PANDORA'S BOX
11:56 PM, THURSDAY

3RD PERSONS VIEW。

"I don't know why you can't try and escape from them already, there are literally pieces of evidence that they'd kill you, Kei!" Daniel whisper-yelled onto her ear.

Keiko sighed, clutching onto the wiping cloth, "I would've if I could, Daniel. But I can't– they'll find me anywhere!"

Daniel scoffed, "Like they even care about you, at least give it a thought. I could even help you, on Sunday! We can meet up."

"And the excuse is?"

"You still have to make it up for me! Alone... that is."

"Like they would believe that," she mumbled and pushed the cloth away, grabbing a glass as Reiji escorted a suited male to the bar counter.

Keiko conveyed a faint smile towards the guy, "Do you have any preferences? Or a specific drink you would like?"

"I heard from a lot that you serve specialized drinks, maybe you could whip something up for me?" he looks up, all Keiko could register is how he looked. Lavish suit and tie, wrist festooned with a watch that presumably cost millions. His eyes wandered onto her nameplate, "Cerise." her name rolled off his tongue smoothly as if he was meaning to say it for a long time.

Examining his looks, Keiko could detect someone in him, but she couldn't specify who. There were tiny similarities, but whoever she was thinking, it can't be true, or is it?

Keiko tended to pop a few bottles, serving him something that had a midnight tone to it. With the dim lights of the bar saturating the vibrant color within the cocktail. A bright tint of red with a darker emphasis under, "Irregular." she whispers lowly, pushing the cocktail filled glass towards him.

The male took a small sip, the tip of his lips curving upwards as he fished out a business card from his pocket. Sliding it with his two fingers until it hit her lower arm that rested on the counter, "And this is?" she gazed down; the engraved, golden name shone in her eyes.

"Lee Taehui?" Keiko looks up, quite baffled. "Sir–"

Taehui gave her a crooked grin, gently propping down the glass he tilts his head a bit to the side, "I heard a lot about you, Mikami Keiko."

With a scowl, Keiko felt aggravated to finally recognize him- she actually wished she never did. Now, she could definitely point out little details that resembled Taeyong.

Those strong eyes. An immense aura that screamed peril. Head held up high as he remained full of honor. He was undoubtedly someone you should not mess around with.

"Mhm, I'm sure you most definitely heard of me, Mr. Lee." she said in a bitter tone, pushing back the business card, "I knew something was irregular with you."

Taehui chortled, "So that's how you came up with the name."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Lee. But, I know you're here for something."

Renjun kicked Donghyuck's foot under the table, making the latter groan and shoot a glare, "What was that for?!"

Renjun tilts his head towards the bar counter, "Taeyong-hyung's dad."

Donghyuck bit down his lip, eyes gouging from his socket in shock, "What the hell is he doing here?"

Clipping on the in-ear, "Jisung? Are you clear?"

"What the heck- I was playing a game! I thought you didn't nee—"

"Taeyong's father is here, does Taeyong-hyung know that?"

"What do yo— oh... OH shit. Well, then do something?!" Jisung's panicked voice rang through Donghyuck's ear making him scrunch his face up at the high tone.

"Yah, Jisung! You logged off the gam—"

"Not really the time to play games, scan through the surveillance in street two-seven for anything."

Rolling his eyes, Donghyuck deactivated the in-ear before standing up, Renjun following him as they headed towards the counter. They sat on both of Lee Taehui's empty sides, making him end up in between the two mafiosos.

"Renjun, Donghyuck, glad to see you boys here," Taehui said nonchalantly as he flashed them a cheeky smile.

"Mr. Lee! What a surprise!" Donghyuck sarcastically exclaimed, an arm wrapping around the older's shoulder.

"And to answer your question, Mikami. I'm not just here for something. Deem it as the calmest meeting out of all."

Keiko scoffed, "We are certainly not going to meet again."

Taehui sniggered, prying off Donghyuck's arm off him, eyes still laid on the female bartender, "Oh, I'm pretty sure you already know that's not how it goes."

The businessman stood up, adjusting his collar before grinning and handing her his black card,
"I'm not a foe, Mikami—"

"It's Cerise to you," she uttered with a glare, returning the card to him.

"Well, that concludes my visit. I hope to see you again, and I'm glad if you consider my offer, Keiko. Think about it." Taehui said before walking out the bar without any more additional words.

Consider his offer? She questioned to herself, looking down, only to find the business card he had placed down a while ago.

Face twisting in animosity, "Ugh. I have no time for some more bullshit." she muttered and threw the fancy, thick-plastic-like business card into a small basket that had several other business cards.

It wasn't also the first time Keiko had dealt with these types of people. Either they want Keiko's bar or they want Keiko to become a bartender for their bar. However, this wasn't the case for Lee Taehui at all.

What does he exactly want? Of course! To try and stop his son in many ways possible– obviously wanting to make Taeyong's challenge harder than it should.

"Cherrie, what did that snake tell you?" Renjun asked, still eyeing the glass doorway.

Donghyuck furrowed his brows together, "I thought you were the snake– OUCH!" he yelps as Renjun's palm had come in contact with his arm.

"Kei-noona! Who was that?" Daniel pops out beside her, ignoring how Donghyuck literally looked at him with a death glare.

"Kei-noona?" Donghyuck scoffs, "I mean- Jisung says it way better than you do." he murmured under his breath.

"He's just some businessman, Daniel. Get back to work," she replied, assuring him that it was just nothing.

A complete lie; that is. Lee Taehui wasn't just 'some' businessman. Going back to her dreadful homeschool sessions as a Mikami, she could recall how much they had educated her about Lee Taehui. One of the greatest of all.

Two hours passed and they were getting ready to close the bar. Reiji and Keiko were catching up while fixing their stuff in the employee room while Daniel had a dilemma with two certain boys.

"Can't believe you had the guts to steal information from a mafia." Renjun spat, looking down at the computer science major.

Daniel would be lying if he said he's not terrified at the moment– if not, he was beyond terrified. His heart was already hammering against his ribcage as he could feel the sweat burst. Despite this, he still tried to remain calm and face them with a tough look.

They were right, what could a computer science do against at least twenty-one mafiosos? Talk about outnumbered and disadvantaged.

But he didn't technically steal information. According to what Jungwoo had said, he set everything up. Although, no one really knew about that except Jungwoo himself, Jeno, and of course, Keiko.

"I'm a computer science major, what do you expect?" Daniel said sternly, "I'm going to get Keiko back- one way or another."

"My buddy Daniel! You talk a big game! Make sure whatever you spout out with that mouth of yours come true," Donghyuck gasped dramatically before smirking, "Don't worry, buddy. My babe will be safe!"

"Your babe?" Daniel stifled a laugh.

"I'll protect Keiko, even if I am a bad person." Donghyuck clicks his tongue, "You know why? Once I get interested- oh, I'll fall deep."

"Tsk."

Renjun shot Daniel a questioning look. The latter had a lopsided grin as he eyes the two males, "Keiko doesn't even trust you."

—