Chapter 261 - Comeback (21): Impending Danger

"So you met your sister?" Hyun Jung asked in delight. KJ had brought him and Dasom to a bar to tell them about the events of last night. The bar was completely reserved for them so they had plenty of privacy. The three of them were hanging out together after a long time while their wives were off having their own girl time.

"Yeah," KJ sighed. "It was too good to be true honestly. I had given up searching for my sister. After all, the Cartel would not have spared her if they found out about her. But somehow, she managed to survive. And the fact that we actually were able to meet...I still can't believe it."

He took a sip of his drink. 

"It's so hard to believe that the hardcore lawyer working for Song Tamlin is your sister," Hyun Jung commented.

"Yeah," KJ nodded. He turned to Dasom.

"How's Detective Goo?" he asked. "Is he alright?"

After their shared experience, Dasom had decided to take responsibility for Goo Soo Bin's rehabilitation while Abyss will give him full protection. His daughter was also moved to be with him and both of them were carefully hidden away in one of Dasom's many estates.

"He's doing well," Dasom said. "The old man is tough. He knows how to endure pain. After everything he went through, his will to live is now even stronger. Even his daughter is doing well. She has improved a lot and isn't craving drugs anymore."

"I think I'll take my elder sister to visit him soon," KJ said. "She would love to meet him. Besides, he knows a lot about her childhood. Maybe he can trigger her memory?"

"She doesn't remember anything at all?" Dasom probed. 

"Nothing," KJ replied, shaking his head. "Not even the murders of our parents. The only thing she remembers is that the man had an unique voice due to burned out tonsils."

"Doesn't that mean that the President of the Cartel was present there?" Hyun Jung pointed out. "After all, your mother had burnt his face. Maybe it affected his vocal chords too?"

"I think so too," KJ said slowly. "He would not let go of the opportunity to kill the woman who betrayed him."

"You speak as if you know him well," Dasom stated.

Know him? Did he really? KJ reflected on those words.

They may have not met but KJ felt as if he truly knew the President. After all, that person had been a constant presence in his life ever since he was born. The man was ruthless no doubt. He would not forgive nor forget a folly. Betraying him was akin to courting death and KJ knew that the man would kill anyone who was in his way. He had his own children killed out of spite. 

He had no identity. He did not need one. One lifting of finger and the whole world would come begging to him for mercy. The nameless man raised fears into the hearts of his enemies through his obscurity. The more invisible he was to the n.a.k.e.d eye, the more invincible he became. For many years, he remained in secrecy, creating havoc from behind the scenes. He did not simply want to kill KJ but destroy his entire existence. Even the closest comrades of the President could not fathom the deep rooted hatred the man held for KJ. 

"He won't give up," KJ said. "He will keep on chasing me until the very end until one of us dies. There is no stopping him."

"But he has to come out of hiding if he truly wants to kill you himself," Dasom reasoned. "But he's still in his cave, unwilling to reveal himself."

"He's afraid," Hyun Jung said. "Afraid of getting caught by Abyss. By now, we all know that his face has been badly burnt and he's easily identifiable."

"That makes it even harder to force him to come out," Dasom lamented.

"He will come," KJ said firmly. The other two stared at him. KJ was not sure why he said that but his instincts were strongly suggesting that.

"I know he'll come out," KJ repeated. "He's going to face us soon. But the question is when will he arrive?"

They were silent for a while. KJ sipped his drink absentmindedly, thinking of the future. Will the Cartel keep haunting him for the rest of his life? Will they ever be able to live peacefully?

Dasom cleared his throat to diffuse the sudden tension. "Guys, we're here to celebrate!" he exclaimed. "KJ just found his sister! We should rejoice. If she regains her memories, then we're just steps away from getting rid of those bastards! So stop sulking and let's start celebrating!"

He lifted his glass, looking hopeful. The other two smiled and raised their glasses too.

"Cheers!" they shouted, downing their drinks.

"More vodka please!" KJ ordered the bartender who immediately began to prepare three more drinks.

….

Meanwhile, the girls were in another room, munching on ch.i.p.s and enjoying their c.o.c.ktails.

"Why didn't Sunye unnie come?" Somi asked. "I'd have loved to meet her!"

"She's dealing with a high profile case," Mirae sighed. "I told her to come but she insisted that the case is important. Apparently, some rich brat got drunk and killed his girlfriend at a party for flirting with other guys. The girl's family begged her to take up the case."

"Is she alright?" Eli asked. "I mean she just found out she has a brother and now she's handling high profile cases. Isn't it a burden?"

"Sunye unnie is strong," Mirae said proudly. "She knows how to keep her personal and professional lives separate. But I'm still sad that she wouldn't stay with us! KJ and I tried to convince her to move into Kwon mansion but she refused."

"Why?" Somi asked. 

"Well, she said that she's content with finding her brother," Mirae sighed. "She has no intention to move into Kwon mansion. Plus, it's too far from her office so it was not a feasible option for her."

"But isn't she completely unguarded?" Eli pointed out. "What if the Cartel finds out about her?"

"I have a security team assigned to watch over her," Mirae said. "She protested a lot but in the end, she gave in. They'll tail her as per her schedule without disturbing her privacy."

Eli nodded.

"Enough about all this!" Somi exclaimed, clapping her hands. "How are things between you and Dasom? I heard you two hooked up!?"

Eli spluttered out her drink. 

"I-I…"

The other two were looking at her with curious eyes. 

"How did you two end up dating?" Mirae teased. "You two used to hate each other!"

"It just happened," Eli said, her face turning red.

"So you guys hooked up first," Somi concluded.

"T-that's-"

"Who seduced whom?" Mirae asked.

"Eh?"

Eli was so embarrassed that she wanted to dig a hole and crawl into it. But the two sadists needled her all evening, tainting her soul with their teasings.

….

The cool breeze was passing by, giving a gentle touch to the hot weather. The night was calm and peaceful with only the cries of crickets echoing throughout the garden. There was a small stream running through the garden, with flowerbeds on each side. The stream led to a small pond in the midst of the greenery. A gazebo stood in the middle of the pond, a stoneway connecting it to the garden.

Junhyung was walking on the stoneway, heading towards the gazebo. His steps were heavy and fearful, yet he kept an impassive face. He could not afford to show his true feelings at that moment. He was summoned to the mansion in the middle of the night by the President himself. The latter never summoned anyone that late at night except for his mistresses.

He walked towards the gazebo where the tall man stood. He was so still that at first glance, one would think he was dead. 

But he was alive. Very much alive.

"You called for me, President?" Junhyung said with a bow. The President stood there with his back facing Junhyung.

"Prepare my car tomorrow," the man instructed. Junhyun was surprised.

"You will go out, sir?" he asked with a frown.

"I will," the President affirmed. Junhyung's eyes widened in shock. The President had never left his house in over three decades. Whatever work he did, was from the shadows. So what was making this man leave his abode after thirty years?

"You are silent," the President noted.

"I-I'll make the necessary arrangements," Junhyung said. "Where will you go, sir?"

"That," the President said. "Is something you will find out tomorrow."

He did not elaborate further and Junhyung knew he was dismissed. The latter backed away, thinking fast. What was the old man up to? He knew something sinister was concocting in his head. It was not going to be good.

I must find out his plans, Junhyung decided. Quickly.