The Incident

“Damn it! Where are the maids?”

Richard Parker's voice echoed through the vast halls of the mansion. Instantly, two maids rushed upstairs to enter into his study while making sure that their heads were lowered.

 “Sir,” they reported in unison.

“Well, where is he?” Seeing the maids glance at each other, Richard let out an exasperated sigh. “Tell him that he has exactly thirty minutes to get his ass ready and to meet me at the car.”

They nodded their heads and obediently left the study. The youngest maid rushed down the hall and knocked on the large oak door. But before she could deliver the message, the door opened and the young man smirked knowingly at her.

“I know. I know. I heard him all the way down here. I’ll be ready in thirty minutes.”

The maid smiled in relief and turned to go back as she still had chores to finish.

“Who was it, Rayan?”

The young man closed the door and smiled bitterly at his family’s secretary.

“Just a maid sent to do her master’s bidding. By the way, Mr. Joon, do I resemble a child to you? One would think that was the case in this situation.”

“I’m sure you don’t appear that way to your many… fans.” he replied flatly.

Rayan didn’t welcome the sarcastic comment, but laughed it off anyway. Shrugging his shoulders, he replied, “What can I say? I guess I'm just too perfect.”

Mr. Joon smirked as he stood up and patted his employer’s son on the shoulder. “You better hurry and get ready.”

 With the secretary gone, Rayan flopped down onto his oversized bed and stared at the family portrait hanging on the wall. He was smiling brightly beside his elder sister and their parents stood behind them, wearing proud expressions. Rayan was taken back to a happier time, well maybe not happier—ignorant would be a better word.

From childhood, he was used to hearing about how he had the “perfect” family. His father was the owner of the most prominent conglomerate group in Korea and his mother was the CEO of Seoul Hospital. Even his elder sister was a successful pediatrician. He was born into a family full of successful people. From childhood, he's been used to hearing that he has a perfect family. His father is the owner of the most prominent conglomerate group in Korea. His mother is a successful CEO of Seoul Hospital. And his elder sister is a successful Paediatrician. A family, full of successful people.

But was that considered as perfect? Was it because of the wealth and fame they carry? Everyone seems to envy and want to be him, but how many of them know that he wants to be them too?

A pre-arranged lifestyle, A pre-arranged career, and a pre-arranged girlfriend or worse.. a pre-arranged marriage with a successful woman, a daughter of the top businessman. He is handsome, she is beautiful. Everyone says it's a match made in heaven. The compatibility was solely based on background and outlook. But how about feelings? How about love? Does he love her? No one wants to know... or worse, doesn't care at all.

In a last ditch effort to have some freedom, he promised to marry the girl after five years of studying abroad. When he returned home, he immediately was thrown into his father’s business. But the place itself was breathless so he left again. somehow he managed to make it three years longer there.

Nonetheless, she was with him there too. And now he had finally come back, it would be turning into always soon. Yeah, he was comfortable being with her or maybe he was used to be having her with him because of his family? He had known her since they were in elementary school. But until now, he doesn't remember even one day that she captured his heart. Now it was even more impossible and she knows that. Because his heart was now already with someone else. Yeah someone else. There was another she.

Rayan swallowed hard as he thought about her again. Walking over to his desk, he opened the top drawer. As always, his heart skipped a beat as he stared at the treasured photo.

Though this certain "she" wasn't his anymore, his heart will be always hers. So the feelings for his so-called girlfriend were never the same or even worse he had never felt anything for her. But still, he was trying.... to... do... Do what? Forgetting about that "she"? Or forgetting about his girlfriend? He didn't know.

Letting out a soft sight, Rayan closed the drawer and went to the closet. He chuckled darkly as he saw the suit that had already been chosen for him.

“Will I never have my own life?” he mumbled as he began to get dressed.

***

After getting ready, Rayan came downstairs and went into the courtyard. He stuffed his hands into his pockets as he stood by the large cement fountain. He tried to find some peace and tranquility as he watched coy fish swimming around the bright white water lilies.

The Parker Mansion was a vast estate. With the extraordinary gardens, tennis court, and twelve car garage—his family really had no end of luxuries. But, were they really happy? He couldn’t help but frown at the delicate flowers floating in the fountain. Yes, he was surrounded by beauty and extravagance but he still felt empty. Almost as if a piece of himself was missing.

“What’s up, my dude?”

Hearing his best friend’s voice, Rayan turned around with a grin forming on his handsome face.

“What’s up, yourself? When did you get here, John?”

 “I just arrived. I have some issues to discuss with Mr. Joon.” He lifted the small stack of papers in his hand. “By the way, I heard you're going to your—” He paused as he saw Rayan grimace. “Uh, I mean Somin's birthday party?”

Rayan was grateful that John refrained from referring to her as his fiancé.  Rayan's smile fell. “You know, I really envy you. I bet life is a lot easier as an engineer's son, isn't it?”

John chuckled. “Well, it’s obviously better than your life. At least I’m allowed to my own clothing.” He stopped short of saying anything further as he looked past Rayan and nodded toward the courtyard entrance.  “Your dad is coming,” he mumbled as he patted Rayan on the back and headed inside to see Mr. Joon.

“Yeah, I’ll see you when I get back. If you’re still here that is,” Rayan smirked.

“Sure, sure. See ya.”

Rayan let out a ragged sigh as he pushed his fingers through his dark wavy hair. His dark green eyes looked over to his dad’s disapproving countenance.

“I guess it’s showtime,” he mumbled and followed his dad towards the car.

[Rayan’s POV]

 The glamorous hotel was located in the city center and it was packed for my fiancé’s birthday.

God, it’s so stuffy in here. I worked my way around the hoards of people. All I wanted was to get another fucking drink. This party had nothing to do with me anyway. My job was to just sit and play the charming boyfriend, which I had no inclination to do at the moment.

I was on my fifth drink and was feeling pretty good in spite of everything. I was getting so tired of all of this shitty pretense. Grabbing another glass, I reached over the bar and grabbed a bottle of Bourbon. Honestly, this was the highlight of my night. My dad was too busy to notice and I knew that Somin had instructed the waiters to not bring me anything alcoholic. That was fine with me though, I liked pouring my own drinks. I found it soothing.

Dragging in a haggard breath, I knocked back my sixth glass in one gulp. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Nick, my childhood friend, coming towards me.

Fuck’s sake. Can’t people just let a man drink in peace?

He settled himself beside me with that stupid smile of his plastered on his face.

 “Well, Mr. Parker, who had to balls to offend you this fine evening?” he asked. His tone was dripping with sarcasm and I shot him a hateful glare.

“No one,” I said through gritted teeth.

There was only one person who I was extremely pissed at and that person was myself. Agitated, I poured myself another drink and was about to drown myself with the dark amber liquid when Nick reached out and grabbed my wrist.

 “Yeah... no more for you. Everyone is looking. What's wrong?”

I simply took the glass with my other hand and took a small sip.

“It’s that woman. It's been seven years and I can’t seem to stop thinking about her. Why is that? Hmm?”

 Nick’s eyes widened in shock and with disbelief said, “Wow… still? What have you been doing abroad for all of these years? There are women lining up to be yours all over the place and yet you’re still hung up on the one who didn’t want to be with you.”

I was just about to answer him when a voice suddenly interrupted our conversation.

“Hi.”

Oh, how I hate that voice.

I didn’t even turn towards her instead I fixed my eyes on my glass.

“Hi, Somin! Why are you standing over there? Happy Birthday!”

I really wanted to punch Nick in the face. He was being a meddlesome prick and he was enjoying it.

Ignoring Nick, she came over to me and with disappointment written all over her face. “I called you so many times. Why didn’t you answer?”

I didn’t even look at her but took another sip of my drink. “I was busy.”

I had to say something or my dad would hear of it and then I would get an earful about how to properly treat my fiancé.

She sighed and grabbed my glass. “Rayan, stop it.”

I was on the brink of causing a scene for her taking my beloved drink, but she instantly grabbed my hand and dragged me to a secluded spot.

 “It's my birthday, Rayan. You could have at least greeted me properly when you arrived. This is the first time I’ve seen you since you’ve been back home. Why are you still treating me like this?”

 I knew she was getting tired of me and that was exactly what I wanted. Although it wouldn’t make a difference, she would never leave.

 I took a sharp breath and looked at her coldly. “Somin, don’t you remember your promise to me? Don’t have any expectations, I won’t and can’t fulfill them.”

With tears in her eyes, she asked, “What do you—”

My phone started ringing and I was determined that whoever had interrupted us was going to get a big pay raise. Not surprisingly, I saw that it was Mr. Joon.

He really is the most reliable person.

“Mr. Joon, how can I help you?”

 “Where are you now? Are you okay?”

My thick brows furrowed at his worried tone. “Yes, I'm okay. But what’s wrong?”

“Never mind, I will fill you in later. Stay right where you are and don’t draw any attention to yourself. I need to find your father.”

He abruptly disconnected the call and I stared at my phone for a minute trying to register the conversation. I had the nagging feeling that something was happening. Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I turned to leave.

 “Everything okay?” Somin asked.

Shrugging my shoulders, I answered, “I don't know. I have to go check something out. You don’t have to listen to me, but I think you should stay here.”

Making my way through the crowd, I looked for Mr. Joon. It took about ten minutes, but I finally found him speaking with my father’s bodyguards.

 “What's wrong?” I asked.

He turned around and frowned at me. “Some suspicious guests have popped up on the radar.”

 “Do any of the guests have any enemies in particular?”

 He shook his head and laughed softly. “Seriously, when will you grow up? Even you have enemies here because of your family’s position.”

 “Right. I’m going to go find my dad and inform him of the situation.”

I walked into the crowded lobby and spotted my dad talking with the owner of LG Group, Seo Jin.

Striding towards him, I called, “Dad!”

Seeing me approach him, he smiled slightly. “What is it, son?”

Wow, when was the last time he called me that?

“Dad, Mr. Joon just—”

I stopped mid-stride. Noticing that my dad and Seo Jin were standing in front of a large window, I looked past them. Some movement across the street caught my attention. I squinted and realized that the person was holding a gun. Without a moment’s hesitation, I ran and shoved Seo Jin to the side and stood in front of my dad just in time to hear the window shatter as the crack of a gun went off.

The bullet smacked me in the gut and I flew backward. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. I didn’t feel any pain, but my strength seemed to be draining out me. Lying there, I saw people running frantically toward the exit. I felt my dad’s firm arms holding me as I vaguely heard him calling for help. Everything started turning fuzzy and I finally submitted to the darkness. Finally, some peace.