Whispers Before Dawn

Epilogue

Tae-ui had returned to Berlin after spending three months in Riyadh, and was now staying at the Reigrow mansion where Ilay lived. One morning, they sat together having breakfast with Kyle, while Rita served the table. She had made most of Tae-ui's favorite dishes, which didn't go unnoticed.

Tae-ui smiled and thanked her in German, "Vielen Dank, Rita."

Ilay raised an eyebrow and shot him a sly smile. "I see, you've even charmed her."

"Charmed? What do you mean?" Tae-ui asked, feigning innocence. "That sounds like some kind of black magic. I'm not proficient in that..."

Kyle, surprised, interrupted, "Wait... you speak German?"

"Yeah" Tae-ui nodded casually as he sipped his coffee.

Kyle looked genuinely taken aback.

"Tell me this, Tae. Is there something you don't know?" Ilay added, folding his arms in amusement.

Tae-ui thought for a moment before replying, "Marketing. I really want to learn that as well" he said with a sigh.

Ilay smirked. "You don't need to. A brat like you doesn't need those life skills."

Kyle chuckled, then leaned forward with a suggestion. "If you really want to learn, you're free to join T&R."

Tae-ui shook his head immediately. "Weapons? I'd rather not."

"Why not?" Kyle asked, clearly puzzled. "Ilay works there."

"No thanks. You guys are already well-settled. There's nothing new for me there."

Kyle raised an eyebrow at the blunt refusal, while Ilay laughed softly beside him. "What are you planning to do then?" Kyle asked, intrigued.

"I'll expand my intelligence agency" Tae-ui said, matter-of-factly.

Kyle blinked, caught off-guard. "You have an intelligence agency?"

"Now that I think about it... it's not even in my name anymore, and I can't transfer it back" Tae-ui groaned, holding his head in frustration.

"What about my grand plan to take down Tarten?" Tae-ui muttered, still holding his head like the weight of the world had landed on his shoulders.

"What happened to it?" Kyle asked, curious.

"It's all under Ilay's and Hyung's names now... since I'm supposed to be dead" Tae-ui said, his face filled with a mix of sadness and disbelief.

Ilay, trying to suppress his laughter, covered his mouth with his hand but it was clear he found the situation amusing.

Kyle offered a solution, "You can always use an alias and work through Ilay. He can handle the expenses too."

Tae-ui's expression immediately went blank, turning from disbelief to devastation. "I don't have a single penny to my name, and now I'm supposed to ask someone else? For my own expenses? Like I'm begging?" he exclaimed, shifting his shocked gaze to Ilay, who was barely containing his laughter.

"I'm not begging you for anything!" Tae-ui said fiercely, his eyes narrowing. "Liquidate everything now and give it back to me."

That was all Ilay needed to burst into full laughter, as though he had been waiting for Tae-ui to reach this conclusion all along.

"Well, just let me know if you need anything" Ilay said between laughs, teasing him.

"Give it back to me" Tae-ui demanded with fierce eyes.

"Beggars can't be choosers, Tae" Ilay replied, a sly smile spreading across his face.

Tae-ui made a face like he was on the verge of tears, while Kyle and Ilay both laughed softly at his reaction.