Ahn stares at people engage in conversations along the room. She knows this isn't polite small like the wealthy do, some were business dealings, while others were mocks to get a rise out of the others.

The early spring wind brushes. against her bare arm, as she is leaning against the open window. She takes a sip of whiskey. It burns through her throat.

Heesung approaches her with a coy smile. "Came alone?" He inquires, eying her outfit. He is holding a wineglass in one hand, and his other hand rests comfortably in the pocket of his pants.

"No," Ahn says. "What do you want?"

He sighs and leans against the window opposite to her. "What could I possibly want?" She raises her eyebrows. She can think of ten things he wants from her. At her reaction, he rolls his eyes. "Fine." He admits. H throws a look of caution at the crowd and leans in. "I want to start a coup. I need people."

Ahn taps the rim of her glass. Heesung is the second-in-command of Street Lions. Objectively, he does more work for the gang than the leader. "How many people are in favour of the coup?"

"A fair bit."

"Then avoid a coup," she advices. "Get Doyoung assassinated and let the members choose the next leader." She continues cutting him off before he can open his mouth.

Heesung looks out of the window, thinking.

After a while, he nods. "Yeah." He meets her eyes. "I need an assassin."

"Eight hundred Veto. For killing him and to hold my tongue."

Heesung's lip parts, and he sucks a sharp breath. Ahn laughs. "Don't tell me you were expecting less?"

He shakes his head. "I wasn't. How soon can you kill him?"

"As soon as you want."

"Tonight?" There is a wicked glint in his eyes.

"Why not?" She glances around the room, finding the right person. Heesung follows her eyes, the wicked glint still present. Ahn turns to face him. "Get me a of pen and paper."

Heesung dashes to get her the what she asked for.

In his absence, someone else approaches her. "What does he want?"

It is Hyunjin. The closet person in Ahn's life, and her best friend. He has dyed his hair back to black for the party. He did it to compliment his outfit, and it is. He is one of the best dressed people at the party. And according to him, the most handsome.

Ahn has known Hyunjin for the past three years. They rose through the Crimson Velvet together. They have been through thick and thin and have always looking out for each other. Today he clipped her hair away from her eyes for the party, with shiny clips. He, too, is wearing the same shiny clips.

"To be king," she replies.

Heesung comes back and hands her a pen and a blank page.

Ahn holds the paper against the wall and starts scribbling. Behind her, Hyunjin and Heesung are having a conversation.

"Good evening Hyunjin." Heesung greets.

"Heesung," Hyunjin says. "How are you? Heard you have some big plans."

Heesung chuckles. "I am and Ahn has given some valuable insights."

"Of course, she has. How much did she charge?"

"Oh, it wasn't cheap, eight hundred Veto."

Ahn turns around and hands Heesung the page- folded in half. "Give this to Seungkwan."

Hessing peeks inside. "That's it?" He asks.

She nods curtly. "He will know what it means."

"Alright. I will leave the money tomorrow."

"All the best!" Hyunjin cheers. Heesung smiles.

"I hope tomorrow will bring a change," Ahn says. Heesung gives her a smile too.

Ahn watches him approach Seungkwan and hand over the note. After reading the note, Seungkwan meets her eyes. Time to return the favour. The words scribbled on the note. A while back, Ahn had helped Seungkwan through a tough spot. At the time, he told her he owes her. She has been holding on to it for months, waiting for the perfect opportunity. Since she has sent Heesung to him, he doesn't owe her anymore, and she doesn't have to give away her earnings.

Heesung and Seungkwan move away to talk in private, and Ahn looks at Hyunjin. He places his empty glass on the windowsill.

"What were you up to?" she asks.

"Talked to a few people, flirted with a few more, had a few dealings. Guess what I heard?" he leans in, and whispers. "Beomgyu hasn't come to the party yet. Someone even saw him sneaking out of his room a few hours before this party."

Ahn's lips twitch. "Off dealing somewhere."

"Probably." Hyunjin shrugs.

"How much more time?" Ahn asks urgently. Her demeanour changes. She is not relaxed anymore, rather a tiger, ready to pounce.

Hyunjin reached into his pocket and pulls out his pocket watch. "Very close," he replies, looking at the hands.

Ahn and Hyunjin weren't here only as representatives of their gangs. Fool's Knight has borrowed quite a bit of money from Crimson Velvet- which they haven't paid back. This has led her boss to react, which is consistent with many bosses- steam in his cushiony leather chair and tell the employees to handle the situation.

Currently, it is Ahn's job to ensure Fool's Knight pays for their mockery. She has a plan, which has been going smoothly the whole night. It has reached its final stage, and she is waiting for the clock to strike the right number.

"Talk of the devil," Hyunjin mutters.

Ahn cranes her neck to see what he is looking at. It is Beomgyu. Who looks like he dressed in a hurry. Clad in a simple black suit. He is also making his way towards them.

"Why is he coming here?" Ahn whispers. She knows why he is coming towards them. Unfortunately, he will be too late. He can't stop her now.

"Doesn't matter. Mingyu is here. Let's go," Hyunjin says. Ahn wraps her fingers around his wrist, and squeezes it. She is a lot shorter than him, and in no way can she physically overpower him. But Hyunjin stops and whips his head around with urgency in his eyes.

Mingyu is another member of Crimson Velvet. Ahn used to think he was an eager member who enjoyed helping in mission. She found out he has been sharing their secrets with Fool's Knight. They even knew about their plan for tonight, but Ahn changed it. No one knows about the new plan except her and Chaeryeong, the demolitions expert.

"No need to go anywhere."

"But-" His words are cut short by a thundering sound. Bricks and cement shoot out of the wall and hit Mingyu, who is the closest to it. He is knocked to the floor. Soot covers his body in a sign of respect- which he didn't deserve.

At the loud bang, Ahn backs into the wall, pulling Hyunjin with her. They stand side by side, their shoulders touching, while covering their ears.

Silence danced in the initial seconds of the blast. Ahn can hear a low hum. Then chaos took over. People started screaming and running for the door, trying to get away as soon as possible. The others help the people who have fallen. There is only one causality tonight. Even Beomgyu is on the ground, covering his head with his hands. Within seconds, he gets up and goes to help people, but before going off, he gives Ahn a knowing look.

He is running wildly in the crowd. Ahn smirks. The person he is looking for is long gone.

"Let's go." Ahn shakes Hyunjin's arms.

"But Mingyu-" he mumbles. His eyes are glossy.

"I will explain later. Let's go!"

"But-" Hyunjin looks at the body of the traitor. Ahn pushes him forward.

"Let's go! We need to leave before Beomgyu comes back."

In the chaos, no one notices them leave. But they didn't see their host disappear either. The one who owed Crimson Velvet money.

♡

an ,  hello, i'm back with the another chapter! thank you for all the love on the previous chapters <3! Show this one some love too. 

What was your favourite scene in this chapter?

💙