Location: Park family's mansion in Russia
Taehyun groggily wakes up in his comfy bed, the soft sheets a comfort after the chaos of the past few days. His body aches from his hasty escape, but nothing too serious. The luxury of the mansion around him is the only thing that feels like normal right now.
As soon as he shifts, the door bursts open, and his mother, Eun-Kyung, is standing there, her face a mix of concern and over-the-top panic.
Eun-Kyung: "Taehyun! How could you get hurt like this? What were you even thinking? I swear, you have the worst luck!"
Taehyun, blinking and trying to process her frantic energy: "Mom, I'm fine. Relax. I just need to rest."
But Eun-Kyung's not done yet. She rushes over, her hands flailing as if she might just call in a doctor—or perhaps an exorcist—to fix her son.
Eun-Kyung: "I can't believe you're still going on adventures like this. I should've been there! I would've made sure you didn't get into all this mafia nonsense."
Baek Hyun, Taehyun's dad, enters the room with his usual calm, though there's an edge of frustration to his voice. He's holding his phone, typing something with his fingers but clearly distracted.
Baek Hyun: "You, my son, really have a talent for attracting trouble. Mafia auctions, running for your life—don't you think you could have done this on a calmer vacation?"
Taehyun, groaning and leaning back on his pillow: "Dad, I wasn't exactly planning for this to happen. I just... wanted to escape with my life."
Eun-Kyung, hovering like a worried hen: "Escape? Why didn't you call for help? I could've sent an army to get you back. You know how I feel about this... mafia business!"
Baek Hyun, looking up from his phone for a second: "Honestly, I'm just waiting for the day when Taehyun figures out how to avoid all this chaos. But I guess that's too much to ask for."
Taehyun snorts and leans back, the conversation almost making him laugh despite everything.
Taehyun: "Yeah, sure. I'll work on that... right after I get some sleep."
---
Flashback: Taehyun's escape from Vasilliy's mansion plays in his mind. He's running through the lavish halls, heart racing, mind in a frenzy. The intense gaze of Vasilliy, cold yet strangely possessive, haunts him.
Vasilliy's Voice (echoing in his head): "You think you can just leave me? You think you can run away from me, Taehyun?"
But Taehyun shakes his head, trying to block out the thoughts. He has to focus on surviving, on getting back home. He can't let Vasilliy's voice cloud his mind, even if part of him still doesn't understand what Vasilliy really wants from him.
Taehyun (thinking to himself): "It's just mafia mind games. I can handle this."
---
The Park family is preparing to leave their mansion in Russia. The spacious living room, filled with light from the morning sun, has an air of calm after the chaos that surrounded Taehyun's escape. Eun-Kyung is bustling around, collecting items, her excitement about returning to Korea evident in her voice.
Eun-Kyung: "I can't wait to get back! I miss the food, my friends, and of course, my shopping. Let's get moving, everyone!"
Taehyun, lounging on the couch and pretending to relax, shoots her a knowing look. He's not as eager to return, his mind still caught up in the aftermath of his escape.
Taehyun: "Sure, Mom. I can't wait to be back... to the chaos of life."
Baek Hyun, sitting with his phone, glances over the paperwork with his usual quiet intensity. Despite the chaos his son got wrapped up in, he remains calm, his priorities straight.
Baek Hyun: "I'm just glad to be going back. The business waits for no one. Let's get back to work."
Taeho, always ready for sarcasm, lounges in the corner, clearly more concerned with his own comfort than any of the family drama.
Taeho: "Yeah, sure. Back to the ever-exciting world of business. Can't wait."
The family gathers their belongings as they make their way to the jet. Taehyun can't help but think that, for the first time, the calm feels like it's about to crack.
---
As they board their private jet and begin their ascent into the sky, the family settles in for the journey. Taehyun pulls out his phone to check a few messages, but an unfamiliar number flashes on the screen. Curiosity gets the better of him, and he answers.
A cold, emotionless voice greets him, sending a chill down his spine.
Voice: "Nice vacation. But don't think you're safe in Korea. You'll be running again soon, sunshine."
The line goes dead before Taehyun can respond. He stares at the phone in disbelief, his heart pounding. His pulse quickens, but he hides his anxiety. Quickly, he tucks the phone away, glancing out the window, trying to shake off the feeling of being watched.
---
Back inside the jet, the family chat continues, blissfully unaware of the tension Taehyun is now feeling. Eun-Kyung is busy chattering about her plans for shopping once they return, and Baek Hyun is deep in thought, handling some business matters on his laptop. Taeho, as always, is either texting or ignoring everyone, his carefree demeanor a stark contrast to the tension that lingers in the air.
Eun-Kyung (laughing): "I can't wait to get my hands on the latest Korean cookware. I have some great ideas for the kitchen. Wait until you taste what I make for dinner!"
Taehyun, feeling out of place in the moment of normalcy, forces a smile but can't shake the thoughts creeping into his mind. The voice from the phone still lingers, and despite his best efforts to ignore it, he knows this is far from over.
Taehyun: "Sure, Mom. Just as long as you don't make anything too weird."
Taeho, looking up from his phone, raises an eyebrow at Taehyun: "That's rich, coming from you. You're always the one complaining about her cooking. You've survived the past few weeks, haven't you?"
Taehyun shrugs, trying to act nonchalant, but his mind keeps returning to the phone call. He can't shake the feeling that something—someone—is following them, even as they travel far away from the chaos.
Baek Hyun, hearing the exchange, looks up from his laptop with a wry smile: "One thing's for sure: No matter how far we go, family is always the biggest chaos in the room."
As the family banters, the calm of the jet ride almost seems surreal. Everything feels normal, but Taehyun knows better. In the pit of his stomach, he can feel that the storm is just beginning.
---
As the plane flies further, Taehyun's thoughts start to drift back to the past few weeks, a chaotic blur of tension and confusion. The night of his escape still feels fresh in his mind, the dark hallways of Vasilliy's mansion, the hurried whispers, the dangerous edge of everything around him. He remembers the way the air felt thick with danger, and how he'd barely managed to escape without anyone noticing. He can't help but wonder if someone's still looking for him, waiting for the right moment to strike.
His thoughts are interrupted when he spots a figure standing in the distance at the airport as the jet descends toward Korea. The figure is tall, imposing, and though his face is hard to make out from this distance, Taehyun can sense the danger.
Taehyun (muttering to himself): "Valdamer..."
His gut twists. Though he doesn't know exactly what role Valdamer plays in this game, the mere sight of the man fills Taehyun with unease. It's not just about the mafia anymore—it's about something deeper, something far more dangerous.
He shakes his head and refocuses on his family, who are lost in their usual chatter. But the tension is palpable. The game isn't over yet.
---
The jet banks, heading toward Korea. The flight has been long, but the unease in Taehyun's chest grows with every passing minute. The moment they touch down in Korea, Taehyun knows there will be no turning back.
As the plane touches down, Eun-Kyung claps her hands, cheerful as ever: "We're home! Can't wait to be back on Korean soil. Time for some good food!"
Taeho, barely lifting his head from his phone, sarcastically adds: "Good food? I'm sure you've got enough for the entire neighborhood already."
Baek Hyun, always the steady influence, glances at his son, who's been quiet since the phone call. He doesn't press, but there's a knowing look between them. It's clear that Taehyun isn't the only one who senses that things are far from over.
---
As the Park family walks through the terminal, unaware of the shadow that follows them, Taehyun's thoughts are interrupted only by his phone vibrating in his pocket. He pulls it out again, but this time, there's no mysterious voice—only a text message.
The message is short, cryptic: "I'll be waiting. You know where to find me."
Taehyun's eyes narrow. This is only the beginning.
---
End of Episode 3