Trapped by the weight of his own confession, Jae Hyuk felt a surge of desperation as he began to speak fervently about how all memories tied to his current body had slipped away, leaving him in a desolate wasteland of blankness. This void consumed him, a dark expanse where fragments of his past should have mirrored his identity. Deep down, he grappled with the unsettling truth: his mind swirled in a chaotic whirlpool of confusion, disorienting and relentless. The only semblance of stability in this tumultuous sea of uncertainty was the name that had been thrust upon him, echoing in his thoughts like a distant, haunting refrain.
Choi Hae-ra, her strong build and intelligent eyes not missing a beat, listened with a mix of patience and urgency. Her presence was both comforting and intimidating, a testament to her strength. After his rambling subsided, she tried her best to give him a brief and concise summary of the situation.
"Ji Hoon," she started, her tone steady yet laced with urgency as she leaned closer, ensuring her words were clear in the dim light of the hospital room. "You are currently the active Chairman of Eclipse Entertainment, a role that carries immense responsibilities and visibility. It's vital that you comprehend the severity of your situation; you've been involved in a serious accident that has left you in a vulnerable state. For the time being, I need you to convincingly embody the persona of someone who is weak and traumatized. This façade is crucial for your recovery and protection. Above all, please do not disclose your memory loss or any of our conversations to anyone. Our more like Your future depends on it."
As Jae Hyuk listened intently to her words, the pieces of a complex puzzle slowly began to fall into place. The weight of his fears shifted into undeniable clarity: he had, without a doubt, taken over the body of someone named Cha Ji Hoon. The name Eclipse Entertainment sparked a flicker of recognition deep within him.
The unexpected truth dawned on him—he wasn't thrust into an alternate universe or an otherworldly realm; rather, he was still firmly anchored within his own reality, albeit in a body that was foreign but oddly familiar. This realization settled over him like a warm blanket, bringing with it an unexpected wave of relief. The panic that had initially surged through his veins eased, replaced by a cautious curiosity about the life he now inhabited and the possibilities it might offer.
This arrangement suited Jae Hyuk perfectly. At this point in his journey, he wasn't quite ready to engage in one-on-one sessions with anyone. Over the course of the next week, Jae Hyuk took time to analyze not just his own feelings, but more critically, the situation surrounding Ji Hoon, all through the lens of his visitors' behaviors.
Almost 20 individuals had come to pay their respects, yet it was Hae Ra who remained by Ji Hoon's side from the very beginning, her unwavering dedication a lifeline amidst the confusion. She was a constant presence, her chatter about Ji Hoon's parents a backdrop to the sterile atmosphere of the room, filled with unspoken anxieties.
While her words sometimes seemed endless and repetitive, Jae Hyuk quickly realized that Hae Ra was the only genuinely caring individual amidst a crowd that felt increasingly insincere. Many of the visitor's eyes revealed the emotions that betrayed their supposedly supportive words. Some attempted to mask their true feelings with overly sweet platitudes, but Jae Hyuk could easily discern the bitterness lurking beneath the surface. Others unleashed venomous remarks, their disdain evident as soon as they opened their mouths.
In a world filled with insincerity, Ji Hoon struggled to deal with toxic attitudes and harsh judgments. However, Hae Ra stood firm beside him, acting as a protective barrier against the cruel comments from false friends. Her support brought comfort and stability, showing a clear difference between her genuine nature and the deceitfulness of those around them.
Among the numerous bouquets sent to Ji Hoon's hospital room, one stood out in its simplicity. Unlike the grand and elaborate arrangements that filled the room, this particular bouquet was humble—a single lotus, elegant and understated. The delicate petals of the lotus gleamed softly under the room's gentle lighting, a stark contrast to the extravagant displays surrounding it.
Attached to the stem of the lotus was a small card, its edges slightly worn, hinting at the care with which it was placed. The message on the card was short and simple, yet it carried a weight of sincerity: "Don't overexert yourself." The handwriting was neat and deliberate, suggesting a person who took the time to convey their thoughts with care.
Jae Hyuk, still grappling with the surreal nature of his situation, felt an inexplicable connection to this modest offering. He carefully removed the card and the lotus from the bouquet, placing them on the small table beside his bed.
Despite the chaos swirling around him, the enigmatic figure who wished for his death did not appear again. Jae Hyuk couldn't shake the nagging doubt in his mind. Was it all merely a figment of his imagination, or had he misinterpreted the significance of that encounter? The fruit basket perched on the table beside him seemed to challenge this uncertainty.
While going through a short life profile created by Hae Ra on Ji Hoon's life, the door suddenly burst open without a knock. A woman in her 40s stormed into the room, dragging one of Ji Hoon's guards by his hair. Two men in black suits followed closely behind her, their expressions cold and menacing.
Startled, Jae Hyuk's first glance went to his guard. He rushed to free him but was met with a sharp slap from the woman. The force of the blow made his cheek sting, and he stumbled back, shock and anger flaring in his eyes. "Do you even know how much it costs to have you here? You still haven't learned how to deal with these injuries?" she exclaimed, sitting on the couch with her palm on her head, sighing in distress.
On his knees, Jae Hyuk couldn't process what had just happened. An unknown woman had walked into his room, assaulted his guard, and slapped him. While he was still recovering the woman started to ramble again, her voice filled with venom and bitterness.
"You think your dad is paying for all this from hell? Or maybe your mom left you some hidden stash we don't know about, huh?!" The woman's voice dripped with venom, each word more cutting than the last. Her eyes bore into Jae Hyuk with a mix of contempt and spite, as if he were a burden she couldn't wait to shake off.
Jae hyuk's short temper flared, a burning desire to lash out at her rising within him. But an unseen force gripped him tightly, constraining his movements and rendering him utterly powerless against the storm of her words. He could think with remarkable clarity, his mind racing with thoughts and emotions, the anger simmering just beneath the surface like molten lava poised to erupt. Yet, his body refused to respond, leaving him stuck in a surreal, nightmarish scenario where every syllable she hurled felt like a dagger. Each passing moment intensified the absurdity of his predicament, as he yearned to retort but found himself trapped in silence, unable to break free from the invisible chains that bound him.
"You're nothing but a useless, spoiled brat!" she continued, her voice rising. "Living off the remnants of our legacy, like a parasite. Yet here you are, making us pay for your pathetic existence. Do you even understand the sacrifices we've made for you? You're a disgrace!"
Each word was like a dagger, twisting deeper into his psyche. Jae Hyuk's blood boiled, his fists clenched at his sides. He wanted to scream, to shove her away, to do anything but sit there and take the verbal onslaught. Yet, he was trapped in his own body, unable to act, adding to the humiliation and frustration.