Outside the window, Bangkok's nightscape dazzled brilliantly. The scenery that had seemed so unfamiliar when he first arrived now felt as comfortable as his own home. Since he had no place worthy of being called home, wherever he stayed long enough became home. Ja-kyung pulled out a cigarette, recalling old memories.
Wang Han happened to bring two beers from the refrigerator and handed him one.
"What are you thinking about so deeply?"
"Whether I'll be able to come back here."
Wang Han's brow furrowed.
"What a jinx."
Ja-kyung laughed and took a sip of beer. Tomorrow during the day, he'd need to go out. Get his hair neatly trimmed, buy another pair of glasses, and pick out some modest-looking clothes. Stop by the regular restaurant for a meal too.
"Korea, it's been five years?"
"Yeah."
"How is it?"
"Well..."
Wang Han didn't ask further. He knew well enough about the horrific childhood Ja-kyung had spent in Korea. His parents were both criminals involved in drug-related work. While other kids his age were going to school, Ja-kyung was used for drug deliveries. Going hungry and getting beaten was commonplace, and dreams were something he never even had a chance to entertain.
Then his parents died, and Wang Han's father took in the ten-year-old Ja-kyung who was left alone. Wang Han, twelve years older, cared for him like a younger brother, but having learned only thiestry, both eventually became criminals.
"What will you do with the money?"
"I'm thinking of getting a hair transplant at this opportunity. What do you think?"
Ja-kyung burst into incredulous laughter. Before, Wang Han had gotten some hair growth medicine from somewhere and applied it, but it went wrong and hair grew on his palm, forcing him to use a razor on his hand for a while. The instructions he read too late said to wash hands thoroughly with water after applying.
"Give it up. If there really was a way to change that, would there be any bald people among the famous?"
Wang Han knew this fact and couldn't argue back.
"Then what will you do? Are you really going to buy an island?"
"I don't know yet."
Ja-kyung pressed his lips against the beer bottle and pondered for a moment.
"Should I donate it?"
"Donate?"
"Like Warren Buffett."
"That's cool. He's the best at investing and you're the best at contract killing, so in a way, you two have something in common."
Wang Han was serious, but Ja-kyung smiled bitterly. Comparing himself, a butcher who killed people, to Warren Buffett would make the man furious if he knew. That man always received respect from many people, but the only time Ja-kyung received gratitude was when he killed someone.
Wang Han raised his beer bottle.
"To you, who will become greater than Warren Buffett."
Ja-kyung laughed and clinked his against it.
"To 5 million dollars and hyung's new hair."
***
At the sound of the noisy alarm, Il-hyun reached up with his eyes closed and pressed the stop button. The clock showed 7 AM. He rose from his seat and rubbed his face to wake up. He had been drinking with politicians until late last night, and thanks to that, even after sleeping, the hangover wouldn't fade.
Though he wanted to lie back down, he couldn't delay any longer due to his morning appointment. He put on a robe over his naked body and came out to the living room. Tae-soo stood up from the sofa upon seeing him.
"You're up."
"You came early."
He cleared his cracked voice from fatigue and went to the BAR built on one side and opened the refrigerator. It was filled with disposable water bottles and beer. He grabbed a water bottle, twisted off the cap, and downed it in gulps, quenching his thirst.
"What time did you say the flight was?"
"10:30."
If he washed up and left now, the timing would be perfect. After throwing the empty water bottle in the trash, he took off his robe and entered the bathroom to shower with cold water. He stood under the water for a while with his eyes closed to clear his mind. Then he dried off, came out, dried his hair, applied skin lotion, and selected a shirt.
He chose a blue shirt, matched it with an appropriate watch and tie, then stood before the mirror. As he fastened his cufflinks, he smiled impressively as if his counterpart was right in front of him.
"Welcome to Korea."
Then he turned his head left and right, examining his face. Hmm, handsome. With a satisfied expression, he grabbed his jacket and went outside. Tae-soo was waiting for him.
"Let's go."
The two passed through the long corridor on the second floor and headed for the central staircase. Every time they moved, their figures were recorded on the CCTVs installed throughout the house. He had them installed after being attacked four years ago, equipped with night vision that could detect movement even in dark nights.
At that time, five people died at Kang Il-hyun's residence alone. Two were guards and three were intruders. One intruder was kept alive and tortured horribly to reveal who gave the orders. Then the following year, a National Assembly member was found dead by suicide in his car.
"Did you sleep well, Managing Director?"
As they came downstairs through the staircase, the resident staff bowed their heads in unison.
"Good morning."
Hearing the greeting from an elderly woman wearing an apron in the inner kitchen, he came out. She was the live-in housekeeper who had been looking after the household since Kang Il-hyun was just starting to take his first steps.
"Managing Director. You're up."
"Ma'am. Please don't prepare breakfast. I'm going straight to the airport."
"Then let me make something simple for you to eat."
"It's fine. Don't worry about it."
"You mentioned a guest coming today..."
"Yes, they'll be staying here for a while. Please take good care of them."
"Yes, I will."
After giving her a gentle smile, Il-hyun went outside with Tae-soo. Crossing the spacious lawn, a car was waiting in front of the gate that had been prepared in advance. Il-hyun, seated in the back, leaned against the seat. The hangover that hadn't fully cleared was bothering his stomach again. When he frowned, Tae-soo sitting in front noticed immediately and turned around.
"Are you okay?"
He nodded once. The car departed, and as they left the residential area, a park came into view. Despite the early hour, quite a few people were out for walks. In lighter clothing, they were enjoying dates and savoring the spring sunshine with their families. Just past the park, spotting a flower shop, he stopped the car.
Tae-soo turned around wondering what was wrong.
"Go buy some flowers."
"Flowers, sir?"
"We should prepare at least a bouquet for a guest coming from far away."
Without needing to ask more, Tae-soo got out immediately and headed to the flower shop. After exchanging a few words with the owner, he returned with a rose bouquet. Tae-soo holding the bouquet looked like an ordinary man going to meet his lover.
While the car drove on, Il-hyun leaned back in his seat and closed his eyes. Exhaustion and the hangover made sleep wash over him. He thought it was only for a brief moment, but when he opened his eyes, they were already entering the road to the airport. Ah, he cracked his neck left and right and checked the time. Right on time.
The car drove another 10 minutes and stopped in front of the airport. After getting out, Il-hyun received the flowers from Tae-soo. The scent of roses was quite dizzying. He only touched flowers when someone died or when there was something to celebrate.
Entering the airport, there were fewer people than expected. In front of the gate, he held a paper written in Cantonese reading 'Jang Yi-an' with the bouquet in one hand, waiting. The sign for the Hong Kong flight arrival appeared, and shortly after, people poured out.
He watched carefully the people pulling suitcases when a tall man caught his eye in the distance. Wearing a green checkered shirt and round silver-rimmed glasses, shoulders slightly hunched, looking around here and there with a rather naive and innocent gaze. Next to him, a sturdy man who appeared to be a guard was handling his luggage.
"Is that him?"
Tae-soo, watching with him, took out a photo from his jacket to confirm.
"Yes, that's him."
Without hesitation, he lifted the bouquet and walked stride by stride to stand before him. Up close, he wasn't that big. Maybe a bit over 180cm. Looking down at the shorter height, the other person raised his lowered head and their eyes met. Inside the round glasses, eyes widened in surprise were clearly visible. The area under his eyes was distinctly red and moist.
"I'm Kang Il-hyun. Welcome to Korea."
When he held out the bouquet, the other person looked at the guard beside him. The guard nodded. Jang Yi-an—no, Ja-kyung disguised as Jang Yi-an—received the bouquet. Il-hyun immediately extended his hand.
"Nice to meet you."
Ja-kyung hesitated, then cautiously took the hand. Nice to meet you. After greeting in Cantonese, he smiled awkwardly. Kang Il-hyun's hand was cold, similar to the feeling of touching a snake. Thinking he was holding it too long, he tried to pull his hand away, but for some reason, the other wouldn't let go. As Ja-kyung's expression stiffened, the guard who came with him from Hong Kong noticed something was off and stepped forward.
[Do not be rude.]
Tae-soo, standing behind Il-hyun, sent a warning glare to the Hong Kong guard not to step forward. Il-hyun chuckled and relaxed his grip, letting go. But his hand didn't simply fall away. He rubbed Ja-kyung's palm with his fingertips as if caressing it, checking something.
"I held your hand too long in my joy at meeting you. Please follow me. The car is ahead."
When Kang Il-hyun and Park Tae-soo turned and walked ahead, Ja-kyung, left behind, unconsciously let out the breath he'd been holding. Damn it. Cold sweat formed on his back. He didn't know why, but just now, Kang Il-hyun seemed to have checked the calloused areas while rubbing his palm.
...Could it be.
Tension made him grip the bouquet tighter. Wang Han's acquaintance and colleague who would help him nudged his back from beside him. To his silent question of whether he was okay, he nodded. Just then, Kang Il-hyun who had been walking ahead looked back and gestured for them to hurry and follow.