Voiceless Cries

Chapter 20 : Finale

The sky was dark, and the rain had just stopped, casting grey smudges all over the area. The wind blew, still: wafting and whirling around, bringing a sensation of eerie coldness. The sun was setting, its faint pink light almost overshadowed by the pale grey.

Myungsoo stopped at where his chauffeur stood; the car door was opened, waiting for him. He slid in quietly and the car rocked slightly as the door closed beside him. When the dimness settled around him, he slumped in his seat. He imagined Jiyeon sitting alone in the clock tower, puzzled and hurt. He still had the time to tell her that he was fine; that everything was fine and she should not worry. He had not wished her happy birthday yet.

He was about to open the door, but the car was already rolling down the street. Too late. Always a moment too late.

Why? Why did his butler have call him at the most infuriating moment? Why could he have not waited a moment longer? But despite himself, Myungsoo found himself taking the call. Because his butler never called. The first and last time he had ever called was when his sister went missing. It must have been important.

Fear coursed through his veins in place of the earlier excitement when he felt her proximity. And as he put the phone on his ear, his heart picked up for the second time that day, “The chauffer’s waiting,” he had said simply. But something told Myungsoo that it was not as simple as that. Something was wrong, definitely. So, with much difficulty he had stood up.

As he walked away his heart clenched. It must have been hurt—the thing he was feeling then. A lot.  The unfamiliar overwhelming emotion scared him. Was it supposed to be this hard to breathe? Was it normal to feel this much? It must be, he soothed himself.

Myungsoo had pushed himself forward, afraid that if he looked at her, he would have stayed. He could not afford to do that. It was too risky. He did not say when he would be back too. He could never be sure when he would be back, especially if the business involved his family.  He had not said anything so that she would not wait. And being the man he thought he was, he had left.

Myungsoo threw his head back and a ragged sigh escaped his lips. So many things were swimming in his head and he did not know what to think; what to do. Myungsoo buried his hand into his pocket and found a tiny box: the black box with light splattered all over it. It took a whole lot of time and money to get a box that matched the one that he received from Jiyeon that day. This was the exact replica except that its material had worth so much more.

He opened the box. It was not empty. There, against the soft cushion, lay a necklace with a hollow heart-shaped pendant. A single musical note filled the space, adorned with little diamonds that twinkled softly in the darkness. Somehow, it looked so lonely and forlorn without its owner.

Gently, he extricated the necklace from its box and turned it over. His heart clenched as his fingers grazed on the uneven surface where the letters of her name were engraved.

Jiyeon.

It was her birthday present and he had to give this to her by tonight. A bitter smile tucked the corner of his lips. Somehow.

The engine of the car stopped and a few moments later, the door beside him opened. It was unexpectedly a short ride.

Myungsoo shoved the necklace back into his pocket. As he stepped out, the door behind him closed. Myungsoo studied the surrounding and could not help but to feel confused. Why was he home? Myungsoo shot the man a questioning look.

“You have to change. A suit is ready in your room. We have to pick up your sister too.”

His brows creased as he tried to understand the situation. His sister was at home and undoubtedly was safe. So what was so important that he had to call?