66 - Upki Girl

< Overflowing Charisma > Following Aliyah's car, we entered the foothill. Standing prominently at the entrance of the split alleyways was a management building labeled 'LX VILLAGE'. LX Village, or Luxury Village. Of course, I knew it well. It's one of the most affluent neighborhoods in our country, famous as the home of top business executives, political figures, and celebrities—unmissable if you're from Daehyun Construction or Daehyun Group like I am. The main house of the now-deceased chairman of Daehyun Group was located here, which is tied to a famous anecdote. Whenever anyone made a mistake at work, supervisors would quip: “I’ll have to go to LX Village for a serving of humility noodles.” This was an unwritten phrase that stemmed from the rumor that during the IMF crisis, the chairman would summon company executives to his home daily to reprimand them and serve them anchovy noodles. It’s synonymous with phrases like, “Want some humble pie?” or “Watch out for Matiz.” The three cars ascended the winding narrow alley up the hill. Reaching the hill's peak, our cars descended the opposite side, revealing glimpses of the Hangang River at sunset amidst luxury homes. Soon, we arrived at the entry of a European-style two-story detached house without a fence, where the Maybach halted. With an exterior reminiscent of an old steakhouse. It appeared to have been refashioned from a small grass-covered yard into a parking space accommodating about five cars with double parking. A black van and the Rolls-Royce Aliyah rode yesterday were already parked. This was to be the future residence for the children. Aliyah’s car entered the parking area first, followed by Yeom and me. Silverbell and Seowon examined the building like students evaluating a condo on a school trip. “Wow.” “Are we using the entire building?” “Isn't it a villa?” “Looks like a detached house.” “Amazing.” An 80-pyeong detached house with a basement and two above-ground floors. Though the exterior appeared a bit aged, once inside, everything was remodeled with a fresh white and pastel tone. In the kitchen, three housekeeping ladies were setting up what seemed to be food for us on an elongated table almost like a dachshund. The interior layout included six rooms, four bathrooms, and a private garden overlooking the river. Sponsored and overflowing with product placements like an audition program participants’ house, it was equipped with basic electronics, furniture, fashion items such as clothes and shoes for the girls, and daily essentials wrapped in packaging. “We couldn’t consider preferences due to the rush.” Regardless of Cassie's remarks, the kids were already thrilled, exploring every corner of the house. “Wow, you can see the Hangang too.” “Let's check out the second floor.” Silverbell and Seowon moved room to room, already claiming spots in a struggle for territory. “Wow, the night view must be beautiful here, right sister?” “Yes.” “You can drop the honorifics.” “Yes, yes, maybe later…” Yona, seemingly awkward, was standing alone ―likely watching the aunties prepare food― and moved to the veranda garden with Hongyi to enjoy the Hangang view. Aliyah, visiting for the first time, looked curiously around the place alongside Cassie. Her interest, as always, was focused on mere details. “Is the basement done?” “Yes. You should take a look.” “How about the bunk beds?” “They’re there.” “And the clothes-drying thing?” “Yes, there's a drying rack too.” The essential indicators of shared housing: bunk beds and a drying rack. Following their lead downstairs, lo and behold, the basement was designed as a self-contained living space. A room with a bathroom, a small kitchen and living area, and that widespread drying rack in a Y-formation. Opening the door, Aliyah marveled with a “Whoa!” Inside a room about the size of my home office stood two wooden bunk beds facing each other, nearly touching, with a small vanity in between. Watching Aliyah clamber up the ladder to the top bunk, I subtly questioned Cassie, “You're not thinking of having all of them sleep here, are you?” “That seems to be the plan.” “Ah…” “Please accommodate her enthusiasm for a few days. She's quite excited as she’s never shared a sleeping space with anyone. Let her have the top bunk.” In this spacious house, they're up to some mischief again. Still, though slightly ludicrous, considering team dynamics and camaraderie, bunking together doesn't sound so bad. Four on the bunks, one with a blanket in the middle space. Seems fun. “Princess, I'll be off work here. Heading straight to the airport.” “Oh, you did well. Rest up and take care!” “If you need anything, let Mr. Kim Yoonho here know.” Barely finishing her words, Aliyah stuck her head out commanding from the bed's edge. “I’m thirsty—water.” Passing the baton, Cassie informed me, “There’s bottled water for the princess in the fridge. Make sure to note the brand since she only drinks that. Driver Hwang always stocks it in the car for outings.” What's this? She didn’t say to serve her like a serf. As I stood flabbergasted and hesitant, Aliyah cheekily prompted, with her British accent. “Mr. Kim, bring water. Aliyah is thirsty.” Cassie chuckled and headed towards the stairs, clearly amused. “Take care. There's some in this fridge too. I’ll be going now.” Good grief. I’m holding it together because of Cassie. When I opened the refrigerator, it was stocked with bottles of a foreign brand of water I'd never seen before. I grabbed one and handed it to Aliyah. She looked down at me, dramatically sighing, her breath carrying a faint fruit scent. "I'm letting it slide this time because it's your first, but from now on, wrap it in a handkerchief. It's unsanitary." This brat. With Cassie gone, I decided to respond calmly. "Princess, let's not overdo it, alright?" "What?" "Can you at least tell me why? Why are you treating me like this?" She was caught off guard. So flustered, she couldn't speak. I sat on the opposite lower bunk, looking up at her. "Let's have a talk." "…Are you mad at me?" "No, you're the one mad at me, Princess. I get that you don't like me, but at least let me know the reason." "I never did that." "You did. Even at the hotel yesterday, you refused to sit on a chair I used and told me to communicate through Cassie." "Isn't that my choice in my hotel, with my chair?" Foolish me for trying to reason with someone with the emotional maturity of a five-year-old. "Alright," I said, getting up to leave, but a cutting remark struck me from behind. "You've upset me. I quit. Return the sponsorship money. And leave my house, bring Cassie back." Wow, just wow... This is what they mean by giving an inch and taking a mile. This was a new level of high-definition, unprecedented, limitless power play. All because of one poorly chosen word. Yet, I couldn't just eat my pride and apologize immediately. As I hesitated, Aliyah started yelling. "Cassie!" "No, no, wait a second, just a second." "Cas-..." —Thud! "Ow!" Aliyah, unable to contain her anger, slammed her head on the ceiling as she tried to sit up straight. Now, she was rubbing her crown and wailing like a child pretending to be in pain, glaring at me as if I had wronged her. "Ouch! Ouch! Ow!" "Alright, I was wrong. I'm sorry, really..." At that moment, Yona and Hongi were the first to arrive, followed by Yeom, Hyun-dong, Seowon, and Silverbell, all streaming down to the basement. "Cassie! Cassie!" "Cassie's gone..." Yona entered the room, turning to me. "What happened?" "Well..." This was embarrassing. How was I supposed to explain that I got into a spat with a kid more than half my age? In the meantime, Aliyah unleashed a fib. "He hit me. Mister Kim hit me." "Hey, you can't lie like that." Of course, no one believed her, but it was still an awkward moment. Aliyah, overwhelmed with frustration, was breathing heavily, even teary-eyed. I reluctantly explained. "No, I just asked why she disliked me, and that's why she's acting like this." Then Aliyah turned her scorn towards Yeom. "Give me the money. I'm quitting the group and withdrawing the sponsorship." Yeom laughed helplessly. "Hahaha..." Everyone else seemed to grasp the situation. They likely realized I’d hit a nerve, and Aliyah was throwing a childish tantrum. Despite everything, Aliyah was still our sponsor. Regardless of the reason, if she wanted to pull out her money, what could we do? The mood was heavy. In the silence of the basement room, only the sound of two people's breathing echoed. —Inhale, exhale. Aliyah's raging breaths. —Sniff, snuffle. Yeonhong’s stuffy nasal breaths. In the tense silence, Silverbell spoke up, looking coldly at Yeom. "Refund the investment. I won't work with her." Immediately, Seowon agreed. "Me neither. Give the money back and just remove her from the team." Even more indicative was that Silverbell, usually so positive, had turned her back. Messing with Kim Yoonho means no mercy, not even for the sponsor. Absolutely none. If this were a scene from a comic, Aliyah would have a thought bubble with five exclamation marks flashing above her head, accented with speed lines. Her expression was just that—shocking. With Cassie gone, even her beloved Silverbell and Seowon had turned cold, leaving Aliyah completely dismantled. She began to weep sorrowfully. "Sob, sniff, sigh, huff..." "Let’s all calm down and try to resolve this by talking," Hyun-dong attempted to mediate. "Ugh, even if we brush this off now, she'll just pull the same stunt whenever there's an issue in the future," Yeom retorted, clearly irritated. "I'm going out for a smoke." "Count me in." Hunmin and Bikon headed to the first floor. —Snuffle, heave, sniff, huff. Yeonhong started breathing through her mouth. Her expression made it clear: she was extremely uncomfortable with the tense atmosphere. Only Yona remained impassive, arms crossed, her head slightly bowed in thought. Her body subtly swayed back and forth. "Sniff..." Assuming everyone would automatically take her side, Aliyah realized she had none and began to sob while fumbling with her phone, probably to call Cassie. At that point, Yona, who had stayed silent, took action. She climbed up to the top bunk next to Aliyah, gently took the phone, and ended the call. Then, softly cradling Aliyah's tear-streaked face in both hands, she wiped away her tears with her thumbs. “Who upset our Princess Aliyah? Was it that man?” Yona glanced our way with a playful wink, signaling us to let it go. Gosh, she's got some incredible charm. “Let go.” Aliyah shook off Yona's hand, but Yona remained unflustered. She gently tidied Aliyah’s bangs that had clung to her forehead, soothing her as a mother would a child. “Our princess is very upset, huh? How about we send everyone out and have a talk, just the two of us?” “…I want to drink some water.” “Here, let me open it for you.” “Yona, don’t do that. Why are you humbling yourself like that?” Seowon interjected irritably, but Yona paid no mind, opening the bottle and helping Aliyah drink. Thanks to that, Aliyah's anger subsided a bit. What would we have done without Yona? Still, Seowon wasn't backing down. Her voice colder than before, she warned. “Stop it. She’s not a kid. Are you planning to keep coddling her like this?” Without responding to Seowon, Yona looked at me and Yeom, making a declaration. “I’ll be our team leader. Is that okay with you?” A sudden leader announcement? It was already a given among the staff that Yona would be the leader. Even without any suggestions from the information desk, it was clear to everyone that Yona was the only one capable of leading this peculiar ensemble. Silverbell and Seowon were implicitly accepting this as well. But to confirm it so openly with her own words? In a culture where people are often reluctant to step up, it was a rare sight of strong will and confidence. Especially coming from the quiet and even-tempered Yona. As everyone stood in surprise, I gave my approval. “Yeah, we were planning to make you leader anyway.” With the formal approval, Yona addressed us in a calm yet assertive tone, her gaze steady and unwavering. “As the team leader, I'm asking everyone to please leave. I need to talk to Aliyah alone.” In any other scenario, this would seem outrageous—like the team leader is above the director and manager in a topsy-turvy company. Yet we all left the room without protest. We lined up along the stairs, and just as we were about to ascend, Yona's voice halted us. “Seowon, could you close the door on your way out, please?” “Oh, sure.” Wow, even the fierce vixen has conceded. Turns out, Yona isn't a Turkish Angora, but a wildcat. Overflowing with charisma. < Overflowing Charisma > End