Chapter 11 - The Ship (1)

"Why did you do it?" Jiwon yelled at her. "Why did you aborted our child?"

Mirae was standing there, motionless. Jiwon shook her.

"Answer me!"

She looked up at him, her eyes were devoid of any emotions.

"I just felt like it," she said.

Jiwon pushed her away in disgust. Mirae stumbled and fell on the floor. She winced in pain as she slightly bumped her head. But he did not care. She spoke like she was commenting on the weather. The sight of her was spiteful to him.

"I can't stay with you anymore," Jiwon declared. "I'm leaving."

Mirae was still on the floor, her face turned away from his. She did not make any attempts to stop him. Jiwon packed up his bags and slammed the door behind him.

…...

Ding! Ding!

KJ woke with a start. Of all the memories, he had to relive that one. He was feeling stuffy. and his entire body was covered in sweat.

Ding! Ding!

"KJ, get the door!" Jade said in a cross tone. He was annoyed that his peaceful sleep was interrupted. KJ threw him an annoyed look and reluctantly got off the bed. He opened the door only to find his neighbor standing there.

"Wake up, neighbor!" she said, barging into his house again. "We have work to do today."

"I already gave you my men," KJ complained. "What else do you need?"

"I thought you'd want to see how the events play out," she replied. "After all, you also wanna see the Cartel fall."

"I do," KJ said. "I just don't want to go near them. I have no intention of going to Incheon Port and get into a fight with their men."

"Who said we're going there?" the CEO frowned. "We're staying right here."

KJ was confused. "How're you going to catch the ship then?"

Behind her mask, the CEO smiled. She stood up and motioned him to follow her. Curious about the event, KJ followed her outside.

She led him to her apartment. As soon as he entered her house, KJ froze. It was unlike any houses he has ever stepped foot in. The walls were covered with different types of colorful touch screens which collectively displayed an entire picture of Seoul city. It felt as if he was seeing the real city right in front of him. Her living room was decorated with automatic couch sets and there was an electric fireplace next to it. A wireless television was placed in the middle of the room. The kitchen adjacent to the living room was also equipped with smart appliances, giving the house a chic look.

It was not just a house. It was a technological wonder. He gaped at the CEO in awe.

"You decorated all this?" he asked in astonishment.

"I'm the CEO of Abyss," she rolled her eyes at him. "I am adept in all sorts of technology. This is nothing. You should see my office."

KJ marveled at the woman. Where was the Mirae who had problems with the simplest smartphones?

"Siri," Mirae called out. "Turn on the screen."

The giant TV in the living room began to play. The scene was in Incheon Port. A group of people were standing there, one of them being a woman in elegant clothes. KJ knew who it was.

"That's Ms. Lim," he frowned. "She's a trot singer. What is she doing there?"

The CEO gave him a strange look.

"You really don't know?" she asked quietly.

"Know what?"

The CEO sighed. "To you, she's 'Ms.' Lim. To the underworld, she's Madam Lim. She's a pimp for the Cartel."

"WHAT?" KJ bellowed. "No way!"

"Only a few people have seen her real face," the CEO stated. "If you don't believe me, ask your friend Ash. He'd tell you."

KJ raised his eyebrows. "What do you mean?" he demanded.

"Are you really that dense?" the CEO snapped at him. "Have you ever asked Ash about his private life? Did you even bother to know where he disappears off to at times? I thought you were the leader of EXOTIC!"

Her angry tone cut through KJ. Was Ash really suffering all this time without telling anyone?

"Not everyone is as privileged as you," the CEO continued. "Ash was one of the unlucky ones. He was blackmailed into working for them .He sold his body every night so that you guys can have sponsors and to save his sister!"

Her words made KJ feel ashamed of himself. Ash was usually a very private person. He remained so reserved, that at one point KJ accepted this about him. Never in his wildest dreams did he even think of how much Ash might have suffered.

"I will save him," KJ promised her.

"You better," she dared him. She did not speak any further but turned her attention back to the screen.

The group on the TV were whispering among themselves. The CEO zoomed in to hear their conversation.

"The ship was supposed to arrive by now," Madam Lim sounded annoyed. "Where the fuck are they?"

"They'll be here," A tall, blond man assured her. "They're taking the long route because of the darn cops. Thank god we were tipped off about Abyss' involvement. Apparently, they are trying to steal our goods."

"What?" Madam Lim exclaimed. "That darn Abyss. I heard their CEO himself is protecting KJ? And now they want to steal our goods? Well, it's a good thing you found out about it, Teppei."

"Yes," Teppei agreed. "Someone managed to tip me off."

"They know about your plan," KJ hissed at the CEO.

"Seems like they do," she said in an indifferent tone.

"Aren't you going to do anything?" KJ asked in surprise.

"Just keep watching," the CEO smirked underneath her mask.

KJ re-focused on the screen. Soon, a ship came on it. Slowly, it decked at the port.

"About time," Madam Lim sighed. "Guards! Take out the goods from the ship. Make sure you check if all the girls are in there or not. There are supposed to be fifty of them."

KJ could feel his blood boiling. Girls? They were carrying out prostitution?

The CEO felt KJ's aura getting colder. "There are girls as young as ten," she said quietly. She did not blame him for getting angry; it would make anyone thirst for blood.

"The Cartel did this to them," he said. "We can't forgive them."

"We won't," the CEO promised him. "They won't be able to harm those children."

KJ felt the conviction in her words. He knew, she will save them somehow.