Auntie Park's POV
It is said karma is a relentless being who will always return to settle the scores right.
"Auntie, you don't remember me?" I observed the young man dressed in a formal attire seated across me judging from how expensive he appeared, I could tell he was from a prominent family.
There was no way I would've come across him.
"Pardon my forgetfulness, I sincerely have no idea where we've met." I uttered crossing my hands.
This sort of person wasn't to be messed with, especially by someone of my caliber. So why was I invited to this place?
I peeked around from the corner of my eye, everything looked really expensive and magnificent.
"Your Alzheimer's must've worsened. Your son works at Slytherin Co right." He inquired leaning back on the leather couch his eyes filled with amusement.
My eyes repositioned on him suddenly recollecting where I'd met him.
Two years back, he had helped Chulsang get accepted into Slytherin Co. Even though as a temporary worker, he had done me more than a favour. I was forever indebted to him.
"The mister from that day… pardon my old brain."
He chuckled slowly twirling the golden colored liquid in the glass he held. "I expected it so there's no need to apologize."
I gave a soft smile at his response. He surely didn't bring me here just to remember him…. Whatever he wanted, I couldn't help but feel nervous about it.
"Auntie, I hear your children are busy with work and so you've been barely scraping by with managing the store and your health." He added after taking a sip.
I stiffened. How did he know that? Was he keeping tabs on me?
"Y-yes, how did the young master know? I'm not that significant to be monitored." I said suddenly feeling hot despite the room being cold.
He laughed. A mocking laughter. "Auntie shouldn't think so highly of herself I don't bother with keeping tabs on people unworthy of my time. I merely noticed after watching someone."
It felt like I was slapped. I had never felt so humiliated in my life, this kid wasn't as easygoing as he appeared.
"What does the young master what from this insignificant old lady?" I probbed wanting nothing than to leave this place.
"The kid that frequents your place, take him in as a part-time worker." He declared. He wasn't asking he was outright commanding.
Such air of dominance made me unable to breathe.
Kid? Which kid?
My eyes widened in surprise and alarm.
"Lee Sehyun?!" I blurted.
"Mn. It'll keep him busy for a while." He said bringing the glass to his lips once more
There was no room for argument, he spared none.
What did business did he have with Sehyun that kid? Why was he keeping tabs on him? Was Sehyun in danger?
That kid barely talked to anybody I just couldn't figure how he managed to cross this devil.
I gulped. "W-why?"
He gave me a stare sharp and cold. "None of your business old woman, you're in no position to be concerned about others especially what's mine." He hissed.
My entire body was paralyzed with fear. He was seething with such incomprehensible rage.
Just because of Sehyun?
I managed to stand without falling.
"T-then, permit me to leave then, I'll d-do as the young master has asked—wishes" I hurriedly corrected myself.
He stood also dropping the glass on the cedarwood table. He gave me a smile so earnest, one I found so creepy it sent chills down my fragile spine.
"I'll send someone to send Auntie home. You shouldn't be doing stressful things. I can't afford to have you die on me yet." He said his voice mirthless.
Yet?!
I smiled stiffly. "This old lady wishes to have a long life."
He pulled the door open his eyes unamused. "Then I wish Auntie the longest life."
I scurried outside before he changed his mind and have me tortured or something. I thought these only happened in dramas then how unfortunate was I to witness this in reality?
I was pitiful enough to have children who didn't even bat an eye when it came to abandoning me now, I was stuck with a deranged maniac who was after Sehyun.
I hoped this would be that last I would have to see him again but fate was really unpredictable….
"Sehyun…"
I froze when I saw him standing before me. Why was this monster here again? What did he want from me again?!
"Sensei…"
Huh?! I was stunned speechless. This was the Sensei Sehyun was in love with?!
This madman!
He seemed to have noticed me as he gave me a stare quiet and warning. As if telling me to remain dumb.
I pulled Shehyun down. "Is he…?" I had to be sure, had to reconfirm.
I saw how his cheeks turned rosy as he nodded.
My heart ached. This poor innocent kid had to become entangled eventually with this devil. There was no escaping his reach.
I was terrible. How could I let that happen to him? He was always looking out for me so how could I throw him into the arms of this evil.
Guilt overwhelmed me as I watched their disappearing backs.
My heart tightening. I was a horrible person.
I stood up walking into the store with weak steps.
How would I face him? How could I ever smile and look him in the eye knowing what unforgivable thing I'd done.
I heard the door open behind me. "Mother, have you been screening our calls?!" Chulsang yelled.
I turned to look at him alarmed and surprised. "Why are you both here?" I asked gently ignoring his questions.
"Mother, my husband has been relived from his workplace, Jaeyi has to pay her school fees, are really going to watch us suffer??" SeokAh yelled.
I trembled my hands reaching for the drawers. "I should have a bit of change I could spare…."
"Save it! We've made our decision. Mother, hand over the documents of the store and that godforsaken place you're staying. We'll sell the house and the store, use the money for our upkeep." Chulsang announced.
My ears failed me. Sell what?!
"What about me? What am I supposed to do?!" I screamed my breath trembling. How outrageous could these two be
"Mother you're sick. We'll have you kept at a nursing home where you ought to have been long ago." SeokAh stated calmly like she was deciding where to place objects.
This was ridiculous. "Nursing home?!" I gaped unbelieving at the both of them. "I won't. I don't care anymore what happens to the both of you, leave, get out of my store!" I was losing it, I'd tolied day and night to raise them yet this was how I get repaid? Discarded like some piece of trash?
I refused.
"Mother!" SeokAh yelled. Chulsang shaking with fury. He kicked the shelf. "It's all because of this! Because someone's helping out with keeping the store that's why you're become more stubborn."
I rushed over to stop him but I was powerless against the wrath of a youth. He pushed me aside and continued wrecking the store.
I watched helplessly as he upturned the store. Tears streaming down my cheeks as I pleaded to no avail. "Stop it Chulsang, stop!"
They continued, SeokAh urging Chulsang to continue causing damage. How did they turn out to be this selfish? What did I do wrong?!
"Mother, two days. If you don't hand over the documents, we might as well sell you off." Chulsang bellowed glaring at me like I wasn't his mother but an object—an insignificant one at that.
They both left leaving me with nothing but pain. Immense pain. Hard years of toil age wasted.
I crumbled to the floor drowning in my sobs. There was nothing left. Where would I begin from here? The items in the store were beyond damaged.
Karma had returned. It's bite was hurtful than I'd expected.
That was when I heard his voice again, cold and mocking. "Tsk, you went through all that hassle to get him into Slytherin Co and this is what you get?"
I looked towards him. There he stood tall and imposing his dark eyes staring blankly at him.
I chuckled bitterly.
What was I expecting? Pity?
Not from someone like him.
"What do you want?" I pressed quietly. I was tried, I just wanted to rest get far away from all these.
He crouched down his gaze changing from emotionless to condescending.
I shuddered involuntarily gripped with fear.
He wasn't going to kill me was he?
"Not calling me young master anymore?" He sneered.
My hands clenched by my side, he was grabbing every opportunity to slap humiliation on my face.
"Y-young master." The words slipped out from my lips before I realized it.
He chuckled. "Auntie, I'll help you but, after this, you have to go far away from my sight. Far from where Sehyun can find you." He offered with a smile.
That creepy smile.
Only a crazy person would receive his help once more but I had already lost it so….
"Fine. I'll accept Young Master's help once more but I don't want to stay here."
Since you want me to grovel at your feet, I'll satisfy your ego.
His eyes shrank back in their sockets into a slit. "Auntie's making demands now,"
I gripped his hand. "Just till I leave."
He took back his hand immediately. "Don't touch me." He spat standing up.
"Follow me. I won't say it twice."
I scrambled to my feet.
Sehyun, don't hate me, even of I wanted, there's nothing I can do to rescue you from this inferno.