Night was beginning to fall over Gangnam as Jin wandered aimlessly through the busy streets. The sky was painted in shades of orange, and the city lights were starting to take over the scene. He was just trying to clear his head, without any big plans, until he felt a strong hand on his shoulder.
He quickly turned, ready for anything, but found Leon standing there. His face was serious, the kind of look that meant business.
— Finally found you. — Leon said.
Jin frowned.
— What's up?
— Your father's been looking for you since yesterday. — Leon spoke bluntly, crossing his arms. — He messaged you all day Saturday and you didn't answer. He sent me to track you down.
Jin looked a little embarrassed, scratched his neck, and glanced away.
— I… ended up sleeping all day Saturday. Didn't even see the messages. And today… to be honest, I haven't even touched my phone.
Leon let out a "yeah, sure" and turned his back.
— Come with me.
— Where to?
— Just come.
Jin hesitated for a second but followed. Leon wasn't the type to explain much, and when he spoke like that, it was because it came from the top. Jin knew exactly what that meant.
The two went to a luxury mall in Gangnam, one of those places only the rich and powerful frequented. Jin was never a fan of that environment full of arrogant looks and show-offs, but Leon looked right at home.
Without wasting time, Leon took him straight to a high-end tailor shop. As soon as they walked in, the staff stood ready, as if they were already expecting them.
— I need a suit for him. A decent one. — Leon said.
The attendant didn't argue. He led Jin to the racks with the best suits available. Jin, feeling a bit uncomfortable, browsed through the options and ended up choosing an all-black set — the blazer, the dress shirt, and even the tie, all in the same dark tone. A somber and sober look, just the way he liked.
After picking out the suit, Leon dragged him to a fancy barbershop inside the mall.
— You're cutting that hair too.
Jin sighed.
— What's with the obsession over my looks today?
Leon just shrugged.
— Because. Boss's orders.
Jin sat in the chair and let the barber do his job. When he looked in the mirror afterward, he barely recognized himself. His hair was sharp, his face looked cleaner, his gaze more mature. Suddenly, he didn't look like the same street kid anymore.
— Alright. Now I deserve to know. Why all this? Just to see my father?
Leon let out a quiet sigh.
— He set up a meeting tonight. And it seems you got involved with someone he knows. So he decided to call you in.
Jin raised an eyebrow.
— Got involved with who?
Leon smirked slightly but didn't answer.
— You'll find out when we get there.
After that, Jin quickly went home. Took a shower, put on the new suit, and once again looked in the mirror. The image staring back wasn't of a street kid anymore. It was of someone important. Someone with a heavy weight on his shoulders.
Back in the car, Leon drove him to the hotel where his father did business. A luxurious place Jin already knew, but that always made him uneasy. They went straight up to the five-star restaurant on the top floor, where a security guard was already waiting.
They were escorted to a private room. As the door opened, Jin saw three people: his father, as expressionless as ever; a man with a European appearance, flawless suit, and a cold, calculating air; and to his surprise, the girl he had saved from the harassers earlier.
When she saw him, her eyes widened, and she visibly blushed, mumbling to herself:
— What's he doing here? I don't remember him being this cute.
Jin was immediately confused, trying to make sense of the situation.
His father gestured.
— This is Jin, my heir.
The European man introduced himself:
— Viktor Von Heider. I'm Alina's father.
Jin blinked a few times, surprised at the absurd coincidence. Before he could react, the two men started talking business.
And then came the part about deals, expansion plans, Gangbuk, and his father's grim promise:
— If they betray us… we kill them.
Jin simply nodded, knowing this world didn't forgive the weak.
End of Chapter 15