(Arc 1 : The Raven and the dragon)

Before entering the exhibition areas, security guards made sure that all visitors had an invitation.

Half past ten. Kaelan's paintings drew many people to stand in front of them, either questioning his approach or simply admiring his work. Ashlay seized the opportunity to have a closer look himself. Gwenval was talking to other people. Ho Ming was at the entrance, giving instructions to the guards.

Ashlay stopped in front of one painting in particular. It was the only one that stood out from the quiet, cheerful atmosphere of the others. In the foreground, a white bird sat on a rock, gazing into the distance at a terrible storm over the ocean in the background, that was approaching dangerously. The whole picture was in dark blues and grays, with a touch of white. The young man was strangely attracted to the storm, to the point of feeling tingles all over his body.

"I can give you a good price if you want."

Ashlay was brought back to reality when he heard Kaelan's voice.

"Ah. No, thank you, I'm fine. I was just thinking how different this painting is from the others." Ashlay explained.

"I painted it at a time when certain unpleasant things had happened to me. I wanted a storm to wash away all my problems, even if it meant taking myself with it."

Ashlay looked at Kaelan, who had a melancholy look on his face for a few moments. The painter noticed and quickly pulled himself together.

"That was a long time ago. It's all in the past now. Gwenval also helped me a lot to get over it. When I see this picture now, I don't feel much, to tell you the truth." Kaelan laughed nervously.

"I had to watch you a lot during that time." Gwenval added, standing behind Ashlay and Kaelan for who knew how long."

Ashlay and Kaelan gasped at the same time. Gwenval laughed.

" By the way, Nienrao, can I ask you something?" Kaelan regained his seriousness.

"Is it about Hao Ming?"

"How did you ...?"

"It's not very difficult. He more or less told me about your first meeting, and I could see that he's been avoiding you for the last few days."

"Oh yes, he has... Okay, so, I won't beat around the bush: is there any way you could persuade him to talk to me?"

"Kae?" 

Gwenval was pleasantly surprised by his friend's request.

"You don't have to look at me like that, Gwen. I know I pushed things a little too far. Besides, if you do end up going out with Nienrao, I don't want to find myself in an awkward situation when the four of us meet. Especially since I feel like I've really hurt his feelings. I don't like that. Since he disappears every time I want to talk to him, I have no choice but to turn to the only person here who really knows him."  Kaelan explained with a slight blush.

"It's true that he seemed to have his mind on others things these past few days. Hao Ming is not a very sociable person. It's not easy for him to trust anyone. He also holds a grudge... I can try to convince him, but I can't guarantee anything." Ashlay concludes.

"Hmm... If not, perhaps I should block him at the bend in the corridor?"

"That's very much your style, Kae." Gwenval remarked with a mischievous smile.

"It might be a way, indeed." Ashlay laughed.

The young entrepreneur and Gwenval imagined Kaelan giving Hao Ming a kabedon¹. Knowing that the latter was much taller than the painter, at least twenty centimeters apart, the scene could be very funny to watch.

"I'll talk to him about it."

"Thank you."

Shortly after, Kaelan left to talk to other people. Just before, he repeated his offer, telling Ashlay not to hesitate if he wanted to buy the painting.

After the painter left, the young man looked at the painting again.

"Is there a problem, Nienrao?"

Ashlay's expression was vague.

"I'm fine. I'm fine. It's just that... I don't know what to think about this painting. I have a strange feeling when I look at it. I don't know how to describe it."

It was the first time Gwenval had seen her suitor looking so glum. However, he quickly regained his smiling face and continued to happily admire the various paintings in the musician's company.

Eleven fifteen. All clear.

Noon. Most of the guests had eaten at the buffet set up for the occasion in the hotel restaurant.

One o'clock. Still nothing. For the past few hours, Hao Ming had been able to confirm that all the people on the list of potential suspects were indeed present at the event. All that remained was to find the criminal.

One-fifty. Gwenval and Kaelan's performance was about to begin. The two friends had changed into all-white outfits. Gwenval wore a white shirt, pants and shoes, while Kaelan wore a loose top and baggy pants. For this performance, he was barefoot.

Chairs had been placed a few meters from the performance area. They were quickly filled, and given the number of people present, many were standing.

Two o'clock. Gwenval began to play a few notes. A waltz-like melody. Then he went into different musical variations. Kaelan began to dance elegantly from the first notes.

Ashlay and Hao Ming were standing not far away from the performing duo, ready to intervene if anything went wrong. So far, everything was going smoothly. The stalker was undoubtedly present. Was he really going to do nothing?

"They're absolutely unbelievable." Ashlay marveled.

"Hmm." Hao Ming agreed, his gaze fixed on Kaelan.

"Monroe would like to apologize ...." Ashlay explained calmly.

Hao Ming did not answer and continued to watch the show. 

Kaelan began to paint on the canvas. He was so graceful. The musical atmosphere became a bit more rhythmic.

Ashlay, who had received no response from his friend, continued:

"What's going on?"

There was no answer.

"Hao Ming?"

"Yes?" he turned his head to his friend.

"Is it too hard to talk to Monroe?"

"It's not really that... I just have trouble getting close to him."

Hao Ming turned his gaze to the show.

"Look, he's so stunning and unpredictable. You know I have trouble with that kind of profile. "

Especially with him. There's something different about him...

"I know, I know..." Ashlay sympathize with his friend. "So what are you going to do about it? He seems sincere."

" ...I am open to listening to him..." Hao Ming sighed.

"Great!"

"But I don't want to get involved with him anymore, after."

"Hmm? Monroe's charm wouldn't work on you, would it?" Ashlay grinned mischievously.

"Don't start. I'm not like you, organizing an event costing several thousand won to set a trap for my crush's stalker, hoping that he will agree to go out with me."

"When you say that, I feel like I'm quite extreme."

"You always choose to do the craziest things to get your way, Ash." Supported Hao Ming by emphasizing the word "always".

The performance went on for half an hour. Everyone stood and applauded. Gwenval and Kaelan bowed respectfully to thank the audience.

The final painting was quite abstract, with more or less defined lines and curves intertwined. The outline of a bird was also visible. It seemed to be a kind of signature, as this shape was present in all of Kaelan's works.

While the atmosphere was rather jovial, something alert Hao Ming. Then he began to run toward Kaelan.

In a moment, the cheers and applause were replaced by screams and the crowd dispersed. One of the light installations that had been placed above the artists had fallen and almost landed on the painter.

The security guards reacted quickly and escorted the guests away.

Lying a few centimeters away from the destroyed installation, Hao Ming and Kaelan held each other tightly.

"Monroe? Are you okay?"

"'I'm... I'm okay..." Kaelan said in shock.

Maybe, it was probably just an unfortunate technical incident that would tarnish a bit the hotel's reputation, but the cold blade on Gwenval's right side told him it wasn't a simple coincidence.

"Follow me without fuss. If you try anything funny, I can assure you that there will be other happenings²  tonight."

A man, his voice muffled by a mask, stood behind Gwenval. No one paid attention to the musician and the man because of the commotion caused earlier.

Not wanting to draw attention or get stabbed, Gwenval nodded his head and slowly let the man lead him to one of the elevators in the most normal way possible.

Ashlay had instinctively run to the broken installation. He was joined by his secretary, who was also very agitated, as well as some security guards.

"Mr. Monroe! Mr. Bai! Are you all right? You're not hurt?" Secretary Shin shouted.

"Hao Ming! Monroe!" Ashlay also shouted.

Pieces of glass and other materials littered the floor. A few pieces of debris had nicked Hao Ming's right hand, but nothing serious. He stood up easily and carried Kaelan in his arms. Being barefoot, the painter was the one most likely to get cut.

Considering the situation, Ashlay suddenly had a bad feeling and turned to the piano.

"Where is Gwenval?" Asked Ashlay with a shudder.

Immediately, everyone began to search for the musician. All exits were watched. Although most of the guards went to help the guests calm down, the rest watched the entrances carefully. Gwenval was still in the hotel.

____

In the elevator leading to the tenth floor, the kidnapper held his knife firmly against Gwenval's right side with one hand and pressed his left shoulder with the other...

"So you've been following me for a month?" Asked Gwenval quietly.

"Shut up!" The man replied.

He was shaking. Gwenval could sense that the person behind him was not in a normal state.

The musician bent slightly. The blade had cut softly into his flesh.  A large red stain formed on his shirt.

____

A young employee told Ashlay that she had seen the musician get into an elevator with a man a few seconds earlier.

Ashlay, Hao Ming, Kaelan and other security guards rushed to the elevator in question and saw that it had stopped on the 10th floor.

Ashlay pressed the button to bring the elevator down and the next one, then turned to his secretary.

"Call the police and an ambulance. Tell them to hurry."

"Yes, sir!"

He immediately took out his cell phone and dialed 119. He then went to the front door to wait for the police and the ambulance.

Just before entering the elevator, an employee with a master key joined Ashlay and the others.

_____

The man arrived at room 1005 and forced Gwenval to enter. The room was dark. Thanks to the open curtains, the city lights did not allow for total darkness. The suite was a bit of a mess, indicating that its occupant had been there for a few days.

"Stay still. If you don't move, I promise you it will be over in no time." The man ordered.

Gwenval obeyed and stood in the middle of the small living room with his arms raised. He heard the man pull something out of his jacket pocket and slowly approach behind him. His breathing became more and more jerky, as if he was having trouble breathing.

"I will finally get what I want." Whispered the man, who had just held a syringe with an unknown product against the musician's neck.

____

Glossary :

1. Kabedon: Action of quickly pushing someone against a wall and preventing them from leaving, usually by placing one or both hands on the wall on each side of the person. This is often done to show romantic interest, but also to intimidate or show anger.

2. Happening: Often artistic, it is a spontaneous and unexpected event.

3. 119: Emergency number, in South Korea, to contact ambulances and firefighters.