Kael chuckled when he received the message. "She was really serious," he thought.
FLASHBACK,
After storming out of the jewelry store the other day, she later met him on her way home.
Apparently, his friend had dropped off.
He was driving, when someone honked at him. He sighed when he saw who it was.
"Someone must have sent this girl to me. Why do I keep meeting her everywhere?" He asked himself, without getting down from the car.
After parking her car, Min Ju hurriedly went to his. "Mr Kael," she called, knocking lightly on the window.
"Why does she keep coming to me?" he muttered, before getting down.
"What do you want, firefly?" he asked. "It's not 'stalker', anymore?" she teased. "I thought you said I shouldn't call you 'stalker'.
Fine, what do you want, stalker? He asked and she giggled, before speaking in a pleading tone.
"Mr Kael, can you help me?" she said. What's it? He asked, leaning back against the car.
"I know I might be really annoying and clumsy... But I have looked around, and even though we haven't really talked much, I feel like you are the only one who can help me.
"I know you might not really like making your private life known, but I just wanted to tell you that I discovered you are the CEO of Sterling Empire," she said, observing his reaction.
I know that you are aware,' he said, and she raised her eyebrows, surprised.
"How do you know?" she asked.
"The girl beside you that day, in the party, she must have told you. She seemed to recognize me" he shrugged and she nodded.
"So, what do you need? Or are you ready to pay for my broken watch ?" He asked and she quickly shook her head. "Not yet"
"Then?"
"Do you know Myung Hee?" she asked suddenly.
She had looked into him, after thinking of who can help her with her revenge plan. She needs a solid pillar, and she can't really trust any person related to her family.
Her mind went to Kael, but she had dismissed the thought. He is just a stranger, that she always seem to encounter, one way or the other.
Would she just explain to him, that her family killed her, she died and woke up, and now she wants him to help her take revenge? She would sound insane.
Why would he even believe her?
But he felt powerful; he is also the CEO of the number one empire in the country.
If someone like him could help her, then it would be superb.
Since the thought kept popping into her head, she decided to do a background check on him.
If she gets turned down, it's fine. However, it was worth trying.
Though to get information about him was very hard, she was finally able to get some information about him.
That was where she found out he had some records with Myung Hee.
She had been shocked, wondering how he knew Myung Hee, so she dug further.
She then found out that they were sworn enemies.It was surprising...yet, interesting.
"Myung Hee" Kael repeated, his expression darkened.
"Yes, what about her?" he asked, wondering where she was heading to.
"She's my stepmother" she said, and he creased his brows.
"You are a Jang?" he asked, and she nodded her head.
"And I think you know her... intimately?" she said, and Kael's eyes narrowed. His expression changed, a glint of anger flashed in his eyes, but he kept his cool.
"What makes you say that?" he asked.
"Well, I looked into you" she replied, but he didn't say anything. She looked at him, wondering why he didn't respond. Or is he angry that she looked into him.
"Are you angry? I'm so sorry. I just-
"You've not told me why you are here?" he asked, a blank expression plastered on his face and Min Ju almost changed her mind.
But she had began anyways. Why not finish what she started.
"I don't know your history with her, but I found out that both of you are sworn enemies." she said.
"And I thought you might be of help to me. I-" she paused. "I want to revenge against my family." she paused again, wondering how that sounds.
"And I need your help," she continued
Kael raised an eyebrow. "My help? What for?"
Min Ju hesitated, studying Kael's expression. Their brief encounters had shown her a calculative, yet intriguing individual.
Taking a deep breath, she began, "My family, they are not what they seem. They betrayed me, all except my dad."
"I'm not surprised though, I know what Myung Hee is capable of doing" he said, a distant look in his eyes.
But, what exactly did they do to you?" he asked, curiously.
"Imagine those closest to you, orchestrating your downfall, without a hint of remorse... that's my reality" she answered, her eyes flashing with pain.
"I found out. And now, all I seek is revenge.
I don't really know how to explain it, because it's a bit complicated.
But please, I know we just met, but can you please aid me" she explained.
His expression turned thoughtful. "You want me to help dismantle them?"
"Yes, I want them to feel how hurt I felt. I want a full-fledged vengeance. I want them to feel pain, while protecting my father's legacy" she said, her eyes blazing with determination.
Your rivalry with Myung Hee can help destroy their stronghold" she said.
Kael smirked, cold calculation dancing in his eyes.
"Okay then. Let's get revenge together. Aren't you interested in knowing what transpired between me and your stepmother?" he asked.
He noticed she didn't make inquiry about that.
"Even though I wondered what was between you both; I noticed that you didn't really like making your private life known.
So, you'll tell me when you are ready to." she shrugged, knowing she didn't also go into details about how she was betrayed.
"So, what do you say? Partners?" she asked, skeptically.
"On one condition" he replied.
"What's that?" she asked.
"Don't fall for me" he chuckled and she blinked.
"It's quite easy for any girl to get attracted to me. Most girls do.
And since we would be working together, it's better you know my rule." he said plainly and she scoffed.
"Who told you I'll fall for you. There's nothing attractive for me to fall for" she said, biting her tongue.
"Really?" he asked, leaning in to her, his warm breath hit her neck and she swallowed.
He chuckled when she saw the way she stiffened.
"Tell me when you are ready to start" he said, straightening up
"Can we use code names?" she asked, and he shrugged.
"We'll call it Operation Shadow" she said.
"But isn't it intriguing?" He asked.
"What?"
"That a little woman like you holds so much grudge. I wonder what exactly your family did to you." he said.
"But then, you implied that your dad wasn't part of it"
"Yes. Just my boyfriend, my stepmother and my stepsister" she replied.
"Your boyfriend? He betrayed you and you are still with him?" he asked.
"He isn't aware of my plan. I need to play along" she said.
"Okay then. Here is my number" he said, giving her a card.
"Partners" he said, stretching his hand out to her and she shook it, her palm coming in contact with his, and warmth encircled her.
"Firefly, what's your name?" he asked. He has always called her 'stalker' or 'firefly'.
"I'm Min Ju. Jang Min Ju" she said. "I like firefly better" he chuckled.
"Text me when you are ready" he said, getting into his car, and zooming off.
"He agreed. Yes!" she exclaimed. "Time to unleash the beast.
With Kael, by my side, I'll be invincible" she muttered, smiling.
She remembered his rule, and that smile faded a bit, recalling how his closeness affected her.
"Obeying that rule might be a bit difficult" she muttered.