Chapter 29
Hyungoh blinked. He wondered if he was seeing an illusion because he’d hit his head so badly. This was an unbelievable situation. Theo, who had appeared so unexpectedly in this urgent moment, seemed like an unreal presence to Hyungoh.
“Why are you here?”
Theo, perhaps sharing the same feeling as Hyungoh, spoke with disbelief written across his face. He frowned as he drew closer.
“You should be in Korea.”
Hyungoh took a step back. Theo seemed somehow angry. Whether due to the dark surroundings or not, his steel-blue flickering eyes made Hyungoh shrink even more. Is this really the Theo I knew? Despite the years that have passed, he feels too unfamiliar.
He was definitely Theo. But whether because of the changed atmosphere or his darkened expression, Hyungoh kept feeling an uncomfortable sense of alienation. What happened in the past eleven years? Hyungoh took another step back.
At that moment, a wave of dizziness hit, and Hyungoh lost his balance and plopped down on the ground. Theo, who had been striding toward him, paused. Hyungoh let out a shallow moan from the headache that was so severe it made him nauseous. It seemed to be the result of being struck on the head by Herick’s subordinate in Korea, Jake kicking his head into the floor, and just now falling from the second floor and injuring his head again.
Fortunately, when he fell just now, he’d been covering his head with his arms, so there was no direct impact, but still, suddenly falling from a height made his whole body absorb the shock, causing his head to ring painfully. I’m afraid I might really get a concussion at this rate. Hyungoh thought, rubbing his throbbing head.
“Theo… why are you here?”
Theo opened his mouth to speak but then closed it again. And then, as if trying to calm himself, he pressed firmly between his eyebrows.
“You really drive me crazy.”
Theo approached and extended his hand to Hyungoh. Hyungoh, whose headache was gradually subsiding, hesitated for a moment before taking his hand.
“I’m just as surprised as you are.”
“Since you didn’t come willingly, you must have been dragged here by force, but what the hell have you been up to?”
“Well, that…”
The warehouse door in the corner of the backyard flew open. Joy, who was struggling to carry a machine about his own size along with Simon, spotted Theo and Hyungoh and his eyes widened.
“Oh?”
Hyungoh flinched warily. Without letting go of Theo’s hand, he gripped it tightly as if asking for help. Theo, his face hardening, lifted his head to look at Joy.
Joy looked back and forth between Hyungoh and Theo with a puzzled expression. His eyes seemed to be asking for an explanation as to why the two were together.
“Hey, Joy.”
“Yes?”
“What did you call him?”
“…”
“Your new lover?”
“…”
Joy couldn’t easily open his mouth even after hearing Theo’s sarcastic remark. He seemed to vaguely sense that the situation was turning unfavorable for him.
“Do you… know each other?”
“Of course. We know each other very well.”
Theo said.
“We were crazy about each other.”
Theo’s cold gaze fixed on Joy and Simon. Simon, who hadn’t fully grasped the situation, looked at Joy with a flustered face. Joy, who had been deeply contemplating something, glanced at Hyungoh and tilted his head.
“This is a bit unfair… How could I have known you two were acquainted, even in my wildest dreams?”
Joy, who had awkwardly set the machine down on the floor, shrugged his shoulders. Acquainted? Simon looked at Hyungoh with surprised eyes. That Asian is acquainted with Mr. Cooper?
“No way…”
“What’s unbelievable?”
Theo, who had somehow heard Simon’s murmur, frowned. Joy, who quickly intervened fearing Simon might misspeak, answered instead.
“It’s not completely unbelievable, just surprising. What a fascinating connection, ahaha.”
“Indeed. Who would have known that a capo of the Cenaline Family would be friends with a hacker from the Gostin Family?”
“Ahaha… Simon, I think it would be more helpful if you just kept quiet.”
Joy said in a low voice, gritting his teeth. You shouldn’t say that, you fool. Seeing Joy forcing a smile and laughing, Simon realized his mistake and closed his mouth.
“Gostin Family?”
Theo frowned.
“What’s with you? When you run away, you run away, but why are you attached to them again?”
“I-I didn’t want to go there either.”
“Then what, were you kidnapped?”
“Something like that.”
Hyungoh glanced at Joy and Simon.
“I’ll explain everything later… Please help me first.”
From the atmosphere, it seemed that Theo could help in this situation. It was like a relationship of superior and subordinate rather than equals. Judging by how those two couldn’t treat Theo carelessly, it seemed Theo held the power.
“You always only ask me for help.”
Yet there’s never been any benefit for me in helping you. Theo clicked his tongue. Realizing the meaning of his words, Hyungoh gave a bitter smile.
“So, what business did you have bringing this guy here?”
At Theo’s question, Simon and Joy silently looked at each other. As Simon was about to open his mouth, Joy, who hurriedly shook his head, spoke instead.
“I’m sorry, but it’s a trade secret…”
Theo pulled out a gun from his waist.
“…but I was going to tell you specially, of course.”
Hohoho. Joy quickly changed his tune and laughed, covering his mouth. There are no secrets between us. Joy, who had winked, hurriedly examined Theo’s expression. That bastard always pulls out his gun. As expected of the Cenaline Family, he won’t be satisfied until he gets his way.
“Someone gave him to us as a gift to use as a test subject.”
“Who was that?”
“Such a difficult question… Of course, I should tell you! I was going to tell you.”
When the gun’s safety released with a click, Joy hastily replied.
“He’s a hacker affiliated with the Gostin Family.”
“Name?”
“Jake, or Jacob Gostin.”
“So he’s someone who’s even been given the family name. So you’re saying that guy handed Hyungoh over to you?”
“Yes, yes. I adamantly refused, but he threatened to kill me if I didn’t take him.”
Joy, who had been spouting lies, was sweating profusely inside. This is a big problem.
But what can I do? If I resist to keep the secret till the end, I’ll be the one who dies here. Joy drooped the corners of his mouth sullenly.
By the way, who on earth is that Asian? How can he be affiliated with the Gostin Family while being close to an executive of the Cenaline Family? It’s a fact that even five-year-olds know that the two organizations are mortal enemies. There’s no opportunity for them to become close.
Joy was anxious that this incident might trigger another war between the two families. He recalled the horrific memories from six years ago. Joy glanced at Simon. Simon also seemed to share the same concern, as worry and anxiety were etched in his eyes. We’ll have to move our hideout within this week. Once is enough for getting caught in the crossfire between whales.
“I’m taking him with me.”
“Of course, of course! Take him.”
Seeing them readily yielding, Hyungoh breathed a sigh of relief. I’m so glad I ran into Theo. I could have been brutally tortured and killed.
Theo tucked the gun back into his waistband. Joy clicked his tongue regretfully as he watched Hyungoh following behind Theo like a chick, trotting into the garage. It had been a while since he’d seen such a healthy test subject. It’s a shame, but…
Still, it looks too dangerous.
He couldn’t help but feel intrigued. According to what he’d heard from Jake, despite not having particularly good hacking skills, he was an Asian who was always busy boasting about himself whenever he got the chance, so Joy naturally assumed he would have an unpleasant appearance too, but surprisingly, his face was to Joy’s taste, which had excited him.
Such babies are exquisite. Joy stared at Hyungoh intensely, not hiding his lustful gaze. Imagining him crying floods of tears and vomiting blood made his body writhe involuntarily. Ah, how beautiful. Joy, who had been nibbling on his lips, smiled lewdly.
“Hey, Joy.”
“Oh, come on! I was just trying to have a nice fantasy for once, don’t interrupt me, Simon.”
“Sorry. But… shouldn’t we load the merchandise into the trunk soon?”
Cooper is watching. Simon whispered. At his words, Joy reflexively swallowed and turned his head to see Theo, who had put Hyungoh in the passenger seat, looking at Joy with a crooked posture.
“Your life must be really hard.”
“Excuse me?”
At Theo’s murmur, which could be heard through the open window, Hyungoh peeked his head out.
“With all these crazy guys lining up for you…”
“Excuse me? What did you say?”
“Forget it.”
Theo waved his hand once and got into the driver’s seat. Meanwhile, Joy and Simon brought the machine and loaded it into the trunk.
Hyungoh respectfully placed both hands on his knees. Perhaps because it had been so long since they’d met, things felt awkward. As soon as the trunk closing sound was heard, Theo started the engine without hesitation. Hyungoh glanced through the rearview mirror at Simon and Joy standing blankly behind. At the sight of them getting further and further away, Hyungoh exhaled a silent sigh.
So now it’s my turn. Hyungoh turned to look at Theo. Perhaps sensing Hyungoh’s gaze, Theo also glanced at him.
“Umm… It’s been a while, Theo.”
“Cut the meaningless greetings and let’s get straight to the point.”
Theo said indifferently.
“Did you really join the Gostin Family?”
“As a result… yes.”
“Give me a break.”
This is ridiculous. Theo tightened his grip on the steering wheel.
“I told you to hide well.”
“I tried my best in my own way.”
Theo was the only person who had helped Hyungoh escape eleven years ago. Although they fought a lot in the beginning, he was also the person Hyungoh had grown most attached to in the end.
Hyungoh had so many questions to ask that he hesitated for a moment. What should I ask first? Stories after my escape? Tapping his knee, Hyungoh moved his lips at another question that suddenly came to mind. I’m also curious about his relationship with Herick. I once asked Herick about Theo’s recent situation, but he openly avoided answering. The atmosphere was strange.
Maybe it’s best to ask about Uncle. Theo might know about Uncle’s recent situation. Hyungoh stealthily gauged Theo’s reaction. Does Theo still have feelings for Uncle?
Seeing Hyungoh only moving his lips for several minutes, Theo raised his head as if frustrated.
“If you have something to say, say it quickly.”
Hyungoh hesitated. I have so much to say that I’m actually at a loss for words. Hyungoh tried to find the most necessary question to ask first.
“Uh, then… where are we going now?”
Hyungoh barely managed to ask. Then Theo let out a sarcastic laugh.
“Why are you asking me that?”
“Pardon?”
“You should be the one to decide.”
Theo added.
“From what I briefly heard, it seems you were kicked out due to internal framing, but I assume you wouldn’t want to go back.”
Ah. Hyungoh sighed briefly. Come to think of it, he hadn’t thought about what to do next. Should he return to that mansion, or not?
Honestly, he was too scared to go back. He’d entered that mansion semi-forcibly in the first place, and even the fact that he’d become a member of that Family was burdensome, making each day extremely arduous. Even if he were to return now, there was no guarantee that Jake would leave him alone.
But he wasn’t certain that he could escape again either. The situation has become too tangled. If Jake finds out that I’m still alive and well, he might send assassins this time.
And above all, he felt self-loathing about running away again. Why am I always like this? Running away has never yielded good results.
Isn’t there a better solution? I don’t know. I don’t even know where to start. It feels like trying to untangle knotted threads would only make them more tangled without any improvement.
“To be honest, I don’t know.”
“Don’t know what?”
“Just, everything.”
Hyungoh answered, staring blankly at the path through the forest and trees. What should I really do?
Suddenly, Michael’s wound came to mind. He was severely injured. His heart ached. Yesterday’s Michael was truly different. It was like seeing the young Michael.
He couldn’t erase the image of Michael embracing him weakly from his mind. Should I go back? Hyungoh frowned deeply, contemplating. I’m worried. I’m scared that if I turn my back on Michael again, something will go terribly wrong.
What about Jake?
Jake has turned me into a traitor. He’s probably already spread false rumors about me. Those words would have reached Federico too. Even if I were to enter that mansion again, I might be dragged to the torture room and killed before I could meet Michael.
“Haah…”
Hyungoh lowered his head. Theo glanced at him and spoke.
“Then let’s go to my place for now.”
Hyungoh’s head shot up. What? Hyungoh asked. Theo shrugged his shoulders and answered.
“Since you can’t decide, take some time to think about it gradually. I also have a lot of questions for you.”
Hyungoh’s ears perked up. Indeed, he needed time to think. To be precise, time to organize his thoughts. Yes, that’s right. I need to organize my thoughts. Hyungoh said, trying to put strength into his drooping shoulders.
“Alright. I also have a lot to ask Theo.”
“Good.”
Theo nodded. In this moment, Theo looked very reliable. He appeared just when needed and provided help. Hyungoh stared at Theo, who was driving with one hand. Come to think of it, he was like that before too. Perhaps Theo was the person I felt most comfortable with.
“Sleep if you’re tired. Stop staring, it’s annoying.”
Hyungoh smiled slightly. Although he had felt uncomfortable due to Theo’s darkened expression, hearing his nagging tone made him think, “Ah, Theo is still Theo after all.” Then, just for a moment, a very brief moment, let me catch my breath.
And so, Hyungoh closed his eyes.
