Power & Sex, and... 68
“Are you Congressman Park?”
“Ah~ Division Commander! Loyalty!”
“I've got a good subordinate here. Saluting a congressman and all. So, what do you think of Colonel Kim?”
“Yes, sir. His image is solid, but as you know, I'm a complete layman when it comes to weapon systems.”
“Anyway, take good care of him. The people I mentioned last time are solid too, but Dr. Kim is top-notch. Especially loyal.”
“Understood, sir. Please recommend anyone else talented.”
“How do you plan to keep them fed?”
“I'm planning to set up a separate research institute anyway. Even just for Dr. Kim, there's no space in my office.”
“Handle it as you see fit. Swing by for some makgeolli when you have time.”
“Yes, sir! Understood.”
I'd barely seen Dr. Kim off for less than an hour when the division commander's call came in. He'd probably gotten a report from Dr. Kim, and the vibe was that Dr. Kim wanted to work with me too. If the commander was praising him that highly, I'd have to hire him regardless, but since Kim Sil-jang's opinion was positive as well, we should proceed assuming Dr. Kim was on board.
After wrapping up with the general, I discussed the upcoming party convention with the National Assembly Reform Alliance congressmen, and before I knew it, evening had fallen. I nearly forgot my promise with Eun-mi and the others. As I rushed out of the Members' Office Building and called Eun-mi, she told me to come to the company. The Ara Entertainment office was still buzzing with energy.
“Honey, you're here?”
“Everything coming along well?”
“Yeah. The building permit came through, and Kim Sajang's company already broke ground. They say it can be completed in two months.”
“Already?”
“Yep. They're using PC construction method, so it won't take long.”
That made sense. With precast concrete, aside from the foundation, columns, and floor slabs, the exterior walls and partitions were just pre-made panels slapped on, slashing construction time. The exterior would look sleek too. Of course, using PC for a mere five-story building would jack up material costs, but that was Kim Sajang's call, not mine. For Eun-mi, having the new headquarters up ASAP to ramp up business was crucial. Sipping coffee, I suddenly thought of the division commander, recalling my old chat with Hwang Bo-jun.
“Call Suji.”
“What, tired of me already?”
“Cut the nonsense. Call Suji and that manager from SJ who handled the troop morale shows.”
Moments later, at Eun-mi's summons, Suji and the former SJ Entertainment manager team leader entered. I had them sit and spoke up.
“Team leader, you pushed that military base morale performance thing at SJ last time?”
“Yes, that's right.”
“Does it actually work?”
“Of course. The hard part is getting base approval, but if you do, it's a goldmine. Those soldiers discharge in two years max, and per division, the monthly numbers are huge.”
“So, could we pull off a show right away?”
“Yes. Our current roster is plenty.”
“Got it. Thanks for your work.”
I dismissed the team leader first. Suji looked like she wanted to stay, but with others around, I ignored her pleading gaze.
“Why the sudden military show interest?”
“That's how Suji and I got tangled up—through a morale gig. Hwang Bo-jun approached me for it. Figured it could work here too.”
“Don't push too hard. Bad press would hurt more.”
“Won't happen. The division I served in—the commander asked me for a favor. So I can ask one back. Even without that, I'd throw a fit to make it happen.”
“You sure? I'd love it if it works.”
“Don't worry. Next week, take her to Inje with me.”
“All the way there?”
“Why, wanna come too?”
“No way. Why go where it's crawling with guys?”
That memory scored me points with Eun-mi. Hoping it'd eased her grudge from Gwangju, I waited for her to finish work. Meanwhile, Jeong-ah popped in and out of her office, and Suji kept spamming texts asking when we'd be done.
Her focus was intense. Innate or learned from her father, she didn't glance away, buried in work as if I'd vanished. I finally snapped her out of it.
“When are you heading out?”
“Oh! Sorry. Just finishing this up. Wait a sec.”
She mumbled a reply, then dove back in—checking papers, clicking the mouse to cross-reference the monitor, chugging coffee nonstop with one hand. Watching her, hair tied back taut, crisp white blouse hugging her frame, she screamed career woman, not chaebol heiress.
“Phew~ Done!”
She exhaled deeply, lifting her head.
“All wrapped?”
“Yeah, sorry you waited so long~”
Her fresh smile lit up the room. She gathered desk papers into the cabinet, downed the last coffee, and approached me.
“Let's go.”
“Jeong-ah and Suji must've been blowing up your phone.”
I texted them to meet in the parking lot. Leaving my car there, we took Eun-mi's to Cheongdam-dong, since Suji wanted her new spot.
True to Cheongdam-dong, the restaurant oozed luxury. Natural for Eun-mi and Suji, but awkward for Busan-raised Jeong-ah and me—felt like rich folks flaunting cash. Suji insisted on paying, so no argument, but inwardly I griped: that steak money could've fed a crowd till bursting.
“Suji, wanna hit Inje with me next week?”
“Inje, Gangwon-do? What's up, unnie?”
“Call me unnie when it's just us. Anyway, military morale show. Curious what you think?”
“Sure, why not. Scoping the base first makes gigs smoother.”
In the car back, Eun-mi suggested Inje to Suji, who jumped at it. Guess Eun-mi hated sending her alone to a guy-packed base.
“Unnie, can I tag along too?”
“Why? You wanna go, Jeong-ah?”
“Yeah. Curious what a base looks like.”
“Right. Jeong-ah too. Gotta snap pics for Suji's fan cafe anyway.”
So, all three women were coming to meet the division commander. We'd need two cars.
Dinner chatter—full of nagging—left a chill vibe on the drive back. At the company, I handed Eun-mi her car, grabbed mine, and parted ways.
At the light, Suji texted. She'd been messaging nonstop from the office—must have something to say. I U-turned toward Gangnam.
“I'm in Gangnam.”
“Yeah, remember that cafe with Eun-ji last time?”
“Yep.”
“Come there and call again.”
She came down as I called from the entrance.
“What's up? Forget something?”
“I want it.”
“Huh?”
“It's been almost a month since we did it.”
Time flew. Last time was her birthday—yeah, about a month. Maybe nearly losing me amped her urges.
Couldn't ignore her heat, so off to Seongnam. I'd scoped unmanned motels near Seoul—found one in Jeongja-dong. Same distance as Bundang or Seoul, but psychologically safer for a fame-magnet like Suji.
“Uncle, why no word yet? You tired?”
Decision made, she groped me from the passenger seat. Stroking my thigh, unsatisfied, she grabbed my crotch through pants, squeezing. No reaction—she eyed me sadly.
But I teased more. For her pent-up fire to erupt huge, she needed to ache harder. Feigning nonchalance, I shrugged, “Must be the stress lately,” gaze drifting to flashing headlights.
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