Shadows of Desire (Completed)

Chapter 8 (Part One)

“Even when all else fails, love will always prevail.”

Sorrento, Italy
October 29, 2020

Taehyung thought that they are going to Florence as what they originally planned. So he was surprised when they went to a private hangar and board the plane bound to Sorrento.

He wasn’t familiar with this city. When he heard of Italy, he would think of Rome and Milan, but he never heard of Sorrento. The heart of the town is the Piazza Taso, surrounded by little streets where you can find old villas, churches and old museums. There are also art shops and stores where you can buy souvenirs and the busy streets where you can find pastry houses and Italian cuisines.

If they are not in this heinous situation, he would be grateful because Italy is included on his bucket list. Ironically, all of the places that they’ve been are included on his list. The Eiffel Tower, Santorini, Kuala Lumpur, Japan and Italy are the places he wanted to visit and explore; the places he wanted to enjoy with Jin, the love of his life. He is just happy that they are together despite the circumstances.

This is the last mission and after going back to Korea, he needs to end the Bangtan.

But how about Jin?

Is he ready to turn him in?

Taehyung sighed. He looked at the man beside him. Jin is busy with his phone. They never talked about what will happen after this mission. Maybe he is also afraid of the consequences.

Jin’s phone rang and it was Phantom who is calling. He had never seen Jin this excited when receiving a call from Phantom.

“Hello. Phantom. We’re here in Sorrento. Ah yes, I will give the phone to him.” Jin gave the phone to Taehyung.

“Hello V how are you?” Phantom asked Taehyung

“Everything’s fine.”

“Why didn’t you tell me about Jin? That you are past lovers. Aren’t you going to thank me that I brought you together?”

“Oh, Phantom. I’m sorry I just don’t know how to tell you that I’m happy I found him. Thank you so much.” Taehyung grabbed Jin’s hand and kissed it loudly, which startled Jin.

He heard Phantom cleared his throat before speaking again.

“I need you to help Jin with the last mission, okay? Come back here in Seoul soon. Give the phone to Jin.” Taehyung gave the phone to Jin and closed his eyes, as if he is not interested with their conversation.

Phantom talked to Jin for a few minutes and he heard Jin replied,

“Don’t worry. I’ll do my best. Okay. Bye.”

They arrived at Palazzo Sorrento and checked-in. He asked Jin if they could have a separate room apart from Neon and Madness. They entered the hotel room and he withdraws the curtain to see the view. The hotel is situated on a hill side surrounded by a long coast of white sand and blue waters.

“Do you like the view, V?”

“Yes. The place is relaxing. I never heard of this place before.”

“Sorrento is a peninsula famous for marquetry shops. We’re here to find Gloss.”

“What is gloss?”

“Gloss is the famous marquetry shop here in Sorrento. It is owned by my friend Yoongi. He is also Korean. I need to get my music box.”

“What’s with the music box?”

“Years ago, we came here in Italy to deal with the gangsters. I’m just a newbie in Bangtan and all I can do is watch. They had to exchange guns and money. Even though Phantom is also a rookie gangster, they trusted him because he is Korean. The leader of the Italian Mafia has a Korean mistress that’s why the transaction is smooth. We stayed here in Italy for a year and the son of the leader became my friend, which is Yoongi.”

“So what is the connection of Yoongi to the music box?”

“Yoongi is a frustrated pianist, so all his piano covers are converted to music boxes. He’s so talented, that’s why his father helped him to open his own shop Gloss, but he needs to stay in the gang, so he still agreed.”

“I asked him to create a music box for me. One time I surprised him and visited his house. I heard a familiar conversation and he was shocked to see me. But because he trusted me, he confessed. The conversation that I had heard is the one with his father and Phantom. He is saving the conversations on the music box so that his father won’t get a hold of the voice clip. The voice clip will be the greatest evidence against the Mafia. To cut the story short, Phantom needs to get rid of the music box before the police get it.”

“Why didn’t you ask for the voice clip?”

“At first I don’t think it’s a problem, because Bangtan is a small time group. But when I told Phantom about it, he got mad at me and told me to get it. Unfortunately, I can’t find Yoongi. Then we went back to Korea. I never thought that Phantom will need it after many years. When I reconnected with Yoongi again, he tried to send the music box to me but the mafia suspected him and he’s under surveillance. The music box was never sent to Korea. ”

“So how can we get the music box?”

“That’s where I needed you. You will be getting the music box for me.”

“Okay. But if it’s a shop, there are several music boxes. How will I know that it is the one you are looking for?”

“That’s for you to find out. But for the mean time..” Jin leaned closer to Taehyung. He puts his hand on his waist and pulled him closer,

“Let’s have a date. I’ll search for the finest Italian restaurant here in Sorrento. I’ll be back in an hour.” Jin walked away from Taehyung and closed the door.

Taehyung was left hanging.

He felt that something is not right.