Chapter 10
Early in the morning, Ji-hwan woke up drenched in sweat, as if he had just had a nightmare.
“Ugh…”
His whole body ached with muscle pain.
He still hadn’t bought a bed. Every night after work, he would collapse immediately, so he had been sleeping on the floor with just a blanket for quite a while.
Rubbing his lower back, he got up and went to the kitchen.
He quickly peeled and ate some boiled eggs he had bought from a local shop, then hurried to get ready for work.
“…I suddenly miss grilled portobello mushrooms drizzled with truffle oil.”
For a moment, he remembered the breakfasts Patrick, the butler at Durban House in London, used to bring him every morning.
But that life was long gone.
“If you’re late, you’re dead!”
The terrifying image of Kkot-nim flashed through his mind, making him shiver.
He had clearly seen it—
Her crushing a glass vase with one hand.
If you make one more comment about my appearance, I’ll smash your head next.
Just remembering those words nearly made him wet himself.
“She’s not human… she’s a Terminator.”
Still, he needed the salary.
He had rent to pay, and just yesterday, he had received his first gas bill.
Once he got used to the job, he would be reassigned and no longer have to train under Kkot-nim.
To escape that “monster” as soon as possible, he needed to learn fast.
“Let’s survive today too…”
He dressed in the suit he had picked up from the dry cleaners and stepped outside.
At that moment—
From the old red-brick house across from his, someone came out laughing.
“…You’ve got to be kidding me.”
The woman in a tracksuit—
Was none other than Eun Kkot-nim.
“W-what? Why are you coming out of there?”
She was just as surprised.
And the fact that they lived across from each other?
Her younger sisters, standing beside her, looked intrigued.
“Hey, who is he? Who is he? Wow, he’s handsome~”
They chirped like sparrows.
But Kkot-nim quickly pushed them inside like she was protecting them from danger.
“…You’re the one who moved into that house?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
She glared at him fiercely.
Out of all places—
Why here?
“Why here, of all places?”
“What do you mean?”
“Of all the houses, why here?”
“Because it’s close to the hotel and the cheapest!”
That answer shut her up.
Well… people had the freedom to live where they wanted.
Still, she pointed at him.
“The girls who just went inside—they’re my sisters. Both in medical school at Y University.”
“…And?”
“I’m just saying—don’t talk to them, don’t even make eye contact.”
“Oh please, don’t worry. I won’t even look at that house.”
A gambling addict living right across the street—
Kkot-nim felt uneasy and irritated.
“Hmph.”
“…What?”
She glared at him and started running up the hill.
Now I have to see him every morning too?
“Why are you following me?”
“I’m not following you! I’m going to work too!”
She picked up her pace, running along the Namsan trail toward the hotel.
Even in a suit and dress shoes, Ji-hwan chased after her stubbornly.
“Why are you chasing me?”
“…Haah… haah… You said I’d die if I’m late.”
“I… I said that?”
She looked at him, slightly surprised.
She had assumed he had no stamina—but he had run all the way from the top of Haebangchon.
Just then—
A sleek blue sports car stopped between them.
“Hey, Seo Ji-hwan!”
A well-dressed man stepped out.
“…Min-hoo? What are you doing here?”
“What do you mean? You’ve been back for a while. Why isn’t your phone working? I came to see you.”
“I changed my phone when I got to Seoul.”
“Really? I was about to go ask Manager Min.”
The two greeted each other warmly.
Kkot-nim recognized the man—
A VIP client who hosted year-end parties for the hotel staff.
Why is someone like him… friends with a gambling addict?
***
“Align the top corners properly.”
“Like this?”
Ji-hwan followed her instructions, adjusting the duvet cover.
He was definitely improving.
“Not bad. Now, let’s move on to the bathroom.”
All day, Kkot-nim kept thinking about what she saw that morning.
That VIP was known for his manners.
He was also connected to an agency that represented her favorite actor.
“…How do you know him?”
“Who?”
“This morning… that CEO…”
It was strange.
Someone in a gambling rehab program knowing someone like that?
“…Oh, Min-hoo? We’ve been friends since childhood. We were also classmates at Y University.”
“…You really went to Y University?”
“Yes. I took the college entrance exam and essay test. Got in through regular admission. Satisfied?”
Then why did you end up like this…?
She wanted to ask—but held back.
“So what did you major in?” he asked.
“…Why are you staring?”
“Nothing.”
“Alright, watch closely. I’ll show you how to clean the bathroom.”
Ji-hwan quickly looked away.
Just then—
Mrs. Shim came in, looking troubled.
“Kkot-nim, room 1405… the guest is complaining. I don’t know what to do…”
“What? Alright, I’ll go. Ji-hwan, wait here.”
As Kkot-nim left—
Ji-hwan immediately collapsed onto the bed.
“…Wow. When was the last time I lay on a bed?”
The executive suite’s bedding felt incredibly soft.
For the first time since returning to Korea, he felt real comfort.
And he fell asleep.
***
“Bang bang bang! Seo Ji-hwan! Is anyone inside?!”
Had he dozed off?
His body wouldn’t move.
“Cough!”
He tried to open his eyes—
But couldn’t.
A burning smell filled his nose.
What… is happening?
He tried to move—but his body wouldn’t respond.
Through half-open eyes, he saw nothing but thick smoke.
Carbon monoxide poisoning?
The loud banging and distant voices felt like a dream.
Crash!
The door burst open.
Through the smoke—
It was Kkot-nim.
“Seo Ji-hwan! Wake up!”
She slapped him hard across the face.
Even though he couldn’t move, he felt the pain clearly.
“Ugh!”
Without hesitation, she lifted him onto her shoulder—
And ran through the smoke-filled hallway.
And then—
Even though his body wouldn’t move—
His heart started pounding wildly.
