Intern Lee's attention was diverted by a message alert inside her bag. She picked up her phone and unlocked it.
- Won't be coming. Take some time off after your tasks of the day. KSJ. –
She winked.
- "What ?"asked Park Sang-Tae who was looking closely at the little red dot.
The young woman showed him the text and the lawyer smiled.
- "Ah. That's good news. I can see my advice was heard, if not listened to."
Intern Lee frowned.
- "But it's so not like him… And that blood…"
Park Sang Tae shrugged and patted the girl's shoulder.
- "Don't worry, soldier. Believe me, enjoy your free time. First, this drop comes from a paper-cut. Second, Kim Seok-Ju would never take the day off if he wasn't ready for the case next week. All is fine."
He got her convinced but something was pinching the back of his mind as he left the old bricks building.
He'd seen his cousin play golf with a high fever when big money was at stake – his pride and greed would have never let go of a case because of his health. For what he knew, this Kim Seok-Ju would have done the same for the sake of poor people and justice.
Something was, indeed, very strange.
He opened his car and sat behind the wheel, half-closing his eyes to think better.
It wouldn't hurt to check.
He started the engine and the sport car made a roaring U-turn in the peaceful street.
oOoOoOo
Kang Shin Il put down the phone, quite satisfied with himself. The text would do and keep them away from worries and questions. He knew how much his son disliked people asking about his health.
He took back the newspaper and opened it, leaning in the armchair, under the soft warmth of the morning sun. He didn't feel tired – he wasn't sleeping much anyway, age did that to you – and since Seok-Ju's fever had gone down a couple hours ago, he felt much relieved.
The housekeeper was brewing coffee in the kitchen (both men liked occidental breakfasts) and the layered aroma was slowly filling the house. Khan was sleeping in the corridor, snoring quietly. The dog had been worried too, pacing outside his master's bedroom for the whole night, whining from time to time.
- "Your breakfast, Sir", said the ahjumma, entering with a tray. She set the cups, croissants and coffee pot on the table, then looked around, surprised. "Is the young master gone already ? Tsk, tsk, tsk. He shouldn't go to work without eating."
Kang Shin Il folded the newspaper, smiling.
- "My son isn't feeling very well, he's still asleep", he explained. "Nothing to worry about. Just a little cold."
- "Ah."
She glanced at Khan who was spread on the wooden floor in front of the bedroom door.
- "That's why the puppy wasn't with me in the kitchen, then. Aw. Do you need anything else, sir ? Should I go buy some medicine ? Do you need me to stay ? I could make some soup, if you think he'd eat it, poor thing."
She had grown very attached to Kim Seok-Ju during the past year (his new personality did that to people). The old man shook his head, smiling.
- "No, thank you. You may leave for the day. Isn't your mother coming, today ?"
She nodded.
- "She is, with the 10 AM train. My old ma', she's quite the countryside bump, y'know. She'd be in a panic if I weren't there to fetch her."
- "Then you should go. You'll be just in time. The traffic is bad in the center, at this hour."
She bowed, grateful, and went back to the kitchen, taking off her apron.
Kang Shin Il settled again with the newspaper as he heard the back door opening and closing. He'd drink his coffee in a while. For now, he felt comfortable in the sunlight.
Khan woke up in a startle and got up. His tail waved happily. There was some movement in the bedroom, then the door slide opened and Kim Seok-Ju came in, wearing his suit pants and a white shirt, his tie and socks in one hand, the other one brushing back his messy curls.
Shin Il stood up.
- "Hey. Shouldn't you stay in bed longer ?"
His son shook his head, smiling fondly.
- "I'm feeling much better, Father, thanks to you."
He let the old man guide him to the table and help him sit. Shin Il looked at him closely and put a hand on his forehead.
- "No fever. But you should rest more. You don't intend to go to work, do you ?"
Seok-Ju was putting on his socks.
- "Actually, yes. I promised Intern Lee I'd take her to the Courthouse, this afternoon. She needs to see more 'ordinary' cases to get experience. And I need to visit my client again. Something feels off and I might get some answers at her place."
He had put on his tie loosely and his father absent-mindedly fixed it.
- "But you had such a bad night, Seok-Ju. It wouldn't hurt to take it slowly and…"
His son stopped him gently.
- "Father. This lady needs me to give my all just like my rich clients were expecting me to, before. I cannot betray her. And Intern Lee is my responsibility. She quit her good place at the Cha Firm to help me. I have to make sure she's trained properly."
His brown eyes were determined and kind. Kang Shin Il heaved a sigh and gave up. He understood perfectly.
- "At least, take your time to eat breakfast. And leave the office early, tonight. I'm looking forward to our fishing trip this week-end."
Seok-Ju agreed, grinning happily. Khan licked his ear, making him giggle. The old man sat in front of his son and poured them coffee, watching his son who played with the dog.
Dark circles were underlining his eyes and his face was still quite pale. But he did look better and, at least, the headache was gone.
- "Don't look so serious, Father. I'm fine, I promise. I'm sorry I gave you a fright, last night."
The old man frowned and pinched his lips.
- "When is your next appointment with the doctor ?"
Kim Seok-Ju thought for a minute, while scratching the dog's neck.
- "Next Tuesday, I reckon."
- "Hum."
Kang Shin Il looked like he was going to say something else when the bell ring at the same time the house gate opened with the usual loud crack.
- "Hello, uncle !" called a well-known voice from the entrance. "Your favorite nephew is in the place !"
Kim Seok-Ju chuckled when his cousin stared at him.
- "What ?"
Park Sang Tae bowed to the old man, then sat casually at the table and roughed the young man's shoulder.
- "You, sneaky goat. What happened that you suddenly decided to skip work ? Intern Lee was ready to call the cops."
His best friend took his coffee mug to his lips.
- "I suddenly felt like fishing" he said innocently. "Isn't it, Father ?"
Park Sang Tae scrutinized both men faces, then pouted.
- "Why not calling me, then ?" he whined. "I love fishing ! How mean of you ! You should take your faithful team with you when you decide to play."
Seok-Ju snorted.
- "I don't think Prosecutor Lee would appreciate a group date."
Father and son laughed at Sang Tae's appalled face.
- "Maybe she would be willing to give you a chance, if you weren't this lay-back, Sang Tae", said the old man, half joking, half serious. "Two divorces and your passion for auditions make you very suspicious for a young woman who has ambition."
- "Not that young anymore" muttered Park, blowing in his cheeks.
He squinted his eyes. He wasn't completely convinced by the show of peace-and-quiet-normal-morning they were pulling.
Shin Il spread some jam in a croissant and added a piece of ham before handing it to his son.
- "Here, have some breakfast."
- "Thank you, Father. Sang Tae, coffee ?"
- "Hum."
Khan barked right in Park's ear, making him jump.
- "You… you dog ! Be glad I wasn't holding my cup !"
Shin Il smiled.
- "You're so full of energy in the morning, Sang Tae. Makes people happy, I'm sure. You were always like this, now that I think of it."
- "Yup. Good thing I'm a morning person, coz' Mister Kim here wasn't, before his accident. The secretaries were peeing themselves when he came in, at Cha Firm. Such an awful character."
- "You liar. You're so vulgar", protested Seok-Ju, cringing.
Park Sang Tae eyelids fluttered quickly as he put on his best "I'm hurt" act.
- "Vulgar !? I…"
He was cut by Seok-Ju standing up without warning. The young man had suddenly covered his mouth. He stumbled in the bathroom direction, followed by his dog, and slammed the door behind him.
- "What, now ?" asked Park Sang Tae, a bit offended.
Kang Shin Il wasn't listening to him. He went after his son and, finding the door locked, knocked worriedly.
- "Seok-Ju. Seok-Ju, are you okay ? What's happening ?"
He put his ear against the door.
Running water. Khan whining. And…
Retching.
He knocked again.
- "Seok-Ju. Seok-Ju, answer me, please !"
He didn't feel the hand Park Sang Tae put on his shoulder.
- "Uncle. What's the matter ? Is he sick ?"
Running water. Khan barking… violent coughing.
Then – a thud.
Shin Il blanched. He had to hold himself to the wall.
Park put his ear against the door.
- "Did he fall ?" he murmured, frowning.
Inside, the dog was moaning pitifully. Except for that, only dead silence.
The young man knocked vigorously against the door.
- "Oy, Seok-Ju ! Open up ! Cousin, can you hear me ? Don't you frighten your dad like this. Open up, for Heaven's sake !"
He listened to the door, again.
A move. Or was it the dog ?
- "Seok-Ju ! Son, are you okay ?" called anxiously the old man.
The door unlocked.
- "SEOK-JU !"
There he was, slumped on the tiled floor, holding his head in excruciating pain and blood running down his nose. The dog was licking his hands, pleading to get his attention.
Sang Tae kneeled on the other side, while Shin Il took his son in his arms.
- "Seok-Ju. Seok-Ju, son… talk to me. What happened ? Open your eyes, please, Seok-Ju. This is Dad, Seok-Ju. Please."
Sang Tae's eyes moisturized as he remember how the name "Dad" had disappear from his best friend vocabulary long ago. He took the young man's wrist and silently checked the pulse.
- "Fa… ther…"
They leaned closer.
Kim Seok-Ju coughed weakly as his eyelids fluttered faintly.
- "… hurts…"
Shin Il's eyes were filled with tears.
- "What should we do ?" he cried, looking at his nephew in despair.
Park swallowed hard.
- "First, let's get him into bed."
Seok-Ju struggled as they tried to help him up and threw himself towards the toilet. He was shaken by violent heaving and they held him up as his legs gave way.
- "I'm s-sor-ry", he mumbled when the nausea stopped.
- "It's okay, son. It's okay" whispered Kang Shin Il, wiping the cold sweat on the young man's forehead.
- "It's… spinning…"
- "I've got your back, buddy", said Park Sang Tae. He grabbed his cousin's belt and put his arm on his shoulder.
They managed to coax him into bed. He kept apologizing, when he wasn't overwhelmed by pain that made him curl and cry like a child. Vomiting had really weakened him and the nosebleed wouldn't stop.
He was a mess and they were at a loss, frightened and worried, when the doorbell rang again. Khan barked in response and trotted to the entrance, waving his tail for the first time in a while.
- "What is it, now ?" asked tiredly Shin Il, holding his son's limp hand.
Park brushed his hair away from his eyes, straightened his shirt as he sat with his legs stretched beside the futon. He untied his tie and blew in his cheeks, looking at the clock on the wall.
- "Noon. Alleluia. Help is coming, or my name isn't Sang Tae."
TBC