Deceptive Calm

Year 2022

Dong Hyuk, the son of Kim Jong Hyuk, Raehyun's uncle, The Son of Raehyun grandfather's brother and a presidential candidate, sat in the car.

He symbolised someone who does wrong things simply because they're wealthy.

The driver opened the car door, and Dong Hyuk, with half-closed eyes, stumbled out, because he was drunk. He walked unsteadily into his apartment.

He goes to the kitchen, drank a glass of water, and headed to his room, which looked strange.

He rubbed his eyes and examined closely, finding pictures of girls, screenshots of videos taken illegally from victims he sexually harassed, and a warning written on the wall with paint "If you turn yourself in and ask for forgiveness, I will let you live". There were also warning notes scattered on the ground.

He quickly exited the room, searched his pockets for his cell phone, took it out from pant pockets, and called the number saved as "Dumb asshole."

"Why?" the recipient asked immediately upon picking up the phone.

"Hey, Chan Young, someone is trying to mess with me. Hurry up and come to my house," Dong Hyuk said anxiously, his voice trembling with anger and fear.

"What? What are you talking about?" Chan Young inquired.

"Just come here, you dumbass," he replied, deeming it not the right time to explain.

Feeling the urgency of the situation, Chan Young said, "Oh, okay. I understand. I am coming."

"What's wrong with him?" Chan Young pondered as he hung up the phone.

"Hey, guys, I think I need to go. Enjoy yourselves," Chan Young informed his friends with whom he was drinking alcohol.

Dong Hyuk angrily threw his cell phone on the floor and yelled, "Who the hell is that jerk? How dare he try to threaten me!"

Heading to the security quarter, he asked the security guard, "Show me the CCTV of today. Someone invaded inside."

The security guard replied, "No one came today, though."

"Don't run your stupid tongue; just show me the footage," Dong Hyuk demanded.

The security guard silently stood up from the table where he was eating noodles and moved to the chair near the PCs. He played today's footage in fast speed.

Dong Hyuk leaned toward the screen, pondering, "That's impossible. If not front, then how the hell did he invade inside?"

The security guard timidly said, "I told you already, no one came today."

Dong Hyuk glared at him. At that moment, they heard the sound of a car approaching and stopping outside. Dong Hyuk headed out, tucking his hands in his pants pockets.

Chan Young exited the car and inquired, "What happened? Why did you call me at this hour?"

Dong Hyuk led him inside and opened the room door, revealing a scene that startled Chan Young. With the fear of being implicated because he was accomplice, he asked, "Did you check the CCTV?"

Seated on the sofa, Dong Hyuk ran his hands through his hair in frustration.

"No one came in from the front. I don't understand how that person got inside," he explained.

Chan Young, scanning the house for windows, questioned, "What about windows?"

"But" Dong Hyuk, paused before completing his sentence, wondered aloud, " how did he know about everything? We are the only ones who knew about it."

Standing up, Dong Hyuk walked to Chan Young and asked, "Are you the one threatening me?"

Chan Young, finding the suspicion absurd, retorted, "Are you crazy? Why would I do that? If you go to jail, I would have to go to jail too."

Dong Hyuk, questioning Chan Young's intentions, asked, "Are you not planning to get money by threatening me?"

Chan Young rebutted, "Don't you see 'Turn In'? If I were threatening you, why would I ask you to turn yourself in?"

Frustrated, Dong Hyuk put his hands on his head and sat down on the sofa, saying, "Then who the hell is messing with me?"

Concerned, Chan Young asked, "What are you going to do about it? Are you going to turn yourself in?"

Dong Hyuk dismissed the idea, stating, "I'm not stupid enough to do that. I will deal with him myself." Chan Young inquired, "So what do we do now?"

"Nothing, just wait for him to appear. I will let him know that it's not easy to take me down," Dong Hyuk declared, gritting his teeth.

***o***

Raehyun, now a second-year student at the Taeyang National police university, jogged alongside his roommate Injae.

They breathed heavily sweating, and Injae suggested, "Let's take a short break," settling on a nearby bench. Raehyun, glancing back, joined him.

Leaning on the bench, Injae remarked, "Your stamina is no joke. Someone might mistake you for Bruce Lee."

Raehyun playfully teased, "Why can't you joke properly?"

Injae retorted, "Hey!"

Raehyun questioned, "Why?"

Injae, gazing at tall buildings, asked, "Your brother took over your father's company. Why become a police officer when your family is well-known in business?"

Raehyun casually replied, "That's being nosy."

Injae glared, and Raehyun smiled, saying, "I just don't have an interest in business."

Injae pressed, "Didn't your family try to stop you?"

Raehyun answered, "That's why having an older brother is good."

Standing up, Raehyun resumed running, urging, "Until when are you going to sit here?"

Injae complained, "Ah, hey!" and chased after Raehyun.

At the intersection, Raehyun warned, "Come on time; otherwise, I won't wait for you."

Injae grumbled, "That rude jerk," watching Raehyun run away.

Injae was also Raehyun's classmate. They were currently on a two-day holiday. Raehyun always picked up Injae in his car when they headed to university.

Raehyun headed to his room sweating, packing his belongings as he had to leave in the afternoon.

After showering he prepared breakfast and ate it alone because In Hyuk had already left for the company.

In Hyuk was the CEO, having taken over from his father ahead of time due to his father unexpected health decline.

Raehyun and In Hyuk shared an apartment. In Hyuk initially wanted to live alone, but Raehyun insisted on living together.

"He doesn't even know how to cook. I'll cook for him and do the house chores. I'll take care of him," was the excuse Raehyun presented to his parents.

Raehyun wanted to stay with In Hyuk to get closer, understand him, and keep an eye on him to prevent any wandering in darkness.

"Why is he coming home late lately? Is it because he's helping Uncle with voting campaigns?" Raehyun whispered to himself while eating breakfast. Every little action of In Hyuk seemed suspicious to him.