Gangsa’s Gift

This went on for several days and I could tell that John was getting frustrated that I wasn't willing to eat meat, but not my problem I told him my preferences he just had to accept it. The door to my room was replaced and I was assigned a tutor for my schooling. I cannot deny that I was tempted to make this tutor's life miserable enough to leave but I like learning so I threw myself into the work that he gave. He kept giving me more and more things to do because I was able to complete all of the work that he had originally had planned for me. John insisted that I would be trained in Taekwondo, and wouldn't accept no as an answer. This seemed to be the trend with John, he'd demand obedience from everyone around him. Though I did find it interesting how many people came and went from the house every day I figured it'd be best if I didn't ask too many questions. I asked Marcos many times how my mother was doing and if she was doing okay. When I would be able to talk to her or see her, he didn't have any answer for me. Though I don't think he didn't know how she was or if she was doing okay. John probably kept an eye on her just to make sure I stayed in line or was waiting for me to ask him how she was doing.

Hearing heavy footsteps, I look up from my homework to see John. Speak of the devil was the only thing that came to mind, he was colder to me than usual which put me on alert. Since it was him I could just go back to studying, it's not like he'd come to 'bond' with his child. Through many arguments I found that he was a very aggressive person, he was the current Boss of the Park Mafia family. There were roughly four hundred men and women who worked for the family and I have no other siblings. At least the guy could keep it in his pants, even if he couldn't keep his temper in check. He tolerated no disrespect, I was called to a meeting the other day and a man didn't address him properly and was beaten black and blue for it. Just remembering it made me shudder a little, but this man would not break me. He motioned for me to follow him out, I'm assuming it's for my first day of Taekwondo lessons at the family dojo. He led me through the house and out to the back building where the dojo was.

"Parker, Arlo was arrested this morning while doing his rounds, he doesn't have long to live as it is but he's family. We can't leave him in that cold place because he has the potential to snitch on us. He's family but he's been having more and more secret meetings with the gang when I'm busy with other things. He thinks that I don't know but I do. " John mumbled.

"So why are you telling me this 'Boss'? Why not get your lawyer to post bail for him and have him moved to a different location?" I replied nonchalantly.

" You are my son, you will take over as the Boss when I get too old or when I die. Our lawyer is under surveillance, and if we move him away from his residence someone would notice. I have come to find out that the cops are keeping their ear to the dirt in our direction a lot lately." John sighed.

" Why not use one of your other businesses to hire a different lawyer and pay for the bail that way in cash of course? Wouldn't that make sense in this situation? Though what would I know, I'm just the 'child'." I criticize myself.

John just nods his head and then leaves me at the door to the dojo. The entire room was filled with big bulky sweaty men in their gi's and I could feel my face go pale just from the fact that they all did not have their tops on. I glanced down at my chest and knew that this was going to be an interesting class. I bowed before I stepped in and stood to the side of the door in my casual clothes that I had one before I got here. The sternest looking man eyed me up and down before whispering to the person next to him.

" Gangsa, or teacher though he prefers Sir. His English is not as fluent as mine, my name is Han Kim. He says that there is a uniform in the other room and it's best you change into it before the lesson starts. If you have any questions one of your fellow students will assist you. " Han said calmly.

Snickering could be heard like hyenas discussing their theft of a carcass. Entering the room I immediately lock the door so that way I could get changed with a bit of a piece of mind. Jeez, there are not a whole lot of women that work near the house, must be a rule or something. I pull the gi up and hold it up to me, it was loose fitting so it would be a bad idea if I didn't wear something underneath it. I slip into the top and tie it in place, before glaring at the pants. Seriously white, why white of all colors? I slipped out of my jeans and then I heard a knock on the door. Throwing on the pants like my life depended on it I open the door a bit, there standing in front of the door was the Gangsa.

"There is a black set in the cabinet, jeolm-eun sugnyeo." He said before turning around.

" … thank you Sir." I blurt out hastily.

Pausing in his steps, he slightly turns his head to where I could see his eyes before he gave me a wink. Quickly closing the door I go to the cabinet and grab the black gi before I stopped. How did he know that I was worried about the white gi? Could he have guessed that I'm a girl? No he couldn't know, no one else here has said anything or noticed anything was off. Shaking the thoughts from my head, I quickly switch to the black gi and join the rest of the class.

" Today we will test out Parker to see what he knows about self defense. Gangsa will be his sparring partner for this test. Parker approach the center and bow to your opponent, this is a sign of respect for the spar that you are about to partake in. Taekwondo is about self- defense, courage, respect, spirit, and last but not least it is about balance. If you are not in balance with yourself you will be the first to fall in any battle." Han instructed.

I approached the center and bowed to Gangsa before getting myself into a fighting stance. I don't know how these matches go but I know that things were going to be interesting. I would probably fall, but I know who I am and my path in life. Closing my eyes for a brief moment to calm my nerves and my mind. Gangas made the first move, he was fast! I couldn't avoid the hit but I could counter it somehow as well. Acupuncture points run up and down the body, if I can hit some of them I can make it hard for him to use one or both hands. I used two fingers and jabbed one point before backing away. I shift my weight to do a round kick but Gangsa also moved into a round kick. I pushed off the floor to avoid the kick but was again struck with another blow. I landed but didn't fall onto my back. My mind went blank and then my vision went black. When I came to Gangsa was on the floor breathing heavily and blinking up at me.

He didn't look angry, or happy but impressed. I reached forward to help him up off the floor, I stood there like that for a while staring at Gangsa and he at me. With a flicker in his eyes her grasped my hand and allowed me to pull him up to his feet. I wasn't sure what had happened but apparently I had proved myself to this master. I stepped back and bowed to him respectfully. The dojo was dead silent as if a single sound could disturb the moment of awe. Breathing heavily, I finally became aware that I had sweat dripping down my face. A little embarrassed I wiped the sweat from my face and turned to face the group before bowing to them.

"No one has ever made me fall, you will be my direct student from now on. Even your father not able to do what you did." Gangsa said.

"I do not deserve your praise Gangsa, but I will be happy to be your student and hope I will make you proud. " I stated quickly.

"..."

The class proceeded as if the testing had never happened. Though at the end of the class Gangsa stopped me from leaving with the rest of the group. He gave Han Kim a look and we were left alone in the dojo. He walked over to the front of the room and sat down. I stood there in silence for a moment before I joined him on the floor.

" Parker, I know you have secrets and so do I. I may be the instructor for the families bodyguards and for the main family, but I was also once a friend of your mother. Your mother before she left said to me that if her child were to ever come here that I would need to keep an eye on them. To help them if they need it, to lend a friendly ear. You are not yet grown, so come to me if you ever need me. As your master, as your friend, or even as your grandfather…" Gangsa whispered.

"Gangsa, what do you mean grandfather? Mom said that her family died before I was… Oh, I get it. She told me that my family was dead to protect me from this life, right? " I said softly.

Sitting there in silence, I looked at this stern looking man and wonder how he created my mom. Then again it did explain why my mom already taught me basic self-defense when I was younger. I stand up and walk around the perimeter of the dojo before going to the center of the room. Here I stood still and just moved I followed my bodies instincts. I went through kee-cho, don gun, and pyung ahn before I stopped. I bowed to Gangsa and turned to leave. Just as I reached the door, my emotions bubbled up and tears started to fall. I turned around rushed towards Gangsa and just held onto him. This was the first time that I had cried since I had come here, I finally had a friendly face that was related to my mom. I felt him stiffen up before wrapping his arms around my waist in an awkward hug.

"You little one can call me Henry Choi, I can speak English just fine though I find having long conversations in English is a bother. As you are also my student, I will ask that the Boss will add Korean to your lessons if that is not too difficult for you. " Henry murmured in my ear.

I had no words, so I simply nodded my head. Taking a few shaky breaths I finally calmed my emotions down, leaning myself back onto my heels I rub my nose embarrasedly. Grandpa tossled my hair and then motioned for me to leave. It was getting close to dinner time and the devil would be waiting for his 'son'.