Preface
Fate in the Dark
Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at /works/61909615.
Rating: Not Rated Archive Warning: Major Character Death Fandom: Squid Game (TV 2021) Relationships: Hwang Inho Front Man/Seong Gihun, Seong Gayeong & Seong Gihun, Hwang Inho Front Man & Hwang Junho Additional Tags: Seong Gihun Deserves Better, Alternate Universe, Younger Seong Gihun, Younger Hwang Inho, Possessive Behavior, Overprotective, First Meetings, Protective Hwang Inho Front Man (Squid Game), Protectiveness, Father-Daughter Relationship, Alternate Universe - Pre-Canon, Smitten Hwang In-ho The Frontman, mysterious seong gihun, Alternate Universe - 2000s, Slow Burn, Pining
Language: English
Stats: Published: 2025-01-02 Updated: 2025-01-19 Words: 6,807 Chapters: 4/? Fate in the Dark
by merxthur
Summary
A twenty-year-old Seong Gi-hun, newly divorced, struggles to care for his newborn baby alone in his car in Seoul
What will happen when Hwang In-ho, the newly appointed Frontman of the games, stumbles upon the pretty, mysterious young man and his baby in an empty parking lot and decides to take them in?
or
a younger Gihun/Inho AU in which Gihun is running from his past life and runs into the rich man
Chapter 1
September 2006
Seoul
The night was cold, and there was still much to do before this year's games began. In-ho had been South Korea's frontman since his victory in 2001, and the relentless work of preparing all six games had taken its toll. Tonight, however, he chose to step away from it all, leaving his staff to carry on while he spent a rare evening unwinding in Seoul.
As he stepped out of his limo in Seocho, his thoughts drifted to Jun-ho and his stepmother back in Seodaemun-gu. Guilt weighed heavily on him for cutting them out of his life. But how could he face them? How could he meet their eyes, knowing he watched hundreds of people die each year, all while his brother is now a police detective just like he had been before joining the games?
He closed the limo door behind him, dressed in a casual suit, and strolled down the street, letting the cool autumn breeze brush against his face. It was a welcome change, not having to worry about anything for the moment, especially being far from Seongapdo Island.
Oh Il-nam had been reaching out every few days, constantly asking about the progress of this year's games while he was away in Malaysia. In-ho knew the wealthy old man was growing too frail to keep a close eye on the games, which likely meant Il-nam was on the lookout for a second-in-command. Still, he was kind enough to offer one of his estates in Seoul for In-ho's use.
He was already considering promoting one of his most trusted staff members once he returned to the island since it seemed like the most logical solution right now.
His thoughts were interrupted when a battered car pulled into an empty parking lot ahead. The vehicle was in terrible shape, with shattered windows, deep scratches, and a tire that looked ready to burst.
As he walked closer, he noticed it parked beside a dumpster as if to hide and saw a silhouette inside. The person behind the wheel gripped it tightly, their head resting against it, their body trembling as if they were trying to hold themselves together.
In-ho wouldn't have been surprised if this person ended up recruited for the games. Judging by the state of their car, they seemed to be struggling, likely dirt poor. He had every intention of walking past the parking lot to his estate until the unmistakable sound of a baby crying came from the car.
The sound stopped him in his tracks, instantly bringing back memories of his late wife. He couldn't just walk away. With a defeated sigh, turned and headed into the parking lot, making his way toward the car behind the dumpster.
"Shh, Ga-yeong," a soft, broken voice murmured from inside the car. In-ho froze. What? He stepped closer, stopping outside the driver's door. Through the cracked window, he saw the back of a man's head, hunched over as he cradled a baby wrapped in a bundle of dirty blankets. "I'm here, I—I'm here…"
In-ho knocked gently on the top of the car, making the man jump and instinctively pull the baby closer to his chest. The man turned toward him, eyes wide in surprise. "Huh?"
Oh, God. His heart stopped. The man before him might just be the most attractive person he'd ever seen, despite how dirty and disheveled he looked. He appeared to be in his early twenties, his features round and youthful, yet worn.
And there, in his arms, was a baby.
Where was the mother?
"Sir," In-ho began, his gaze shifting past the man to the cluttered dashboard filled with old Seoul maps, dirty clothes, and thin, worn blankets. Was he living in this car? "Are you alright?"
The younger man clutched the baby tighter, his wary eyes scanning In-ho's expensive suit with clear skepticism. "Quite fine, thanks,"
"Where are you from?" In-ho asked, partly out of curiosity and partly because he wanted to hear more of the man's voice. When did that happen?
The younger man hesitated, looking away. "Um, Ssangmun-dong."
"What are you doing way out here? Ssangmun-dong is far." In-ho said, his tone soft.
"None of your business," the man spat bitterly, though In-ho could see the tears forming in his eyes, making him want to reach out and wipe them away. In-ho found that he didn't want this man to become part of the games.
"I can't help you if you don't tell me," he said gently.
"I don't want your help," the man retorted.
In-ho raised a brow, his eyes flicking between the car and the baby. "Well, you certainly need it," he said pointedly.
The younger man shifted, turning his body to shield the baby from In-ho's view, his glare sharp and defiant. "Not from you."
In-ho studied him closely. Studying many people on the verge of death for years, he could tell that the man looked utterly exhausted, as though he'd been running from something… or someone. His reactions were quick, almost too quick, like someone constantly on edge.
In-ho took a step closer, watching as the man inched away. "What is your name?"
"Go away!" the man shouted, his voice filled with panic, causing the baby to cry out. The sound startled him, and he immediately tried to console the child, his voice trembling. "Shh. Don't cry, please, I'm here… don't cry."
In-ho couldn't help but admire how quickly the man shifted from sharp and defensive to tender and caring. Once the baby had calmed down, In-ho asked again, his tone softer. "I'll ask again. What is your name?"
The man looked up at him, narrowing his eyes as he glanced at the baby, then sighed in resignation. "My name is Seong Gi-hun. Happy?"
"Yes, I am," In-ho replied, his hand reaching through the window to unlock the car door. "Now—"
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Gi-hun stammered, his voice panicked as In-ho opened the door. He immediately tightened his arms around the baby.
Sighing, In-ho held his hand out, his gesture calm but firm. Gi-hun reminded him so much of his late wife…. stubborn and defensive.
"You can't live in here, " In-ho said, his voice laced with distaste as he took in the smell of the car. He didn't want to leave Gi-hun and the baby, he would take better care of them.
Gi-hun slapped In-ho's hand away, glaring "What gives you the right to say what I can or cannot do? You don't know anything about me!"
"What I do know is that it's unsanitary for a baby to grow up in this kind of environment." He gestured to the backseat, noting the packs of cigarettes and cigarette butts scattered across the floor. No, that wouldn't do. He'd put an end to that unhealthy addiction.
As he turned back to Gi-hun, a rare, genuine smile crossed his face, a smile he hadn't worn in years.
"Come with me, we will take care of you and your baby." he held out his hand again.
Gi-hun took it this time.
Chapter 2
September 2006
Gangnam, Seoul
Gi-hun held Ga-yeong tightly as the limo rolled to a stop outside what appeared to be an estate. He hadn't moved once during the ride, staying rooted to his spot on the plush leather seats, guilty for dirtying such an expensive-looking car.
Across from him sat the man who had "helped" him, casually sipping a glass of wine and dressed in what Gi-hun could only describe as the most expensive suit he'd ever seen.
They had left his car.. well, his mom's car in the parking lot. The man had assured him they'd pick it up tomorrow.
He didn't dare try to make eye contact with the rich man when he stood up, setting his empty glass down. "Looks like we're here."
Curious despite himself, he looked out the heavily tinted windows and may as well gasped at where the man apparently lived. This was one of the richest neighbourhoods in Seoul… Gangnam. Now, Gi-hun doesn't know why in the hell this man chose to help him, or maybe he was a saint of some sort and helped every homeless person he found off the streets but he still doesn't understand why him?
Maybe he was going to die here. Maybe this was all a trap, and the man was just sweet talking him into lowering his guard. The thought gnawed at him, and for a moment, he almost accepted it. Perhaps it would be for the best. Dying at the hands of this stranger seemed better than trying to get by in his mother's broken down car. But then he looked down at Ga-yeong, who was one of the only reasons Gi-hun was still holding on.
Why had Eun-ji given him Ga-yeong, knowing his situation? He was poor, fired from his chauffeur job, with nowhere to go but his mother's house. Even she didn't want anything to do with him, not after their argument months ago when he'd taken off with her car keys. To her, he was more of a burden than a son. If it hadn't been for Sang-woo's enrollment at SNU, Gi-hun might have gone to him for help. But he knew the younger man was too busy with his own life to take on his problems.
So here he was now responsible for a baby he didn't know how to care for.
"Gi-hun?" The voice of the man whose suit probably cost more than his entire existence snapped him out of his thoughts. He looked up, meeting the other man's eyes, which had a slightly concerned expression.
"Huh?"
The man flashed that same eerie smile, the one that sent a chill down Gi-hun's spine. "We're here."
"Oh. Right," Gi-hun muttered, slowly standing up with Ga-yeong in his arms, his eyes darting to the leather seat to make sure he hadn't dirtied it. Ah, fuck . It was. "Crap, I'm so sorry," he stammered, his hands trembling as he frantically tried to wipe the dirt away, all while awkwardly holding the baby. Tears welled up in his eyes as the dust just smeared across the floor. Fuck!
His shaking hands stopped when a gloved hand wrapped around his wrist firmly but softly. He looked at the other man who didn't seem the slightest bit distressed about the expensive ass limo as he focused on Gi-hun.
"Don't worry about it," the man said with a laugh. Even his goddamn laughs sound expensive as hell. "One of the butlers will take care of it. Now, come."
This guy has fucking butlers, Gi-hun thought, still reeling. "Oh, okay…" he muttered, letting himself be pulled out of the limo, still guilty.
He stood awkwardly on the pavement, clutching Ga-yeong tightly as the man exchanged a few words with the limo driver. Moments later, the car pulled away, leaving Gi-hun feeling more out of place than ever.
Gi-hun watched as the man straightened up and offered him a warm smile. "I realize I never gave you my name, Gi-hun," he said as Gi-hun followed him up the steps to the grand estate. "It's In-ho. Hwang In-ho."
Hwang took out his keys from his pocket and unlocked the massive doors. He stepped aside, gesturing for Gi-hun to enter.
"Well," Gi-hun muttered, carefully taking off his shoes and setting them on the porch, making sure not to step inside with them on while holding Ga-yeong securely in his arms. He brushed past Hwang as he stepped inside. "Thank you… for this, Mr. Hwang," he said, his voice quiet and somewhat sheepish.
Hwang closed the door behind them, locking it with a soft click.
Suddenly, Gi-hun realized that he was trapped here until morning. No, I can't stay here for long, he thought. One night is long enough. He didn't want to burden Mr. Hwang any more than he already had. He could make money on his own, he told himself. At least he'd get a taste of luxury before his whole world inevitably went to shit again.
"Don't worry about it, Gi-hun," Hwang said smoothly, then walked past him, leaving Gi-hun standing awkwardly in the hallway with Ga-yeong bundled in dirty rags in his arms.
Hwang paused, glancing back. "Follow me to your room."
Just the guest room, Gi-hun's mind screamed at him. You're not staying, of course.
Saying nothing, Gi-hun followed Hwang upstairs, his eyes instinctively roaming over the expensive-looking furniture and the opulent surroundings. What does this guy have that I don't? he wondered. How do you even get this rich?
He felt out of place in a world so far removed from his own.
The guest room, Gi-hun reminded himself, was ridiculously spacious way too much for just one person. A large bed sat in the center, connected to its own bathroom, and there was even a walk in closet. He turned around to find Hwang leaning casually in the doorway, watching him with an odd expression.
Hwang looked down at Ga-yeong and sighed before turning around, his back to Gi-hun. "I'll make sure they bring in things for your baby and grab some clothes for you. We can shop for new clothes sometime this week—"
"This week?" Gi-hun asked, flabbergasted. "No, I can't stay here. I will be leaving tomorrow morning."
"What do you mean?" Hwang replied, his tone genuinely confused. Why the hell was he confused? Couldn't he see that Gi-hun couldn't stay here? Hwang turned back around, his expression perplexed as he faced Gi-hun again. "You're welcome to stay here, Gi-hun," he said, as though it were the simplest thing in the world.
No, this wasn't how it was supposed to go. "I can't," he muttered softly.
"You can't, or you don't want to?" Hwang asked, his voice calm as he took a slow step closer to Gi-hun. "Because you surely can't go back to that filthy car you and your baby were cooped up in before."
Gi-hun shifted uncomfortably, tightening his hold on Ga-yeong. "I just can't take up space here for longer than needed," he said. "I'd be nothing more than a burden."
"A burden?" he repeated, almost incredulously. "Is that what you think you are?"
"It's what I know."
Gi-hun tensed as he felt gloved hands rest lightly on his shoulder. He looked up to see Hwang standing directly in front of him, his expression calm. "Gi-hun," Hwang said softly, "you wouldn't be taking up space here. I have more than enough money to take care of both you and your baby."
"Why me?" Gi-hun asked. "Why are you taking me in? There are so many other homeless people out there." The question had been gnawing at him ever since he met this enigmatic man just an hour ago.
"Because…" Hwang sighed, his hand on Gi-hun's shoulder tightening slightly. "Your baby. You have a baby. I couldn't just leave you both there."
Silence, then he stepped back, removing his hand from Gi-hun's shoulder. "Take a shower," he said lightly, though it made Gi-hun painfully aware of his disheveled state. "Then come downstairs for dinner."
"Okay," Gi-hun muttered, resigned.
Once In-ho left, Gi-hun turned to Ga-yeong, gently calming her down before carrying her into the connecting bathroom and flicking on the light. He froze for a moment, taking in the sight. Good God, it's fancy. Much cleaner than bathrooms you see at convenience stores, too.
He focused on Ga-yeong first, filling the bathtub with warm water. He set her down gently in the middle of it, and began to wash away the layers of dirt on her, his movements slow and deliberate to avoid hurting her, supporting her neck with one hand.
When he finished, he wrapped the clean and peacefully sleeping baby in soft towels and laid her on the bed in the guest room before getting up and going back to take a shower himself.
Gi-hun turned on the water in the massive glass shower, letting out a quiet moan as the hot water cascaded over his skin. He didn't even care how it grazed his scars and bruises, it was the first real comfort he had in ages. After a few seconds, he sighed and adjusted the temperature back to room temperature, mindful not to waste too much of Mr. Hwang's hot water.
The shelves around him were lined with fancy, expensive soaps and body washes, each one looking like it cost more than his weekly groceries, well, back when he could afford groceries. He stared at them for a moment, reminding himself that this was, in fact, not his mother's house, where the only option was a half empty 5-in-1 bottle. Well, looking around at the pristine walls, it surely wasn't.
He wasn't sure how much time had passed since he first stepped into the shower, but by the time he finished, he felt better than he had in a long while.
When he stepped out, he found a pile of clean clothes folded neatly on the sink, clearly not his judging by the silky fabric.
Wrapping a towel around his waist, he quickly moved to check on Ga-yeong.
Chapter 3
Chapter Notes
IM SO SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE
School started back up again for this semester and I was immediately hit with a 3 page essay I have to write within next week AND a test by my English teacher….
But I swear I'll try to keep up with this fic!! I have a lot of amazing ideas for future chapters!️
In-ho stood in front of his closet, sifting through the rows of expensive suits and designer attire. It took him more than a few minutes to find something he thought Gi-hun might actually wear. Eventually, he settled on a plain white button down shirt, a pair of brown slacks, and a set of silk pajamas for the night.
Carrying the neatly folded clothes, he walked to the guest room right next to his own and knocked three times before stepping inside. The room was empty, but the sound of running water from the connecting bathroom told him Gi-hun was in the shower.
Only Ga-yeong, his baby, slept soundlessly on the plush bed, soft towels wrapped around her tiny frame. She looked so much cleaner now. The chef, one of In-ho's staff, was already preparing baby formula for her, just as he had ordered. In-ho knew his staff must be confused by the sight of him bringing a random homeless man into one of the wealthiest places in Seoul. He could see the confusion in their eyes when they passed by earlier, but he didn't care.
It was strange, even for him. He had watched homeless and debt-ridden people die without a second thought, without feeling any remorse. Yet, something about Gi-hun, about him being a single father, stirred something deep within In-ho, a feeling he hadn't experienced in years. It reminded him of his wife's slow death in the hospital, needing surgery they both didn't have the money for.
Oh Il-nam had developed a soft spot for In-ho after his performance in the 2001 games, especially considering how muchIl-nam's wealthy friends enjoyed watching him compete.
His wife had died while he was away those six days, and when he returned to find her gone, he was left feeling broken. He went to Il-nam, pathetic, practically begging for anything that could give him some purpose. He was appointed as a manager for a year, but it wasn't long before he was promoted to the role of Captain, the frontman, the man who controlled the very games he once competed in.
Before everything fell apart, he and his wife had dreamed of a future, of a family. They had planned for a baby, a life they would share together. But she had died along with their unborn child before he could bring home the cash prize that would have changed everything.
And now, all he had was nothing.
The only reason In-ho had won those games was because of her. He refused to die, not when she was lying in that hospital, rotting away with only his stepmother and baby brother to keep her company, wondering where he had been in her final moments. Of course, the latter happened anyway.
He set the pile of folded clothes down on the bed, carefully separating the pajamas from the rest. Then, he quietly walked to the bathroom, placing the clothes on the counter. He didn't dare peek inside, even though he would have liked to see the man in his most vulnerable state… he knew better than to invade the man's privacy like that. He would wait, just as he had always waited. He's only just met the man, after all.
In-ho set the pajamas down, then walked back out, closing the bathroom door softly behind him. He sat on the bed, waiting for Gi-hun to finish so they could go downstairs and eat. Well, more accurately, for In-ho to make sure both Gi-hun and the baby ate.
His mind kept circling back to what Gi-hun had said earlier about leaving the next morning. In-ho wasn't about to trap him here; he knew Gi-hun could leave whenever he wanted to. But he also couldn't let him and the baby return to the streets. It wasn't an option. Staying here was the only choice that made sense, though he didn't want to force it on Gi-hun. If not here, a hotel would have to do until the man could find a job, start over, and make a living for himself and his daughter.
Before he could even let his thoughts spiral further, In-ho's eyes fell on Gi-hun's small, worn bag that the butlers had brought up earlier. Something inside caught his eye, almost concealed by the overlapping flaps.
Curious, he reached down, carefully lifting one flap aside to get a better look, to make sure he wasn't hallucinating, to make sure it wasn't what he thought it was.
It was.
He picked up the card. The very same card with the circle, triangle, and square on it, the one that all of the games' recruiters gave to contestants. The one similar to the one In-ho had gotten many years ago.
He looked at the number, confirming that it was indeed the number his staff used for contestants. He fought not to crumple the damn thing in his hand. Curiously enough, even as the frontman, he found that he didn't want Gi-hun to be one of the poor 'horses' Il-nam's friends bet on every year, didn't want him to lose himself amongst the other money hungry beasts the games bring out of people in their darkest moments.
He listened as the shower stopped running and slipped the card into his suit pocket, carefully folding the bag's flaps back into place. Sure, it wasn't his decision to make for Gi-hun, he had only just met the man, but that didn't change the fact that he didn't want him dead. Gi-hun didn't belong there with a baby depending on her father.
In-ho knew Gi-hun would be coming out any second to check on his baby, so he stood up, straightening his suit jacket.
The bathroom door opened, and there stood Gi-hun, his damp shoulder-length hair hanging loosely around his face, a towel wrapped around his waist. In-ho's frown deepened as he noticed the slap bruises on Gi-hun's cheek, clearly not dust like he'd initially thought. He sighed, knowing where it had came from.
"Oh," Gi-hun stammered, flustered. He quickly rushed back into the bathroom, likely to retrieve the pajamas In-ho had set on the counter. "I-I didn't think you'd be out there, I'm sorry!"
In-ho turned away, his gaze settling on Ga-yeong as she stirred, her eyes fluttering open. "It's fine, take your time," he said softly.
The door opened again, and Gi-hun emerged, his shirt half-buttoned as he reached for his now crying baby. "Oh, shh, it's okay," he whispered, cradling her in his arms.
He stared at the two blankly. He couldn't help but wonder what the baby had been eating..Surely it couldn't have been anything nutritious or suitable for an infant, especially with a homeless father. Probably just cheap, unhealthy crap from the supermarket.
"Thanks, by the way," Gi-hun said to him after calming the baby down, sitting on the bed and bouncing her on his leg gently, his hand supporting her neck. "For these clothes."
"No problem," In-ho said, still standing and looking down at Gi-hun. "If you want, we could wash your clothes and…" he looked at Ga-yeong's rags now on top of Gi-hun's bag with barely concealed disdain, thankfully Gi-hun didn't seem to notice. "…blankets."
"You would do that?" Gi-hun asked, surprised as he looked up at In-ho.
"Yes, I would," In-ho replied softly. He moved toward the door, pausing to glance back at Gi-hun, gesturing for him to follow. "Come. Dinner's ready."
—
Gi-hun couldn't stop looking around as he was led toward the big ass dining room. Everything was sleek, clean, and modern, with polished surfaces.
Is this a dream? Was he dreaming? It sure felt like it, dressed in the most expensive pajamas he'd ever worn, let alone touched, in the most expensive neighborhood in Seoul. Seriously, he didn't even wear pajamas in the first place. He just slept in whatever he'd been wearing during the day. Who even buys pajamas?
This man had chefs, butlers, and a goddamn limousine.All for himself. Unless he had a wife and kids who weren't around at the moment, but Gi-hun didn't ask.
Oh, he'd totally brag about this to Sang-woo once they reconnected after the man finished university. Jung-bae too.
Gi-hun sat at the end of the long dining table, his eyes wandering over the pristine surroundings. Hwang had gone into the kitchen, telling him to wait. "Wait here, I'll get the food," he'd said after setting up some sort of pillow fortress on the sofa for Ga-yeong.
Gi-hun looked at his baby, who was still quiet in her chair, looking content for the moment. Just two hours ago he was holed up in his mother's dirty car trying to calm her down and now he's here.
Hwang returned with two plates and a baby bottle. "I wasn't sure how old your baby is, so I brought some milk made with a specific formula."
"Oh, thank you!" Gi-hun said, accepting the bottle as Hwang set down a plate with the fanciest fried chicken he'd ever seen. Feeding Ga-yeong had always been hard for him, with hours spent at the supermarket trying to figure out the right formula for a newborn. "She's only three months old, born in June."
Hwang raised his brows as he settled into his seat at the head of the table, glass of whiskey in hand. "And you're a single father?" he asked, taking a slow sip.
"Yeah," Gi-hun replied with a sigh, standing up to gently feed his daughter. "Before she was born, my ex-wife and I got divorced. She didn't want the baby anymore." His voice softened as he glanced at Ga-yeong. "I guess it's because I'm her biological father, and she didn't want anything that had to do with me."
He glanced over briefly, noticing the way Hwang was staring at him with a concerned expression, the glass of whiskey resting in his hands. Feeling self-conscious, Gi-hun turned his attention back to Ga-yeong, who fussed when he pulled the bottle away. "Our marriage was... complicated. We only got together because hers and my parents were pressuring us for marriage and kids. She found someone else before going into labor and insisted I take care of Ga-yeong."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Hwang said, leaning back in his seat, his tone softer than before. "I can't imagine it's easy, raising a newborn on your own."
"It isn't," Gi-hun replied with a bitter laugh, carefully pulling the bottle away from Ga-yeong to ensure she didn't drink too fast. He adjusted the pillows behind her to better support her fragile neck.
"I'll arrange for doctors to check on your baby to make sure she's healthy," Hwang said, his tone calm and matter-of-fact. "We can visit a pediatrician tomorrow or the day after."
Gi-hun blinked, surprised by the sheer kindness this man continued to show him. Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes. "Thank you… thank you so much for all of this," He couldn't seem to stop thanking this man.
"Don't thank me, Gi-hun," Hwang said with a sigh. A butler quietly entered the room to refill his glass.
Once Ga-yeong eventually fell asleep, a butler brought in blankets for her. Gi-hun carefully draped them over her, making sure she was comfortable and warm. After a moment, he stood up and returned to his chair.
He was about to dive into the chicken with his bare hands when he caught sight of Hwang, eating calmly with a knife and fork. Realizing where he was, Gi-hun mentally thanked whatever higher power had prompted him to notice that, quickly reaching for the utensils as well.
They talked for the rest of the evening, and eventually, Hwang led Gi-hun up to the guest room where he and Ga-yeong were "staying" (Gi-hun had completely forgotten how to get there because of how big this estate is.) "If you need anything, I'm one door to your right." the man had said before wishing him a goodnight.
He laid down in the bed for about an hour, thinking, and then exhaustion finally caught up with him, and sleep took over.
Chapter 4
Chapter Notes
So… i'm back with more!
As you all know, this chapter is set in 2006! I tried my best to make it as accurate as I could— 70,000 won instead of 100,000 because of inflation… ALSO the recruiter is not the same Gong yoo we all know and love, as I imagine he's probably working in the games as either a soldier or a worker at this time lol. Let me know what you think.
Enjoy the chapter
In-ho lay awake in his bed, the clock reading 2:00 A.M., but sleep wouldn't come. His mind kept drifting back to Gi-hun, the man sleeping just a room away.
He sat up in bed, tossing the covers aside. He couldn't sleep, not with the knowledge that Gi-hun was in their system. The card he'd found in the man's bag sat on the desk, nestled in the black box with the pink bow, where he kept all of his other invitation cards. In-ho picked up the telephone on the wall, dialing the number he reserved for his recruiters. The other end picked up in a single ring, despite the early hour.
"Sir," his respondent's gruff and tired voice came through the line.
"Do you have a man named Seong Gi-hun in your system?" In-ho asked, forcing his voice to be authoritative.
A pause followed before the respondent replied, "Yes, captain. He entered a month ago. Do you want him out, sir?"
In-ho stayed silent, his grip tightening on the receiver. What would he accomplish by letting Gi-hun enter the games? To let him be killed? To leave Ga-yeong without a father? He could give his staff orders to spare Gi-hun.
No, that would go against everything he stood for. Giving one person special treatment, for no reason, was unfair. The whole point of these games was fairness. He was the frontman, the one who was supposed to be ruthless, impartial. He wasn't supposed to go soft for some pathetic excuse for a man he found on the side of the road. And yet… why did he care?
"No," he finally ordered. "Keep him in the games as a player, but send me all the files you have on him."
"Yes, sir. We will send them tomorrow ," came the reply, and In-ho hung up the phone, placing it back on the wall. He sighed deeply, sinking into his chair instead of going back to sleep, not finding it in him at the moment. Letting Gi-hun into the games basically meant letting him die. Not that he cared about him, not really. He had only met the man a few hours ago, and under less than ideal circumstances.
He only cared about the fact that the man was a single father, that's it. If Gi-hun died, which was the most likely to happen, he'd make the man's ex wife take her daughter back. And yet, why did he feel slightly guilty about letting him go to the games in which he choreographs in the first place?
The main problem about all of this is that he had to leave for the island as soon as he could, especially since he was initially going to stay here in Seoul for only one weekend. It was almost Halloween, and with it, the beginning of the games. In-ho knew he'd have to return to the island soon… perhaps in a week, before October arrived.
The least he could do was one week from now, since the last week of September was usually for maintenance.
But what was he going to do with Gi-hun?
—
Waking up in a real bed, not on the cold floor or crammed in a car seat, was probably the best Gi-hun had felt in a long time.
He turned over, thoughts immediately drifting to his baby. She was sound asleep in the crib placed right next to the bed. A literal crib. Turning to look at her, he saw her small form nestled under warm blankets, sleeping peacefully for what felt like the first time ever.
His chest tightened, tears threatening to spill. This was the first time she'd slept so comfortably, on something proper. And it wasn't because of him. It was all because of Hwang In-ho. The filthy rich man, who barely knew them, had done more for her in one day than Gi-hun ever had.
She was the reason he kept going, the reason he even considered calling that strange number the salesperson had handed him two months ago.
Gi-hun's grip tightened on the pillow under his head, his thoughts racing. Would October 31st come any sooner? He had already spent all of the 630,000 WON he'd won from playing Ddakji with that salesperson, wishing he had played more with him — never mind the slaps he'd gotten that day. It didn't matter.
If only he hadn't been fired from his chauffeur job, maybe he wouldn't be on the brink of drowning in debt and scraping by on the last of his life savings.
He really had fucked up, hadn't he?
Flashback…
It was the ninth of June, early in the morning, and Seong Gi-hun limped through the quiet streets of Ssangmun-dong, dried tears still streaking his face.
He couldn't go back now. No matter how tired he was or how badly he longed to see his newborn daughter, he just couldn't. Not after losing his job. Instead, he sank down onto the curb next to a closed noodle shop. Looking at the old cigarette butts on the ground near him, he almost wished he had cigarettes and a lighter, something to numb the pain.
He didn't know what time it was. When he left the house of the people he worked for, the clock had read 6:30 A.M., but now, hours later, he had lost track of time entirely.
They had given him an envelope with 30,000 WON inside, a pitiful sum meant as a token of condolence before they kicked him out. He stared at the envelope in his hand. That amount wouldn't even cover half of his mother's utility bills. He thought about what he'd say when he got back to the apartment, how he'd explain to his mother and father that he had failed yet again.
Someone walked past him, but he didn't pay much attention since there were plenty of people out at this hour. However, this person stopped right in front of him. He barely reacted as polished black loafers came into view.
A tall man in a suit and tie, holding a briefcase, looked down at him sitting on the curb. "Excuse me, sir," the man said with a smile. "May I have a word with you?"
Gi-hun looked up, too exhausted to care, but nodded silently, wondering what this was about. Was this another person from high school he'd somehow pissed off?
The man walked over, kneeling next to him, and placed the briefcase on the ground. With two clicks, he opened it, revealing rows of money separated into sections, along with a blue card and a red card.
"Let's play a game," the man said, picking up both cards. Without waiting for Gi-hun's response, he held them up. "It's called Ddakji. Every time you flip my card, I'll give you 70,000 WON. But every time I flip yours, you give me 70,000 WON."
70,000 WON. Gi-hun sat up straighter. But then his confidence vanished just as quickly, and he slumped back down. He didn't even have 70,000 WON. What if he lost and ended up owing this man money he didn't have? But still, he needed money.
"You can go first," the salesperson said, leaning forward and presenting both cards to him. Gi-hun hesitated, then picked the blue card.
He heard a knock on the door and slowly sat up, yawning. "Come in!"
Hwang stepped inside, closing the door softly behind him. His posture was composed, hands clasped behind his back as he looked at Gi-hun. "Good morning, Gi-hun. How did you sleep?" he asked, his tone calm.
Gi-hun grinned, brushing his bangs out of his face as he yawned again. "I slept great! Really refreshing to sleep on a real bed. Thank you," he said with a laugh.
Hwang's lips curved into a faint smile as his gaze shifted to Ga-yeong, still peacefully sleeping in the crib. She usually woke up crying in the middle of the night, leaving Gi-hun scrambling in the car to figure out what was wrong.
"She'll need more formula and a diaper change once she wakes," Hwang said matter-of-factly, already turning to leave. "I'll grab some for you." Without waiting for a response, he opened the door and exited, leaving Gi-hun blinking after him.
As soon as he left the room, Gi-hun deflated back against the bed, staring at the wall opposite him, his mind racing. What was he going to do? Hwang had told him he could stay as long as he wanted, and no matter how tempting that offer was, Gi-hun couldn't shake the feeling that he was imposing. He didn't want to seem like a gold digger or someone just taking advantage of Hwang's wealth. The man clearly had money, what with living in this lavish estate in Gangnam, but Gi-hun didn't want to burden him, especially when he already had his own life and responsibilities.
The door opened again, and Hwang walked in carrying a large bag. Gi-hun raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Toys, diapers, clothes, pacifiers, and other baby essentials are in here for you," Hwang explained, setting the bag down beside the crib. Without waiting for a response, he turned back toward the door. "We're going shopping in a little bit, so get ready."
"I—okay," Gi-hun stammered, watching as Hwang left, the door clicking shut behind him.
He ended up taking Ga-yeong with him, unwilling to leave her alone with no one but Hwang's butlers and maids. To his relief, she woke up without fussing, nestling against him as he followed Hwang downstairs.
They got into the same limousine from the day before, and Gi-hun still felt entirely out of place as he sank into the plush leather seat. His gaze wandered to where he had sat yesterday, noticing that the door had already been cleaned spotless, as if his mess had never happened.
Hwang settled beside him, his posture composed as always. "Take us to Apgujeong," he instructed the driver in a calm tone. Apgujeong. Gi-hun gaped, only super rich people went there to shop for stuff. He shouldn't be surprised, though, especially with this man. He said nothing as the car started and moved onto the streets.
"So, you said you're from Ssangmun-dong," Hwang began, leaning back in his seat. "Tell me about that."
Gi-hun blinked and started to fidget with his hands. "It's nothing special, really," he said with a laugh. "Just a small neighborhood in the Dobong District… Had a couple of good friends there."
Hwang nodded thoughtfully. "I can't say I know it well, but I've heard it's a quiet place," he said softly. "Do you miss it? The times you had there, I mean."
Gi-hun's mind wandered back to the memories of Ssangmun-dong. He thought about meeting Sang-woo, Eun-ji, and Jung-bae for the first time. The memories of Sang-woo's pale face after a bike ride to school, Eun-ji helping his mother cook in the kitchen, and Jung-bae's ridiculous attempts to impress the girls flooded his mind.
"Yeah. I miss it," he said, smiling to himself.
A pause. "I'm from Seodaemun, which I think is pretty close to where you're from," Hwang pointed out.
Gi-hun blinked, confused. Seodaemun-gu wasn't exactly a wealthy area, but it was definitely better off than Ssangmun-dong. He remembered going there with Jung-bae and other friends often, mostly to hit up the good smoke shops or to escape his home as a teenager with Sang-woo.
The limousine came to a smooth stop a moment later. Gi-hun climbed out with Ga-yeong in his arms, following Hwang, who shut the door behind him once he stepped out.
"So, where to go first?" Hwang asked as they moved onto the busy sidewalk.
Afterword
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