Prologue

“N-No! Please don’t! I’m sorry! I’ll pay! Please don’t shoot!”

Hyukjae’s been living his life in the hands of the devil. He knows this. But he has a reason.

His mother. He’d do anything for her.

He didn’t know anything back then. He was young and stuck in his own bubble of a fantasy world where everything was fine. He had a good life going on for him, he was good in school, he had good friends, he had a good mother. It wasn’t until he received a call from the hospital, that he realised his bubble had popped.

Or it simply didn’t exist in the first place.

Leukaemia. Stage II. Condition worsened significantly due to late diagnosis and lack of treatment. Low rate of survival. Patient has up to 2 years if the family chooses to withhold medical attention, and up to 5-6 years with.

“Main treatment would be chemotherapy, with blood transfusions, platelets transfusions and antibiotics when needed. As you are the only living relative listed under the patient, we would ask if you will go through with treatment–”

“Of course, we will!”

The doctor looks taken aback for a moment and sighs “Yes, that is ideal. However, son, the decision is up to the patient, as you are not of legal age to sign the papers.”

Despair slowly paints over Hyukjae’s face, and the doctor continues with a sympathetic face, “And it’s difficult to mention this but, the fees and costs of cancer treatment are very expensive. There is also the minimum down payment before we could proceed. I’m not sure whether your family expenses could cover that. I’m sorry.”

With his mother in that condition and no source of income, Hyukjae was lost.

I didn’t have everything, but I had my mom, who loved me and raised wholeheartedly. If she leaves me, what will I have?

He ended up in the gutter. Some might say it’s a dangerous and bad place, but a of luck came even in this misfortune for Hyukjae.

And now he kills.

Money makes the world go round.

This is my dad’s favourite quote. And it fits him, successful businessman that he is. People might think him selfish or greedy, but he’s not. My dad has always told me that people are blinded by wealth, not money. Money has lost its meaning– it's value.

“Sons, why does money make the world go round?”

His three sons look up at him with big, wide eyes, wondering why their daddy is asking them a question. “So that we can buy clothes. Lots of them.” His oldest says while the younger two keep quiet.

“Because people work hard for that money, for themselves and their families. That’s what money is about.” He smiles at his kids, hoping they understand and will one day participate in his business.

Well, now it’s easy to understand if I think about it. Money is the fruit of your labour. Funny how Dad insisted on teaching us that when we grew with a silver spoon in our mouths.

But Dad was a very optimistic and gracious man who seemed untouched by the greed and lust wealth usually brought out in people. He married a beautiful woman, had my older brother. Then my other older brother. Then me. Simple, boring, adorable me. I went through the usual rich kid plan, a private academy, overseas university, got my Honours and worked in my Dad’s company.

And now, I’m just rotting away. The company is rightfully ours– my brothers and I– so I could always take over the company. My eldest brother was supposed to take over, but he went on on something about Prada and Paris and ‘Pashion’. So currently, my other older brother is co-running the company and he seems to be doing a good job of it.

Maybe one day when my Dad retires, I’d be the Vice Pres or something. I wouldn’t mind. I’ve only been in the office for a handful of times, but sitting in a big arm-chair in the overly gigantic room on the top floor, and a ceiling-to-floor glass window view of the city.

But life’s okay for me right now, I could go either way. I do feel kind of empty and bored, and despite my good life, there is something lacking.

Maybe I’ll bump into something good and interesting, and well, I do hope that does happen soon.