81. Paying The Pauper

"I met with Yeon and Stan a few days ago. They look happy together. Turns out, I was right from the start about senior Yeon's character...he is quite innocent you see, honestly answering questions from those he doesn't owe an explanation just from a simple pressure." Mora laughed at the memory of Yeon's reaction and the discomfort he saw in his eyes, constantly glancing at Stan for help.

Mijin was following Mora quietly behind. She'd invited her for the first time to their family home, a place she'd never thought to set foot in. She did her best not to seem impressed at how the place boasted of extravagance despite the temptation of tilting her head to admire the artworks on the wall. She assumed they must have purchased from very renowned artists, or perhaps got them through money laundering yet despite her mesmerism, she concluded she'd hate living in a place as such. It felt suffocating...so constricting...almost dull.

It felt dark.

"Mijin, there is no need for you to be frightened by me. I'm still the same person you see." Mora said cheerfully and upon reaching the door in front of them, she stopped and looked back at Mijin. "I'm going to protect you from now on. The thought of Yeon being harmed puts me in a shitty mood. It does bother me as well when I have to crave the need to do interesting things to him. That's why you are here..."

"What do you mean, and just so you know, I'm not going to sleep with you. I made that very cleary Mora from the very start."

"Oh I got that from you loud and clear repeatedly." Mora nodded as she gestured for Mijin to enter the room and pointed at a seat close by.

The room was quite large however it only had a few furnitures in it. A roundtable with four chairs and a three sitter sofa on the corner. It appeared dimly lit but Mora adjusted the intensity to fully bright upon noticing Mijin's nervousness.

Taking a seat in front of Mijin, Mora responded. "We live in a prejudiced world. No one can live life the way they dream to and if one wishes to achieve anything, one has to be willing to have sheer determination to get what they want, even if it means adjusting their morals and values to the injustices of this world. I've told you times without number to use me but you've refused..."

"What the heck are you blabbering about?" Mijin couldn't contain her anxiety any longer. Upon discovering Mora's true self, the act she was playing in front of her made her tremble, a feeling she knew Mora was aware of despite her hiding it so well. "Is this why you kept calling me constantly to meet up in this location?"

"I asked you before more than three years ago that I could help you and my brother be together but you refused my help, looking at me like some inexperienced child. I can't blame your former mindset. My timid appearance then did give a wrong of impression of me...even now, people still judge me from my petite looks."

Leaning forward and crossing her hands over her chest, Mora added. "Elric's family is filing a lawsuit against my family. They may be using Stan and Yeon's case as coverup but we can see through their camouflage. We've counterattacked Yeon's case multiple times with lies and bribes however, when the media got wind of this information, despite wiping off publicized press releases , we have attracted quite an unpleasant attention. A lot of people are coming up from the past with claims of working for my father and not being paid enough among other things. Elric's mother has tapped on this and is presently driving my father nuts by making him appear as a cruel business proprietor."

"I'll ask you again Mora, why I'm I here?" Mijin was becoming impatient.

"We are looking to settle this time. Bribes cost a lot of money in the long run you see and sooner or later, another person or institution shows up after getting wind of information of how generous we are when it comes to money. Ever since Yeon's case, our company's stocks have depleted from bad to worse and we are loosing a lot of our staff. Nonetheless, it doesn't bother me. The mistakes of my father taking shortcuts are simply that, his mistakes. It won't affect my warm heart for you and the affection I have for your brother. Additionally, it won't affect how my brother still goes crazy at the mention of your name...."

"Mora..."

"Be patient. There is a reason I'm bombarding you with all this information so do not deem them unnecessary."

"Keep my brother's name out of your mouth. I do not care what you do to me." Mijin ignored and that Made Mora smile deepen even more.

"You were always impatient. I guess that will never change." Mora stood up and began pacing in front of Mijin, her hand on her chin as if in deep thought and suddenly, she began laughing hysterically.

"You're insane..."

"Don't mind me. The thought of how I'm going to reunite you with my dear brother does excite me. You did just give me permission to do whatever I want with you after all. But before we get to that, I have to confess that I can't meet your request to leave you alone. Yeon is a weakness I'm willing to admit I have so use that information as you wish. In the meantime, why was I updating you concerning my family affairs you asked? You'll become a part of this family soon. I was wishing to delay this information but my brother's marriage barely lasted three months. The reason he has been adamant about meeting you all this time is to tell you that and tonight he'll get that opportunity in full measure."

Mijin's facial expression remained unchanged despite the sudden build up of rage as she spoke. "Why would I care...?"

"My father has concluded it's inevitable to rid you off my brother's life, so I took it upon myself to reconcile you too..."

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and one of the household staff walked in with a tray and two bottles of water on it with three glasses on the side. She placed them on the table then left.

"Thirsty?" Mora gestured after pouring herself a glass.

"Do you really think I'll be stupid enough to consume anything given by you or anyone in your family...?"

"You wound me Mijin. Sincerely, it's just water and I'm drinking it myself too." After taking a glass, she poured herself another and stared at Mijin, smiling at her defiance then she spoke. "I learned the tough world through living it in this family. I wasn't always this psychotic as you've labeled me. After seeing the things my father has done to my mother and other people, I learned from an early age that retribution does not come just because we patiently wait for it. One has to be willing to take it, or give it. It's only when we step forward that things begin to move the way we want them to.

When I saw your brother for the first time, I felt a certain warmth in me, one that I'd never received from any member of my family. However, for me who was deserving of retribution for the things I've had to do on behalf of my father, I had no right to taint your innocent brother. I felt like a wolf leading him to be devoured by my pack...having his spotless wool tainted with blood...that was just unsightly. I wanted to and still want him to remain the way he is and Stan is the right fit for him. For your case though it's different. You are already tainted with marks of betrayal and from the choices and decisions you make, it's clear that you only look out for yourself therefore, me being involved with Yeon, he wouldn't survive a day in this family if I were to bring him here, but you will."

"I want nothing to do with any of you Mora."

"My brother was your fated mate. You were already chosen to be a part of us from the beginning by nature and I was against my brother's pairing from the start but oh well, I had no power then as I do now..."

"What do you want from me!" Mijin couldn't contain her anger anymore and the fact that she was aware she couldn't control Mora the way she used to made her feel more vulnerable. "I did everything your family asked of me as per your guidelines but all I've gotten back are endless threats from you and your nonsensical talk since I came here! I do not want anything to do with your brother and I definitely do not want anything to do with you! Your brother is no longer fated to me yet he keeps pursuing me! I can't eat! I can't sleep! I can't even breath without you lot suffocating me constantly with your endless threats! If it's not you, it's your brother or your fucking father whom I've never even met! My only mistake was to have been fated to your brother and I hate it! I hate you all so much! You're turned my life upside down and for the past one year, you've made it worse that I lost everything to the point of my parents constantly suspecting me! I'm tired of it all! Fuck all of you to hell!"

"Then let's put that to test." Mora giggled, a reaction Mijin hadn't expected considering her outburst that left her gasping for air in frustration. "This family is falling down, we all might as well fall down along with it."

She looked at Mora's excited and twisted face and wondered if this was really her true self.

"Why would she be giggling at such a situation? Was she crazy?" Mijin wondered.

"You've asked me why you are here today. To entertain me, and your fated of course. The moment I informed my brother of your coming, he was well behaved. That trick works on him all the time but I couldn't prolong it any further. This time, I had to make sure you came in person, and not just trick him with your pictures or the things you owned and touched. He is still crazy about your scent so I hope you haven't taken any inhibitors and even if you have, I'm a patient person. I can wait."

The door opening startled Mijin and her jaw dropped when she set eyes on Mora's brother walking in. He looked frail with sunken eyes and a tired look wore his face despite him smiling at the sight of her.

"I know, he doesn't look as he used to. He was okay a month ago but Stan's case and my father's through beating has taken a toll on his appearance. However, do not fret, his affections for you are still as fresh as morning dew."

"Mijin...is it really you?" His voice was weak, his walk slow as began advancing forward towards Mijin who quickly stood up, distancing herself from him.

"Brother, it's time for your medication." Mora spoke, taking out a packet of pills out of her pocket and gave it to her brother's extended arm. "Good boy. We wouldn't want Mijin here to think you are still insane."

"No we wouldn't..."

"Once you take this, your violent outburst will simmer down. Remember you promised to be kind to Mijin okay? You must keep your word..."

Mijin watched in confusion as he took Mora's prepared glass and swallowed the pill in one gulp. Out of nowhere, she felt the need to escape. Something didn't seem right for she began to sense a different scent, one that was not Mora's...perhaps her brothers.

"Mora, what the hell is going on?"

"I see you've began to feel it now." Mora replied, placing the remaining pills on the table. It had been a packet of twelve and now they were eleven. "You see Mijin, I did say retribution is something one has to give or take, but the truth is, there is no such thing as retribution in this cruel wold but punitive justice and this is mine."

Mora glance at her brother as she pulled a seat away from them and sat down, watching as Mijin tried to distance herself away from Mora's brother, who's scent only grew stronger. She hated the fact that she wasn't repulsed by it, rather, it made her want to advance towards him.

"Don't mind me. Pretend I'm not here but when you do bite dear brother, remember I want a glimpse of her soul okay?"

"Yes sister."

"What?" Mijin asked, her gaze at Mora which had been a huge mistake for she hadn't noticed Mora's brother's swift movement when he quickly closed the gap between them, pulling her to him and then it hit her. This position...what did it mean? What was going on?

"No!" She screamed when she felt a tight grip on her neck...or was it a bite? It hurt and despite her struggles, she began to feel dizzy.

"Brother, her imprint will begin soon so insert three pills and make her swallow it. We must induce her heat otherwise, this won't be successful..." Mora cautioned, handing her brother the pills.

"What about the rest of them? You promised we'll use them all..." Mora's brother responded while one of his hands extended to take the pills, forcing them inside Mijin's mouth and covering both her nose and mouth afterwards.

"In due time dear brother. Good things come to those who wait." Mora spoke, enjoying the sight of Mijin helpleslly shivering at her brother's hands and once more, her brother's grip tightening on Mijin's neck as he took another bite.