SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Chapter 7

It had been a week since Joshua left Los Angeles—a week since his mother's viewing, and nearly a week since the chaotic night at Black Swan and his unexpected encounter with Seokmin. In this short span, he had established a definitive routine that offered a semblance of stability amid the upheaval.

Every morning, Joshua arrived at Black Swan around 10:00 AM. The younger staff members had grown closer to him over the past week, and he found genuine enjoyment in their camaraderie. He often joined in their playful antics, becoming an unwitting accomplice to their pranks, which brought a much-needed levity to his days.

By 5:00 PM, when Jimin clocked in to take over, Joshua would wrap up his shift, sending the kids off with a mix of laughter and good-natured teasing. As he left, he would bid farewell to Jin and the rest of the older crew, feeling a sense of accomplishment as he stepped back into the outside world.

His walk home was a familiar ritual, relaxed yet tinged with fatigue. On his way, he often paused at a nearby abandoned park, where a lone tire swing swayed gently in the breeze. He took a moment to absorb the beauty of the sunset, its hues painting the sky in shades of gold and crimson, a reminder of the fleeting nature of life.

Upon returning to his apartment, he was typically greeted by Samuel, who was usually sprawled out on the couch, already deep into whatever show he was binge-watching. This had become their nightly routine—two friends sharing dinner, with Samuel animatedly asking about Joshua's day, regaling him with tales of clients who accused him of providing false information.

Tonight, as Joshua settled in with his meal, Samuel launched into another one of his stories, his voice a lively backdrop to the comforting hum of their shared space.

Joshua couldn't suppress the urge to bring up something that had been weighing heavily on his mind. "Samuel, have you found anything about him?" he asked, his voice laced with desperation. He watched as Samuel froze, clearly caught off guard by the sudden intensity of Joshua's question.

"Hyung—"

"Damn it, Samuel! It's been two years since I asked you to find him, and you still can't track him down?" Frustration boiled over, and Joshua's voice rose with each word.

"Hyung—"

"Stop with the 'hyung'! I need an answer. I'm here hoping to catch a glimpse of him, to meet him when you finally find him," Joshua pressed, his voice cracking under the weight of his emotions.

Samuel sighed, a mixture of exasperation and concern evident in his expression. "Hyung, you can't expect me to find someone using just a childhood photo and a name that they probably aren't even using anymore."

"Well, I thought that's what you do. You track people down when given their identity. Isn't that part of your job description?" Joshua shot back, his sarcasm barely masking his hurt.

"I do that, but I don't do baby matching, hyung," Samuel replied, looking taken aback by the accusation.

"Samuel, you don't understand how it feels to have lost everything and to cling to that one thread of hope, believing you might find the end of it," Joshua yelled, his voice thick with emotion. But as he looked at Samuel, he realized the damage he had inflicted with his words.

"Sam—"

"Exactly, hyung. I don't understand because I've been cut off from all my strings, with nothing to hold on to. I've already fallen into the deep pit you're worried about if you don't find that last thread connecting you," Samuel stated, his voice steady but tinged with bitterness. He let out a hollow chuckle before walking out of the flat, leaving Joshua enveloped in a suffocating silence.