While the twins were rounding everyone up I stood in my office watching out of the window. Huh, your office? I shook my head a bit and tried to focus. I kept thinking about their wish to hide their faces, and it started to raise some suspicions. If they'll be wearing masks, I'll have no chance of recognising them later, which was a chance of gamble. Yes, in this way I'd protect myself from incrimination, but it also raised my suspicion that perhaps one of them might be the mole. I rested my hands on the windowsill and leaned in a bit. If the mole is watching me, I could try to take a good look around. I could have understood if I were the one that would have asked them to hide their faces to protect myself, but them suggesting this first? I mean, sure, there was some sort of distrust, but all of them respected Dan very much and trusted him, in turn, they should trust me. But someone doesn't. And the idea of them hiding their faces made me wonder if by chance I know how the mole looks like.
I followed a couple of crows jumping around in the yard with my eyes and tried to think of a way to make them show me their faces. I knew if I'd ask them directly, I could pose danger towards myself. All of their personal files were in Dan's room, so reaching those was out of the question too. I hid my face in my palms again and shut my eyes tightly. Think, think, think.
Their eyes, Kieran, an idea popped into my head and I instantly perked up. Their eyes and their voices. Memorise those.
I heard a knock at the door and turned around. For a second I wondered if I should sit down, but decided to keep standing for now. I wanted to memorise everything about them that I could - including their height and build. Sitting down might distort those proportions for me. I rested my elbow on the top of the leather chair and invited them in. For a second the view was almost comedic. The twins walked inside first, they had no masks on, showing their full trust in me. Five other men wearing hoodies walked into the room, hanging their heads low with their faces hidden behind black masks that very much reminded me of the surgical ones. Did you really expect them to walk in wearing skiing masks? Dumbass. As I was about to let a smile jump on my lips the atmosphere changed in the room. The twins stood on the side, leaving the masked five men stand in front of me, still hanging their heads low. I clenched my jaw and understood, that now is absolutely not the time to giggle.
"Raise your heads." I spoke calmly, but with a strong inclination of an order in my voice. The men instantly perked up. Good. I understood their discomfort in a way. Dan announced to them, that he is still the head of the family and that I wouldn't be making any decisions, however, since he was still "bedridden" they would need to report to me and to me only. I think they started to realise, that someone was leaking information outside. Maybe they think it's you. I pushed those thoughts aside, now is not the time. I raised my chin a bit. "As I understand, it was requested by you that your identities would be kept completely discreet, and I want you to know that I don't mind. You may name yourself as you wish, only so that I'd know which one to address for when I'll have information to be delivered." I spoke strictly. They stood still, almost like soldiers, waiting for me to finish. I couldn't deny, I felt a tingle of excitement seeing their subordination. "If you have any nicknames ready, please begin. I would like every single one of you to step forward one by one and introduce your.." I paused for a second. Kieran, don't waiver. I took another breath. "Introduce your departments." I noticed a hint of hesitation, but soon enough the first one stepped up.
"You can call me Loan." He began. Sharp voice, medium build. Definitely didn't work out much. Height about 1.80m. Eyes blue, deep, dark eyebrows, indicating dark hair as well. The hood hid his hair completely, indicating a short cut. I nodded. "My department is responsible for lending money and following those transactions up." I looked at him, waiting to see if that's all he had to say. After a couple seconds of silence I gestured for him to step back.
As soon as Loan stepped back, the man on the far right stepped up. "In that case call me Bodyguard." I formed my lips in a straight line. These guys are very creative aren't they? I clenched my jaw again trying not to roll my eyes. "My department is responsible for providing security for cash. It never matters much to whom as long as they pay up, but there are some professions we avoid. I can fill you in later." I nodded. Smooth voice, a weird pronunciation, obviously not talking in his mother tongue. Very tall, I'd guess nearly two meters. Ripped. Brown eyes, most likely short cut as well. However, this one seemed to be much nicer to me. I gestured for him to step back.
The man in standing in the middle walked forward. Very confident step, hands in pockets. "Call me Five." He took his hand out of his pocket and showed me a peace sign. Not a peace sign, you dumbass. It's roman numeral, for 5. "My team is responsible for collecting things and information illegally. Spying, stealing, gathering information, following - you name it." My reaction slipped a bit and I narrowed my eyes. I couldn't help but wonder how far people are ready to go for their own selfish needs. I closed my eyes for a second. Not the time, Kieran. Memorise him too. I opened my eyes and collected my thoughts. Lower voice, calm, confident. Not higher than 1.80m, lean build. Brown eyes, confident stare. Dark eyebrows, I noticed a little bit of hair hanging around his ear, longer cut. Seems to be brown. I nodded in approval and he went back to his place.
"I guess I'll be Administrator then." I lifted my eyebrows a bit. The man didn't take a single step and kept in the line, however, I didn't feel this as a sign of rebellion. He is shy. "My team and I gather all the requests and bring them to Dan.. well.. to you for the time. We advise you about the people ordering the services, and you make the final decision. After that you inform the responsible team." I couldn't help but smile a bit. Soft voice, childish even. Stuttered. Didn't seem angry or devious. Blue eyes again, had a kind look to them. The skinniest out of them all, and the smallest. For a second I couldn't help and wondered how old was he. It was hard to tell, but it seemed like he just crawled out of his teenage years.
"I think the mask will not help me much.." I instantly turned to the last man. Oh? The moment he spoke I recognised him. Sungwoon took of his mask, removed his hood and smiled at me. I kept a straight face. "I am working in the old department, you could say. My responsibilities are to provide weapons." I gave him a half of a smile and turned back to the twins. So he wasn't the right hand.. He was at the same level as the others. The twins looked at me, as if asking if they needed to introduce themselves too, I shook my head and finally sat down. Placing one elbow at the arm of the chair I raised my hand and leaned my head against it. For the last time I looked at all of their eyes and build.
"I understand that the situation might seem a bit uncomfortable, and not how you expected things to go, but Dan is getting better every day, and I don't think that we'll need to communicate for longer than a few weeks. Let's make each others jobs easier by being civil and respectful." I emphasised the last word and straightened my head, leaving my hand in the air. It seemed like they understood my message. "I will be here on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. If anything urgent happens, my number will be given to you by Ye-jun. Let's follow the procedures as you were used to. Administrator," the boy straightened his back, "as I understand, you'd be the first one to know of any orders placed and bring it to Dan, correct?" He nodded quickly. "Good, let's keep it this way. Continue doing your job and collect all the information and inform me. We will take it from there and respond according to the situation." He nodded again, and I kept thinking how old can this kid be. "Everyone else, unless the information is of the upmost urgency, deliver it to me via Administrator or Ye-jun." I paused for a second, the leads kept still. "Good. If there is nothing else you want to say, you're free to go." The men nodded and left the room.
For a couple of seconds it was completely silent, when Yu-jun ripped, "Holy shit Kieran, you are absolutely born for this." I couldn't help but giggle with them, for a second remembering the actual friendship shared between us. I exhaled and stood up to stretch. The meeting was short, but it took a lot of strength from me. All I wanted to do was come back home to Jimin, snuggle up and maybe watch a movie. "Am I still needed today?" I asked the twins and they both shook their heads. "In that case take me home, boys."
YOU ARE READING
Her Name | pjm
Roman d'amour"Ever since Jimin left, I've been sleeping alone. I couldn't say that I hated it, but there was some sort of discomfort staying at a new place, absolutely alone, especially when I started to get used to him being near. Back home if I had a nightmare...
