Double Meaning

2.1

Friday night. It was well past midnight, and the taxis were busy in the heart of the city. The neon signs illuminated the roads in a different way than the sun did during the daytime. Lisa watched the stumbling, drunk men with tired eyes. If she could have her own way, she would have laid down on the floor right this instant.

"Where is your home?"

Her boss, Jungkook, had just returned from his meeting with the mayor of Seoul, Kim MinSuk. As he got back into the car, he asked her the short question. Lisa, who was sitting next to him, gave him her address.

After ordering the driver to turn the car around, Jungkook kept his mouth shut. The secret meeting lasted for over two hours. Lisa was trapped inside the car until the last appointment on his schedule was completed. However, she didn't complain or express any discomfort.

"Thank you for taking me home."

In no time, she saw the apartment building she was staying at. He observed the simple apartment buildings before speaking in a monotone voice.

"I'll see you next week at the office."

"Yes, sir. Please take care."

"Good work today."

The moment Lisa's hand touched the door handle, she heard him softly mutter those words. She curtly nodded before opening the door and exiting the car. As her high heels clacked on the pavement, her figure looked upright and tidy.

***

Jungkook recalled how she had knocked on his office door that morning. After ordering Lisa to secretly investigate Kim MinSuk, Jungkook ignored her for two days and treated her if she were invisible. After taking a good look at her face for the first time in two days, he noticed that she looked quite tired.

"What is this?"

The first page of the report that Lisa had turned in was related to Kim MinSuk's youngest son who was diagnosed with epilepsy. Lisa had also included a record of the travel logs of Kim MinSuk's wife for the past 10 years. He didn't know how she had managed to get her hands on this information. Jungkook read through the report carefully, and his sharp eyes narrowed.

"...Mostly the Netherlands."

"Yes, sir. She left for the Netherlands multiple times with her son, but she's also gone there alone. As you know, the Netherlands is a country where cannabidiol is legal."

Cannabidiol (CBD). It was a hemp extract that was reported to be an effective treatment for symptoms of epilepsy or Alzheimer's. The hemp oil was administered orally, and would decrease the epileptic seizures. However, in South Korea, it was considered a psychoactive drug and was therefore illegal to use.

"You are also aware that an assemblyman affiliated with Kim MinSuk recently proposed the legalization of hemp for medical purposes to the National Assembly, right?"

"This information isn't enough to prove that Kim MinSuk's wife has been using hemp to treat her son's symptoms."

"But it still gives a strong sense of probability."

"Even if this was proven to be true, the fact that he was doing this for his sick son will probably gain him some sympathy points from the voters. People love emotional dramas."

Since this was his first offense, his sentencing wouldn't be harsh. Jungkook looked at her as he shook his head. However, Lisa merely shrugged.

"Well, you're probably right about that. But, Director, there's more on the back of the page."

He didn't think there was more to the report. He blankly looked up at her before turning the page. His face suddenly hardened. It was a photograph taken in a suite room of an expensive hotel. In the picture, many people dressed in fancy clothing were sprawled out all over the place.