Seoul Set Up

Chapter 2

The news of the death of one of the country's most influential men and top industrialists travelled faster than a raging bushfire. By dawn, the whole country was thrown into a massive state of shock as they received the news of the death of Choi Taewoon and his wife German-American wife, Julia Choi. Both of them were reported to have committed suicide in their private residence the previous night. The police had stepped in and investigations were already being carried out to reveal the true cause of their deaths.

To Cheonjoon, there were a lot of things shoddy about the death of his father and step mother. Both of them were happy together. The kids were doing well and happy with one another. Taewoon's business was doing well as well. The family was happy. There had not been any major misunderstanding in the family as far back as Cheonjoon could remember. To him, there was no reason for his father and stepmother to take their lives. Except they were hiding some secrets or someone had blackmailed them and cajoled them into committing suicide, then Something was fishy and he could only hoped that the police got to the root of whatever it was.

Chun-Hei and his mother were the first set of people to call at Cheonjoon's house the next day. Cheonjoon had called Chun-Hei the previous night and informed him that the text he received from his step sister, Grace was indeed true. Chun-Hei and his mother had come to pay him and his siblings a condolence visit. Chun-Hei had been devastated at the news. He knew how much Cheonjoon's father meant to him and how devastated he would be. He could not imagine the kind of pain that his friend would be going through. The pains of losing one's parents were better imagined than experienced.

As news of the industrialist's death travelled through the length and breadth of the country, news men from various media outlets flooded Cheonjoon's residence in order to interview the family members and ascertain what actually happened. Cheonjoon had taken over the role of the head of the family. At the age of eighteen, the young lad's leadership's skill was quite enviable. As a black belt holder, he was fierce and tough. He told all the workers in the house that no newsmen should be allowed in. He was too devastated to speak to them. The newsmen, refusing to be deterred, waited hopefully outside.

Cheonjoon entered the living room some minutes after Chun-Hei and his mother arrived. He wore a forlorn look, an indication that he was nowhere close to recovering from the devastating trauma that befell him the previous day. He had never had a night longer than last night. Each time he closed his eyes, he opened them, wishing that all that happened were nothing but nightmares. But he was disappointed each time he opened his eyes. It appeared like his horrible nightmare was never going to go away. He walked into the living room solemnly, his face swollen from relentless tears. He was surprised to see that Chun-Hei's mother had come along with him.

"Cheonjoon," Chun-Hei wore a concerned look. He was certain that his friend had not had a good night. Who would have? Who would such a tragedy befall and still have a good night. "How are you feeling?" he asked.

Cheonjoon sighed. "Not good at all. I hope I'm going to be fine though."

"Please be a fine friend. I know it is not an easy pill to swallow. But you have to be strong."

"Thanks Chun-Hei. I really appreciate your care and concern."

"I'm sorry about your loss Cheonjoon," Chun-Hei's mother said when she finally spoke. "I know these are really trying times for you. Take heart and let's hope for the best."

"Thank you. I really appreciate your coming and trust me; this means so much to me."

"None required," she replied. The moment Chun-Hei told me what happened; I knew I had to be here as soon as possible. You've been a very dear friend to my son. It is really unfortunate that this happened."

"Everything still appears like a nightmare to me."

"I know how you feel. We all feel like that after we've lost a loved one. You are the head of this family now. And as a result, you have to be really bold and strong, especially for your siblings. Cheon-Ha and Soojin might be too young to understand all of this. But being in this state might not encourage them at all."

"I'll do my best to be strong for them."

"Good," Chun-Hei chipped in. "What did the police say?"

"Senior Inspector Taehyun from Seoul Metropolitan Police was here. He came with his detective team and some forensic experts. For now, the case is being treated as murder and will continue to be treated as such until there is evidence to prove contrary."

"That is serious. Do you think anybody could have killed them?" Chun-Hei's mother asked.

"I have no idea. My parents are the easiest going people I know. I have no idea why someone would want them dead. Perhaps something is on the line. Otherwise I see no reason why."

"And then suicide?"

"That is even more puzzling. My family has been great over the years. I can't think of any reason why they would want to resort to taking their own lives. They were happy together. We were all happy together."

"Whatever it is, I hope the police will come up with the truth,' Chun-Hei's mother said. "Unfortunately I have to be on my way now. Chun-Hei will remain with you a little longer."

"Alright. Thanks for taking your time to check on me and offer your condolences. I am really grateful."

"Please extend my condolences to your siblings."

"Sure thing."

Chun-Hei moved closer to where Cheonjoon was seated after his mother had left. The worried look on his face remained static. Cheonjoon did well to notice it.

"I'll be fine Chun-Hei. You don't really have to be this worried about you. It's only a matter of time."

Chun-Hei sighed and sat back into his chair. "I know, I know. I can't help being worried. You mean so much to me and it saddens my heart so much to see you in this state. I'm unhappy that such a tragedy had befallen you."

"Thanks Chun-Hei. I really appreciate your concerns."

"I was just thinking your parents do not look suicidal to me. I see no reason why they would have chosen to take their own life."

"I agree with you on that. But the police said that they have no evidence to the contrary. There's nothing else I can believe right now."

"Do you always believe the police tell you? You know they could have been compromised."

Cheonjoon sat up, appearing to consider what his friend had just said. He placed his hand under his chin to support and leaned his face forward. "What are you insinuating?"

"Don't act like you are a novice friend. If your parents' death was not as a result of suicide, wouldn't the police say it was due to suicide if they had been compromised?"

"I still see no reason why anyone would want my parents dead. I mean, things don't just add up."

"That's what you will have to find out about Cheonjoon. If the police eventually rules that your parents' death was as a result of suicide, don't you think that there might a conspiracy?" he paused, allowing the effects of his words to sink in.

Cheonjoon's hands remained in support of his chin. He appeared to be giving what his friend had said some serious consideration. What if he was right? He truly knew better than to trust the police in a case like this. But yet, something remained completely unclear to him. Why was his friend so strongly convinced that there was a conspiracy regarding the death of his parents?

Chun-Hei placed a hand on his shoulder. 'I know you're thinking about everything I have told you and probably wondering why I so much think that there is conspiracy behind your parents' death. I only want to be certain that there is none. And if there is, I know as a fact that I can count on you to bring the perpetrators to book.'

"Sure friend, I'll ensure I get to the root of this. If there is any foul play, I swear I will bring everyone involved in this down. I'll do all I can to ensure that I establish the truth and nothing but the truth."