Chapter 63: Chameleon is Red Now
Warning: Bad language.
And I stared at him.
Donned in a monotone outfit with hair gelled and swept to the side, he sure had a very divine smile on his face. His eyes fixed dazed already, after a countable couple of glasses he wet his whistle with, sparing glimpses at the woman in the corner at intervals. His apparent soon-to-be amenity, I presumed. I was fairly acquainted with her. And she was definitely going to fall by the sleight of tactics he was known to have a master's degree in. But whatever plan he had for tonight, my plan was more special. And he would soon have nowhere to go.
"When are you gonna go?"
I looked around and saw Momo. She was dressed in a simple yellow evening dress that showed none of her curves, pulling the lordly graceful aura along with her even with it. Not the usual Momo I was accustomed to. She got a little shy.
"What? Do I look too good?"
"Yes. You look gorgeous."
"Thanks." I adored how her cheeks attained a tint of red in reply. "Anyways. I've been looking for you for a while now. You still haven't made a move. It's getting late though."
"Later it is, easier it should be. Considering his nature."
"I still have doubts if this is gonna work out well. He can be slick at times. There's a reason he has his nickname in the department."
"And that's the reason we have to work it out now. We can have our own appetizer show. He won't spill anything in his right mind. I've come prepared." I watched him standing up and heading across the bar, "Okay. Stick around. I might need help." I got up as well.
"Mingyu-yah."
He looked around, visibly confused at the coated amiability of my voice. There was a little gleam in his eyes that vanished off in the darkness momentarily upon seeing me, I knew where that came from. I managed to protrude my lips enough to give off the cheerful smile I could, smiling at someone who you detested so much was more than just difficult. "Red looks so good on you."
"...thanks," He said.
"Seems like you're free. Why don't we have a drink?"
"No, I have to go-"
I gazed at the bartender and he was gone in a second. "Oh, but I already called for the drinks. That's gonna be a waste. You can sit for one shot. I hope that is alright with you."
He stood hesitant for a while, then reluctantly sat back on the seat I forwarded to him. I kept the smile on my face intact and sat before, blocking his view from his targetted woman.
"So, how's life?"
"What do you want?"
"Huh?"
"You obviously have something in your little bunny head. What is it? Spill it and leave." His eyebrows shot up, crinkles of annoyance starting to gather on his forehead.
"I just wanted to talk." I surfaced a hurt countenance, "You and I always seem to have a rough conversation up whenever we intend to speak. I wanted to get over all the odds and become easy with you, but you don't seem very willing to comply."
"You're right. I don't want to." He relaxed up placing his elbow on the counter and gazed at me. I noticed how the glares softened with the tip, perhaps his earlier taken shots had an effect on this too. He slinked a slow brush of his hand on my fingers, saying next, "But you do look alright tonight."
"Just alright? I took a lot of time to pick out the dress though, 'alright' is too little to acknowledge my hard work."
His eyes skimmed over the blue sparkles of my attire, his orbs I wondered sent what signals to his brain allowing it to process thoughts I was not too comfortable with. Simpered he, "Wanna hear what I think?"
No. I thanked the bartender and handed him out his drink, "Cheers."
"Why are you sitting here all by yourself?" i asked, "Every other time I always see you come with a date. Su Ryeon and you were dating last time I heard. You guys seem to be maintaining six feet distance policy in tonight's party. Did something happen?"
"We broke up."
"Ah. Sorry to hear that. Then, have you been interested in anyone lately?" I turned slightly around to point at the woman, "I saw you glancing at her a while ago."
"She looks like my type. And conversational."
"But I think she's taken. See that ring on her finger?" Mingyu peeked in her direction. Taking the chance, I took out the vial from underneath my cuff, pouring the liquid into his drink and giving it a slight shake to dissolve quickly. The citrus aroma of the drink took its stench away almost immediately. Mingyu returned his eyes with a vacuous expression and picked up his drink.
"So? Not that I care."
"Wow. I did guess that. You like to be a player, huh? Don't think that's a good idea." I snickered after he put his glass down devouring all that was left inside.
"Then what is? I have been bored lately."
"So am I. Let's go another shot." I cued, "We could've taken the route, you see. Unless you still have a grudge on me for - " I winked at him sarcastically, "grabbing your missions from you."
He guffawed, coughing in the midst to get the drunk man's haze off his head by a bit, "That, yes. Can you stop doing that? You already took away so many of mine. I also wondered if I should quit this job soon."
"You are gonna quit?"
"Maybe. You look happy already. Well, you should be. I get it."
"Why would I be happy?" I slithered inches closer to him. He looked intense in the eyes noticing my action, although in assortment of daze as his sight seemed to be wobbling on its own. The drug should've taken about thirty minutes to start its effect, perhaps it took a quicker pace having an affinity towards the male. "Bickers with you are at least nice when you have a handsome face one can keep staring at."
He broke into a fit of a squeaky giggle, "Woah, you are so different tonight. The last time I had done this to you, you had shoved my face on a table. Remember? What is up with you now?" His hand shakily wiped his lips, clutching his backhead, "I must've drunk too much. Never mind." He moved his glass front taking a big sip out of it, "It's better this way."
I looked around to find Momo. She was standing in a distance dissolved in the crowd, exchanging a glance with me then she left. I rested assuredly and got back to the conversation.
"By the way, Mingyu-yah. I also had something else to say. You owe a thanks from me. I realized I never did for once after the time when you had rescued me on that night of operation." He looked up at me. I added, "I wouldn't have reached anywhere close to my current case if you hadn't helped."
"Which operation are you talking about?"
"Oh, you already forgot? That night, hotel, masquerade party, Che Geun Hye, the drug ring leader, remember now? When I was stuck in the midst of the fight, you had come right on time to help me out. I was already late at that time. If I had been later, the boys would've left before I had even reached the place and the mission would've been a total fail. You deserve more than just thanks."
"You saying thanks? Sounds like litotes to me. I would rather like an invective on my face."
"Don't say it like that. I mean it. I'm really grateful." I sternly looked at his face placing my elbow on the counter, for what I was about to say next, I needed more detail of his expression. "But Mingyu-yah."
"What?" He called for another drink on his own. I declined his offer and watched him partake his ale in big sips. The hollow mug thudded on the counter, all inside it was gone in the blink of an eye.
"How come you were there when you were never assigned as an operative in the first place?"
"Huh?"
"You heard me right. Mind telling me?"
He fell silent for a while. His breaths reeked of ale revolted my nose, eyes staggering more than before to settle onto one place and I knew he was now disabled from thinking straight anymore from that much of heavy drinking, including the drug which should start having more effect soon. I still patiently waited for him to speak despite having the knowledge he would have nothing to reply, then added with a light tone, "Were you there as an extra? Highly unlikely. But lemme allow that excuse as for now. And by the way, have you ever been to Korean Arts High School before?"
"No." He took a pause, "Which high school is that?"
"Weird. How do you not know? You have never been there?"
"Not in this life. I don't know what you are talking about."
"But I definitely saw you there when I went."
"When did you go?"
"You tell me." I moved my head to meet eyes with him, "You should be able to tell the date far more accurately than I can. In fact, everything about me, where and when I went around the city in a fortnight. Someone had told you to do so. Isn't it?"
"What are you even saying? Who told me? I am not your stalker. Should I be one? I don't love you enough." He tried to get up, instead tripping on his feet. I reflexively held him back from falling.
"But when you get some money paid for the small work, love is less of a reason to stalk for, don't you think?" I whispered in his ears, "The suit you're wearing now must come pricey. Was it a gift, Mingyu-yah?"
"What...are..." His pupils dilated and the more his words mixed up, he started to realize it too and held his forehead, "What is wrong with me?" He tried to get up on his feet. I held him up, taking him to lay down on a couch. He had no reasons or ways to protest. "Take some rest. We have a long conversation to run."
"Y/N," he breathed on my neck, desperately trying to get a hold on himself but his body shut off as if paralyzed without giving him his response, he tried to look at me not minding the jar in his body, "Did you do something with my drink?" He blinked rapidly to clear off his vision, "Since when do you have three eyes?"
"Since the time I drugged your drink. You're welcome." I took my phone out to text Momo. He tried to speak back but was half-conscious as his body gave in, could do nothing more than splaying on the couch breathing in and out heavily.
: He's down.
"So tell me already." I said to him, "Why did you follow me to that school that day? You have no chances for denial, neither anywhere to run off to. You can barely move. Confess it now then maybe I will consider sending less on the report to Boss, otherwise, the detention cell will have a longer duration and it's not gonna be easy on you there, you know?"
He cackled a scornful laugh, appeasing to "You think that's gonna work on me?"
"I gave you a good deal. If you don't wanna take it-"
"Y/N," his voice came off lumbering, "You're such a big lousy bitch."
I said nothing in reply.
"Do you know how much I wanted to pin you against the wall?" He tittered in between his jumbled words "You. It has been. Always. You."
"And?"
"All the humiliation I received that day, I wanted to hurl you by face on some concrete. I was supposed to get this mission. But Boss thought you were more competent. Why? What did he say? You have a good record in your bucket. Don't I too? You were recommended by the board. Oh, really? Is that so? Hadn't you sated him with a good job under the desk? That's how you got the assignment! Tell me if I'm not right!" He snorted, "But again, you're pretty. I wouldn't have minded either if I were in Boss's place. Maybe I could have made your cry, whimper so loud until you tore off the bedsheets and begged me on all fours. I am good, Y/N. Give me a chance, nah." He grabbed onto my wrist. I calmed the ticking bomb inside my head and managed to show no resistance at the instant.
"You were supposed to get the task 105-B I am in charge of now, right? You were supposed to be umm-" I placed my hand on his fist, "catch the gangsters who you now chose to work for. Hmm? Your bank account got all loaded. How about you give me a treat?"
"Come with me then. I'll have the room booked." The noisome stench from his mouth was enough for me to throw him back on the couch.
"Who hired you? Or was it you who reached out first?"
"You would've looked better with a sleeveless, Y/N. Maybe a tattoo on this shoulder," he dropped back on the couch failing to get up, "A little butterfly. Or a spider. Some fancy Chinese words. And one over-"
"I asked you a question, God damn it!" I grabbed his collars in a trice, "Who was it? You were taking my picture that day. Who did you send all those to?"
"What are you talking about?" He cracked a small laugh, "Who would I send your photos to? I like you as mine, I don't wanna share."
"Fuck." I slapped his hands trying to grab mine again and called Momo.
"He's being a nuisance. Won't speak. We need better treatment. Can you send them over?"
"Okay. I've sent out the report to Boss. Has he confessed?" Momo asked from the other side.
"He will."
Mingyu stared me down with an odd devilish grin.
"I saw it coming one day. What was I even thinking?" He stared at the ceiling, "Yet I am shocked how long it took y'all to find out. To the point I believed maybe I could win this." He laughed, "I was as shocked when I found out that you were chosen for the mission, Y/N. You of all? I saw Wook Hyung failing first then getting sacked from the job. I was confident enough to take all the leads and bring the case to the termination. It's been so long you are assigned for this. Why haven't you wrapped things up yet? Competent, my ass."
"Tell me one thing. Since when did you have your guess that I was in charge?"
"Cuz I am competent enough to find the least out, unlike you."
"You hacked into the database before, scanned the case file, and got my name. That, you didn't do yourself either. You took the help of your friend for it. He owns a cyber cafe and you knew the location could get tracked so you saved your ass by it to not get caught anytime by the CCTV cameras. Isn't that how you worked? You did great. But you fell for one small trap we set out to catch you. Sad." I smiled.
"A trap?"
"The rumor that I was about to get a new partner in the case. It was a lie. You fell so hard for it like lies are your lovers. Your little old buddy had nowhere to run when we got him. I see that you didn't know up until now."
Mingyu's jaw clenched first, I heard him curse under his breath, not that he said next. His eyes eased up, "I'll give you that. Nice."
"It took some time but he eventually gave up your name, but even before that, I was already assured that it was you behind all this."
"Smartie smart smart. I like you, Y/N."
"I won't let you get away this time after you shoved me to the ground that day when I chased you. It hurt." I slapped his cheek to a bright red, "It hurt even more than this."
"But again," I said, "it doesn't match the timetable. Why were you there on the night of the operation?"
"Which operation?"
"Stop playing with me already!"
"Oh wait, I remember now. The one where we were supposed to help you catch those li'l kids, God, I always seem to forget their names? What was it again? Namjung, Youngsik-"
"Yes. You remember it now!"
"I was assigned."
"You weren't."
"Then why was I there?"
"I have the same question, Operative seven!" I tried so hard to not smack his face, "Momo sent help but the help hadn't reached on time. You had. When you weren't even supposed to be there. You weren't supposed to know a lot of stuff. But you knew a lot from the first Even when I didn't. How come, chameleon?"
"Come in Leon? Who is Leon? I-" His eyes shuttered open and close lazily, "His name wasn't Leon tho. What was it again? Ugh-"
"Who?"
"He did hand me a good paycheck. And I was curious."
"Uh, huh. Now you're coming to the right path. Yes. Tell me more."
"I sent him the info that there was an agent sent undercover for their apprehension. I kept track of you. But I wasn't sure."
"And."
"I didn't know about it from the first. I overheard an operative about the operation. And I was curious to know what was up with the mission, The mission I wanted so bad to get assigned for. I wanted to know how it all was about the end. Then I saw you on the night of operation, it instantly clicked in my mind. I listened on your conversation with Momo at our last encounter at the gym. Then I rummaged some files. Then I confirmed, it was you after all. You Y/N. Funny. And I knew I wanted my revenge."
"And what did you do?"
"I sent off an anonymous letter to BTS' in front saying there was someone undercover, and I could find out who it was for them. And guess what? Guess fucking what happened?" He laughed out jester-like, "when I got the reply letter in a few days," He laughed, "I knew I hit jackpot!"
"What was written in that letter?"
"Do you wanna know?" He stuck out his tongue. I couldn't resist it anymore. I thrashed him down with a heavy punch in the stomach.
"Tell me now!"
He didn't waver a bit in the effect of the blow, but he did continue to talk, "I was sad when the boys didn't personally send me the reply. I wanted their autographs so bad, after all, they're so hard to reach these days." He pouted, "But the money was installed in my account right the next day. I was more than amazed. Why wouldn't I work for such a diligent guy who paid off before my sweat even started to form?"
"Who was it? Who had sent the letter?"
"Guess who? Guess who? Ding dong dong. Time's up. Gosh, you can't even make the smallest guess. Competent boss's competent girl Y/N L/N. Baa baa black sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full-"
"You piece of shit-"
I growled and picked up my phone again.
"Momo. Where are the guards? Have you even sent them out yet or what? He needs a good kick in his balls to confess everything. Also, send someone to his house. We need to find some letters-"
"What's the point? I got rid of them right after. Smouldered, burnt to ashes. One for the master, one for the dame, one for the little-" He regurgitated everything inside his stomach to a pool of mess, falling off the couch next having a blackout.
I threw the phone at his face.
"Damn it!"
Weekly Power Status
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Ranking 
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