A Forgiving Heart - 3. Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Hyun wished he had not drunk the shot Raphael poured for him. His alcohol tolerance was low, and he could not drink for shit.

Now, standing in the middle of a living room that reminded him of a cold cathedral, he wished his senses were not so dull.

Raphael.

The beautiful one, Hyun thought, his gaze returning to the man seated in an impressive original leather armchair.

The cold, beautiful one, Hyun adjusted when he met unreadable green eyes.

The man was Korean.

Hyun could see it in the shape of Raphael’s eyes and his hair, long and straight, very dark. But how did Raphael have green eyes?

What a mystery that was, Hyun thought.

“Answer the question, Lee Hyun,” Raphael said in a mild tone.

“Huh?” Hyun blinked.

“You are not in a position to act dumb,” Raphael said, his tone conversational, though his eyes told a different story.

There was danger in Raphael’s green eyes.

Hyun had known it after he took the second shot at the loft earlier. Raphael stood the moment he downed it, and everyone tensed at the simple motion.

Himura grabbed Hyun by his left arm and dragged him after his charge like a captive. The way everyone in the loft had stared at him, Hyun felt like a fattened pig heading out to slaughter.

Fear had settled in his stomach and had yet to dissipate.

Now they were here, Hyun looked around the massive room, this cold cathedral, and all he could think about was why Raphael had green eyes.

He had no idea what question Raphael had asked.

“Perhaps we should motivate you to answer,” Raphael said, sitting back in the impressive leather armchair. “Himura, what do you think? Should we choose physical violence or a more creative method?”

“Creative?” Hyun asked.

“You’re handsome,” Raphael cocked his head to the side, giving him an appreciative look. “I could use a few hours finding out what makes you scream in pleasure.”

Hyun gaped.

“Me and you?”

“Don’t you find me attractive? You’ve been staring since we met at the loft.”

“I don’t kiss men I don’t know.”

“Who said we’re kissing?” Raphael asked.

“You’re the one who brought up ‘scream in pleasure.' If you haven’t screamed in pleasure from kissing, you’re doing it wrong.”

Raphael stared at Hyun for a moment and then burst out in a laugh. He laughed aloud until he was holding on to his stomach, shaking his head.

“This little rabbit is amusing,” Raphael said after a moment, meeting Hyun’s amused gaze. “You’re a funny little rabbit.”

“I’d like to point out that Alice is the one who fell down the rabbit hole. You keep getting that wrong,” Hyun said.

“Alice, the rabbit,” Raphael said, his tone changing, and his playfulness disappeared. “I don’t care which one. You, Lee Hyun, are a mystery. I don’t like mysteries because they mean someone is ahead in the game.”

Raphael’s eyes turned cold again. So cold, Hyun worried he had made the wrong choice in seeking out the Yun family.

“Now tell me, why are you looking for the Yun family?” Raphael asked.

Hyun glanced at Himura, who stood a few feet behind him. He had stepped closer. Hyun had not noticed. He should have because the man’s aura spelled danger, now more than ever.

Hyun swallowed hard, returning his gaze to Raphael.

“I need your help.”

“Help,” Raphael scoffed. “This is not a charity house. The Yun Family offers retrieval services for a price. If you want charity, you have come to the wrong place. Make your offer.”

“I can pay,” Hyun said. “Whatever the cost—”

“Your life,” Raphael said then. “Will you give that?”

Hyun held Raphael’s gaze.

“Yes.”

“I don’t deal with idiots,” Raphael said. “Take him away, Himura.”

“Wait,” Hyun said when Himura took his right arm in a tight grip. “My sister is in trouble. I will do anything to get her back. Whatever you want, Raphael, I will do it. Please, hear me out—”

“I hate your type the most,” Raphael cut in. “Idiotic, dramatic, extreme, do you even stop to think before you make promises you can’t keep? You say you’re ready to give your life for my help. What happens when you die? What happens to your sister, Lee Hyun? What guarantee do you have she will stay safe after you die?”

“You gave a price,” Hyun said. “I said I would match it—”

“You’re here to make an offer I can’t refuse. The first rule in this world, little rabbit, don’t promise anything without a guarantee,” Raphael said. “I will give you a clue. You’re off to a bad start.”

Hyun looked at Himura, who still held his right arm, ready to drag him out. The tight grip on his arm was hard to break; he doubted he could get away.

“What will you do with me if I can’t make an offer?” Hyun asked.

“Give you to Himura,” Raphael said with an elegant shrug. “He will find out how you knew the Yun Family helps as you call it. Not many know we do it.”

Hyun shivered.

His source on the dark net had left out that vital information. Was this a setup? He didn’t know his friend’s name. He also didn’t know how his source had known about the Yun Family. That was trouble in itself.

“Ready to try again?” Raphael asked.

“I don’t know what you want,” Hyun said, knowing this was no longer a game. Raphael was serious. “I can only tell you what I need.”

“I will listen,” Raphael said, giving Himura a nod.

Himura let go of Hyun’s right arm and took a step back.

Hyun clenched his right hand, wondering where to start. How much could he tell Raphael about why his sister was in trouble? He didn’t even understand the situation fully yet.

“My time is limited,” Raphael said. “I have other concerns to attend this night. Let’s hurry this up.”

“Someone kidnapped my little sister from my apartment,” Hyun said. “I don’t know who took her. They send me pictures of her tied up and crying with a date, time, and location. When I show up, I have to do a task they give me to keep my sister alive.”

“What task?” Raphael asked.

Hyun hesitated for a moment.

“I need a guarantee you will help me first.”

“You learn fast,” Raphael said with a short nod. “However, I don’t see a reason to give you a guarantee. Your story tells me you are a liability.”

“You’ll be saving a life,” Hyun said, angry at Raphael’s dismissive tone. “Can’t you help me to save a life?”

Raphael scoffed.

“I would be dead if I followed that business model.”

“What guarantee do I have you’ll help me if I tell you what these people want from me?”

“None,” Raphael said.

“You are not fair.”

“You’re the one who needs help.”

Hyun cursed under his breath.

“I’m a computer programmer,” he said. “I have developed an application that allows access into any bank account without detection. I will give it to you if you help me save my sister.”

“Interesting,” Raphael said with a small smile. “I’m intrigued, where is your sister?”

“I don’t know.” Hyun reached into his pocket and got his phone. He pulled up the picture they sent him earlier and held it to show Raphael. “All I have are the pictures they sent me with her tied up.”

Himura took the phone from him and carried it to Raphael.

“So your next meet is tomorrow at the JFK airport,” Raphael said. “A new job?”

“Yes.” Hyun nodded. “Please, will you help me?”

Raphael handed the phone back to Himura.

“I’m not promising anything. First, we have to find out who is holding your sister before I can offer the help.”

Raphael stood and stretched his arms above his head.

“You have to stay here while we verify your story.”

“If you can’t help me by tomorrow, you know I have to meet them—”

“Of course,” Raphael said with a slight smile.

He turned toward the stairs, and Hyun panicked as he realized Raphael was dismissing him.

“When can I expect an answer?” Hyun asked.

Raphael paused at the stairs to look at him.

“I imagine falling down the rabbit hole is very tiring. You look like you’re about to crash. Himura will see to your needs. Good night.”

With that, Raphael headed up the stairs without a backward glance. When Hyun turned to Himura, he found the man watching him with a speculative glance.

“You never answered Master Raphael’s question,” Himura said, his gaze a tad too thoughtful. “I’m rather curious, Mr. Lee. How did you find us?”

Hyun took a step back from Himura.

“I have a contact…I don’t know the name. We leave each other messages on forums on the darknet.”

Himura came up to him and took his arm.

“I’m very interested in learning more about this contact of yours. Come with me.”

Hyun glanced up the stairs, hoping to see Raphael one last time. Disappointment filled him when there was no sign of Raphael. Instead, Himura led him to a long corridor on their left. Heart pounding, Hyun hoped he had not made a wrong choice seeking out the Yun Family.

***

“Hand Hyun to your father,” Himura advised early the next day. “This is the best course of action. Your father’s plans will work faster if he has the young man with him.”

Raphael paced the length of his study.

Himura’s advice was tempting. It would give him time to concentrate on working The Helena. He would not have to worry about his father’s wars because, with Hyun, the other side would be without a weapon to use against his father’s plans.

Still—

The question remained.

Who had sent Hyun to him?

Someone had to have deliberately sent Lee Hyun on the path to find him. Besides, if he gave Hyun to his father, there was no telling what would happen to Hyun and his sister.

“Raphael,” Himura interrupted his thoughts.

“What did you find on his phone?”

“The pictures of his sister are authentic. His little sister is Lee Mina. She’s an intern at a growing interior design firm. Her workplace has her listed on a month-long leave.”

“Who called it in?” Raphael asked.

“Hyun,” Himura said. “His sister’s kidnappers probably warned him not to call the police. He follows instructions well.”

Raphael ran fingers through his hair.

“Any other options?” he asked.

“No,” Himura stated.

Raphael stared at him.

“Think one up then.”

“Sir,” Himura said. “Your father said to find Lee Hyun. Lee Hyun then showed up, practically a gift thrown on your lap. Hand him over.”

Raphael resumed his pacing.

“Why send him to me?” Raphael asked. “Who would do that?”

Himura frowned.

“Are you saying this is a plot?”

“I don’t like mysteries,” Raphael said. “Where is Hyun?”

“Sleeping in the guest bedroom on the second floor,” Himura said. “I added something to his drinking water last night. I didn’t want to risk him waking up early and running off.”

“Hyun is not to know my father is looking for him,” Raphael said. “Keep up the plan I started last night. When he wakes up, tell him I’ve decided to help. Hyun must think he owes us a favor for helping him.”

“Sir?” Himura started to protest. “Going against your father—”

“I want to see what is at the end of this rabbit hole, too,” Raphael said.

He had a sick feeling there was more to his father’s Nicolae Petrov story.

“Hyun’s arrival last night was too convenient. Someone is fucking with me,” Raphael said, his gaze thoughtful. “Make preparations to follow Hyun tonight. We will find out who has Hyun’s little sister, Himura.”

“I feared you might choose this line of action,” Himura said.

“Keep my father’s spies busy. I don’t want him to find out I have Hyun yet,” Raphael said. “Trust no one, Himura. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” Himura said, then left him to his troubled thoughts.

***

Hyun stood leaning on a pillar at the JFK Blue Lot, his heart pounding hard, his fingers sweaty as he waited. Last time, a man on a motorcycle rode up to him and handed him a passport and ticket. He had entered the airport, boarded a plane to the Caymans, done the job, and flown back.

He hoped it would be the same this time, simple and concise.

“Will you relax?” Raphael grumbled into his ear. “Your breathing alone will give you away.”

Hyun closed his eyes and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. The other reason he was so nervous was that Raphael watched his every move. He touched the chain resting against his neck. A small dragon charm hung on the chain.

Raphael had said it was a surveillance camera. Himura had inserted a tiny nude gadget that looked like a hearing aid into his ear. One could barely see it unless you were looking. Mina’s captors had never bothered to frisk him before. He figured it was because they imagined he wouldn’t dare double-cross them.

If they discovered he had, Hyun imagined he would die on the spot. The thought made his heartbeat speed up again.

“If I don't make it back,” he said, hoping Raphael heard him. “Please get my sister out.”

When there was no answer from Raphael, a painful stab swept through his chest.

“Live,” Raphael said, just as Hyun saw a black motorcycle approaching him.

***

Raphael watched the motorcycle approach Hyun, the rider coming too close so that Hyun had to press against the pillar to avoid getting hit.

The camera Himura used for Hyun’s surveillance camera was sensitive, and it picked up everything around Hyun, including Hyun’s heartbeat. At first, the beats had been gentle and stable. Now, they were fast, enough evidence of how nervous Hyun was.

Raphael worried Hyun would pass out before they got to their goal.

“This is going to be a long night,” Raphael said when the rider rode past without slowing down.

The rider had dropped a brown envelope that Hyun picked up.

“He’s holding a Swiss Air ticket,” Himura said.

“I know this game,” Raphael said, taking his jacket from the back of his chair. “We have to move fast.”

***

Hyun walked up to airport security, bursting with nervous energy. His ticket into Geneva was in his fake passport. The name on the passport said his name was Kim Jun Kang. The forgery was good. Still, anxiety had coursed through him as he watched the lady who had taken his passport and scrutinized it.

She cleared him with a smile, sending him to Gate B23.

Hyun removed his jacket and placed it in the bin, his thoughts focused on Mina. He needed to do this. Mina was relying on him. He wiped his hands on his jeans and placed his book bag in the bin with his cell phone.

Hyun's hands shook as he removed the chain around his neck. He placed it on his cell phone in the bin.

“Be cool,” Raphael whispered into his ear when he stepped through the metal detectors.

Thankfully, there was no alert.

Hyun turned to take his belongings from the bin and found them missing. Panic filled him, and he glanced at the male security officer holding his book bag.

“We’ll have to catch up with you on the other end. Don’t make a fuss.”

Hyun took the bag when the man handed it to him. The officer gave him his passport then, but his cell phone, jacket, and chain were missing.

“Gate B35, better hurry. Your flight is already boarding,” the officer said.

Hyun glanced at the ticket in his passport. It had changed from Swiss Air to Singapore, and his boarding time had changed. He was late. He took off in a run. If he missed the flight, things would not end well for Mina.

He made it just as the flight attendants were preparing to enter and close the doors.

“Wait,” Hyun called, giving his passport and ticket to the closest one.

“Sir, you are late,” she said with a smile. “We were leaving without you.”

“Sorry,” Hyun said as she read his ticket.

“No worries,” she said. “Welcome aboard, your seat is in Business class. 13B.”

She led the way to his seat, and Hyun thanked her with a nod as he sat down, heart pounding hard. Sweat dripping down his back. He clutched his book bag tight and frowned when he felt a bulge in the side pocket. Glad the seat next to him was empty, Hyun opened the side pocket and found a white envelope. Inside, there was a new cell phone.

He turned on the cell phone, and a message alert appeared.

‘Great job getting on board. See you in Singapore. Sorry about your belongings, we have to be cautious.’

Hyun sat back in his seat. His gaze on the words '...see you in Singapore.'

***

Hyun was on high alert when he arrived at Changi Airport in Singapore. He went through customs in a state of anxiety. Once again, he was surprised when his passport cleared immigration checkpoints. His reason for arriving in Singapore was to visit. He looked like a lofty college student, what with the faded jeans and old t-shirt. His book bag added to the narrative.

Hyun clutched his passport tight as he stepped out into the arrivals hall. A tight grip wrapped around his left arm before he could look around for the next step.

He started to jerk away, but one glance at the heavyset man holding his arm stopped him.

“This way,” the man said in heavily accented English. “No fuss.”

Hyun nodded, following without much choice. The grip on his left upper arm was tight. He could not have run had he wanted. A couple walked ahead of him and his companion. Their hands held tight as they talked. They looked as though they were coming from their honeymoon. Their smiles were so happy that Hyun was envious.

Behind him, a family with two kids was noisily making their way out of the airport. They passed him and his companion in a flurry of excitement. The youngest child, a little girl whose hand was held tight by her mother, glanced at him. Her eyes wide, Hyun wondered if she realized his predicament. For a moment, he thought she might sympathize with him. Her mother tugged on her hand gently, urging her to keep up. The little girl looked away, and Hyun felt the loss at the disconnection.

The man holding his arm led him toward the restrooms, pushing him into the men’s bathrooms with unnecessary roughness.

Hyun stumbled into the room with a sigh.

“You know you can use your words,” Hyun complained, rubbing his upper arm, scowling at the man who now stood blocking the door. “What do you want?”

“Strip,” the man said.

“No.” Hyun shook his head.

The man pointed at a dark suit hanging on the door at one of the stalls.

“Change,” the order came again. “Three minutes. If I have to do it, you won’t like it.”

Hyun did not argue. He entered the stall and changed into the suit as fast as he could. He hung his jeans and t-shirt over the stall door, and they disappeared. Mina’s captors were slowly stripping him of his belongings.

He came out of the stall clutching his book bag. The suit was a surprising fit. It felt tailored to fit his frame to perfection. The white shirt was expensive.

“Take the laptop from the book bag,” the man ordered.

“No way,” Hyun started to protest. “I’ve always had this bag—”

The burly man gave him a censuring glance.

“Really…you are already big enough. I’m scared enough as it is. I’m in a foreign country having to deal with you. That is how scared I am for my sister’s life. Why do I have to give up my book bag too?”

“Get rid of the book bag,” the man repeated.

“How do I carry my laptop?”

“Briefcase,” the man pointed to an elegant black one resting on the sink counter.

“Jeez, you’re so prepared.”

“One minute,” the man said.

Hyun put his laptop in the briefcase, accompanied by its charger. He closed it as a profound sense of loss overwhelmed him when the man dumped his book bag in the trash. He had kept that bag for a year.

The beast of a man grabbed his arm again and led him out of the restrooms. Hyun clutched the briefcase tight as they headed out to the main exit.

Singapore was beautiful at night. Hyun did not get to appreciate it as they approached a black car waiting at the curb. The back passenger door opened, and the burly man pushed Hyun in. The door slammed closed even before he settled.

“Good Evening, Mr. Lee.”

Hyun shifted in his seat to stare at the man next to him. The man dripped of polished refinement: neat blonde hair, chiseled face, and cold eyes met his, and he felt a chill settle in his blood.

Hyun wondered if the beast of a man he feared earlier would return. He preferred him to this cold prince.

“Welcome to Singapore,” the man said as the car started moving. “My name is Lucian. It is nice to meet you, Lee Hyun.”

***