āYouāre quite smart. I think youāre the smartest woman in the worldā¦ Why are you clinging to Giulio of all people?ā
Did he always speak so plainly?
No, Valentin Orlov, whom she knew, was quite a taciturn and reticent man. But now, somehow, he sounded impatient like he was being chased by something.
āWhat the hell are you doing here? Do you know how much Iāve suffered because of you?ā
āAh, Iām sorry about that. But I couldnāt help it either. I was also preoccupied with too many clients.ā
The feeling of metal touching the back of her head kept giving her goosebumps. As he pressed the gun to her head, Sei backed away.
A wall appeared behind her as she gradually walked into the darkness.
There was no retreat.
āI came to see you today.ā
āWhy me?ā
āYouā¦ Why are you involved with Yuri Petrov?ā
For a moment, Seiās head began to race in nanoseconds. Many people knew Yuri Petrovās name, but only a few people knew his face.
Does Valentin know Yuriās face?
Valentin, Yuri, Giulio and Pablo. Sei felt chills, suddenly realizing that the names all fit together perfectly.
āThe one who stole it is Pablo Bellini. Itās a pseudonym. He was an accountant. He handles guns better than knives and was also famous for being a sniper. We were very closeā¦ friends.ā
Yeah, a sniper who handled guns better than knives
If Valentin was indeed Pablo, it was obvious he would know Yuriās face. Convinced, she closed her eyes and retorted as her face was pressed against the wall, āWhoās Yuri Petrov? Why would he be with meā¦. Did you perhaps make a mistake?ā
āHeyā¦ donāt pretend you donāt know anything.The Red Mafia guy who clings with you, that bastard is Yuri Petrov!ā
He pressed Seiās head with a much stronger force. Instead of screaming out loud, she raised her hands to her shoulder height and shook her head.
āIāve never met any man like that. The guy Iām currently meeting is Kais! Kais Miller!ā
āHaa, Kais Miller? Lookā¦ Are you really saying you donāt know? Think about it, Rose. Your answer will go on to affect the lives of your family members.ā
āI have no idea what you are talking about Valentinā¦ What are you doing? You stole Giulioās money. You know whatās going to happen, donāt you?ā
āDamn it! I didnāt do it! Yuri used his tricks to screw me! That damn mafia bastard.ā He spat out. For a moment, Sei remembered what her father used to say often. It was a Korean saying: āEven if you are caught by a tiger, you will survive if you keep your cool.ā
Sei decided to take as much time as possible. As long as Yuri was nearby, there was no way he would let anything happen to her.
That was her only hope.
āGiulio is looking for you. Donāt do this. Iāll pretend I didnāt see you, so run away.ā
āIām already being chased. You know what I look like. Soā¦ I need you to live, Rose.ā
Sei turned her head sideways. Then, leaning his upper body, he whispered softly in her ear.
āIn a fortnight, Iāll see you at 8 p.m. at the burger house on the first floor of your apartment. Itās the busiest time, so make sure you get a seat first and wait for me there.ā
āDonāt tell me, did you secretly investigate me? Thatās not fair?!ā
āI told you Iām doing all this to live. If you try to pull something, your friend with cute freckles will get hurt. And thenā¦.ā
She clenched her fists as she stood against the wall.
āOh, by the way, donāt wear any accessories. I know Yuri Petrov very well. I know whatās hidden behind that angelic face and also what youāre up to. So go tell him that itās nearly over.ā
Valentinās voice faded away. Sei then predicted what would happen.
Beneath the wall where even the moonlight couldnāt reach, a strong shock rushed over her back, making Sei tightly close her eyes. As her head was hit by the butt of the gun, her knees weakened and she collapsed.
As her consciousness ebbed away, she seemed to have heard a voice saying sorry.
***
āHow many hours has it been?ā
āItās been 19 hours.ā
āDamn itā¦ Bring her when she wakes up.ā
Sei slowly opened her eyes to the familiar voices. But the owners of the voices had already left the room. She smiled awkwardly at the man standing next to her.
āI think Iām awake now.ā
āAhā¦ Has God finally shown mercy on meā¦?ā
The man who was quietly looking down at Sei raised his smooth eyebrows and leaned over her. It was the man who she had seen at the pool last time.
āHey, why do you keep getting hurt? Iām in so much trouble. Yuri nearly shattered my skull with his gun.ā
The language that the man spoke was Russian. When she sighed and touched the back of her head, Sei felt a bandage wrapped around a large lump.