<17>
Jakyung got out of the taxi and walked up the hill. Under the streetlight, all kinds of insects were swarming. A moth the size of a palm flew past his face with a whirring sound, and Jakyung forgot his dignity and recoiled in alarm.
Despite being not far from Seoul, Kang Il-hyun's house was separated from other residences like a remote island. There were many woods around, and walking alone gave him an eerie feeling. As he got closer to the large mansion, his steps grew heavier.
An unfamiliar white SUV was parked in front of the house. Perhaps a guest had arrived. As he headed to the gate, Park Tae-soo spotted Jakyung first and came running out in a hurry.
"Where have you been? Managing Director has been waiting for a while."
"Me... why?"
"Please go inside."
He didn't answer the question of why he was being sought, and instead led Jakyung inside. While changing into slippers at the entrance, murmuring voices could be heard. Going to look, there was an unfamiliar person sitting on the living room sofa.
With her long hair tied in a single ponytail, she wore only a white t-shirt and jeans, yet she was a stunning beauty who commanded attention. Even Jakyung, who thought he'd seen many beautiful people, was momentarily mesmerized. She stood up from her seat and approached Jakyung with arms outstretched.
"Ian? Nice to meet you."
Before he could even step back, she pulled him into a hug and patted his back. The fragrant scent of shampoo tickled his nose. When she pulled away, she extended her hand, and Jakyung wiped his palms on his pants before taking it. Her fingers were long and straight, and her skin felt smooth.
"Welcome to Korea. I saw you when you were little, this is the second time, but you've grown so handsome. Right, Il-hyun?"
Il-hyun? Seeing this woman call him so familiarly, Jakyung roughly guessed who she was. Kang Il-hyun's older sister. Kang Yoo-jung. A surgeon and his only blood sibling. But she was an incredibly beautiful woman, more than expected. He stared for a moment, then his eyes met with Kang Il-hyun in the back. He was sitting on the sofa with his arm draped over it, looking at them with a twisted gaze. Why is he looking at me with those eyes? He didn't like it, but he couldn't show it, so he just smiled.
Yoo-jung led Jakyung to the sofa.
"My goodness, how did you grow up so much? We met before, do you remember?"
"Ah, no..."
"Well, you were young back then. I met you at a gathering in Tokyo, and Ian was clinging to our Il-hyun's leg, throwing a tantrum."
"I heard Managing Director Kang... hit me."
"You heard that. That kid has had a twisted personality since he was young. As you can see, he's not much different now, but please understand, Ian."
"No... He treats me well."
He said words he didn't mean, but Yoo-jung waved her hand saying that wasn't necessary.
"He's my younger brother, but I know him well. Usually in cases like this, people take his side saying he's actually nice deep down, but I can't bring myself to say that."
She openly dissed Kang Il-hyun. Jakyung felt a bit vindicated. His lip corners started to curl up involuntarily until his eyes met Kang Il-hyun's, and he immediately wiped his expression clean.
"If you're done, leave. It's getting late."
Yoo-jung stuck out her lips and said, "See that?" But unlike her apparent reluctance, she immediately packed her bag and stood up. Then she smiled brightly at Jakyung.
"See you tomorrow then."
Tomorrow? Jakyung's eyes widened.
"Father has invited Ian to dinner tomorrow. All the family members will be gathering, so you and Managing Director Kang can come together at an agreed time."
Jakyung's gaze naturally shifted to Kang Il-hyun. If he went there, would he be able to guess who had commissioned Kang Il-hyun's death? The suddenly arranged dinner was disconcerting, but on the other hand, he was slightly curious about who the client might be. There was someone he suspected from the files, but that was merely conjecture.
"Then I'll be going."
Yoo-jung lightly waved her hand in greeting and headed to the entrance. Should he follow and say goodbye? While he hesitated, Kang Il-hyun called him. He signaled with his eyes to come sit, so Jakyung went and sat across from him. The house was even quieter than usual today, like the dead. Not only the staff but even the housekeeper who was frequently seen was absent. He looked around and scratched his neck.
"Your sister is incredibly beautiful."
"Where are you coming from?"
"I was playing with Managing Director's sister... and came back."
"According to my people, you weren't there."
He expected to be reported on, but being questioned made him slightly tense.
"I slipped away for a bit and was walking around alone..."
"By giving the slip to the two guards stationed in front?"
Jakyung widened his eyes as if hearing this for the first time.
"Guards? I didn't see any. Did Managing Director assign people to me?"
He deliberately put on an unpleasant expression. Right, no matter how much Kang Il-hyun acted up, Jang Ian was an important guest to him. There was no need to take a submissive stance. Kang Il-hyun stared piercingly at Jakyung with an unreadable expression. Jakyung met that gaze head-on.
"Managing Director. I came here as a tourist... To get help with my studies, and since I've been cooped up all this time, I came to relieve some stress. But not being able to move around freely is too much..."
He still stared without answering. Why. What. What are you going to do staring like that? He challenged with his eyes, but Kang Il-hyun nodded first.
"You're right. My interference was a bit excessive. You're a full-grown adult, what could happen? I won't concern myself with you moving around. But not alone. Whether it's Kang Seok-ju or my staff, I'll only allow it if two or more are moving together. While Ian is here, I'm responsible for your protection. I promised Grandfather that as well."
"But... I'm not a minor."
"No, you're not. But if something happens, there's too much I'd have to take responsibility for. So please. Not for Ian's sake, but for mine. Is that okay?"
In the end, he's saying don't make things difficult for him. If he dragged this on any longer, he'd likely get lectured, so Jakyung accepted and nodded. He wanted to go upstairs and rest as soon as possible. As soon as Kang Il-hyun told him to go, Jakyung stood up abruptly and headed for the stairs like he was fleeing. Even while walking up the spiral staircase, Kang Il-hyun remained on the sofa, staring piercingly at Jakyung.
As soon as he entered the second-floor bedroom, he unbuttoned the shirt that had been choking his neck and flopped onto the bed. Then he stopped. There was a CCTV camera on the ceiling. He frowned and sat up abruptly. He said with his own mouth that he would have it removed, yet it's still there.
He hurried downstairs, but Kang Il-hyun was nowhere to be seen. He walked through the corridor toward his bedroom. His steps gradually slowed, and other thoughts came to mind. He had known where Kang Il-hyun's bedroom was, but he'd never even had a chance to look inside.
Should he go in and take a look while he's at it? He licked his lower lip and stood before his bedroom door. He knocked, but it was quiet. Just as he was about to knock a second time, the door clicked open and he appeared. In the same shirt from before, looking as put-together as ever. Does he sleep like that too?
His gaze slowly descended from Jakyung's face to the gap in his open shirt.
"What is it?"
"I have something to say. Can I come in for a moment...?"
Sure. Kang Il-hyun readily opened the door. Jakyung rejoiced internally. Inside there was a reception room with a structure similar to the second floor where Jakyung was staying. The difference was a somewhat stiffer and darker atmosphere. Two ornamental sharks swam leisurely in a massive aquarium that occupied one wall. As he took a seat with his guidance, his eyes thoroughly scanned the interior.
"Would you like some tea?"
"Ah, no thank you."
"Then alcohol?"
"I can't drink well..."
"My. That's a shame."
Being face to face in an enclosed space felt awkward. He tried not to think about what happened the day before yesterday as much as possible.
"You said you had something to say. Go ahead."
"You clearly said you would remove the CCTV... but it's still there."
"Is that so?"
He had a face as if he didn't know at all. But there was no way his staff would have forgotten his orders.
"Is there really a reason it must be removed?"
Jakyung clenched his back teeth. How many times had he explained this, and the man himself had brought it up yesterday morning, so why is he acting like this? He smiled as pleasantly as possible to avoid offending him.
"Are you doing this on purpose?"
"What?"
"To torment me..."
"Because I'm a psycho? Tormenting people for no reason?"
Jakyung's lips twitched. He barely swallowed his anger, but his tone inevitably rose.
"Then why on earth are you leaving it there? Managing Director, think about it. If someone was watching you while you slept, would you feel good about that?"
"I don't care."
"I need to sleep naked to be comfortable. That's why I haven't been able to sleep comfortably since coming here."
"Sleep naked and be comfortable."
"......"
"Think of it as your own home."
His breathing grew rougher. He imagined screaming internally and pounding the table with his fists. Does this bastard really like me? Is protection just an excuse and does he actually want to peep at me? Was touching my palm also not suspicion but trying to appeal something? When his thoughts reached that point, his expression soured.
"Managing Director."
His tone came out snippy involuntarily, yet Kang Il-hyun smiled gently.
"Sorry. Lighten up your expression. The cameras will all be removed tomorrow. Something came up with the contractor and they couldn't come. I played a prank because your flaring up was entertaining."
What kind of bastard is this.
"And..."
Kang Il-hyun paused. Really... I can't figure him out, this bastard.
"I was curious too."
Il-hyun picked up the cigarette case on the table. He pulled the ashtray toward himself, opened the case and selected a cigarette. Jakyung asked sullenly.
"What were you so curious about?"
Kang Il-hyun put the selected cigarette in his mouth and answered casually.
"Why does a well-behaved young master have a tattoo on his shoulder."
"......"
Caught off guard by the unexpected counter, Jakyung was lost for words. Behind his glasses, brown eyes rippled like waves.
"Your manner of speech is polite, but why are your eyes behind those glasses so thug-like?"
"......"
Kang Il-hyun grinned with the cigarette in his mouth.
"I was curious beyond endurance."
His breath caught in his throat, and his hands on his knees automatically clenched into fists. His mouth went dry and cold sweat ran down his back. The moment a red warning light turned on in his head, he flicked the lighter. Click, the lighter's blue flame wavered and disappeared, and wispy cigarette smoke blew before his eyes.
As he stared at the cigarette smoke with his mouth shut tight, Il-hyun made an expression as if he'd seen something amusing.
"What. Don't tell me you smoke too?"