CHAPTER 11: The first mission
2189 Words
KAI
Like expected, the fight between Dominaka VS Choi is one for the books and it is not only because of the obvious.
“Jesus.” I wince when Odessa jabs her bony elbow into Kaizer’s side, which probably pops an eardrum or breaks something.
The moment ‘fight’ was said, Odessa became feral. She does not let Kaizer catch his breath even for a second as she attacks and defends at every moment’s chance.
I understand because Kaizer went hard on her for the first round but she didn’t fight back.
It is like she was waiting for something and she must have gotten it because she doesn’t stop till she is pulled away from a limp and bloody Kaizer—who I have never seen like this.
“Now, I know why she is called Frostbite.” Katana laughs hysterically. “It is because blue eyes leaves them knocked out cold. Did you see that final blow? I think she flew.”
He must be coming down from a high—again.
“She is still so impressive,” uncle Wan says from behind us. “But she just took out your sniper, that boy is not recovering anytime soon and the mission is on Monday.”
“No.” Kudo claps as Odessa is announced victor. “She just replaced him,” he tells me because it is my mission they are talking about.
There is a heist we need to do in Thailand and Odessa just took out my backup.
(6 days later)
“I knew the Choi’s were family in name only but this is seriously getting ridiculous.”
Odessa walks in dressed in all black like a true movie spy. The dark strands of her ink hair are even tied in a back braid as a mask stays below her neck.
“Sit down for the briefing Odessa.” Kudo switches on the screen to conference grandpa in.
“Wow, so your precious uncle Wan wasn’t having a piss? You are really sending me on a mission? Again, I am still not Choi!” She takes the seat and looks at Kade, “do you really think this is a good idea?”
“Who cares?” Katana hates being sober so he is on edge since he had to clean up 3days prior “can we get this over with?”
“You are live,” Kudo presses a button and grandpa jumps straight in.
The mission is simple. We backup a heist in Hua-Hin and make sure everything goes smooth before the undercover cops come in to raid the place. Once the cargo is safely on board, we move out and spread into teams of two and hide out for a week around Thailand.
“I want Kade.” Odessa hasn’t kept her eyes off the file in her hands, it is like she can’t read it fast enough.
“Teams are pre-selected.” Kade gives her a quick glance but only I see the way his mouth slightly turns up.
This is weird because Kade never smiles.
“Let me guess? I am with Kiyoko.” Odessa snorts without any humour.
“You are with me actually,” I open my file and slide a page over to her.
Since we are closest in age, Kade and father thought it would be more believable considering the different races.
“I am his staff? That is my cover?” Odessa reads the paper, “I rather be with Yoko.” That surprises everyone in the room.
“Teams are pre-selected, now everyone get ready to move. The plane leaves at midnight,” grandpa cuts the call after Kudo gives him a nod.
“We need to talk.” Odessa whispers into Kade’s ear and he follows her out after Kudo dismisses us.
“Better watch out,” Kiyoko leers when I stand to follow them. “Looks like your girl has moved on with your brother, I think she prefers brains over beauty maybe?”
“I need fresh air.” I tell the room but try to follow Kade and Odessa because something is going on.
All week they have been together whispering and sneaking away. When Kudo asked what was happening, Kade told him they found common ground but as I watch them whisper in the corridor, their intense body language tells me something different.
“Is everything okay?” I ask Kade once he returns back to the room.
“It is now.” He looks back at Odessa as she types on her flip phone probably to update her family.
No Kai, don’t fall for it again.
ODESSA
The mission goes well until the end. Someone throws a teargas bomb and it takes me a while to see past the smoke but I stay until all the brothers are out of the location.
Like predicted, the cops raid the port but the cargo is already gone which means the window of escape is small and closing quick.
“V, how are you doing?” Kade asks through my earpiece.
“On my way to the drop now.” I pull apart the riffle and pack it up into its case. “Eyes, how is my window?” I look at the drone above me.
“Clear, go left then down. Stay in the shadows.” Kudo responds as I stash the case where I found it
It is a good thing I am wearing gloves because it cuts the clean-up time to half but is still a hassle to work with.
Last time I was on the field, I was 17 and trying to earn my freedom so I could go to university but I forgot how all this feels.
Being in the thick of the action as the adrenaline spikes up is a high even Katana can’t manage, so imagine an inactive workmen running over crates in the mist of the dark. I feel like a housecat thrown into the deep end of the streets.
Unsure and very rusty.
“V, pause.” Kade warns as the police scope my exit. “Do not move, one is right below you.”
I press against the roof and wait for what feels like hours but is only minutes before I jump down and into the truck where Kai is already waiting.
“Good job.” He pulls the tarp over me as I lie down to blend in with the bags.
I turn away because Kai and I haven’t been alone together since we have reunited. As we lay in the darkness under crates and bags, all I can do is close my eyes because I need to remember,
He is the biggest liar of them all.
“Good job everyone, everything went well. Stay low and stick to your covers. Hua-Hin is hot and not very friendly so we need to get to Bangkok.” Kudo has conferenced us all in. “Anything to report?”
“Kade got scrapped.” Katana turns the camera to the bed where Kade is laying with his arm wrapped but I jump when I see him hooked to a drip.
“How? It was your plan?” Kai asks the same time I question, “are you okay? Do you need us to come to you?”
His drop off point is a few hours away but we can make it by morning.
“No, everyone sticks to their cover. We cannot by any chance be identified together especially you Kai but how are you holding up Kade?” Kudo types on his watch no doubt texting him.
“Good, Katana is a s**t nurse though.” Kade replies as he types on his iPad to probably reply his brother.
“Good, I am cutting lines.” Kudo tenses like he wants to say more, “see you all at Kook Academy and good luck.”
Every brother on the screen nods but I look at Kade because I seriously cannot afford to let him get hurt.
“Hey V.” Kade walks closer to the screen. “Do you believe in magic? Because I know one hell of a magician.”
“It can’t be you.” I fight my smirk when I see his.
“True but I still made you smile without a punch line,” Kade winks and my nod makes him return the screen to Katana. “Later boys.”
The connection ends and I return to the bathroom to finish setting up.
To keep up the cover, I also have to help ‘Kai King’ keep appearances on social media. This means, to every stranger who asks who I am, I am part of the company staff while he is on his vacation to work on his music.
“Blonde?” Kai steps into the bathroom just as I press down the bleached wig to my sculp. “Let me guess, Saya’s idea.”
“Kiyoko actually, he thought it would make sense with the eyes.” I tape on the tan eyebrows and give him the hair wax.
Color of choice for this season, copper ginger because he saw it on some BTS member at the MAMA’s.
“Are you done? I need to go back to an AC.” Kai frowns when I reset the camera. “Thailand is hot as sh*t.”
“Sure.” I put down the camera and walk away because he is right.
Our spot is hot and this wig is very itchy which means I am in no mood to pretend like I work or be alone with him.
Celebrity or not, I am done.
“I am confused.” Kai follows me down the night market as I look for dinner. “You are the one that tried to kill me, yes?” He asks in Korean. “Why are you acting like I did something wrong?”
“Snatching me at the airport and throwing me to your brothers like shark chow suddenly disappeared from your brain?” I rewind but he pulls me back by the elbow. “Careful boss, to these people I am Caucasian woman.”
I angle my head to where two security guards are now watching us.
“We are alone together for the next 3 days, can you just play nice?” Kai leans in likes he is going to kiss me but he just moves hair off my face. “I hate the blonde on you.”
“I love it,” I counter because it makes me feel like a young Cameron Diaz. “The copper on you though,” I slip out of his hold. “Now, that is a choice.”
It looked better on Suga.
“Whatever Odessa.” Kai walks away when I stop by the ramen shop.
Day 1 and 2 in Thailand ends with us fighting over a fan while we have the best street food I have ever had on the floor.
On day 4, Kudo moves us to a better hotel in the city but our cover gets blown because by lunch, Kai is trending and fans are waiting outside of our hotel in Bangkok.
“How?” Katana and Kudo are getting ready to go to Singapore which is the pickup point for everyone. “How did you get made on your first day in Bangkok? We were just there.”
“Twitter. One of his followers recognized his latest post and someone at reception ratted us out.”
The lady assisting us was too star struck for my liking but it is mainly social media’s fault. We should have waited to leave before live posting and we both made a rookie move because,
“We also accidently left the location on.” Kai closes the curtains as I curl the wig while it is still on the mannequin.
Crazy fans or not, I am still exploring the city because I have never been to Thailand, let alone Bangkok and I am making the best of it.
“Well, congratulations.” Kudo is the only person at the pickup point. “Your trip just got extended, I just got informed, your real manager will be there in a few days. They are already setting up for photoshoots for your album cover so have fun while you can because this just became a true work trip.”
“What about me?” If our fake cover is blown, then that means I can go back sooner. “I don’t really work for him, you know.”
“There is still heat there, so you need to stay as backup for our little star. Just until his real team arrives at the end of the week.” I frown at Kade. “Come on, the bill is on us and Thailand is harmless.”
“Says the people that can leave.” I take my wig back to my room to change.
It is time I find out if blondes truly have more fun.
- Writer
