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"tell me every terrible thing you ever did, and let me love you anyway."
-edgar allan poe
**
As far as secret organisations go, they’re one of the most concealed. You don’t contact them, instead you send out whispered words about needing a specific set of service in dark lit pubs that only open at some god forsaken time of the night and early mornings. It’s always best to approach the bartender because they’re mostly in the know. You leave a name and a contact information, and then you wait.
They’ll contact you if they deemed you trustworthy, meaning you’re not one of the fuzz, and ask you what service you require. You’ll leave your request document at their given location and this time they’ll decide again if they would take the job.
Park Dong Shin, CEO of Seolyu Publishing, had passed all of these. And since he’s what you call a VIP client; his company is famous as one of the most well-connected and biggest in their field. They own most copyrights for international prints. Benefits of being a third generation chaebol.
But besides that, Mr. Park’s most successful business venture is his secret black market auction. He’s arrogant enough to say that he’s got the best sources for any rare and high-class goods: paintings, cars, weaponry, sculptures, first editions, jewellery, exotic animals, and sometimes even people.
The rendezvous point was in Jeongwang-dong during the late hours of the night, in an unnamed, empty warehouse, one of a few hundreds probably. It’s very cliche in Mr. Park’s opinion, but he doesn’t say so.
His guards and driver stayed outside as per instruction of the masked fellow in all black by the door. He’s only allowed one person to accompany him to meet the boss.
The order annoyed him more than the mistrust since he knows that in their line of work it’s always a huge difference between life and death to be extra cautious. As much as there is more honour in the Underground world than the so-called society ruled by moral law, you can still never be sure when you’re going to be stabbed in the back since you’re working with criminals.
The inside is huge and empty, dimly lit, and there are two sets of leather armchairs facing each other in the middle. His host occupies the one facing the door, a hot tea is prepared on the low table between the chairs. The man in the dark suit has dark short hair, he looks too young to be a leader of one of the most infamous secret organisations in South Korea.
Two guards stand behind the boss: one is brunet with a strong build, broad shoulders and all; the other is platinum blonde with a lean physique. Both of them are wearing black masks and ensembles of clothes. Must be their group’s uniform.
‘Mr. Park,’ the young boss greets. He didn’t bother to get up which annoyed Mr. Park because even if this is a crooked deal there is still etiquette that must be honoured. The young man only motions with his hand for Mr. Park to sit down, which once again annoyed the older businessman. In the end, he had to.
‘Are you really the leader of Seventeen?’ Mr. Park asks not bothering to hide his patronising tone. First of all, he’s insulted by the behaviour. Second, he’s very incredulous of the identity of the young man, and he’d rather not waste his time if they’re trying to fuck with him. He can find someone else to do the job, might not be easy but at least he can be assured.
The young man leans back on his chair, crossing his legs over the other, trying to look menacing but slightly failing.
‘If you’re going to waste my time, you better come clean right now,’ he demands.
‘Do you really think I have time to waste either?’ the young man replies sharply. ‘We have accepted your request even if it’s close to impossible. How many people in Korea can confidently accept this and say that they can get it done?’ His eyes are losing their softness, instead replaced by an arrogant challenging attribute. ‘You came to us because we are the best of the best… Plus no one wanted to work with you after your foul play that ruined UNIQ.’
Mr. Park scoffs. ‘It’s nothing personal. Business is business,’ he defends, hating how despite covering his tracks Seventeen and a few other organisations managed to sniff his involvement in the fall of UNIQ.
UNIQ is a Chinese organisation that deals with smuggling high quality, hand crafted tea sets and other ceramics. It has been bad for Mr. Park’s business since he recently closed a deal with an English teacup artisan. Between his expensive tea sets and the low priced ones that UNIQ auctions in the black market, his rich clients favoured the latter. They were also starting to get into the vehicle scene (they do customise) which is another business loss for Mr. Park when his other clients caught whiff of UNIQ’s recent business export.
Ambitious children, is how he saw them. A threat to his years of hard built legacy. And he’s not ready to give up his throne just yet, especially to a bunch of foreigners. So, they had to go.
A new friend from the National Police made them go away. A leaked of their books that arrested at least a handful of chaebols (all whom Mr. Park threw to bury UNIQ’s integrity for other potential clients). They’re all in hiding now, being wanted by the police in both Korea and China.
‘I believe that it’s much better for Koreans to do business in Korea than some unknown foreigners,’ he replies, not denying the accusation, nor acknowledging it. Plausible deniability and all.
‘Is that why you’ve chosen Network AI this time?’
‘Yes.’ Mr. Park leans on his own chair comfortably as well. ‘In the recent months they’ve been doing some diligent job setting up their weaponry business behind that museum facade.’
‘Why does it bother you?’ the boss asks. ‘It’s not like you’re in the weapon business.’
Mr. Park nods. ‘But I might be.’
‘Aren’t you being greedy?’
‘Don’t we all are?’ He laughs without mirth. ‘Plus, if they set up more connections they’ll be the main producers of weapons both in the black market and for the country. That sort of power in the hands of foreigners doesn’t sit right with me.’
‘So, if they’re Koreans you won’t oppose their growing business?’ The boss raises a condescending eyebrow.
Mr. Park glares at the young man. He can tell that he’s trying to subtly point out that the CEO has monopoly over a lot of things as well.
‘Aren’t you being too narrow-minded, CEO Park? This is the 21st century, you know.’
‘Of course, you and your fellow younger generation would say so.’ The older man snorts. ‘But you’ve never understood the value of keeping things to ourselves, otherwise others would start to monopolise our economy, leaving our own people with less opportunities. We’ll be occupied by foreigners with their outlandish belief and way of life, making us lose our essence as Koreans.’
Something clouds over the young boss’ face, the blonde guard bends low and whispers something to him.
‘Whatever your reason is, we did agree to take the job,’ the young boss says after his one sided conversation with the guard.
Mr. Park stares at the blonde guard and thinks that maybe he’s not just a normal guard but an adviser.
‘As for the price it’ll be six billion won. Half of it up front, and the other half after the job’s done,’ the young boss states. ‘Sounds fair, right? You wanted two people kidnapped. Would have been cheaper if you went with assassination, much easier work, honestly.’
‘I can pay,’ Mr. Parks answers haughtily, insulted again that this young man thinks he cannot afford a billion won. It might be more money than he’d expected but Network AI security is tight, and their CEO and Head of R&D are quite hard to capture, they each have their own bodyguard around. He’s heard that those two bodyguards are young and once trained with US Navy SEALs. Must be true if Seventeen has demanded such an amount.
‘But I’m curious,’ the boss uncrossed his legs, ‘what are you planning to do with the CEO and Head of R&D since you didn’t request to assassinate them?’
An impish smile grows on Mr. Park’s lips, already thinking of torturing both men and taking over their company. ‘That would be my business alone.’
‘Very well.’ The boss stands up and Mr. Park follows. ‘How fast can you produce the remaining amount?’
Mr. Park turns to his secretary, the only person that was allowed to accompany him.
‘Two days will be enough,’ the secretary answers.
The boss nods. ‘Then we’ll send you a location to drop the money off in two days.’
‘And when will I get the result?’ Mr. Park asks.
The young boss turns to the blonde guard, Mr. Park is now sure that he’s an adviser or a right hand.
‘Two weeks from now.’ It’s the blonde guard who replies.
It’s too much time in Mr. Park’s opinion but he can only assume that this must be a difficult task and they cannot afford any mistakes.
‘Okay.’ He nods. ‘I’ll prepare the other half by then.’
‘We’ll contact you if we have them,’ the blonde guard says again.
**
Mingyu enters after CEO Park and his companions leave, with Wonwoo secretly tailing them for more information on the chaebol. The latter’s been assigned for surveillance since he’s the most efficient since Soonyoung would be needed to help Lee Jihoon plan, and also because the so-called Tiger Kwon Soonyoung is too impatient to do any sort of recon. So, despite being the leader of the Task Force, he’s often appointed for planning and dispatch.
The last time Soonyoung went to recon with Lee Seokmin, they almost blew up the whole mission with their bickering. And Choi Seungcheol, their leader, decided afterwards that their combo is too unreliable to be trusted with surveillance. Both will never be able to sit still and wait.
‘They’re gone,’ Kim Mingyu announces as he strolls in.
‘Good work, everyone,’ Seungcheol says as he looks around his members. ‘Especially, to our youngest: Lee Chan.’ He reaches out and ruffles the boy’s hair, who’s still seated on the chair.
Dino, the name the youngest prefers, doesn’t smack Seungcheol’s hand, but pouts and glares his annoyance of having his hair tousled.
‘Aigoo!’ Yoon Jeonghan, the blonde, coos and joins Seungcheol’s onslaught. ‘Our little baby is growing so fast and so well.’ He hasn’t removed his face mask, but Dino can tell his Jeonghan-hyung is smiling that angelic but menacing smile of his. ‘Dino, nugu aegi?’
Dino, more annoyed now of the usual teasing and the constant question, stands up and moves away from the two older men. ‘Aish, stop treating me like a child.’ He glares but of course his sunbaes would only see it like a wet kitten meow-ing angrily. ‘I did an important job today. And you said, I was good. So, I’m no longer a baby.’
The three older men only chuckle.
‘Dino, nugu aegi?’ Jeonghan asks again, the annoying shit that he is. ‘Nugu aegi?’
‘Aish!’ Dino stomps his foot. ‘There’s just no winning with you guys.’ He sighs in defeat and turns to Jeonghan because he knows the older won’t stop until he gets what he wants. ‘Jeonghan-hyung aegi.’
Mingyu and Seungcheol laugh quietly, while Jeonghan’s eyes dance with mirth.
‘C’mon. Let’s head back,’ Seungcheol says. ‘Send a message to Woozi and Hoshi to meet tomorrow,’ he tells Jeonghan. ‘And maybe your baobei as well so that they’re in the know.’
Jeonghan rolls his eyes at Seungcheol teasing and knocks his shoulder on the other man. ‘You know he hates when you call him that.’
‘Yet, you do behind his back,’ the brunet replies. ‘And to his face. Often.’
The blonde chuckles. ‘Have you seen him pout and mad?’ The four of them are walking to their black car hidden in the back alley. ‘He’s so cute.’ He turns to Dino and puts an arm around their youngest Captain. ‘But not as cute as you.’
Dino doesn’t have the energy to be mad anymore because his hyung would only love that. Instead he just sighs in defeat again, and lets the blonde do as he likes.
They ride back to their base with Mingyu driving and Dino in the passenger’s seat. Jeonghan and Seungcheol talk quietly in the back with the former informing their other captains of the meeting for tomorrow. The ones who can come to HQ will be there, the rest on field work will have to attend via a secured video call.
Jihoon didn’t reply, probably asleep. Soonyoung replied immediately, stating his excitement because he’s bored being Hong Jisoo’s temporary lackey even when the older man is generous with his orders. Soonyoung will never survive any office work related job, not to mention how he’s cursed when it comes to handling any kind of technology.
Minghao didn’t reply. It’s either he is lost in his work again or he’s asleep already, with his boyfriend, Jeonghan can never really tell these days. They’ve been away for too long, no thanks to this new expansion that Jeonghan had thought of. Well, he’s going to message Jisoo as well in case his baobei is having one of those work binges again and forgets to check his phone.
Jisoo replies with an acknowledgement of the meeting for tomorrow. Jeonghan adds a favour for the younger to check on his boyfriend. Jisoo agrees.
‘No kissy goodnight for you, I guess?’ Seungcheol teases again.
Jeonghan doesn’t really glare, but it’s still there on his face. ‘He’s busy.’ He’s not going to mope because he’s a grown man, for crying out loud. Also, S. Coups won’t stop mocking him for being too clingy. Not that his best friend doesn’t know how demanding he is with attention, but there are two younger members with them right now. He’d rather be described as possessive, not needy. He has a reputation to uphold.
‘This is your plan to begin with,’ their leader reminds. ‘He wants to do well for you.’
He sighs sadly as he looks out of the car window, the late night covering everything in darkness except for a few street lamps. ‘I know.’
‘It’ll be over soon.’ Seungcheol puts a hand on his shoulder. ‘We’ll just have to get rid of the nuisance, and then we can all stop pretending.’ Then he adds darkly, ‘Debts must be paid first.’
**
Just as expected, Xu Minghao is still in his lab in this god forsaken time of the night. The light brown haired boy’s wearing his threadbare lab coat, work gloves, and a pair of goggles as safety precaution, because Jeonghan saw red after Minghao’s third lab accident of the week. The last one sent him to the company’s infirmary for stitches, but the worst has to be that one where someone labelled a chemical incorrectly and almost blinded Minghao from the small explosion.
Jisoo knocks before he strides in. The younger man doesn’t hear of course, too busy sketching some schematic of a small hand grenade.
‘Hao, it’s late,’ he says, making his voice loud to attract the other’s attention.
Minghao doesn’t look up from where he’s drawing on his tablet. One of his three monitors are mirroring the sketch he’s making in his pad, while the other two are showing replays of the trial test of the new handgun they’re releasing next month, and showing the code of a software Minghao is working with Wonwoo and Jihoon.
‘There’s a meeting tomorrow,’ he adds. ‘So, it’s better if you rest now because we need to be awake early.’
The younger man looks up. ‘We can come back?’
Jisoo shakes his head sadly, noticing the small dejection in Minghao’s voice even when he’s trying to hide it from his hyung. ‘I don’t think so,’ he replies, putting a hand on Minghao’s shoulder. ‘Must be connected to the new mission we’ve been waiting for.’
Minghao nods in understanding, eyes still a little forlorn.
‘Don’t worry, after this it’ll all be over,’ he assures.
‘How do you know?’ Minghao asks. ‘There might be others beside him.’
Jisoo thinks for a bit. ‘I don’t believe so,’ he states confidently. ‘Hannie said the biggest one would immediately act, and they’re already keeping an eye on it and all the other connections. It’s going to be easier after we cut off the main head.’
‘As always Jeonghan-hyung’s prediction is correct.’ His smile is soft, eyes beaming with fondness. Jisoo can tell how proud Minghao is of his boyfriend. ‘And with this we’ll save time by killing two birds with one stone.’
The older man nods. ‘Sometimes, it’s scary how accurate Hannie’s predictions can be,’ he says. ‘I’m so glad he’s on our side instead of the other way around.’
‘You say that as if you’re someone who’s not scary to be trifled with.’ Minghao raises an eyebrow in challenge.
Jisoo’s smile is less of a gentleman and closely mirrors Jeonghan’s signature devious smirk. ‘He’s a bad influence,’ he defends. ‘It’s not like you haven’t been coerced into heinous activities by him. It’s amazing how much bullshit he can get away with, even with our way of life.’
They both chuckle, remembering that they’ve labeled Jeonghan as Lawful Evil, because the blonde will do anything he can to benefit himself and their organisation if he wants to. It’s quite scary sometimes how much power he holds over their organisation, and the whole Underground as a whole. He likes to be called Angel because of his birthday, but in reality he’s actually a Shadow King who can put every organisation to their knees, only that he’s too lazy to try to rise to power. Jeonghan hasn’t even tried to challenge Seungcheol for the highest position in their group. He prefers to work as little as possible that’s why he stands behind. He said a couple of times that he’s not the leader material.
‘C’mon,’ he taps Minghao’s shoulders again. ‘You need to sleep now or else I’ll get an earful from your protective boyfriend tomorrow for not taking good care of you if he sees your eyebags over the video call.’
‘I can take care of myself.’ Minghao doesn’t obviously pout but it’s close. ‘He loves to fuss over unimportant things.’
Jisoo pulls the younger to his feet. ‘You tell him that yourself tomorrow, okay? But leave me out of it. I’m simply doing what I’ve been told.’ He pushes the other towards the door.
‘That means you’re loyal to him.’ There’s another pout on his voice. ‘And here I thought we’re going to be ride or die since we’re Network AI together with Vernon and Jun-ge.’
Jisoo chuckles. ‘HaoHao, you know very well that Jeonghan is the limit to the ride or die rule.’ They’re both out the door and waiting for the lift. ‘Even Jihoon’s scared of him. Lee Jihoon.’
‘He’s Jihoon. No one would want to hurt even a single hair on his head. Ever.’
The lift arrives, and they both enter. Jisoo can only hope they can wrap this up faster because it’s taking a toll on them. They’re not all meant for long missions like this, although this time it’s necessary since they’re taking down someone big. He can’t even believe they managed to launch a fake start up company that’s worth billions (as of the latest survey) over the last six months. And to think he’d get to play CEO, Seungcheol and Jeonghan chose him for some reason.
Jisoo’s doing his best with this responsibility trusted on him. But he can’t help but feel tired, he wonders if this is how Seungcheol and Jeonghan feels running their secret organisation. It’s a good thing that as they grew their family grew as well, that means thata there are more people they can trust and rely on. But currently, it’s just the four of them in Network AI to decide all the tiny details because contact with HQ should be less as possible to avoid suspicion. NAI is new, and everyone has got their eyes on them, especially that the products they’re marketing are weapons. Most of these firearms are specially developed by Minghao, with some help from Wonwoo and Jihoon.
At the very beginning Seungcheol was against dipping their toes in guns and bombs since it’s a very risky business, especially in South Korea where they have a strict law about firearms. And that means getting contraband products like these from outside the country would cost a lot. So, it’s not worth investing in something expensive and dangerous. Except they needed heavy weaponry in order to keep things in place. Fear has always been a great motivation for obedience; couple it with brilliance, and viola you get an untouchable authority.
Three years ago, a shy and smart Xu Minghao joined them and saw their problem and decided to invent their own weapon out of materials they can ship for a cheap price. And with the help of their resident nerds, the three of them managed to mass produce their own weapons in a short time. Network AI wasn’t even how it is now, it’s a small branch for stolen art goods. The current Network AI still deals with art goods, only legally now, and they have a new department that specialises in tablet and smartphones production (a good way to hide the materials they’re use to make the firearms).
Despite the competition in the technology industry, what makes Network AI’s tablets and smartphones stand out is how it’s mostly marketed by having unique features that caters to creative artists, good camera, waterproof, and durability. If you ask Jisoo their techs are like a go-pro with a bigger screen and has some cool apps that you cannot find elsewhere. For him it’s simply amazing how the Minghao, Wonwoo, and Jihoon managed to even create something for their shell company. Not that he didn’t think they would failed, but he didn’t expect it to rake billions. Their marketing team is on another level, maybe they can keep the company even after, it would be such a waste to let it go. Lan Ying can managed it, he seems like a good businessman, and he’s trustworthy.
**
In hindsight, Jeonghan should have seen this coming. Only that he didn’t think CEO Park would be this greedy and impatient. It hasn’t been a week and all of the sudden he’s heard from Wonwoo that CEO Park had secretly contacted BBS syndicate.
Wonwoo’s still trying to trace their conversation by hacking into CEO Park’s emails and so far there are no traces of anything. Of course BBS is also good at keeping things classified since they are also one of the top mobs of the Underground. But right now, it’s a big headache for Jeonghan trying to decipher what business did CEO Park arranged with them. It’s very suspicious somehow.
Maybe it’s right to contact the mole they have planted in BBS despite risking their undercover. Something just doesn’t sit right with CEO Park’s sudden contact with the other group. And usually, Jeonghan trusted his intuition.
And he was right, although just a tad bit too late, because two days later after hearing Wonwoo’s report, Network AI’s CEO and Head of R&D went missing.
For a second Jeonghan’s hand clenched so tight, aching for a gun to shoot CEO Park in the head with. But feelings cannot solve their problem right now. He cannot show weakness, especially not in times like this when anything could happen to Minghao.
Fuck! He should focus and not let the anger and fear overcome him. He can be angry later when it’s safe, and the fear needs to be forgotten or else he won’t be able to think logically. They rely on him. Seventeen relies on him.
If something bad were to happen… He’s not sure he will be able to live with himself. They live a dangerous life, but still, he’d calculated everything to avoid it. But now, Minghao’s…
‘You’re overthinking again,’ Seungcheol says, putting a comforting hand on the blonde’s shoulder. ‘We can fix this… Together.’ He gives Jeonghan an assuring stare. ‘I’ve called Mingyu to make an arrangement for a meeting with their head.’
Jeonghan isn’t fully relieved, but there’s a little bit of it growing in his chest when Seungcheol had proposed a plan. Their leader is really reliable. And maybe Seungcheol had always trusted Jeonghan’s opinion on everything, but he’s always the one who weighs everything into perspective and does what needs to be done, the one who makes the tough call. And it is times like this when their leader reminds Jeonghan why they all followed Choi Seungcheol all through these years.
‘You need to set up some bargaining chips in case,’ the leader reminds. ‘They’re not letting this go without reason.’ He scoffs, annoyed. He’s never been open about his displeasure with other mobs, especially not as big as BBS, since the other members might follow him and cause some dispute between the other group’s members as well.
Minding your own business is necessary in their world, and keeping the peace ― no matter how ironic that sounds ― is required for them all to flourish. They’re already all wanted by the law, so making more enemies sounds illogical. Might as well play nice with people who don't step on your toes.
For now, Jeonghan breathes a short sigh of relief knowing that Minghao is safe. He might be indifferent towards the other organisation but he can rest assure that BBS will keep their word. Not for long though, especially not when CEO Park had shown what an impatient man he is. Impatient, greedy man.
After all is set and done, when Minghao is finally safe again, Jeonghan will savour CEO Park’s downfall. He’s going to make sure that the chaebol will beg for death, and Jeonghan will savour every minute of it.
‘How long?’ he asks their leader.
‘Forty-eight hours is the best they can give, according to Mingyu’s analysis,’ Seungcheol answers. ‘I’ll call you when they’ve set a rendezvous.’
Jeonghan only nods and calls for Chan to call Jihoon, Soonyoung, and Wonwoo. ‘If something happens to him before we can reach out to BBS.’
‘Don’t worry,’ Seungcheol assures. ‘Jung Wook knows Hao’s connection with us, that’s enough to make them wary of doing the extreme.’
Despite hearing Seungcheol’s logic, Jeonghan’s hands remain cold and stiff. It’s only that he’s used to stressful situations that he manages to compartmentalise his worries and forces his brain to think of a solution.
‘Go,’ Seungcheol prompts. ‘Think of a good bargain. Not just for Hao, but also for Jisoo, Hansol, and Jun.’
He nods again, and leaves for his office to gather the intel his sources managed to scourge. Something small settles heavily in his chest at the thought of his selfishness for not thinking about his other three members. Jisoo got kidnapped with Minghao, while the other two are in the infirmary recovering from the car accident.
Jun and Hansol’s condition are not bad, a few cuts here and there, and a mild concussion from the impact. They’re both still under observation just in case there’s internal hemorrhage somewhere, or any complications at all. Wen Qing’s watching their recovery like a hawk.
He arrives at his office. He opens the safe underneath the small roller table where he displays his “stone” collection. No one would think that the funny looking collection of assorted rocks is the gateway to all of Jeonghan’s stored secrets, because hiding your safe behind a painting or a fake cabinet or bookshelf sounds uncreative and redundant. Also, because Jeonghan’s brain just works differently, S. Coups had said a couple of times.
All of BBS’ data that they have gathered, along with the list of CEO Park’s misdemeanours are taken out of the safe. Jeonghan stares at the tall compilation and decides that maybe he can digital at least eighty percent of the data he has so they won’t occupy too much space. But that’s for later, for now he has to dig in and formulate a plan.
It took almost two hours for the three to arrive. Wonwoo from recon, Soonyoung from his spy work, and Jihoon from his lab since Minghao’s not there to help him with schematics.
‘Contact Miss Han to prepare her books and then bring it to me within three hours,’ he tells Soonyoung, only bothering to look up just a second from the document he’s investigating.
Soonyoung nods sharply and leaves without asking questions. It looks like they all have been briefed of the situation, which is good, less work for Jeonghan to do.
‘Wonwoo, help Mingyu locate a good site for an exchange.’ He puts down the file to rub fingers on both of his temples, pouring himself another half a glass of soju. ‘And afterwards negotiate it with the BBS, make sure that we win that one. Tell them we have some of the North American contacts from Leox.’
‘But Leox gave those to us.’ Wonwoo’s jaws are clenching despite him trying to compose his eyes.
‘I know.’ Jeonghan sighs tiredly and downs all of his liquor. ‘But it doesn’t weigh more than our two important members. Besides, I’m not giving them everything.’ He smiles, his usual Cheshire cat one that creeps everyone. ‘I may be giving away the big ones, but it’s the little start-up that’s worth investing as well.’
‘And after they agreed to the site?’
‘The usual modos operandi: scout, strategise, score.’ The smile grows into a more sinister version, making the other two shiver. ‘We’ll have to teach BBS a lesson on laying their fingers on what’s ours.’
‘What about CEO Park?’
Jeonghan’s smile is angelic, but it’s too sweet that makes it scarier. ‘He’ll have a hell to pay, Soonyoung will make sure of that.’
‘You will, too,’ Jihoon remarks, speaking for the first time from his seat across Jeonghan’s table.
‘Of course.’ The sweet smile just won’t get off his face, it’s making Wonwoo uneasy knowing that their Jeonghan-hyung to be very vindictive and cruel when you pissed him off. Wonwoo does not want to feel even a mere shadow of Jeonghan’s wrath. ‘He’s going to wish he’s never met me. Let alone crossed me.’
Once Jeonghan puts his whole focus into something, you can rest assure that every single chip falls into where he needs them to be. Nothing is amiss, everything is accounted for, and you’re lucky if you survive in one piece.
And that’s exactly what’s coming for Park Dong Shin. Hopefully, he can scream better than he can meddle with the rules of the Underground.
**
The disappearance of the Network AI CEO and Head of R&D made the afternoon news a day after they were gone missing. It’s their VP, Lan Ying, who reported to the police of his colleagues absence. The authorities waited twenty-four hours before confirming it to be a case.
Network AI’s stock plummeted, CEO Park was having a field day buying as many stocks as he can get his hands on. He congratulates himself for his fast thinking into changing the hired men at the last minute. Seventeen was taking too long with their precaution recon, when BBS managed to do it with less time and half the price the former was offering.
On the second day of the disappearance, he had fully acquired Network AI, which was given since the company is new and their Board were a bunch of flimsy millenials who have a backbone of a chocolate eclair.
By the fourth day, BBS contacted him for this package. And it’s the most he’s been looking forward to. It’ll be fun to see his naive competitors begging for their lives, offering everything they have to be spared. He’s probably going to dispose of the Chairman — a twenty-eight (a child really), ambitious Korean raised and born in foreign soil who knew nothing of true Korean traditions — after he’s satisfied with his pleas. The R&D guy, another filthy foreigner, he’ll probably keep for a while till he can pry more secrets and blueprints.
It was on the seventh day that CEO Park received an address and time from an unknown number. It feels like Christmas coming early.
He arrives at the location fifteen minutes early, excited for taking the final prize in his new acquisition. Network AI is now under his umbrella of companies, and now, so will the lives of these gullible foreigners, who should have just stayed on their own countries.
It’s another warehouse in Jeongwang-dong, oddly enough. But he didn’t find any of this peculiar, too excited for the human trophies that are waiting for him.
The empty and shabby warehouse is the same as any other of it’s kind. The only difference this time is that he didn’t see how more repulsive it is in daylight with none of the darkness masking the rust, the dirt, and everything he’d never want to ever see again. There’s also that pungent smell of piss and probably some dead animal.
But he takes it all in with positivity since he’s never coming back here again, and because he’s here to finally get his hands on his latest procurement.
BBS’ ways are quite different from Seventeen, and CEO Park likes them better than the latter. That’s why he was allowed to bring not just his trusted secretary, and two bodyguards inside, the other five were left outside, including his chauffeur.
A man with tattoos and piercing is the one who ushers them further into the depth of the warehouse. For an Undergroud organisation they’re quite open with how almost every door is open to somehow let the light in. Again, different from when he was here before.
Unlike before there was no leather chair and coffee table. There’s no furniture or plastic chair. At the end of their walk there only stands a tall man with an unattractive face, almost like a turtle if CEO Park is to be judged. The man has a small, shaved head that contrasts his broad shoulder. He seems to be the leader, which is another difference from before since the chaebol is sure that last time, the man he spoke with from Seventeen was not their leader.
Beside the leader, there’s another man, this one is better looking and softer somehow. The CEO wonders how this innocent looking bloke managed to run with these criminals.
‘Do you have the money?’ the leader asks, eyes all blank as he scans their company.
CEO Park motions with his hand and the bodyguard with the suitcase moves forward. The employee unlocks the metal baggage and opens it to the leader.
The leader jerks his head, and his companion goes to check the money in the bag. It takes some time, the leader not taking his eyes of the CEO like he’s waiting for the senior to make a mistake so he can rain all hell on him.
The companion stands up and nods to the leader. He then proceeds to walk away, leaving the chaebol and his companion to one single, harmless looking man. But CEO Park bets that there are shooters hidden on top of those stored boxes that litters the warehouse.
The staring continues, CEO Park finds it uncomfortable but he’s not one to back off so he stares back as well. He’s learned in business that the loser is always the one who avoids eye contact first. And he’s not about to do that. He has manage to win almost every negotiations he encountered in his life, his opponent surrendering or cowering before him; he won’t let this man, half of his age, glare him into submission.
There’s a shuffling of footsteps, CEO Park’s bodyguard motions to protect their boss to the newcomers, lest they be a threat. Fortunately, it’s just the assistant again a new person, dragging two people behind in chains with black sacks over their heads.
The hostages clothes were worst for wear, but it’s clear that they have been treated well in the last eight days they’ve been held, which is quite surprising for these thugs. Nonetheless, CEO Park will be ecstatic to show them the true hospitality of being imprisoned.
The two Network AI members are push on their knees. It makes the chaebol’s heart sing with glee.
‘May I?’ he asks, motioning for the two kneeling hostage. The leader nods, so CEO Park cuts the distance and prepares to remove the first blindfold. He smiles wider as he does the motion, anticipating how joyful it’ll be to see that look on their faces when it’s revealed whom they lost to.
His smile falters, eyes wide with disbelief as he stares into the person underneath the sack. It’s his accountant, the guy who helped him purchase seventy-percent of Network AI’s stocks.
There must be a mistake, is his first thought, as he looks down into Song Jung Hyo’s terrified eyes. There are tear stained on the accountant’s cheeks as he helplessly cries mutely through his mouth gag.
Panicky, CEO Park hurriedly lifts the other’s blindfold, and is once again surprise on the identity of the hostage: it’s his head of security, Lee Dong Suk.
He staggers a few steps back, still wide eyes on the revelation. This is a mistake, he repeats in his head, can’t stop staring at the two wrong hostage. But as the seconds tick by, reality doesn’t change because this is really happening.
‘What is the meaning of this?’ he yells, blazing eyes turn to the leader.
The leader’s smiling now, triumphantly. ‘It is what it is.’
‘You got the wrong people!’ CEO Park says, hands clenching at his sides. ‘You thugs are incompetent fools! I should have not trusted you to do a good job! What a huge mistake!’
‘Wrong.’ A blonde guy in a black leather jacket saunters in like he owns the place. ‘Crossing us was a mistake.’
‘Who are you?’ he asks the attractive man. Another face that is surprising to be part of the Underground.
The man smirks, and CEO Park reads that smugness as a threat. And it sure is because the man’s eyes are sharp, piercing — it’s the eyes of a man who could burn the earth if he wants to.
There’s two muted shoots, half a second later his two trusty bodyguards fell on the floor, bleeding, unmoving.
Fear seizes CEO Park’s heart, long gone are the excitement he’s cradling on the way here. His secretary whimpers in fright beside him, the poor man folding upon himself like he’s afraid he’s going to be shot next, which could happen.
The senior remains on his feet, back straight as he takes in his situation. The two young thugs before him enjoying his defeat. But it’s not the end of him, he still has some cards up his sleeves. He didn’t live this long to be easily taken out by some inexperienced and arrogant criminals.
‘My people are coming,’ he warns. ‘And when they do, they’ll be hell to pay for what you’ve done here.’
The blonde turns to the BBS leader. ‘You don’t need to hear all these bullshits. We can take it from here.’
The leader nods. ‘We’re quits, right?’
‘Sure.’ His voice is tight, heavy like a quiet storm. There’s that hardness in his eyes that feels deadly. ‘Rules must be followed in order for us to coexist,’ he says, although it sounds like, I hope this doesn’t happen again or else.
The other flinches, it’s small, but it was there. ‘I’ll keep that in mind.’ He offers his hand.
There’s an enough millisecond of hesitation before the blonde accepts it. His eyes still threatening in warning.
The BBS leader takes the suitcase from the dead bodyguard. CEO Park watches in silence as his money disappears. He doesn’t have the power to stop his five billion won walking away with the criminal. He could get shot at any moment if he makes any stupid move.
‘I don’t think you understand what you are doing,’ he threatens again. ‘Do you know who I am?’
Those deadly eyes are back on him; the blonde somehow irritated now, gone is the smug man from a while ago. ‘Unfortunately, yes.’ His lips are in a tight line. ‘You’re the person who had the audacity to cross my family, and almost stole the love of my life.’
CEO Park snorts. These young fellows these days are so dramatic and sensitive. They cannot separate their business from their pleasures. ‘You’re not the first bastard to come at me for revenge on such petty matter.’
‘I just happen to be the last.’ His voice is dripping with a promise of pain. He raises his left hand like a signal and a mute shot fires.
The pain registers first before CEO Park can fully understand what happened. His left knee gives away as soon as the bullet hits him in the left thigh. His secretary screams in fright before CEO Park’s own muffled scream escapes his lips.
‘Fuck!’ he yells through clenched teeth, hands hovering over his wound. ‘You will pay for this! Whoever you are!’
‘Do you want me to refresh your memory?’ the blonde asks, just as a series of footsteps heads their way.
And there out of the shadows stand Network AI’s CEO and Head of R&D: Hong Joshua and Xu Minghao. Filthy foreigners.
Another man comes forward. CEO Park will never forget that face. He’s seen that young man a few weeks back: Seventeen’s supposedly leader. And next to the young leader is a man that CEO Park had burned at the stake with the authorities, the leader of UNIQ: Zhou Yi Xuan.
The panel before him looked like a haunted cemetery of his own ghosts. It sends shiver down his spine, face growing cold and pale as he watches these foreigners whom he tried to bury, only for them to rise back from the grave. It’s a nightmare.
But, of course, the chaebol won’t let these youngsters scare him. If he managed to drive them away before, he can do it again.
‘Do you think you can win against me just because you all grouped together?’ he rants loudly, masking the terror in his chest. ‘Do you know who I am? How long I have built my empire? How vast it is?’ He swallows a whimper from his aching leg wound. ‘Nouveau’s like you come and go, but chaebol’s like me are forever.’
‘We’ll see about that.’ It was Network AI’s CEO who speaks, matching the smirk that the blonde man was giving him a while back. He doesn’t look as gentleman as the press had drawn him, there’s too much spike at the edge of his smile.
Those are the last words the senior hears before someone painfully hits him at the back of his head, making his vision swim before the darkness fully takes him.
**
‘I want to see his face when he hears the news tomorrow,’ Minghao says next to Jeonghan, voice calm but there’s acidity to it. His boyfriend only nods and tightens his hold on Minghao. They usually don’t do a lot of PDA, but the older’s still traumatised by the incident that there’s been a lot of skinship lately. No one teases them for it, which his members would probably do if it weren’t for the recent scare they had.
Jeonghan’s got Minghao’s leg over his own on the sofa in the HQ’s family room. Their hands intertwined on top of Minghao’s lap, with the younger’s head pillowed on Jeonghan’s shoulder. They’ve been sitting silently — a quiet assurance of each other’s presence — while some of their family members scatter around them talking, playing with their phones, and watching The Host on the flat screen.
Seungcheol nods. He’s the last one to arrive in the room, bearing news of Soonyoung’s update about tomorrow. He leans on the TV shelf by the door. ‘His wife and children are leaving tonight with new identities in a new country.’
None of them ask where. It’s better for less people to know. It’s usually just their leader, Jeonghan, and Jihoon who knows the details for these things. The three are the most informed in their group, most of them only knows the things that they’ve work on. Less things to think about, less for information to leak as well.
‘Zhou Yi Xuan and his group are also heading home tonight,’ Jun adds, he’s sitting on the floor, back on the leg of the sofa. He’s been on his phone, either playing a new game Wonwoo suggested or talking to some contacts. ‘They said they owe us, and to not hesitate to look for help in China.’
‘Tell them we’ll collect it when we need to,’ Seungcheol replies. ‘And that they shouldn’t hesitate to ask for help again if they need to.’
Jun nods, typing away on his phone again.
‘Let’s not hold our breath on the last one,’ Minghao comments, folding further into Jeonghan’s embrace. Every one looks at him with curiosity, except for Jun. ‘Rumour has it Yibo managed to snatch an old money, shipping magnate while he was reconning for ammunitions against Park.’
‘They’re getting married by next year,’ Jun inserts, still not looking up from his phone.
‘I don’t think so,’ Minghao says passionately, always stubborn with his belief, which is a good thing most times but is also a character flaw. He’s risen from his nesting to challenge his Jun-ge’s statement. ‘Yibo’s probably going to try and earn his boyfriend’s hand first before a marriage happens. UNIQ’s probably going to score something big in the next few years, that or Yibo’s going to go solo to gather enough dowry.’
Jun snorts, rolling his eyes elegantly like he had patented. ‘Sometimes I think you’re both too alike: stubborn and hopeless in love.’
Minghao deflates, succumbing again to the safe arms beside him and ignoring the warmth that creeps on his cheeks. ‘Shut up.’ He pouts, but only a little. And it’s fine to be tease sometimes, like right now, because Jeonghan chuckles softly and pats him in the head and leaves a tender kiss on his temple.
His family doesn’t laugh, not like Jun who’s got a huge shit eating grin on his face. But Minghao can tell they agree with the older’s statement. And who can blame him for being whipped? Out of all the people in the world — a roughly estimated eight billion — Jeonghan had choose to love him, to stay with him. Sure, he’s confident in his own skin, in his value, but who would have thought he’d be with someone as amazing as Yoon Jeonghan.
Jeonghan’s like the sun, the centre of the universe, because one cannot simply ignore his brilliance, his steadfast loyalty, his quiet kindness, his diligence for his work. The person who always gives so earnestly as much as he loves to hide it underneath his constant teasing.
And he’s learned the past few days how fragile the time they have, how everything should be treated preciously because any moment could be the last. That’s why he’s never going to take anything for granted, he’s going to put his heart on his sleeve and take whatever Jeonghan gives him with no holding back on returning it.
Deliberately, he lifts their intertwined hands and kisses the back of Jeonghan’s, much to the older’s surprise. Minghao felt Jeonghan’s sudden intake of air and smiles to himself because he’s allowed to do this now, consequences (unending teasing) be damned. And because he’s already missed a lot of opportunities, he places another kiss on the blonde’s clothed shoulder, eyes trained on the older who’s looking back with both surprise and fondness.
Minghao should do this more often, feeling giddy with the warmth and joy dancing on his boyfriend’s eyes.
Seungcheol clears his throat with an eye roll, he’s barely holding himself back from teasing the two on the couch. He knows if he starts the others would follow. For now, he likes the peace and quiet of his little family, how they're all together now.
fin.