The Widow's Guardian

Chapter 30

In the endless oblivion I thought about the first night I met the Haechi. "I am a Haechi, that is all you need to know," he had announced with dilated pupils. The intensity of his gaze had shot me to the core.

I had been wary of his presence and didn't offer him food. I had almost choked when he pouted because I didn't feed him. "It would appear not," the Haechi had replied with an indifferent shrug. He released an overly dramatic sigh. One that wouldn't go unnoticed even in the crowd of Namdaemun Market. As a matter of fact, it was more like a scream. A prolonged guttural sound that made the hair on the nape of my neck stand up. He had always wanted to be noticed.

I wanted to befriend the Haechi when he had provided me a perplexed expression after my metaphor. His ignorance amused me. The Haechi's face slacked. He swung his face to the spirit, sticking his disheveled hair up further. "Why does she think we want her ear for?" he whispered to Dae-ho who shrugged. "I don't like the taste of ears!"

"I have many sins, you would have to specify," the Haechi crooned, his eyes twinkling with amusement. That twinkle had emanated a light in my chest I didn't want to acknowledge at that time but it flourished as the days went on.

I felt it flicker when his eyes softened every time I couldn't breathe as if he could hear my thoughts. Perhaps he could have.

And then I heard him laugh for the first time. It was a real genuine laugh too, one that flipped my stomach.

The Haechi had become my friend without me even realizing it. I had even cooked for him.

The spirit rolled his eyes. "Didn't you pray that she would put enough soy sauce?" he asked the Haechi, arching a brow. He winked at me.

"The Haechi loves kabocha squash pie," Dae-ho announced.

I don't know how the conversations became so casual, less tense.

The Haechi had even gardened despite his lack of skill.

"Be delicate with the radishes," I scolded after he tugged five of them so hard the stems came off. "You have to dig them up," I instructed, showing him the effortless technique. At least I thought it was effortless. He appeared to never use his hands in his life, dropping the shovel, tripping over the zucchini, and stepping on my cilantro.

We had even gone on adventures.

"Are you settled?" The Haechi asked five minutes later. His eyes bulged at what I had in my arms. I carried ten large boxes of choco pies. If he was paying, then I was going to take advantage of it.

"For now," I emphasized with raised brows.

Even when it turned into a disaster.

It took me a moment to realize I was clinging to the Haechi. Regardless I couldn't find the willpower to let go. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry!"

"It's okay," he rasped against the top of my head.

"I could've killed someone! Who knows I probably did!"

"No, I made sure of that," he confirmed.

I felt relief from his words, my grip loosening. "Thank you," I whispered. "I could've died if you hadn't—" I didn't know what he did, but it worked. "Thank you," I repeated.

"It is my job."

The day had even got worse as the night went on.

A roar erupted from behind me. I swung around right as the lion pounced on me. Nails dug into my chest, stiffening my body. I gawked up at him. The lion's eyes weren't the Haechi's. They were dark and filled with no remorse. This kind of darkness threatened to swallow me whole. I tried to turn away but the nails dug further. I could feel the blood seeping out the gashes.