Devil’s Music

"Kiska? Was that really you who just spoke?"

"…Yes, it was me."

"Kiska, you can talk?"

"I always could."

Byungjun held the phone close to his ear with a shocked expression.

"Then why haven’t you spoken until now, Kiska!"

When Byungjun's voice was heard, Kiska, who had been silent for a while, spoke.

"You knew beforehand, didn't you?"

Geon, caught off guard by the unexpected event, couldn't gather his thoughts and asked back.

"It wasn't just a short trip with dad."

"Ah... Yes, I knew."

Click

Suddenly, the call was cut off, and Geon stared blankly at his phone screen while Byungjun made a fuss beside him.

"Kiska spoke!! Kiska actually spoke!"

A gang member who was driving turned around in surprise, and not seeing the stopped car in front, he slammed on the brakes. Fortunately, he didn’t hit the car in front, but the dangerous situation made the gang member turn back around with an apologetic look.

"I'm sorry."

Byungjun waved his hand dismissively, and the gang member asked.

"Was that call from the lady?"

"Yes, it was Kiska's call."

"Should I report it to Miroslav?"

"Please do."

"Understood."

Byungjun answered the gang member's question and then looked at Geon, who was still staring blankly at his disconnected phone screen, and sighed.

"Just leave it. There's nothing you can do, if you go to see Kiska now, Gregory won't like it. She's at her parents' house, and you going there would be ridiculous. See her when you return."

Geon, still holding his phone, turned to look at Byungjun.

"Brother, could you send a phone to Kiska?"

Byungjun thought for a moment then nodded.

"I'll ask Miroslav for the address. If I tell him it's not for a visit, he should give it to me."

"Please, brother."

"Alright, but it seems Kiska was intentionally not speaking before. I had heard about it but was still surprised when she started talking all of a sudden."

Geon swept his hand across the screen and sighed.

"Maybe she found a reason to speak, or perhaps it became a situation where she had to speak."

Byungjun interlocked his fingers behind his neck and lay back.

"Phew, she could have spoken to me too. I cared a lot about her. Anyway, don't get any funny ideas. Forget about going to Georgia for now."

Geon didn't reply, so Byungjun turned his head towards him with a stern look.

"Don't think about forgetting and just live. I'll arrange for the phone so you can talk and text. Keep in touch often. But going there now doesn't make sense. Gregory has issues to settle quietly, and since she's at her elderly parents' home, just wait quietly. Okay? Hey, answer me."

Geon let out a soft sigh and said.

"Phew... okay."

"Good, that's a promise. Don't say anything else."

Silence fell between the two in the car. Geon didn't speak again until they reached Red Castle. Upon arrival, Miroslav, who seemed to have been informed by the driving gang member, approached and said.

"Did you have a good trip? I heard you were on the phone with the lady."

Geon nodded with a weak smile.

"Yes…"

Miroslav glanced at Byungjun unloading luggage and came closer to Geon.

"Let's have a word."

Miroslav led Geon through the large garden, keeping their conversation private from the following gang members.

"The boss and the lady went to Georgia four days ago. Two days later, the boss told the lady they would be staying in Georgia for a long time, and as expected, the lady threw a fit. She cried herself to sleep and would start crying again when she woke up until she finally spoke in front of her father."

Geon turned his head as he looked at the ground.

"What did she say?"

After a moment of eye contact, Miroslav sighed.

"She said she... hates her dad."

Geon bowed his head as he walked.

"That was her first word to her father... Gregory must have been hurt."

Miroslav nodded.

"Yes, he calls every morning but he seems very weak. However, he is also relieved that this incident has led her to start talking."

"I see…"

"Look, Geon. The boss asked me to do something."

Geon stopped walking and asked.

"Yes, what is it?"

Miroslav pulled out a black phone from his jacket. It was an old model Motorola that couldn’t connect to the internet or use apps. Handing

over the phone, Miroslav spoke earnestly.

"The boss wants you to call her often. And... he says he's sorry."

Geon took the phone and looked at it pensively.

"I'm fine with making the calls, but why this old model? It doesn't even support messaging. I'll send her the latest smartphone through Byungjun."

"No, that's not it. The boss said she's still only speaking the bare minimum. He thinks giving her a phone that only makes calls will encourage her to speak more."

Geon nodded and slipped the phone into his pocket.

"I'll do that then."

Miroslav checked his watch and said.

"Her phone should have been delivered by now. I've saved her number, so you can call her whenever you want."

"Thank you for taking care of this."

"Not at all, the boss had instructed before he left to assist with everything regarding Geon, even if it's not in my capacity."

"Heh, thanks."

"I'm sorry for taking your time after a long flight. Rest now."

"I will."

As Miroslav walked away, Geon took the phone out of his pocket, opened the folder, and looked at the only number saved in the phonebook, which had no assigned name. He stared at the number, which started with an international code, then closed the folder and put the phone back in his pocket as he walked slowly towards the guest house. Opening the door of the guest house, he saw Byungjun taking clothes out of a suitcase.

"What did she say?"

Geon took off his coat and flopped onto the sofa, then took out the phone and showed it to Byungjun.

"She said to talk to Kiska with this."

"Oh? So I don’t need to send a phone? Did she get one too?"

"Yes, it seems so."

"Give me the number. I want to talk too."

"I'll ask Kiska and give it to you."

"Ah, right. Okay, bring out the laundry. Let's get the washing machine going."

"Okay, I will. Oh, and brother. About that research matter you mentioned I was too fixated on."

"Oh, yes, that. What about it?"

"I'll be here for now. I might need to contact Daniel Weiss though."

Byungjun took a sock out of the suitcase and cocked his head.

"Daniel Weiss? Who is that... Ah, the CEO of the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, right?"

"Yes, that’s him."

"Why him?"

"I need to do some research at the museum."

"What, are you going to paint?"

"Heh, no."

Byungjun gave a puzzled look, then continued unpacking the suitcase.

"Just let me know if you need anything. I know someone with a free pass to all museums in New York. It’s some kind of black card that rich people have, and it gets you into any museum."

Geon waved his hand dismissively.

"That’s fine, I need to go in after hours by myself."

Byungjun stopped packing and looked up again.

"Is that possible?"

"Heh, that’s why I need to ask Daniel Weiss."

"Even if he’s the CEO, would he allow that?"

Geon shrugged and smiled.

"Do you know why I joined Red Castle?"

"No, why?"

"Gregory and Daniel Weiss are friends. I came here at his request."

"Really? Oh... then Daniel Weiss can’t refuse your request, can he?"

"Heh, probably not."

"Good to know. I was going to break your legs if you said you were going somewhere like Nepal again, but it's a relief you're staying in New York."

"Ha, yes. And Nepal was not a vacation; it was for filming."

"Got it, just get the laundry out, you!"

"Ah! Okay."

Geon helped Byungjun finish unpacking then started the washing machine before heading to his room. He plugged the old phone into the charger and placed it on the bed. Unsure when Kiska might call, he switched the ringer on and stared at the phone as he held his own phone and made a call. After several rings, the recipient answered with a joyful voice.

"Ah, Geon, it’s been a while!"

Geon sat on the edge of the bed and smiled.

"Are you keeping well, Daniel?"

"Of course, I'm doing fine. I heard from Gregory that his daughter has started talking?"

"Yes, it's still very basic, but it’s something."

"That’s wonderful, thank you, Geon."

"Heh, if you're grateful, could you do me one favor?"

"Oh! What is it, anything."

"The Metropolitan Museum of Art closes at 5 PM, right?"

"Yes, that's correct."

"Could you allow me access after hours? I need to conduct some music-related research, and since there are many valuable paintings, would security be an issue?"

Daniel Weiss seemed to ponder this

over the phone.

"Music-related research, you say..."

"Yes, it’s really important to me."

"Understood, you’re a trusted individual, why would I worry? Let’s do that."

"Thank you, Daniel."

"Ha, no problem. I'll assign a staff member to accompany you."

"Ah, you don't need to do that."

"Ha, we have protocols to follow, so a staff member is necessary."

Geon nodded in understanding.

"Alright then, I'll be there tomorrow."

"Ah, tomorrow already? Okay, I'll have it prepared."

"Thanks, see you tomorrow, Daniel."

"Yes, oh, and I bought the Fury album. It’s really exciting, truly impressive!"

"Ha, thank you."

Daniel continued to praise the album for over ten minutes, and after listening, Geon tossed his phone on the bed and went to shower. While drying his wet hair, he glanced at the charging old phone and waited late into the night for Kiska’s call, eventually falling asleep. The green light indicating the old phone was charging shone lonely throughout the night.

>

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