Chapter 41

RICHARD

An object was shimmering in my grasp. If I had to say, it's a pendant that lustered a golden hue.

Outwardly was an austere kind, not adorned with any decorations except for the rose embellishment of the same color, however, inwardly did not only reveal a locket but an ornate one. The backside of the opening had an engraving that stated the phrase: 'My love, My Life'. A photograph of a beautiful woman was showcased on the left panel, and she was a foreigner.

"Am I intruding things here?" I asked myself. However, I got the letter on the table nonetheless.

Running my eyes several times, I confirmed that there's only whiteness intact. Yet, I was conscious of the fact that it could be an invisible ink, and fortunately, I didn't have to spend an extensive period using traditional methods to decipher the message. A purple light invaded my vision. The vacancy was replaced with characters thereafter.

"Long time no see. Meet me at the Choseungdal Tower on May 24th, Dragon's Den at 8 pm.

"Refrain from telling this to anyone," the letter read.

I inspect the other side, but no characters were written. This is suspicious. I need to know who sent this.

My vision became a deeper shade of purple.

Moments passed, and nothing was happening.

"It's not working."

I tried once more. Somehow, it seemed that an entity was blocking my waves from gaining access to the paper.

With an annoyed disposition, I laid the letter to the table. I averted my eyes. Next to the envelope rested a locket. I touched. Promptly, an image is revealed before my very witness.

Thin lines of clouds shrouded the skyline above. The boy, who had sloven hair and a pair of blue eyes, gazed downward in my direction. He was baring his teeth.

"One day, I'll kill that bastard." his voice almost sounded like a growl.

"Jeon! Jeon!" the call came from afar.

Jeon?

"Come here for a minute."

The boy, named Jeon, careened his head to the direction of the voice. Suddenly, darkness engulfed the image I was seeing.

My hands became unclasped, and the locket fell to the ground.

*Knock! Knock!*

I shudder.

A bookshelf is facing me. Below prods something soft. I wander my sight to see a field of vermillion walls and a covering of an ochre floor. I'm in my room.

"Master, are you ready?"

The question resounds from the other side of the door.

I look at my wrist and the locket of the bracelet dad gave dangles.

"Yes. I just finished."

"Good. Since I'm going to the cafeteria, tell me what you want?"

"Is that so? Then, let me go with you."

I slip in the coat from the fabric rack. Maybe out of habit, I inspect the mirror. My reflection on the surface looks prim as my hair is swept to the left. I open the door, and a spurious smile greets my morning.

Pon lowers his head to bow. "Master, good morning."

Right.

Master.

They won't listen to me no matter how many times I repeated myself, and... I shouldn't present myself bare to other people. Not these days.

I walk past him. "We should go."

"Sure." he opens the door.

I step into the hallway.

Promptly, the attention of the masses become averted to me. Master. Master. Their voices become a chant that echoes inside my ear. I lower my gaze.

You're all leeches.

After a while, the praises are replaced with the rhythm of the footsteps- mine and Pon.

*Ding!*

The elevator's panel unlatches. I approach it, but I feel a dull pain on my side so I halt.

"Woah." the masses react.

"What's he doing?"

"Hehehe. What a wimp to bump to Master like that," they say, further.

On the left, I notice a student who appears to be younger than me by a year. He gapes his eyes.

"Watch where you're stepping!" Pon has grabbed his collar. "You surely don't know your boundaries."

Hold on.

The frame of the student trembles. "I-i-i'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

This is awry.

"You need to act like one if you're really asking for it."

Pon raises his fist toward him. I'm aware it's undesirable to hurt anyone, and so, I grab Pon's arm to interrupt.

"Enough," I demand.

The curling of lips crosses the features of Pon's face. "Sorry, master." then, he loosens his grip on the student.

*Thud*

The student falls.

"I-it's my fault," he speaks. "I'm just a stupid student who lost his glasses. I-i-i didn't mean to disrespect you, master." his voice resembles a leaf taunted by the wind.

"Don't apologize. I understand your reason, and what occurred is fortuitous, so please, lift your head."

He flinches.

"Really? He's letting that go?" the masses say.

"I told you. Master is really kind." one of them gives her comment.

I offer my hand. Our eyes clash and his eyes waver, but he accepts my offer nevertheless.

"T-thank you, master."

"It's nothing. Now go." I wave my hand, gesturing to the elevator.

He shakes his head. "I'll just take the stairs."

"Is that so?"

I glance at Pon.

Both of us desert the loud atmosphere of the hallway. Nobody dares to accompany our journey, and although I couldn't care less, it's better this way.

"You're too soft," Pon mutters.

"Are you saying something? If so, come again."

"I'm not saying anything."

Well, you aren't wrong. I fell on helping others once more when I already decided that I wouldn't trust strangers. Including you, of course.

A thought enters my mind so shortly.

"Am I correct?" I ask Pon. "You've studied at O-gun in Middle School?"

"I exactly came from that. Why did you ask?"

"Are you familiar with someone whose named Jeon-cheon Myers?"

"Jeon?" he sneers. "That basta- I mean student is infamous. He's irritating and arrogant."

So you despise him? "Tell me more."

The elevator bursts open.

"He's arrogant."

"Hm..." I pace my step.

The voices of the masses resound in a boisterous way, but I pay no attention.

"What else?"

"A fag- that guy is gay. Can you imagine, master? He and a third-year high school student have made out in the clubroom?"

"Scandalous."

"I know right?"

But I'm already aware of that. He's a pure disgrace in society, not because of his gender, but because of his attitude. The likes of him should suffer un-

I feel a hardness. Looking ahead seems that another student has collided with me. Tall and thin frame, and oriental features on the face; I can't be mistaken.

Pon averts his gaze at me. "Another one again?"

I nod.

He glares at that bastard's boyfriend, Matt. "How dare you to hurt Master Richard?"

The masses are stringing letters, but their words aren't even necessary to be understood by my mind.

Matt bows. "I-i'm very sorry. I didn't mean to bump into you. I admit it. I was clumsy and not looking in my way."

Sorry? How great it is to act innocent?

Matt lifts his head. His dark eyes shroud my vision as my own clash at him. He might be presentable by the way he acts but he is sly deep inside.

I remain silent.

He bows once more.

This is no use because you can't fool me. "Stop your act."

The voices of the masses come louder, but I do not care. Thus, I leave.

I won't allow anyone to destroy my family. If they dare to, I'll leave them in ruins.