♡ TL: Khadija SK
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Kno-Dearg?
Confused, Jin-ah remembered that it was the name of the mansion she had inherited.
‘What’s going on?’
What could possibly be happening at the mansion?
For a moment, her mind went blank.
She recalled the clause that stated if there were any issues, the monthly payments would stop.
Jin-ah’s fingers moved quickly as she typed out a message.
[What’s going on? Is there something happening at the mansion?]
After sending the message, she realized something was odd.
Whenever there was communication regarding the mansion after the inheritance, it was always through her lawyer.
But now, someone with an unregistered number was asking if she was the owner?
Jin-ah quickly sent another message.
[Who are you?]
Although there was no way to hear a voice, Jin-ah felt a sense of caution.
A reply came swiftly.
[I’m Colin Parker. I’m contacting you regarding the mansion. We have some inquiries.]
Colin Parker?
She didn’t recall anyone with that name.
Moreover, it wasn’t about her catering business, but rather the mansion itself; a place she had nearly forgotten about.
Feeling assured that it wasn’t a debt collector, Jin-ah breathed a sigh of relief
Over the past two months, she had been receiving calls incessantly, making her nerves increasingly sensitive.
As she hesitated to respond, another message came.
[I’m not a suspicious person. Could you please provide an email to contact you? I want to send detailed information. A call would be fine too.]
With her office in disarray visible behind her, Jin-ah realized the landlord had asked her to vacate within two days.
If she were to tidy up alone, she would have to work like crazy for two days straight.
It didn’t seem like the right time to have a leisurely phone call.
Quickly, she typed out an email address.
A message thanking her for the information soon arrived.
Jin-ah let out a sigh, switching her phone to silent and putting it in her bag.
It wasn’t the time to be distracted by other matters. She had to deal with urgent issues first, with what she could handle.
***
Two days later, Jin-ah looked at the nearly cleared office with a weary smile.
“I guess it’s done…”
For two days, she hadn’t slept properly, nor had she eaten well, but she had cleaned up the office.
She had sold the remaining chairs and desks to a furniture dealer for very little money.
Despite the small amount, she was glad to have made some money.
Now, all that remained in the office were the chairs and cleaning supplies borrowed from the caretaker, and a few of her own belongings.
Jin-ah slumped down on the floor and was about to close her laptop when she noticed an email titled 「 Proposal Regarding Kno-Dearg Manor」
“Oh…”
Suddenly, she recalled the text she had received two days ago.
She immediately clicked on the email.
What on earth was it about the mansion?
After two days of exhausting cleaning, her mind wasn’t functioning properly, but she decided to quickly read the email and think more about it at home.
“Let’s see…”
Forcing her unfocused eyes open, Jin-ah began reading the email.
Moments later, she let out a long sigh and ran her hands over her face.
“Of all people of the world…”
The email was brief.
The sender introduced himself as the operator of a video channel that explores abandoned places.
He had heard about Kno-Dearg Manor while touring Scotland recently.
Although he couldn’t get close to see it due to various reasons, he was convinced that the mansion would be perfect for their channel.
He then requested permission to access it and offered modest compensation.
She knew well that the internet was filled with channels uploading videos on various topics.
She herself subscribed to cooking channels and channels of people in the same profession, so she understood there were many diverse videos out there…
‘But people exploring ruins?’
Feeling uninterested, Jin-ah replied.
She confirmed receiving the email and expressed regret that she couldn’t grant access.
The mansion was managed by a trust company, so she advised him not to get too close and wished him luck finding a better filming location.
Feeling too drained to write a long response, she closed her laptop and put it in her bag.
Then, she noticed that her phone, which had been turned off, was lying nearby.
“Maybe I should charge it a bit before I leave…”
From her office to her house in North London, it took about 20 minutes by bus.
If she got on the bus as she was now, she would undoubtedly fall asleep on the way. So, it would be better to spend that time browsing social media so she wouldn’t doze off and miss her stop.
As she plugged in the charger, the battery icon appeared on the screen, followed by incessant buzzing and vibrating of the phone.
Jin-ah checked the messages that had come in.
Six were reminders from the bank, thirteen were from friends expressing concern, and twenty were from Korean wom—
“Twenty?”
What’s going on? Is it about the house?
Surprised, Jin-ah pressed on that one first.
[Jin-ah, are you home?]
[No, I’m actually out.]
[If someone comes looking for you today, don’t meet them.]
[Don’t even answer the phone.]
[Just go out and have fun for the day.]
It felt like jin-ah’s mother might have had a drink or two.
The messages seemed a bit scattered.
As Jin-ah glanced through the messages, tiredness etched on her face, she pressed the block notification button.
If her mother knew that Jin-ah had seen the messages, she would surely send a bunch more.
Jin-ah planned to go home and sleep for a while, and she didn’t want her sleep to be disturbed.
As Jin-ah was about to put her phone away and get up, ——
buzz!
It kept vibrating incessantly.
“Ugh, seriously?”
She just wanted to go home and sleep, so why were there so many people bothering her now?
As Jin-ah was about to answer the call, she remembered the message she had seen earlier.
The one that told her not to answer the phone.
She hesitated.
Why should she follow orders from a woman who doesn’t even contact her directly?
And why now, when she’s already exhausted?
Jin-ah recalled the back of her mother’s figure, who hurriedly left home, leaving her and her father behind.
She didn’t even wave or say goodbye as she got in the car and drove away without looking back.
And now she’s trying to…
Why is she suddenly…
Why is she lecturing Jin-ah when she’s struggling the most…?
Resentment, which Jin-ah had suppressed as childish, flooded back.
She picked up the water bottle by the window and took a big gulp.
It was November.
The weather in London was already quite chilly, and the water felt as cold as the outside temperature.
“Ugh.”
Taking a deep breath, Jin-ah answered the persistently ringing phone.
It was a timid rebellion against the woman who had told her not to answer the call.
“Yes, this is Jean-Antoine Troll.”
―Oh, Ian. Finally got through. Could you keep quiet for a moment? Hello, Miss Troll. This is Colin Parker, the one who emailed you.
Was he talking to someone else before?
Colin started speaking as soon as he asked for quiet.
―I’ve checked your email and contacted you. You rejected our proposal…
“Yes. The mansion is not a place you should enter. So…”
―What? We can’t? Is there something left there? Or are there ancient family rules?
Colin’s voice was filled with excitement as he pressed for answers.
Ugh.
Jin-ah let out a bitter laugh.
She thought he was just a channel operator, but it seemed like he was an occult enthusiast as well.
“It’s not like that. The house is just too old, that’s all. My grandmother’s will also states that. Well then…”
―Just a moment! Just a moment! I’d like to meet you in person and talk. Could we do it now? We’ll come to you wherever you are.
Persistent, isn’t he?
Jin-ah regretted answering the call out of defiance, feeling it was unnecessary.
While she was ignoring Colin’s persistent chatter, he spoke again.
―Just meet me once and I won’t bother you anymore. Just 5 minutes, no, even 3 minutes would be fine!
In other words, if Jin-ah didn’t meet him, he would continue contacting her.
What a lunatic. Is he a stalker?
Suppressing the irritation that was creeping back, Jin-ah grabbed her laptop.
Mockingly, she said:
“I’m near Maclean Street in Holborn. If you come within 5 minutes, I’ll meet you.”
As Jin-ah said that, she provided the office address.
She had finished everything now, so all she had to do was return the borrowed items and keys and then leave.
“Alright then.”
It seemed like the other person was saying something, but Jin-ah didn’t listen anymore and hung up.
Shortly after, the caretaker arrived and inspected the neatly organized office.
Jin-ah handed over the keys and cleaning tools to him.
As she opened the building’s main entrance, she checked the time on her phone.
Four minutes had passed since she had hung up.
“I guess I can go now.”
Even if she didn’t know where the person was, there was no way they could have arrived here within 5 minutes…
Brrrr!
At that moment, a loud noise, as if someone wanted to rip people’s eardrums apart, reverberated as a red sports car turned the corner.
Everyone standing on the street was startled and looked at the car.
The loud engine roared, between the buildings.
It was the kind of car you’d expect to see in a showroom.
Which means, it’s definitely not the kind of car you’d normally see driving around the city.
The car glided into the alley and stopped right in front of Jin-ah’s building.
The door opened, and a pale faced man stumbled out.
Then, the door on the driver’s side opened, and a man with bright blond hair and sunglasses stepped out, mocking the first man as he stumbled.
“It looks like I’ve loosened my legs a bit from stepping on it.”
“Ian! You br—!”
The man who stumbled out first cast a reproachful glance at the driver and called out his name.
Ignoring him, Ian lowered his sunglasses.
His blue eyes locked onto Jin-ah’s.
Face, neck, chest, hips, legs.
His gaze swept over Jin-ah as if he was checking various cuts of meat, lingering on her chest before moving back up.
Whistle!
With a strange amusement evident in his whistle, Ian pointed at Jin-ah with his sunglasses and said:
“Isn’t that the girl?”
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T.N: the ML is Ian (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧
