Dark Blue - 深蓝の魂 by 珊


Chapter 24





Hyesung sat up in his leather chair and tapped the edge of the polished desk, thinking about Mary. He picked up his black cell phone and dialed her number. The only sound being heard in his large office was coming from the ringing tone as he waited for her to pick up.

“Hello?” Mary answered.

“Hey, this is Hyesung. What are you doing later tonight?” Hyesung smiled at hearing her voice.

“After work? Oh, I’m busy. I have to go to my sister’s house,” Mary lied.

“No, it’s okay. Take the night off if you have to. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” Hyesung sounded a bit disappointed.

“Alright. Have a good night then Mr. Shin,” Mary replied.

“You too darling.” Hyesung smiled to himself. He had always liked Mary the most among his masseuses. She was good with her hands and very charismatic. He had never asked her on a date before though, due to his demanding schedules, but both of them knew his feelings for her.

She hung up the phone and walked back to the mirror to finish up her mascara. Mary was getting ready for work, but since Hyesung cancelled it, she figured she’ll take Junjin’s wallet back to him. She didn’t know why everyone wanted the number so bad, especially Hyesung. Her phone rang again. Mary rushed to it and picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Mary? It’s Junjin, the guy you robbed.” Mary rolled her eyes.

“Where do you want to meet?” Mary asked immediately, eager to hang up on him.

“Hmm...” Junjin thought for a moment as he picked out a photo of her with her puppy from her wallet and slid it into the back pockets of his pants. “How about my place?

“Your place?” Mary sounded uncertain for a moment. “Fine.”

Junjin told her the directions, and specific instructions to come alone. She didn’t know why he was so paranoid or suspicious, but was leaning more towards the thought that he could be harmless to her. He pretty much seemed to be a schlemiel anyway. She strapped on her black heels to match her ruffled black top and slanted red skirt.

Mary knocked on the wooden door outside Junjin’s home. She moved a few strands of her hair out of her face behind her ear as she tried to beat the nervous feelings bubbling up in her belly. Why was she so nervous and afraid to face Junjin?

Junjin opened the door with a smile on his face. She ignored his smile and handed him his black wallet, ready to take hers and leave. Junjin ignored the wallet as he kept staring at her. Why must she always looks so good to him, he thought. He wanted to compliment her, but didn’t want to seem so lenient.

“Hi, come in?” Junjin stepped out of the way to let her in. She hesitated, but after a few seconds, followed him in. Junjin walked over to his kitchen bar and started pouring her a drink.

“Nice place you got,” Mary commented as she looked around.

“Thanks,” Junjin smiled as he handed her some sparkling water. Mary didn’t seem tempted to drink at all. Junjin chuckled as he drank his.

“It’s safe. I won’t poison you.” Junjin sat down on the large leather couch. She followed his moves as she sat herself down across from him. She set the glass down onto the table and carefully leaned back into the soft cushion of the leather couch, yet still acting a bit sleuth.

“What is it with his number you all are after?” Mary asked. Junjin raised his eyebrows suspiciously at her, then chuckled and looked away.

“Is it such a big deal? Hyesung wants it so much, so I guess you’re lucky I haven’t gave it to him yet,” Mary shrugged. Junjin stopped laughing and stood up.

“Did you give him a copy already? I’m supposing you’re lying to me,” Junjin said as he looked down at her. Mary shot him a disgusted glare and stood up after him.

“Here.” Mary placed the wallet in Junjin’s hands, causing him to nearly drop his drink and walked away.

“Wait!” Junjin suddenly grabbed her upper arm and pulled her back to him, making her slam into his broad chest. His drink wasn’t anywhere to be found now as he suddenly pulled her into a deep kiss.

Her sounds were muffled by his kiss as she hesitated and tried to pull away. His hold was stronger now as his hands wrapped around her waist. The wallet was dropped, along with the empty glass, making a loud clank sound, but no glass was broken.

Mary soon gave in and kissed him back. There were little whimpers that could be heard in the back of her throat, driving him crazy. Mary’s hands suddenly forced him away as she gasped for air. She shot him another death glare.

“What do you think you’re doing?!” Mary sounded angry, but Junjin knew she wasn’t. He sent her a mocking grin.

.........

Mike, Li Ann and Dahye sat in the body of the train, waiting for it to reach Seoul. Dahye tried her best not to fall asleep, afraid that Li Ann might trick her. Mike could tell she was tired, but Dahye had nothing to fear, for Li Ann was sleeping uncomfortably in her seat. Mike smiled as he continued staring at her from the seat across. Her delicate face was pressed onto her palm that was holding her head up. Mike reached over slowly to brush the small strand of hair that was bothering her, but retreated when he thought of the consequences.

Dahye’s eyelids kept on slipping as she tried hard to keep awake. Mike studied her for a minute. She looked like she had a hard life, running around with the kids she hung around with. He wondered what kind of person she would have been if she lived the same lifestyle he did. Well, now she would, because all his money was going to her, he thought. Perhaps she’ll make good use of the money. He couldn’t think of the negative results now. He had to think positively, it was for her own good.

The train came to an abrupt half, jerking Li Ann forward. She awoke and moved her cranky neck back and forth. Mike looked around and saw that they were already in Seoul. They did not rest in Pusan after finding Dahye, riding back to Seoul all in one night.

“Finally,” Dahye muttered.

Li Ann looked out the window and saw that it was already morning, people walking around and waiting for their trains to come.

“Good morning,” Mike smiled. Li Ann returned his smile and nodded. She made a grab for her backpack and nudged Dahye to stand up. The three of them made their way out of their section and down the long corridor to the exiting door.

Neither Mike nor Li Ann noticed a pair of dark eyes gazing over them from the crowd that the people in the train were making. Li Ann smiled as she smelled the fresh air once she hopped off the floor of the train.

The sound of a cell phone clicked.

Mike followed after Dahye had jumped off with her duffle bag. She looked around curiously with a sigh.

“So this is Seoul huh?” Li Ann looked back to Dahye and smiled.

Loud footsteps were heard walking around them in the midst of the crowd. Neither paid any attention.

“Yeah, it is.” Li Ann smiled as she motioned for Dahye to follow her towards the exit of the train station. People started scattering everywhere going in and out of the train.

Mike glanced around, realizing that he had lost sight of Li Ann and Dahye. He searched quickly around him, trying not to go too far. How had he lost them so easily? He searched down the body of the train, hoping he’d spot Li Ann, or that she’d spot him.

Seeing nothing of Li Ann or Dahye, he quickly turned around, only to bump into Brian, who had his hands in his side pockets, waiting for Mike to realize that it was him waiting for Mike.

“Mike?” Li Ann asked into the air.

“Who?” Dahye asked. “Why did we stop?” She looked around curiously at the crowd of people walking everywhere. Li Ann looked at Dahye, then tossed her head back and forth to search for Mike.

“Hey lady, wanna tell me what–...”

A gunshot was heard.

People started running and screaming as they panicked. Li Ann quickly looked back at Dahye. People were running and some ducking. Li Ann grabbed Dahye’s arm to run out of the crowd to someplace where there was less people to be seen by Mike, but before she could move, somebody’s hand clasped over her mouth, and an arm around her waist.

A man who was wearing dark sunglasses and a trench coat grabbed Dahye from behind, trying to cover his hand over her mouth too. Li Ann’s eyes widened as she heard Hwanhee’s voice whisper to her ear.

“Move or I break your neck.”

Dahye shot a blow to the other man’s knee, but he didn’t flinch. He grabbed her waist and tossed her over his large shoulder. With Dahye kicking and struggling to scream, Hwanhee and the mysterious friend of his walked out of the train station, unnoticed.