Chapter 8 – Grave Silence
The hospital lights buzzed softly, a sterile hum filling the silence.
Leo sat by Kai's bedside, unmoving. The rhythmic beeping of the monitor beside him was the only proof that time hadn't stopped.
Kai lay still, pale against the white sheets. His face, usually cloaked in mystery, looked calm—too calm. His black hoodie had been cut away, exposing the bandages wrapping his chest. No sign of life in his expression. Just stillness. Coldness.
Leo stared at him, lips parted but unable to speak.
"You… can't do this to me," he whispered hoarsely, voice cracking under the weight of grief.
His hands trembled as he reached out, fingers brushing Kai's cold wrist. No response. No twitch. Nothing.
"We didn't even say goodbye properly. You left me for five goddamn years, and now you just…" he couldn't finish the sentence.
A nurse entered the room, her eyes already knowing. She hesitated, then looked at Leo.
"We've done all we can."
And with those words, she gently reached over and turned off the monitor.
The flatline filled the room.
Time of death: 2:47 a.m.
Leo's breath caught in his throat. The pain hit him like a steel hammer. He stumbled back, eyes wide, shaking his head like a child refusing to believe a bedtime story turned nightmare.
"No…"
He dropped to his knees, clutching the side of the bed.
"No. You don't get to leave me again."
---
Flashback – Five Years Ago
Leo stood in the rain, soaked, waiting by the gate of his estate.
Kai had said he'd come.
But he didn't.
No message. No reason. Just silence.
That night, Leo stood alone, wondering why the man who once whispered promises in his ear had vanished without a trace.
Now, five years later, he was gone again—this time for good.
---
Present – The Funeral
The grave was fresh. Soil dark and wet. The tombstone clean and heartless.
Kai Ahn.
1997–2025.
Leader. Ghost. Monster. Lover.
Leo stood motionless, a single white lily in his hand. He dropped it slowly, watching it rest against the marble like it might wake Kai from the dead.
"You used to wear that stupid hoodie and act like nothing touched you," he said quietly.
"But you were lying. You were bleeding the whole time, weren't you?"
His voice broke.
"You stupid bastard. You should've told me. I would've stayed."
The rain poured harder, but Leo didn't move. He stared at the name, whispering to the grave like Kai could still hear him.
"I loved you, you know. I still do."
---
A shadow approached behind him, holding an umbrella.
Kim.
He didn't speak immediately. Just stood beside Leo, letting him mourn.
After several minutes, he said gently,
"Boss… this isn't good for you."
Leo didn't respond.
"Come with me. Please."
Leo blinked, like waking from a nightmare.
"He's not dead."
Kim frowned.
"Leo—"
"He's not. He just… he just needed rest. He's faking it. Maybe it's a test. You know him. He likes to mess with me."
His voice was trembling again, a desperation clawing at the edges of his sanity.
Kim placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
"Boss, you need to rest. Please. Let's go. Just for a few days."
---
On the Road – Somewhere Peaceful
The car moved slowly through a winding forest road. The air outside was fresh, untouched by the city's poison. Leo stared out the window, hollow-eyed, arms crossed tightly over his chest.
The silence was heavy.
Kim glanced at him every few seconds, worried.
Then, without warning, Leo grabbed his head.
"Ugh—Kim—stop—"
"What's wrong?!"
"My head… something—something's burning—"
He clutched his temples, groaning in agony, body slumping forward.
"Leo?! Talk to me!"
He collapsed.
Kim panicked, turning the car around without hesitation.
---
Hospital – Again
The room was quiet again. This time, Leo was the one lying in the bed.
His face was pale. Breathing shallow.
Kim sat nearby, phone in hand, leg bouncing with anxiety.
Then finally—Leo's fingers twitched.
Kim stood instantly.
"Leo? Hey—Leo, can you hear me?"
Leo's eyes fluttered open.
He blinked slowly, then looked around the room.
Then… at Kim.
His face twisted in confusion.
"Where… am I?"
Kim stepped closer.
"You're in the hospital. You collapsed in the car."
Leo stared at him.
"Who are you?"
---
Kim froze.
"Leo… it's me. Kim. Your assistant."
Leo's eyes darkened with panic.
"I don't know you."
Silence fell.
Kim stood there, heart pounding.
Ou
tside the room, a nurse looked through the window, her expression grim.
And from somewhere… far away… a shadow moved.
Unseen.
Unheard.
But watching.
---
[End of Chapter 8]