c o n t e m p t
OPERATION: HATE (PREQUEL)
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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Thank you for over 100 subs~ May y'all precious little things enjoy this chapt.~~
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Dinner went pretty well, obviously, better than JYP had expected from his poor decision of gathering two moody kids in one place. Most of the conversations were passed between Jaebum and the elder man. Jinyoung and Mark just sulk silently next to each other. At least the food was good.
“So I was saying,” JYP finished stuffing the last piece of his steak into his mouth, chewing on it slowly, “as expected of our Vice Captain Park, who does everything perfect.” Turning to face Jinyoung, who’s seated across from him, the Chief Commander smiled, “your report was flawless.”
Sneering, Jinyoung side-eyed the eyesore next to him, “of course.”
“In situation like this, you should say "thank you" rather than shamelessly accepting,” Mark wiped his mouth elegantly with the cream-colored cloth used as a napkin.
“I-“ Jinyoung growled low in his throat.
“My apologies, sir,” Mark interrupted. “On behalf of my co-Vice, I do thank you for your compliment. We’ll be sure to continue working hard for the team.”
Jinyoung wasn’t having any of it as his leg automatically moves on its own and kicked Mark under the table, causing the said agent to yelp in surprise and eventual pain. Mark whipped his head towards Jinyoung and glared as his eyes narrowed sharply, piercing knives into the arrogant Chairman’s satisfied orbs. Jaebum looked between his two friends and let out a sigh. Tonight is going to be a long night.
“What the Hell, Park-ssi?” Mark said through gritted teeth, trying his hardest not to kick his co-Vice back harder.
“Oops,” Jinyoung shrugged casually and returned to cutting his steak and sipping on his glass of white wine, “my bad, was just stretching, though, you were in the way.”
Glaring hard at Jinyoung, Mark nodded annoyingly and went back to finishing his course in a stormy manner, completely lost his appetite. Who idea was it for them to sit right next to each other again? Oh, right, Jinyoung Park’s, their Boss. This night couldn’t be any longer; Mark wanted to go home and snuggle under the cozy sheets of his bed. His co-Vice is pulling on his last string.
Jaebum cleared his throat to somehow cleanse the toxic atmosphere. His hands stopped moving to cutting his food. He eyed his best friend. “Mark, don’t you have something important to do in an hour?”
Mark looked up from his plate with icy eyes. He knows what’s Jaebum is trying to do. “You right. I do. I’m not here in Korea to play,” the American agent wiped his mouth neatly with the cloth and got up from his seat. “If you all excuse me.”
Jinyoung got up, too, on instinct. “Hey, you were supposed to drive me home.”
Scoffing, Mark turned to face the source of his vexation, “drive yourself.” He took out the car keys and threw it at Jinyoung’s face, who caught it but not without a little wobbling to regain his balance. “I ain’t your chauffeur,” Mark said in English.
“Cha-cha-fer-what?” Shaking his head at his limited English skills, Jinyoung crossed his arms against his chest, “then how are you going to get back? You don’t have a car.”
JYP bites back a smile. The older man wonders if Jinyoung knows he’s lowkey demanding Mark to stay back with him. Probably not. Hate clouded their perspective of how well them two could actually get along. But oh, well, that’s their business.
“There’s this great invention called a taxi, Park-ssi,” Mark rolled his eyes. “Now, have a great night everyone.”
Mark bowed and proceeded to walk towards the doors of the huge dinning room. But only to be stopped by someone grabbing a hold of his arm. Without even looking back, the agent already sensed who it was. He let out a tiring sigh and turned back around. Jinyoung greeted him with a pout, the one that those spoiled five-year-olds used whenever their rich- parents refused to buy them toys. Mark scoffed and shook his head because is Jinyoung even aware how childish it looked for a grown- man to behave like a baby?
“Don’t touch me, please,” Mark said, eyes looking down at the hand that’s gripping tightly onto his forearm.
The young master didn’t budged from his position nor did he said anything. Just continues pouting and glaring like he’s trying to throw a silent tantrum. Mark concluded that Jinyoung has attachment issues. Not that Jinyoung was, in any way, attached to Mark.
“Look, I’m a very busy person, so if you could please-“
“Drive. Me. Home.” Jinyoung demanded.
Mark let out a dry laugh. He’s serious not in the mood to be ing deal with his co-Vice’s unnecessary right now. “Remove your filthy hand off of me while I’m asking nicely. Don’t make me use violence when I don’t have to.”
Then, for a moment, Jinyoung’s gaze turned predatory. His eyes darkened and blazing with ominous power. There was something horrific that’s resting calmly on his handsome features that gave Mark the chills. The air around them suddenly felt suffocating and cold. The way Jinyoung was looking at Mark was as if a thousand sharp icicles were stabbing through him, making his blood dripping from their frozen tips and pouring like Hell’s waterfall. For a moment, Mark thought he wasn’t looking at a man. He thought he was looking at a monster. A beast. A creature that's so terrifying and corrupted in a form of a beautiful human.
“All right,” Mark exhaled, shifting his gaze. It’ll be a lie to say that Mark wasn’t at least one bit scared. Even someone like him, the Great Mark Tuan, was shocked for a good amount of seconds before reality starts kicking in. He didn’t even know he was holding his breath. The effects that gaze had on Mark was beyond unbelievable. It was like he's being watched by the Devil himself. “If you want me to drive you home, then we’re leaving now. I do have a lot of stuff to do.”
Smirking and releasing his hold on Mark’s arm, Jinyoung turned around and bowed to his Boss and Captain. “We’ll be leaving first. The bill has already been paid for. Have a nice evening, sir.”
The Chief Commander nodded and chuckled, “okay, thank you. Play nice, you two.”
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Throwing his suit jacket and tie randomly on the floor of his huge contemporary villa, Jinyoung made his way to the pool in his backyard with a glass of red wine in his hand. The ride back to his house was fairly quiet as expected. He had told Mark to take his Ferrari back to the facility and park it there. Jinyoung would just hail a cab in the morning or drive one out of his thirteen cars that’s sitting in the garage.
Jinyoung stood at the dry landing at the edge of his pool, sipping peacefully on his wine. It’s like this every night. The young master enjoys drinking wine near his pool and just stares out into the huge space. Jinyoung finds the activity very pleasing. He likes the tender quietness of his home. He likes the sweet aroma of his backyard, a blissful mixture of odorless water and calming fragrances of blooming flowers. Closing his eyes, Jinyoung inhaled softly. He loves the night. He loves being alone.
Park Jinyoung never gets lonely. Maybe because he’s always busy in the day, and at night, he just wants peace and quiet. Or maybe he likes spending quality time with himself rather than meddling with others. Or maybe Jinyoung was used to it all. Used to being alone. Used to only rely on himself. Used to the feeling of being abandoned. Used to handling everything by himself. Used to making desperate decisions to fix everything no matter how rash or wrong that decision turned out to be.
Jinyoung had spent his entire childhood whining and screaming and throwing tantrums whenever he doesn’t get what he wants. Like any other rich little boys, Jinyoung was spoiled, extremely spoiled, since his parents basically owns the world, so really, there’s nothing Jinyoung don’t have. Well, except for love, but the young master could care less. It’s not like he’s ever been giving it.
His parents weren’t ideal parents. They always work and only cared about work. Unlike other families who love and care deeply for their only child, Jinyoung was pretty much left with his nanny. But the young master didn’t care as long as he had whatever he wants just by opening his mouth and asking once. His parents did provided him with everything. However, their love for the Park Group was boundless while their love for their own kid was nonexistence. Jinyoung was used to that. He grew to be reckless and problematic, doing whatever he wants and never minded the consequences.
He would go out and party every night. He would never stay inside for more than an hour. He would hang out with the bad crowd and find joy in doing so. He would always risk his life doing something so stupid and dangerous, but it’s not like his parents cared if he’s dead or alive. Spending an eye-bulging amount of money every week, Jinyoung was living his life like no one else. His bank account was bottomless; there’s money transferred everyday for him to make-it-rain. Dressing in leather jackets and ripped jeans, the young master wore a gentle and beautiful face of an heir, but his attitude and personalities were sick. His parents had thought Jinyoung went bad by himself, so initially, the throne didn’t belonged to him.
Mr. Park and Mrs. Park had favored Jinyoung’s adoptive cousin, Kris Wu, who was six years older than Jinyoung, more than anything. The married couple doted on Kris since the very first day. Despite not sharing the same blood, Kris was loved by his own adoptive parents and uncles and aunts. Kris’ mother, Mr. Park’s sister, saw the opportunity and took it. She continuously send Kris over to the Parks’ mansion to spend time with the King and his Queen, knowing that Kris will become the Crowned Prince to the Park Group.
While all that was happening, Jinyoung was outside partying. He didn’t want to inherit the responsibility of leading a huge company. He’d rather live his life doing nothing yet still have endless amount of cash. So when Kris came to him about not wanting to be the heir of the Park Group, Jinyoung had laughed and patted his cousin’s shoulder and encouraged him to just take up the position. Jinyoung had said Kris was smart and well-trained in business, so he should be fine. Relying on his spoiled cousin’s judgement, Kris reluctantly accepted the seat as the next powerful figure. Jinyoung was clapping and laughing happily at the party that was thrown to celebrate Kris’s claim of the heir title.
Everyone was cheering for Kris, because they all know how untamable and troublesome Park Jinyoung was. They all think Jinyoung would never make it as an heir. They all think he’ll ed up and bankrupted the whole entire economy built by his diligent parents. They all looked down on him. But Jinyoung didn’t care. He was content with the way he was living. He was content with faking his smiles and masking his pain.
Jinyoung wasn’t going to let the world step on him like he’s some kind of trash.
He was strong and independent.
He could handle anything.
He’s cunning and perceptive. Jinyoung could look pass people. Looking over their pretended friendliness. Looking over their pity. Looking over their venomous lies. Jinyoung knows a good person when he sees one. And a bad person when he encounters one. The young master wasn’t easily fooled. Although he acts like he doesn’t know anything, Jinyoung was an intellect with a mind functioning like no others.
The loud ringing of his phone snapped opened his eyes. Jinyoung reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, answering the call.
“Jinyoung!” The excited voice on the other line shouted loudly.
Pulling the device away from his ear a bit, Jinyoung cringed at the booming voice, “Youngjae?”
“How’re you doing? You haven’t called me since forever!” Youngjae complained.
“Sorry, it’s almost that time of the year, so I’m quite busy,” Jinyoung chuckled, secretly glad that his best friend still remembers to call him even though he couldn’t.
Youngjae sighed over the line, “I know. Just take care of yourself, yeah?”
“I am. Don’t worry about it,” Jinyoung walked over to one of the table next to the pool and sat down on it, placing his wine glass next to him. “How’s Suzy?” Jinyoung didn’t want to talk or ask about Suzy, since he hated her, but being a great best friend and hyung to his Youngjae, he had to sometimes asks about her.
“She’s fine,” Youngjae said, probably smiling like an idiot, “we’re fine.”
Jinyoung scoffed, “why did I even bothered asking.” Bae Suzy, in Jinyoung’s eyes was bad news since the day he had met her, but in Youngjae’s love-blinded eyes, she was his everything. It’s a bit too late for Jinyoung to say anything about their relationship, since those two had been dating since freshmen year of high school. Jinyoung was probably the only one who disapproves their love. But now, Jinyoung just gave up. Youngjae looked very happy with his first love; there isn’t anything more that Jinyoung could do.
“Hey,” Youngjae laughed, completely oblivious to his best friend’s worries about his lover. “Are you free tomorrow night? Want to hang out a little before you go and become the big bad wolf that you are?”
“I don’t mind,” the agent smiled. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you in person anyways.”
“Okay! I’ll see you then~” Youngjae enthusiastically cheered. “Good night now.”
“Bye,” Jinyoung said and hung up, knowing that Suzy was probably home from her training and the couple was going to spend the night together.
Sighing, he sets his phone down on the table and picked up his wine glass. Jinyoung took a sip of the deep red liquid and his lips. Why does it feels so strange tonight? His phone rang again. This time from a very familiar caller.
“I’m sorry if I’m interrupting you, sir,” the person politely addressed, “just calling to check on you. If you need anything else before leaving.”
“Chill, Kwanghee,” Jinyoung sighed, “I’m not leaving in another three months.”
“I mean I know that,” Kwanghee sighed, too, “I’m just anxious, since it hasn’t been long since I’ve messed up a deal.”
The Chairman rolled his eyes, “for ’s sake, do your goddamn job! You’re embarrassing me! I picked you to be in the Board of Directors for a reason. Get your together. Why are you so slacking this year? You were perfectly fine before.”
“I’m getting marry, sir,” Kwanghee replied in a quiet tone.
“You what?”
“Married, sir!”
“Oh, well, congrats.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You little , that doesn’t mean you neglect my company!” Jinyoung screamed, the wine settles some of its effects on the male. He was feeling a bit tipsy.
“You now what, Jinyoung,” Kwanghee said, dropping all formality, since they were good friends from the beginning, “ you and your company. My wedding is more important!”
Pinching the bridge of his nose, Jinyoung exhaled heavily, “fine. I’ll have Daesung and Kyungsoo take over for the time being. But when you come back, your work load will be doubled.”
“Jesus ing Christ. Thank you so much. Finally,” the representative puffed out a breath of joy. “Are you coming?”
“I’m afraid I can’t. There’s still a lot to do over here at the K.N.S.S.” Jinyoung said, “sorry, but I’ll send you a gift, so-“
“That will be fantastic! Thanks, sir!” Kwanghee cuts Jinyoung off. “Besides, I don’t want your scary- intimidates all of my guests at my wedding, so sending gifts would be enough. Thank you for your kindness.”
“Whatever,” Jinyoung couldn’t help but smiled, “anyways, if you don’t got anything else to report, then good night. I’m tired.”
“Good night, Chairman Park.”
After hanging up with Kwanghee, Jinyoung didn’t put his phone down. Instead he pressed a new number. It didn’t take two rings for the other line to be picked up.
“S-sir? Is something wr-wrong?”
“Relax, Junho. I’m just calling to put in an order,” Jinyoung calmly said.
“Wh-what is it, sir?” Junho, the Head Manager of Moonlight, one of Park Group’s jewelry chain.
“Prepare for me a set of thirty-five carats white emerald cuts earrings and necklace and a black Hublot Caviar Bang watch.”
“Yes, sir. It will be ready for you by the end of this month.”
“Thank you. Good night.”
“Have a great night, Chairman.”
Letting the night autumn wind blows softly against his hair, Jinyoung hopped off the table. The young master wondered how did he come this far. Or why is he sitting on the throne that doesn’t belong to him. Or why is he even doing all this when all he wanted to do was just lives his life the way he wanted. What went wrong?
Jinyoung wondered if Kris didn’t abruptly left to travel the world for no goddamn reason, or if his parents weren’t so upset about Kris’s sudden departure and decided to leave everything to the son, whom they never cared about, and left to spend their retired days in Paris, would Jinyoung be able to live freely like he wanted?
Sometimes, Jinyoung hated Kris for leaving, hate his parents for leaving. He hated how he’s shouldering everything. Kris shouldn’t have left no matter what. Kris should have stayed and continues nurturing the grand company, continues the legacy of the Parks. Kris would have done a much better job than Jinyoung, because Kris knows about the business world and what he’s doing. On the other hand, all Jinyoung did with his life was partying and spending. Jinyoung was just thrown into the world of monstrous predators where he’s the prey. He would close his eyes for the night, and when he opens them again, he suddenly became the all-powerful Chairman Park. Everyone just left him crawling by himself. Jinyoung had fought so hard and desperately to be able to protect this damned throne that he don’t want. He had sacrificed so much for the company despite his ignorant of the dark hours of handling the world. Corruption barely means anything compared to whatever Jinyoung had done with his powers and company.
But at the end of the day, regrets are just feelings. It’s too deep to swim back up. The only option is to sink lower. If only Jinyoung had known how to properly operates, then he wouldn’t be drowning on his own.
Without shedding himself off his white button-up and black slacks, Jinyoung jumped into the pool.
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The room was swaying itself in the stillness of the night. There were no other light source except for the one that’s shining brightly from the laptop’s screen. The noise of fingertips hitting keyboards echoed throughout the empty suite, disturbing the sleep of darkness. Mark tiredly rubbed his eyes and threw his head back, mouth opened wide to an exasperated yawn. One more search, he told himself. One more and I’ll go to bed.
The agent worked hard to find more information regrading the case in order to expand his Operation Phoenix, but his efforts were in vain. There’s nothing more that could be sought. Tired, Mark decided to shut down his laptop and head to bed. Except, of course, his phone would ring.
“Hello?” Mark picked up, voice barely above a whisper.
“Mark,” the person on the other line called. Mark cringed at the voice; it’s his Boss.
“Benedict,” Mark sighed heavily, “sir.”
“I’m glad you’re still awake,” the man said. “Because I have something for you.”
“What now, Ben?” Mark whined, too lazy and tired to be receiving more orders.
“I’ve just send it to you.”
“I’ll check later, after I wakes up.”
“Suit yourself,” his Boss sighed, “but anyways-“
“Is it relevant to Operation Phoenix?”
“No, not particularly. I mean it could, but that’s a very vague answer.”
Mark his heels and headed back to open up his laptop. While waiting for the device to start up, the agent gulped down a random bottle of water that’s sitting on top of his desk, begging to be drained. Benedict continued, “for now, we could call this a separate mission. A week from now, you will be handed an assignment that you’ll be carrying out in December, three months from now. Do not reject the offer, Mark. I don’t care how busy you’re probably going to be, but you will accept that job. The job will require for you to leave Seoul for three months to be in Jeju Island. You’ll know about the details later.”
“What’s the point of this?” Mark asked, curious to why he’s leaving his original assigned mission to go somewhere else for three months.
“You’re going to judge, and we’ll trust your judgment.”
“Judge what? And why trust my judgement?”
“Because you’re one of our best agents, Mark, and you’re a person of rights and wrongs. You’re capable of seeing things for yourself and decide based on what you’ve been observing. The higher-ups had already agreed to this. So now we’re all waiting on you.” Benedict explained.
“Wow,” Mark opened up his email account. “Thanks. So what am I judging?”
“You’re judging to see if this person is worth killing. If he is, kill him. If he isn’t, then don’t. But keep in mind that the initial approach of this mission is to kill him. So set him as your target and go from there. Do anything you need to do to finalize your decision. We trust you on this.”
The inbox opened and there sat the newly sent mail from Mark’s Boss. He clicked on it, and automatically, his laptop’s screen blinked black for a few seconds, securing the signal lines, letting Mark know that the file is confidential and will self-destruct. Once the blinking stopped, a profile of a young man with elegancy in his eyes and intelligence in his beautifully calming face popped up.
Mark bit his bottom lip, this is the thing that he least expected, and reads out the name that’s printed next to the profile picture, “Park Jinyoung, Chairman of the Park Group, the world’s leading economic power and influence.”
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