Crazy A Married Life

#13

“Ugh”

Idam groaned and wrapped his other hand around his injured hand. Though not deeply cut, there was considerable pain and a fishy smell spread. Heo Jitae’s eyes lit up even more excitedly at this.

“Don’t worry. I won’t kill your friend, Yeo Idam. Why would I do that to a goose that lays golden eggs?”

“…”

“I could just make him disabled though. Whether his eyes go flying or his face gets mangled. Well, as long as he can use his ass well from now on, it doesn’t matter, right?”

At Heo Jitae’s statement, Hayun looked confused, as if wondering what this was all about. It seemed the actual kidnapping victim hadn’t heard any of the details.

Gradually, tears welled up in Idam’s eyes. His insides felt like they were burning up. If he couldn’t pay back the principal right away, Hayun would be sent to Thailand. Whatever Hayun had been doing at Pungjeobcho until now had been voluntary, but this wasn’t. Because of Idam, Hayun’s life was about to be ruined.

Hayun’s groans grew louder. He seemed to have noticed something from the conversation between Heo Jitae and Idam. He looked like he couldn’t bear not being able to speak. Heo Jitae, as if expecting an interesting drama, removed the tape from Hayun’s mouth as well.

“Idam… You… used a loan shark?”

Hayun’s voice trembled as if caught in a storm. Gradually, Idam’s eyes became wet, and he painfully parted his lips.

“Last year, I… I urgently used it for my mother’s hospital bills.”

“You and I are both struggling with poverty, but if you had such important circumstances, you should have told me earlier. I could have helped you somehow.”

“I’m sorry for not telling you, Hayun…”

It had always been Idam alone who suffered from Heo Jitae. He never thought something like this would happen. It was a moment of intense regret. But he couldn’t just fall into despair. He had to protect at least Hayun. Idam approached Heo Jitae and knelt down.

“Please take me to Thailand instead.”

It was no different from jumping into hell voluntarily, but this was a hundred times better. The thought of Hayun suffering was more horrifying than his own body being broken or cut. Even Heo Jitae seemed surprised by Idam’s action, his eyes widening. But…

“I don’t want to.”

Eventually, he strongly pushed Idam’s forehead with his shoe. The impact flipped Idam’s body backward, and the back of his head hit the ground. Naturally, his knees were raised towards the sky. He could see the pitch-black night sky. It seemed like there had been a moon and stars visible just a moment ago, but now there was nothing. It felt like facing his life, which was like a gutter.

“Idam!”

He heard Hayun’s voice calling his name. His voice was wet as if he was crying too.

In contrast, Heo Jitae and his men cruelly chuckled, finding this scene amusing.

“…”

Idam turned his head to look at Hayun. When their eyes met, he cried even more. It felt like the world was turning upside down.

Why were Hayun and he in this state?

When they covered themselves with worn blankets at the orphanage, they prayed and hoped to become happy when they grew up. They didn’t want to face their twenties like this.

“Idam… Just let me… take responsibility.”

Hayun’s fragile voice was heading towards the worst possible crossroads that should never exist. Idam felt his heart being cut by a blade as he raised his body.

“W-what are you saying? Hayun, don’t say things like that.”

“A week ago, you went to meet Han Jiwoo instead of me. This is my repayment.”

“Stop it. I don’t need this kind of repayment!”

“Actually, I didn’t do anything good that day either. I’m receiving punishment for that.”

Idam shook his head. Although that meeting had been uncomfortable, it didn’t justify an equal exchange. Hayun could sometimes be selfish and had put Idam in difficult situations before. But he was a friend who cared for Idam more than anyone and stayed by his side.

If Hayun was dragged away by Heo Jitae like this, it was uncertain what kind of life he would lead or if he would even be able to properly survive. Was there no way to escape this situation, no method…

‘I’ll compensate you sufficiently.’

He remembered Taemin’s marriage proposal, asking him to be his wife for a week. Even during dinner just now, he had been seeking Idam’s help. Though Idam had wanted to refuse because of his pheromone disability, he couldn’t sacrifice Hayun like this.

“J-just wait a moment. I have a way to get money right away.”

At Idam’s statement, Heo Jitae’s eyes widened.

“Oh? You have a money hole?”

“Yes…”

Idam answered with a miserable feeling.

“If it’s true, show me right now.”

Heo Jitae seemed skeptical as Idam’s attitude changed. Hayun, who was observing this, looked the same.

“J-just a moment.”

Idam’s lips trembled as he picked up his phone. He found Taemin’s saved number and pressed the call button.

But it just kept ringing without being answered. Idam felt his insides burning up. Was he busy when time was of the essence? He repeated the call two, three times, but with the same result.

“Are you playing games now?”

Feeling frustrated, Heo Jitae deeply furrowed his brow.

“J-just a moment…”

Idam’s anxious voice trembled. If only he would answer the phone right away, how good that would be. He didn’t understand why nothing was going right. He even sent a text message, but it wasn’t read. By this point, it seemed like Taemin was in a situation where he couldn’t answer the phone. It was truly devilish timing.

“Now you’re trying to play with me, you piece of shit.”

Heo Jitae growled and put the knife blade to Hayun’s neck. He looked ready to cut the carotid artery at any moment. Idam’s heart shrank even more. His wet eyes became moist again. Tears flowed down his cheeks. Once more, Idam knelt before Heo Jitae.

“Please don’t do this. I’ll really bring the money.”

“I’ll give you ten minutes from now. Within that time, do whatever it takes to deposit money into my account.”

“T-ten minutes?”

What cruel conditions were these when Taemin couldn’t be reached right now? It was an impossible task unless a miracle occurred.

The edge of a cliff. Or perhaps Idam was already falling. Why was life so hard? Small happiness would approach only to run away, while great misfortune existed by his side as if it were natural. They say wishes come true if you make them, that you’ll be happy if you work hard – it’s all lies.

Idam, on the verge of collapse, cried and put his phone on the ground, then prostrated himself. He grabbed Heo Jitae’s ankle. His thin, dry hands trembled pitifully.

“Just take me. Please. I beg you. Sob…”

As Idam wept loudly, Heo Jitae’s brow furrowed even more.

“Hah, I should just send you and Jang Hayun to Thailand together. That would be better.”

Just as Heo Jitae was making this devilish statement, Idam’s phone lit up. The screen showed the name “CEO Ji Taemin”. A call was coming from him.

“J-just a moment.”

Idam, feeling as if he had found a ray of light in his despair, grabbed the phone and accepted the call.

[Idam, did you call me?]

His gentle voice tickled Idam’s ear. It felt like encountering warm spring air in the middle of a cold wind. With a strange sense of stability, Idam’s voice tensed up.

“C-CEO, where are you now? I… I have something to say.”

[I’m on my way to the company… Where are you, Idam?]

If he was on his way to the company, it seemed like he had work… Idam felt sorry for interrupting. But Idam faced Hayun, who was held hostage right in front of him. It wasn’t the time to consider the other person’s position as usual. He needed to convey his intentions to Taemin quickly.

“I’m near that restaurant from earlier.”

[Are you still with your uncle?]

“Yes… I’m really, really sorry, but could you come here right now?”

It seemed like he needed to meet in person due to the large compensation he had to receive.

[Right now?]

“Yes… Please… And I… I… I’ll do what you proposed.”

He couldn’t say “fake marriage” outright due to the presence of others. Also, since it was Taemin’s personal matter, he judged that it should be kept secret for now.

Idam nervously gripped the phone. Taemin didn’t say anything for a moment. As this tower of silence built up, Idam felt like he was walking a tightrope.

Suddenly, he wondered if Taemin would really come. Although he had asked again during dinner, he might have found another suitable omega while Idam was being harassed by Heo Jitae. When things don’t work out, they tend to keep not working out until the end.

Just as his anxiety reached its peak…

[Alright.]

Taemin’s acceptance came. It was a welcome moment that defied Idam’s expectations.

“Thank you. Thank you so much.”

[I didn’t go far, so I think I can be there in 5 minutes.]

Fortunately, he seemed to be nearby. Idam was about to tell him where to meet, but couldn’t continue speaking. The call with Taemin had been cut off. With every second crucial now, it was maddening and frustrating. He tried calling again, but it was useless. It seemed his battery had died. At this point, he had no choice but to go out and look for him directly.

“Um… To receive the money from the CEO, I think I need to leave for a moment.”

“What?”

One of Heo Jitae’s eyebrows rose sharply.

“You’re not trying to run away and leave your friend behind, are you?”

“No, I’m not.”

Idam shook his head. Hayun also didn’t seem to think Idam would flee. Rather, he looked full of worry.

“Idam, who did you just contact?”

“S-someone I can trust.”

Unable to speak honestly to Hayun, who viewed Taemin negatively, Idam spoke evasively.

Heo Jitae, who had been watching this scene skeptically, withdrew the knife he had been pointing at Hayun’s neck. But his eyes remained fixed on Idam.

“If money doesn’t enter my account within 10 minutes from now, I’ll tear your friend’s throat.”

At his fierce threat, Idam replied that he understood, his body hair standing on end. He quickly checked the time on his phone. 10:40 PM. He had to find Taemin or get in touch with him before it turned 10:50.