Chung-ha in Joseon

Chapter 11

Earlier that day(Cont.)

"You're fifteen? I would have thought you were older."
Min-go said to Won-young.
"I get that a lot." She responded. "I'm sorry you were not expecting to talk with me sir, I know men usually don't like to switch to another kisaeng once they're already comfortable with one. Chung-ha will not be here for a few days, so that I will be taking her customers as of right now." Won-young continued.

"Why won't she be here exactly?" Min-ho asked. He initially wanted to come back and ask for another massage; His muscles felt tensed again, for one she could not finish because of his...offering.
He was willing to pay her extra, anything to take away the pain.

"A man paid the guard to keep her for a few nights?"Won-young answered.

"You're able to do that?" Min-ho quirked an eyebrow. "With enough money and her permission."

"With her stubbornness? I find that hard to believe.?" Min-ho scoffed. "With a man like that...I don't. I wish to be as lucky one day, to find such a selfless man..." Won-young words throughout the sentence lowered.

"Who is this man exactly..?" Min-go was trying to tell if it was jealousy he was feeling or speaking out of a need for relief. "His name is...wait; I shouldn't say she may kill me," Won-young coyly looked away. You could tell the eagerness in her eyes.

"Oh come on," His voice became more gentle, "Pretty girls shouldn't have secrets to keep, telling me will do no harm, I promise..." he smiled; Min-ho was as tempting as a snake on a tree.

Won-young smiled and gave in.

"His name is Lee Tae-min; he's very wealthy but private, you probably haven't heard of him, I'm sure."

"Lee Tae-min, you say?" 'it can't be,' Min-ho thought, but what other Tae-min is there.

"Yes, He's a tad shorter than you. From what I heard, he carries himself quite well. He's been her customer for a while now. I knew she'd fall for him sooner or later," Won-young looked as if she was satisfied with herself.

Min-ho's demeanor changed; he smiled with his eyes straight. He seemed never to understand why people would lie to him. He never thought he was at fault for anything. Anything he does is 'Justified,' as he says.

"Well...I guess that means I shouldn't visit her anymore...seems as if her heart has found a home." Min-ho said, taking a sip of tea, not minding the burning sensation touching his tongue.

"You can still visit me; I don't mind at all. My heart hasn't found a home yet, so." Won-young replied.

Min-ho paused, "...Is that so?"

~~~ Next Morning

"Tae-min, why haven't you left yet? When I gave you my goodbyes yesterday, I thought I would never see you again." Bo-seon whispered to Tae-min. Tae-min was staring out the window in his quarters. A few guards were inside the room and some outside the door.

 Tae-min couldn't sleep a wink last night.

He didn't respond to Bo-seon, "Could we have a little privacy, please?" Bo-seon asked the guards.
"We have to keep an eye on him, King's orders." One of them said, talked as if he's brainwashed, no mind of his own. Bo-seon sighed. "Tae-min...please say something."
Tae-min remained silent, then suddenly, one of the palace maids arrived at his door. The women said that it was time for the morning royal ceremony bath. Tae-min slowly walked over to the royal bathing house.

He continued to stare blankly, avoiding eye contact. The bath was big and round, also tall, reached some inches below Tae-min's waist, so when you sat on the stool inside, it'll cover your chest. The water was warm, flower petals for the scent and release of nectar. Only one female maid was required to be in the room. The maids were to help Si-a and decorate for the wedding.

The lady was middle-aged, been Tae-min's maid since she was little, he knows of her well. Kim Sun-Young, her name was.

"Remember when I walked in on you and Bo-seon, the storage closet was the hide-out. I was so shocked I screamed and got you guys caught." Tae-min said he was reminiscing. Sun-Young and Bo-seon had a thing in the past. Sun-Young didn't respond yet continued to scrub his shoulders. "I'm sorry, it's my fault you guys can't see each other no more..." She paused on the scrubbing; then continued. Tae-min couldn't make out what she was thinking. It's always normal for her to be quiet, at least after she got caught with Bo-seon.

"...I too feel how you felt...this feeling isn't bearable at all,"
No reply.
"You see, Chung-ha's like water, sounds weird but hear me out." Tae-min cupped his hands with water, "See Sun-Young, I have her. She's warm, comforting, smells amazing..." Tae-min smiled...but then it faded. "And yet she still slips through my fingers...like it's nothing." The water Tae-min cupped now fell back into the bath.

"Stop it, Tae-min, you're talking nonsense." Sun-young now began to worry. Tae-min talked like a man that lost everything yet had it, but money and riches never successfully fill one's happiness.

"I always thought you held this grudge against me, Sun-young," Tae-min sat up and grabbed flower pot vase."Tae-min, what are you doing?"

"Since that is the case, let me do us both a favor. To save any more heartache."

In an Instant, Tae-min smashed the vase against his head and fell backward into the bath. Blood oozing through a cut, dyeing the water red, changing the white petals to roses.
All that could be heard was Sun-young screaming, his name, and calling the word 'help.' She rushed towards him, trying to lift his head over the water and slap him awake.

Now this time, Tae-min didn't respond.

~~~ Last Night

Although Chung-ha's eyes were covered, she could tell she was being taken far away. From the hour spent in the carriage to the rockiness of a boat.  Chung-ha couldn't find one thing to focus on. Her mind was all over the place; for the first time in a while, she felt fear. She thought they would tie her to a rock and let her drown...though that option she didn't mind, Chung-ha was tired. There's always something that goes right but ends horribly. Chung-ha was ready to accept her fate.

After a while on the boat, they came to a halt. Chung-ha could hear steps touching the deck. Her hands were still tied behind her back. They lift her off the boat and onto the land. Chung-ha lost her balance and tripped forward slightly when walking. 

"Keep up." The man with the deep voice said, "It's kind of hard to focus on walking when you can't see anything." Chung-ha said she felt this stinging sensation in her face right afterward. With no hesitation, the man punched her. "Don't talk smart." 

Chung-ha could taste the blood coming out of her lip. She knew not to say anything else. They walked alongside the water for a few minutes till they reached an empty fisherman's house. The man with the deep voice removed the bag from Chung-ha's head so she could see. There were three of them still. 

"Okay, who's taking her?" Deep-voice said, "I'm too tired, have Jong-in do it; he's the virgin one here," The shortest one of them said while slapping Jong-in on the shoulder. "No, I don't feel right doing that," Jong-in said. He was the youngest one, and by his voice, Chung-ha knew he was the one who said they should bring the bag of money. He was taller than Tae-min. Chung-ha indeed found herself comparing every male she sees with Tae-min.

"Well, it's rather you have her or I do, and you know how I can be with a petite female." The deeper voiced man said. Jong-in sighed and gave the man a deep stare. "Fine." Jong-in conceded. He acted as if he didn't want to be there; or that he signed up for the wrong thing. The deep-voiced man handed Jong-in the thin outline of a sheep intestine. "Can't have you dropping babies left and right."

Jong-in reference- Kai (EXO)