"Pleasure to finally meet you," she held out her hand, waiting for him to grab onto it.
He had never heard of a Vivian Park in his entire career. None of his coworkers or patients have ever muttered her name. He was weary at first, but his fingers finally reached out to touch her cold palm.
"You may have never heard of me," she half smiled, knowing what he was thinking. "But I'm sure you've heard of Park Incorporated; you know, the company that makes all the—"
"I know." He said, his annoyed tone and raspy voice was enough to wipe the smile Vivian wore so proudly.
She cleared her throat and continued. "I'm here to ask a favor," she forced another smile in hopes of changing the mood, but to no avail. The other leaned against the door frame, arms folded across his chest. Unbothered.
Before she could carry on, he opened his mouth. "Surely, Mrs. Park, you would have had some other way to contact me?"
She blinked several times before gathering her words. Her mouth gaped open the slightest bit, but she quickly gathered her words and offered a small giggle. "I believe it would be more sincere to ask you personally, and that's exactly what I'm doing."
Lay nodded, and she continued.
"You've had much experience in healing, or so I've heard." Her straight face contradicted her shaky voice. "Eight years, right?"
"Nine."
Vivian nodded slightly, and Lay could've sworn she heard her mutter something under her breath.
"Quite impressive," she continued, and Lay soon realized why she was here. "Mr. Zhang, I come to ask you in assisting us with some... special cases."
He nodded, thrumming his fingers against his right thigh. He could feel someone's presence behind him, and he suddenly came back to reality.
Junmyeon.
Lay bit down on his tongue, knowing that whatever company this woman claimed to work for did not really send her here. He knew that she was somehow linked to the disappearances of young men across the city, the black vehicles, the men at the hospital.
"I understand if you want to decline," Vivian looked down, and feigned a sympathetic look. Lay could hear someone's steady breathing; taking in quick breaths as if they didn't want to be noticed. It wasn't Junmyeon.
"No," Lay grinned worriedly. "I'll take the offer, if that's alright." His plan was to help out, whatever it was he needed to do, and hopefully find answers to the kidnappings going around the city. He wanted to do something about it; he figured his life would be worth saving multiple others'.
Vivian's eyes lit up, not because he agreed to give her the favor, but because of something else.
"Give me one second," he slowly, but desperately, closed the door, and bolted the locks shut. He let out a long sigh of relief and looked up at Junmyeon, who had been waiting patiently out of sight.
"You know what Lee said about not wanting the FBI show up at her door?"
Junmyeon sighed, and walked over to the door, placing his eye against the peephole. "Who is she?"
"She's not who she says she is," Lay got up quickly, and shook his head. "We have to leave. She's not alone, there's someone else down the hall, I could hear them."
"I heard everything," Junmyeon hushed. "But the door is our only way out,"
Lay stepped forward, and opened the door again. "Sorry about that," he laughed nervously, as Junmyeon lingered out of eye's way.
"When do I start?" Lay asked, making it sound like he wanted to do their dirty work.
"Now is good," Vivian shrugged. "If you don't mind,"
"No, not at all,"
"Another thing," with one movement of her index finger, she motioned for someone else to step forward. Lay's heart stopped beating when a man dressed in white stood at the foot. "We want the barista,"
"Barista?" Lay repeated, and Junmyeon suddenly appeared at his side, as if on cue.
"There he is," Vivian smiled, and what seemed like a sweet crinkle of her eyes turned into a deathly glare. "Get him."
Lay waved his hands. "Wait," he stood in the doorway, his heart beating hastily against his rib cage. "If you want him, then I stay."
Vivian hesitated, and after what seemed like an eternity, she cleared her throat and smiled. "Hand him over,"
The man in white nudged against Lay, and grabbed Junmyeon by his collar. The latter stayed still, though when he tried to wriggle his way out, the man kicked him in the shin. "Keep moving,"
"It's a shame, Mr. Zhang," Vivian shook her head as the man shoved Junmyeon out the door. "I was looking forward to working with you."
"Take me instead," Lay tried peering down the hall, but Vivian stood in his way, her face inches apart from his.
"I'm afraid you won't do," Vivian shrugged. "But if you're still up for it, you can join your friend,"
"That's not fair," Lay spoke, but immediately wished he had nodded instead.
Vivian raised an eyebrow. "Not fair? What isn't fair, think Mr. Zhang?"
"Nothing. I'll take your offer."
"Are you sure?" She interrogated. "You seem reluctant,"
He had to protect Junmyeon, find answers about the disappearances, and help someone somehow. This is what he wanted to do, and he wasn't going to hesitate now.
"Please," Lay stepped forward. "Before I change my mind."
e)(o
