It is clear from Naili’s passive facial expression that the brooding gang lord affects her. Mayhem, on the other hand, is closed from public discussion. How does he manage to appear so elusive in front of more than a dozen people? They teach those skills in gang-lord-training-one-oh-one, my intuitions teases me.
Meanwhile, Naili takes a deep breath as she finishes her speech. “The new owner of this building was kind enough to write everyone a severance check as a parting gift.” She extends a dramatic hand to introduce Mayhem. The blush on Naili’s face says it all how she feels for him.
Without feeding into Naili’s fawning, Mayhem steps forward. His hands clasp together in a business-like manner. Those brooding eyes scan the room. When he speaks, Mayhem’s tone is clear and professional. “First off, I want to thank you for your superior service to The Trax. Naili and I both know the sacrifices and hard work you all have contributed to this venue. I know some of you are still looking for jobs and rearranging your situations, so hopefully these checks can support you in your endeavor.” Such an arrogant gang lord, isn’t it he? The pity smile Mayhem adorns us with accompanies the set of thin, white envelopes he has in his hands.
Naili leads Mayhem onto the floor with us little people. She knows everyone’s names and helps Mayhem hand out the envelopes. Everyone’s eyes are glued to Naili and Mayhem. Some appear to be fascinated while others are less than amused.
“Joolie.” Naili gestures towards Joolie who can hardly stand on her own two feet at this point.
“Tailor.” Naili quickly points another finger to Tailor.
Tailor takes the envelope from Mayhem with a guarded facial expression. Judging from Tailor’s reaction, I don’t know if he recognizes Mayhem or if he’s jealous that his girlfriend is outwardly gaping at Mayhem.
“And the last envelope.” Naili doesn’t say my name when she points to me.
Mayhem hands me my envelope and speaks clearly, “I would like to speak to you after.”
“Oh!” Joolie lets out an inaudible gasp next to me. Her jaw is on the floor. Tailor rolls his eyes at her.
Naili’s eyes narrow at me like daggers.
I take the white envelope from Mayhem slowly. Instinctively, I bite my lower lip. What could he possibly want with me? The morbid thoughts seep in. For some reason, I think Yoon Jaewon might have bought The Trax to force me out of a job. But then again, he is a very busy man. Why would he take the time out to pursue a personal vendetta against me? My biggest crime against him was helping my cousin pay back her debt. Mayhem got to draw blood from Sangwoo in the process too. What more could he want from me? He’s probably still mad at what happened at the club. You made him talk about his brother getting shot by his rival. My intuition shrugs as she looks up from her wheel of guesses.
“You know him?” Joolie turns to me when Mayhem and Naili make their way back to the front.
With careful discretion, I shake my head. Back towards the middle of the room, Naili excuses us. “Thank you everyone. Have a good day.” She turns quickly to capture Mayhem’s attention. They exchange a few words before it becomes apparent that Mayhem dismisses her. Naili throws me a short look before she walks out of the room first.
Slowly, people file out of The Trax. Some are already ripping through the envelopes. Joolie doesn’t want to leave me, but Tailor pulls her to her senses.
“Keep in touch May.” Tailor places a hand on my shoulder.
“Good luck. Call me please,” are Joolie’s last words before Tailor pulls her towards the exit.
As though a dark cloud hovers over me, I look up to catch the penetrating gaze of Mayhem. He is breathtakingly handsome–dark, smoldering, and mystifying. This gang lord always has me in a flurry. No one else makes me feel this way, not even Choi Sangwoo. Is this what attraction feels like?
“There’s a bar down the strip. We can talk there.” Mayhem snaps me out of my reverie.
I AM LONELY AND SAD. These are reasons enough for why I decided to follow Mayhem to the bar across the street. It is different with him right away. Unlike Choi Sangwoo, Mayhem doesn’t hide from society and the general public. Instead, he blends in with the shadows created by the light. I am wary of Mayhem’s intent on putting himself out there. Someone who parades out in the open, given his background and title, is not only demonstrating recklessness but also an absence of fear. I am constantly reminding myself that Mayhem is the more violent and unpredictable gang lord. What could he possibly want to talk to me about?
The bar Mayhem chooses, Sine, is an exclusive venue tucked at the very end of the strip. It is a sleepy Wednesday afternoon. The bar is scattered with customers under its dim lustrous lights. Instead of playing loud dance music, Sine displays its sophisticated side with a chorus of classical music gliding through the atmosphere. The décor is white and black furnishing.
Mayhem strides straight to the bar. I follow him like a lost puppy. Why am I so intrigued with what he has to say?
“What would you like?” The bartender is all over Mayhem like a moth to the flame. He is a big, bald man wearing a white T-shirt that is a little too tight for his body frame. I wonder indolently if he is gay. The gaze he has on Mayhem is suspicious enough.
“Cognac and tonic on ice,” Mayhem orders with authority. He doesn’t look at me, but implies to the waiter that I am with him.
“And for the lady?” The bartender peels away from Mayhem long enough to acknowledge me.
“Water,” I mumble.
“Water?” Mayhem inclines his head toward me. He lifts an eyebrow. I don’t know if he is interested or curious at my choice. “Just so you know, I can afford to buy you a drink.”
I grimace at his arrogance. “I don’t drink during the day.”
Mayhem’s face darkens shortly, becoming more angular. He holds his tongue as he settles with grace onto the barstool. Very few people in the world have his refinement, yet Mayhem chooses to be a gang lord. I think about the irony for a second.
“Your drinks are on the house.” The bartender smiles brightly at Mayhem before making a hasty retreat.
“I think he likes you.” I am bold and unforgettable.
“I have that effect on men and women,” comes the conceited and shallow response only a gang lord is capable of.
I have the irresistible urge to stick my tongue out at Mayhem. He brings out strange impulses in me. It is bad enough that my head is swimming with thoughts about what Mayhem wants to talk about. Coolly, I slump back on the stool with hunched shoulders. I feel like I am fraternizing with the enemy. The alarming thing is I am not sure that I am. A compelling notion tells me I should confess to Mayhem. I want to tell him that Choi Sangwoo confirmed the truth about shooting his brother. But I am not sure I want to open up that can of worms. I am sure there are probably other misconceptions about him. I am not ready to find out just yet.
“How long has my uncle and Eunhye known each other?” His question grounds me back to reality.
I look back to see the remarkable gang lord gazing at me. Mayhem has his head cocked to the side as he surveys my facial expression. It takes my breath away. You’re so damn handsome, my intuition swoons. She doesn’t care about his profession or mercurial personality. All my intuition cares about is Mayhem’s features and appealing presence. He makes her squirm.
“They are childhood friends,” I answer him simply. Slightly surprised that he doesn’t know this, I want to ask Mayhem but hold my tongue.
“Eunhye is not your biological mother,” Mayhem concludes the obvious. “I met your half-sister years ago. It must have been before you came into the family.” The reason behind Mayhem’s question comes to light. When he notices my facial expression, Mayhem states, “You don’t like talking about your family.”
“I don’t like talking about my family with you,” I correct him. The animosity is unattractive, so I add, “There’s nothing to talk about anyway.”
“You’re sad,” Mayhem states. “You’re an innocent, sad, lonely girl.”
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br /> “I would like to think about myself as being content and choosing to be a loner, thank you very much,” I refute.
“What about the innocent part?”
“I have an edge to me.”
The corners of Mayhem’s lips curl in amusement. “And what kind of edge are we talking about?”
“I go out . . . clubbing, like you saw that night.” Yeah, very hardcore May.
“Yeah, you’re a badass.” Mayhem rolls his eyes in the way that only hot and attractive gang lords do. No, only the way Mayhem does. My intuition corrects me.
Suddenly, I feel uncomfortable and exposed. “What do you want to talk to me about? The last time I checked, I don’t owe you any more money.”
A sly smile twists across his lips. Mayhem muses at my frank approach. “You think all I care about is money.”
“Don’t you?”
“Well, being one of the richest gang lord’s in the world certainly doesn’t make me casual about monetary funds.”
I am speechless about the size of his ego. Before I can make a comeback, Mayhem continues, “From the shocked look on your face, you didn’t expect that I bought The Trax or had any ties to it.”
Of course. I’ve never seen you step foot inside of it. “Your point, please.” I am tongue and cheek. If I want to keep this stone façade going, I have to let every single Mayhem charm bounce back as soon as it hits me. I square my shoulders and hunch forward. “Actually, I’m surprised that someone like you with all the money in the world would spend it on such a small venue to uphold your master-of-the-universe plan.” I make it a point to stress the last word.
Light dances in those dark eyes of his. “My master-of-the-universe plan hardly has anything to do with venue investment. It actually has to do with collecting little shrewd girls like you and whipping you into shape.”
Shit. Did he really say that? My jaw drops into my stomach, but I hold my ground.
“Your drinks.” The bartender is back. He places Mayhem’s carefully concocted drink in front of him before my glass of water.
“Can I have a Gin and Tonic over ice too, please?” I need alcohol if I want to keep up with this gang lord. Who cares that I am barely getting over my sickness.
The bartender flashes Mayhem a look as he waits for approval. After Mayhem’s quick nod, the bartender scurries back to the bar.
Mayhem takes a drink from his glass. He watches me, and the feeling deep inside my stomach rumbles. I think Mayhem’s mouth moves in amusement. His eyes shimmer in the oddest way.
“Is this how you chase after girls?” I’m subjective and curious about him. What does he mean whipping girls like me into shape? Is he some kind of sadomasochist or into some handcuffs, chains, and whips lifestyle? Gang lords must have illegal preferences just like their lifestyles.
Mayhem’s contemplative look says it all. “First of all, I don’t chase after girls. Second, I’m not a girlfriend or wife kind of guy. When I mean whipping little girls like you into shape, I am not going to elaborate. I will let your imagination take you where it needs to go.”
My eyes enlarge without subtlety. I don’t hide the surprise I am experiencing. Mayhem really is too bold for his own good.
“The reason why you are here, sitting with me, is I am going to offer you a job. I will be opening up a store in place of that poor excuse. I need waitresses for the restaurant section.”
Mayhem is offering me a job? What is going on with these gang lords going after me for my service?
“I’m not interested.” Wow. I feel powerful turning down the King.
“Your drink.” The bartender is back. He settles a moon glass in front of me and quickly disappears.
Mayhem waits as I take my first sip of the alcohol. The cool drink refreshes my dry throat. The taste, however, reminds me of that night at Club Groove. Throwing up will probably be more embarrassing in front of Mayhem himself.
“I figured you wouldn’t know how to grasp an opportunity when it is served on a silver platter to you.” Meanwhile, Mayhem casually finishes his drink. He waves the bartender over. In a matter of seconds, the bartender produces a replacement drink.
“I don’t want an opportunity from someone like you,” comes my shrewd reply. To prove my point, I take another mouthful of my drink. Instant courage is what alcohol offers. “You gang lords have an astronomical complex mixture of jerk, control freak, and obsessive compulsive in you. I don’t want anything to do with that.” The pent-up annoyance is freely flowing through me.
A low, alluring chuckle escapes his lips. “Oh, someone is bitter.” Mayhem’s implied reference to Choi Sangwoo stirs something inside of me. He cocks his head to the side, leveling his penetrating gaze on me. “Played with a wolf and got bitten by his lies, didn’t you?”
I swallow the anger that has absorbed. I don’t want Mayhem to know that he is right, but then again I don’t want to refute the truth. It is a double conundrum with this man. So I do the only thing I can; I finish off my drink. The momentary sting of the alcohol makes me forget it all.
Mayhem lets out a low chuckle as he observes me. Enjoying the fact that he is under my skin, Mayhem leans forward. His voice becomes husky as he asks me, “Let me guess, he promised you the whole world, but wants you to play by his rules only. You believed until you found out that his true interest in you is based on fabrication.”
There is a knot in my throat. I don’t know how long I can handle this type of scrutiny. Gang lord and mind reader?
“I warned you about him, didn’t I?” There is a drawl to his voice. If I didn’t know better, I would think Mayhem actually cares.
“I didn’t come here for you to tell me what I did wrong,” I hiss with disapproval. Who does he think he is?
“Then why are you here?” Mayhem asks softly.
Oh shit. My breath is stuck in my throat. He’s giving me that panties-off look! My intuition doesn’t know what to do. I finally squeak, “For the free alcohol.”
“Of course.” He finds me hilarious. Casually, Mayhem takes another sip of his drink. He motions to the bartender. “Another round of Gin and Tonic.” Mayhem’s voice is domineering. “Let me give you some advice. When a gang lord pursues you, you should always be careful of his ulterior motive. When gang lord two warns you about gang lord one, you should think twice before walking away from gang lord one. I’m not telling you what you did wrong. I’m doing you a favor by giving you a forewarning about the world you are walking into.”
My heart slams into my ribcage. What world am I walking into? “What are you talking about?”
Mayhem replies tersely, “A world where money powers morals, lies strike fear, and the pursuit of happiness is based on individual revolutions.” Mayhem leans forward, closing the gap between the two of us. “Everything that you think gangsters represent, and what our world encompasses, is the direct result of social media fabrications. Choi Sangwoo has sugarcoated everything he’s shown you. I am talking about a world so dark and overbearing that even fallen government and ex-army shrivel up in fear and choose suicide rather than face the likes of me.”
He is just trying to freak you out May. Don’t let him. “Why?” I sound like a mouse with her tail trapped.
Mayhem leans on his stool. The corners of his lips curl into that smile again. “Your ignorance protects you from fear.”
“I’m not afraid of you.” I am not about to be bullied.
Mayhem acknowledges my bold comment. “Good. Don’t be. I’m only one of many. If anything, I’m the dark Angel you’ll be calling on when this world comes for you.”
“No one’s coming for me,” I reply.
Mayhem scowls. “Let me just tell you this. When someone betrays me, I prefer to hold the gun to their heads. When someone betrays Choi Sangwoo, like the coward that he is, he stabs you in the back. So, you don’t know how he does it or where he does it. I think you are forgetting that when someone comes for you, there’s nothing you can do to stop them. All you can do is defend y
ourself.”
All the research I’ve done on gangsters and the underground world appears to be useless now. I am petrified of what reality brings. Mayhem is not making the situation any better.
Mayhem studies the look on my face. “You have no idea, do you?”
I swallow hard. Fear slowly seeps into my bones. I don’t even notice that the bartender already has our third round of drinks. With haste, I drink the remains of my second glass.
Mayhem smiles without teeth as he watches me.
“YOU REALLY ARE ONE OF a kind. What zoo did you escape from, and are you planning to go back?” I ask, slurring my words. We are on our sixth, seventh, or eighth round of drinks–I don’t remember. The colors of the bar are dancing in front of my eyes. All this talk about the deep and dark underground world has gotten me faded. I am no longer feeling stressed, fear, or anxiety. I am just a bubble of happiness bantering with this hot gang lord who is reminding me every minute I am out of my element with him.
“You have a strange sense of humor,” states Yoon Jaewon–as my drunken state prefers to call him as. My intuition adores his name as well. “May I remind you who you are talking to?”
I let out a laugh. I lean against him; he is all rock body and muscularly defined. “You think I’m afraid of you, but I’m not. I know who your uncle is. You’re not as intimidating as they say you are.”
“Then why did you run from me that night?” Jaewon smiles crookedly at me. He’s got me right where he wants me to be.
I frown at him. The memory of meeting Jaewon at my apartment unravels. “Because you said, ‘there’s nothing more valuable in a person than their ignorance’ and I took offense to that.”
Jaewon’s eyes harden. “Then what makes a person valuable?”
I scrunch up my nose. “Their heart.”
Jaewon scoffs. He looks away, shaking his head at me, clearly amused by my innocent answer. “You’re so legal it’s humbling.”
April Loves Black Coffee: First Impressions Page 43