#142
Thinking that something must be wrong, I looked around the machine and suddenly noticed an explanation about a long-term non-use limit.
It said that if the ATM hasn’t been used for a long time, the withdrawal limit is automatically fixed at 700,000 won. Since I had never used an ATM before, the limit was automatically set.
‘Who am I supposed to stick this money to?’
Moreover, even without the long-term non-use limit, the daily withdrawal limit was 6 million won to begin with, which was far from the comfortable escape I had in mind. Using a bank teller was absolutely out of the question as I could be caught on the spot and handed over to those two.
‘No, that’s not right. I can just spend frugally and earn money.’
Living abundantly until now wasn’t like me. Although it was frustrating to think about the money piled up in the account, I had no choice but to turn back with just 700,000 won.
From now on, it was really a race against time. If those two found out that I, who should be quietly receiving treatment, suddenly withdrew money from an ATM, they would track me down immediately. Considering that I also had to avoid the security guards, I really had to be careful.
I put the envelope of money securely in my bag and came out of the booth. Then I started moving along the building at a moderately fast pace, trying not to get caught on CCTV as much as possible. I had to get to the hotel somehow without being discovered.
‘I want to run.’
I wanted to move quickly, but everyone on the street was moving leisurely, so I thought I might stand out if I hurried.
‘Somehow… escaping is quite difficult.’
Is it because I’m the type to overthink things? Every action was worrying, and I was concerned about how I might look.
Still, unexpectedly, I hadn’t been caught yet. I cautiously moved towards the hotel visible in the distance, feeling relieved for now.
I moved mainly through alleys, but inevitably had to go on main roads as well. It was when I was looking at the brightly sunlit main street from a shadowy alley. I made eye contact with someone.
A man who was about to turn his head away indifferently suddenly turned his head back and looked at me again.
“Y-You are…!”
I quickly grabbed the man’s arm and pulled him into the alley. Since he clearly realized my identity, I couldn’t let him call out my name loudly.
“Shh, please be quiet.”
I covered his mouth with my hand and stared straight into his eyes as I spoke. The man nodded with a dazed expression.
When I removed my hand, thinking he had calmed down a bit, he blinked and cautiously asked.
“What are you doing in an alley like this?”
What excuse should I make? Since we were still close to the center, it would be a big problem if my identity was revealed already.
“I have an important mission. I’m moving quietly while hiding my identity to avoid causing confusion among ordinary citizens. Could you please keep this quiet?”
As I blurted out whatever came to mind, the man looked at me with a contemplative face and then nodded.
“In exchange, take a selfie with me and give me an autograph.”
“I need to move quickly for my mission…”
“Still. Where else would I meet Lee Jaeha… I mean, Mr. Lee Jaeha?”
For a moment, I felt dazed as if I had become some kind of celebrity, but I couldn’t refuse. The determined look in his eyes showed that he wouldn’t leave unless I complied.
“Alright. Give me your phone.”
“Please lower your mask. Since we’re taking a picture anyway…”
I reluctantly took the phone and stood next to the man to take a picture. The man then looked at the photo and exclaimed.
“Wow, I look like a total squid.”
“Um, since I’m in a hurry, could you quickly give me some paper and a pen?”
“Yes! Please write ‘Always be happy, Lee Dongho’.”
The man took out a notebook and pen from his bag. Seeing the student ID and name written on the notebook, he seemed to be a college student. I scribbled something that vaguely resembled a signature and wrote “Always be happy, Mr. Lee Dongho”. The man received the notebook with a very satisfied expression.
Then he very willingly said, “It would be easier for you to move if I pretend to be part of your group,” and moved with me from the main street to the next alley.
“I’ll keep supporting you!”
“Th-Thank you.”
I awkwardly smiled and moved on to the next street, leaving the man behind. After that, I walked diligently while hiding my presence even more earnestly, and soon the hotel entrance came into view.
From now on, I needed to move with even more care. Since hotels have many people and many CCTVs, I had to pretend to be a hotel guest as naturally as possible.
‘No one will think I’m loitering around the hotel in such comfortable sweatpants.’
Moreover, since these were relatively cheap and somewhat shabby clothes that the original Lee Jaeha owned, people would be even less likely to recognize me.
Thinking this, I confidently entered the hotel, and as I expected, no one seemed to pay attention to me. The front desk looked busy helping people check in, and the people sitting in the lobby were too engrossed in their own conversations to care about others.
I went straight to the elevator. And I couldn’t help but be a bit flustered.
“Which floor would you like to go to, sir?”
Is it because this is a much more luxurious hotel than the one I went to last time? An employee smiled and asked in front of the elevator.
“Could I see your key card, please?”
Suddenly, I thought, “Ah!” I realized that without a key card, it would be difficult to use the hotel elevator.
But if I backed out now and tried to use the emergency stairs, it was obvious that I would look even more suspicious.
“I’m here to visit a guest. Do I need a key card?”
“I’m afraid the guest themselves need to come down or we need to verify.”
The employee answered in a kind voice. The problem was how to go up, as I didn’t have a phone, and I didn’t even know Ray’s phone number to begin with.
In the end, I had no choice but to slightly lower my mask, put my finger on my lips, and show my face to the employee.
“I’m here to meet Ray, who’s staying at this hotel.”
The employee who recognized my face looked at me with a surprised expression and opened their mouth.
“It’s a secret visit for friendship purposes. Could you quietly let me in? These days, reporters swarm even if I move a little…”
When I deliberately spoke as if I was tired, the employee looked conflicted for a moment before slowly nodding. It seemed they were willing to handle this flexibly at their discretion, even though following regulations would be correct.
“Please don’t tell anyone that I came, if possible. My visit could easily become known… and above all, it’s just a simple visit, but there’s a high chance it could be exaggerated.”
The employee nodded, seeming to understand my intention. There had been a flurry of articles treating me like some sort of public asset and saying I shouldn’t be sent to another country, so they seemed to understand what I was worried about.
After thanking the kind employee, I went up to the 100th floor using the employee’s key. Since the employee pressed 100 directly, Ray must surely be staying there.
When I got off on the 100th floor, I saw a narrow hallway with only one large door. I walked up to it and rang the bell, and someone opened the door slightly after a moment.
“How did Guide Lee Jaeha come here…”
It was the interpreter, Nikki. She looked at me with wide eyes, seemingly surprised by my sudden visit.
“Is Ray… and others inside?”
“Uh… yes. They were about to leave though…”
“Let me in for now.”
She opened the door for me, and I went in and closed and locked the door firmly.
As I passed through the luxurious hallway to the reception room, I made eye contact with Ray, who was eating a Korean-style macaron.
“Huh?”
“H-Hello.”
My legs felt weak from the relief of somehow making it here and anxiety about what’s to come. As I slumped down, Ray ran over and pulled me up.
“Honey, what’s wrong? No, doesn’t Korea give you money? Why are you wearing something that looks like a sack?”
I was grateful that he sat me down on the sofa, but I sighed at the word “sack”. Well, to Ray’s eyes, sitting in a luxury hotel room wearing what looked like high-quality clothes, it might look that way.
I turned to look at Nikki. It was to ask her for interpretation.
“Excuse me, could I know when you’re returning to America?”
When I asked in Korean, Nikki promptly interpreted it into English. It was quite inconvenient to be able to understand but not speak.
“Us? Don’t know. Our Awakened Management Department is also angry because of the kidnapping incident last time. We’re just pretending to be on vacation and staying put.”
At his leisurely words, I rubbed the back of my head and then suddenly stood up and exclaimed.
“Is there no way to return to America right away?”
“Guide Lee Jaeha, why so suddenly?”
I must have spoken too loudly. Nikki looked at me with a startled expression.
“I’m not thinking of naturalizing to America, but actually, I need to leave Korea for a while, and you’re the only people I could think of to help me…”
Ray tilted his head after hearing my words translated.
“What about Center Director Hyun? Can’t you ask him? From the news, it seemed like Shin was also close to you.”
“It’s… because I’m running away from those two.”
When I spoke in a troubled, small voice, Ray suddenly burst into laughter. It was a hearty laugh, so I thought he would help me. I awkwardly laughed along and waited for Ray’s permission.
“Sorry, but that won’t work.”
However, the answer that came back was completely different from what I had expected. I thought I might have heard wrong, but Ray grinned and clearly shook his head.
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
