By Zephyria 
Damn it, I’m going crazy.
I rubbed my dry eyes and swallowed a curse. In between work, I had tried combining the clues I knew with various other things, but there was nothing more to be found. Eventually, as the day drew to a close, I gave up. Along with that came the realization that I had no choice but to get a clue from Nathaniel Miller.
“Haa.”
A deep sigh escaped me involuntarily. After standing still for a moment, I finally made up my mind and took out my phone. Damn it, why did I rip up that business card?
Regret came too late. Recalling that I had already gotten rid of the business card he gave me twice, I couldn’t help but reflect on how emotional I had been. And the fact that I needed to be colder than usual when dealing with that man.
The game has already begun.
Whether I wanted it to or not didn’t matter. He had set a trap, and I had fallen for it quite nicely. But that didn’t mean I could just sit back and wait to be eaten.
They say a snake swallows its prey whole and waits for it to digest.
Isn’t that a behavior that suits that man perfectly? Perhaps I should let him know that some snakes die after swallowing prey that is far too large.
“To… do that…”
I murmured slowly, intentionally out loud. There is only one thing that man wants: ‘entertainment.’ The one thing a man who can have everything in the world—and already does—needs. To be amused.
That is what Nathaniel Miller meant by ‘satisfaction.’ Conversely, how should I pique his interest?
After being lost in thought for a moment, I made a decision and pressed the buttons on my phone. When Nathaniel Miller’s secretary answered, I spoke the words I had prepared after a short breath.
“I would like to speak with Nathaniel Miller. This is Prosecutor Chrissy Jin.”
“Please hold for a moment.”
The secretary, speaking in a smooth voice, played some music and disappeared. While a bright and elegant classical piece played, I chewed over what I wanted to say to Nathaniel Miller. I anxiously rolled a ballpoint pen in my hand, and then, at some point, the music stopped and silence fell.
Did the call drop?
Just as I reflexively frowned, a low voice suddenly seeped into my ear.
“Prosecutor.”
As that characteristically languid voice reached me, my entire body stiffened involuntarily. As if he could see my reaction right in front of him, he continued.
“I clearly gave you my business card, but seeing as you called this number, I assume you threw it away again.”
There was a faint trace of a smile in Nathaniel Miller’s voice. Is this man enjoying even this situation? Despite my unpleasant mood, my body reacted quite differently. As I heard his voice, goosebumps raced down my spine and my shoulders hunched instinctively, but I knew well that this sensation was not fear. Ah, damn it. Suddenly, I felt a sweet scent at the tip of my nose. To have this reaction the moment I hear this man’s voice—am I no different from Pavlov’s dog?
Feeling a deep sense of self-doubt, I opened my mouth.
“Isn’t there still some unfinished business between us? I’d like to see you today.”
“Today.”
He repeated my words and then fell silent. I waited with patience during the uncomfortable silence. Maybe he’s checking his schedule. Or maybe he’s intentionally trying to make me anxious. A childish and shallow trick, but still.
After an unknown amount of time—seconds or perhaps minutes—Nathaniel Miller suddenly broke the silence.
“Today will be difficult. I have a meeting at 10.”
“10? At night?”
I asked, frowning without realizing it. Recalling his words from the previous day about being tired because he was busy, something suddenly flashed through my mind.
“Then, shall I wait at your house?”
I asked, intentionally whispering lower than usual. There was no response from the other end. After a deliberate gap of a few seconds where not even the sound of breathing could be heard, I continued.
“You’ll get to see something quite interesting. How about it? You might regret ever having a meeting.”
Silence returned once more. I spoke as if I were relaxed, but in reality, my hand was continuously spinning the pen, unable to contain the anxiety.
“Ah.”
Finally, a voice laced with laughter came through the receiver.
“I’m already regretting it.”
At those words, I fought the urge to scream ‘Got him!’ internally, threw the pen aside, and quickly covered my mouth.
The towering building, overlooking the massive park that served as the city’s symbol, seemed to mock the people passing below. As if saying, ‘Try and come up here if you can.’
A lump of concrete as arrogant as that bastard.
I resisted the urge to spit on it and walked forward with long strides. However, the security guard blocking the entrance immediately stepped in front of me.
“May I ask the purpose of your visit?”
His tone was polite, but he looked fully intent on kicking me out immediately. Glancing at a resident who casually brushed past the guard to enter, I looked at the barrier before me and spoke.
“I am Prosecutor Chrissy Jin. I’m here to see Nathaniel Miller.”
I pulled my ID from my coat pocket and showed it before continuing.
“You should have been notified that I would be visiting.”
Suddenly, the guard’s attitude did a complete 180. His grim face suddenly brightened, and he immediately extended an arm toward the building, responding warmly.
“Yes, please come in. We have been expecting you. Benjamin, Mr. Miller’s guest has arrived. Please guide him.”
As he gestured to the front man standing inside, a man with salt-and-pepper hair immediately approached me with a professional smile.
“Hello, I’ve been informed of your arrival. I am Benjamin. This way, please.”
Pointing in one direction, the front man began to lead the way with a light step. As I walked across the floor, which was polished enough to reflect faces, several people passed by me. In contrast to themselves—who looked like they were dripping with money—they seemed to feel a sense of incongruity at my appearance in a worn-out coat and a cheap suit, and they each made sure to look back once. Whenever our eyes met, I gave them a casual smile. They seemed to hesitate for a moment, then smiled back as if it were nothing, but soon tilted their heads in confusion and walked away. Just as a smirk escaped me at their identical reactions, the front man tapped a master card against the elevator pad. With a light beep, the doors opened, and he stepped aside, gesturing for me to enter.
As I stepped into the elevator, Benjamin took a step back and stood with a straight back, maintaining a smile until the doors closed. Only after the doors finally shut and the machine began to move did I let out a breath. It was my first time receiving this kind of service, so I just felt flustered and awkward. I realized too late that I had forgotten to leave a tip, but it was already too late.
Forget it, let it go.
The one I need to worry about right now is Nathaniel Miller. I shook my head once and sank into thought. In truth, what I said to Nathaniel earlier was just a bluff. I had no idea what I was going to use to surprise that man.
‘The event is that there is nothing, surprised right! Ta-da!’
If I tried something like that, I might go from the penthouse to the street in three seconds. I sighed as I thought. It would have been much easier if that man just wanted my body. Why do I have to take such a roundabout and difficult path?
Haa.
As I let out a sigh, the elevator’s arrival chime rang. I lowered the hand that had been covering my face and looked up. First, let’s do what I can do right now.
As soon as I opened the inner doors and entered, I tossed my briefcase onto the sofa and headed straight for the second-floor study. I intended to check the documents I’d been forced to give up on the previous day, but…
“Damn it!”
As expected, the study was locked. He’s not a man to fall for such an obvious trick. Haa, just as I was rubbing my face with both hands while sighing…
I thought I heard a faint sound from somewhere. I froze, my face still buried in my hands.
Someone is here.
Suddenly, I felt the fine hairs on my body stand on end. As I listened closely, the sound continued. Somewhere further inside.
Slowly turning my gaze, I saw a firmly closed door. The room where the bed I had lain in the previous day was located. The room that clearly seemed to be Nathaniel Miller’s bedroom.
I took steps toward it, one by one. The intermittent sounds gradually grew closer. Was it Nathaniel inside, or…
I stopped right in front of the door, but I didn’t follow up with an action. Should I knock? I probably should, right? He’s not a thief. Maybe it’s Nathaniel himself. Yes, there’s a high possibility he arrived before me and occupied the room just to mess with me. In that case, I…
I raised my hand to knock, then lowered it again. If it’s Nathaniel, it would be more… to just open the door and walk in.
Just as I thought that.
The door suddenly swung open, and a naked man came sprinting out. And as his eyes met mine as I stood before the door, he screamed first, before I could even gasp in surprise.
“Aaaaaaaah!”