Hunter arrived at the mansion late at night. He looked contemptuously at the dozing guard who was nodding off, and honked his horn loudly. The guard jumped to his feet and drew his pistol.
“Keep dozing off like that and you might never open your eyes again.”
“Huh, Hunter?”
Hunter waved dismissively at the guard who stared at him as if he’d seen a ghost, wondering how Hunter had entered without leaving first. He went inside. The entrance always had an eerie feeling to it, as if vengeful spirits were wandering in front of the mansion.
Holding files received from Taylor in one hand as he headed toward his room, Hunter stopped in his tracks at the familiar scent of cologne permeating the hallway. Great. Hunter frowned with annoyance as he stood before his room door.
“Come in.”
The voice was cold. It seemed calm but had thorns hidden within. Hunter obediently opened the door. As expected, Federico was sitting on the sofa inside, waiting for him.
“I see your brief taste of freedom was quite sweet.”
“I haven’t even gotten to taste true freedom yet.”
“Don’t make me feel any more disappointed.”
Federico said. With all the lights in the room turned off and the curtains tightly drawn, Hunter couldn’t properly see his expression. He must be giving me that insufferable look again. Hunter glared at the man’s dark silhouette.
“You should have followed orders.”
Federico let out a subdued laugh, tilting his head back to rest against the sofa. “Thanks to you, my reputation has been in tatters lately.”
Hunter didn’t bother trying to make elaborate excuses. He knew very well that doing so would only make things worse in this situation. The mood is unusually tense. Hunter calmly approached Federico and waved the file.
“I was busy obtaining important materials. I heard Cenaline killed Nicholas.”
Federico’s eyes flashed.
“Is that reliable information?”
“I managed to bribe someone connected to that group. I guarantee the information is solid.”
“Seems you’ve made a new friend in that time.”
Federico rose from the sofa and yanked Hunter’s tie.
“I also have an interesting piece of information.”
Curious? At Federico’s question, Hunter swallowed a shallow groan. The tie in Federico’s grip was tightening around his neck.
“We have a spy within our ranks.”
Hunter frowned in surprise, then immediately smirked.
“You suspect me?”
“Of course not.”
Federico’s voice was full of amusement.
“I trust you. Just as you trust me.”
“That implies you don’t trust me at all.”
“Haha.”
Federico released Hunter’s tie and patted his shoulder. Hunter cleared his throat while loosening his tie.
“Indeed, you couldn’t betray me even if you wanted to.”
Federico walked past Hunter and opened the door. Warm light from the corridor gently seeped in. You couldn’t do it even if it killed you. His voice, growing more distant, echoed softly down the hallway as if mocking Hunter.
“Unfortunately, I think it’s best if you stay in your room for the time being. I’ll send work through Mate.”
With those words, the door closed. His leisurely footsteps echoed deeply through the corridor. Hunter, standing stiffly with his back to the door, was clenching his fist so tightly that his veins looked ready to burst, contradicting his calm expression.
* * *
“Have you calmed down now?”
Theo handed Hyungoh some water. Thank you, Hyungoh mumbled as he gulped it down, emptying the glass immediately.
“I’m sorry, you must have been startled.”
“Yeah.”
“……”
Hyungoh roughly wiped the cold sweat tickling his forehead with the back of his hand. Actually, I was surprised myself. How could I have known her portrait would be right in front of me? Although it was just a painting, the moment he made eye contact with her, his head felt like a volcano erupting, and he nearly lost consciousness.
That painting approached Hyungoh threateningly and stirred up his mind. Why do I have the same as mother… Hyungoh anxiously stroked his right shoulder.
No, it was different. Mother’s wasn’t just some unseemly scar. Hers was softer, more beautiful. It suited her, as if it belonged there.
Then what is mine? Hyungoh slipped his hand deep inside his clothes. His fingertips touched the uneven scar. No matter how I think about it, it doesn’t suit me. It feels like I’m imitating my mother’s.
“So, that was your birth mother?”
“Yes.”
“And also Hunter’s older sister?”
“…Yes.”
Hyungoh glanced at Theo. Theo seemed puzzled about why Hunter would secretly hide his mother’s portrait in such a secretive room. Hyungoh was curious too, but based on Hunter’s character that he’d observed so far, he could dare to guess the reason.
He probably wanted to hide it. The fact that he loved my mother.
Hyungoh, sprawled lengthwise on the sofa, spoke in a dying voice.
“I’m really sorry, Theo. You must have many questions, but I can’t answer all of them…”
“It’s fine. Everyone has their circumstances, you know.”
Theo said with a shrug. Hyungoh, who had stopped speaking, opened his mouth momentarily at Theo’s indifferent response.
“So you’re not going to ask anything?”
“It’s not something I need to know.”
Hyungoh nodded at his words.
“Hmm, Theo, you’re surprisingly thorough about keeping boundaries.”
“Boundaries? What boundaries?”
“I mean, you don’t dig deeply into other people’s business.”
“Ah.”
Theo shrugged. What’s the point of being interested in other people’s affairs?
“Even when it involves your uncle?”
“…Why bring Hunter up again? What do you want me to do?”
Theo said with a disgruntled tone. Just, in this way, I feel like you and I are so different. Hyungoh mumbled.
I’m always swayed by emotions, frequently crossing lines that shouldn’t be crossed without even realizing they exist. If I had lived like Theo, keeping boundaries well, maybe my life would be different now.
“There’s nothing to tell anyway. I don’t know much myself.”
“That’s ridiculous. If you don’t know your own situation, who would?”
“I know, right?”
At his words, Hyungoh suddenly felt self-loathing.
“Would you believe me if I said I have amnesia?”
“Amnesia? You?”
“Yes. That’s why I only remember formal things about my parents. My mother was a famous actress from a wealthy family, my father was a university professor from a long line of educators, things like that.”
“Hmm, that’s interesting.”
Were you in an accident? Theo asked.
“No. The doctor said it was because I was so shocked by my parents’ deaths.”
“I see.”
Theo turned around slightly and looked at the tightly closed wall.
“Then why were you so surprised earlier?”
“I’m afraid of my mother. I don’t know why myself.”
“You’ve certainly had an eventful life.”
“I don’t even remember it well. That makes it more frustrating.”
Hyungoh shook his head.
Theo and Hyungoh fell silent as if by agreement. Silence followed for a moment. I never thought I’d open up to Theo like this. Hyungoh tilted his head. Has my personality changed? Usually I would avoid it rather than bring it up first.
Or maybe I trust Theo without realizing it. Hyungoh glanced at Theo and scratched his head. Strangely, Theo is easy to deal with comfortably.
“Why are you staring at me?”
“No, it’s just, well…”
Just then, there was a thud as something fell from the direction of the wall. Hyungoh and Theo turned their heads simultaneously. What’s that? Hyungoh frowned at the ominous feeling that returned.
“Ah, that must have fallen.”
“What is it?”
“I was looking around the room before you came. There was a stack of envelopes piled up in a corner of the bookshelf.”
And they gave off a very suspicious smell. Theo jumped over the sofa and stood in front of the wall. So I was poking around a bit, then stopped. I couldn’t read them because they were written in a language I don’t know. Theo looked at Hyungoh meaningfully.
“Was it Korean by any chance?”
“Yes, that’s it.”
“……”
“If you don’t want to, we won’t open them.”
Theo, who had crouched down and reached for the gap in the wall, said as if he’d just realized something.
Hyungoh stood in front of the wall. Cold sweat broke out spontaneously. Will this be okay? Hyungoh hesitated for a moment, pressing his throbbing head.
No. Think about it, Choi Hyungoh. You might learn about the relationship between your mother and uncle. Finally discovering the clues they kept so tightly hidden.
Hyungoh nodded as if he’d made up his mind. Theo, as if he’d been waiting for this, pulled on the wall without hesitation. I need to know. I can’t back down anymore. Hyungoh swallowed hard as he stared with wide eyes at his mother’s eyes that were slowly being revealed.
