Waiting To Bloom (BL)

Chapter 20

The sun dipped below the horizon as my father beckoned me to follow him into his car. His mischievous smile played upon his lips, a hint of mystery lurking in his eyes. My father left me in suspense, refusing to reveal the identity of the person he wanted me to meet. My curiosity piqued, I followed him obediently, determined to discover the purpose behind this clandestine gathering. We arrived in front of an abandoned mansion about 6 Blocks away from the penthouse.

"Father, what are we doing here?" I asked calmly, curious about the meeting that was so important but couldn't have at the penthouse. My father simply ignored my question and calmly exited the car and walked up the cracked and tattered stairs leading towards the broken and abandoned mansion. Against my better judgment I got out of the car and followed my father inside.

As I walked through the dimly lit corridors of the abandoned mansion, its grandeur long faded, I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mixed with unease. The once magnificent estate now stood as a desolate husk, a haunting reminder of its former glory. Cobwebs clung to the ornate chandeliers, swaying gently in the draft that permeated the decaying walls. Dust particles danced in the shafts of moonlight that seeped through moth-eaten drapes, casting eerie shadows that seemed to follow my every step.

The air was heavy with a musty scent, a mixture of neglect and time. The wallpaper, once vibrant and luxurious, now hung in tattered strips, revealing the cracked and weathered plaster underneath. Each creaking floorboard echoed through the empty halls, sending shivers down my spine. It was as if the very essence of the mansion held secrets, whispering tales of forgotten memories.

As my father led me deeper into the heart of this forgotten place, I couldn't help but feel a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. The silence was broken only by the faint scurrying of unseen creatures and the distant hoot of an owl perched high above the crumbling rooftop.

We entered a room that had once been a grand ballroom, its faded splendor still visible in the remnants of a chandelier hanging precariously from the ceiling. The walls bore the faded remnants of intricate frescoes, their beauty slowly fading away with time. Dust particles floated lazily in the air, illuminated by the ethereal glow of the moonlight streaming through shattered stained-glass windows.

The room was enveloped in an eerie stillness, broken only by the occasional gust of wind that whispered through the broken panes. I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation, as if the very walls were holding their breath, waiting for the meeting that would soon take place.

A shiver ran down my spine as I absorbed the haunting beauty of the abandoned mansion. It was a place frozen in time, a testament to forgotten stories and lost dreams.

Finally, my father led me to a room adorned with flickering candlelight. The soft glow revealed a figure seated in the corner, shrouded in silence. As my eyes adjusted to the dimness, a gasp escaped my lips. It was Risha, Jun-myeon's baby sister. My heart raced with questions, and I couldn't fathom why she was here, bound and helpless.

Refusing to waste a second, I sprung into action. I approached Risha, gently trying to release her from her bonds. Panic filled her eyes, a mix of fear and relief.

"Ru-ru?" she whispered weakly, "I'm scared, I wanna go home" She cried looking at me pleading. My heart pounded in my chest and I felt like I couldn't breathe as I ran to her side and started untying her. I've left so long ago, how did she get here? What was Father playing at kidnapping a 5 year old little girl?

But before I could untangle her, my father's voice echoed through the room. It was a cruel sound, devoid of any compassion.

"My men found this little one just outside the perimeter riding her bike here. Apparently, she was following you here when your brother Jin brought you here. " he said coldly watching as I struggled with the ropes.