Yo-Han shifted his food around on the plate, not really having much of an appetite. This really wasn’t his type of his food anyways, he reminded himself. It’s not as if the person sitting in front of him was of any consequence to see his lapse of manners. And from this night on, he was going to make sure that she would no longer be a nuisance in his life. He just hoped that he could deal with this cleanly rather than blood on his hands.
“I’m sure you won’t believe me when I say I want nothing from you, honestly,” he stated simply. “It’s just that you had the unfortunate circumstance of being the daughter of a world-wide wanted man, isn’t that right?” Yo-Han elaborated with a smile. “I don’t know how you live with yourself. I would’ve killed myself off long ago if I had been born in your shoes. Not the most pleasant life I imagine. I was just thinking of doing you a favour is all by getting rid of you,” Yo-Han explained in a rather unnerving calm tone, “…so you know, you wouldn’t have to hide in this shit-hole of a society.” His logic was certainly skewed by his cynicism, but there was some method to the madness that Yo-Han spoke about. “Of course we could skip all that pomp and circumstance I suppose if you simply agree to --- ”
Just at that moment his phone rang. Yo-Han’s poised demeanor immediately dropped, and his face contorted for a millisecond to a look of horror then to pure annoyance. There was only one number that bypassed his phone silence mode. The United Nations’ Field Agent Controller office. “Excuse me for a moment, Miss Knox,” he said with an ice cold tone as he took his leave from the small alcove of the private room they were in and walked into a private bathroom. The voice on the other hand of the call pierced the Top 40 Hit Charts music that crackled through the bathroom speaker, and in an authoritative tone it spoke:
“Agent Park, you are overstepping your bounds. You are to cease and desist immediately. That is an order. Other field agents have located the target, and therefore your services are no longer needed. You are requested at the embassy for your next assignment. An escort will be there to pick you up in 10 minutes.”
Before Yo-Han could protest, the other end of the line ended the call and there was only the static noise that filled his ears. He sighed. Some people have all the luck, don’t they? Sure he didn’t have to resort to his own methods, but Pamina sure got off well on this one. If she was even luckier, she could become her own person without the influence of her father. “Well, now what?” He wondered out loud as he stepped outside the bathroom and into the narrow hallway that also led down to the kitchen. Just then, Ryan rounded the corner and saw Yo-Han standing there, somewhat in a daze.
“Is there anything wrong, Mr. Park? Was the antipasto not to your liking?” He questioned concernedly, as if a lifetime of tips were on the line, knowing that Yo-Han could be generous when he felt like it.
“The food was delicious as always, Ryan.” Yo-Han blatantly lied, as he had not a single bite of food this evening. “But unfortunately, it seems I have an emergency to attend to. Do you happen to have a notepad I can probably write a quick message to the young lady I was dining with? It would be poor taste to leave in the middle of dinner without an explanation, but she knows we’re both busy people. I’m sure she’ll understand.”
Wordlessly Ryan handed over the pad and pen he usually used to write down orders with and watched as Yo-Han quickly scribbled down a quick note then folded the piece of paper. “Would you mind delivering this to her?” He slipped the message along with a $100 bill to Ryan. “I would do it myself, but it seems that my ride is here…” Yo-Han held up his phone which was once again ringing. “Now if you excuse me, I’ll be going. Have a good evening. …Oh, and I promise to stop by sometime soon to sample the new wines you were talking about earlier,” he added on with a wink. With that Yo-Han left the establishment, and as he got into the government sanctioned car, he felt a pang of regret not being able to tell Pamina himself what he had wanted to say earlier. He could only hope that the message he wrote would be enough.
Back in the restaurant, Ryan popped back into the private room. “I apologize miss, but it seems that Mr. Park had to leave due to an emergency. All the expenses for tonight have already been paid for; if you wish, I can have this food for take away. …And, he also asked that I give you this.” He handed the piece of paper Yo-Han had written on just minutes prior.
On the paper, written in neat, cursive handwriting was the following:
This is to inform you that the United Nations has found your father. Therefore, you are of no use to me. However, that does not mean you cannot be of use to society. This can be your opportunity. As a last piece of advice, I suggest you take it.
