Face to Face, Side by Side

"Don't tell me you wanna let the Kang conquer the area!"

Reese flinches. The hand that slams the oak executive table still has the power to choke people to death. That slam is just a mere warning.

A soft reminder of an angry leader to his downline.

"So, what do you want me to do? Declare a war against them?" asks Reese with her sarcastic tone. Taesan, Gi, and Taeyang glare at her stimulusly.

"So, you want them the surpass us?!"

"So, you want me to kill them?"

"Gi Hyung, I think you should do the talk..." Taesan whispers at Gi. Taeyang, who sits next to Taesan nods in tiny. This conversation will go nowhere but stuck in shenanigans, lots of screaming and bantering.

They still wanna preserve their hearing.

"Dad... I think we need to clear the area. Having a duel with the Kang is not a good idea. Unless you wanna us to join the Afterworld before you..." says Gi. His way of talking to Master Kim is different, compared to his language with his downline and siblings.

"Kang spitted on us, and you tell me you wanna just forgive and forget?" Master Kim inquires.

"If you react the same, would it make us the same? I don't wanna act like a group of baboons! You know how the Kang is. They have a lot of drama kings," Gi replies.

"Pyong gassna!?"

With that only one word, everyone churns in their seat.

"I can't believe my kids turn into a group of mushy potatoes! Have you guys realized, we are a mafia clan? How can you let someone kick your face and leave, just like that?!" Master Kim yells his lungs out. His eyes gave a sharp glare at Reese.

"This! This is all your fault, Reese!"

"Dad, don't blame Noona! It's not her fault!" Taeyang upstands Reese.

"Ah... Keep protecting your beloved Noona! When a bullet hits your brain, that's when you realize her gentle approachment is nothing but crap!" Taeyang wants to throw a fit but Taesan stops him. His brother doesn't want him to cross the line.

Master Kim is still their father no matter what.

"Dad... I think we need to take one step at a time. Be patient, yet wise. If we suddenly ramp up the area, we might get into trouble. Not only from the locals but from the Kang Clan as well," finally, Taesan speaks up. He had enough of his siblings chickening out in front of Master Kim.

"So, what's your suggestion?"

Taesan looks at his siblings, then his sight drifts at Master Kim.

"I'll send somebody who fits for the job. We'll see," he replies to Master Kim.

Master Kim sighs. Slowly, he nods.

"As long as we get the area, everything is in your hands now, San. Do whatever you want," says Master Kim. "Alpine Street must be ours!" Master Kim balls his fist tight.

Taesan glares at Reese. The girl stares at him, in sour. He can only smile.

"Don't worry, Noona... I've taken care of everything..." Taesan slowly whispers to her.

***

The party that evening went calmly without any further drama. Though they gather within the circle of the clan, everything goes smoothly even after a heated argument in the meeting room.

Gi is busy bothering Jimin, as usual. The boy sulks since the afternoon after the prank. So, as usual, standing like a watching dog behind Taeyang. Master Kim is chatting with his friends while holding baby Jung In.

"I almost forgot the true intention of us coming here..." says Taesan to Reese. Jackson, who is chilling together with them frowns.

"I know there must be something else... There is no way you gonna drag San's ass to a meeting, Noona..." Jackson snickers.

"We need a golden pass to enter a ranch. According to the intel, my client's target is having some shady business at Rigid Ranch," Reese explains the situation to Jackson.

The man shakes his head in tiny. He sips his drink slowly.

"If you ask me about Rigid Ranch, I can't help you..." says Jackson. "However, there is someone who might be helpful for this," he whispers to Reese and Taesan.

"Who?" asks Reese. Jackson winces his nose.

"I don't think you gonna like it..."

"Just spill the beans, Jackson!" Taesan forces his friend. Jackson's eyes immediately linger on someone who sits peacefully on a sofa grey sofa across them, a yard away. He sips his wine and enjoys the moment alone.

"Have you noticed him drinking wine nonstop? From the time he joined the meeting, until now. He never drinks anything else, but that wine," says Jackson.

"Yeah, kinda noticed that he constantly holding that glass," says Reese.

"That wine is from Rigid Ranch. I heard it's custom-made. Only for the special client..." says Jackson, hugging his best friend's shoulder. "In conclusion, we're snooping on your only golden ticket to Rigid Ranch."

"So, what are we gonna do now?" asks Reese. Jackson smirks at her. Then, slowly, that man's sight falls to Taesan.

"Someone needs to be a man whore tonight..."

"Aishibal sekkiya!" Taesan smacks Jackson's head. The man whines in pain.

"I'm telling the truth!" Jackson halts when he sees Taesan's fiery eyes gaze at him.

"Okay, scratch the man whore part! I mean... Someone has to get close to him for information," says Jackson. He puts some ice into Taesan's glass.

Taesan glares at Jackson. Then he gives him a deep sigh.

"I can't ask Reese Noona to get close to him. Mino might stand in their way..."

"What about you?" Taesan inquires.

"What's all this have to do with me, if we take the logic? We only look too suspicious," Jackson replies. "Plus, you have a concrete reason why you come and reach him. You might need to apologize for your behavior towards him just now," Jackson ticks all the reasonable points for his reason on why Taesan should get closer to their target.

"I guess we have no choice, San..." Reese pats his forearm. The man glares at his sister. Then, his sight falls on the target.

"I'll call you if anything happens," Taesan slowly flicks his shirt's button, revealing his chiseled chest a bit. Then, he glares at Jackson and suppresses his anger at the man.

"This is all on you, so don't fly off!"

Jackson nods. He pats Taesan's shoulder and smirks.

"Now, go get him... Tiger..."

With some encouraging words by Jackson, Taesan is ready to go.

It's showtime!