A Confession and a Choice
Sua was more shocked by the revelation that Taein had been harboring feelings for her all this time than she had been when he spat out the fact that Tezman was part of the mafia.
“...Taein.”
“Redemption?”
Ignoring her words, Taein let out a hollow laugh.
“Your existence is my redemption too. Because if I have you, it feels like I could do anything.”
The fact that he had been suppressing his emotions all this time suddenly made him feel like a fool. Taein gently placed his hand over the back of Sua’s, which rested neatly on the table. Her small hand was completely enveloped in his.
“I like you. I like you so much. Long before that bastard ever did. In my heart, there’s only ever been you.”
The hand covering the back of hers tightened with quiet force.
“So choose me instead of him, Sua.”
Sua pulled her hand free from his grasp and lifted her head. She could fully understand the frustration in Taein’s eyes as he looked at her. But that was as far as it went.
“Taein.”
“Sua, think about it carefully. What do you think Sister Agnes would say if she knew you were seeing a mafia member?”
Taein had believed that bringing up Sister Agnes would shake Sua. After all, she had always followed the nun so faithfully.
But contrary to his expectations, Sua’s face remained perfectly calm. The faint confusion that had flickered in her eyes had already settled into quiet composure.
“Yes. She might be disappointed.”
Even so, the reason Sua could remain so composed was the trust Sister Agnes had placed in her. The nun had even pressed spending money into her hand, encouraging Sua to go out into the wider world and reconsider her path as a sister. She had supported Sua even when the girl left the convent and chose Tezman.
Because Sua knew that Sister Agnes would never condemn her simply for choosing a man from the mafia, she could remain at peace.
“But I will still tell her. That I want to stay by his side.”
At her unwavering words, Taein let out a sigh-like laugh. It seemed he had realized it would be impossible to change Sua’s mind now that her decision was made.
“Taein.”
Her voice, gentle and sweet as it slipped into his ear, twisted his heart even more painfully.
“I know you’re disappointed in me. I know you’ve been so worried. I won’t ask you to understand. But right now… I’m so happy.”
Happy. No other word was needed. Sua was so happy that she could forget Tezman was a mafia boss, forget the worry Sister Agnes and Taein felt for her.
Just by being at his side.
“You’re like family to me. Like a brother or sister. Even if Tezman hadn’t been by my side, I still wouldn’t have accepted your confession… I’m sorry.”
It was a gentle rejection. Even though he had already known how she felt about him, the emotions that had burst out in a rush slowly began to sink back down.
After a long silence, Taein rose from his seat with a dazed expression.
“...Let’s go.”
The coffee that had gone cold and barely been touched still sat in the cup. It looked so forlorn that it seemed to mirror his own state. Taein set the untouched cup on the bar counter and turned away.
Sua and Taein walked in silence toward the spot where the driver waited. Just as they reached the car and the driver, who had been waiting for Sua, spotted her and jumped out of the driver’s seat—
The lips that had been pressed into a thin line finally parted.
“...I’ll contact you again.”
“Okay. Thank you. Get some rest and call me before you go back to Korea.”
“...Yeah.”
Sua looked at Taein with concern as he awkwardly met her eyes. Unable to bring herself to walk away, she let out a small sigh before climbing into the car. Once she was inside, Taein hesitated, as if he had something more to say, but in the end he simply pressed his lips shut again.
The car carrying Sua began to move. Through the window, she awkwardly waved her hand. Taein quietly nodded in return. Soon, the car disappeared completely from his sight.
Left alone on the street, Taein lowered his head and let out a heavy sigh. Far from receiving an answer, everything felt completely ruined. He couldn’t bring himself to lift his head.
When the car carrying Sua pulled up to the estate, Cact headed to the entrance as if he had been waiting. Seeing her step out of the vehicle, he smiled and asked,
“Did you have a good outing?”
“Cact.”
Sua smiled brightly, but she couldn’t fool Cact’s eyes. Observing her complexion, he asked gently,
“Did something happen?”
“Ah… No, I think I’m just a little tired.”
“I see. I’ll have dinner sent up to your room tonight.”
“It’s not that bad. Oh, is Tezman in the study?”
Contrary to her assumption that he would be in the study, a different answer came from Cact’s lips.
“He suddenly had some business to attend to and stepped out. Since you’re on your way back, he should arrive soon.”
Perhaps because the reminder that Tezman was a mafia boss was still fresh in her mind, the mention of sudden business made fear rise in her chest.
“Um… It’s not anything dangerous… is it…?”
Seeing Sua’s stiffened face as she asked cautiously, Cact offered a reassuring smile.
“Nothing like that. He only went out to check his schedule.”
“That’s a relief. I’m sorry, Cact. I asked something unnecessary, didn’t I?”
“Not at all.”
When Cact smiled warmly, Sua returned a faint smile of her own.
“Then I’ll head up first. I’ll eat dinner with Tezman when he gets back.”
“Understood.”
Cact watched Sua’s retreating figure as she headed for the stairs to the second floor, then shifted his gaze. His eyes fell on an ornate clock sculpture that looked like a work of art.
Tezman had always followed Sua out whenever she left the estate. And without fail, he would return ten minutes before her and act as if he had been waiting in the study. But today, even though he had left right after her, he still hadn’t returned.
Tezman was extremely strict about time. Of course, Sua’s arrival had thrown some things off balance, but there were certain habits he never broke. For example, at six o’clock sharp every evening, he would come down to the first-floor dining room with her for dinner.
The hour hand on the clock sculpture had already passed five and was drawing near to six. There were less than ten minutes left. Just as Cact pulled out his phone with a worried expression—
The front door burst open. The face of his master that appeared was beyond pale—it was icy. It was a face Cact knew all too well. The expression of someone whose mood had soured so badly that he looked ready to pull the trigger on anyone who dared defy him.
“...Master Tezman.”
When Cact cautiously called his name, those sharp golden eyes shifted toward him.
“Where is Sua?”
“She just went up to the study.”
As expected, Tezman’s steps immediately turned toward the second floor. But he suddenly stopped, his back still turned, and spoke.
“She’ll be down soon, so prepare dinner. And,”
Cact held his breath and listened carefully.
“Clear out every last person in the estate. Make sure no one remains so that only Sua and I are here.”
“Understood.”
His paused footsteps resumed. At that, Cact gestured toward the kitchen—a signal to prepare dinner. The kitchen staff, who had been holding their breath, moved quickly. Cact turned and stopped one of the capos who was patrolling the estate.
“Tell all personnel inside the estate to move to the annex immediately. They are not to come out until I give further orders. Ensure no one enters the main house until tomorrow morning.”
“Understood.”
At the sudden order to relocate to the annex, the people in the estate moved busily. They were used to this kind of lockdown whenever Boss Michele visited or when something special was happening. Since the living quarters for the estate staff, the capos, and the soldiers were all in the annex, it was actually more comfortable for them to stay there.
Even Macfi, who had been helping the chef prepare dinner in the kitchen, hurried off to the annex. Once every last member had headed there, Cact, who had remained alone by the entrance, quietly closed the door. Then he took out a bundle of keys from his breast pocket and locked the front door securely.
Even though everyone had left the main house, security remained in place. The only difference was that the soldiers who usually stood at various points around the estate had pulled back to a greater distance for tonight.
A profound silence settled over the grounds. Cact, who had been quietly watching the house, turned and headed toward the annex. He hoped his master would enjoy a peaceful time.
At that same moment, inside the now-empty estate, only Sua and Tezman remained. When Tezman passed through the study and reached the bedroom, Sua was in the middle of a shower. He briefly considered stripping off his clothes and joining her, but soon abandoned the idea. He had no intention of unleashing his desires so soon. Instead, he sat down on the stool in the dressing room and waited for her.
The sound of running water beyond the door suddenly stopped. It seemed Sua had finished her shower. Soon, with a soft click, she emerged wrapped in a cloud of white steam. Her hair, which she had only towel-dried, was still damp and clung to her shoulders.
“...Tezman?”
When she spotted him, her eyes widened into perfect circles. Her lips looked even more tempting than usual. He wanted to bite down on those wet, red lips right then and there. Unaware of his dark thoughts, Sua blinked her large eyes and asked,
“When did you get back?”