42 Chapter Twenty Two - Like A Family (Part 2)

Wiping my tears, I collect myself, taking a few deep breaths that misted on the cold, crisp air.

"Are you okay?" Dae's concerned voice fills the night.

"Yeah, yeah." A nervous laugh bubbles in my throat. "I guess seeing you and Ji-Hoon together made me realize how much I miss my dad." My voice cracks. "It has been weeks but, I won't lose hope." Turning to him, I'm embarrassed by how small I sound. "He'll wake up one day, right?"

"Come here." He wraps his arms around me, urging my face into the crook of his neck. "Don't beat yourself up. Your father probably needs more time to heal. Sleep is the best medicine when a person is badly injured."

I know he's trying to cheer me up but, even Dae can't predict the future. "I'm sorry. Lately, if I'm not crying, then I'm cranky." I swipe at a stray tear. "I don't feel like myself these days. It's like I'm losing my mind."

"You're doing fine." He reassures me soundly, looking into my eyes. "You've been through a lot. If you feel yourself falling apart, then look around you. There are people you can rely on. Don't shut them out. And don't assume. You have a bad habit of assuming when you should be asking." His fingers gently stroke my hair, his embrace is strong and comforting. "Your mom, Cho Nari, Yoo Hyeon, Lee Chang-Min and I, we're all here for you." Sincerity burns in his dark gaze.

This reminds me. "I…I met my real father that day." I blurt out. "He's new on the list."

Dae tenses. "When was this?"

"After you left Aqua Planet, he showed up. He gave me a ride home and told me who I am. He truly is my biological father...I-I saw the DNA papers. He said he wants to get to know me."

"And what's his name?" Dae looks unreasonably put out.

"I-I can't tell you. Not yet." I say quietly. "It's not because I don't trust you. After all you've done for me, and how you protect me, I know you won't hurt me. I just…need to speak with my mother about it. I need to know her side of the story, and if she's comfortable with me getting in touch with him. It's a sensitive matter."

Dae cradles my cheeks with a fierce stare. "It's fine, I don't mind. What's your impression of him?"

I don't miss the aggressive edge in his question. "I don't think he's lying." I hesitate. "Actually…he wrote me into his will and you're looking at a newly minted heiress."

His dark brows arch astonishingly. "He did what?"

"I wore the same expression you're wearing. I told him I couldn't accept it, but he wouldn't hear a word of it. This is a big deal. My mom needs to know. There's no way I can hide it."

A sombre look crosses his face. I want to ask what he's thinking about when Ji-Hoon calls out from the garden entrance. "Unni, are you okay? Did I make you cry?"

I smile. It's undeniable, this boy is adorable. And sensitive. "Come over here, Ji-Hoon."

With his head down, he approaches, and I bend to his eye level. "I'm sorry for scaring you. It wasn't your fault." I apologize earnestly, feathering my thumb along his downy cheek. "When I saw you talking with your Daddy, it reminds me of my own. You see, my father's been in a bad accident and we don't know when he will wake up. I cried because I miss him. So. So. Much."

Ji-Hoon shocks us when he starts wailing. "I was so scared! I thought it was my fault! I thought Daddy's going to leave me if I upset him!"

I exchange a perplexed glance with Dae. "No, Ji-Hoon, your Daddy loves you very much. Why would you think he'll leave you?"

"That's what mommy said." He hiccups uncontrollably. "Mommy said Daddy's going to leave us. She said if I'm not a good boy, Daddy won't want me."

Dae is beside us in a heartbeat, clutching his son's shoulders. "Ji-Hoon, I promise you that will never happen! I love you and nothing will ever make me leave you. Do you hear me?" I can sense the anger he's holding back. "Your mommy was upset when she said those things. She didn't mean them. Okay?"

"Y-you…p-promise?" Tears cling to impossibly long lashes.

"Yes, I promise." Dae hugs his son tightly. Black pools of simmering rage clash with mine, and I feel the same way. What kind of mother says that to her own child? I'm starting to believe my suspicion about his wife isn't my imagination.

"Come on," I coax, trying to enlighten the daunting mood. "Let's go back inside, clean up and then take a hot shower. After that, we can all watch a movie together. I'll even make us popcorn."

"Popcorn!" Ji-Hoon recovers immediately, glancing at his father. "Daddy, can we have popcorn before bedtime?"

A growing smile replaces Dae's taut features. "Just for tonight." Ji-Hoon hoots with excitement. Taking his son's hand, Dae asks. "How about you and I take a bath together?"

"Can we?" Now the little boy's eyes are sparkling.

I chuckle as Dae piggyback his son and we return to the house. I know it's inappropriate, but I can't help wondering if this is what it feels like to have a family with Dae.

The next day, we go shopping for Ji-Hoon's birthday present. Apparently, Dae's six turning seven-year-old son wants a PlayStation 5 but, his father contends that he can have it when he's older. After a rallying negotiation between the two, they agree on buying a Nintendo Switch, since it's children friendly.

While the two of them are engrossed with the sales executive, I excuse myself to the washroom. Drying my hands, I turn to leave when a glistening blade shoves into my face. Instinctively, I take a step back.

"Scream, and I'll cut you open right here." A masked woman threatens me. I can't make out her features. She's wrapped in a scarf with dark sunglasses covering her eyes and a face mask hiding her nose and mouth. "You're going to walk with me to the parking lot. Don't make a scene or your friend Cho Nari will get hurt."

Who is this crazy bitch? I don't take kindly to life threatening jokes. Glaring hostilely, I demand. "What are you talking about?"

The woman jabs the knife nearer, warding me off. Hastily, she retrieves a basic smartphone and shows me a live feed of Nari bound to a chair, her eyes blindfolded. My eyes widen. "Nari!"

"Aera? Aera, is that you?" Nari cries from the screen, her head whipping left to right. "What the fuck is going on, Aera? Who are these guys?"

The woman pockets the phone before I can respond. "Now start walking. And leave your purse behind." She pushes me to the exit. Right on cue, two women walk in and give a startled cry. "Shut up! Get out of the way!" Tightly gripping my arm, the woman steers me out of the washroom, and we head to a nearby lift, riding down to the basement.

"Where are we going?" I force myself to stay calm. I don't want to rile her up. She already looks and sounds unstable as it is.

"Someone important wants to see you." She sneers, shoving me towards a black van parked in a darkened corner. The door slides open and I'm yanked in. They tie up my hands and slap a tape over my mouth. Fear is a living being in my chest. I don't know who they are, or what they want from me. The only reassurance I get is that I'm wanted alive. For now.

All I can think about is...are they taking me to meet my killer?

"Hurry up. Move it!" The woman barks. "I left two witnesses behind."

"Okay, okay, we're leaving." The male driver grumbles, revving the engine. Facing me, the woman threatens. "Remember, your friend's life is on the line."