[Sim Himchan]

Kari thinks she's succeeded in taking me down because I no longer work at Grand Ridge High. She's wrong. She keeps underestimating me. She's done so since fucking day one. She doesn't know I still have a few tricks in my sleeve.

I'm still in touch with Jake. I can thrive off art. Thanks to Dad, I have connections. Oh, speaking of him, I owe him an apology for snapping at him on the phone. I have to call him—that is, unless he blocked my number. No, I doubt he'd do so. He might be a little vindictive, but not on Kari's level.

Okay. Enough talking about that bitch. I have to focus on more important stuff.

***

"Look, I know you wouldn't hold a grudge on me forever." Dad's behavior confuses me. I thought he'd try to teach me a lesson; his calm demeanor, though usual, comes to me as a surprise. Would I act the same if I were in his shoes?

He continues. "I know you regret reacting the way you did, and I know you're sorry. So, let's just cut the crap and move on, shall we?" I nod half-heartedly. Dad notices I'm distracted and taps my hand. "Hey, are you listening to me?"

"Sorry, Dad, I admit it, I zoned out. Anyway, I need a backup plan. Kari Lane got me out of Grand Ridge. Not that I care, but her stupid vendetta had half of our colleagues believe I was a horrible person and mistreated students, even threatening them physically." Desperation fills my voice, to the point that I'm on verge of tears.

Dad shakes his head. "Himchan, you'll never change!" I should've known better not to trust Kari over her pathetic request for help for a date. It was a trap, and I fell for it. "That woman is nothing but trouble! I'd tell you to lay low under other circumstances, but, trust me, you have to face her."

"Are you suggesting I get back at her? You know better than me she'll even cheat to outsmart me."

"Do you trust me or what? I will take that bitch down for you." Is he serious? Why can't he understand it's a matter I have to sort out on my own? He, however, insists. "Don't you think you can do this by yourself, Himchan. That woman is dangerous. I won't let you get burnt."

"Get burnt? Dad, please, be serious. It's not like you can't do anything—you can, indeed. But you'll get me in trouble even further if you take action. Please stay out of it." My plea doesn't convince Dad. He shakes his head. His savior complex bothers the fuck out of me. Can't he just mind his own business?

He insists. "Himchan, I'll help you. Final."

I knew it! I shouldn't have talked to Dad about that witch at all. Now, I'll pass off as a weakling, and Kari will bargain even more from my demise. He's ruined everything.

"Okay. Good luck embarrassing both of us. Now, go the fuck away. You're getting on my nerves." I dismiss Dad with these cold words, but he ignores my state of mind, including my pointed glare, and flashes me a smile. He only leaves when I pick the remote control and swing it, threatening to throw it.

Finally some peace.

***

"It turns out your ex colleague is hard to find. I'm pretty sure she's hiding somewhere." Even when taking drinks together, Dad has this strange power of pissing me off. Had he listened to me, we wouldn't be stuck at square one.

I retort. "I told you."

"Fuck off. Seriously." He implies I'm being ungrateful, which doesn't sit well with me. His plan failed. He has to come to terms with it. The good old times where he always got out of trouble his way are over.

"Are you giving up?" he asks me in a mocking tone. Why doesn't he go and disturb Daegwang or Seju, for instance? What's his problem with me? Is he trying to project his issues on me? Typical of the fucked up Korean mentality. Even though he's been in the States for around fifty years, it has still found a tiny place in his mind.

I snap. "Giving up? Who the fuck do you think I am, some weakling? I'm tired of yours and Mom's bullshit, you know? I'm not your carbon copy, okay?"

"That's not what I mean-"

"Save your breath, Dad! Go away! I don't want your help anymore. And, no, I don't think I'll regret it!" As expected, Dad doesn't listen to me and sticks on his seat at the pub. If I weren't his son, I'd slap some sense into him. Too bad he's who he is: stubborn, self-centered and troublesome. He'll never change.

"Turn back, Himchan."

"What?" I'm confused. What am I supposed to see? Is this another one of his stupid tricks?

"Just do as I ask." I hate him more than ever. Who does he think he is to waltz in my life and pretend he can save my ass to make me look like an idiot?

Still, I turn back as he says and notice two people. A man and a woman. They lean so close to each other that I can't make out their intentions. The woman whispers something in the man's ears. She suddenly grabs him by his elbow and pushes him on a chair.

I make three steps forward, making sure not to attract any unwanted attention. The woman leans closer to the main again. This time, I hear a low, shrill voice, not like a simple hiss, but more like the noise of nails screeching on a blackboard. Painful.

"You're just a useless piece of shit! Do you think you can waste my time like that? Now, make yourself useful and post those damn pictures, or I'll do it myself and make sure you're ruined, idiot!"

Pictures? Ruined?

Kari?

Oh, that woman thinks she's the smartest person ever. I've just listened her rambling. Too bad I didn't think of recording her. I guess I'll have to make the guy she's mistreating sing.

I lurk behind her and tap her shoulders twice before taking steps back. I repeat until she's annoyed. "That's enough! Who's that?" When she finally sees my face, she turns purple.

"You... You... Rest assured this is your last day of freedom, Sim. You'll end up in court, face trial, and then... Next stop: behind bars. Sorry, loser!" She belittles me, making the L sign and pouting her lips. I want to punch her face. I'll make her lose her disgusting smile and resentful glare in a matter of seconds.

"Oh, yes, it's me who'll go to jail, Kari, right? Time for a reality check, I guess. I assume you still have all evidence... Well, that is, unless it's fabricated. It'd be a shame if it were, do you agree?" To Kari, what I say is word salad. She blatantly ignores me. The guy sitting by her, however, pays close attention to me.

"Oh, yeah, sir... They are indeed! This lovely woman told me to-" Kari stomps her heel on his foot to shut him up. Her frown can't hide her clear sense of guilt. Her mask has just fallen. Not only she's an obsessive psycho, she's also a liar.

Thank God Dad hasn't listened to me during my rage rant. While I was playing cat and mouse with the witch, he called for other patrons to keep an eye on her and the man with her. Someone filmed everything. A customer has just sent Dad a bunch of videos.

He approaches me. "Well, well, well... I guess I deserve some credit, after all."

I groan. "You were right. I should've known better." It pains me to admit I was wrong, but, at this point, it's for the best.

Kari realizes she's in massive trouble and storms in my direction. "You set me up, didn't you? I tried to reason with you, now it's war. Are you happy?"

I smirk. "Yes. I'm happy because I've realized you're a terrible liar. Now, it's up to you. Either you withdraw the lawsuit, or Dad will post the videos. You're done, Kari."

She glowers as soon as she hears my last words, before storming out of the pub. Knowing Dad, he'll post them regardless of the fact that she left. I don't mind, though. Her reign of terror is over.