Chapter 262 - Comeback (22): Friend

Sunye was tapping her heels, impatiently waiting. She checked her watch. It was past 12 PM and she had a hearing in two hours, but the man she was meeting did not care. She looked around.

He called her at a dingy ramen place near a construction site. Her professional attire was attracting a lot of attention from the other visitors, who were in workers' uniforms. An old, haggard woman was busy serving the tables, not caring about Sunye's appearance.

Sunye coolly ignored the gazes. Growing up without any family made her learn many survival skills. If any of the customers tried to mess with her, they would face a very bloody situation. Literally.

As if offended by her aloofness, one of the workers called out at her, "Hey sugar, why're ya alone?" 

His friends laughed and catcalled at her.

"We can keep you entertained," another one wheezed.

Sunye kept on ignoring them, focusing instead on her phone. The man who had called her sugar stood up and came forward.

"I said, why're ya alone sweetheart?" he sneered, his blackened teeth visible. He grabbed Sunye's arm.

In an instant, she twisted his arm and threw him on the floor, stepping on his head with her heel. The man screamed in pain as her heel almost dug into his skull.

"Let me go!" he begged. He did not think that the elegant looking lady was that strong. She looked weak and like an easy prey. The other customers were staring at the scene, too shocked. They backed away as Sunye glared at them.

"Anyone else wants to mess with me?" she challenged. Her mood was already soured thanks to the task she had to finish. Meeting that man made her blood boil and idiots like these only worsen her temper.

The other customers backed off, opting not to get in her way. Sunye turned to the man squirming under her feet.

"Next time, I won't be so merciful," she threatened, letting him go. The man scurried off in fright, not daring to look back. Sunye straightened her ponytail and continued to wait for the person she was there to meet.

"Nice moves," a deep voice came from behind. She turned around to see a man with blue eyes smirking at her. He was wearing the same uniform as the workers. His jet blak hair was messed up and he had covered his face with a little soot. But even in the filthy attire, there was no mistaking his identity.

"SD," she said curtly.

"Sunye my friend!" he greeted enthusiastically. "How have you been?"

Sunye winced at the word 'friend'. SD had no friends. He only had clients. 

"We need to talk," she stated. "I assume you have some time?"

"I'll always have time for you dear," he said, flashing her a cryptic smile. "Tell me, what can I do for you? But first, let's sit down and order something. The ramen here is just amazing."

Sunye glanced around at the stuff the other customers were having. It looked like a gooey mush which was making her stomach churn.

"I'm good," she said hastily. 

"Ah too bad, I'm hungry," he said. "Ahjumma!" he called the old woman. "Get me a super bowl of your special ramen!"

The old woman grunted and went into the dirty kitchen. SD turned to Sunye.

"You're missing out on an exquisite dish," he said. "You sure you don't want any?"

Sunye's nerve twitched on her forehead. SD had very questionable taste when it came to food. He would eat anything and everything no matter how vile it tasted.

"I'm good," she said. "Now about our meeting today, I-"

She was interrupted by the old woman who slammed a large bowl of ramen on the table. If Sunye was squirming at the sight of the other customers' bowls, this one was nearly making her puke. It was definitely violating a hundred hygiene rules and she suspected the water used to cook the ramen contained some serious diseases. But SD did not care. He began to happily slurp on the ramen.

Ignoring the bile which was forming in her throat, Sunye went on, "I wanted to meet you because-"

"Ahjumma, extra radishes please!" SD yelled. "And more meat!"

Sunye's patience was reaching its limit. SD was enjoying her annoyed expression as he put more ramen in his mouth.

"I wanted to meet you because I want you to stop selling any information related to KJ or Abyss to others," Sunye said quickly before they could be interrupted again.

SD did not comment but said, "Go on."

"You must have known that KJ is my brother," Sunye hissed. "Which is why you told me to go to Sunny Daze that night!"

"Took you long enough," SD snorted. He smirked, feeling very proud of himself. "I'm good right?"

"Anyway," she went on, ignoring his last remark. "Please stop selling any information regarding KJ and Abyss to others. This includes all members of Abyss and anyone related to them. Also, KJ's associates. In fact everyone around them. Do not sell any information on them to anyone. I...it's a humble request."

SD leaned back, scrutinizing her. "You want me to stop selling any information on Kwon Jiwon?" he repeated. "And that includes all the people around him as well?"

"Yes," Sunye said. She rummaged her bag to take out some cash. "I'll even pay you-"

But SD caught her hand, stopping her. "I won't," he said. "I won't sell any information about KJ nor about the people around him to anyone. But I don't want cash for this."

Sunye stared at him in shock. SD was refusing to take money?

"You don't want payment?" she asked in surprise.

"I want payment, but not in cash," he corrected. "I want something else."

"What do you want?" Sunye asked suspiciously. There was something odd about his behavior. 

"I will tell you when the time comes," he said, gulping down the remnants of his ramen. "When it arrives, I'll ask you to repay the favor. Deal?"

Sunye was conflicted. Making a deal with SD was equal to selling off her soul. He was planning something sinister and she knew it. The man in front of her may pretend to be a simple information broker but he was the most dangerous man she knew. The information he had could create havoc in the world. In her profession, she came across many rumors about him and they were not good. Most notably of how one of his crucial data caused a war in another country where millions had died.

"It's only a favor," SD said lazily. "I'm not asking for your soul!"

Sunye was still hesitant. But it was the question of her brother's safety. She took a deep breath and accepted his hand.

"Deal," she agreed. "I'll do you a favor. Only one favor whenever you want."

"Pleasure doing business with you Ms. Han," he grinned.

Sunye nodded and got up to leave. Before she took a step, she turned to face him once more.

"Call yourself my friend once more, I'll destroy you," she threatened.

"Careful now Ms. Prosecutor," SD smiled. "Fly too close to the flame, you might get burned."

They glared at each other for a minute before Sunye turned on her heels and left. SD sat there, chewing his food with care.

"Ahjumma!" he yelled. "One more bowl please!"

….

Ash was at his office, overseeing another Board of Directors' meeting.

"7A will release their teaser tonight," he announced. "As you all know, our intensive trainee program has enabled these girls to showcase their talent. The response to their teaser images has garnered quite a bit of stir and-"

Suddenly the door to the meeting room burst open. Everyone turned to look as Junhyung hurriedly walked in. Song Tamlin, who was in the meeting, frowned as Junhyung approached Ash.

"What do you want?" Ash demanded but Junhyung only leaned closer to whisper something in his ears. Ash's impassive face began to crumble as Junhyung's words shocked him to the core.

"Where?" he asked.

"In your office," Junhyung replied. Ash turned to the directors.

"Meeting dismissed," he announced. The directors were confused, murmuring amongst themselves. What was going on?

Ash did not explain but rushed out. He loosened his tie as he almost ran towards his office. Pushing the door open, he saw someone sitting on his chair.

"Hello grandson," a raspy voice greeted him. The man was wearing a thin full face mask with only holes for his eyes, nose and lips. 

"Grandfather," Ash stated, slightly lowering his head. "What are you doing here?"

The old man slowly stood up, using his cane for support. He walked towards his grandson, taking each step carefully, sowing the seeds of fear into Ash.

"I am here to take over this company," the President revealed.