Mask and Disguise [ Yao ]

[Katyusha Chernenko]

велике спасибі Dating was never an important part in her life, especially once she started treating stray criminals in her house. Keeping her side job a secret would be much harder if she was dating. Let alone a date, Katyusha rarely allowed her coworkers came to her house. They might suspect her for owning so many medical supplies; especially her surgery kit. That aside, the Ukrainian was always being careful not to get too close to anyone. She had been turning down dinner invitations for years and faking disinterest at potential dating partners. And that's the problem she was having now. Katyusha stared at the intricately printed paper on the coffee table. It was an invitation for dinner, sent by a man named Jack Chan. She had no idea about this man's identity; she never heard his name prior receiving his invitation. The location he chose was The Jade Dragon, a luxurious Chinese restaurant. Looking from the chosen location and the formal letter, she could tell that Jack Chan is a wealthy man. But rather than just a dinner, apparently Mr. Chan wanted to talk to her. He stated in his letter that she might be useful for his company. She re-read the letter again. Mr. Chan didn't specify what company he owned or why he wanted to work with her. Considering that her legal job was a nurse, it would be unlikely she's needed in some legal company. Even if he did, he wouldn't bother asking her for dinner. An interview in his office was enough. That left her with two possibilities: one, Mr. Chan wanted to have a date with her; or two, Mr. Chan knew about her slightly illegal side job. Of course so few people knew about the latter probability. Maybe he had seen her at the hospital or somewhere else and just interested to know more about her. Well, going wouldn't hurt anyone. On the plus side, she'd get to eat in a fancy restaurant. If he wanted to have a dinner with her again, she could turn his offer down politely like what she usually did. So Katyusha changed to a knee-length blue dress with a matching open-toed shoes. She took her clutch and scarf, left her house and stopped a cab. She arrived at The Jade Dragon about ten minutes earlier. After Katyusha showed the waiter her invitation, he immediately led her to an exclusive-looking table for two. The nurse sat there, patiently waiting for this mysterious Jack Chan, whoever he is.

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[Deleted]

Assumptions are the basis for all risks. Risks are how this business runs. Tell me what you want to know, I'll give you half. You're criminal, but you have to weigh your risks. You never go in too blindly, without intelligence. In protecting his anonymous status in the underworld, he had to know what he was dealing with. He rarely did his work directly. He never dealt with his criminal meetings by himself. He usually had someone else do in person consultations. If he did any face-to-face himself, he was never "Yao Xun Wang". He prided his name as a good clean name in London. A reputable name for people to love. His name was associated with charities and one of the best restaurants in London, outreach programs and immigrant relief. Those in his more questionable organization tended to only know "Big Brother".  Tonight, he was Jack Chan. A week ago, Jack Chan sent a Katyusha Chernenko an invitation for dinner. Jack Chan was a wealthy man with a successful company. Jack Chan wanted to talk to this Ukrainian woman, who would be an asset to his company. Yao already sensed some gaps in Jack Chan's story, but he was going to go through with this. This one is an important key. The Aylesbury Angel. In the criminal circles, she was known as the Aylesbury Angel, whose anonymous efforts have saved lives both medically and legally. Admitting criminals in the hospital also meant admitting them to the local penitentiary after recovery. The Aylesbury Angel was most certainly valuable, vital... and vulnerable. He was making such a big exception and risk by choosing to meet her in person. But this was going to be absolutely necessary. Jack Chan had reserved a table on the third floor with a nice view of London from the window. He had access to the balcony if the Ukrainian preferred to talk things over a martini, shaken not stirred. He had made certain the third floor was empty, as it was ideal no one be eavesdropping when actual business was discussed. He paid the waitress and waiter extra to stay out when needed. If Yao were not a participant in this affair, the set up would have made him believe this was a date. Strictly business. He made certain the arrangements were perfect. He ran what he was to say through his mind, making certain "Yao Xun Wang" was never involved in the actual business. After the tables were set, the ambiance arranged, "Jack Chan" made his way down the fourth floor stairs, flanked by the waiter and waitress. Well isn't the Angel a beauty. Yao wasn't interested in taking the Aylesbury Angel on a date, but wasn't she a looker. He hadn't expected her to be such a beauty. Her beauty was not of the traditional sense, but it was... the girl looked plain, but the aura was pure. Despite the tiredness in the way she walked and in her eyes, beauty shown through them. The sense of something pure... and untainted. "Nihao, Miss Chernenko. I trust your evening has gone well so far? I apologize that the invitation was on such a short notice. I hope the venue is to your taste. Mister Wang happens to be a very close friend of mine, and so his restaurant seemed like a logical choice," he said as the waitress came in with a warm tea pot and two cups. Yao poured tea for the both of them. "Not a typical tea, but I had this special odered. London Fog blend with some green." The waiter came with the two menus, the metal corners of gold. The menu contained a wide variety of Chinese cuisine, and had even grown to encompass Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian, and Filipino food. The variety was bountiful, expensive but well worth it. "Order anything. It's all on me. Don't cower from the prices. Might as well indulge." This most certainly was not a date. Yao Xun Wang does not do "dates". He does consultations.

WORDS: 673 TAGS: KAT NOTES: YEEEE CREDIT: LAIKA OF GS!

[Katyusha Chernenko]

велике спасибі While waiting, Katyusha stared at the sight of London night view. Thousands of glowing light bulbs, outshining the gigantic stars on the sky. Car horns and pop songs faintly heard in the background, as well as the soft music being played in the room. The woman blinked, finally noticed her own face on the glass window. She really looked tired, didn't she? Pale eyebrows furrowed as the Ukrainian leaned to examine her reflection. Even concealer couldn't hide the sign of tiredness under her eyes. Katyusha managed a smile. It's not bad; warm enough, but not too flirty. She shook her head. The nurse never flirts. The nurse shouldn't flirt. Footsteps cut her musings. From the stairs connected to the upper floor, came a man followed with waiters on his sides. Katyusha couldn't help but raised her eyebrow upon the sight. Jack Chan was... ordinary. The only distinguished feature she could identify was his long hair, tied into a simple ponytail. Apart from that, he's as ordinary as any other Asian men she had seen around London. But from the way he moved, the way the waiters served their tea and how he greeted her, Katyusha's assumption that Jack Chan was a man of great riches had proven true. He also had manners and attitude to go along with it. And also surrounded by an authoritative aura around him. He's the kind of man who would went extra mile to get what he wanted. Too bad, she sighed mentally, he laid his eyes upon a woman who had sworn allegiance to another man. Not that the rest of the world needed to know that. In few hours, when Katyusha left this table, they would be strangers again. Probably they would never see each other in the future, and Katyusha really hoped that'd happen. The last thing she needed now was a relentless suitor. Regardless, Katyusha rose briefly from her seat to return his greeting. "Good evening, Mister Chan. Thank you for inviting me for dinner," she then muttered her thanks to the waiters. "Do tell your kind friend Mister Wang that I love his restaurant. Such a lovely place." The woman avoided commenting about the invitation. It made her surprised and confused, but bringing it up in front of the host wouldn't be polite. She accepted her tea cup, and sipped the warm liquid. It had a unique taste; sweet, but not too overpowering. "Mm~" she hummed softly. The food they offered was indeed expensive. Except for Chinese take-out, Katyusha's experience with Asian cuisine was very limited. She finally ordered Sichuan Flavor Noodles after browsing through the menu. The picture itself already looked delicious enough for her. "So." Katyusha decided to talk about this dinner itself. Just to clear some doubts lingering in her mind. "Mister Chan... I must say I was surprised upon receiving your invitation several days ago." She smiled and tilted her head, showing that the statement was merely a fruit of her curiosity. "Have we met before? And if yes, where and when? Because I don't remember ever meeting you, even though I'm usually good at remembering faces." The nurse sipped her tea again, her eyes fixed to the Asian, waiting for an answer. "Perhaps you already know, but I'm just a humble nurse. I never expected a man of high status like you would invite me... for a date." Yes. She still doubted about this whole date thing. The sooner she cleared it, the better she can enjoy her Sichuan Flavor Noodles.

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[Deleted]

Jack Chan was perhaps too attractive for his own good. Damn it. Maybe he should have played it a different way. But it's all in professionalism. Even if the Aylesbury Angel had quite a nice... rack, come to say, the Aylesbury Angel is not for him to date and Yao felt no sexual attraction to the young lady. Yao Xun Wang may have faked sex appeal often to seem more extravagant, faked enjoying having scantily dressed females flank him, always having a female like a parrot on his left shoulder. Yao hadn't felt sexual attraction for a woman since his younger days, back in China, though that girl was taken from him all the same.  "Good evening, Mister Chan. Thank you for inviting me for dinner. Do tell your kind friend Mister Wang that I love his restaurant. Such a lovely place." "The pleasure is mine in inviting such a talented, intelligent young lady like yourself. It is a privilege for me to offer you this position," he said, smiling as she enjoyed the taste of the drink. It seems his research had done him well. Maybe he was laying it a bit thick with this flattery. Flattery almost seemed like flirting. The best flattery had to seem like flirting. Flirting meant that the intentions were undeniable, even if unwanted. He smiled in real delight as she browsed the menu in wonder. The pictures were professionally taken and the food actually did look like they did in the pictures. The menus had been done by a professional graphic designer, the spines of the menus sewn with the silks of the worm. The leather of the binding was Italian, the pages printed on special paper imported from Germany. Only a small part of what made Yao burn with such pride for his restaurant. "So. Mister Chan... I must say I was surprised upon receiving your invitation several days ago. Have we met before? And if yes, where and when? Because I don't remember ever meeting you, even though I'm usually good at remembering faces." Yao laughed with the charm expected from a man of the class he portrayed. "I am sorry if this is an interruption of your usual plans. And I don't believe we have met personally. I had just heard of your work and I was referred to you by a... close acquaintance of mine. I apologize that the invitation was perhaps something that made you question the nature of it and that I am merely a stranger, but I believe you will take interest in the opportunity I will offer," he said, taking a sip of his tea. He swished the cup gently before putting it down. His dark brown eyes observed her, mentally noting every little detail. Her hair wasn't long, but the hairstyle outlined her face perfectly. Her aqua blue eyes show signs of shedding tears often, dark circles outlining those eyes. Her breast size was unusual, but he didn't dwell on that. She wasn't exactly the typical beauty, but it was in the uniqueness of her body still sang of beauty. "Perhaps you already know, but I'm just a humble nurse. I never expected a man of high status like you would invite me... for a date." He had to stop and think of a reply for that. That was a bit of an unexpected response, but of course, Yao Xun Wang will always have a solution. "Oh, this isn't a date at all! As you can see, I am married and I am certain my wife wouldn't look to nicely on me if I decided to go off into the dating arena again. It would look very bad for my reputation as well. And a pretty woman like you, I am certain someone else has an eye for you," he said, holding out his right hand and showing a silver ring on his ring finger. Good thinking to have decided to accessorize like that today. Hopefully she wouldn't ask about this hypothetical wife, but even if she did, Yao had memorized a file for an instance like this. "I do hope your partner doesn't mind me meeting you under these conditions. I certainly wouldn't be happy if my wife didn't tell me about what business she is, talking with a man in a restaurant like this."

WORDS: 722 TAGS: KAT NOTES: woooooo CREDIT: LAIKA OF GS!

[Katyusha Chernenko]

велике спасибі Pink blossoming slightly on her cheeks as her host continued his flattery. Her work in the hospital wasn't exceptionally outstanding the others'. Katyusha believed there were many nurses in London who were more skilled and experienced in this field than her. And certainly, for an average nurse like her, no privilege was needed to offer something to her. Anyone can offer her a position in the nursing field. Katyusha raised her cup, only to stop in mid-air since it's already empty. She had been sipping it while Jack talked to hide her nervousness. His responses weren't sounded like things men would say in a date. Sure they were laced with compliments, but some of the words were making her forehead crinkled from questioning their meanings. Most of the men whom she had a date with always started with her: hobbies, interests, things she likes and dislikes. But Jack Chan kept mentioning things like opportunity and position. Unless he's going to hire her as a fake temporary girlfriend thing, which was unlikely, Katyusha had no idea what he meant. "It's alright, I didn't have any plans for this night anyway." Except treating an injured stray bird that may or may not came to her house before she left the restaurant, but that's a different matter. Her blue eyes widened in surprise when Jack Chan said he had heard about her from an acquaintance. Chances are this acquaintance was one of the patients or former patients of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, her workplace. The nurse had been working there for more than six years, and even with her good memory it was hard to remember every patients' face she treated in the past. There were some wealthy patients too, so maybe one of them had recommended her to Jack Chan. Whoever they were, they're really kind for making this opportunity available to her. "Oh, this isn't a date at all! As you can see, I am married and I am certain my wife wouldn't look to nicely on me if I decided to go off into the dating arena again. It would look very bad for my reputation as well. And a pretty woman like you, I am certain someone else has an eye for you." A glinting silver ring rested on his right hand, confirming his words. "Oh," Katyusha's lips parted in an O shape. "I am sorry for making such assumption, Mister Chan..." she smiled sheepishly, shaking her head softly. "The only thing that came to my mind upon reading your invitation was a date, so..." Katyusha raised a hand to her lips as she chuckled. "Ah, Mrs. Chan must be a lucky woman to have you as her husband." "I do hope your partner doesn't mind me meeting you under these conditions. I certainly wouldn't be happy if my wife didn't tell me about what business she is, talking with a man in a restaurant like this." A sigh escaped her lips. He just reminded her about her wish to see a ring warmed her cold ring finger. She stared at her unadorned hand, fingers tapping on the table. "You don't have to worry about it. I am not married yet or seeing anyone at the moment. Otherwise, I wouldn't think that this is a date." She tucked some loose strands behind her ear. Now that he already stated that this wasn't a date, the other possibility left is job interview. Judging from the chosen place, maybe he would hire her to work at some big hospital or as a private nurse for a wealthy person. Remembering that it was already written in the invitation, she said, "now that you mention it, I remember you said in your letter that I might be useful for your company. Are you running a hospital or a medical corporation, perhaps?" Of course she usually wouldn't turn down easily such opportunity to work for a bigger wage, but that means she might have less time to do her not so legal side job. Both of her current jobs gave her a steady flow of money, enough to live a decent life. If Jack Chan's offer would require her to move to another place, she had to turn it down. "I am quite satisfied with my job at the hospital now. The pay is good and I still have time to do other activities as well."

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[Deleted]

Flustering the person you were confronting and making them feel a bit special often got you what you wanted. People practically fished  for those compliments, though he had a feeling that she probably wasn't used to these sorts of things. Pity. She really could turn heads in a masquerade. He enjoyed this game. Words were his weapons, his way of making things better. Despite his seemingly hands-free way of running things (and of course, his snide, and Chinese comments), he really did know how to play with his words... when he felt like it. "Ah, I see your cup is empty. This is unacceptable. Zeng, may you please give our guest some more tea?" he said, calling back the young Chinese waiter. The young man came in quickly, as if he feared the glare Yao would give if Yao deemed the service too slow. "It's alright, I didn't have any plans for this night anyway." Yeah honey, I know what you do at night. Zeng poured the tea in a quiet, swift manner, and quickly vacated again. There was a tenseness in his step, and his serving smile was somewhat calculated. Messing up tonight wasn't going to be any good at all... "Oh, I am sorry for making such assumption, Mister Chan... The only thing that came to my mind upon reading your invitation was a date, so... Ah, Mrs. Chan must be a lucky woman to have you as her husband." He somewhat wished he didn't have to pull out the wife card. Transitioning to Yao Xun Wang was going to be difficult. Not that he did this often with clients, where he switched to Yao Xun Wang on meet-ups, but he would need to figure out how to do this... and make sure she would be sworn to secrecy. He wouldn't wish for Yao Xun Wang's name to be tarnished in the city when he was considered a philanthropist and guardian of the Asian communities of London. He would have to admit himself as Big Brother for his purposes, and he would have to do it well. There would be no going back. She was meant to be a criminal contact. Criminal contacts rarely knew how Big Brother related to Yao Xun Wang. This is an exception. He let out a hearty chuckle. "I suppose Ava would appreciate that, even if she does on occasion call me old. She really is a lovely lady. Her Chinese name is lovely. 'Xiu-Li'. It means 'elegant reason'. She's quite a sharp one, though her tastes can be just a tad bit expensive, and her wit..." he mused. He stopped mid-sentence, realizing that he was starting to describe the only love he ever had, left in China, probably being the First Wife to some rich man. That man was perhaps using her as a status symbol or object or... He didn't want to think about it. "Enough about Ava. She probably wouldn't appreciate me talking about her without her knowing. She can be pretty superstitious and will probably know that I talked about her." He almost let out a breath of relief when she changed the topic. This was no time to remininsce about some silly love and accidentally break cover. "Now that you mention it, I remember you said in your letter that I might be useful for your company. Are you running a hospital or a medical corporation, perhaps? I am quite satisfied with my job at the hospital now. The pay is good and I still have time to do other activities as well." Time to break cover. He took a sip of his tea, and slowly, Jack Chan melted away, and in front of her sat the imposing Chairman of the White Lotus. "Look. I think it's safe to say I can trust you. I know what you are doing at night. This is a proposition that could benefit the both of us. You are going to be targeted by other organizations and we have a genuine concern for you. We want to ensure you don't do anything too dangerous or risky and affiliate yourself with... The White Lotus is interested in protecting your interests, on the condition that you may also provide safe house for our members. You are also to report to us if you receive patients, be it our own or any of the others. I usually don't do these confrontations, but this is very important. In this world you got yourself involved, you have become very valuable... we have been watching you. And so far, we have thwarted one attempt at your life. What do you say? Do you accept our proposition?" And there would be no turning back.

WORDS: 785 TAGS: KAT NOTES: woooooo CREDIT: LAIKA OF GS!

[Katyusha Chernenko]

велике спасибі She couldn't help but notice a difference in his expression once she inquired about his company. Katyusha shrugged it aside, thinking that it's common for people to become more serious when talking business. But something was amiss, something was... wrong. The nurse raised her head a little higher, looking at the man across the table straight at his eyes. "Look. I think it's safe to say I can trust you." Her body suddenly tensed. She lowered down her hand slowly until the cup hit the table with a soft thud. That was not a voice of some ordinary businessman. Katyusha stared at her cup, tracing its edge with her finger. The waiter had refilled it. Her brown reflection on the water stared back while she listened to Jack's words. But... safe to trust her? Her eyes narrowed, then they widened immediately when he continued. "I know what you are doing at night." Her hand moved abruptly, knocking the cup and spilling its content on the table. Katyusha held an urge to push her chair back and leave the restaurant at once. She should have predicted this. Panic began to grow within her and her heart was beating faster. Even if the Ukrainian woman managed to exit the building, Jack's underlings might prevent her from escaping. She glanced to her purse. If she tried to take her phone and make a call, her movement would be too obvious. Katyusha wasn't sure if there were no men stationed nearby who's ready to take action if she behaved suspiciously. Playing along seemed to be the best option she had for now. A waiter, Zeng, rushed to clean the mess she had caused. Katyusha sent him an apologetic look before leaning back at her chair. "I see," she muttered. Taking a deep breath, the woman said, "it seems this... talk is not what I've expected at all." "This is a proposition that could benefit the both of us." Jack Chan the charming businessman was changing before her; that was certainly just a disguise, a mask. "You are going to be targeted by other organizations and we have a genuine concern for you. We want to ensure you don't do anything too dangerous or risky and affiliate yourself with..." "I know that," she replied curtly. The warmth in her smile slowly disappeared as the situation was getting more serious. "The White Lotus is interested in protecting your interests, on the condition that you may also provide safe house for our members. You are also to report to us if you receive patients, be it our own or any of the others. I usually don't do these confrontations, but this is very important. In this world you got yourself involved, you have become very valuable... we have been watching you. And so far, we have thwarted one attempt at your life. What do you say? Do you accept our proposition?" Her hands were placed on her lap, curled into fists. "Mr. Chan, I already know that my job is... quite risky," she began, carefully choosing her words, "when I started this job, I chose to remain neutral. My patients' identity is not important; they come to get their wounds treated and my duty is to restore their health. What is their job or whom they are working for is none of my business." She paused to take a deep breath and calm herself. The name White Lotus wasn't unfamiliar for her; she had heard about them several times from her patients. Apparently they were one of the big players in London. "As for my safety, there's no need to worry. My... employer already provides the protection I need. I believe that he is strong enough to handle this matter alone." Still, she couldn't shake the fear of knowing that there's always someone out there who wanted to hurt her. "Maybe you never heard about my employer, but maybe you actually did." She wished he did know about Thotsakan to avoid further questions regarding her boss. Well, Katyusha had explained her reasons. Time for the closing statement. "Thank you for offering me this position, Mr. Chan, you are very kind but I have to decline it. I don't think my employer would like the Nightingale declare her allegiance to someone else but him." She didn't want to do that either way. Feeling a bit relieved, Katyusha reached the glass of water and drank its content. The woman couldn't wait to go home and tell Kasem about this meeting immediately.

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