KIMCHAY TALES: BITTERSWEET EXCHANGE

CHAPTER 6

The witch who cursed the Beast when he was a young boy still taunts him up to this day.

—

Kim walked along the hallway of the Theerapanyakul main house, every bodyguard and personnel bowing in his presence. He doesn't want to be in this home, it doesn't feel like home for the past 15 years.

Exactly 15 years today.

The day where he despises everyone. The day when he cursed the world. The day when he swore to take revenge no matter how long it takes. The day when he lost someone he loved the most. The day that he cried every single emotion out of his little heart to the point that he went numb. That day, 15 years ago, Kim was just a young boy.

After that day, little Kimhan never cracked a smile. He doesn't even laugh anymore. The lovable and happy kid as he became distant and cold toward everyone. The youngest heir of the Theerapanyakul family became a faceless member of the clan.

As young Kimhan grew, so did the anger in his heart. He vents out his rage toward everyone, becoming the Beast he is now. The hollowness in his chest will always be there, there's nothing like a void in space.

Kim stopped in front of his father's office door, breathing so deeply to calm his nerves. A bodyguard outside the office opened the door for him and he entered.

"Kimhan, son. It's so nice to see you." his father, Korn, greeted him.

"I'm here because Khun pleaded with me to come." He said nonchalantly. He wants to leave already. He doesn't want to spend more time with this man in front of him, he makes his skin crawl just by the sight of him.

"Yes, of course. Today is an important day for you and your brothers," he said with a smile that Kim knew was a fake one. The anger in him starts bubbling up once again. Important day for him and his brothers, huh? Not for him?

"It wasn't an important day for you too, Father?" Kim asked, keenly staring at his father.

Korn was already reading some paper, not really paying attention anymore to Kim, "It's an important day to me too. I'm just busy with work." he said. Kim wasn't convinced. Fuck the work. This day wasn't just any day. Korn looked at Kim, seeing the unconvinced face of his son made him sigh, "I will pay respect to your mother later. You know I love her as much as you love her. I was also devastated when we lost her."

Lies. Lies. Lies. Those were all lies. How dare he tell Kim how much he loved his mother when he didn't even shed a tear when she died? He remained quiet when the whole house was frantic when they saw that the madam's head was bleeding with a bullet inside her head. He didn't even try to soothe his crying sons, especially his traumatized youngest son who saw the lifeless body of his mother with a gun in her hand. He only gave respect once. He only went to the funeral. After that, he's back to work again. There's no love there, not even once.

"Did you?" Kim asked. His body is trembling in anger. Everything his father says is a fucking lie. It was a good damn lie that convinced everyone, but not Kim. Never Kim.

"Kim..." his father said.

Kim shook his head, "Nevermind. I'm leaving." he said dismissively and turned.

Before he could leave, Korn stopped him, "Wait a minute, Kim. There's something I need to ask you."

Kim sighed and faced his father again, "What?"

"The new housekeeper. I know he's been working for you for months now, but I haven't actually met him. Is he doing his job fine?" he asked.

Kim tensed. This is a topic he doesn't want to talk about with his father. "He was fine," Kim answered, trying not to sound tense.