CHINGUX 2014: big trouble in little china (1/2) for aprilclash
Title: Big Trouble in Little China
Author: design_ok
Recipient: aprilclash
Pairing/Focus: solid brotp.
Rating: R
Length: 10K+
Summary: They are handsome. They are brilliant. And they work for Kyungsoo. (Charlie's Angels AU)
<(￣︶￣)>
“I’m going to kill him!” Jongdae chuckles through the speaker. “Don’t laugh, you ass, it’s not fair that he always switches languages on my phone and not yours.”
Baekhyun stops in the middle of alley looking around him and cursing Chanyeol out loud.
“Easy there.” He hears Jongdae’s voice who clearly tries to hold his laugh. “What is it now, Hebrew? Dutch? I doubt he went on Asian again, but you were pretty quick with Taiwanese last time though, I’m impressed.”
“Really funny,” Baekhyun sighs heavily. “He’ll be mocking me for it till next Christmas, I already see it.”
“He’s cute.”
“And I’m working.”
“Sixty-five percent of relationships begin in the workplace.” Jongdae says, and Baekhyun groans.
“Chanyeol is my partner. A friend. And I need dependable. Or reliable. Or both.”
“Chanyeol is reliable. Just remember him saving your life two months ago in Japan.”
Baekhyun sighs again, already getting tired of this conversation. “This doesn’t mean anything.” He says, frowning. A weird feeling crawls in his stomach, and Baekhyun pricks up his ears.
“Of course it does.” Jongdae sounds amused and Baekhyun would love to have another argument about it, but he can’t shake off the feeling of being watched.
“Hey, Jongdae, will call you back.” He cuts Jongade off before the latter can say anything.
Baekhyun stills. He is sure he’s not alone in this alley. Ah, probably coming to Dragon Cave alone was a bad idea, but he’s the only one in the team who knows Chinese, and Jongdae, and especially Chanyeol, would be way too suspicious in the place. Hell, Baekhyun probably is also quite suspicious, but at least he hopes his outfit can distract anybody. Tight fitting pants, a checkered navy shirt that Suho suggested to wear for this little undercover mission clearly can give him a free pass through Dragon Cave face control. All Baekhyun needs is some info about TLX - famous in certain areas Chinese gang, who are quite dangerous with its activities for national security. And he would probably already find the place if Chanyeol, the big goofy idiot he is, didn’t change the language settings in his cell phone. Baekhyun doesn’t mind good jokes, but he doesn’t really need time to get his settings back, maps in new languages just make the whole mission a little bit tricky.
Baekhyun makes a face, fingers playing over the screen to get everything back.
“Are you lost?” A low voice, speaking in chinese, comes suddenly behind Baekhyun, and he jumps turning so harshly he almost loses his balance. He sputters.
“Um.” Baekhyun says looking at a dark haired man standing in front of him with arms crossed. He is wearing shades and this makes Baekhyun a little nervous and suspicious. “Yeah, probably?” Baekhyun says in a perfect chinese and pouts. The man arches his brow.
“Probably.” His voice is impassive but Baekhyun hears doubt in it and goes further with his legend.
“Yeah. See, I have a date. We’re supposed to meet in Dragon Cave, but…”
“You took wrong turn.” Baekhyun’s cut off sharply. “There is a sign on your left that says you had to go off the main road before the Red café.”
Baekhyun clicks his tongue. “That’s what I get for not paying attention to reading comprehension,” he puts on his best smile and says. “Thank you.”
“I can lead you the way,” A man cocks his head a bit, arms unfolding.
“Are you checking up on me?” Baekhyun says and snorts.
“What? No.” The man blushes and Baekhyun suddenly wants to coo at him. “Although your pants are very distracting.”
“You don’t say.” Baekhyun turns around himself and hears a cough. He smiles, clearly pleased. Bless thigh pants.
“I’m Ti.” The man, Ti, says, stretching his arms for handshake. Baekhyun doesn’t hesitate with the greeting. “Come on, your date probably is waiting for you.” His handshake is firm, Baekhyun sees a muscle tensing and he mentally compares it with Jongdae’s and Chanyeol’s, taking a note that Chanyeol needs to work a little.
“You’re too kind, Ti.” Baekhyun flashes his perfect teeth. “I’m Baekhyun, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you Baekhyun.” Ti still holds his hands in handshake, and Baekhyun looks down at it and then back at the guy, wondering if he got caught this fast or Ti just like his hands. Baekhyun tries to get his hand free but Ti holds it strong, his thumb grazing over the gentle muscle between index and thumb.
“You said you could lead me the way?” He says cautiously. Baekhyun needs to get in Dragon Cave and he really doesn’t have time to stay in this dark alley with a stranger who apparently has a fetish for guys’ hands.
Ti nods, as if snapping from trance, and pulls Baekhyun further down to a wooden door. When Ti opens it and escorts Baekhyun in it he thinks that this mission might actually have success.
(Ɔ˘⌣˘)(˘⌣˘)˘⌣˘ C)
“Chanyeol, you’re going to burn it,” Baekhyun says flipping through magazine, lying on his stomach on the floor. Chanyeol glaress at him over the shoulder quickly and turns back to the stove, flipping cheese on the grilled bread.
“Last time I checked it was you who almost burned the house.” Jongdae says nonchalantly, his fingers over laptop typing Baekhyun’s report about Dragon Cave mission quickly with little information he could get previous night when he supposedly talked with Ti, supposedly a member from TLX gang, even though he couldn’t get any solid proofs.
Even without looking at Baekhyun Jongdae knows the latter sticks his tongue at him.
“You guys are ganging up on me, that’s not fair.” Baekhyun whines, being busy with reading through magazine pages. “Also admit that I’m the best cook in the house. Even Kyungsoo knows this.”
“Kyungsoo never tasted your food.” Suho points out, helping Chanyeol to set a table for all of them with tables and toasts. He turns on coffee machine.
“You haven’t even seen him. Hell, nobody saw him.” Chanyeol adds, he glances over the table, clearly pleased with Suho’s work. “Well, except Suho.”
“That’s what you think,” Baekhyun closes the magazine and tosses it aside, propping himself on his arms. “Maybe it’s our secret?” He pouts.
“Sure.” Both Chanyeol and Jongdae roll their eyes. Suho chuckles.
“This is my property. Tell me what is love.” A singing voice is coming through black speaker on the little table in the middle of the living room, interrupting their little quarrelling, and Chanyeol, Baekhyun and Chen rush to sit on the couch in front of the table to welcome mellow voice of only one person who talks to them using this old radio looking speaker.
“Good morning, K.Angels!”
“Good morning, baby Boss!” All three of them sing-song, Baekhyun quickly manages to put baby in middle of the greeting, a huge grin spread across his face. Jongdae elbows him.
“Baekhyun.” A pause and a sigh. “How many times did I say not to call me like that.”
Before Baekhyun says something Chanyeol cuts him off by covering his mouth with his hand but quickly snatches it because Baekhyun licks it.
Jongdae waits when they are over and almost sees Kyungsoo rolling his eyes from whenever he is at this very moment.
Suho clears his throat, asking K.Angles for Boss’ attention.
“I'm sorry to call you back while being on vacation, but we've got a case that just can't wait.”
As Kyungsoo is talking, the far blinds close themselves. A white screen lowers from the ceiling, ready to catch the projected video, and in some moments more it starts playing. Baekhyun, Chen and Chanyeol carefully watch it.
“Meet Huang Zitao.” Kyungsoo says.
“Woah, so fashionable.” Baekhyun says, as they see a blond man, probably in his 20s, attending a gala, in an office surrounded by computers. “He’s cute”. He adds.
“He is.” Suho says from the corner, his voice soft and warm.
“Did Suho say that out loud?” Chanyeol wiggle his brows.
A loud cough interrupts them, and Kyungsoo continues. “He's 25-years old, and in three days he'll be a billionaire, when his company, Zitao Technologies, goes public, which also happens in three days.”
“It's good to be him.” Jongdae whistles.
“So what's the catch?” Baekhyun says expectantly.
“Last night, Huang was kidnapped from his own office.” Kyungsoo says along the surveillance camera footage of a parking garage that shows two men in hood shove Zitao into black car.
“Any ransom?” Jongdae asks.
“No one's heard a thing from the kidnappers.”
“They don't want money. They just want to sink our company.” Thin voice comes from the side catching attention to all four present in the living room. A striking man in a white suit stands in the doorway, looking ethereal with his light-brown hair styled up and make-up.
“K.Angels, meet Lu Han, vice president of finance for Zitao Technologies. He’s hired us to find Huang.”
Lu Han slightly bows with greeting and enters.
“The initial public offering is in three days. If we don’t get Mr.Huang back, or if word gets out that’s he’s missing, the company stands to lose billions.” He says, turning his attention to Jongdae, answering his earlier question, his voice concerned. “And we need your help.”
“Kyungsoo, where do we start?” Jongdae asks.
“Jongdae, I want you and Suho to stake out Mr.Lay.” Suho is clearly excited to his name mentioned, and Chanyeol exchange a quick glance with Baekhyun. Both smile to each other.
A video catches their attention again, and it shows a man, coming up the stairs, probably of his office, with a fancy logo on the wall, Lay Star Systems.
“This guy?” Chanyeol muses. “He doesn’t scream dangerous to me. Completely innocent.”
“Well, he might be.” Kyungsoo continues, “For the past year he’s been trying to buy Huang’s company and their new browser software. Huang refused to sell, and, of course, with his disappearance Lay Star Systems has the most to gain from it.”
“Kidnap the founder and you sink the company.” Baekhyun clicks his tongue. “Clever.”
“Exactly.” Kyungsoo says. “Let’s keep our eyes on Mr. Lay. If Huang is still alive, he might lead us to him.”
Chanyeol claps his hands enthusiastically, jumping off the couch, and offers a coffee to Lu Han. Both proceed to kitchen. Jongdae takes his phone to make some notes, and Baekhyun suddenly turns his attention to the speaker.
“Hey, Kyungsoo?” He makes a pause, seemingly trying to catch some attention of their boss. “Any chance you can join us?” Baekhyun asks.
Living room falls into silence. Suho stares.
But nothing comes through the speaker, and then all hear a quick beep signal, saying them that session is over. Baekhyun sighs.
“Kyungsoo isn’t a very social person.” He says, shaking his head and pouting.
Suho smiles with the corner of his lips, clearly expecting no less from their Boss. It’s not a secret that Kyungsoo’s main priority is to keep himself in the shadows, and he still wonders why Baekhyun is so eager to see him, and will Kyungsoo ever reveal himself to K.Angels. He shakes his head slightly, because, no, Kyungsoo will never, and gets ready for his upcoming important mission.
￢o(￣-￣ﾒ)
“I thought we’re going to do this together.”
Suho comes down stairs, looking fabulous in a suit, eyes scanning over the big hall. It’s a fancy meeting at Lay Star Systems and the best way to meet this Mr.Lay in person. Suho vaguely wonders if it’s his real name.
“Don’t worry; we’ve got your back.” Jongdae says through the tiniest earplug, voice laced with encouragement, but Suho slightly frowns. “We’ve got your back” means he is here all by himself, exposed, whereas the rest are god knows where under cover.
“That’s very hopeful and helpful of you.” Suho mutters under his breath.
“Relax, nothing is going to happen. All you need is talk to this Lay guy.” Baekhyun’s voice comes from the same earplug, and Suho almost jumps in surprise. He quickly collects himself, smiling at the man in front of him, giving him a small bow and passing his invitation card.
“Please don’t tell me Chanyeol is also here.” Suho lets out a deep sigh - this mission isn’t already his and Jongdae’s mission anymore.
“Hi, Suho.” Comes deep voice.
Damn it.
“I feel like everybody is looking at me.” Suho sashays through the ocean of smart suits and power ties, carefully watching around himself and looking for their target for this evening. Mr. Lay hasn’t appeared at his sight yet, but Suho is already feeling nervous and anxious about the whole mission.
“Everybody is looking at that clutch you’re holding.” Baekhyun quips and Suho hears Jongdae’s low grumble in disapproval. He fights the urge to rolls his eyes in public.
“That’s a really nice clutch, Jongdae.” He says quietly, losing his tie a little.
“Thank you. Champagne?” A man in front of him turns and Suho almost drops the said clutch on the floor. Jongdae, wearing a waiter suit, gives him a small smile while holding a tray with glasses full of bubbly drink. Suho coughs and takes one, tossing it off in a second.
“There, there,” Suho hears his voice in the earplug when Jongdae smiles at him, while walking past him to serve other quests. “Also this is not how you hold the clutch.” He continues, heading to the bar for a new portion of drinks. Suho frowns looking down at black purse between his torso and forearm. “You are a man, and a man holds it by corner.”
Suho follows the instructions, blushing and hearing Baekhyun’s and Chanyeol’s snickering through the earplug and he wants to die.
“Yes, like that.” Suho catches Jongdae’s eyes and his nod before K.Angel disappears in the crowd.
“I think I need a stronger drink.” Suho says nervously.
“Yes.”
“No.”
Baekhyun and Jongdae say altogether, and Suho sighs heavily, already regretting this whole mission.
“You can do it, Junmyeon,” honey voice comes through, and Suho hears a quiet squawk, probably from both Baekhyun and Chanyeol, he assumes, and a smile blossoms on his lips. If anything he knew Kyungsoo would be subtly participating in this mission. He always does though.
Suho wants to say something but he keeps his words to himself the moment he spots Mr.Lay coming from the stairs. Suho carefully watches the man noticing how suave and handsome he looks in a black suit and recalling Chanyeol’s words that he doesn’t even look dangerous. More like angelic, or even dreamy. Definitely coming off as innocent.
“I see the target.” Suho says quietly and hears words of confirmation from K.Angels. He walks through the crowd again; not taking his eyes from Mr.Lay’s back, and soon finds himself over the huge balcony with a glorious view over the city.
Suho notices how people quietly leaving the space when they see the executive of Lay Star System. He finds it really weird, as if they are afraid of him, and gets really curious what power over people Lay has.
“Be careful, Suho.” He hears Jongdae’s voice in his ear along with some ruffling noise. Suho takes a deep breath and comes closer to the target. Mr.Lay stays besides the railing, one hand over it and another in the pocket of his extra nice and extra expensive pants.
“What a nice view from here.” Suho says looking forward. “Probably my favorite of this city.” He senses Lay’s quick glance and smiles, easy losing the tension around both of them.
“Yes.” Comes a curt answer.
“And really nice party by the way.”
Suho turns to find Lay standing really close. Way too close. Suho steps back, his eyes wide. “Uh,” he says when Lay adorably smiles, a dimple blooming on his cheek. “Oh hey, we are alone here.” Suho gulps, taking another step back, and blushes, his heart skipping a beat when Lay corners him over the railing. Way too close and way to fast.
“I know.” He says right in his ear, the one with a tiny earplug, and he prays for K.Angels to be somewhere close because apparently Mr.Lay knows exactly in what his is whispering. “That’s nice thing you have over there.”
Lay pins Suho’s chest with his index finger.
“Is this your first mission?” He says, and Suho hears an accent coming through perfect Korean. “I knew you were after me the moment you entered. So, what do you want?”
“I…, well.” There is a quiet trice whisper in Suho earplug, from K.Angels, who are suggesting him various reasons and cover up stories, and all he wants is for them to shut up because he can’t concentrate. “Your phone number?” He tentatively says, looking at Lay and subtly searching for any suspicious on his face.
“All this for my phone number?” Lay looks at him, confused. And then he laughs. “And I thought you needed this.” He unbuttons his jacket and takes out a gun from a belt under his right shoulder.
Suho freezes.
“That’s definitely not what I was expecting.”
“Of course it wasn’t.” Lay says and puts his gun back. He buttons this jacket and suddenly sprints out to the exit.
Suho can’t believe his eyes. That’s it? How will he know where Zitao is, and if Mr Lay has something to do with kidnapping? Well he definitely has judging by the speed he’s getting away. Suho sighs and gets after him.
“He’s going down, I think I ruined everything.”
“You didn’t.” Jongdae says. “I see him coming down, you did a good job to scare him away, it’s our turn now. Don’t worry!”
Suho runs back into the crowd just in time to see Baekhyun smoothly avoiding people on his way and heading after Lay.
“Two guns. One ankle, one shoulder.” Jongdae pass information to earpiece when Lay struts past him with a hurry.
“You call it.” Baekhyun answers back.
“You take point. I'll circle behind.”
“Copy.”
Lay heads downs the hall. Baekhyun enters from the ballroom.
“Excuse me?” He asks. Lay doesn't turn back.
“Excuse me; do you know which way the men’s room is?” Baekhyun elaborates but before he can add anything else Lay takes a sudden right into a service hallway.
“Why do they always run?” Baekhyun lets out a deep sigh, shaking his head. He hears Chanyeol’s voice notifying him that he’s coming from second floor and Baekhyun gives a chase. He’s practically boxing Lay in, when their target abruptly stops in front of elevator.
“He’s fast,” Jongdae says to earpiece while coming from the other side, sensing that Lay Star System’s executive guessed they are working together.
A loud DING breaks the hallway and elevator doors open beside Lay. He looks in to see the clueless bellboy, who apparently doesn’t realize a scene in front of him, because he is listening to some funky groove in his headphones, swaying his hips left and right.
In a single swift motion, Lay yanks the guys out into the hallway and takes his place, hitting the button.
Baekhyun and Jongdae run to the elevator from opposite directions but the doors have already shut.
“He’s going down.” Jongdae says checking the panel, and nodding to each other they take the stairs.
Jongdae and Baekhyun emerge from the staircase but the elevator is already empty. To the left exit doors swings tellingly and Baekhyun leads them both out from the basement with a loud smash through the exit doors and out into the alley, catching the last drops of sunshine before it falls out in sunset.
“That way.” Jongdae spots Lay booking down the alley and they take off after him, sending coordinates to Chanyeol of theirs destination, although he already tracked them down, using earpiece tracking system device.
Baekhyun and Jongdae chase Lay into an industrial Laundromat, but they are just entering laundry room when three shots ring out urging them to dive for a cover behind a massive washer assembly.
“There are times I wished we carried guns.” Jongdae says voice laced with alertness.
“Next time take them instead of clutches.” Baekhyun snorts. “Ouch,” he adds when Jongdae doesn’t spare his shoulder with a sharp punch.
Jongdae quickly looks over Lay just in time to see him aiming high, both guns blazing. Jongdae follows his gaze and sees pipes over their heads. His hearts skips a beat, and then Lay shots out the pipes, sending down a cascade of hot water.
“Innocent, huh!” Jongdae scrambles back pushing unceremoniously Baekhyun away to avoid getting scalded both of them. Another pipes shatter from the change in pressure, leading to an interior thunderstorm. Steam fills the room as an inch of water grows on the floor.
Baekhyun pushes laundry carts in Lay’s direction, and he shoots at them, quickly enough realizing though that he’s only wasting his bullets. The gunfire stops abruptly. Lay holsters one of his guns, while taking out his cell phone to dial a number.
Jongdae takes it as a call to switch on the overhead hooks that circle on a wire like a ski lift, successfully distracting Lay while Baekhyun creeps behind the cover of the rolling laundry carts. The moment he is behind their target, Baekhyun clears his throat.
Lay turns to receive a solid punch in the jaw. Knocked back he drops the phone, which cracks and slips under a washing machine. Lay reacts back fast but he is not faster Jongdae who grabs his gun arm to expertly flipping him over. It takes Jongdae by surprise when Lay reacts smoothly to his move, rolling over to charge back at him, picking him up like a sack of potatoes.
“Holy…,” Baekhyun’s surprised gasp is cut off by a armful of Jongdae who is thrown at him by Lay, both falling on the floor beside washing machine, and while they are getting back to their senses, their target is already vanished.
“Well, damn.” Jongdae says lying on top of Baekhyun.
“At least we’ve got this.” Baekhyun says up at him cheekily waving Lay’s busted cell phone right in his face, that he managed to take out from washing machine, thanks to his long fingers. Jongdae rolls his eyes and rolls off Baekhyun, standing.
“Chanyeol.” Jongdae wrinkles up looking down at his waiter costume. “We’ve lost Lay.” Both hear a low grunt. “But Baekhyun’s got his cell phone. Get Suho.”
☜｡◕‿◕｡☞
Kick.
One door crashes open.
“Clear!”
Kick.
The second door crashes open.
“Clear!”
Kick.
The third door crashes open.
“Clear!”
K.Angels stand right in front of the fourth door, which is closed. They are in the windowless basement, supposedly at the place where Huang Zitao might be kept. After Suho quickly recovered the data from Mr. Lay’s cell phone and realized the last twenty calls he received all were from the same location, it took the team a couple of minutes to figure out of the place.
They nod to each other and kick the last door all together. It crashes to pieces, revealing a tiny half-darken room, with a single chair right in the middle of it. There is a man sitting on it, tied up. He looks grungy, with two days stubble and he’s wearing a mask over his eyes. The man keeps turning his head, disoriented with the noise.
Jongdae comes to him and undoes the knot, taking of the mask. The man squints at the sudden light and slowly opens his eyes.
“Who are you?” He says, his voice raspy, blinking at three of them, looking nervous.
“The calvary. Now, come on, get up.” Jongdae says and Chanyeol grins, undoing the rest of hobbles and helping and steadying him. Baekhyun keeps himself a bit away, frowning suspiciously.
“Can you walk?” Chanyeol leads Zitao to the door carefully, Jongdae in front and Baekhyun behind them.
Zitao nods, and tugs the corners of his lips in a smile that makes him look like a tired feline. “I’m hungry.” He says and pouts, and Chanyeol makes the aaawww face, mouthing, “He is cute”, over his shoulder to Baekhyun.
“K.Angels, your position.” Suho’s voice comes through their earplugs.
“Good news - we’ve got Zitao.” Chaneyol says, holding ex-prisoner closer to him.
“Bad news - he’s cute and he’s hungry.” Jongdae smiles, turning to Zitao and winking. “Seems like our mission was a success.”
☜｡◕‿◕｡☞
Zitao is sitting on the couch, hunched, and eyes scanning his surroundings. He’s holding a big sponge bob cup of hot cappuccino in his both arms, seeping the drink carefully with little gulps.
Suho is smiling at him from another corner of the leaving room, and Zitao feels slightly uncomfortable at the look of protection and adoration the man has in his eyes. He peeks over his shoulder to find Chanyeol busying himself in the kitchen. Jongdae is besides him, more disturbing than helping. Zitao turns his head to the right and meets hawk eye stare from Baekhyun, who leans on the doorframe leading to another room, his arms crossed over his chest. Baekhyun has unreadable expression on his face and it is quite unnerving for a person who was just rescued from some unknown kidnappers and was hold against his will in some unknown place for two days, so Zitao takes another sip of cappuccino, taking his eyes away from the most suspicious K.Angel, paying all his attention to the puffy white carpet on the floor.
“This is my property. Tell me what is love.” A singing voice is coming through black speaker on the little table in the middle of the living room, startling Zitao and making him basically jump on the couch. Suho keeps smiling, and Zitao thinks that it’s actually more suspicious than Baekhyun silently watching him.
“Good work, K’Angels. Not only did you save Huang, you saved his company as well.” Kyungsoo is on the speakerphone.
“I think that earns us a vacation.” Jongdae grins.
“Say, Fiji?” Chanyeol says. “I’ve never been on Fiji. It would be nice to change the environment. What do you think, Baek?”
It takes two seconds for question to sink in. Baekhyun finally tears his gaze away from Zitao. He blinks and nods. “That would be nice, yes.”
“Sorry, K.Angels. Our work is only half-done.”
Lu Han enters the room.
“Lu!” Zitao jumps off the couch, almost dropping his cup, and in two steps he is front of his assistant smiling wildly at him. Zitao ruffles Lu’s hair and the shorter man casually shrugs it off, the gesture seems to be more family-ish between them rather than executor-assistant-ish. Baekhyun squints, the odd feeling locking his insides, especially when he catches brief expression on Lu Han’s face. It sends cold vibes, and Baekhyun vaguely wonders if he is not the one to feel this. A quick glance to his comrades proves that nobody finds anything this suspicious.
“Meet your client, Huang Zitao.” Kyungsoo’s voice says, pulling Baekhyun’s mind back to the living room.
Zitao turns to face them all again, his whole demeanor changing from cute and intimidated to refined and bold.
“First off, thank you. You rescued me, for which I am eternally grateful.” He is talking to all K.Angels, but when his gaze falls upon Baekhyun, it softens. Baekhyun shifts in his spot, feeling suddenly uncomfortable. “But there is still a problem. Whoever kidnapped me wasn’t just trying to screw up my upcoming birthday party, but also stole the proprietary software for our new web browser. I’m sure it was Mr.Lay, but I need proof.”
“That's where you come in, KAngels.” Kyungsoo says. “We need to break into Lay Star's computer systems to see if Lay's software is indeed being converted for its use.
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Not as easy as that, Jongdae. Lay Star System’s headquarters are as tightly guarded as a military facility. We're going to need reconnaissance on their mainframe computer system, and the best way to get that is through Mr. Lay himself.”
“I’m not sure if I want to meet the guy again.” Jongdae mutters, recalling how easily he was flipped by oh-so-innocent Mr.Lay.
“You won’t.” Kyungsoo definitely smiles with his voice. Jongdae tsks. “This mission would be handled by Chanyeol and Suho. Suho seemed to impress our Mr.Innocent last time.”
Suho bites his lip, biting the urge to deny everything but he can’t say no to Kyungsoo. So he sighs. Chanyeol pats his back reassuringly.
“Baekhyun, I need you to escort Zitao back to his home, we don’t need him to be kidnapped again.” And with this Kyungsoo’s voice fades, a quick beep signal coming after, saying them that session is over.
“Roger that.” Baekhyun mumbles more to himself and taking something from the table. He motions Zitao and Lu Han, and three of them leave the place.
(҂‾ ▵‾)︻デ═一 \(˚▽˚’!)/
Baekhyun was quiet the whole road back from his home to Zitao’s place, when they send off Lu Han to Zitao Technologies for some errands before the big party, and he still is while Zitao is working on his laptop, checking everything he might have missed while being kidnapped. He doesn’t know what else to do other than to check the place, so while Zitao is a bit busy, Baekhyun quickly scans the beautiful room - billionaire’s working space on the last 3rd floor of a big fancy house, with a great view over the city from a huge panorama floor-to-ceiling window. He takes a couple of steps closer to look from it.
“Oh,” Baekhyun says, taking the view. “Oh wow….”
It’s actually magnificent and Baekhyun is in awe. He hears a quiet click and then gentle accords are coming through every corner of the room with quiet symphony music.
“I hope you don’t mind the music.” Zitao suddenly says from behind, making him jump in surprise.
“Easy there.” Zitao chuckles when Baekhyun turns, seeming a bit confused with this proximity with billionaire. That suspicious feeling that was with Baekhyun since the moment they have saved Huang is crawling back at him, making him quite unsettling around the man.
“Here.” He takes out his hand a marker-sized device on his palm. “This is a panic button.” Baekhyun tosses it to him. “Press it and one of us can be here in ten minutes.”
“Which one of you?” Zitao asks, a glint in his eye.
“Whoever’s closest.” Baekhyun pats his shoulder, getting ready to go.
“I have a better idea.” Zitao says, while Baekhyun is still moving towards the door.
“What?” He throws over his shoulder, generally not being pleased with the idea to stay at Zitao’s place.
Huang presses the panic button, and Baekhyun turns.
“Stay for dinner.” Zitao asks. “I’m a pretty good cook. Well, at least we can get some take over. Please?” He folds his hands as if pleading and makes that adorable face that makes Baekhyun coo at him. The odd feeling is still here and he shakes it off, trying to concentrate.
“I can’t Mr.Huang. I’m sorry.”
“I’m scared.” Ztao adds quickly. Baekhyun furrows his brows, seeming surprised by this outburst.
“Look, I didn't want to admit it, but I am. I was kidnapped once, and it wasn't fun. I know, you probably have other plans, but it would be very reassuring.”
Baekhyun looks him over. Normally, he'd leave the place, but the guy really was just kidnapped, and he seems sincere overall.
“Come on, don't make me beg. I'm embarrassed already.”
Baekhyun pulls the corner of his lips in a tiny smile. “Don't be.” He shrugs. “Ok, I will stay, till you’re calm, or… whatever.” He walks over the room, paying his attention to room’s decorations, his fingers gracing over the shells and edges.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” Zitao is watching Baekhyun closely.
“Maybe.”
“How much do you know about Kyungsoo?”
Baekhyun stops dead on his tracks and slowly turns.
“I just find it strange that you work for a man you've never met.” Zitao continues, his face softening while looking at Baekhyun straight in the eye.
“Well, I don't know what he looks like, but I feel like I know him. We all do.”
“And none of you have any clue who he actually is?
“Nope.” Baekhyun shakes his head, tensing when billionaire making a move to him.
“And you're never curious to find out?” Zitao insists making Baekhyun quite nervous with the sudden interrogation.
“Of course, but believe me, it's impossible. I've tried.” He sighs. “Let's not talk about Kyungsoo, okay?” Baekhyun smiles at Zitao, patting his shoulder.
“You’e right.” Zitao says, looming over Baekhyun, invading his personal space even more. “Let's not talk at all.” He whispers into K.Angel’s ear, successfully trapping Baekhyun at the window, his right hand beside his head blocking any ways to escape.
“You smells so sweet.” Zitao murmurs, gently touching Baekhyun cheek. He is way too close for Baekhyun liking.
“Mr.Huang, I think it’s not what I’ve signed for when I agreed to stay.”
But before Zitao can say anything, the doorbell chimes. Baekhyun turns his head, peering out the window. Lu Han is waiting by the front door.
“It’s Lu Han.” He says, smiling awkwardly and smoothly stepping out from Zitao’s circle.
Zitao purses his lips. “Hmm, I wonder what he’s here for.”
“Want me to tell him to come back, or....”
“No, no. I'd better deal.” Zitao touches Baekhyun’s chin, and he pats his hand away, shaking his head slightly at the unnecessary touch.
Zitao laughs and goes downstairs.
Baekhyun peers out of the window again to see Lu Han entering the house. He frowns, looking at his watch. It’s kind of late but considering tomorrow is a big day in Huang Zitao’s life, his assistant probably has some small questions to be solved quick.
Baekhyun tries to shrug the feeling that something is wrong, when his cell phone rings. He grabs it out of his pocket.
“Hello?”
“Baekhyun, we were set up.” Jongdae’s anxious voice comes through. “Lu Han is not who he says he is. Mr.Lay was eliminated; I’m going back to headquarters. Zitao’s assistant might be dangerous. I assume he’s former assassin and all around bitch.”
“Oh no. OH SHIT. Jongdae, he’s HERE!”
“What?!”
“I’m at Huang’s house, he just showed up!”
“I’m turning back for you. Wait until I get there and don’t do anything.”
“I can’t do that.” Baekhyn shakes his head. “Call Chanyeol, we’ll meet at headquearters.”
“But, Baek….” Jongdae doesn’t manage to say a word anymore, when Baekhyun hangs up.
Cursing himself inwardly Baekhyun flies out of the room.
It takes him two minutes to come downstairs to find Zitao sitting at the coffee table, signing papers. Lu Han, sitting across from him, has his cell phone open.
“I see you take your body guarding services seriously. Still, I worry that no one is watching the door.” He says, his face emotionless. K.Angel notices that he probably interrupted something.
“Oh, I'm watching it. In fact, I just called for backup.” Baekhyun smirks.
From his bag, Lu Han pulls a silver 9MM.
“All the same, I'm concerned about Mr. Huang's safety.” He sets the gun on the table, in easy reach.
“Lu just came over to run through some numbers for the IPO.” Zitao explains, and Baekhyun holds his breath realising that Zitao might not be aware of how dangerous this situation is at the moment.
“Please, take a seat. I'm almost finished.” Lu Han says with a knowing glance at Baekhyun and goes back to his phone call.
With no alternative, Baekhyun takes a seat beside Zitao. Both face Lu Han, whose hand is very near the gun. Baekhyun looks at Zitao as he reads through his papers. He has no idea there's anything wrong.
“Really. How disappointing.” Lu Han says on the phone, and then gestures to the abandoned Scrabble game on the table. “Why not to play?” He mouths looking at Baekhyun.
“I'm not much for this kind of games.” Baekhyun says.
“Pity.”
As Zitao flips pages in the report, Baekhyun casually begins pushing Scrabble letters around, as if nothing serious is going on, but he manages to get Zitao’s attention, and when he looks to the word, he sees “ENEMY”. Zitao follows Baekhyun’s intention, looking up to Lu Han, who continues to talk on the phone, arching his brow. He sets his report down and pushes around some letters of his own.
When the word finally comes out, Baekhyun gulps.
“I KNOW.” Scrabble letters say. Lu Han snaps his phone shut.
“Bad news: The other K.Angels are still alive. Good news: Everything else proceeding apace.” He says to Zitao.
Baekhyun stands up, looking at both of them, his thoughts storming in his head.
He looks straight at Zitao and this sly smile growing on his face, and a sudden realization hits him like a tsunami. Baekhyun takes a step back.
Ti.
Zitao is Ti. A person Baekhyun met at Dragon Cave, when K.Angel was on a short undercover patrol right before Huang Zitao was kidnapped. But ….
“All this time, we thought Lay Star System was behind this, but it was you. You faked your kidnapping.” He adds. “Ti.”
“I see you recognized me.” Zitao says in chinese, clapping twice. “Took you long enough.” He adds, winking.
Baekhyun purses his lips, already figuring out how to escape this den of foes.
“I wasn’t sure.” He says, tensing.
“Ah, probably my cuteness was a nice play. Chanyeol and Suho certainly fell for my charms.” Zitao chuckles, and Lu Han finally showing some hints of emotions giving a wide smile as well. He looks creepy.
“They did. Suho’d be very upset to know this.” Baekhyun quickly glances towards the door.
“Oh no, you don’t think you can actually get away so quick?”
“Why? All this, why?” Baekhyun asks.
“To gain your trust. And get your help.” Zitao says. “Oh, and by the way I want you to know, my personal attraction to you was a sincere by the way.”
“Oh, well, in that case I feel a lot better about you being a cute liar.” Baekhyn shakes his head, crossing the sill, out onto the small balcony. “I can't believe I thought I was trusting you.”
“Why not? You trust Kyungsoo and you've never even met him. And believe me, there's a lot about him that you don't know. See, we have some unfinished business with your boss. Kyungsoo owes us. He is responsible for our leader’s death, and, well, I…,” Lu Han hisses. “…we need revenge. So I don’t mind playing a little bit to reach team’s goals. Anyway, I'm not going to be an idiot and stand here talking when we could do something useful, like kill you.”
Zitao takes the gun, pointing at Baekhyun. “Goodbye, Baek, I'll miss you...”
As soon as he squeezes the trigger Baekhyun drops to the floor, then rolls.
SHOOT!
The bullet misses Baekhyun and slams into the bulletproof window causing a spider-web crack to spread. Baekhyun sees his opportunity and heads right for the window while Zitao pumps off shots.
As he comes to the window, Baekhyun jumps up in the air and does a flying kick, hitting right at the spot where the bullet impacted.
SMASH! The bulletproof glass shatters outward, and Baekhyun flies out the window, onto the ledge.
“Wow.” Zitao exclaims, guns loaded in his hand. “I've never seen YOU do something like that.” He turns to Lu Han, who rolls his eyes. “Oh, shut up.”
The come running out onto the balcony just in time to see Baekhyun jumping into the thicket of trees on the incredibly steep drop-off, a fall that looks like it could kill him.
“He can’t survive.” Lu Han says. “It’s too far.” He looks down. “Still, I should probably check….”
Zitao shakes his head. “We've got more important things to do.”
And with this the two of them head back inside.
→ PART 2
Author: design_ok
Recipient: aprilclash
Pairing/Focus: solid brotp.
Rating: R
Length: 10K+
Summary: They are handsome. They are brilliant. And they work for Kyungsoo. (Charlie's Angels AU)
<(￣︶￣)>
“I’m going to kill him!” Jongdae chuckles through the speaker. “Don’t laugh, you ass, it’s not fair that he always switches languages on my phone and not yours.”
Baekhyun stops in the middle of alley looking around him and cursing Chanyeol out loud.
“Easy there.” He hears Jongdae’s voice who clearly tries to hold his laugh. “What is it now, Hebrew? Dutch? I doubt he went on Asian again, but you were pretty quick with Taiwanese last time though, I’m impressed.”
“Really funny,” Baekhyun sighs heavily. “He’ll be mocking me for it till next Christmas, I already see it.”
“He’s cute.”
“And I’m working.”
“Sixty-five percent of relationships begin in the workplace.” Jongdae says, and Baekhyun groans.
“Chanyeol is my partner. A friend. And I need dependable. Or reliable. Or both.”
“Chanyeol is reliable. Just remember him saving your life two months ago in Japan.”
Baekhyun sighs again, already getting tired of this conversation. “This doesn’t mean anything.” He says, frowning. A weird feeling crawls in his stomach, and Baekhyun pricks up his ears.
“Of course it does.” Jongdae sounds amused and Baekhyun would love to have another argument about it, but he can’t shake off the feeling of being watched.
“Hey, Jongdae, will call you back.” He cuts Jongade off before the latter can say anything.
Baekhyun stills. He is sure he’s not alone in this alley. Ah, probably coming to Dragon Cave alone was a bad idea, but he’s the only one in the team who knows Chinese, and Jongdae, and especially Chanyeol, would be way too suspicious in the place. Hell, Baekhyun probably is also quite suspicious, but at least he hopes his outfit can distract anybody. Tight fitting pants, a checkered navy shirt that Suho suggested to wear for this little undercover mission clearly can give him a free pass through Dragon Cave face control. All Baekhyun needs is some info about TLX - famous in certain areas Chinese gang, who are quite dangerous with its activities for national security. And he would probably already find the place if Chanyeol, the big goofy idiot he is, didn’t change the language settings in his cell phone. Baekhyun doesn’t mind good jokes, but he doesn’t really need time to get his settings back, maps in new languages just make the whole mission a little bit tricky.
Baekhyun makes a face, fingers playing over the screen to get everything back.
“Are you lost?” A low voice, speaking in chinese, comes suddenly behind Baekhyun, and he jumps turning so harshly he almost loses his balance. He sputters.
“Um.” Baekhyun says looking at a dark haired man standing in front of him with arms crossed. He is wearing shades and this makes Baekhyun a little nervous and suspicious. “Yeah, probably?” Baekhyun says in a perfect chinese and pouts. The man arches his brow.
“Probably.” His voice is impassive but Baekhyun hears doubt in it and goes further with his legend.
“Yeah. See, I have a date. We’re supposed to meet in Dragon Cave, but…”
“You took wrong turn.” Baekhyun’s cut off sharply. “There is a sign on your left that says you had to go off the main road before the Red café.”
Baekhyun clicks his tongue. “That’s what I get for not paying attention to reading comprehension,” he puts on his best smile and says. “Thank you.”
“I can lead you the way,” A man cocks his head a bit, arms unfolding.
“Are you checking up on me?” Baekhyun says and snorts.
“What? No.” The man blushes and Baekhyun suddenly wants to coo at him. “Although your pants are very distracting.”
“You don’t say.” Baekhyun turns around himself and hears a cough. He smiles, clearly pleased. Bless thigh pants.
“I’m Ti.” The man, Ti, says, stretching his arms for handshake. Baekhyun doesn’t hesitate with the greeting. “Come on, your date probably is waiting for you.” His handshake is firm, Baekhyun sees a muscle tensing and he mentally compares it with Jongdae’s and Chanyeol’s, taking a note that Chanyeol needs to work a little.
“You’re too kind, Ti.” Baekhyun flashes his perfect teeth. “I’m Baekhyun, by the way.”
“Nice to meet you Baekhyun.” Ti still holds his hands in handshake, and Baekhyun looks down at it and then back at the guy, wondering if he got caught this fast or Ti just like his hands. Baekhyun tries to get his hand free but Ti holds it strong, his thumb grazing over the gentle muscle between index and thumb.
“You said you could lead me the way?” He says cautiously. Baekhyun needs to get in Dragon Cave and he really doesn’t have time to stay in this dark alley with a stranger who apparently has a fetish for guys’ hands.
Ti nods, as if snapping from trance, and pulls Baekhyun further down to a wooden door. When Ti opens it and escorts Baekhyun in it he thinks that this mission might actually have success.
(Ɔ˘⌣˘)(˘⌣˘)˘⌣˘ C)
“Chanyeol, you’re going to burn it,” Baekhyun says flipping through magazine, lying on his stomach on the floor. Chanyeol glaress at him over the shoulder quickly and turns back to the stove, flipping cheese on the grilled bread.
“Last time I checked it was you who almost burned the house.” Jongdae says nonchalantly, his fingers over laptop typing Baekhyun’s report about Dragon Cave mission quickly with little information he could get previous night when he supposedly talked with Ti, supposedly a member from TLX gang, even though he couldn’t get any solid proofs.
Even without looking at Baekhyun Jongdae knows the latter sticks his tongue at him.
“You guys are ganging up on me, that’s not fair.” Baekhyun whines, being busy with reading through magazine pages. “Also admit that I’m the best cook in the house. Even Kyungsoo knows this.”
“Kyungsoo never tasted your food.” Suho points out, helping Chanyeol to set a table for all of them with tables and toasts. He turns on coffee machine.
“You haven’t even seen him. Hell, nobody saw him.” Chanyeol adds, he glances over the table, clearly pleased with Suho’s work. “Well, except Suho.”
“That’s what you think,” Baekhyun closes the magazine and tosses it aside, propping himself on his arms. “Maybe it’s our secret?” He pouts.
“Sure.” Both Chanyeol and Jongdae roll their eyes. Suho chuckles.
“This is my property. Tell me what is love.” A singing voice is coming through black speaker on the little table in the middle of the living room, interrupting their little quarrelling, and Chanyeol, Baekhyun and Chen rush to sit on the couch in front of the table to welcome mellow voice of only one person who talks to them using this old radio looking speaker.
“Good morning, K.Angels!”
“Good morning, baby Boss!” All three of them sing-song, Baekhyun quickly manages to put baby in middle of the greeting, a huge grin spread across his face. Jongdae elbows him.
“Baekhyun.” A pause and a sigh. “How many times did I say not to call me like that.”
Before Baekhyun says something Chanyeol cuts him off by covering his mouth with his hand but quickly snatches it because Baekhyun licks it.
Jongdae waits when they are over and almost sees Kyungsoo rolling his eyes from whenever he is at this very moment.
Suho clears his throat, asking K.Angles for Boss’ attention.
“I'm sorry to call you back while being on vacation, but we've got a case that just can't wait.”
As Kyungsoo is talking, the far blinds close themselves. A white screen lowers from the ceiling, ready to catch the projected video, and in some moments more it starts playing. Baekhyun, Chen and Chanyeol carefully watch it.
“Meet Huang Zitao.” Kyungsoo says.
“Woah, so fashionable.” Baekhyun says, as they see a blond man, probably in his 20s, attending a gala, in an office surrounded by computers. “He’s cute”. He adds.
“He is.” Suho says from the corner, his voice soft and warm.
“Did Suho say that out loud?” Chanyeol wiggle his brows.
A loud cough interrupts them, and Kyungsoo continues. “He's 25-years old, and in three days he'll be a billionaire, when his company, Zitao Technologies, goes public, which also happens in three days.”
“It's good to be him.” Jongdae whistles.
“So what's the catch?” Baekhyun says expectantly.
“Last night, Huang was kidnapped from his own office.” Kyungsoo says along the surveillance camera footage of a parking garage that shows two men in hood shove Zitao into black car.
“Any ransom?” Jongdae asks.
“No one's heard a thing from the kidnappers.”
“They don't want money. They just want to sink our company.” Thin voice comes from the side catching attention to all four present in the living room. A striking man in a white suit stands in the doorway, looking ethereal with his light-brown hair styled up and make-up.
“K.Angels, meet Lu Han, vice president of finance for Zitao Technologies. He’s hired us to find Huang.”
Lu Han slightly bows with greeting and enters.
“The initial public offering is in three days. If we don’t get Mr.Huang back, or if word gets out that’s he’s missing, the company stands to lose billions.” He says, turning his attention to Jongdae, answering his earlier question, his voice concerned. “And we need your help.”
“Kyungsoo, where do we start?” Jongdae asks.
“Jongdae, I want you and Suho to stake out Mr.Lay.” Suho is clearly excited to his name mentioned, and Chanyeol exchange a quick glance with Baekhyun. Both smile to each other.
A video catches their attention again, and it shows a man, coming up the stairs, probably of his office, with a fancy logo on the wall, Lay Star Systems.
“This guy?” Chanyeol muses. “He doesn’t scream dangerous to me. Completely innocent.”
“Well, he might be.” Kyungsoo continues, “For the past year he’s been trying to buy Huang’s company and their new browser software. Huang refused to sell, and, of course, with his disappearance Lay Star Systems has the most to gain from it.”
“Kidnap the founder and you sink the company.” Baekhyun clicks his tongue. “Clever.”
“Exactly.” Kyungsoo says. “Let’s keep our eyes on Mr. Lay. If Huang is still alive, he might lead us to him.”
Chanyeol claps his hands enthusiastically, jumping off the couch, and offers a coffee to Lu Han. Both proceed to kitchen. Jongdae takes his phone to make some notes, and Baekhyun suddenly turns his attention to the speaker.
“Hey, Kyungsoo?” He makes a pause, seemingly trying to catch some attention of their boss. “Any chance you can join us?” Baekhyun asks.
Living room falls into silence. Suho stares.
But nothing comes through the speaker, and then all hear a quick beep signal, saying them that session is over. Baekhyun sighs.
“Kyungsoo isn’t a very social person.” He says, shaking his head and pouting.
Suho smiles with the corner of his lips, clearly expecting no less from their Boss. It’s not a secret that Kyungsoo’s main priority is to keep himself in the shadows, and he still wonders why Baekhyun is so eager to see him, and will Kyungsoo ever reveal himself to K.Angels. He shakes his head slightly, because, no, Kyungsoo will never, and gets ready for his upcoming important mission.
￢o(￣-￣ﾒ)
“I thought we’re going to do this together.”
Suho comes down stairs, looking fabulous in a suit, eyes scanning over the big hall. It’s a fancy meeting at Lay Star Systems and the best way to meet this Mr.Lay in person. Suho vaguely wonders if it’s his real name.
“Don’t worry; we’ve got your back.” Jongdae says through the tiniest earplug, voice laced with encouragement, but Suho slightly frowns. “We’ve got your back” means he is here all by himself, exposed, whereas the rest are god knows where under cover.
“That’s very hopeful and helpful of you.” Suho mutters under his breath.
“Relax, nothing is going to happen. All you need is talk to this Lay guy.” Baekhyun’s voice comes from the same earplug, and Suho almost jumps in surprise. He quickly collects himself, smiling at the man in front of him, giving him a small bow and passing his invitation card.
“Please don’t tell me Chanyeol is also here.” Suho lets out a deep sigh - this mission isn’t already his and Jongdae’s mission anymore.
“Hi, Suho.” Comes deep voice.
Damn it.
“I feel like everybody is looking at me.” Suho sashays through the ocean of smart suits and power ties, carefully watching around himself and looking for their target for this evening. Mr. Lay hasn’t appeared at his sight yet, but Suho is already feeling nervous and anxious about the whole mission.
“Everybody is looking at that clutch you’re holding.” Baekhyun quips and Suho hears Jongdae’s low grumble in disapproval. He fights the urge to rolls his eyes in public.
“That’s a really nice clutch, Jongdae.” He says quietly, losing his tie a little.
“Thank you. Champagne?” A man in front of him turns and Suho almost drops the said clutch on the floor. Jongdae, wearing a waiter suit, gives him a small smile while holding a tray with glasses full of bubbly drink. Suho coughs and takes one, tossing it off in a second.
“There, there,” Suho hears his voice in the earplug when Jongdae smiles at him, while walking past him to serve other quests. “Also this is not how you hold the clutch.” He continues, heading to the bar for a new portion of drinks. Suho frowns looking down at black purse between his torso and forearm. “You are a man, and a man holds it by corner.”
Suho follows the instructions, blushing and hearing Baekhyun’s and Chanyeol’s snickering through the earplug and he wants to die.
“Yes, like that.” Suho catches Jongdae’s eyes and his nod before K.Angel disappears in the crowd.
“I think I need a stronger drink.” Suho says nervously.
“Yes.”
“No.”
Baekhyun and Jongdae say altogether, and Suho sighs heavily, already regretting this whole mission.
“You can do it, Junmyeon,” honey voice comes through, and Suho hears a quiet squawk, probably from both Baekhyun and Chanyeol, he assumes, and a smile blossoms on his lips. If anything he knew Kyungsoo would be subtly participating in this mission. He always does though.
Suho wants to say something but he keeps his words to himself the moment he spots Mr.Lay coming from the stairs. Suho carefully watches the man noticing how suave and handsome he looks in a black suit and recalling Chanyeol’s words that he doesn’t even look dangerous. More like angelic, or even dreamy. Definitely coming off as innocent.
“I see the target.” Suho says quietly and hears words of confirmation from K.Angels. He walks through the crowd again; not taking his eyes from Mr.Lay’s back, and soon finds himself over the huge balcony with a glorious view over the city.
Suho notices how people quietly leaving the space when they see the executive of Lay Star System. He finds it really weird, as if they are afraid of him, and gets really curious what power over people Lay has.
“Be careful, Suho.” He hears Jongdae’s voice in his ear along with some ruffling noise. Suho takes a deep breath and comes closer to the target. Mr.Lay stays besides the railing, one hand over it and another in the pocket of his extra nice and extra expensive pants.
“What a nice view from here.” Suho says looking forward. “Probably my favorite of this city.” He senses Lay’s quick glance and smiles, easy losing the tension around both of them.
“Yes.” Comes a curt answer.
“And really nice party by the way.”
Suho turns to find Lay standing really close. Way too close. Suho steps back, his eyes wide. “Uh,” he says when Lay adorably smiles, a dimple blooming on his cheek. “Oh hey, we are alone here.” Suho gulps, taking another step back, and blushes, his heart skipping a beat when Lay corners him over the railing. Way too close and way to fast.
“I know.” He says right in his ear, the one with a tiny earplug, and he prays for K.Angels to be somewhere close because apparently Mr.Lay knows exactly in what his is whispering. “That’s nice thing you have over there.”
Lay pins Suho’s chest with his index finger.
“Is this your first mission?” He says, and Suho hears an accent coming through perfect Korean. “I knew you were after me the moment you entered. So, what do you want?”
“I…, well.” There is a quiet trice whisper in Suho earplug, from K.Angels, who are suggesting him various reasons and cover up stories, and all he wants is for them to shut up because he can’t concentrate. “Your phone number?” He tentatively says, looking at Lay and subtly searching for any suspicious on his face.
“All this for my phone number?” Lay looks at him, confused. And then he laughs. “And I thought you needed this.” He unbuttons his jacket and takes out a gun from a belt under his right shoulder.
Suho freezes.
“That’s definitely not what I was expecting.”
“Of course it wasn’t.” Lay says and puts his gun back. He buttons this jacket and suddenly sprints out to the exit.
Suho can’t believe his eyes. That’s it? How will he know where Zitao is, and if Mr Lay has something to do with kidnapping? Well he definitely has judging by the speed he’s getting away. Suho sighs and gets after him.
“He’s going down, I think I ruined everything.”
“You didn’t.” Jongdae says. “I see him coming down, you did a good job to scare him away, it’s our turn now. Don’t worry!”
Suho runs back into the crowd just in time to see Baekhyun smoothly avoiding people on his way and heading after Lay.
“Two guns. One ankle, one shoulder.” Jongdae pass information to earpiece when Lay struts past him with a hurry.
“You call it.” Baekhyun answers back.
“You take point. I'll circle behind.”
“Copy.”
Lay heads downs the hall. Baekhyun enters from the ballroom.
“Excuse me?” He asks. Lay doesn't turn back.
“Excuse me; do you know which way the men’s room is?” Baekhyun elaborates but before he can add anything else Lay takes a sudden right into a service hallway.
“Why do they always run?” Baekhyun lets out a deep sigh, shaking his head. He hears Chanyeol’s voice notifying him that he’s coming from second floor and Baekhyun gives a chase. He’s practically boxing Lay in, when their target abruptly stops in front of elevator.
“He’s fast,” Jongdae says to earpiece while coming from the other side, sensing that Lay Star System’s executive guessed they are working together.
A loud DING breaks the hallway and elevator doors open beside Lay. He looks in to see the clueless bellboy, who apparently doesn’t realize a scene in front of him, because he is listening to some funky groove in his headphones, swaying his hips left and right.
In a single swift motion, Lay yanks the guys out into the hallway and takes his place, hitting the button.
Baekhyun and Jongdae run to the elevator from opposite directions but the doors have already shut.
“He’s going down.” Jongdae says checking the panel, and nodding to each other they take the stairs.
Jongdae and Baekhyun emerge from the staircase but the elevator is already empty. To the left exit doors swings tellingly and Baekhyun leads them both out from the basement with a loud smash through the exit doors and out into the alley, catching the last drops of sunshine before it falls out in sunset.
“That way.” Jongdae spots Lay booking down the alley and they take off after him, sending coordinates to Chanyeol of theirs destination, although he already tracked them down, using earpiece tracking system device.
Baekhyun and Jongdae chase Lay into an industrial Laundromat, but they are just entering laundry room when three shots ring out urging them to dive for a cover behind a massive washer assembly.
“There are times I wished we carried guns.” Jongdae says voice laced with alertness.
“Next time take them instead of clutches.” Baekhyun snorts. “Ouch,” he adds when Jongdae doesn’t spare his shoulder with a sharp punch.
Jongdae quickly looks over Lay just in time to see him aiming high, both guns blazing. Jongdae follows his gaze and sees pipes over their heads. His hearts skips a beat, and then Lay shots out the pipes, sending down a cascade of hot water.
“Innocent, huh!” Jongdae scrambles back pushing unceremoniously Baekhyun away to avoid getting scalded both of them. Another pipes shatter from the change in pressure, leading to an interior thunderstorm. Steam fills the room as an inch of water grows on the floor.
Baekhyun pushes laundry carts in Lay’s direction, and he shoots at them, quickly enough realizing though that he’s only wasting his bullets. The gunfire stops abruptly. Lay holsters one of his guns, while taking out his cell phone to dial a number.
Jongdae takes it as a call to switch on the overhead hooks that circle on a wire like a ski lift, successfully distracting Lay while Baekhyun creeps behind the cover of the rolling laundry carts. The moment he is behind their target, Baekhyun clears his throat.
Lay turns to receive a solid punch in the jaw. Knocked back he drops the phone, which cracks and slips under a washing machine. Lay reacts back fast but he is not faster Jongdae who grabs his gun arm to expertly flipping him over. It takes Jongdae by surprise when Lay reacts smoothly to his move, rolling over to charge back at him, picking him up like a sack of potatoes.
“Holy…,” Baekhyun’s surprised gasp is cut off by a armful of Jongdae who is thrown at him by Lay, both falling on the floor beside washing machine, and while they are getting back to their senses, their target is already vanished.
“Well, damn.” Jongdae says lying on top of Baekhyun.
“At least we’ve got this.” Baekhyun says up at him cheekily waving Lay’s busted cell phone right in his face, that he managed to take out from washing machine, thanks to his long fingers. Jongdae rolls his eyes and rolls off Baekhyun, standing.
“Chanyeol.” Jongdae wrinkles up looking down at his waiter costume. “We’ve lost Lay.” Both hear a low grunt. “But Baekhyun’s got his cell phone. Get Suho.”
☜｡◕‿◕｡☞
Kick.
One door crashes open.
“Clear!”
Kick.
The second door crashes open.
“Clear!”
Kick.
The third door crashes open.
“Clear!”
K.Angels stand right in front of the fourth door, which is closed. They are in the windowless basement, supposedly at the place where Huang Zitao might be kept. After Suho quickly recovered the data from Mr. Lay’s cell phone and realized the last twenty calls he received all were from the same location, it took the team a couple of minutes to figure out of the place.
They nod to each other and kick the last door all together. It crashes to pieces, revealing a tiny half-darken room, with a single chair right in the middle of it. There is a man sitting on it, tied up. He looks grungy, with two days stubble and he’s wearing a mask over his eyes. The man keeps turning his head, disoriented with the noise.
Jongdae comes to him and undoes the knot, taking of the mask. The man squints at the sudden light and slowly opens his eyes.
“Who are you?” He says, his voice raspy, blinking at three of them, looking nervous.
“The calvary. Now, come on, get up.” Jongdae says and Chanyeol grins, undoing the rest of hobbles and helping and steadying him. Baekhyun keeps himself a bit away, frowning suspiciously.
“Can you walk?” Chanyeol leads Zitao to the door carefully, Jongdae in front and Baekhyun behind them.
Zitao nods, and tugs the corners of his lips in a smile that makes him look like a tired feline. “I’m hungry.” He says and pouts, and Chanyeol makes the aaawww face, mouthing, “He is cute”, over his shoulder to Baekhyun.
“K.Angels, your position.” Suho’s voice comes through their earplugs.
“Good news - we’ve got Zitao.” Chaneyol says, holding ex-prisoner closer to him.
“Bad news - he’s cute and he’s hungry.” Jongdae smiles, turning to Zitao and winking. “Seems like our mission was a success.”
☜｡◕‿◕｡☞
Zitao is sitting on the couch, hunched, and eyes scanning his surroundings. He’s holding a big sponge bob cup of hot cappuccino in his both arms, seeping the drink carefully with little gulps.
Suho is smiling at him from another corner of the leaving room, and Zitao feels slightly uncomfortable at the look of protection and adoration the man has in his eyes. He peeks over his shoulder to find Chanyeol busying himself in the kitchen. Jongdae is besides him, more disturbing than helping. Zitao turns his head to the right and meets hawk eye stare from Baekhyun, who leans on the doorframe leading to another room, his arms crossed over his chest. Baekhyun has unreadable expression on his face and it is quite unnerving for a person who was just rescued from some unknown kidnappers and was hold against his will in some unknown place for two days, so Zitao takes another sip of cappuccino, taking his eyes away from the most suspicious K.Angel, paying all his attention to the puffy white carpet on the floor.
“This is my property. Tell me what is love.” A singing voice is coming through black speaker on the little table in the middle of the living room, startling Zitao and making him basically jump on the couch. Suho keeps smiling, and Zitao thinks that it’s actually more suspicious than Baekhyun silently watching him.
“Good work, K’Angels. Not only did you save Huang, you saved his company as well.” Kyungsoo is on the speakerphone.
“I think that earns us a vacation.” Jongdae grins.
“Say, Fiji?” Chanyeol says. “I’ve never been on Fiji. It would be nice to change the environment. What do you think, Baek?”
It takes two seconds for question to sink in. Baekhyun finally tears his gaze away from Zitao. He blinks and nods. “That would be nice, yes.”
“Sorry, K.Angels. Our work is only half-done.”
Lu Han enters the room.
“Lu!” Zitao jumps off the couch, almost dropping his cup, and in two steps he is front of his assistant smiling wildly at him. Zitao ruffles Lu’s hair and the shorter man casually shrugs it off, the gesture seems to be more family-ish between them rather than executor-assistant-ish. Baekhyun squints, the odd feeling locking his insides, especially when he catches brief expression on Lu Han’s face. It sends cold vibes, and Baekhyun vaguely wonders if he is not the one to feel this. A quick glance to his comrades proves that nobody finds anything this suspicious.
“Meet your client, Huang Zitao.” Kyungsoo’s voice says, pulling Baekhyun’s mind back to the living room.
Zitao turns to face them all again, his whole demeanor changing from cute and intimidated to refined and bold.
“First off, thank you. You rescued me, for which I am eternally grateful.” He is talking to all K.Angels, but when his gaze falls upon Baekhyun, it softens. Baekhyun shifts in his spot, feeling suddenly uncomfortable. “But there is still a problem. Whoever kidnapped me wasn’t just trying to screw up my upcoming birthday party, but also stole the proprietary software for our new web browser. I’m sure it was Mr.Lay, but I need proof.”
“That's where you come in, KAngels.” Kyungsoo says. “We need to break into Lay Star's computer systems to see if Lay's software is indeed being converted for its use.
“Sounds like a plan.”
“Not as easy as that, Jongdae. Lay Star System’s headquarters are as tightly guarded as a military facility. We're going to need reconnaissance on their mainframe computer system, and the best way to get that is through Mr. Lay himself.”
“I’m not sure if I want to meet the guy again.” Jongdae mutters, recalling how easily he was flipped by oh-so-innocent Mr.Lay.
“You won’t.” Kyungsoo definitely smiles with his voice. Jongdae tsks. “This mission would be handled by Chanyeol and Suho. Suho seemed to impress our Mr.Innocent last time.”
Suho bites his lip, biting the urge to deny everything but he can’t say no to Kyungsoo. So he sighs. Chanyeol pats his back reassuringly.
“Baekhyun, I need you to escort Zitao back to his home, we don’t need him to be kidnapped again.” And with this Kyungsoo’s voice fades, a quick beep signal coming after, saying them that session is over.
“Roger that.” Baekhyun mumbles more to himself and taking something from the table. He motions Zitao and Lu Han, and three of them leave the place.
(҂‾ ▵‾)︻デ═一 \(˚▽˚’!)/
Baekhyun was quiet the whole road back from his home to Zitao’s place, when they send off Lu Han to Zitao Technologies for some errands before the big party, and he still is while Zitao is working on his laptop, checking everything he might have missed while being kidnapped. He doesn’t know what else to do other than to check the place, so while Zitao is a bit busy, Baekhyun quickly scans the beautiful room - billionaire’s working space on the last 3rd floor of a big fancy house, with a great view over the city from a huge panorama floor-to-ceiling window. He takes a couple of steps closer to look from it.
“Oh,” Baekhyun says, taking the view. “Oh wow….”
It’s actually magnificent and Baekhyun is in awe. He hears a quiet click and then gentle accords are coming through every corner of the room with quiet symphony music.
“I hope you don’t mind the music.” Zitao suddenly says from behind, making him jump in surprise.
“Easy there.” Zitao chuckles when Baekhyun turns, seeming a bit confused with this proximity with billionaire. That suspicious feeling that was with Baekhyun since the moment they have saved Huang is crawling back at him, making him quite unsettling around the man.
“Here.” He takes out his hand a marker-sized device on his palm. “This is a panic button.” Baekhyun tosses it to him. “Press it and one of us can be here in ten minutes.”
“Which one of you?” Zitao asks, a glint in his eye.
“Whoever’s closest.” Baekhyun pats his shoulder, getting ready to go.
“I have a better idea.” Zitao says, while Baekhyun is still moving towards the door.
“What?” He throws over his shoulder, generally not being pleased with the idea to stay at Zitao’s place.
Huang presses the panic button, and Baekhyun turns.
“Stay for dinner.” Zitao asks. “I’m a pretty good cook. Well, at least we can get some take over. Please?” He folds his hands as if pleading and makes that adorable face that makes Baekhyun coo at him. The odd feeling is still here and he shakes it off, trying to concentrate.
“I can’t Mr.Huang. I’m sorry.”
“I’m scared.” Ztao adds quickly. Baekhyun furrows his brows, seeming surprised by this outburst.
“Look, I didn't want to admit it, but I am. I was kidnapped once, and it wasn't fun. I know, you probably have other plans, but it would be very reassuring.”
Baekhyun looks him over. Normally, he'd leave the place, but the guy really was just kidnapped, and he seems sincere overall.
“Come on, don't make me beg. I'm embarrassed already.”
Baekhyun pulls the corner of his lips in a tiny smile. “Don't be.” He shrugs. “Ok, I will stay, till you’re calm, or… whatever.” He walks over the room, paying his attention to room’s decorations, his fingers gracing over the shells and edges.
“Can I ask you a personal question?” Zitao is watching Baekhyun closely.
“Maybe.”
“How much do you know about Kyungsoo?”
Baekhyun stops dead on his tracks and slowly turns.
“I just find it strange that you work for a man you've never met.” Zitao continues, his face softening while looking at Baekhyun straight in the eye.
“Well, I don't know what he looks like, but I feel like I know him. We all do.”
“And none of you have any clue who he actually is?
“Nope.” Baekhyun shakes his head, tensing when billionaire making a move to him.
“And you're never curious to find out?” Zitao insists making Baekhyun quite nervous with the sudden interrogation.
“Of course, but believe me, it's impossible. I've tried.” He sighs. “Let's not talk about Kyungsoo, okay?” Baekhyun smiles at Zitao, patting his shoulder.
“You’e right.” Zitao says, looming over Baekhyun, invading his personal space even more. “Let's not talk at all.” He whispers into K.Angel’s ear, successfully trapping Baekhyun at the window, his right hand beside his head blocking any ways to escape.
“You smells so sweet.” Zitao murmurs, gently touching Baekhyun cheek. He is way too close for Baekhyun liking.
“Mr.Huang, I think it’s not what I’ve signed for when I agreed to stay.”
But before Zitao can say anything, the doorbell chimes. Baekhyun turns his head, peering out the window. Lu Han is waiting by the front door.
“It’s Lu Han.” He says, smiling awkwardly and smoothly stepping out from Zitao’s circle.
Zitao purses his lips. “Hmm, I wonder what he’s here for.”
“Want me to tell him to come back, or....”
“No, no. I'd better deal.” Zitao touches Baekhyun’s chin, and he pats his hand away, shaking his head slightly at the unnecessary touch.
Zitao laughs and goes downstairs.
Baekhyun peers out of the window again to see Lu Han entering the house. He frowns, looking at his watch. It’s kind of late but considering tomorrow is a big day in Huang Zitao’s life, his assistant probably has some small questions to be solved quick.
Baekhyun tries to shrug the feeling that something is wrong, when his cell phone rings. He grabs it out of his pocket.
“Hello?”
“Baekhyun, we were set up.” Jongdae’s anxious voice comes through. “Lu Han is not who he says he is. Mr.Lay was eliminated; I’m going back to headquarters. Zitao’s assistant might be dangerous. I assume he’s former assassin and all around bitch.”
“Oh no. OH SHIT. Jongdae, he’s HERE!”
“What?!”
“I’m at Huang’s house, he just showed up!”
“I’m turning back for you. Wait until I get there and don’t do anything.”
“I can’t do that.” Baekhyn shakes his head. “Call Chanyeol, we’ll meet at headquearters.”
“But, Baek….” Jongdae doesn’t manage to say a word anymore, when Baekhyun hangs up.
Cursing himself inwardly Baekhyun flies out of the room.
It takes him two minutes to come downstairs to find Zitao sitting at the coffee table, signing papers. Lu Han, sitting across from him, has his cell phone open.
“I see you take your body guarding services seriously. Still, I worry that no one is watching the door.” He says, his face emotionless. K.Angel notices that he probably interrupted something.
“Oh, I'm watching it. In fact, I just called for backup.” Baekhyun smirks.
From his bag, Lu Han pulls a silver 9MM.
“All the same, I'm concerned about Mr. Huang's safety.” He sets the gun on the table, in easy reach.
“Lu just came over to run through some numbers for the IPO.” Zitao explains, and Baekhyun holds his breath realising that Zitao might not be aware of how dangerous this situation is at the moment.
“Please, take a seat. I'm almost finished.” Lu Han says with a knowing glance at Baekhyun and goes back to his phone call.
With no alternative, Baekhyun takes a seat beside Zitao. Both face Lu Han, whose hand is very near the gun. Baekhyun looks at Zitao as he reads through his papers. He has no idea there's anything wrong.
“Really. How disappointing.” Lu Han says on the phone, and then gestures to the abandoned Scrabble game on the table. “Why not to play?” He mouths looking at Baekhyun.
“I'm not much for this kind of games.” Baekhyun says.
“Pity.”
As Zitao flips pages in the report, Baekhyun casually begins pushing Scrabble letters around, as if nothing serious is going on, but he manages to get Zitao’s attention, and when he looks to the word, he sees “ENEMY”. Zitao follows Baekhyun’s intention, looking up to Lu Han, who continues to talk on the phone, arching his brow. He sets his report down and pushes around some letters of his own.
When the word finally comes out, Baekhyun gulps.
“I KNOW.” Scrabble letters say. Lu Han snaps his phone shut.
“Bad news: The other K.Angels are still alive. Good news: Everything else proceeding apace.” He says to Zitao.
Baekhyun stands up, looking at both of them, his thoughts storming in his head.
He looks straight at Zitao and this sly smile growing on his face, and a sudden realization hits him like a tsunami. Baekhyun takes a step back.
Ti.
Zitao is Ti. A person Baekhyun met at Dragon Cave, when K.Angel was on a short undercover patrol right before Huang Zitao was kidnapped. But ….
“All this time, we thought Lay Star System was behind this, but it was you. You faked your kidnapping.” He adds. “Ti.”
“I see you recognized me.” Zitao says in chinese, clapping twice. “Took you long enough.” He adds, winking.
Baekhyun purses his lips, already figuring out how to escape this den of foes.
“I wasn’t sure.” He says, tensing.
“Ah, probably my cuteness was a nice play. Chanyeol and Suho certainly fell for my charms.” Zitao chuckles, and Lu Han finally showing some hints of emotions giving a wide smile as well. He looks creepy.
“They did. Suho’d be very upset to know this.” Baekhyun quickly glances towards the door.
“Oh no, you don’t think you can actually get away so quick?”
“Why? All this, why?” Baekhyun asks.
“To gain your trust. And get your help.” Zitao says. “Oh, and by the way I want you to know, my personal attraction to you was a sincere by the way.”
“Oh, well, in that case I feel a lot better about you being a cute liar.” Baekhyn shakes his head, crossing the sill, out onto the small balcony. “I can't believe I thought I was trusting you.”
“Why not? You trust Kyungsoo and you've never even met him. And believe me, there's a lot about him that you don't know. See, we have some unfinished business with your boss. Kyungsoo owes us. He is responsible for our leader’s death, and, well, I…,” Lu Han hisses. “…we need revenge. So I don’t mind playing a little bit to reach team’s goals. Anyway, I'm not going to be an idiot and stand here talking when we could do something useful, like kill you.”
Zitao takes the gun, pointing at Baekhyun. “Goodbye, Baek, I'll miss you...”
As soon as he squeezes the trigger Baekhyun drops to the floor, then rolls.
SHOOT!
The bullet misses Baekhyun and slams into the bulletproof window causing a spider-web crack to spread. Baekhyun sees his opportunity and heads right for the window while Zitao pumps off shots.
As he comes to the window, Baekhyun jumps up in the air and does a flying kick, hitting right at the spot where the bullet impacted.
SMASH! The bulletproof glass shatters outward, and Baekhyun flies out the window, onto the ledge.
“Wow.” Zitao exclaims, guns loaded in his hand. “I've never seen YOU do something like that.” He turns to Lu Han, who rolls his eyes. “Oh, shut up.”
The come running out onto the balcony just in time to see Baekhyun jumping into the thicket of trees on the incredibly steep drop-off, a fall that looks like it could kill him.
“He can’t survive.” Lu Han says. “It’s too far.” He looks down. “Still, I should probably check….”
Zitao shakes his head. “We've got more important things to do.”
And with this the two of them head back inside.
→ PART 2