Monsta X Series

Arriving at the gate of a new town, you were surprised to see no guards standing out front. People came and went as they pleased, and everyone seemed much more relaxed than the town you had just left. You timidly followed Minhyuk through the gate and looked around at the brick buildings. People were window shopping and there was an ice cream parlor here too. No guards in site.
This struck you as odd, and made you feel ore on edge.
“What is the name of the guy on the paper we need to find?” Minhyuk asked, breaking you out of your daze. You reached in your pocket for the piece of paper that you kept on you since you left your old house. Scanning it, you found the name of the lawyer listed on here.
“Mr. A. Smith. Pretty generic name” you looked around, hoping that you would see some sign with the common name of Mr. Smith on it.
“If it wasn’t for the fact that we found this in dad’s office, there would be no way I would meet with a ‘Mr. Smith’” Minhyuk joked.
Walking down the street a little bit, the road ended in front of a bank. You looked down either one of the side streets when Minhyuk walked up the steps of the bank.
“Here, y/n.” he called you over. You walked up the steps and met him in front of a dark metal plaque next to the front door of the bank.
“Founded by…” he traced his finger down he list of names until he stopped at an Alpheus Smith.
“Mr. A. Smith?” he asked looking sideways at you.
“Good place to start with a name that is so common.” You shrugged. Walking through the front doors, you approached a short man at the front desk.
“E-excuse me” you said, unsure of what to say.
“I am looking for a Mr. A. Smith?” you sked. The man looked you over and asked for you name. Thinking quickly, you thought up a fake name and gave it to him. He looked you up and down once ore, before leaning close and whispering to you.
“No, honey, your real name” he said, so only you and Minhyuk could hear him. You were taken aback, and looked unsure at Minhyuk. Deciding on the spot there was nothing to lose coming this far you told him your real first and last name.
The man nodded and motioned for you to follow him as he called someone over to watch the front desk for him.
He led you to an office, and closed the door once Minhyuk had entered. He motioned for you to take a seat.
“Forgive me for not wanting to talk too much out there, but prying ears can be found everywhere.” He explained and took a seat across from the two of you. Minhyuk looked concerned, and you watched as his eyes scanned the room, probably for a way out if needed.
“Are you Mr. Smith?” you asked, feeling more at ease as this man sat down.
“Indeed I am. Might I add that you look remarkably like your mother? I have been waiting here for nearly a decade waiting for word from you. When I heard the news of what happened to your famly, I was hoping one day I would run into you. Although, I can tell from the surprised look on your face that your father didn’t have time to tell you of his escape plan” he continued. You and Minhyuk were all ears.
“Escape plan?” Minhyuk asked, wanting this man to elaborate.
“Your father and I were close friends. Some would even call us accomplices. When the word was going around that things might not be secret for so long, your father entrusted some things with me. At your father’s request, I left town and settled here, as a gathering point if needed. He had intended to inform you of everything, but he was murdered far too soon.”
“What things?” you asked, on pins and needles.
“For starters, the small fortune you have inherited.”” He winked at you and smiled.
“Do you have some papers with you? Perhaps you found something that lead you to me?” he asked hopefully.
“yes- here” you hastily handed him the papers. He looked them over as Minhyuk scooted closer. He didn’t like the man having those papers, but you were growing to trust him.
Mr. Smith looked them over and nodded.
“Exactly as your father had explained it to me. He reached for the phone sitting on the corner of his desk when Minhyuk stood up.
“Don’t think about calling the cops on us.” He said and grabbed your hand, lifting you into a standing position ready to leave.
“Sit down, Minhyuk! I am the cops!” he said. Hearing his own name, Minhyuk slowly took a seat, but he did not relinquish his grip on your hand.
Mr. Smith reached for the phone and held down a button calling his secretary. He requested that she bring his private car around immediately.
“We can’t go anywhere with this guy” Minhyuk whispered to you.
“We have no choice and, besides, I trust what father left in those papers” you comforted Minhyuk.
“The car is here, sir” she informed you.
“Thank you, and don’t expect me back the rest of the day” he told her as he motioned for you to follow him.
Following him out front of the bank, a black town car was waiting there. Minhyuk hesitated before entering, but obliged when you tugged his hand lightly.
Once inside the car, the conversation continued.
“I was a wreck when the news of the family reached me. My inside information told me that a boy had been murdered but there was no sign of a girl. I had been so hopeful that this meant you were still alive. I am assuming you were that boy they thought they had finished off?” Mr. Smith smiled at Minhyuk, who did not return the smile.
“The small fortune has been left for you as well as, according to the paper work, a large estate on the outskirts of this town.” You looked out the window as buildings gave way to trees. There were small homes along the side of the road, and they look well-kept and homey.
This road lead right to a gated driveway.
“The code is your mother’s birthday” Mr. Smith informed you as he exited the car and punched in some numbers on a key pad outside the gate.
The gate opened, and the car drove you along a tree lined driveway. The front of the house loomed into view and it was beautiful. You couldn’t hide your amazement. White columns out front lined a large, two story porch. The circular driveway was surrounded by freshly blossoming flowers.
“Why hadn’t I known about this place?” you asked Mr. Smith.
“It was purchased in a hurry. Your father only told your mother and me so it would never be found out.” Mr. Smith exited the car and held the door open for you.
“This home looks like something you would’ve built” Minhyuk said, smiling for the first time since meeting with this man out of the blue. He followed you out of the car as you followed Mr. Smith up the front steps of the house.
“Well, go on and have a peak” Mr. Smith said, smiling.
You opened the heavy wooden front door and entered the foyer. If your old home had been amazing, words could not be used to describe this home. The rooms appeared to be the same as the old house, but a fair bit larger. The furniture looked to be your mothers taste, but was covered in a small layer of dust from not being lived in.
“Do you know what this means?” you turned and asked Minhyuk.
“That we don’t have to worry about window panes falling out?” he joked.
“We need to find the guys. We need to bring them here and get reorganized.” You told him excitedly.
“I don’t know, they might not…”
“We have to. We can’t just let people like Vernon’s father take over”
“Spoken just like your father” Mr. Smith said, smiling. You could’ve been mistaken, but he turned away as he wiped his eyes.
“Minhyukie…” you whined, knowing he would melt.
“There is no talking you out this, is there? We can’t just settle down, have kids, and grow old and rich together?” he asked as he pulled you in for a hug.
“How boring would that be?” you asked before planting a kiss onto his lips.

A few months later, you and Minhyuk were sitting on the front porch, drinking some afternoon tea. He had only arrived late the night before and hadn’t told you any news. You hadn't pried, in case he only brought bad news.
Shownu and Jooheon had joined you on their afternoon off. Behind you, you heard the sound of breaking glass.
“Changkyun, you are an awful butler” you shook your head as he arrived at the table and presented you with a tray of food that had obviously fallen on the floor.
“I almost died and you have me slaving away, bringing you tea and crumpets like a…”
“This was your idea!” you cut across him as you smiled. Minhyuk began chiding Changkyun playfully for always breaking things as you trend to continue conversing with Jooheon and Shownu.
“Kihyun will be sending some desserts to try later for the party” Shownu informed you.
“That sounds great. Will everyone be joining us?” you asked, taking a sip of tea.
“Everyone except Vernon’s father” Jooheon joked. They were reaching the point of the conversation that you were anxious to hear. Minhyuk and Changkyun quit their quarreling to listen.
“With the military force here as back up, and the support of the government officials, like Mr. Smith, the coup in the old town went well” he continued and paused for effect. He knew you were wanting to hear everything.
“Vernon’s father left town. He and a few other high standing officials left the night before we arrived. Apparently word got around that this battle was a lost cause for them, once they knew the support we had” Minhyuk finished for Jooheon.
“What does this mean?” you asked.
“People are going to vote for people they want in positions of power over the next few days. Shownu was nominated by yours truly” Changkyun added.
“So, the people get a say in what happens within their government finally?” you clarified.
They all nodded, smiling.
“What a shame…” you started, gazing out over your beautiful front lawn. They looked shocked and exchanged glances. Hadn’t fighting for the people been what the rebellion was all about?
“I kind of liked being an outlaw” you joked.
With the rebellion having won, and your friends finding jobs and homes, your life felt like it was turning back to how it had been before, but much calmer.

Notes