightened its grip on his hair. Honestly, a huge part of me wished that he'd resist so I'd have a reason to rip all of his hair out.

"Argh, let go!" Myungsoo groaned. I scoffed and complied and he had the audacity to look offended when he got slammed on the floor.

"Tell him, you little fuck," I seethed in pure anger, pointing at nowhere in particular. "Tell him what you did!"

Inside the room were multiple people in dashing outfits to impress and they were all huddled in the middle as they all sat on the round table where Mingi usually held important meetings.

Each of Mingi's guests looked at us in a mix of amusement, horror, and curiosity. There was no in between. Most of all, they took a long, hard look at me and gasped at what they saw. They all looked at me before they all turned to look at the very end of the table.

I saw San approaching me with a very concerned look. "Is everything okay, Y/N? You look pale," he whispered so only the two of us could hear.

He, then, turned to Myungsoo and smirked. "I don't know what he did, but damn, girl. You got guts to bring him in here like this."

I harrumphed, unamused. I grabbed Myungsoo's hair so his head would snap upright. I wasn't oblivious to the murmurs that started to sound all over the room, but I wasn't interested in that.

My eyes roamed to take in the scene I had barged onto. San had gone back to his seat, which was directly in front of Wooyoung, who looked dead serious at the far end of the table. He looked just as intimidating as Mingi and San. I stared at the notes that were sprawled in front of him from where he stood. He must’ve been in the middle of something when I barged in.

But I had another goal in mind. I set my eyes at the end of the table where most of the time, all the heads of anything that remotely resembled a group would sit down. Mingi had no particular expression on his face. He stared blankly at me with his arms crossed. If I didn’t know him, I would have folded. Mingi’s specialty and a big part of why he was feared was his utmost control of his expressions. I don’t know what he’s thinking.

"Gentlemen," Mingi stood up slowly. I couldn't help but be in awe of his movements, he looked very regal, like a prince. "We shall continue this meeting soon," he gestured to Wooyoung. "If you would please, Jung."

"Terribly sorry about this," Wooyoung put on his best fake smile, or rather, sneer as he began to gesture to the guests to leave the room.

"You might be head, but this is a disrespectful move," one of the people seated exclaimed. "You should put a tight leash on your woman."

Mingi's eyes narrowed ever so slightly. It would have gone unnoticed if you didn't know his mannerisms. "Patience is an attribute I lack," he clicked his tongue, chuckling darkly. "I suggest you all leave now. San, stay."

"You heard him," Wooyoung snarled, not bothering to keep up the diplomatic act. "Move."

One by one, everyone piled in to get out of the room, but not before giving me one last dirty look, which I didn't hesitate to return back. I got looks of surprise and I smirked, Mingi was definitely rubbing off on me. I was told our glares looked similar. That or my hormones.

"Wait," Mingi said, making everyone halt in their steps. He signaled for San, who lifted a cigarette pack so Mingi could get one and light it up. "That's Mrs. Song for all of you," he blew the smoke rather harshly. "You do realize that you just disrespected my wife in front of me?"

The man who had indirectly insulted me visibly paled and I scoffed loudly. What a dumbass. "Wooyoung," he called out. "Give him hell. The rest, out."

Wooyoung patted me on the shoulder once, winking not-so-subtly behind the evil glint in his eyes. "I’ll take care of this pig for you. Nobody insults you in front of me. Go rest, my queen, you shouldn't be up," he reminded me before he shut the door behind him. I chuckled, he looked so excited. I suppose life has been dull for him lately.

"Now, what do you have to tell me?" Mingi stalked towards my direction and raised a brow at Myungsoo's state. "What did you do?"

When he wasn't responding, I let go of his hair to push him around. "Say something, you fucking coward," I spat.

"Love, calm down. I don't want you stressed. Hey, look at me," Mingi stopped me, pulling on my arm to engulf me in a hug. I felt myself calm down immediately. "That bad?"

He turned his head to look at San, who raised his hands up. "I don't know either," he defended himself. “But whatever it is, may I suggest the maximum penalty?”

Mingi extinguished the cigarette on the tray and threw it away before he got close to me. He gave San an expectant look. God, even that looked intimidating. “Keep going.”

“Well,” San walked in circles, a terrified Myungsoo in the middle. “Look at your wife, and then look at this swamp donkey,” he sneered before hitting the back of his head. “It’s gotta be bad, Min.”

Mingi still held no expression, but he nodded, indicating that he was listening. He took off his coat and shirt right in front me - to this day, the sight of his bare chest still makes me blush - and then wore a spare shirt he kept at bay before he completely approached me.

I couldn't help but smile. I’ve been hating the smell of cigarettes lately and I appreciate the steps he’s doing to help out even though he can’t completely stop using it. There was still a faint smokey smell, but it was bearable.

Mingi gave me a soft kiss before he held my shoulders and squeezed a little. "Me and San will take it from here, okay?" I frowned when Mingi picked up Myungsoo with one hand. "Why don't you wait in our room, hmm?"

That was a subtle way of saying that he wanted me out of here so he can do whatever it is that he wanted violently without me watching. I nodded and began to walk out, but not before giving the most venomous glare and bitter warning.

"I want him out of here," I growled, my form visibly shaking from anger. "When you're done, come find me."

And with that I turned around, exited, shut the door behind me with a bang, and leaned on it for a minute to catch my breath.

I heard a slap from the inside and a groan of pain. "What the fuck did you do?" Mingi's raging growl sounded, muffled by the door. "By God, even I've never seen her this mad, what the fuck did you do? San."

More grunts and the familiar sound of fists hitting bare flesh resounded from where I was, with San's taunting voice and laughter filled the air as he went at it with the violence I could only hear, but couldn't see.

"Tell me," I heard Mingi's smooth voice, the calmness of it always brought me shivers. "What did you do for the one person who barely gets involved in our line of work to be that angry and scared?"

My heart swelled inside my chest. He had barely looked at me, yet he knew that aside from the rage, I was acting out of fear. I was terrified that the enemy would launch a surprise attack on us, or worse, the authorities on our tails.

All because that twat had sold us out. It made my blood boil. There was no response to be heard, and Mingi hated that.

I jumped from where I was when I heard the distinct sound of glass getting smashed, and then Mingi's angry voice. "What the fuck did you to me to make my wife that scared?"

It was my queue to leave. I ran to our room, not bothering to give everyone an explanation because sooner or later, the news of Myungsoo's betrayal will reach everyone's ears anyway; of how he told the enemy crucial information for a sum of money.

Pathetic.

It wasn't enough to dent Ateez's reputation, but it spooked me enough to get angry. It was vital information of Mingi's personal life, something he barely shared even with me, yet that cocksucker had divulged it so easily. So yeah, I was pissed.

One good thing that came out of it was Mingi's referral to me as his wife. Not that we hid it, he was just very private, is all. We got married a couple of months back in a private ceremony with just his closest friends - Ateez - and his family. I had the pleasure of meeting his parents and his older brother as well.

It just made me extremely giddy and happy whenever I heard him say it.

Not even thirty minutes after I left, the door opened and in came Mingi. I frowned when he got closer, his knuckles were bleeding profusely. I winced, but I understood where his anger was coming from. Hell, I wasn't any better dragging the man with his hair.

"Did you kill him?" I callously asked as I rolled around from the bed.

Mingi got a cloth and pressed it on his hand. He glanced at me with raised brows. "Should I have?"

"No," I shook my head, getting up and pressing the cloth to his injured skin, myself. "Let the enemies have him. Don't waste your energy."

“Would that make you happy?”

I smiled. Even in his haze of anger, he still thought of me. We’ve definitely come a long way. “Yes.”

“Then it’s settled,” he smirked. Mingi stared at me through lidded eyes before he tilted my chin up with his free hand and gave me a short, but sweet kiss. He had a smirk on his face as he looked at me tenderly, like his whole world revolved around me.

"How are you feeling?" Mingi murmured, worry evident on his face.

I shrugged. "Fine," I said truthfully to appease him. "I'm not really feeling sick anymore, which is good."

"Would you like to eat something? A craving, perhaps?"

"You."

We both laughed out loud with Mingi caught off guard with my blatantly terrible flirting skills. "But seriously, I'm good. What about you? What are you thinking?"

"Is it wrong for me to say that I'm proud of you?" Mingi murmured, his fingers caressing my face gently. "As much as it saddens me that you're so deep in this, I'm happy nonetheless."

I kissed his bloody knuckles and a shudder ran through his body at my gesture. "Did I go out of line earlier?" I sighed. "I didn't mean to, I got carried away."

"No. You're my wife, you can do whatever you want," he smiled, the crescents of his eyes looking so cute that I couldn't help but coo. "But seriously, that was so hot. The way you just barged in. You're acting like a true mafia queen."

I giggled, lifting my hand to stare at my wedding ring and then at Mingi's matching ring. "I am, aren't I?"

For a moment none of us said anything, just basking on the moment; the now. It felt good how tough he was on the outside, but when we were alone, he was just Mingi. Not the notorious Song Mingi who built his empire from scratch, he was just my Mingi. He was divine, I really wasn’t sure how to say it other than it was very easy to fall for him.

“They’re right, you know,” he murmured. “You should get some rest.”

I playfully swatted his chest. “I know. I just couldn’t help it earlier, but I don’t regret it,” I smiled, my hand traveling to my bulging belly. “But we’re fine, nothing to worry about. All of you are so overprotective though, it’s getting on my nerves.”

He laughed, his deep voice booming all over the room. “You can’t really blame all of us, my princess,” he smiled, his hand also rubbing affectionately on my swollen belly. “Another thing to be proud of, love. You’re going to be a good mother.”

Worry etched itself on my face and Mingi could feel my distress. “I’m scared,” I admitted. “Are you?”

“Of course I am,” he chuckled, giving me a quick peck on the cheek. “This is the one thing we don’t really get trained on, angel. But we’re in this together, yeah? The boys already love our baby.”

I can already imagine the rest of them spoiling the shit out of our unborn child. Hongjoong would pretend he’s strict, but on the inside, he’ll love the kid the most. Seonghwa would offer to babysit a lot, I’d definitely need him the most out of everybody because of his mother hen qualities.

Yeosang would be clueless, but he’d have Yunho with him who is equally clueless. San would be that one uncle that teaches the kid naughty stuff, while Wooyoung would be the partner-in-crime with all of the pranks. Jongho would be the cool uncle who would give anything and everything to the child once he gets the puppy eyes.

Mingi would be the man who comes alive when he’s with our child, and he’ll do it because he’ll have so much love to give. He might be the villain in everyone’s story, but he’ll be the hero that every child would deserve to have.

“I just hope I’m doing right by you,” I chuckled. “I really don’t know if I’m doing the right thing over here, baby. ”

He grinned before he kneeled down to my stomach level. I couldn't help the infectious grin that also painted my face as he caressed my tummy and gave it a small kiss. "You already are."

He gazed up at me. The look in his eyes, it will forever be etched in my mind for as long as I live. Never will I forget that night we met, it was the longest night of my life. Never would I forget the moments where I no longer belonged to myself, it was a bitter pill to swallow, but I'll also never forget the day I accepted it.

But most of all, I won't ever forget the best thing I'd ever gotten out of all of this - our son.

Dividers from: @cafekitsune ❤️❤️

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