Chapter XCVII - A Familiar Sight

Standing beside Arthur and Irene, Sophie looked at Ryung’s unconscious body for the first time since they left him in the hospital. Her hand trembled as she slowly reached to touch his arm while trying desperately to keep herself composed.

“Why did this have to happen?” Sophie mumbled, feeling emotionally drained by an all too familiar sight as she watched over Arthur the same way.

“He’ll make it,” Arthur reassured her, grabbing hold of her shoulder while exchanging glances with Irene, who silently watched from the side.

“Promise you’ll never leave me again,” Sophie whispered to Arthur as she still looked at Ryung. “I won’t be able to handle it.”

“I won’t,” Arthur promised before Sophie let go of Ryung’s hand and collapsed into her brother’s arms. “I promise. . .”

What worried Sophie the most was that Arthur’s reawakening was a miracle, and because of that, she feared Ryung wouldn’t wake up; however, she refused to vocalize it as she was still optimistic deep inside.

The doors sliding open stole everyone’s attention as Tjay’s father entered the room with a sympathetic smile.

“Sir Jong,” Arthur said, surprised to see him coming all the way to the medical quarters when he expected to see him later in the office.

“I apologize for the intrusion,” he said, slowly walking up to them, glancing over Sophie and Irene, who he had never met.

“No, no. . . Thank you for coming to see us,” Arthur greeted him respectfully, and the girls followed along. “This is my younger sister Sophie and my girlfriend, Irene.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you, sir,” Irene said, holding her hands together.

“Thank you for caring for our grandfather and helping us out,” Sophie said, bowing respectfully. “If there’s any way to repay you-”

“Please raise your head,” Jong Yoon-gi said, awkwardly scratching his neck with a wide smile. “Any friend of Tae-Hyun’s is a friend of mine, and we look out for each other. Besides, you’ve all helped keep him in school, something I believed impossible. Did I spoil him too much?”

“Maybe just a little,” Irene said, figuring based on how Arthur spoke of him, that it was okay to throw in a joke or two.

“Ha! I like you already.” He chuckled, pocketing one hand while pinching his chin with the other. “You’re just as my son described you.”

“He talked about me?” Irene furrowed her brows.

“He talks about all of you, but a few standout.” He burst into a hearty laugh. “Not many can make my son yield what he wishes,” he said, turning to Arthur. “You’ve got yourself quite the woman. Cherish her.”

“I will,” Arthur said, placing an arm around Sophie. “Gotta keep them both safe and happy.”

“True. . .” Tjay’s father said, noticing Sophie blush and Irene coyly smiling. “I’m glad to have met you two. Hopefully, you’ll come by to visit again in different circumstances.” He paused for a second. “Now, if you girls wouldn’t mind, I’d like to borrow this young man to discuss some things. Sadly, I don’t have much time before my meetings start again.”

“Of course,” Irene said, turning to Arthur. “We’ll wait for you in the main hall.”

“Thanks,” Arthur mumbled, touching her hand before looking back at Sophie. “You fine with that?”

“Huh?” Sophie looked shy after receiving so much attention in front of someone she didn’t know well. “Of course. . .”

“Call me if you need me,” he said to the girls, walking out with Tjay’s father.

Riding up the elevator, Jong Yoon-gi chuckled again, grabbing hold of Arthur’s shoulder. “Ah, where would I have been had I acted as you did at your age.”

“Huh?” Arthur mumbled, confused as to what he was referencing.

“Forget it,” he said as the elevator door opened. “So you’ve told me that there was some development you wished to inform me of?”

He opened the office door and walked up to his desk, gesturing for Arthur to sit. The first thing he grabbed once inside was alcohol, making Arthur question if the man had drinking problems, but based on his outward appearance, it seemed like that wasn’t the case. He didn’t hesitate to pour Arthur some as it turned into a tradition seeing as he joined him every time.

“Yes. I met the people my grandfather owes money to, and we came to an agreement about a way to solve our issue.” Arthur accepted the drink, taking a sip straight away.

“I’m intrigued,” he said, leaning against the desk.

“As I’ve already told you, it all started when Moon and her goons showed up at our house looking for my grandfather.”

“If I remember correctly, you fought them off, and this girl Moon decided to meet with you later?”

“That’s right, and she did. Yesterday.” Arthur took another sip before placing the glass on the table. “She broke into my house while we were away, and I caught her snooping around the kitchen, complaining that it was cramped.”

“We should’ve sent someone to watch over your house, it seems,” he said, humming to himself. “What happened next?”

“We ended up talking as she came alone, and that’s when she brought up a proposal.”

“Let me guess. . . She wanted you to work for them until the debt’s paid? Arthur, I must warn you that it never ends like that.”

“Not exactly.” Arthur sighed, leaning forward. “It’s a bit more complicated, but it sounded just as sketchy if you asked me.”

“Let’s hear it then.”

“Right. . .” Arthur took a deep breath, gazing at Tjay’s father. “She offered me a way out if I helped her overthrow her brother from his position of power within their faction. Moon described a tournament that was supposed to be held every year between some groups in which they had people fight, and apparently, the winner between Moon’s chosen and her brother’s would grant them the right to lead.”

“Surprising that she scouted you out.”

“Not really,” Arthur said, leaning back and glancing out the window. “It turns out Moon and her brother possess Qi, same as Master Gwan. When we fought, she figured it out and believed it could become an advantage if my opponents didn’t have Qi.”

“And does your opponent have Qi?”

“As I said, this is where the story gets a bit more complicated. . .”

Arthur spent quite a bit of time going into great detail about what happened at the warehouse that Moon took him to, explaining the fight he was supposed to have and the deal made between Moon and her brother. Tjay’s father was skeptical that all of it would blow over once it was over, but Moon’s desperation did sound sincere enough where it would’ve made sense; however, there was always the idea of what if he wins, but her brother doesn’t hold up on his end of the bargain. Despite that, they saw no other options on how to proceed that wouldn’t make it a bigger mess than it was.

“So they won’t be trying any tricks, or so they said?” Tjay’s father asked.

“That was the deal, and I believed him when he said so, but just to be sure, I’d like to have someone watch over Sophie and Irene while I’m not with them.”

“Caution is wise as long as it doesn’t grow into paranoia.” Jong Yoon-gi sat in his chair, rummaging through his drawer. “Since the girls already know what’s going on, I’ll send Petra to serve as their private bodyguard until further action is necessary. Worry not. She’s a professional and can handle all sorts of situations. I trust her with my life.”

“I trust your judgment. Thank you for the assistance.”

“I’ll talk to a friend of mine that’s a private investigator. He’ll look into the man you’re supposed to fight. You said his name was. . .”

“Su-jin.”

Jong Yoon-gi made sure to write it down.

“Alright, I’ll get back to you once I know something more. If anything suspicious happens, make sure to give me a call.”

“Thank you again.”

“Stop thanking me, and let’s go get your grandfather treated.”

“Right.”

Arthur sighed in relief after witnessing slight improvements in Ryung’s condition after giving him another one of his treatments. It was a grueling process, but at least Ryung’s condition became stable, and if nothing changed, he’d likely make a full recovery in a few months.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her,” Arthur said to Ryung as they were alone. “I’m sorry I never dedicated more time to get to know you better. I hope that once you wake up, we could change that. So. . . wake up, okay? If not for me, then for her.”

He chuckled, leaning on the edge of the bed as he had a hard time staying energetic after transferring inner Qi.

“You know, we got a cat. . . Sophie was so eager to introduce you to– No, I’ll at least keep the name a secret since I already stole her chance of being the first to tell you, but. . . he’s hella cute and fits right in. I’m sure you’ll understand why we kept him.”

Glancing at the clock, Arthur realized just how much time had passed.

“Do you think they’re still waiting for me?”

Arthur walked over to the bedside table with flowers Sophie and Irene bought on their way there, untangling a few that looked like they’d fall out.

“I’m sure they are. . .” He looked at Ryung’s peaceful expression as if he knew he could trust Arthur with his granddaughter. “You rest now, and I’ll see you soon. Okay? I’m sure Sophie will cook you your favorite meals for weeks once you’re discharged.”

Leaving the medical ward, he went back to the main hall. To no surprise, Irene and Sophie were patiently waiting for him.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” Arthur said, looking over at the two as Sophie sat on a chair and Irene stood beside her.

“You okay, Oppa?” She asked, noticing that Arthur was looking exhausted.

“I kept him up all night, so he’s probably just tired,” Irene covered for him.

“You didn’t do anything weird, did you?”

Irene’s eyes went wide as both became flustered, which got Sophie bursting into laughter as she admittedly just teased them.

“Here’s your water,” said Petra as she approached from behind, handing it over to Sophie.

Her long red hair that was last time pushed into a ponytail was hard to forget, matched with sapphire eyes.

“Thank you,” Sophie said shyly, taking the bottle and offering some to Irene.

“You must be Arthur.” She turned to him. “It’s a pleasure to meet you again.”

“Thank you for helping us,” Arthur said.

“Not a problem. I’ve already acquainted myself with the girls, and we’ve agreed on everything. I’ll be driving them around the city whenever they need to go somewhere, and at other times I was told to leave them with you.”

“That’ll work. I think. . .” Arthur said, finding his focus to be lacking. “However, I’d like to go home. I presume you girls are going back to Irene’s?”

“Yeah,” Sophie mumbled.

“Why don’t you come with us?” Irene asked. “I have some stuff I need to take care of back home, but once I’m done, I’m all yours.”

“I think I need sleep. . .”

“We could crash on the couch? Wouldn’t be the first time.”

“I don’t know. . .”

“Oppa, please?” Sophie gave him the puppy eyes.

“I could drive us there all in one go,” Petra suggested, siding with the girls despite having nothing at stake.

“Fine. . . However, I’ll likely just fall asleep, so don’t expect any entertainment from me.”

“Miss Petra. . .” Sophie turned to her. “Could we drop by our house first? I’d like to pick up our cat. I don’t want Kyu to be alone.”

“Please, just call me Petra.” She smiled, throwing a glance at her watch. “We could easily make the trip, allow the two of you to pack up if you need anything, and get you to Irene’s in no time.”

“Thanks,” Arthur said, grabbing Irene’s hand. “Then, shall we get going?”

After making the trip, Petra and the three said their goodbyes as she refrained from joining them upstairs, saying she would meet Irene’s sister tomorrow.

Amelia welcomed them back with food already set on the table as they all enjoyed it together for the first time since their days at the beach house. Afterward, Kyu continued his scouting throughout the house while the four retired on the couch, settling for watching movies all day until Arthur peacefully fell asleep In Irene’s lap while she played with his hair.

The first few days after their return turned out unimaginably stressful, but somehow, everything was slowly settling down, giving Arthur time to take a deep breath and relax for a change.

Chapter End.

Thank you for reading.