OMS 73
by Cherry“Have you seen this person?”
The mart employee shook his head after looking at the photo on the mobile phone.
“Well, can’t really tell with their face all covered up.”
Then he called over another employee nearby.
“Song’s mom. Have you seen this person?”
The employee, who had been looking at the photo with a blank expression, suddenly exclaimed, “Ah!
“That’s them!”
Kim Tae-han’s eyes lit up.
“You’ve seen them?”
“He came in a few days ago. He’s an omega, right? He was covering his belly with a coat, but up close I could tell that he was pregnant.”
At those words, Kim Tae-han smiled with relief. Thank goodness. He didn’t go through with the abortion. The employee continued explaining.
“They stood in front of the soju refrigerator for a while, licking their lips. I thought it was strange, why would a pregnant person do that?”
“Do you remember how they paid?”
“I think the woman who came with him paid in cash.”
“What about their appearance?”
“Both had their faces completely covered, so I can’t say. But why? Did this person commit a crime?”
“Yes. A very serious crime.”
The employee covered their mouth in surprise.
“Oh my! What crime?”
Kim Tae-han smiled slyly.
“They set fire to my heart.”
If an unattractive person had said it, they might have taken offense, but instead, both burst out laughing and even clapped their hands. They even complimented him as an interesting young man. Kim Tae-han thanked them and left his contact information, asking them to call him immediately if the person came again. He promised to compensate them well.
After leaving, he went around to nearby shops. He showed the photo at restaurants, bookstores, cafes, and flower shops, but no meaningful leads emerged. After walking for a long while, the sun was setting, and Kim Tae-han returned to the parking lot feeling disappointed.
He took out Chairman Kim’s mobile phone and checked the messages exchanged with the errand runner once more.
[The person looks similar to who you’re looking for. I’ll look into it further and contact you.]
And only a record of a brief call the next day remained. What conversation had taken place? Did they find Hee-soo? No. If they had, they would have sent someone to bring him back. Hoping against hope, he composed and sent a message.
[What about Hee-soo?]
While anxiously watching the screen, a reply came quickly.
[I’m sorry, Chairman. I’ll find them as soon as possible and contact you.]
Damn it. So they hadn’t found him after all. He threw the phone onto the passenger seat and leaned back against his seat. Fatigue was starting to set in. Coming all the way to Gangwon-do without eating, what a wild goose chase this was. As Kim Tae-han sat there quietly with his eyes closed, he suddenly sat up straight.
No way…It couldn’t be, he thought, but his instincts urged him in that direction.
“Why didn’t I think of this before?”
Kim Tae-han took out his phone and searched his contacts for the Gyeongju housekeeper’s number. When he called, a gentle voice answered.
[My goodness! Who is this! If it isn’t the young master!]
“Auntie. Have you been well? It’s so nice to hear your voice after so long.”
[I’ve been fine. Ah, I heard you joined the company?]
“Yes, that’s what happened.”
[That’s good. Movies are fine, but it’s better to work together with your brother to build the company.]
Kim Tae-han deliberately made a suffering sound.
“It’s killing me. I used to pull all-nighters making movies, and the company’s no different. I have to work late today too. Don’t you feel sorry for me?”
[Oh dear. Take care of yourself while working. No, should I send you some black goat soup?]
“It’s okay. Just hearing you offer means a lot to me.”
[Let me know anytime. By the way, is everyone else doing well?]
“Thanks for your concern. Ah, actually, I called because I have a favor to ask. A friend is going there for filming at the end of the month, and I was wondering if they could use the villa for a day.”
A brief silence followed.
It was especially suspicious because she would normally have agreed readily.
[Your friend…?]
“Yes, they’re a commercial director who’s been to our villa before. You’ll recognize them when you see them. They’re begging because the forest there is beautiful for filming, and I’ve received a lot of help from them, so it’s hard to refuse. You’d just need to prepare food. I know you’re busy, so I’ll send people to help.”
Sensing her hesitation, Kim Tae-han’s lips curled up.
[What would I be busy with? Well then…You said the end of the month?]
“Yes, for two days and one night.”
[Alright. I’ll prepare everything. Just let me know beforehand.]
“Thank you!”
After hanging up, Kim Tae-han couldn’t contain his laughter. He immediately started the car and left the parking lot. The villa wasn’t far from here anyway, and there was only one road leading there, so if Lee Hee-soo tried to leave with his belongings, there was a 100% chance of running into him.
Ha ha, he laughed like a madman while increasing his speed. But then a car behind him started following very closely. What’s with them? Are they in more of a hurry than me? He deliberately moved aside, but instead of passing, they blocked the front and started slowing down.
Beeeep—As a sharp horn sound echoed on the road, the other car suddenly stopped. Screech—He barely avoided a collision by hitting the brakes, but couldn’t help feeling irritated.
Kim Tae-han unbuckled his belt and cursed under his breath.
“Damn it, what terrible driving.”
***
[Young master Tae-han says he’s lending the villa to a friend for a day. It’s a friend who does commercial filming. They’ve stayed here before.]
“They’re coming at the end of the month, right?”
[Yes, the end of the month. What should we do? I lied, but my heart is pounding.]
“I’ll handle it. Don’t worry and get some rest.”
After hanging up, Park Dong-sik pulled open the curtains and looked outside. The dense darkness of the forest made it impossible to see even a foot ahead. Kim Yoon-ah must have heard the conversation too, as she came over with a worried expression on her face.
“Do you think Kim Tae-han suspects something?”
“Not yet. They’ve lent it to friends before, so let’s wait a few days. We can move locations if needed.”
Kim Yoon-ah looked tense. Park Dong-sik smiled and patted her shoulder.
“It’s fine. That bastard Tae-han is surprisingly oblivious. If he was going to chase us, he’d have come already.”
“You think so…?”
Park Dong-sik pulled the curtains shut and turned around.
“Let’s just continue what we were doing.”
They sat on the sofa and resumed the paused movie as if nothing had happened. It was a family drama with an unbearably boring plot. The protagonist, who grew up in an orphanage, suddenly gets a family, but it turns out they’re con artists. They initially took the child to use them but gradually grew attached and eventually became a real family. When the movie ended and the credits rolled, Kim Yoon-ah was in tears. But Park Dong-sik just frowned while eating dried squid.
“You find that sad?”
“*sniff* Hee-soo, isn’t it sad to you?”
“I find it sadder that I’m eating snacks without alcohol.”
“…”
“But that orphanage in the movie, doesn’t it look similar to Hope House?”
“Huh? How do you know about Hope House? Have you been there?”
Park Dong-sik froze. Ah right, I’m Hee-soo. My brain malfunctions sometimes.
“I saw photos while trying to find your parents…It was bigger than I expected. Nice facilities too.”
“Right. The Daesan Group sponsored it. I heard CEO Kim used to volunteer there sometimes when he was young.”
Park Dong-sik asked in surprise. That cold-blooded man?
“Hard to imagine, right?”
“The kids must have all run away scared. Ugh, just thinking about it gives me the absolute creeps.”
Did he sneer with that expressionless face even as a child? At that point it wasn’t volunteering, it was torture. While lost in these thoughts, drowsiness set in. When he yawned widely, Kim Yoon-ah smiled and turned off the TV.
“Go to sleep now. It’s late.”
Then she waved at Park Dong-sik’s belly.
“Good night, babies.”
Park Dong-sik frowned.
“Use their fetal names.”
Kim Yoon-ah pouted.
“It feels like committing a crime. I just can’t say it…”
“Fine, do as you like.”
With that, Kim Yoon-ah went to her bedroom on the first floor, and Park Dong-sik went upstairs. Entering the bedroom and taking off his cardigan, his belly was quite noticeable. It was still an unfamiliar sight to him. He looked at himself in the mirror from different angles and gazed down at his belly. The book said he should be able to feel movement by now, but these kids weren’t moving at all. Should he go to the hospital?
Let’s think about it tomorrow since I’m tired today.
He turned off the lights and lay down as usual, but sleep wouldn’t come. He became sensitive to even the smallest sounds from outside. Though he had boldly told Kim Yoon-ah not to worry, he couldn’t help but feel concerned.
Park Dong-sik got up and searched through the drawer.
Taking out a gun and placing it under his pillow, sleep finally came when he closed his eyes.
Yeah, come if you dare. I’ll shoot you, no, chase you away.
How much time had passed?
Creak, creak, at the rhythmic sound, Park Dong-sik rolled over. The sound didn’t stop and finally woke him up. When the wind blew strong, the thick branches would scratch against the window making noise, and at first, he thought that was what it was.
Trying to reassure himself as he turned over, he saw the rocking chair moving by itself in the darkness. Creak, creak, followed by a swish, the sound of something being wiped. Looking closely, a dark figure was sitting in the chair.
His heart sank instantly.
A thousand thoughts raced through his mind.
[Young master Tae-han says he’s lending the villa to a friend.]
The rocking chair stopped. In the silence where not even breathing could be heard, Park Dong-sik carefully reached up and pressed the night light button. Click, and an orange light came on. When he confirmed the figure, his breath caught and he froze. His mind went blank, and though his mouth opened, no words came out. Kim Jun-han, sitting in the chair, was wiping a hunting rifle with a cloth while looking at Dong-sik with just his eyes.
“It’s been a while.”
“…”
“From your expression, it seems I’m the only one happy to see you, fuck.”