Strange Encounter (1)

Warning! This chapter has adult-restricted contents such as the use of vulgar languages, violence, intercourse, and might even show the portrayal of harmful activities. Continue at your own risk.

...

An authorization to enter came after a knock on the door. With a twist of the doorknob and a push to the wooden door, a channel opened between the hallway and her grandfather's office.

Her grandmother led Young Mirae inside with a gentle push, leaving her alone with him. The old woman threw a soft smile at her granddaughter, mouthing her a "welcome home" before she soon pulled the door and closed them.

Two couches sitting in the center of the room placed looking at each other were the first ones to greet Young Mirae. She saw no paintings as big bookshelves were extending on the walls. A small chandelier glistening looked down on her as she lifted her gaze at the ceiling.

All furniture was just as how Young Mirae remembered it before she flew overseas, as though none had thought of moving them in their places.

Upon checking the office, Young Mirae expected to see her grandfather working at his desk. But she saw him standing at the end of the room, looking at the view from the window.

Young Mirae walked toward the couch. The clicks coming from the soles of her high-heeled shoes hitting the marbled floor filled the void. The noises made her grandfather halt from viewing through the window.

At long last, she had the chance to meet the daunting expression drawn on his face once more. For the past four years she studied abroad, Young Mirae got to see her grandfather again.

The one who came into agreement with the suggestion of the balls-sack-looking elders.

"You agreed, grand-gran," she started, seemingly heartbroken when her voice cracked between her words.

She returned the dull gazes of the old man with her bloodshot eyes. Tears wet her cheeks upon crying to her grandmother just a little while ago. "You've approved of their recommendation with no conditions."

"...Our beautiful Mirae, you're here. Before we start, why don't you take a seat? You wouldn't want the chocolates to melt, would you? I asked the maids to prepare your favorite, chocolates with almonds."

"Stop it, grand-gran. You can't get into me by tempting me with my favorites."

However, in contrast to her dispute, Young Mirae hopped to sink her butt on the couch. Her hand snatched one from the bowl full of chocolates pending on the low table.

She poured out her anger by aggressively munching the chocolate. When she noticed she was about to consume the dessert completely, her hand shoved another in her mouth.

"And would you please quit the 'act'? You know, it's just the two of us here in your office, grand-gran."

Young Mirae glared at her grandfather, who was walking toward her. She folded her arms and crossed her legs before pushing her lips forward.

Soon, he speeded his walk and ran in her direction. Alongside this, the childish cries of the old man filled the room.

"Huu! Mirae, my beautiful granddaughter!"

A switch. Young Mirae grappled as she attempted to press her lips from the rapid change of his attitude and aura. The dull eyes and intimidating feel around him suddenly became bright and cheerful.

She tried her hardest to stop the chuckle from escaping to her lips, but she quickly failed and the nuts she was grinding ran down her throat, causing her to gag.

"Huk, huk!"

Young Mirae struggled to stop herself from coughing. The bits of almonds flew straight to her grandfather's face. Within a second of composing her posture, she whispered a "sorry" to her grandfather.

"Please forgive this foolish grand-gran of yours!" whined her grand-gran.

The former expressionless retiring boss of the Young family kneeled with his brows slanted downwards. Tears filled his eyes as he pleaded.

"I did it to let you learn how to live on your own, receiving no one's help. I cannot simply leave you to become someone who thinks they can get what they wish undergoing no hardships. It's for your own good, my dearest grandchild."

She knew this; she was conscious of it, yet she declined the fact.

Young Mirae dug her nails into her skin. Feeling guilty from her setbacks, she sat still. She looked away and refused to return a response to her grandfather.

"Life is too short and full of nasty surprises. It could be tomorrow or one night, someone could knock on your door and kill everyone you treasure the most. Believe me, child. This is for you."

"...I know that," she mouthed behind her breath.

"To calm our discussion, have you seen your future fiancée? What can you say about him? My friend kept on bragging about how handsome his grandson is."

"Why would you even bring that topic, grand-gran! I don't need a fiancée!"

Young Mirae pressed her eyes close as she shook the flash of the memories from that day's occurrence. She pinched her nose bridge. A line showed up between her eyebrows while she puffed the smoke in the air.

'There is nothing to worry about. It is understandable to be sad the entire day since I am mourning. This is fine…'

Smoking one from the box of cigarettes which she grabbed idling on the kitchen counter, the nicotine of the lit cigarette in hand did not fail to calm her senses.

It had been a week since she settled in her fake grandfather's condominium. Young Mirae was yet to consider what she needed to create a concrete plan to charge the people of their debts — the ones behind the massacre of her family.

That shitty old man restricted her to hold a phone or use a computer without his watch. Though Young Mirae could not browse through the internet because the fake grandfather was restricting her, she rolled with the flow while she was gaining information from the news on the television.

[The killing of Young's mobster and mistress, Young Soojin and Young Haeran.]

[The massacre of the Young mafia family.]

[Mafia: End of the Young mob family.]

There were too many reports flashed for the past seven days, but none of these stated who killed the family. Her enemy's security group could have prepared the necessary measures. Given that she could not find any clues.

Not that she had the power to, anyway.

On the note, Young Mirae also discovered that she ended up in Bucheon from Suwon. To be exact, she drove four cities while wearing bloody pajamas in a haste to run away from her enemies.

'As much as I wanted to talk with my family's security group, I cannot do so,' she spoke to herself.

For once, she attempted to.

However, her fake grandfather had restricted her to continue. He told her it would be dangerous, considering it was uncertain if those people would still take her side.

'Hmph, what is he saying? They are good friends of my grand-gran. How can I not trust them?'

She grew up with these people, warning her to be cautious of them would change nothing.

Young Mirae nibbled the filter of the cigarette, lost in thought as she watched the view of the city from the condo's balcony. She watched as the dark blanket from the heavy clouds took its time to coat the earlier clear horizon.

"I was not informed that you smoke," interjected a voice.