The first thing discovered upon entering the house was a plate shattered beyond recognition in the corner of the living room. That very plate that Hunter had cherished so dearly.
Good heavens. Theo stared with an astonished face at the empty table where the plate should have been placed. Since Hunter wouldn’t have done this, it must have been an outrage committed by an outsider. Theo recalled Hyungoh’s previous warning and considered taking off his shoes, but then thought, ‘It’s not like the homeowner is welcoming me anyway, so who cares,’ and decided to enter with shoes on.
“Who the hell are you?”
Theo asked irritably. A middle-aged man in a black dress shirt with a snow-white muffler draped over his shoulders stood in front of the refrigerator, carefully examining a memo written in Korean. He was a man who appeared benevolent yet had sharp eyes.
He spoke while still keeping his gaze fixed on the memo.
“Two unwelcome visitors gathered in an empty house.”
“I’m not an unwelcome visitor,”
Theo showed him a bunch of keys.
“How did you get in here? You’re not a resident of this area, are you?”
“I’ve come a long way to find my troublemaking friend.”
“Is that troublemaking friend possibly Hunter?”
Only then did he turn his head to face Theo.
“And what brings you here?”
It was a gentle smile. However, Theo was certain there was something unsavory behind that smile. This was clearly a man with whom he wouldn’t get along. Hunter crossed his arms in the uncomfortable atmosphere.
“Obviously I came to see the homeowner. What about you? Did you come to wreck someone else’s home?”
Theo nodded toward the broken plate.
“It’s been bothering me for a while.”
The man replied as he picked up his hat that had been placed on the sofa.
“It seems you’ve also come to see Hunter, but he’s not here.”
Since he loves causing trouble, he’s probably somewhere unimaginable. The man pulled his hat down low and put a cigar in his mouth. He walked past Theo and stood in front of the front door, seemingly about to leave.
“I asked who you are?”
Theo shouted at his back. He wanted to follow the man outside, but his feet wouldn’t budge. Damn it. Theo swallowed. The subtle aura emanating from the man, though seemingly insignificant, was pressuring Theo.
The man lit his cigar and answered with a voice tinged with laughter.
“Federico.”
Federico Gostin. He smiled mischievously. Remember it well, Mr. Cooper.
At the familiar surname, Theo’s eyes widened. Gostin? Was he one of the mafia organization people Herick had mentioned?
Theo suddenly recalled information he’d heard from Simon. This neighborhood. They say a high-ranking member of some huge organization lives here. An ominous feeling overwhelmed Theo. Fragments of stories, different yet somehow similar, created a commotion in his head.
“Wait, you know me?”
“Of course. Hunter never held back his praise whenever he mentioned you.”
“……”
Theo looked at him even more suspiciously. Hunter praised me? You expect me to believe such an absurd statement?
“‘Cute slave,’ I believe he called you.”
Federico seemed to reminisce for a moment before laughing, haha. What did he say? As Theo’s voice rose in excitement, Federico headed outside, waving his hand behind his back.
“What the hell,”
Theo continued watching until the moment Federico disappeared around the corner of the garden, only then relaxing his tense muscles. Unpleasant guy. Theo grumbled as he moved his feet. He’s definitely shady.
And if that guy is really part of the Gostin organization, what happens to the Ghost guy who was being chased, and what about Hunter who’s caught between them?
Ahh. I absolutely hate complicated problems like this. Theo, scratching his head vigorously, stood in front of the plate fragments on the floor. He decided to worry first about how to handle this.
“If you’re going to leave, leave properly… Oh, seriously.”
Hunter was someone who would scowl even if you just lingered around the plate. I remember when I tried to touch it, he grabbed my wrist to stop me. Theo fidgeted with his wrist as if recalling that moment.
Thinking he might try to fit it together like puzzle pieces, he moved the fragments around, and they started to fit together. As hope began to appear, Theo grinned and worked his hands diligently.
“What? Where did this piece go?”
One piece was missing. It wasn’t visible even after thoroughly searching the surroundings. Theo, leaning against the wall, absentmindedly reached out and ran his hand along the corner of the wall, when he felt a small gap. When he inserted his finger, he felt something sharp prick him. So it was here. Theo, wiping the blood that seeped from his fingertip on his pants, bent his upper body.
It was a thin, long gap that seemed just wide enough to insert four finger joints. It was such an unexpected gap that Theo thought mice might have gnawed at the wall, but it was closer to a delicately carved drawer handle.
On the off chance, he inserted his fingers and pulled. Then he felt the wall being slightly pulled forward. Ooh. Theo’s eyes lit up. As the wall gradually widened, it hit the shelf positioned right in front of it.
Theo moved the shelf. It was heavy because it was full of miscellaneous items, but not so heavy that it couldn’t be handled. Theo again inserted his fingers into the gap and pulled. The space between the walls slowly began to separate.
Was it a secret door? Theo gritted his teeth and pulled with force. Before his eyes, a new room he had never seen before was revealing itself.
* * *
Hyungoh, who had woken up, found Michael sleeping soundly with his face buried in Hyungoh’s arm, and reflexively smiled with contentment. Occasionally when given an arm pillow, he would fall into a deep sleep.
Oh my, my arm’s gone numb. Hyungoh carefully pulled out his arm, making sure not to wake Michael, and replaced it with a soft pillow. Maybe because I overexerted myself yesterday. You’re sleeping so soundly. Hyungoh got up from the bed and stretched.
Hyungoh suddenly remembered Theo, whom he had intentionally driven away yesterday. Why hasn’t he returned yet? There wouldn’t have been his uncle’s sweater in the living room. Since Theo would normally have returned grumbling, Hyungoh was puzzled.
Strange. Should I go check the house? Hyungoh left Michael’s room and quietly closed the door.
“Choi.”
Herick, who was sitting on the living room sofa with his legs crossed, smiled at Hyungoh. Startled, Hyungoh took a step back warily.
“What’s with that expression?”
“I’ve been thinking all night.”
And it seems like you’re right after all. Herick rose from his seat and approached Hyungoh.
“I’ve been thinking too lightly, haven’t I? Like you said, let’s try to get along.”
“…What are you plotting?”
“No way. I was just starting to like you.”
Herick’s smile was unfamiliar. There’s definitely something going on. Did I irritate him again yesterday? Hyungoh, still maintaining his suspicious gaze, slowly nodded.
“I understand for now. I’m glad Herick thinks that way.”
“Good.”
Herick patted Hyungoh’s shoulder.
“I should get going now. I’m a bit uneasy since Theo still hasn’t returned.”
“Want me to take you there?”
“…I think it’s better for both of us if I go alone.”
“If that’s what you want.”
Why is he acting like this? Did he eat something wrong? Hyungoh gave an equally artificial smile to the overly kind Herick and opened the front door. This makes me even more anxious. Hyungoh hurriedly closed the door.
Even though morning had broken, there were no people on the street. There were no passing cars either. It had always been a quiet neighborhood, but the current atmosphere felt insufficient to describe as merely ‘quiet.’
Hyungoh quickened his pace. An ominous aura permeated everywhere. What’s happening here?
It felt like he’d moved to a ghost town in an instant.
Hyungoh crossed the soggy garden and stood in front of Hunter’s house entrance. On the way, he had checked the garage through a small window and found it still empty. Uncle still hasn’t returned. So that means only Theo is inside the house now.
At that moment, as if sensing his presence, the quick-footed Theo flung the door open. Startled, Hyungoh faced Theo, who had a serious expression.
“Theo, did you spend the night here?”
“Good timing.”
Theo grabbed Hyungoh’s arm firmly and pulled him in without warning. Flustered, Hyungoh was dragged along weakly without even thinking to resist.
“What’s going on? Why are you doing this?”
“You explain this to me instead.”
Theo positioned Hyungoh in front of himself. It was in front of that room he had discovered yesterday. Why is there a room here? Hyungoh’s face, initially surprised at the new room that had appeared where he thought was just a wall, gradually turned cold.
Hyungoh.
A terrified scream echoed through the living room. Theo’s gaze wavered with confusion as he looked at Hyungoh, who had collapsed to the floor and was shaking violently.
Hyungoh’s eyes remained fixed on the portrait prominently displayed in front of him. A bob-haired woman showing her naked back, slightly turning her head to glare forward. Her distinct eyes were rough, as if filled with something close to hatred.
Theo followed Hyungoh’s gaze and looked at the portrait once more. On her right shoulder blade was neatly written the word ‘angel’.
