“GRANDFATHER!”

“Young Master! You’ve arrived. How was your trip?”

Min turned and found the elderly butler smiling warmly at him. 

“Butler Kim, where is my grandfather?”

“... Why don’t you go wash up first before talking to him? You must be exhausted from the long trip–”

“What is all this racket?! If you arrived, you could have quietly greeted me in my study! How can you still be so immature at your age?!”

Glancing behind him, Min directed his cold gaze toward his grandfather, who stared back sternly. Wary of the heavy tension, Joon-woo suddenly slid in front of the chairman with a huge, friendly grin. Raising an eyebrow, the chairman shifted his attention to the airheaded secretary.  

“Chairman Yoon! It’s nice to see you again! Have you been well?”

“Hmph. You’ve grown into a fine young man– much better than my fickle grandson.”

“Ah, don’t say that~! He’s just tired from the long trip. I brought some souvenirs from our quick stop in New York. Would you like to see them?”

“Ha! Trying to make this old man shut his mouth, eh?” Looking back at his grandson, Chairman Yoon clicked his tongue, “...Min, come to my study.”

Helplessly watching the pair head up the stairs, Joon-woo let out a sigh as the elderly butler gently patted his shoulder. Hopefully, nothing in this household will blow up today…!

~~~

Leaning against his desk, the elderly businessman pinched the bridge of his nose in irritation. The chairman knew Min would find out eventually, but to think he’d go straight to GOLD Entertainment as soon as he landed…!

“I’m sure you’ve heard everything from that imbecile. What more do you want to hear from me?”

“Why did you do something so unnecessary?!”

“Unnecessary? Ha! The least you could do is follow the path I’ve laid out for you.” 

“I did everything you wanted for the past eight years! So how could you make them lie to him? He’s one of the few, genuine friends I have left!”

“Friend? How is he a friend when you haven’t spoken in eight years? He’s a mere entertainer who has no value to you. Can he help you inherit S&H or stabilize your position? I sent you off to increase your influence, and you wasted that time worrying about a useless singer!”

“...”

“Do you not realize that your position is always in danger? Even after what happened to your family, you–”

Chairman Yoon abruptly clamped his mouth shut. No, he couldn’t tell him. Everything regarding that accident was all but mere speculation. Digging his nails into the mahogany desk, the chairman struggled to keep his emotions under control as he felt his grandson’s unwavering gaze.

“...What are you implying? That accident–” 

“Nevermind. Stay away from him; I won’t hesitate to drag down that singer from his successful career. Mark my words. You are dismissed.”

“Grandfather–!”

“Out, now.”

Biting the inside of his cheek, Min bowed to his grandfather and quickly exited the room, only to find Joon-woo waiting by the door with a sullen expression. Not knowing what to say, Min shoved past him, escaping to his bedroom on the third floor. He just wanted to disappear without a trace.

~~~

Closing the door behind him, Min pulled off his navy tie and plopped onto his bed. He didn’t know what to think anymore. Min had hoped he would get the answers he sought, but now he had more questions than answers. What in the world was his grandfather talking about? Wasn’t the car accident just that– an accident?

With a sigh, he slowly scanned the room. Everything in this room had been left exactly the way he had left it eight years ago. His hesitant gaze paused on a small picture on his bookshelf as a suffocating, crushing feeling quickly spread throughout his chest. Before Min knew it, a rush of tears pooled onto his covers. 

“… I’m sorry… I’m so sorry….”

~*~

~~Eight Years Ago… Seoul, South Korea~~

It had been like any other ordinary day as Min and his elder brother fought over who would take the passenger seat of their father’s car. Their parents shook their heads and watched as their immature sons continued to bicker. No matter how much they aged, they still fought over the smallest things. 

With a sigh, their mother stepped in between them, “Hyuk, stop fighting with your brother. Let him sit in the front today since we need to drop him off first.” 

“But he’s been riding in the front seat since last week!”

“You don’t want to sit next to me?”

“Well… that’s not–! Min! Why can’t you take public transportation, idiot?!”

Min rolled his eyes and affectionately hugged his mother, “You can take the front seat, hyung. I’ll sit next to eomma in the back.”

“What?! You little–! Now you’re just making me look bad!”

“Boys, settle down and get in, or we’ll be late!” 

Piling into the spacious sedan, Min smiled at his mother, who caressed his fluffy mop of black hair. Min, noticing his brother’s irritated gaze, stuck his tongue out, aggravating the older college student even more. His mother lightly giggled and patted his knee, shaking her head at him for his silly behavior. 

“Min, which school does your friend go to again?” his father asked, glancing in the rearview mirror.

“Appa, I told you– Chung-ang high school.”

“Sorry, sorry. I forgot; let’s go!”

Peeling out of their driveway and onto the main road, the family of four jovially chattered when a sudden slam sent the car skidding out of control. Gripping the flowers he had bought for Yi-an’s graduation, Min braced himself as their car violently collided again with an oncoming bus. He felt his mother hold onto him tightly as their vehicle tumbled down the street before finally coming to a standstill. Despite Min’s desperate attempts to stay conscious, the overwhelming darkness swept over him like a comforting blanket…