Criminal Judge

Chapter 9: The Threat

Tension filled the air as Ethan sat stiff beside his tyranny. The journey had been smooth for a while no word said, they just stared at each other, the guy's gun still tufted skillfully beneath his jacket and out of Naked eye's view.

“You must have guessed my personality, right?” The man finally broke the silence.

“No, but I know you're related to the incident I just delved into” Ethan said, maintaining his calm as if unaware of the impending loom, he adjusted his tie and sat back relaxed.

“Seems like you're not all talk Mr Ethan, you sure have some nerves sitting there and not afraid of seeing the Almighty the next minute” the man chuckled in sympathy.

Ethan smiled and received tea from the train attendants.

“Mr Ethan, I must warn you…” the man paused, lit a cigarette while putting his gun out of Ethan's side and continued.

“This isn't something someone from the Filipinos should be messing with, things could get really messy you know” The man smiled and rested his back.

“How'd you know my origin?” Ethan frowned slightly, definitely trying to maintain his cool.

“Drop the act Mr Ethan, you know what I'm talking about, how you destroyed a family's heirloom, you know, they're still curious about your whereabouts in the Filipinos and the family has dropped a bounty, one that runs over a billion dollars to find you. That's much money” the man chuckled

“But, I've got my own identity to account for too so I'll leave you to make your decision Mr Ethan” the man grinned.

‘all Beijing passengers, alight the train, we have arrived at our destination, I repeat, all Beijing passengers, alight the train, we have arrived at our destination’ the electronic voice traveled through space unobstructed.

“We'll see Mr Ethan” the man stood up to leave.

“Oh!, and before I leave, take care of Sun-deok very well, you might as well lose her” the man chuckled and disappeared as if he had never appeared.

‘Who’s this guy?’ Ethan thought as he rubbed sweat off his forehead. He stood up almost immediately and disappeared from the train.

He booked another train and immediately headed for Seoul.

***

After another couple of hours, Ethan's train finally arrived at Ethan, and truth to be told, locating the Motel was pretty easy considering he had stayed there for a long time.

When he got close, he headed for where he had left, and thankfully the man he met hadn't gone all ‘Thor Son Of Odin’ on him yet, he spotted Sun-deok running at him with arms spread wide, Mr Han just stood behind smiling mischievously with relief written on his face.

“Ethan!!” Sun-deok screamed and ran into his arms as he welcomed her embrace.

“I'm fine, I'm not dead” Ethan assured with a soft smile, patting her back rhythmically.

“Don't say that, you've gone through a lot, all because of my stupid article” Sun-deok softened up, her face red with blush as she sank deep into the arms of her charming prince.

“Well, more reason for you to write it, come on, I got a lot of discussions for us you know” Ethan smiled, clearly happy to be home again.

“Mr Ethan, I'm glad you're safe, make sure you leave with a comm next time, you might not be so lucky” Mr Han smiled.

“Sure man” Ethan smiled and gave the man a Fist knock with his free left hand.

“I'll be on my way,” Mr Han smiled.

“Oh wait, it's only a proposal but do you think we can work as a team from now on?” Ethan asked with a soft frown.

Mr Han smiled, clearly happy as if he had gotten the grace to speak with the famous Elon Musk.

“Alright, when do we meet?” Ethan asked urgently.

“We'll discuss that over cellphone” Mr Han smiled and made towards his van, instantly pulling it out of the garage the instant.

“Come on, let's get you home, alright” Sun-deok smiled and pinched him as they found their way to the Motel.

“Ouch!! What was that for, I've got an injury there you know” Ethan complained.

“Oh my God, I'm so sorry, is it painful?” Sun-deok said, looking worried.

“It's fine, it just stings a little, I'll be fine, really” Ethan smiled and leaned on her as she led him home

***

On getting to the Motel, They sighted a familiar figure, rushing at them with intense worry.

“Ethan!!, Sun-deok!!” Mr Kim rushed out of the staircase and pulled them both into his embrace as he sobbed softly.

“You didn't have to be so worried dad, I'm fine” Sun-deok scratched her head in embarrassment.

“Who's worried about you?” Mr Kim fumed jokingly.

“I'm worried about Mr Ethan here, wasn't he the one who went on the expenditure, I saw him on tv” Mr Kim frowned.

“That was a major case Mr Ethan, please inform the police next time, you could have gotten yourself killed you know, you're not a god” Mr Kim smiled.

Ethan nodded and smiled faintly.

“Alright get him in and dress his wounds, treat him, he's gone through enough.” Mr Kim smiled and gestured for them to go in while he continued his obvious advancement away from the Motel.

***

“You went through a lot, so I won't bother you now but something's been bothering me you know” Sun-deok said in a worried tone. They had gotten into Ethan's room and he was on the bed while she helped him dress his wounds after he had taken his bath.

“What?” Ethan asked in a soft tone, clearly exhausted.

“When you were stuck,...you called my comm twice “ Sun-deok paused and looked at his face as if trying to find an answer to an obviously unasked question.

“Go on” Ethan rolled his eyes.

“Well, I'm curious, how'd you get my cell phone number?” Sun-deok squinted her eyes as she massaged his foot with a lot more level of flexibility.

“Well…it was always on your handbag, so …who wouldn't be able to read it off” Ethan stammered with caution.

“Oh really, it must have taken a lot of observation from a highly IQd personality to read off someone's cell phone number without looking right at it” Sun-deok squinted her eyebrows even more, as if trying to squeeze juice out of them.

“Fine you got me, I learned it every time I get the chance” Ethan confessed and looked away with pouty lips.

“You look funny,” Sun-deok giggled.

Ethan gave no reply.

“What do you think about me?” Sun-deok suddenly broke the suspense, causing Ethan to freeze for a moment. He seemed to be restrained by some unimaginable force of gravity. Somehow he defied the force and grabbed his TV's remote, switched on his smart television.

“Earlier today …..” the device buzzed to life as a reporter reported recent incidents.

“..... Ethan Reyes AKA Mafia Lord son of Gabriel Reyes the one and only Mafia God of the Filipino…” the news continued.

Ethan froze and stared at the device with hatred, grabbing the remote in an attempt to turn it off.

“Ethan Reyes?” Sun-deok chuckled softly.

“How could I be do stupid, I'm a lawyer, I should have figured it out” Sun-deok scoffed.

“You're that heartless Mafia Lord, Lord Reyes, I can't believe I've been with you all these while. You destroyed a whole family's heirloom” Sun-deok sympathized with herself and stormed out of his room.

“Hey…..w…” Ethan tried to stop her but to no avail.

Ethan sighed.