So to sum up what happened previously: Lishi, Minjae and I could've gotten into a nasty fight resulting in possible kidnapping if it wasn't for Yun.
"Rae? What the hell just happened?! Who were those guys earlier, and what did they want?!"
Ah and Minjae...he knows.
"You want to tell him the full story or..." Lishi asked looking over his shocked figure.
I sighed. This was my mistake so I'll deal with it. But I cant tell him everything others he'd be an even bigger target.
"Long story short we have random people after me for reasons we don't know. I have no memories of my childhood and you my dear are going to be quiet about this whole thing. If you want to live." I stood and grabbed a bottle of soju from the cupboard forgoing the usual shot glass or anything and taking a long sip straight from the bottle.
Minjae seemed to have calmed down after some further explaining from Lishi and we decided he'd be staying over for tonight just in case. Yun would also be going over to his room and wire tapping it just in case.
Sigh the troubles are catching up real fast, and I don't know who wants me but they're gonna have to do better than this if they want me. And that Seunghyun. He's involved somehow and I want to know why and how.
Yun noticed my thoughtful expression and raised an eyebrow to which I mouthed 'later' and he nodded. Lishi was busy getting changed and Minjae was calling his cousin to see if she got home safely.
The days that passed were actually uneventful. Minjae actually became a little closer to us through our shared attempted kidnapping.
"Time for me to go, I gotta go to my meeting with Lightbook." I said to Lishi as I clocked out for the day. I had little to do as it was a day off for the boys.
I headed to a nearby cafe and waited for Rachel to arrive, getting myself a strawberry ice tea. Yun was out for the day doing heaven knows what, probably a side job taking out people like a hitman. I laughed at my own thoughts, Yun didn't seem like the killer type. For some reason despite the incredibly sketchy way we met I feel like I can trust him. No matter how weird out situation gets, hes always been the calm voice of reason. I wonder....why does he do what he does?
My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone calling my name. I turned and instead of seeing Rachel I saw him again. My blood went cold.
The guy with the red gloves.
He was wearing his signature red gloves, and a classic black 3 piece suit. His hair had a perfect styled look to it. He looked like a classic gentleman.
"Don't be so surprised my lady, didn't you expect us to meet properly so soon? I'll introduce myself properly this time, I'm 'Vil' but call me Brian." He held out his hand expecting me to shake it but dropped it when he saw I wasnt about to reciprocate it. His accent was a strong British one that really fit his look. He pulled out the chair in front of me and sat down, flagging down a waitress to order himself a latte.
"I really hope you havent done anything to Rachel." I had to stay calm but every cell in my body wants to just reach out and throttle the ass who's sitting so casually in front of me. He scoffed at my words, almost looking offended.
"Of course not. I wouldn't do anything to harm you or your future my dear."
....did he suddenly just forget how he tried to kidnap me? He must've noticed the look on my face, clearing his throat before he continued.
"Of course the incident that happened previously was unexpected on my end as well I did not expect to see your friend nor be surprised by Yunseok. The guards are usually more for my safety than yours." He laughs as if his words were funny before cutting it off once he saw I wasn't impressed. He seems to stop at my reactions, almost like he's.....awaiting approval of some sort.
"I'll cut the bullshit now. Any person with half a brain would guess what happened to me as a child is connected to you guys and I want the full story." He raised an eyebrow at my words and sighed.
"You're a smart one. Just like your mother was....alright I'll tell you the full story. Your mother and father were the ones who ran our operations. They led double lives, on the outside they looked like the picture perfect art couple but truly they were the King and Queen of the Underworld here."
...I guessed something similar but not to this extent. King and Queen of the Underworld. I'm almost afraid to ask more but I need to know.
"What happened to them, and me?" I asked, but the look in his eyes made me wish I retracted it. He had gone from the calm and suave gentleman to a tortured soul.
"You were about 13 and they decided they were going to step away for a moment. They moved you from Seoul to London in hopes of a fresh long vacation of sorts. Unfortunately you all had a car accident and whilst you had come out alive, your parents had not. Your memories of us were gone and we felt at first that it was better for you that way, but recently developments have made it difficult." He reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an old and weathered picture, sliding it towards me. I looked and gasped.
It was an old picture of me and my parents. My father, he had the same classic suit look Brian had, with a slight chiseled look to his asian features. My mother was definitely where I got my looks from, wild curly brown hair and soft chocolate skin. She had a pastel blue 50's style dress on and in my fathers arms was a small version of me. All pretty in pink with my hair in pigtails. I looked like I was about 5 but the resemblance was uncanny so I knew it couldn't be some shitty plan. Their smiles radiated pure happiness and love.
"They look so happy...." I trailed off.
"They were. Unfortunately our organisation has gotten.... rowdy. They want you to take over as the new head. I've been running things in your place and recently they have demanded for you."
Wait so that was it? They want me back? They gave me shit for how long for this?
"Do they now how much shit they've put me through. How much worry and anger I've gone through?" My voice was shaking and I didn't want to cry but I could feel it swelling up in my eyes. Brian grabbed one of my hands and I could see when the suit jacket rode up a bit the lashing scars.
"I know. And for that I apologise. Your parents gave me my life and all I wanted was to repay them. I failed you....I'm sorry." The pain and hurt I could hear....
We've all suffered in the grand scheme of things. And what do we gain from this suffering, what do we make of it? We could rise up from it like pheonixes or crash and burn.
"What about Yunseok? He says he was hired to protect me, was it you?" I asked curiously. Everything is a lot to take in, but I need to know one more thing.
"Ah Yunseok...he's brilliant in many ways. He wasn't hired by us actually, he's doing this all by himself. He's someone you used to know quite well." He hands me another picture, one more recent looking.
Preteen me, with spots and all standing next to a skinny boy. We're both wearing overalls and we're caked in ridiculous amounts of paint and grinning ear to ear hugging each other. He and I looked like we were having the time of our lives.
"You met him in London, he was your neighbour and you guys instantly fell into a cute puppy love. Never spent a minute apart." He smiled fondly at the picture.
Wait what. We were this close? This photo is one of many moments of us together and I cant remember a single one....I- oh god I cant imagine how much pain Yunseok went through. His suffering, seeing me ripped away from him so violently.
"Rachel should be coming here soon. I want you to know that we will figure this out together. No matter what path in life you choose, Poison Apple stands for you. I stand for you." He firmly squeezed my hand before standing up and handing me a business card.
"Call me tomorrow, I'll fill you in on more. Till the next time we meet my lady." He gives a little bow and walks away briskly.
Theres so much to unpack here. First my parents, they loved and took care of me and they weren't murdered like I thought they were. They were torn away from me unknowingly.
And Yunseok. A dear friend, and childhood love? If I was him I wouldn't have the strength to do this knoeing someone I loved didnt recognise my existence.
Rachel came in profusely apologising for the delay. There was a "traffic jam" apparently on the way here. We sorted things out and were able to sign the contract on the spot. I was out of it for a bit but managed to get it together. The book will be out on shelves by the start of September. There would be two translations, one English and one in Chinese as it was inspired by chinese translated novels. We shook hands and had another meeting for book cover and editing two weeks from now.
As soon as I came home I sighed and fell back on the sofa. It was a weight off my shoulders to know what had happened but at the same time....what do I say to Yun when I see him? He tracks whatever happens to me so hes already listened to everything most likely. Lishi as well, shes my best friend and deserves to know everything.
"Seems like you had a busy day huh?" I just about jumped up like fifty feet when the door opened and Yun walked in.
"Yeah..." ah am I a dummy what's 'yeah' when the mother of all information gets revealed.
Hes standing there in a casual jeans and shirt combo and the usually eye bags. I let my bag drop to the floor and without much words went over and wrapped him up in a firm hug. He didn't do anything for a few seconds but then slowly hugged me back.
"Thank you. You went through so much for me." I whisper. Every tear I held in broke forward and they streamed down my face. Considering how much shoulder was getting wet too, his emotions were on the same level as mine.
"Anything. I'd go through all of this again for you." His voice was shaky and he sounded like he'd fall apart. But we held each other up, like the picture of our youth.
"Why?" I asked afraid to look him in the eyes, or I think I'll start crying hard again.
"Because it's you. You hold my heart and soul." Too late I'm sobbing again.
Lishi found our emotional selves still hugging and crying a few minutes later. We had a talk. The three of us, we talked about the past, present and future. He shared some stories of our past and some pictures of us dressed up for the school disco. I was wearing a hideous bright neon blue dress and he had a matching bowtie.
"Thank you for being there for Rae when I wasn't able to Alishbah. Your kindness is something I'll never forget." Yunseok said with the biggest smile I ever saw on his face.
"Anytime Yun, she was there for me much the same way you were there for her. I'm not gonna lie I thought you were a scam and was ready to take you out for a hot minute." We laughed and shared some hot cocoa.
Ah I almost forgot I have to call Minjae and tell him it's okay, that we'll be okay. His phone rang for a few seconds before he finally picked up. Except it wasn't his voice that answered.
R: hello?
J: yeah what's up?
Oh its Jaehyun! How does he have Minjae's phone....
R: hey what are you doing on Minjae's phone?
J: oh yeah hes just getting dressed since we finished a dance practice video. What's wrong?
R: Ahh nothing, he just wanted tips on what to gift Lishi for her birthday.
I'm getting to good at lying on the spot to people now. I really should stop that but it's for the best when it comes to Jaehyun.
J: ohhhhh. I'll tell him to call you back.
R: okay, love you babe!
J: love you more, muah!
He hung up and I sighed. A few minutes later I got a text asking what's up from Minjae. I told him to meet me tomorrow morning here for breakfast and a talk.
Turning to face my friends who were looking at me with raised eyebrows anticipating what I'd say next.
"Well I'm starving. Hotpot anyone?"
What can I say? A new start demands food.