Angel of Mercy - Stray Kids Mafia AU

Chapter 1: The Call

The wind blew past Eisa causing her to shiver. She knew she should have thrown on her scarf when she left her apartment. Her dark hair hung in a curtain below her warm beanie, protecting her ears from the cold October day in Chicago. Her blue eyes watered as she hurried to her favorite haunt, a local bar called The Dive. She had spent most of the day looking into job listings for doctors in the area and needed to get out. She was a loner, so she made this trek by herself.

The bar was quiet save for a few local barflies seated along the expansive bar. She nodded to the bartender, Eric, as she settled into her favorite booth near the back. Eric came over to her table to grab her drink order.

"Been a while since we've seen you. Are you a world-famous doctor yet?" He leaned against the table and gave her a smirk. She had been coming here for years so she was well known by the staff and Eric who was the owner, a tall blonde man in his late 50s. She laughed and shook her head.

"Still job hunting but I needed a break. I missed my favorite handsome bartender." She winked at him causing him to chuckle.

"You make this old man feel young again. I'll get your usual cider. Any food tonight?" He paused waiting for her response.

"Nah, I ate a late lunch today so I'm still pretty full. Thanks though, Eric." He nodded going to grab her drink and check on the other patrons. Eisa pulled out her phone checking her email to see if there were any news on the positions she applied for. Instead of job news, she saw an email from her father's lawyer.

"What could this be?" She muttered under her breath. She opened the email and read through it.

Ms. Yun,

Please be informed that your father has unfortunately passed. A reading of his will requires your attendance. Your father arranged for you to fly to Seoul for the reading of his will before his passing. I am sending you a copy of the ticket information as well as an itinerary. Your flight will depart two days from now on Oct. 20th, 2022. Please call me should you have any questions. My deepest condolences on the passing of your father.

Sincerely,

Mr. Park

It felt like the air had been sucked out of the room. Eric returned with her drink but paused when he noticed Eisa's face.

"Hey kid...you, okay?" He touched her shoulder lightly with a concerned look on his face.

"My...my father has passed. I am supposed to fly back to Seoul in two days. The lawyer emailed me." Listening to her own voice she noticed how monotone it sounded to her ears. The relationship she had with her father was good but not as close as when she was younger. Age and distance had caused them to drift apart. She loved her father dearly, but she also knew that there was so much she didn't know about him.

"Aw kid...I'm so sorry. Do you need something stronger? On the house of course." He gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze.

"Maybe a small whiskey, to calm my nerves a bit. Seems like I might not see you for a while, Eric." She forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. Eric looked at her with even more concern, handing her a napkin. She was confused for a moment until she realized tears were falling down her cheeks. She took the napkin and dabbed her eyes. "On second thought I think I should finish this cider and head home." Eric nodded.

"If you need anything kid let me know. I'll miss you." He gave her a brief hug and it made Eisa want to cry more but she held it in.

"I'll miss you too, Eric. You take care of yourself." She almost chugged the entirety of the cider wanting something to quiet the racing thoughts in her head.

She left money and a large tip on the table after she finished the rest of her drink. She nodded once more to Eric before stepping out into the cold October night.

The cold didn't bother her as much on her walk back. Her body seemed numb to the cold as she tried to process what was ahead of her.

She hadn't been back to Seoul in nearly 4 years. The last time she spoke to her father was earlier this year on his birthday. He sounded and looked fine in the video call they had. She thought about calling the lawyer to find out the cause of death as she finally reached her apartment building. Climbing the stairs to her 6th-floor apartment, she resolved to call and ask. She reached her apartment and turned the key. Her apartment was small but beautiful. It was older with white crown molding and white walls. Her style was warm but simple and clean. She flipped the light and settled herself on the couch, checking to make sure it wasn't too early in Seoul. It was 10 pm here so that meant it was around 1 pm in Seoul. She dialed the number that Mr. Park had provided. The phone rang three times before a soft male voice answered in Korean.

"This is Mr. Park's office, how can I hel...Oh, Ms. Yun. I apologize I just noticed it was you by the caller id." He sounded tired but polite.

"Hello, Mr. Park. I received your email and...I have a few questions if you don't mind." Eisa swallowed her emotions, keeping her voice clear and steady.

"Of course, Ms. Yun. This must be a shock for you. I trust you got all the flight information as well. I will be picking you up from the airport myself." He said and she could hear the sincerity in his voice.

"Yes, I did. Thank you for arranging all of this and for letting me know. I do want to ask...was my father sick? I spoke with him earlier this year on his birthday and he seemed fine." She bit her lip bracing to hear his response.

"Ms. Yun, I hoped to give you this information in person but...your father was not ill. He was murdered." Eisa's mind went blank as she tried to process what he just said.

"Murdered? How...why?" She was struggling to process what she just heard. Her father was just a businessman, a well-liked one at that. Who would want to hurt him let alone kill him?

"I can't get into the specifics now, but I promise I will give you all the details when you arrive. I can even review them as soon as I collect you from the airport. "She swallowed, trying to gather her thoughts.

"Does my mother know? My godmother and Henry?" She walked into the kitchen as she was talking to grab some water as her throat was suddenly too dry.

"They were informed. She said she will video call you once you have settled into your new lodgings." This caused Eisa to almost choke on the water she was sipping.

"New lodgings? But I have an apartment here in Chicago and a life here. Are you saying I won't be able to return once we have gone over the will?" She heard Mr. Park cough uncomfortably.

"The nature of the will and what it contains requires you to move to Seoul permanently. I have already made all the necessary arrangements with your current lodging and arranged to have your things shipped to the new lodging." He sighed. "I wish I could tell you more to set your mind at ease, but I cannot relay this information over the phone. I promise I will tell you everything when I collect you. I'm so sorry Ms. Yun but I must go. I will see you in two days." The line clicked indicating he had hung up leaving Eisa's mind spinning. Packing could wait until tomorrow, for now, she went to her bathroom and grabbed a sleeping pill. She hadn't needed them in ages but tonight she wanted to sleep and hope this was a bad dream. As sleep overtook her, a sense of dread crept in, leaving her with a pit in her stomach.