"Freedom was the only thing Sarang had never truly owned… despite having everything else."
Sarang: "Nanu, I can go from India to Korea on my own. I'm mature enough now."
Mr. Singh's expression instantly hardened. He put his glasses down on the table, his voice firm yet filled with worry.
Mr. Singh: "No, my child. You're only sixteen. I cannot let you travel alone without bodyguards at any cost. Anything could happen to you."
Sarang let out a small sigh, slightly rolling her eyes as she tried to lighten the situation.
Sarang: "Oh, Nanu, what could possibly happen to me? It's not like people will recognize me the moment they see me."
She shrugged casually, brushing off his concern as if it was nothing.
Sarang (continuing): "I'm not even a celebrity, and I don't appear on screen either."
Mr. Singh stared at her for a moment, clearly unconvinced, his protective instincts refusing to back down as the tension in the room slowly grew.
Mr. Singh's expression turned even more serious, his protective instincts taking over completely. His voice was firm , leaving no space for argument.
Mr. Singh: "You may say whatever you want, but you will not step even one foot outside this mansion without bodyguards. You know very well how many enemies your father has… and mine as well."
He paused for a moment, his gaze intense, making sure she understood every word.
Mr. Singh (continuing): "You may not be a celebrity or appear on screen much, but your mother is an actress. Your father and I are well-known entrepreneurs. Because of that, you are not going anywhere alone, my child."
The tone in his voice made it clear and this was final.
Sarang's shoulders dropped slightly. The confidence she held earlier faded as disappointment crept onto her face. She looked down, her voice softening .
Sarang: "Okay, Nanu… I'll go with the bodyguards."
She turned and walked out, her steps slow and a little reluctant. Outside, the bodyguards were already waiting, holding her luggage.
They carefully placed all her bags into the trunk of the car. One of the bodyguards stepped forward and respectfully opened the car door for her.
Sarang quietly got inside, then looked back at Mr. Singh, who had followed her to the entrance.
Sarang: "Bye, Nanu… I hope we meet again soon."
Mr. Singh gave a small nod, though his eyes held a hint of sadness.
Mr. Singh: "Yes, my child… we will meet soon. Take care of yourself."
He paused, his voice softening, emotions finally slipping through.
Mr. Singh (gently): "And remember… you are very precious to us."
His expression turned slightly sad as he added quietly
Mr. Singh: "I will miss you very much."
Sarang gave a small smile, though her eyes reflected the same emotion. The car engine started, breaking the moment.
Slowly, the car pulled away from the mansion, heading towards the airport leaving behind a silence that felt heavier than before.
The road to the airport was long, and the car sped steadily forward. Inside, a quiet tension lingered as Sarang sat beside one of her bodyguards.
She glanced at the bag in the bodyguard's hands, curiosity flickering in her eyes.
Sarang: "Miss Park… what's in that bag you're holding? As far as I remember, you didn't bring anything with you."
Miss Park looked down at the bag briefly before answering in a calm tone.
Miss Park: "It contains some organic Indian spices… and a few homemade skin and body care products that are only available in India."
Sarang's eyes widened slightly, her interest instantly piqued.
Sarang: "That's interesting… I've been coming here since childhood, but I never knew about these things."
She leaned a little closer, her curiosity growing.
Sarang (curiously): "Are they actually good?"
The conversation was still going on when suddenly
The car jerked violently.
The driver lost control as the steering wheel slipped from his grip. The vehicle began to swerve dangerously on the road.
Driver (shouting in panic): "The brakes have failed! I… I can't control it!"
His breathing became uneven, his vision blurring as he struggled to focus.
Driver (frantic): "I'm having hallucinations… I can't see properly! I don't know what's happening to me… but you all should take madam and jump out of the car! This car is definitely going to crash—I don't know how long I can hold on!"
Panic instantly spread inside the car.
Sarang and the three bodyguards exchanged terrified looks as everything spiraled out of control.
Without wasting a second, they tried to open the doors of the moving car, desperate to get Sarang out safely.
But it was too late.
The car slammed into a huge tree with a deafening crash.
For a moment, everything went silent.
The bodyguard sitting in the front and the driver were badly injured from the impact. Meanwhile, the bodyguards beside Sarang had shielded her just in time.
She remained unharmed, though the shock left her frozen.
The bodyguards, despite their own minor injuries, quickly regained composure. Their priority was clear.
They carefully helped Sarang out of the car and moved her to a safer distance.
One of the bodyguards rushed back to pull the injured driver and the front-seat guard out of the wrecked vehicle.
Outside, Miss Park stood beside Sarang, holding onto her protectively while also pulling out the luggage from the car.
She handed the bag she had been carrying to Sarang.
Miss Park (quickly): "Hold this."
She then continued taking out the remaining belongings, placing each item carefully in front of Sarang as the chaotic aftermath of the accident unfolded around them.
The bodyguard who was helping the injured quickly got them into an ambulance. Before leaving, he turned to Miss Park, his voice urgent.
Bodyguard:"Take good care of madam. I've already informed our people—they'll come and take both of you."
With that, he left in the ambulance.
Miss Park stood there, visibly tense, her eyes fixed on Sarang.
She turned to her, trying to stay calm.
Miss Park:"Madam, we should stand to the side of the road."
They moved aside, standing with their luggage, waiting.
But suddenly
Out of nowhere, two men appeared. Before they could react, a smoke bomb was thrown right in front of them.
The area filled with thick smoke.
Sarang barely had time to understand what was happening when a cloth soaked in chloroform was pressed against her mouth.
Her eyes widened in shock—then everything went black.
The men grabbed her and disappeared into the smoke, taking all the luggage with them.
Miss Park, blinded by the smoke, frantically searched around.
Miss Park (panicking):"Madam?! Madam!"
But as the smoke cleared… Sarang was gone.
Her hands trembled as she quickly started making calls, her heart racing.
Meanwhile, Sarang was being taken somewhere unknown.
After a long time, she slowly regained consciousness.
Her vision was blurry at first, but as it cleared, she saw four unfamiliar men around her.Fear instantly took over her face.
Sarang (trembling):"W-Who are you people…?"
One of the kidnappers, who was driving, let out a dark chuckle.
Kidnapper 1:"Don't ask who we are… ask where we're taking you."
The others burst into laughter.
Sarang's fear intensified. Tears filled her eyes as her voice shook.
Sarang:"W-Where are you taking me…?"
Another kidnapper leaned back casually, smirking.
Kidnapper 2:"Don't cry like that. You're very valuable to us."
He looked at her with greed in his eyes.
Kidnapper 2 (continuing):"We'll sell you to your father and grandfather's enemies. They'll pay us a great price for you."
Another one spoke, his tone darker, his smile unsettling.
Kidnapper 3:"Of course, we'll sell you… but until then, "we can do whatever we want with you.... right?"
His intense gaze made Sarang freeze in fear.
From the front seat, another kidnapper frowned, looking around.
Kidnapper 4:"Where are you taking us? This looks like a restricted forest."
Kidnapper 1:"It's a shortcut. We'll reach faster this way."
Kidnapper 2 smirked again.
Kidnapper 2:"Drive deeper inside. Find a nice empty place… I want to properly enjoy our valuable guest."
He looked at Sarang in a way that made her feel sick with fear.
After a while, The car finally stopped… deep inside the forest.
Sarang's heart pounded violently. Tears streamed down her face as hopelessness took over.
It felt like everything was about to end.
One of the kidnappers checked her bags, clearly disappointed.
Kidnapper 4:"I thought someone this rich would have valuable stuff… but this is all useless."
Kidnapper 4 (low voice):"If we didn't find anything valuable… then you yourself will do."
He forcefully dragged her out of the car.
Sarang struggled, crying uncontrollably.
Sarang (desperate):"Please let me go! I'll give you whatever you want—any amount you ask for! Please… just leave me!"
The other kidnappers got out as well, surrounding her.
She looked around helplessly, then screamed with all her strength.
Sarang:"If God or any power exists… please help me! Please, God—help me!"
And then—something unexpected happened.
From the shadows of the forest, a group of lions and lionesses slowly began to approach.
At first, the kidnappers didn't notice… but then one of them turned and froze.
Kidnapper:"Shit… look! Lions!"
Panic spread instantly.
In their desperation to save themselves, they shoved Sarang forward. They rushed back to the car, trying to escape. One of the lions chased them, forcing them to panic even more. In fear, they started throwing Sarang's belongings out of the car towards the lions to distract them.
Taking the chance, they sped away—leaving Sarang alone in the middle of the jungle.
Sarang stood frozen.
Her entire body trembled as the lions slowly surrounded her.
They moved closer… and closer… as if she was about to become their prey.
One lion stepped right in front of her.
She was so terrified that, without even realizing it, she grabbed the lion and broke down—crying uncontrollably.
Surprisingly… none of the lions attacked her.
From the side, a small cub spoke, confused.
Cub:"Why is she crying?"
A lioness gently hushed the cub.
Sarang continued crying for a while… until slowly, she calmed down.
And then—she realized.
She had been holding onto a lion.
Her eyes widened in shock.
She quickly let go and stepped back in fear.
Just then, the lion in front of her—the Lion King—spoke calmly.
Lion King:"You don't need to be afraid of us."
Sarang stood frozen, still shaking.
Sarang (softly):"O-Okay…"
The Lion King looked at her for a moment, then spoke again.
Lion King:"Come with us."
She hesitated… but she had no other choice.
Sarang:"Okay…"
She was about to follow them when suddenly—something hit her.
She froze.
Sarang:"Wait a minute… what the hell is this? How am I understanding you?"
The lions also paused.
Realization struck them all at once.
They looked at each other in confusion.
Some of them became cautious, seeing her as a possible threat.
Some seemed excited.
But one thing was common in all of them
And in that moment… one thing was clear—none of them understood what was happening.
To Be Continue................