Suspicion (4)
“See you later!”
I watched Hyeon Ha-yeon's bright smile as she got out of the car and headed into the mourning hall, lost in thought. Han Jeong-suk, who'd poured out her pure, unwavering love for decades, seemed a bit off—driven mad by that long obsession, perhaps. I'd worried that innocent Hyeon Ha-yeon might be influenced by her, but seeing that innocent grin made me think it was okay to trust her after all.
Come to think of it, Lee Ji-yeon didn't seem overly affected by Han Jeong-suk either. Ji-yeon had shown her obsessive tendencies back in school days anyway.
···Today I had to shuttle Baek Ga-eun around to various places, so I shook off the stray thoughts and turned the key in the ignition.
*
“Please lie face down.”
I quickly shed the flimsy gown that had covered my upper body and climbed onto the massage table. It wasn't much of a body to show off, so I felt awkwardly embarrassed. I crawled onto the smooth surface and lay prone. My face fit perfectly into the concave hole, which felt strangely comfortable.
···Why the hell am I getting a massage?
“Argan oil.”
Warm hands glided over my back, spreading the oil into every nook and cranny. The slippery pressure along my back muscles was refreshingly cool. Pros really were different. From beyond the curtain near the bed, I heard the masseuse's voice.
“Your skin is so smooth~ Not a single blemish...”
She was probably talking to Baek Ga-eun. Endless praise and admiration for her poured out. Today was the day Baek Ga-eun made her weekly rounds to the shops for skin care or whatever treatments she needed. My job was simple: drop her off and kill time.
With precedents like Lee Ji-yeon and Hyeon Ha-yeon, I was used to waiting while they got pampered. I'd planned to drop her off and wander, but...
“Want to get one too, Manager?”
“···Pardon?”
We'd been chatting at reception about how I usually passed the time—grabbing food nearby or just hanging out. After hearing that, she pondered briefly and suggested I join her.
I figured it was just idle talk. Without waiting for my answer, she jumped up, handed her phone to the counter, and said,
“Make it 24 sessions on my plan.”
I panicked and tried to stop her, but she was set on it. No chance of talking her out.
“···Miss Ga-eun, I don't need one··· Wait, you're using this card?”
“You're with me, so take it.”
I fumbled for my card, but her phone already chimed with the payment alert. This was one of Gangnam's biggest spas. The top course was pricey, and 24 sessions? I couldn't even imagine.
“Uh, how much?”
“···Body special course, 24 sessions: 2.8 million won.”
“T-Two point eight...”
My eyes bulged. Even dumping my entire monthly salary, I couldn't cover 24. Sure, I was her manager, but her casually dropping that much made me uneasy.
“···Miss Ga-eun, we could expense it through the company...”
“I didn't pay for you to use it anytime.”
“It's a bribe from me, so only come with me.”
She turned away firmly, ignoring me, and followed the staff inside.
“I'll show you to the changing room.”
Dazed, I had no choice but to follow.
*
Throughout the session, Baek Ga-eun chatted amiably with her masseuse beyond the curtain, who showered her with lip service in a lively vibe. My older masseuse, on the other hand, was taciturn—only essential words, proceeding methodically.
There was a mishap when her masseuse slipped, giving a glimpse of oil-slicked Baek Ga-eun, but it passed without issue.
After finishing, we met up. Her pale skin flushed pink, giving her an oddly seductive glow.
I hustled her to the next shop and bolted outside before she could pull another stunt. Leaving her smacking her lips regretfully, I vowed to wait in the car from now on.
“···Next time, wait inside. I won't do it again...”
Apologizing like she hadn't expected me to hate it that much, she looked so dejectedly cute that I relented.
“···No more after this.”
“···Okay.”
I ignored her hesitant addendum and focused on driving. I dropped her at the company for her lesson, returned the car, and headed to Han Jeong-suk's office.
*
I messaged Han Jeong-suk and Hyeon Ha-yeon separately and waited in the car for over two hours. Han Jeong-suk said it'd wrap before 5, but no sign. What kind of guidance took this long? I couldn't just barge in and ask.
Music was an art form. Singers rerecorded single lines for hours, they said. She'd called Han Jeong-suk to tailor songs for Hyeon Ha-yeon, so they were probably deep in direction-setting. No interrupting that.
Time dragged. The sun had long set; moonlight filtered softly. I asked if they'd eaten—fine, they replied. I'd prepped snacks and drinks for Hyeon Ha-yeon to grab right away.
What kind of guidance in that cramped space, arms barely stretchable? An hour of abusing the straw from her finished drink, and finally, Hyeon Ha-yeon emerged.
Staring blankly at the floor as she shuffled, I dashed from the car.
“···Ha-yeon, good work.”
She lifted her bowed head and met my eyes. She looked a bit gaunt, lips dry, but what struck me was her gaze—nothing like her usual sharp clarity. Dark as her hair, it jolted me back a step involuntarily.
It was familiar. Infinitely deep and dark, like the hero leering at me with vile lust long ago.
Suppressing my shock, I called out to snap her from her daze.
“···Ha-yeon, you okay?”
“Oh, Oppa? Sorry, you waited so long...”
She blinked away the shadow, flashing an apologetic smile. Must've been my imagination.
“···Nah, eaten yet? Hungry?”
“Kinda...”
Blushing shyly with a hehe, relief washed over me. If she'd regained hero memories, she wouldn't be this meek. And she couldn't have fallen for me, so that glance was definitely a mistake.
*
She demolished the car snacks in seconds and still complained of hunger, so I took her to a nearby eatery. The outskirts were sparse; few buildings lit up.
Watching her savor each bite with a happy smile warmed me inexplicably. Parents bragging about kids' eating making them full— this must be it.
“You haven't eaten either, Oppa. Dig in!”
“···Yeah.”
She was adorable, eyeing dishes left and right while chowing down. Her ponytail—hair gathered back—evoked the hero I'd seen endlessly. She'd kept shoulder-length hair to look pretty for me despite the hassle, usually in a ponytail.
The hero ate well too, for her active build. She'd inhaled those snacks lightning-fast; now sides and rice were nearly gone. She'd glance sheepishly at me and pause, but I'd praise her appetite and refill her plate.
Today she was ravenous—even eyed me, grinned slyly, and dove back in. Tall as she was, where did all those calories go?
“Whew... Delicious!”
Suddenly done, she patted her belly and chugged water—pure hero gusto.
I matched her pace, paid, and we left.
“Whoa~ So full.”
“···Glad you enjoyed.”
I'd eaten moderately; she'd devoured heartily, beaming satisfaction. The parking spot was a hike, so we strolled chatting. The quiet alley felt eerie, but streetlamps dotted the gloom.
She gushed about the guidance; I replied, missing the figures emerging—bump.
“Fuck... Watch where you're going, asshole...”
“Oppa, you okay?”
I hadn't budged; he rolled cursing.
···Déjà vu.
“Sorry. You alright?”
Still, I'd bumped him, so I apologized and offered a hand. Ignoring it, he stood and picked a fight.
“Hey, you hit me and that's your sorry? My clothes are dirty, dickhead!”
“Yeah, kinda...”
His girlfriend chimed in. I scanned him as he loomed cursing: luxury knockoff stripes on sleeves, baggy pants patterns, name-brand bags—peak thug couple fashion. Rolled sleeves flashing tats for intimidation, but he never touched me first.
No CCTV in sight. Well-practiced.
“···Really sorry. Give me your number; I'll cover dry cleaning...”
Bowing to defuse, he grabbed my collar instead.
“Old man, you think I'm after cash—”
Instant. His hand vanished; he flew into the dark with a heavy thud. Cartoonish launch.
Before his girl could scream, something bolted from behind me. Hyeon Ha-yeon smoothly tackled her, clamped her mouth, and dragged her into the shadows. Thrashing legs vanished.
“Kkgh... Mmph!”
Soon, desperate muffled cries and dull thwacks echoed. Bone-crunching heavy.
Thud!... Thud!...
No more screams; silence fell.
“···Oppa, y-you okay?”
She approached asking after me, but the dim alley hid her. Her trembling voice from the black sent chills; I edged back instinctively. She froze.
“···O-Oppa...”
“Guhk... F-Fuck...”
Before she spoke, rustling—the guy stirring, cursing.
“···”
She whirled; another thud.
Frozen in terror, I snapped to—scanned. No witnesses. No CCTV even on close look.
I grabbed shivering Hyeon Ha-yeon and rushed to the car. Her hand trembled in mine. I squeezed reassuringly.
Seated her shotgun, about to start— she spoke, silent till now.
“···Sorry, Oppa...”
Her voice tiny with apology. Why? Unclear repercussions from her impulse. No CCTV I saw, but maybe missed one. If that couple woke and reported, we'd be nabbed soon. If her crime surfaced, debut gone, her family ruined.
She did it for me, but overboard. Still, seeing her quake in fear beside me, I couldn't press.
I'd back her.
“···It'll be fine.”
*
'Leave evidence and clean up.'
I pocketed the abruptly ended call and surveyed the scene.
“···Handle it.”
“Yes, ma'am.”
My team moved efficiently on command.
···First time cleaning up local thugs like this. And on the young miss's inaugural order. Ruined our bets—I'd wagered on a rival.
“Team Leader, push the bet?”
To the grinning team member, I proposed doubling down while at it.