I'm In Trouble

Clip 28

Minhyun stood in front of the Choi corporate building and swallowed the lump in his throat. He can do this. He whipped on his smile and followed his manager inside the building. It looked normal. Well, it was a normal building. Just that the knowledge that something bad transpired inside made him feel uneasy. The staff that received them smiled and greeted them warmly as well, showing them to the elevator to get to the meeting room area. Minhyun tried to keep the layout inside his head as he followed the staff along.

"This way please," the lady said. They walked into the meeting room and started discussing about Minhyun's performance for the upcoming opening event. His manager handled most of the conversation while he just put on a static smile and gave his input wherever it displeases him. He wasn't actually invested in the show but he had to pretend to show an interest for it so they wouldn't find it weird that he had requested for it in the first place.

"That's all for today. Thank you so much for lending us your voice for the event. It will surely be a big hit."

Minhyun beamed and nodded. "Oh. Is it alright if I look around the building? It'll be wonderful if you could show me around too. I don't always get such a chance to work for such a large company."

It was easy to get people to swoon over him with just looks and his voice alone. His manager gave him a concerned expression but the staff immediately agreed and started showing him around. From the main office floors to the cafeteria. Minhyun kept a mental note on each floor they visited.

"This is where most of our operations are handled."

"Is that the CEO's room?" Minhyun asked with a jolly tone and the staff nodded.

"It is."

"Does the door have a lock?" Minhyun asked spontaneously. His manager twitched but the staff didn't seem to notice how weird his question was as she replied him.

"Oh of course. The boss always keeps his door locked when he leaves it. Must be because of all the sensitive information inside."

"Haha. You're not wrong. It is a boss' office after all. But what about cleaning? Wouldn't the janitors need to go inside?"

"Oh yes. They have the keys to enter it."

"Aren't you guys afraid that they would take something instead?" Minhyun cooed and stepped closer to the staff whose cheeks turned red.

"W-well, no. They're all under contracts and it would be very bad for them or anyone to try anything."

Minhyun chuckled and nodded. "I totally understand. The breach of contracts are super scary, right, manager?"

"Ah.. Yes. Why don't we take our leave for today? Surely you've had enough information already."

Minhyun grinned. "Oh yes but one more thing. Do you know where the toilet is? I really need to go."

"Oh. It's right down this hallway to the left."

"Thank you. You're such a dear," Minhyun said and patted her shoulder as he hurried to the toilet. He smiled to the janitor who had also placed his cleaning tools at the entrance and took his gloves off.

After finishing his business, he made his way back to his manager and the staff.

"I'm ready to leave now. Thank you so much for the little tour around the office building. Its been a real delight," Minhyun said and the staff looked delighted. They headed to the elevator and as it opened, someone stepped out. Minhyun didn't take notice of the person but the person looked at him with shock and awe even as the elevator door closed.

"What were you thinking, Minhyun?" his manager shrieked a little after they entered the car.

"What?"

"Going around the building and asking all those questions? What are you up to exactly?"

"Nothing," Minhyun mumbled and closed his eyes. "It's nothing you have to worry about, manager."

"Nothing? I have a responsibility to look after you. Please don't get yourself involved in anything dangerous. I won't be able to bail you out all the time and you also have an image to look after."

"Yes, yes. Thank you for your concern. I really do appreciate it." Minhyun smiled a little but his consciousness was already slipping away. He had been feeling rather exhausted recently. He wasn't sure why but maybe the emotional weight was coming back, pulling his mood down again. He knew he wouldn't be able to get in contact with Baekho today so he hugged himself, letting sleep take him instead.

~~~

After leaving the box at the front of Aron's shop, Baekho started his hunt for the ex employees of the Choi corporate. The first few on his list weren't difficult to find since they stayed at home but getting information was difficult since they all refused to speak and chased him away. Baekho rubbed his neck and sighed. He had been a reporter for a good couple years now but all these time, he hadn't been talking to people like this. He was in a world filled with gossip and it was easy to get anyone to spill some beans but not this time around. It was a whole different world and Baekho wasn't sure how to go about it. The next few was difficult since they weren't at home. Those with social media made it just a tiny bit easier to find but even there, he had no luck. Everyone refused to tell him about the company and he wasn't sure if it was because they had been threatened before or something horrible happened to the point that even the thought of sharing it was bad but he was really at his wit's end.

"I see. Thank you. Sorry for wasting your time," Baekho said with a thin smile. The ex employee just shook his head.

"Uh... Did anyone else speak?"

"Huh?"

"I mean... I can't be the only one you've approached so far, right?"

"No. Nobody told me anything. You sure you can't tell?"

The ex employee looked around before shaking his head. "Sorry. Oh wait. I've got something to give you."

"Eh?" Baekho was confused but the ex employee took out a piece of paper and scribbled something before folding it and handing it over to Baekho.

"Take it as it is, okay?"