CH 19.2

Chairman Kim coughed.

“Chairman Cha. Director Cha’s words also make sense. Who can say that there is no hope for those who are dying? Rather, I would like to appreciate the consideration of Director Cha. And even Cocaine said that…”

The old man didn’t leave out Cocaine either.

“You must have been surprised too. Even if you resent this grandpa, please understand. You don’t know how much I thought about whether or not to tell you in advance.”

“No. If I had been Chairman Kim, I would have done the same. Don’t take it to heart.”

Chairman Kim shone his eyes as if looking at his expensive pottery.

“Did you see that? This kid is like this! How would you compare such a wonderful child to a backup like that? Ah! Since this is the case, how about leaving the CEO Cha to Cocaine?”

“… !!”

Yaba lifted his head up. He felt as if he had been crushed by a falling rock. And he was surprised by the fact that he was shocked that he thought Cha Myunghwan was a burden. Suddenly, Cha Yiseok’s hand gripped Yaba’s shoulder strongly. It seemed more like a reassuring gesture than surprise. At least he hoped so. If so… Even with the body temperature wrapped around his shoulder, Yaba couldn’t calm down. Everyone’s attention was focused on Cocaine’s answer.

“I…”

Chairman Cha cut off the words of Cocaine.

“I know you’re being considerate, but I don’t want to bring them here anymore.”

“Of course, I can understand Chairman Cha’s feelings a hundred times. But it’s still not too late. If the real Cocaine had come sooner, he would surely have made CEO Cha well. You can trust me on my name!”

Chairman Kim emphasized the word ‘real Cocaine’. Chairman Cha was silent, and Cha Myunghwan tried to say something but closed his mouth. Chairman Kim said.

“Ah! How about listening to the real Cocaine’s song instead of just talking about it? I’m sure you’ll change your mind after hearing it! You will know what a heavenly voice is like! It’s a tone that can’t even be compared to a backup like that!”

Cocaine bit his lower lip with a troubled look. There was a glint of luster on his lips, which had been held by his neat teeth. Even his inadvertent actions were mesmerizing. Yaba focused all his nerves on Cha Yiseok. He must also be looking at those pathetic lips. A fire boiled in his chest enough to burn his body like this.

“Come! Don’t be difficult and try it. You just have to do what you usually do!”

“But in this place…”

“Everyone will want to hear your song. It’s alright, go ahead and try it! Come!”

Chairman Kim encouraged him insistently. Cocaine stared at Cha Yiseok, not knowing what to do. Yaba chewed on his twitching lips and stared at Cocaine. There was blood rushing to the point that he felt dizzy. Chairman Cha and Cha Myunghwan were always unpretentious in their expression. But when Cocaine’s song was over, that expression would be completely reversed. Because it was a voice that showed heaven, because it was Cocaine who sang miracles. Cocaine, who has been on the judging table like this every time, got used to this.

He opened his mouth to breathe, and his lyrics flowed along the edge of his breath. A voice from heaven spread like a wave of light. It was as overwhelming as the pure sun.

Ebben… Ne andrò lontana…

then… I’m going far away…

come va l’eco della pia campana. la, fra la neve bianca…

As the reverent bells run through those white snow…

It was an aria from La Wally in “I’ll go far away”. The elegance of the flute echoed from his lips moving with fine lines. Cocaine’s eyes, which had been filled with confusion a while ago, were wet with rain in an instant. Cha Myunghwan’s enlarged eyes fluttered. Chairman Kim burst out as much as he breathed in. A melody floating in the air enveloped the audience. Cocaine knocked down the air of tension, and another tension overflowed. Their extraordinary strength and sweet tone were enough to dissolve their doubts. It was mysterious enough without the Paradiso lighting and stage.

Ne andrò sola e lontana…

I shall go far away…

come l’eco della pia campana, là, fra la neve bianca,

As the echo of the pious church-bell goes away, There somewhere in the white snow;

ne andrò ne andrò sola e lontana e fra le nubi d’or…

I will go away alone and far And amongst the clouds of gold…

His rich voice and flawless high notes spread out. Chairman Kim was thrilled with the feast of the senses. Even when he rose to his high register, Cocaine exuded finesse with a ripe sensibility. With a tone that transcends technique, it led one to trance like the breath of a god, like the aurora in the snowy expanse.

Cocaine was the perfect Wally. She loved someone she shouldn’t love and was forced to marry someone she didn’t want, so Wally decided to leave her hometown. But Cocaine won’t be blinded by jealousy like Wally. He won’t let his lover get swept away by the avalanche with foolish love-hate. He would not throw himself off the cliff because he was devastated by the death of his lover.

Cocaine’s gestures followed the rhythm of his clean voice, excluding thoughts. A clear and transparent sound burned Yaba to ashes. As the beautiful voice got stronger, Yaba’s nerve cords were torn apart. He wanted to stop singing by pulling his tongue out. There was only this clear rage.

Suddenly, the sound of Cha Yiseok’s breathing scattered across Yaba’s neck. The thick cologne scent mixed with Yaba’s repulsive sweat and pierced his nose. He didn’t look back. He didn’t want to see how immersed he was in Cocaine’s song. Sweat dripped from the skin on Yaba’s mask. Insects crawled out and roamed the blood vessels. Yaba scratched his cheek until his skin stung.

Then a hand stretched out from behind him wrapped around Yaba’s wrist and pulled it down.

“Don’t scratch.”

Cha Yiseok’s voice tickled the fluff of his earlobe. He intertwined his fingers with Yaba’s, and pressed his lower body to his flabby buttocks. The breath on the nape of his neck grew thicker. Yaba froze.

Ma fermo è il pie’! Ne andiam. che lunga è la vie! Ne andiam…

I’ll go even if my feet don’t move. Even if it’s a long way, I’ll go…

The end of the rhyme created by the boy soprano was scattered, leaving a deep reverberation. No one moved until Cocaine exhaled his last breath. A long silence engulfed his room. After a while, Chairman Kim exclaimed in a high-pitched voice.

“Ah, how is that?! Isn’t that great?! This is the voice of a true healer!”

The sound of applause reverberated through the eardrums. Cha Myunghwan scratched his ill-looking cheek. His appearance looked hysterical. Chairman Cha did not show his emotions, but his eyes were clearly different from before Cocaine sang. It was no surprise that those who were ridiculed at first became zealous fanatics after Cocaine’s song ended. The floor he was sitting on swallowed up to Yaba’s knees. Chairman Kim waited for Cha Myunghwan’s answer with excitement, and Cocaine also focused his attention on the new audience. Cha Myunghwan leaned on the bed, glanced at Cocaine, and threw his gaze away.

“Well, it’s a bit bland, but it’s okay.”

He looked as sour as his tone. Cocaine’s lips turned white and stiff. Yaba furrowed his eyebrows. He thought he had heard it wrong. Or, maybe Cha Myunghwan was about to die and his ear canal was gone. Either that or it was obviously some kind of arrogance. Then Cha Yiseok raised his wrist and glanced at the watch. The moment he lifted his head to check his expression, he became dazed in a different way. Every time he listened to Cocaine’s song, he fell into a haze, and this time it were eyes that saw a performance that was terribly boring.

“What?”

Cha Yiseok felt his gaze and asked lowly. Chairman Kim rubbed the hand of Cocaine and rambled.

“Haha… CEO Cha, you’re in a bad mood right now. You’ll probably be surprised when you hear it again! He’ll sing one more song, so pay attention and listen carefully!”

Cha Myunghwan snorted.

“Why do I have to pay attention on purpose? He should sing a song that will draw my attention.”

Blood drained from Cocaine’s face in the unprecedented atmosphere.

“… I’m sorry.”

He bit his lip, but kept his head upright. Chairman Kim looked at Cocaine, turning red as if he had been insulted. It was then that Yaba realized the reason for this reaction. His own poison ruined Cocaine’s vocal cords! Otherwise, such a reaction would not be possible! Now he understood this absurd situation. Yaba was stunned, but he felt so much joy that his neck felt numb.

Suddenly, Cha Myunghwan pulled out the needle with a malicious face. He walked to Yaba with legs that seemed too difficult to even stand on. Cha Yiseok narrowed his eyes. Cha Myunghwan exhaled a harsh breath.

“I don’t need it all, I’ll have to hear it myself. Is it all true? Have you been deceiving me all this time?”

Yaba raised his chin.

“Have you been on the moon while people are talking to each other? You were the one who thought I was Cocaine in the first place. That’s why I left you to be mistaken like that.”

Cha Myunghwan shook his shoulders.

“How dare this cheap stuff deceive me?”

“You were the one who begged this cheap stuff to save you.”

“When did I beg?!”

“You did. You begged and screamed and begged for your life.”

“Stop talking nonsense, get down on your knees and apologize. Grovel in front of me!”

“Did you eat rat poison?”

Yaba wrinkled his brows vigorously. Cha Myunghwan bared his teeth.

“I’m going to kill you.”

“With what kind of skill are you going to do that with someone twice your weight-…”

Then a shadow fell on Yaba’s head. Chairman Cha, who approached without making a sound, raised his hand.

Smack—!!

At that moment, as if Yaba’s soul had escaped and came in, his eyes were white. Afterwards, his jaw hurt so badly. Cocaine shuddered. It happened so quickly that no one had time to do anything. Then the mask came off Yaba’s face and fell to the floor.

Tap tap…

The mask rolled under the bed and spread out. Chairman Cha lowered his hand and said.

“I have no intention of accepting you impudent person anymore. How will you pay for the sin of deceiving me and my son?”

Yaba lifted his venomous right eye under his messy hair. He wanted to break the old man’s wrist. He wanted to shove his broken hand into that mouth. However, the viciousness that Chairman Cha exhaled paralyzed his whole body.

“…”

Suddenly, someone let out a strange groan. When he turned his head, Cha Myunghwan was looking at Yaba with eyes shocked by something. The glistening eyes were disgusting, as if licking the entire face with the tongue of a cow. At that moment, Cha Yiseok grabbed Yaba’s head.

Whish-! He pulled him fast enough to make the sound of the wind and buried him in his chest. Yaba lost his balance due to the unexpected strength. His lips and nose were buried in Cha Yiseok’s chest, choking him. It was hard to bear his arms around Yaba’s belly and his lower body against each other. As he twisted his body, Cha Yiseok pressed harder on Yaba’s head and tightened his waist.

“What are you doing?”

“Give me that thing.”

“Didn’t you hear that this guy did what he was told to do?”

Chairman Cha pulled Yaba’s clothes without raising an eyebrow. His clothes were about to be torn from the strength of his age. Chairman Cha raised his hand with a stern look. Yaba reflexively closed his eyes. A drenched sweat scratched his spine.

But instead of the violence that should be poured out, a familiar breath poured down his forehead. When he opened his eyes, two hands overwhelmed his vision. The wrinkled hand that grabbed Yaba’s clothes, and the younger hand that twisted the hand. The bulging tendons and blue veins were like a battle between a giant snake wrapped around a lion’s body and popping its internal organs and eyeballs, and a lion biting the snake.

Cha Yiseok’s eyes lit up. Chairman Cha’s hands, which had become as white as plaster, fell off Yaba’s clothes and went down very slowly with convulsions. It seemed to have been forced off rather than pulled down. As the twisted hand was released, red teeth marks were evident on Chairman Cha’s wrist. Cha Myunghwan swallowed his saliva. He was a herbivore fed up with the fight of a predator. Blood stood on the whites of the exasperated man.

“You show that face often these days.”

A light like the tongue of a viper scratched Cha Yiseok’s eyes.

“Take a few deep breaths. I will look a lot different.”

“I will not overlook the sin of deceiving me. I will not leave the store, the person in charge, and everyone involved in this work alone. Same goes for you.”

“I’m scared to death.”

Cha Yiseok showed a fishy smile, revealing his teeth. Chairman Cha’s eyes trembled. Cha Yiseok hid Yaba’s face in his chest and stretched out his other hand. With his nimble hands, he lifted his coat from the sofa.

“I’m getting dinner with this guy. Let’s take care of the rest later.”

He walked straight to the door. Cocaine’s stiff face rumbled before he completely left the room. A strange air clung until he left the room.

On his way down the stairs, he ran into a woman named sister-in-law. The woman was cold. Yaba left a snort and left. When he came out of the villa, his legs lost strength. Neither Cha Yiseok nor himself said anything all the way to the garage. Then he heard footsteps running from behind. It was Cocaine. Cocaine, who had already taken off his mask, grinned as if he had escaped from the battlefield. Cocaine looked at Yaba and turned to Cha Yiseok.

“Let’s talk.”

Cha Yiseok took the car key out of his pocket and handed it to Yaba.

“Go ahead first.”