The numeric code looks more puzzling each time Mikaela takes a glimpse at it. He wonders if these numbers could be coordinates of some sort, financial records maybe? Mikaela can't tell. Numbers usually meant maths and maths was never his strong suit.
"I better send this over to Darcy to analyse." He concludes, already tired and yearning for a night rest when all of a sudden his phone went BEEP. It was a text message. From Ji-hoon to Liam Miller's line.
Mikaela's fingers clicked on the notification to read it:
'Don't bother coming over to my home to pick me up tomorrow. I will be at House of Falcon Hotel's Gentlemen's Lounge, for a meeting. Meet me there by 10am. I will forward the address to you in the morning. Don't be late.Have a good night.'
After reading that he can't help but groan a bit. Today was such a mentally draining roller-coaster that he's not particularly looking forward to tomorrow. His back rests against the couch as he crashes into sleep.
— • —
Sounds of traffic blares from outside, and Mikaela jolts awake from his slumber with a sharp headache. It takes him a minute to recollect his thoughts, he shields his eyes from the blinding sunlight penetrating from the windows.
What time is it?
Grabbing his phone, he quickly switches it on. It slips off his hands as soon as it comes on.
Holy Shit…
The time is 9:30 am. He has exactly less than 30 minutes to get ready. A sms notification pops up at the top of his screen. The address:
'Suite 50, House of Falcon Hotel, The Aerie Overlook 7700 Highgate Terrace, The Pinnacle District.'
"That's like an hour drive from here…" He murmurs.
It's going to be a long day.
— • —
Stepping into the House of Falcon is less than entering a bar and more akin to descending into a predator's nest. Situated right in the center of the city, at the peak of the building, It's no wonder why it is fondly referred to as "The Bird's Eye View",
especially with the glass windowed walls that secure the hushed conversations of the patrons.
Among these patrons is Jang Ji-hoon who is sitting comfortably in one of the longue's high-backed wing chairs discussing matters of importance with some older gentlemen who hangs on his every word. However, a howling noise pulls away his attention from the men to the main entrance. The source of such a commotion? His secretary, who is right on time and currently in a heated argument with one of the security guards.
"Sir, you haven't stated your correct identification." The guard stated, blocking the entrance with his large body mass.
Mikaela resists the urge to rip out the hair from his scalp, "Ugh! Are you mentally challenged or something? I keep telling you that I'm Ceo Jang Ji-hoon's Secretary!"
The guard, who is dressed in all black, stares at him skeptically, "Nice try pal, you aren't the first fellow to use that excuse to gain access here. Yeah we know Ceo Ji-hoon has a revolving door of secretaries but unlike them I actually plan on keeping this job so please leave before I use force-"
"Yes, what seems to be the problem here?" Ji-hoon appears from behind, cutting the guard off.
The guard jolts from where he's standing, outwardly shocked by the sudden appearance, "Mr Jang sir! Sorry for the disturbance, I was telling him to leave."
"Now why would you tell my secretary to leave?" Ji-hoon flashes a patronising smile as he towers over the security man, glaring down on him condescendingly.
"Secretary? Um…uh…" The stunned guard loses his tongue trying to find the words before he immediately starts grovelling with his head down, "My apologies Mr. Jang sir." He turns to Mikaela with his head also facing down, "My apologies sir, please do come in." He motions him to enter.
Ji-hoon walks away from the entrance, and Mikaela follows, but not before purposely bumping his shoulder against the security guard hard.
He meets up with Ji-hoon's pace, "Sorry you had to deal with that sir, I keep telling that idiot I was-"
"You're late." Ji-hoon voices sharply in a low tone while still maintaining a gleeful demeanor.
"It was the traffic." Mikaela tells him.
Ji-hoon stops in his tracks to face Mikaela, "Are you sure you need this job Mr. Miller? Not want, need."
Mikaela freezes before nodding' "I'm sure."
Ji-hoon grins with his eyes closed for a moment, "Very well." pats his shoulders, "But talk is cheap. You have to show me you need this." his hand moves from his shoulders to the side of his neck, pressing on it slightly "Really show me."
Mikaela holds himself back from pulling away but he can't hide how uncomfortable he appears to be. But he has to play along.
Ji-hoon pulls his hand away before proceeding to pat Mikaela on the cheek, "We will be here for a while so get comfortable. Get yourself a drink. I have to go wrap up the conversation I was having with those fine gentlemen over there." He gestures to a round table with some older men seated.
"Of course." Mikaela nods as he watches Ji-hoon walk away.
He goes over to the serving counter and sits on one of those stools. With all that has happened lately, he really needed the alcohol. He whistles at the bartender who's back is facing him.
"Hi, so I'll have a margarita, mixed with a bit of vodka, shaken with some ice and lime to the side please." He places his order, tapping his fingers on the counter.
"Got it. Anything else?" The bar tender turns around. He looks East Asian, very pale, thin, average height, his pink dyed hair tied to a low bun, his black roots clearly visible.
He was pretty and Mikaela could instantly tell. Definitely an omega.
"Anything else?" The young man repeats himself, chuckling after catching Mikaela staring.
"Huh? just that, thank you." Mikaela gets flustered, hoping that the boy didn't think he was ogling him or something perverted like that.
Getting embarrassed at this age, over a kid at that. God I really need that alcohol...
Although with an omega present, it begs the question on the nature of his employment here, especially with the suspicion of Ji-hoon's ties to the Guild's ongoing trafficking of young omegas.
Who's to say the owner here isn't also tied to the Guild, who's to say if all these powerful men aren't? Mikaela got a headache from thinking this. He couldn't help but worry for the kid.
Mikaela watches quietly how the young man prepares his drink with concentration.
"First time here?" The boy's question breaks the silence.
"Heh. Is it that obvious?" Mikaela cackles.
The boy shrugs, "You just stand out I guess. I'm Aster by the way. Aster Bai."
"Pleasure to meet you Aster Bai, My name is Liam Miller." Mikaela offers him a handshake.
Aster Bai, surprised but shakes his hand anyway smiling, "So, what brings you here Mister Miller?"
"Not sure, I'm with my boss Jang Ji-hoon?"
Aster's smile drops, "No way. Say sike right now. The Jang Ji-hoon of Jang Industries?"
Mikaela picks up on his expression, something didn't feel right, "Yeah? What about him?"
Aster stays mute before passing Mikaela his order. "One shaken margarita with ice as requested. Excuse me…" Aster quickly exits the counter.
Mikaela calls out for him, "Hey kid where are you going?" No response.
Strange. What's his deal with Ji-hoon?
Mikaela holds his glass, preparing to take a big anticipation sip of alcohol when his glass is knocked out of his hand without warning as Ji-hoon stumbles into him.
Ugh! What the hell? Well there goes my alcohol. Is this bastard drunk right now-
Mikaela locks eyes with Ji-hoon, who's barely standing, holding himself up by the counter. He could see how dilated his pupils got. He's not drunk, this is much worse.
"Sir are you okay- Woah!"
Mikaela is abruptly pulled off from the stool by Ji-hoon, who is grabbing him by his right arm so tightly. They exit the lounge together.
"Sir! Sir, hold on! Wait!"
"We are leaving now." Ji-hoon drags him across the hall with his newly found strength, his veins popping through his hand.
"I said wait a minute damn it!" Mikaela pulls away, almost falling on his ass, "What the hell happened to you?!"
Ji-hoon halts, frustrated he tries to recount, "Earlier I was given drinks on behalf of one of the older gentlemen who introduced his omega daughter to me, this pink haired boy served it…"
"Aster?" Mikaela mutters.
"Is that his name? The little rascal must have spiked it. Definitely demanded by that old man. Ha…Classic method. Probably had his daughter in one of the rooms here and would've pushed me in one in order to get her pregnant. I respect the dirty game." Ji-hoon began laughing, breathing in heavily.
"it's not funny, that's probably illegal. Should I call an ambulance?" Mikaela asks, ready to dial an emergency line.
"No need." He takes a key out of his pocket, "I own a room here since I'm friends with the owner. I will just rest there."
Mikaela nods, "Okay. Lead the way."
— • —
Ji-hoon's room is Suite 41, just a floor below the lounge. As Mikaela got it, he felt incredibly chilly. The room was well air conditioned, and it was quite large. Almost as large as the longue.
Mikaela wouldn't be surprised if this is the largest room in the hotel. The lights are dimly lit, a golden hue covering the room. The bedsheets are laid neatly, and the chairs didn't look dusty at all. He wonders how often Ji-hoon comes here since this place looks like it gets cleaned and tidied on a daily basis.
Mikaela turns away from the room towards the door, "Enjoy your rest sir." He places his hand on the doorknob.
Hot air hits the back of Mikaela's neck. This paralyses him.
His hand on the doorknob feels slightly heavier.
"I don't remember asking you to leave." Ji-hoon breathes down his neck, his hand clamping down over Mikaela's, pinning his fingers to the doorknob, anchoring them in place.
Shit. Don't tell me the drug they gave him triggered a rut!
"You said you need this job right?" Ji-hoon presses his body against him, "Time to show me how badly you need it…"