The World Above

Chapter 2 : Felix

I pulled the girl towards me, away from the junkie, and fixed him with a death stare. "Leave or else!" I threatened. Sensing the danger, he backed away slowly before breaking into a run.

After making sure he wasn't coming back, I turned to the girl. She seemed to be in shock, her eyes wide and her breathing rapid. "Are you alright?" I asked, giving her a gentle shake.

"Ahh, yes! Thank you for your help," she exclaimed, bowing graciously. She was about to say more, but I cut her off. "Please don't roam alone in deserted streets at night." With that, I turned and walked away towards my car, my mind already shifting to the long day I'd had.

The day had been exhausting, filled with two grueling meetings, a thorough company check, and signing hundreds of documents. By the time I reached home, all I wanted was solitude. I instructed Ms. Layla to send my dinner to my room and headed straight for a bath.

Sinking into the warm water, I let my mind wander over the day's events. The projects that needed execution, the list of trainees requiring my attention, and a multitude of other responsibilities weighed heavily on me.

As I stepped out of the tub, wrapping a robe around myself, I thought about the girl I had saved. I hoped she made it home safely. I headed to my room to eat dinner, the warm food a small comfort after such a long day.

A knock on my door interrupted my thoughts. "Sir, there's a call for you from your mother!" Lixin's voice came from the other side. "Tell her I'm busy and I'll call her later," I replied, and Lixin's footsteps faded away.

Since becoming the CEO of TechShion at 18, my life had been anything but private. I've been on magazine covers, appeared on variety shows, and received numerous marriage proposals from people eager to connect their daughters with me, despite my being only 21.

People's greed never ceases to amaze me. My only wish, for now, is to study in college like a normal person, but my responsibilities prevent that. Exhausted, I soon fell asleep.

***

Bzz...bzz... my alarm went off precisely at 8 in the morning. I groggily got up, took a bath, and went through my morning routine. It was Saturday, so I dressed casually in a sweatshirt and pants.

As I was finishing up, I heard someone coming up the stairs. Ms. Layla called out, "Sir, Mrs. Xiao is here! She's waiting for you at the breakfast table." I sighed, knowing I should have answered her call yesterday. Taking a deep breath, I opened the door, nodded at the housekeeper, and headed downstairs.

"Mother! Welcome!" I forced a smile as I greeted her. It's not that I don't love my mother, but her visits usually revolve around my love life, which, given my schedule, is nonexistent.

I gave her a hug, which she didn't return. "Why didn't you pick up my call?" she asked, getting straight to the point. I led her to the breakfast table. "Eomma*, I was busy! Please understand."

"I knew it! Your father was wrong to leave the company in your hands when you were only 18!" she grunted. I silently placed a buttered toast in front of her. "It wasn't Appa's* fault for leaving us. The one at fault is serving jail time," I said, my voice tight. A hushed silence fell over the table.

"Darling, I know! I miss your appa every day. I know it's hard for you. I'm sorry if I act as if I don't care. It's just that I want you to live a normal life-going to school, making friends, finding love, you know," she whispered soothingly. I chuckled bitterly. "We both know that's not possible."

"Sir! Your mail has arrived!" Lixin announced. Giving my mother a last squeeze, I went over to him. "Anything new?" I asked. He shook his head. "Partnership deals, dinner invites, fan letters, oh, and this blue card." I turned the card over. No address, no contact, nothing.

I opened it and read:

Mr. Felix Xiao,

You are invited to Jaseongdae Park. Please be there by midnight and refrain from bringing guards or tracking devices with you. If you agree to meet us, sign 'Yes' below.

"Well, I'll be off then!" Mother said after sometime. "Where to?" I asked. "Oh, you know, here and there with friends. Enjoy your day, darling!" she replied vaguely and left.

After eating a small breakfast, I headed to the study room. There, I picked up a pen to write my answer on the letter. Strangely attracted to it, I signed 'Yes' and watched in amazement as the words absorbed into the paper, disappearing as if they had never been there.

* Eomma : korean word meaning mother
* Appa : korean word meaning father
~Felix is of korean-chinese lineage