NEO CULTURE TECHNOLOGY
MAD CITY BASE
9:23 AM, SATURDAY

3RD PERSONS VIEW。

"Taeyong did what now!?" Doyoung slammed his hands on the meeting table, causing some of the boys to flinch as he stared down at the young hacker in shock. Jisung also jumped a bit, not expecting that Doyoung would react in such way.

Calming down, Jisung gave him a sheepish look, "Ask him..."

Doyoung sighed, "You're fucking crazy, Taeyong."

The said guy just laughed, tone was hollow and emotionless, "I know."

Kun sighed and stood up, "I have had enough of this."

"What are the missions for today?" Jaemin raised a brow, trying to change the subject.

Everyone was quite shocked after knowing that Taeyong literally made Jisung go with him to settle a gamble with his rivals in the targets bar. What was the point of bringing Jisung though? Probably to stop him from doing more crazy things was what they thought.

Taeyong craned his head towards his sub-advisor, "Youngho, makes sure everything goes as planned tomorrow."

Youngho nodded, a bitter smile plastered on his face, "NCT can't lose you."

"And we won't." Doyoung huffed and crossed his arms, still couldn't accept the fact that this was happening again. After a few minutes of self contemplation, he sighs and started handing out their assigned tasks for today.

"Woah, wait– seriously?" Donghyuck looked up form his folder, looking extremely excited for his new mission.

Taeyong nodded, "Do you not want it?"

Donghyuck scoffed, "Who said so? I'll go get ready now. See y'all bitches later." he gushed at them before dashing out the meeting room.

Hendery pursed his lips and stood up, "I guess I'll have to go get ready with him..."

Chenle blinked, shooting daggers at the Boss, "You sent Donghyuck and Hendery today?"

Taeyong hummed, "I was hoping that she could have an early visit, especially since this mansion will become her new home."

Groans left some of the boy's lips. "I'm gonna see that brat everyday?" Xiaojun grunted, face falling in annoyance.

"You're in mission with them." Taeyong uttered making Xiaojun sigh harshly.

Yangyang chuckled, "It's not like you're not a brat."

Xiaojun glared at him, "Shut up."

Unfortunately, Yangyang was unbothered by this and just stuck his tongue out playfully.

"I'm going to cut that tongue."

"I'd like to see you try." without another word, Xiaojun flipped put his pocket knife and that made the others alarmed while some remained calm, wanting to see where would this fight go to.

Eventually, Kun had enough of their bantering and grabbed them by their ears, pulling them out the room, "No fighting, will you?" he hissed as the big brown doors close slowly behind them.

Jaemin eyed his file folder, "A threat?" he looks up at the executives, "Another threat from the Nightwalkers?" he laughs softly, "What the heck do they want now."

Renjun pursed his lips, familiarizing himself with the files, "Probably Cherrie."

Taeyong snaps his eyes towards the younger boy, hearing the name 'Cherrie' from Renjun's lips made him alert. Realizing what he was doing, he shrugged it off immediately, ignoring that fact that he noticed something he shouldn't have.

Jungwoo stands up from his seat, "I guess we'll prepare the room for our new guest later on." he said and readjusted his blazer, "Lucas? You're coming with me."

The said boy shot his head up, "Okay!" he then followed Jungwoo out the meeting room.

"Wait– Are you even sure that she'll come with us?" Hendery asks, re-entering the meeting room.

Taeyong nodded, "If she doesn't..." he turns to look at Taeil, "Taeil has some drugs you could use."

"And what happened to not hurting her?" Jisung deadpans.

"I'd come get her myself, but save the best for last right?" Taeyong chuckled and stood up, ready to leave the meeting room. "Yuta, make sure the the supplies get here on time before midnight. Jisung, Chenle, and Jeno, also make sure to tighten the security, especially since we're going to have visitors."

The Japanese mechanic nodded and went out, Ten following behind him as he also needed to go and work on his new bombs. Meanwhile, the hacking team had stayed for a bit to gather some bits of advise from Doyoung.

Taeyong eyed his members before leaving the meeting room, making his way to his own office. Entering his office, the dimly lit room made him feel more comfortable than ever. With the dark walls surrounding him, long velvet curtains covering the windows, only a single lamp was turned on, and he liked to keep it that way.

The Mafia Boss drowned himself in nothing but darkness and paperworks, seeming to find at least a little self comfort from it.

Back at the meeting room, Sicheng, Mark, and Renjun were discussing about the particular threat and how to hopefully make them stop. Doyoung sat there as he also discussed with the group of young hackers, giving advice on where to strengthen the security, until he met eyes with one.

The Gambler of the Mafia couldn't help but play with the deck of cards Taeyong always had on top of the meeting table, as if the deck of cards symbolized something to him. To Youngho, gambling was an addiction he faced through the years since he entered the Mafia. Being one of the compulsive gamblers ever known in the Mafia world, his heart was shattered when he witnessed his own great loss.

The loss of a friend.

Doyoung immediately noticed his down expression and called for his attention. "Nervous?" was the only thing Doyoung could come up with.

Youngho blinked a few times, feeling a bit more than nervous, "Maybe– you could say so."

"We're not going to lose, Johnny."

The Gambler hissed, "We don't know that."

"The only reason we lost the first time we played this game was because you doubted Taeyong." Doyoung uttered, crossing his arms as the tension between them surfaced quick.

"He was betting a friend's life on the line, who wouldn't doubt the ending of a game?"

"You have to believe in yourself a bit more, Johnny. Taeyong trusts us with his life, that's why he's bold enough to risk his life."

"For what?" Youngho scoffed, "To finally bring down Mikami Empire?"

Doyoung sighed, "I don't know, honestly. But trust this family, okay? You're not the best for nothing."

. . .

Jaemin ran his fingers through his hair as he went with Hendery to prepare the car they were going to use. The quartet were in the garage, where all the vehicles were stationed. From sports-cars, luxury vehicles, limousines, roadster – to trucks, utility vehicles, minivans, and vans! Even motorcycles lined up neatly on the sides.

"Uhh..." Yuta squinted his eyes, "All of you are going?" he questioned, gesturing at the four boys.

Yangyang shook his head, "I'm going to drive by my self, I have to pick up the assigned suitcase. I'm also going with the assassination unit."

Yuta nodded, "I've already prepared the car over there."

"And you three?"

"We'll be taking our motorcycles." Hendery and Donghyuck said at the same time leaving Xiaojun to end up with the sports-car.

"Fuck. You're going to make me end up in a car with her?"

Donghyuck cackled, "I would die to be in your place, but since you're so annoyed with her– I'd rather make her annoy you more."

Yangyang laughed and fist bumped with Donghyuck, "Nice."

Xiaojun irked and shot a glare at the two before entering the black Chevrolet Corvette, "Fuck you all."

Hendery placed on his helmet, and humping on his motorcycle, fingers wrapped tightly on the handles, the engine began to rev loudly. "Race you there, Haechan." he taunted before speeding up, exiting the garage in a flash.

Donghyuck's lips tugged up into a wide grin, "You're on!" he yelled and left the garage without another word.

The Mask of the Mafia sighed as he ran a hand down his face, "Well this is going to be interesting." he muttered before starting up the car and driving off.

—