The Request (17): Wrong...?

Jinhyun pulled up in front of the restaurant. "This is it," he said, glancing outside. "They told us to meet them at the rooftop."

He got out of the car and hurried over to Cherry's side to open the door for her. "Let's go," she said coolly. Jinhyun held out his arm for her. She hesitated before holding it with her palm. Together, they went inside.

They were welcomed by a doorman while a server came to greet them warmly.

"Good evening sir and madam," he said, bowing down. "Do you have a reservation?"

"Yes," Jinhyun replied. "Under the name of Ms. Jang Jenna at the rooftop."

The server took out a tab and typed into it. "Please walk ahead and take the second lift on the right," she pointed. "It will lead you straight to the restaurant."

Jinhyun nodded and turned to Cherry. "Let's go," he said.

She nodded and he led her to the lift. It was one of the most expensive and exclusive restaurants in the country. The restaurant carefully screened its guests and only allowed top celebrities or influential people to dine there. Inside, it was like a ballroom as large crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling. The tables were set up in a traditional European style with a live kitchen on every floor.

The walls at the entrance were large glass aquariums with exotic species of sea animals. Despite her iciness, Cherry could not help but be mesmerized by the sea creatures floating around her as they walked towards the elevator. She saw several colorful jellyfish, joyously dancing while a few tiny goldfish clumsily swam around. There was also a large turtle, lazing around in a corner. She was so awed by the aquarium, that she could not hold back her excitement.

"Look angelfish!" she pointed at it gleefully. Jinhyun, who noted her excitement, was surprised at her enthusiasm. She was so amazed by the animals that she even forgot to be irritated at him. There was a childlike charm to her as she watched the fishes swim by.

"There's koi too!" she exclaimed, softly tapping at the glass wall. The koi fish with orange and white spots maneuvered towards her. It was as if the fish responded to her. She playfully tapped at it and instead of shying away, the fish was enjoying her attention. Jinhyun watched her with a smile, pleased to learn something new about her.

"I had a koi fish once," she said in a small tone. There was a hint of reminiscence as she remembered her playmate. She was lost in thought, her eyes slightly glistening.

"What happened to it?" Jinhyun probed.

Her eyes hardened at his question. "It died," she finally revealed. "Someone killed it."

She tried to suppress the immense pain behind her words but Jinhyun sensed it anyway. She was not lamenting the loss of a pet but a friend. It was probably her closest companion in a harsh world and when someone snatched it away from her, the agony was beyond any words. Nothing could amount to it. Not even when she was cursed.

The little koi fish kept on looking at her with its dopey eyes but Cherry could not bear it any longer.

"Let's go," she said, tearing her eyes away from it. Jinhyun did not say anything but silently walked with her towards the lift, leaving the little koi fish to stare longingly after them.

….

They reached the rooftop restaurant. Situated at the fourteenth floor, the guests could enjoy a vast view of the city. The people and the cars below them looked like ants from so high up. The city lights looked like little round orbs, illuminating the whole area like an enchanted forest.

An open kitchen stood on one side of the restaurant where the cooks were displaying their culinary highlights in a creative fashion. They were expertly frying the sizzling meat while playing with the ingredients. The flames danced merrily while the chefs juggled the food on the pans, much to the delight of the onlookers.

Jenna was sitting near the window. Next to her was a slightly portly man in his thirties with thinning hair. His thin lips broke into a smile upon seeing Jinhyun and Cherry as he recognized the latter from an event.

"Jinjin!" Jenna called out, pointing at the seats opposite her. "Here!"

She got up to give him a hug. Cherry stood there, watching the two friends exchanging pleasantries.

"Jenna, this is Ms. Cherry Wang," Jinhyun said, introducing the two ladies. "I'm sure you two have already met."

"Yes!" Jenna exclaimed. "She was my stylist! I've heard that you were also there when Jin here saved me. I can't thank you enough!"

She held out her hand. Cherry shook it. "It was my duty," Cherry stated. "Mr. Shin here told me that you wanted to discuss a potential investment opportunity with Zen Riser? I'm also interested in it."

"Yes, let's sit down!" Jenna offered. She showed them the seats. Park Kwansik slightly bowed at Cherry.

"Ms. Wang," he said warmly, shaking her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you again. My wife, Hyebin, enjoyed the gifts you had sent her after our last event together."

"You two know each other?" Jenna asked.

"Yes," Cherry replied. "My company was a sponsor for one of his events. We styled their models and got acquainted there. Which is why I'm interested in this business deal."

"Nice!" Jenna chirped. "But let's order first? I am so damn hungry!"

"I'll call the server," Jinhyun said. He turned around and raised his hand. A server immediately came over.

"I'll have Mushroom Ravioli, the Special Tuna Fillet and Strawberry Shortcake for dessert," Jenna ordered.

"A Beef Cannelloni and sugarless Vanilla Ice Cream for me please," Kwansik said.

"I'll take the Salmon Meuniere with Goat Cheese with Strawberry Shortcake, Tiramisu and Chocolate Cheesecake," Jinhyun stated.

"I'll have what he's having but add Chocolate Dome to it," Cherry chipped in. The other two were staring at them in astonishment.

"Can you eat all that?" Kwansik asked, feeling apprehensive.

"We can," Jinhyun and Cherry said together. If there was something these two shared was their love for sweets.

"So let's discuss business," Jenna said. "As you know that Kwansik owns Zen Riser, one of the top streaming sites of the country. He agreed to buy your episodes for Rogues 101 and also share profits with you from the hits from it. In return, he would like you to invest in his company."

"We are growing at an exponential rate," Kwansik told them. He took out a file from his bag and handed it to Jinhyun. Cherry edged over to read the documents.

"Our site has been certified by the Entertainment and Broadcast Ministry," he went on. "And we have over two million active users. Famous influencers are also actively taking part in our shows and our target market is the young population. All the details are given there…"

He pointed at the corresponding pages of the document. There was an original trader's license along with all the legal certifications. The documents were completely genuine.

Jinhyun glanced at Cherry. She was completely dumbfounded. Was Jenna actually proposing them a good business deal? Was Nara truly just a victim of bad circumstances and Jenna was actually innocent?

For the first time, Cherry was visibly confused about her claims. Was she...wrong?