FILE 9: THE BOOKSTORE PART 3

We spoke until sunrise, when I had to flee before Mr. Baek returned. I didn't want to be caught and locked up. Prison fashion was cringeworthy.

Some early birds were waking up and getting ready for work as I saw lights on in apartment buildings. 

 Mars greeted me at the door as I walked in, feeling very tired and sleepy.

"How did it go?" he inquired.

"She was very cooperative, unlike her husband. Mi Cha is definitely her daughter. I think I can come up with a plan to fix their quarrelling."

"Don't tell me. You're going to call them for a meet up and confront them both, right?" Mars joked meanly. Damn, feline. My thoughts did go in that direction.

"Of course not, who do you think I am?" I laughed, embarrassed. "Mind if I throw together a quick breakfast? I'm dead tired," I brushed him off as I fled to the kitchen.

I slept like a log for five hours and woke up feeling refreshed. Mars was nowhere to be seen, but that's okay, I have to finish up the case and get paid.

I planned on contacting Mi Cha and arranging to meet with her the next day. 

She didn't mind at all. She sounded optimistic when I invited her to my place. She sounded very cheerful, so why was her father so cranky all the time? Mars returned from his business.

"Where were you?" I demanded. His tail twitched. "Where I was is none of your business."

Mangy cat.

It was the next day, and I was anticipating a pretty client to show up. I watched from the window as her car pulled up. As she knocked on the door, I swiftly peeked at the mirror to see if anything was out of place. 

Oh, I looked good! I peered for a few more minutes to admire my godlike looks. "Cough, cough. Stop admiring yourself and let her in, Nathan," Mars said, frustrated.

Oh, right, I forgot about her for a moment. I opened the door, smiled, and leaned against the frame.

"Welcome. Sorry for making you wait. Please come inside," I invited politely. 

"It's fine. You must've been busy, so I apologise for intruding. I'll only take up a little bit of your time, Mr. Nathan," she spoke as she removed her shoes.

Her hair was loose, and she wore a green dress. (Was she dressed up for me?) Mars snorted, drawing her attention. 

"Aw, what a lovely cat. What's its name? Can I pet it?" she asked girlishly which surprisingly annoyed me. "His name is Mars. Sure, he loves petting."

She darted towards Mars and stroked him, completely discarding my presence, making me even more irritated.

I coughed, bringing her attention back to me. "Sorry," she mumbled as we sat on the couch. "It's okay, something to drink?" 

"Sure." And so we got to business. 

"I spoke to your father, and thanks to you, he listened to what I had to say. He feels that you should live your own life and not worry about him," I began.

"That old man!" she burst. I held up a hand, and she quietened. "The friend of your family who hired me told me a bit about your father and your mother.

Thanks to that, I might be able to solve the problem," I lied. I can't tell her who really told me. She might freak out.

"So what did they say? And who is this person that hired you?" She questioned me suspiciously. I avoided her eyes. "I'm afraid I can't disclose client information.

Anyway, your father will cling to that shop until death, like you suspected. Did you know he was an orphan?"

"Of course I know. He was pretty much alone his entire life, bullied in school, and conscripted to join the army, where he lost most of his comrades until he met my-oh," she sank her head into her hands. I patted her hair, which fell around her shoulders

"So quitting the bookstore would be heart-breaking for him and would only harm him. But working would just be as bad. What do I do?" she despairs.

Luckily, when I spoke to Soo, she gave me the solution the night I spoke to her.

"Take a vacation with your father for a few weeks. Maybe two months. Let him get to terms with Mrs. Baek's death and relax.

Go with him to distract him. I heard visiting the beach and taking old people to the spa is good for their health," I suggested. She stared into the distance.

"I'll talk to my father. He'd probably rather take a vacation than quit. All right, let's do that," she said weakly. I offered her coffee, which she appreciated.

We gossiped for another few hours before she left. I hope it works out, or I won't be paid. After waving goodbye, I slumped back on the couch.

"I think exorcism is easier than dealing with humans. I'm just not cut out for these kinds of cases," I complained. Mars jumped on top of me and curled up on my lap.

"Be grateful you got a case at least. And this is your job, whether you like it or not," he remarked patronisingly. I grimaced, "What would happen if I denied the fox's request?"

"Then you'd have bad luck for the rest of your life, and most likely end up in debt," he smirked. I shuddered at the thought. I imagined myself in rags and begging on the street. I still look handsome, though. 

It was three days later when Gumiho came to visit me. He sat dignified in his blue Hanbok. His ears twitched while he drank his tea as we waited in silence.

I hate that fox. Finally, he spoke. "The daughter had gone to speak with her father. Whatever she said made her father smile. So they're on good terms now. I heard they're planning a vac-vac-"

"Vacation," I said helpfully. He scowled. "Vacation. Don't interrupt me! So you succeeded in aiding their relationship. The female ghost is also happy, which satisfies me. As promised, here is your payment." He held out the diamond. 

My eyes glittered as I took the shiny diamond. My diamond. I can't wait to convert this into money. I bet this will be worth a lot! The fox said something else, but I was so engrossed in my diamond that I barely heard him.

I dashed out the moment he vanished, leaving behind a grumbling Mars. But who cares? I'm about to make a lot of money. But I had to appraise it first to know how much it was worth.

Hiding it, I went to the mall. There's a shopkeeper I usually buy gems from who was also an appraiser. I eagerly gave him the diamond and waited impatiently as he moved to his station.

I tapped my finger on the counter as he studied through a microscope and did what resembled chemistry. After half an hour, he came back, looking grim.

"Ah, Mr. McNeill? I have sad news. I hate to say this to a regular customer of mine, but you won't get much money out of this." Huh?

"Why not? It's a diamond, right? It's not fake, right?"

I barely held back my anger. The storekeeper shook his head. "It's a real diamond. But over time, it's become dull and lifeless," he informed me. I was utterly confused and in denial.

"What's that supposed to mean? It's a real diamond!" My voice shook. He explained, "Stones that have lower clarity are considered less desirable as the inclusions are visible to the naked eye, and stones can be dull.

For a proper, clear diamond, a person would get at least two hundred and seventy million won for this size. But for this stone, you will only get two hundred thousand won."

SHIT!!!!!!!

I rode in the Uber, crying my heart out. The driver was very sympathetic as I blubbered in the passenger seat. "It's okay, sir. We all have bad luck sometimes," he comforted me.

"Bad luck?" My tears stopped abruptly. He nodded. "Yeah. Karma, you know? I believe there's balance in life.

When one person experiences good luck, bad luck follows-" he jabbered on and on, but I wasn't listening. Now I know why this case progressed too smoothly. That stupid fox! 

After paying the Uber driver, I charged up my driveway and slammed open my door. Mars was sitting calmly on the island, waiting for me.

"Did you know?" I demanded in fury. He licked his paw.

"If you had been attentive and not so greedy, you wouldn't have suffered this disappointment. Gumiho warned that the diamond had lost its lustre. 

It's nobody's fault but your own," he glanced at me with disdain. I clutched the diamond. "If it was worthless, why would he still pay me for it? Isn't that scamming?!" I threw the diamond onto the floor in rage.

"No. It's a fair trade, I'd say," Mars answered, looking at the diamond impassively. I stared at him, flabbergasted. "How can you say that? How is this fair?"

He looked at me with pity. "I guess this is my fault. When you moved to South Korea, you should've learned more about the folklore here. But I left you alone instead. Listen up. I will now teach you a lesson. 

You have experienced a lot of good luck recently, haven't you? That was, of course, Gumiho providing you with help to solve this case. That in itself is worth hundreds of thousands of won.

In fact, many paid millions just for a day's luck. But as you didn't pay the money, he drew the price from the diamond, taking its life.

If he hadn't, you would have lost decades worth of life. Instead of being so angry, be honoured for what he did. Many would die to be in your shoes," he reprimanded me. Honoured?

I didn't give a (censor). Once again, the fox meddled when he didn't have to. I didn't bother to answer Mars as I stormed into my room. To calm myself, I chronicled the case to vent my anger.

 *

YunHee and her crew returned three hours later, as she had promised. Back in front of the door, she tapped and waited anxiously. The messy-haired man, Kang Haneul, threw open the door and sighed at their presence.

"You're determined, huh?" He scratched his chin. "I get paid thirty million won per month. With pension, medical aid, UIF, and funeral insurance. What benefits are you willing to offer?" He waited.

YunHee smiled. She called her boss, who said she could go as high as a hundred million per month plus benefits. "Like I said, double pay. So you will get sixty per month, plus your current benefits, plus we will pay for your car insurance, buy you a new house, and pay your bills for the next year.

How does that sound?" she offered. He pushed his spectacles up his nose, looking tempted. "And all the furniture and necessities for the new house," he bargained. "Of course," YunHee agreed. They clamped hands, sealing the deal.

"Our location is in Yeongdo-gu, Busan. I'll provide you with more details later. Welcome to our company, Mr. Kang," she grinned beautifully. He looked uncomfortable, but gave the affirmative. 

Kang watched as his new employers left in their SUV, wondering what lay ahead of him. "Big brother, are you sure of this? They don't seem honest," his younger sister, Kang HwaYoung, observed in concern.

She pulled on his sleeves anxiously. He patted her blonde head. His sister dyed her hair once a month, and this month she was blonde. She was petite, thin, wore glasses like he did, and had the same messy hair that hung from her shoulders.

She was just as smart as her brother and could have gone far in life if it weren't for her being so shy.

Kang was over a foot taller and was just as thin, but he was more confident. "They are definitely sketchy, but the pay will be better. At least they won't harm us.

I'll work for them for a while and see how it goes, and if it turns out they do human experiments or something, then we go to the police or FBI. Okay?" 

Still anxious, but seeing that he wouldn't change his mind, she gave up and nodded. "Let's try that experiment again. I bet it'll work this time," he grinned at his sister as he led her to their tiny laboratory.

 *

YunHee's boss made himself a pot of coffee as she waited patiently. The aroma smelled delicious as it filled the office.

He sat in his chair, folded his hand neatly on the desk and asked coldly, "What is your report?" She sweated even though the air conditioner was blasting high.

"I have good news. Kang Haneul has agreed to work for us-" 

She jumped in fright as the cup slammed on the saucer. "Us? Since when does this company belong to anyone but me? It's my company, and you all work for me to fulfil my desire. There is no 'us'," he warned her softly. 

She swallowed. "Yes sir. I'm sorry, sir. K-Kang will work for you. I had to add extra benefits to attract him, but he's now an employee of the Research Centre," she breathed fearfully.

"No matter. I don't care what benefits you offer. When he comes, give him the position of team leader. I want to get things done," he said, taking a sip of his coffee. 

"But sir! No newcomer has ever been a team leader…" She faltered as he glared. "This is my order. Now leave," he barked. Bowing, she mumbled, 'Yes, sir. Have a good day, sir." and gladly fled.

Her assistants were waiting outside as she came out, looking haggard from the meeting. "What did he say?" the younger assistant asked in uncertainty. YunHee rubbed her forehead.

"Kang is going to be a team leader. He's determined to finish the project," she sighed. She patted their shoulders. "It's going to be tough. Steel yourselves, and remember why you took this job in the first place. Don't give up, okay?''

She hugged them. They looked uneasy but replied, "We won't."

It was nearly midnight when YunHee cleaned her station and double-checked the lab. Nothing was out of place, and everyone had already cleaned up after themselves.

She peered into the cages and saw the animals mostly asleep or doped, so it was quiet. The last room was darkly lit, and YunHee observed five human corpses. 

They were cleaned up like they were supposed to be each day, so she switched off the light and closed the door.

No one had neglected their duties, so she decided to ask their boss whether they could get a raise. He was terrifying, but he was rather generous with his money. 

YunHee climbed into her car and drove off when she thought back to her first meeting with her boss. She worked as an ordinary researcher at the university when he scouted her.

He also offered her a lot of money, and as she had many bills to pay, she said yes. What she didn't know, but later found out, was that he was a black market tycoon obsessed with immortality.

Because he was so secretive all the time, she did a background check on him.

Everything about him stopped during his high school years, after which he disappeared. But when she interrogated his classmates, they all said he was a delinquent, but he was from a rich family.

So she traced his family and found out that they died in a car accident, and he had inherited everything. 

When he discovered that she was researching him, he mockingly told her everything. How he killed his family by rigging the car, that he traded on the black market and the modern slave trade. 

But he was now into science and wanted to become ageless. He threatened her with silence, but she willingly complied anyway.

The thought of discovering the fountain of youth intrigued her. She smirked as she drove into the night. She wondered what that investigator was doing right now.