11

"So you dared to trespass in my household just because you lost one business?" I hear my father asked.

"S—Sir, I know what your son did. He was the one who closed my business in a whim and I don't...see a reason for him to do that! I was managing it carefully and I have been loyal to this house for ten years now," the man reasons.

One of my brothers closed his business? Wow. I underestimated them for being too young.

My father puts down his wine glass before tapping lightly on his armchair.

"Loyalty, you say?"

"Yes! I don't think...you need to question me about that! I have been serving you and only you even though the Park household has been trying to contact me. This is unfair for me therefore I dared to come here to ask you to cancel what your son implemented...sir!"

I want to run to my father but I think I'm safe now since the guards are taking notice of the boy beside me and his bloody clothes.

One guard tries to move to reach for the boy but I immediately signals for him to stop. I eye him and try my best to tell him "not yet" with body language. Fortunately, he's a professional one. He's even able to notify the other guards discreetly.

For now, I can guarantee my safety. I can be saved in an instant but I don't want to make a commotion now that father is dealing with an intruder.

"Then why don't I call my son to know why he did that? I believe he's not that stupid to make this kind of mistake," father offers before lazily resting his chin on top of his hands.

"Yes, I agree! I want to hear what he has to say. I didn't expect something like this will happen. I do hope that your son is not just playing a prank on me, sir."

Did he just threaten my father?

I look at my father and his eyes turned even colder. I haven't really witnessed my father get that mad but I'm pretty sure that this man is starting to get on his nerves.

"Call for Yona," he commands firmly.

One servant bows and quickly complies. It didn't even take long before I see my brother proudly walking towards them.

"Father, you called for me?" he starts.

My father motions for him to stand closer to him and he did without a word.

"This man is Jason Rogers. He's one of our people and he owns that business you just recently shut down. Enlighten me," father says flatly.

"Oh. That garbage of a hospital? They were faking their reports so I shut them down. We already lost a million for just last month. Based on my further researches, it has been happening for a year now."

A—A million for just a month?! I was a royalty before but a large sum in just one month? That's too much of a loss!

"T—That's a lie, sir! I w—wouldn't dare do that to you! I'm one of your most loyal people! Sir!" the man argues, his hands moving a lot while reasoning.

It's obvious. He's lying.

"My dad is stupid...really. He shouldn't have started it if he was gonna get caught like this."

My head quickly turns to Vinny. He's stopped crying now but his eyes shows dissatisfaction instead.

"Vinny?"

He turns to me with a small smile before removing our clasped hands. I should feel relieved but I can't help but worry.

He then starts to take a step towards the gazebo, the knife still in his hand.

Wait. What's he thinking now?!

I tried to follow him but the guards immediately stopped me and encircled me, caging me away from the scene in front. I see my father turn to my direction. He seemed...obviously displeased.

Vinny continues to walk towards the man he called "dad" and sure enough, he was noticed.

"Dad, I finished hunting," he declares and my father becomes aware of the blood on his clothes. He gazes towards me with a frown and I notice how the guards timidly shake their heads to let him know that I'm not hurt.

The man, on the other hand, hits Vinny hard enough to make him fall on the ground. His knife fell away from him.

I gasp. How dare he?! To a child?! To his own child?!

"Useless brat! Get away from me and stand right there! I am still talking to the head of the family!" he shouts.

Silently, Vinny walks to the corner and stands there obediently.

I can't help but pity him. His dad must have been the reason why he's like that. He doesn't deserve that treatment! He's still a child.

"Sir, please hear me out! I am being...framed! I don't know anything about that. I'm serious! I'm innocent. It must be someone who...who wants to break our connection! That's right," the man reasons to my father.

He's a liar and an abusive parent. He doesn't deserve to be a father.

I look at Vinny and he's just staring at the ground while playing the hem of his stained shirt. He must be scared...

"Did you...honestly think that I will buy that excuse?" Father asks. "Are you saying that my son is a liar and an idiot? How much bolder can you be, Jason?"

And with that, the man falls on his knees.

"I—I apologize! Sir, I didn't mean to but I was forced because I needed the money! I promise I won't do it again! Please! Y—You can take my son! He will serve you for the rest of his life! The business can also be shut down forever! You can take my wife too if you want! Just please forgive me, sir!"

He then reaches for his son and throws him at my fathers feet. "T—Take him, sir! He can be a...hunter! Later, I will send my wife too! You can do whatever you want with her! Just please forgive me just this once! I won't do it again! Y—You can take all my assets but please don't discard me! I beg you, sir!"

Ugh! For the third time, I guess I can't help but be close to death again.

One step and the guards immediately covered my way. I'm not sure if this is effective but...I made sure to look at one of them dead in the eyes.

"Are you going to get in my way? My way?" I ask, emphasizing two words that could help validate my position in this household.

I swear I saw the leader of the guards flinch slightly before steadily moving out of my way. "I apologize, young miss," he says afterwards. The other guards followed him.

I ignore him and go straight to Vinny. I can feel my father and brother's eyes on me but I don't care.

Once in front of Vinny, I take his hand and help him stand up. "You shouldn't be here. Come with me," I say.

It doesn't take long for his dad to react. He holds Vinny's other hand and pulls him on his side.

"How dare you take my payment?! Who do you think you are, you bitch?! This is none of your busines—"

I can't help it. I slapped him. Thankfully, he's still kneeling so I was able to reach him just fine. I'm still young so I really put an effort on that slap. His thick skin even made my palm red.

"Wha—"

"How about you? Who do you think you are to talk like that to me?" I ask.

I swear, it took me a lot of courage to stand right here and talk like this. I feel like I'll loose all my energy later on once all of this ends.

"S—Shut up! What a pest! I am still talking to Mr. Kim. This is none of your business kid so stay away! Let go of my son!" he shouts.

"Bitch? Pest? Kid?" Father sure knows how to make someone shudder just by speaking lowly. "You dare call my daughter, the only lady of the Kim household...such insulting names?"

Father's eyes... They look rather deadly than his usual cold gaze. There's this intensity that makes you want to just run away and never come back.

"L—Lady of this house? Your d—daughter, sir?" he asks wide-eyed.

As if on cue, brother Yona walks towards me. "That's right, asshole. This kid you cursed is my sister and the only daughter of this household. By the way, she's actually the one who solved the records you fabricated, you motherfucker," my brother says.

I feel him stand behind me and in just a second, his jacket falls on my shoulders and covers me.

"I-I apologize! Shit. Shit! What I did is a grave sin! I d—didn't know! I was careless! Too careless, young miss! I didn't mean to c—curse you or anything! Sir, I'm sorry! I will work like a proper dog for you from now on! I can lick your feet if you want—"

"This is enough nonsense for today. Jason, I could have just given you a punishment but disrespecting my children is much, much different from stealing from me," father says coldly.

I notice how much firmer his voice is now. He's really mad. I guess he's not the head of this household for nothing. Obviously, he won't just let him off the hook after challenging my brother's decision and calling me rude names.

Suddenly, big brother Yona's hand covers my eyes.

"Ah..."

"Don't look. I will guide you out of here," he calmly says before gently pushing me forward, one of his hand holding mine.

"But brother—"

"Don't be stubborn. I'm here. I'll protect you."

But Vinny...

As if on cue, I hear a loud bang from where we just came from. I try to look back but my brother is too strong.

"B—Brother that's a gunshot, right?!"

Someone was shot!

My brother doesn't say anything. He just proceeds to guiding me away.

But...

Well, I guess they can deal with Vinny...better than me. I only heard one bang so only one of them is definitely hurt. Vinny is still a kid and he wasn't the one who stole money from us so it's probably not him. Father wouldn't even be hurt since my brother is acting calm like this. In conclusion, Vinny's dad is probably the one who's shot.

It's not...my problem anymore. I have a lot already to begin with. And considering our household, I guess I have to get used to this life.

~*~