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Chapter 12
For a moment, hesitation took over. Of course, it was obvious that it would look strange.
“Uh, um… just say I came here in my uncle’s car.”
“Uncle?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh, that uncle. Right. You said you have an uncle too, didn’t you?”
Hearing the word “uncle,” Yerim smiled brightly, and it made Heeyeon’s chest ache. It was heartbreaking to see Yerim, who had grown up thinking her father was an uncle, never having seen him properly. At the same time, resentment toward Pilmo surged. Leaving a baby at someone’s doorstep and causing a series of reckless actions that endangered his daughter—it was all his fault.
A sigh escaped naturally, but she didn’t want to plant bad memories in the child.
“Uh, um… yeah. Just say it’s my uncle’s car.”
“Okay!”
Yerim smiled brightly and went back to drawing. Heeyeon remained lost in thought.
Her mind was completely consumed with thoughts of how to get a phone. She was contemplating ways to contact Youngsook without anyone knowing. Then, someone came to mind.
“I’m just doing some coloring.”
“Okay.”
Heeyeon immediately left the room and knocked on the last door at the end of the hall. Mina, in pajamas, appeared.
“Could I borrow your phone for a moment?”
“But you have a phone too, Heeyeon?”
“Well….”
Even though Mina could see that Heeyeon obviously had a phone, she couldn’t think of a proper excuse. She could say she was being watched by Seokwoo, but that was a rule only between the two of them. She couldn’t let anyone else in the house know—Pilmo’s life was at stake.
“Oh, did your plan run out of balance?”
“Yes… that’s right.”
Mina assumed her inability to call was due to unpaid bills, thinking Heeyeon must have been sold into debt.
“I understand. Here, use mine.”
Mina handed over her phone.
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me. If you ever need it, you can borrow it anytime. Go ahead and make your call. I’ll get a glass of water.”
“Okay, just a moment.”
Heeyeon quickly went into Mina’s room and called Youngsook.
—Who is this…?
“It’s me, Auntie.”
—Ah, Heeyeon. Are you okay? But this number…
“I borrowed a phone from a coworker here. I can’t use a regular line now.”
—So, you got caught back then? That’s why your explanation made sense…
“It’s a bit complicated. By the way, is oppa okay? Has he recovered?”
—No, he hasn’t regained consciousness yet.
All strength drained from her body. He would need to regain consciousness to find the items, but there was no progress.
Heeyeon bit her nails anxiously, worried. If Pilmo died, it would be over.
“What should I do? Shouldn’t we move him to a hospital? If he dies…”
—If you go to a hospital, they’ll track your records and your location will be discovered. Can’t go. If it really gets tough, I’ll find a way myself—maybe ask friends working at hospitals.
“Thank you, Auntie.”
—Are you really okay? I’m worried you might get into trouble there.
“Yes, fortunately, I’m fine. But don’t call unless it’s urgent.”
—Understood.
Heeyeon quickly ended the call and deleted Youngsook’s number from her call log. Another sigh escaped. She didn’t know where or how to start solving this.
Just then, Mina returned with water. Heeyeon handed back the phone.
After saying she had used it well, Mina left the room. Watching Yerim continue her coloring, Heeyeon felt as if her head might explode.
Meanwhile, Mina explored her own phone. Even though Heeyeon had deleted the number, the cloud automatically saved a voice recording. She pressed play.
“What’s this sound… Oppa? You’re looking for it?”
Listening to their conversation, Mina nodded.
“Oppa borrowed money and ran off? That’s why he was caught? Hmm… That makes sense; it didn’t seem like he owed anything himself.”
Mina, gentle in front of Heeyeon, had a different purpose than the others in this house.
Soon, her phone rang with a call from someone familiar. Mina straightened her posture and answered. On the other end, a man’s commanding voice made her face light up.
“Yes, it’s me. Of course! I’ll go.”
After hanging up, Mina opened her wardrobe and took out a red dress. She left the room in a short dress with heavy makeup, looking different from usual. It was a night outing unnoticed by anyone.
Being Seokwoo’s personal keeper meant there was no set time to finish work. After Yerim fell asleep, a message came to Heeyeon’s phone.
Bring some snacks.
Checking the time, it was well past 11 p.m. She hadn’t slept comfortably a single night since arriving here. Being called at such a late hour made her worry about others noticing.
Still, everyone should be asleep. Heeyeon quietly started preparing snacks. She plated roasted brie cheese, vegetable sticks, and cheese sauce, then went upstairs.
The mansion was silent under the bright moonlight, as if not a mouse stirred, yet her footsteps echoed. A chill ran down her neck from the tension.
Being alone in a room with Seokwoo, who was uncomfortable himself, heightened all her senses.
Knock, knock.
“Come in.”
“Yes.”
The moment the door opened, a chill penetrated her skin, followed by the sweet scent of wine. Seeing Seokwoo sitting on the sofa drinking made her mouth dry.
Judging by the wine bottle, he had already drunk half. Did he drink without snacks? She was amazed at herself for worrying about upsetting her stomach.
Heeyeon placed the snacks on the table. His gaze immediately fixed on her cheek. It felt almost painful. Just a glance, but the sticky, intense gaze lingered like he was savoring something.
What’s wrong with him?
He was just staring, yet it felt strange.
The man who had asked for snacks wasn’t touching them—he only poured himself another glass.
“If they run out while you’re on standby, bring more.”
“Yes.”
“Don’t just stand there. Sit down.”
“Excuse me?”
“It’s uncomfortable.”
“…Standing is actually much easier right now.” He glanced at her and gestured with his chin.
What should she do? She had no desire to sit and drink with him. She feared he might notice that she was hiding something.
“Do I need to sit? Should I sit down?”
“Oh, no.”
She didn’t want to irritate him unnecessarily, so she perched at the edge of the sofa, not directly across from him. The cold leather pressed her skin and gave her a chill.
It was June, not yet summer, but the air conditioner was running. She realized the initial chill when entering was from the AC.
A brief silence. That silence only amplified her anxiety.
Thump, thump.
She only turned her eyes to watch him drink.
His tie was loosened, sleeves rolled up, revealing thick forearms. The muscles bulging from the snug shirt looked too large for the sleeves.
A man who clearly exercised a lot.
Well, he was in a position equivalent to a mob boss. JM Capital had ties with gangs. Seokwoo, therefore, must also be the second-in-command among the shadow forces behind the capital.
Thump, thump.
Her heart raced. The tension alone made it race, yet some unknown heat seemed to emanate from him.
He extended his glass.
“Want a drink?”
“No.”
Heeyeon shook her head.
“You’d like one, though?”
“…Why do you think so?”
“Because it’s frustrating. So Pilmo disappeared.”
“That’s…”
She couldn’t answer.
“You seem too relaxed. Almost as if you’re scheming something.”
His eyes met hers. The sharpness made her heart tremble.
The oppressive air churned inside her. She tried to remain composed, like when she first came to this house.
“Should I be anxious?”
“Usually, yes.”
“I don’t know what ‘usually’ is, but I’m just accepting the situation.”
“That calmly?”
“There’s no other way.”
Heeyeon looked Seokwoo straight in the eyes. A faint smile appeared on his lips. It passed through her mind like slow motion.
“We need to find a way.”
