In Ho grunted as he shifted the box of bagged coffee beans. Working in the stockroom was exhausting but he enjoyed it. Enjoyed the quiet and the solitude. In the three months since he had returned to Seoul, he had become used to solitude.

He thought of his tiny apartment in the terrible neighborhood. Rent was due next week. In Ho ran through the mental calculations. Barring unexpected disasters, he should have just enough money to pay it.

Placing the last box of beans on the shelf, In Ho turned back toward the door and found himself looking straight into the face of You Jeong.

The shock stole his breath, freezing him in place. It was like being hit by a bucket full of icy water.

Fury followed after.

Jeong studied him coldly, eyes moving down to his scruffy shoes and then back up again, like he was measuring the effect of the last five years, cataloging all the details of In Ho's appearance like a lepidopterist with a butterfly pinned under glass.

In Ho could feel his hands tighten to fists, "This area is for employees only." He managed to push out through clenched teeth.

Jeong raised an eyebrow, "Nothing is off limits to the owner."

"You don't own this coffee shop." In Ho had actually checked. Tae Rang Group's holdings were large and complicated but he made sure to only apply at independently owned businesses.

"That was yesterday. As of this morning, I own this shop and everything in it."

Damn. He would have to quit. Back at the job hunt again.

Reaching up, he moved to pull his apron off when Jeong spoke again.

"I want to offer you a job."

"I already have a job." Or he had a job.

Jeong glanced around the store room again and then down at In Ho's shoes, "I want to offer you a job where you don't have to make over priced lattes for almost nothing, in bad shoes."

"Whatever it is, I'm not interested." The apron was off now. In a moment he'd be out the door without even a reference to slow him down.

Jeong offered in a bored voice, "Seven million won a month."

In Ho hesitated, his hand resting on the knob. He turned slowly, "What are you up to?"

Jeong raised one eyebrow, "I told you- try to pay attention- I want to give you a job."

"Doing what? What could you need from me for that kind of money?! I'm not a gangster anymore. I won't do your dirty work-"

"A bodyguard. I need a bodyguard."

The sound of laughter echoed in the small room, "You couldn't find one person in all of Korea who cares less about what happens to you."

"Not for me." His voice was sharp for the first time, "There's a girl. I have to leave the country for a few months and I need to know she'll be safe while I'm gone."

That wiped away the laughter. In Ho could feel his brows lifting, "The great and calculating You Jeong actually cares about another person?"

He watched Jeong's face settle into stone. Ah, In Ho thought, he didn't like that.

"I know about your debt to that gangster."

In Ho paused. The debt. That was a problem. Seven million won a month could put a sizeable dent in a problem like that. . .

His gaze landed on Jeong once more. Flat black eyes stared at him with all the expression of a spider.

In Ho could handle his own problems. He had for the last five years.

"You know," He gave Jeong a friendly smile, "I think I'd rather die than take your money". The smile slid off his face and he turned to go once again-

"What about In Ha?"

In Ho whirled around, "What about In Ha?" He demanded.

Studying him, Jeong gave the tiny head tilt that precluded an artery strike. In Ho felt his hands go cold.

"You don't care about your safety but what about In Ha's? It would be so easy for someone to call that gangster and tell him that the sister of Baek In Ho lives in apartment 417, Building 6 Chilpae street, Apujeong, Seoul."

In Ho's vision went white. His hand tangled in Jeong's shirt and he drew back his other fist-

"Or," Jeong continued in the same indifferent tone, "someone could pay your debt and continue letting Baek In Ha mooch off the You family for another two years. You could earn a reasonable wage instead of barely scraping by working at a coffee shop." Again, he eyed the dingy stockroom with distaste.

In Ho's breath was a furious wind blowing through him. He couldn't seem to get control of it. How did Jeong always leave him half mad with fury after just a few minutes? He saw In Ha in his mind, vicious and spoiled. And his sister. The only family he had left.

In Ho forced his hand to release Jeong's shirt, "You're a bastard," He said straight into Jeong's face.

The other man smiled, "Is that a 'yes'?"