LLU 16

“Welcome. How did you get here? The weather is so terrible.”

“Mr. Junghan! Welcome.”

A boisterous greeting continued at the entrance. Seeing Chairman Choi’s face light up as he welcomed him, it seemed that madman had really made an unscheduled visit.

No, perhaps he had intentionally come on the last day to fool even Chairman Choi. Because he could have predicted that if I had known about his planned visit through Chairman Choi, I would have definitely left in the middle of it.

In the past, I would have thought that was too extreme of a thought, no matter what, but it was different now. He was zealous about tormenting me to a degree I couldn’t understand. So, Choi Junghan was more than capable of doing such a thing.

“Come on in. Phew, what is with all this rain?”

“Yes, the weather is quite foul.”

He spoke with a light curve of his eyes, but unlike the words being exchanged, he wasn’t w** at all. Choi Junghan, who entered the house completely dry, slowly scanned the inside of the villa.

“It’s been a while, this place.”

“I know, right. Was it when you were in high school? The last time you came here.”

“I think so.”

His gaze unfailingly stopped on me. A deep and intense gaze, like the scenery of a rainy night. The moment my eyes met his, which seemed to hold an even deeper madness today, I got goosebumps. I immediately turned my gaze away.

“You haven’t had dinner yet, have you? Come on in.”

“Mr. Junghan must be hungry.”

The group that had boisterously welcomed him all returned to the dining room in a line. After washing his hands, Choi Junghan, who came in last, once again sat down next to me naturally.

“Eat a lot and enjoy. You must have worked so hard…”

He smiled faintly at my mother’s benevolent tone.

“Thank you.”

His low, soft tone of voice was blatantly insincere to anyone who heard it. And yet, Chairman Choi and my mother smiled with satisfaction. Anyone would think Choi Junghan was the child born between the two of them.

My appetite was completely gone. A futile regret washed over me that I should have just made up any excuse and bolted today. It would have been much more fun to do what all the other kids do, counting down in front of a bar with Kim Junwoo, and then going into the bar to drink by showing my ID.

But it was too late for regrets. Not only could I not stand up and say I was leaving given the atmosphere, but it was also impossible to return to Seoul through this downpour.

I’ll just eat dinner half-heartedly and then lock myself in my room. If I end up sharing the second floor with Choi Junghan—which was highly likely—I’ll have to lock the door. No matter how crazy he is, he wouldn’t have found and brought the master key to a villa he’s visiting for the first time in nearly 10 years, would he? If I can just get through tonight, this trip will finally be over.

“Well, now, with less than two hours left until the new year.”

Chairman Choi said cheerfully as he raised his glass.

“Let’s all make a toast. To our family!”

“To our family!”

Family. Was I the only one who felt a sense of incongruity at the word he had formed? The faces of everyone except me were filled with relaxed smiles. My mother, Chairman Choi, and even Choi Junghan.

I reluctantly lifted my glass and brought it to my lips. The sweet beverage swirled in my mouth before disappearing down my throat.

Choi Junghan’s glass, filled with blood-red wine, was placed ostentatiously right next to my glass of soda. And then a chuckle burst out. It was a laugh just quiet enough for only me to hear. Annoyed, I immediately moved my glass to the other side.

“May I also propose a toast?”

Choi Junghan smiled brightly and raised his glass.

“Ah, of course, of course! By all means.”

Wine, champagne, and soda were poured in turn into the glasses that had been emptied. With a displeased heart, I accepted the soda that he poured for me himself.

I felt quite bad for being the only one treated like a little kid, but if I asked to switch to alcohol now, it would seem even more so, so I kept my mouth shut.

“To the one who will become an adult in a few hours.”

Choi Junghan stared straight at me and raised his glass.

“To our Oon.”

Clink. The glasses clinked together with a pleasant sound. He was looking at me with a deep smile. A person was clearly smiling right in front of my eyes, but why did he look to me like a demon wearing human skin?

To ignore the sharp, unpleasant goosebumps crawling over me, I forced the sweet drink down my throat.

The year-end party, a joint creation of Chairman Choi and my mother, appeared to be proceeding very smoothly on the surface. To anyone, it would look like a normal four-person family sending off the old year and welcoming the new one.

Chairman Choi looked to be in a very good mood. Throughout the meal, he praised and lauded me for growing up to be so mature and my mother for steadfastly raising a child on her own. Then, my mother, with a slightly flushed face, would chime in to support his words.

“I have so many things to be sorry for to our Oon. As a mother, I haven’t done much for him, but he’s doing so well on his own.”

“What do you mean you haven’t done much? The reason Oon has grown up so well is all thanks to your support.”

“I’ve never once properly sent him to a cram school or given him a tutor…”

“Kids as smart as Oon are the kind who do well in any environment. You did your best.”

It went on like that. It was so embarrassing to sit next to them and listen. I just sat there chewing my lip with a troubled expression. I wasn’t used to this kind of praise and just wanted to get away from the table.

Although Choi Junghan would normally have cut in around this time to rebuke my mother or pick a fight, he seemed to be in a good mood today and was just listening leisurely. Since Choi Junghan didn’t embarrass her, my mother became even more relaxed, laughing and talking.

On the contrary, he skillfully led the atmosphere, pouring drinks at a moderate pace and throwing in a joke or two. Chairman Choi was very pleased with his favorable and easygoing attitude and began to boast about his son.

I learned right there that Choi Junghan had attended a certain Ivy League school, his major was business as Chairman Choi had wanted, and he had graduated at the top of his department, receiving numerous scouting offers, but he had rejected them all and returned to Korea to work under Chairman Choi. It was unnecessary information I had never wished to know.

“Oh my, oh my, goodness. That’s a resume you only see in dramas. Really… Mr. Junghan, you’re so amazing.”

“Haha, you still call him Mr. Junghan. Just call him comfortably, Ms. Jeongin. Soon you’ll be…”

Chairman Choi cleared his throat and glanced furtively at Choi Junghan.

“Ahem, you’ll be my son’s mother.”

“Ah… um… still.”

My mother stammered with an awkward expression.

“After we get married… I’ll call you comfortably then. That’s okay, right, Mr. Junghan?”

“Please feel free to do so whenever you’re comfortable.”

Choi Junghan gave my mother a handsome smile. The way he rolled the glass he was holding in his hand looked leisurely. His hands were so large that the sizable wine glass looked smaller than other people’s.

Every time I saw his hands, I automatically became disgusted, like a dog conditioned to react. Son of a b**ch. Swallowing the curse, I lifted my soda glass and took a sip. My appetite, which had vanished the moment Choi Junghan arrived, showed no signs of returning.

Everyone at this table except for me was enjoying themselves comfortably. My mother and Chairman Choi even said this in an excited tone.

“Junghan is probably very busy, but still, make some time once in a while to take Oon out and have some fun. Let him have some good experiences and all.”

“Yes.”

Choi Junghan replied with a gentle smile.

“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for my cute little brother.”

“Yes, yes, that’s great.”

“Mr. Junghan seems so considerate.”

Listening to such words over and over felt like watching an excruciatingly boring play. All I could think about was finding the right moment to quickly escape this place.

Even so, I slowly rolled my eyes to carefully observe Chairman Choi, who already looked quite drunk. Fortunately, aside from his reddened face, louder voice, and being a bit more talkative, he didn’t seem to have any nasty drinking habits.

My mother, who had been sleeping more since her pregnancy, had been yawning almost once a minute for a while now. Even when I suggested she go in and sleep, she insisted that she absolutely wanted to do the countdown. Chairman Choi, who was so drunk he was on the verge of collapsing, also stayed by my mother’s side with glazed eyes.

“Alright, alright, I think we need to do the countdown now!”

“Oh, is it that time already?”

It was finally midnight, the moment I had been waiting for. I turned off the jazz music that had been flowing at a pleasant volume and turned on the TV. Through the screen of the huge beam projector, we could see the people gathered in front of the Bosingak Belfry.

“In 10 seconds, our Oon will be an adult.”

“I know. 3, 2, 1! Happy New Year!”

My mother’s excited voice rang out. Chairman Choi and my mother hugged each other affectionately, and I just stared blankly at the scene.

The sound of the bell tolling and the event hosts chattering noisily filled the room. I was watching the two of them facing each other affectionately and talking about the new year, trying to gauge the right time to head to my room.

Suddenly, an unpleasant scent of cologne grew closer. At the same time, the fine hairs on my ear stood on end.

“Congratulations.”

Choi Junghan whispered into my ear. His sweet yet creepy voice cloyingly wrapped around my ear.

I was about to ignore Choi Junghan and stand up. If it weren’t for the words he added.

“It’s going to be fun.”

My head snapped toward him. Our gazes met. Having thrown out a phrase of unknown meaning, he was still smiling. To him, who was looking at me with eyes that seemed even crazier today, I retorted.

“What will?”

Without answering, Choi Junghan turned his head toward the two of them.

“Perhaps you two should go in now. It would be better for you to get some rest for the baby’s sake as well. Father, you’re also very drunk.”

“Oh my, are you already worrying about us like this?”

“Thank you, Mr. Junghan.”

My mother and Chairman Choi got up from their seats without hesitation. My mother must have been very tired, as she yawned twice on her way to the bedroom. She would probably be dead asleep within a minute of lying down.

Choi Junghan supported Chairman Choi, who was stumbling and unable to walk properly, into the bedroom. Before entering the bedroom with them, my mother smiled and waved to me outside.

“Sleep well, Oon-ah.”

“…Yes. You rest.”

The three of them went into the bedroom, and I was left alone.

First, I used the remote to turn off the noisily chattering TV. The remnants of the party from just a moment ago were left untouched on the dining table. I habitually started stacking the plates to clear them away, then I unknowingly stopped my hands. It was because of a strange feeling that suddenly came over me.

Something was extremely unsettling.

What is it? Why on earth am I so anxious? A dark emotion of unknown origin washed over my heart like a rising tide.

And there was only one person here who could instill this kind of sickening anxiety in me.

A certain voice buzzed ceaselessly in my ear. Yes, Choi Junghan had clearly said that to me just before.

It’s going to be fun.

In that instant, sharp goosebumps ran down my spine. An unpleasant sensation prickled all over my body. It was similar to the keen instinct of a herbivore sensing a predator even from a great distance.

My heart, which had been beating normally until a moment ago, suddenly began to race. Thump, thump, thump. My fingertips trembled slightly in time with the sound.