~[Chapter 15] Situations~
Alex got home and went straight to his room.
He didn't bother with dinner. He just closed the door, locked it, and stood in the center of his room.
The silence pressed in around him.
He moved to his bed and lay down, staring at the ceiling.
His mind churned through everything—Moon's sister, the fire, the scars, the anonymous benefactor, the matching timelines.
It couldn't be coincidence.
But what did it mean?
Was Moon investigating him? Was his father involved somehow? Could this be about revenge.
Too many questions. Not enough answers.
Alex sat up abruptly and reached for his phone. He scrolled through his contacts and pressed call.
It rang twice before a familiar voice answered.
"Alex? Omg, you called. Is something wrong?"
"Kate," Alex said quietly. "I need your help."
~~~~~~~
The next morning, Alex woke up to sunlight streaming through his window and the sound of activity downstairs.
His father was back.
He got dressed quickly and headed down. The mansion felt different with Mr. Lee present—more formal, more tense, like everyone was performing their roles with extra precision.
He found Mr. Max in the hallway near the study.
"Good morning, young master," Mr. Max said with a slight bow.
Alex looked him up down. "You're back?" He said. "How's your family?"
"They're okay young master." Mr Max said with a slight smile.
"Your father has requested to see you. He's in the garden."
"Okay. Thank you."
Alex walked through the house and out the back doors to the expansive gardens. His father stood near the koi pond, hands clasped behind his back, watching the fish move lazily through the water.
"Good Father," Alex said as he approached.
Mr. Lee turned, a warm smile on his face. "Son. Good morning. Walk with me."
They moved along the stone path in silence for a moment before Mr. Lee spoke.
"How are things at the company?"
"Stable," Alex replied. "The board is satisfied with the security improvements. Production is on schedule."
"And distribution?"
Alex's jaw tightened slightly. "We're finalizing the paperwork. Legal is reviewing everything."
Mr. Lee glanced at him. "I want you to sign off on distribution the moment they tell you everything's ready. No delays."
Alex stopped walking. "I'd have to crosscheck it to make sure it's okay and ready to be public. And The trials—"
"Have been completed successfully," Mr. Lee interrupted smoothly. "The product is safe. The approvals are in place. There's no reason to wait. So approve distribution immediately they are out."
Alex wanted to argue. Wanted to question the rush, the pressure, the certainty in his father's voice.
But he caught himself.
"Understood," Alex said instead.
Mr. Lee smiled approvingly and continued walking.
"The charity gala is this weekend. Have you prepared?"
"Moon is handling the arrangements."
"Good. Make sure everything is perfect."
Mr. Lee's tone shifted—still pleasant, but edged with something harder. "And be careful that day."
Alex looked at him sharply. "Careful?"
"I have a feeling someone might try something. An attack, a protest, who knows." Mr. Lee's expression was calm, almost casual. "Security will be tight, but stay alert. I can't afford any incidents that might damage the campaign."
"Of course."
They walked in silence for another moment before Mr. Lee clapped Alex on the shoulder.
"You're doing well, son. I'm proud of you."
The words should have felt good.
But they didn't.
~~~~~~~
Alex didn't see Moon the entire day.
He worked in his office, attended meetings, reviewed files—but Moon never appeared. His small office down the hall sat empty. No messages. No updates.
By the next evening, Alex's patience had worn thin.
He left his room and walked through the mansion to the east wing, stopping outside Moon's door.
He knocked.
Footsteps. Then the door opened.
Moon stood there in comfortable clothes—simple pants and a loose shirt. He looked tired, surprised.
"Sir," Moon said. "Is everything alright?"
"Where have you been?" Alex asked, voice controlled but tight.
Moon blinked. "Here. In my room. I've been working on the gala preparations."
"You didn't come to the office."
"I didn't think you needed me yesterday. I sent all the updates via email. And today I..." Moon hesitated. "I ate all my meals here. I didn't want to disturb anyone."
Alex studied him for a long moment.
"Get dressed," he said finally. "We're going out."
Moon's eyes widened slightly. "Sir?"
"Casual clothes. We're going somewhere. You have ten minutes."
"I... yes, sir."
Alex stepped back as Moon closed the door.
Exactly eight minutes later, Moon emerged.
He wore dark jeans, a fitted black sweater, and a jacket. His hair was styled but casual. No tie. No formal polish.
He looked... different.
Younger. Softer. Almost vulnerable without the armor of his professional wardrobe.
Alex stared for a beat too long before catching himself.
"Let's go," he said curtly, turning toward the stairs.
~~~~~~~~~
The bar was exclusive—the kind of place that didn't advertise, didn't need to. If you knew about it, you belonged there.
Alex led Moon through the main floor, past the regular patrons, to a private VIP section in the back. Plush seating, dim lighting, expensive bottles lining the walls.
Three young men and two young women were already there, sprawled across the sofas with drinks in hand.
"Alex!" one of the men called out—tall, expensive suit, the kind of smile that had never known rejection. "Finally. I thought you'd bailed again."
"I had work," Alex said, moving to sit.
Moon hesitated near the entrance.
"And you are?"one of the girls asked, eyeing Moon with barely concealed disdain.
"My assistant," Alex said simply.
The reaction was immediate.
"Your assistant?" The tall man—Jae-sung—laughed. "Alex, you brought your assistant to a VIP lounge? What, he's going to take notes while we drink?"
"Maybe he should wait outside," one of the other men suggested. "With the other helps."
Moon's expression remained perfectly neutral, but Alex saw his fingers twitch slightly.
"He stays," Alex said, voice cold enough to cut.
"Come on, Alex," the second girl—Min-hee—purred. "This is supposed to be a private get together. Having the help here is just... awkward."
"Then I'll have to excuse myself," Alex said, already starting to stand.
"Alright, alright," Jae-sung said quickly, hands up in mock surrender. "He can stay. Just... sit over there, assistant. Try not to interrupt the adults."
Moon moved to the far end of the seating area and sat, posture perfect, expression blank.
But Alex could see the tension in his shoulders.
The conversation resumed—gossip about mutual acquaintances, complaints about their parents, shallow observations about business and politics.