"A thousand US dollars." San held his breath as he uttered the tremendous sum, eyeing the notes in Beomgyu's hands.
Beomgyu nodded.
"A thousand fucking US dollars."
San repeated.
"Who is this guy?" San asked the inevitable.
Beomgyu looked up.
He was given only a name.
Tae.
And of course the cash.
And a promise of return.
Beomgyu smiled at the last one.
San snapped his fingers in front of Beomgyu's face.
"Yaah! I asked you a question!"
"I really don't know, Sannie! All I know is his name is Tae."
"Tae what? Taeyong? Taeil? Don't frickin tell me its Taehyung!"
"What's wrong with Taehyung?"
San looked away.
"Nothin'. Just overwhelmed."
San prayed in his mind that it was not that fucking assassin.
"I don't know... He was... I can't describe him. He's unlike anyone I ever knew. Sweet, caring. And this sort of ...mystery."
"Darling, first thing, you don't know a lot of people. Second, you trust too easily. And third, you've met him only like an hour ago. All the more reason for me to worry. Not to mention this huge tip. Something in my mind tells me its a bit fishy."
Beomgyu rolled his eyes.
San would never understand.
His mind reeled back to sixty minutes ago.
"Will I see you again?" Beomgyu pondered, gaze down, fiddling with his fur coat using his nimble fingers.
The man, now named Tae, turned back and smiled.
He moved towards Beomgyu, extending a veiny, calloused hand to the side of the escort's face.
He carressed the smooth skin of Beomgyu's cheek, causing the said man to suck in a shaky breath.
"I could. If you want me to."
Beomgyu nodded.
"Yes. I want you to."
Tae chuckled.
"Alright, Gyu. I'll be back."
And Tae slowly walked out. But stopped.
" I almost forgot." He said.
And with two long steps, he breached Beomgyu's personal space, placing a soft little kiss on his left cheek.
Beomgyu reddened up like a tomato at the thought of that sudden kiss. He hadn't mentioned it to San, because that could be disastrous. And if Jackson hyung found out, he would have to hear an earful.
"Hey, snap out of it!" San slapped him on his forearm.
Beomgyu smiled, some of that red hue toning down.
"You're in deep, Beom. Jackson hyung's gonna fucking kill you if you catch feelings."
Of course Beomgyu knew that.
But it was okay to dream a little.
Or maybe a lot.
°°°°°°°°°°°°
He grabbed the bottle of champagne and walked slowly to the window of his room, overlooking the bustling city beneath.
Seoul was beautiful at night. Casting its shadows over the secrets that lurked in the belly of the city, Seoul looked proud, magnificent and equally maverick in the midnight.
"Tell me, Taehyung. Or I would rather call you V. When was the last time you stayed in Seoul?"the man asked the other.
The one to hear the question was Kim Taehyung. V. Feared assassin with some sort of compassion only for his dog. Good with swords rather than guns. Contradicting for an assassin. But he knew the ballistics. Meaning he was deadly with any weapon you gave him.
He looked up from his glass of champagne.
"2 months ago. Why?"
The man beside the window did not turn around.
"Was that for another kill?"
"Yes."
The man hummed.
"When was the last time you came here to live?"
Taehyung remained silent.
He didn't wanted to gush out details on that part of his life.
Upon sensing his silence, the man turned around.
He smiled. Not a genuine one. A smile that hid so many things. Undeciphered.
" Oh I didn't mean to pry! Sometimes I forget you have a parallel life. I was merely curious."
Taehyung sighed.
"3 years ago."
"My, that's a long time. Jimin would surely miss you."
In no second, Taehyung was up on his feet, drawing his gun, pointing it straight at the other man's glabella.
"Oh please. There's no need for that. It's just a background search. Just to see if you'll fail in your job."
"I never fail."
"Hm, maybe. But you'll know where to find your precious one if you do fail."
Taehyung trembled at the thought of something happening to Jimin. Anything but his soulmate.
The other man walked towards him as Taehyung lowered the gun.
He leaned in closer.
"You really are gorgeous up close."
Taehyung clenched his teeth as the man nuzzled his cheek.
He felt dirty. Tainted already.
"If you fail, Taehyung, I promise I won't kill your little one. I'll give him something even better."
He drew back and smiled.
"Much, much better."
Taehyung stood there. Stunned.
If he killed him now, his men would find Jimin. He would lose him forever.
He had to get the job done. No matter what.
"Now scram."
Without another word, Taehyung left the room.
The man went back to window, breathing in the mysterious whiff of the Seoul air.
He remembers.
He remembers stumbling into the city for the first time.
He remembers fatherly hands taking him in.
He remembers many brothers, not by blood but by bond. Laughing, playing, crying with them.
He remembers a lifeless form, the same fatherly hands, unmoving and cold.
Mark Tuan remembers.
He remembers too much.
__________
