"Why didn't you tell me that Father will be coming home today?" I yell at Tae Ho's face.
Heaven knows what the hell he told Father regarding the gold heist he's carried out in our estate. Father doesn't pick my call anymore, and it's just now I'm learning that Father and Chang are on their way coming here from the airport. They're already in Seoul as of the moment.
"You have informants, Jin. It's the fault of your men for not reporting to their boss. It's been more than three hours since I told them to get ready to receive Father." Tae Ho replies with a careless shrug. It makes me sick to watch him acting all innocent after all the damages he has caused to us. My own brother has betrayed his family. He thinks he knows me so well, don't he?
He thinks he's the only one capable of becoming a monster.
"I'm going to make sure that Father knows about the crimes you committed in this estate. Don't even think that you can find your way out of this mess. You are the one who created this disaster with your own bloody hands!"
"You're accusing me of things I didn't do brother. You have no evidence to prove that I have a hand in this heist. How will I be stupid enough to touch Father's gold?"
"Then who is responsible for decoding that safe?"
"Come on brother, we both know that Federico has experts among his men. Will you just stop blindly accusing me of theft?"
"This is more than a theft. It's a bloody betrayal. So many people lost their lives. You were supposed to put your life out here and protect Father's property, but you cowardly hid inside your room and allow Federico to take everything and do as he pleases! How pathetic of a man! Shame on you, brother!" I spit onto the floor beside him as I storm away to the elevator, my sweaty hands balled into a fist that I don't even realize I made.
Tae Ho is lying to my face! He thinks I'll be stupid enough to believe that he doesn't have a hand in this.
As soon as the elevator door opens, I enter and press the 1st floor, waiting for the elevator to drop me down. I should be outside to make sure the men are keeping a proper watch. Federico has done a massive damage to our security and everyone is still suffering from the consequences of the heist and bloody massacre.
To think that my brother has a hand in this, even though I don't have an evidence makes me feel really sick to my guts. I wouldn't have been affected so much if it was just Federico.
"Sir," Derrick is standing by the main entrance by the time I'm outside. "I just heard from Peter that the President will be here at any moment from now. No one told me about—"
"Save your breath, Derrick. Make yourself useful now that you know. And where's that bastard, Peter?"
"He's still clearing things in the hospital. Two of our men have been discharged."
"Call me the moment he returns."
"Yes Sir."
We wait outside for the next six to seven minutes, until Father's convoy finally arrives to the estate. Father and Chang are inside the black limousine in the middle, the escorts Tae Ho sent to the airport are occupying the limousine in the front. Father's personal security team are occupying the limousine at the back.
As soon as the three cars stop moving, I square my shoulders and straighten up, standing next to Tae Ho who also does the same thing. Our men are all in position, bowing their heads as Father step out of the car, followed by brother Chang.
"Welcome home, Father!" Tae Ho beats me to the greetings.
"Stronzo! (Asshole!)" A hot stinging slap that descended on my cheeks completely catches me off guard. I almost stagger. I feel the metallic taste of blood in my mouth, but I dare myself not to look at Father's eyes.
He's very upset with me.
"Father, take it easy on him." I hear my older brother Marco, trying to calm down Father but that only causes me another round of a hot slap on the other side of my cheek.
My mouth is a bloody mess.
"Bastardo! You are still a failure even after so many years! Putting you in charge was my mistake, yes! This is why I always tell Marco that your Mother shouldn't have died in your stead! You worthless scumbag!"
"Father, devi calmarti (calm down). Please don't say those harsh words." Marco continues, but Father doesn't even look at him or respond. He mutters out another profanity, spits directly into my face before he storms in through the main entrance.
Shame and anger instantly swallowed me up. My men are watching this, how my own Father relegates me to a bastard. I'm going to be loosing my dignity and respect in their eyes.
"Sorry brother. Don't take it to heart, Father will calm down." Tae Ho gives me a pat on my back that quickly escalates my anger.
I push his hand off, spit into his face just like Father did to me. I'm not the one who deserves to be spat on, it's this bloody shit head of a brother!
Tae Ho freezes in his spot, unable to form any reaction due to his shock. He just watch me walk away and enter the door ahead of him.
~~~
It's 3:11am midnight, but I can't have a blink of sleep.
Father still hasn't said a word to me. I doubt he will come around anytime soon because of the loss and damage we incurred. I just need a concrete evidence to really prove to Father that Tae Ho has a hand in this, that he sided with the enemy. I just need a concrete evidence, one he wouldn't be able to deny or destroy.
I don't think I can ever forget this betrayal. Federico has to pay with his life. I will make sure I see through this mission by myself. I will hunt that bastard and cut off all his ears.
Suddenly, I'm reminded of the text message I received from Kai Yun, Hana's brother. I earlier set the man free after he handed over the secret code to me. It's a flash drive that contains secrets that can shake so many powerful people. Including my Father and Chang.
I have not yet decided on what to do with it.
All that Kai wants is for me to give him some money, save his sister from the Alfonsos and allow her to leave the country with him. He has a confirmation that Hana is being held as a hostage by Sergio Alfonso. While Doctor Han's daughter, Han Areum is currently with Federico. That sick head is planning to keep the girl as his whore.
I have just three days to carry out my mission before Federico leaves the country.