Suspicion (1)
A warm light enveloped me. My eyes stung from the sky overflowing with radiance, so I shaded them with my hand and looked around. It was a familiar place—my dreamscape.
But something that should have been there was missing. The goddess wasn't there.
She'd left this space empty a few times before. Hoping against hope, I called out loudly, but she didn't appear.
A strong shock would wake me from the dream. Since this space was part of a dream, rolling hard on the ground would snap me out of it. I considered tumbling across the floor to wake up, but she usually showed up after a short wait, so I decided to hold out a bit longer.
I didn't know how long I waited, but she finally appeared out of nowhere and spoke. A little startled, I asked where she'd been.
She pondered for a moment before replying.
"Just... stepped out for a bit."
I pressed where she'd gone, but she dodged the question oddly. Figuring even goddesses had their reasons, I changed the subject.
"Alright... mind showing me the records, then?"
*
I didn't know when I'd fallen asleep, but I felt a fluffy bed and thick blankets hugging me tight. A pleasant fatigue washed over my body. I rolled around to find a comfortable position, and the fabric brushing my skin was incredibly soft.
I tumbled around in the unfamiliar bedding for a while before burying my face in the covers. It carried a strong scent—probably from some fancy fabric softener—but it wasn't unpleasant. Even with my eyes closed, sleep wouldn't come. The booze from last night still lingered, leaving me queasy and dizzy.
I let out a deep breath, and the pleasant aroma soothed me a little. I'd made that bet with Chairman Baek, chugged booze like there was no tomorrow, and then Baek Ga-eun showed up...
Wait. Baek Ga-eun?
I flung off the covers and bolted upright, scanning the room. Dark-toned solid wood furniture screamed luxury. A sweet fragrance tickled my nose, filling the space. No matter where I looked, it didn't feel like an empty room or a guy's place.
A vanity overflowing with cosmetics in one corner sealed the deal. This room belonged to a woman.
...Whose room is this? And why the hell am I here?
Click.
"...You're awake?"
The sudden opening door startled me; I yanked the blanket up instinctively. There stood Baek Ga-eun in pajamas—pink silk ones that suited her perfectly. She giggled at my panicked state, approached, handed me a small teacup, and settled into the chair by the bed.
"Honey water. I threw in a bunch of stuff, so it should help."
"Th-thanks."
My voice cracked dryly, a reminder of how much I'd drunk. I took the cup and sipped. Perfect temperature—not too hot, just right to moisten my parched mouth and throat.
Baek Ga-eun stared at me intently before broaching the subject carefully.
"...Do you remember last night?"
"..."
I nearly spat out my drink. Film cut, and the number one phrase you never want to hear the next day: "Remember last night?" I swallowed, coughed awkwardly, and replied.
"Uh, what happened yesterday?"
I couldn't hide my unease; my voice trembled softly. She just smiled and gazed at me before saying it was no big deal and recounting events.
"You remember the bet, right?"
"...Yeah, around the third bottle, I think Ga-eun showed up."
"Drinking like that is dangerous—you could die."
"...Sorry."
She said dragging my wasted ass here had been a hassle.
"Remember clinging to me, saying I smelled nice?"
"...M-me?"
Did I get clingy like that? I wanted to deny it, but my memory got fuzzy right when she arrived. So she'd given me her own room out of kindness? Shame from my drunken antics plus guilt for taking her bed flushed my face hot.
"Really, I'm so sorry!"
"It's fine~"
She soothed me with a gracious smile as I apologized desperately to cover my embarrassment. Urging me to drink more honey water, I finally obeyed.
"By the way, you kept calling for Lee Ji-yeon last night... Are you two dating?"
"..."
Another tough question. God, what the hell had I done to embarrass myself every way possible? I wanted to smack myself. It was hard to answer, but she seemed to have already guessed our connection. Still, Ji-yeon and I weren't lovers anymore, so no need to lie.
"...No, we're not."
"...Ex, then?"
I thought I'd dodged it, but her guess nailed it—I had to respond. Lying could backfire if caught. We weren't anything special, but betraying trust was wrong.
"...We dated briefly before. Now we're just manager and celebrity."
"Ah... I see..."
Her curiosity satisfied, she grinned cheerfully and shifted topics.
"Grandpa wants us to have lunch together. I called the company, so let's eat and head up."
"...Sure."
Time to settle yesterday's efforts with Chairman Baek.
*
Nothing fancy about a chaebol's table. The food was homemade, but somehow tasted luxurious. Considering our hangovers, clear country soup and side dishes were laid out.
Chairman Baek picked up his spoon, set it down, grabbed his bowl, slurped the broth noisily, and sighed in delight.
"Ahh~ Perfect."
Used to her grandpa, Baek Ga-eun just chewed steadily. Even after chugging her honey water, my mouth and stomach felt greasy. The hot broth finally settled things.
The servants' skills shone—everything suited my taste.
"Shall we have a drink?"
"Sure, I'd li—"
"Grandpa, Manager has work this afternoon."
"Right... Can't be helped..."
"..."
Even Chairman Baek eyed his granddaughter warily, fidgeting without his glass until the meal ended. The head of a major conglomerate, but just a doting grandpa before her.
Sipping post-meal tea, he brought up the investment.
Finally, time for my reward.
"...As we discussed, the promised investment will go through the company."
"Thank you! But... did things not go according to plan? You looked down until we left."
He didn't elaborate. Still, we'd secured extra funds. Ten billion wasn't pocket change—my standing at the company should improve.
*
Baek Ga-eun and I chatted the whole ride back. Topics swirled around my background and her. She felt even closer than when we first met. I'd thought we'd grown friendly lately, but post-last night, she seemed much warmer.
Not the best icebreaker, but sharing my Ji-yeon secret and showing drunken vulnerability must've scored points. Good is good, right?
She laughed heartily at my school days' minor rebellions. As the Baekil Group's youngest, she'd never acted out or played normal pranks.
"I'm... kinda flashy just existing, aren't I?"
"..."
Her self-deprecating smile as she toyed with her hair let me imagine her childhood. Kids hate anyone different. Her neatly pinned white hair would've marked her as "other" to them. No mischief or bad behavior needed—just her hair color earned their scorn. And she was pretty, too.
Before lunch, she'd shared past stories, pulling out a photo album. Young Baek Ga-eun always hid her hair under hats or buns, minimizing it. Even in group school pics, her beauty stood out.
I complimented her looks then and now; she blushed bashfully, stirring my heart a bit.
The car dropped us at the company after a long drive. She laughed at my army tales, her scent wafting pleasantly each time.
*
I sent Baek Ga-eun to lessons and headed straight to the president's office. Choi Dae-pyo greeted me warmly, like he'd been waiting.
"Kim Cho-in! Knew you could pull it off!"
"...Thanks."
Usually formal, he laughed heartily and clapped my back, making me feel the caliber of who I'd met. Money really brings joy.
"Chairman Baek's got a big heart! Three hundred billion!"
"...Pardon?"
Apparently, the investment contract was signed en route to Seoul.
...He'd upped it 10 billion per killer whiskey bottle for me, then pledged 300 billion to the company?
Average debut costs 100 million per idol. Baek Ga-eun was low-maintenance—no surgery, minimal skincare, almost free. Chairman knew; he invested 280 billion on her merits. Absurd sum left me speechless as he grinned ear-to-ear, praised my efforts endlessly, and sent me off with a small envelope for my "troubles—go home early."
"...What's this?"
"Buy yourself a nice dinner."
Pretty heavy for one meal. Couldn't refuse his nudge, but I had work—couldn't clock out yet. What I skip today, tomorrow's me handles.
Heading from the office to my desk, I ran into Hyeon Ha-yeon.
"Oh! Manager! Hi!"
"Hey."
"Haven't seen you much lately—super busy?"
I later heard from staff she'd been asking for me. Nothing special, apparently.
"...You look tired lately..."
"...Nah. Busy beats idle, right?"
She looked deflated despite my words, then rummaged in her small pouch like struck by inspiration.
"Ah! Wait a sec! You're not in a rush, are you?"
"No. What're you looking for...?"
"This!"
She handed me real strawberry-flavored vitamins.
...Of all people, Hyeon Ha-yeon. Reminded me of the room cafe incident.
I took it carefully, hiding embarrassment.
"...Thanks. I'll enjoy it."
"Eat it now! It's great!"
Her beaming insistence made me feel weird. A knowing twenty-year-old, but her innocent brightness sometimes made her seem younger.
I peeled the condom-packet-like wrapper; the pharma name caught my eye.
[Baekil Pharmaceuticals]
...Hyeon Ha-yeon was a Baekil Group customer too.
"How's it taste? Good, right?"
"Yeah, sweet and nice. Thanks."
She giggled, promised more later, and headed to lessons.
I'd told Choi Dae-pyo about the investment and hoped for Hyeon Ha-yeon's song soon. He wanted to pick a winner fast too, but griped about subpar composers lately.
Mulling pre-debut tasks, I returned to my desk.
*
Home after work, I checked Choi Dae-pyo's envelope. Thick—nice haul. Double my monthly salary. Felt big, but peanuts compared to Lee Ji-yeon incentives.
No one hates money, but this is my greed limit? Disappointing.
"What to do with this..."
Coins trending lately—jump in? Entertainment world's trend-sensitive; gotta catch 'em quick. Researched, seemed complicated, bailed.
Early bed to meet the goddess. Fewer meetings since recruiting Baek Ga-eun—too tired from running around. But stable now, so less record-checking.
My past logs were snuff-film brutal. Screaming me hurt even vicariously. Desensitized over time, but bad for mental health.
Goddess easy to summon, so skip past tonight. Prepared, closed eyes, focused: Want to see the goddess... Out like a light.
*
"...It's been a while..."
"Busy these days—hard to drop in."
"Still, snagging Hyeon Ha-yeon and Baek Ga-eun's a win."
"...Yes."
"...What's up?"
She seemed off today—low energy. Knew she had emotions, but looked genuinely unwell. Do goddesses have bad days?
"...What do you mean?"
"Just... you look drained."
"...Sigh... No, I'm fine..."
...Anyone could see she wasn't.
Pressed her, but she deflected, reluctant. No point forcing; I changed topics.
"...My influence has grown lately."
"Whoa, really?"
Good sign. Their debuts nearing—must've boosted her power.
"...You've been getting 'very' close to the Demon King lately."
"Feels that way, yeah."
Her face shadowed, but felt like pitying stare. Sighing deeply, she continued.
"...While you were away, I interfered with past records—gathered info."
"..."
"...But Yunhwan's Curse limits what I can share."
"I trust you'll deduce enough from the minimum."
Her dragging sighs frustrated me. What info warranted this? Even goddesses handled backlog without me—paperwork, whatever.
What happened before I arrived? After agonizing, she finally spoke cautiously.
"...Be careful of Lee Ji-yeon."
An unexpected name dropped.