CAPTURING REDEMPTION

CHAPTER 16: ONE RAINY DAY

Life had never been a bed of roses for Kwon Taekjoo. In fact, he had only dreamt of what a bed of roses might feel like, until he met Yevgeny Bogdanov in the eleventh grade. Even after ten long years, his life had not turned out as he had envisioned when he worked tirelessly day and night to secure a seat at Moorim High. Despite possessing enough money to buy practically anything that could bring happiness, he remained distraught and disillusioned.

The acclaimed actor had struggled with his mental health for years, attempting to end his own life more times than he could recall. His existence felt like a constant battle against the shadows of despair. That was until Yevgeny Bodganov waltzed back into his life, unexpectedly and with a force that he couldn't ignore.

Kwon Taekjoo was under intense scrutiny from every corner of the country. He had chosen his humanity over something that was never going to protect him or his loved ones in the long run. He knew that the industry which publicly supported him as he stood alone against its giants secretly wanted to see him fall, to spit on him once he had fallen from grace. The true supporters, bound by contracts, were powerless to help him. The relentless scrutiny and criticism he faced after withdrawing his case felt unjust and deeply depressing.

He lived through seeing the perpetrators of his suffering mock his strength and miserable luck. He watched helplessly as his loved ones bore the consequences of his misjudgments and actions. When he saw that familiar Russian man again, he hoped their reunion would be a one-time occurrence—an encounter that would happen today and be forgotten tomorrow. It took him two days to fully process Yevgeny's sudden declaration of love. How could a man who had been bullied and harboured so much anger fall in love with his tormentor? This wasn't a movie, and he wasn't some favoured child of destiny.

Yet, despite the improbability, it felt right. Yevgeny's sudden reappearance and refusal to leave felt like a missing piece falling into place. Kwon Taekjoo was filled with a twisted ecstasy—unnatural and bizarre, yet undeniably real. It was pathetic, he knew, to feel grateful for the return of his old problems. But in his heart, he was thanking whatever twisted fate had brought Yevgeny back into his life.

The thread that tied them together, spun by a cruel twist of fate, had never truly been severed. As the actor grappled with the confusing mix of emotions, he found a strange comfort in Yevgeny's presence. It was as if, despite all the pain and suffering, the universe had aligned once more to give him a chance at something different, something profound. And though the path ahead was uncertain and fraught with complications, for the first time in a long while, the former bully felt a glimmer of hope.

Since the moment the man left with fuming ears and a painful bite mark, the actor had not been able to sleep a wink. The instant Yevgeny stormed out, the strength in Taekjoo's knees gave way, and he collapsed onto the couch. His body trembled with an indescribable sensation, as though he had involuntarily plunged into an ice bath only to be thrust into a pool of lava immediately afterward. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead as he gasped for air, feeling as though an invisible boa constricted his neck. It was as if Yevgeny had siphoned the very life force from him.

Seconds later, the empty hall echoed with a fit of uncontrollable laughter mixed with bitterness, a sound as chilling as it was sorrowful. It was as though the devil within him had finally come to terms with the tiny fragment of humanity he possessed. Tears streamed down his tanned face, yet the laughter persisted, a haunting symphony of conflicting emotions. There was a stark disconnect between his head and his heart, each pulling him in different directions.

Despite the turmoil, a part of him danced with ecstasy. The encounter had revealed the lingering power he held over Yevgeny, even after a decade. The visible cues of Yevgeny's hurt and excitement were unmistakable, and they gave Taekjoo a twisted sense of satisfaction. Yet, amid this realization, a nagging question gnawed at him: did Yevgeny truly think him a fool?