Chapter 10: Please Help Me
“Let's go out now, Heejin.
“.”
My ankle was throbbing with pain, and with this lump added, it felt like I was going to die. Even though I was trying not to make a sound, aware of her, she was being unusually docile, unlike her usual self who was obsessed with my health. It was as if she was punishing me for worrying her. Truly cowardly.
“... What is this… ”
The bathroom was a complete mess, far worse than any market scene. Had a war broken out here?
The bed was not only overturned but split in half, and even the chandelier, the most beautiful thing in this house, was smashed to pieces, with glass shards covering the floor.
“..... This won't work.”
Even she, who had come to her senses, couldn't move her feet, sensing the seriousness of the situation.
How much would it cost to fix this house compared to moving to a new one, which would be cheaper for someone like me who was used to frugal living?
At least for today, I definitely couldn't stay here. Restoring this place to its original state would take at least three days, even if I tried to rush it.
It was impossible to clean up all this in just one day.
“Hold on, I'll go get some clothes, Unni.”
By the way, even after a while since the shower, I was still naked and shivering from the cold. She entered the dressing room, avoiding the glass as much as possible, and handed me a few clothes.
These weren't clothes. The ones that were ripped to shreds didn't seem like they could function as clothes at all.
“... I'm sorry. I got too angry for a moment. But if I wear them layered, it should be okay.”
Since I couldn't stand naked like that, I layered the clothes she gave me. It was a bit tight on my body, but layered as she said, it was wearable.
Once I was fully dressed, she opened her mouth with a stiff face.
“... It seems I have to move out.”
The words she wanted and expected came out of her mouth, and I secretly rejoiced inside.
“... I don't want to. I like it here... It's where our precious memories are.”
Of course, I didn't make the mistake of saying my true feelings straight. To suppress her obsession even a little, polite words were essential.
“... I feel the same... but I can't keep Unni sleeping here. Let's move out. Okay?”
“... I don't want to…”
“Unni... please...”
Even though she was pleading and I was refusing, just by not making her feel bad, I felt good.
How happy I would be if I could control her like this always.
“It won't take long. Unni. I'll clean it up as fast as possible, so please wait a moment while I move out. Please.”
“... I did promise to clean it up as fast as possible.”
“Of course.”
Inside, I was really happy, but with an unwilling expression, I nestled in her arms and prepared to leave the house.
She knew I would try to escape, but she simply hugged me and opened the front door.
It wasn't that she didn't cover her eyes because she knew I would try to escape; she trusted me based on just one conversation from a moment ago.
Her confidence that I could never escape was evident.
Creak.
The door opened, revealing a scene hidden behind the bodyguard.
As I stepped out, a long, narrow corridor appeared, each part designed to prevent my escape.
The narrow corridor, wide enough for only one adult male to pass, was designed to prevent the bodyguard from losing me, and the very long corridor, which seemed endless, considered my poor physical condition.
And, decisively.
There was an automatic floor escalator installed in the corridor, and its purpose was blatantly obvious.
At this point, I thought the bodyguard opening the door with pure intentions wasn't the case. It was probably to wake me up from reality.
With my ankle condition, I couldn't climb this reverse escalator.
“Unni, I installed it because I wanted to see you quickly and go to the company as late as possible. There's no other reason. Unni.”
“.... Whatever.”
The escalator was so obvious from the start, but it didn't seem like she was lying. She probably made it as a bonus. To prevent escape and to quickly return home.
She could have created a win-win situation, but she couldn't have endured it.
By the way, what I should pay the most attention to in the current situation was not the escalator or the long corridor.
What I should focus on now was her physical strength.
I could consider that I was light because of my small build, but it wasn't possible for her to carry me princess-style and walk calmly on the reverse escalator without any labored breathing.
Her strength was abnormally strong.
“... Hah. As expected, it's a bit tough.”
As if sensing my strange gaze, she pretended to wipe away sweat and started chattering.
At the end of the corridor was an elevator, and she entered it, pressing the button for the 7th floor. Then handed me a blindfold.
It was an unwelcome situation for me, who needed to find escape information, but since it was more important not to upset her mood, I put on the blindfold without a word.
As if pleased with my appearance, she bowed her head and kissed my forehead.
“From the 7th floor, there are my employees. They're dirty and bad kids, so that's why. I moved them to another place for a while, but you know how people are, you never know.”
“...... Yeah.”
I seemed to know clearly how she thought of people other than me. Since I was thinking such things inside, I could treat the employees like disposable.
I couldn't take off the blindfold until I arrived at the new house.
“Here is the new house where we will live for several days. Do you like it, Unni?”
The new house was incomparably better than the previous one. Notably, the sight of appliances like the TV negated reality.
It seemed they hadn't prepared such beneficial items because of the hasty move.
“... Still, the previous house was better.”
That's why I had to focus even more on managing my expression.
I consciously restricted my vision so as not to look at the TV-like appliances and stared only at her. It was important to convey the nuance that whether such things existed or not didn't matter.
“... I'm sorry. I'll prepare to return as quickly as possible. Okay?”
“... Yeah.”
“Sleep early today. Unni must be tired.”
She showed a rare considerate side towards me.
After all, she must have thought that what she said to me today was too much.
What kind of person would threaten to cut off all limbs if their lover ran away?
“... Good night, Unni.”
“Yeah. Sleep well.”
She really fell asleep after saying that. Confirming that she was sleeping deeply, I slowly got up and moved towards the TV.
Under the TV was a small charging phone.
How difficult it was to manage my expression because of this…
I picked up the phone in a daze and headed to the bathroom.
Although she had fallen asleep, she might wake up. After all, people are unpredictable. I couldn't show her waking up with a phone in hand for some reason.
First, I sat on the toilet without thinking and started thinking a little.
Was it right to call the police?
According to rumors about her, the chance of getting rescued by calling the police was extremely low. Honestly, I didn't think the police were just.
But…
This choice would be the last one for today. When I woke up, this house would become as desolate as the previous one. She wouldn't have provided such a beneficial place for me.
In fact, this might be the first and last opportunity.
Recognizing that fact, my hand was pressing the numbers on the phone.
112.
When I pressed the call button, several rings, and a woman answered. Instantly, anger surged. Someone calls with their life on the line, but a woman with a sweet voice answers, causing inexplicable disgust.
“Thank you. Seoul Metropolitan Police. How may I help you?”
“Could you switch to a male officer? Please switch to the detective. As strong as possible. Please.”
Even though my tone was blunt, she didn't get angry, as if she had experience with this. Instead, she lectured me.
“May I ask what the matter is first?”
“Just switch it. Fuck, really…”
This was the first curse word I uttered. I was so desperate. Just looking at it, I didn't want to talk to this woman who seemed to have entered through female quota. What I needed was a male police officer, not a woman.
I knew my prejudice was bad, but I had no time or leisure to judge people. I needed a capable detective. And the situation that had fallen upon me wasn't light enough to tell anyone my plight.
“... Please wait a moment. Then.”
I thought she would get angry because I was angry, but she was receiving such treatment not just once or twice, as I heard her calling someone 'senpai!' over the phone.
Soon, a voice came out, tired.
“Yes. What is it?”
“I, I, please save me. Please.”
He spoke in a perfunctory tone as if bothered, but perhaps his detective instincts sensed something from my one word. I felt his changed attitude over the phone.
“Kidnapping?”
“Yes, yes! Y, yes. Hic. Yes.”
His sharp words piercing to the core of the incident made tears flow. The feeling of being able to leave here immediately if he wanted gave me relief.
He asked me something.
“What is your name?”
“... I, I don't know.”
“Age?”
“I, I don't know that either.”
“Location?”
His voice was getting colder. I wasn't lying at all, yet all this situation was making me seem like a liar.
“I, I don't know that either…”
“Are you joking with me now?”
“No, no! Definitely not! I, it's not like that, hic... I, I really don't know... Hic...”
“Then do you know the criminal's appearance?”
“Yes, yes! I, I know!”
Finally, to a question I could answer, I hurriedly replied.
“My, my name is Kim Heejin, and she's, she's very pretty. She's about three years younger than me, and she's the president of a company…”
Beep beep beep...
In the middle of speaking, the call was cut.
“Ha... haha...”
But, I couldn't curse. Even I thought it was no different from a prank call. Rather, it was more malicious than a simple prank call.
But…
“I, I only said the truth... Hic...”
I was really kidnapped...
It hurts my heart to think that no one would believe me even if I confided in anyone in the world.