Detective Jeon (2) : He, Never Left | JJK

Ch14. Villa Les Musique

The whole encounter with Taehyung had left a bitter taste in Jeon's mouth. He wandered aimlessly along the serene river area, the echoing words of Taehyung resounding in his ears like a haunting melody... "Yes. Aera was the target all along. And that's why I came to Korea in the first place." Each step he took only deepened the churning turmoil within him.

Jeon eventually made his way back to his hotel. However, as he entered his room, a surprise awaited him. A beautiful bouquet of white roses graced his bed, accompanied by a handwritten invitation for brunch at the exquisite Hôtel Plaza Athénée, set for the next day at 11:30 AM. Curiosity mingled with anxiety as Jeon pondered the meaning behind this unexpected gesture, drawing him into its intrigue. Perhaps this meeting held answers or closure to the curious case of Taehyung.

The following morning arrived with a blend of anticipation and apprehension. Jeon found himself seated at a table, facing Taehyung.

"You should taste them! They're locally sourced French oysters," said Taehyung offering some to Jeon.

"Champagne for breakfast with oysters?" Jeon raised an eyebrow, lifting the delicate wine glass.

Taehyung took a small sip, his gaze fixed on the effervescent bubbles. "The waiter educated me on the strict origins of the term 'Champagne.' It's reserved for sparkling wines produced solely in the nearby Champagne region of northeastern France. And as for the oysters..." Jeon hesitated for a moment, contemplating his response. "No thanks. I had my breakfast," he quickly replied, unwilling to surrender himself to Taehyung's whims entirely.

Taehyung signaled the approaching waiter, his eyes gleaming with a mischievous glint. "I've also ordered some buttered crispy frog legs. An unexpected delicacy, I must say. They pair exquisitely with a white Burgundy, known locally as Chardonnay. This particular variety from the Burgundian region boasts a subtler flavor profile, far from the Californian oak bomb that often dominates the palate. It complements the delicate frog legs beautifully."

"No thanks. I'm full" Jeon took a sip of champagne. As the bubbles danced upon his tongue, Jeon understood that this meeting was not merely about food and libations. It was a battle of minds, where each word and gesture held weight and concealed intentions. He braced himself, prepared to delve into the labyrinthine depths of Taehyung's motives, determined to uncover the truth that lay hidden beneath the surface of this deceptively elegant brunch.

Suddenly a live singer came on the small stage by the end of the cafe bar. She was tall, slim, and blonde, wearing a black halter-neck dress and a pearl necklace. She said something in French and cleared her throat. Jeon's eyes met her in a frenzy before she began singing Killing Me Softly by Perry Como.

[song...]
I heard she sang a good song
I heard she had a style
And so I came to see her
And listen for a while...

"Come to the point, Taehyung." Jeon was getting impatient.

[song...]
And there she was this young girl
A stranger to my eyes...

"Not here. We'll talk about this in my room. Enjoy the meal for now." Taehyung started eating in which Jeon had no interest. He got up from his seat and went to the bar area which was near to the singer. Her nails were cherry red. He focused more on the lyrics.

[song...]
Strumming my pain with her fingers
Singing my life with her words
Killing me softly with her song...

After the show, the woman walked up to him and slid a paper with a bold red lipstick mark inside his front jacket pocket. Then she ordered a strong cognac from the bar counter.