Chapter 320 - The Beginning of the End (2)

SD smirked and stepped aside to let her in. Sunye hesitated before entering the apartment. Unlike the other parts of the building which looked old, SD's unit was the only one with life. In fact, the rundown building from outside was only camouflaging the interior. Sunye looked around in wonder.

The walls were reflecting a light bluish hue. There was a large wall aquarium by the stairs which led upstairs while the floor was made of pure white marble, sparkling under the chandelier which illuminated the whole house. There was an open kitchen next to the living room with the counters made of a matching blue jade stone. The furniture also complemented the color of the wall. 

"Come."

SD ushered her to the couch. Sunye did not notice but he was wearing a blue bathrobe.

"Please tell me you are wearing something under there," she said warily. Two years back when she had visited him for the first time regarding a case, he was completely n.a.k.e.d under that bathrobe and she ended up seeing way too much of him than she had expected.

"Relax," he shrugged. "I'm wearing my underwear. I hope. You wanna check?"

"No!" she exclaimed. "I just want to talk. That's it!"

"You want a drink?" he offered. "I was about to pour myself some vodka."

"No thanks," she said.

"Suit yourself," he said, pouring himself a glass. Sunye sat down on the couch, trying not to look his way while he took the seat across her.

"What can I do for you, Sunye?" he asked with a wicked smile.

"I need you to find me some information," she said.

"What sort of information?"

"On the Cartel," she replied. "I think they'll plan to attack KJ and Mirae at next week's anniversary party. I want to know what the Cartel is planning to do there so that we can be prepared."

"That's a dangerous job," SD mused. "Spying on the Cartel...I am just a simple information broker. What you're asking from me can cost me my life if I get caught."

"But you won't."

It was not an order but a statement. If there was one person who could fish out the most well hidden information even from highly secure government vaults, it was SD. There were many rumors surrounding this mysterious man and Sunye knew that most of them were true. For SD, information was power and he would go to any length to obtain that power.

"I won't," he agreed. "I'm a very difficult person to kill."

"Look, my brother and his wife are in danger!" Sunye exclaimed. There was a silent plea in her voice which was not missed by him. She was desperate and he could see it clearly in her eyes.

"The Cartel keeps on attacking them," she went on. "The President met up with Song Tamlin last week and we're afraid that the Cartel will harm KJ and Mirae. They're planning something. Something big. But all our informers are being hunted down so we can't get any information from that side. If you could just find out what they're up to and let us know…"

SD quietly sipped his drink, deep in thought while Sunye buried her head in her hands, trying to seek the answers.

"You knew, didn't you?" Sunye suddenly asked. "You knew that KJ is my brother."

SD's smirk vanished. "Yes," he said. "I did."

"Why didn't you just tell me directly?"

"I gave you the hint, didn't I?" he shrugged. But Sunye was finding it difficult to believe that he would simply give away that information for free.

"Why did you help me?" she questioned him. "We're not close nor do we particularly like each other-"

"Correction," he pointed out. "You don't like me. I like you. In fact, I love all of humanity. Humans are god's greatest and also the worst creature. And I, being a simple man in this vastly complicated world, am in love with all living beings. I hate no one."

Even though he was smiling, there was a cold mischief in his eyes which made him dangerous and possibly even mad. Sunye had met many scoundrels in life but SD was a different kind. He was not the type of person who would do things for free. There was always a catch to his favors and if someone failed to pay him back, he would make sure that the person is destroyed.

"You only love yourself," she said curtly. "But that is not why I'm here. Will you help me or not?"

She glared at him. Waiting for his reply. SD contemplated his next words carefully.

"You already owe me a favor," he pointed out. "Because of our last deal."

"I can pay you back in cash," she offered, unzipping her bag to take out the cash but SD shook his head. He leaned closer.

"Han Sunye," he called her name as if caressing her gently with his words. "If there is one person I would never take money from, it's you."

"Why?" she frowned.

"Let's just say that you intrigue me," he remarked. "It's fascinating to uncover your secrets. It...livens me up."

Sunye was lost. She had no idea why she was wasting her time with this man but there was no one else who could find out information about the Cartel as well as him. After all, he was the best in that field.

"Will you fulfill my request or not?" she shot at him.

"I will," he said. I will never say no to you, my dear."

Sunye waited for him to elaborate. He would not just agree to this that easily. There was something he wanted in return.

"What do you want in return?" she asked.

"Why do you always assume that I want something in return?" SD sighed. "Maybe I just want to help you out on my own free will. After all, we are friends."

"Bullshit," she said bluntly. "You always want something in return. There is nothing called a free favor from you."

"You're right," he nodded. "So if I add this debt along with your other one, then you'll owe me two favors. Are you sure you're up for it?"

Sunye groaned. She had little choice.

"Deal," she agreed. "I'll fulfill only two requests for you. That's it. In return, you don't share our plans with anyone else and also provide us intel on the Cartel."

"Done," SD said, smiling triumphantly, sitting back. "We'll make good partners, Han Sunye."

Sunye winced inside. She had just made a pact with the devil himself and was probably going to go through hell. But it was a small sacrifice for the wellbeing of her brother. She got us to leave.

"Don't fail me," she told him before turning on her heels to leave. SD sat there as she shut the door behind her.

"I won't," he whispered, still smiling slyly. "Not this time."