Upper Class (1)
The car rolled to a stop.
"You can drop me at the crosswalk just ahead. Thank you."
"No need to open the door this time. I'll get out myself. You've worked hard."
"Please take good care of the young lady from now on."
The man's impeccably formal farewell felt burdensome, so I bowed at the waist in return, matching his courtesy.
"Yes, safe travels. Yes..."
He acknowledged my greeting, climbed back into the car, and drove away.
After two full days of every luxury imaginable, my ordinary home suddenly felt like something I missed dearly. I should lie in bed and lose myself in a movie or two. Or so I thought, savoring the familiar atmosphere of my neighborhood, when another car stopped directly in front of me.
The passenger door opened and a man stepped out. He then politely opened the rear door.
"Please come with us."
"...Alright."
I abandoned any thought of turning around and running. The doctor had warned me against strenuous movement, and even if I tried to sprint, this man would catch me anyway. I'd probably receive far less courteous treatment than I was getting now. So I obediently climbed into the car.
I texted my mom that I was out with friends and would be home later. It seemed I was still far from actually walking through our front door.
As the car carried me along, my mind wandered in a dozen directions. Dramatic scenes from TV shows and movies flooded my thoughts—ones where a father ties up someone who approached his daughter, then swings a golf club at their head. Or chaebols ordering gangsters to stuff unwanted people into oil drums, pouring concrete over them before sinking the barrels into the sea.
Was this the corrupting influence of media? I tried hard to push the frightening images from my mind.
Instead, I turned my gaze to the Han River scenery and wondered where I was being taken. Gangnam was a nice area, at least... but I doubted these silent men sharing the car with me would reveal exactly where we were going beyond this bridge.
"You don't need to worry."
Huh? This was the first time one of them had spoken to me first.
"Ah... yes. Is it alright for you to speak?"
"Yes. I was instructed to treat you with the utmost respect, so feel free to ask any questions you might have."
"I'm not going to die, right?"
"No."
The man smiled, easing my anxiety. What a relief.
"May I ask who ordered you to bring me?"
"It was Miss Yujin's father, whom you met yesterday."
"And... why does he want to see me?"
"He said he wanted to meet you in person."
"Ah, I see... Thank you."
"If any more questions come to mind, please speak freely."
"Okay."
The atmosphere didn't seem hostile. Still, the person waiting for me was probably the chairman or CEO of some famous conglomerate. With this many attendants, maybe even a prominent politician...? It would be fine. You only truly know someone after meeting them face to face. I shouldn't get intimidated. I'd act like my usual self. Since he was my client's parent, I'd remain polite and as friendly as possible. As long as I didn't cause any trouble, everything would be okay.
"Whoa~~~ Jihyun! Come on in! Ah, sit wherever you like, make yourself comfortable!"
"Ah, yes... Haha."
His bright smile and warm welcome, like a friendly neighborhood auntie, melted every ounce of tension from my body. The solemn image of a strict chairman I'd been rehearsing in my head went straight into the mental trash bin.
"Aigo, I sent such intimidating men to pick up such a delicate young friend. I should have sent some pretty older sisters instead, right?"
"No, no, it's perfectly fine."
"Sorry about that. My wife hates having young women around! It gets too gloomy with only men, you know~ Honestly, she has no flexibility. Oh, just call me Father!"
"Ah... hahaha! Father feels a bit..."
"Huh? Why? Don't teachers call parents Mother and Father?"
"Ah... yes... Father."
"Aww, there we go! Now it feels friendlier. Shall we have coffee? Bring us two cups. Iced?"
He gestured toward me, coaxing an answer.
"Yes, iced please..."
"Got it. Two iced coffees."
The moment he finished speaking, a man hurried out. I couldn't even guess how many attendants he kept on staff.
"So you work under Director Choi? Not bad for someone so young. Quite capable."
"I was lucky to get the position through some connections."
"Hey! No need to be modest in front of me. I've known that man for years. He might seem like he gets along with everyone, but he's not the type to open up easily."
"Ah... yes. Still, I'm only an intern, so I have much to learn."
"Tsk! I told you to stop that."
The man who had left earlier returned in an instant with two coffees on an elegant tray. One for me, one for Father, along with various snacks and a container of sugar cubes.
"Thanks. Anyway, Director Choi told me he's been struggling a lot with Yujin lately, that he can't handle her anymore. It's not like she's that unusual, is she?"
"She is quite a challenging client."
"Exactly~ That girl is so prickly, always fighting with her mother. Sigh... That's why I asked Director Choi for help, but she ended up toying with him instead."
"It must have been difficult for him to handle properly."
"Right, I know. I told him not to worry about me or her mother and to discipline her thoroughly, but I guess it's not that simple... Anyway, we were looking for someone else when Yujin suddenly announced yesterday that she'd found a counselor herself. I was shocked."
Father grinned, grabbing a handful of cookies and bringing them to his mouth. Watching him stuff his cheeks full and chew with obvious happiness, I finally understood where Yujin got her eating habits and style.
"I don't think she has a mental illness, but you don't need to be sick to receive counseling, right?"
"That's true."
"Help her become a better person. I'll pay you separately for it."
"I do plan to help with her personal growth and behavior, but there's no need to pay me extra."
"Tsk! Just think of it as pocket money from an elder and accept it."
Father handed me an envelope. My head spun at the thought of how much money the thick packet might contain.
"Father, I'll accept any incentive later, once I can see that the client has made proper progress. I don't know how much is in here, but it's far too much for me right now."
"I can already see Yujin beginning to change. Since I'm the one investing, take it. Refusing an investment is very rude, you know?"
"...These are ten-thousand-won notes, right?"
"Huh? You'd need five envelopes for ten-thousand-won notes. Do you prefer it that way? Or do you shop with cash? These days even street markets take cards."
"...No, sir. I'll gratefully accept it."
"Just kidding. I filled it generously, so use it where needed. When you're young, even if you're healthy and full of dreams, money often holds you back from doing many things."
I tucked the envelope safely into my inner pocket. My instincts told me the amount inside exceeded what I currently had in my bank account.
...It looked like Mom and I needed to visit that hotel again.
"Oh, by the way, do you drink? It's been a while since I wanted a drink, but opening a good bottle by myself is too much~"
"I'd be grateful if you share."
"I like your attitude. Have you tried whiskey before?"
"No."
"Then try it now."
"Okay."
"Suhyeong, bring what I mentioned this morning~"
The man who had brought me here immediately turned and left. Shortly afterward, he returned with a plump bottle covered in English lettering.
"Wow~ I've been wondering when to open this. Then this morning, when Yujin told me about you, it suddenly felt right."
Other attendants brought various nuts, chocolates, cheeses, and even a plate of fruit, covering the table. Combined with the cookies from earlier, the surface was now completely full.
Father looked at the bottle in his hand with satisfaction.
"Is that... very expensive?"
"Uh... if I tell you the price, I doubt our Jihyun will drink it. So just enjoy for now."
An unusual glass I'd never seen before was filled with an appropriate amount of amber liquid.
"What's more important than the price is whether it's worth it! Drink first, then tell me how much you think it's worth."
Father poured himself exactly the same amount, raised his glass toward me across the table.
"Come on, let's toast and drink. Alcohol needs the right atmosphere!"
"Yes, cheers."
Clink. The two beautiful glasses met with a clear ring. Father emptied his in one swift motion.
I quickly brought my own glass close to my face. Since this was my first time trying whiskey, I first took in the aroma.
...Unlike any alcohol I'd had before, it carried a heavy scent that seemed to pull me downward. I took a sip on an empty stomach.
"Mm..."
"Puhahaha! Most people spit out whiskey their first time, but it seems to suit your taste? I'll have to send you a few bottles occasionally."
Father refilled his empty glass and downed it again in an instant. I stuffed my mouth with plenty of chocolate and almonds, chewed thoroughly, then took another long sip of whiskey.
"Savor the aroma and the finish~ So, how much do you think it costs?"
The mysterious aroma, the rich coating sensation in my throat, yet somehow it felt sweet.
"...Around a million won?"
Father grinned and swallowed a piece of cheese in one bite.
"For a beginner to rate it that highly, it must be excellent. I'll bring a few more bottles, so drink up. It's a holiday tomorrow, so no work, right?"
"Yes, but I'm not good with alcohol..."
"Come on, do people drink to get drunk? Or to enjoy it? It's okay if you can't handle much—just enjoy yourself before you go."
It seemed I'd come too far to refuse his kindness. Besides, it was necessary to earn this client's parent's trust and favor in advance.
I poured the remaining whiskey into my mouth, savoring the flavor as I swallowed. Even after it went down, the rich aroma and lingering sensation in my throat remained vivid.
I politely offered my empty glass to Father.
"Then I'll keep you company so the drinking session isn't lonely."
Father refilled my glass with that deep amber liquid.
"Good. Let's drink heartily before Yujin and her mother arrive. We have to finish quickly before they catch us."