TTD 146

Ja-kyung came downstairs with his packed bags, and the housekeeper bustled about, cramming something into a cloth bag.

“Take this with you. I’ve prepared some side dishes for the next few days.”

“It’s okay. You gave me some last time too.”

“With three men, it’ll be gone in no time. There’s braised ribs too, so enjoy it.”

She looked around to see if there was anything else to pack, and seeming ready to pack up the entire household, Ja-kyung had to stop her saying it was enough. When he first met the housekeeper, he was wary of her, thinking she was somewhat suspicious, but the more he got to know her, the more caring she proved to be. He often thought that if he had a mother, perhaps this is how it would feel.

“Thank you.”

“What thanks? I do it because I want to. Still, the house will feel empty without you, Ja-kyung.”

“The hyungs will be here instead. They’re people with nothing but strength, so feel free to ask them to do anything.”

The housekeeper smiled, saying she would. As Ja-kyung was heading out with his luggage, he ran into an employee entering through the main gate. It was the man who had previously asked for help with his brother. After missing several days of work for his brother, things seemed better now. The man looked gaunt, with dark circles under his eyes, probably from caring for his brother.

“What good timing that you’re home…”

“I heard you took some time off, what brings you here? How’s your brother? Is he okay?”

“He has fractures and dehydration, but thankfully his life isn’t in danger. It’s all thanks to you. Thank you so much.”

“It’s nothing.”

Ja-kyung felt strange. He still wasn’t used to receiving gratitude for saving someone’s life. As he felt slightly embarrassed, the man pulled out an envelope from his chest. Recognizing it as money, he refused, but the man pleaded with him to accept it. Ja-kyung waved his hands and returned the envelope to the man.

“You’ll need a lot for your brother’s hospital bills, buy him something nice to eat instead.”

“But that makes me feel too guilty…”

“Really, it’s fine. I need to go somewhere now, let’s talk about this later.”

The man’s gaze fixed on Ja-kyung’s luggage bag.

“Are you going somewhere far…?”

“Going to visit my hyung in Seoul.”

“I see. Have a safe trip.”

After exchanging goodbyes, Ja-kyung headed outside. While loading his luggage in the trunk, he looked back to see large vehicles still coming and going with ongoing construction. What were they working so hard to build? Wondering this, he got in the car and started the engine as raindrops began to fall. Looking at the sky, it was hazily overcast in gray, threatening to pour down any moment.

***

Wei. Wei. Hearing Lun’s voice, Ja-kyung lifted his head while lying in the hammock. The sound of the waves was pleasantly soothing, and although the sun was hot, the shade of the trees was refreshingly cool. As he got down from the hammock and set foot on the ground, Lun showed him a freshly caught fish while laughing heartily.

“Look at this! I caught it. How about that? Impressive, right?”

“How did you catch it?”

“With my bare hands!”

Ja-kyung expressed amazement. He busily moved about, lighting a fire on one side, suggesting they grill the fish for lunch. Ja-kyung looked around the island. While it was nice being on the island with the three of them, he kept feeling something was missing. Looking back, there was a cabin that seemed quite familiar. Where had he seen this before? Just as he was thinking this, in the distance, Han approached carrying something on his shoulder.

“Hyung, what’s that?”

“I gathered some useful things from nearby. Living on an island requires lots of different things.”

“That’s our eldest hyung for you.”

As Han unpacked the bundle, it contained everything from dishes to various items. Strangely, the items kept coming out like a magic bag, and Ja-kyung dug deeper and deeper into it. Suddenly, he felt something eerie. When he flinched at the sensation under his fingertips, Han and Lun looked at him with curious expressions.

“What’s wrong?”

When pulling out what he grabbed, Ja-kyung screamed.

“What-what is this!”

His face turned pale, but Wang Lun and Wang Han burst out laughing.

“What do you mean what? It’s CEO Kang’s head!”

“I knew this would happen someday!”

“Wei! Be honest. You wanted to break free from CEO Kang too!”

“Come on, shall we grill CEO Kang’s head as well?”

Just as Ja-kyung was stepping back in confusion, a strange voice echoed from all around. Serves you right. How does it feel to be on the receiving end? You acted so arrogantly, and now look where you are. As Ja-kyung lifted his head, he saw Seok-joo and Kang Il-hyun’s family gathered in front of him.

Among them was the deceased CEO Kang, grinning with an axe embedded in his crown. Unable to overcome his fear and trying to escape, he saw Il-hyun’s severed head on the ground staring at him with open eyes. Then its lips parted in a smile.

“Honey, you should have come to save me.”

Gasping, Ja-kyung bolted upright in bed. Looking around, he let out a relieved sigh upon realizing it was just a dream. Damn, what an unpleasant dream. After rubbing his face vigorously, he got out of bed and went outside where delicious aromas wafted through the air. Ja-kyung approached his brother whom he spotted in the kitchen, and Jang Tae-ho sensed his presence, turned around, and smiled.

“Why are you up already? Go back to sleep.”

“Where’s the lawyer?”

Jang Tae-ho gestured outside with his eyes. Through the window, he could see the lawyer struggling to saw wood. Having apparently never handled a saw before, his technique was so clumsy it made observers nervous.

“What’s he doing there?”

“The legs of the yard bench broke. He’s been making a fuss since morning trying to fix it. Go try to stop him. He won’t listen to me.”

“Does he have that much energy to spare.”

“I think it’s his way of showing gratitude.”

Ha, Ja-kyung laughed in disbelief. If Man-soo were arrested, the lawyer would likely face trial as well. Yet he chose to help Tae-ho because he wanted to pay for his crimes and become a father his children could be proud of. Having no children himself, Ja-kyung couldn’t understand such feelings.

“Kyung-joon. Try this.”

When Tae-ho offered a spoonful of stew, Ja-kyung tasted it and gave a thumbs up, making him smile broadly. Helping with meal preparation, he’d learned that Tae-ho was actually quite good at cooking. Chopping onions reminded him of someone crying while cutting them, and though only a day had passed, he missed him already.

Just as the three were about to start eating together, a call came from Wang Lun.

“Excuse me.”

Going inside to take the call, something seemed off about Wang Lun’s voice. His subdued, hesitant tone gave him a bad feeling. When asked what happened, Lun heaved a massive sigh.

[Wei, don’t be shocked. There was an attack last night.]

“What do you mean? What attack?”

[I don’t know either. It happened suddenly while we were sleeping. Someone drugged the security guards, making them pass out, so we didn’t even know when they broke in.]

Ja-kyung’s expression hardened as he listened to Wang Lun. Intruders had broken into the house last night, causing chaos. Several employees were injured, but more importantly, Il-hyun was also hurt and taken to the hospital. Hearing this, Ja-kyung’s heart sank.

Could it be the work of those who threatened kidnapping over the phone yesterday?

No matter how much he asked, Lun avoided giving details, saying he didn’t know more.

“So where is he now?”

[Yoo-jung’s hospital.]

“I’ll head there.”

[Well… I don’t think there’s any point in you coming now….]

“What do you mean?”

Wang Lun hesitated for a long while. How should I explain this…? His uncharacteristic beating around the bush frustrated Ja-kyung, who angrily demanded he speak up. Then Wang Lun said something completely unexpected. As he listened, Ja-kyung froze like stone, unable to believe it.

“Is that… possible?”

[I don’t know. That’s what the doctor said. That’s why there’s no point in you coming. He couldn’t recognize any pf us either.]

Ja-kyung squeezed his eyes shut. Damn it. As he cursed, Wang Lun asked if he was okay. After telling him he’d come anyway and to wait, he hung up. Coming outside, Tae-ho looked at him with concern.

“What’s wrong? I heard shouting.”

“Hyung, I need to go out for a bit. I’ll be back soon, so don’t go anywhere and keep the doors locked. No, let’s go together. You two should stay at a hotel for now. I’ll book it.”

Ja-kyung forced the confused pair into the car. He drove quickly to the hotel, got them a room, made them promise to stay put, and headed straight to the hospital.

The whole way there, he felt choked up and dizzy. Though Lun told him not to come, he felt he needed to see for himself to be at ease.