RB - 7

Chapter 7: The Devil and a Short-Term Romance

Seoyeon stood still, holding her phone in one hand and her bag in the other. Her arms trembled uncontrollably.

Jinhyeok approached and grabbed her shoulders with both hands.

“Come here.”

Seoyeon, dazed, was pulled back to her seat.

Jinhyeok stared at Seoyeon, who couldn’t even speak, her lips trembling without words.

After a long, suffocating silence, Seoyeon’s lips finally parted.

“You… you knew, didn’t you? The day I first texted, you knew I was Han Seoyeon, the assistant manager.”

Instead of answering, Jinhyeok lifted one corner of his mouth. Seoyeon thought to herself that he was the devil.

“Stop getting angry, Han Seoyeon. You were the one who kept pestering me to meet. You asked me seventeen times.”

Seoyeon gasped for air, her frail shoulders rising and falling.

Jinhyeok, indifferent, leisurely unbuttoned one of his shirt buttons.

“Daniel Shin didn’t figure it out? Han Seoyeon, I’m disappointed.”

“…How could I have figured that out? Did you wear a sign on your forehead?”

Jinhyeok crossed his long legs and sank into the sofa. He returned the question to her.

“Daniel Shin. Doesn’t the name sound a bit strange? I’m a citizen, you know. Daniel Shin.”

Seoyeon muttered Jinhyeok’s name slowly. It was maddening.

“Shin Jinhyeok. Daniel Shin… Ha! You really think you’re some kind of god, don’t you?”

“There were other hints. Does a café on the first floor of this building make sense? How do you think they’re managing the rent? Selling coffee every day would still leave them in the red.”

He chuckled, then added, “The landlord’s hobby is brewing coffee.”

Seoyeon’s beautiful features twisted in pain. She clenched her fist so hard that her nails dug into her palm, but she didn’t feel the pain.

“And one more thing. Why do you think Daniel Shin only replied to you? Why bother responding to an assistant manager?”

“…What do you want from me?”

Jinhyeok pulled his body closer to Seoyeon, leaning in toward her. He locked eyes with her deeply and spoke.

“Let’s date. With me.”

“Are you a pervert?”

Jinhyeok slowly traced his index finger over his lips. Seoyeon’s harsh words didn’t even faze him. He looked like a predator toying with its prey.

“I’m not asking for anything long-term, just a six-month contract romance.”

“Was this how trashy you were?”

“You won’t lose anything. I’ll freeze the rent and give you money. You like money, don’t you, Han Seoyeon?”

“Han Seoyeon, who likes money. The poor girl living in an orphanage, poor but proud.”

In high school, Seoyeon had been a well-known girl. Beautiful, smart, popular, and yet, she had the tragic backstory of living in an orphanage. It was dramatic, to say the least.

She helped her classmates with their assignments for money.

Many students came to Seoyeon for this favor. It was a decent amount of money. With that money, she could live without a part-time job for a while after going to college.

Of course, there were always whispers.

— Han Seoyeon, she’s obsessed with money. She’s crazy about it. That’s why you shouldn’t hang out with poor people.

As the memories resurfaced, Seoyeon felt a twisting pain in her gut.

With her head lowered, she spoke to Jinhyeok. She couldn’t raise her head, fearing that her teary eyes would be exposed.

“What… What did I do wrong? Why are you doing this to me? Why are you going this far?”

“There’s no reason to hesitate, is there? This isn’t an offer you’ll regret. Think about it coldly, Han Seoyeon.”

“You’re the devil. It’s a good thing there’s no cup of water in front of me. If there was, you’d be getting a water splash right now.”

Further arguing seemed pointless, and Seoyeon’s strength was running low. She suddenly stood up from her seat. Dizziness made her stagger, but thankfully, she didn’t collapse in front of Jinhyeok.

As Seoyeon turned to leave, Jinhyeok called after her.

“Assistant Manager Han Seoyeon, I’ve heard you’re the ace at JB Company. The negotiation is in your hands. Use your head.”

Seoyeon walked out of the café and headed toward the bus stop. Her unsteady steps in high heels were precarious.

Outside, a thick fog covered the area. It felt as though her heart, too, was shrouded in a fog of despair.

If it wasn’t a meaningful connection, especially if it was a bad one, it was only right not to get involved in each other’s lives. Seoyeon bit her lower lip.

The next day, Jinhyeok couldn’t focus on work all morning.

He reread emails, shredded documents to be filed, and kept making foolish mistakes, but his mind was preoccupied with Seoyeon.

Her expression had been markedly different from usual. Had the worst thing he feared come to pass? Jinhyeok felt parched, his mouth dry with anxiety.

Knock, knock.

Assistant Manager Kim Mina knocked on the partition, and Seoyeon reflexively looked up.

It was still winter, but when she saw Kim Mina, dressed in a thin, fluttering dress, Seoyeon thought it might be spring soon.

“Oh my, Assistant Manager Han, are you feeling sick? You look so worn out.”

Either use casual or formal speech, don’t mix them. And calling me worn out in front of everyone? A flash of irritation crossed Seoyeon’s gaze.

“Assistant Manager Kim, is there something urgent? Why didn’t you just send me a message instead of coming here?”

“Did you meet Daniel Shin? Manager Jeong asked about it. Jinhyeok said he doesn’t know…”

Kim Mina glanced at Jinhyeok, who sat diagonally from them, and smiled faintly. He awkwardly waved his hand in greeting. Jinhyeok was already eavesdropping on their conversation.

Seoyeon pressed her temple and spoke.

“You’ll be receiving the work report tomorrow. Why does Manager Jeong want to know?”

“Oh no, earlier he had lunch with the executives from the tenants, and they were all talking about you. They said there’s hope for the rent issue.”

Seoyeon sighed involuntarily. Yeah, I dug my own grave. Was I out of my mind taking that medicine yesterday? Why did I make a big deal about Daniel Shin replying at the tenants’ meeting?

Seoyeon opened her drawer and took out some painkillers.

“Oh my, Assistant Manager Han, you’re really not feeling well, huh? No wonder you look so worn out. You need to be careful as you get older. You’re turning thirty the day after tomorrow.”

The well-hidden concern in Kim Mina’s voice carried a distinctive twist that felt insincere, and Seoyeon could sense it clearly.

How childish, complaining about just one year of difference. Seoyeon knew exactly why Kim Mina had come all the way over here instead of just sending a message. It was all because of Shin Jinhyeok.

Probably doing it to make Jinhyeok jealous, but he already has his queen. Wake up, you poor thing.

“Assistant Manager Han, you got a message. It’s shining.”

When it rains, it pours. Seoyeon glanced at her phone screen, where a message had appeared. It was from the academy where Bi Ryu attended.

— Congratulations. Kim Bi Ryu has passed the level test with a high score. We’ll guide you through the S-class tuition via phone consultation.

Even though Bi Ryu was good at studying, a special school for exceptionally gifted students wasn’t an easy place to get into. While she couldn’t afford private tutoring that cost hundreds of thousands, Seoyeon needed to send him to a good academy. And that required more money.

Oh no. An ominous feeling crossed Seoyeon’s heart, and the devil’s sneer pierced her carotid artery.

Seoyeon was desperate for an incentive, for a promotion. She had graduated late, so her employment had also been delayed. This promotion was a critical opportunity in her life. And there was also her live-in boyfriend, Bi Ryu, who had a long road ahead of him. Money was crucial for his future.

The devil of money always made Seoyeon humble, ugly, and guilty. She had never won against money, not when she was born, not during her school days, and not even in college.

“...This is really a dead-end.”

Seoyeon swallowed the nausea pressing against her chest. She squeezed her eyes shut, disgusted by herself for trying to figure out how much she should accept.

Ahead of her was a thorny path, and behind her was a cliff. The inferiority complex that had been boiling hot inside her suddenly met the cold reality, and in an instant, it cooled down, breaking her spirit into tiny pieces like ice.

With a vacant expression, Seoyeon took out a blank A4 sheet of paper and began writing down ways to secure both the public and private benefits. She was, after all, a vulgar money-grubber who used calculations in crisis situations as part of her identity.

1. Public: Successfully negotiate the rent. Secure a promotion and rewards.

2. Private: Get paid for six months of mental labor. Secure a large sum of money, enough for financial treatment.

Yeah, I have no pride. I was born with nothing, so what can I do? But at least I’m better than those scum who play with others’ livelihoods, Seoyeon tried to rationalize to herself as she opened her eyes, forcing herself to accept the truth.

Now it made sense why Shin Jinhyeok had been so confident. He probably knew she’d eventually accept the offer. A sticky feeling of self-contempt clung to her.

Suddenly, Seoyeon’s phone screen flickered again. At the same time, the messenger window on the monitor blinked.

— Assistant Manager Han Seoyeon, see you tonight at 10 PM at Café L’Amant.

— Assistant Manager Han, did you meet Daniel Shin yesterday?

At exactly 10 PM, Seoyeon entered Café L’Amant.

She neatly tied her previously flowing hair and carried a solemn expression. She quietly ordered her drink.

“I have no pride. I left my pride at home. If I endure for six months, I’ll secure both public and private benefits. I am a money-grubber.”

“Pff... Haha, ha.”

Jinhyeok burst into laughter as he watched Seoyeon muttering to herself. It was as if he already knew exactly what kind of resolution she was making. Seoyeon glared at him fiercely.

“Pff... Sorry, sorry. What would you like to drink?”

“Water, cold water.”

Tap.

Jinhyeok placed a cup of water on the table, filled with ice. He watched Seoyeon staring intently at the cup as he spoke.

“No water splashing, this shirt’s really expensive. Even if I sell a hundred coffees here, I can’t afford it.”

Why is he showing off his money at a time like this? Seoyeon coldly responded, thinking it was a ridiculous joke.

“Should I call you Daniel Shin? Or Shin Jinhyeok? Which name would you prefer?”

“They’re both trash that abuses their power, so what does the name matter? Call me whatever you want.”

Seoyeon took a file from her bag and slammed it onto the table. Jinhyeok, showing no interest in the documents, continued to watch her with blatant curiosity in his eyes, which was enough to provoke Seoyeon’s displeasure.

“Shin Jinhyeok, just so you know, you’re an extortionist with implied intent. Let me tell you my conditions first.”

An extortionist... Not a title I particularly like, but Jinhyeok nodded leisurely, adopting a generous attitude, as if saying “Go ahead, tell me what you want.”

“First, freeze the rent. But don’t make it look too easy. Make it seem like it was the result of tough negotiations with me. That way, our TF team can take full credit for it.”

“Not difficult. Next.”

“Second, I’ll take money. I’m Han Seoyeon, and I love money. But if I receive it directly from you, I’ll feel disgusted. It wouldn’t feel right, like some kind of transaction.”

“Disgusted, huh? Even with your choice of words, you don’t hold back,” Jinhyeok said with an amused laugh.

Seoyeon ignored his mocking tone and continued with the words she had prepared. This was the most important justification for her to rationalize this humiliating contract.

“Be a sponsor. Bi Ryu, a first-year high school student, wants to go to medical school. He’ll probably make it. He’s really good at studying.”

Seoyeon had repeated semesters and took breaks from school to make money for tuition and living expenses. Bi Ryu couldn’t follow the same path. With a composed expression, Seoyeon continued speaking.

“Support Bi Ryu for the entire two years of his pre-medical course and the four years of his medical course, so that he can study without ever having to take a break. Cover all his tuition and living expenses, in the name of Daniel Shin.”

Seoyeon, despite being a money-grubber, a worn-out human who had sold her soul for money, wanted to make amends by creating a sponsor for Bi Ryu. It was a way to atone for herself, for the Seoyeon whose soul had already been sold.