ALL BARK NO BITE | SADISTIC BEAUTY SPINOFF

Chapter 44

~ Dining area, 320 F, La Grande Maison, Haenan Acropolis: Apartment Complex, Itaewon-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Ryeo arranged Wookyung's cutlery next to his plate, laying out the more than heavy breakfast as Wookyung hunkered down on one of the dining room chairs, staring blankly at his food. He had woken up late in the morning, his eyes swollen and red. He had been on and off since the past week. Sometimes looking spirited and then other times, seeming dull. Like he was on a scale that kept tipping.

Instead of getting mad over it, Ryeo had learned to be kind and patient, knowing that whatever changes both he and young sir were awaiting, they won't happen overnight. He tried to indulge him in conversation but Wookyung seemed unresponsive so far "I read in a recipe booklet that pollock is excellent for recovering patients so I incorporated it in the side dishes, young sir" Ryeo said

He looked at him, waiting for him to look up but a kind of draught had taken on Cha Wookyung's demeanor "Anyhow..." Ryeo cleared his throat "You should eat more fish, I'm sure you don't cook as much for yourself now" he sat down in one of the chairs as Wookyung occupied the head of the table, shirtless aside from wearing pants and a royal blue silk robe. The silence seemed to revive him and he stirred from his blurry stupor.

"Sorry, Ryeo" he said, sitting up and pulling his fork and knife up. "Thank you for making all this... I really
appreciate it" he nodded in Ryeo's direction and the Butler laughed "It is not only my duty but also my joy". Wookyung managed a small smile as he half-heartedly picked at the rice, struggling to consume a single morsel. Ryeo noticed this and decided not to push it further, looking to the TV and turning it on to neutralize the tension.

He flitted through different channels, frowning "Young sir... is there something you wish to watch?" he asked, squinting at the screen through his oval glasses. Even though it was early morning, he was just as well dressed in a suit with his usual accessories comprising of his lapel pin, neckerchief and cufflinks. His hair was only starting to grey, showing at the very edges and sides.

"No" Wookyung said indifferently, staring at the shiny reflections on his plate. "Alright, I'll go to the car section then" Ryeo said, changing channels to get to the automobiles. As he skipped through a couple sections, Wookyung heard the peppy advertisements, impassive story coverage and the blaring newsreaders without even looking up. Ryeo stopped on one channel, "Oh look, it's the Gi Sang Writer's Award!" he exclaimed.

Despite himself, Wookyung looked up, seeing the grander than usual setup of the esteemed National Writer's Award. Usually, it was a sombre affair, calm and quiet... but this felt very gimmicky, what with all the endless low-lit auditorium, lighting and fancy arrangements. The fact that they were making news out of this was strange. Wookyung raised his brows as he saw the channel logo in the corner.

It was owned by his father.

The host, a suited young man, came on stage to invite the next announcer for the Writer's Award "We will now enter the final and most awaited segment of the evening by inviting the Chairperson of our organising committee Mr. Cha Wonsik, to give out the award for this year's winner of the prestigious Gi Sang Award" he said with a flourish and cleared the stage for the evil incarnate.

The shark of Blue Line Media appeared from the crowd, a spotlight tailing his calculated steps "Good evening everyone" he appeared at the podium in a staple, steel grey suit and Wookyung's started rocking his knee under the table. The man dealt in papers, magazines, tv channels and movies... why was he so bent on this change of tune, to enter so ferociously into the world of book publishing...

"I usually do not need an introduction but for those unfortunate souls who may not know better, I am Cha Wonsik, the owner of a small, humble company with no name" he said and Wookyung tightened his fist on the table as the people laughed at his joke "Indeed, I was such a small company once... coming from nothing..." he looked down pointedly, a hint of sarcastic ire on his face.