Chapter 4: “The Black Dragon”

JD

I’m finally back at home! What a day…  I thought as I lie on my bed. A smile formed on my lips as the events replayed on my mind…

*Flashback*

Well, I recently arrived here in Korea from Los Angeles. I excitedly got off the plane and breathe some Korean air. Being away from home for five years, I certainly missed this place. I remembered my friends, my family, my childhood… I was away for work. I was assigned there by my boss and I certainly can’t disagree with him. Anyway, half of the day, I just stroll around Seoul and never bother myself to call my boss that I’m back. After lunch, I watched a movie and ended up laughing my lungs out. I was to call a friend but changed my mind. I was walking home when I noticed a black car following me. I tried to look oblivious of them but I’m actually watching them through the back of my shades. Who the hell was that?! I grimly thought. I continued walking but the car kept on following me too. I changed my direction and walked somewhere else. It was finally evening and I already ate dinner but I noticed the black car is still following me. I sensed danger and turned on the next alley I saw. Some men got off the car and followed me. Well, I’m not afraid of them and just wanted to flex my muscles so I broke into a run. I saw the nearest building and ran inside. I think something important was happening there but I just ignored it. Oh, I remember this building. I thought as soon as I recognized it and ran to the fire exit. I can easily get away from them. I smiled. I’m a fast runner so the men found it hard to keep up on me. And then I arrived at the rooftop. I opened the door and saw…

I think I saw a goddess that went down from Olympus and wandered on earth. Ehem, to be exact, I saw a girl about my age, dressed in pink chiffon dress, a short hair pinned at one side so that I can clearly see her beautiful face. She looked at me and I ran to her.

“Miss, can I ask you a favor?”

She just looked at me so I thought it was okay. I’m sure the men were probably near.

“What can I do---“she started but I crushed my lips into hers. I dunno why but I automatically wrapped my arms on her waist and pulled her closer to me to deepen our kiss. She tried to break away but I held her firmly. Then, she suddenly snaked her arms around my neck and kissed me back. I was shocked for a while but then kiss her deeply again that I can’t explain what I’m feeling. I heard footsteps and I’m sure the men arrived. But upon seeing me kissing an innocent girl, and with my back on them, I think they didn’t recognize me and eventually, left without saying a word. I suddenly pulled away from our kiss because if not, I won’t be letting her go. She looked at me. Wow, she looked so beautiful. I can hear my heart beating fast and loud.

“Thank you miss. And I’m sorry.” I said smiling at her.

“You saved my life. I owe you this.” I said stepping on the edge of the rooftop.

“Wait! What are you doing?!” she said with a hint of panic on her voice.

“Getting away from here. Bye, beautiful lady.” I said as I attached the hook on the wire and finally slid down the alley below. I didn’t look back at her because I might run back to her and kiss her again.

*End of flashback*

I was still smiling remembering my first kiss when my wristwatch alarmed. Well, it wasn’t an ordinary wristwatch if you look at it closely. I used it for my work. I saw a coded message on its’ screen.

7.2.BD

I smiled and click something on my wristwatch. The screen change and it now said.

REPORT NOW

Uh-oh! I’m in trouble! I thought as I clicked again and saw the address of where I should go.

“It would be a long night for me.” I exclaimed loudly, standing up.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

IYAH

Loud music boomed inside the bar as I sipped my cocktail. Calli sat beside me, enjoying the music and staring at Yosef I secretly chuckled. My bestfriend is so in love… But then, I remembered what happened a while ago on my debut.

*Flashback*

The boy was long gone but I continued staring below. Then…

“Iyah!” someone called me. I turned around and saw Renzo-oppa rushing to me with Miko and Aikon following him.

“Iyah, are you okay?” he asked looking worried.

“Yeah. Why?” I just said still dazed from that kiss.

“Oh, nothing.” He just said looking on the two.

“Ayla-noona is looking for you.” Miko then said.

“Oh, okay. Let’s go down now. Sorry for making you worry. “I said to them. I noticed they are still staring at me. Miko opened his mouth to say something but Aikon elbowed him to shut him up. I just ignored it and went back to the party. Finally, it ended well with me carrying the unexpected gift.

*End of Flashback*

And now, I’m here, silently sipping my cocktail and observing the people inside Renzo-oppa’s bar. Nothing interesting. I thought. My eyes landed on the DJ’s booth & then I frowned. The music was still recorded. There is still no DJ here. I sighed. I learned to love music, specifically hip-hop. It was because of the cap that someone gave me ten years ago. I then remembered that boy. Again, I sighed. Then I remembered my first kiss a while ago. I felt myself blushed and cursed myself, Stupid me. I thought. I don’t even saw his face… I sighed. I looked around again.

I saw Aikon busily entertaining the guests at the bar. Then I saw Sean through the glass door cooking at the kitchen. On the other hand, Miko was mopping the floor in the corner. And then, I saw the twins and others busily getting everyone’s order. I noticed there are many people here than the other past nights. Oppa’s bar opened a month ago and people find it amusing to have a new bar in the neighborhood. Well, first of all, the staffs here are all good looking. Both men and women. They are all polite and good mannered. The place is cozy, clean and comfortable. The music is great and the security is tight.

Then, I saw Yosef looked at the entrance as the door opened. He frowned and walk towards the newcomer. He is the supervisor here and oppa trusted him a lot. I glanced at the newcomer and froze.

Omo! Who’s that guy? It was the first time I saw him. I thought as I followed my gaze on him. He suddenly looked at me and stared. He probably knew me. I thought. Oh, well, I’m Aliyah Loren Amadeo right? Who wouldn’t know me?

“Hi Iyah!” someone spoke beside me. It was one of my suitors, Brent.

“Oh, hi!” I said with my gaze still glued to the guy. But he suddenly looked away. I saw him approached oppa’s office and before he opens it, I saw Yosef held his arm. I wonder why. But people got excited to the groovy music and blocked my view. I then turned my attention to Brent who is busy blabbering beside me.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

YOSEF

The alarm silently signaled that one of our kind entered the bar. I looked at the newcomer and saw a boy two years younger than me. Judging by the way he dressed, no one would think what he really is. I saw him confidently entered and headed directly to hyung’s office. I frowned and started walking towards him. I noticed he suddenly looked on his side and stared. I didn’t bother to look what or who he saw, eager to know who he is. He then looked straight again and headed to the office door. I approached him and held his arm.

“What do you need?!” He looked up at me. I gasped as I saw no emotion on his eyes. I pulled my hand back and repeated. “What do you need?”

“I have to talk to him.” He just said without changing his expression.

“He told me to go here.” He continued.

I was taken aback. Only few of us were summoned to hyung’s office. I narrowed my eyes on him.

“What’s the password?” I asked.

“7 stars.” He said smiling at me. I was taken aback again. I was confused with the boy’s sudden change of emotion. I opened the door and let him in.

I wonder who he is.  I turned around and saw Aikon looking at me. Who’s that? His expression was clearly obvious to me? I just shrugged. I just have to wait for hyung’s orders. I sighed and glanced at Calli who is looking at me. I smiled and approached her.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

JD

I smiled as I gazed on the structure in front of me.

STARGAZER

This is exciting!  I thought. I opened the door and loud music welcomed me. I looked around and recognized the door to the office. I make my way there when I felt someone was looking at me. I looked at the direction and stared.

It was her. My goddess! I wonder why she’s looking at me… Does she recognize me? What will I do?! I thought as I continued my way still looking at her. A man came up beside her. I suddenly looked away. How sad…

I continued my way and was about to open the door when someone hold my arm.

“What do you need?!” a deep voice asked. I looked at him still feeling disappointed and saw a tall guy. I heard him gasped and pulled his hand away.

“What do you need?” he repeated.

“I have to talk to him.” I said. “He told me to go here.” The man kept silent for a while. Then he narrowed his eyes.

“What’s the password?”

“7 stars.” I said smiling at him. I just remembered why that was the password. He looked confused and opened the door. I just shrugged.

Upon entering the office, I saw an empty chair behind a table in front of me, a cabinet at the right side, the rest room at the back, left side and the kitchenette behind the cabinet. I smiled.

“Ooh, I like this place.”

I looked around the office with my searching eyes. I noticed that it was designed according to the owner’s interests. It was a simple black and white room but I can feel a mysterious ambiance behind the comfortable feeling of being here. Books lined up above the cabinet and judging by its titles, I knew right away who owned it. I got more excited.

I noticed something unfamiliar on the chair and approached it. I noticed the floor beneath the chair and smiled again. I sat on the chair and pressed a button under the table. The door clicked indicating that it was now locked. And then, I felt the floor stirred and I was carried down on a tunnel as darkness enveloped me. I grinned. I reached the bottom of the long tunnel, stand up and step out of the chair’s floor. As soon as I step out of it, it was then carried back up to the tunnel ascending to the office at the top. I was still smiling when someone spoke.

“How dare you sat on my chair?!” I looked at him and smiled.

“Renzo-hyung, wassup?! Do you miss me?!” I asked as I approached him. He then smiled.

“How’s your life in L.A. bro? How’s Freya & Mythi?” he stood up as I reached him and pulled me in a tight hug.

“Yeah, I missed you JD.” He continued patting my back. He let go of me and said, “Why didn’t you report immediately to me? I know your mission was a success and yet you never contacted me.” I noticed a hint of sadness on his voice.

“I’m sorry hyung. I just want to enjoy my homecoming. I know that in the following days, I will be busy again.” I said turning serious.

“You almost ruin a special occasion tonight Black Dragon. Wanna tell me what happened?” he answered turning serious too.

“Yes, sir.” I just said.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3RD PERSON

Four watches alarmed at the same time as their owners rushed their hands to stop it.

One of them left the frying fan ordering his assistant to take over. He entered at the pantry, opened one of the cabinets and stepped inside. Upon closing the door, a humming can be heard inside.

The second one exclaimed, “I need to pee.” He gave the wine bottle to one of the twins that approached him. “I’ll be back.” He said. The twin just nodded and continues giving drinks to the customers. He however approached the staffs’ toilet and locked himself in.

The third one suddenly dropped the mop and water spilled over the floor. “Oh my! I need to clean this up. Will you help me?” he said to the other twin who just nodded. “Start now okay?” he said smiling before going to the janitor’s closet and entering it.

Then lastly, the fourth one excused himself to the ladies he’s talking to and entered the manager’s office. He approached the cabinet and moved a black book a bit. The door clicked noticeably locked. Then the cabinet spins around, revealing a small platform. The man stepped on it and the cabinet spins again back to its original place. The CCTV cameras situated on different locations inside the bar become more active while the customers didn’t notice anything unusual at all.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

JD

“I want to introduce someone to you.” I heard Renzo-hyung or my boss to be exact, talking to the four boys assembled in front of him. He told me to stay hidden until he calls me. But, as usual, I sometimes disobey him so I take a peek on them. I saw the first one and recognized him as the tall guy who interrupted me upstairs. It looks like he was senior to the others. The second one looked very young, playful and yet I can feel his eagerness. The third one was a guy with a mohawk hair. I can easily tell that he was well-built by the way his shirt fitted on his body. Then the last one, well, I smiled as I saw him.

“You heard the name BLACK DRAGON right?” our boss continued.

I can clearly see their reactions. The tall guy just raised an eyebrow. The mohawk guy looked straight to our boss. The last one just smiled and the youngest boy looked excited.

“Black Dragon?! Who wouldn’t know him?! He’s a legend! One of the few we look up to! He can be lined up beside Shadow and Eclipse! An expert and a genius! You’re going to introduce him to us?!” he finally said. I smiled. If only you know. I thought.

“Yes, finally, I will introduce him to you.” Boss continued.

“You are my most trusted and talented men so I want you to personally know who BLACK DRAGON is. He will join us here and at the café. I hope you get along well.” He finished saying.

“Now come out here, Black Dragon.”

I stepped out of my hiding place and faced them. They all looked at me with wide eyes.

“Oh my God.” I heard the youngest said.