Always Forever

#14 Our Diverse, Ever-converging paths

Apart from the blooming garden in the backyard, every corner of the MP's mansion, which spans over 2500 square feet, exudes elegance and extravagance. Gold and bronze themed interiors, glittering tapestries, spacious staircases, mirrored hallways...

The home tour Oh Sun takes her on spins Bong-soon's mind. She barely can stop her jaw from dropping every time her gaze lands on an object. Even the servant rooms here could rival the suits in a seven star hotel. This lavish home — this is what it is to be rich. Or illegally rich. Can someone attain such wealth solely through righteous actions? Maybe not. Or maybe yes.

As she follows Oh Sun back to the foyer from where a spectacular vista of the entire house can be seen, Bong-soon recalls what Guk-doo told her.

"We'll be strangers inside the manor."

His words were crisp as they parted ways at the train station. (They took the train, travelled in the same compartment where Guk-doo conspicuously being a straphanger whispered several do's and don'ts right into her ear.)

He didn't have to whisper, though — his deep, slightly raspy voice in her ear carrying her to forbidden places, filling her soul with candy dust. Pretending to be strangers during their walk to the MP's mansion and inside the house... when they are best friends? What's his strategy? Either way, his instructions are to the point.

Included in the spy gear he gave her is a GPS watch with Bluetooth calling. One touch and she can place a call to go through to him. It's a signal of sorts. They can meet up at the mansion's gates, or exchange texts over their phone (using aliases, of course).

In case things take a turn for the worse, she has the miniature Taser concealed within her pen and an earpiece tucked away in her jacket pocket. These devices are equipped with shields that effectively block all the detectors. She had been apprehensive, but they passed the mansion's security check with flying colours.

Her brand new watch obviously displays the time as well. Now it shows eleven in the morning. It's likely she'll finish her tutoring session by twelve. Or whenever Oh Sun decides, and then... Do-young will collect her from the entrance and escort her back to the PD. This will become another new routine, no doubt.

"Bong-soon, do you like our house?" Oh Sun waves her hands before her instructor's face, "Well, I'm surprised but also glad my instructor is of the same age as me."

That amicable smile, those words uttered in a singsong voice bring Bong-soon's thoughts to a halt. Oh Sun is a graceful young lady. Despite the luxury life she leads, she's a friendly soul, and yet a sense of authority lurks somewhere in her overall demeanor. With her dark almond eyes, flowing locks dyed in shades of brown and gold, alabaster skin, and a designer outfit, she can easily pass as an esteemed marchioness.

"Miss Oh Sun..." When Bong-soon bows, Oh Sun giggles girlishly.

"We're both the same age. Call me Oh Sun."

With a bright grin, Bong-soon shakes her outstretched hand. "It's nice to meet you, Oh Sun."

With the home tour finished, they end up in a sunroom at the end of a corridor on the top (fourth) floor of the mansion. The stained glass walls adorned with intricate green and golden leaf designs and the solid, pentagonal ceiling painted in a shade of muted green; all the artifacts and the furnishings are stunning. The couch, two large desks, spacious enough for two people to sit and work on their art, and rows of solid-wood cabinets flanking them, shiny chestnut-coloured and utterly useful.

Oh Sun takes notice of what has enamored her instructor.

"We recently revamped our house. Dad oversaw the decorations, but I had the final say on most of the designs," she says with a chuckle. "Instructor, mind introducing yourself in more detail? We've only exchanged hellos so far. I want to know more about you."