24K Magic for a Perfect Illusion

Ch 24: Oh Sh*t, I'm A Dangerous Man with Some Money …

Two weeks later …

It’s already December and the winter breeze in California still won’t be compared to Moscow’s rough weather.

A cargo plane arrived at the private flight strip that is exclusive for the underground’s transactions.

It’s an area used by the people in the dark organization to sneak in and out of the country but it was the first time for a cargo plane to land in the said runway without anyone expecting for a huge business transaction.

A Russian young man walked up to Ves under everyone’s vigilance, bowed his head as a greeting and called, “Young Master Ves.”

“Apel’sin.” Ves nodded at the young man, who took care of him since he was born until he left Russia with his mother. “I hope you still like orange.” he threw an orange to the man.

“My name means orange. I live and die by that name.” Apel’sin sniffed the fruit in his hand and smiled faintly at Ves. “Master Han produced two products on ’77, the 0157M which is the prototype for Ural 5920 and the UAZ 469B. Those two are his latest works and up to now there’s nothing else.” he looked behind him as he explained the cargo rolling out from the plane.

Ves nodded as he watched the whole delivery process with mixed emotions as he pictured his father working on his inventions.

Ves father, Han Taz, whose name is known in the tractor and automotive industry in Russia, gave Ves a collection of his invention almost every year since Ves was born.

Even if Ves is no longer residing in Russia and chose to be with Ji-woo Jung or Lesley, Han still keep the garage for his son.

Unlike most of the rich men of a wealthy family, Ves collections isn’t just simple cars but trucks instead, including 16-wheelers, thus the garage for his collections is thrice bigger than an ordinary garage for car collections.

Ves was still wandering with his garage in Moscow when he heard Kevin’s enthusiastic voice that snapped him back to reality.

“Oh, I’m definitely keeping the truck!” Kevin patted Ves chest. “I don’t regret saving your life back there at the forest two weeks ago, now that you’re paying me with this amazing vehicle that can be drive on snow or swamp, it doesn’t even need a road with these rollers on the wheels!”

Apel’sin looked at Ves incredulously as he doesn’t speak English but he got a hint of what’s happening because of Kevin’s behavior.

Ves sighed and explained in Russian, “He saved my life so I’m giving him the truck. I promised to give him the latest truck model that my father created.”

Apel’sin looked around and asked with a low voice, “Are you in trouble, young master?”

“Don’t tell my father. I can handle this myself.” Ves replied flatly.

“But Young Master this …” Apel’sin wanted to tell that Han can take him away instantly if Ves say so but he held back his words when Ves shook his head.

“Trust me with this Apel’sin.” Ves tapped Apel’sin’s shoulder.

“Then let me stay here by your side, young master.” Apel’sin said.

“Not now, but I’ll need you next year, as well as Vasilyok to protect my mother while I’m serving the military in Korea.” Ves stated.

Apel’sin got the picture that Ves is trying to portray, “Is this because of Madam? That’s why you’re here with this people?”

“It’s my duty to protect my own mother, don’t tell father about this. It’ll only make things worse between them than already it is.”

“I can buy you some time but you know Master Han, if he wants to do something, he only need to snap his fingers and it’ll be done.”

“I’ll figure it out when that time comes but for now let him think that I only want an automobile that he made.” Ves walked towards the 4-wheel vehicle. “Why does father stopped producing?”

“Master Han isn’t feeling well these past few years. He’s been missing you and Madam.” Apel’sin sighed. “Master Han regrets neglecting his family but it’s too late now because Madam is already married to the American man and he saw her happier with her life without him.”

“Mother is indeed happier with my stepfather but she’s not contented financially.” Ves got on the car and took the driver’s seat. “Although Paul probably have millions in his bank account, it’s nothing compared to the billions father has.”

‘She said that she doesn’t need Han’s money when she filed a divorced yet she can’t let go of a lavish lifestyle.’ Apel’sin thought.

“I know mother isn’t a great person but she’s the one who gave birth to me. She loves me on her own special way.” Ves stated as matter-of-factly.

Apel’sin nodded as he stepped away from the vehicle when Ves started the engine.

‘Indeed, the Madam love her son on her own special way.’ Apel’sin thought to himself as he watched Ves drive the vehicle.

The truck and the automobile aren’t common vehicles on the road so when Ves and Kevin crossed the border to Mexico, they garnered a lot of attention from everyone that saw their rides.

“Holy sh*t! What the f*ck is that truck doing here?!” Peter had no choice but to park his car on the side of the villa. “Are we transporting big weapons or something? That ain’t just for drugs!”

“It’s Kevin’s ride so if you have any problem with that, tell him yourself.” Stefani said lazily while looking at her new polished nails. “It’s not just you who loss a parking space and you’re not the first one to complain, if you want to fight for it find Kevin.”

“Well, I can adjust. My life is too precious to be gone without leaving a trace.” Peter plopped on the couch and glared at Ves.

“A deal’s a deal.” Ves shrugged. “We all know that Kevin wants a truck and now he has it.”

“You should’ve given him a smaller truck and not that 16-wheeler snow truck!” Peter retorted. “Look how much space he occupied!”

“There’s no point of telling me, ask Kevin to park his truck somewhere else.” Ves eating his snack leisurely.

“I wouldn’t dare. I can only complain to you because you’re the one who gave him that damn truck!” Peter took away the plate of combo fajitas from Ves. “Why the hell that man likes trucks?!”

“Everyone got their own preferences Peter, you like those fancy cars and Kevin likes big trucks.” Ves shrugged.

“Still you should’ve given him a smaller truck like 8-wheeler or less but that truck is 16-wheeler dude!” Peter looking at Ves like he’s looking at the dumbest person in the planet. “Kevin must be on cloud nine now and keep telling to himself, ‘oh sh*t, I’m a dangerous man with some money in my pocket’ because he finally has his own truck!”

“I didn’t choose it for him, that truck was the latest product of my father’s company and that’s exactly what I promised him. Believe it or not, I didn’t know about that truck will be delivered.”

“Argh, what else can I do?!” Peter sighed exasperatedly. “Does boss even give his permission for that truck to be park here?”

“Kevin struck a deal with boss that’s why he allowed him to take so much space in the garage.” Stefani stood up from the couch.

Peter sighed helplessly as a thought popped up in his head so he asked, “Did you just say that it was delivered? Then your father already knows that you’re working in our organization now??”

“No.” Ves shook his head. “I made up a perfect lie and had my butler delivered the goods here. Apel’sin is loyal to me even though he no longer serves me. He won’t tell to my father my situation here. He understands things better in different perspective.”

“If your father finds out that it was your mother who put you in this situation …” Peter trailed off.

“He’s going to kill Mom. I didn’t believe it at first that he’s capable of doing … bad things … but he really can be savage just to get what he wants.” Ves continued Peter sentence. “He gave me up because I chose Mom when they filed for a divorce. Mom even told Dad that she didn’t need a single cent from him and stubbornly said that she won’t even ask for a financial support to raise me. She despised his money but she can’t let go of the lavish lifestyle she had before, that’s why she was caught in the trap.”

“Women are really troublesome.” Peter responded without hesitation thus he earned a glare from Stefani. “But not all.”

“Speaking of your mother, I saw her last night at the casino in Vegas. I guess your stepfather gave her money thus she squandered it all in gambling. She won tens of thousands.” Stefani said with a playful smile on her full make-up face.

“Don’t make me feel good about it, I know that smile of yours and that’s not how you deliver good news.” Ves stated frankly.

“Well, she won tens of thousands but lost a million. I thought she already stopped gambling since you were taken as an exchange to pay her debts but …” Stefani sighed. “A gambler is always a gambler. Truth to be told, I don’t think she’s going to change.”

“Yeah, maybe you’re right but she’s my mother. I can’t just give up on her.” Ves stood up. “So, this is what you wanted to tell me awhile ago but you’re contemplating to spill it or not because it’s about my mother. You should’ve just told me right away as I deserve to know matters about my family.”

“I know, I’m sorry. It’s just that sometimes it’s hard for me to tell what I’ve found out specially if it’s none of my business.” Stefani lowered her head to look at her toe nails.

“Is it because I told you off before?” Ves got reminded of his argument with Stefani a year ago.