IMPORTANT NOTE: I do not own anything.
CHAPTER 2: The Boxer's suggestion
Seoul, Downtown…
The city of Seoul was as busy as usual. From a higher place you could see how anxiously people were moving around going to their jobs or some others looking for one. Anyway each one of them was stressed for his own reasons. However, there was a traffic problem as always at this time of the day. Where were the police men when you needed them? Thought a man… Were they available only when it was coming to make his life difficult? At times like these, he was thinking of being the dutiful citizen and go to testify his complaints to their superiors but he was always dropping this choice, since there was always a possibility for his name to be inside one of their "WANTED" list and not to mention that they would probably do nothing about it…
Hwoarang was holding with his one hand the steering wheel and with the other the gear lever. However, he wasn't moving any of these since, they were stuck in the traffic jam. He turned his head to look outside the window for a moment…
"I want to smoke…" He thought…
"Boy, set your eyes on the road" said Baek to his student…
He sighed and turned his head in front of him… "If I do that, master, my eyes will fall on the mirror, here in the center, and I will see you and your lady making out…In other words…No thanks!"
"HWOARANG!"
"And I thought you were a patient…" he almost whispered…
"You said anything, there?"
Hwoarang turned his head to face him for a second and shook his head negatively…
…
Finally, one hour later, they arrived at Baek's house. The older man wished to go and rest but the woman wanted him to eat first and take his pills. When Baek heard the word "pill", he immediately suggested to go to sleep first and that he would take them later. However, the young woman refused and since he didn't want to admit the fact that he was afraid to take them, he didn't say anything. And not only that…The corner of his eye took Hwoarang giving a mocking grin to his direction. What an audacious student? He thought. But Hwoarang was his weak spot, he was the son he never had…
South Korea, Seoul's airport…
A tall blue-eyed, blond man was waiting impatiently to find his suitcase and walk out of the airport. His arms were crossed and his eyes were eyeing suspiciously the place. From the time he took the plane from London to Seoul, people couldn't stop staring at him. If it was back in his glorious, days he would assume that they knew him because of him being a world-wide-known boxer. However, soon enough he understood that they were looking at him because of his appearance. He felt embarrassed, in the good way, and a small smile appeared on his lips. He saw as young girls and older women were looking blushed at him. He realized that he could at least smile at them for making him feel a little spirited, since he wasn't in his best mood and after hearing from Baek what happened yesterday, he took the decision to come here. Hwoarang needed some support…
Finally, he took notice of his red colored suitcase and proceeded to take it in his hands. He sighed relieved as he did and made his way outside the airport. After the big struggle he did to walk outside, he breathed out and wore his sunglasses. He walked further to find a taxi and go to his destination. He looked around him and found the place where people were waiting to take a cab…
"That's gonna take long…" he said in the inside and made his way there…
In the end, he managed to take a taxi. He placed his suitcase in the trunk and walked inside the car. He motioned for the driver to start the car and he did. He took out his cellphone and called a number…
"Hey! Yes, I'm already here. Where are you? Uh…Ok, but what about I come to see him as well? Fine, fine…I'll come to your house."
The man closed his cellphone and told the taxi driver the address…
…
Seoul, Downtown, Baek's house…
The red haired man was standing in the balcony of Baek's house, smoking the cigarette, he longed for about an hour now. He remembered that yesterday, he was so pissed off that he threw the one, he was ready to smoke that night. He looked in front of him and saw the busy town of Seoul. Usually, this time, he would be in Baek's dojo sparring with him. But now there was no dojo to begin with. However, Hwoarang was thankful that Baek was safe, at least. He exhaled some smoke and suddenly heard a woman's voice…
"Hwoarang?!" she called him from inside…
He rolled his eyes. What was wrong this time? Did someone curse him? He gritted his teeth and said turning a little his head…
"What is it, Hana?" he asked his master's fiancée…
"Your cellphone is ringing."
"Then, bring it to me!" he shouted angrily. The last thing he wanted was someone calling him and bitching about one of his problems. He had enough on his own already…
The woman was holding a tray and said while walking to Baek's bedroom… "I can't, I need to feed my darling."
Hwoarang felt something chilly running through his spine. What's with them today? D-Darling? Absolutely gross! With these thoughts, Hwoarang blew out his cigarette, placed it on an ashtray and walked inside. He started searching for the phone and after some time, he found it lying on the floor next to the couch. He rolled his eyes irritated. That girl obviously threw it and didn't notice it. That lousy girlfriend of Baek's was so damn clumsy. He remembered when they first walked in, after coming back from the hospital, and the first thing that happened was her slipping on the floor. Hwoarang started laughing, until Baek hit him on the back of his head. Noticing his master's disapproval towards his behavior, he sighed and decided to help her …
Inside Baek's room…
"Darling? Here, I cooked for you." Said the woman happily as she set the tray on the drawer next to his bed…
Baek thanked her as he nodded his head and she smiled. Suddenly, he remembered his student and asked her… "What happened inside?"
She placed her hand under her chin trying to remember if something happened…"Eh? Nothing…I just said to Hwoarang that his cell was ringing. If you mean that."
"Why? Wasn't he listening to it?" he said confused remembering that his student was taking his cellphone wherever he was…even inside the bathroom…
The woman looked at him… "He was smoking in the balcony…For a reason he sounded angry. Did I do anything?" she said again and leaned closer to Baek, fearing that she might have annoyed Hwoarang without noticing it…
Baek smiled at her and caressed her hand… "No, he's just getting mad when someone doesn't let him smoke in peace."
"Does he get angry with you, too?" she wondered crossing her arms…
The injured man shook negatively his head… "Not really…I mean he doesn't have the guts to be."
The woman started laughing alongside him. Suddenly, they heard voices coming from outside. They looked at each other confused as they heard the young man shouting inside the living room. What was going on, thought Baek? The woman watched his worried expression and stood up to go and see what happened, however, Baek stopped her by grabbing her arm. The woman looked confused at him…
"Honey?"
"Don't bother with him, Hana. The last thing I want and he does as well, since I'm going to get angry, is to have him let it out on you."
The woman nodded and sat again next to him. She witnessed how hot headed this man was. Was there a possibility for Baek to use to be like that? She hoped not, since she didn't want for her future children to have "this" kind of temper. On the other hand, Baek wasn't even aware to the fact that his future wife had this kind of thing inside her mind and he didn't bother asking her because he assumed that since she said that she wants to be with him…a much older man…she didn't have kids inside her mind. The man was way too old to have children…
Suddenly, Hwoarang entered his master's bedroom with a frown above his eyebrows. The couple looked at him and the younger man said…
"Master"
Baek nodded…
"Because of your big mouth, I have to go to my apartment since that lame friend of mines, who you called, is on his way."
"Who is he talking about, darling?"
Baek stopped her with his hand and turned to face his student. Hwoarang relaxed his face as he noticed his master's serious one. Oh fuck, he thought. He stayed silent and waited for the older man to say what he wanted…
"For your information, boy, Steve was the one, who called me and by accident he found out about my condition. He said that he wanted to talk to you about something."
"I didn't know that…" he said and looked at the floor…
Baek nodded… "Seems like you didn't."
Hwoarang looked sincerely in his master's eyes and bowed in front of him… "Forgive me, sir! I won't say things again before I hear it from you directly."
"Raise your head, Hwoarang…Go but make sure, you don't behave like that again."
Hwoarang nodded and walked outside the room. He took his cellphone and keys and then, walked outside the house…
…
Hwoarang's apartment...
The taxi stopped in front of a block of flats and the young man walked outside of it after paying the driver. The taxi driver waited for the man to take his suitcase from the trunk and when he did, he took off…
He looked in front of him but there was no sign of his friend. He assumed that Hwoarang would be waiting at the door for him. What a rude guy? Thought Steve Fox and sighed. With the suitcase in his hand, he walked to the door and searched for Hwoarang's name to press the doorbell. He did it for some time until, he heard a car parking at the sidewalk. He saw his friend walking angrily outside the car closing loudly the car's front door behind him…
"He's in a very good mood, huh?" said Steve ironically to himself. Well, it wasn't like he was expecting him to be in high spirits but Baek was safe, wasn't he?
Hwoarang walked to his friend's direction and raised his hand as a greeting. Steve smiled and did the same…
"Let's go in."
Steve nodded but before following him, he touched his shoulder and said…
"H-Hwoarang?"
The red haired man turned his head to his friend's direction uninterested and heard him saying…
"You see…This…" he said pointing at the sidewalk… "Is called a sidewalk. People are walking on that."
"See if I care." Was the only thing Hwoarang said and opened the door.
Steve sighed desperately at his friend's short temper…at times…and then, followed him inside. As they walked inside his apartment, Steve watched as his friend started undressing himself…
"What are you doing?" said Steve…
"Take a shower, you can help yourself inside the kitchen" he answered to him… "Not that you're gonna find anything." He added…
He once again rolled his eyes at his friend's behavior. Ok, ok…He had to be understanding in some degree because this entire thing with Baek was sudden for Hwoarang and for everyone in general. He set the suitcase on the floor next to the door and looked around the apartment. For an unknown reason it was clean…Probably because Hwoarang was here when he just wanted to sleep. He took off his jacket and threw it on the couch…
"I have to take a shower myself…" he said in the inside and walked to the kitchen…
Steve raised an eyebrow because of what he saw. Did his friend call that "a kitchen"? Maybe no, maybe it was his fault, maybe he stepped into the wrong room. He shook his head when he noticed the fridge…
"I'm afraid to even get close to that thing." He said to himself as he started making his way there. Hesitantly, he opened it slowly and his eyes widened at what he witnessed…
"What are you doing there…Standing like an idiot?" said Hwoarang and walked inside…
Steve, as he was ready to say something, turned his head behind only to be shocked once again…
"GAH! I just saw something I didn't want to…So traumatic…" said Steve as he saw Hwoarang being completely naked in front of him…
"Tsk…So rude!" Hwoarang started walking to the fridge and looked for something to eat. He smiled when he saw a half-eaten sandwich. He took it in his hands and as he was ready to savor it, Steve hit him on the back of his head…
"What the hell are you doing? You want to die?"
Steve took the sandwich from his hands and threw it inside the sink… "That should be my line! You want to be in the hospital with food poisoning? This whole fridge thing stinks. Why don't you get rid of what's expired?"
"I was intending to do it…someday…"
"When you say "someday", you mean when Baek finds out?"
Hwoarang started making his way outside the kitchen with Steve following him… "M-Maybe…"
"Maybe, you say and…GO, WEAR SOME CLOTHES ALREADY!"
"Why? Could it be that you're jealous of my awesome god like body?" he said… "Or is it that you're lusting for me and want to hide your erection?"
"You wished!" said Steve as he closed the kitchen's door…
Hwoarang took the towel, which was thrown on a chair's back. He placed it around his waist and sat on the couch with Steve watching him…
"But I have to tell you this…I'm not interested in men"
"Neither am I, you narcissist jerk!"
There was a moment of silence until Steve was heard… "Hwoarang, I'm gonna go take a shower, ok?"
Hwoarang smiled without Steve noticing him and nodded… "Suit yourself."
"What's with this kindness all of a sudden?"
"Oh nothing…Just go and I'll order a pizza or something, ok?"
The blond man was looking confusingly at his friend. What was happening? He nodded to himself and said…
"I see…Well, I'm going…" he started making his way inside the bathroom…
"Enjoy your shower!" mumbled Hwoarang and took his cellphone in his hands…
Steve Fox took off his clothes and set them on the counter. He stepped inside it and opened the faucet…
…
"Oh yes, press the "10" button. The door is on the first floor…But ok, I'll have it open. Good…Thanks!"
Hwoarang relaxed his back on the couch and closed his eyes. He was ready to sleep until…
"UGH!"
His eyes widened as he heard a voice shouting from the shower. He rolled his eyes and didn't pay attention...
Steve Fox with quick but loud steps walked outside the bathroom and approached Hwoarang… "You damned idiot! Why didn't you tell me that the water was cold?"
"Tsk…Just be happy, I let you in, ok? And what kind of man are you…Can't even handle some cold water."
"Whatever…" he mumbled and made his way back in the bathroom…
An hour later…
"Oh damn…I suppose you told the police, didn't you?" asked Steve when he placed his can of beer on the table in front of him…
"About that…yeah…Baek's girlfriend did."
"What?!" his eyes widened… "Baek got a girlfriend? That old guy…When?!" he said and smiled…
Hwoarang took an annoyed face expression as he remembered how long his master was seeing a woman and he didn't know about this. It wasn't like ha had to tell him but it was somehow unfair. Hwoarang was telling him everything…to be honest…almost everything…
"Forget about the girlfriend…I mean no…Do you want to know how old she is? Make a guess."
Steve couldn't understand why Hwoarang was telling him this. He crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow while he was thinking…
"Umm…Forty?"
"See? That would be a normal age difference, wouldn't be?"
Steve nodded. Hwoarang smiled ironically and said… "My friend…Baek's chick is seven years older than…"
"Than him?! She must be a pretty fine woman for her age then, right?"
"Shut it! Baek's woman is seven years older than us."
"HUH?! What is what Baek has and we don't?"
"That's the last thing I care about right now! But whatever, she's taking care of him and I'm a little more relaxed."
Steve nodded since he understood what Hwoarang meant. When he heard that the dojo was destroyed he assumed that his friend's priority for now would be to rebuild Baek's dojo. He looked at the pizza box in front of him and noticed that it was empty. He stood up after taking it in his hands and threw it inside a plastic bag, Hwoarang was looking at him and remembered that Steve had his problems, as well…
"So…What's on your side? You found a sponsor, yet?"
Steve stopped his movements when he heard the word "sponsor". It has been some time now that he wanted to get in the ring once again but he couldn't find any available person to take him over. Some were saying that he was too old, as old as a young man in his early twenties could be considered old, or others that he wasn't appealing anymore. People were merciless, he thought, but he wasn't intending to make them the favor and give up. If there wasn't anyone to help him, then, he would help himself…
"I've dropped this case, dude."
"Huh...Stop kidding, ok? You're the last one, who has to give up on being a boxer."
"I appreciate what you said but, don't worry, I'm not giving up. I'll just be the one to boost myself."
Hwoarang nodded and smiled. He should have done this thing since the very beginning. Did he want to have other problems with the Mafia, if he was to leave others take care of his things again? The two friends walked inside the living room. Hwoarang relaxed himself on the armchair and Steve sat on the couch opposite him...
"Master said that you needed to tell me something…What is that?"
The blond man smiled confusing Hwoarang… "Why don't you take me see Baek for now and then I'll tell you?"
Hwoarang stayed silent for a minute thinking the reason why Steve wasn't telling him now. In the end, he nodded…
…
Baek's house…
When the two men went to visit Baek, Steve talked with him about what happened and how he was doing. He even commented on how pretty his fiancée was, the minute he saw her before she left for her job. Steve found the chance, when Hwoarang left the room, to ask him what he was supposed to. Baek gave him his approval but he said that it all depend on what Hwoarang's answer would be. For a long time, the three men were talking with each other until Baek looked at the time and said…
"You two should be going now. Hana will be back in a while and the last thing we want is the two of you here."
"You're getting better, aren't you old man?" he said Hwoarang sarcastically to his master's words…
Baek didn't bother answering him and looked at Steve. The younger man touched Hwoarang's shoulder and said…
"Since, Master Baek wants to have fun with his lady, what about we go have some booze?"
The red haired man looked first at Steve and then at Baek, who nodded to him as he noticed the doubt in his face. Hwoarang looked at the floor and then nodded…
"Fine…I need a drink anyway."
"When don't you need one?" said Baek ironically annoying his student…
"Tsk"
…
After that the two young men walked outside the house and hopped on Hwoarang's bike. They were thinking of where they should go since after Hwoarang left his title as the leader of his gang and especially the name "Blood Talon", he wouldn't like to go back to the bars, which he was known by this nickname. Suddenly, Steve remembered that an ex-girlfriend of his had opened a bar in downtown. He told Hwoarang the address and they made their way there. As he drove his bike to arrive to his destination, he passed different streets full with people and lights. He found himself in the center of the town. He raised his head when he saw the light being red. Inside the town he was obeying the traffic rules, something that Steve used to find unexplainable until Hwoarang told him the reason. The last thing he wanted was to find himself in a police station and then having Baek getting him out. However, what made him do that wasn't exactly because he didn't want problems with the law, it was more like he didn't wish to have problems with his master. He wouldn't bear it, if Baek was disappointed in him…
Sometime later, they arrived at the place and saw people even waiting outside the club to get in. Hwoarang turned to look at Steve, who had the same expression. He parked the bike at the back of the bar, where all the cars were and after that they made their way to the line…
"There's no way, we're getting in…at least tonight…Steve." Said Hwoarang irritated as he was seeing how big the row was…
Steve smiled at him and said… "Leave it to me, smart guy!"
Hwoarang rolled his eyes at him and Steve took out his cellphone. He searched through his contacts until he found the one he needed. He winked his eye at his friend and waited for the person to talk. Steve talked for only some seconds on the phone and then said…
"Hwoarang, follow me!"
The Korean man looked confused at his friend but didn't say anything. He just followed him. They found themselves back at where they parked the bike and they saw a beautiful woman waiting for them next to a door. She waved her hand at Steve and he smiled. He started walking there and motioned for Hwoarang to do the same…
"Maria!"
The young woman opened her arms and hugged Steve. They used to date when she was a model in London but after giving up because she wanted to get married and Steve didn't want to, they broke up, in a friendly way, and she started residing in Seoul. She released him and saw Hwoarang next to him…
"Who's this "yummy" man?"
Hwoarang scratched the back of his head. He commented in his mind on how beautiful and gently sexy this woman was… "I'm Hwoarang. Nice to meet you." He said and smiled…
"My name's Maria. Since you're Steve's friend, I consider you one of my own, as well."
He nodded and Steve looked with widened eyes to his direction. Who was that guy in front of him? Probably or definitely or seriously not his friend. Maria motioned for them to follow her and they did. They walked inside and the loud music made Steve close his ears. Hwoarang was used to it, since he was doing even more with his bike. They looked around her bar and the woman touched each one of their shoulders…
"So? You want to dance or to chat? My club provides both."
"What do you mean?" said Steve confused…
The woman smiled and crossed her arms… "To the underground there are people, who want to have a drink while they talk and here, you can see that all we do is "dance". What's to your liking?"
"I want to drink" was the only thing Hwoarang said. He didn't give a single thought about the floor…
"Since we need to have a talk, could you take us downstairs?"
"Of course!"
The two men followed her and after some minutes they found themselves downstairs. Maria was right. Here, people were having their drinks in peace and were talking with each other. She started searching for an available table for them to sit. She nodded when she found one and walked them there. They sat down and she signalled for one of the waiters to come and take their order…
"Umm…What would you like to drink guys?" Steve and Hwoarang looked at each other and their attention took a tall good looking man waiting to take their order…
Steve smiled at her and she did the same… "I see…Honey, bring them two of the bar's special…" the woman as she said that looked at her wristwatch and looked again at the waiter… "And anything else they take is on me, ok?"
"Yes, ma'am!" said the man and walked away…
"Steve, Hwoarang…My apologies but I need to go. I have to breastfeed my little boy"
"You have a kid!?"
The woman nodded and after waving goodbye, she walked away…
Hwoarang was left with his mouth opened. The last thing he could imagine was this gorgeous woman being a mother, at least, in that age…
"She's married as well, Hwoarang."
"You knew?!"
He nodded and that time the same tall man walked to them and served them their drinks. Steve was the one to thank him, since he wasn't expecting from Hwoarang to be that kind…
"Anything else you need, just press this button here." He said and the two men looked at where he was pointing…
"Uh…Thank you!"
…
Half an hour later…
"Steve, before we get both…very…drunk, I believe you should tell me at last what you want."
"Oh yeah!" said the blond man and placed his drink on the table… "You need money, I need money."
"Well, duh!"
"An acquaintance of mines told me that there's a very good job offer."
Hwoarang was looking at him without talking, even though, he wondered what he was trying to say…
"I was thinking of coming to see you for that reason, even if Baek wasn't injured but since that happened, I took the decision sooner. They need two people and the money is enough for what you want to do and what I want, as well."
The red-haired man finished his drink and said… "What kind of job is it? If it's something scheming-like, I'm not interested."
"Of course not!"
"Then?"
"There's a business man in Monaco, who wants to hire two bodyguards. They say that he's an important guy and the money he gives is good. I'm interested."
Hwoarang rolled his eyes… "You tell me that I need to go to Monaco and, also, live there?"
"Just think about it. You get the money you want and then you can quit."
"B-But…"
"I talked to Baek about it…He said that he doesn't have a problem and that all depends on your answer. I know that you can't leave him and especially in the condition he's in but you know that there's a person, who cares about him."
Hwoarang was nodding all the time as he was listening to Steve. Should he accept? Baek agreed, on the other hand. He looked at Steve, who was having a look of expectation in his eyes and said…
"I quit whenever I want, eh? Fine! Let's do it!"
Thanks for reading!
