Sungjong checked his reflection on the shiny brass plate stuck to the huge wooden double doors, announcing the name of the owner of the house in majestic letterings, before pressing the calling bell.

He was smartly dressed in a plain suit, complete with dress shoes. Normally he would just be in his jeans and T-shirt, completing the casual look with sporty sneakers. But that was when his clients came to visit him at his apartment or he went over to visit them while running the investigation. Today, he had called on his client and he was glad that he had decided to don on the suit. The magnificent two-storeyed villa, complete with a tennis court and an indoor swimming pool called for no less.

The design of the building was old-school from the outside but there was no way to tell that this villa was ancient. It was probably treated to a paint-job every three months, as well as change of furnishings. Everything was spick and span and a lesser man that Sungjong would have been intimidated by now; if not by the three brand new cars of the latest model in view in the garage, then by the armed guards at the main gate, which looked like the entrance to a castle.

Sungjong had to show his identity card as well as his business card to identify himself and he was searched thoroughly on his way in. Of course his Colt 0.42 revolver had to be turned in to the custody of the beefy security guards, who glared at him when they found the gun on him.

“What, I’m a private investigator, I have to come prepared,” he told the guards but they didn’t look too impressed; their glaring only increased in intensity. Of course the fact that they carried two very visible rifles didn’t seem to make anything favorable in his direction either.

That would have turned away many people, but not Sungjong. True, he was the cockiest and brattiest kid in high school, but he was also the most fearless. His slightly build body didn’t deter him from taking risks of large proportions and even though his body was probably one-fourth of that of the guards, his eyes remained steady and the slight arrogant smile that was his trademark remained intact.

That smile was still there when a man, who had to be the butler, opened the door and welcomed him in. He walked into the spacious drawing room confidently and sank into one of the velvet armchairs. He took some time to drink in the scene around him – the interior was just as lavish as the exteriors, maybe even more. It was safe to say that Sungjong hadn’t seen such extravagant display of wealth in his entire life. All the furniture were designer and it probably had taken at least five interior designers to come up with the planning of the huge room.

“This is what I call filthy rich,” he whispered under his breath and relaxed back into the soft velvety comfort of the armchair.

“Mr. Kim will be here soon.” The butler bowed and exited through a set of double doors to somewhere within the house, leaving Sungjong to observe his surroundings carefully.

I wonder how long it would take me to earn this much?

Sungjong was young, maybe a bit too young for the profession but he was known for his professionalism and even though he had been a private investigator for a mere 8 months, his fame had spread around Seoul.

Honestly, he had no formal training in investigation or anything related to it. He had a degree in Applied Physics but when he graduated from KAIST, Korea’s top University, he had no wish to work as an applied physicist. The job opportunities he found were more boring than playing Chinese checkers and that was when he decided he wouldn’t like to work for anyone. He had always had a problem with authority and hated to be told what to do. So while deciding what sort of business he should try to work on, there had been a case of robbery at one of his friend’s house. The police were baffled by the theft but Sungjong, who was allowed to do some poking around by his friend’s family since his friend was aware of his intelligence, solved the case successfully. It took him exactly 26 hours to solve it and even the police department was impressed.

That had been the spark he had been looking for in his life – he was offered a job by the police but he had promised he wouldn’t work for anyone. Instead, he decided to become a private detective and it was the perfect job him – complete freedom, the thrill of detection and a chance to use his above-average IQ. It took him some time to become famous, especially since most people were doubtful of his capabilities at first due to his age, but after solving one widely publicized double murder that the police had failed, he became a sort of celebrity. There were people lining up to secure an appointment with him – but that was where he had decided to draw the line. The cases were not always very difficult or thrilling so he started to sort through them – anything that didn’t challenge his intelligence was rejected. He would only accept cases which were unusual or poked his interest. He was being arrogant when he turned down potential clients saying, “That’s too easy for me.” but it gave him immense satisfaction to think that he wasn’t just another private detective – he was the private detective who solved cases that had no ordinary solutions.

He had often heard that he was extraordinary, starting from elementary school, and he was glad that people around him understood he was above the average. Some people thought he was vain but he was just someone who was gifted and knew that very well.

Any client had to make an appointment beforehand then they would come and visit him at his apartment. He hadn’t bothered to get an office because he preferred talking to clients in his comfortable place, over a cup of his special coffee he just brewed.

But today was different - he had come all the way to meet the famous business magnate and Korea’s richest man, Kim Jaejoong. He was of course surprised when a week ago he received a call from Kim Jaejoong’s personal assistant, asking for an appointment. He was sure Mr. Kim had his personal security service and the police in the palms of his hand. He couldn’t understand what he would want with him. The PA didn’t know either – he only gave Sungjong the time and the address, reminding him to bring his National ID card along with him to verify his identity. So of course he had no way of knowing if this case would indeed be something challenging but he still had agreed to meet Mr. Kim under all the conditions he had been given, the main being utter secrecy. The money he could get out of this case would probably ensure he didn’t have to work for a year but that wasn’t why Sungjong was here, selling a portion of his pride.

It was never the money with Sungjong – if he thought a case was demanding enough, he would do it for free. Today he was at the Kim Mansion because of his curiosity. Even though Mr. Kim was always under the limelight, his public appearance and direct communication were limited, making him a mysterious figure in the eyes of the public. He was no doubt a capable man to be running a multinational company and constantly ranking in the Top-ten lists of the richest people in the world, but no one knew any more than that about him. Recently however, the news of his wife committing suicide was a major issue that gained a lot of attention. But that case had no mysteries and Sungjong didn’t think he had been called for that. Any big theft or burglary or money laundering or murder related to the business or the company would be impossible to be kept quiet. That only meant one thing – whatever he had been called for was very personal and Mr. Kim didn’t want the police involved or the publicity. This was the greatest attraction of the case – Sungjong was extremely curious, not only about the case, but the man as well. He had met a lot of different types of people, but he wanted to know which category Mr. Kim fell in.

Even if the case is simple, I will gain an insight into the exclusive personal life of a billionaire.

The butler who had let him in earlier had come back to put a tray down in front of him on the low glass table that Sungjong supposed was the coffee table but was way too gorgeous to be so. All the dishes, as well as the tray were silver and he couldn’t help but smile a bit when he saw them.

Does food taste better on silver plates?

He was about to find out when another door, not the one through which the butler had earlier departed but a more showy one, was thrown open and Kim Jaejoong walked in.

Sungjong took his time observing the living legend of a man who strode smartly across the drawing room, power emanating from his every feature. He was tall, handsome and looked to be in his forties, even though he was 53. He was the kind of person you couldn’t help but feel timid in their presence; he had that air of absolute power about him. Sungjong had to give him that and as he stood up and took the hand he was offering him, he smiled a little, genuinely impressed.

Client is very satisfactory.

“Lee Sungjong, I believe?” Mr. Kim’s voice was not too deep but it held authority.

“Yes Mr. Kim.”

Mr. Kim motioned to him to sit down and sat down opposite to him, crossing his legs elegantly. He was impeccably dressed in a suit and Sungjong could almost see his face in his polished shoes. He was perfectly groomed; there was even a handkerchief in his pocket. There was nothing tacky or weak about him; everything looked intensely professional. Even in his suit, Sungjong felt underdressed.

I suppose this is what you need to cut deals with the biggest companies of the world.

Sungjong met his sharp eyes and knew he was sizing him up as much as he was evaluating him. He decided to play casual at first, even though he knew Mr. Kim would definitely like professionalism. But he knew that a better way of finding out what a man was like was by offering what he didn’t want instead of what he did want.

“I have to say Mr. Kim, this is an honor.” Sungjong cocked his head to one side and gave a crooked smile. Mr. Kim didn’t reply for a minute, during which he keenly observed Sungjong, his eyes roving all over his body.

“How old are you, Mr. Lee?”

Sungjong resisted a scoff.

Looks like you’re not that different from everybody else.

Ever since he had started working that was a question he had been asked on a regular basis.

“23. Any problems with that Mr. Kim?” He crossed his legs very slowly, watching with satisfaction as Mr. Kim’s eyes followed the action, his eyes glaring slightly. When he looked up, he locked eyes with Sungjong, as if daring him to put his foot down. But if he had thought Sungjong was just one of his employees or business clients, he was very much mistaken. It would take more than a billionaire with a striking personality to glare him down.

Finally Mr. Kim seemed to give up and said, straightening his perfectly straight tie, “Not at all. It’s talent I am after, and I have heard about you from many trustable sources. Tea?”

Sungjong smirked as he took the cup of tea from Mr. Kim. He hadn’t dreamed of being served firsthand by the business tycoon when he had first planned to visit him, but it was a bonus he enjoyed.

“Let’s get down to business. I am a busy man, as you can probably tell. I don’t like wasting time.”

“We’re similar that way Mr. Kim,” Sungjong said, sipping his first class Earl Grey tea. “I understand you have something to discuss with me?”

“That’s right. And the matter has to be treated secretively.”

“I know.” His tone was a bit too condescending.

Mr. Kim glared at him slightly, but Sungjong was unfazed. However, he didn’t want to enrage the businessman too early in their interactions so he decided to back down a little. Uncrossing his legs and setting down the tea cup, he said, “You want me instead of the police, that explains you’re going for utmost secrecy. And you have my words, this will be dealt with delicacy.”

“I don’t trust easily young man, but you seem trustworthy. Even then, if a word of this gets out, I will see to it that your mouth is shut, forever.”

Mr. Kim had now dropped the big guns and even though Sungjong wasn’t afraid of any threats, he assured the businessman once again that he would keep his word.

“And if I don’t, well, off with my head.” He chuckled as he saw admiration in Mr. Kim’s eyes. He was aware of how impressed Mr. Kim was right now but he wouldn’t say anything about it. Sungjong had never come across anyone who controlled their emotions so well, apart from himself of course.

This man is good…

“So…”

“There has been a theft in my house.” Mr. Kim’s eyes turned dark and a shadow crossed his eyes. Sungjong observed the changed carefully and saw as his hands roved down the front of his pressed suit, rummaging in his pocket for a few seconds, before appearing outside and landing on his thighs. His fingers twitched slightly. “Which as you can tell, is nothing short of impossible.”

Sungjong had to agree with him there – no one would be able to rob the Kim Mansion and get away with it, so no one tried. He had heard that the guards at this house were ordered to shoot at any trespassers. So even though, trying to rob this house would be extremely profitable, no one dared.

And the size of this place…there’s no way anyone can do that.

“They stole the key to my personal locker, which is in my bedroom and contains valuables. Important papers and cash of course, my wife’s jewelries – it’s packed. The key is gone but what’s confusing is, nothing else had been taken. If someone had stolen the key, it would be because they wanted what’s inside the locker but everything is intact.”

Sungjong sat up straighter, hanging on to Mr. Kim’s every word. He had a slight frown on his forehead that always appeared when he was thinking.

“Aren’t you going to note this down?”

Sungjong put a finger to his forehead.

“It is being noted down as you speak.”

When Mr. Kim looked slightly unsure, Sungjong smirked and said, “It’s alright Mr. Kim. You’ll find that my ways are a bit unconventional but I know what I’m doing.”

Mr. Kim nodded.

“Well you seem smart, you know why I want you.” Mr. Kim’s eyes seemed to bore holes into Sungjong’s bright brown ones, but he held the gaze, all the while a slight smile playing on his lips.

“Mr. Kim, this has to be an insider’s job; someone inside the house. I don’t know how many servants you have but they wouldn’t dare –you’ll have them shot at. That leaves…your family members. Such a sensitive issue, obviously, people close to you, people you love. If you called the police it’s bound to get out – imagine the controversy, the gossip, the scandal. And it would also be a proof that the Kim Mansion isn’t that invincible. If the news gets out you will have too much to deal with. So you want it all quiet and clean. And I’m happy to inform you, you have just the man for the job.”

This time, the anger in Mr. Kim’s eyes wasn’t that subtle, so wasn’t the admiration, but his voice was controlled as always.

“Yes. I’m at a crisis here. Someone close to me has stolen the key. I’m afraid what they might do next.”

“But you do realize Mr. Kim, if you want me to investigate, you have to be honest with me. I assure you I won’t pass on the information to any outsider, but I need to know everything.”

Kim Jaejoong tapped his finger on his thigh.

“I understand. You’ll have full co-operation from my side.”