The Third Wave: Blackmail

We had successfully battled the first and second waves, but a third wave was arising.

A week had passed after Jin Ho was released from prison and though I was very happy, those around me were still worried. The concerns that they had, went beyond the incident that occurred, and at home, dad was about to relate to me one of his concerns. He was doing this together with mom.

They sat me down and were in for some mature talk. This had nothing to do with my relationship but rather, something that concerned me personally.

Dad was the first to speak. He said to me: "Amy, there is something we would like to talk to you about. It's been over a month since you broke up with Min Ki and we can see that you are very happy with Jin Ho. But Amy, aside from dating, there is something you need to take back in life."

"Work?" I asked since I could read their minds.

"Yes, that's right", Mom accepted my answer and added, "Daughter, we want you to get back into the working world just as you have done with the romance world."

"I don't know mom and dad. Currently, there's nothing that I feel like doing", I told them.

"Well, we could search for one together or you can help me with my bakery", Dad suggested.

"Alright dad. I will think carefully about it and give you my answer", I replied. My parents were very happy that I decided to think about it and didn't leave the situation just as it was.

But if I were to start work, then I would have to go on fewer dates with Jin Ho. Honestly, that pained my heart a little. Nevertheless, mom and dad were right, so it was time to search for a job.

At the secret army base in Seoul, the boss was really angry. His main man came to make a report as usual. He said: "Sir, I have made the next confirmation. Joon Jin Ho is really the son of Mr Ri Jae Won."

"I knew it. It is time to teach that boy a very big lesson. And I know what that might be", the man rubbed his hands together as he put on an evil smirk.

Jin Ho was at home when suddenly he received a mail. He went to get it and realized that the mail was just a letter and some files. With a lot of curiosity about the whereabouts of this letter, Joon Jin Ho opened it up. But maybe he shouldn't have done so.

Jin Ho's eyes widened as he read the letter. He saw another piece of paper with it. And that got him trembling. My brave boyfriend was shaking vigorously though it wasn't yet winter.

Shortly after reading the letter, he received a call from an unknown number. Jin Ho was in a dilemma as to whether he should pick it. And yet, he did.

"Hello", he said to the caller.

"How do you see my gift?" The caller asked him.

"How did you gain this information?" Jin Ho asked the caller and he went ahead to give out a laughter of madness.

Finally, he said: "I know a lot more than you do."

"Tell me, what do you want?" Jin Ho asked since that's what most men of this sort did.

Once again, the caller gave out an evil laugh. And said afterwards: "I don't want anything because I already have everything. Everything except your girlfriend."

"If you dare bring my girlfriend into this, then I wouldn't spare you no matter the consequences", Jin Ho warned him.

"Alright then. Let's leave her out of this. I want you to get me a key to the NIS Headquarters", the caller told him.

"Are you crazy?" Jin Ho asked with a lot of fury in him.

"Does it sound crazy to you?" The caller asked and then asked again: "Then, would you prefer to have your girlfriend taken?"

Jin Ho nearly threw some insults at him. But before he could, the call had already been cut.

Angry and frustrated, Jin Ho didn't know what to do. Hence, he decided to talk to his uncle. The two agreed to meet at a restaurant and Jin Ho was going to reveal everything to him. They met at Virel's house and were in the gym working out.

Jin Ho was always happy when working out in the gym. But on this occasion he just held the dumbbell without even lifting it up.

"Hey, is everything okay?" His uncle asked.

Jin Ho looked him in the eyes and said: "Uncle, is there something you are hiding from me?"

His uncle looked at him strangely since their conversation had never raised this flag.

"Why are you asking?" His uncle asked him and Jin Ho took out the files he had received earlier and handed them over to his uncle.

He slowly looked at them and just like Jin Ho, his eyes opened wide as he asked: "Where did you get this from?"

"Is that really what is important?!" Jin Ho asked back. His voice echoing through the thick walls.

"I knew that this day would come but I wasn't expecting it around this time. However, I would give you the answers you want to know", his uncle stated.

Even after hearing the unwanted answers from his uncle, Jin Ho was still disturbed. And the bad guys were taking advantage of this.

Jin Ho had to see me and he put on his best just to look good before me.

As he was about to leave, I called him and said to him: "Jin Ho, I would be five minutes late. Hope you are okay with that?" I asked and he gave the obvious reply.

"Yes, take your time", he said with ease.

"Thanks for being understanding. The truth is that I really want to see you", I said over the phone. "Me too", he replied.

This time round, I didn't want to seem so clingy so I said to him: "Okay then. See you later."

Jin Ho was left in a puddle of smiles after that call but right afterwards, received another call.

He realized that it was a burner phone's number. The guy on the phone said to him: "Jin Ho, how long has it been?"

Upon seeing who it was, Jin Ho didn't give him a reply. So the man continued talking by himself, saying: "You look very handsome, Mr Joon Jin Ho. But the thing is I don't want you to meet Amy. So call her right now and cancel the date or else I would send her a copy of the files."

At this point, Jin Ho was terribly confused. Yet still, he called me up.

"Amy, I am sorry but something came up so I can't make it", he lied.

"It's okay. I understand", I replied.

After hanging up, Jin Ho wanted to crush his phone into pieces.

But then the caller called once more and said: "Well done Jin Ho. Now, I need you to step out and go to the park. Once you are there, I will give you further instructions."

With no choice, he went to the park. But as he awaited the call, he saw Mi Rae, his ex-girlfriend carrying a box with a lot of things. He ignored her but then heard her fall to the ground. Jin Ho therefore approached her and helped her with her stuff. Since her head was towards the ground, she didn't know the one who had to help her out.

"Thanks a lot", she said, only to raise her head and see Jin Ho.

"Oppa", she mumbled. Jin Ho looked at the box and saw that she had either been fired or he had quit her job on her own.

Suddenly, she started crying. "Oppa, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry Jin Ho", she cried out.

"Mi Rae, stop crying", Jin Ho said to her but she continued crying. At that moment, Ra Ra and I were also having some fresh air at the park since my date had been canceled and we were having a good day.

"The weather is the best for a date, isn't it?" I asked her and she shook her head in disbelief.

"Amy, is your life all about dating?" She asked and I proudly said: "Yes."

"What about you? Aren't you dating?" I asked her and she recalled what Virel had said to her earlier.

He had told her that he would visit everyday but had not kept his promise. Unbeknownst to herself, Ra Ra began mumbling to herself, saying: "I thought he said he won't give up. Has he given up already?"

"What are you talking about?" I asked her since she was quite inaudible, but she brushed things aside by saying: "It's nothing important."

"Girlfriend, aren't you hungry?" I asked Ra Ra and she said: "Should we get something to eat?"

We then stood up and walked towards the nearest restaurant whilst linking arms together.

But as we were walking along the park, I saw someone who's back looked like Jin Ho so it slowed my pace.

"Hey Amy, why are you dragging your feet?" Ra Ra asked and I came to my senses.

"Ra Ra?" I called her and asked: "That guy over there, doesn't his back look like Jin Ho?"

"The one comforting his girlfriend? I am not sure. Didn't you say that Jin Ho was super busy?" She reminded me and I said to her: "Yes, you're right."

On the other hand, Jin Ho wasn't comforting Mi Rae as it seemed from afar.

He was rather encouraging her to stop crying. "Mi Rae, everyone is looking at you, so please stop the drama." But she wasn't going to stop.

"Jin Ho?" She called him. "What is it?" He asked.

"I'm hungry", she cried out. "Do you have to add tears to every demand of yours? Alright, I would get you something to eat", Jin Ho gave in to her annoying tantrums.

Ra Ra and I had ordered so much at the restaurant and we were really enjoying our meal.

That's when I saw two people enter the restaurant. This time round, I could tell that it was Jin Ho. He was with a girl and I wondered why that was so.

"Ra Ra, that is Jin Ho, right?" I asked and she took a deep breath before saying: "Amy, it looks like you really love this guy. How can you see him wherever you are?"

But after saying that, she turned to her left and saw Jin Ho having lunch with another girl.

"Hey, Amy you were right. It is Jin Ho. But who is that girl? Do you know her?" She asked me.

"I don't. Maybe they are meeting for business sake", I tried to give myself an excuse. I didn't want to start doubting Jin Ho.

But Ra Ra said: "Amy, call him."

"What? Why?" I asked. She explained to me by saying: "Men can never be trusted. Call Jin Ho and ask him how he's doing and if he's at the workplace. If he says no, then he is here for a good reason. But if he says yes, then there is an impending problem."

I don't know if I had doubts about Jin Ho.

Regardless, I did what my friend suggested. I called him up.

"Just a second", he told Mi Rae and went out to pick the call.

"Amy, what is it?" He asked and I replied saying: "I just wanted to see how you are doing and ask if you have eaten?"

"You do care about me a lot, don't you?" He asked and I chuckled a little.

"Are you still at work?" I asked and began to pray in my mind, saying: "Please tell the truth. Please Jin Ho, don't lie."

"Yes, I am at work", he lied. "Why, were you going to pay me a visit?" He asked and I said to him: "Yes, I am standing in front of your company and wanted to know if you are in?"

"What?" He asked, sounding alarmed.

"Are you very busy?" I asked and he said: "Yes. I am very busy. Let's talk later."

Hearing him lie was very painful. I never expected him to do that and I wasn't going to let him be.

Once he returned inside, he saw a lady seated on his seat.

"Jin Ho oppa", Mi Rae called him out with lots of excitement. She then added: "Meet my new friend."

"Her name is…" she said and I added: "Amy Lee."

I turned around and Jin Ho staggered when he saw me. Ra Ra tapped him on the back and said to him: "This is real and not a dream."

I then asked him: "Is this your new office? I like it. Ra Ra, I think we should be coming here for free food all the time."

"You're right. That would really help", she added.

"Amy? Amy, listen to me", he began to apologize. This scene looked familiar, the only difference was that I wasn't crying this time around.

"Don't worry Jin Ho. I understand. There's no need to apologize. Ra Ra, let's go", I said and we left Jin Ho all by himself.

Right then, he received a call and after picking it up, the caller said: "That was some lovely drama. Thanks for participating. See you in the next episode."

Jin Ho cut the call and screamed so loudly that even animals 50km away scurried off.