What was Michael thinking?
Hyungoh blankly stared at Theo’s broad back. He was running earnestly while gripping Hyungoh’s wrist tightly, as if afraid of losing him.
Hyungoh recalled the situation from just a few minutes ago. Himself, unable to control his overflowing emotions; Theo, with eyes widened at his tears; and then……
Michael, staring at him endlessly with a wounded expression.
His eyes were dried up like a withered flower. He, who had tried to stop Hyungoh from running away, stood there silently like a scarecrow devoid of emotion, forgetting what he had even intended to do.
The men approached Hyungoh and Theo, paying no mind to anything else. The situation was completely surrounded, giving them no room to counterattack.
But luck was on Hyungoh and Theo’s side. With perfect timing, the group of intruders they had been so wary of launched a surprise attack at that very moment.
The men who had been pointing guns at them changed direction, aiming at the intruders instead. Seeing them gathering quickly to protect Michael, Theo seized the opportunity, grabbed Hyungoh, and ran.
The gunshot signaling the start of the fight rang out. Theo guided Hyungoh through his own shortcut. Don’t look back, just follow me well, Hyungoh. Theo instructed firmly. In the midst of the chaos, Hyungoh instinctively nodded.
“Theo, over here!”
Theo’s steps slowed, as if finally relieved when he spotted a car parked conspicuously on the street. Jeff, who had been anxiously scanning the surroundings from inside the car, spotted Theo and waved his hand.
“Whew! If I had been a little later, I might have fainted from the intense atmosphere.”
“Luckily, you didn’t wet yourself, I see?”
“Actually, I did pee a little on the way here. There were some expensive cars lined up, but for some reason, I felt like I needed to take a side road. It just felt suspicious right away.”
Jeff fired off words like a machine gun. He still looked scared.
“Let’s just go. Let’s get away from this miserable place as soon as possible.”
“Wow, has this place become miserable to you too?”
“Of course. I’ve lived here for years.”
Maybe I should follow you to Korea. Theo said playfully, giving Hyungoh a nudge. Hyungoh was staring intently at Jeff’s face reflected in the rearview mirror. The piercing in his nose and light brown bob haircut. It was a face he had seen somewhere before.
Noticing Hyungoh’s gaze, Jeff winked at him. Long time no see, darling? Jeff said. With that slick voice, Hyungoh realized he had seen him at Theo’s party. Ah, the man who kept hitting on me. Hyungoh turned his head away, avoiding his burdensome gaze.
Looking at the neighborhood passing quickly beyond the window, Hyungoh felt a strange emotion. While feeling relieved at finally escaping, he simultaneously felt uneasy. It felt as if he had pushed aside many unfinished tasks.
“What’s that?”
“Uh…… Damn.”
The car that had been speeding along slowed down. Several black cars were blocking the road. Right, another obstacle makes it more interesting. Theo rubbed his face with both hands to calm his irritation.
“That, that’s the car I saw earlier.”
Jeff pointed to a small SUV positioned directly in front of them.
“What is that?”
“I don’t know. But it gave me the worst feeling.”
“Come on, this is getting ridiculous.”
As Theo tried to open the car door to get out, Jeff frantically stopped him. No, Theo. It seriously looks dangerous. All three of them frowned at the headlights turned on nearby. A group standing across from them was looking at Jeff’s car.
A group wearing thick coats approached. One of them, with a hat pulled down deep, knocked on the window, and Jeff timidly lowered the window slightly and asked.
“What’s the matter?”
“Get out.”
“What? Get out? Why? I didn’t do anything.”
Jeff said, making a fuss.
“Not you.”
A man with burn marks covering half his face raised his chin toward Hyungoh. You, the Asian in the back. He said.
Hyungoh flinched. Me? Curiosity preceded fear. Why is he singling me out? Confused, Hyungoh looked at Theo. Theo was glaring at the man standing outside the window with a serious expression.
Another person walked over from across the street. Unlike the others wrapped in thick outer garments, she wore only a loose shirt and stood right in front of the window.
Hyungoh quickly scanned her face, clearly visible in the light. Narrow eyes with thin lips, and two emerald green eyes. Wrinkles on her face and hair turned white. Her firm gaze was sharp as if piercing through Hyungoh.
The man beside her whispered something to her secretly. She firmly shook her head.
“No.”
She opened her mouth. Her voice was rough like a heavy smoker who had cigarettes in their mouth all day.
“That guy looks more fierce.”
Hyungoh swallowed hard. Theo seemed equally tense, pressing down on the front seat as if to crush it.
The atmosphere they exuded was oppressive enough to intimidate anyone. Although quiet, that very quietness added to the tension. It was like a time bomb that could explode at any moment.
“He does look somewhat similar.”
At her words, everyone around turned to look at Hyungoh. Under their gazes, Hyungoh held his breath.
“Young one.”
She tapped the window with her finger and said to Hyungoh.
“Do you happen to know a person named Hunter?”
What?
Hyungoh almost reflexively asked back. Who? His heart was racing. Why would his uncle’s name come out of that person’s mouth? His eyes instinctively wavered. Watching him, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
“Hyungoh.”
At this point, Theo pressed close behind Hyungoh.
“From now on, stay well hidden.”
So Ghost can’t find you. Theo whispered.
What are you saying out of the blue in this situation? While Hyungoh sat frozen without answering, he heard the car door being flung open behind him.
“I know Hunter well.”
It was Theo’s voice. Shocked, Hyungoh turned around. Theo had already gotten out of the car and was raising both hands. Several people with hands tucked into their coats were wary of him.
“I live right next door to that man.”
Theo said. His trademark mischievous smile hung on his lips.
