CHAPTER 23
"Found you!"
I scream and laughed when the locker I'm currently hiding opened and I Hyunsung's smiling face. He looks more lively than usual. He immediately attacked and tickle me. I laughed so hard to the point I can't breathe. Gong Pil walked towards us and pulled us away from each other. Hyunsung whimpered but Gong Pil only laughed at him.
"It's not the time for playtime, you know." Gong Pil said and shook his head as no.
"But we can only play once in a time." Hyunsung protested before scooting beside me and putting his arm around my shoulder.
"What are you, a kid?" Gong Pil hissed.
"Have fun sometime gramps." I joked and we both laughed while Gong Pil only make a face.
"I only twenty-five you know!" He hissed.
"But still older than among us." Hyunsung laughed.
"Yeah right. Anyway, come to our little dorm. We're going to celebrate Homin's birthday." He said before walking ahead of us and quickly following him.
"Oh, it's his birthday already?" I asked and Hyunsung pinched my cheek.
"Homin will be hurt if he hears that."
"I also hurt when he forgot my birthday last month!" Gong Pil said as if he was hurt.
I winced knowing Gong Pil is a dramatic guy like Hyunsung. This two is fit together as brothers.
"Right, I'm sorry then." I apologized and rolled my eyes but he only softly smack my head.
"Accepted!"
"With a smack?!" I gasp and whines but they only laughed at me.
"Hey Sunie," Hyunsung called and I hummed in response. "If there's a chance for us to get out of here, I'll date you."
Both I and Gong Pil suddenly choke on our saliva. "I'm not joking!" He hissed and lightly kick Gong Pil's butt and the eldest among us only laughed.
"Alright, alright. I'll accept your offer. We're going to the Han river and watching fireworks." I said with a smile.
"Really?!"
"Hey! What about us?! You're hurting my feelings already." Gong Pil painfully said while holding his chest.
But because I'm very impulsive with my decision, I leave them behind. I didn't even make it up for master Hwang.
I woke up alone in this room without anyone at my side. The first thing I hear was Barbie's voice calling her daughter or even master Hwang but when someone said that they already died yesterday, she would screech and cry again. I painfully get up from the bed. My eyes felt heavy same as my heart. I touched my stomach and feel the slight bump. These two children grew fast. I smiled at the thought of master Hwang's child and master Yangs. The only thing I had from master Hwang is his child living inside.
My eyes move to the door when I heard the door open. I feel my heart skip with fear after seeing master Han.
"You okay?" He asked but I didn't respond. He sighs before stepping in and closing the door after him. "You don't look okay." He said after placing down the tray of fruits beside me and taking a seat beside me. I slightly move away from him. I heard him sigh a little harshly once noticing that I want to avoid him, that I don't like to be close to him.
"I'm sorry, I know you're in grief but it's Hwang wants. He wanted to protect you until his last breath." He sighs sadly again. But I know deep inside him, he was overjoyed that master Hwang was already gone. Maybe the next thing he wants to be gone is the youngest master. I clenched the sheet under me.
"He said, he love me," I mumbled lowly, almost a whisper.
"Yeah, he loves you."
"But why didn't choose me over to Barbie? If he just choose me then there's no Jinne and master Hwang still alive until then and..." My eyes began to wet again and new tears escape from my eyes. Master Han held my shivering hand into his. The pain inside my chest gotten worst, thinking how really stupid master Hwang is. He is indeed stupid.
"Don't cry Sunie, Hwang doesn't like you crying." He hushed, wiping my tears away.
"If I just remember sooner then I will learn to love him too."
Master Han comforted me that day. He stay all day in my room and tried to ease my feeling but that didn't help me at all because I know within master Han, he's happy that master Hwang is gone. I don't feel comfortable around the masters. I want to stay beside master Junghwan but I know the masters don't want him to stay longer with me. It's night again but I am still wide awake. I don't want to sleep, I'm scared I'll dream about my past again. That will hurt me more.
I remember the journal master Hwang give. I looked over to the bed and found it instantly laying in the middle. I crawled to take it. I stared at the journal, it's the journal I saw in the hidden room. I open it to read where I stop but it seems this journal is different from the journal I found in that room. Cha Homin was written on the first page and his handwriting I guess. It's his diary-- no, it's our diary. I creased our names that were written on the blue paper and the words 'I'll never let go.'
That brings tears to my eyes again. I remember writing this after Cha Homin's birthday. This journal is our gift to Homin. I sighs, I tapped my cheeks. Don't cry, no more tears Sunie. No more.
As I flip through the pages something is falling from the journal. I pick it up and see a paper with letters on it. I could feel the heartbreak in my chest and the tears flowing down my face.
'Hey, it's your master Hwang, one and only. I wanted to laugh but I can't, I want to spend more time with you and look over you until you give birth to our child and Junghwan's. I want to get you out of here, all of you but I know it was too late for me to do that. The masters-- they are stronger than me, than Junghwan. Jinnie wants so badly to get rid of our child because of her jealousy, even she did mention that she wants a baby brother but within her-- she wants her brother to be killed. I don't want that to happen. Sunie, believe me if I tell you that I love you...'
There's another paper behind and I read his next letter despite my heart clenching more and more inside my chest. My tears won't stop from falling and my hands keep on shivering. A loud sobs escape from my mouth. I can't help but cry while reading his letter.
'Believe me, if I tell you that I love you because I do. I didn't want to get married and impregnate Barbie it's Yang and Han who force me to do it. I know that will happen so I stole Mr. Lawrence's book and read all the spells of how to make a male pregnant. I get ahead of the ceremony before I tied to Barbie. That's the real thing that happened, please believe me.'
'Please keep safe. I love you so much than my life. Runaway from here with Junghwan and the others and don't ever look back. Remember that I'm always at your side. I'll be waiting...'
Behind the last letter was a map. The map of how to get out of here. The only way is the exit that I found last time, the exit master Junghwan points. They want me to get out of here. I sniffles and smiled sadly. I know it, it's the masters' fault. They force master Hwang to impregnate Barbie so he can't impregnate me but master Hwang is smart enough to get ahead of them. And master Junghwan too. They were smart than the rest of the masters.
"I'm sorry Hyunsung. I can't bring you to the Han river." I whispered before closing the journal. I remember what master Hwang told me. Kill the guards first, the caretaker, butlers, cooks, Mr. Lawrence the butcher, and last the conductors. The master will gonna starve and we will take that as a chance to escape.
But I need to observe. I know the masters are more than aware now.
I hugged my stomach and cry again. I don't know how long I cried but I found myself staring blankly at the journal and the letters beside me. I remember how happy we were when we were writing those letters. We swear to each other that no one will let go.
Right, I'll never let go.
-
Two months have passed and Doyoung honestly will tell that there's a huge change in this freaking mansion except for the masters of course. It seems the death of their co-master is nothing-- I mean what is that? Well, what do they expect for the monsters like them? But the most affected in his death are Sunoo and master Junghwan. After master Hwang's death, the maids will wake up to see Sunoo sitting on his bed, his eyes blanked and staring at the wall. He looked lost, helpless, and hurt. His face becomes paler, and he stops eating that day. Doyoung could see that he was holding himself back from crying but will end up crying when the night came. Dyoung's heart ached, not just him but of course, even all the maids especially master Yangs. He always sleeps beside Sunoo, comforting him and forcing him to eat. He's trying to get back the old Sunoo and the maids are willing to help. Master Yangs wasn't bad at all, he even smiled at them and offer them real food. He's talking to the maids just like a normal person. He somewhat acts kind to them.
From then on, after the visual master's death, Barbie doesn't look lively at all unlike before and she becomes more bitchier. Doyoung always caught her glaring Sunoo. She keeps on blaming him sometimes and Sunoo will accept all Barbie's accusations. They tried to help him up but he become more lifeless than before. No one talked about master Hwang much to move on, and if he was brought up the room would be coated in an unforgivable silence.
Within two months the youngest master or he want him to call in his name master Junghwan told the maids that Sunoo is pregnant. At first, they didn't believe him but when Seulji noticed something weird going on in Sunoo, she knew the master wasn't lying. She sees all the symptoms of a pregnant person in Sunoo. They're all shocked of course but when master Junghwan told them that there's nothing impossible in magic, they understand. His pregnancy is not normal unlike humans and the growth of the babies is fast. That's why that daughter's bitch grow fast within ten hours?! - Doyoung thought.
He told them that there were two babies inside Sunoo. The one is for him while the other was master Hwang's. The maids are confused again but master Junghwan explained how that happens and they understand. The power of the magic of course. He also told the maids to steal that book from Mr. Lawrence and burn it so this nightmare will come to an end.
Sunoo was pregnant, and they could see the gradual growth of his stomach over the many weeks that passed. For now, their only goal in this freaking mansion is to take care of Sunoo and make sure nothing happens to his unborn children. That's their main priority, to keep them safe.
Master Junghwan seemed more than happy about Sunoo's pregnancy, and as soon as he noticed the steady swell of Sunoo's stomach, he asked the maids what perfect name will fit their babies. While Sunoo is less happy but somehow he slowly recollects his old self.
Everything seems so normal. The atmosphere in the room was nice although they knew the danger is just outside of this room and anytime that danger will barge in.
"I don't like babies to be honest but it's from Sunoo, I'll give one," Juyeon said and raised his hands. Few of the maids were in master Junghwan's room to accompany them while the others were cleaning outside or more like watching the danger.
"Oh, don't think about suggesting! You're suck thinking some," Seulji hissed and smacked Juyeon on the head. Seulji, of course, is the person who wasn't allowed to leave Sunoo's side as master Junghwan's order. Since Seulji is the only woman in their group and she knew how to deliver a baby since she study nursing before.
"What?! You're so bad! I'm not suck!" Juyeon protest only to receive another smack from Seulji.
"What about San? He has a sister, I know he loves children." Beom said, eyeing San who currently standing in the doorway.
San's stiffen when master Junghwan eyed him. Sunoo was laying on the youngest lap while the younger brushing his lover's hair.
"I have a sister but I don't think I can think of suitable names for the masters' children." He politely said as he give an apologetic look at their kind master.
"Let's just name them..." Sunoo suddenly spoke and tried to get up. Master Junghwan helped him. "Junhyuk? That's next to your name Junghwan," He said and chuckled. Master Junghwan can't help but smile and peck his lover's forehead.
"So, that will be my child's name?" Master Junghwan said. He's too sure that his child is a boy. He can feel it. "That's perfect."
"Junhyuk? Isn't that a boy's name? Hey! We're not sure yet if that's a boy or a girl!" Seulji intervened but the youngest told him the power of magic. Seulji rolled her eyes and smack Juyeon instead. The younger boy hissed.
"How about master Hwang's child?" Juyeon asked and the whole room filled in painful silence just mentioning his last name. Juyeon quickly apologize.
Sunoo just smiled and said, "If it's a boy, I'll name it Hyeop and if it's a girl...it's Hyewon." He said sadly and master Junghwan held his hands.
"It's a boy I'm one hundred percent sure," San said and do the thumbs up.
"I want it a girl! A girl is adorable you know." Seulji protest.
"Girl? The boy is cooler than a girl. Look how bitchier that bitch's daughter?" Juyeon said, trying to lower his voice.
Seulji had a second thought and nodded. "The mother is a bitch that's why the daughter is also a bitch."
"Respect the dead will you!" Beom quickly scolds them when they start laughing and mocking Barbie and her daughter.
Within those weeks wasn't easy for them to hide Sunoo's pregnancy especially whenever the masters tried to go in to check Sunoo and himself need to act like always after master Hwang's death, so the masters wouldn't suspect him. Master Junghwan and the maids were trying their best to keep their guard up to protect Sunoo and his unborn children, especially Barbie.
Barbie is more skeptical than before. At night she would sneak in and tried to choke Sunoo. Gladly the maids are with him and will kick Barbie out of the room. Barbie won't leave Sunoo easily especially when he was out to go in the bathroom. Since then master Junghwan, Seulji, and Beom are more cautious and always stay beside to guard him all day long even the masters beginning to suspect them.
More innocent people were hired and some passed on, and some deadly games happened. But the masters didn't try to insert Sunoo in their games. For some reason, the maids made it without dying in the game. Everything was normal, well for here at least. The maids, the kind master seemed to be more cautious, although happier than before, spending most of their time by Sunoo's side, tending to her every need. Even there are new maids, they easily die by trying to escape or break the rules of this mansion although Yeonjun and the others warned them.
Sunie was looking out of the window while laying on his bed. He can sense the third month was coming and everyone was again getting ready. Sunie move his hand under the sheet and rubbed his swollen stomach. He can't help but cry in silence. It looked like the babies would come any day now and he was scared something bad would happen. He is also scared and doesn't know how he will give birth to the two masters' children. Is Seulji or master Junghwan would cut his stomach? Probably.
He hardly get up from his bed but when he finally sat up he felt something weird going on in his abdomen. It felt painful, horribly painful. He remove the sheet and he cried even more after seeing his lower part was already wet. His breathing began to go heavy as the pain increased. He was crying and his eyes were squeezed shut in pain. Sunie's ears perked once he heard the door click open and he quickly move his head to the door, hoping it was one of the maids or master Junghwan but horror consume him as he saw Barbie smirking at him while holding a knife.
"I knew it, you're pregnant! That's why all of you are acting weird!" She giggled, her body was shivering and Sunie felt more scared than his entire life. Barbie stop giggling after seeing Sunoo's pained face. "Oh, are you going to give birth already? The three months is about one week ahead. Can't you wait for it?" She said like she was disappointed.
"Don't you need help?" Barbie put the knife right on her face. "I'll gladly help you rip the baby out of you!" And she laughed like crazy. "And kill it! I'll kill it and prepared for dinner!"
"No! Get away from me!" Sunie shouted as he struggled to breathe.
"No can do baby boy." She creepily said and step closer to Sunie. "Don't cry, this won't hurt. It's hurt a little but bear with it."
"No please! Get away from me!"
Barbie laughed and suddenly run to Sunie while holding the knife up as if she was ready to strike it on Sunie's. But Sunie quickly dodges her and grabs the lamp beside the bed. She used it to smack Barbie on the head. Sunie hurriedly gets off of the bed and struggles to run away from the room. Barbie giggled lowly, she looked at the door where Sunie went. Her eyes were wide and her smile too as blood flowed down on her head to her neck. She stood up and marched to chase Sunie with a creepy smile on her face.
Sunie runs along the way in the dim hallway, grasping every object he can see to support him. The masters weren't here and the maids as well. They're in the forest where the ceremony is held. He's completely alone in the mansion with the crazy psychopath Barbie. No one is here to save or help them. Every sound of her high heels will give Sunie more fear and he can't stop crying. He stops to catch his breath and to stop the pain for a while.
"Oh, sweet little boy~ where are you~ I'm so excited to see what your baby looks like." Barbie sang and giggled in the dark.
Sunie's heart thump in his chest as soon he heard Barbie's voice. Barbie is totally out of it. She went crazy because of the loss of her daughter. Sunie starts to walk-run again, looking around to find a safe place to give birth to the masters' child. He stop as soon he spotted the stairs that hiding up on the ceiling. Right, the attic. He walked in zigzag to the attic while holding his bulging stomach. He tried to reach the stairs with all his might. Once he reach the rope of the stairs, he pulled it out and just when the stairs to the attic fell. He hardly climbed onto the stairs before painfully pulling it back.
He held his breath once Barbie's footsteps were near and he can hear her singing lullaby. Sunie crawled to the corner near the window and rummage the boxes to find anything sharp to cut his stomach. His tears won't stop falling as he trembles to find anything but he can't take the pain anymore. He pants, steadying his breath before going back on searching until he finally found a scissor.
He held it close to him and leaned the side of his head on the file of boxes. He cried silently, clenching the scissor hard. He stared at the wall in front of him, he was scared.
He's scared to cut his stomach, he's scared he might cut the babies inside. He's afraid of everything that is happening right now.
For some reason, Sunie felt the sudden cold inside but a little warm. He stop crying when he noticed hands showed up from behind until they reached his hands that were holding scissors. Sunie could smell the scent of him in the air. It wasn't the stinky smell like the other masters but it's his original scent. Master Hwang's real scent. He looked to his side and saw master Hwang's face, he was smiling at him while hugging him from behind as if giving him strength and comfort.
Sunie cried more after seeing master Hwang alive again.
"Don't worry...I'll be right here." He whispered in the thin air.
Sunie closed his eyes before opening them again only seeing himself all alone. Right, it was all over his head but somehow he felt a little at ease. He looked down on his stomach, smiling, letting his tears roll down his face.
Sunie raised the scissor before closing his eyes. He gulps, accepting what will gonna happen to him after this. He took a deep breath before striking the scissor down on his stomach.
Just when Barbie stop walking and looked up at the attic with a wide smile, clenching the knife.