Sins Of The Father - Chap (1/1)

Myungsoo held Taeho's hand as they walked to the dining room with the other children.  Breakfast was prepared on the table but there was no sign of Father Woohyun.  While the children happily ate their breakfast, Myungsoo got up from the table and headed outside.

Crossing the yard from the rectory, he arrived at the entrance to the small church.  He quietly entered the building and glanced around until his eyes caught sight of a figure kneeling in front of the alter.  He walked up the aisle and noticed that Father Woohyun's eyes were closed as he concentrated on prayer.

Myungsoo remained silent as he stood aside and waited.  He did not want to disturb Father Woohyun praying, allowing the young priest peace and quiet.

At the closing of his prayer, Father Woohyun did the sign of the cross before slowly opening his eyes.  He stood up and turned around, only to find Myungsoo standing there.  He was slightly startled and wondered how long the boy had been watching him."Myungsoo, why aren't you having breakfast with the children?" Father Woohyun asked."I was wondering where you were," Myungsoo replied.  "What were you doing?"Father Woohyun looked at him for a moment.  "Asking for forgiveness."Myungsoo did not know what to make of the young priest's reply.  "Are you alright?  Is something wrong?"Father Woohyun shook his head and smiled.  "No," he replied.  "We should go back.  Your breakfast is getting cold."

The moment the pair set foot outside the church doors, they were confronted by a group of men.  Myungsoo's eyes widened in surprise when he recognised the tall leader of the group.  Before Myungsoo could even attempt to run, the leader grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back in a lock.  Father Woohyun tried to intervene but was stopped by two of the men.  It was the same group of men who were looking for Myungsoo the other night, only this time they were not carrying weapons in broad daylight.Despite being restrained himself, Father Woohyun was more concerned for Myungsoo.  "What are you doing?  Let him go.""Father, do you know it's a sin to lie?" the tall leader asked.  "You've been hiding him here all along.""What do you want with him?" Father Woohyun asked.  "Who are you people?""Debt collectors," replied the tall leader.  "He owes us a great deal of money.""I didn't borrow any money," Myungsoo protested."No, you didn't," agreed the tall leader.  "But your father did and now that he's disappeared, it's only right that you as his son settle it.""I don't have any money," Myungsoo admitted.  "I have nothing except my life.  You can take it if you want."The tall leader smiled.  "With that pretty face of yours I'm sure you'll fetch a high price and after that we'll make good use of every organ in your body."A horrified look appeared on Father Woohyun's face.  He could not let Myungsoo to suffer such fate.  "Wait!" he called out, stopping the men in their steps.  "Let him go.  I'll pay."Myungsoo's eyes widened in surprise.The tall leader laughed.  "You'll pay?" he mocked.  "You're just a priest of this old church.  Do you even know how much he owes us?"Father Woohyun bit his lip but he was determined to save Myungsoo.  "How much does he owe?"The tall leader looked at the young priest.  "$350,000."Father Woohyun was quiet for a moment.  "I'll pay," he finally said.  "But I need some time.""Three days," the tall leader announced.  "We'll come back in three days.  If we don't see the money then, we'll take your organs as well, Father."Father Woohyun and Myungsoo watched as the group of men walked away after he agreed to pay the full amount in three days. Myungsoo looked at Father Woohyun.  He knew that there was no way the young priest would be able to pay the debt.    "Father, you don't have to-""It's fine," Father Woohyun interjected.  "Can you please do me a favour and look after the children for a little while?"

Father Woohyun found himself at Sunggyu's apartment.  He was worried about the man and thought to check up on him.  He was about to press the buzzer on the door when he heard voices inside."So you took a day off work, made me look after the shop by myself and then got beaten up all because of a priest?" spoke a voice.Father Woohyun's eyes widened when he heard those words.  Sunggyu had never told him why he was beaten up that night but now, hearing that it was all because of him, made him feel guilty."That priest is bad news," the voice added.  "You should stay away from him.""I can't," replied a familiar voice."Why?" the first voice asked.  "Give me one good reason."There was a moment's silence before the familiar voice answered, "Because I like him."