By Zephyria ■
Part 8
Around 2 PM.
Instead of curtains or blinds, the bedroom was fitted with antique wooden shutters. The interior, with the shutters closed, was moderately dim. Lee Hae-sung watched Choi Hong-seo sleeping, his forehead resting on his shoulder. They lay side-by-side for a long time, but even after his lover fell asleep, Lee Hae-sung couldn’t sleep.
Looking at Choi Hong-seo sleeping soundly, breathing rhythmically, Lee Hae-sung smiled silently in the darkness.
He must have been tired.
While staying in Ubud, Lee Hae-sung intended to minimize going out. Even if it wasn’t popular tourist spots like Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, or the Tegalalang rice terraces, Koreans could be seen everywhere. They had already seen enough Koreans while driving from the airport through the center of Ubud. There were too many eyes watching for ‘Yoon Hye-an’ to travel freely.
Of course, he wanted to let him travel like others.
The wonder in his eyes when interacting with a baby monkey, the sight of him soaring high on a swing against the backdrop of Ubud’s lush jungle, his laughter as he roamed freely through the streets… He wanted to capture it all with his own camera.
However, on this trip, Choi Hong-seo’s stability was the top priority. He couldn’t let his guard down until his objective was achieved. It wasn’t just the spots that had spread to his face, but he was also frequently breaking out in cold sweats and complaining of dizziness, collapsing.
To avoid waking his lover, Lee Hae-sung carefully traced the spots on Choi Hong-seo’s face with his fingertip. If not for the anxiety that the situation was worsening, Lee Hae-sung might have opposed seeking out Lee Jong-ik to the very end. The moment he found him in front of that house, he might have dragged him back.
Even now, Lee Hae-sung didn’t believe most of what the teacher had said.
People with incurable diseases and their families often try all sorts of methods that seem absurd to healthy people. He was here, grasping at straws, that’s all.
Choi Hong-seo didn’t raise any complaints about the strict restrictions on going out. However, he persistently begged to see the ‘Gate of Heaven’ in person.
‘It’s okay if we go together, Ajusshi.’
Well. Just the appearance of ‘Yoon Hye-an’ would pique the interest of Korean tourists. Would it be good if it was revealed that Lee Hae-sung of ARA was with him? Even if it didn’t cause a commotion, it could lead to troublesome situations.
‘Waiting for our turn to take photos. They say it takes a long time because of that. I don’t need to take photos. I just need to see it in person. Okay?’
The ‘Gate of Heaven,’ famous for its photo spot that looks like it’s floating on water, was actually not grand or special, but a temple that could be seen in any Balinese temple. It was merely a trick of using a mirror under the camera for shooting, so most people were disappointed after seeing the real thing. Even though everyone knew that now, it was still a place people visited to leave their mark with photos.
But as Lee Hae-sung himself said, his lover had an unusual stubbornness when it came to things he decided he absolutely had to do. Moreover, it was extremely rare for Choi Hong-seo to pester him for something. Faced with his pleading gaze, looking up with a ‘Ne?’ added, he couldn’t possibly say no.
Well, I am quite the doting fool.
Carefully tucking away a strand of hair that fell long across his cheek, Lee Hae-sung’s lips curved upwards.
In the end, it was a trip to Lempuyang Temple before dawn.
The travel time alone was 4 hours round trip, and perhaps because of the early morning schedule, Choi Hong-seo, who returned to their rented villa, seemed to need a nap.
Just as Lee Hae-sung became anxious when Choi Hong-seo was out of sight, Choi Hong-seo now also felt anxious when separated from Lee Hae-sung. It must have started that night, when he woke up from a dream and clung to him.
Since he wasn’t the type to act spoiled, he didn’t overtly show it with his words or actions, but whenever Lee Hae-sung tried to leave, his anxious eyes would follow.
Knowing that if he told him to nap alone, he would insist he wasn’t sleepy, Lee Hae-sung was the one who first suggested they nap together.
Just in case, Lee Hae-sung had also asked the locals directly about ‘Taripa’ at Lempuyang Temple. The monks at the temple and the vendors seen everywhere around shook their heads. One local guide, touched by a generous tip, even brought an elder who was said to be the guardian spirit of the area, but they couldn’t find out anything special.
Was it the right decision to come here?
Shouldn’t they have gone to America, even if there was no hope in medicine?
Two days since arriving here. With each report from his attendants yielding no results, Lee Hae-sung was becoming increasingly anxious.
Suddenly, in the darkness, his phone screen emitted a bright light. He was receiving a call on his phone, which was set to silent. It was Manager Kang from Seoul.
Lee Hae-sung carefully got up from Choi Hong-seo’s side. Without even time to put on a robe, he slipped out of the small side door connecting the bedroom directly to the garden, wearing only pajamas. Unlike the pleasant indoor temperature, the midday heat instantly enveloped Lee Hae-sung.
Through the glass door, Lee Hae-sung, his gaze fixed on the sleeping Choi Hong-seo, connected the call.
A brief report on Jo Seong-hyeon followed.
The plan was to leak information about bribery related to GX’s North African business, triggering an investigation. That was just the beginning. Jo Seong-hyeon had been involved in numerous bribery transactions, both giving and receiving, over the years. Many of JS Construction’s former and current executives were among them. JS would immediately cut ties with Jo Seong-hyeon to avoid trouble, rendering his connections useless. No one would step forward to help Jo Seong-hyeon, who would be left adrift.
[This afternoon, the media will break the story first, along with the evidence. At the latest, the prosecution is expected to launch an immediate investigation by dawn tomorrow.]
“Be meticulous about ensuring he isn’t arrested. If necessary, drop my name as a hint.”
[We will do so.]
“I have plans on this end too. It would be problematic if he were arrested too quickly.”
[He won’t be arrested directly without a summons. The ‘operation’ is planned for around the first summons date or the day after.]
“Good.”
Watching Choi Hong-seo’s huddled form rise and fall rhythmically under the covers, Lee Hae-sung nodded.
“Even if things go well on this end, I plan to return to Korea after staying a bit longer. Fortunately, the VIP likes it here. Let’s wrap up the project cleanly without delay.”
[We will have good news ready within 3 to 4 days.]
“Yes. That I can sleep and eat well again. Isn’t that Manager Kang’s wish? As Manager Kang knows, for that to happen, the VIP must be guaranteed safety. So, Manager Kang… please take good care of it.”
His voice was closer to a plea than a command. Lee Hae-sung, leaning his bare shoulder against the glass door, twisted his body further. He bumped his forehead against the glass, sighing towards Choi Hong-seo on the other side.
[Please do not worry about matters on this end, Vice President.]
Manager Kang’s voice was as calm and steady as ever, but also more assured than ever before.
With matters entrusted to Manager Kang, there was no need to worry about Jo Seong-hyeon. The problem lay on this side.
After ending the call, Lee Hae-sung returned to the bedroom. Choi Hong-seo, just waking up, was buried in a pile of white sheets, looking up at him.
“Baby, are you awake?”
A smile bloomed on his defenseless face, still heavy with sleep, as he blinked slowly. He climbed onto the bed and stroked Choi Hong-seo’s disheveled hair.
“I tried to be careful. Did I wake you?”
“No. I slept a lot.”
Choi Hong-seo shook his head while lying down and sat up. He fiddled with Lee Hae-sung’s hand, resting on his knee, with both of his own. Knowing he was trying to alleviate his anxiety, Lee Hae-sung felt a stronger pang of pity than affection.
“Where did you go?”
“I had a call.”
“……”
A flicker of anticipation flashed in Choi Hong-seo’s eyes. He was hoping it was a call about finding something out about ‘Taripa’. Lee Hae-sung offered a lopsided, strained smile and tightly clasped Choi Hong-seo’s hands as he fiddled with them.
“It was Manager Kang. He had a few things to report regarding work.”
Since arriving here two days ago, six or seven elite escorts had been discreetly inquiring among various people in Ubud. However, they had found nothing about the ‘Taripa’ Lee Jong-ik had mentioned.
“Let’s wait just 3 to 4 more days. If there’s nothing by then, we’ll go to America, okay? Hong-seo, you promised?”
He spoke while gently shaking the hands he held, and Choi Hong-seo nodded heavily. In 3 to 4 days, Jo Seong-hyeon would be dealt with. He was willing to wait here until then.
“Ah… I’m hungry. It’s already 3 o’clock, and we missed lunch. Shall we go out for lunch?”
“We can?”
A smile touched Lee Hae-sung’s lips at the sight of his bright, happy face. He gently intertwined their fingers and pulled Choi Hong-seo into his embrace.
“There’s a restaurant by the Ayung River where each table is enclosed in a bamboo cocoon. It’s not their usual mealtime, but they’ll probably accept us. We can have a meal there without running into anyone.”
“We’re going there?”
“I’m sorry it’s not a bustling restaurant on the streets of Ubud, but…”
As he held him and kissed his forehead, Choi Hong-seo shook his head.
Just as he was about to get out of bed to prepare for going out, Lee Hae-sung’s phone rang again. This time, it was one of the escorts who had come to Bali with them.
“Hong-seo, could you open the shutters?”
Speaking to Choi Hong-seo with an effort to maintain a calm expression and tone, Lee Hae-sung connected the call. Don’t get your hopes up, he told himself.
[Vice President, we’ve found someone who knows about ‘Taripa’.]
Chaaak.
The sound of dozens, hundreds, of tightly packed wooden shutters sliding up at once. As light poured in, Lee Hae-sung closed his eyes.
When he opened them again, he saw Choi Hong-seo’s silhouette, standing against the light, backlit. Suppressing his rising breath, Lee Hae-sung swallowed dryly.
“Bring him here immediately… No, I’ll head over there right now.”