“Geonho, I’d just like to say thank you for your commitment to the company. I know I’m not apart of your bloodline, but with how long I’ve been working for your family, I feel so truly honoured to be here, it really feels like it. You boys are amazing.” An older lady said, reaching over to pat his shoulder.

She was one Yunho recognized, especially after countless interactions between she and his mother. He knew she was dear to Mommy, and now Geonho.

Must be something to be that loved.

Another man –the one sitting directly next to Mingi– spoke up. Yunho didn’t know his name– knew he must’ve been given such a high position in the company since they fired the lowlife his father had been hooking up with.

And oh, he was just as terrible. He’d clearly downed too many glasses of scotch, the flush on his cheeks betraying his act of sobriety. He leaned back in his seat with an entitled flair, draping his arm over the back of Mingi’s chair.

“Ah, Geonho-ssi,” the man slurred slightly, gesturing vaguely with his glass, elbows on the table ‘n everything. “I must say, watching you two young men, so polished, so promising… it reminds me so much of your father. What a character !! A true force, one to be reckoned with.” He took a long swig, a knowing smirk stretching his lips.

“He certainly knew how to keep things… lively, hmm ? Especially with the ladies. He was quite the active man. Always had his hands full, whether with a new venture or, well, other ventures outside the home, yeah, Geonho ? Never knew where he’d be next, did you !” He let out a loud, booming laugh, clearly finding his own observation so-*******-hilarious.

Geonho, who sat at the head of the table, forced a tight, uncomfortable chuckle, running a nervous hand through his hair. “Yes, well, Father certainly had a… unique.. approach to things.” He attempted to pivot the conversation, clearing his throat. “But we’re trying to forge our own path, focusing on–”

“Hope you boys find a better work-life balance when you take over, for your families’ sakes.” That entitled ***** cut in, undeterred, his gaze now sweeping over Yunho with a backhanded pity.

“Wouldn’t want any… distractions like that keeping you from your true priorities, huh ?”

Yunho, who had been listening with a sickening blend of forced calm and internal fury, felt his blood run cold, then boil. Those words hit him like the impact of a nitro boosted *****. His jaw was clenched so tight his teeth ached.
He watched his brother’s strained smile, the way he tried to brush it off, minimize the bleak insult.

It was a direct insult to not only their father, but to them. Almost warning them not to fall down the same path. His eyes, burning with inferno, snapped from the smirking colleague to Geonho, and then down to his own trembling fist.

Not again. Not here. Not in front of Mingi. Not from him.

With a sudden, very violent motion, Yunho’s fist slammed down onto the mahogany table. The sharp crack of wood against bone, amplified by the sudden silence, made the silverware jump and glasses rattle. The entitled colleague, mid-chuckle, actually yelped, spilling a splash of his drink.

Every head at the table whipped towards Yunho, who was now standing. His chair loudly scraped back as he looked down on that man, his face no longer ‘humble’ or ‘polite.’ It was pure rage, his eyes blazing.

“That’s enough,” Yunho’s voice was low, trembling with suppressed violence, but utterly devoid of any pretense.

“The Devil is on Earth. The knives are on the table. And don’t take this lightly, but you’re standing in a lot of shade right now.” He pushed back from the table, the chair toppling behind him.

“You don’t get to talk about my family. And you certainly don’t get to talk about my father.”

He spun on his heel, heedless of the shocked silence, the scattered glances, or Geonho’s widening eyes. Yunho furiously stalked away from the table, headed straight for the exit.

Geonho stood as well, his eyes watery and body trembling. “Jeong Yunho, get back here !”

Mingi, on the other hand, turned to the man, his brow raised and his tone terrifyingly calm. “What made you think it was okay to say that, huh ? Did you think you’re just so amazing, and just so much better than everyone here that you’d get away with that ?”

He didn’t say a word. Mingi spared Geonho a single glance before rushing out of there, following after Yunho. He was just in time, too.

Standing right in front of the headlights of the Aventador, Song Mingi aimlessly waved his arms to get the younger’s attention. Yunho looks up, wiping his eyes and shaking his head at Mingi, motioning for him to get out of the way.

Mingi scowled, walking to the side. He knocked on the window, crossing his arms. Expecting him to fully roll it down, he only cracked it.

“G-go.. go away, Mingi. Let me– let me leave.” Mingi heard him sob from the slit in the window, seeing his eyes all puffy and red, his face splotchy and tear stained. Mingi’s heart broke at the sight.

He shook his head, his fingers slipping through the crack. “You aren’t leaving without me, Yunho-ah. At least let me get in the car.” He tried to negotiate, slightly shaking the window in his grasp.

Yunho’s voice broke as he opened his mouth. “Please, Mingi. I wanna be alone.” He whisper pleaded, his hands ******* the wheel with a white-knuckle grip.

He almost kicked the car. A rush of anger at this whole situation just destroying him internally, but he couldn’t let Yunho see that.
So he stepped back. Far enough for it to be safe, close enough to be deafened by the roar of the engine as he sped out of that parking lot.

And he was gone.