CHAPTER 2

"DIFFERENT EYES, SAME SHADOW"

“I’ll go ahead, Tita. I might be late for work.”

I didn’t stay for breakfast. I felt heavy inside—especially with the way Tito had been looking at me lately.

“Take care. Don’t skip your meals. Come home right away,” Tita reminded me with a smile.

But Tito? Not even a glance. Not a single word. I wasn’t surprised. I was used to his loaded silences.

As I was walking away, someone suddenly grabbed my shoulder. I turned—turns out it was Anyah, my workmate. Her smile was wide, like she hadn’t seen me in a long time.

Her smile… Familiar. Just like Mama’s.

“Did I startle you?” she asked, laughing.

“A little,” I said, forcing a smile.

“Where’s your Tito? I thought you two were coming together again today?”

I looked back. A part of me was hoping he’d be there. But he wasn’t.

“Ah… he said he was running late. So I went ahead,” I lied.

“Hmm,” she replied briefly. There was doubt in her tone, but she didn’t ask further.

When we arrived at the bank office, I tried to push away the uneasiness in my chest. Another day of work. Another chance to forget the mess at home.

I settled into my desk. Arranged my things. Took a deep breath.

Moments later, a man approached. A client.

“Hi…”

I turned.

His voice was cold. But oddly gentle.

A sharp nose, thick brows, glasses—but what really locked onto me were his eyes: dark as charcoal, yet burning with life.

“Good morning, sir. How may I help—”

Ring ring!

I was cut off. The phone on my desk rang.

Anyah answered it right away, so I kept my focus on the man in front of me.

“Sorry, sir. How may I help you again?” I asked again.

“Can you check my account?” he said directly.

“Sure, sir. May I have your full name, please?”

“Ethan Smith,” he answered flatly.

“Thank you, sir. Just a moment.” I checked the system.

I looked into the database right away. Searched. My chest tightened.

“Sir, I’m really sorry, but I can’t find any record under your name. Have you just registered recently? Or perhaps you're using a different account name?”

“What!?” The annoyance showed clearly on his face. His brow furrowed, and one eyebrow arched slightly.

“I’ve been a client here for almost two years. It’s impossible that there’s no record,” he added.

“I understand, sir, and I apologize again for the inconvenience. We can have this verified by another department so your account can be checked in more detail. Would you like me to assist in forwarding this for further checking?”

He looked around, like his frustration was making him dizzy.

“Fine. Let’s just do that.”

He pulled his cellphone from his coat, walked a short distance away, and I overheard him talking to someone.

“Dad, seriously? How can you do this to me?”

Then he shouted—

“Ah, shibal!”

I looked up. Our eyes met.

I didn’t know what that word meant, but I could feel the weight of it. Anger. Hurt.

He turned and walked away.

My eyes drifted under the desk. There was an envelope. Old. Folded. But it hadn’t been there yesterday.

I was just about to open it when—

“Hi, good morning.”

The voice was familiar. Like his. But…

When I turned—it wasn’t him.

But he looked almost exactly the same. Fairer skin. Eyes with a hint of blue. Lips tinged with pink.

“Good morning, sir. How may I help you?” I asked, slightly startled.

“Can you check my account, please?” his voice was gentle.

“Of course, sir. May I have your full name, please?”

“Hyun-woo Smith,” he said. Clear. Calm.

I looked up. Hyun-woo... Smith?

“Is that your real name, sir?”

“Yes,” he answered with a smile. A smile just like… Papa’s.

“All right, sir. Please give me a moment while I check the system.”

I checked right away.

“Sir, I was able to locate your account. It’s under the name Hyun-woo Smith.”

“Good to hear that. I just wanted to confirm if I still have an account. Thank you.”

He smiled, then turned to leave.

But before he walked away completely, he looked back—and smiled at me.

And that’s when I felt it…

My heartbeat sped up.

“Hey!” Anyah nudged my shoulder.

“He’s cute, isn’t he?” she teased.

“Slightly,” I replied, looking sideways.

“Oh please. As if.”

I ignored her. My attention returned to the envelope.

I slowly opened it.

My eyes widened at what I saw:

Henry Wilson

Certified CEO – JNX Bank

September 8, 2015

Papa?

He worked here?

2015? That was ten years ago...

But… why is this still here?

And if he worked here—could he be connected to all of this?

What if… he had enemies?

And what if our house was burned down on purpose?

Because he was about to officially become CEO?

[To be continued...]

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***