Chapter 5 (1/2)
”You won't drown even if you fall in there, you know.”
A pleasant voice rippled in the air. Her voice sounded louder than usual, perhaps owing to the fact that not one soul could be found nearby.
Shortly afterwards, the shape of a lone person broke out from the darkness and revealed herself.
She wore crisp and pure-white blouse, with a black jacket on top, and the so-called grey H-line skirt that proudly showcased the stunning figure. She completed the look of a typical business woman with a leather-bound bag as well.
”You see, it's not all that deep around here, so unless you were planning to frolic in the water, then….”
Her voice trailed upwards as the words neared the end of her sentence. Although she was cosplaying as a serious business woman, the way she spoke was rather playful.
Seol slowly withdrew his feet from the water; at the same time, the unknown woman formed a faint smile.
”Are you perhaps Seol….”
”Who are you?” (Seol)
The woman chose not to finish her words, and instead approached him in a leisurely gait. With a practiced hand, she produced a business card and pushed it to him.
”This is me.”
Seol took a quick glance at the card.
[Sinyoung Pharmaceutical Corporation
Director Kim Hahn-Nah]
When Seol showed no indication to accept her card, Kim Hahn-Nah withdrew her hand as the atmosphere was getting kind of awkward between them. She instead presented him with a handkerchief.
”Use this. I personally find a grown man crying a bit too much.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Again, Seol didn't accept her gesture and chose to wipe his face clean with his sleeves, instead. Others might have been somewhat miffed by Seol's level of alertness, but she seemed to be rather intrigued by it.
”I once heard that a gambling addict wouldn't budge an inch even if a pretty and very naked girl throws herself at him. I guess that was true.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Seol carefully studied the face of the intelligent beauty behind the pair of spectacles. He clearly remembered seeing her in that dream.
To be specific, he remembered seeing her during the dream's very beginning. A strange woman approached the dream version of him as he sat by the riverbank drinking beer; she said that she had a great news to share with him.
It really did sound like a great news. She said, she'd enable him to earn more than enough money to pay back all of his debts, and still have lots left over. And that, if he was willing to work harder, he'd get to earn even more moolah, too.
The moment she handed over an envelope full of cash, the dream version of Seol was completely entranced.
He had to sign the 'Contract' in return, but the Seol of then couldn't be any happier. After all, easy money suddenly found its way to his hands. Back then, he was even considering becoming a medical test subject for cold, hard cash.
He only got to find out that he got royally screwed over only after he signed on the dotted line. He got dragged away to a place he'd never even heard of before, and it turned out that the Contract he signed was actually a slave contract.
Although this happened within the dream, when Seol recalled all the incredible and intolerable cruelty and hards.h.i.+ps he had to endure, his teeth began gritting all on their own.
'No, hang on a minute here.' (Seol)
Seol suddenly realised something.
The things he had dismissed out of hand as a nonsensical dream were actually happening for real in front of his very eyes. When he came to recognise this crucial fact, the boiling emotions within his heart cooled down rapidly and his alertness only increased even further.
”You're a lot calmer than I expected.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”I thought you might show a reaction when I mentioned gambling just now.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
For sure, from Kim Hahn-Nah's perspective, his reaction was slightly out of her expectations. But she didn't know - Seol's attention happened to be focused elsewhere at the time.
”Oh, well. It's cool with me. This way, I'm sure our chat will progress that much smoother.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”Our chat, is it?” (Seol)
”Yes. I've come today to tell you about a really gre~at news.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Even though she was the one to say those words, Kim Hahn-Nah was giggling away in delight. Meanwhile, Seol couldn't disguise the shock on his face.
A really great news….
They were the exact words he heard in his dream. He was this close to accepting that dream as the prediction of things to come rather than some random nonsense now.
”Well, now. How about….” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah slowly lowered the leather bag on her right arm to the ground. When the top gap ”naturally” slid open, the contents within were spectacularly exposed to Seol's sights. 50,000 Won notes were neatly packed to the brim inside the bag.
”….Taking a bet with me? How about it?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
She got down to business. This young man's background had been thoroughly researched already; the only remaining thing was to pick the right timing to throw the bait.
The gambling addicts were some of the most easiest types to reel in. However, she always aimed to be as perfect and watertight as humanly possible. So, she picked those moments when the target would never be able to refuse the offer.
And that was precisely today.
Seeing how Seol was seemingly entranced by the sight of the bag's contents, Kim Hahn-Nah became very confident of her success.
Seol slowly raised his head. Kim Hahn-Nah's two hands gathered together, as if to urge him to hurry up with his answer.
”Not interested.” (Seol)
”Okay, and the game type is…. Eh?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah suddenly stopped her sentence in a dumbstruck pause.
”I've quit gambling. Not interested.” (Seol)
Seol put some strength behind his words, which led Kim Hahn-Nah to regain her composure. She blinked her eyes a few times, before slightly tilting her head.
”Even though you could win all this money with just one bet?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”I said, not interested.” (Seol)
”What if I told you that I'll give you the money, regardless of the results? If I remember correctly, I heard that the amount you owe is quite~ something…” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”I'll take care of my own matters, thank you.” (Seol)
”In that case, aren't you at least a bit curious why I'm acting like this?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
”I'll tell you everything. But in return, play a game with me for one round. Of course, regardless of the outcome, this money will still be yours.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
If Seol was being honest here, he was quite tempted by this offer.
Even at a quick glance, he could see over forty bundles of banknotes inside the bag. Seeing her confident and forthright att.i.tude, she seemed trustworthy, and it certainly didn't seem like that hearing her out at least once wouldn't hurt anyone.
But, just as Seol was about to nod his head, an alarm bell went off in his head. The still-remaining emotions went on a messy and disorientating riot of refusal inside his mind.
Even then, he couldn't bring himself to deny this strange feeling of attraction, though.
Going through this turmoil of confusing and opposing emotions, Seol could only breath in deeply several times to calm down.
'Did I almost…. do something pretty stupid just now?' (Seol)
No matter how vivid a dream was, you'd forget it as soon as you woke up. However, if Seol could remember this woman even now, that could only mean that she played an incredibly important role somewhere, somehow. He had to be extra cautious here.
”I refuse.” (Seol)
Oh, really? Kim Hahn-Nah whispered to herself.
Now this was an unexpected response. She thought he'd be jumping in with both of his feet as soon as his eyes opened up wide at the sight of the money. The Seol from Kim Hahn-Nah's knowledge was just that kind of a man.
However, a situation such as this one wasn't entirely unprecedented, either. Every now and then, people like him would pop up - fools, who held out while hoping to squeeze out more benefits.
Kim Hahn-Nah adjusted her evaluation of Seol upwards by one level. She didn't dislike someone like that. After all, such a person was somewhat more preferable than those jumping in headlong without knowing what was going on first. Unfortunately….
'You've picked a wrong opponent, you fool.' (Kim Hahn-Nah)
This wasn't her first rodeo, so to speak. She had her own methods to deal with guys like him.
”Now, this is getting awkward….” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah pretended to cross her arms over her chest while depressing the inner pocket ever so slightly.
Then, a sound of a phone vibrating could be heard.
”Oh, please excuse me. I need to answer this.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
She pulled out her phone, and then, smoothly connected the earphone.
”h.e.l.lo, this is Kim Hahn-Nah. Oh~, of course. I'm also in the middle of negotiating with the potential client as well…. Yes, yes…. Oh, is that so? I guess we're going to recruit that person instead, then?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah sneaked a quick glance at Seol, then….
”Of course! It's fine. My client said he's not interested, after all. In any case, I understand~. I'll withdraw from here as well.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
She then extracted the ear piece and smiled brightly.
”What a coincidence. I heard that the only remaining slot had been filled up just now.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah emphasized the words only remaining.
”But, since you have shown your lack of interest, I guess there's nothing we can do now. I apologise for taking up your time. I sincerely pray that you'll achieve everything you've set out to do.” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
Kim Hahn-Nah s.n.a.t.c.hed her bag up from the ground and without a shred of hesitation, turned around to walk away. Her steps were light and airy.
She expected either one of the two things to happen here. Either he would stop her right away, or wait for a bit longer, before hurriedly running after her.
”Hold up.” (Seol)
Hearing that, Kim Hahn-Nah smirked.
”Yes? What is it, dear client?” (Kim Hahn-Nah)
She turned her head partly around, while feigning some confusion. The facial expression of ”Why did you call me?” was simply an added bonus.
'Although you acted a little off from my calculations, you think the likes of you can win against me?' (Kim Hahn-Nah)