Supernova||Book 1 [Wattys 2024]

Episode 8.4 House of Cards

"This doesn't make sense," Nine said again. He'd been repeating that ever since they got back to the penthouse. That email. He was still looking at it, as though staring could make sense of it.

Jorah had watched him keenly during his interview. He knew that message had been weighing on his mind the whole time. Despite trying his best to appear his usual self, anyone who knew him well enough could detect that something was not quite right. Now back at Jorah's house, he knew this was the only thing on Nine's mind.

"What happened?" Jorah asked.

"I don't know." Nine replied. "It can't be right. It can't be." He looked at Jorah. "I need to call Sean."

Jorah nodded, watching as he dialled. Sean must have picked up immediately because it wasn't long before Nine started speaking. Jorah took the phone and put the call on speaker.

"Sean. I got an email today that doesn't make sense."

[What kind of email?]

"It said no payments have been made to take care of my brother in the last 6 months and I need to settle it immediately or they might cease care."

[Huh? Are you sure?] Sean sounded surprised.

"I'm sure." Nine confirmed. "I got the email today. How could this have happened?"

[I'm not sure. It-It shouldn't have] Jorah made a face.

Something like this shouldn't happen. Everything Nine did now was for his brother. To take care of his last remaining relative, he worked very hard: long hours of practice, jam-packed schedules, harassment. It was all for him.

After the accident, Manager Kim had stepped in to help. A specific account had been set up to deposit exactly 60% of everything he earned, to be set up for his brother's care. Between music, acting, endorsements, he earned quite a tidy sum. That's why it was impossible to believe that there was nothing left to take care of his brother. He should have had more than enough for many years to come.

Nine ran his hand through his hair and then down the length of his face, "This is not making sense Sean." he was distressed. "Wait. Let me send the email to you." He swiftly did such and advised. "I sent it."

After sending the email, he waited, giving Sean enough time to both receive and read it.

[This...It doesn't make sense.] Sean seemed to be speaking to himself on the other line than to Nine [The account was set up and the money to the facility should have been auto deducted every month.]

Nine nodded. This was what he knew to be true.

[Usually if there are problems, Manager Kim would take care of it. He---oh no.] Sean's sudden silence made Nine's heart drop.

"What is it?" Nine asked. When there was no immediate response, Nine's anxiety mounted. "Sean!"

[Hmm?]

"You said 'oh no.'. What 'oh no'? Did something happen?"

[I'm not really sure.] Sean replied [I just thought it was weird]

"What was weird?" Jorah finally joined the conversation. Nine looked at him.

[Jorah is with you?] Sean asked.

"He is." Nine confirmed. "Just talk." Too anxious to care about anything else but getting to the bottom of the matter.

[A few months ago I picked up Manager Kim's phone. He was busy with that tv interview and this one number kept calling him. I assumed it was important so I answered."

"And what happened?" Nine cut in "What does that have to do with my brother?"

Jorah rested a calming hand on his shoulder "Let him finish"