Chapter 172 - EXOTIC (IV): Uneasy Partnership

Eli's headache would not stop. Even though her injury was not that bad, she still had to stay at the hospital overnight. She was back at the precinct and was very confused. But her headache was not due to the injury. It was due to the person who had hit her. She had only taken a glimpse before losing consciousness but she knew who it was. Ash Park.

It astounded her that one of most popular idols of the nation would hit her like that. Also, she witnessed how KJ, the leader of EXOTIC, was held at gunpoint while Hyun Jung was tied up. There was also Teppei, a well known criminal, and a fourth person in there whom Eli could not recognize. They were clearly there to trap KJ. But why?

Hyun Jung still would not tell her anything and he was busy attending one of the members of Abyss at the hospital. "She is important to me." That was all he said to her.

"UGH!" Eli let out a shriek in frustration making the other officers stare at her as if she was a lunatic. She wanted answers. If Hyun Jung and KJ were not willing to talk, then she has only one option…

She took out her phone and dialed a number.

This better work, she prayed.

….

Dasom gave a stern look. Eli was sitting across the table, feeling uncomfortable. 

"Do we have to be here?" she asked, feeling awkward. She had called him up to meet and discuss KJ and Hyun Jung's strange behavior. He agreed albeit reluctantly but insisted that they meet up somewhere with a lot of privacy since he is an idol and fans may hoard him. She arrived at the restaurant as per his instructions only to find out that it was not any regular restaurant.

It was a fine dining cuisine restaurant on the rooftop of a fancy five star hotel. It was one of the restaurants where only elite class people visited. The demand for the culinary dishes of the restaurant was so high that not everyone can get easy reservations here. The restaurant even turned away high profile ministers, diplomats, celebrities and many other influential people. 

And here she was in a high class restaurant in khakee pants and loose jacket with her hair tied in a messy bun. Dasom had booked a private room all for themselves. 

The view was, no doubt, breathtaking. They were right beside the glass wall which oversaw the entire city of Seoul. The restaurant was so high up, that Eli swore she could see little cloud puffs floating by. The people on the streets looked like tiny ants. The glass window was so clear, that Eli feared that if anyone leaned forward, they would fall off. One full course meal there was worth her six months' earnings

She gritted her teeth while Dasom was inwardly amused. It was fun to see her squirm.

"We could have just met up at your studio," Eli said.

"I'm hungry," Dasom shot back. "It's lunchtime after all."

"But this place is too...too fancy!"

"Of course it is. Which is why I chose it."

She glared at him while Dasom smugly took a sip off his drink. 

"I want to talk about KJ and Hyun Jung sunbae's odd behavior," she said bluntly. "They-"

"Wait, I need to order my food first," Dasom interrupted her. He called a server while Eli cursed herself. Why did she have to call this guy of all people?

"I'll take a garden salad without tomatoes, wagyu beef with mashed potatoes and lobster thermidor," he ordered. "As for dessert, I would like to have mille feuille. Oh and red wine."

"What would you like to have?" Dasom turned to Eli.

"I'm not hungry," she said flatly but her stomach rumbled loudly. Dasom snickered. Damn this guy! Eli fumed.

"I'll…" she scanned the menu. "I'll have Sweet Potato Canapes."

"That's all?" Dasom asked. "No dessert or any other dish? And drinks?"

"The main dishes mostly contain meat or fish," Eli said. "I'm vegan. And I don't drink while I'm on duty."

Dasom raised his eyebrows. "Please get the vegan scallops for the lady," he instructed the server. The server bowed in obedience and left the two of them alone. 

"You didn't have to do that," Eli scolded him.

"Relax," Dasom said, leaning backwards. "You won't be able to work on a half empty stomach. Just eat to your fill, Ms. Veggie."

Eli could feel her nerve twitching. Ignoring his antics, she went straight to the point.

"How is KJ involved with the Cartel?" she asked.

Dasom took a while to answer. "The Cartel has a bounty on his head," he finally said. "They've been targeting him for years because his grandfather was their rival. They are trying to eliminate KJ because he holds a considerable amount of power in the underworld even though he doesn't use it. He prefers being an idol. But the Cartel apparently isn't happy with that."

Eli was surprised that he readily gave away this information. She thought he would be hesitant.

"And Hyun Jung sunbae?"

"He had been KJ's friend since school," Dasom replied. "He's helping his friend and also trying to protect him alongside Abyss."

"I know that part," Eli said impatiently. "But why is he so secretive about his friendship with KJ?"

Dasom sighed. "I don't know," he admitted. "But if I'm not wrong, I've heard some rumors among the celebrity circles that the police might be infiltrated with Cartel's men. Which is probably why Hyun Jung works independently with KJ when it comes to taking down the Cartel. They're very secretive about it. All I know is that they work closely with the CEO of Abyss."

Eli pondered on his words. The CEO of Abyss…

"What did Shun Oguri have to do with all this?" she asked.

"That," Dasom said. "I don't know." 

But Eli partially figured out the answer to that. If rumors were true, Shun Oguri was also part of the Cartel. If that was true, then the so-called detective from the USA was a member of Abyss…

"And…" she hesitated. "And what about Ash Park? How is he involved in all this?"

Before Dasom could answer, the server came with their food. "A garden salad without tomatoes, wagyu beef with mashed potatoes and lobster thermidor," the server said. "The mille feuille will be served after the meal, sir. And sweet potato canapes and vegan scallops for you, ma'am."

He bowed deeply before retreating. 

"Dig in," Dasom said to her. Eli hesitated before picking up the spoon to take a bite. Even though the food was delicious, she was finding it hard to swallow because of her nervousness. She felt awkward sitting there with him at an expensive restaurant.

"What does Ash Park have to do with the Cartel?" she asked. "And don't you dare deny it," she added, reading his mind. "He hit me on the head and made me unconscious that day. When I woke up, I overheard that he escaped with a few of Cartel's men."

Dasom groaned. He did not want to give her the details but he had little choice. He was supplying her with the information because he also wanted to know the truth. The constant secrets frustrated him and Ash's recent actions were making him question the foundation of their friendship.

"Ash…" he started. "Ash is also a member of the Cartel. And not just a mere member but the grandson of the Cartel's President. He tried to kill KJ and the CEO of Abyss that night." 

Eli gaped in shock. The grandson of the Cartel's President? He managed to hide that information despite being a well known celebrity. This information would destroy his image.

"Where is he?" she demanded.

"We don't know," Dasom admitted. "Ever since his escape, it has become difficult to track him. Moreover, there is no proof. All the cameras that night were disconnected. And Ash left no evidence that he is even connected to the Cartel. All we had was his confession which wasn't even recorded."

Eli let out a curse which made even Dasom feel embarrassed. "Yes, I have a foul mouth!" she snapped at his surprised expression. 

"I'll head off," she said, standing up. 

"You didn't finish your food!" Dasom pointed out. 

"I need to go and work on this case!" she said hurriedly, trying to reach for the door, but Dasom held her arm.

"Eat," he said. "It's bad manners to waste food."

"I really need to go," she gritted.

"Go after you're done eating," Dasom said. "If there's anything I've learnt in life is never to waste food."

The intensity of his words surprised her. He spoke as if from experience. 

"O-okay," she stuttered and sat back down. She picked up her spoon again and began to chew down on the food. Once they were done, Eli tried to pay for her part of the food but Dasom fought down her request. 

"Treat me something next time," he winked. "I don't say no to free food."

Eli rolled her eyes. "I'll go first," she said. "Thanks for the info. I'll call you if I need anything else."

She felt as if she was about to enter some sort of uneasy partnership with this guy. Dasom nodded and watched her go away. She was almost at the exit when he called out.

"Detective Eli!"

She turned around to see him running towards her.

"I don't know what will happen from now on," he said to her. "But please...protect my friends."

The earnest determination in his voice made Eli feel sorry for him. He really wanted to protect his friends.

"I can't promise that," she said a little sadly. "If they turn out to be criminals or involved in any of the cases then I'll have to work by the law."

"They're innocent," Dasom declared. "I know it. You will soon know it too."

With that, he turned back and left. Eli watched his retreating back.

Was he always this broad shouldered? She wondered.