Crimson Park

Chapter 6

Your stomach was in knots since the discovery. You poured over the evidence tirelessly, hoping to find some sort of explanation for where the money was going, but no matter which way you looked at it, Carter had a quarter of a million dollars that was unaccounted for. Dongnam was out of the country and unreachable, so your first opportunity to speak to him was going to be at the operations meeting – and you were dreading it. You knew the kinds of things Dongnam did to people who betrayed him, and you were none too pleased about the idea of having to witness it – especially since it was you who was ultimately the one exposing him.

Like an addiction, you found yourself out at the club once again; trying to forget the world around you; trying to hideout from what you had to do. Jungkook escorted you again this time, and – like clockwork – he escorted out the stranger you brought home with you at the end of the night. This time wasn't so bad – that is until the sex was over... but, hey, at least you got some this time. Jungkook stopped asking if you were okay, but you could see in his eyes that the question wasn't far from his tongue - even through the rearview mirror.

"You did good work," you said to Jungkook. "Good job."

"Thank-you, ma'am."

Jungkook was in the driver's seat while you sat in the backseat flipping through the papers you had strewn over your lap. You were on your way to the meeting. This time, the location was far out of town, in a country estate. Each meeting was in a different location for the sake of safety and to avoid prying eyes. Jungkook willingly volunteered to come as security, while Taesub and Joohyuk were happy to remain behind.

"What's going to happen to him?" Jungkook asked hesitantly.

"I don't know. But I can't imagine it will be pleasant," you looked up at him through the rear-view mirror. He looked back at you, a shade of concern in his eyes. He figured out easily that the whole thing had you bothered. "But he put himself in this position."

Jungkook nodded.

"What's going to happen when we get there?"

"Ah, yes. We should talk about that," you cleared your throat. "I've asked that you be kept to the perimeter."

"But I'm your bodyguard."

"I'll be fine in the house. I don't want you anywhere near it."

"Why?"

"God, you always ask so many questions."

"Sorry, ma'am."

Jungkook shut his mouth, but, regardless, you chose to answer him.

"I like that our team stays unnoticed. If you're by my side the whole time, you'll be noticed – especially this weekend of all of them. There's going to be a lot of ruffled feathers."

"Isn't that more of a reason that I should be with you the whole time?"

"I'll be fine. Keep your phone on, and I'll call you if I need you. But otherwise, I'm asking you to remain as inconspicuous as possible. Please."

"Ok," he promised, but he sounded disappointed

"The other two always wanted to join me as well, but they get it now. One day you'll realise that here it's better to remain under the radar, and then you'll understand."

"Well, we've got about another hour, why don't you just explain it to me now and give me a head start?"

"Maybe on the way back, I've got too much to do before we get there."

⁂

The estate was like walking into an episode of Downton Abbey. A massive home with a yard which went beyond farther than you could see. Jungkook pulled the car up along the long driveway which circled around a fountain and then he stopped and parked in front of the grand staircase. As instructed, after helping you out of the car and grabbing your luggage, he left to find his accommodations down by the perimeter in the old yard hands' buildings. You found your room on the second floor, tucked away from the others. It was a tiny, whitewashed wood panelled room with a sloped ceiling. It must've been a servant's quarters in its day. You changed your clothes, then turned to the mirror to fix your makeup, being sure to wipe off and reapply your lipstick before you headed out to the first meeting of the day.