Chapter 8: Drink

Looking at the blurring time at the corner of her computer screen Teddy confirmed that she should halt work for the eveni-- morning? Time flies when you're delirious from lack of sleep. She didn't go into the office often since her role as the owner meant no set hours. With the recent arrival of the boys, she had switched to being more remote. And with her trying to be approachable during the day, that left evenings for her work.

Unfortunately, her position meant that some days that was fine and she could get to bed by midnight, but most days she had to personally deal with issues cropping up in the various branches of her company which meant she skipped dinner and still didn't finish until four in the morning.

Her bracelet buzzed with an incoming call. Letting it go to voicemail she got up heading downstairs for some caffeine. Just as she expected when she saw the caller ID a second call came through as she stirred some cream into her coffee. Blowing on her coffee she let the phone ring a few more times before she accepted the call.

"Hi, Teddy! I heard you got your men and you got seven of them. I never thought you were the greedy type but to each their own. Mom said I should let you settle in and "test out the merchandise" before I butted in. But I couldn't wait any longer I already waited a whole week! I hear this year's batch was higher quality and there were quite a few left for even the lower nobility. So when I can drop in?" The whining voice of her cousin bounced around the kitchen.

"One I distinctly remember telling you to not call me Teddy we are cousins by blood Victoria, but we are not friends." An offended huff came from the other line.

"Two since you have been in contact with your mother I assume she has informed you that your aunt has disowned me and I no longer belong to the Raine family." This time there was a more audible protest something along the lines that they were still "family" and she should still do her the favor. Ignoring the protests Teddy continued.

"Three you called me at four in the morning and when I did not respond you continued to bug me." This time the protest was shouted, "If you didn't want to talk then you shouldn't have answered don't push the blame on me."

"Four what I do in my home and with my people is my business. Last, but certainly, not least the next time you suggest I "share" my wards with you will reciprocate by "sharing" the incidents in Berlin, Paris, and that little town in Nebraska with your mother and the media." This time there was no protest just a few moments of silence before the sound of the phone being hung up sounded.

Humming to herself she started sipping on her coffee that was now the perfect temperature.

"What happened in Nebraska?" Teddy's eyes widened, but she managed to keep her coffee steady despite the surprise. Looking at Seokjin she took in his ruffled hair and reddened eyes, deciding that his eavesdropping had been incidental she decided it didn't harm anything to air out her cousin's dirty laundry.

"Nothing too exciting there had been some illegal racing going on there that Victoria flew out to participate in. Since the town was remote it was the perfect place to hold it: few civilians, lots of open space, and easily bribeable law enforcement."

"I find it hard to believe that's enough to threaten her with," Jin commented, Teddy was once again reminded that Jin was probably from a high-class family as well.

"You are right, it was the fact that she wrecked her Mom's new sports car she didn't have permission to drive. Then Victoria lied that she had sent it in for "upgrades" as a birthday present for her brilliant mother so that she had time to order a new one with some extra features." Teddy told a smirk on her face.

"That explains it," Seokjin responded with a smile on his own face.

Teddy shifted so she was leaning further into the counter as Seokjin made his way further into the kitchen, pulling a water bottle from the fridge.

"We can take care of ourselves you know." He commented twisting the cap and taking a swig from the bottle. Teddy gave a noncommital hum as she watched his adam's apple move up and down. Satisfied with his water intake he lowered the bottle her reaction was just slow enough for him to catch her in the act. Capping the water bottle he let a slow grin make its way across his face walking closer to her.

"What you don't believe me?" He leaned closer into her space, trapping her more securely against the corner. Not liking the foreign feeling in her stomach she opted to focus on Seokjin's words.

Obviously, he had taken her conversation with Victoria to mean that she thought they were weak: incapable of remaining "loyal" in the face of another female. Her dismissive attitude probably didn't sit well with him either.

"Maybe it's me I don't trust. You seem quite acquainted with the etiquette of high society, the only reason our families are seen as more refined is that we have access to much subtler means of revenge. There is a certain social agreement that we don't fight publically since our success is based heavily on reputation." Seeing his nod that he understood she continued.

"I'm a straightforward person with possibly an unhealthy possessiveness of those I chose to protect," Teddy concluded. Seeing the confusion in Seokjin's eyes she sighed and leaned closer until her nose was about three inches from his. "If you guys meet and her behavioral pattern continues as it has in previous instances there is a strong possibility I'd break her nose." Leaning back she picked up her now cool mug of coffee and moved around the shocked man in front of her heading upstairs to finish the last project before she went to sleep.

She whispered a song under her breath happy that for once she wasn't the one thrown of balance and in shock.

Meanwhile, Seokjin managed to shake himself out of his stupor, muttering a "Cute." before finishing his water and heading back to his room.