Chapter 14

Ding.

Ari walked ahead leaving the elevator.

In the morning they left the car in front of the company rather than parking it in the basement of the building.

Ari greeted this time her fellow colleagues and staff she was familiar with, those leaving and those coming back.

She walked outside, only to find a woman standing in front of her car alongside a handsome man wearing luxurious clothing and his bodyguard who was a bit taller than Kale.

It was Soo Chae-Won with the grandson of the Baek family of the same age as her.

The Baek family was ranked as high as the Han family.

Baek Kun-woo was the only offspring of the second son of the Baek family who completed his studies abroad, which are the reasons he looked pretty cocky in front of Soo Chae-Won.

"Sister, come see who honored us with their visit," spoke Soo Chae-won with a smile as if she was close to Ari.

Ari didn't hide her displeasure towards her sister's act but couldn't act upon it in front of that man.

Baek Kun-woo's expression changed on the other hand. His eyes widened the moment they fell on Ari, and while she was looking at her sister he already checked her up and down.

Kale's figure was dark and unnoticeable, you could only see the arms he held in front of him acting like a professional bodyguard.

His left hand clutched his right tighter...

"Miss Soo Ari, I believe this is our first time meeting, your sister has told me a lot about you," he said as he held his hand for a handshake.

Ari didn't leave him hanging and shook his hand. "Yes Sir Baek, I believe we didn't have the chance."

"Truly a shame," he smirked.

"Sister, I have been trying to invite Sir Beak for a meal, you should help me and join us."

"I..." Ari looked unwilling especially since a lot of work was on her mind and she wasn't feeling in the mood to discuss matters over food.

"Yes Miss please join us, this is our first time meeting you won't turn me down right?" Insisted Baek Kun-woo.

Ari sighed, "Okay, I won't decline the offer then, please take care of me."

Ari was thinking her sister was trying to win points with this man by inviting her.

"Let us ride to the Pearl Pavilion," spoke Baek Kun-woo.

Ari's expression turned into discontent, but before she could voice her opinion she was interrupted by her sister.

"Oh, nice choice young master," said Soo Chae-Won as she grabbed his arm, "I don't have my car so can I squeeze in yours?"

"Miss Soo Ari would like that too?" He didn't mind Soo Chae-Won.

"I apologize Sir Baek but I will be leaving in my own car."

"It's okay, let us meet there then," smiled Baek Kun-woo slightly and left with her sister.

It's okay, I will take my time, he thought.

His eyes fell on his bodyguard then on Soo Chae-Won holding his arm.

As long as I get Ari I don't mind this hag's smell.

On the other hand, Soo Chae-Won was smiling.

He looks hooked on Ari after all what I told him about her. When he is done with Ari and gets bored of her, he will call for me, then I do whatever he asks and give him company... She kept thinking to herself.

Did he and his bodyguard catch the smell? She wondered.

She raised her eyes only to find him smiling at her while his bodyguard was silent in the back.

I knew that bastard was lying, I will show you, she cursed.

---

Kale opened the door to Ari.

She noticed something was wrong even in his familiar calmness.

She thought it was about the food they were supposed to get together.

She wanted to tell him that he will be able to eat in the restaurant but for some reason, she felt a heavy pressure on her lips within the calm atmosphere.

Not able to utter a word she looked at him for a moment as he drove quietly.

She shook her head and looked outside.

She didn't realize that right now a new ring appeared on Kale's left little finger, now three on each hand with the same patterns as the others.

Was there a purpose to the rings?

Ari was spacing out looking out the window.

She didn't wish to go to the Pearl Pavilion, because it was a known place for having closed-off rooms where you can do whatever you want.

So its reputation while it was amazing and pratique for some, hit rock bottom for others.

If Baek Kun-woo is someone who frequented this place it was obvious what kind of man he was.

She sighed.

Just a meal, if anything Kale is here, she thought.

She didn't notice that she depended on him unconsciously even when she wasn't aware of his prowess.

They reached the place in a few minutes as it wasn't that far away.

Kale turned around and opened the door for her, helping her again holding his hand out.

Baek Kun-woo's eyes turned a bit cold as he walked up to them, looking at Ari's bodyguard and at the way she was shying away from his gaze.

It seemed that something was going on between the two.

It didn't matter to him, as long as he tasted her.

Wait, doesn't it always feel even better when they already have someone?

His thoughts wandered.

Let's take it slow, he calmed himself.

"Let's go inside then, your sister is waiting," he invited her in.

"She went ahead to the bathroom."

"Okay," nodded Ari and followed.

She didn't notice he signaled something to his bodyguard with his head.

Kale didn't follow her this time.

Baek's bodyguard looked at him confused.

"You won't go in?"

Kale was looking at Ari's small back, not saying a word as her figure disappeared entering the pavilion.

He didn't look at him and spoke, "Do what he ordered you to do."

The bodyguard's eyes widened.

His expression suddenly changed and he smiled wickedly.

"Let's not make a scene, we parked the car under the building garage, why don't we go there?"

Kale sighed.

The bodyguard led the way and he followed.

They made it to the garage which was filled with cars.

Kale could still feel what Ari and the other two were up to, it seemed like they have just reached their private boot.

She looked pretty worried about him not following her. He smirked silently,

The bodyguard spoke as he pulled up his radio.

"Joo-Won shut the cameras, you know the drill."

"Yes, sir," came the voice from the other side.

The light slightly dimmed down around them.

ZZZZ.

They could both hear the parking door closing on them.

The bodyguard walked up to Kale who was looking at one of the cars, facing him with his side.

The luxury cars in this world were pretty well made, he thought.

"I applaud you for catching on to that, and managing to look unfazed through this all. But orders are orders." The bodyguard giggled evilly and cracked his neck, from his hands appeared two green short swords made of his energy.

"Bodyguard of Soo, it seems like you would never reach 7th rank in this life." He disappeared.

Kale was still staring at the cars in front of him.

You could only see his back and the beautiful cars he faced.

AGH! AGHHH! AAAAGHH!!

Weird choking sounds came from his right.

Kale slowly turned his head.

To his side was the bodyguard on his knees being held by his neck with his swords disappearing on the ground.

AGH AGH! He kept struggling with his hands, trying to fight Kale's grip, who was silently staring at him.

His face was still shadowed, and half of it was shown, only up to his earring that glowed its purple color.

The bodyguard's eyes widened in fear as he met Kale's eyes. He started screaming hysterically as if he was seeing fearful illusions.

Kale's figure turned to pitch dark.

His eyes glowed with his earring as he kept looking at the pest below him.

Both, turned brightly purple.

Crack.

The body fell to the ground.

His eyes instantly returned gray and his earring stopped glowing.

Kale looked at his bloodied hand calmly. He stopped the blood from reaching his white shirt but not his hand.

Because its color always looked beautiful on his fingers.

By the time he put it in his pocket, it was magically cleaned.

He held his jacket in his left and walked up to the elevator.

He looked at the new ring on his left little finger.

Will this be enough to not scare Ari? He wondered.

Maybe I need to suppress it more, as he thought that the tattoo on his arm grew even bigger, reaching his chest like a parasite trying to devour his body.