When they got home, Ara went straight to bed. Thanks to the scare she had given Joash earlier, he didn't try to touch her, so she had an easy rest. Sleep could solve a lot of grievances, and Ara felt like her life was finally looking up when she woke up around noon.
Yesterday, she had lost a case to a senior at her law firm, and it had infuriated her. She didn't know what losing felt like, as it had been years since her last defeat. Now that she had tasted it again, it was disgusting. She shook her head at the mere thought. Feeling more optimistic about the day, she picked up her phone to check in with her friends and maybe plan for the night. She shouldn't have.
She instead found nine missed calls from Insu, her brother. Another crazy idiot. Why did she have to check her phone?
As the oldest sibling, no matter how annoyed she was, she had to call back. Joash was still sleeping soundly beside her. She considered moving to another room to make the call, but felt too lazy to move, so she stayed put. The phone rang for a second before a deep baritone voice answered.
"Hello... Noona, please save me!!"
Her brother immediately started pleading. What now?
"Why the hell do you two want to kill me?!"
She retorted. Just last night, it had been Su Ah.
"What is it?" she asked.
"Father wants to send me to the military! Ara, you know I'll die if I go there, please save me!!!"
How dare they? His brother was barely 20! Ara finally became genuinely angry. Her parents had gotten on her last nerves.
"Insu, give me a moment. I'll call back later."
She hung up and immediately dialed another number, her face already red with anger. The caller ID revealed the name 'Mum.' As soon as the call connected, Ara launched into a lecture.
"Tell me, has old age finally driven you two insane?! Now you want to drive your children down the same path?! Is that it?"
There was a long pause before someone spoke. It wasn't her mother but another very familiar voice. Finally, Ara understood why everything was happening the way it was.
"I am old indeed. I might die without seeing your face, Ara,"
Her grandfather spoke. Ara slumped back against the headrest, closing her eyes. The old troublesome man had finally caught up to her.
"Why do you have my mother's phone?"
Ara asked, her voice void of emotion this time.
"I asked her to bring it to me because I know you won't answer mine."
He said, almost like a joke, even laughing. Ara felt her anger rise but stayed calm.
"Grandpa, you're not behind Su Ah's scandal, are you?"
He laughed. The madman actually dared to laugh.
"You don't answer my calls, and you blocked me everywhere. I thought long and hard, and this was the only way to get your attention," he said casually.
"So, I'm right to assume you're also behind Insu's enlistment?"
"Hey, don't accuse me falsely. I haven't even processed it yet," he said, laughing again.
Fucking bastard.
Ara knew her grandfather's tactics well. In fact, the moment she heard his voice, she realized he was likely the puppet master behind everything. He had tried to reach her and, failing that, unleashed his cruelty, a trait he was well-known for. Now, she felt bad for her siblings.
"Fix Su Ah's issue, and I'll talk willingly."
Ara stated already familiar with his games.
"Okay, but that's only the first installment. I'll hold off on Jinsu's enlistment until we come to an agreement on the proposal I have for you. Remember, 'no' is not an answer."
"What do you want from me?"
Ara asked in an exhausted tone.
"Fly back home today. If you're still in the USA after 12 hours, Su Ah will just have to give up her career."
His tone was taunting, and even though Ara couldn't see him, she could feel his smile. What kind of person would willingly hurt their grandchildren just to make a point? Her dear grandfather.
She didn't dare doubt his threats and, after years of fighting back, she finally gave in.
"Fine."
Goo Min, Moon Ara's mother, clasped her hands firmly in front of her, barely daring to breathe. She had witnessed the full extent of her daughter's temper before, and her father's was even worse. When those two clashed, the entire atmosphere became a minefield, waiting to explode on any innocent bystander.
Just now, while they were talking, both sounded calm. Her father had even laughed, and Ara had been respectful, surprisingly submissive.
These were, however, the first symptoms of madness. She closed her eyes and blamed herself for indulging her father's crazy ideas.
When Su Ah had called yesterday, Goo Min had watched the phone ring. It wasn't that she didn't want to answer; she was afraid that if she heard her daughter's desperation, she wouldn't be able to handle it and might foil her father's plans. So she sent a text, saying that she and the other women of the church were praying for her.
Su Ah had sneered at that. Pray? Her prayers would probably be answered faster than her mother's.
Goo Min had the holiest of reputations, but with the most questionable character. Over the years, the Moon siblings had watched in awe as their mother skillfully navigated the church's territories with her many façades, earning a spot as a role model for the congregation and becoming a highly respected figure in the church.
But then again, the only reason she was able to get along so well with the others was because they were exactly like her. Ara's lack of spirituality was to be blamed entirely on her mother. If holy people were like her, then she would rather be unholy.
Goo Min carefully watched her father's mood, and when she was certain it was safe, she cautiously began.
"Father, did she agree?" she asked hesitantly.
"Of course. I told you, I'm the only one who can handle her," he stated proudly. What an evil man, Goo Min thought to herself.
"And what about Su Ah and Insu? Don't you think you might have gone a bit too far this time?" She added nervously, gesturing a bit with her fingers as she laughed awkwardly.
"So, you don't agree with my methods? Then fight me."
He looked at her with daring eyes, his tone as arrogant as ever. Goo Min instinctively shrank back, retreating into her shell in fear, and took two steps back subconsciously. She quickly shut her mouth completely.
Her father watched her with a sneer. He found it hard to believe that Goo Min was A'ra's mother. Even when he harassed her children and made them suffer, Goo Min never said a word. This, deep down, left him feeling both disappointed and irritated.
A'ra would never take it so passively.
"How could someone like me have a daughter so weak?" he mused. "And how could someone so weak give birth to someone so bold?"
After a moment of thought, his expression softened slightly, and he signaled one of his men to make a call. From the conversation, Goo Min guessed it had something to do with Su Ah's situation.
Relieved, she hurried back to her fleet of cars and ordered them to head home. She wanted to be as far away from the fire-breathing dragon as possible.