PHOENIX

Will I Get Paid?

Evara stepped into the modest building, the door closing softly behind her. The interior was just as unassuming as the exterior—simple, clean, with a few framed posters of unfamiliar faces on the walls. There was a faint hum of activity somewhere deeper within, but the lobby itself was quiet.

She approached the reception desk, a small, wooden counter with a neatly dressed woman seated behind it. The receptionist looked up as Evara approached, her eyes briefly widening in surprise at the sight of the young girl.

"Hello," the receptionist greeted, her tone polite but slightly cautious. "How can I help you?"

Evara stood straight, her expression calm and unreadable. "I want to meet Bang Si-hyuk."

The receptionist blinked, clearly taken aback. "Do you have an appointment?"

Evara shook her head, her gaze steady. She could see the doubt flicker in the woman's eyes, a flicker of dismissal as she assumed this was just some kid who had wandered in by mistake.

"I'm sorry," the receptionist said, her voice firm. "But without an appointment, I can't let you meet him."

Evara didn't react.

 Instead, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the card, sliding it across the counter toward the receptionist. The woman hesitated, then picked up the card, glancing at it briefly. 

Her eyes widened slightly as she recognized it—not the usual business card, but a personal one, something that clearly held more significance.

The receptionist's gaze flicked back to Evara, her expression shifting to something more serious. 

"Wait here a moment," the receptionist said, standing up and gesturing for Evara to follow. "Come with me."

Evara followed her down a narrow hallway, the walls lined with more framed photos and awards. The receptionist led her to a small room, the door slightly ajar. Inside, a handful of people were gathered, seated around a table, engaged in what appeared to be a discussion. 

At the head of the table sat the man Evara recognized from the alleyway—Bang Si-hyuk.

As soon as she entered, Evara felt a pang of confusion. She wasn't entirely sure what she had expected, but the sight of him in this setting, surrounded by others, made her hesitate for a split second.

Bang PD looked up from the table, his gaze locking onto her. For a moment, there was no recognition in his eyes, but then realization dawned, and he stood up, his chair scraping against the floor.

"Hey," he said, his tone softening with surprise. "You're the kid from the alley."

Evara shrugged, unfazed by the attention. "You said you'd help me if I needed it," she said simply. "I don't have anywhere else to go, so I'm here to take you up on that offer."

Bang PD stared at her, taken aback by her bluntness.

 He had been expecting a thank you or perhaps even a refusal, but instead, here she was, standing in front of him like it was the most natural thing in the world to take him up on his offer without hesitation.

The room fell silent, all eyes on the girl who seemed so out of place yet so self-assured. Bang PD was silent for a moment, trying to process the situation. This was no ordinary child—there was something about her, something in her gaze that was far older than her years.

"What exactly do you want me to do?" he asked, genuinely curious about her intentions.

"Give me a job," Evara replied, her voice steady and matter-of-fact. "If you want to help me, give me something to do."