ATHERIO PARK [RELEASED]

Mistrust II

"Being someone first is easy. But, to keep such a position is really difficult."

_Record Irna Marhamah_

◆◇◆

At school, though,

Atherio was sitting in the canteen, with dark circles in both eyes. Atherio drank the coffee he ordered. Someone sitting in front of him, Atherio puffed.

So Yeon gave A box of food to Atherio, "I.. I bother you, huh?" Ask So Yeon. Atherio.

"I'm sorry, I was worried about you when yesterday suddenly Mr. Jang Hun returned you." Atherio frowned hearing So Yeon's statement. She smiled a little.

So Yeon was stunned to see that rare smile of Atherio. For the first time he saw Atherio smiling. Both of his cheeks were blushing.

"Why are you worried about me?" Atherio asked as he stared intensely at So Yeon. So Yeon shifted her gaze, her two index fingers moved. "Because you're my classmate."

Atherio nodded his head while sipping back his coffee. "Coffee is not healthy for you" So Yeon said, confirming her glasses.

"All right, what should I do? I'm sleepy right now" Atherio said. "Eat." Atherio opens the food box So Yeon gave him. Soft smoke greeted Atherio.

"I'm going to get sleepy" Atherio said. "You ate while listening to me tell a joke" So Yeon said.

Atherio put the food in his mouth. So Yeon started telling stories. Without them noticing, Atherina watched from a distance. Suddenly, Han Gun approached Atherina. The girl realized her whereabouts so she turned her head to look at Han Gun.

Han Gun looked at Atherio, "Did he know you weren't his real brother?" Atherina shook her head, "Okay, I don't know either."

Han Gun nodded, "I understand your feelings, Erina. back then, I was with my sister in a cramped orphanage, we were living in misery. We haven't eaten for a few days. We were unlucky to live in a parlor whose owner wasn't a nice person.." Atherina looked at Han Gun. The sadness that was implied from both eyes.

".. until one day, a woman came to take my brother. She's Aleena Park, the lightning mother. My brother agreed to be adopted by her, on the condition that I also have to go with him. Mother lightning is so good, that it confirms my brother's request. I thought we had arrived at a comfortable home, a harmonious family, and a sense of security for us. But, the lightning mother was a gangster who adopted us for her cause. He was kind and gentle, but when training under his men, we trained hard." Han Gun stopped his words. Atherina was still seriously listening.

"One day, the lightning mother gave me a mission. However, my brother stopped me while on the way. My brother said it was so dangerous for me, that he replaced me. The return of my sister with her successful mission made my lightning mother proud and she made my brother the leader in one of her regions in Korea. Too bad, no one noticed that my brother lost his sight because of the mission." Atherina looked down because she felt that she was a little bit luckier than Han Gun and Han Jin.

"Ah, what am I talking about?" Han Gun laughed as he scratched his non-itchy head. Atherina smiled, "It's okay, I'm a good listener."

Han Gun chuckled softly. Atherina looked up at the overcast sky, "What, brother Han Jin did on what mission?"

Hearing Atherina's question, Han Gun turned to the girl with a serious expression. Atherina frowned. Not for long, Han Gun smiled broadly, "That's a secret."

Atherina rolled her eyes, "I think it'll be raining soon." The girl passed by leaving Han Gun who was still watching Atherio with So Yeon.

"Who's the girl?"

◆◇◆

The rain was pouring down, Atherina seemed calm sitting in the front seat while closing her eyes. Chris and Atherio who were sitting in the back seat seemed to be grappling with each other's thoughts. Esteban is focused on driving.

"Emm, Miss Park, tonight Azura is coming home."

"No problem" Atherina replied without changing positions. Esteban took a quick glance at Atherina. Chris and Atherio looked ahead.

Arriving at home,

The guards carrying umbrellas immediately greeted their leader. Atherina got out of the car followed by Atherio and Chris, Esteban followed. They walk into the house. In the living room, there are Ji Hoo, Carlos, Min Hyuk, Victor, Gun Seok, and Joon Ki.

They all bowed, Atherina nodded. While Atherio passed by without a word. Atherina looked at her sister's back which was getting further away. Chris felt uneasy because of the stares Atherina's confidants had on him.

Atherina rubbed Chris's back, "Christian, accompany Atherio, yes." Chris was surprised then nodded and rushed up the stairs following Atherio.

"Miss, does it matter if the kid's been here too long?" Ask Ji Hoo. "He won't interfere. Besides, he won't be here long" Atherina replied.

Gun Seok and Carlos looked at each other. "He's the brother of a cop, isn't that dangerous?" Asked Carlos to vent.

Atherina smiled, "I have you. As long as you are with me, I feel safe. I know, those cops are so strong. But, I trust your strength even more."

Atherina's words moved them. Atherina felt awkward for saying so, "Oh yes, tonight Atherio told us to gather at the headquarters. There's something I want to talk about."

"Ready, we understand" the seven replied in unison, bowing. Atherina nodded then passed.

Meanwhile, Chris and Atherio sit back to each other while working on their respective PRs. Atherio slightly turned his head, "Why do you look different today?"

Chris stopped his activity, he turned to look at his friend's back, "I guess, nothing's different." Atherio pulled his lips.

The rain was getting heavier, Azura had arrived at the Park residence. With a cheerful face, he met Atherina.

"Can I stay over again?" Ask Azura. Atherina seemed to think, "Tonight's the last."

Her forehead frowned at Atherina's reply. "Why? Are you mad at me?" Ask Azura.

"It is likely that I will move from Korea to another place" Atherina replied. A surprised expression clearly adorned Azura's face.

"You want to go?"

Atherina nodded.

"But, why?"

"That's.secret."

Azura pursed her lips in annoyance.

◆◇◆

Atherio stood in front of his seven confidants who were bowed in. While Atherina sat in the chair looking at her sister's back.

"I want to talk about my father's death" Atherio said. The seven men puffed up, except for Min Hyuk and Victor. Atherina let out a rough breath.

Atherio walked with his arms around like a leader, "You're back from Milan without any explanation. You just brought my body and apologized. Do I have no right to ask?" They're back down.

Atherina touched her forehead hearing the sister's words. Tonight will be a long night.

"How many of you, why can't you protect me?"

Silent.

"Isn't it your job to protect you?"

Silent.

"It's your job to risk your life to protect her, but you're still breathing a sigh of relief here?"

"Atherio, stop!" Atherina stood up while touching the sister's shoulder. Atherio looked at his brother.

"They've done a good job, they've deployed all the members. To the extent that there are many victims from our group." Atherina tried to calm her sister.

Silent.

"There's a reason why we didn't discuss the incident" Carlos said. All eyes were on him.

Min Hyuk added, "We see that Master and Miss are so young, we can't possibly tell you in detail what happened." Atherio shifted his gaze.

Atherina looked at Min Hyuk, "We are now adults, you can tell me."

Min Hyuk's gaze turned bright, "At that time, we asked Mr. Park to immediately escape by car and followed by two guard cars. The seven of us along with several other members overcame an increasingly attacking opponent. We don't recognize them. They were not enemies, not comrades, they were as if attacking abruptly, but their preparations were extremely mature."

Min Hyuk continued his story, "When we fought the enemy, we heard the sound of detonation from a distance, we really panicked."

"It was me and Gun Seok who went after Mr. Park.." Ji Hoo continues Min Hyuk's story. ".. The next one sounded the second one.."

***

Ji Hoo drives with less focus due to anxiety. While Gun Seok continuously looked around the cliff. Ji Hoo almost hit a fallen tree.

"Revelation!" Shouted Gun Seok. Just in time, Ji Hoo hit the brakes. "You want to kill us?" Gun Seok asked half-stomped.

"We have to find Mr. Park, no matter what. If something happens to Mr Park, what will we say to the young master and Miss Atherina?" Ji Hoo said. "Go away, I'm driving" said Gun Seok. 

After switching positions, the car drove at a steady speed. They were both shocked to see the second car following Park catch fire.

Gun Seok immediately went down and helped the people who could still be saved. "Ji Hoo, quickly find Mr. Park!" Shouted Gun Seok. Ji Hoo nodded quickly. Ji Hoo immediately spurred on his car. His eyes widened in shock when he saw the car Park was driving also burned.

Ji Hoo immediately got out of the car and saw the state of the burning car. There's nobody inside. The man was pacing back and forth in his panic. He saw there was a trail on the edge of the cliff that was highlighted by the car lights. Ji Hoo approached and saw the new trail.

"It's like a former fallen man. aaaarrrgghhh!!!" Ji Hoo slipped and rolled down. Half grimacing, the man got up and took his phone to turn on the flashlight. There were blood splashes everywhere.

Ji Hoo grew more panicked, he followed the trail of blood. Now it is clearly visible a body that is stretched stiff in front of him.

Both of Ji Hoo's eyes were rounded, "Tu.. Signore.. Park's.."

***

Atherio massaged his temple to ease the pain in his head, "Are you telling me the truth?" Ask Atherio. "Yes," Ji Hoo and Gun Seok replied together.

　

　

"Did you not miss anything?"

The seven people looked at each other. Atherina rubbed her sister's back gently, hoping that Atherio could hold back her emotions.

"When you met Dad, there was a woman with me."

The shock was clearly printed on their faces. Atherio clenched his hand.

"Why are you lying! You met my mother! When I asked you, you lied to me!" Atherio pointed at Ji Hoo's face.

"Atherio," Atherina withdrew Ji Hoo's hand so as not to be rude to an older person. Ji Hoo bowed.

"I thought there was a traitor among you" Antherio exasperated. Atherina shook her head slowly.

"I want to see my mom, why are you helping me to separate me from my mom?" Atherio asked with a trembling voice.

"Sorry, we have a code of conduct that we must maintain during our service to Mr. Park" Carlos said.

"Instead of keeping my mother's whereabouts a secret?" Atherio pointed at him.

"Yes,"

Atherio turned around looking up at the ceiling of the room, "Nobody understands, you're back."

They bowed and left. Atherina looked at her sister's back then passed.

◆◇◆

In Atherio's room, by the way,

Chris who was sitting leaning in the corner of the room looked dreamy. It may be cryptic, but she realizes that the Park family is no ordinary family. The Park family looks like a big community to him.

The door leaf moved, Chris turned to the source of the sound. It turned out that Atherio was opening the door, he looked so upset. Their views meet.

"You haven't slept?" Atherio asked concealing his shock. Chris shook his head, "You haven't slept either?"

Atherio glanced at the digital clock that showed at 2 p.m. He threw his body into bed.

"Good night."

Christian still looks at Atherio.

Meanwhile, Atherina is meeting her trust team.

"I know, Atherio's words hurt your feelings. I hope you understand."

"We don't blame anyone, we understand it" Min Hyuk said. Atherina nodded, "Uncle Ji Hoo."

Ji Hoo smiled as he nodded his head, "It's okay."

Atherina took a deep breath, "I trust you completely. Once it's safe here, I'll decide to go to Japan as soon as I can, just like my father asked me to do before I go to Italy."

"Why so fast? Mr. Park asked Ms. to go to Japan after Ms. 26" Esteban said.

"There is no time, right now things are pretty safe. Atherio can lead here, I won't be in Japan for long. But, if anything bad happens when I'm in Japan, you should leave Korea for America immediately." Atherina's answer convinced them all.

"I don't think the young master will let you get away from him." Atherina turned towards Ji Hoo. Ji Hoo's words have a point.

"That's right, what if the young master went berserk?" Ask Joon Ki. "Young master will definitely finish us off," Esteban continued to say.

"You are talking about my sister" said Atherina Ketus. Suddenly, all were silent a thousand languages.

The girl chuckled little, "You guys like to complain to me, but why don't you ever complain to Atherio?"

"Yes, that's. 'cause.."

"That's.."

"We.."

Atherina shook her head with a smile, "No need to answer. I understand my position which is a shadow here."

"Ah, no, don't say that. After Mr. Park leaves, we consider Miss as someone who can guide us," Gun Seok said.

"Uncle Gun Seok, why are you talking as if I'm a mother?" Atherina's grumbling half screamed. They all laugh.

I have to keep my promise. You must understand, Atherio .

◆◇◆

July 25th, 2019

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