Vol 3 Ch 11

In the silent room, only the ticking of the wristwatch’s second hand filled the stillness: tick, tock, tick, tock. Time flowed relentlessly as I lay there, repeating the cycle of dozing off and waking up.

The thin veil of restless sleep was quickly broken, and my eyelids grew heavy once more. Through the slow blinks of my blurry vision, I saw the black curtain that covered the world gradually lift. Dawn seemed on the verge of arriving. Watching the faint light of early morning streak the crying window, I let my eyes close again.

But the oddly bustling atmosphere outside stirred me awake. The window came into view first, now adorned with the faint light of dawn decorating the sky. My eyes shifted to the door. Was CEO Jang awake and getting ready to leave?

“…”

I slipped on the slippers that had been left under the bed and rose from the bedding. With each step I took, my hips stung where they rubbed against the fabric of my pants. The pain extended to my inner thighs and even my rear, as if it had been scraped with sandpaper.

I cracked the door open slightly and peeked out. Two voices of different tones murmured in low conversation. The first was a middle-aged woman’s voice, followed by CEO Jang’s characteristic deep, resonant tone.

“What should I do about breakfast?”

 “I’m fine. Let him rest until he comes out on his own. Please prepare dinner as well.”

 “Understood.”

From their exchange, it seemed the person speaking with CEO Jang was a housekeeper employed here. I stepped out of the room and carefully walked down the hallway. At the far end, where the corridor connected to the kitchen and living room, the housekeeper preparing breakfast noticed me and jumped in surprise.

“Oh! You’re awake?”

 “…Yes, good morning.”

 “All right. Get ready and come out soon.”

 “…Yes.”

My eyes wandered to the innermost room of the house, where the door was slightly ajar. It seemed CEO Jang was in there. As I approached and was about to knock, I accidentally locked eyes with a man through the gap in the door.

He was draping a gray shirt over his broad shoulders and buttoning it up from the top. His sharp remark cut through the air.

 “Didn’t anyone teach you basic manners?”

His refined tone was reminiscent of the way he had scornfully muttered the word “idiot” before. However, his expression differed; his lips, previously twisted in mockery, now seemed slightly relaxed.

“Close the door and come in.”

He must have noticed that I hadn’t crossed the threshold. How annoyingly perceptive he was. I cautiously stepped into the room and quickly scanned its interior.

The room was enormous, enough to inspire awe. It seemed about 1.5 times larger than the room I had been in. The difference lay in the additional furniture in CEO Jang’s room. A dark leather sofa stood beside the bed, which was as large as its owner’s imposing frame, while a wooden desk was placed in front of a wall-length bookshelf. Even from the size and commanding presence of the furniture, one could tell whose domain this was.

As CEO Jang adjusted his tie, he stepped closer to me, towering over me as he reached back toward the desk. He retrieved a fountain pen from a pencil case, uncapped it with his teeth, and scribbled something on a notepad. The brisk strokes made a sharp sound. He tore off the page and handed it to me, pinched between his index and middle fingers.

“Here’s the address.”

…So soon? I was surprised, though I quickly reached for the note. However, his hand suddenly pulled back, the note moving out of reach. I looked up at him in confusion.

“After breakfast, one of my employees will drive you there.”

 “It’s fine. I can go on my own—”

My words were immediately cut off.

 “Just do as you’re told.”

His sharp gaze bore into me, making it clear I had no room to argue. I opened and closed my mouth repeatedly, trying to speak, but he resolved my unspoken question.

“What? Are you thinking of this as an opportunity?”

 “No, that’s not it. I just thought… I’d be inconveniencing you since you’re busy.”

I hurriedly waved my hands to clarify the misunderstanding, but the suspicion in his sharp eyes didn’t fade. In the end, I had no choice but to agree.

 “I’ll just take the ride.”

Only then did CEO Jang hand me the note. As soon as I received it, I read the words, written with his typical concise and no-frills style.

“It’s a hospital in Seocho-d**g. A charity organization has covered the medical expenses.”

A charity organization…? I fiddled with the note, finding it hard to believe. I was dumbfounded. While searching for my mother’s whereabouts, I couldn’t help but imagine the worst-case scenarios. Even as I tried to push such thoughts away, the persistent, gnawing fear had left me trembling. And now, this unexpected news left me both elated and dazed, as if I’d bitten into a mouthful of ice.

As I reread the note multiple times in disbelief, he added an explanation.

 “I heard there’s a professional caregiver attending to her. They’re allowed a one-hour break around lunchtime. Visit during that time.”

 “…Thank you.”

I tightly clutched the note in my hand, watching him strap on a wristwatch slightly larger than the one on my wrist. As he neared perfection in his appearance, I felt my mouth go dry. I wanted nothing more than to leave, but I couldn’t move, afraid he might suddenly pull me toward him.

Only after fixing the tie pin did he turn his upper body toward me.

 “Anything else?”

 “…Ah, no.”

I quickly shook my head.

 “No, nothing.”

Thankfully, it didn’t seem like he’d demand anything from me right then. Relieved, I headed toward the front door a step ahead of him. A question crossed my mind, and I hesitantly asked

 “By the way, do you know which charity organization it was?”

Standing at the door, he gave a light shrug. His well-pressed shirt lifted slightly over his chest before settling back. Though subtle, it was an attention-grabbing motion.

 “The hospital said they couldn’t disclose that due to internal regulations.”

“…I see.”

The housekeeper, drying her hands on her apron, stepped out of the kitchen.

“Are you leaving?”

CEO Jang responded with a polite nod and a glance. She wished him a safe trip and returned to her work. He stood at the front door, looking down at me, and lowered his voice.

“She’s the housekeeper who comes once a week to look after the house.”

“…I see.”

 “What will you say?”

He was asking how I planned to explain my presence here. After some hesitation, I carefully offered a suggestion.

“…Maybe a friend’s younger sibling or—”

His lips twisted into a smirk.

“What kind of idiot brings a friend’s sibling home?”

“…Or perhaps a distant rela—”

I stopped myself before finishing. It was too late by the time I realized I shouldn’t say such things in front of him. He easily pieced together my unfinished sentence, and his sharp gaze made me tense up. However, instead of rebuking me, he made an unexpected comment.

“Even if it’s a distant relative, there’s still blood ties, isn’t there? I don’t mix blood relations with physical relations.”

“…I understand.”

“Anyway, come up with something on your own.”

If he was going to react so coldly, I should’ve kept my mouth shut in the first place. I fidgeted with my fingers, silently wishing he would leave. He let out a scoffing sound before stepping outside.

I stared blankly at the door that had closed behind his broad back. A voice from the kitchen brought me back to reality.

“Hey, get ready and come out quickly.”

“Okay.”

I replied softly and returned to the room where I had been staying. It occurred to me then that I had no change of clothes. I opened the wardrobe on a hunch, only to find it filled with CEO Jang’s clothing. I hadn’t even been able to pack a change of underwear before being brought here. I could make do with my current clothes, but what about underwear?

“…”

After rummaging through the wardrobe, I found a few unopened packs of underwear. They were a size too big for me, but I had no choice.

The house had three rooms and a living room, with two bathrooms. One was attached to the living room, and the other was in CEO Jang’s room. I chose the bathroom in the living room and took a shower.

Using the cleanser from the shelf, I scrubbed my body clean. A familiar scent lingered at the tip of my nose—a rich yet sophisticated fragrance. It suddenly hit me that this was the scent of his body. With that realization, I grabbed the soap from the sink and scrubbed myself all over.

“…….”

After drying off the remaining water on my body with a towel, I slipped into a pair of men’s underwear. The design was meant to fit snugly, but for some reason, the waistband and the parts that were supposed to provide support felt oddly loose, leaving me with a strange sensation.

After getting dressed, I slowly made my way to the kitchen. A meal was spread lavishly on a six-person dining table. The housekeeper set down a newly prepared pot on the table and spoke.

“Come eat while it’s warm.”

I hesitantly approached and sat at the far end. Among the table filled with traditional Korean dishes, one dish stood out—a plate of cream spaghetti with a white sauce. Misunderstanding my gaze, the housekeeper picked up the plate and set it before me.

“Young folks tend to like this sort of thing.”

“…Thank you.”

The housekeeper stayed by the table for a while, watching me. It felt like she was waiting for me to take a bite. With my hands resting on my lap, I hesitated, unsure of what to do. I was certain she’d find it odd if she noticed the bandages wrapped around my fingers.

“That family, every single one of them looks so striking.”

“…Sorry?”

Surprised by the sudden remark, I let out a confused sound. The housekeeper chuckled softly at my clueless expression.

“I already heard from the nephew.”

“…Oh.”

So, it’s fine for him to have a nephew, despite refusing to mingle with blood relatives? That man was truly incomprehensible.

 “Eat comfortably.”

“…Yes.”

With that, the housekeeper turned away with a slight smile and left to attend to her tasks. It wasn’t until her figure completely disappeared beyond the terrace that I looked down. Slowly unclenching my tightly balled fist, I revealed a crumpled note in my palm.

…Go here, and you’ll be able to meet your mother.

I clenched the note again, then picked up a pair of chopsticks with my right hand. The bandages wrapped around my fingertips made using them clumsy, but I persisted.

Though the food looked delicious enough, I couldn’t fully enjoy it. My mouth kept drying up, and the rough texture of my tongue’s papillae felt more pronounced than usual.

“…….”

After finishing the meal, I cleaned up and asked the housekeeper where the iron was, so I could press my clothes. Once dressed, I smoothed back my hair and stepped into the elevator, heading to the lobby.

In the elevator mirror, I caught a glimpse of myself. Over time, my long hair had grown to almost completely cover my eyes. It was an absolute mess.
Before meeting my mother, it would be nice to get a haircut. But I wasn’t sure if CEO Jang would allow it.

Ding. The elevator stopped at the lobby. Exiting the building, the man guarding the car noticed me and opened the door.

“It’s been a while.”

CEO Jang’s subordinate smiled at me with a feigned sense of ease, showing his teeth. A while? It had only been a few days since he and his colleagues barged into that shack with the man. From how the other employees treated him, he seemed to hold a higher rank than the rest. It was absurd that someone like that was tasked with tailing me instead of handling actual work, and it made me question CEO Jang’s intentions once again.

I simply bowed briefly in acknowledgment, keeping my gaze fixed on the ground as I got into the back seat.

The car smoothly left Tower Palace. Once we passed the heavily guarded apartment complex entrance, the bustling streets of the city came into view through the window.

“…….”

Between the towering buildings, people and cars moved chaotically. Honking horns and the occasional curse from pedestrians mixed into the noise. Despite the constant, dizzying scenes outside, my mind wandered elsewhere.

…Is Mother okay? A tangle of emotions tightened in my chest. The last image of her, etched deep into my retina, flashed across the windowpane. If I’d known that was the last time I’d see her, I wouldn’t have left so easily, giving her spot to Nurse Kyunghee.

Sitting up straight in the back seat, I searched for a clock. For a moment, I glanced at the item strapped to my wrist and remembered its original purpose. I checked the time: 11:48 a.m. There was still plenty of time before lunch at 1 p.m.

“…Would it be alright to stop by some shops around here for a bit?”

CEO Jang’s subordinate looked at me through the rearview mirror.

“Where would you like to go?”

His tone and fleeting glance suggested he wasn’t particularly thrilled about the idea. I hesitated briefly before answering.

“…I’d like to get a haircut.”

“I’ll take you there.”

To my surprise, he agreed without much resistance. Skillfully turning the wheel, he steered the car into a side street and parked in the lot of a nearby hair salon.

As I was about to step out alone, he followed suit, keeping a measured distance as he trailed behind me. He even entered the salon and took a seat beside me, flipping through a magazine. The staff glanced warily at the bear-like man in a black suit before addressing me.

“How would you like it cut?”

“Just short enough to not touch my neck, please.”

Snip, snip. The strands of hair covering the nape of my neck fell away, followed by the ones that tickled my ears. Lastly, the bangs obscuring my eyes dropped to the floor. I felt much lighter, though the shorter-than-expected cut left me feeling slightly awkward.

After they brushed off my face and neck and removed the gown, I stood to pay at the front desk. But before I could, the man who’d been trailing me stepped forward, pulled out a card, and handed it to the staff. When I looked at him in confusion, he mentioned it was CEO Jang’s card.

I quietly closed my mouth. After stopping by a nearby store to buy peaches for my mother and two sets of underwear for myself, we returned to the car.

The car resumed its journey and eventually stopped at the hospital parking lot. The Seocho-d**g hospital was massive, incomparable to the one where my mother had stayed before. Its scale alone was impressive, but the bright, reflective exterior made it almost blinding under the sunlight.

I gazed at the building in bewilderment before quickly heading inside. Walking through the corridors, I checked the room numbers.

1208, 1208, 1208.

…Here it is.

I stopped in front of a room. My eyes were drawn to the nameplate by the door, which displayed my mother’s name.

Knocking gently, I tested the door. As the man had said, there seemed to be no one inside; no sound came from within. I turned the doorknob cautiously, pushing the door open to reveal the hospital room bit by bit.

On a bed made of steel, a figure lay lifeless, resembling a doll sculpted from wax.
Beep, beep, beep, beep.

A transparent ventilator half-covered my mother’s small face. The long tube connected to the ventilator was attached to an unknown machine.

Her chest, leaning on that mass of machinery, rose and fell faintly as if barely clinging to fragile breaths. I slowly approached the bed.

A moment of silence passed. I looked at my mother with my eyes alone, then quietly rolled my tongue inside my mouth.

“…Mom.”

With just one word that escaped my lips, the dam inside me crumbled. Emotions that had piled up and begun to rot overflowed uncontrollably, spilling out. My eyes grew hot, and tears streamed down my cheeks. I couldn’t even think of raising my hand to wipe them; I simply let the tears fall, drop by drop.

As I stifled my sobs, I stretched out my bandaged hand toward my mother. However, my hand never reached her; it faltered mid-air and fell.

On my way here, my mind had been in turmoil. I was immensely worried about my mother’s condition, yet an overwhelming fear gripped me. Mother likely wouldn’t know yet. About what I had done to Father. She couldn’t hear or see anything in her current state.

“……”

The last time I had seen my mother, her complexion seemed slightly better, perhaps because of the improved environment, but she still resembled someone in eternal slumber.

I wanted to hold her hand. But I had no words to explain the grimy bandages wrapped around my fingers or the faint fingerprints hidden beneath them to my mother. Instead, I clenched my hand into a tight fist.

…A heavy wave of regret washed over me. So much had happened in the past year. Would things have gone more smoothly if I had been just a little less foolish? I didn’t know. Looking back, the past was riddled with filth, and the path ahead seemed shrouded in mist.

“……”

Less than an hour. Far too short a time to fill the void of the past year. I checked the clock on the wall and reluctantly lifted myself from the chair. By now, leaving would allow me to avoid an unnecessary encounter with the caregiver.

I noticed a black bag placed on one side of the chair. Picking it up, I opened the small fridge nearby. Not even a single bottle of water was inside. It meant no one had come by during that time. Unable to place the black bag inside, I carried it out of the hospital room as it was.

Above the bed’s nameplate, the space for the guardian’s name bore three familiar characters. Keeping that name in my mind, I silently promised myself to return tomorrow, then pushed the door shut behind me.