Beast, Blue Blood - Chapter 9

Chapter 9

“Thank you.”

The woman glanced at the TV he had been watching and gave a bitter smile.

“Aren’t you scared? These vampires claim they’re human and demand human rights. They say they don’t suck blood anymore, but it’s still strange. A world where vampires are involved in state affairs.”

Hisha just showed an expression of discomfort, as if he had been asked a political or religious question. The woman then seemed to come to her senses.

“I’m sorry for saying such unnecessary things to a young person. By the way, do you have a girlfriend, Mr. Young-soo?”

“What? No.”

The sudden change in the conversation flow made him answer truthfully without thinking. The woman smiled and asked.

“Then would you like to meet my daughter? She just graduated from college. You said you’re twenty-five, right? Perfect age match…”

Hisha laughed awkwardly.

“I’m not in a position to date anyone.”

At that moment, a janitor intervened and scolded the woman.

“Hey, stop being so ridiculous. Who meets people like that nowadays?”

“Who said anything about marriage? I’m just suggesting they meet.”

Fortunately, their bickering allowed Hisha to have a peaceful tea time. After finishing, he stood up.

“Thank you for the meal. It was delicious.”

As he was about to leave, he hesitated and turned back.

“Um…”

* * *

When Hisha entered the greenhouse, Pierlu was still working in the same spot as when he left.

“Mr. Pierlu.”

Pierlu looked back when called. Hisha put down a small, wrapped box in front of him.

“Please have this.”

Pierlu glanced at it and then looked away.

“No, thanks.”

“You like sweet things.”

Pierlu gave him a questioning look, so Hisha added.

“I often see you taking out chocolates.”

Hisha spoke casually and turned away. After a while, a voice came from behind.

“Thank you.”

Hisha deliberately did not respond. He didn’t know what was going on between Pierlu and the other employees. Since he didn’t know the details, he just judged based on what he saw.

* * *

Eugene got off the helicopter. Cox, who had been notified in advance, was waiting at the helipad on the right side of the mansion.

“What brings you back by helicopter?”

“Because of idiots who think they can buy time with money.”

Eugene didn’t seem to be in a pleasant mood. Cox, sensing this, didn’t ask further and instead inquired.

“What would you like to do about dinner?”

“I already ate.”

“Would you like to rest immediately?”

“That sounds good.”

Eugene walked towards the mansion. Then, her gaze seemed to catch something, and she stopped. Cox followed her gaze and saw the greenhouse at the end.

‘Over there….’

As Cox was thinking this, surprisingly, Eugene started walking towards the greenhouse.

* * *

‘A helicopter sound?’

Hisha looked up at the ceiling, thinking.

“What are you doing? Waiting for a persimmon to fall?”

Pierlu, carrying a tray of soil, asked as he walked by. Hisha lowered his head and answered.

“I heard the sound of a helicopter.”

“The director must be back. Sometimes she returns by helicopter.”

Pierlu spoke nonchalantly and moved on.

Hisha, for his part, just wished something, anything, would happen. If things continued like this, he’d never learn anything about the virus prototype.

At that moment, he heard the door open and turned his head unconsciously. The person entering was Eugene, dressed in a purple two-piece suit.

“Oh…”

He felt a mix of surprise and joy, but Pierlu quickly stood up.

“Director.”

Hisha looked up at Pierlu in puzzlement. Despite having worked at the mansion for 20 years, Pierlu’s reaction to Eugene was unusually intense.

Pierlu’s face seemed to turn pale. However, Eugene looked around the greenhouse without any particular expression.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here.”

Pierlu was extremely tense. Though Hisha hadn’t known Eugene long, he had never seen her get angry or speak harshly to an employee, so this reaction seemed excessive.

Eugene fixed her gaze on Pierlu and gestured towards Hisha.

“How is he doing?”

Pierlu, slightly flustered, replied.

“Well, I’d say even a bear cub could be more skillful, but he’s strong.”

Perhaps because he was nervous, Pierlu blurted out his thoughts and then realized his mistake.

“Oh, I didn’t mean… I’m sorry.”

He muttered stiffly. Hisha looked at him, thinking, ‘What’s going on?’ But Eugene showed no reaction and asked while glancing around the greenhouse.

“Can I take a look around?”

Pierlu, still as rigid as wax, replied.

“Of course. You’re the owner here.”

“The owner is my father.”

Eugene said it casually, but Pierlu lowered his head as if he had been severely reprimanded. Meanwhile, Eugene smiled slightly and looked at Hisha.

“Mr. Young-soo, could you show me around?”

“What? Oh, yes.”

It seemed absurd to have him, who had only started working yesterday, guide her instead of Pierlu, who had worked there for nearly 20 years. But since she asked, he had to comply.

Eugene entered the greenhouse further. Hisha glanced at Pierlu, who still looked as if he had seen Medusa, and followed her.

As they crossed a wooden bridge over an artificial stream, Eugene remarked.

“This place is quite nice.”

“Have you never been here before?”

Hisha asked, following a step behind.

“Indeed. Even though it’s my family’s garden.”

She said it as if it was more due to external circumstances than her own choice.

‘That’s… a bit strange.’

Hisha thought about it while Eugene quietly looked around the greenhouse. He found himself imagining her in the black lingerie he saw her in that morning. He mentally chastised himself for such an improper thought about someone so dignified. At times like these, he found it troublesome being a man. However, he couldn’t help but picture her standing there, slightly wet, in that lingerie…

Suddenly, Eugene turned around.

“Are you managing the work okay?”

Hisha almost flinched but quickly erased the image from his mind and smiled.

“I didn’t realize it, but it seems to suit me. It’s fun. I want to do my best. I’m familiar with plants.”

“Really? That’s good to hear.”

“It’s also fun learning about plants I didn’t know before. For example, this one here is called Anthurium crystallinum. It’s named because the leaf veins look silver, especially when sunlight hits them and they sparkle beautifully.”

Excitedly talking, Hisha was dressed in a checkered shirt, a white t-shirt, and jeans. It was more like the attire of a worker from the American frontier era rather than something fashionable. He even had work gloves in one hand, enhancing the look. Yet, it all suited him perfectly, proving the adage that fashion is about the wearer, not the clothes.

Visiting the greenhouse had been an impulsive decision, but it felt like a good one. Seeing Hisha talk enthusiastically with sparkling eyes seemed to purify the poison within her. The smell of the surrounding greenery also helped her relax.

At that moment, Hisha, who had been talking for a while, pointed to a flower nearby.

“This one is a Cattleya.”

Eugene, still with her arms crossed, looked at the colony of magnificent orchids. Hisha pointed out each orchid, their wings spread like fairies, and explained.

“In order, they are Cattleya trianae, Cattleya labiata, Cattleya nobilior, and Cattleya walkeriana. This genus, Cattleya, is called the queen of flowers. Isn’t that fitting? I thought it was somewhat similar to you. Especially the labiata, which matches the color of your outfit…”

For a moment, Eugene wanted to confirm whether the affectionate gaze towards the flowers was really directed at the flowers.

“Telling a woman she looks like a flower is something you say when you’re trying to flirt.”

“What?”

Hisha looked at Eugene with wide eyes, surprised by the sudden comment. Eugene didn’t smile, so it didn’t seem like she was joking, making Hisha stammer.

“That’s not what I meant…”

Eugene uncrossed her arms and put her hands in her pockets.

“It wasn’t?”

“No? I mean, yes…? Um…”

Hisha was confused about whether to say yes or no. His wide, surprised eyes made him look like a cute puppy or rabbit, causing Eugene to laugh.

“I’m just joking. You don’t need to be so cautious.”

Even though a part of her wanted to tease him further, she couldn’t keep a straight face in front of someone who looked so anxious.

“Oh…”

Hisha let out a single syllable, uncertain whether it was a sigh of relief or something else. Since Eugene was laughing, it was probably closer to relief.

Eugene then moved towards the greenhouse door.

“I enjoyed the tour.”

Pierlu, who was standing by the table, bowed his head in greeting. Eugene was about to leave but then suddenly turned and asked.

“How is your son doing?”

Pierlu flinched. It was almost imperceptible, but Hisha noticed it. However, Pierlu’s voice remained steady as he replied.

“Yes, he’s doing well, thanks to you.”

“There’s no need to thank me.”

Eugene said this and left the greenhouse. Hisha watched Pierlu, who still hadn’t moved, and spoke.

“You have a son?”

“Yes.”

Pierlu answered quietly, but that was all. He seemed distracted, aimlessly fiddling with items on the table. After a moment, he spoke.

“You can leave for the day.”

Hisha, already feeling uneasy from Pierlu’s strange mood, was glad to leave early.

“Then, I’ll head in.”

“Alright.”

Hisha left the greenhouse and headed to the residential building where the employees lived. As he was about to go up to his room on the third floor, he noticed two female employees at the end of the hallway, looking out the window and chatting.

“The director came out of the greenhouse? Really?”

“Absolutely.”

“The sun must be rising in the west. She usually never goes near there…”

When the two women saw Hisha, they waved and smiled. Hisha bowed slightly in greeting and continued up the stairs. Once he was out of earshot, they resumed their conversation.

“But why did Mr. Cox suddenly assign someone to the gardener? That’s never happened before.”

“Exactly. He seems clueless, and we can’t just tell him.”

‘He’ was likely referring to Hisha, so he stopped at the top of the stairs to listen.