3 EXOTIC

KJ strolled into the studio wearing a flamboyant pink shirt with green polka dots and a red scarf made of faux feather. His brown eyes were covered with large sunglasses. Even with his outlandish choice of clothes, KJ is a trendsetter in all kinds of fashion. His clothing style inspired many designers and he was a frequent showstopper in fashion shows.

The other members of EXOTIC were already seated when he arrived.

"You're late," Ash said in a deadpan voice. Ash Park was the lead rapper of the group. He and Ash joined Mystic Entertainment at the same time and trained together for two years before debuting with EXOTIC. Ash was also the most handsome member of the group and is the designated Visual. He always had the aura of an elegant and royal person which made him the dream boyfriend of many women. With his piercing grey eyes and blonde hair, he emitted a natural charisma. Tall and mysterious, Ash was a man of few words. It was hard to guess what goes on in his mind.

"Yeah yeah," KJ brushed him off. "Stop nagging like a mom!"

Ash's eyes narrowed but he did not say anything.

"KJ, we're on a schedule here!" Jinhyun complained. Shin Jinhyun was KJ's best friend and the main vocalist of the group. Even though he was shorter than the rest of the members, his tanned, chiseled body and melodious voice drove all the fans crazy.

"Oh come on you two!" Dasom spoke up. "KJ is here! Let's get started." Song Dasom was the youngest member and also the most mischievous one. He loved playing pranks on everyone and was also the cheeriest of them all. His optimistic nature was very infectious. He made friends fast and was known as the social butterfly of the group. He was not as good looking as his other members but he also had a powerful vocal which struck people's hearts. His long, flowing blonde hair also made him popular with international fans. His twinkling blue eyes made people fall for his innocent aura.

"So which song are we working on?" KJ asked, sitting down next to Ash.

"Monstrous Love," Ash replied, turning back to the music composing equipment. He adjusted the volume button. "Jinhyun, let's go over those high notes again. You're being too nasal. Deepen your voice a little."

Jihyun groaned and headed back to the singing room. He adjusted the mike and put on his headphones. He looked over at Ash, who gave him the signal to start singing.

Jinhyun took a deep breath and sang.

"We're all trapped in this deathly maze

Baby, we're no longer who we were before

Let go of this monstrous looooooooove"

He ended the stanza with a high note.

"End the pitch a little higher," Ash instructed through the speaker. They continued to practice the song for six hours till they finally perfected it.

"Is it over?" KJ yawned, getting up from his seat.

"It is," Ash said, feeling exhausted.

"Thank god," Jinhyun sighed. "My throat was about to burst with all those high notes."

"Oh cheer up!" Dasom said excitedly. "We're done with the song! Let's go out for some drinks!"

The others murmured in agreement. They were about to head out when someone knocked on the door.

"Come in," KJ said. The door opened to reveal a thin man in his fifties. His sleek, grey hair was tied into a ponytail and he wore an elegant suit made of the finest fiber. His lips were stretched into a smile which did not reach his dark black eyes. It was the CEO of Mystic Entertainment, Nae Sang.

"Ahh my boys!" CEO Nae Sang clapped his hands. "How did the song recording go?"

"It went well," Dasom replied. "We finally got the perfect song."

"Yeah, after my throat was tortured in the process," Jinhyun muttered.

Nae Sang let out a hearty laugh. "I'm smelling another hit," he said. "EXOTIC's songs always top all the popularity polls. This may be your biggest hit yet."

KJ smirked. EXOTIC always topped all the music charts and swept away the awards with their songs. Even though the industry was tough and most groups fade into oblivion within two or three years, EXOTIC managed to sustain their popularity. They were the legends who paved the path in the music industry and their rule was undisputed. Even their recent two year hiatus due to the members' military services did not hamper their popularity.

"Anyways," CEO Nae Sang continued. "I want to talk to you about a serious issue."

He paused for a minute, trying to find the right words to explain the situation.

"I have placed a female tenant at the flat next to yours, KJ," he said in a serious tone.

All the members groaned inwardly. He was most probably hiding another mistress from his wife.

"I am not hiding a mistress," Nae Sang said sharply, reading their minds.

"Yeah right," Dasom snorted. "Why else would you keep a female tenant at KJ's building? Last time, you had some B-grade actress stay at KJ's property and when your wife found out, she dragged the poor girl out, pulling her hair."

"But this time, I did not put any mistress there," Nae Sang countered. "The situation is...grave."

"What do you mean?" Ashe demanded.

Nae Sang took a deep breath. "KJ," he said. "An underworld gang has threatened to kidnap you."

The information took a while to sink in.

"What?" KJ exclaimed. "But why would any gang target me?"

"Yeah!" Dasom was enraged. "That sounds ridiculous."

"What threats did they give?" Ash asked sharply.

Nae Sang took out a piece of paper and handed it to him. KJ took the paper in his hands. It was a photograph which made KJ's blood run cold.

It was a picture of KJ, sleeping in his own bedroom. Someone broke into his apartment and took this photo without his knowledge.

"The hell?" Jinhyun was disgusted. "They broke into your home to threaten you!"

"How do you know it was taken by a criminal gang?" KJ's voice was full of fear.

"They sent it through a messenger," Nae Sand replied gravely. "There was a note which said, 'How would the nation react if their beloved idol was snatched away from them?' At first I thought it was an obsessive fan. But then, I received a red envelope with this card."

He took out a small red card from his coat pocket. KJ immediately recognized which gang it belonged to.

"The Santa Maria Cartel," KJ whispered. He looked at the others, whose expressions were a mix of worry and fear.

"THE Santa Maria Cartel?" Ash repeated incredulously. "Aren't they the ones who are funding the terrorists in the Middle East? Why would they plan to kidnap KJ?"

"They are targeting the nation's biggest heartthrob for a possible deal with the government."

KJ's heartbeats increased.

"Even the Interpol has been unsuccessful in arresting the members of the cartel. They hide behind the shadows and manipulate a large crime syndicate. Luckily for you, there is only one organization which has successfully captured some members of the cartel."

"Which organization?" KJ frowned.

"It's a mercenary organization," Nae Sang said. "Abyss. When the Interpol failed to find any information on the Cartel, they turned to Abyss. Soon, Abyss became the only mercenary organization which openly challenged Santa Maria Cartel. Even though Abyss has captured many of the members of the Cartel, they are still trying to get the masterminds behind it. Abyss is not even merciful towards their prisoners. Their torture methods have driven many of the Cartel members mad. The rivalry between them is so intense that in order to protect you, the Founder of Abyss has personally taken up the task to protect you and bring down the Cartel."

KJ did not know who to be more fearful of. The murderous Cartel or the equally sadistic Abyss.

"Who is the CEO of Abyss?" KJ asked quietly.

Nae Sang gave him a grim look. "Your new neighbor," he replied.