The Unbelievers

Chapter 80

“What if you just come on strong when you like someone? You have to consider the other person’s position too. You should think of the CEO as completely uninterested in that sort of thing.”

Although there were only records of how a man could become pregnant and give birth, without anyone having actually seen it, Eunseong’s appearance was that of someone in love, not a physical response for species reproduction.

Director Nam knew Yoo Siwoon’s personality better than anyone. Yoo Siwoon wouldn’t reciprocate Eunseong’s feelings even if he had a knife to his throat. That was his character and essence. Though he appeared rough on the outside, inside he was a moralist constantly seeking the right path, and one of the few conscientious people in the Seongha family. Of course, any sane person would rightly abhor the actions of the cult group.

“Ahjussi… didn’t you have anyone like that before, someone you dated?”

“I think he might have casually dated a few people in college, but he never talks about it, and he’s not really interested in that area. He’s quite plain when it comes to romance. He’s a workaholic who only knows work.”

“…”

“The CEO doesn’t dislike you, Eunseong. No, he probably cares for you a lot. I’m not just saying this to make you feel better, I know this because I serve the CEO closely. The CEO truly cherishes you. You’d be surprised if you knew what efforts he’s making. Even I’m sometimes surprised.”

“…The CEO does? How?”

“I can’t tell you the details, but I can tell you this one thing. The CEO might have the same feelings.”

“What if ahjussi likes me? If we like each other, what do you think, Director Nam?”

Eunseong asked hesitantly.

“Even so, what’s not possible is not possible. It’s true that the CEO cares for you, but he can’t give you what you’re hoping for. That’s the CEO’s belief.”

“I see…”

Director Nam shook his head gravely, saying that unfortunately, those feelings couldn’t be reciprocated, that his CEO was such a strong believer that he was like a once-in-a-lifetime scholar and completely uninterested in romance, so it would be difficult for Eunseong to receive the kind of affection he was expecting. However, there was no need to feel disappointed because the CEO’s care for him was genuine, but given various practical issues, it would be difficult for the two of them to be together, in his opinion.

“When you have something precious later on, Eunseong, you’ll understand how the CEO feels. You know what I mean, right? It’s absolutely not because he dislikes you, so don’t get hurt and run away. You need to live your own life, Eunseong. Why leave home because you’re hurt by someone fourteen years older than you? You’re the only one who loses.”

“…”

Sitting on the sofa where he had been entangled with Yoo Siwoon for hours, kissing each other’s lips just a few days ago, listening to Director Nam earnestly making excuses on Yoo Siwoon’s behalf, Eunseong felt uncomfortable. He felt like he was deceiving Director Nam. He hesitated, feeling like he should tell him the truth.

That CEO had put aside his beliefs that night, calling himself trash while showering Eunseong with kisses.

“Why is your face suddenly turning red? Well, you’re at that age. I understand.”

“Um, Director Nam.”

“Now you really need to study. If you can’t say a word when you go abroad, you might end up starving because you can’t even buy food. I’m not asking for much. Just do the basics, the basics.”

Director Nam kept urging Eunseong to study English, even though he said he wasn’t going to study abroad. Eunseong closed the conversation book that Director Nam had opened and continued speaking.

“But I have somewhere I want to go.”

“Where?”

“Can I use ahjussi’s money?”

“Eunseong, you have a lot of money, don’t you? Did you spend all the money from selling everything he bought you?”

Director Nam asked back with an expression that suggested Eunseong was asking strange questions just because he didn’t want to study.

“I lost that.”

“What?”

Director Nam frowned.

“So that’s why I’m asking, can I use ahjussi’s money? I have somewhere to use it.”

“I guess earning money yourself has made you realize how precious money is, how hard labor is, and you’ve had some self-reflection? Using money that others earn for you is the best. Originally, there are people who spend and people who earn separately. Do as you like.”

Director Nam, who had been looking at Eunseong with eyes that seemed to ask why he was suddenly saying such things, soon nodded in understanding. He seemed to think that since Eunseong wouldn’t be able to have his feelings for Yoo Siwoon reciprocated, he was trying to get compensation for those feelings by at least using his money.

“Even if I spend it extravagantly?”

“Extravagantly?”

“Yes, can I spend it extravagantly?”

He sighed and answered as if it wasn’t a big deal.

“The CEO is someone who doesn’t even have time to spend money, so it would be good if someone spent it for him.”

If it provided some comfort to his heart, that would be fortunate. It was a hundred times better than silently leaving home and hiding somewhere. Director Nam gave permission to do as he pleased.

“I clearly said ‘extravagantly’.”

Eunseong was only twenty years old, and due to his previously difficult life, he tended to be frugal.

Director Nam answered without any concern for the extravagant spending that Eunseong was warning about.

“I don’t know how extravagantly you plan to spend, but it won’t even make a dent. Don’t worry and spend extravagantly. I’m curious to see what happens when the limit of that limitless card is reached.”

∞ ∞ ∞

“Man, I’ve never seen such a lowlife. Even his name was fake. No wonder something seemed off. Asking for his salary in cash, couldn’t open a bank account. He acted like he had something really shady to hide.”

“Wow, seriously? For real?”

“He just looked decent with that pretty face, so everyone thought well of him. The restaurant ajumma especially liked him. But he wasn’t just some petty thief, he was actually a wanted criminal? In the end, he was dragged away by the police.”

“That’s insane, must have been scary. You worked with a criminal for over a month without knowing.”

“It still gives me the chills thinking about it. Living with someone like that for a month.”

Kim Dongjun shuddered and rubbed the goosebumps on his arms. The new part-timer who was hired after Eunseong left pretended to shiver, saying the world was scary and it gave him goosebumps too.

After the theft incident, Kim Dongjun had deliberately made things difficult to make Eunseong quit, but Eunseong had left in a completely unexpected way, which secretly relieved Kim Dongjun. He smirked, remembering the large sum of money he had transferred to his account a few days ago. With Eunseong arrested, the blind money had now become entirely his. The person who could question that money was now in prison, and he would never meet him again.

After chatting about various things, the new part-timer got up, saying he was going to eat.

“Oh, alright. Don’t take another smoke break, come right back. Five minutes turns into ten, and ten turns into twenty.”

“Come on, when have I ever been that late? I’ll be back soon.”

The new part-timer was openly slacking off from the start. He tried to leave his post at every opportunity under the pretext of smoking, and he had a habit of putting off tasks he needed to do and trying to pass them on to Kim Dongjun, who had the next shift.

“Ah, this guy’s no good either. I’ll have to get rid of him soon.”

Kim Dongjun didn’t like the new part-timer either. He had set up the motel work to revolve around himself and made part-timers he didn’t like quit by bullying them in various ways.

The owner, who managed buildings in various places, trusted Kim Dongjun, who had been working for over a year, considering him diligent compared to the impatient employees who couldn’t even last a month or two. Since the owner rarely visited the motel and mostly followed Kim Dongjun’s opinions, the motel was practically Kim Dongjun’s domain.

It was chillingly surprising to find out that Eunseong, who had been easy to deceive and exploit, turned out to be a real wanted criminal. It was just like the old saying that you can know ten fathoms of water, but not the mind of man.

Eunseong had an appearance that made it impossible to even imagine such a thing. He seemed like he had run away from home due to family troubles and acted like a fugitive hiding from loan sharks. Kim Dongjun had actively exploited Eunseong’s situation where he couldn’t actively cope and no one could help him.

Just as Kim Dongjun was about to scold the new part-timer who came back ten minutes late despite being told to come right back after eating, something happened.

“Wow, amazing! This is insane!”

“What’s going on?”

The part-timer was making a fuss as if he had just seen a famous celebrity up close.

“You know that restaurant we go to? Apparently, some regular customer there bought luxury bags and padded jackets for the owner and all the working ajummas. All Moncler long coats. It’s chaos there now. Everyone’s checking them out.”

“What? Who?”

“I’m not sure who exactly, but they said it was a regular customer at the restaurant. Oh, there was a Bentley parked in front, I think it might be the owner of that car?”

He was excited, his face flushed as he made a fuss about seeing a car that was rarely seen in this neighborhood.

“Really? Who could it be? I might know them since I go there often. It could be someone I know.”

Kim Dongjun, also curious, was about to get up from the counter to follow him and take a look.

“Oh, I think they said Eunseong? The ajumma seemed really happy to see him. I think they said Eunseong.”

“What?”