Chapter 25 - Psycho

"So, where are we going again?" KJ asked.

"To meet an acquaintance," the CEO replied.

"Right..." KJ frowned. They were in the CEO's Porsche, driving through the streets of Seoul late at night.

"By the way," the CEO said, as she took a right turn. "Why the hell did you bring him?"

She pointed at the ginger cat sitting on the backseat. The cat was licking its paws, showing no interest in the business of the humans around it.

"I didn't want to leave him alone at home," KJ shrugged.

"Meow," the cat mewed as it stretched its hinds.

"You're weird," the CEO said, making a face. "Anyways, I gotta pick someone up on the way. Then we'll head towards Psycho's den."

"Who else is coming with us?" KJ asked.

"You'll see."

They stopped in front of a dark alleyway. Standing there was a slim figure wearing plain white shirt and jeans. The face was covered by a fox mask and the person was wearing a bowler hat. Judging by the stature, KJ guessed the person was a female.

"Hop in," the CEO gestured. The fox faced girl got into the backseat. She was surprised by the cat sitting there.

"Why is a cat here?" she asked as she settled inside. The girl was using a voice modifier, making it impossible for KJ to identify her.

"Ask him," the CEO pointed at KJ. "It's his cat."

"I'm not complaining," the fox faced girl said in a cheerful tone. "It's so cute!"

She patted the cat. Jade enjoyed the attention from the girl.

"I'm Heroine, by the way," the girl introduced herself.

"I'm KJ," he replied, although he could tell she knew him already.

"Nice to meet you KJ," she said.

The CEO revved up the engine and once again, they hit the road.

"So who is this Psycho?" KJ asked.

"A nightmare," Heroine shuddered.

"A curse," the CEO grimaced. Both of them were too scared to talk about him.

"Just spit it out!" KJ scoffed. "Who is this Psycho and how can he help us?"

"You'll see," the CEO said cryptically.

They drove towards the heart of the city. Passing by all the colorfully lighted buildings of Seoul, the CEO braked in front of a large nightclub.

"Put this on," the CEO said, handing him a mask and cap. KJ obliged and together, the trio headed in with the cat in tow.

The club was crowded with people. The nightlife in Seoul was very lively. Groups of young adults hang out around these places after work, relieving their stress by drinking or partying. A large crowd was dancing on the dance floor, enjoying the rhythm of the music. A song from EXOTIC's last album was being played in the background and the crowd went crazy, swaying to the tune.

Jade jumped on to KJ's lap.

"Psst, Jiwon," Jade hissed. "This Psycho sounds like bad news."

It was very loud in the club, so the other two did not seem to listen to the talking cat.

"Seems like it," KJ muttered. "The way they're hesitating to talk about him, he sounds like an unreliable person."

"Should we really take his help?" Jade questioned him.

"Let's see," KJ said. "We'll have to talk to him. Wonder what's going on inside the CEO's head."

"He's there!" Heroine pointed out.

She was pointing towards the VIP corner. A man was seated there, quietly sipping a drink. He was dressed neatly in a purple suit. His appearance was neat, with back brushed dark hair and twinkling eyes. Everything about him screamed royalty. The man seemed to be in his early forties. Upon seeing the CEO and Heroine, his eyes shone up.

"CEO! Heroine!" he called out excitedly. "Long time no see."

He spoke in a low, honey voice. KJ and Jade looked at each other. The man looked very polite and well behaved. Why would the CEO and Heroine be scared of him?

"And who is this young man with you?" Psycho asked.

"An acquaintance," the CEO said. "We need to talk. Can we go somewhere more private?"

"Of course, Madam," he bowed low before leading them to a private room.

"How may this humble servant be of assistance, Madam?" Psycho asked.

"We need to trace down someone from the Cartel," the CEO said bluntly. "A guy called Teppei."

"Teppei..." Psycho pondered. "The name does not ring a bell, Madam."

"Don't lie," Heroine said sharply. "You are the one who gave me the intel about Madam Lim. If you know Madam Lim, then surely you know Teppei."

"Ahh yes," Psycho seemed to have recalled. "Teppei Mitsuoka. The Japanese member of the Cartel. Yes, I believe he and Madam Lim were partners."

"So you do know him," KJ said. "Where can we find him?"

"I'm afraid, his whereabouts are unknown," Psycho replied, toying with the drink in his hand.

"Stop lying," the CEO snapped. "You know everyone in the prostitution business. You run the biggest brothel in the city!"

KJ was taken aback. The elegantly dressed guy with proper manners is a pimp?

A sly sneer etched upon Psycho's face.

"I may know how to find him," he smiled at them. "I have a feeling you know the answer too. Madam Hong is the only one who can help you track him down."

"We know that," KJ said. "But how can we make her talk? There must be something which can help us blackmail her into revealing Teppei's location."

"There is," the CEO informed him. "And he has it."

She pointed at Psycho, who was now smiling broadly.

"As a matter of fact, I do," Psycho revealed. "However, you know my policy, Madam."

Ugh, the CEO thought. She was afraid of this.

"What do you want?" she asked cautiously, but Psycho was not looking at her. He was looking at KJ.

"I want to barter with him," Psycho pointed at KJ. "I want Kwon Jiwon."

"What?" KJ exclaimed. The CEO and Heroine shook their heads in despair.

"How did you even recognize me?" KJ demanded.

Psycho's smile turned manic. He stepped towards KJ and stood uncomfortably close to him.

"Darling..." Psycho's eyes beamed with a manic light. "I have been waiting to meet you for such a long time..."

Without warning, Psycho placed a full blown kiss on KJ's lips. Jade looked on in surprise while the two girls shook their head, feeling sorry for KJ.

They brought KJ with them for only one reason: Psycho was one of his most crazed fans.

"At least now he knows why we call him Psycho," Heroine said in a sympathetic tone as they witnessed KJ struggled to break free of the psychotic man who was still kissing him.

"At this point, Psycho is more dangerous to KJ than the Cartel," the CEO remarked.