MJ | Chapter 6

“Am I causing you trouble?”

“What’s there to be troubled about?”

Despite last week’s scandal, Kim Seola casually visited Hajun’s company. They met purely for work, but since it was at a hotel and involved Kim Hajun, it caused a stir.

These days, Hajun was as much in the spotlight as a celebrity. A chaebol heir and dominant alpha. The CEO of a successful entertainment company. Handsome, and with his father Kim Manho stepping back from management to enter politics, interest in him was growing.

“That guy called me. He was furious, asking what my relationship with Kim Hajun was.”

Kim Seola laughed, finding it amusing. As soon as the scandal broke, her ex-husband, who cheated and divorced her, called in a rage. She couldn’t understand how he could be so shameless when he cheated, yet now he was furious.

“So? Are you getting back together?”

At Hajun’s question, Kim Seola frowned.

“Are you crazy? Didn’t CEO Kim say people don’t change?”

“Good thinking. Don’t associate with those who betray your trust.”

“You talk like you’ve experienced it.”

Recalling someone’s face, Hajun smiled bitterly. Just then, his phone rang. It was Lee Dooyoung. A college junior who worked for Hajun, he’d been excitedly claiming he’d found his ideal type and took a day off yesterday.

He had a bad feeling. Sure enough, as soon as he answered, a tearful voice came through.

[CEO, please save me.]

***

Jungin lay on the sofa, staring at a business card.

[If you need help, let me know. I’ll support you in every way.]

The face of President Choi, whom I met a few days ago, lingered. His eyes, gleaming with desire, made Jungin shake his head vigorously. Ah, damn. No matter how desperate I am for money, that’s not it. I shoved the card into my pocket and covered my face.

Despite searching everywhere, I couldn’t find my uncle, and instead, I learned he had even more debt. Maybe I should just throw him in jail. Even if I sell the shop, take out the house deposit, break my savings, and get every possible loan, it’s still not enough.

As I was pulling my hair out, Dahye approached with a worried look.

“Are you okay?”

Jungin sighed deeply. Ever since returning to Seoul, sleepless nights had continued. Dahye handed me juice and a sandwich she bought in the morning.

“Eat. You’ll die at this rate.”

Jungin, sprawled on the sofa, suddenly sat up.

“Should I go get a shaman or something?”

“Your dad’s a pastor, and you’re talking about shamans? Just sue your uncle. That’ll be faster.”

At Dahye’s words, Jungin banged his head on the table. Maybe I should just die. As I sighed deeply, the phone on the table buzzed. Dahye handed it to me.

It was an unknown number. I’d asked for money from so many places, so I answered.

“Hello?”

[Hyung, hi. It’s Jinsoo.]

“Who?”

[Park Jinsu….]

His voice was barely audible. Who was Park Jinsu again? As I pondered, I remembered a yellow-haired guy on a motorcycle. The idiot chasing after Mina. But why call suddenly… A sense of unease crept up my spine. Before I could ask why he called, he spoke hesitantly.

[Sorry for calling out of the blue. It’s just that I can’t reach Mina.]

“What do you mean?”

[She said she was going to Seoul to sell uniforms, but she’s not answering her phone.]

The mention of uniforms made Jungin sit up straight.

“Uniforms?”

[Well… Someone on social media said they were buying kids’ uniforms, so she skipped school to meet them….]

According to him, someone offered to buy kids’ uniforms, and Mina skipped school to meet them. But she hadn’t been reachable for hours. Jungin’s face grew pale.

“Got it. I’ll hang up now.”

As soon as the call ended, I called Ryu Mina. No answer. I tried several times, but it was the same. I quickly opened the location tracking app. I had installed it just in case, and soon Mina’s location showed up in Seoul.

Jungin jumped up, grabbing his coat. Dahye, sitting across, looked at me worriedly.

“What’s wrong?”

“You brought your scooter, right? Let me borrow it.”

Grabbing Dahye’s scooter key, Jungin dashed out like a bullet. My hands fumbled as I started it. My heart was pounding. Mina was tough and resourceful, so she should be fine. But despite my thoughts, my hands trembled as I started the engine.

***

A musty smell filled the air. Hajun looked displeased at the room number 503. Without using his hands, he tapped the door with his foot. After a moment, the door opened, and Dooyoung, wrapped in a towel, greeted him with a delighted shout.

“CEO!”

Hajun looked Dooyoung up and down with disapproval. Pathetic. His bad feeling was right. Someone he’d met recently had taken all his clothes, watch, and cash while he slept. Hajun tossed a shopping bag to Dooyoung.

“Are you crazy? You dared to ask me to bring you clothes?”

Dooyoung looked pitiful.

“Sorry. I had no one else to call.”

“You should’ve built better relationships.”

Dooyoung opened his mouth to protest but closed it. Who’s to blame for not being able to meet friends? He’d been buried in work, unable to see even his family for ages. Of course, there was financial compensation for that.

While Dooyoung changed, Hajun entered and scanned the room. Dark fabric sofa, worn table, curtains and carpet of unknown cleanliness. Then he spotted a used condom on the floor and his face twisted like paper.

Tsk, he clicked his tongue and moved to the entrance, worried about germs on his shoes. Outside, Hajun looked down the dark hallway. Suddenly, a sharp scream echoed. Was it a mistake? But then it came again. He walked slowly toward the sound, and Dooyoung, now dressed, followed.

“Where are you going? The exit’s this way.”

Hajun didn’t respond and stopped in front of the door where the sound came from. Dooyoung, sensing something was off, tilted his head. Just then, a man’s shout came from inside.

“What is this dirty feeling?”

Before Dooyoung could finish speaking, Hajun gestured. Knock. Dooyoung, reluctantly, knocked under pressure. The noise stopped. He knocked again, but it was silent as a mouse. The door didn’t open. As Dooyoung urged him to leave, Hajun pressed his ear to the door.

“Go get someone.”

“Do we really have to?”

With a threatening look, Dooyoung reluctantly went downstairs. In the silence, a phone rang briefly inside. Hajun took the chance to knock harder. Thud, thud, thud. It was quiet, then the door opened, revealing a rough-looking man.

“What?”

The man’s eyes were threatening. Hajun glanced inside.

“I heard a noise.”

“I’m having a good time with my girlfriend, so scram.”

“I’m curious if the lady inside feels the same.”

Ha. The man laughed, showing his hostility.

“Get lost while I’m being nice.”

The door started to close, and Hajun wedged his foot in, pushing inside. As expected, a woman lay on the bed. As he moved closer to check, the man grabbed Hajun’s shoulder roughly.

“Is this guy crazy? Barging in like this!”

Hajun brushed off the man’s hand from his shoulder.

“Isn’t she unconscious?”

The man pulled out a folding knife, grinning.

“Can’t you see? She’s sleeping. Why can’t you understand?”

Despite the gleaming blade, Hajun’s expression didn’t change. Behind the man, he noticed a school uniform on the floor, and his brow furrowed. A student? The man looked at least forty.

“Get out, you bastard!”

Hajun, with his hand in his pocket, fiddled with a Zippo lighter. The man tapped Hajun’s chest with the knife handle.

“How sad would your parents be if you died here, huh?”

Looking at the knife tip, Hajun chuckled.

“Maybe not my mom, but my dad would love it.”

As the man’s face twisted in anger, Hajun punched his jaw with the lighter in his fist. With a thud, the man staggered back. Hajun didn’t miss the chance and kicked him. With a crack, the man’s jaw broke, and he collapsed on the carpet, unconscious.

Looking down at the man, eyes rolled back and foaming, Hajun smiled.

“See? Sleeping and being knocked out are different.”

He nudged the unresponsive man with his foot and turned to check the woman’s condition on the bed. She had been unconscious but now sat up, looking around.

“Are you okay?”

Her cheek was red, as if she’d been hit. She looked young. Was she really a minor? Asking if she was okay again, her face turned to fear. Hajun stepped back, raising his hands.

“Don’t misunderstand. I’m here to help you.”

The woman gaped, unable to close her mouth.

“O, o…!”

“O? O, what?”

Sensing movement, Hajun turned, and a round object flew at him. Instinctively ducking, a fist grazed his chin. Startled, Hajun twisted the attacker’s arm and grabbed his collar.

“Who are you!”

The attacker’s face came into view, and Hajun’s eyes widened, his heart dropping.

“Huh?”

Ryu Jungin…?

Jungin, who had swung a helmet in anger, was equally shocked. Unable to blink, the helmet in his hand dropped and rolled on the floor. Kim Hajun? They stood frozen, holding each other’s arms and collars.

It was their first meeting in 11 years.