Chapter 100

Chapter 25 – Friday’s last remains (B)

“I’m telling you ‌I can’t reach her!”

‒No kidding. Who was it again who impulsively thrashed her phone?

“…I know. Of course, I know. But Detective, I said I would gladly compensate her…”

‒What is the use when she herself doesn’t want it? Seeing how she even brought along an attorney, it looks like she’s determined.

“She was not the one to bring him along. You saw that guy yesterday, right? The one who came with the attorney to pick her up.”

‒Oh, the one who looked like a celebrity?

Celebrity, my ass… Sang-Hoon glared into the air and swallowed his swearing. He could never admit that anyone knows how to appreciate a good-looking thing when seeing one.

“…Yes, that narcissistic, self-absorbed…”

…Son of a bitch. Cautious not to slip out of his well-mannered act, he swallowed back the insult again. Over the phone, the detective answered casually.

‒I thought he looked like her new boyfriend.

“New, as if! They were seeing each other even back while me and her were together.”

‒Anyways, since she is not currently dating you, Mr. Lee Sang-Hoon, it should be correct that she’s dating him.

“Well, Na-Yool might think so. But to him, it’s just experimenting with his employee.”

‒Right now, it doesn’t really matter anyway. Rather—

“She cheated on me from the beginning. And we broke up only a short while ago, yet—”

‒You both gave a different time of your breakup, so it’s debatable to consider it cheating… To begin with, this is not an important element to us—

“—I turned like this because she cheated. Not that I was chasing and bullying a pitiful woman for no reason, it was because I was betrayed by my girlfriend‌. Detective, as a man yourself, don’t you know how I feel?”

‒I know. I know, but even so…

When a sigh came over instead of an answer, Sang-Hoon frowned involuntarily. These days, he can barely control his anger. Concerned that the tone of his voice might betray him, he hurriedly straightened back his expression.

“Even though I was betrayed, I could not give up. How could I? Because I love her… The one who loves more always loses. But if my calls are unilaterally ignored, what else can I do? Is it so wrong to go wait for her at her apartment? Tell me.”

‒Mr. Lee Sang-Hoon. I don’t need to hear any further about your personal circumstances, and if someone should, it would be Ms. Kim Na-Yool… No, if you say this, she will never accept to settle. Tell her you were wrong, prostrate yourself flat and apologize sincerely, and say that you will never do it again.

“Even if she begs me, I won’t ever again do her the favor.”

Something akin to a sigh once again was heard over the phone.

‒Look, I’m telling you, you shouldn’t say that! You’re still young, do you really want to ruin your life over one mistake?

“Of course, I won’t say it like this. I am simply speaking frankly, since you seem like an open-minded and understanding person… I will give the settlement money as requested, and apologize, by explaining I momentarily lost my mind.”

‒Alright. Considering your dating history, Ms. Kim Na-Yool probably has some affection for you too. So even if she is furious right now, it will be hard for her to insist to the end on not settling. Most people accept an agreement after a few days.

“Yes, so…”

‒Still, anything can happen. Some women can really be ruthless. The kind that will go all the way. So, you should never expect that scaring them a bit will make them give up.

“Which is why I’m making efforts to contact her, both yesterday and today, but it’s not connecting and I—”

‒Did you try contacting Ms. Kim Na-Yool’s attorney? He should have given you his business card yesterday.

“Don’t you think contacting her directly looks more sincere? That’s why.”

‒Mr. Lee Sang-Hoon, it might look like ‘efforts’ and ‘sincerity’ to you, but from her point of view, didn’t you harass her enough already? If you keep calling, she might feel threatened. Keep that up, and you might trip yourself over instead.

“…This is insane…”

‒Would she hire an attorney for nothing? Over such a minor issue?… She doesn’t want to have any face-to-face with you, that’s what it means. She doesn’t want to see your face, and she doesn’t want to hear your voice.

There are moments when ‌the person you firmly believe is on your side could not be further than it. Sang-Hoon painfully gulped as the detective’s aloof tone dug deep holes into his chest.

‒Don’t let it backfire by scaring the victim and try to persuade her through her attorney. He is most fitted to rationally judge what is beneficial to Kim Na-Yool, so start pushing there first.

“……”

‒Even if we help, meditation is the best we can do. The police are in no position to force the victim to do anything. We did what we could, and we tried enough to convince her. Now it all depends on your own efforts.

“Thank you, detective. Really.”

‒I’m saying this because I don’t want to see a youngster’s life get ruined over a single mistake. Isn’t this world full of real criminals? If even ordinary citizens are labeled as criminals, then where are we going… Hold tight to this chance and try hard to make up for your mistakes.

“Yes, I understand.”

No sooner had Sang-Hoon ended the call with feigned politeness than he furiously threw the cellphone into the passenger seat.

“Fuck…!”

He was annoyed ever since the moment he had to show gratitude for the detective’s understanding. Because just hearing the sympathetic tone bullshitting him as if he truly was a criminal in need of redemption, he already felt his life was screwed.

Although all was said in Sang-Hoon’s interest, his resentment had already reached such proportions that everything could only feel dissatisfying.

“This wench, damn it…! Fucking bitch…”

Why did things turn out this way in the first place?!

“Whose fault is it!”

It was a bitter cry. This fucking mess was all this bitch, Kim Na-Yool’s fault. You bitch, you ruined my whole life… Sang-Hoon madly mumbled in anger and slammed hard at the steering wheel.

“Ahh, fuck!”

Hitting with all his might, his hand hurt and he screamed, briefly forgetting that he was cursing Na-Yool. Sang-Hoon shook his painful hand in the air and held it dearly. He then proceeded to hit his head on the steering wheel while spitting a stream of swearing.

“Fuck… damn it…”

Half of his voice eventually cracked with tears. He was miserable, but he had to try hard again. After carefully picking up his cellphone and making sure he had not broken another phone, Sang-Hoon took a slow, deep breath and started looking through his contact list.

Attorney, attorney… Not long after, Sang-Hoon found the stored number and pressed the call button while rubbing away the wet traces of his whimpering. The attorney quickly answered the phone.

‒Yes, Kim Ji-Hoon speaking.

“Ah, good day sir. I am—”

‒I’m in a meeting right now. I’ll get back to you.

“…What the fuck.”

Stupidly staring at the phone that got hung up as soon as the call was answered, Sang-Hoon swore in a breath. It was more than obvious that the attorney had inadvertently accepted the call, deemed that it was not important, and hung up.

“Who in hell holds meetings on a Saturday evening at 7 pm…”

Fucking attorney bastard. Damn Kim Na-Yool, that bitch… Sang-Hoon recalled yesterday’s rotten scene with red eyes. The disgusting sight of Na-Yool pitifully leaving the police station in the arms of the pompous bastard.

Ironically, their image kept replaying in Sang-hoon’s head, beautifying repeatedly, and the more it beautified, the higher his frustration and anger soared.

“…With his background, only a crazy bastard would date someone like you.”

As he grunted, when Na-Yool’s pretty little face flashed in his mind, Sang-Hoon felt his blood boiling. Also, her alluring body hidden beneath her neat attire. When he closed his eyes, he could visualize Si-Jin and her messily tumbling around.

Yesterday too, she must have been moaning wildly, lying under the bastard. How often had the two had sex together? Fuck, fuck…! Still pouring out curse words, Sang-Hoon banged his head like crazy over and over on the steering wheel.

Note: Please note that the release schedule for this novel will change from weekly to sporadic. Thank you for your understanding!