Episode 3 — The First Secret
The dining room became completely silent.
Hoor Pari looked from Ji Han to the older man sitting across the table.
Something was definitely wrong.
Ji Han slowly placed his coffee cup on the table.
"Everyone leave."
The servants immediately walked out.
Meera also stood up.
Ji Han looked at her.
"I said everyone."
Meera's expression changed, but she didn't argue.
She left the room.
Hoor Pari remained seated.
Ji Han looked at her.
"You too."
Hoor Pari frowned.
"Why?"
"This conversation doesn't concern you."
"Then why was I brought here?"
Ji Han didn't answer.
Hoor Pari leaned back in her chair.
"Exactly."
The older man looked irritated.
"She's just a girl. She doesn't need to know about these matters."
Hoor Pari turned toward him.
"I'm sitting right here."
The man stopped talking.
Hoor Pari smiled.
"You can continue. I don't mind."
Ji Han almost smiled.
Almost.
Then his expression became serious again.
"Mr. Kang, what happened last night?"
The older man lowered his voice.
"Someone entered the warehouse."
Ji Han's eyes narrowed.
"Who?"
"We don't know."
"And what did they take?"
"Nothing."
Ji Han leaned back.
"Then why were they there?"
"We don't know that either."
Hoor Pari listened quietly.
She didn't understand everything, but she could tell this wasn't an ordinary family conversation.
Ji Han stood up.
"Find out who entered that warehouse."
"Of course."
He turned toward the door.
Then Hoor Pari spoke.
"So this is why everyone is afraid of you?"
Ji Han stopped.
The older man looked shocked.
"Hoor Pari!"
She shrugged.
"What? I was just asking."
Ji Han slowly turned around.
"You're very curious."
"Yes."
"Curiosity can be dangerous."
Hoor Pari smiled.
"So can secrets."
Their eyes met.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Ji Han walked toward her.
He stopped a few steps away.
"You should be careful."
Hoor Pari looked up at him.
"Are you warning me?"
"I'm telling you."
"There's a difference?"
"Yes."
He walked away.
Hoor Pari watched him leave.
Something about that conversation bothered her.
Not because she was scared.
Because she knew he was hiding something.
---
Later that afternoon, Hoor Pari was walking through the house when she noticed a hallway she hadn't seen before.
There was a large wooden door at the end.
She stepped closer.
Before she could touch the handle, someone spoke behind her.
"What are you doing here?"
Hoor Pari turned.
It was Meera.
"Walking."
"This part of the house is private."
Hoor Pari looked at the door.
"What's inside?"
"Nothing."
Hoor Pari raised an eyebrow.
"Then why is it private?"
Meera's face hardened.
"Go to your room."
Hoor Pari smiled.
"You really love giving orders."
"Just go."
Hoor Pari turned around.
"Fine."
She took a few steps.
Then she stopped.
Without turning around, she said,
"But now I'm definitely going to find out what's behind that door."
Meera's expression changed.
Hoor Pari continued walking with a small smile.
She didn't see the fear in Meera's eyes.
---
That night, Hoor Pari couldn't sleep.
She kept thinking about the locked room.
She quietly opened her bedroom door and stepped into the hallway.
The house was silent.
She walked toward the door.
Just as she reached it, she heard footsteps.
She quickly stepped back.
Ji Han appeared at the end of the hallway.
He stopped when he saw her.
"What are you doing?"
Hoor Pari smiled awkwardly.
"Taking a walk."
"At midnight?"
"I couldn't sleep."
His eyes moved toward the locked door.
Then back to her.
"Stay away from that door."
Hoor Pari crossed her arms.
"Why?"
"Because I said so."
She gave him a look.
"That's not a good enough reason."
Ji Han sighed.
"You really don't listen."
"Only when people give me a good reason."
He walked closer.
For a moment, his expression softened.
"Trust me."
Hoor Pari looked at him.
"Why should I?"
"Because I know what's behind that door."
Hoor Pari's eyes narrowed.
"And I don't."
Ji Han said nothing.
Hoor Pari stepped closer.
"Then tell me."
He looked directly into her eyes.
"Your father knows."
Hoor Pari froze.
"My father?"
Ji Han nodded.
"Ask him why he really sent you to Korea."
Before she could say anything else, he walked away.
Hoor Pari remained standing in the hallway.
Her father's words suddenly echoed in her mind.
They need you there.
For the first time, she wondered—
What exactly had her father hidden from her?
And why did Ji Han know about it?
To Be Continued…
