I had everything sorted out by the time I found myself driving to the hospital. Although my ''plan'' isn't much, it's enough to irritate Ryu Jinsang, and that's exactly what I'm going for. The thought of seeing his face irks me, but the notion of seeing his shock and anger will be worth it.
Anything that will work to help rile him up. People go quite far for revenge. I'm not ashamed to admit I'm one of them.
Sometimes, I wonder if I might be worse than Ryu Jinsang, what with the thoughts running through my head. But my mother used to say that it's your actions that define you, not your thoughts.
Gil Shinil texted me right before I left the house, suggesting that I pack a fruit basket to take to the hospital. Upon my loud questioning, he calmly stated that it wouldn't look good for me to visit a patient without bringing anything, especially if that person is the son of a renowned actor. Once again, he was right. He might be a pain in the ass, but his reasoning is good. His efficiency is the only thing keeping his job, though. Had he not been my friend, I would have fired him long ago for being too loud.
Ryu Myung is sitting beside me in the passenger seat, no longer looking angry. In fact, he seems quite at peace as he stares out of the window, watching buildings move past in a blur.
I invited Ryu Myung to my house a few hours ago, hoping to explain the situation to him. He was hesitant at first, but he agreed. When he entered the house, he looked ready to break everything down. It took me some time to calm him down; he was sipping on cold water while I explained. He was refusing to believe that I was saving his son, and not beating him up. He believed me only when I brought up the fact that we used to go to school together.
Mr. Ryu immediately assumed that Ryu Jinsang and I were friends and apologized for jumping to conclusions. I had to mentally restrain myself from blurting out the truth. Now is not the time for that, that's what I kept on telling myself. Either way, Ryu Myung's attitude took a one-eighty when I told him about exactly how Ryu Jinsang acted at school—I had to exclude almost every one of his bad qualities, which was his whole personality, otherwise I'm sure Mr. Ryu would have gone bonkers on me. And when I told him I was visiting his son at the hospital later on in the afternoon, he insisted that he come with me.
And that's how he's sitting in the passenger seat of my car beside me. It's a good thing I'm an exceptional actor; otherwise, I would have exploded by now.
"So, Seo Chungae, how is it like being more successful than me?" Ryu Myung asks out of the blue. The question makes me flinch involuntarily. Is he angry that I took his spotlight?
"It's alright," I mutter, trying to keep my answer neutral. "The attention can be too much, sometimes. But of course, I think you're a better actor, Mr. Ryu," I quickly add in an attempt to butter him up. Those words work in my favor, though, because he lets out a hearty guffaw.
"Oh, you're too nice," he wipes a phantom tear from the corner of his eye. "But I must admit, I no longer have the charm I used to have when I was younger. And that's okay."
I fight the urge to raise a skeptical brow, struggling to keep my act up. As if. He's the head of the Ryu family. If anything, I bet he's seething on the inside. He's Ryu Jinsang's father, after all. The son has to get his traits from someone.
"So tell me," he says brightly. "My son is handsome, isn't he?"
What's with this sudden question?
"Yes?" My voice lilts at the end, turning my one-word answer into a question, so I try again. "Yes, he is. He does take after you, sir."
He chuckles again, finding my words flattering. Good. He better be satisfied because just saying things like this makes my mouth taste like acid. So bitter and vile.
We arrive at the hospital, and I maneuver the car into an empty parking spot, somewhere not too visible, but not too hidden either. The paparazzi wouldn't be allowed into the hospital, but they would certainly be lingering outside, waiting for a new scoop. My appearance here, along with Ryu Jinsang's father, would make for a good cover-up. This should fix the misunderstanding online.
I unbuckle my belt and get out, noticing that Ryu Myung hasn't moved yet. Does he expect me to hold the door for him? Biting back a scoff, I move towards his side and open the door, waiting for him to get out.
This is getting on my nerves.
Ryu Myung gets out of the car with a satisfied smile on his lips and makes for the hospital doors. I take a few seconds to bring out the basket of fruit filled to the brim from the backseat. I all but slam the car door shut, grumbling under my breath as one press of a button locks the doors. The resounding beep seems shriller than usual.
My steps are hurried, almost a jog, as I try to catch up to the old man a few feet ahead of me. I hope the paparazzi got a picture of us both travelling in the same car, and not jump to wrong conclusions this time.
The hospital doors slide open as we near them, allowing us entry into the vast ward inside. There are doors on each wall of the ward, leading to different parts of the hospital. A few seats line the base of the walls, and a few people are sitting there, waiting. Bright, white lights light the room, casting reflections on the glossy, clean floor. The reception is only a few feet away, and it takes us a few long strides to clear the distance.
"Hello," I say politely, resting an arm on the desk. The receptionist looks up from her phone and startles when she sees us, her jaw going slack at the sight of us. It's a reaction I have seen before, so I'm not surprised. Instead, I smile brighter for her.
"H-hi," she stutters over her words. "How...how can I help you?"
"We're here for my son, Ryu Jinsang," Ryu Myung chimes in. The receptionist looks at him with her wide eyes. "Which room is he in?"
"Oh," the receptionist breathes, her gaze flying to me once more. Her eyes sweep over me, widening imperceptibly in a realization I don't comprehend. Her lips twitch, but she holds back a smile from blossoming on her face. "Oh, yes. He's on the second floor, room 208. Do you want someone—"
"Thanks," Ryu Myung interrupts her, muttering inaudibly, and stalks off, leaving the poor girl flustered.
I heave a sigh, eager to get this over with. "I'm really sorry about him." I lingered back for a second longer, apologizing to the receptionist before darting after my enemy's father. He has a bad habit of leaving people to follow in his footsteps, and I mean that literally and figuratively.
Mr. Ryu insisted on taking the elevator, but we only had to climb up one floor, so I made him take the stairs. I had to endure his grumbling during the short climb up, and it wasn't pleasant at all. Upon reaching the top of the flight of stairs, he complained that he was getting old and someone his age shouldn't be climbing up stairs, no matter how many steps there are. I just ignored him and moved for the doors, searching for the one with the number 208 on it.
The old man followed me and stopped behind me when I did, in front of the room where my enemy is hospitalized. It still isn't too long to turn back, but I don't.
My image means everything to me.
So, with a deep breath, I push open the door and strut inside.