ARCANUM

CHAPTER 36

PETER POV

After withdrawing from the first stage, we are ready to enter the second stage. And of course, we left the first stage well. Even better, because after a week I left Moscow and arrived in Baku, Azerbaijan, a much warmer place than before, to meet my second target, Rosie executed our plan.

The profiles of the people we have collected who are involved in the Pleasury Club and Auction activities along with Valdo Bykov are provided with evidence of their violations to the European Federations which are responsible to eradicate Human Trafficking. We give the evidence and information to decent people, who are not corrupt officers. Yeah, we do background checking first. He is even known as an enemy among the perpetrators of Human Trafficking. Immanuel Jeannin. Head of the Union for Combating Human Trafficking in Europe and beyond. The person, who from his track record, is very dedicated.

From the information and evidence we provided, he immediately took action. Didn't disappoint at all. So after two weeks, I was in Baku along with my partner, Ruby, Valdo Bykov and his gang were arrested.

Good. One criminal has been arrested. Now we are looking for Punpun.

During these two weeks, we had known the exact schedule of Altair Khaliq but never once had I seen Punpun. So we have devised a plan to approach him.

Four days ago, we had taken our first steps, meeting him 'accidentally' at the casino where he used to play poker. During that 'accidental' meeting he was already attracted to me. A tough poker opponent. I've won a big amount from him. My training and experience as the best Secret Agent certainly didn't disappoint. Throughout my career, poker was the card game I was most proficient at. Especially now with the presence of the goddess of fortune beside me.

That's right, Ruby was beside me when I 'accidentally' met Altair Khaliq. In this second stage, she played a role as my lover. She's a Korean who came to Thailand and met me, her 3-year-old lover. Compared to the first time we did an undercover mission together, which was when we were still in SCPD, now we can play it much better, naturally. As a couple and do intimacy in public? That's an easy thing. If we wanted to, right now, we could be a real couple. But we understand each other and agree. She understood how important this mission was to me.

Since I talked about Bambam and his death, Jennie Kim's attitude has become softer and more understanding. Although she is still a perfectionist, serious, and we still often disagree, but the change is noticeable. She's less harsh, and I'm giving in a lot too. As in the case today. If it was me in the past, I would have refused to involve her directly in the undercover, but now I accept her plan and input.

I know I said that after this, I wanted her to work behind the scenes, if possible, from The Arc. And I also know that right now she's holding back from bringing up the topic, but one day she'll fight for it. Maybe when we talk about it, I'll listen and let her work in the field. After all, she is a great partner, which is perfect for me. Not only partners in work, but also in life. I have never met a woman like her who could make my heart flutter and make me hear her. She makes me think more clearly, and with her by my side, I feel able to overcome all problems. Both my work and my personal life. Like my guilt over Bambam's death. I may seem easy-going and nonchalant like to joke around, more friendly, and not as serious as Kim, but deep inside, Bambam's death caused a huge wound. Kim's presence made me forget the pain. She straightened my muddled mind. No one is more perfect than Jennie Kim.