ATHERIO PARK [RELEASED]

Aleena Park's

Milan, Italy.

Park bows his feet, he enters a nightclub. The sound of music filled the room. Park's view is distributed to every corner of the room.

A bartender approached Park and whispered. Park nodded.

The bartender walked first followed by Park behind him. They arrive in front of the VIP room, the bartender opens the door for Park.

A woman was sitting against the door. The gold dress with the low back part made anyone who saw it would be tempted. His hand moved to play the wine glass in his grasp. Park stared intently at the woman's back.

"Grazie mille" said Park. The bartender nodded then bowed and passed.

Park enters the VIP room, she sits on the sofa. His gaze was fixed on the drinks available at the table. He poured wine and drank it.

"You alone?" Ask Park. There was a gentle laugh of the woman, "You're also alone, Johan."

The woman turned around. It now seems clear who he is. Beautiful paras are displayed in the family room at Park's house. But the real one is no longer young.

Aleena Park, Atherio's mother, is alive.

Park nodded her head, "I want to solve our problem, after that everything is done."

Aleena smiled disdainfully, "Give me my son, then I'll settle all this." Aleena placed her wine glass down violently.

Park scolded, "I will give all my territory in Italy to you. The affair about Atherio is finished."

"I don't need a fiefdom, I also have a vast territory around here! I want my son!" Jerk Aleena.

Park took her eyes off Aleena, "He's my son, I'm his father."

Aleena looked upset, "I'm her mother, I deserve her. You're the kind of man who could separate a mother and her child and tell her that her mother is dead."

Park lowered his head, "If only you weren't a gangster, I'd entrust him to you. But, I'm more confident in my ability to protect her."

Aleena furrowed her brows, making her soft face look cruel. "you consider my people weak? I can protect her like a mother or a father."

Park upheld the wine, "The court will not grant you custody of the child. Atherio stay longer with me, I'll win custody of it."

Aleena smiled cynically, "You think I'm going to take the court road?" Aleena put a gun to Park's forehead.

Park smiled, he quickly moved to attack Aleena's hand and snatch her gun. Park pointed the gun at Aleena's chest.

Park's gaze scolded, "Aleena, believe me. I can take care of Atherio."

Aleena closed the muzzle of the gun with her hand. "I wouldn't want you to make my son a terrible monster like you!"

Park grinned with a cynical smile, "How can you live in a dark world using your feelings?"

Aleena took her gun back and placed it on the table. She looked down sad, "We can't ever be together if you don't have feelings."

Park had no expression at all, "Are we not married because of your father?"

Aleena looked at the window, in the darkness was a shadowy figure pointing a weapon. Aleena looked at Park.

Dor's!

Before the bullet from the sniper hit Park, Aleena pushed Park and rolled onto the floor. They hide behind the couch.

"Your enemies know where you are? How come?" Whisper Aleena. Park shook his head, his gaze fixed on the gun on the table. He took it right away.

Dor's!

Almost sniper fire hit his hand. Park gave Aleena the gun. Aleena accepted it while looking fixedly at Park's face. Feeling noticed, Park also looked at Aleena.

Sniper entered the room, not just one sniper, there were three snipers in the room. The three of them put their rifles behind the sofa.

The sofa rolled over to hit them. Park jumped and strangled the two men and twisted their necks so that the sound of a broken bone kreeekkkk. The two men fell to the floor.

The other sniper was fighting Aleena. The woman grabbed the sniper's hair and slashed his neck with a knife. The thick red liquid splashed onto her beautiful face that was no longer young.

Park looked at Aleena who was squealing like a woman in general, "Ah, shit!!  This fucking blood stained my expensive dress."

"You can buy that shirt anytime, but you can't buy God's life" Park said. Aleena snickered at Park.

Park's phone shook, he reached into his pants pocket and saw Riorio's name on the screen. Park glanced at Aleena who was looking at him suspiciously.

"Hello?" Park raised the call.

"Dad.. Ayaaaahs? Is Dad okay?" Atherio looked worried across there. Atherina was also visibly worried, and from that moment on she did not stop biting her nails.

Park smiled, "I'm fine, you're not naughty, are you? You didn't overwhelm your brother and your coach, did you?" Aleena's gaze cheered at Park's conversation with someone across the street.

"Dad, do you think I'm a child. I'm almost 9 years old." Atherio grumbled across there. Seeing Atherio's annoyed expression, Atherina was relieved. That means Park is not in trouble.

"Dad?" Atherio did not hear his father's voice. Atherina approached her sister and touched her shoulder. "Rio.." murmured Atherina.

"Atherio.."

Atherio turned his head to hear the soft voice of a woman. Atherio's hand trembled, making Atherina even more anxious.

Aleena's eyes were teary from hearing her son's voice. "Atherio.." call him again.

Atherio still did not answer. Her tears sagged and then fell dripping down her cheeks.

"Mother" murmured Atherio. Both of Atherina's eyebrows were raised.

Aleena smiled as she cried without a sound. Park who saw that sighed then averted his gaze.

Atherio did not hear the sound. Suddenly he heard a simple gunshot. The boy's eyes widened, Atherina looked at Atherio questioningly.

"Mother! Daddy!" Shouting Atherio.

Silence.there is no answer.

Atherio fell flexed to the floor, his body limp and staggered forward, but the shoulder rested his head. Atherina hugged him with tears already flooding her face.

"I heard gunshots, father shouts and motherhood." murmured Atherio. She cried in the arms of Atherina.

Atherina rubbed her long hair rough. He didn't think, at the airport it was his last day talking to Park. Her father, the man who raised her though not in a normal way.

"I'm sure it's mom, even though I've never met mom, I recognize her voice.. Why did you lie, my mom's still alive.." Atherio cried and spoke in a trembling voice.

◆◇◆

Seoul, South Korea.

All seven of Park's confidants buckled in front of Atherio and Atherina. Their faces were battered, there were bloodstains everywhere. Their heads were bowed in.

Ji Hoo opened his mouth, "I'm sorry we. We came late."

The servants who numbered in the tens stood bowed behind their masters and misses. Everyone is saddened by Park's departure.

Atherio who stood upright was unable to hide his frail expression. Atherina with puffy eyes was only able to stare straight with a blank stare.

The car carrying Park's body is open, seen some people dressed specifically pushing the cage. On top of the cage was a lifeless body. The white cloth that covered the body was filled with blood spots.

As the brangkar passed by the guards and servants, they all bowed to pay their masters their last respects.

Atherio hurried to open the white cloth, looking pale face Park who was lifeless. Atherio's tears flowed back down his cheeks. She recalled when Park was angry, smiling, hitting, and hugging her.

Atherio always remembers when he went berserk, defiant, and rebellious to his father. Suddenly Atherina fell down and was unconscious. Atherio immediately approached his brother, all the servants panicking. They immediately took Atherina to her room.

All the colors of life in the Park family residence seemed to disappear, changing with black and white. Viscosity.

A black shirt was attached to the body of Atherio Park, today he has returned from his father's funeral. He was standing on the balcony of his father's office. His gaze was fixed on the skyscrapers in Seoul.

He could clearly see the magnificent building that was Park's main company. The company was built by Park in starting from zero to have many branches as it is today.

Park J's. A. Group, the epitome of Park's power and victory. Now losing its leader.

Atherio is the actual holder of the company after his age in accordance with the will of Park.

"Don't secretly drink cow's milk" Atherio still heard Park's voice while at the airport.

Ji Hoo approached Atherio, he was standing right behind him. "Miss Atherina hasn't spoken in the slightest since returning from the funeral."

Atherio turned his head slightly, then looked back in his direction. "Let him rest and calm his mind.I'll talk to him later."

Ji Hoo did not see any more childish souls in Atherio. The 9-year-old looked like an adult.

"Then, excuse me." Ji Hoo walked away.

"Wait!" Ji Hoo's steps came to a halt. Atherio turned to look at Ji Hoo who was taller than him.

"When I called Dad, I heard a woman's voice. Do you know who that woman is?" Ask Atherio.

Ji Hoo seemed to think, "We didn't see anyone there. What we saw, Mr. Park fighting alone against his enemy, then we helped him."

Atherio lowered his head, "Uncle can go." Ji Hoo nodded his head respectfully then left.

◆◇◆

"This afternoon, Park Johan Armez's body has been laid to rest at the Park family's funeral in...."

Atherina was still wearing black clothes. After the funeral, he did not change his clothes.

".... the family of Mr. Park said that Mr. Park's death was caused by an accident. They didn't file this awkward case with the police...."

Park's words before going to Italy still ring clearly in his ears. Atherina had not expected, if those were her last words.

"As long as I'm gone, I hope you can understand Atherio, he's a little rebel, but he'll listen to you more than I do." 

The sound of Atherina's bedroom door being knocked made her daydream crumble. The girl's eyes were on the door.

"Who?"

"Rio.." replied Rio outside the room. Atherina let out a long sigh, she leaned her head against the head of the bed.

"Log in, not locked." The door opened, entering Atherio who had changed clothes. He stood beside Atherina who was staring at him.

"May I sit down?" Ask Atherio. Atherina pointed at the seat on the dressing table. Atherio took the seat closer to Atherina then sat down casually.

Silent.

They were both immersed in their own thoughts. Atherio thought about how to start a conversation with his older brother who looks still not able to talk.

Atherina nosedived her nose, "What's up, Atherio?" Atherina started the conversation.

Atherio turned to his sister, there was a slight tightness in his chest hearing Atherina calling his name whole. Usually Atherina will call him by the name 'Rio' as a call dear.

"Hey?" Atherina flicked her finger in front of Atherio. The boy nodded and looked at his brother. Both of Atherina's eyebrows were raised waiting for her sister's answer.

"I'm..." Atherio hung up his sentence. "Tell me" said Atherina.

Atherio looked at his brother fixedly, "I hope Big Brother doesn't change, even though father is gone."

Atherio's gaze made Atherina turn her gaze in another direction, "I didn't change, I felt you changed."

Atherio was still staring at his brother, "I changed for dad. Dad wants me to be more mature at this age like you."

Atherina looked back at her sister, their gazes met. Implied something hidden behind each other's net. Atherina broke eye contact between them.

"I understand" murmured Atherina.

"Can I sleep here tonight?" Atherio asked which made his brother immediately look at him.

"So you said you wanted to be more mature, and you just said you wanted to sleep here? Then later tonight you'll wake me up to take you to the bathroom!" Ceroscos Atherina's.

Atherio laughed, "I was just kidding. I wanted to see Big Brother get upset and want to hear my sister's chatty voice." Atherio pinched his brother's cheek. Atherina brushed aside Atherio's hand and grimaced while rubbing his reddened cheek from her sister's pinch.

Atherio brought his face closer to Atherina's ears, leaving the girl glued. "Good night" whispered Atherio followed by a sweet peck on Atherina's frozen cheek. Atherio smiled mischievously then passed.

Atherina touched her cheek from Atherio's kiss, "This is not true."

◆◇◆

Early in the morning, Atherina was struggling with her laptop in the room. Last night she did not sleep, the girl chose to solve the problems in her group alone.

Her small eyes moved according to the text she read on the screen. "Ah, so tired." Atherina stretched her body, a kreeek sound was heard on her plate. The girl laughed at him, "Am I old?"

The knock on the door of his room made the pair of eyes fixed on the door.

"Lake in," he said.

The door opened from outside, Atherina frowned seeing Azura's whereabouts in front of her room. The girl was wearing the same jacket.

"Hi!" Sapa Azura cheerfully while waving her hand. Atherina let out a rough breath. Azura enters Atherina's room, she sits docked at Atherina making the girl close her laptop.

"I'm so sorry for Mr. Park's passing, but you don't continue to be sad, yes." Atherina looked at Azura. Azura smiled sweetly, not seeming to be truly in mourning.

Atherina rolled her eyeballs. Azura embraces Atherina possessively, "There is always a going and some are born. Life changes with death. Death changes with life."

Atherina brushed off Azura's hand, "Who let you into this house? And who let you into my room?" Ask Atherina ketus.

Azura chuckled slightly, "Emm, actually, I was through the window, so no one knew I was coming into your house."

Atherina was shocked to hear Azura's reply. He immediately got up from his seat, "Is this house that easy to enter? How could the guards not be aware of your existence."

Atherina presses an intercom connected to the people in the house. In an annoyed tone, Atherina spoke, "The guards, you guys should pay close attention to the house carefully lest there be intruders." Azura chuckled amusedly.

All the guards looked panicked, including Gun Seok as the leader of the bodyguards, the guards, and the men in the group.

Atherina again sat down next to Azura who never took her eyes off Atherina.

"Why are you? Every day wearing a thick winter jacket like this, isn't it sultry?" Ask Atherina.

Azura chuckled, "I like this jacket, it's my mother's gift." Azura hugged her own body. Atherina.

Azura looked straight up, "Mother said, I'm a strong and brave boy.but when winter comes, my body will be flushed with cold."

Atherina nodded in understanding, "Your mother must love you very much." Azura looked at Atherina with a big smile, "My mom is gone."

Atherina fell silent, she felt guilty for questioning the jacket. He should not have asked that, as it could have hurt Azura.

"I'm sorry" said Atherina slowly. Azura laughed, "Don't do it, I'm fine."

Silence, the atmosphere became awkward. Azura circulated her gaze to the corners of the room of Atherina.

Azura looked back at Atherina. "Do you have any friends?" Azura asked breaking the silence. Atherina shook her head in response to Azura's question.

Azura's eyes twinkled, "Then do you want to be my friend?" Azura asked in spirit while shaking Atherina's body.

"Ah? Me? No. no. I don't want to." Atherina brushed off Azura's hand.

Azura put up puppy eyes making Atherina half disgusted, "Ah! What's wrong with your eyes! Stopit! Stop that!" Shouting Atherina.

Azura did not want to give up. Atherina nodded her head, "Alright, yes."

Both of Azura's eyes were rounded, she hugged Atherina tightly. "Yes!!! I have friends!" Shouted Azura.

Atherio rolled his eyes, standing at the door of Atherina's room and watching both.

◆◇◆

At the headquarters, Atherina looked neat with a black blazer wrapped in white dres that she was wearing. He stood in front of all the members of his group, his seven confidants, the guards, the bodyguards, all his men, his servants, his special members, and many more. Atherio stood beside Atherina.

Atherina began her speech in front of all her group members, "I want to announce a change.."

Everyone in the room whispered to Atherina's decision too soon. Atherio also seemed surprised by her brother's words.

Min Hyuk clapped his hands twice making the entire room go back into silence.

".. I thought about this carefully, maybe you guys think this is too soon. I understand, seeing that I'm too young to make my own decisions. Take it easy, if anyone objects I'll listen.." Atherina stopped her sentence.

Silence, everyone is still waiting for the continuation of his speech. Atherio listened seriously.

".. From today, all the doors and gates that connect us with some outsiders will be closed. We will only be in touch with people we trust, with our long-time associates, with authorized consumers or distributors directly.."

Atherina stopped her speech because the atmosphere was noisy again. The seven confidants also looked surprised, they looked at each other.

"Shut up!" Shouted Gun Seok. Instantly the atmosphere returned silent.

Atherina sighed for a moment, then said, "Alright, if anyone wants to ask or give advice, raise your hand."

One of the guards raised his hand, "Why close all the doors and gates? Don't we need a partner?"

Atherina nodded, "You're right, but right now I can't trust someone easily. I'm just gonna trust a little bit of a colleague who's been in contact with us for a long time.." Atherio nodded in understanding.

"Disconnect existing relationships, don't build new ones anymore. This is all you have now." Park's speech is the basis in his leadership now.

".. we will stand without having to find a new partner, our colleagues are enough to support the strength of this group" Atherina said.

"Miss, I don't doubt you, but isn't this too much for you?" Ask the others.

Atherina smiled as she embraced her sister. Atherio looked at Atherina confusedly. They stared at each other in silence.

Atherina continued her speech with a still locked gaze on Atherio, "As leader, I will appoint Atherio to accompany me. He will be your leader with the same rights and positions as me."

Both Atherio's eyes rounded hearing the final decision taken by Atherina.

The room suddenly quiet.

Suddenly Ji Hoo clapped his hands alone. Everyone turned to the chairman who had the highest position among the others. Finally, everyone in the room clapped except Atherina and Atherio who were still staring at each other.

Atherina chose to cut off contact between them. "Well, if anyone still wants to ask or give advice, you can call me later." Atherina ended her speech.

Two leaders?

◆◇◆

　

"Mach die Augen zu, and siehst du weiter!"

•••

July 16, 2019

Ucu Irna Marhamah's