Chapter XCIII - Best Deal Possible

Knocking on Sophie’s door, Arthur heard sobbing on the other side. He decided to peek only to see her curled up on the floor, leaning against the bed. Three days had passed since she was last at their house, and after talking it over, she agreed to stay with Irene and Amelia until she felt better. Arthur refrained from telling her anything about Ryung’s debt as he didn’t want to worry her, and thankfully she went along with his request.

“May I come in?” Arthur asked, watching as Kyu rubbed against Sophie’s leg, trying to soothe her in his own way.

“Oppa. . .” Sophie called out to him weakly, gasping for air while tearfully looking up at him.

Arthur felt a throbbing pain in his chest as he watched her struggle to cope with what had happened to Ryung. Walking over, he sat down next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her in for a warm embrace as she rested her small head on his chest. Sophie helplessly collapsed into him, grabbing his shirt tightly, afraid to let go. Kyu tried wiggling in between but ended up jumping in Arthur’s lap instead.

“I know it’s hard, but we’ll get through it,” he whispered, looking at the half-empty bag she prepared, reminding him that she already went through something similar when he was in a coma back when he reincarnated.

“What. . . what if he doesn’t wake up?” Sophie tightened her grip, trying her hardest to control herself.

“He will.”

“How do you know?”

“Because he’s strong.” Arthur placed his hand on the back of her head. “He’s not someone that gives up, no matter what.”

“If only we could’ve helped him. . .” Sophie started sobbing again. “Why didn’t I help him more? Why-”

“Stop. . .” Arthur whispered. “You’re not to blame.”

“But if I-”

“You could come up with a million excuses on how you could’ve helped, but you’ve already done more than enough. Sophie, you’re a kind soul that I’m sure gave him the strength to overcome many hardships while being forced to deal with your own problems. You took care of the house, cared for him whenever he returned home and gave him no reason to worry about your future. What more could you ask of yourself?” Sophie sniffled quietly, tears threatening to spill again. “However, there’s still a way for you to help him recover quicker.”

“What do you mean?” Sophie mumbled, wiping her tears away.

“Visit him, tell Grandpa stories, and be by his side. Did you know it helps a patient recover?”

“That’s just. . . a myth.” She averted her gaze.

“I wouldn’t be so sure if I were you.” He chuckled, showing her a reassuring smile. “Don’t underestimate the power of rekindling someone’s soul. It might be hard to see him, but I’ll be right next to you whenever you’re ready.”

“Is. . . is it okay if we go tomorrow?”

Arthur could hear how much she struggled to speak, exhausted from the constant crying as bags appeared under her eyes.

“Of course.” He smiled, brushing away the tears that still caressed her cheeks. “We’ll go after having breakfast with everyone, okay?”

Sophie nodded, returning to packing up after having calmed down enough.

“Will you really be staying here alone?” Sophie asked, worried for him too.

“I’ll be fine. Every teenager’s dream is to live alone for a while, right?” He chuckled, trying to make her smile, but it was a rough crowd. “Relax, I’ll be fine.”

“Kyu should stay, so you’re not alone when Irene’s not here.” She petted their new cat behind his fluffy ear.

“Are you sure? They said it’d be fine to take Kyu with you.”

“I’m sure,” she said, finally smiling softly as her eyes met Kyu’s. “He’s part of our family now and should be with you too. Besides, this is his home too, so he should get used to it.”

“But-”

“It’s not like I won’t be dropping by all the time, and I’ll feel calmer knowing he’s with you. So please take care of him, okay?”

Arthur had nothing against Kyu staying with him, but he wanted Sophie to have as much emotional support as she could, yet at the same time, he felt glad to see so many people worried for him too.

“Okay,” he agreed, looking back at Kyu.

“You too, little guy. . . You better watch over Oppa and make sure he’s okay, okay?”

Kyu meowed, acting as if he understood what she said, making them both laugh.

Arthur decided to walk back home after seeing Ryung, believing that a bit of fresh air would do him good after he drained himself of internal energy. It wouldn’t be as tiring if he didn’t have people watching him and afterward asking questions. However, considering they let his grandfather stay there while giving him financial support, it was the least he could do. Master Gwan Ye-jun wouldn’t leave him alone, but thankfully Tjay’s father was there to keep him in check.

They briefly mentioned everyone’s safety, and as it turned out, they were quick to get on it. Arthur was told to meet Petra tomorrow to discuss further details, a woman whose name sounded familiar, but he couldn’t remember who she was.

Walking through the park, Arthur received a text message.

You done? - Irene

Arthur - Yeah, but we kept talking so sorry for not texting you first.

Nah, it’s okay. You feeling good? - Irene

Arthur - Yeah, I’m fine.

Arthur - Just on my way home now.

Arthur - Thanks for looking after Soph…

Don’t be silly <3 - Irene

You sure you don’t need me to come over? - Irene

Arthur - I’ll drop by tomorrow morning, so please just stay with her for now.

Arthur - And I was thinking…

“Maybe we could. . .” Arthur mumbled to himself, but then deleted the message, sighing afterward.

What? - Irene (14:45)

He found himself frustrated as he wanted to ask her out but realized he had no money to do so. Feeling sleepy, he sat down on a bench and leaned on the backrest with his eyes closed. After what felt like only a minute, Arthur opened his eyes and looked back at his phone which was blown up with messages and three missed calls.

You were thinking… - Irene (15:05)

. . . - Irene (15:07)

Art? - Irene (15:10)

You’re not picking up - Irene (15:15)

Everything okay? - Irene (15:15)

This isn’t funny…. - Irene (15:22)

Please for the love of god tell me that you’re okay and your phone just died cuz you were too dumb to charge it last night… I’m trying my best not to freak out here knowing you’re exhausted. - Irene (15:24)

“Shit!” Arthur yelled, dialing Irene’s number as quickly as possible.

“Art?” Irene asked, trying her hardest to sound as calm as possible.

“I’m so sorry! I-”

“Gimme a sec,” she said, sounding as if she was leaving a room. “Okay. . .”

“You here now?” Art asked, still feeling guilty about disappearing on her.

“What happened?” She tried not to jump to conclusions.

“I dozed off. . .” He admitted.

“Dozed off mid-sentence? Are you even home?”

Arthur looked around, realizing he was screwed.

“I-”

“You’re not, are you? I can tell cuz you’re hesitating to answer!” Irene whispered loudly, trying not to get heard by others. “Did you pass out?”

“No, no. . . I just sat down at the park and got frustrated about something, so I closed my eyes and woke up now. I’m so sorry. . .”

“You fell asleep in a park?” She sounded furious. “That’s it. You’re not going alone anymore. I don’t care what you say. Understood?”

“I can’t ask you to do that. . .” Arthur sighed, thankful she was as nice as she could be while angry with him.

“Good thing I’m telling and not asking,” she reminded him. “What park are you in? I’ll come and pick you up.”

“I’m close to my house, so don’t worry about it.”

“I’m not joking!” She raised her voice.

“Look, I’m sorry, but there’s really no need for you to come now. If you want, you can drop by the house but just know I’ll be taking a nap as soon as I get back.”

“Fine.” She sighed. “I’ll drop by and bring you something to eat. You haven’t eaten anything, have you?”

“I. . .”

“Sophie told me. . .”

“How did she know?” Arthur raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“She didn’t. . .” Irene tricked him. “You’re really exhausted if you fell for that.”

“Okay, okay. . . I’ll admit, it’s tiring. But I’ll be fine, I promise.” He sighed, looking at the time. “An hour, huh? Wake me up when you get there.”

“‘Kay,” she whispered, sounding worried. “Just. . . be careful, alright?”

“I said I would. . .” Arthur chuckled, looking up at the sky with a smile. “I’ll see you soon.”

They hung up as Arthur went home.

Reaching his house, Arthur looked at the time as already twenty minutes passed. He wasn’t sure if it was further away than he expected, or if it just took him longer because he was tired. Still, he was glad to reach for the front door, eager to jump back in bed.

“Huh?” he mumbled, realizing that the door was unlocked.

His focus sharpened as he was certain he didn’t forget to lock up before they left. At first glance, it didn’t seem like someone had trashed the place as he entered the hallway.

“Ough!” a disembodied feminine voice grunted following a loud wooden bang inside the kitchen.

Kyu came rushing out of the door, meowing and purring while rubbing against Arthur’s leg, giving away any hope of him stealthily approaching.

“Moon?” Arthur asked as he walked around the corner, seeing her holding a cup of water while rubbing her left elbow that she appeared to have hit against the counter. “What are you doing in my house?”

“No need to use that tone. . .” She sighed, setting the cup down. “Why is it so cramped in here?”

“Answer my question.”

“Huh? Why else but to discuss things with you? Relax, I’m alone and not here to start trouble.”

“I can tell. . .” Arthur glanced at the cup and then back at her. “How’d you get in?”

“So many questions.” She chuckled, leaning against the table. “You weren’t home, so I decided to let myself in. Where’s that hottie that was with you last time? I wouldn’t mind seeing her again. Has she talked about me?”

“You’re insane. . .”

“Really?” She sighed, tilting her head while gazing disappointedly. “I was just trying to make a joke. She is hot though, I’ll give you that. Anyway, I’m here to discuss what we talked about last time. You know. . . a way for you to pay us back?”

“Why the sudden change of heart?”

“Cuz, unlike your grandpa, you have something to offer. Now, are you willing to listen or not?” She pulled on a chair and sat down. “Why do you look so pale anyway? Having a hard time falling asleep?”

“None of your business.”

“We’ll have to work on that attitude later,” she mumbled, waiting for me to sit down. I played along, sitting on the opposite side of the table. “So, as I was saying. I have an offer for you.”

“I’m listening.”

“There’s no way you can earn the amount of money you owe my brother, and he’s not interested in letting this go either. Once he heard you have a cute sister, he wanted to have her work for him to pay off the loan.”

“That’s not happening,” Arthur warned Moon, glaring at her intensely.

“Don’t worry. You’re included in my brother’s plan, but I’m here to give you a better option. If you’re willing to play along with my scheme.”

“As I said, I’m listening.”

“How are you so impatient? Is your girl coming over?” Moon smirked, having figured him out. “She totally is, isn’t she? Don’t worry. I’ll be out of your hair by then.” Seeing no reactions coming out of Arthur, she sighed. “Fine, fine. I’ll just get to the point. Listen, there are three ways of going about this. Number one, you and your sister work for my brother and in twenty years, hopefully pay off the debt. Number two, you refuse to do anything and end up hurt along with your family and friends until you either pay back the money or go back to the first option. And, number three, which is my favorite by the way. . . you join me in overthrowing my brother from his position.”

“You want to overthrow your brother?” Arthur looked confused.

“Don’t look at me like that.” She crossed her arms, stretching her legs out. “I’m just sick of being seen as second cuz I’m younger and a girl. Besides, it’s thanks to me that we’re as successful as we are after what happened.”

“And how do you plan on doing this? Want me to kill him?” He looked her dead in the eye.

“What? No. Wow, you’re more messed up than I thought.” She looked genuinely surprised by what he said. “And here I was worried about what you’d say.”

“Then what is it you want?”

“Relax, okay? I’m getting to it. First, I need to know if you’re interested. Oh, and if you tell my brother about this, I’ll make sure you regret it for the rest of your life.”

“My answer will depend on what you suggest. I don’t like making promises I can’t keep, but I won’t tell him anything.”

He did consider ratting her out, but based on her mentioning him wanting to use Sophie, it was unlikely they would come to an agreement.

“Alright, listen. . .If everything goes as planned, I can get you into the underground tournament that some of our well-known friends throw together. You'll represent me and win. It's coming up in two weeks, so be prepared."

“You organize tournaments?”

"Does it matter? I'm telling you that you'll be my champion, and if you win, you'll be debt free. It'll also keep my Oppa away from your family and friends in the meantime."

“How come you’re not fighting?” Arthur asked, amazed that all this could blow over with a simple tournament.

"Oppa and I made a bet, so as long as you win and he keeps his end the deal, it'll be all good. Naturally, we aren't allowed to participate ourselves."

“And what are the rules?”

"Typical brawl, no rules, winner takes all. I'll explain later, but first you must meet Oppa."

“Now?”

“Your girl’s coming over, isn’t she? Rest and we'll go tomorrow night. I’ll come to pick you up. Make sure you're alone.” She stood up, chugging down the water. "This is as good as it gets. So? How about it, partner?"

Arthur looked her in the eyes, unsure if it was the right move, but it sounded reasonable enough as long as everyone was safe.

“You promise that it’ll be over afterward?” He looked at her cautiously, but as Moon nodded, he said. “Fine, we have a deal. However, you’ll need to tell me more about this later.”

“Tomorrow at seven, I’ll come and pick you up. Just make sure your girl doesn’t kill me for stealing you away,” she teased, heading toward the door. Once she stepped outside, she looked back at Arthur. It finally looked as if she was taking things seriously. “You better not lose.”

They stared at each other before she left.

“Kill her? Irene’s gonna kill me first. . .”

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.