Ijin stood behind Yeona impassively as the other occupants of the meeting started to prepare the presentation.

Whoever they were waiting for, were at least ten minutes late. If things continued as they were, Yeona and her cousin were going to have to leave the meeting early if they wanted to get to their next meeting on time.

Yeona huffed quietly, prompting her elder to nudge her with her foot as a silent way to tell her to keep her attitude under control.

Just as the assistant, another youngish man in his suit was just about to apologize for the delay, a man in his late 30s came rushing in.

Ijin had to resist the urge to blink in surprise, as well as resist the urge to stare.

He knew that man. The man that looked like 008, who was apparently of Indian descent.

The C.E.O of this company was once a man that he had been hired to guide in one of the sectors he worked in as Jin. He had to get the man from point A to point B so he could be evacuated.

He remembered the man so well because it was a shit show. The man, Arig if he remembers correctly, had been one of his first clients as Jin, and also his first client that got so spooked by the nearby mortars, Ijin had to wrestle him into cover just so he wouldn't run into the incoming shower of bullets.

He tried his best to remain inconspicuous behind Yeona. He was trying to become wallpaper so Arig wouldn't notice him.

There were times when he missed his old head covering. Because at the very least, he would catch his eye but would be unrecognizable.

But since he was one of the youngest bodyguards at the moment, it was inevitable. The man lit up with a wide smile, recognition in his eyes.

"Mercenary Jin!"

Turns out Arig also had an excellent memory. Considering that he was able to both recognize him and remember his name.

There was no way he was pretending his way out of this one.

Arig lost all sense of etiquette as he ran towards Ijin, slipping past his own bodyguards as well as the others to get to him.

" It is such an honor to see you." Ijin internally squirmed under all of the attention. Everyone was staring at the two of them, and he could see how confused they were by the way the CEO was treating him. Arig had both of Ijins hands in his own, bowing over and over again to show his gratitude," I never got to thank you. You disappeared when I turned around!"

"There's no need to thank me, sir," there was another round of shock as everyone realized that he was able to understand the businessman as well as respond to him," I was simply doing my job."

"nonsense!" everyone was still staring at them as Arig leaned forward with a wide smile on his face," You saved my life! There is nothing I wouldn't do for you!"

Ijin was still internally squirming at the attention as he said without hesitating," In that case sir. Would you please keep my past as a mercenary as a secret? I would like to move on from that part of my life."

Arig smiled widely and thumped his chest twice with his fist," Anything for you my friend! Ms. Shin!" Jiyeh was almost startled by Arig's sudden shout," As long as you treat young Jin right. I will be willing to work with your company!" The CEO had a wide smile as he patted Ijins shoulder," This young man save my life years ago. And I have yet to repay that debt."

Sometimes life really liked to complicate his.

Ijin was resisting the urge to blush as he repeated," There's no need to thank me sir. I was doing my job."

He wasn't used to such gratitude. He usually didn't stay behind long enough to be thanked in such a way.

Arig frowned, pointing at him as he almost scolded him," I will give credit where credit is due. You are far too humble young man!" that was partially true, as Ijin had saved him from running into a shower of bullets. But again.

It was his job.

He tried to protest one more time, but when he saw the stern look on Arig's face, he knew he wasn't going to be able to change the man's mind.

Ijin finally let out some of his nervous energy and shifted on his feet as some of his resolve crumbled under the disapproving look the man was giving him," Yes sir…"

Arig smiled," Good man."

Ijin had to resist the urge to run his hand down his face as the meeting started.

More questions were going to come his way. He just knew it.

Everyone, even the other bodyguards that worked under Arig, kept on glancing at him throughout the meeting. And every time he made eye contact with Arig, the man would give him a solid, knowing nod in a way that properly portrayed the man's support and respect for him.

Well.

At least he made at least one more friend.

Of sorts.