Dinner was finally done as all of us including grandpa sat down to eat. Because of the lack of chairs on our dining table, I had no choice but to sit in between Hoseok and Taehyung.
"Here Nana, serve everyone the food", Grandpa said. I picked the meat as I served it to him first , slammed it in Taehyung's plate and gently served Hoseok.
Taehyung scoffed at the blatant display of favoritism by Nana. He looked at how sweetly she served the other boy and his grandfather but his food was literally being dumped in his plate.
The men talked while I ate, too hungry to indulge in conversation.
"Here Nana", Hoseok said. "Try this wrap"
"Oh", I was surprised as he bought it close for me to eat. I opened my mouth and he stuffed it inside. "Damn that's good, let me make you one too"
Taehyung watched as Nana enthusiastically picked the side dishes and stuffed them in the lettuce before putting it in Hoseok's mouth. The red haired man nodded with a smile, indicating it was great. For a second he felt a little jealous and left out. Why did he agree to even stay for dinner. Guess at that time the idea of seeing Nana pissed seemed nice.
"Grandpa, you must try", I said putting it in his plate. Just as I was about to make one more for myself, my eyes fell on Taehyung eating silently. Should I give him one? I gave one to everybody else. It would be odd. Plus he helped Grandpa today. This could be a little token of appreciation.
He picked the piece of meat and put it in his mouth until Nana placed a wrap in his plate which was followed by a soft "try it"
For a second Taehyung was taken aback. He didn't expect to be served one too. He picked it up as he put it in his mouth. It indeed tasted nice as a small genuine smile came on his face.
———•••———
After dinner we all moved to the living room. Grandpa said his good night wishes to us as he retired in his room leaving the three of us outside.
It was awkward as we all sat. Thank god Hoseok decided to speak.
"Does anyone want icecream?"
I nodded and we both looked at Taehyung. "No, I must leave now. Thank your Grandfather for having me. I should get going"
I nodded and all of three of us stepped out. Me and Hoseok to get ice-cream while Taehyung was about to leave. I missed the step on the front of the door, causing me to land face side on the floor.
Both men stopped as they heard a grunt and loud thud. They saw back to see Nana on the floor, her knee and palms scraped.
They rushed to her until a message made Taehyung slow down. He looked at the caller.
Confidential: He was seen in Hongdae. Meet me at Timo's in 10 minutes. I have information.
Conflicted on whether to stay and help or to leave, he chose the later.
I winced in pain as Hoseok bent to take a look at the scraped knee. "Hold my hand", he said. "It's going to be okay"
I did as he asked and almost as his words were a command, the pain subsided a little making me relax slightly. Taehyung watched this and something went off in his mind.
This man reminded him of someone. A healer, he had known centuries ago before he was banished to Hell. But suddenly the text occupied his mind. One look at the two, he rushed out of the house to his car.
———•••———
The club was dimly light. Taehyung walked to where Jungkook was. "Where is she?"
"She is sitting inside", the younger said. Taehyung could sense Jungkook was slightly disturbed.
"Hand over the work to Kahi and come in", he ordered the younger. Jungkook removed his apron as he followed Taehyung to the back of the club. The club was owned by Taehyung and probably was the hottest place in the city. The duo made their way to a small room at the end.
The door opened to reveal a woman sitting there. She stood up as she saw Taehyung before bowing 90 degrees to him.
"Master"
"Sit", he ordered and the remaining two sat. "What do you know?"
"My men saw him. James - your brother in Hongdae. He was with a woman at a club. His trips from hell to here have increased. My informants back there tell me he hardly ever spends time there"
Taehyung's fist clutched tightly as his eyes flashed a deep red. "Keep an eye on him. Make sure you report every move of his to me"
"I will master"
"When you go back to hell, tell Vani to keep an eye on the entries and exit through the portal. I want all records of who leaves and comes back."
"Yes master", the lady said standing up. "Now if you allow me, I need to get back"
Taehyung nodded. "Wait"
The girl stopped in her tracks as she turned back. "Can you do something for me?"
"Anything you ask master"
"Keep an eye on someone for me. Nana has a friend. His name is Hoseok. He will be joining the university soon. I want you to find me everything you can on him. He is peculiarly suspicious"
The girl nodded. "I will do that sir"
"Good, leave now. And be safe"
———•••———
I sat on my bed, flipping through my notes to study the book. Taehyung being an asshole would definitely try his best fail me. And since I had challenged him, I had no choice but to work hard now.
I sighed once again throwing the book away. I couldn't concentrate. This bed had a gravitational force stronger than its surroundings. Everytime I sat up to study, I felt like lying down.
I browsed through my phone until a reminder popped up.
6 months until I turned 21. I smiled. I loved birthdays. Despite not having many people to celebrate it with, It still made me feel giddy.
I stared at the ceiling thinking about my parents. Would things have been different if my mother was alive? And what about my father? What if he hadn't deserted us. Grandpa never talked to me about my father. Every time I asked, he either ignored or got angry. So I stopped asking all together.
I was just lying in bed reminiscing when I felt a wetness near my nose. I swiped my finger over that are and looked to see blood. I immediately stood up as I went to the mirror. A streak of blood was flowing down the nose. I panicked and wiped it with a tissue but it didn't stop. I wiped again, the blood smudging all over my upper lip but it was no use.
I ran out of my room to grab the first aid box lying by when I slammed into Hoseok who was going upstairs with a glass of water.
"Ooh Nana, why are you up so late?"
"Hoseok.. this..", I removed the tissue holding the blood in place. His eyes widened as he saw the crimson flow.
"How did this happen?", he asked, his tone serious and no longer playful.
"I don't know, I was just in bed when I felt some sensation and wetness near my nose. It doesn't hurt though"
"Shit", he cursed under his breath. "Sit here, and put your head back. I will be back"
I nodded and did as he asked. There were hurried footsteps after which he vanished in his room and came back later with a big box.
"Take this", he said handing me a strange green looking pill. "What is this?"
"This uh.. I don't know the name but it will stop the bleeding"
I nodded and downed it with a glass of water. He removed a couple of tissue and wiped my nose for me. "Let me check for fever", he said. "Close your eyes"
"Why should I close my eyes?", I asked perplexed. What was this man and his strange medical requests.
"Just do". Hesitantly I shut my eyes as I felt his hand on my forehead. A warmth spread through my body the moment his hand made contact with my head. It was strange. Almost like magic - how energised I was starting to feel.
"Okay, you don't have fever", he said and I opened my eyes.
"What did you? I suddenly feel nice", I commented stretching my arms. He just chuckled nervously. "Do you?"
"Hmm"
"Okay you should probably rest. This pill will make you sleepy. It is good if you let your body recover"
"Okay. Thanks Hoseok", I smiled and went back to my room.
Hoseok looked at the girl retreat into her room. The smile he had faded as soon as she was out of sight.
The one thing he feared the most had begun and he had to be more careful now.