With nothing more to say, I bit my lip. In response, Simeon calmly spoke.
"You know you look very suspicious, right?"
"…Yes, I know, but…"
"You know, but?"
"That's really the extent of it."
I looked at him with an expression like I'd been wronged, but Simeon didn't bat an eye. Trying to evoke sympathy in front of an iron fortress was futile. Where did the kind-hearted Sang go? Why was he replaced by this cold, smiling face?
"You'll have to stay here until we clear you of all suspicion."
I had prepared for the worst, even torture, but it seemed that wouldn't happen immediately.
After putting the photo back in the notebook and slipping it into his pocket, I absentmindedly watched his fingers move. Those long, elegant fingers were the same as before.
However, upon closer inspection, I noticed small wounds on his index finger. He must've pricked himself on the thorns when tightening the collar. Unable to ignore it, I unconsciously grabbed his wrist.
"Hey."
His well-arranged eyebrows slightly furrowed, but he didn't seem displeased.
"Are you ready to tell me now?"
"No, I've already told you everything…"
I brought his hand close to examine the wound. It was deeper than I thought, with blood already starting to trickle out. He'd probably leave it untreated due to his personality, so what I did next was pretty much instinct.
"See… I knew you'd get hurt."
I insisted as I showed him the wound to see for himself.
"Make sure you treat it. Don't just leave it because it's bothersome."
"....."
"Hey, are you liste…?"
I expected him to respond sarcastically, but Simeon's reaction was different. He stared at me with a puzzled, almost confused look.
Without the sinister smile on his face, he finally looked like Sang.
No, Simeon had always been Sang. He just hid behind a smiling face. I'd mistaken him for a different person because he was so different from my memory.
"What's wrong?"
As I asked, Simeon's expression changed. The calm smile returned, and Sang was gone.
"Are you worried about me?"
Instead of shaking off my grip, Simeon pulled my hand toward him. I ended up standing in front of him, feeling his imposing presence.
"Well…"
As I backed away, a large hand suddenly reached out. Instinctively closing my eyes, I heard a low chuckle. Then, I felt a cool touch on the back of my neck where the thorns had pricked me.
"Shouldn't you worry about yourself first?"
"Ugh…"
Even a light touch made the wound feel overly sensitive. His cold fingers sliding over my skin felt like a snake, sending chills down my spine. As I flinched, Simeon withdrew his hand and whispered in a low voice.
"You really are an interesting person."
With that, he left the room. I sat back down on the bed only after he was gone.
"Haa…"
What is happening? I knew we'd meet again someday, but I never imagined it would be like this.
But I have no intention of revealing my identity, and once the suspicion clears, I'll leave and never see him again.
The problem is, I don't know when that will be. It could take a day or several days, and until then, I might have to face Simeon several more times.
But I'm not as scared of him as when we first met. When I woke up in this room and saw him, I wondered who this cold-blooded man in Sang's skin was. But in the end, Sang is still Sang.
"You haven't changed, have you?"
Sang, who grew up alone, never showed his pain. When I noticed his minor wounds or changes in complexion, he would get confused, not knowing how to react. I saw that old Sang in Simeon just now.
Despite how the differences, he was still Sang. The boy who resembled the cold winter.
Feeling relieved and curious, I wondered what had changed him so much. Although his appearance had changed a lot, his personality remained the same.
"What happened to you…?"
Though we're similar in many ways, Sang and I walk different paths. It seemed that our futures wouldn't be smooth.
My hope of meeting Simeon soon was completely shattered. He didn't come to my room the next day or the day after that. The door was locked from the outside, and the dark window seemed made of special glass that prevented me from seeing outside.
No matter how often I asked the person who occasionally came in to bring meals when I could leave, it was useless. At least they were giving me meals regularly, which I was thankful for. I tried to cut the collar around my neck with a plastic fork, but it only hurt my hands, so I gave up.
"I… I'm really being held captive."
I sprawled out on the bed and stared at the plain ceiling.
I didn't even have my phone or any books. Being stuck in a completely white room with no one to talk to was driving me insane. I couldn't just waste time waiting for the charges against me to be cleared.
Unable to stand it any longer, I got up abruptly and went to the window. I was so frustrated that I wanted to break the glass, but I had neither the tools nor the strength to do it, so I just screamed at the top of my lungs.
"Ah, I'm going crazy! At least let me get some fresh air!"
At that moment, I heard the click of the door unlocking. Startled, I turned around and saw Simeon standing by the door, looking at me. He covered his mouth with a hand and chuckled as if he'd seen something amusing.
"It'd be troublesome if you went crazy."
His cheerful face somehow made my heart feel warm. It felt like I was finally seeing something real. The atmosphere differed from when we first met; the tense undercurrent of mutual wariness had disappeared.
As I just stood there staring, Simeon cleared his throat and approached me.
"If you missed the outside world, you should've said so."
"How could I? I haven't seen you…"
"Sorry. It wasn't intentional neglect."
"I guess you were working…"
After all, he was the leader of a famous guild. Of course, he would be busy. Still, if you lock someone up, shouldn't you check on them once in a while? I couldn't say that out loud, so I just shrugged.
Simeon must have sensed something because he lowered his head slightly and studied my expression.
"Have you been very bored?"
His voice and tone were so kind that I almost said 'yes' without thinking.
It felt like I was becoming a sulky dog because its owner hadn't come home. I was just trying to demand my right to daylight, so to speak. I wasn't in a position to complain since I was being held under suspicion, but I pressed my lips together and frowned, making the corners of his mouth lift slightly.
"I'm kidding."
Even his murmured voice carried a hint of laughter. Simeon then passed by me and stopped in front of the large window.
"Unfortunately, this window doesn't open."
He tapped the glass, and the area he touched gradually turned transparent. The thought of finally being able to see outside made me rush to the window, only to be struck by a sudden shock.
"What the…"
I had assumed I was kidnapped to a flower shop in a busy area and that the Apostles' base was nearby. But outside, there was only an endless expanse of blue waves. It was the sea. There wasn't a single island in sight. I couldn't believe it even though I saw it with my own eyes, and my mouth hung open in shock.
"Where… where is this?"
"It's an island."
"That much I can see!"
A remote island in the middle of the ocean. No wonder no one could find the Apostles' base.
As I looked down, I saw the beautiful scenery of the sea. There was a walking path along the island's edge, wildflowers peeking out from between the rocks, towering cliffs, and waves crashing white against them. It reminded me of the scenery at Jeongdong Cathedral, where I had been with Sang.
But now wasn't the time to be lost in admiration.
"The sea…"
I was completely isolated.
My hollow sigh hit the glass wall like a wave and scattered. It was laughable that I had even dreamed of escape for a moment. There was nowhere to hide, even if I managed to get out of this building. As I stared blankly at the undulating sea, Simeon asked nonchalantly.
"How do you feel? Any better?"
No, I feel even more like I'm going to lose it…
Looking at the wide horizon and the strength of the waves, this place must be at least an hour away from the mainland. So… they must have taken me by car from Songdo to a port, then by boat to this island? It couldn't have been a plane, right?
A sense of unease washed over me.
"What did you do while I was asleep under the influence of sleeping pills?"
"…Who knows."
I tried asking a sharp question, but Simeon had no intention of telling me anything. Seeing his insincere smile no longer made me angry. Knowing he'd only find it amusing, I was too drained to get worked up.
How did the shy guy who used to blush just by making eye contact turn into such a sly person, making things difficult for me?
"Do you want to go out?"
"Can I?"
"If I go with you."
I take back what I said about being in trouble. I had been feeling so stifled. I eagerly followed Simeon.
The hallway we entered for the first time looked like a luxury hotel. The deep gray walls and white marble floor combined to create a clean atmosphere. However, it didn't feel cozy like a hotel. Maybe because the doors were only on the right side at regular intervals. This place, uncomfortably quiet, felt like a shiny, clean prison.
As I quietly observed my surroundings, a middle-aged man with white hair walked towards us from the opposite side of the hallway. He must have been an Apostles' employee as he stepped aside and bowed lightly as soon as he saw Simeon. His polite treatment of his superior reminded me once again.
Simeon was indeed the head of this massive guild.
For some reason, walking side by side with him didn't feel right, so I slowed my pace to linger back slightly. Simeon also slowed his pace as he leaned towards me and whispered.
"Why?"
"Ha, no reason…"
I pretended not to notice his curious gaze.
How long had we been walking? We finally found a door leading outside. As soon as I opened it, a vast landscape unfolded before me.
"The sea…!"
The endless blue waves made me exclaim in awe. It felt liberating.
As I took a deep breath, the salty smell of the sea filled my nose.
"Wow, it's been so long since I've been to the sea."
The sound of the waves seemed to be calling me over. I walked towards the cliff's edge like someone possessed, and a worried voice came from behind.
"Careful, it's dangerous."
"Oh, it's fine."
Waving my hand dismissively, I stood at the edge of the steep cliff. Looking down at the dizzying drop, I felt more thrilled than scared. The crashing waves made me want to jump in right away.
A strong hand grabbed my shoulder as I leaned slightly towards the sea. I turned around to see Simeon frowning and shaking his head. Knowing what he was worried about, I deliberately smiled brightly.
"Don't you think it would feel refreshing? To jump from a place like this."
His eyes widened in surprise. His face turned pale, showing his confusion. Did I say something wrong? Before I could ask, Simeon gave a wry smile and murmured.
"…I never thought I'd hear someone else say that."
"What?"
"Nothing. Don't worry."
Simeon quickly regained his composure. It felt like he'd said something meaningful… was it just my imagination? Noticing my puzzled expression, Simeon smoothly changed the subject.
"How's your injury?"
"Oh, it's almost healed."
"Already?"
"Yeah, my body's like that."
I pulled back my collar and turned my neck slightly to show him. Simeon eagerly bent down to examine the wound. His eyes shone with curiosity, just like Sang's when he was solving the Rubik's Cube.
"Really…? That's amazing."
His eyes scanned my body like he was admiring a jewel in a display case or a restricted artwork. Had anyone ever looked at me this way?
Unable to endure his blatant gaze any longer, I cleared my throat and turned towards the sea.
"More importantly, there's no way to escape in a place like this."
"…Were you planning to escape?"
"I was just saying."
I laughed awkwardly and watched him carefully. The air had noticeably cooled. The way he silently smiled was terrifying. I realized it was best not to mention the word 'escape' around him, even by mistake.
Silence fell. I closed my eyes, listened to the waves, and suddenly became curious.
"Can I ask you something?"
"As long as you don't expect an answer."
As I expected. Whether Simeon answered or not, I had nothing to lose, so I asked.
"Why don't people know that The Apostles' base is here?"
Even if it's in the middle of the ocean, it's strange. Nowadays, satellites are so advanced that you can scan the entire world map with a few clicks, including the sea. Yet, people still don't know where The Apostles' base is. Persistent and tenacious journalists must have scoured maps to find it.
"The more I think about it, the stranger it is. It's not like they hacked the satellites…"
"Has someone hired you to gather information again?"
"No, it's not like that."
I clammed up and listened to the waves. It was quiet. Despite throwing the question out, there was no answer. I wondered if he still doubted me and glanced at him. Simeon, with a mysterious look in his eyes, stared at the sea and muttered.
"We're under his protection."
The quietly lingering smile on his lips vanished like a fog. It blurred whether his words were true or false. His blessing? Surely, he couldn't be talking about God…
As I was deep in thought, I sensed someone approaching from behind.
"Guild Leader Simeon."
A staff member I had never seen before approached and whispered something to Simeon. I could sense that it was time to leave. Of course, the business was only for Simeon, but given that I was under surveillance, there was no way I could wander around alone.
I regretfully took in the view of the sea one last time when Simeon spoke in a gentle tone.
"Mr. Hajae, you don't have to come in just yet."
"Oh, really?"
"Yes. After all, the staff will be watching you."
Being able to stay outside was a relief, even with surveillance. I quickly nodded before Simeon could change his mind.
"Then I'll stay here."
"Sure. Stay as long as you want."
A cold wind blew past. I reflexively closed my eyes, and when I opened them, Simeon was right in front of me. He gently brushed my hair, which had been tousled by the sea breeze, and whispered softly.
"But, if you plan to run away, please let me know in advance?"
His smile, which had always been cool, suddenly seemed lonely.
"I… don't like it when people disappear without a word."
****