In Demand
In Demand
In a private room, Anton came with his best men, Ha-joon and Chun-Ho with four more under his command. The second he entered, Farhad Salib was already there. Ten of Farhad's men stood behind him.
The man wore an Islamic robe and a cap. His beard grown long and had very handsome features. His clothes down to his shoes reflected luxury. It was as expected of a drug lord.
"I'm only going to give you five minutes," said Anton as he took the seat in front of the round table, opposite to Farhad. "What do you want from me?"
Farhad Salib smiled mischievously and said, "I've heard… you are having problems… I thought I come here and lend you a hand."
"I did not know… we were THAT close," said Anton with his eyes narrowing at him.
Farhad laughed thoroughly, even raising his hands at his men, encouraging them to laugh with him. After a few seconds, they all settled their laughter. "I'll get rid of your nuisance. I know you don't want to get your hands dirty on innocent lives, but I can do it for you. In exchange, I hope you can let me buy at least twenty crates of artillery."
"I can handle my own problems." Anton stood up and said, "I don't do business with men like you. This is not the first time that I have told you this, but let me say it again. You and any men like you who make a living out of broken people's addiction, WILL NOT HAVE ANY AFFILIATION WITH ME!"
"I don't ever want to have you and any of your men contact my office again! The next time, please understand if I will not grace you with my presence." Anton walked out of the meeting room in five minutes, just like he said to Farhad.
As they made their way to the lobby, Anton asked Ha-joon, "Did you ask the hotel manager to activate the cameras inside the meeting room?"
"Yes, sir. I'll go get the recording now and join you in the car," said Ha-joon before excusing himself.
Anton then turned Chun-Ho and said, "Check if Farhad has anything to do with my recent predicament. He must be desperate right now, considering how the US have taken the lead in bringing down the opium trade in Afghanistan."
"Yes, sir," confirmed Chun-Ho.
For years, since he took over the Yeong empire, Farhad Salib, the leader of one biggest drug cartel in Afghanistan, had long been trying to convince Anton to sell arms to the syndicates in Afghanistan, specifically his own. While Farhad had other sources, he was trying to arm his cartel with enough firepower, especially with the growing conflict in his country.
Anton thought deep about the possibility. He did not want to make unnecessary enemies, especially from another country, but if Farhad had anything to do with his recent misfortunes, he would act as necessary, regardless if he was to go against a drug cartel.
Shortly within that week, Anton was faced again with another worry. The reporter from the Korean Daily, whom Anton had ensured to be dismissed from his work, had met an assault.
So Eon Jung, the said reporter, was treated in a private clinic and after two days of confinement reported to the police and to the media that he was attacked.
The reporter had a neck brace on. He had bruises on his face and a cut on his chin. He was in a wheelchair and said to have suffered from a rib injury and will remain to rest in his private home for the rest of his recuperation.
Anton and Yanmei were watching the news from the CEO office, both utterly feeling their heads about to explode in anger, listening to So Eon Jung's interview.
"I don't know who attacked me, but this happened after I spoke against Anton Yeong during his press conference!" So Eon Jung looked directly into the camera and added, "That's all I can say, but I'm sure the community understands me well."
Anton shook his head and said, "I should have just killed that fuck!"
"Sshhh! Yeong! Please," said Yanmei. "Your words will get you in trouble."
They were both standing in front of his LED TV when Anton said those words. Yanmei walked up to him and said, "Let's sit down on this for a minute."
Yanmei pulled him closer to the couch and said, "I heard that Haneul had already awakened. What if - what if I speak to him and see if he can help us clear your name?"
"No, I will not have you go any closer to him," he said while throwing his head back to the cushion. "I'll take care of this. I'll have that reporter's attack investigated and see if I can get any clues."
He turned to Yanmei and put an arm around her waist. He said, "Thank you. Somehow, you being with me eases my worries. Thank you for believing in me."
Yanmei hugged him tight from his side and said, "Yeong, you may be hot-tempered sometimes, but I have known you well. I will always believe you… because I love you."
"I love you," he said after pecking on her forehead.
That Thursday evening, Anton let Ha-joon and his men worked double time on the investigation, including the recent assault of So Eon Jong.
While they were drowned with a problem to solve, someone was about to cause additional havoc.
In an underground basement, a man was changing into a leather jacket and pants. His walls were filled with articles and news clippings of a serial killing that happened four years back.
He sat down on a desk where he prepared for his pursuit. On his desk was a sedative, already inside a syringe and a handgun. He lazily hid them inside his jacket before looking up at several photos on his wall.
There were pictures of Anton Yeong and his men, but most importantly, there were pictures of Yanmei.
The man's lips curved into a smile as he pulled out Yanmei's picture from the wall. He said, "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Looks like Anton is protecting you well. I suppose I could save you for last."
He took a deep breath and said, "For now, others will have to do."
The strange man got ready to leave, but instead of going up to his front door, he opened a secret passage and walked for fifteen minutes before coming out into the woods. A wooden door concealed by rocks and bushes opened for his exit, and there he began his stroll to a rundown shack.
Inside that shack was a car waiting for him. After turning on his engine, he went through a narrow passage from within the woods before reaching a paved road. He played the music on his cd player and began to sing along to a classic.
"Put your head on my shoulder
Hold me in your arms, baby
Squeeze me oh-so-tight
Show me that you love me too
Put your lips next to mine, dear
Won't you kiss me once, baby?
Just a kiss goodnight, maybe
You and I will fall in love…"
He played his song over and over again until nearly reaching a luxurious neighborhood. He saw a young woman who had a flat tire. Seeing the fancy sports car, it was obvious that she was well off.
A smile became plastered on his face. He muttered, "Perfect. Exactly what I am looking for."
He pulled over and said, "Hello, are you alright? Can I help you with anything? Looks like you have a flat tire. I can change your tires for you."
The woman pursed her lips in doubt. She checked the time and realizing it was already past midnight and let out a heavy sigh before saying, "I guess. Thank you for your help."
The next day, the woman's car was found just a mile away from her community. It was evident that she was headed home. Inside her car was her bloody finger, but her body was nowhere to be found.
From inside her windshield, painted in red lipstick, was a message for Anton Yeong.
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Dearest Anton Yeong,
Do you remember me? It's your favorite serial killer. Find me and maybe you'll save the girl. You'll have three days before I end her. Your deadline will be Monday at zero hundred hours.
Sincerely,
Friday Midnight
P.S. Guess who is my ultimate target?
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Friday Midnight was the name of a serial kidnapper and killer who cause panic in the city years back.
Women from wealthy families were his target. They were often taken for several days, leaving the victim's finger from her last sighting. A message to the police was often left in red lipstick, urging them to find him before the victim's body turns cold. On all occasions, he took his victim past midnight on a Friday.
The same investigators who had invited Anton to the police station once again asked for his presence.
Inside a private room, the detective named Byung-ho explained the situation and said, "Mr. Yeong. Trouble seems to be after you these days."
Anton Yeong let out a heavy sigh after hearing about the recent kidnapping and said, "Tell me about it."
He leaned forward, resting his elbows against the table with his eyes tightening. "I don't know if it's my wealth, my fucking good looks, or just my style that I seem to be always... In demand."
"I'm starting to get tired of it."