OMS 6

Park Dong-sik set aside his beer and searched for news articles on the tablet he’d received from Kim Yoon-ah. Nothing came up related to “OO Harbor suicide,” “OO Harbor body,” “Lee Hee-soo suicide,” “Park Dong-sik,” or “Mr. Park.” The only relevant article was about a family suicide by car from some time ago.

Damn it. He tried calling the office hoping for something to turn up, but no one answered. The same happened when he called his eldest brother. Feeling frustrated, Park Dong-sik opened the door and went out to the balcony.

As he put the cigarette he’d gotten from Kim Yoon-ah in his mouth and was about to light it, his eyes opened wide like saucers. He couldn’t tell from the window, but seeing it directly, the view outside was shocking. Ancient trees surrounded a lawn several times larger than a sports field, and a fountain in the middle made this place look like a palace.

With Chairman Kim’s main house at the center, there were annexes on both sides. One belonged to the eldest son Kim Jun-han, so he guessed the other must be Kim Tae-han’s house. He’d thought rich people all lived in Pyeongchang-dong or Hannam-dong, but that apparently was not the case here.

“This place is huge.”

Click. As he furrowed his brow with the cigarette in his mouth, he sensed movement nearby. When he turned around, he almost dropped his cigarette. Kim Jun-han was leaning against the opposite balcony railing with a glass of alcohol, watching him.

Ah, what a shock.

Kim Tae-han was manageable, but this one was trickier to deal with.

He forced out a smile, and in the darkness, Kim Jun-han’s eyes glinted sharply in the light.

“I didn’t know you smoked.”

Didn’t know…? Before jumping into the water, Lee Hee-soo had been smoking quite expertly. Though they were married, Kim Jun-han and Lee Hee-seo seemed to have no interest or affection for each other. They say many chaebol marriages are for show—perhaps they were like that too.

Park Dong-sik deliberately blew smoke into the air.

“Nothing helps find peace of mind like a cigarette.”

When he smiled brazenly, Kim Jun-han stared at him intently.

“It’s like you’ve become a completely different person since losing your memory.”

It felt like the beer he’d just drunk was coming back up. Though Kim Jun-han’s gaze wasn’t suspicious or interrogating, Park Dong-sik couldn’t help but feel guilty.

“Who knows? Maybe this is who I really was.”

Park Dong-sik could tell there was no affection between them. He finished his beer and frowned with a grunt. As he put the cigarette in his mouth and turned around, Kim Jun-han’s voice stopped him in his tracks.

“You look much better now.”

Park Dong-sik turned back to him with a smile on his face.

“What do you mean?”

“Just what I said. You look better than before.”

“How was I before?”

“Do I really have to say it myself?”

“Go ahead. I’ve lost my memories anyway, so at least give me a hint so I can try to remember or something.”

“A flower without fragrance.”

“…”

“Want me to continue?”

Park Dong-sik barely managed to hold back his laughter. Right, he knew Kim Jun-han didn’t like her, but he hadn’t realized their relationship was this bad. He’d thought about trying to seduce him because he was handsome, but damn, forget about it. That was the first thought that crossed his mind.

“Ah, I see. So Hee-soo was a flower without fragrance.”

“I apologize if I offended you.”

This bastard’s really mocking me.

Park Dong-sik bit down on his cigarette with his front teeth and smiled like a villain.

“It’s fine. My impression of you isn’t any different, so let’s call it even.”

Kim Jun-han acted like he hadn’t heard, and Park Dong-sik, feeling somehow defeated and wounded in his pride, flicked his half-smoked cigarette toward the opposite terrace. The cigarette hit Kim Jun-han’s slipper before falling to the ground. Kim Jun-han’s brow furrowed slightly at this.

“What’s this about?”

“Accident. Was trying to throw it outside. Well, good night. Have some really sweet dreams.”

He turned sharply and went inside, closing the door behind him. Only then did he feel the heat rising to his head. How could that bastard talk to his spouse like that? Now I get why Hee-soo had an affair, you bastard. Some husband you are. As he looked in the mirror while fuming, his face was bright red. Looking at Lee Hee-soo’s still-unfamiliar face from side to side, Park Dong-sik muttered to himself.

“Damn, are you blind? You sure like flowers without fragrance.”

Reality hit him. Why am I getting angry? I’m not Hee-soo. Could Hee-soo’s emotions still remain inside me? Otherwise, it makes no sense to get angry over someone who has nothing to do with me.

Ah, stop wasting emotions on useless things and think about how to get back to my body quickly. Park Dong-sik went back to the dark bedroom and flopped onto the bed. Everything was quiet now, and moonlight leaked through the windows.

He stretched his hand up and spread his fingers wide. Five unfamiliar fingers appeared before his eyes. He spread his other hand too. These straight, delicate fingers that had never thrown a punch or done anything rough. Park Dong-sik let out a small sigh and closed his eyes tightly.

I wish this were all a dream. I hope when I open my eyes tomorrow morning, everything will be back to normal. I’d rather wake up in that cramped, smelly room with my office mates. As Park Dong-sik, not Lee Hee-seo…That would be all I could ask for.

***

When Park Dong-sik opened his eyes next, he jolted up in bed, first checking his hands before dropping his head. Damn it. Of course. Despite his restless night, his body felt light as he got out of bed. Park Dong-sik pressed down on the mattress with his hands. Expensive beds really were nice. His back didn’t hurt at all. This level of quality made it feel more like science than furniture.

As he came out, yawning lazily, Kim Yoon-ah was waiting for him. Seeing her at such an early hour, Park Dong-sik asked with a puzzled expression.

“You’re already at work?”

“I was just about to wake you.”

“Me? Why?”

“Because it’s your turn to make breakfast…”

“Huh?”

“It was in the report I gave you yesterday….Hee-soo-nim prepares breakfast for the family twice a week. Today is one of those days.”

Park Dong-sik asked back with an incredulous expression.

“There are so many staff, but they want me to make breakfast? I’m still a patient. My body and mind aren’t well—who says I should make breakfast?”

“The First Madam…”

Well, when it came to daughter-in-law harassment, it always had to do with the mother-in-law. Park Dong-sik let out a small sigh. Figuring further resistance would be pointless, he headed toward the main house. The buildings were connected by corridors with glass walls, and paintings hung at intervals along the way.

“Lots of paintings.”

“They’re works by the late Artist Lee Chun-seok.”

“Who?”

“Well, that is…”

“Never mind. How much do these cost? Like tens of millions of won?”

“I believe they’re worth at least a hundred million each.”

Kim Yoon-ah lowered her voice, and Park Dong-sik’s jaw dropped. Wait, then how much is all this worth? He turned around to count the paintings and was shocked. How fickle human hearts were—when he didn’t know their value, they looked like they were drawn with feet, but now knowing they were that expensive, they suddenly seemed remarkable. This was why money was scary.

Arriving at the main house, staff greeted him as he entered. When he reluctantly went to the kitchen, Kim Yoon-ah approached and helped him put on an apron. Park Dong-sik couldn’t help but laugh at the lace-trimmed apron. Such taste…

As he stood at the counter with a disgruntled expression, Kim Yoon-ah cautiously asked.

“Have you…forgotten how to cook?”

“Was Hee-soo originally good at cooking?”

“Yes, you were quite skilled.”

“It seems I was good at everything. Except maybe being faithful to my husband.”

“Pardon?”

“It’s nothing. Don’t mind my nonsense. I just need to make something for the family to eat, right?”

“If it’s difficult, I could help…”

“There’s no need for that. This is nothing.”

Park Dong-sik grabbed a knife and twirled it flashily. Kim Yoon-ah’s eyes widened, and Park Dong-sik stabbed the knife into the center of the cutting board with a thunk before rolling up his sleeves.

“You can go. I’ll handle this.”

“B-But I should…”

“It’s fine. Go.”

After sending away all the gathered people, Butler Yoon walked up to him. Park Dong-sik gave a slight nod in greeting, and the butler adjusted his glasses before coming closer to watch him cook. Park Dong-sik peeled an onion and skillfully chopped it.

When he was young, he’d dropped out of school and worked as a delivery boy for a Chinese restaurant. On slow days, he’d learned a few recipes by watching the kitchen staff. Today he intended to show off his cooking skills.

While chopping other vegetables, Park Dong-sik joked to Butler Yoon, “Why are you just standing there? Worried I might poison the food?”

He smirked, but Butler Yoon didn’t even flinch. Whether he had no sense of humor or was actually worried about poison, it was absolutely clear he was going to keep watch.