Chapter 259 - Comeback (19): The Meeting

KJ was staring at the file in front of him. He and Hyun Jung were at Somi's office, discussing the latest findings. She had called them in after Shelley handed her the file on Nida. KJ was studying Nida's file carefully.

"This is the girl from Sunny Daze," he said. "She's one of the trainees to debut in Ash's new girl group?"

"7A," Somi stated. "They've already started to promote them extensively. I think the teaser for the music video will be released tomorrow. That's what I've heard so far."

"She's also the same girl who attacked EXOTIC during the concert," Hyun Jung informed him. "The one you had to miss because of your coma."

"But why would Ash have himself attacked?" KJ questioned. "And why then? He had so many chances to attack me during our performances and yet he didn't. So why would he stage an attack during a performance which he knows I was not present in?"

"To distract us," Hyun Jung suggested. "Or to keep the blame away from himself. That way, he wouldn't be suspected. It did work since none of us ever suspected his motives even though he used to be an escort for Madam Lim."

But KJ was still not fully convinced. It seemed a little too impulsive. If Ash had really wanted to hurt someone, then why did he save Dasom that night from the falling spotlight?

"No," KJ frowned. "This girl was acting on someone else's orders. This does not seem like something Ash would plan. His attacks are more secretive. This sort of direct attack is not his style."

"But we have to keep an eye on this girl," Somi said. "She's in deep with the Cartel. I'm sure she isn't a mere trainee."

"What did you dig up on her?" Hyun Jung asked.

"Well…"

She took out some doc.u.ments which Shelley had handed to her. "Jang Nida," she stated. "Born in 1996. She had been a trainee since 2006 but changed many agencies. Strangely, all the agencies she joined were owned by members of the Cartel."

"Did she work for Madam Lim or Madam Hong by any chance?" KJ asked.

"No, she didn't," Somi stated. 

"What about her parents?"

"There isn't anything on them," Somi said, flicking through the pages. "But it seems like she cut them off from her life as soon as she turned sixteen."

KJ leaned back, deep in thought. This girl had been working with Ash for many years and was a pawn in his battle against KJ. But Ash was betting too high. He knew about KJ's monstrous popularity and was aware that with the new press publicity around him, rookie groups would not stand a chance against him. 

So why was he so hell bent on using a completely new group against KJ?

"There's something amiss," KJ concluded. "This girl group is only a cover. He's planning something really big."

"But what?" Hyun Jung asked. "Why is he betting everything on this group's debut? It doesn't make any sense. What's going on in his head?"

KJ was at a loss too. What was going on in Ash's head? Why was he doing all this? And for what?

"Whatever he's planning, we'll have to be prepared," he said firmly. "We've underestimated him for a long time. He's lurking out there, waiting to strike." 

I'll take you down, Ash, he vowed. Their enmity was now personal. KJ would have forgiven Ash for his betrayal had he not hurt Mirae. That man had destroyed her once but KJ would not let him harm her again. He knew very well that Ash would attempt to kill him someday but KJ had no intention to die. He would stay by Mirae's side. Forever.

….

Mirae was pacing back and forth, impatiently waiting for KJ. It was almost 11 PM and he still had not returned. He sent her a text, saying that he was at an important meeting with Somi regarding his PR activities for the upcoming comeback but Mirae was too excited. She felt the urge to call him up and tell him the news but something like this needed to be done face to face.

As soon as she reached home that evening, she had Sejong take out the old photo albums from the storage. She never saw KJ's father nor any of KJ's childhood pictures which is why she could not identify the baby in Sunye's locket.

But it was him. It was definitely him. And the woman in the picture was KJ's mother, Song Sia. Mirae reflected upon the irony of their fates. KJ's sister was alive and well all this time. Moreover, she was in front of them all this time. Mirae could not wait to tell him the news.

"Come home soon please," she prayed out loud. Within a few minutes, she heard the doorbell ring. Without any hesitation, Mirae rushed downstairs, pulling the door open.

KJ was surprised by his wife's eagerness. She looked out of breath as if she had run all the way from their room.

"Mirae, what's wrong-" he began to ask but she grabbed his hand and pulled him with her. She was leading him towards her car.

"Where are we going?" KJ asked her but she would not say anything. There was something strange about her behavior. 

"Get in," she said, pointing at her Porsche. 

"What-"

"Just get in!"

Mirae was too excited. She did not want to waste another time. Someone was waiting for him.

Baffled by her behavior, KJ got into the passenger seat. Mirae got into the driver's seat and started the engine.

"Where are we going?" he asked.

"You'll see," Mirae replied, starting the engine.

His wife was driving like a maniac. KJ had to hold on for dear life as she sped past the vehicles at lightning speed, honking loudly at pedestrians. He even suspected she nearly missed some jaywalkers but she did not care.

"Mirae are you alright?" he asked, feeling concerned. But her lips were sealed and she kept on speeding ahead until she reached an apartment building.

"Come with me," she ordered him. KJ, still confused by her behavior, followed her into the building. They got into the elevator and pressed 5, silently riding towards the fifth floor. As soon as the doors opened, Mirae firmly held his hand.

"I want you to meet someone," she said with a small smile. 

"Who?"

She shook her head and slowly led him out of the elevator. They walked almost to the end of the corridor before stopping in front of one of the units. Mirae rang the bell.

The door opened as if in a slow motion to reveal Han Sunye. Her eyes were red, as if she had been crying. But Sunye kept her front, not daring to fall weak. KJ was puzzled at the ladies. Why were they there?

"KJ," Mirae started. "I want you to meet someone."

"I already know Ms. Sunye," KJ frowned but Mirae shook her head. 

"KJ," she said. "Sunye is your sister."