A New Student
A New Student
The mansion they were at was huge, probably not as big as the Hwang's but still large enough for even ghosts to get lost. The floors were sparkling white while the large glass walls were covered with curtains. Expensive handmade furniture lay around in a neat series with not even a single speck of dust. Everything was kept clean and proper, attentiv to eerie detail. Even the colors of the walls were kept light and simple with a mixture of brown and white. The floor was made of bamboo, highlighting the owner's preference for elegance.
What the large house lacked was a touch of warmth and affection. Even for the ghosts, it felt like a cold and desolate place despite having numerous servants and a family living there.
"This is such a dead place," Yumi commented. Casper made some hand movements.
"I know I'm dead too but this place is like a graveyard!" she snapped. "Just look at it! No joy! No laughter! Just a deadland!"
Casper looked around the place and even he had to agree with her. It did not seem as if anyone actually lived there.
They were sent by Jina to the Kangs' mansion in order to spy on them. Yumi helped her to search for the Kangs' home on the internet and it was not hard given that their home was designed by some world famous architect who had it listed on his profile. They were to keep an eye on the family members in case they found a clue.
"It doesn't seem like the kid has gone off to school," Yumi commented. "It's almost noon anyway."
Just then, Doyoung was walking down the stairs, talking on the phone. Yumi was about to hide but Casper held her and made a hand sign.
"Oh yeah!" she realized. "I'm a ghost! She can't see me!"
Sometimes, she forgot she was dead. The Hwang's treat her as if she was still alive so whenever someone reminded her that she was dead, it felt strange to her. She did not move from her spot but watched as Doyoung sat on the sofa.
"I know it's on short notice," she was saying on the phone. "But it's important. I really want to know what Danny has been up to. Lately, he's been staying secretive and aloof. He was always like that but for the past few months, he had been locked up in his study room for long hours."
The ghosts leaned in closer to hear the conversation. Someone was speaking on the other end and Doyong nodded.
"I've been away for some modeling assignments," she sighed. "But now, I'm back for good. Plus, my son needs me. Last night...last night he displayed some unusual behavior. I think he hurt a little girl and lied to me about it. I saw the bruises on her hand and I knew immediately that something was wrong. I must stop him from becoming worse. Which is why I'm going to stay home from now on. Moreover, he started to attend a new school. It's his first day today and I want to help him out in his studies more."
"But I also want to know what my husband has been up to," she went on. "I've always turned a blind eye to it but enough is enough. Our marriage hit many lows but I've always ignored his actions. I know about his affairs and I'm afraid that he's involved with someone else again!"
She listened carefully to the other person and said, "Yes. I know he had many lovers but I don't know their names except for one woman. Her name was Choi Hyeri. She was a receptionist at his hospital nine years ago but one day, she had suddenly resigned. The girl was very hardworking and honest so it was a shock that she had left. Later, I heard rumors from the hospital staff that she was pregnant with Danny's child! Imagine my reaction. I went to her house which was downtown but she was not home that day. I did not return again, afraid that the rumors might be true."
Doyoung took a deep breath and requested to the caller, "Can you please find out? I'll pay you if needed! I want to know if he's having an affair. If that's the case, I will have a solid ground to divorce him and take Siwan away! I've got some money saved up and we can live in comfort without Danny. Our prenup clearly stated that we can't have affairs and if one party had an affair, then the other party will have claim to half of the estate along with full time custody of any children born through this marriage. All I need is evidence and I can save my son!"
The caller said something and Doyoung replied, "Fine. I'll meet up with you tonight. We'll prepare a plan."
She hung up the phone and stared at it for a while before making up her mind. Quickly getting off the couch, she headed upstairs to freshen up. Meanwhile, the ghosts heard everything, nodding in understanding. Shinho might be the son of the rumored mistress and somehow, ended up living in the mansion with his father.
"Let's stick around and find more clues on this Hyeri," Yumi suggested. "We might be able to get her address if we stay here."
Casper nodded and they waited for Dyoung to follow her around. If they managed to find out more about this Choi Hyeri, they could go back home and report to Jina.
Please let us find a clue, Yumi prayed while Casper silently waited, hoping for the same.
….
"Psst!"
Jina hissed at the bushes outside the window of her classroom where Shinho was hiding. She had brought him to school since he had to stop going to his one and the ghost was oddly excited.
He refused to enter the classroom because he was claustrophobic after being locked up in a cellar for so long but was happily listening to the teachers from behind the bushes. Jina had deliberately kept the window next to her open so that he could listen. In fact, the ghost was so happy, that he was yelling out the maths' answers from the bushes but no one could hear him except for Jina.
She had snuck out of class to talk to him. Shinho emerged out of the bushes, happy to be at the school.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?" she asked.
"I'll be fine!" he exclaimed. "But that teacher is so good!"
"Eh?" Jina frowned. "You understood that gibberish?"
"What's not to understand?" he asked. "It's so easy! The difference between Mt. Everest and Kilimanjaro is 29,028 minus 19,340 which is equal to 9,688! It's not that hard!"
"That's the answer?" she frowned. "My one came to 900,886."
Shinho gaped at her in disbelief. How she got that answer, he would never know.
"You suck at math," he said bluntly.
"Shut up!" she snapped. "It's a stupic subject!"
But Shinho stuck a tongue out at her and kept on teasing her. "Jina is stupid!" he chanted playfully. "Jina is stupid!"
"Why you-" Jina was about to pounce on him when a cold voice came from behind her.
"I knew you were a freak but now it seems that you're a mental patient."
Shocked, she turned around to find the familiar figure, coldly glaring down at her. Siwan was looking at her in disgust as if she was trash. Shinho was about to push him again but Jina grasped her hand to stop him.
"What are you doing here?" She demanded. "This is my school!"
"Well guess what, shorty," he smirked, pointing at the logo on his uniform which was the same color as hers.
"I'm a transfer student here," he revealed, taking a step towards here. Jina backed off, her hand on Shinho's who was also scared of his brother.
Siwan bent down and whispered, "And I'm about to make your life a living hell. Freak."