CH 1.4

6. A butterfly in a vase (4)

[Director Cha… Cough. I’m Kwon Hyun-Ho. I’m really sorry, I know you’re on vacation, but…. Cough, cough. Can you accompany the CEO on her business trip to the UK today?]

At first, Ji-Won couldn’t understand what the other party was saying because of the sound of coughing. He was worried that the Chief of Security, who called in a dying voice, was coughing so hard even though he said those few words that his lungs might be pulled out.

However, what did this gentleman just tell me to do? A business trip to England? With the CEO? Ji-Won, who was slowly pondering the words of the Chief of Security, opened his eyes a little wide.

“…today?”

[Cough. Yes, something happened to Chester. I know you’re going to London just in time, so I’d really appreciate it if you could spare me three days. Director Cha just needs to be next to the CEO just in case. When you get there, there will be an employee who will be responsible for the luggage and accommodation, so you don’t have to worry about that.]

“No, that’s not the problem…. Why would you call me for that?”

Coincidentally, all of the secretaries, including the Chief of Security, said they had a terrible flu and were resting. It was not possible to postpone the schedule, so they were urgently looking for a replacement among guides who can inevitably assist the work of the CEO of Jungcheon. And among them, Ji-Won was the one who is most familiar with English-speaking culture.

‘Well, I know it’s urgent, but…. No matter how few people there are, why would he trust me to do this?’

“Did the CEO said she was okay with this, too?”

[CEO is not picky about people or objects.]

‘Really? She looked very sensitive though. It’s unexpected. But I’m not very confident in helping anyone, but…. Still, if we’re on the same way anyway and the other person has a cold personality, is there anything I can’t do just to accompany her? It’s not difficult to make time for about three days because I didn’t have a tight schedule in the first place….’

After thinking for a while, Ji-Won decided to comply with the request of the Chief of Security. Originally, when he would make a decision over something, he usually took his decision very quickly. But this time he hesitated a bit because he wondered what the CEO of Jungcheon, who usually spends most of her time in Jungcheon, would do on a business trip abroad.

“Okay. I’ll accompany her there. What time is the flight?”

[Oh, thank you so much. The departure is at two o’clock, but before that….]

However, it took less than a minute for Ji-Won to regret his curiosity. The Chief of Security, who seemed sorry for not being able to do the job himself, began to pour out words of caution as if he had been waiting for Ji-Won’s approval. The length of the precaution was so long that Ji-Won couldn’t even remember how detailed the contents were, so he had to record in the middle.

What is this? He just said that I need to be next to the CEO. But he wants me to check her blood pressure in the morning and at night? Huh, I mean, I had to take care of her, not babysit her. However, when he thought about how he had been deceived, it was already an irreversible situation.

[That’s all I can tell you. Please hear the detailed explanation from Mrs. Kwon, who is responsible for the entire schedule of the CEO.]

The details of what I’ve heard so far are at the level of insurance terms, is there anything else to hear? As Ji-Won showed amazement at how cautious he was being, the Chief of Security hurriedly hung up the call, fearing that he (Ji-Won) would reverse his decision. Ji-Won, with a ridiculous face, stared at the disconnected phone. Just then, a message with a strange address popped up with a cheerful notification sound. The speed was truly formidable.

“You insidious old man…, Look at how quick his hands are even being sick.”

Although his heart was unwilling, he could not continue to dwell on the decision that had already been made. So Ji-Won started his preparation for the trip. Even though he had to travel a considerable distance to stop by the house to pick the CEO up, he was able to reach there early, so it was not long before he reached his destination. He wasn’t the type to keep thinking about what he had decided once, but his mind went back and forth throughout the drive.

‘I have never taken care of anyone in my life, can I be good at taking care of the CEO’s business like this? And a person who doesn’t even answer a phone call with her own hands…. What if she gets annoyed in the middle? But I can’t leave my boss on a business trip and run away. Damn it. I should’ve said no at first.’

[You’ve arrived at the destination. You’ve arrived at the destination.]

As he listened to the cheerful prompt of the navigation, which he didn’t know why sounded so gloomy, he sighed automatically. Standing out of the car with an unwilling face, Ji-Won looked slightly bent at the large gate, which was twice his height. On top of the overwhelming door, there was a huge signboard, which seemed to be as thick as a wall.

A Buddhist sanctuary. The Unshadowed House….what a big name. Ji-Won, who paused for a while in front of the gate that opened before he pressed the bell, was surprised by the magnificent view inside the rugged gate. As its name suggests, various flower trees formed a different world in the wide garden full of sunlight, and if the place Mureung Valley* could be described in words seen in real life, it would look just like this.

[T/N: The Mureung Valley (무릉계곡 ; Mu-rung-gye-gok), refers to the Mu-rung Valley, a scenic valley in South Korea that is known for its natural beauty and hiking trails. Mu-rung Valley is a location where one can enjoy nature while surrounded by historical and cultural significance.]

How much does the gardener here get paid a year? Walking along the flowery path decorated with colourful wildflowers, Ji-Won burst into wonder again and again. The simple appearance of the dainty flowers seemed to be natural at first glance, but it is impossible for such a variety of wild flowers to bloom at the same time unless a person takes care of them on a daily basis.

“Whew. This is so old-fashioned…. The growth conditions of the plants are all different, so probably they are watering them from time to time.”

At the end of the heinous flowery path that could only be seen by an acquaintance, there was a magnificent mansion that was incomparable to any high-ranking house in the historical drama, but there was no place to sit from the base to the eaves. Ji-Won was tongue-tied because he felt respect for the sincerity of the person who delicately made such a magnificent place with his hard work that he had never seen.

‘Is this the 99-room mansion I’ve only heard of? How much money did the CEO spend to build it? All the pillars are the finest red pine used only in the palace…. It wouldn’t have been easy to collect wood this thick. Hey, look at the tiles. It’s almost like pottery. There are people who build houses like this in Seoul. And in this expensive neighborhood…. Why does everything feel more realistic here than in the Mureung Valley?’

“Director Cha Ji-Won?”

Ji-Won, who was looking at every corner of the building with interest, came to his senses at the sound of calling his name. Oh, I’m not here to look around. As he quickly arranged his expression and turned his head, a graceful woman with a warm impression was seen approaching him with a gentle smile. Even though it was the first time they met, Ji-Won almost laughed out loud.

That’s Mrs. Kwon, the real power of this house. He thought she was Mrs. Kwon (Mr. Kwon’s wife), but her eyes are the same as the Chief of Security. Siblings with the same blood are this scary. The expression on both of the Kwons’ faces when they peel people off with their eyes along with a gentle smile on their faces are so similar that it gave him goosebumps.

“Nice to meet you. I came to pick up the CEO after receiving a call from the Chief of Security.”

“Welcome. I heard you’re on vacation, but you still were dragged into this.”

The word ‘No’ couldn’t be said, but Ji-Won couldn’t even say yes, so he just smiled. Hee-Joo’s eyebrows slightly rose by Ji-Won’s smile, which seemed to be a mixture of courtesy and pretense. They said he wasn’t obedient…. But his words and actions seem more decent and quick-witted than she thought. He also has a great sense of fashion. At least he doesn’t wear socks with printed characters like Hae-Soo. That’s good for a first impression. Hee-Joo, who nodded with a satisfied face, held out a large suitcase she had prepared.

“You can organize this suitcase as soon as you enter the hotel. Take out all the inner bags and place them on the dressing table. You don’t need to arrange the cosmetics if you can’t find them. Just keep the makeup pouch open. You have to have the clothes in top-notch condition. The CEO usually opens the closet and wears the first thing she can grab, but she doesn’t care if it’s crumpled or even torn.”

Ji-Won, who was listening quietly, slightly hardened his face. It was a request that surprised him even more than he had expected. The CEO wears whatever she can? Didn’t she wear a new outfit every time I saw her? And she didn’t seem to wear makeup at all…. Could it be that she doesn’t even put on basic things on the face properly? Oh, no, this is never going to be easy. It’s not like I’m looking after her, it’s like I’m babysitting her!

“The CEO is also not that enthusiastic about taking care of her meals…. If you leave her as she is alone, she will often skip meals without caring that she’s still hungry. So you must take care of her meals at least twice a day.”

That’s it. Then he can just suggest her to eat with him when she’s hungry. I don’t think the taste of a person living in a house like this would be Western. But if it’s London, I won’t be able to find Korean food there….

“Is there anything the CEO doesn’t like or is allergic with?”

“No. The CEO eats whatever comes on the table.”

“Favorite food….”

“There’s nothing special the CEO likes. So you have to take care of it evenly on your own.”

“Oh…, yes. Then what does the CEO usually do on the flight? Should I prepare a book or movie that she likes to watch?”

“The CEO will probably just rest. She doesn’t usually have much time to enjoy cultural life, so she’s rarely interested in that.”

‘No. What kind of monk’s life is this? She doesn’t have any favorite food? Doesn’t have any life, and just kills ghosts all day? How can a person be normal even if they live like that?’

Ji-Won, who felt bad for no reason, sighed quietly. For some reason, he felt stuffy, but thanks to the extra information, it helped him strengthen his resolution. It’s too late to turn it back, since he has already stepped in too deep…. All right, let’s close our eyes and be nice to each other for a few days. I’ve been through that dirty training in the army, and I can’t stand babysitting someone for three days? No matter how experienced a person is to play with his fingertips, will he be as good as Kim Byung-Man*?

[T/N: Kim Byung-Man (born July 29, 1975) is a South Korean comedian, best known for his slapstick and acrobatic stunts as a Master in Gag Concert, and survival skills in Law of the Jungle as he acts as the Chief of the show.]

“She also doesn’t drink properly, so you just have to be careful about that too.”

“I see.”

“This pouch should always be carried by Director Cha. It contains a passport, a cell phone, emergency medicine, and simple medical supplies. There is a hand-held blood pressure measurement in there, twice a day….”

“I heard that from the Chief of Security. As soon as the CEO wakes up in the morning, and just before she goes to bed.”

“Yes, it’s very easy to use. You just need to read the instructions. And this is….”

Ji-Won, who was staring at Hee-Joo’s small medicine bottle, unknowingly wrinkled his forehead. What was written on the label was also a familiar name for Ji-Won.

“…it’s sleeping pills.”

“The CEO doesn’t take it all the time, but she takes one pill only when she’s really tired and can’t sleep. Once the insomnia kicks, she can’t sleep for several days…. CEO’s personal doctor prescribed that it is better to take medicine than to endure it like that. Keep it well and give it to the CEO when she searches for it.”

She can’t sleep for days…. And when she can’t sleep, she takes this strong medicine. That means she doesn’t take sleeping pills very often and just endures. Yeah, no one can be fine if they live like that. Strangely enough, Ji-Won was holding back for a while because he didn’t want to pry, but then he heard a small and drowsy voice behind his back.

“Director Cha.”