Chapter 4: The Debt Collector’s Ultimatum

Now I was getting annoyed, too. What did his attitude have to do with me? I’m just an employee—two grand a month—why should I put up with this?

I slapped the documents in front of him, my heart pounding: “I’m just the delivery person. Sign it if you want, I quit. Why should I take this for two grand a month?”

“You... you’re quitting? You’re leaving?”

Simon looked stunned, staring at me. I figured I should be tough, turned, and slammed the door. But I didn’t move. Looking at the young boss’s expressionless face, I felt like if I left, he’d actually cry.

He didn’t cry. He looked away, signed the documents, then said, “Don’t go.”

I almost laughed—after threatening to quit, I felt weirdly fearless: “...Then give me a raise?”

The little boss lowered his head and grunted.

...

After a while, he seemed to realize something was off, like he suddenly remembered he was the boss. He snorted again, trying to sound tough: “Fine, I’ll raise your salary. Come be my assistant.”

“...No.”

The little boss immediately exploded: “No... then don’t, do whatever you want, go resign! Never see me again, don’t talk to me, jerk! Just go.”

Heh... childish...

“How much does the assistant job pay a month?”

“...Eight grand, okay?”

“Any special requirements?”

“Massage my wrist.”

“Just massage your wrist?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Mm... my wrist really hurts.”

He obediently held out his wrist. I massaged it, his frown relaxed, and those pretty eyes sparkled at me. But every time I looked, he’d immediately look away, acting all aloof. He complained, “Not even a good massage...”

Looking at the young boss’s proud face, I couldn’t help but remember a meme: “Then I’ll go?”

Young boss gritted his teeth: “You can’t go.”

I massaged his wrist for half an hour before he watched me leave.

Back in our department, a coworker came over: “Heard you met the new young boss Simon—how was it?”

“Not bad!”

I didn’t dare say ‘childish’—he was the boss, after all.

“Not bad? Heard he’s cold.”

I frowned, remembering the wrist he’d offered, so slender and nice to the touch, and said, “Doesn’t seem like it! He’s... actually pretty gentle.” Honestly, kind of a softie.

Almost until quitting time, I was distracted, thinking about the young man’s pitiful look and how he’d said his wrist hurt. He seemed really familiar... Not the usual kind of familiar, more like someone you used to know really well but with a whole suitcase of grudges. The way he was so sure about me made me unconsciously soften. But I couldn’t remember where I’d seen him before, so I just let it go.

When I got home, it was already dark. To save money, I rented in an old apartment complex. Not many people lived there. I took the elevator to the eighth floor, but it stopped at the sixth. I thought someone would get in, but the doors opened and nobody was there. I pressed the close button, but it wouldn’t close, like someone was holding it from outside. Staring at the dark hallway, I broke into a cold sweat.

Just then, my phone rang. On the other end, the young man sounded a little annoyed: “Just come to my office tomorrow...”

“Huh? You’re downstairs already? Mm, okay, I just got in the elevator, but it’s stuck. Are you coming up? Mm... I’m in the elevator on the sixth floor..."

“You’re on the sixth floor?”

As he finished, the elevator doors slowly closed. I relaxed, didn’t even get to answer before he hung up. That moment, I clutched my pounding heart, got to my floor, and hurried out.

Coming out, I saw someone at my door. My heart jumped again, but the next second Simon took off his hat, and I relaxed.

“Mr. Young.”

“What did you mean on the phone just now?”

“The elevator was stuck... By the way, why are you here?”

He glanced at me, but still explained, “I live next door. Just moved in.”

“...What a coincidence..."

He didn’t say anything else. Until I opened my door, he didn’t move. I looked back, hesitated.