KTC | Chapter 10

Time flew by as Choi Seonwoo continued to lay the groundwork diligently. Once the wall clock struck a little past 1 PM, he got up from his seat.

“Are you heading out to meet the Young Master? Can I come watch too?”

“Oh dear, he’s coming because he’s ill. Please don’t impose,” Park Younghee replied with an awkward smile, but she quickly added that they should definitely bring him over for a visit once he felt better. Having answered, Choi Seonwoo woke the sleeping Angela and stepped outside.

Enjoying the warm sunshine, he walked along with Angela until he could see a ferry approaching. When they reached Sammok Pier, cars were beginning to drive off the ferry. A line of particularly sleek black sedans parked neatly alongside the road.

A man who had been idling at the front of the line got out of a car and ran towards Choi Seonwoo. Though they hadn’t spoken before, the man’s face was familiar—it was Kim Youngchan, one of the security personnel who silently trailed behind Nam Sangkyung.

“Hello, Priest Choi. I’m Kim Youngchan, the head of security for Young Master John.”

Choi Seonwoo accepted the business card Kim Youngchan handed him.

“There was no need for you to come all the way here.”

“I was out on business anyway, don’t mind it.”

While they were speaking, a line of luxury sedans moved forward and Seo Jihan emerged from the back seat of the second car. He still looked thin, but not as skeletal as before, as if he had gained a bit of weight.

“Hello, Brother John?”

Choi Seonwoo briskly walked up to him and reached out with a friendly smile.

“You might not remember me. I’m Michael, Priest Choi Seonwoo.”

Seo Jihan looked intently into Choi Seonwoo’s eyes for a moment before slowly reaching out to shake his hand. The contact felt warmer than the midday sun.

“Yes, I’m Seo Jihan. Thank you for accepting me despite the inconvenience.”

He seemed to have better manners than his grandfather, Chairman Seo. After exchanging brief greetings, Choi Seonwoo turned to look back. Kim Youngchan quickly extended his hand.

“We’ll take care of the bicycle. Please, get in.”

Kim Youngchan gestured towards the bicycle while another sturdy-looking security officer approached and took it, fitting it into the spacious back seat of the large sedan.

There were four sedans in total, with heavily tinted windows that hid the occupants. Holding Angela, Choi Seonwoo and Seo Jihan got into the back seat of the second car.

No sooner had Angela settled on his thigh than she stared up at Seo Jihan, flicking her tail irritably. Choi Seonwoo gently scratched between her furrows and cracked the car window a bit.

Once the car started, Angela turned away from Seo Jihan and began to look outside, pushing her front paws against the windowsill. The breeze seemed pleasant as she stuck her nose into the slightly open window.

“The PrioryResidence might feel a bit cramped. It’s new, so there aren’t many bugs around,” Seo Jihan glanced at Choi Seonwoo. Though his words were directed at him, Choi Seonwoo’s gaze remained outside with the cat, tapping her rump lightly.

That allowed Seo Jihan to stare openly at Choi Seonwoo. Sunlight filtering through the car window dusted his fluttering hair and cheeks.

“Bugs are fine. I’m used to them since my grandfather’s house is a traditional Hanok.”

“That’s good to hear.”

As he turned his head, their eyes met closely for the first time. It felt like the connections from his dreams were finally becoming reality. Seo Jihan found the moment miraculous.

Choi Seonwoo quirked his lips slightly, as if he was about to jokingly ask if there was something on his face but stopped himself.

“Any trouble walking?”

After Choi Seonwoo asked, Seo Jihan realized he had been staring rather rudely and nodded his head briefly.

“Just can’t run much.”

“That’s fortunate. It seems like you haven’t lost all your muscles from twitching in bed.”

“Yes, I can manage everyday life.”

The conversation ended there. The cars smoothly traversed even the unpaved roads and soon arrived at Shindo Catholic Church.

Immediately upon disembarking, Kim Youngchan introduced the security personnel and housekeepers. There were twelve security officers and two housekeepers.

“The security team works in shifts of four, three shifts total. We’ll make sure to minimize any inconvenience.”

“Thank you, that would be great.”

Choi Seonwoo then showed Seo Jihan around the church, introducing him to Catherine Jung Yoonyoung and other staff members. They familiarized themselves with every face and corner of the church before the security personnel dispersed.

As Kim Youngchan mentioned, four security officers remained. Two followed Seo Jihan around visibly, while the other two stood guard near the church entrance.

“Father, Sister, have you had lunch?”

Lee Jeongae, a housekeeper who had been looking after Seo Jihan since he was young, approached them smoothly.

“Oh, I’ve eaten, so please don’t worry about me,” Sister Catherine answered first, then excused herself, suggesting they have their meal. Lee Jeongae then turned to Choi Seonwoo. A woman who seemed just over fifty couldn’t be ignored as she stared intensely.

“I haven’t yet.”

He’d only had a piece of bread, so it wasn’t a lie.

“Oh, that’s great! Young Master Jihan’s arrival time was such that I wasn’t sure about lunch, so I bought plenty just in case! Let’s eat first!”

“Sure. Let’s go.”

Choi Seonwoo led the way, followed by Lee Jeongae and Seo Jihan. Kim Youngchan, carrying a basket, and another security officer dragging a suitcase followed suit.

“I shouldn’t say this to a priest, but I’ve never seen such a handsome and pretty priest before.”

“Ha, ha…”

“Your hair is so shiny, you’d think Michael himself was reincarnated.”

Listening to their conversation, Seo Jihan tilted his head. Choi Seonwoo did indeed possess a rare beauty, not just on this island but nationally; however, the intense atmosphere around him made it odd to compare him to the famous angel. Without his roman collar and priestly garb, no one would guess he was a priest.

“Michael, huh? That archangel’s name doesn’t suit you.”

Not even the evil spirit that possessed him had said otherwise.

Seo Jihan only remembered a few scenes from the beginning and end of the exorcism ritual. He vividly recalled the priest, looking down at him against the window and sunlight. If it weren’t for the priestly garb, he would have fit right in dancing and singing on TV.

He was annoyed, really. He had never lived a life that made others cry bloody tears, but he had always lived as he wanted, without watching for others’ approval. This situation was genuinely difficult for Seo Jihan.

Catering to others was for someone else to do, not him. What was he supposed to do about it?

“If there’s anything you want to eat, just let me know. I can really cook almost anything.”

While Seo Jihan sighed internally, they had arrived at the PrioryResidence. Lee Jeongae’s warm demeanor elicited a smile from Choi Seonwoo in response.

“Breakfast is usually just toast because I’m too lazy to cook, but thanks to you, I’ll eat well.”

“Of course! That’s my specialty. Please sit down. I’ll have the table set in no time.”

Lee Jeongae opened the cabinets like it was her own home to check where everything was. Choi Seonwoo led the men to the first-floor room where Seo Jihan would be staying. It was originally designed as a guest priest’s room and had a bed, wardrobe, and dresser, ready to be used immediately.

“Brother John, you’ll be using this room from now on. Let’s start by sorting out your luggage.”

As he returned to the living room, Seo Jihan followed closely behind.

Choi Seonwoo soon realized the answer to his own question—this guy probably never had to do menial tasks like organizing luggage. Such chores were naturally done by others for him.