ICHYR Ch 2

Wednesday, 3 p.m. at the Ciprienne Hotel lounge. Her counterpart was said to be Kaiden Heggwins, a rising capitalist.

 

“He said he wanted to talk to you about the Eldenbergman estate. Find out why he’s after that land.”

 

Repeating the words she’d been told, Irene checked the time.

 

2:50. She had been pacing in front of the hotel for twenty minutes now. She knew she couldn’t afford to be late, and yet, her feet wouldn’t move.

 

She was afraid of the stares. Of what people might say, of the looks they would give. That fear only made her more anxious.

 

Perhaps meeting Kaiden Heggwins would only fan the flames of the already unpleasant rumors. But still…

 

She wanted to change.

 

Nothing would change if she simply stood still. Rather than endure more unhappy days, she wanted to try something. Anything.

 

So now, she had to go in.

 

Forcing herself to steady her heart, Irene rose to her feet.

 

The moment she stepped into the hotel, countless eyes turned toward her. She had chosen a minimally adorned lace dress, but it did nothing to stop the attention. A few even whispered as they glanced her way.

 

Her head dropped without her meaning to. Though she had done nothing wrong, it felt like she had committed some great sin. Her steps quickened.

 

The waiter standing near the lounge entrance looked startled when their eyes met. Irene mustered a composed smile.

 

“Would you mind leading me to a more secluded table?”

 

“Ah… yes. Please, this way.”

 

The waiter quickly composed himself and guided her to a quiet corner, out of view. It seemed Kaiden Heggwins had yet to arrive.

 

Only after taking a seat did Irene glance around her.

 

The ornate chandeliers, elegant furnishings, and intricate décor were still just as refined and beautiful as ever. What she had loved most in this place was the piano music.

 

Each note that spilled from the pianist’s fingertips transported her to another world.

 

Sometimes warm and gentle, sometimes calm and heavy, within those melodies, Irene found comfort. It was as if they emptied her chaotic mind. She cherished that feeling.

 

She hoped today’s music would calm her anxious heart. Yet something felt off.

 

The performance was ongoing, and yet the sound was strangely faint. The unclear notes drifted in, like distant, faded memories.

 

Just as the thought crossed her mind, the waiter returned to her side.

 

“Is there anything you need?”

 

Irene blinked, eyes unfocused. As she gave no answer, the waiter hesitated before asking again, more cautiously.

 

“Is something wrong, miss?”

 

“…I’m sorry, could you repeat that?”

 

“I asked if there’s anything that’s making you uncomfortable.”

 

Irene looked at him, unable to hide her confusion. The sounds around her were tangled together, pressing into her ears. She couldn’t distinguish the waiter’s voice from the noise.

 

“Miss Irene…? Are you alright?”

 

Irene’s fingertips trembled slightly.

 

When you hear countless sounds from just one ear, it becomes impossible to tell what’s what.

 

The moment she accepted the undeniable truth, all color drained from her face. In this state, there was no way she could hold a conversation with Kaiden Heggwins.

 

Irene suddenly stood up. Her arm brushed against the water glass, knocking it to the floor beneath the table. Clang! A loud crash rang out.

 

All conversation ceased. A chilling silence spread through the lounge.

 

Every gaze turned toward her. A suffocating wave of anxiety hit her. Her nerves squeezed her breath away. It was then that a familiar voice pierced through the chaos.

 

“Irene?”

 

She instinctively turned her head. Not far off stood someone she hadn’t expected to see.

 

Golden hair like sunlight and wide, surprised green eyes.

 

His face was paler, more worn than when she’d last seen him, but she recognized him instantly.

 

It was Enzo.

 

“Are you alright?”

 

Enzo rushed over with concern on his face. As he did, the lounge erupted in murmurs and movement again.

 

Irene stood frozen, staring straight at Enzo.

 

His eyes were filled with confusion and worry.

 

“Are you hurt? Hold still. Your ankle is bleeding.”

 

Her tightly shut lips quivered slightly. She couldn’t understand what he was saying.

 

Yes, it was similar to that day when she had suddenly lost her hearing.

 

Back then too, Enzo had looked at her with a face full of worry, saying something she couldn’t hear.

 

The pain of that day came vividly back to her. Irene reached up and clutched at her neck. She couldn’t breathe. Her vision blurred, and she felt as if she had returned to that day.

 

Help me.

 

The words hovered on her lips but never left her mouth. As she gasped for breath, Enzo was busy speaking to the waiter.

 

“Bring the hotel’s first aid kit. Hurry!”

 

Someone, anyone… Please, save me.

 

Just as she felt she could no longer endure, a hand touched her shoulder.

 

“Breathe.”

 

A low and steady voice slipped into her left ear.

 

Irene exhaled as if she had been pulled from underwater.

 

“Inhale slowly… and now exhale.”

 

Though the lounge remained noisy, the voice near her was clear. As if it were a lifeline, Irene focused on the sound, breathing in and out as instructed. Her racing heart began to slow.

 

“I believe it would be best to step outside. What do you think, Miss Whitfield?”

 

Irene nodded. She had no room to consider who he was. All she wanted was to get away from here.

 

She allowed the man to support her and began walking. But they hadn’t gone far when someone blocked their path, it was Enzo.

 

“Wait. Where are you taking Irene?”

 

“Step aside.”

 

“Irene needs rest right now. I just called for medical assistance. Wouldn’t it be best to wait here?”

 

“I believe she would benefit more from peace and quiet.”

 

“You could wait until the physician arrives before deciding to move her.”

 

“Enzo, please. I just want to rest somewhere quiet.”

 

Irene forced her voice out. She couldn’t understand his words, but judging from the scene and the man’s tone, she could guess.

 

Even so, Enzo didn’t budge. Instead, he continued speaking.

 

“If that’s what you want, then come with me. Wouldn’t it be better if I stayed by your side?”

 

“I’m sorry, Enzo.”

 

She didn’t want to face him right now. Irene lowered her gaze to avoid his eyes.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

The man wasted no time leading her away.

 

As they exited the lounge and stepped outside the hotel, a cool spring breeze met them. The man’s subtle scent of cedarwood grew stronger. It was a comforting fragrance.

 

“Would you like to rest here for a while?”

 

The man gestured toward a small bench. Irene sat, signaling her agreement. Thankfully, it didn’t take long for her to regain some composure.

 

Slowly, she raised her head. Only then did she clearly see the man who had helped her.

 

Tall and broad-shouldered, with a strong jawline, well-shaped lips, and a high-bridged nose. His intense gaze and neatly slicked-back black hair gave him an air of refinement.

 

When their eyes met, she flinched at the golden hue in his irises. Though he had helped her, there was something imposing about him.

 

Still, his tone when he asked after her was gentle.

 

“Is it still hard to breathe?”

 

“…No. I’m much better now, thanks to you. Thank you for your help. If it’s not too much trouble… may I ask your name?”

 

“Ah, my apologies for not introducing myself sooner.”

 

The man stepped back with a soft smile.

 

“A pleasure to meet you, Lady Whitfield. I am Kaiden Heggwins.”

 

Irene’s eyes widened in surprise. Kaiden Heggwins, the very man her father had urged her to meet.

 

Had he realized she couldn’t hear in one ear?

 

She knew it was unlikely he had caught on so quickly, and yet she felt uneasy.

 

Until now, she had kept her hearing loss a strict secret. The Fredman family had requested it, but more than that, she feared it would be used against her.

 

Showing weakness was no different from handing someone a blade.

 

It was a lesson she had learned through childhood.

 

So she smiled, pretending nothing was wrong.

 

“Ah… so you’re Kaiden Heggwins. I’m sorry about earlier. You mentioned wanting to discuss the Eldenbergman estate?”

 

“Let’s save that for another time. For now, I suggest you return home and get some rest.”

 

“But…”

 

“If it truly troubles you, let’s do this instead.”

 

Kaiden knelt on one knee.

 

“What are you doing? Please, get up— ah!”

 

Irene tried to stop him, but a short cry escaped her lips. A delayed sting rose from her ankle. It had been cut by a shard of glass, and blood was seeping through.

 

“Hold still.”

 

Kaiden wrapped her wound with a handkerchief. The hand supporting her ankle felt warm.

 

He was merely helping with the bleeding, and yet… she felt flustered, embarrassed and a little nervous, even.

 

His careful and gentle touch was both overwhelming and strangely heart-fluttering.

 

When Kaiden finished tying the bandage and stood, Irene quickly averted her eyes. She felt as though she had been caught staring at him. The awkwardness prompted her to speak first.

 

“This only makes me feel more uncomfortable, you know.”

 

“Because I have a favor to ask. One that might be too much.”

 

“And what kind of favor is that?”

 

He stood with the sunlight behind him, casting shadows across his golden eyes. The color looked deeper now, dangerous and yet captivating.

 

“Once a week. Would you give me a little of your time?”