CHAPTER 15
WOO BIN'S POV:
"Boss, he's regained consciousness. What do you want to do with him?"
"I'll be there in a minute." I tell my men. Staring at the file spread out on my desk, my head is buzzing and my gut clenches with disgust. He's a monster… A disgusting, mother-fucking monster… Eon Su-Jeong's military record looks like something out of a horror flick.
Eon Su-Jeong had been part of a covert operation to infiltrate North Korea's army. Once there, the North Korean Army had trained him as an interrogator and he earned a reputation for his brutality. Once the mission was over and he was back in South Korea, his methods were used for deep black ops. He brutally tortured and disfigured people beyond recognition for information. Many of his peers were disturbed by the sheer pleasure he took in doing his job, often not even asking questions till after he had done serious damage to the person. The sick bastard seems to take the most pleasure in torturing women. The most brutal cases are all females.
His very last mission caught my attention though. It's some kind of huge multi-government cover up. He had been sent to interrogate the United States Ambassador to South Korea. The Ambassador had been summoned to testify against several very powerful officials in both governments that were under investigation for blackmail. The official that sent Su-Jeong after the Ambassador was one of the men being investigated. Su-Jeong had gone too far and killed the Ambassador but it was all quietly swept under the rug. The Ambassadors name was Isacc Caelum. Coincidence? I didn't think so. After some more digging, I confirmed that he was indeed Saia's grandfather. This whole thing just keeps getting worse. Ji-Hoo's concern for Saia is well placed and that should have been my first clue. The guy has amazing instincts.
Leaving the files on my desk for now, I head down to the basement with my men. The bookie that set up the shooting at the bar has been dealt with. He had some information about the shooters and we finally managed to get our hands on one of the assholes that shot at me & Ji-Hoo. He put up a good fight and has been unconscious for awhile. Now that he is finally awake, I want him to tell me everything he knows about Eon Su-Jeong.
His head jerks from side to side and he squints against the bright light shining on him as he tries to get his bearings. Sitting in a chair with his hands tied behind his back, he's sporting a nasty cut above his left eye and his eye socket is disfigured. There are numerous cuts and bruises from the fight he put up when we found him. Though I guess it's nothing compared to what Su-Jeong might do to him. This isn't going to be easy and I decide on a direct approach.
"I'm going to cut right to the chase, buddy. I know that you were in the same squad as Eon Su-Jeong. I know what he is and what he is capable of. I also know that someone sent you after me for asking questions about him. So let me make myself clear. Taking a shot at me was a stupid move but the fact that you shot at my friend is what really pisses me off. However, I'm willing to "forgive" this little "mistake" of yours if you tell me what I want to know about Eon Su-Jeong."
His good eye is unfocused as he blinks at me. He's old but still in great shape and obviously still keeps up with his Army training. He was in the same squad as Su-Jeong 25 years ago so that makes him an invaluable source of information but he is dangerously close to losing consciousness again.
"Ya! Are you listening to me? I don't have a whole lot of patience. Either you co-operate or you don't."
"What does it fucking matter, anyway? Either way I'm dead." he mumbles.
"Have you forgotten who I am? If you tell me what I want to know, I'll make sure Su-Jeong can never find you."
He laughs mirthlessly at me and I can hear the rattle of his lungs from the beating he took.
"It doesn't matter where you send me or what you do, if he finds out I talked to you, he will find me and he will kill me. You better just kill me now because I can guarantee that whatever you do to me will be nothing compared to what he's going to do."
"Not if I kill that mother-fucker first." I growl angrily.
"Good luck with that, son. He is the cruelest and most cunning son-of-a-bitch that I've ever met. He's good at hiding and covering his tracks. HE finds YOU but by then it's too late. You have no idea what you are up against. Whatever reason you have for going after him, just let it go. You won't survive if you don-" His voice breaks as he goes into a coughing fit and spits out blood. Watching him closely for a minute, I decide to try another tactic.
"He tried to kill his daughter." I say. I see a flash of surprise in his eye and he tries harder to focus on me.
"He tried to kill, seuwiteu pi (sweet pea)? Why?" He looks troubled and very confused but I may have found his wavering point.
"Do you know Saia-ssi?"
He nods his head dazedly. "I haven't seen her in years but she's such a kind hearted little thing even though she has him for a father. I always felt bad that he neglected her so much. She practically raised herself."
"She's my best friend's girl and I want to protect her. She doesn't deserve any more misery from that bastard. I'm asking you to help me protect her."
"…I want to but I…I don't know anything. He moves around a lot…I don't know what you want from me…" shaking his head he finally loses consciousness again and I grit my teeth in irritation. I do my best to keep a cool head. I'm making progress at least.
"Clean him up and take care of his injuries. I want him in better shape when he wakes up."
"Yes boss."
Heading back to my office, I sit down in my chair and lean my head back in frustration. This is definitely one very big fucked up situation. He may not even realize he knows something important. Even the tiniest detail could help. I just have to keep trying.
(^_^)
SERENA'S POV:
"I'm sorry Mrs. Knightly but even though you are her mother, she is of legal age and I cannot give out any information about her without her permission."
"Yes. I understand. Is there any way you could contact her for me?" I ask. The doctor looks at me thoughtfully. His name is Dr. Park and even though he seems rather stern, he has been nothing but polite to me. He's been kind enough to listen to me and Paul even though he seems busy. I am grateful for that at least. No other doctor would even speak to us about her.
"Actually, there is another doctor here who still keeps in touch with her but he's off for a couple of days. Do you have a number he can reach you at?"
"Yes! I do!" Quickly scribbling down my number, I hand it to him. "Thank you so very much Dr. Park."
"I'll be sure to give it to him when I see him." He nods and gives us a small smile before turning back to the ER. My phone starts to go off in my pocket and I start digging for it.
"Good morning, honey! What are you doing up so early?" I ask with a smile.
"I wanted to see how the search is going. Any luck?" my husband asks.
"Paul & I have been trying to talk to people at the hospital all day and we finally got one of the doctor's here to possibly give her my number. I am just afraid that she won't call me."
"You don't know that for sure. Just try and be patient. Have faith in her."
We talk for a bit before he hangs up to get ready for work and get our son to school. It's late and I'm tired. Paul walks with me back to the hotel before we go our separate ways for the night.
"Are you sure I can't persuade you to go back to the states? You should be with your family. Plus there is no way of knowing when or if she will be willing to see you."
"I know but I have to try. I have to have faith in her as Scott says. Goodnight Paul."
"Goodnight."
I'm tired and my feet hurt. I'm looking forward to a hot shower and going to sleep. Kicking off my shoes at the door of my hotel room and dropping my purse on the floor, I reach for the light but a sharp pain on the back of my head makes me stumble forward before everything goes black.
(^_^)
SAIA'S POV:
Ji-Hoo probably thinks I am crazy but I don't care. I can't contain my excitement over all the animals at the Zoo. He just smiles and shakes his head from time to time, letting me drag him from one side to the other. I've never seen wild animals before except on TV so I can't help but feel like a kid in a candy store.
"Look at the Zebras, Ji-Hoo! Wow! Their stripes are so amazing!" I lean forward against the railing to get a better look. His arms slide around my waist as he presses himself against me and I feel his chest shake with laughter.
"The only thing amazing here is you." He laughs. I twist my head around to playfully kiss his chin and then return my attention to the zebras. His lips brush my temple as I lean into his embrace.
"Saia?"
"Hmmm?"
"…I love you."
I stiffen at his serious and quiet confession. Turning around in his arms, I can see his heart in his eyes. Winding my arms around his neck to pull myself closer to him, I smile up into his warm chocolate gaze.
"Nado salanghae." (I love you too.) I see his amazing smile before I pull his head down to claim his lips with my own. I can't stop myself from smiling as our lips brush and tease each other. My body trembles and I feel his kiss in the depths of my soul. Every kiss we have is like this. I always feel so complete and whole in his arms. Slowly remembering where we are, I reluctantly pull away to look into his eyes.
"You're jealous that I'm paying more attention to the animals than you, huh?" I ask mischievously. His laugh is so nakedly happy that my heart jumps in my chest. His eyes are shining and he is grinning from ear to ear. God, he is so amazing and handsome!
"Maybe….just a little bit." He teases and leans in for another kiss.
We continue making our way through the zoo and my exuberance only increases. I have never been so happy in my whole life. He loves me! He loves me! my heart sings. He always shows me he loves me but it feels so amazing hearing the words too! Trying to calm down my excitement, I splash cool water on my neck in the restroom. He's going to start thinking I'm on drugs or something if I don't calm down. Watching myself in the mirror, I wipe the goofy grin off my face and force myself to take a deep breath. Satisfied with my composure, I nod confidently at myself and exit the restroom.
As soon as I step out, I feel a strong hand grab my arm and swing me around behind the small building. Before I can react, a hand is clamped over my mouth and I feel the cool steel of a familiar blade on my neck. My body remembers this knife all too well and I can't keep it from trembling in fear as I stare into the very angry grey eyes of my father.
A/N: To all of my amazing readers: Thank you! ^_^ I am so very lucky to have all of you! This story is near and dear to my heart. Thanks again! ^_^