Power & Sex, And... 61
*Ring ri~ng*
"This is Sin Hye."
"Yes. Have you arrived?"
"Could you open the door?"
Sin Hye must have hurried over. I quickly went out and opened the door, and she darted inside the room. For a fleeting moment, it seemed like she wasn't wearing a bra. I seated her across from me and ordered room service coffee.
"Coffee's fine. Just get on with it quick."
"Pardon?"
Her words came out of nowhere. I stared at her with a blank look. Sure enough, her white blouse showed dark hints at her chest, protruding noticeably without a bra. Suddenly at a loss for where to look, I dropped my gaze, only to find her skirt riding up, exposing her thighs completely.
"You called me here to help, right?"
"Yes. I'll help you."
"So hurry up and take me first."
"Sin Hye!"
"Yes."
"You know who I am, don't you?"
"Of course. You gave me your card yesterday. Though the phone number was fake."
"I'll have to turn off that phone until Wednesday due to circumstances. Use this number for now. And do you really think a congressman could get away with something like that with a college girl?"
"Then why'd you call me? To toy with me? I'm in a hurry."
She didn't seem to grasp my words—or my intentions. If I wasn't careful, I'd end up hearing the same abuse as last night. So I cut straight to the conclusion.
"You don't have to give up your body. I'll make sure you can get the surgery. So relax."
"Really? You'll just let me have the surgery, no strings?"
"Yes. Now button up your shirt, please."
She gasped in shock, blurting out a loud echo of my words, then suddenly stood, dropped to her knees before me, and tearfully repeated, "Thank you, thank you."
"Get up."
I told her to stand several times, but she wouldn't budge. She collapsed fully to the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. In the end, I grabbed her shoulders, pulled her up, and sat her back down.
"But after the surgery, what then?"
"……."
No answer. Of course she couldn't respond. She'd heard plenty from accompanying her father to the hospital—about the surgery costs and the expenses afterward.
"You're in journalism, right?"
"Yes. But I'm on leave."
"Once your father's surgery is done, reenroll next year."
"……."
"I'll handle your tuition somehow. What do you plan to do after graduation?"
"Ideally, get a job at a broadcaster or newspaper. If not, some corporation."
"Good. But make me one promise."
"Yes. I'd give you my life if you asked."
"With that resolve, never do anything like yesterday or today again. No matter how hurt your pride, come to me for help."
"……."
"If you don't promise, I can't keep mine."
"Yes. I promise."
A journalism major, with good grades and solid reputation according to Im Secretary's check. If broadcasting or papers didn't pan out, I could ask Eun-mi to hire her at Ara Entertainment.
That way, she'd be self-sufficient after graduation. The real issues were the surgery costs for the living donor transplant, post-op hospital stays, outpatient care, her tuition, and living expenses until then. Once the general election non-candidacy announcements hit on Wednesday, I'd head to Seoul and tackle this urgently first.
Life in Gwangju was peaceful. The most relaxed, leisurely time since graduation—no, since I started living. Even in a provincial hotel, staying in the royal suite made it luxurious. Rolling around on that massive bed alone felt soothing. When boredom struck, I'd stroll the hotel grounds.
"Assemblyman, since you're in Gwangju, why not see the sights?"
"Next time."
"It's not easy coming here, and even if you do, you won't have this kind of free time."
The manager must have sensed my cabin fever from lounging in the room. He came by, urging a visit to Unjusa Temple in Hwasun. Truth be told, I was feeling restless too, so I headed out. After a tussle with Im Secretary, Do Cheol-rak's junior drove, just like the trip down—Im Secretary in the passenger seat, the youngest of Cheol-rak's crew beside me in back. More than anyone, this kid hunched his massive frame, terrified of brushing against me.
We looped the ring road out of Gwangju onto quiet country lanes when the driver and Im Secretary kept glancing in the rearview.
"Sangdu, call Hyung-nim."
The driver ordered the kid beside me to phone the manager, then turned to me.
"Assemblyman, buckle up. That car tailing us looks suspicious."
"How long?"
At the driver's words, I asked when the tail started. Im Secretary jumped in.
"Two cars from the hotel, swapping off. They fell back at first, so I thought it wasn't a tail. Sorry."
Conclusion: my movements had leaked somehow. Two cars meant at least four, up to eight tails. No match numerically, and I wasn't a fighter anyway. Could turn 3-vs-4 or worst-case 3-vs-8.
No matter how hard Jongmin floored it—engine roaring like it'd tear apart on these backroads—my 1500cc compact couldn't shake a pursuing luxury sedan.
We got caught eventually. Fearing a sandwich trap, Jongmin pulled over.
"Assemblyman, lock the door and stay put."
Leaving me inside, the three stepped out to face the tails.
"What's the deal?"
"Step aside before you get hurt. We just need the guy in that car."
"Who sent you? We're with Chairman Kim of Mudeungsan."
"You punk-ass thugs. I said scram—don't make me repeat. No time to waste on small fry."
"Gotta know whose crew to beg properly. Where you from?"
They didn't look like run-of-the-mill gangsters. Not cops or officials either. No clue who sent them.
"Assemblyman. You okay?"
The manager's call. I relayed our location, six tails, standoff in progress. He said he was rushing over—hold ten minutes.
As I hung up, the 4-vs-6 brawl erupted. Jongmin, Im Secretary, and Sangdu back-to-back, fending off attacks. The six circled, probing for openings.
They exchanged glances, then charged—each dropping one foe, stomping the last as they surged.
Thwack!
Ugh!
Aaagh!
Punches flew in the melee. The first three recovered, joining in, turning it chaotic. But Jongmin and Im Secretary's skills shone—despite the odds, they held firm.
Bang!
The gunshot froze everyone mid-motion, like time stopped.
"You bastards are forcing our hand."
One tail had fired skyward, now aiming at Im Secretary, Jongmin, and Sangdu. Desperate move as their side faltered. I had no choice but to step out. Refusing meant someone got shot—and I couldn't watch them die for me from the safety of the car.