Port of Gioia Touro, Italy
Dispassionately, the Cassano brothers and a selected few soldiers watch a well-known abandoned rural house used as a meth den burn to the ground. Every so often, gestures are made to keep the status quo. Everyone knows their place and when it is permissible to move up or move on. Depending on the offense, the punishment can be a simple reprimand, such as a scolding. Or, if need be, a complete removal with markers left for reminders if it is a high offense. The bodies within were an example of such a case. Thievery against one's sponsor is disrespectful and can be paid in a pound of flesh and possibly bone.
Flesh trafficking under the guise of shipping family wine is another.
Kwan Tae understood family-set rules and expectations more than Vincenzo deemed necessary. Over the years, Vin-Hyun found talents and strengths hidden deep in his chosen younger brother within the tantamount of pain and suffering. Kwan Tae's (he would never utter the name Han Seo for the remainder of his life) old life was riddled with neglect, physical abuse, and psychological torment not recognized nor addressed for over two decades, leaving deep wounds that could never fully heal. Although the wounds no longer fester, the dull pain could only be maintained and occasionally drained by action. Be it physical or mental.
Interrogating the leading players welded exciting results to a giant puzzle.
Looking into the night sky, Kwan Tae murmurs a Tao prayer for the dead.
"Save your servant, O Sustainer of Life,
From too early a death.
Free me of that affliction of believers
Who so easily become rigid of heart
In their journeys to you." (Korean)
A soldier crosses himself, "Amen". It is a ritual this group of men has developed over the years. Blood will be spilled. Pain and suffering is life. No matter the religion passing of a soul is met with respect, as peace is only met with death. Vincenzo looks at his watch. The sirens of emergency vehicles are heard as the blinking lights are seen in the distance.
"I appreciate timeliness." (Italian)
The men take their leave, as Vincenzo and Kwan Tae settle in the back of the dark SUV, the younger man opens his tablet reviewing stock and sending emails to clients, including some of the soldiers present. "Amico, did you want to speak to me?"
It was a privilege, in his opinion, to have these men's confidence in building their small wealth. The driver, of mixed heritage of Chinese-Italian, tan, bald with a goatee well into his forties, looks into the driver's mirror. "My fiancee wants to venture outside of Italy and hope the rumor of Dona Masina wanting a vineyard in another country was true."
Vincenzo responds, "Possibly. I gave her some possible property in the northern part of South Korea. What does your fiancee do?"
Pride fills Amico's response, keeping his eyes on the road, " Cassandra works at one of our vineyards in Tuscany as a Lab assistant."
Tapping the tablet screen, Kwan Tae notes Nona Masina's wants and dates to view the possible properties. "Looks like you may be in luck. Tell Cino and Matteo they will join us for a trip to South Korea next week. It will be a minimum month-long trip. We can transfer some personnel to the new location."
Vincenzo looks over the three possible 'Bills of sale', " I'll send it over to Hanbada for review and additional translation. " Then, with a deadpan face, "It also gives you a legitimate reason to see your translator."
Not bothering looking up, "As if you're not going to see Noona Cha-Young. Nonna is getting impatient with you and will use this to meet her without supervision."
Vincenzo pales, "Dios Mio."
Seoul, South Korea - Hanbada Head Quarters
Attny. Jang Seung-Jun and Attny. Jung Myeong-Seok makes their way to the Translation department. The floor is full of activity and chatter. In the middle of the floor, they see Director Choi Jeong-Woo and his team, with several temporary workers, huddled in the darkened main conference room. The smartboard transitions from one image, sitting in the middle of the chaos.
Cosette listens with an occasional nod, then stands. Seung-Jun watches, commanding their full attention as she speaks. Annoyed Myeon-Seok clips Seung-Jun as he passes, "If she catches you, she will embarrass you." (Korean)
Confidently, Seung-Jun, "Think she would appreciate me, appreciating her." Today, her dark hair is down, the sides of her mid-shoulder length hair secured with a tassel comb. The jade green and cream ensemble compliments her complexion. The mid-calf, high-waist skirt flares over her hips, giving way to sturdy brown skin just past the knee. The material of the tucked, polka dot button blouse softens her broad shoulders, and the collar opens at the base of her throat, baring her collar bones. There is no hint of cleavage, but the tiered gold necklaces can make a man jealous as it rests against her skin.
Myeong-Seok shakes his head at his co-worker's audacity, "Ms. Meastro works well with most of our staff. I say most, the ones that she doesn't are the ones with a ridiculous amount of arrogance. Step wisely around her, and she isn't your junior or easily impressed."
The men stop at the glass door, and Seung-Jun opens the clear without knocking. Cosette turns at the interruption, which pulls everyone's attention breaking their concentration. Noticing the men, she nods toward Myeong-Seok, "Attny Jung." With a slow blink, "Attny Jung, what do we owe this interruption?"
Preening under the attention Seung-Jun gives his best condescending smile, "Ah, Cosette, we need you to look over the Jameson case to verify some translations."
Cosette ignores Sueng-Jun looking at Jeong-Woo; only after a brief silent conversation do they nod in agreement, and the mood of the room changes. Leaning back Jeong-Woo replies with a professional bitting tone, "I will assign the translations to Juinor Kim Eun-Ji instead."
A petite female in beige and yellow sitting on three seats to the right of Cosette perks at the opportunity. Some team members congratulate and encourage Eun-Ji as she gathers her things. Seung-Jun smile slightly dims, "I was hoping for Cosette's expertise in the matter."
Jeon-Woo sighs as he can see Eun-Ji deflate, weighing his next move. All the politics in this company make him keep antacids in his desk drawer. Sighing, he hated this stuck-up ass, "Seung-Jun, my subordinate, will report to your secretary and pick up the necessary files after we are done." Startled Eun-Ji looks up, Jeong-Woo waves his hand for her to sit and continue taking notes. Relieved, she nods, avoiding looking at Attny. Jung.
Almost everyone was surprised at his tone, the mild manner and even tone man, "Continue, Ms. Maestro."
Taking the cue from the Director, Cosette, and the team members dismisses the seniors, "Now, here is where we need to remember culture, pop culture, and costumes influence vernacular. "
Looking away, Myeong-Seok covers his mouth to muffle his snickering, "Thank you Jeong-Woo, sorry for interrupting." Turning, he quickly leaves the stunned man behind.
Eventually, the men meet in the hall, waiting for the elevator, Myeong-Seok gives his colleague side eyes, "So what was your goal there? Because, of all the people in this company Jeong-Woo doesn't get annoyed and kicks people out."
Sneering, as he jabs against the up button, "I just wanted her expertise on the document."
Rolling his eyes, Myeong-Seok doesn't bother wasting his breath on the man with a reply.
Conference floor - same day
"Nonna, I think the negotiated price for the vineyard, land, and estates are fair. I'm sure we can hire local staff to bolster our people." (Italian)
Han Seong-Young takes stock of the older Italian woman, Mrs. Masina Cassano, and her adopted grandson Ettore Cassano, whose birth name, Park Kwan Tae, translates the meeting highlights. The matriarch of the Cassano family is well into her 70s; however, good living gives her the appearance of her early 50s. Her salt and pepper hair falls in soft layers, and makeup is flawless. The long, magenta, green, and cream dress compliments her olive-tone complexion.
The prodigal son, clad in dark green and cream, with long hair tied back, sits dutifully beside his adopted grandmother. He is more than she expected, pale and elite, knowledgeable with direction. Instead, he is dark, broad with an undercurrent of menacing. His eyes are cold as his voice commands all around him: the sentinel and shield.
Nodding in agreement, "I agree to the purchase. We can end the meeting now. I want to look into something personal." watching her sweet grandson take control of the meeting never ceased to cause a smile on her face, but here in the corporate setting she sits with a stoic persona and hawk eyes.
Taking a ballpoint pen from his jacket pocket, signs under his Korean name, then add his seal to close the deal. Per their review and finalization of the transfer of land deeds, the Cassano family purchased several parcels of land adjacent to a vineyard and several small estates throughout South Korea.
Kwan Tae asks as he hands over the documents to Attny. Han, "How quickly will it be to transfer ownership?" (Korean)
She looks up only after reviewing the document and all appropriate places. "You will have the deeds in your possession in a week."
Seong-Young watches the young man turn to his grandmother and translate. Nodding, they move to stand, bow and leave.
At the foot of the stairway, Cosette and Eun-Ji scan the document the younger woman holds, slowly flipping a page. Masina sees her first, "It must be my lucky day, grandson. It seems the Lord has granted me a favor." (Italian)
Kwan Tae looks around and sees Cosette, fighting back a grin at both seeing Cosette and his grandmother's mischief. He tries to be stern, "Nonna, remember she is working."
Giving him the side eye, "I'm not trying to bed her, dear. That's your job to bring her into the family. I want to spend some time with her."
Shaking his head, "You're a menace, Nonna." Firmly gripping his forearm just below the elbow as they descend the stairs, "That is how I keep you all in check. Now work on getting me another granddaughter to spoil. I must see Cha-Young before we start looking at the properties."
Eun-Ji notices them first, then taps Cosette. Confused, she looks up, recognizes them, and slowly smiles.
