#54

“Here it is.”

“Thank you, Hosu-ssi.”

Jung Hosu brought me the envelope in an instant. Grateful, I took the envelope from him and held it tightly in my hand.

“What on earth is written in there to make you react this way? Is it something serious? Did someone send you a strange threat?”

At Jung Hosu’s worried question, I slowly shook my head. This wasn’t a threat. If anything, it was hope for me. Until now, I had found no clue on how to return to the world I originally lived in. But this letter was like a ray of light.

“It’s not a threat. It just contains something that needs to be confirmed.”

I spoke in a voice that had lost its strength and gave him a faint smile. It was a smile asking him not to ask any further. Fortunately, Jung Hosu, who was quick to pick up on things, understood my request right away. Though he clearly wanted to ask more, he pressed his lips together, giving off the unmistakable expression of someone holding back because I wouldn’t like it.

Such a kind guy, never insisting on his own way. It was almost baffling how someone so considerate was born to parents who shamelessly tried to exploit their own child’s money.

“Are you feeling alright?”

Standing beside my bed, Secretary Sung Yoojun cautiously asked. I slowly nodded in response.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“How do you feel?”

“More or less okay.”

“And everything else? Is it alright as well?”

This was clearly a roundabout way of asking about the letter in my hand. Since I refused to talk about it, he was indirectly trying to bring it up—very much like Secretary Sung Yoojun.

“……Yes. That’s alright, too.”

After a brief moment of hesitation, I answered in an unconvincing voice, which made Secretary Sung Yoojun’s face darken. He parted his lips as if to say something, then pressed them shut again. After taking a moment to steady himself, he finally spoke.

“You look very tired, so we’ll leave for now. Please rest well. Hosu-ssi, let’s go.”

“……Sleep well, President.”

That probably wasn’t what he originally intended to say. Secretary Sung Yoojun had likely wanted to press me further about the letter. However, instead of prying, he chose to give me some time alone. He was always so thoughtful.

I silently watched the two of them disappear beyond the closing door. The moment it shut completely, I flopped backward onto the bed. Blinking my dry eyes, I tightened my grip on the envelope in my hand. The crinkling texture of paper was distinctly felt through my fingers.

To think that such a thin piece of paper was my only hope. It was almost ridiculous enough to make me laugh.

Letting out a hollow sigh, I brought the envelope up to my chest and pressed it firmly against myself. So what if it was thin? So what if it was just a flimsy piece of paper? This was the only lead I had found. I had no intention of letting it slip away.

With a firm and unwavering resolve, I slowly closed my eyes. Tomorrow, I would find the person who had delivered this letter. I could hardly wait.

***

The next day, I woke up later than usual. My mind wasn’t fully clear yet, and as I blinked groggily, I saw that the clock on the nightstand indicated a little past 8 a.m.

……Did the alarm not go off? I was sure I had set it for 7 a.m.

Reaching into my pants pocket, where my smartphone still remained since I hadn’t changed clothes before sleeping, I pulled it out and checked the screen. The device wouldn’t turn on—its battery was dead.

Ah, I forgot to charge it. I must have been too out of it yesterday.

Thinking as much, I placed my phone on the wireless charger. At least it would have some battery by the time I finished getting ready for work.

“President, are you awake?”

As I stretched out my stiff body after getting out of bed, a knock came along with Secretary Sung Yoojun’s voice. While rubbing my shoulder with one hand, I answered.

“Yes, I’m up. Come in.”

At my calm approval, the door slowly opened, revealing Sung Yoojun, who already seemed fully prepared for work.

“Sorry, I overslept. I’ll have to head to the office a little late today.”

Apologizing for making him wait, I noticed that Sung Yoojun was looking at me with a serious expression.

“……Did you sleep just like that last night?”

“Oh, yeah. I must’ve been really tired.”

Feeling a bit embarrassed, I glanced down at myself. My unchanged shirt and pants were terribly wrinkled. Even my tie was still on.

I really slept like this? Wasn’t it uncomfortable?

Letting out a sheepish chuckle, I loosened my tie, prompting Sung Yoojun to speak in a grave tone.

“Sir, if you’re really exhausted, I think it would be best for you to rest at home today.”

“I’m alright. I’m not that tired. Besides, there’s something I need to check today.”

As I spoke, I fixed my gaze on him. My stare clearly conveyed the message: ‘If you found anything, tell me now.’

Secretary Sung Yoojun let out a deep sigh.

“If you’re referring to what you requested yesterday, I received a call from the security company at dawn.”

“Did you find out who it was?”

“Yes. Fortunately, they used a vehicle registered in their own name, so it wasn’t difficult to track them down.”

I had only made the request close to midnight, and he had already found out? As expected of Secretary Sung Yoojun. With anticipation gleaming in my eyes, I waited for him to continue.

“Name: Seo Duseok. Age: 35. He runs an errand service center in Seoul.”

“An errand service center?”

An errand service center? A sense of unease crept up from the pit of my stomach. This didn’t feel good. The mastermind behind this, Goo Won, seemed to be planning something big.

I furrowed my brows in frustration.

“What’s the address?”

“I’ve already looked into it.”

“Great. Then, before heading to the office today, let’s stop by there first.”

“Understood.”

With a polite nod, Sung Yoojun left the room, and I hurried to get ready.

I showered faster than I ever had in my life and went straight to the dressing room to pick out an outfit. Normally, I would take the time to neatly style my hair, but today, I left it as it was. Time was too precious. My heart was racing with anticipation—I was finally about to uncover something.

“Good morning, sir.”

“Oh…… Good morning. Gaon-ssi, did you sleep well?”

“Yes! I slept great.”

The moment I stepped outside, I was greeted by Lee Gaon, who was sitting on the living room sofa with a bright smile. Returning his greeting, I glanced around.

“Are you looking for something?”

“I’m looking for Secretary Sung Yoojun. Have you seen him?”

“He went down to the parking lot earlier.”

“Did he? Got it. Thanks for letting me know.”

With Lee Gaon’s help, I quickly headed toward the parking lot but suddenly remembered the smartphone I had left on the wireless charger.

Damn it. Why do I always forget things at the worst times?

Clicking my tongue in frustration, I turned back toward my room, which caught Lee Gaon’s attention.

“President? Why are you going back to your room?”

“I left my phone behind. I forgot to charge it last night, so I put it on the wireless charger for a bit.”

Explaining briefly, I flung the door open and saw my phone resting peacefully on the charger. Grabbing it, I turned to leave, only to see Lee Gaon walking toward me hesitantly.

“Gaon-ssi?”

Looking slightly unsure, he slowly held something out to me.

“I figured you might need this…… If you don’t have a portable battery, you can use this.”

It was a cute, dog-shaped portable battery. I took it, feeling a bit bewildered.

“Isn’t this for you to use?”

I knew that Tartarus had a full schedule today—magazine photoshoots, interviews, and a variety show recording. Wouldn’t he need a portable battery while being out all day?

“It’s fine. If I need one, I can borrow Daon’s. All the members carry their own, anyway.”

Smiling softly, he reassured me in a calm voice. Looking between him and the battery in my hand, I eventually chuckled.

“I really needed this. Thank you.”

At my honest gratitude, Lee Gaon sheepishly scratched the back of his head.

“Don’t mention it. Have a safe trip, sir.”