Foe To Flame

Chapter 28

Namsoon turns pale. She doesn't know how to respond. She wanted to tell him the truth, but how did he get to it first?! She can't speak.

"Why? Cat got your tongue?" Si-O challenged, his stare is icy cold.

Namsoon gulped and tried to speak. "S-Si-O, I-I can explain." She said timidly. This is not how she wants the revelation to happen. "Explain then." Si-O said with a cold tone, sitting down on the edge of his desk.

"I wanted to tell you today, but I don't know how you knew about it first." Namsoon started. Si-O raised his left eyebrow. "Does it matter? Is that your only excuse?" He asked with a sharp tone.

"No, no. Okay, first of all, I'm really sorry. Yes, I am Gang Namsoon." She admitted, casting her head downwards. She feels like a coward. "I never wanted to lie to you, but one thing led to another, and here we are..." She wanted to hit herse. She's making things worse.

"Did you come to work here because Hwang Geumju told you to? To spy on me?" He asked. "No and yes. I started to work here before I reunited with my family. But after my mom knew about me working here, she wanted me to spy on you..." Namsoon said, her voice turning slower. "What a great combo of mother and daughter." Si-O laughed mockingly.

"Was it fun deceiving me? Did you guys have a good laugh?" He asked. "No. I never wanted to lie to you. I never thought we would be close like we are now." Namsoon reasoned.

Si-O laughs harsher, "I don't think you have the right to say we're close. At least not anymore. So, if we were not close like you said, you would lie to me with no remorse. Is that what you mean?" He continued asking while standing up.

Namsoon could only put her head down, suppressing her tears. She couldn't reply to that question because they both knew the answer.

"Were you the one who stole my computer?" He suddenly asked after being silent for a few seconds. Namsoon looked up at him. His eyes were showing that he did not tolerate any more lies. "Yes, that was me." Namsoon answered timidly.

"I should've known." Si-O said in a small voice, seemingly talking to himself. "Were you also the one who helped the police raid my truck?" He asked again. "No. But..." Namsoon hesitated. This is not going well at all. So much for accepting Si-O's decision with an open heart.

"Spit it out." Si-O said, venom could be heard all over his voice. He never used this kind of voice on Namsoon. Maybe she has lost the special place in his heart. "I was not involved in the raid, but the police knew about it because I had a spy watch on me." Namsoon said slowly. Si-O's eyes turned another level of murderous. "Spy watch, huh?" he said.

"I swear I only turned it on whenever we went for official meetings. I never turn it on in your office. It was missing one day, and I thought I had misplaced it. I did not leave it in your office intentionally. I only realised it was missing after I went back home. I swear." Namsoon said in desperation.

A hand suddenly was on her neck. The movement was so swift that she did not have time to react. She was pushed to the nearest wall, and the hand stayed on her neck, choking her. The grip was tight, but not enough to hurt her. She could've easily removed the hand, but at that moment, she knew she deserved the harsh treatment.

"You think that makes me feel better? How much did you spy on me, Gang Namsoon? Every mess that happened in my company is because of you, isn't it?" Si-O said while gritting his teeth. Namsoon is scared, not because he might kill her but because she might not get his forgiveness forever. Namsoon started to cry. "I'm so sorry. I never meant for all this to happen." She said with hiccups.

She could feel Si-O's hand loosen around her neck a bit, but he was still pinning her to the wall. He laughed, "You never meant for all this to happen? What do you expect, then? For me to welcome you with an open heart?" He said mockingly. Namsoon shakes her head. "I'm so sorry, I truly am. I know you don't believe me, but everything I told you is real." Namsoon tried to convince him, her hands desperately clinging to Si-O's.