Power & Sex, and... 60
But he couldn't ignore the filial piety of this girl, who was willing to throw even her own body into the fire to save the father who had brought her into this world. After agonizing over it for a long time, he finally resolved to help her. Though he couldn't solve everything himself, the thought that saving her father was the only way to save this bright young woman with her whole future ahead of her dominated his mind.
"I'll look into your father's surgery. Go home for now and give me a call tomorrow."
It was late at night, so it was impractical to keep the girl any longer. He decided to send her back home first. Sin Hye bowed deeply to him in thanks before leaving the hotel room.
Trrring~
The phone bell rang faintly in his half-asleep state, and he reached out to answer it.
"Assemblyman, are you awake?"
"Ah, Manager."
He glanced at the clock—it was already past 9 a.m. He'd stayed up late pondering solutions for Sin Hye's situation the night before, tossing and turning because of it, and ended up oversleeping. He hurried out of bed, washed up, and when he opened the door to the insistent room service bell, the sweet, savory aroma of food greeted him.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Thanks to you, Manager, I was treated like royalty."
The manager must have arranged it from the restaurant, as the staff had brought breakfast right to the room and were setting it up on the table in what seemed to be a conference area.
"I hope it suits your taste, Assemblyman."
"I could've gone to the restaurant myself— you didn't have to go to all this trouble..."
"If I didn't serve you like this, Cheol-rak would give me hell."
The spread on the table was so vast and varied that even several people couldn't finish it all.
"Where are those guys?"
"The boys already had breakfast."
"Then all this food...?"
"Just eat slowly and enjoy it."
The sheer volume was daunting. It wasn't even a small amount compared to what others might eat—in fact, for someone like him, it'd take about ten people to polish it off. But since it was already prepared and brought up, wasting it wasn't an option. He had no choice but to eat as much as he could, savoring it.
"By the way, Manager."
"Yes, Assemblyman. Go ahead."
"Could you tell me more about that Sin Hye girl from last night—her background?"
"Of course. I know a bit. She's a third-year student in the Journalism and Broadcasting Department at C University."
"You knew she was a college girl and still sent her to a place like that?"
"I didn't call her—she's been coming to me for months, begging and crying. I had no choice. If it hadn't been you, Assemblyman, I would've had to introduce her to someone else. Even if I were in her shoes, I probably would've made the same choice."
"Do you know her situation?"
"Yes, that's why I had no other option. But even I have limits to what I can do personally. And there are countless people in the world in similar straits— I can't help them all. If you're upset, I apologize."
"No, I understand your position completely."
To be honest, he was confident he could scrape together the money for the liver transplant somehow—dip into his salary, post an appeal on the party board to rally members' help, or in the worst case, wheedle it out of Chairman Lee. But what about the endless outpatient treatments and meds afterward? How was a broke college girl supposed to handle that? So for now, he decided to investigate her background.
"President Im, it's Park Maru."
"Sleep well?"
"Yes. I have a favor to ask about your son— is that okay?"
"Funny you mention it—he's on his way to see you right now. After hearing from Cheol-rak, I figured you'd need him. He's pretty tough, so take him along."
He must have talked to Cheol-rak last night. And just like how Cheol-rak had sent his underlings for protection after hearing about his situation, President Im had sent his own son. By the time he'd nearly finished breakfast, Im Bae-gwon arrived at the room.
"Come on in."
"Sorry, I was getting ready."
"Have a seat first. Sorry to ask, but could you do me a favor?"
"Of course. What is it?"
"Could you go to C University and check on a student named Sin Hye? Find out what kind of person she is."
"Got it."
The manager gave Im Bae-gwon all the details on Sin Hye. Since he'd already decided to hire the guy as his secretary anyway, it wasn't a big ask. He figured he'd just observe how well the young man handled it. In case anything came up, he jotted a note on the back of his business card and handed it over.
"Use this if you need anything."
Im Bae-gwon noted down all her info, listened to the manager's explanation, and headed out.
"If you're not too busy, why not stick around Gwangju and do some sightseeing?"
"I can't keep imposing on you, Manager."
"Imposing? And it'll put Cheol-rak's mind at ease knowing you're here."
The manager's words made sense. They'd probably sent the two underlings and Im's son assuming he might be in danger, and since Gwangju was the manager's turf where he could wield influence, he wanted him to stay put.
In the end, they agreed. Rather than moving around, he'd just relax in the room. If he went out, the three of them—Cheol-rak's guys and Im Bae-gwon—would be on edge, and maybe even some of the manager's contacts. No point making everyone tense all day.
Stuffed from the huge breakfast and coffee for dessert, he felt like he wanted for nothing. Soon after, staff came to clear the table, and the manager left the room. He fired up his laptop, hit a portal site, and searched news articles. The party was still utter chaos. But what change could one day bring?
Knock, knock.
"Who is it?"
"Assemblyman, it's Im Bae-gwon."
He opened the door to find Im Bae-gwon waiting, with Cheol-rak's two underlings standing across the hall.
"Why are you two standing over there? Come in."
"No, Assemblyman. We're fine here."
"Don't be ridiculous—get in here."
Whether on their own initiative or under orders from Cheol-rak or the manager, they'd been guarding the door like bodyguards. Too many action movies? He practically dragged them inside.
"Plenty of rooms—pick one and relax. Standing like that hurts your legs, right?"
"But Brother said we have to protect you..."
"This is a hotel—no need to worry. So, Im Bae-gwon, investigation done already?"
"Yes, sir. The school's just ten minutes away."
"What kind of student is she?"
"Good grades, solid friends, professors speak highly of her. But she submitted a leave of absence recently due to family circumstances."
"Thanks for the hard work. Now get some rest."
"Why not go sightseeing?"
"If I go out, you'll all be exhausted—not just you, those two as well."
"No worries in Gwangju. The manager's got it covered."
"That's even more reason to worry. Why make all those people go to extra trouble for me?"
He decided to hole up in the room—or at least the hotel—until next Wednesday, when they'd announce their decision not to run in the general election and resign their proportional seats at the press conference. It'd been ages since he'd done nothing, cleared his mind, and just vegged out.
"Anyway, I won't be leaving the room, so don't worry and handle your business."
With that, to give them some freedom, he retreated to the bedroom. It was huge—practically the size of his entire in-laws' place. True to its royal suite name, the view was great. He could work on the laptop, gaze out the window if he got stuffy, nap if tired. Perfect.
Lunchtime passed with no call from Sin Hye. Last night she'd seemed desperate—why no call? Worried her father's condition had worsened, he dialed her.
"Sin Hye?"
"Yes? Where are you?"
"Park Maru, from last night."
"You told me to call, then turn off your phone? What gives?"
Sin Hye sounded seriously pissed. Ah! He'd forgotten—he'd removed the battery from the phone on his business card (the one he'd been using) and stashed it in the car dashboard. Stupid move handing out cards with that number to her, President Im, and the manager.
"Sorry! Anyway, I need to discuss something. Come to the room from last night? Or the coffee shop if the room's uncomfortable."
"I'll come to the room."
Her tone brightened instantly. It was broad daylight, and with three other guys in the suite besides him, no need to worry about prying eyes. The room would be comfier for talking than a crowded coffee shop.