Dohyun pulled the vibrating phone out of his pocket and put it to his ear. “Mr. Jang, I’m guessing she knows.”
Secretary Jang confirmed. “I haven’t identified her informant yet, but Madam Miri had her guards on standby as she seemed to have already known you were returning to Korea. You were lucky to not have been caught at the airport.”
Though Dohyun had once questioned Secretary Jang’s loyalty and motivations ever since he decided to follow Dohyun when he was sent abroad 12 years ago, over time Dohyun’s trust grew and now he considered Mr. Jang his closest confidante.
“I expected no less from the Madam,” Dohyun said. The words tasted rotten coming off his tongue. This was the reason he hadn’t wanted to return to Korea. There was no “home” for him here anymore.
But I made her a promise, Dohyun reminisced about the bittersweet memory. He needed to keep this one, at least.
“Were you able to find anything out at the medical center?” He inquired.
Dohyun closed his eyes. “He has her records sealed. I’ll need to find another way.”
“I will continue to inspect within,” Secretary Jang said.
Despite Secretary Jang’s plan, Dohyun knew it was unlikely for him to uncover any viable information. Dohyun knew he would have to approach this in a different way–a way of communication that his father would understand.
Though he hated the cold and corporate mindset of his father, it would be the only way to garner any sort of respect or approval.
“Where will you be staying, Sir?” Secretary Jang inquired.
Dohyun sighed. “I’ll find a place.”
“But I should know where in case–” Secretary Jang started.
“I’d rather not put you in the position where you’ll have to lie to Madam when she interrogates you,” Dohyun interrupted.
It was silent on the other end for a moment before he responded. “Understood, Sir. But please be sure to call me if there is anything I can assist you with.”
“Yes, yes,” Dohyun said. “I know how capable you are. Thank you as always, Mr. Jang.”
Dohyun let out a long drawn sigh after hanging up the phone. Though he hadn’t even been here a full day, he was exhausted, especially knowing that this was only the beginning of a stormy season.
Just as he was about to slide his phone back into his pocket, it vibrated. He’d almost pressed the button to accept the call before reading the name, thinking Mr. Jang had forgotten to report something.
But a groan escaped his mouth as he glimpsed the caller.
Hwan.
“If he knows, then it’s only a matter of time before she finds out as well…” And Dohyun did not have the mental capacity to deal with her anytime soon.
Dohyun ended the call but only a couple seconds passed before a notification for a text popped onto his screen.
Hwan: Hyung, will you be visiting soon?
Hwan had always been passive growing up–never saying what he wanted but making his true intentions apparent in his own way.
Dohyun texted one word back. Soon.
He grabbed his head, suddenly feeling the onset of a headache growing like a pulsing drum. The phone vibrated again but he buried it away into his pocket this time.
I guess a place in Hongdae should work, Dohyun decided. Everyone is getting a bit too close today. So, I shouldn’t risk it and hide out for the night.
—- GOMI KIM —-
“It was nice seeing Mr. Kim after so long.” Jenny’s smile spread across her face.
I laughed. “He’s always liked you the best out of my friends. I might as well not have even been there, seeing how much you guys were talking without me!”
The entrance doors to the hospital slid open as we walked through them. We’d lost track of time talking about the past, and the sun was already setting.
Jenny grinned. “Don’t be jealous now, you’re still his ass-kicking protege princess. Though he probably regrets teaching you all that Taekwondo. His idea to help you rein in your Night Gomi aggression backfired on him big time.”
“I loved learning Taekwondo though; you know, I could’ve gone to the Olympics if I trained more,” I boasted. Though I had caught the few times when Dad would get a soft expression of sad guilt.
All the talk about Taekwondo was making me hungry and I clutched my stomach just as it began to rumble.
Uh-oh, a hangry Night Gomi is never a good combination.
“It’s getting late, but do you want to grab a quick bite to eat?” I asked.
If Jenny accompanied me, then she’d be able to monitor Night Gomi.
Jenny stopped short and I stepped back to face her.
“Sorry! I actually have a… date tonight.” Her hands were together as she bowed her head apologetically, before looking up with wide sparkling eyes. “But, I can cancel. I’m not even sure if I like him that much.”
I patted her on the head. For some reason, Jenny was one of the few rare people who Night Gomi was never affected by--no matter how awful the deed, Jenny always seemed to get a free pass. I'd always wondered why, but I figured it was because I knew her before the condition surfaced.
“No need to do that. I’m going to grab some fried chicken and beer.”
Jenny raised an eyebrow. “That’s a very Night Gomi kind of meal. You sure you’ll be ok?”
The sun had set and the grumble in my stomach continued to grow.
I pulled my hair from my face and tied it into a high ponytail. “Don’t you worry, nobody will mess with me.”
“I’m more worried about others,” Jenny admitted. “Are you going to KoKo’s again? It’s a Friday night, so Hongdae is going to be pretty crowded at this time.”
I could see the slight downturn of her eyes and the pensive frown that played at the edges of her mouth. Her hesitant expression made me think she actually would call off her date for me!
Jenny worries too much, and how could she not know that KoKo’s is worth any risk…?!
“Obviously!” I said. “Their beer is always ice cold and the chicken is fried so perfectly that the skin is crispy without being overwhelmed with the taste of oil. The slight spicy powder seasoning brushed into each bite is always measured to the very last granule. And the juicy meat makes me feel like I’m drinking liquid gold.”
Jenny tilted her head amused. “Excuse me, Miss Night Gomi, you’re drooling on yourself.”
I wiped my mouth. “Well, go on your date. But if you think he’s going to be lame, bring him to KoKo’s and I’ll save you.”
She laughed. “It’s too early to scare him off.”
I could see the blush blooming in her cheeks and the extra hop in her step when she skipped away, so I laughed. And this was the girl who'd just offered to cancel the date.
“Well, who needs boys, when your one true love is waiting for you in Hongdae?” I prepped myself as I stepped onto the bus.
KoKo, here I come! Wait for me my precious golden bites of heaven! I wiped the drool away from my mouth again.
Nothing can go wrong, as long as I get KoKo’s chicken in my stomach!
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