Jimin slowed his McLaren 570S to a crawl when they reached the imposing iron gates of Kim Ji-Yoo’s residence. The estate was situated on the outskirts of Seoul and stretched for acres with colourful, well-kept gardens, ponds filled with rare, exotic fish and his own supply of livestock.
‘See. I told you we wouldn’t be late.’ Jimin said proudly, more than impressed with his driving skills, but Taehyung just pushed his sleeve back with his index finger to check the time.
Taehyung was glaring at him, and clearly not impressed, ‘It’s twelve fifty eight pm, Jimin,’ as he hastily opened the passenger door.
‘Exactly, it’s not one pm yet.’ Then with his dashing smile, ‘That means we’re early.’
Pulling down the sun visor, Jimin struggled to find the right angle as he tried to tame his bleached, windswept barnet. Whilst flattening his hair, he had failed to notice that Taehyung was heading to the entrance alone.
‘Hey, wait up, Tae.’ Jimin fumbled, trying to snatch the briefcase and leave the car, almost falling face-first into the gravel as raced to his side. ‘Look at the state of me, Tae. Was riding with the window down really necessary?’
Taehyung - unapologetic as always - ruffled Jimin’s hair back to its dishevelled state. ‘I was hot.’
Today’s gathering took place once a month and was hosted at Kim Ji-Yoo’s. It was a chance to catch up with their fellow associates in the cult, and organise any upcoming events.
Jimin let Taehyung take the lead as they stepped into the grand lobby, and handed their overcoats to the butler. They may have been late, but at least they looked the part. Taehyung in a black pinstripe suit, and crisp white shirt, while he opted for a grey check two piece.
Due to their tardiness, the group had already taken their seats in the viewing area. Together they dashed along the corridor, hoping they could slip in unnoticed, but as they approached, Kim Ji-Yoo and Park Dae-Jung loomed under the arched entry.
Their fathers’ authority spoke volumes.
Jimin and Taehyung steadied their pace to greet them as Dae-Jung - as serious as ever - stepped forward with a glare. ‘Nice of you to show.’
In unison, they bowed their heads and apologised. Jimin felt it was only right to take accountability, but Taehyung discreetly nudged him to keep quiet as Ji-Yoo lifted his chin to address them.
‘When will the pair of you grow up?’ he paused, examining them with his merciless eyes. ‘Go. Take your seats.’
Even though they were late, there were two seats reserved for them; the perks of being the sons of their formidable fathers.
Jimin was relieved to have escaped with only a small lecture today. He proceeded inside and to a table, laying his briefcase flat and taking the glass jar which held their offerings for the month. Carefully, he opened it, letting the contents flow into the pool of crimson liquid within the golden chalice.
The room was set up similar to a cinema, only more luxurious. The lights had already begun to dim as they took their seats and the large screen came to life.
On viewing events like today, videos that had been uploaded over the past month were selected at random and enjoyed by the members.
Neither man flinched when the first piece of footage started playing and the room filled with terrified screams.
‘Thank God it’s not ours,’ Taehyung muttered behind his hand.
Jimin knew that Taehyung wasn’t happy with this month's submission, so he too hoped their contribution would not be selected today.
The opening scene was somewhat hardcore; a middle-aged gentleman and his partner forcing a female's mouth open and brutally removed her tongue, before using her body for their pleasure and killing her.
After years of participating in these acts, there was nothing they hadn’t seen. It had become quite normal to them.
There was a small window of total darkness before the next clip began. More screams resonated as the camera came into focus. Above the lamb who lay bound and ready to be sacrificed was another woman, if you could still call her that. She was suspended by her torso from a hook in the ceiling, all of her limbs removed.
Ridiculing the man, Jimin snickered in his friend’s ear, ‘This dude has weird taste. I’ve been to his dungeon.’
Another three pieces of footage played before the lights became brighter and Taehyung’s father took centre stage.
‘It’s nice to see you all here today. We hope that you all enjoyed the show,’ Kim Ji-Yoo spoke and then raised his arms, ‘and now, for our annual event.’
The room erupted in cheers and whistles.
‘We will meet at the usual place. Your victims have already been chosen. All you need to do is show up and have a good time.’
After he left the stage, the crowd dispersed into the bar where drinks were being served.
Jimin found an empty booth and slipped inside as he let the server know they required some beverages, and as soon as they arrived, Taehyung took a sip of his Whisky on the rocks and let out a sigh. 'Next time, we need to find our lamb earlier.’
‘Sure. We could-’ Jimin froze, spying someone across the busy room. ‘Dick,’ he muttered under his breath.
‘Ignore him,’ He’s too busy playing the golden boy tonight anyway,’ Taehyung said after finishing the harsh spirit in one clean gulp.
Jimin was about to continue his conversation with Taehyung, but this time, he was interrupted by their fathers requesting their presence in the family lounge.
They all took a seat on the leather suite, Taehyung and himself on one side of the solid oak coffee table, Ji-Yoo and Dae-Jung on the other.
Taehyung was the first to offer another apology. ‘It won’t happen again, father. I know that we-’
The head of the house raised his hand. ‘I trust the two of you are still searching for a suitable wife?’
Jimin anticipated Taehyung's reply; it was something they knew they must organise, but it was proving to be harder than expected. ‘Of course. It's all in hand.’
Dae-Jung quirked a brow, waiting for his son’s answer. ‘And you? Or would you rather I arrange it for you?’
‘No, father,’ Jimin mumbled, ‘I will find my own wife.’
‘I won’t give you much longer in your search. I expect you to be married and your wife carrying a son within the next two years. Is that clear?’
‘The same goes for you, Taehyung,’ Ji-Yoo warned as the two older men rose from their seats. ‘You’re free to leave when you wish.’
Jimin and Taehyung didn’t hang around, they instead headed back to the bar.
‘I need another drink,’ Jimin groaned through gritted teeth.
‘One more. If you have any more alcohol your McLaren will be at the bottom of my father’s pond.’
Jimin was about to tell him he could take the wheel on the journey home, when the soft voice that drifted from behind made him smile.
‘How are my two favorite boys today?’ Kim Sun-Hee’s smile lit up as she cupped Taehyung's face, and then his own.
Taehyung sighed, holding his mother’s hands as he brought them down from his face. ‘At least I’m never in the doghouse with you.’
‘I couldn’t help but overhear. You know, but they’re only so tough on you because they care.’ Her eyes seemed full of wisdom as she consoled them. ‘And you’re both next in line to take over as the new leaders.’ Before either of them could reply, Sun-Hee ushered them towards the bar. ‘Go on, you boys have fun.’
Taehyung draped his arm over Jimin’s shoulder as they advanced through the empty hallway. ‘Two years is plenty of time for us to find a wife.’
Taehyung was right. Although he had a deadline, it wasn’t unachievable, but Jimin’s brain was in overdrive after leaving the lounge.
Whether they wanted a wife or not was not up for discussion.
Their word was final.
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