Cailey’s Identity
1033 Words
Ever since the young man called someone he trusted—his own secretary, instructing him to find the person he was looking for, the young man intended to rest his body.
Until...
"Papa."
A faint voice sounded in a room not far from where the young man stood.
The young man, hearing the voice, immediately stepped toward the source of the sound.
The source of the voice was none other than Key's small mouth, still faithfully closed.
Without hesitation, the young man moved closer to Key.
"What's wrong with this kid? Why does she seem restless in her sleep?" the young man muttered as he saw Key's forehead covered in sweat.
The young man gently stroked Key's forehead and was immediately met with a smile in response.
‘Looks like this kid is lonely,’ the young man whispered in his mind.
A moment later, the young man's phone vibrated.
Reflexively, the young man's fingers opened the touchscreen, reading the name printed on the screen.
A light sigh was heard before the young man picked up the phone.
"Hello."
"Where are you? I heard you took your vacation?"
"Yes, I'm taking my vacation, Dad."
"Why now, Van? You know you still have a lot of work to do."
"I've finished a big project, Dad, and now I'm taking my vacation, so where's the problem in that? Besides, I haven't taken any vacation or holidays at all this year."
A soft chuckle could be heard clearly from the other end of the line, before a voice answered. "Where are you actually taking your vacation?"
"Sorry, Dad, I need some peace."
"Ervan Galen!"
Hearing his father's shout, Ervan reflexively pressed the red button to hang up.
"Sorry, Dad," Ervan whispered.
Key, who had been sleeping, was finally disturbed by Ervan's conversation on the phone. Key blinked a few times.
"Uncle," Key said when she saw Ervan sitting on the edge of the sofa facing her.
"Ah, did you have a nightmare?" Ervan asked back, trying to cover up the awkwardness between them.
Key sat up, nodding her head slowly, her gaze looked sad.
"I remember Pap—"
Her words hung in the air, her tongue feeling numb, and the nightmares gnawing at her mind again.
"A...-ahhh Papaa... sob," Key groaned, clutching her head in frustration.
"Hey, kid, calm down, you don't have to tell me if you can't tell me," Ervan said, confused by the girl's apparent pain.
Without warning, Ervan pulled Key into his arms to comfort her, who was clearly not in good health.
"Hey, don't think about it anymore if it hurts you," Ervan said, gently rubbing Key's back and hair.
Key nodded her head in Ervan's embrace.
Key slowly opened his mouth and thanked Ervan.
'Hah ~~ poor kid.'
***
Ervan woke up this morning and prepared breakfast for Key and himself.
Yes, Key ended up staying over at his place, but after some deliberation, he ultimately decided to let her stay for the girl's safety.
"Morning, Uncle," Key said, rubbing her eyes in greeting.
Ervan, noticing Key's greeting, immediately invited her to sit down at an empty chair in the dining room for breakfast, as he had prepared breakfast for them both.
Key sweetly thanked Ervan as she sat down.
"Ah, I wonder if my face looks old to you?" Ervan asked.
Key reflexively scratched the back of her neck, not itching.
"How old are you, Uncle?" Key squeaked softly.
"Huh ~~ let's just eat first."
Ervan was in no mood to talk about age, to be honest.
Slightly awkwardly, Key ate the breakfast Ervan had prepared for her.
A soft chuckle and a genuine smile appeared as Key suddenly thanked Ervan for preparing a delicious meal for her.
'Sweetie, Ugh, what's wrong with you?' Ervan monologued in his mind.
Ervan's phone vibrated, signaling an incoming message.
Ervan glanced at the name on his phone for a moment, then placed it back on the dining table.
"Do you live alone here?"
The question suddenly came out of Ervan's mouth, while the two were still eating their breakfast.
Key, who was asked, naturally answered with a slow nod.
"Your parents?"
Key stopped eating.
As if she couldn't stop herself, Key tried to answer Ervan's question by explaining that both of her parents were gone, so she lived alone.
"Poor kid."
Key, no less curious than Ervan, finally joined in with a question. She asked Ervan who he was and why the man in front of her could sense that someone was targeting her. She also mentioned that she thought Ervan was a good person, as evidenced by the fact that she was allowed to stay there.
"Um, I'm just a businessman on vacation," Ervan said casually.
Key furrowed her brows, still confused. Honestly, she had been hoping for a different answer. She really didn't understand Ervan's response, which sounded cliché and didn't fully address her previous question.
Key remained silent for a few minutes, considering Ervan's answer. Afterward, Key chose not to bother and didn't pursue further questions. She noticed Ervan seemed reluctant to elaborate.
"Key, I have a little work to do. I'm going to my office. You can finish your breakfast first and tidy up. I'll be leaving," Ervan said, leaving Key alone at the dining table.
Key gave Ervan a slow nod in response, and she calmly resumed eating, not afraid of being left behind; after all, Ervan had already told her where he would be leaving her.
Ervan had been busy reviewing the documents his secretary had just emailed regarding Key's background.
"Ah, I never thought the world would be so small. Poor kid, I guess I'll have to take care of her," Ervan whispered as he looked at all the profiles he had just received.
Ervan tapped his fingers on the table in front of him.
'Who's behind this?' Ervan thought to himself.
Ervan racked his brain for a moment, trying to come up with a possible suspect.
Afterward, he sent a text message back to someone he trusted.
'I suspect the person chasing her is the same person who targeted Key's parents.' Ervan thought to himself as he massaged his forehead.
——
TBC
- Writer
