Chapter 72 - What Lies Ahead

"Jiwon, there's a Skype call for you," the receptionist informed him. Jiwon was sitting at the open lounge with Hyun Jung, Junhyung and Jumyeon, practicing his guitar with them.

"Alright," Jiwon said, putting his guitar aside. It was probably his grandfather. "I'll be back," Jiwon added to his friends. They shrugged and watched him go.

Jiwon walked into the reception centre and sat in front of one of the computers there. He positioned his microphone and turned on the camera. 

To his mild surprise, it was not his grandfather on the screen. It was the President of Hann Constructions, Jung Taewon.

"Hello?" he greeted uncertainly. He never directly spoke to President Jung but he was Grandpa Kwon's right hand man. Jiwon saw him accompany his grandfather on many occasions and even ran into him at their mansion.

But for some unknown reason, Jiwon always felt a tinge of guilt whenever he saw the man around him. As if he wronged him in some way but he could not recall the reason.

"Hello, Master Jiwon," President Jung greeted him back. "I apologize for calling you so suddenly."

"That's alright," Jiwon assured him. "And please don't be so formal with me. I am younger than you, sir. Calling me Jiwon would be fine."

"As you say, Jiwon," President Jung smiled at him. "I have called you to request a meeting with you regarding an urgent matter. I myself will come over to your school and meet with you privately to solve the matter."

"What is it?" Jiwon asked, panic forming in his heart. "Did something happen to Grandpa?"

"Nothing of that sort," President Jung reassured him. "It is a simple matter of a property which belonged to your father. You see, when your mother and father left Kwon mansion behind, they managed to purchase a small apartment after years of struggling."

"However, the apartment had been vacant for so long," Taewon continued. "The owner of the building wants to rent it out to some students. However, since the apartment in question belongs to you after the demise of your parents, the building owner cannot rent it without your permission. He has requested us to send the papers to you. Since you're still a minor, your guardian needs to be present. Unfortunately, your grandfather is away and Ms. Sohee is your only legal guardian. Would you like to take a look at the papers before making a decision?"

Jiwon listened to all of it intently. "Can you ask someone to send me the papers?" he requested. 

"I'll be coming myself, Jiwon," the President answered him. 

"You don't have to come yourself," Jiwon quickly said. "I'm sure you're busy with other work."

"I have some business there anyway," President Jung smiled. "I will drop by this Saturday at your school." 

Jiwon was suspicious. Why was the President of the company himself stopping by to deliver the documents? Surely the mere issue like renting cannot be that important? 

The years of training with Ms. Sohee made Jiwon feel distrustful of people's seemingly kind gestures. 

"Alright," Jiwon said. "I will wait for you." 

"Understood," President Jung smiled. "See you then, Jiwon." 

He logged out of the session. Jiwon too, turned off the monitor. He sat back and thought hard. Was there something fishy going on here? He pondered. What if the President was in cahoots with the Cartel? 

Finally, Jiwon decided to ask Ms. Sohee to tag along with him for the meeting. 

He felt a pang of guilt. He had not spoken to her after their tiff. 

But he was no longer a ten year old. Over the years, he had grown capable enough to protect himself of his own. Ms. Sohee needs to let him try how own strength.

…..

"So you're going to the party?" Junhyung asked. They were in the music room, honing a song for an assignment. 

Jiwon took his desired subject Contemporary Music as his core area of studies. Alongside, he also took up lyric composition classes to develop his music writing skills. Junhyung, too, took Contemporary Music and hence, was a frequent partner of Jiwon's for their assignments. 

Hyun Jung, on the other hand, took law and anthropology. He stated his desire to become an honest police officer who would put people like his own father behind the bar. 

"I am," Jiwon said coolly. "It's on Saturday night isn't it?" 

"But would Ms. Sohee allow you to go?" Junhyung questioned him. "She is very strict about your movements. What if she doesn't let you attend the party?" 

"I'll manage," Jiwon assured him. "I am not gonna miss out on the coolest party of my teenage years!" 

"Great!" Junhyung beamed at him. "We'll meet at the cabin then. Be there on time." 

"Yeah," Jiwon said. He felt bad about lying to Ms. Sohee but he did not want to miss out on the fun. If anyone from the Cartel tries to harm him, he can fight back. Besides, he doubted they will try to harm him at a place with so many people. He will hang out with Junhyung and Hyun Jung all the time, anyway. There would not be any problems. 

After all, it was just a party. 

…. 

"But it was not just a party, was it?" Jade asked in an accusatory tone. 

"No," KJ replied. "It was my worst nightmare. Sometimes, I feel that I made the wrong choice when I turned back time." 

"You regret changing your past?" Jade asked. 

"No," KJ said. "I regret the fact that I didn't choose to change this day instead." 

"Why KJ?" Jade probed him. "Why do you want to change this day?" 

KJ gave him a blank stare. 

"Because in exactly two days, Jiwon will face the first two deaths from the prophecy," KJ revealed. 

Jade looked back at the young Jiwon, who was happily chatting with his friend. The boy had no idea of what calamity he is about to bring. 

"You were young, KJ," Jade consoled him. "You made a mistake." 

"Not every mistakes can be forgiven," KJ snapped. "Try living with the fact that you're responsible for the deaths of two people! And one of them was my…" 

KJ's eyes began to well up with tears. Remembering that moment brought back the pain he had suppressed for so long. He fell on the ground, completely breaking down. 

Jade did not say anything as he watched his friend breaking down into tears. He did not have the heart to tell him the full truth. Ha was not responsible for two deaths. 

He was responsible for three deaths.