Jiyong was watching Dara who kept on changing the TV channels, not focused on anything. She already scrolled the streaming channels from Netflix to Hulu to Paramount+, but still seemingly couldn't decide on anything.
At this point, he knew she was just passing time. She was still dressed in his pair of white sweatshirts and sweatpants that were too big for her, sitting on the gray couch with her legs up and hugging her knees, her eyes glued on the TV but her mind was somewhere else. She had been like this since after their breakfast and refused other meals after that.
She has been quiet too, barely speaking to him, with him catching her spacing out or with a distant look on her face. She would sigh now and then too.
If she was not falling into depression, he didn't know how to call this then. She was sad.
When she told him bits of what happened yesterday, he understood her instantly, losing the lead role she was so excited about took a great toll on her and it would take a while for her to be back to her old self again. It was a fucked up situation. He couldn't help himself to get angry when he found out how it happened. If only he was there...
If only he could do something to cheer her up right now, too.
Beep
He felt his phone vibrate from his back pocket as he straightened up from sitting on the dining table. He was mostly just watching Dara being somber. He respected her silence and he admitted, he liked watching her in his place.
He flipped his phone open and saw Tae's number. He read the message.
Tae: I'm here.
He closed his phone as he looked one last time at Dara before speaking,
"I'll be gone for a few minutes. Will you be fine?" He asked her which only gained a small nod from her.
Sighing, he took his coat and keys hanging from the foyer as he put on his shoes. He then opened the door and softly closed it behind.
He walked to the elevator and pressed the down button. It arrived shortly, and he entered, pushing the B button from his 7th-floor residence. The ride was short, and he exited on the basement level.
A familiar white Cadillac CT5-V was parked in the corner and at the sight of Jiyong heading towards the car, Tae climbed out of his sports car and greeted Jiyong with a smile as he showed him a couple of shopping bags.
"Here. Just like you asked. Female clothes from shirts, pants, dresses, pajamas, uhm underwear. All in regular small sizes." Tae shrugged as he handed him the bags.
He didn't say anything as he received them.
Tae leaned on the hood of his car as he eyed Jiyong knowingly, prodding silently.
Jiyong sighed, "Dara's here."
Tae 'O'-ed in understanding, "Got it. Of course." He smirked. "She was the reason you were distracted last night then." He concluded.
Jiyong raked his hair frustratingly as he huffed at the reminder of last night. "How's Dae?"
Tae tapped his fingers on the car, humming, "He's fine and out of danger. Demanding to go practice with TOP to a shooting range which TOP immediately shut down." He laughed. "Back to his annoying self and corny jokes."
Jiyong was glad to hear that as he nodded. "How about the others?"
Tae's smile dropped. "Fine too. Though I gave them VIP treatment from my family's hospital, the boys still wanted to get back to District 1. You know how they can be." He shook his head. "Those cowards surprisingly attacking us at the border pissed our men off. They want to go to Yorkville and get back to those bastards."
He clenched his jaw as Tae nodded.
"I know, it's a bad idea." Tae sighed heavily. "You know it's only a matter of time before Woojae would do something outrageous again, right?" He asked. "What's your plan?"
His eyes darkened as his voice was dangerously low. "Take control of District 2 and piss the bastard Woojae even more."
Tae widened his eyes. District 2 is north of District 1, it's the closest city to Seoul. The smallest District out of the 9 Districts. "District 2 has been sucking with District 1 for a while now. It's probably their biggest allies." Tae informed him with worry.
"Exactly," He smirked.
Tae clicked his tongue. "How would you do that?" He paused, "Though our men would like the idea. They've been thirsty for some actions for a while now."
He looked at him. "District 2 is in the North. Winter is coming. With how their electricity sucks there, they need District 7's lumber industry so..." he lingered on his words.
Tae widened his eyes again at the realization. "You gonna stop the wood supply to their district?"
He didn't answer that as he shrugged his shoulders.
That's a yes. Tae couldn't help but worry. "How about the homeless people there? They would freeze to death." He pointed out.
His eyes remained cold. "They're just collateral damage. Before that can happen, District 2 has seven hours to decide where their allegiance should be."
Tae couldn't agree with him but still nodded. "They might as well run to District 1 for refuge."
He scoffed. "With how that bastard Woojae likes his city pretty and clean. I doubt he'd welcome these outsiders back in his city."
Tae agreed. "Woojae do fancy pretty things." He shook his head at the numerous outrageous things Woojae had done in his District. If it's an eyesore, he would get rid of it right away. From people to jobs, to buildings, to plants, etc. He wants them 'pretty' if he had to kill to keep the city 'pretty and clean', he would've done so in a snap of his finger. He wouldn't be called the King of Seoul for no reason.
Because of Woojae's ruthlessness, the homeless of District 1 scattered away to impoverished neighboring districts like District 2 and District 3.
Tae was reminded of something. "You know this is what Joo Woojae wanted right?" He asked his friend who didn't answer. He continued, "He wanted to be like the legendary Vincenzo. He wants to control all the districts like in the past. What a psychopath."
He gritted his teeth. "He's been fucking annoying me since the very beginning."
Tae glanced at him knowingly. "He couldn't control District 7 because of you. He hates you. You have Districts 8 and 5 fully on your backs. He was very pissed. He lost it even more when that traitor Seungi told him that District 4 was on the way to plead their allegiance to us too. What a loser."
He ruffled his dark hair, annoyed already at the topic. It was years of work in progress. But it's been very stressful, to say the least.
Not to mention, his stepfather, Mr. Yang, complicates things by meddling with his underground business with the other districts. He knew his stepfather was only focused on his election campaign next year by making sure he is out of his way and not dirtying the mayor's name which was crazy because he doesn't want to do anything with the damn man. Mr. Yang had been annoying him, too. He should probably take care of that man sooner than later. He groaned at his other problem on hand.
Tae knew that was his cue to change the topic. Tae sighed inwardly as he looked at the shopping bags Jiyong was holding.
"Dara's here, huh?" Tae asked, out of nothing to say.
He nodded.
Tae couldn't help but worry. "I hope she's OK. Is it because of Woojae?" He prodded.
He shook his head. "Something else. She lost her role in the theater club."
Tae clicked his tongue, regrettably. "Yikes. That sucks. She had been talking nonstop about that to us when we talked to her at -ONE."
He didn't comment but Tae knew his friend was thinking about the girl.
"Speaking of -ONE. Are we playing there this Friday?" Tae wondered.
He sighed. "Depends."
Tae nodded. It depends on the girl's situation. "Well, I know it's only temporary but playing at -ONE as a BIGBANG member can be therapeutic to me. I'm sure the other members felt the same way too." He was amused. "It's kind of a good distraction from our gang-related activities."
It was for him too. Playing the guitars as he played alongside his District 7's best comrades: Tae, Dae, TOP, and Seungri. It was indeed a good distraction, though a temporary setup.
"Ms. Sohee didn't text me too but I'll let you know once she asked for us this Friday," Tae stated. He straightened up, preparing to leave as Jiyong did the same. "Jiyong." He called to his friend, hesitantly.
The leader waited for him to continue as Tae looked at him, seriously. "I know it's not my place to say this but it's dangerous for Dara to get even more involved with us." 'She's gonna be the death of you.' He wanted to add.
Jiyong didn't answer as he just walked away from him, though Tae had a feeling that he knew this already.
Tae just sighed as he climbed into his car, revved it on, and drove to leave the building.
—//—//tbc
a/n: Vincenzo....hmm who could that be?