AGC | Chapter 1.5

“What are you thinking about?”

Minhyung raised his upper body from the sunbed. He was curious about what Jiwan was thinking, sighing so deeply.

“Just wondering if there’s such a thing as luxurious captivity.”

Jiwan looked around and then turned his gaze back to himself, fiddling with the empty cocktail glass to avoid Minhyung’s eyes.

He recalled how uncomfortable Cha Minhyung seemed when he tried to learn more about his situation. So he didn’t try to probe. He just didn’t know how to meet that piercing gaze.

“Don’t think of it as captivity.”

It was absurd. Taking his phone, the only means of contacting the outside, confining him to a limited space, and preventing escape—if that’s not captivity, what is?

Minhyung quietly watched Jiwan’s face darken as if a storm cloud had rolled in.

“You can live comfortably here.”

“…”

“You can use the pool you like every day.”

Jiwan kept his mouth shut. Instead of feeling reassured, his head ached more.

The cool early morning breeze brushed past his forehead.

If he could continue living like this, it was undeniably a comfortable life he’d never experienced before.

Jiwan recalled Manager Kang Jinsong’s words about enjoying what you can’t avoid and eventually acknowledged the thought expanding in his mind. Compared to his life of struggling and scraping by, the few days of being a hostage were far more comfortable.

His body was honest. The feeling of comfort and the anxious emotions were separate. There was a big difference between serving food with sore wrists and working multiple part-time jobs and floating in a pool drinking cocktails.

“But why here of all places?”

Jiwan asked, fiddling with the glass.

Thinking about it, there were plenty of places to confine him, even if it wasn’t a cramped, gloomy basement. But why go to the trouble of using a luxurious villa in a rural area with fresh air to treat a hostage like a VIP?

“You said you wanted to live in the countryside someday.”

Jiwan frowned. He had no memory of saying that to Minhyung.

“…You said your dream was to live a healing life.”

It had been almost ten years since he first met Minhyung on the rooftop after a part-time job. He could only recall him after meeting again in this master-servant relationship, but he couldn’t remember the brief conversation they had that day.

That’s why it felt even stranger. Hearing it now, he vaguely remembered saying that, but it was surprising that Cha Minhyung remembered it all.

“Is this your way of granting a dream before I die?”

Jiwan asked sarcastically.

“Yes, so just relax.”

Minhyung, who had been sitting on the sunbed, got up and squatted in front of Jiwan. After hesitating, he reached out to Jiwan’s face. His expression was quite serious as he tidied the bangs stuck to Jiwan’s wet forehead.

After a while, Minhyung withdrew his hand and smiled, his smooth lips curling up. Yoon Jiwan could only stare blankly at that handsome face.

“So if your father gets caught… will you let me go then?”

He had to know this. Even if his runaway father was caught, if he couldn’t repay the money, what would happen to the hostage? Anyway, if the person involved was caught, the hostage would lose its meaning, so would they let him go?

“I’ll think about it.”

“…”

“I’ve only thought about catching him, not what happens afterward.”

Minhyung quietly gazed into Jiwan’s light brown eyes, which couldn’t hide their fear.

“Why do you keep thinking about leaving?”

“…”

“It’s not like I’m going to eat you.”

The more Jiwan talked to Cha Minhyung, the more he felt like he was getting tangled up.

“Don’t be upset.”

From the start, Jiwan couldn’t read what Minhyung was thinking.

⋆ ☾⋆ ☾⋆ ☾⋆

The room was very dark. Without windows, it was tucked away in a corner of the hallway. I leaned back into a soft beanbag, chewing on some squid. The light from the ceiling-mounted projector cast a movie onto the screen. Jiwan set the squid aside and took a sip from a cold, frosty beer mug.

“…Watching a movie with a projector is a luxury?”

“No, eating butter-grilled squid and drinking beer while watching a movie. When you donate blood, they give you a movie ticket, but not cola or popcorn.”

I didn’t mention that with prices going wild, it was a bit much to buy snacks myself.

When Minhyung asked what movie I wanted to watch, I mentioned a title I’d heard was fun. It was the only one that came to mind.

Soon, Manager Kang Jinsong came in and tapped away on the computer connected to the projector. Probably searching for the movie. The world seemed to have gotten better. If conditions allowed, you could lie comfortably at home and watch whatever you wanted. I buried myself deeper into the beanbag and wiggled my feet.

“Are you watching the movie with me?”

“Yeah. I have time.”

“Alright. I’ve only heard it’s fun, so I’m curious too.”

Minhyung sat with his legs crossed on a chair by the wall, watching the projected screen.

“This is comfy, come lie down. You’re resting anyway.”

“…Okay, then.”

Minhyung adjusted the beanbag on the floor, took off his slippers, and lay down. His posture was impeccably neat. I was sure he was the type who wore slippers to avoid stepping on dust and never got on the bed with outdoor clothes, even if threatened.

“Interesting.”

“The movie hasn’t started yet.”

“I was talking to myself.”

Manager Kang bowed, saying everything was ready, and left the room. The room got darker, and the movie finally began. The lights dimmed automatically, which was fascinating. The more I learned about this villa, the more amazed I was. But that amazement vanished with the first scene of the movie.

―Haah! Ahh!

What the heck is this? Jiwan frowned.

The movie started with a steamy scene. I thought it was a crime movie, but it began with such explicit bed scenes. The dark room was filled with embarrassing moans.

I couldn’t help but glance at Minhyung next to me. His face, lit by the reflected light, was calm. He watched silently, then turned his head, sensing my gaze.

“Interesting choice of movie.”

Jiwan frowned at that comment. Interesting, my foot. I heard it was a thrilling crime movie with famous Hollywood actors. It was embarrassing to watch such a movie with another guy. Jiwan rubbed his forehead and shook his head. This was driving me crazy.

“Want to watch something else?”

I forced a smile as I asked. Surely, Minhyung didn’t want to watch this kind of movie alone with me either.

“No, let’s keep watching.”

Minhyung crossed his arms and sank deeper into the beanbag. He chuckled while watching the seemingly endless steamy scene.

“It’s a movie Jiwan likes, so we should watch it together.”

“…”

Should I call it a small blessing? After the provocative bed scene, the movie continued like a typical crime film.

I wasn’t a movie expert, but I could tell this one was cliché and boring. The combo of beer and a dull movie was like a sleeping pill. My eyes grew heavier.

―Please, spare me!

Jiwan suddenly woke up to the movie’s piercing sound. The screen was filled with the face of the lead actor being tortured by villains. The intense scene of someone being beaten with a club shook off some of the drowsiness.

―I’ll do whatever you want, please.

It was strange. Despite the same theme of captivity, here I was, sipping beer while watching this movie.

“Does it resonate with you?”

Minhyung, who had been dozing off, now watched me with wide eyes.

I hesitated, searching for words. Resonate… In the movie, the captive was screaming and bleeding everywhere. I looked down at the beanbag I was half-buried in. …It was a completely different environment.

“They’re pulling nails and torturing over there; how could I relate?”

“True.”

Minhyung nodded, then frowned at his ringing phone. Jiwan’s attention quickly shifted, wondering if it was related to his father.

“Is it about my father?”

“…No.”

Minhyung’s expression was slightly off. He squinted at his phone, his sharp profile looking rough in the screen’s light. I couldn’t take my eyes off his face as I chewed on the squid.

“It’s a family matter.”

I nodded slowly. So, Minhyung has a family too… Everyone has family, whether they need them or not. Seeing Minhyung’s troubled expression, I wondered if family was a burdensome thing for him too.

“I need to go.”

Minhyung grabbed his jacket and stood up. His tense expression seemed anxious, but I didn’t ask further.

“Make yourself comfortable. Contact me if you need anything.”

“Sorry, but… you took my phone.”

“My staff is here.”

How impressive. I lost interest in Minhyung as he left and lay back on the beanbag.

But I couldn’t focus on the movie anymore. After about 30 minutes of random thoughts, I left the room.

“Did you enjoy the movie?”

I flinched at the sudden appearance of a woman. The only female among the three gangsters stood by the door.

“Oh, yes… By the way, what should I call you?”

“Kim Mari.”

“Kim Mari… Is that a stage name?”

“Mari. Like in marijuana.”

What an example. I nodded awkwardly.

“I’d like to show you around the villa, if that’s okay?”

Kim Mari, who almost ended up being called Kim Mari, smiled as she spoke.

“Sure… go ahead.”

Kim Mari kept her smile as she walked ahead. I followed, sneaking glances at her face. Her eyes were sharp, but her lips moved freely, hiding her emotions skillfully.

“This mansion is divided into the East and West Wings. Most of the spaces you’ll be using are in the East Wing.”

I realized the screening room where I watched the movie was tucked away on the second floor of the East Wing. Her phrase “spaces you’ll be using” bothered me, and I sighed softly.

“Is this… like a game room?”

Opposite the screening room was a room with a folding glass door, filled with various gaming consoles connected to a large wall-mounted TV and a sofa. In front of it was a billiard table made of what seemed like black transparent synthetic resin, sparkling like black crystal.

I blinked, looking around the shiny interior. Everything looked incredibly expensive. There were darts, a golf practice mat, and gaming tables like those in casinos.

“This is the villa’s recreation room.”

I rubbed my fingers over the smooth surface of the billiard table. The shiny, slippery feel was nice.

“The director sometimes enjoys playing billiards alone. Would you like to play a game, Jiwan-nim?”

Kim Mari handed me a cue stick with a bright smile.

“No, I don’t know how to play.”

“That’s a shame. I hope you can have a good time with the director next time.”

“…Ah, yes…”

Feeling overwhelmed by the room’s grandeur, I hurried out of the recreation room.

The East Wing’s second floor also had a spa room, a drink bar with alcohol and bar tables, and an outdoor terrace for sunbathing. Among them, the largest and most scenic room was my bedroom.

“We selected a room so you can enjoy the amenities.”

“Thanks.”

I mumbled without much meaning.

“You’re welcome. Ah, Jiwan-nim, could you pose in front of that sunbed for a moment?”

What now? I awkwardly leaned against the sunbed. Kim Mari snapped photos with her phone, asking me to make a peace sign. I sighed. It seemed Minhyung wanted reports on my every move from his staff.

“So, what’s in the West Wing?”