CH 6.4

“Fake… you say?”

In the office where Aria was flowing, the wall clock showed 8:25 PM. Giha sat down with the young man and recounted the bizarre suggestion he had made a while ago.

“So… You mean not Cocaine, but a fake to replace Cocaine?”

“Right.”

The man answered.

“Then what are you going to do when you get caught…”

“It’s not like they can identify with their eyes, and everyone has a good voice. I just need to kill time for about a month.”

It was Executive Director Cha Yiseok who spoke. Although he was the offspring of Taeryung Group’s Chairman Cha, he was said to be at odds with the Chairman because of his debauchery. Cha Yiseok contributed to the growth of the Taeryung group with aggressive management policies and attracted the attention of major shareholders. However, Chairman Cha, the largest shareholder, forced Cha Yiseok to resign citing his lack of experience and poor management. He returned a year later with the help of his grandfather, the honorary Chairman, but Cha Myunghwan was already faring well with Chairman Cha backing him. The rumour that Cha Myunghwan was recently battling cancer was an open secret.

Inwardly, it was expected that Yiseok would take the opportunity and get on Cha Myunghwan’s side. But not Cocaine, but a fake to replace him… This was an unexpected offer, and it even smelled dangerous. Even Giha, who rarely shows emotions, looked surprised.

“Cocaine is at the heart of Paradiso. If you take a fake, the illness will definitely get worse and risk damaging the image of the store.”

“I will keep it a secret that President Cha contacted the healer. Chairman Cha also does not want it to leak to the outside.”

“Excuse me, but how much longer will President Cha…”

“Two months would be a hopeful situation, but at least one month.”

Cha Yiseok replied indifferently. His eyes sweeped at the scorpion tattoo on the nape of GIha’s neck.

“It’s unfortunate at such a young age. How about receiving the healing of Cocaine right now? Of course, if it’s too late, Cocaine can’t help it either. Cancer patients need at least a month or more. It’s a bit risky, but he’s been able to heal a similar case…”

Giha asked, rubbing his chin.

“Is the Executive Director perhaps distrusting Cocaine? You don’t have to worry about it…”

“People are the most beautiful when they live according to their name. Ah, this is also the Chairman’s philosophy.”

“…”

“Those people, if they confirm the healing effects of Cocaine, they will try to monopolise him for the rest of their lives. Because confinement, kidnapping, and murder are easier for them than swiping a card. But above all…”

The murky voice continued firmly.

“I don’t want to give Cocaine to anyone. If the circumstances allow, I want to hide him in a place no one knows right now.”

Giha’s eyes widened. It was the reason why he didn’t have any partners, against expectations. He knew that Executive Director Cha was obsessed with Cocaine, but was that the only reason he was deceiving Chairman Cha and not caring about his half-brother, who was battling cancer? Should he say it’s passionate or thoughtless? Giha decided to focus on the latter first. However, it wasn’t like Executive Director Cha was particularly pathetic. Cocaine’s songs were similar to drugs, and if you’re addicted to drugs, it’s natural that you neglect even your mother and father.

Cha Yiseok said with a smooth smile.

“Recommend one. I will choose myself.”

“But Director Cha…”

“The Chairman must have done some research and made a decision. We will meet and decide whether to heal or not, but we need people to take care of it before that.”

“But if you ever get caught…”

“I’m not bothered. No one knows the face of Cocaine because of the mask. There are exceptions though.”

Cha Yiseok murmured and looked straight at Giha.

“I want to do something to change your mind…”

Cha Yiseok leaned his head against the back of the sofa like a mollusk. Then, as if he remembered it, he tilted his head and met his gaze.

“How about 1% of my stake?”

Giha breathed in sharply. Taeryung Group was forming a huge kingdom that encompassed everything from automobiles to electronics, construction, finance, steel and the medical field. The total assets alone reached 150 trillion won, and the company recently touched on semiconductors, accelerating the stock price rise. Even if it’s Cha Yiseok’s stake, it’s around 7%, if it’s 1%… A sleepy voice intervened as he quickly tapped the calculator in his head.

“Is it too little?”

“No, it’s not that…”

“Then are you doing it?”

“No, no, that’s not it, wait a minute…”

Giha loosened the tie that tightened the collar. It was difficult to keep cool in an unrealistic situation.

“Executive Director Cha. It’s a very interesting offer for me, but the risks cannot be ignored.”

“It’s worth risking your life.”

“It might be dangerous for our kids too.”

“I won’t let a single hair be touched.”

“But the risk…”

“You just have to give me one person and take the stake. I will take care of the rest.”

Giha was silent. It wasn’t something to be taken lightly like Cha Yiseok’s tone. When Cha Myunghwan developed cancer with the succession of management rights just around the corner, the presence of a healer came into the ears of Chairman Cha. Cha Yiseok had no intention of cooperating. Then again, underneath the ambiguous political drama, the struggle for management rights…

Cha Yiseok said, raising one eyebrow.

“So it is too little?”

“No, that amount could not be small…”

“Then are you doing it?”

“No, no, that’s not it, wait a minute…”

As he swallowed his saliva, Giha’s neck twitched.

“It’s a sudden offer, so it’s hard to make a decision right away. Could you give me time to think?”

“Sure. It will be a tough decision for anyone.”

Cha Yiseok raised his cuffs and glanced at his watch.

“Five minutes would be enough, wouldn’t it?”

‘This bastard’s really playing around…’

Giha cursed inwardly. Cha Yiseok had a calm face and was playing with his fingers on his crossed legs.

“Whether it’s five minutes or five days, the choice is one or the other. I think it’s simple. If you lend a singer and take the stake, it will be over.”

Cha Yiseok took a sip of the lit cigarette and got up.

“Then, let’s get it out of the way so we can focus.”

Cha Yiseok walked to the bookshelf and looked at the CD case with his back bent. He pulled out one of them, looked at the front, and said something to himself. As much as the embers of the cigarette caught in his fingers ignited, soot was also formed inside Giha.

In fact, it was an offer that was more than appealing. He only needs to find someone to pretend until Cha Myunghwan passes away, and take his stake, as Cha Yiseok said. Even if not here, there are many places to find people. Ten years ago, he was entrusted with Paradiso’s management by an anonymous investor on the condition that he find a healer. He dedicated his life to the dream of one day taking over Paradiso. But, at best, he was a salaryman. Instead of taking over with this salary, if the actual owner sold the store, he would be unemployed. If he accepted the offer, he was much more likely to realise his dream, and he would become close with the Taeryung family. However, that was only when Cha Myunghwan died and Cha Yiseok took over.

Then Cha Yiseok checked his watch and walked over. He said as he bent his upper body and rubbed his cigarette into the ashtray.

“I guess it’s not possible for us. I am cancelling my reservation today.”

“… Yes?”

“You’re doing a lot of thinking. I like simple people.”

Cha Yiseok turned around without hesitation. He didn’t even want to ask any more.

“W-wait… !”

Giha inadvertently grabbed Cha Yiseok’s arm. Cha Yiseok’s elongated legs came into view, and his gaze was fixed on his head. His hands were sweating profusely. The bad feeling didn’t go away. If he accepted the rake-off, he was likely to get away with it if he was connected to a huge influence if things got messy.

“I don’t know if there is anyone I can recommend. They’re all so timid.”

…So we can’t do it. It was clear that he was going to risk his life. After he spilled, he felt more at ease. But this time there was no response from Cha Yiseok. Maybe he’s changed your mind… Giha smiled under the guise of composure.

“Do you perhaps have someone in mind…”

Executive Director Cha stood without expression. It was awkward as he looked up and down consecutively. Most of all, Giha’s anxiety was now shaken by his expression as he could not guess what he was thinking. After staring for a long time with his eyes looking down, Director Cha opened his mouth.

“Who knows. It’s all the same. I’d like to be brazen and have no countermeasures.”

Giha burst into relief inwardly.

“So that the President and the Chairman don’t look for a healer again.”

“Just hearing that name makes me shiver.”

“It’s no problem for a normal guy.”

Kang Giha grinned. Cha Yiseok. He seemed to be playing around at first glance, relaxed yet tense, and it was not normal to drop a bomb and then leave. Giha assumed that he was a drug addict and ignorant of the world, but it was a mistake. The clock showed 8:36. It felt like he was possessed by the fact that this important deal was made in just 10 minutes.

Anyway, who would be good… He lined up the rest of the singers in his head, except for Cocaine. Giha got up from his seat and asked Cha Yiseok to shake hands.

“Tell me anything you need in the future. I will do my best to help. Director Cha.”

Cha Yiseok only glanced at his hand that stretched out like a branch. Snake scales flashed in his eyes.

“It’s the first time I’ve heard such an ecstatic oath.”

The voice was sticky.