I. A PAPER

The sky was dark, as if it were about to rain, but I ignored the cold wind blowing against my skin like an unwelcome embrace. I stood in front of my grandfather's grave, my hand forming a fist. The rain began to fall slowly, but I didn't care. All I could think about was avenging whoever had done this to him.

I went home soaking wet and submerged myself in the bathtub. The thought of revenge consumed my mind so completely that I didn't realize I had been there for about 15 minutes. I was forced to get dressed when I heard a soft knock outside my door. I ignored it and continued what I was doing until a loud, intense knock followed.

"You can destroy it in any way you can," I said coldly.

The knocking grew louder and louder until it suddenly stopped. Then, the door swung open.

"Leave this house at once!" Amy, my stepmother, exclaimed in anger.

I smirked at her words, then calmly put down the towel, sat on my bed, and glanced at my maidservant, who was trembling in fear. "You cannot scare me the way you scare my maidservants."

Amy frowned and was about to speak again, but I cut her off.

"I was about to leave this house, but then I remembered—who gave you the right to kick me out of MY OWN HOUSE?" I emphasized my last three words.

"And what do you think a 21-year-old like you can do, Kaesu?"

"Don't play dumb, Amy. I know all about your plans to get rid of me and take everything that belongs to me."

"NONSENSE!" Amy shouted, catching her breath, her sharp eyes locked onto mine, unblinking.

"Oh, I'm sure—just like you had no intention of being involved in my grandfather's death, right?"

Amy flashed a sarcastic smile and gritted her teeth as I continued provoking her.

"Excuse me? How dare you accuse me of something so heinous!" She tried to mask her unease, but her eyes couldn't lie.

"I'm just calling it like I see it, Amy. And I see you for what you are."

"Lock her in the basement!" Amy shouted in rage before storming off, unable to control her anger any longer.

My maidservant looked at me hesitantly, and I understood. She had been serving me for over a decade, but at the end of the day, she was just a maid. Even if she wanted to help, she couldn't afford to be fired and left jobless, so she had no choice but to obey the new lady of the house.

"Don't worry, I'll leave this house before midnight. Please take care of Father and report to me if anything happens here. I'll keep in touch. Can you do that for me?"

She sighed in relief and nodded. I gave her a quick, sweet smile before turning my back and packing my things.

I moved into a small apartment I had bought for myself using the secret savings my grandfather had set aside for situations like this.

I sat at my desk, poring over documents and photos, feeling frustrated and lost.

How am I supposed to find any answers? It's like looking for a needle in a haystack.

I slumped back in my chair, defeated. Suddenly, I heard a knock at the door.

Who could that be?

As I opened the door, a sweet-smiling guy stood before me, holding something in his hands.

"Welcome, my new neighbor! How do you like your new place? Isn't it nice? Isn't it wonderful? Isn't it amazing? Would you let me in to put my welcome gift on your table?"

Before I could answer, he nudged his way inside. My jaw dropped as he casually walked into my kitchen and placed the food container he had brought on my counter.

"This is trespassing!"

"Indeed! But we're friends now since I gave you food. Being friends with your neighbor is a good thing! In case you need help or have an emergency, I'll be one call away!" He rested his hands on his waist, flashing a big smile. "Oh, and I'm gay, so don't give me that look."

"What look?"

"That nonchalant look! I'm Alex..."

"I already have friends. I don't need more."

"You don't even look like you have one!"

I rolled my eyes and returned to my desk, resuming what I had been doing. I didn't have the energy to deal with this random person in my house.

"And my friend is coming too—"

"What?" My head whipped around in shock.

What a life.

"Did someone say housewarming?"

I couldn't believe my eyes as a girl walked in, giggling with beers in her hands. Like Alex, she had a wide smile as if there were no tomorrow.

I facepalmed, realizing the mess I was in.

"Should I call the cops?"

"Come on, girl, don't be such a killjoy! Love your life!" She exclaimed, bumping me with her hip. "...By the way, I'm Lara. Nice to meet you, Ms.?"

"See? You don't even know me! Do you guys love trespassing into people's homes and ignoring boundaries?"

Alex patted my shoulder and whispered, "Nope! But everyone else living here is old, so we got excited when we heard the new tenant was a girl our age."

I frowned as Lara nodded enthusiastically, like a kid agreeing with her elders.

I sighed and left them inside while I stepped out for fresh air. As I walked further, I felt like someone was watching—or following—me.

I scanned the area but saw no one suspicious. Still, I decided not to go back to my apartment immediately. I needed to lead them somewhere else, somewhere I could trap them. I couldn't drag those two into this mess.

Then, I spotted a man in a black hoodie sprinting away. I chased after him, but he was much faster than I was. I lost track of him, stopping to catch my breath and look around for anything—or anyone—that might help me figure out who he was.

Who could that be? What is he up to? What does he want from me?

I turned around to head back home when—

I stepped on a piece of paper.