Chapter Text
Jeonghan looked at Heechul. Heechul had just told him that he could start working in the pub from next day.
Could he be happier?
This was his first successful step towards solving a murder case. His brother, Minhan's murder case.
It had already been a year since his brother was killed. His father fell sick and passed away, soon after Minhan did. Their family was in debt- expecting some form of justice, but all was in vain. A lawyer agreed but soon backed out. The case was somehow rushed, the evidence tampered with, and finally, closed. The police did not take any responsibility for it.
Not many people knew about the case. Seungcheol- one of Minhan's friends, was interning under one of the lawyers in the same law firm that had handled Minhan’s murder case. He found out that the Mafia was involved with the case, which was why it was wrapped up so soon. There was nothing the lawyers could do- even the judges were afraid to deal with that lot.
When the case was over, Jeonghan dropped out of college, decided to go into hiding. He sent his mother to the US to their relative. She had thankfully settled and had found a job.
That was when Jeonghan decided to see an end to it.
Seungcheol got him a new ID Card, changing his name from Yoon Jeonghan to Lee Jeonghan.
...
The Ode, the pub where Jeonghan got the job, was in downtown Seoul was somewhere past Gangnam. According to Seungcheol’s information, most mafia gang members frequented it. It was a good place to start. Luckily, The Ode was hiring. Earning a few bucks while investigating wasn’t a bad deal after all.
“Listen carefully to what I say- this isn’t a normal workspace. This is a place where the members of the Mafia gather. Gun violence is pretty common in my pub. I cannot guarantee your safety- only you can protect yourself. Now tell me- you still want to work here?” Heechul asked him in the so-called- interview. Jeonghan gulped but nodded.
He didn't want to work here- but what other option did he have? His brother had lost his life- if he had to lose his life for his brother- he would. At least he would know he had tried to bring about some justice.
“Okay. Work at the bar counter with Joshua and Vernon. You will have to stay back a few hours after the pub closes, though, to clean up. If you do a great job at the bar, I will maybe promote you from cleaning duty and let work at the counter only. Remember, you have to clean the entire premises. I will hire someone else for the cleaning once you're promoted.”
Heechul discussed his wages. Jeonghan's pay was more handsome than he had thought. It would clear a lot of his debt gradually. Jeonghan read the employment contract carefully. Heechul had already told him most of what was written there. He signed it.
Heechul went inside a room and returned with a handgun.
"Have you ever used a gun?" Heechul asked.
Jeonghan looked at it. He had never even seen one let alone use one.
"Use it to protect yourself and remember Jeonghan- whatever you hear here, stays here itself. Not to scare you, but people have lost their lives while serving drinks. Keep it with you at all times.”
The gun was heavier than he thought.
After leaving the place, the first thing he did was to update Seungcheol.
Jeonghan started the next day itself. He was given a uniform and sent to Joshua.
Joshua and Vernon maintained their distances, but they explained his work to him well.
Soon the pub was open and customers started pouring in.
Jeonghan had done various part-time jobs, but he had never worked in a pub- especially one where the Mafia gangs frequented. Initially, the place looked like any other pub but soon he felt the difference.
A gang of people entered. He saw a man, presumably, the leader of the gang, go upstairs while his guards sat down on the counter. Vernon coolly took their orders. Joshua asked Jeonghan to serve the drinks.
When Jeonghan served the drinks, he observed the guards closely for the first time. They had scars on their faces and their palms probably from knife fights. He also noticed the gun slings around their waists. For a moment, he became nervous but regained his composure when Vernon called for him.
He finally realized what he had gotten himself into, but now it was too late.