Wheels Of Fate

The following day, Kang Seol decided to take a short break from her grueling routine as a taxi driver. After finishing her morning chores, she left the house dressed in her usual casual style—gray training pants, a sleeveless shirt that revealed her shoulders and collarbone, a cap pulled low over her eyes, and a small side bag slung across her body. It was a simple, functional look that suited her no-nonsense personality.

She met her friends at a local park by the river. Among them were Chayoung, her childhood friend who was always full of energy, and Eunbi, the most mature one in their group, who often acted like an older sister.

"Seol," Chayoung said with a playful grin as she looked Seol up and down. "Do you even own real clothes? Or is your wardrobe just sweatpants and tank tops?"

Seol smirked, crossing her arms. "Why bother with fancy clothes when I'm just going to end up sweaty and tired anyway? Besides, I'm too busy working to care about stuff like that."

Chayoung rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. You're so predictable. One of these days, we're going to dress you up and take you somewhere nice, whether you like it or not."

Eunbi laughed, handing Seol a bottle of iced tea. "Ignore her, Seol. You look comfortable, and that's what matters."

"Exactly," Seol replied, taking a sip of the drink. "It's not like I'm trying to impress anyone."

The three of them spent the afternoon sitting on a blanket spread out on the grass, catching up and reminiscing about old times. For a little while, Seol felt like she could breathe again, free from the pressures of her everyday life.

But as the sun began to set, her thoughts returned to her grandfather. She still couldn't shake the unease she had felt since Jung Haesung's unexpected visit to the café.

"I think I should head back now," Seol said, standing up and brushing the grass off her pants.

"Already?" Chayoung pouted. "We barely see you these days."

"I know," Seol said, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "But I can't stop worrying about Grandpa. I just need to check on him."

Eunbi placed a gentle hand on Seol's arm. "Take care, okay? And let us know if you need anything."

Seol smiled faintly. "Thanks, Eunbi. I will."

As Seol walked home, the streetlights flickered on, casting long shadows along the quiet streets. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was being followed. Her steps quickened, her eyes darting around, but the streets appeared empty.

Unbeknownst to her, a sleek black car was parked a block away, its windows tinted. Inside, a pair of sharp eyes watched her every move.

"She's tougher than I thought," Jung Haesung murmured, leaning back in his seat with an amused smirk. "This might be more interesting than I expected."

The morning air was crisp as Kang Seol entered the modest martial arts dojo tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. The scent of polished wood and faint incense greeted her as she slipped off her shoes and stepped onto the training mats.

This was her escape—a place where she could channel all her frustrations and anxieties into something productive. Dressed in a plain black workout outfit, her hair tied into a messy bun, Seol greeted her instructor and a few fellow students with a quick bow before heading to the punching bags.

Her fists slammed into the bag with precision and force, her breaths coming in steady rhythm. The sweat trickling down her brow was a welcome sensation, one that reminded her of her own strength.

"Seol, you're early today," her instructor, Master Jang, observed as she approached. Master Jang, a tall woman in her early forties with short-cropped hair and a commanding presence, crossed her arms as she studied Seol's form. "Is something on your mind?"

Seol paused, wiping her face with a towel. "Just the usual," she said with a shrug, though the weight of her thoughts was evident in her eyes.

Master Jang nodded, her gaze perceptive. "Focus your energy here. Let your mind clear with each strike. Whatever's troubling you, leave it on the mat."

Seol gave her a faint smile. "That's the plan."

The morning session flew by, and by the time Seol left the dojo, she felt physically drained but mentally sharper. As she stepped out into the sunlight, she slipped on her jacket and adjusted her cap, preparing herself for another long day.

Unbeknownst to her, a woman in a sleek black suit leaned against a car across the street, pretending to check her phone. Her gaze lingered on Seol as she walked away, her expression unreadable. Moments later, she answered a call.

"She's on the move," the woman said quietly.

On the other end of the line, Jung Haesung's voice was calm yet commanding. "Continue monitoring her. I need to know if she remembers anything... or if her grandfather has told her about the past."

"Yes, ma'am," the woman replied, ending the call and slipping into her car.

For Seol, the day had just begun, but little did she know, the web of secrets surrounding her family was tightening.

That night, Jung Haesung sat in the back of his car, wearing a crisp white shirt. The shirt, however, was stained with blood, a stark contrast to his otherwise pristine appearance. One of his subordinates, sitting next to him, was in a similar state—his clothes also bloodied. The atmosphere in the car was tense, as Haesung's usually calm demeanor was now replaced by an aura of irritation.

The car came to a sudden halt as traffic jammed their way forward. Haesung's expression darkened, and he glanced out the window, muttering under his breath about the delay. "This is ridiculous. We're wasting time."

After a few moments of impatience, they decided to get out of the car and push it forward, slowly maneuvering through the congested streets. They managed to get the vehicle to a nearby garage, where they could sort things out.

Seol, having been sitting near the garage, noticed the commotion. She was perched at the edge of a nearby car, a cigarette hanging from her lips, her posture relaxed yet aloof.

As Haesung and his men got out of the car, he narrowed his eyes upon seeing Seol. His gaze flickered briefly to the cigarette in her hand before his lips curled into a slight smirk. Without a word, he approached her, swiftly snatching the cigarette from her mouth, throwing it to the ground, and crushing it under his boot.

"Don't do that again," he said sternly, his voice low.

Seol raised an eyebrow, unfazed. "At least your shirt's full of blood," she remarked, a mischievous smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Are you a psychopath or just trying to look tough?"

His subordinate, standing nearby, snickered at Seol's unexpected comment. He quickly cleared his throat, trying to stifle a laugh, but it was clear he was amused.

Haesung, slightly taken aback by Seol's boldness, shot a sharp glance at his subordinate, who immediately fell silent. But Seol's teasing had lightened the mood, making the situation a bit more relaxed than Haesung had expected.

"Look, you're not helping," Haesung muttered, trying to regain his composure.

Seol leaned back against the car, her smile widening as she flicked the last bit of ash from her cigarette. "Just trying to lighten the mood. You know, with all that blood on your shirt, it's hard to take you seriously." She looked at him with a hint of playfulness in her voice.

One of Haesung's subordinates, who had been quiet until now, couldn't hold back his laughter. "You're really not what I expected," he chuckled, shaking his head. "I thought you'd be all serious, but you're giving him a hard time. I like it."

Seol shrugged nonchalantly. "Someone has to keep him grounded. I mean, look at him." She gestured toward Haesung's immaculate white shirt, now ruined by blood. "He looks like he walked out of a crime scene."

Haesung rolled his eyes but couldn't suppress the corner of his lips twitching upward. "Enough of your jokes," he said, though there was a hint of amusement in his voice. "I've got more important things to deal with."

Seol grinned, clearly enjoying the moment. "Alright, alright. But seriously, if you're going to keep showing up looking like that, maybe you should consider a new wardrobe."

Haesung just shook his head, trying to maintain his serious demeanor, though he couldn't help but appreciate the brief levity Seol brought into the tension-filled night.