Chapter 1 (1/2)

Chapter 001: Holiday In Rome

Near the end of the National Diplomatic Training, Song Ryu Hwan, head of the army, was honorably discharged from the military. He saluted to his parents in uniform. Ryu Hwan seemed to be no different from two years ago, except the short trimmed hair and a handsome face that had matured over the months to come. The only change over the past two years was his father being elected president and Jae Hee, his sister, now a celebrity.

“Father, mother. I’m home.”

When he finished the salute, the first lady waved her hand gently and embraced Ryu Hwan in her arms, caressing his back. Tears came coursing down her cheek seeing her son that she had not seen for an extended period of time.

“How are you? Did you have any troubles?”

“Haha, no mother. It’s hard work, but I’ve been well.”

“Ryu Hwan, shall we go out tonight and have a drink? We have much to talk about.”

President Jeong Wook’s lips curved upward before dissolving into laughter, his body leaning against the desk at an angle. Bright, firm eyes and confident bearing, Jeong Wook was proud when he saw his son.

“But where did Jae Hee go?”

Ryu Hwan’s countenance turned gloomy, feeling a sense of emptiness as he searched for his sister’s presence. Ryu Hwan had much to ask her; during his time in the army, he read an article of Jae Hee meeting a guy named Seo Hanul. Later they separated and got back together after Jeong Wook became president.

Jeong Wook looked at Ryu Hwan, his eyes squinted, lips shabby and unclear.

“I’m not too sure where she is.”

Jeong Wook held a position of power to find out where his daughter was, but was unable to use the people under him to find Jae Hee’s location. It was because Jeong Wook felt an unspoken pressure from Jae Hee to leave them alone.

“You don’t know?”

“I don’t know. Seo Hanul secretly flew abroad with Jae Hee.”

“Hanul went out with Jae Hee? Father, where are they?” Ryu Hwan’s forehead grew dark.

(TN: The author’s style of writing often changes into first and third pov. but I will continue to keep it in third person so it won’t lead to confusion.)

“I-I’m not sure either.”

Jeong Wook was tongue tied and looked over at his wife’s eyes. Hanul’s behavior was much like him in his youth, a young man alone with a beautiful woman. Those precious and innocent memories shattered to pieces when Hanul eloped with his beloved daughter, an action he was far too familiar with. That d.a.m.n b.a.s.t.a.r.d acting like me!

Ryu Hwan checked his watch and turned to leave the building.

“Where are you going?”

“To find Jae Hee, father.”

“Ryu Hwan!” Min Kyung called out to Jeong Wook, her lips frowning.

Ryu Hwan smiled softly seeing his mother’s visage darken; her lips curved downwards, eyebrows furrowed, and nose scrunched.

“Relax, mother. I won’t be gone for too long. I’ll see you soon.”

His parents were unaware that Jae Hee had already met Seo Hanul in Seoul three years ago, rather than recently. After that, Jae Hee continued to chase after him but was ignored. During his father’s election did Seo Hanul began to meet Jae Hee again. This made Ryu Hwan feel uneasy. He needed to look for Hanul and find out his true intentions. In addition, Jae Hee knew her brother was being discharged and yet continued to follow Seo Hanul. This made him upset. The bottom line is, he needed to find the two immediately.

“Why must you irritate Ryu Hwan? You’re doing it on purpose, are you not?”

Min Kyung, after confirming her son had left gazed at her husband, who had strong familial affection, smiling happily. Jeong Wook was sensitive to Jae Hee’s feelings. He knew that she would have gone back under his own bidding, but he held back.

“Haha, why not? I love to play with my son. Haha! Look at him, not even asking where to go. Hahahah, Jae Hee truly has a very trustworthy and reliable brother.

Two days later. Leonardo Da Vinci Airport.

Ryu Hwan wore a black and white striped ts.h.i.+rt, a forest green trench coat, retro inspired RayBan’s sungla.s.ses, bronze colored ankle boots, and a dark navy jeans which stuck to his long legs smoothly. Walking out of the airport gate, Ryu Hwan stretched his arms wide and breathed deeply. He took out his phone, turned it on and pressed the number on the recent calls list. It was Jae Hee. Ryu Hwan left a message to Jae Hee previously in Incheon Airport and still, no message was received.

“Haha… I do not accept this.”

When the ringing tone transferred to the voice recording system, Ryu Hwan ended the call. It’s possible Hanul interfered with the phone call causing Jae Hee unable to answer. Without her, Ryu Hwan would not be able to know their location.

Hanul had tens of millions of fans worldwide, and some of them were likely to know where he was, so Ryu Hwan searched for Hanul’s official fan site. The name of the fan site was called Hanul Sky. After completing the small procedure of signing up, Ryu Hwan was given the status of a novice. Although he felt uncomfortable upon seeing the message of celebrating being the slave of Hanul, he accepted this incomprehensible status in search of Jae Hee.

Ryu Hwan, at the speed of light, ran through the t.i.tles of the posts on the board. His thumb which fell to the bottom of the screen stopped at a certain point, his eyes enlarging as he saw the t.i.tle on the bulletin board. I just saw Oppa in a Venetian restaurant!!! The contents of the article described Hanul inside an intricate and lavish restaurant having an evening meal with Song Jae Hee.

Within the comments section were various statements of envy and angelic praises of Jae Hee’s death. Ryu Hwan raised his thumbs on the keyboard to comment, defending his sister’s reputation.

After seeing the amount of followers Hanul had which ranged in millions, he turned off the phone not wanting to witness the vicious backlash of Hanul’s slaves.

“Anyways, it’s good that Jae Hee is well.”

Compared to the sense of despair the fans felt seeing Hanul with another woman, Ryu Hwan was relieved even though Jae Hee failed to contact him. Besides Hanul and Jae Hee are within public eyes. He was comforted by this fact.

“It’s too late to head to Venice… I should find a hotel for tonight.”

The sun was about to set and Ryu Hwan was exhausted from flying long distances and sought to find a ride.