Blackcardz (1) - Tumblr Posts
"I learned a long time ago it's better to not care what people think about you," Ari said. "It's better to have only a few close people that don't care about money. Or people who have money of their own that won't care about yours."
money money money : @anexthetxc
❛ do you think they'd still like me if i wasn't park hyunwoo ? ❜
Ari grinned as she turned her head away from him, looking around their surroundings; luxurious lobby of some hotel they'd dropped by for a quick meal, which probably cost more than the average person paid for groceries in a week. "Of course I care about money. Only difference is I have my own so I don't care about yours. So what do you think?" she asked, not meaning for her question to sound sarcastic, but genuine. "We're both sort of stuck in our lives to do what our family wants. It's nice to have someone I can share that problem with, so I guess it means I actually care about you."
❛ that's easier said than done, especially with my family being so out there and known, you know ? causes stress on me. i feel like people only like me for my money. ❜ he laughs out, shaking his head before turning attention over to ari. ❛ i think i only have a handful of people who don't care about my money, but - what about you ? do you care about me or just my money, noona ? ❜
Ari rolled her eyes. While Hyunwoo would be getting a hefty inheritance, Ari would be getting an entire gang to lead -- the money was good, but the work of it? She didn't mind getting her hands dirty when she needed to so long as she was still able to enjoy simple luxuries like this.
"I'll have to pass on the clubbing. Work later," she said with a wink. A runaway had been caught a few hours ago and would be getting a nice interrogation later. She needed to be there for it. "I've got some time before I have to leave. Pick something else. Your call."
❛ so you do care about me ? ❜ that was what he heard from her words, grinning at her. ❛ i mean i also have my own money, actually my parents money but who cares, that's still my money and something i will get later on in life too, but not wanting to own what my dad owns though, heck no. ❜ but he couldn't ignore it, that was gonna be his future. ❛ i care about you too, reason why we are here and sharing this meal. ❜ he laughs out. ❛ so what's your plan for tonight, wanna join me for some clubbing ? ❜
Ari didn't really let loose. Her security was never far away, even now enjoying a peaceful lunch they were waiting outside for her in the car. They'd follow her to the ends of the earth if she asked.
"It would be nice to relax," she said after a moment of thought. It had been a while since she'd been outside and actually enjoyed the change in weather. It seemed silly to want to do a picnic, but sitting outside and soaking in the sun seemed more pleasant than the stagnant air of the suffocatingly expensive hotel. "Sitting outside by the river. Is that considered cool enough for you?"
❛ damn, clubbing is my favorite activity. ❜ clicking his tongue before shaking his head, feeling a little upset that ari had turned him down on the offer. he does come to try and think of something else. ❛ can it be anything ? ❜ he suddenly asks, smile forming on his features. ❛ let's do it this way, what is a one thing you would want to do before work ? not just this, but something that would make you want to let loose and for a moment, forget the world ? ❜ his attention was over her now, eyes scanning ari and waiting for an answer. ❛ so, noona - what would that be ? ❜
"We can take yours," Ari agreed. Her guards would still follow behind them and linger in the background, though if she asked they'd stay waiting in the car rather than following all the way to the river.
She followed Hyunwoo and sent a text off to them letting them know where they were going. There wasn't any point telling them to wait behind because she knew what her father was paying and what their jobs were; she stopped questioning it years ago.
"You keep a blanket in your car or should we buy one to lay out on?"
❛ then what are we waiting for ? ❜ he says, giving ari a smile and getting up. ❛ let's go sit there, that's better than nothing. ❜ and if it was up to hyunwoo, he would sit there for hours and look at the river flow by. ❛ are we gonna take my car or yours ? ❜ he asks, knowing that at least his car was empty. ❛ would your people get crazy if i was to take you away for a moment ? ❜ would that be a risky move ? perhaps, but he was ready to just give ari what she wanted.
Sports cars were different from the luxury vehicles her father liked her to be in; so the drive off still surprised her at the speed. She glanced in the mirror pointing behind at her guards close behind, as expected. Hopefully not too close.
"How many of these do you own?" she asked as she watched the city unfold in the reflection of the window. Hyunwoo's regards to money always surprised her, but not negatively; she'd started working more in the last five years to see what it took to keep her family's fortune. "Ever just think about driving off and never coming home? Would your family care?"
that was all that needed to be said, which hyunwoo guides them over to the black sport car ; him being someone who liked cars, collecting those for fun. just a little hobby to pass the time, rarely even driving any but at least his cars looked pretty but he wasn't there to show off his cars. ❛ here you go. ❜ he says, opening the door for ari as he waits for her to enter his vehicle so he could drive them over to the riverside. ❛ i think i have something at the backseat, i think we can use that. ❜ sometimes he was there alone to sit by the river too just to cool down and think of life. ❛ ready ? ❜ he asks, starting the vehicle and driving away.
She'd given thought to running off, but never really considered actually doing it. There was no way Ari could get far -- and if there was a time when she wanted to walk away from it all, the love her family held for her, they'd ultimately let her walk away. Problem was, the longer she worked more in the gang, the more she was beginning to like it.
Ari grinned. "No," she answered, her hand flicking over the button to control the window and lowering it all the way so the wind whipped inside the car. Her hair started whipping around her head, the woman peeking out in to the city without a care how it would mess up the look she'd set to. "But if there was ever a time when you wanted to disappear quietly, I could help you. I have...some friends. They're real good about cleaning behind their tracks, too."
❛ couple, like five. ❜ not really a couple, several instead. ❛ a little hobby, you know ? gotta do something to not be bored. ❜ laughing about his stupid hobby but easily driving them towards the riverside with the speed they were going. ❛ i have actually thought about that, many times and i think my family would be devastated if i made a disappearing act, especially my mom. ❜ being a big mama's boy, his family was loving but rarely having time for him and if it was some family time, it was about about business and how he should be taking over his father's business. hands curl tighter around the steering wheel, not really noticing it himself, clearly not wanting any part of being in the business seen in the future waiting. ❛ have you thought about running off ? ❜
"Of course you're worth the help. I'm not exactly the most caring person in the world, but I'm not cruel. I'd like to think I could do something nice for the people that mean something to me." Ari mumbled the words as she stepped out of the car and peeked behind; the guards were parked not too far away, but seemed to be staying in place. Hopefully they wouldn't follow them out.
It was true that she was beginning to feel her humanity slip away from her. Already she'd shut off her mind from the endless torture she'd be in charge of tonight to the runaway like it was nothing. It's why she cherished these moments with Hyunwoo -- they were some sense of normal. "Sitting might be nice. Still full from lunch," she said.
❛ you would help me to disappear ? ❜ he asks, taking a quick look at her again as driving, soon enough parking the car when arriving the riverside after awhile. he stays in the car and takes off his seatbelt, just looking at ari now. ❛ why would you help me disappear ? you think i'm worth the help ? ❜ teasing her before finally opening the door. ❛ should we get going ? ❜ getting over to the backdoor and taking a blanket there, he doesn't remember where he had got it, or why it was there but it was perfect to sit on over the riverside. ❛ do you want to get something from the store near the river or just want to sit around ? ❜
But she was cruel. At least, she was to the enemies her family had crossed with over the years. All things that she never told him, of course. There was still that wonderful blissful ignorance she'd given him by never fully revealing where her family's money came from -- though, Ari also didn't do much to hide it, either.
She chose to ignore his first comment as she took the blanket and lay it down in a nice, shady spot. He was right, it was a nice day and the view of the water filled her with a peace she was craving. Ari kicked off her shoes and lay back on the blanket, grinning up at him. "You are a little childish. You have a car collection. Like your own personal toys." She made some room on the blanket and patted the empty spot next to her for him to join.
❛ i see the good in you, noona - i don't doubt that at all, even when what you have to go through, of course i don't know the full story but i know you are not cruel and will never say you are cruel. ❜ stating the fact right there before they could walk towards the riverside and find a perfect place to just sit. ❛ okay, should we sit right there ? ❜ pointing over at the place on grassy area, more away from people who were sitting there and eating snacks and drinking. ❛ the weather is good too, breezy as fall is about to come. are you excited for halloween or am i just still too childish and think that's fun ? ❜
"A motorcycle? That's not a look for you, Hyunwoo. Stick to your cars," she advised, trying to imagine him riding and only crashing the thing on a sharp turn.
Ari glanced down at her current attire; luxury. She'd been spoiled with the taste for finer things and had a hard time letting them go, which was why she'd adapted so well to learning her father's trade. "Jewelry," she answered. "I do like jewelry. Nice restaurants. Those banquets where a bunch of rich people get together and boast about how much money they have and how perfect their lives are. Terrible, but enjoyable at the same time. The next time your parents host one of those, please invite me to one."
❛ at least it's not toy cars, real cars … so i don't know if that's childish or not, it's fun tho … spend money and all. ❜ he chuckles out and settles down on the blanket on the ground, looking towards the river flowing by. ❛ i've been wanting to get a motorcycle but i don't know, kinda risky and i don't think my parents would love that or having the smell on my clothes, gotta keep it classy and just have a car. ❜ rolling eyes a little. ❛ do you have anything you collect ? anything nice ? like jewelry or anything, i could think of a gift for you. ❜
"If you're looking for freedom and you think a motorcycle will give it to you, then someone's making you feel stuck, Hyunwoo." Ari guessed it was his family. In a way, she pitied him; she was in a similar situation, expected to take over the family business, only she wanted to. She'd never outright asked him before, but had a feeling he didn't and would avoid taking the responsibility for as long as he could.
Ari reached over and patted him on his arm. Just a solid touch. Something to assure him that she'd be there regardless of what he chose. "I'll be there," she promised.
hyunwoo feels like he was punched in the gut hearing those words. did he not fit a motorcycle ? why so ? he wanted to ask but only furrows his brows as looking at the river. ❛ but i have heard so many things about feeling the freedom and air when you ride a motorcycle. ❜ he argues back but leaves it at that, not knowing the real reason behind ari's words. listening to her, all he could do is chuckle out, she was right ; rich people tend to be interesting. ❛ those are absolutely boring but i get what you mean, they are … always bragging about what they have, like it's a competition which or who has the most money and things they own, there is one event coming though. might as well join me and keep me company. ❜
"It's nice out here." It really was. Ari was enjoying the cool breeze and the warm sun. She liked how peaceful it was watching the water, though one glance behind her at the two guards storming out of the car and walking towards her with purpose was quickly about to ruin whatever peace she was feeling.
"The runaway escaped."
Ari rolled her eyes. Of course her idiot team couldn't hold on to one man. She kept her face blank, vaguely directing her gauze towards Hyunwoo and back to her guards to make sure they wouldn't say anything else in front of him.
"Well...go catch him," she said simply, turning her attention back to the water. "Work can wait a little longer."
it seemed like he had to stop dreaming about the motorcycle, well in all honesty he didn't even have place to put it ; too many cars and more coming his way. it was then when his head turns when being patted on the arm. ❛ i know you will be there, we should have tons of fun and ruin something too. ❜ oh, hyunwoo was young and always coming up with something, even to lie to some of his father's clients just to keep his life exciting and keep himself entertained. ❛ how do you feel though, just sitting here - do you feel like you can forget your worried for a moment ? ❜
"Ms Choi, you really should leave with us. Your father would want you there--"
"If my father wants the man dead, he can kill them himself. There's nothing I can do about the runaway your team lost, is there?" Ari added, tilting her head back to glance at her guards but not bothered enough to turn her focus towards them. "You can tell my father I'll be by later like we agreed."
Ari shrugged them off and focused back on the water again. Hyunwoo was right -- she only had one life. "I think I changed my mind. Maybe I do want something to eat," she said to her friend. "Where's that store you were pointing out earlier?"
he doesn't hear the steps, until there was a low deep voice behind them ; which causes hyunwoo to look what was going on. confused as he looks at ari and then back at the men. what did they meen with a runaway escaped ? that was a little odd. of course that wasn't his place to go and ask what was going on, especially when ari comes to reply to them. now hyunwoo looking away and at the river, letting his thoughts slide to the side. even if he was curious and what was going on, maybe it was something to do with police, he wouldn't question it. he has heard weird things about rich people anyway. ❛ work can always wait, we only have this one life. ❜ he says, wanting to ask so bad what that was about, feeling like his throat was burning from the words. ❛ you want to stay here with me a little longer ? seems like you like my company more than theirs. ❜ he teases.
Unsurprising, her guards still didn't leave. They watched as Ari took Hyunwoo's hand and allowed to be pulled up and guided towards the connivence store, which she looked out of place being in with her name brand heels and matching outfit. But that meant getting away from her constant shadows for a while longer and avoiding the responsibility of work, and it was well worth it.
"What do you want? It's on me," she offered, grabbing a random drink and ice cup from the freezer, not too well familiar with how these sort of places worked. Cheap prices, cheaper products. Hopefully enough distraction to where he wouldn't ask questions about what just went down outside considering they'd spoken quite openly about a developing problem she'd have to deal with later.
the things he was hearing from the men and from ari were making things even more complicated in his head. killing and all ? that was confusing, was it a plot or something with bad people ? so many things running in his head but he manages to stay quiet. ❛ what kind of snacks should we get ? ❜ he asks and smiles at her. ❛ the store is right there. ❜ he says, pointing towards the building that was located to their left. ❛ it's on me, we can get whatever you want. ❜ getting up and holding a hand out. ❛ i think the blanket will be safe here, no one is gonna take it or if they do - i will just chase them out. ❜
"They're not scary to me. They try to be intimidating, but...they work for me, so they know their boundaries." Ari paid for their snacks, awkwardly pouring her drink in the cup and taking a sip -- it was way too sweet, but there was something satisfying about it.
"They're protecting me from any potential threats...which I guess is you, right now." The thought made her laugh. Hyunwoo was anything but scary to her, unless his speedy driving was dangerous. "Your family doesn't have personal guards or drivers to take you around?"
even when he offered it all being on him, he couldn't fight against ari and start arguing against her. after all she was older and hyunwoo respected her. taking an ice cup just like she had and bag of coffee. then a bag of snacks. ❛ okay i think these are enough for me ? ❜ knowing it was gonna be cheap anyway. he still wanted to ask what happened back there but he doesn't want to upset ari. so he tries to be sneaky. ❛ your dudes are kinda … scary, they are just looking at us. it's giving joe goldberg. ❜ joking and letting out a laugh while moving towards the counter. ❛ are you ready ? are you all done ? ❜
"Maybe we can put your guards against mine and see who wins," she mused, sipping from her too sweet drink again but finding that the taste was growing on her. Lipstick already stained the straw as she sat down on one of the stools by a table, overlooking the park from a much different angle. She still felt out of place in there.
"You're doing a good job of avoiding a sensitive topic." Ari struggled to open her snack, though eventually got it after pulling a little too hard. The bag crumbled, but didn't make a mess. "You really aren't going to ask about why my guards are about to hunt down a runaway for my father?"
❛ they indeed look a little intimidating, at least to me. they look like they would beat me up if i said the wrong word. ❜ he jokes, trying to make the situation more lighthearted if anything. pouring his drink just like ari had done, taking a sip after stirring the drink with a straw, tasting it and smacking lips together. ❛ this tastes like i'm inhaling sugar, don't you agree ? ❜ he looks at her, raising his brows. taking another sip and almost choked on the liquid. ❛ a threat ? me ? do i look like i could do anything ? i'm the most chill guy out there. ❜ he hums out though. ❛ i do, i just like … going everywhere on my own and then need to hear from my mom how i went alone everywhere again. ❜
He was right, it was better not to know and Ari was impressed with his ability to acknowledge that. He'd never asked where her fortune came from, and she'd never told him why.
"They won't be trouble for much longer," was all she said with a knowing smile to herself, going back to her drink. She could hear her phone go off, most likely her father trying to reach her. Ari figured she had a few more minutes left before she'd get called away. "All of our times together and I've never seen your guards. You really hate being trailed, don't you?"
❛ my guards have nothing against yours, i can promise you that. they just look tall and bulky but that's it, they are super nice actually. ❜ he says, knowing that ari's guards were way scarier, even the way they were speaking. he chuckles out when ari was talking again. ❛ not my place to go and ask questions, you know ? if you want to tell me - then you should tell me, it only makes sense that way … noona. ❜ maybe he was good at ignoring what was going on. shaking his head at her question though. ❛ as much as i want to know, sometimes it's better not to. ❜ head turning and looking at her, giving her a small smile. ❛ sounds like that someone is a trouble, though. ❜
"You're enjoying your peace while you still can. How different do you think things will be when you take over the family business?" It would be too dangerous for him to travel without his guards then.
She picked up her call on the last ring, not wanting to, and eyes shutting as she heard her father's upset voice coming through the line. Her father loved her dearly and she held the upmost respect for him, so she listened. Then sighed. "I'll be there within the hour," she promised, cutting off the phone and apologetically smiling at Hyunwoo for their afternoon having to be cut short.
"Father's team already caught then runaway. He didn't make it far."
sipping on his drink and nodding head while listening to ari, but before he even gets to open his mouth he hears the ringtone, looking at ari and then over where the ringtone was coming from. ❛ you should probably get that ? ❜ he says but then laughs. ❛ they probably panic when they don't know where i am, but i just want to have my own private time without someone always walking behind me - you know ? makes me feel somewhat normal. i know i come from wealthy family, really wealthy but .. i just want to breathe, if that makes sense ? ❜
"I have to go," she sighed, glancing up towards the direction where their blanket was and were her guards were probably waiting for her. Ari stood up, moving to throw away her trash, but stopped when she noticed how Hyunwoo's expression changed when he spoke.
She pitied him. Really. If there was ever a day where she wanted to walk away from her family and do something on her own, her father would give her some money and a hug and let her leave. She chose to stay because she wanted to, even if sometimes she didn't care for the work. Ari reached out and touched Hyunwoo's arm. "Hey. Give yourself some credit. I know you have this cool spoiled boy attitude about you, but you're actually smart. You can do something else if you tried and worked for it."
waiting before he could answer, not wanting to interrupt the call she had got. feeling blood run cold at the question though, hyunwoo hated the idea of needing to take over the business. even having hard time trying to hide the fact that he hated hearing it. lips pressing into a thin line, sighing out. ❛ honestly ? i don't even want to know. i have already seen enough from my dad's end how things go, i wish i could say no .. but i'm the only son, so. i can't really complain. ❜ shaking his head as he sips the coffee in one go, feeling a brainfreeze hitting ; hand up and pressed against the side of his head. ❛ does that mean you have to go ? ❜
"You can always choose a different life, Hyunwoo. When that time comes, you'll know it." They were the same words her father had told her after she'd watched her first kill. It had the opposite effect on Ari who decided to dedicate her future towards her father's goal and follow it through.
Ari's schedule would be pretty busy now considering their runaway decided to stir up some trouble. So much for having an afternoon off. "You said your family likes to have those charity...rich people events? Let me know when the next one is. I'll be there."
at ari's words his head turns to look at her, feeling like he had been in a trance of some sort, too lost in own thoughts. ❛ well, my life is planned out for me. i wish i could do something else, i don't think i wanna .. take over my dad's business you know, i don't find it that interesting about apartments and building .. it's .. yeah. ❜ sighing out but ends up smiling when he goes to throw the empty cup away. ❛ but that's not something i should be stressing over right now, unless something bad happens. ❜ which he highly doubts would happen. ❛ but .. when can we meet again ? ❜