...
I took the last bus to Seoul and sat in the bus for a 6 hour journey. I only bring my wallet and my new phone that I bought. The new one is already exposed to Alex. He might come to me if I don't leave that place. I put it in the forest so it can buy me some time.
I was worried and had so many things to think about. I end up falling asleep on the bus.
I was alone and I was already used to it. The last time I rode a bus was with Grandma Yim in the last 5 years.
Suddenly, I feel like someone is moving my body. I opened my eyes and saw the bus driver was waking me up.
I thanked him for sending me here safely. I hop out from the bus and look around in the city. It's already 8 o'clock.
There are so many changes here. The city got so big.
I looked around and decided to walk around and open up my phone.
Luckily, I have my address and search for it. I grabbed a taxi and it cost me a lot to reach my apartment.
I reach my apartment and get inside.
As I opened the door, it was shockingly messed up everywhere.
I don't remember doing this. I'm pretty sure I left it clean and neat.
Me: Gosh. What just happened here?
Suddenly, I could see my picture on the board was damaged. It was torn and fell onto the floor.
It's are all my pictures with my family, friends and... Alex. But only his picture with me got torn apart.
I knew it without doubt. This must be his work. Suddenly, I found a note left on my study table. It was left right under the knife.
"You can hide from me, but you cannot run from me. Don't worry. I won't hurt them".
Alex left a smiling emoji. He must be up to something. He must have been targeting everyone in my pictures. I was anxious and immediately ran to my parent's house.
As soon as I arrived there, I was speechless.
My house was burned down. I look and search everywhere for any clues. I found my sister's teddy bears.
Me: This is my sister. I gave it to her for her birthday. Wh... What just happened?
I was clueless.
Me: Did he... Just burn my family house... Because of me?
This can't be happening. If he wants to blame, he should blame me. This is not their fault. I am the one that has been putting him in pain and left him alone in a miserable state. I was feeling angry and sad. I'm worried more about my family.
I overheard the neighbours gossiping about my house.
It was burned down by a group of thugs and there is a tall man with a big build . He is handsome and looks so nice. I don't know him. He must be the mercenaries that Alex hired to burn this house.
However, they say that he is looking for someone called... "Carl".
I was shocked.
When I turned around and about to leave the house, I saw a scratch on the wall, leaving notes.
"Guess who's next?"
Me: No way. Is he going to..
I rush over to Kyle's house. It looks like he is not home. I get an idea he might be spending time at the bar. Luckily, I was right and he was together with John and Will.
I try to cover up myself with my black jacket and black cap with a black trousers. I was so full of black that I'm hoping Alex would have a hard time finding me.
He is so crazy. He must take a look at every CCTV in this world just to find me.
"What fucking psycho!" I thought in my mind that was the only thing that crossed my mind when I thought of his behaviour.
I tried to approach the three of them but they were guarded by their men.
Me: What the.. Since when did they get a bodyguard for them? (They aren't the type that need protection, unless..)
As I call for them and make a scene, Kyle looks at me. He must notice my voice.
Me: Tell them Lee Carl wants to meet him. I bet they know me. I swear!
The man delivered my message and the man came back to me.
The man: He didn't wish to see you. Send him away.
Me: W.. Wait 3x. Hold on. Tell him, I know what Alex did to him.
As he goes back, Kyle finally lets me see him.
I approached them and felt uneasy.
Me: (Does he really need to do this? I feel like we are a stranger)
I tried to give him a handshake but ignored.
Me: Yaa, it's been a long time since I met you. It feels like I was unwelcome here.
Will: Whose fault is that. Talk back to the guy that disappeared after 10 5 years.
Me: ...
John: What do you think about us? Aren't we your friends?
Kyle: That's enough. We already have a deal, to think of him (me) as a dead person. I can't believe he came back here alive.
They glared at me with a dissatisfied look. I was looking down and ashamed to look at them.
Me: I know. I'm... I'm truly sorry. Please.. Please forgive me.
I kneel down and beg for their forgiveness.
Suddenly, they burst out to laugh.
Kyle: Wtf is that. Yaa! Do you think we care about you?
John: Sorry man. We never consider you as friends either.
Will: Dude. That's hilarious.
Me: Huh? What?
Kyle: Come here man. Have you forgotten already? We are sworn brothers! Wtf you apologising for?
John: Don't pretend like this isn't your idea, Kyle.
Will: That's right. This lame idea was his.
Me: *chuckles*. Seriously. I really thought you all would be mad at me.
Kyle: Nah man. Since we finished school, we already know you had a problem.
John: Did you still run away from him?
Will: That bastard. He is really something else. I can't believe he is such a powerful man.
Kyle: Darn it! So tell me. Did something to you too?
Me: Wait.. What?! So he really did something to you?
Kyle: That's right. He beat me on the verge of death and spared me when I said something about you.
John: I was really shocked when I was riding a bike, there was a spike on the road. I was in an accident and he came. He also asks about you.
Will: Well, I'm not as bad as them. I only got a threat from him. By the way, he really looks like he wants to kill you man.
Me: Really? Guys, I'm really sorry. I'm truly sorry.
Kyle: Wtf. Why did you have to be sorry? It's not like you are the one who bullied him.
John: Yeah right. I also did him dirty.
Will: Me too.
Me: (So they don't know the reason behind it)
Kyle: So, is it true that you hid from him for all these years?
Me: That's right. I am living in Jirisan now.
Kyle: What?! Is that a place?
John: Is it in Korea?
Will: You stupid dumbass. That's why you never get an A in Geography.
Me: Well, it's true that I ran away from him, but do you know where he is right now?
Kyle: No idea. Maybe at his company.
Me: His company?
John: That's right. He is the chairman of the K Group.
Me: What's that?
Will: For real? You don't even know that?
Kyle: Of course he is. He is living in that Jiri.. things. I bet he never got a line or television to connect with the world.
Me: *grinning*
John: Well, the K Group is the largest conglomerate in the world. So, he is some kind of a big shot.
Will: I heard a rumour that he killed his own parents to be able for their fortune.
Kyle: So, let's talk about you. Why did you come here?
Me: Because... I was worried about you guys.
John: Really? How do you know that?
Me: I just went to my apartment and it was a mess. When I reach home, it's already burned down to the ground.
John: Man. He is really not a joke.
Kyle: Don't worry. We will keep it a secret. Do you want to have a drink? It's been a long time since we hung out.
Me: What? No... I still have something to do. (This is weird. They look suspicious)
I looked around and saw the guard standing behind me.
Me: I have to go now. It is good to see you.
I stand up and about to leave. Suddenly, their guards stopped me.
Me: What are these guys? Are you really trying to betray me?
Kyle: Don't blame us, Carl. You are the one who betrayed us.
Will: We need you as our ransom. You know that Alex is capable of doing anything.
Kyle: We also have something to lose. But not our life.
Will: We will only have to end this friendship.
Me: You're making me laugh. What just about you said as a brotherhood. Is that a lie?
John: No it's not. Why don't you sacrifice yourself for us if you care about this brotherhood?
Me: Do you think you can give me to him that easily? He is just manipulating you all!
I kick the wine on the face to disturb their vision and splash the water on the bodyguard.
John: What are you doing? Stop him!
The guard immediately took an action to put me down but I got to dodge them and I knocked them down to get through them.
My body was agile after 5 years living in the mountains.
Will: What are you waiting for?! Catch him! Don't let him run away!
I run away after a mile and hide as soon I get the chance. They have trouble finding me as I run so fast.
Kyle: Damn it!
John: We screwed up.
Will: Oh no. What are we going to do? He totally will kill us this time.
I heard their conversation just before I left them and headed to the bus station.
It looks like Alex already has something on them. He must have threatened something to them till they turned their back on me.
I think I can't stay here any longer. I need to go back.
...
(I went back to my house at Jirisan)
As I reached Grandma Yim place, it was all in a mess. I searched for her and saw her lying on the floor looking helpless.
Me: Grandma! Are you okay? What just happened?
I was about to help her but she snapped her hand.
Me: I'm... I'm sorry. I'm really sorry.
Grandma: Don't apologise to me. You should apologise to him, the one that you hurt the most.
Me: Wh...What? What do you mean?
She gets up and takes the broom to wipe the floor.
I didn't wait and help her as well.
Grandma: You should be grateful, there is someone who looks out for you. You shouldn't make him wait for you again.
Me: What do you mean?
Grandma: He told me to relay a message for you. "I know what you have done here. Come meet me at the usual place".
I was shocked and speechless.
Me: (How could he possibly know what I'm doing here?)
As I was worried about the other, I paid Mr. Jang a visit.
While at his farm, it looks like all of her orchards have been burned down to the ground. I look at him sitting down there while in despair.
I was afraid to meet him, but I had to apologise to him. I slowly approached him. He noticed me.
Me: I'm... I'm really sorry. I.. I never knew that he would...
Mr. Jang: Shut up! You lie to me and... Because of you... Look what have you done!
He yelled at me with an angry face. "Go away!"
I didn't have a choice but to do as he said. Maybe I should come again when he is better.
After that, I went to Park Tae Joon's house. From outside, I could hear his parents were mad at him. It looks like Alex also has done something to him too. I could hear something break like a vase fall down to the floor.
Suddenly, I hear someone coming.
It was Park Tae Joon. He saw me and took a step to run away from his house. He turned back and I could see his hatred for me.
Park: It's all your fault!
He left after spouting those words.
My heart was shattered in pieces. All that someone I know hurt because of me.
When I was about to leave this place, I remembered, I still have someone to pay a visit.
It was Song Ji Hyun. He looks fine at the police station.
Me: Did you meet someone earlier?
He nodded.
Me: Did he hurt you? I'm... I'm really sorry. Whatever he did... Please.. I know it sounds crazy, but you gotta believe me.
Song: No, I'm fine. Don't worry about me. But, can you please do me a favour?
Me: Huh?
Song: I know that you have some kind of.. bittersweet past with him, but could you not put me into your own mess?
Me: What do you mean?
Song: Because of him, my reputation is now bad because of you. I also have an affair behind you, but couldn't you at least have initiatives if busted. Now, they all left me.
Me: Wh.. What do you mean?
Song: Don't worry. You don't have to apologise to me. I understand you. I'm also a man. I understand his feelings when got betrayed by someone he loves.
I can't believe what he said.
Me: You freaking bastard! Just rot in hell!
I left him as I was angry with him.
I was worried about him and he was just being a jerk. Now I know his true colour.
However, the one that I truly hate was not him but Alex.
"Just wait until I see you." I hold a deep hatred in my heart.
This is too much to put my eyes away from. This is a serious matter.
I can't understand how he came here. What his parents have promised to me to keep him away from me is gone. Now he is right here taking his revenge.
Me: His parents said they would take care of him, but is it only after 10 years? Fine, they shouldn't have problems if I also didn't keep my promise, right. Because it's all their fault.
I regretted it. I should not believe their words. Now it is all too late.
That night, I headed back to Seoul because of the last message that Alex relay to Grandma Yim.
...