Ji-Tae had a gentle smile curving his lips which most people would call awkward as he wasnât one to give an honest smile. His eyes gleamed with genuine appreciation as his finger trailed along the screen of his phone, touching the picture he was intently staring at.
He turned to the man standing by his side and he tilted the phone towards him. âIsnât she beautiful?â He asked, his eyes staring at the man and patiently awaiting his answer.
The man looked at the phone and affirmatively nodded. âMore than beautiful, boss.â He concurred making Ji-Taeâs lips tip wider as he returned his gaze to his phone, completely pleased with his response.
âIndeed, sheâs more than beautiful.â He said with that same smile.
His eyes trailed along the pair of fair legs that were partially covered in black hose stockings, her little black dress perfectly accentuating her curves which he had always found himself imagining when he was alone. Oh, the things he had imagined since he met her.
âI have no doubt sheâs going to cause me too much trouble. But I like trouble.â He smiled, his eyes glistening with mischief as he lits up a stick of cigarette between his lips before dialling a number.
âSo annoying.â He hissed and tutted when the call wasnât answered after the second ring, but after the third ring the call finally connected.
.....
âI thought you werenât going to pick up.â He uttered in his usual lazy tone the moment he noticed the call has been received.
He listened to the ruffling sound from the other side of the phone and he guessed she was still in bed. He heard her yawn before her voice came through the phone.
âWhat do you want? Why are you calling me?â Her hoarse voice came sounding with displeasure. It was always a cold reception whenever he called her and he has gotten used to it. She always sounded like sheâd rather speak to a snake than with him, and he wouldnât lie that he wasnât enjoying her torture. Her torture over him was amusing to him.
âIâm your brother, little girl, so Iâm supposed to call you.â He calmly replied, not in the least offended by her cold attitude towards him. He was used to it, and he believed this was how she expressed her sisterly affection. He tried not to scoff at that thought.
He heard a pause from her end, and he could guess she was looking at the time. She has a habit for it, and when her response came he wasnât surprised. âJi-Tae itâs 6:30 in the morning. Itâs too early to ruin my day, so tell me why are you calling me?â
âYouâre never going to like me, are you?â
âNever. Not when you chose to be a pain to everyone in the family. I wonder why you still have to ask.â She irritably hissed. âNow tell me why you interrupted my sleep at this hour or Iâm going to end this call.â She sternly told him making Ji-Taeâs lips twitch.
âYou really should stay away from that mentor of yours. Youâre beginning to sound like him.â
âIâd rather sound like him than sound like a creep like you, brother. You talk like a sloth!â She bit out, the word brother dripping with a lot of sarcasm that had Ji-Tae smiling.
âTsk. Youâre so annoying, little sister.â He softly hissed, but his lips curved up when he remembered why he has called. âI thought you might be in trouble, so I got you a little surprise.â He said with a happy smile even though he knew she wasnât going to give the response other people would give at a moment like this, but he was okay.
âSurprise? What surprise? And what trouble are you talking about?â Ni-Na asked back, utterly confused to what he was talking about.
âCheck your phone.â He told her.
âWhy?â Ni-Na asked in a suspicious tone.
Ji-Tae warily sighed. âJust do as youâre told for once and check your phone.â His lips tipped up when he heard the ruffling noise from the other side.
He chuckled when he heard her cold voice from the other side. She was just as predictable as always. She wasnât going to change, was she? âWhy did you send me money? I didnât ask you for anything.â Ni-Na flatly told him.
Ji-Tae hissed. âIs that how youâre supposed to say thank you. Here I am trying to be a good brother, and you canât even be appreciative.â
âIâll be appreciative if you stop being a pain in the ass. If you stop making mom and dad worry about brother Dan-Han killing you out of anger which will be due to your recklessness! When you stop being a prodigal child, Iâll start appreciating the universe for giving me a brother like you.â She blankly told him. âNow tell me why you sent me money?â She demanded without bothering to hide the coldness in her voice.
Ji-Taeâs lips twitch after hearing her little rant. âFor once Iâm happy to know that you actually care about me. It really touches my heart, little sis. And you donât have to worry about our precious cousin. Heâll have to around for him to hurt me, so I really doubt heâd be able to do that.â
âWhat do you mean?â Ni-Na asked, her tone suddenly turning serious and suspicious.
Ji-Tae sighed dismissively. âYou donât have to worry about me or your lovely cousin. Just use the money to take yourself out. I heard your favorite designer is launching out some new bags and clothes, why donât you go buy yourself some stuff. Youâve deserved it, and try to take sister in-law with you. She could do with more of what Iâve seen.â
âWhat did you see?â
âYou want to see too?â He amusedly asked, knowing ignoring her question and asking him one of his was going to upset her.
âLee Ji-Tae!â
âI love you too, princess. My regards to Dan-Han. Tell him Iâm doing a good job.â
âYou really are a creep.â
âAnd you make me smile, kiddo. Kisses for you.â He chuckled and ended the call. He could imagine the irritated look on her face at the moment, but he doesnât care.
He turned to the phone to the man standing by his side, the smile on his face slowly fading away. âHave you been able to reach him?â He asked, while the man shook his head.
âChecked his home?â
âYes. No one was in.â The man replied.
âWhat about his motherâs home? His wifeâs and kids?â
âNo one.â
âThatâs interesting.â Ji-Tae mumbled out.
He turned and looked away for a while. âWhat about, A-Yeong? Has she gone missing too?â
âShe hasnât stepped out of her place in the last three days since she returned from the hospital. Her windows are shut as usual but they can detect someone in the apartment.â The man reported.
Ji-Tae fell into a silent thought. He tossed the cigarette that has almost burnt out to the floor and lit up another. He chugged down the whiskey in his glass before taking a long drag of his ciagrette.
âDo you think itâs strange that that promiscuous fool has just disappeared, and Iâm yet to receive my cargo? And also President Lee is somehow in City-A having a holiday with two beautiful women at his side?â He turned and looked at the burly man who was raptly listening to him. He drummed his fingers on arm of his chair.
âShould I go confirm?â The man asked without answering his question, because he had no answer.
âConfirm?â Ji-Tae thoughtfully muttered, his finger twirling around the empty glass. Confirming was something they had to do.
He set the glass to the floor as he sat upright. âMake a call, I want A-Yeongâs house checked. I wonât put it past Dan-Han to play a trick or two. If thereâs anything heâs good at, it is that.â
âAnd if she isnât?â The man asked.
âThen weâll know why heâs currently sitting dock in City-A, and Iâm here in Country B. It would mean heâs finally caught on.â Ji-Tae wryly scoffed at that thought.
The man standing beside him had a confused frown on his face. âAre you saying that he might have discovered your plans?â
Ji-Taeâs brows drew together for a short while and he shrugged. âMaybe. Maybe not. But whichever it is, I donât think thereâs need to be fazed. It might be a little hiccup, but thatâs has never been my trump card over him. It was meant to be a distraction and I guess itâs serving its purpose after all.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âSo weâre still going with the plan?â The man wanted to confirm.
âYes, we are. Itâs going to be a pretty good one. Letâs see how president Lee will crawl his way out of it.â
âI doubt he will.â
âDonât underestimate the enemy, Paul. The Lee men are nothing but stupid, and I must admit, my cousin does in best in trying to meet up, only problem is heâs beginning to feel like a god, but not for long. His days are numbered, that Iâm sure of.â