▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂

C H A P T E R N I N E
❾

»My own business always bores me to death; I prefer other people's.«
– Oscar Wilde

────────⊲❈⊳────────

Sitting in the leather chair, I waited patiently and looked around in the prestigious lobby. I only flinched minimally when the phone in my purse vibrated.

Mark created group
"cool groupchat name"

Mark added you

Mark
heyyyyy cami how's it goin

I rolled my eyes. Was Mark for real? He knew where I was and he knew how important it was. This was not the best time to create a group chat. And what was the name about? I was about to put my phone back when it vibrated once again.

Mark
keep us updated

Mark
I know you didn't want it
but lucas is waiting in a van
outside the building

"Oh Cami here you are, I was looking for you," Mark peeked from the small doorway into Jungwoo's room and smiled his trademark-smile as a greeting before he let himself come in.

"Yeah, here I am," I commented and stood up from the bed, "Wanna make some explaining?"

"Look, I'm so sorry what happened on the rooftop. I know it's still your first day and I wish it could've been avoided. Lucas is... he got mad about something and got drunk. Normally, he isn't like that, but if he drinks, he... he is a person who doesn't tolerate alcohol and becomes easily irritable and aggressive when drinking. I am very sorry that you had to watch this. I hope he didn't hurt you."

"I don't care about Lucas. But don't expect me to work with him," I made clear.

Mark shrugged with his shoulders, "Okay, no problem. I'm gonna look for another partner for you. There's Haechan, he-"

"I'll work alone."

"Oh.... um, okay. Then you're probably gonna work alone," he agreed slowly and I could literally read his thinking process from his facial expression.

I tilted my head to the side while I watched him, "I have a question, Mark, and you will answer honestly."

"Okay"

"You still work for Taeyong, right? This is his mission." His eyes went wide.

"Uhhh... h-how?" he stuttered before turning to Jungwoo with a quick head movement, "Jungwoo, why'd you tell her?"

"He said nothing. You did," I replied.

"I did?" He looked at me in disbelief.

"Yeah. Just now. And I didn't miss that you unintentionally called him boss. What happened to your promise that Taeyong wouldn't be here?"

"Oh sh- Yeah, okay, it's true. He's still my boss. And it was also his idea to do this mission. But I didn't lie when I said he won't be here. Because, as you can see, he isn't."

I thought of Lucas' words. How he said that maybe I was... a certain adjective, but maybe he only thought that way because they had no other girls in here except of-
Yeah... except who?

"And what did Lucas mean with what he said right before you arrived?" I wanted to know.

"Oh, that... Hm, I think he finds you attractive. I don't know," Mark shrugged.

"What?" That was not what I meant.

"Yeah, same. I mean, it's somewhat understandable. Everyone has a crush on you when they see you for the first time before they get to know your real self."

"Even Mark," Jungwoo commented from the other side of the room.

"Yeah even me. Like... wait, no... Not me. I don't have a crush on you."

"Um..." I actually didn't know how to react to that.

"I didn't say crush, okay? Jungwoo, stop confusing me. I meant that as in saying you're like a sister to me... nothing more... just my symbolic older sister. Everyone knows the feeling... Even Taeyong... you remember how he used to talk about his sister? THAT kind of crush... hahah... a normal older-sister-crush. Right Jungwoo?"

"Sure, Mark" was his reply.

"Let's just forget we had this conversation." I closed the discussion and left the room, but I could still hear them talk after I closed the door behind me and stood on the floor.

I heard how Mark exhaled relieved, "Thank God!" Shortly followed by a warning, "Don't say anything!"

"I won't..." This was Jungwoo's voice, "But if Doyoung was here, he'd ask you whether you make an effort for being so awkward or if you were born that way?"

Mark
it's really important that he's
there

Mark
I actually asked Haechan but

I immediately switched my phone to silent mode. The vibrations whenever mark texted, were too loud and I noticed how the secretary was looking at me.

Mark
Yeah long story

Mark
Lucas was free soooo

Lucas
Hey yo what's up man

Mark
in case anything happens
text him

Mark
or me

Me
great

Mark
??

Me
i. am. busy.

Me
it's best not to disrupt
me while I'm working

Mark
ur right

I wanted to type a "thanks, bye" but the moment my fingers touched the keyboard, I heard someone clearing their throat and I looked up.

There he was, the man himself. He was undeniably attractive. His Japanese features of thick, slightly wavy, charcoal hair, high nose bridge, bright blueish eyes, well-groomed but thick brows, and masculine jaw made him a true beauty. He looked perfectly polished wearing a gray suit, with a white shirt underneath, black tie, silver tie clip, and black leather shoes.

I immediately let the phone drop back to my purse, stood up from my seat, "Mr. Nakamoto!" He gave me a subtle elevator look and swallowed. It looked like he was pleased with my attire. I approached him, slowly extending my hand, "it's a pleasure meeting you. I'm-"

"Miss Carmen Cain," he took my hand and stepped closer to me, "The pleasure is all mine."

"Please excuse me, I'm a little bit nervous today." I held eye contact with him as planned, catching him squinting his eyes for nothing more than a second, then blinking a few times as he noticed the outfit I was wearing, or rather its cleavage. I smiled, letting him know I noticed which made him smile at the floor.

Thanks for the outfit, Mark.

"Nervous, you said?" He let go of my hand, tilting his head teasingly.

"I'm not usually this nervous, but you are quite an impressive man, Mr. Nakamoto." I wasn't lying. I was definitely more nervous than I had thought I'd be when I accepted the mission but we were off to a good start.

"No need to be nervous, Miss Cain, but I must admit I'm nervous as well. Shall we?" He offered me his arm. I was already charmed by his elegance and panther-like disposition.

He escorted me out to a black limo that was waiting for us outside. I had assumed that our lunch appointment would've been somewhere inside Nayu Corp, but I wouldn't be the one to complain.

There was nothing mediocre about Mr. Nakamoto. He wanted to impress me. He wanted this deal, and I wanted him to want it. Him needing something from me, the fake inheritance money, gave me the upper hand. It gave me the opportunity to flirt and drag things out without him being able to object.

This lunch was the epitome of importance for this mission, and I was a few minutes away from the most significant moment. It was time to use everything I had learned and mastered throughout my years as a mafia member.

▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂▂

to be continued