The Symbol Of Darkness

㉕Have I Changed?

 
A tall, brawny man passed through the entrance of the enormous mansion, moving in a long-legged stride towards his boss’ office. His freshly shaved, oval face had sharp features, lines of aging meandering across his skin. His full brows were straightened, and his hair stood out in stylized, short spikes. 

He raised his shapely hand to knock on the door and waited until he was given permission to enter the extravagant office. Shuffling further inside, he bowed his head to an elegant figure that was seated in the armchair.

The woman’s midnight-black, straight hair hung like a dark river on her neck, the tips hugging the ends of her sharp jawline as her locks were tucked behind normal-long ears. Her rich bangs cascaded on her forehead, concealing one thin eyebrow. Mild wrinkles framed her sooty eyes and round lips, which wore a crimson shade of matte lipstick. 

A black dress enclosed her slim form, with thick dot-like diamonds adorning its border above her breasts and the narrow straps over her shoulders. A cigarette stood between her seamed fingers, her vibrant red nail polish sparkling at the touch of the golden sunlight pouring from the French doors behind her. 

“Report.” Her luscious, silvery voice carried the usual bland tone, tinted with presumptuousness around the edges. 

“Taehyung was kidnapped yesterday. They tried to kill him, but he escaped. He went to Jeon Jungkook’s house.”

Something dangerous sparked in her penetrating eyes. After a moment’s braising stillness, she sucked in the last drag of her cigarette and slammed it into the ashtray. Her form hid momentarily behind the thin veil of smoke floating around her at her exhalation. “Who is the scumbag who tried to take his life? Only I have the right to do that.”

“Wang Jianhao, a murderer who’s wanted in China. They already caught him.”

“Hmm.” She reclined, crossing one knee over the other. “How come Jin Mo didn’t put someone to kill him?”

“He did. But the police were already there and caught them too.”

Her chest instantly quivered with her burst of delighted cackles. “Ah, it’s so fun! I bet that angered him.”

“Should we make a move now that Taehyung is in a vulnerable position? Everything is ready. We have many people on our side now. We’re safe, even if Jin Mo does come out of his hideout and attacks us.”

“Don’t act rashly, Man Shik-ah,” Chae Yeon muttered in reproach. “We’re talking about killing Jin Mo’s best man. Our fortress isn’t ready yet, and you know it. If we get Joo Eon’s goods and his men... I get goosebumps just thinking about it. We’ll have everything then. And that’s when everything will be ready to block his attack.”

Man Shik nodded at her words, quickly realizing she was right. “Did Sa Rang find out anything about Joo Eon?”

“No. The police haven’t sniffed him out yet. And it better stays this way because we won’t be able to take his goods. You can stop monitoring Taehyung for a while. He won’t be able to go anywhere, anyway. Instead, focus on Joo Eon. You and Chul Soo. Find out everything about him.”

“Okay. Do you think Taehyung told Jin Mo that he found you?”

“Probably not. Wouldn’t he be here already to kill us if he knew where we are?”

“Yeah,” Man Shik sighed. “Why did you allow Taehyung to follow Sa Rang here? It put us in danger.”

Chae Yeon erupted in another round of high-pitched laughs. “It’s fun this way. Taehyung wants answers first. He won’t allow Jin Mo to kill us without getting these answers. And you, Chul Soo, and I are the only ones who know the truth.”