34. [Park Chanyeol] The Clock-chaser
The person opposite me came at me with a punch to my abdomen.
I bent over in pain.
"Please, please…tell me."
Another punch came flying at me. Before I could stand straight, I was pulled up by my collars.
I was faced with the person's calm expression, in contrast to the anger I would have pictured. He saw my state and broke into a smile.
Come at me. What could possibly be worse. Just come at me, all of you. Fuck.
"You're going to keep hitting me?" I lifted my hand to wipe blood from my nose, breathing heavily as I glared at him.
"You're pretty arrogant, huh?" Wu Yifan shook me by my collars, "This is how you're begging me?"
"Then what do you want me to do? What is going to satisfy you?"
If he asked me to kneel, I'd do it without any second thought.
I wanted to see him so much, so much that I have gone crazy.
I failed to protect him, failed to cherish him.
I let him feel afraid, caused him to leave.
This was retribution, all these days that he's been gone has driven me to the point of insanity.
He was always right next to me. He'd always be there when I turned around.
Where has he gone?
His health was in shambles, and he was unstable mentally…
Was he still afraid of strangers? What would he do if he'd suffer from pain? I desperately wished that he would not do anything silly…
All of a sudden, he threw another punch at me, punching me out of my thoughts.
"What I want you to do?" He laughed coldly, "Go get him back for me."
With brute force, he pushed me to the ground.
"Then…tell me…where is he…" I tried to get up, looking straight at him.
I knew I was deserving of a punishment, but to be punished by Wu Yifan, it made my blood boil.
But there was nothing I could do. He was far more powerful.
I am a useless bastard.
It was Luhan Hyung who approached him for help. He didn't know Wu Yifan, but he was clear that he was the only one who could help find Baekhyun.
- Ask Park Chanyeol to come find me.
"Are you going?" Luhan Hyung asked me.
"Yes."
And right now, I was on the floor, all beat up by Wu Yifan. I knew my face was bruised. Perfect. I could take a break from work.
I could give anything up to find Baekhyun.
Because, once, he gave up everything for me.
"I can't be certain," Wu Yifan threw a strip of paper towards me. Written on it was an address, "All of his relatives lived in Seoul, except one who lived down North."
It seemed to be somewhere he went often. He's brought it up before.
"You know who he's close to. But right now, they're all useless if they're in Seoul."
With that, he left.
I struggled to get up.
"…Hey," I called out.
"What?"
"So you like him huh?"
It hurt to speak, to move the corners of my mouth that were bruised.
He turned around and stared straight at me.
"I asked, if you liked Byun Baekhyun."
"That's none of your business."
"Then why don't you go find him," If Byun Baekhyun was avoiding me, why was he pushing me towards him.
He sneered.
"You're the only one that fool has a chance of returning with."
I said nothing, but I felt my heart swell.
Amongst all those willing to help you, you'd only look at me.
"Oh right, I forgot to ask," He looked at me that signature sneer, "Those dogs that hurt him will receive my punishment. But the one who orchestrated it, what do you plan on doing?"
I looked down, not knowing how to reply.
I didn't feel hatred.
"Let her go."
"That's your response?" He turned around, I could sense danger.
"What do you want me to do?" I looked at him, expressionless, "Like how I treated Baekhyun, seek revenge against her? I just want to find Baekhyun, everything else—"
I was tired, sweeping hair away from my forehead, "She's not suitable for the acting industry."
He nodded, "I know," and turned to leave.
I watched his back, gripping the paper tight in my hands.
- e)(o
When I went back with my bruises to face Tae Shin Hyung, he was in a frenzy of madness. I told him that I got beat up because I messed with Wu Yifan.
He only asked me what I had done to receive such wrath.
I laughed coldly in my heart.
I did not need his concern for me but the way he only cared about pleasing the rich made me itch with madness.
I still remember how he grabbed Baekhyun's wounded wrist, asking the doctors if they could unbandage him and remove the dressings.
He pushed Baekhyun over the ege.
After Baekhyun disappeared, I had watched his final press conference.
Numerous microphones in his direction, the seemingly countless journalists shouting questions at him, it was a mess.
Even though he had practiced countless times the replies to their questions, he panicked in front of them. It was evident through the camera lens.
He tugged on his sleeves to hide the wounds, unable to answer the invasive questions fired at him.
They did not care for your feelings, they just wanted to get exclusive news for their own papers.
I watched him evidently struggling in the video, all colour gone from his face.
- Why was the world treating you so harshly?
There should have been someone looking over him, not letting him suffer. There should have been someone shielding him, taking him away from any hurtful situations.
It forced him to leave on his own.
In the end, I managed to successfully get a few days off. The drama producers must be livid. But I did not care. I don't care, I just want my Baekhyun back.
No, actually, I just want to see his face. Even if just a glimpse.
I knew I couldn't take public transport due to the state of my appearance so I borrowed my parents' car after begging them.
Eventually, I had arrived in Bucheon. A quiet village had appeared in front of me.
So this was what his childhood was like.
If he had returned, that would make me feel much more at peace.
I parked my car and started on my quest to seek for the house with the address on the paper. I asked around and finally arrived at the doorstep of one o the houses.
It looked just like the other houses around it, with a small backyard that grew bunches of flowers and wild plants.
The door to the main gate was not locked so I pushed it open and walked towards the door of the house.
Would he be in there?
Am I about to see him?
What if he isn't here?
Then where will I seek him?
Suppressing the anxiousness in my heart, I knocked.
"Coming!" I heard the voice of a middle-aged woman.
Her footsteps neared and the door opened before me.
The woman stood at the door, eyeing me all over with suspicion.
"Hello," I bowed, "Are you Baekhyun's aunt?"
"Yes, why?" She replied impatiently.
"May I ask if Baekhyun is here with you?" I asked carefully, looking at her with expectant eyes.
"No."
I felt as if a whole pail of cold water had rained down on me.
…He's not here…
Just as she was about to close the door, I blocked the door with my hands.
"Wait! Wait a minute!"
"What!"
"Uh, can I ask if Baekhyun – if he's contacted you?"
"No."
"You have no idea where he might be?"
…I knew, if he wasn't here then there would be no chance for her to know his whereabouts.
But that was my only hope and I could not bear to let it disappear before my eyes. I had to ask to make sure.
"How would I know!" She exclaimed, about to close the door.
Just then, I heard a voice from behind me.
"Hey! Madam Byun! Thank you for your help today!"
I turned to look, there was a man on a motorcycle by the door, he looked like he was just passing by.
"No problem!"
"And this your niece?" The man giggled as he looked at me, "Thanks buddy! If not for your help at the store, I'd be worried all day."
Niece?
I turned around immediately.
She looked extremely displeased and said nothing in response.
"I'm leaving! I'll invite you over some day soon to play card games!" He revved up the engine and sped away. Leaving me and Baekhyun's aunt at the door.
"He – he came to find you, Baekhyun came to find you, didn't he?" I was near rambling, "He's here isn't he?"
"I said no! He's not my only niece!" She wanted to close the door, but I wouldn't let her, blocking the door with my arm. I was even more sure due to her panicky tone.
"Please, just let me see him…please! Let me see him!" I was begging, almost going down on my knees right then and there.
"I said, he's not here!" She was furious, and pushed me away. She was extremely forceful. The door slammed shut in my face.
This was nothing, as long as I knew he's here, I could wait, wait here until he appears.
I promised to look for you, Baekhyun ah.
I looked back and saw the wooden porch at the door and went over to sit down.
As I thought about how all these days, he probably sat here too, looking at all the greenery, my heart was bursting with excitement.
…His forceful aunt must be protective, she must have protected him well.
Just as I was getting lost in my thoughts, something flew towards me and hit my head before I could react.
"Ah!"
I looked down, it was an empty soda can.
"You disgusting jerk! Get out of here! Who allowed you to stay in my backyard!" His aunt was shouting at me through the open window.
…Her aim was perfect.
I stood up immediately, and just as I was about to say something, I heard another voice in the house.
"Auntie, what's the matter?"
The voice was soft and sounded groggy.
- The voice, that I've been dreaming about night and day.
I could not control myself, I could not hold back any longer. I dashed towards the window and shouted as loud as I could, "Baekhyun! Baekhyun-ah!"
His aunt was furious, she grabbed a fly swatter and started to lash out at me.
"Please! Please! Please stop this!" I hid my face with my forearm. In that instant, she shut the window forcefully in my face.
With a face full of bruises, courtesy of Wu Yifan, and hair in a mess from the prior conflict, I walked out of the yard.
But this was nothing to me, I was even more fired up, he was there!
I knew you would not come easy. After all, it is what I deserve, after the pain I've caused you.