Two Double Lives

- Ah, what kind of people are you! You know I don’t like working with… already with meat… Taehyung turns the battered face of the man from side to side and grimaces. One of the man’s eyes is completely filled with blood and swollen. The right side of his face looks as if it has been torn, a small piece of skin just hanging, with a thin crust of dried blood on the exposed flesh. Several teeth are missing and his nose is broken. He sits on a chair, not even tied to it, his clothes soaked in blood. It seems he might lose consciousness or simply die from visible and unseen internal injuries. - What’s your name? — Taehyung addresses the barely breathing man. — Hellooo! Can you hear me? — he raises his voice slightly. - What’s his name? — Kim asks the muscle standing nearby. - Otto. Taehyung sighs: — Well, you are brutes. Why so brutal, when there could be another way… - We are not you, sorry, Professor. We don’t have your skills, — the guards chuckle. Taehyung is known as the 'Professor' at work. - Otto, — he turns to the beaten man, — I’m going to inject you with painkiller so we can talk. You will tell me everything I ask. Taehyung administers the analgesic. It acts quickly and the man even comes to a bit. - Good, now we can work. Kim takes another chair, places it next to the victim, and says: - Otto, hello again, …welcome back. — Taehyung smiles amiably and assesses the man’s condition. — I’m going to ask you a few questions. Answer them, and you’ll be killed quickly and painlessly. I guarantee that in this case, your family will also be deprived of life instantly, they won’t suffer. How does that deal sound? - Go to hell! — the man spits blood. - Otto, I understand you. But still… We can drag this out for a long time, or we can make it quick. It’s your choice. Personally, I prefer the quicker option… Please, tell me about the assassination being planned against the Magician. (The Magician, head of one of the four mafia families controlling organized crime in the city.) - Otto, I’m on your side, I dislike physical violence, I’m against… such… violence. - Guys, — Taehyung turns to the guards, — go take a walk, I’ll call you later. The guards leave, trusting Kim. He’s been working with the mafia on all levels for many years. - Otto, — Taehyung begins in a calm, soft, persuasive voice, — I really want to help you and your family… And I can… Just trust me… Kim waits… Simply sitting relaxed next to Otto. The bloodied interlocutor doesn’t even suspect that Taehyung has synchronized his breathing and heartbeat with his rhythm. A couple of minutes after achieving synchrony, the Professor begins to speak in a quiet, gentle, calm, and slow voice: - Describe to me your state… The one in which you feel good… In which you experienced joy… Or relaxation… It’s just us here, look… — Taehyung points to the large empty hangar they’re in, — you can really trust me… Think… remember a state… When you felt at peace… Not just any state, but an experience… During which you felt good… After all… Everyone has such an experience in life, right?.. Some like walking down the street… Interesting to walk down the street, right?.. Some love spring strolls… Not the kind of spring when the snow is still loose and cold… But the one… When there’s no snow… When there are green leaves and the air is clean, fresh… Some love swimming… Swimming is good, right?.. Not just in a river, but there… Somewhere with a beach… The shimmer… You know… This shimmer… That reminds of a mirage… Small, somewhere 15 centimeters away… You look… And sometimes there’s this warm ripple passing by… And you realize… that reality is in this moment… It becomes so good… Peaceful… Kim sees that Otto has completely immersed himself in a trance, his gaze clouded but not from pain. Injured, he currently feels no pain, thanks to a double dose of painkillers. Kim continues: — Otto, do you remember how you met your wife? Taehyun takes long pauses, giving time to recall and feel those very precious moments: — How did you first kiss her? Your first intimacy… and how did you propose to her? How did you find out that you were going to be parents soon? And then how did you hold to your chest that little bundle of joy, probably weighing about 3-4 kilograms? Your daughter is 14 now, right? Otto nods, staring at a point in front of him. — You see them right now in front of you, don’t you? I see that you see… The man nods unconsciously. He sees his wife and daughter playing with their dog in the yard of their house. It’s one of his last memories, from a couple of days ago. — Imagine, in just a few hours, they might be brought here too… Otto abruptly shifts his gaze to the Professor. In his eyes, there is fear, panic. Taehyun continues in a monotone voice: — They’ll probably just pass your wife around to everyone and everything. But with your daughter… I have bad suspicions… She’s 14… Most likely, she will be sold to some impotent person for 100 or 200 thousand euros. You know, one of the most horrifying stories I’ve had to hear about such unfortunate girls is what happened to them afterwards. What was done to them… These impotent men can’t do anything themselves, but a sick imagination works doubly for an inactive dick. So, there was this one psychopath who liked to deflower girls everywhere at once. Just imagine… See it right now… Imagine that you hear her screams… Can you see her tears? Can you read her lips as she begs for it to stop? Do you feel the pain that permeates her entire body? And there you stand, unable to do anything about it… And the next day it will be even worse. Because no one will care that she can’t even take a step. And maybe that psycho will want to… — Taehyung falls silent. He lets the father’s wild imagination run. — This is what you’re condemning her to now with your silence. But you can save your daughter and wife from such horror. I can’t influence the laws within the Family and ask for their lives to be spared… But I can spare them such hellish torment. They won’t feel any pain. It will all be quick. Otto is crying: - I don’t believe you. - Nevertheless. I promise you, if you tell the truth, I’ll make sure your wife and daughter won’t feel any pain. Their death will be instantaneous. - I need guarantees… - In our world, there are no guarantees in anything. There are only opportunities. And I’m offering you the opportunity now — to spare them from suffering. Taehyung looks closely. He was sure that Otto would agree. It was only a matter of time. As soon as Kim saw this captive, he already knew which strategy would work. He had a wedding ring on his finger, and through his torn shirt, a tattoo-portrait was visible, probably of his wife with a little daughter. Otto was from the family of the Mad Boss, who had a thing for family. - I’ll tell… I’ll tell everything, but please… Keep your word. Taehyung nods: - I promise. Otto told about the assassination. As Kim promised, Otto’s family was simply shot when they verified the words. *** - Are you sane? — The professor looks directly into his eyes with a tired gaze. He asks a clear question right after he distinctly hears that under the table, his interlocutor has taken the safety off his gun. - If you don’t come with me to my boss now, I’ll shoot you right here, — the man’s forehead is beaded with sweat. He’s nervous. - You know, I understand you, — Taehyung continued to look into the man’s eyes. Not aggressively, even with understanding. — You want to curry favor with your boss. Probably been working for him for several years, but you’re not particularly noticed. And after our conversation with him yesterday, you decided you’d please him by bringing me in. Am I right? — Taehyung takes a deep drag. - I’m giving you 5 seconds to get up! Kim smirks. - I’m saying, you’re acting insane in this situation… Look, you didn’t even think about what will happen if I refuse to follow your plan… Taehyung sees fear and a positive reaction in the young man’s expression to his assumptions. - Well, there, I’m right. Look, if you shoot me now, how will your boss react? He will be furious. Because I’m the only one who can solve his problems. And not just his problems. I’m the only one who can somehow prevent a bloody massacre between the Families. And I’m needed by every boss of the Family. There are 4 of them in our city. Each one’s wrath will be directed at you. Your lineage will end approximately 3… 2… 1… after you shoot me in the stomach. Your family will end its existence completely and utterly. You know the rules of the game. So carefully put the safety back on the gun, hide it so as not to scare people, and go home to your family. It’s late already. And so that I never see you around me again. Nod if you understand, — Taehyung stubs out his cigarette in the ashtray, exhales the smoke, and looks at the one who just threatened to shoot him. The young man swallows. He really hadn’t thought… Fell for the first impression and the image that appeared in his head after the boss’s words: “Damn brain boss! I need him now! Not in a week! He has no time, you see!..” The man does everything Taehyung said. He gets up from the table and quickly heads for the exit. He couldn’t even imagine that this brain boss would be tougher than the head of any Family… And Kim could easily be one. His appearance, gaze, energy emitted, calmness, and confidence. God, he has such an aura that he can subdue with his mere presence. Taehyung smirks, watching him leave, — Yeah… Completely green… He was 35, and he was a god-gifted psychologist. This was his gift — understanding people. Kim seemed to read their thoughts and motives. But this gift from Fate didn’t come for free; she took her payment in advance, in full measure, and for life. From the moment Taehyung was born, his mother immediately abandoned him. Taehyung knows nothing of family, parents, love, care. Taehyung knows loneliness, betrayal, the necessity to survive. But Taehyung learned what friendship and loyalty are. From birth until he turned 18, he lived in an orphanage. No miracle happened, and no one took him in. After becoming an adult and leaving the orphanage, he, along with his best friend and a few other guys, started engaging in hooliganism. At first, small pranks, then bigger ones. And in a very short time, their rowdy company began to grow. More and more. But Taehyung didn’t like all this. Taehyung enjoyed observing people, understanding their motives, building hypotheses about why they act one way or another. Taehyung liked catching the complex cocktail of emotions that mixes in different situations. He wanted to understand the complex psychological processes that prevent people from being happy. He wanted to understand why a person can easily kill another person, but at the same time treat their cat or dog with all tenderness and tremulousness. Why one runs away in stress, another attacks, and a third can’t even take a step. He had dreams — he wanted to understand and delve into the human soul (and his own) professionally, not at an amateur level. Simple conversations with a friend about what happiness is no longer satisfied him. He had long been pondering, for example, whether the soul and consciousness are the same? Or why and how do the psyche’s defense mechanisms work? How are neural connections formed and how can they be “adapted” to oneself. And all this at 19… Taehyung always aspired for more. He wanted a better life, and he knew that it required more than just crime. He gathered the money he earned in the gang and enrolled in the university’s psychology department. - Yoongi, I want a different life… You always knew that this moment would eventually come, — Taehyung said to his friend. - I knew, but I don’t want you to leave me. How will I manage all this by myself? - You’ll manage, I’m sure of it! - But know this, I will always be on your side, if anything. - I know! Just as I will be on yours. But the world of crime and the mafia didn’t let Taehyung go. He was “Yoongi’s assistant” in matters concerning the human factor. Kim constantly gave Yoongi recommendations about deals, agreements, and more. In the end, Taehyung was always right. His intuition, insight, humanity, and talent quickly became known in the criminal world. No one could believe that Yoongi, so young, managed to independently carve out a significant place in this criminal world. Everyone thought he was just someone’s puppet for a distraction. But it turned out that Yoongi was guided by the wise beyond his years and insightful Taehyung, who simply helped and supported his childhood friend. In this dark world, Kim earned the nickname Professor. Other Family heads began inviting him. Initially, everyone just wanted to meet him. They wished to see what this Professor was all about. It was intriguing what was so “special” and “unique” about this brain boss. Then each started seeking his help. Some for “how to make a deal more profitable,” others for “how to wrest power from an adversary,” and some, simply but no less importantly, for “how to preserve love or cope with loss.” Death was a frequent visitor in this world. Taehyung inspired trust and confidence because he was from this world. He knew the internal orders and rules well. He became an amazing and irreplaceable expert here. He was valued for his skills, but even more respected for his honesty and straightforwardness. After a few years, the Professor became the unofficial psychologist of the mafia. But Taehyung had one condition — no physical violence during his work. He did not accept it. He had his own tools, which left no marks on the body but penetrated much deeper. Also, Kim wanted at least a bit of “normalcy” in this life. That’s why he also worked as a psychology lecturer at the university. *** Jungkook, who was working as a bartender that evening, opened his mouth and frantically thought about what to do: should he call the police? Why was that incredible man so calm, didn’t he know someone was aiming a gun at him under the table? His reaction simply mesmerized Jungkook. Just like his appearance. Handsome, confident, authoritative, calm. Literally, his unflappable composure and decisiveness were stunning. Even if a tank drove over a minefield right now, he wouldn’t flinch. His confidence was hypnotizing. Jungkook saw him talking to his interlocutor, calmly smoking a cigarette. It seemed he even smoked in a special, beautiful way. Jungkook was hooked and stuck. He was as if under a spell, admiring this man. He became curious if he would become a regular customer. Jungkook had been working here for a whole year. Deciding he was tired of the wealthy life he got by birth thanks to his father. Jungkook’s family consisted of him and his father. His mother died during childbirth. The boy had lived his entire life at his father’s whim — as he said, so he lived. He went to study law because the orders from above said it was necessary. His father saw in his son only the heir to his financial corporation. Therefore, Jungkook was supposed to receive an appropriate education. But it’s as if the boy woke up a year ago. He decided he would try to live as he wanted. And so, he had two parallel lives. One — where he was the son, heir to the financial corporation. The son of a cold, uninterested father, with whom they meet, at most, a few times a year — on holidays and birthdays. In this life, Jungkook lives in luxurious apartments and studies in the 3rd year of law school. And his second — for himself. He also studies in the 3rd year of law school, but for classmates and friends, his education was paid for by his grandfather, who lives abroad. And Jungkook himself is just a guy who has been working as a bartender for the last year and lives in a simple apartment in a good area, to see what he can aspire to. Sometimes he invites friends over and they hang out with beer until the early morning. Jungkook liked this second reality better, there was more life in it. Jungkook kept glancing and throwing looks at this amazing, to his taste, man. And then, like something out of a fantasy — the stunning visitor gets up from the table and approaches the bar with a confident stride. - Hi, — Taehyung addresses Jungkook. - Hi… — the bartender, not expecting such a turn of events, is dumbstruck. - Sorry if my question offends you, but I’m just insanely curious, did I imagine it or were you looking at me all evening? - Uh… well… your question doesn’t offend, but embarrasses. Because — yes. Jungkook, due to his double life over the past year, had become much more uninhibited and even accepted his sexual orientation, which deviated from societal “norms.” - And why were you looking? Is there something wrong with my face? Or maybe something’s off with my clothes? Jungkook smirks. — No, I was attracted to your calmness when that psycho almost shot you in the stomach. - Oh… — Taehyung didn’t expect anyone to notice. - Yeah, I thought so too, — Jungkook smiles. - And what about me? — and lights up another cigarette. - What do you mean? - Literally. I liked you. Want to know if it’s mutual or not, — Kim exhales smoke. At this response, Jungkook decided to take everything the situation offered. - Mutual, — he slightly raises an eyebrow with a hint of a smile on his lips. - Continue the evening? - Let’s. But, I have another 2 hours in my shift. - No problem, I’ll wait for you here, you mind? - Not at all. Want something to drink? - Coffee. Jungkook prepares the coffee and places it in front of Taehyung: - What’s your name? - Taehyung. And you? - Jungkook. - Nice to meet you, — smiles Tae. Do you mind if I call you Guk or Gukie? - Only my friends call me that… - Got it. I respect personal boundaries. Jungkook felt like Taehyung’s velvety voice somehow penetrated under his skin. They chatted occasionally when the bartender wasn’t busy with orders. After he finished his shift, they left and got into Kim’s car. - Let’s go to my place, — says Jungkook. - To yours?..- repeats Taehyung, not expecting it but not opposed. — I thought to mine, but if you want it this way, no problem. Give me the address. The navigator shows it’s a little less than 20 minutes away. As they almost reached Jungkook’s apartment, which belonged to his second, simpler life, Taehyung receives a text from Yoongi: “SOS”. Kim looks at the phone screen, puts it in his jacket’s inner pocket, and says: - Jungkook, sorry, not tonight. I have work. - At two in the morning? — surprised. - Yes, see, for some people it ends at two, for others it starts. Like your shift replacement, or me, — Taehyung smiles. But actually, he’s disappointed. He really liked Jungkook. A lot. And Kim wanted to spend time with him. - That’s my place, — Guk points to the building they’ve arrived at. - Sorry it turned out like this. How about next time? — Taehyung asks and then kisses Jungkook. He kisses long, deliciously, greedily. As if showing what they’re both missing out on now. - Uh-huh, — chuckles Jungkook, utterly flabbergasted. Though why surprised?.. He was just planning to have sex with Taehyung. The car had long gone, but Jungkook still stood on the street, pondering the turn of events. - Yeah… I’m totally out of it… How could I just like that… I don’t know anything about him, just some random guy… Yeah… probably how rabbits behave when a python hypnotizes them. Jungkook took out his phone and called a taxi to go to his second apartment. It would be closer to get to the bar from there tomorrow. *** Taehyung called Yoongi on the way to ask what happened. But he didn’t pick up, only texted him to come to him urgently. Half an hour later, Taehyung was already walking through Min’s house hall. - Hi, Tae! — his friend cheerfully said. - Are you alive? And not injured? Not dying? — Taehyung squinted his eyes. - Was I supposed to be? — his childhood friend doesn’t understand. - It’s night… And I had plans… And here you are with your SOS, which for us means 'drop everything and rush to me'. - I wrote it without an exclamation mark, notice! - I noticed, so I drove the guy home, not dumped him on the road. Thanks. - Sorry! I have a business with you… I have an idea that’s been picking my brain for almost a year. Let’s discuss. Yoongi tells Taehyung that there’s a very large financial corporation, and its owner often borrows money from him. And Min decided he wants this corporation for himself. A legal business — it’s just a fairy tale. - But, this Jung… he’s so… impenetrable… he’s like a piece of iceberg… I don’t even know if such people can be influenced or not… what do you think? - In theory, everyone can be… But you’re really into this corporation, huh? Seems complicated. - Yes, Tae, I’m really into it. Well, consider it a fucking obsession of mine. Can you help? - Need information about the owner. At least half a year follow him. Like every single day: where he goes, where he dines, everything about his family, childhood. Everything. Prepare all this and we’ll talk in six months. Do you have time? I understand correctly? - I do, — Yoongi smiles contentedly. — I love your professionalism. And most of all, I like how you’re like — do this, do that, talk to him this way and that way, use these verbs and these comparisons, sit to his left, put something on the table. Fuck, Tae, I don’t understand, how from your stupid question: 'What came to your mind after I said the word sea? ', you can deduce how to negotiate with a person? How? Some kind of magic… Taehyung smirked. - A master doesn’t reveal his secrets. But… it’s simple. A person always talks about themselves, even if they don’t report it directly. And here we’re asking deliberately. Here, answer yourself, what comes to your mind after I say the word sea. Close your eyes for a better effect, — Taehyung laughs. Yoongi squints his eyes. Taehyung says: — Sea… Sea… Well, what’s in your mind? Yoongi answers: — The cry of seagulls, the sound of waves, I feel the wind and sand in my hands. I feel small particles left on the skin, stuck to my palms… That’s it, nothing more. - Well, now it’s clear how to talk to you so you understand me better. Yoongi shakes his head in confusion. - We, humans, have several channels through which we process incoming information. Depending on which one is 'leading' for you, that’s how to talk to you. Look: The first type — visual. People for whom it is primary perceive information visually, pay more attention to images, illustrations, diagrams, they even think in pictures. The word 'sea' will evoke a visual image in their mind — colors, contrasts, landscapes… They would say: 'I see the sunset', for example. The second — auditory. Such a person best perceives information by ear. He hears the word 'sea' and imagines sounds: the noise of waves, the cry of seagulls… Like you. The third — kinesthetic. It’s when a person best perceives information through physical sensations. When they hear the word 'sea', they feel the moisture, the coolness of the water, the wind on their skin, the sand in their hands… Also like in your case. Your answer tells me that you’re auditory and kinesthetic. You started with sounds — the noise of the sea, the cry of seagulls. Then you mentioned sensations — wind, sand in your hands. That’s it, I know how to talk to you. For you to understand me, I need to use auditory and kinesthetic images and verbs. Talk about sounds, sensations. Use verbs related to them. But visual images will be less clear to you, you may ignore them and not perceive them at all. Coming to a meeting with you with graphs, showing them, and asking something — a failure. But if I say: 'Just listen how this sounds delicious and promising! You’ll feel, sense the result immediately! ' Yoongi looked at Taehyung with his mouth open. - You understood all that just from my answer to one word? Taehyung smirked: — Yes, it’s that simple, if you know what to look for and listen properly. But this is just one of the tools. A person is a complex being, and you need to know and understand a lot to speak with them in the same language. Take this more as a joke for now, — Kim smiled. - Anyway, in six months, maybe four… give me all the information on this corporation you want, and I’ll think about how we can arrange it. - Okay, got it. Thanks! By the way… who were you giving a ride to? — Yoongi looked slyly at his friend. - Met a guy today, looks just over 20, works as a bartender. Something about him really touched my soul. I look at him, and I just want to smile all the time, — Taehyung says with a smile. - I haven’t seen such a smile on you for a long time… I ruined everything, didn’t I? — Yoongi squinted guiltily. - Yes! You’re such a dog, not a friend! — Taehyung joked. - I can arrange a date for you, whatever you want? — Yoongi laughed. - I’ll manage on my own. I’ll go back to that bar tomorrow. - Listen, are you really going to the university to teach kids? Didn’t change your mind? - Well yes, it should be fun, — Taehyung smiled contentedly. - I would have probably killed them all. - Something tells me I’ll like it.