Chapter Text
The day started out promising. The sun was shining brightly in the sky and no trace of clouds could be seen. Han-Seo can finally say that he slept a whole night without waking up in a cold sweat and his head didn't hurt as bad as last night. With a stretch, he gets out of bed and goes to the bathroom to get ready for the rest of the day. After brushing his teeth, he begins to take off his clothes, preparing for a cold shower.
A pleased noise escapes his mouth as soon as the water meets his skin. He picks up the soap and closes his eyes, concentrating on the slightly cold water as he starts slowly washing himself. His fingers meet the newly formed scabs and Han-Seo stops for a moment. He didn't realize he had cut so deep. He should bandage those cuts or they'll start bleeding again.
When he steps out of the shower he wipes himself and goes to the cabinet where he keeps his med kit and takes out some bandages, tape and some kind of medical pads. He doesn't want to risk it. The last thing he needs is for these stupid cuts to start bleeding and embarrass himself in front of others. It's as if already sees the disgusted looks of everyone, but most importantly, he imagines the reaction his brother would have, the actions he would take, the mocking, cruel remarks he would make.
You attention-seeking whore, is this how you repay me? Making me a fool in front of everyone?!
He shook his head. No no. He doesn't have to think about it. That won't happen. Maybe he's not that smart, but he's pretty good at keeping secrets. No one will find out about this.
Besides, he can stop anytime. He did it with drugs, he can do it with this too if necessary. So there is no need to worry.
Even if he tries to tell himself that, his guilt and anxiety don't leave him. Just the thought of someone finding out makes his heart pound with fear and he feels like a ball is stuck in his throat so he adds some extra bandages.
At least today is a free day. His brother said he can take a break for a while. He can't remember the last time something like this happened. It's a little bit weird though. Things like this don't happen. His hyung giving him a free day out of blue, is so out of character that he can't help but feel uneasy. Even the thought that he is not there to find out what Han-Seok is talking with that devil of a woman is bugging him. If he can't be there, it means he can't find out new information, and if he can't find out new information, he's useless to Vincenzo and Ms. Hong.
So far he only found out the plan to eliminate those from Geumga Plaza by starting a fire. A sick plan that is low even for his brother. He has to find a way to save them. He can't let anymore blood to be spilled.
Even so, he really needed this break and maybe Han-Seok noticed that too. Maybe he tries to be more attentive and finally starts caring for him like an older brother should. Just the thought brings a small smile to his face.
He should treat himself today. Maybe he can go to eat Jjambbong or Tteokbokki. He hasn't eaten them in a while. Also, a little walk wouldn't.....a shopping spree too.
Yeah, he will do that. He decides and he starts making his way to the restaurant he usually frequents when he has business meetings.
Han-Seo was looking at the menu when he felt that someone is watching him. He takes a look around but sees nothing suspicious. The only people that are here are the ones behind him who are waiting for their order and he feels silly for even thinking something like that.
-Hello sir. What would you like? His attention is stolen by the restaurant waiter.
-I...-He drags his voice- I would like a portion of teokbokki with makgeolli, please.
-Right away, sir. The waiter smiles and leaves, leaving Han-Seo alone with his thoughts.
When he gets home it is already close to 6 PM. Tired, he hangs his coat on the hanger and leaves the hall heading straight for the bedroom, not noticing the extra pair of shoes in front of the door.
The soft bed welcomes him like a sweet lover after a long day and he swears that he would never get up from it if he could.
-Hello, my little brother. How did you like your day off?
Han-Seo urgently gets out of bed at the sound of the familiar voice, turning around so quickly that he almost loses his balance.
-Hyung-nim! What are you doing here? The younger one shuddered.
-What? Do I need a reason to visit my brother? Huh?
The big brother replys, chewing some gummy bears on the armchair he is on.
- Of course not. Hyung-nim can visit whenever he wants.
-That's my sweet little dongsaeng . Now, tell me, how did you spend your day? Your hyung wants to know every single detail.
Han Seok gets up and Han Seo feels his heart starting to race. He lookes at his brother's face and sees the same cold, calculating eyes that he had always known. But then Han Seok smiled, and Han Seo couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.
- I haven't done anything interesting enough to be worthy of your attention. A nervous chuckle made its way out.
-Ah, you're probably right. What a shame. The older one chews on another gummy bear. In any case, in a couple of days from now Vincenzo and his puppies from Geumga Plaza will be gone, and with that Babel will finally grow at its full power. Ah, I get chills just thinking about it. Han-Seok chuckles childishly. I know it's hard but try not to mess it up, okay?
-Yes..
The chairman throws the empty bag on the table and sits back in the armchair, adopting a relaxed position.
-But hyung-nim.....are you sure? Do we really have to kill them all? The tenants did nothing wrong and if we take care of Vincenzo now it would be too risky.
-Dongsaeng.....
Han Seo flinched at the tone of his brother's voice. It was cold and biting, like a snake waiting to strike. He gets up and takes a few steps towards Han-Seo.
- I know you're stupid, but I didn't think you were that stupid. The elder says with a condescending smile.
-I-I j-just think...-
-YOU ARE NOT HERE TO THINK!
A hand violently grabbed his face and his brother's angry look made him feel small and helpless, trapped in a tiny room with no escape.
Han Seok's face twisted into a snarl.
-You dare talk back to me, you worm? You are not here to argue with me, you are here to follow my orders! Or do I have to teach you again good manners?
-N-no...I'll do anything p-please...I'll shut up...Han-Seo pleaded closing his eyes to avoid the cold gaze that is fixed on him now.
-I thought so. This is the last time I will let you disrespect me like this.
Han-Seok throws Han-Seo hard against a wall, causing the latter to lose his breath for a moment. The chairman leaves furiously, not looking a second back and closing the door with a loud noise.
Panic seems to overtake him. Han-Seo tries to take deep breaths to calm himself down, but his chest feels too tight, and his heart is pounding in his ears. His hands are shaking, and he doesn't even seem to notice the tears that stream down on his face. He should have kept his mouth shut. He knows just how his brother can be if he talks back. It's his fault for being too dumb and not listening.
He tries to push the thoughts out of his mind, but they keep creeping back in. The more he tries to ignore them, the louder they became until they were all he could hear. Thoughts about the disappointment that he is, how useless he is, how the world would be better off without him. He doesn't even know why he's still afraid of death. A coward like him doesn't deserve to live anyway. Who is so unlovable that even his own family can't love them? If only he knew what he did wrong.....
Han Seo tries to calm himself down, but it was no use. He can't fight off the panic that has settled in his body.
He tries to stand up, but his legs wouldn't cooperate, feeling them like jelly, and he collapsed back to the ground, gasping for air. His vision is cloudy and the room spins around him, and he feels like he is going to pass out. He puts his head between his legs, making himself as small as possible but nothing works. He just can't breathe, why can't he breathe? He starts violently scratching the skin on his neck trying desperately to catch his breath. Red and angry lines covering his skin and he feels like he is drowning.
As his breath slowly came back to him and the panic began to subside, he couldn't tell how much time had passed, but it felt like an eternity and all that remained was a deep sense of exhaustion, standing on the ground, panting and sweating, feeling utterly defeated.
He collapsed onto the floor, trying to catch his breath. No matter how hard he tried to stay awake, his eyes closed involuntarily and the world of dreams took him.
Back at Jipuragi, Vincenzo and Cha-Young were relaxing after another meeting with the owner of Daechang Daily while Mr. Nam sat on his laptop looking at something unknown.
- You know what? Cha-Young starts. Isn't it ironic? A newspaper company is supposed to publish facts, but he's so superstitious.
- He's superstitious because he has no interest in facts. The Italian explains calmly .
- Oh, right! Mr. Nam exclaimed. I forgot to tell you because we were so busy today. I found something shocking about Jang Han-Seok in the Guillotine file.
- What is it?
- It's not...pretty.
And this is how Ms. Hong and Vincenzo learned of the atrocities that Chairman Jang Han-Seok committed as a child. How he brought his classmates he didn't like to a rooftop and made them jump or how he hunted and killed them like they were prey, how he strangled them and how his father covered everything up. As Mr. Ham told the story, Cha-Young and Vincenzo couldn't hide their horrified looks. How can a child do something like that?
- Here's what's scarier. Mr. Nam says, as if everything he said so far didn't come out of a horror movie. He took the deceased's watches as some kind of trophy. And he even bragged about it like he was proud of it.
- I-I can't believe it. He's a psychopath. Ms. Hong says like she couldn't believe her words.
-He was diagnosed as a psychopath at the age of 16.
- That's why his father sent him to the States fearing that he might become a serial killer. Vincenzo added lost in thought.
-There is one more thing that will convince you that that jerk must be caught at any cost. The two stared at the manager. I haven't read the whole folder yet, but I found out that that monster is not limited to hurting strangers and enemies.
-...What do you mean? Cha-Young asked with hesitation.
With a sigh, Mr. Nam puts the laptop on the date. - I think you should look for yourself.
Sharing one last look with Ms. Hong, Vincenzo clicks on the folder titled "Jang Han-Seo".
When morning came, Han-Seo woke up on the floor, feeling disoriented and exhausted as if he hadn't slept at all. His head hurt like hell and his muscles ached. He checked his phone. He tried to sit up, but his body felt heavy, like he was weighed down by an invisible force. He tries again and with too much effort manages to get into bed. He has a few hours left until the meeting. Maybe if he rests a little more, he will feel better. Thus, he closes his eyes and tries to fall asleep but without success.
Meanwhile, at home at the chairman of the Babel company, Ms. Choi and the chairman just found out that the owner of Daechang Daily published articles about the company's shady business practices.
- That motherfucker! Who does he think he is?!
- Maybe something... or rather someone made him change his mind. Ms. Choi spoke.
The man gritted his teeth. - Vincenzo.....