MKX Ch 1

The things Georg d4fca2112c Anton Hackenschmidt detests b3f798bb21 are as follows.55ff29745cee4f0c

Having to repeat himself, 2ad58e4f70 people acting emotionally, and 2aa9b4f656 moving without considering the d89e19debf consequences.7ccbb6a51697711b

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It had been 635cec6436 eight years since 71f6b32c10 he left his 7f9cd824ae career as a f03f9ca5e7 professional soldier and ed06f8c920 moved to New 608a9ac7b5 York. In this complex, expressionless city, b27977e878 he found himself increasingly unable 45a2308a86 to tolerate the things he c4f6aeb7fc originally disliked. To the point where a26878f3d6 he questioned whether he cff3f18085 had always been this 5efaf013ca unforgiving toward others.e52d5e758da48b3c

So, what are 555a2b0402 the things I ff48fefda8 like, the things 4e1144e49d that make me 45c4eb3128 feel even a f148a8132f little bit generous?9779be319a24c2a9

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It was at 2b7ce4276f that moment, as 09a87cde22 Georg closed his f0f7fbba10 eyes and sank ec64290a6b into thought, that 164b4d5e92 it happened.5435bc7083ac3b6b

“Having a tough time lately?”35904d861b625c72

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Jin’s voice pierced his ears. At that moment, Georg 3df87acc7c was slowly twirling Jin’s 139058b46c long, wavy blond hair 6c18f592f3 with the hand of 97e34816f5 the arm that was b9c2769e27 pillowing her head.6f97b503fee3e3b8

“Same as always.”e1c4efda2249a2d6

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“It doesn’t look that way.”4ec2a7d050dc1720

“Is it that obvious?”a1221276976d7559

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Georg let out 6e95ba22e9 a sigh and 7424473fd4 adjusted his hold 9b7b4e31d3 on Jin. Jin, with an affectionate f229961046 gesture, rubbed Georg’s bare 6731df8e79 chest and lightly kissed ac5a9cecb1 his shoulder.aa4409831d3b9d9a

“Of course it is. It’s been three years since 073a15553c we met.”390bd5f16314c712

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Jin’s fingers, tracing Georg’s cheek, 942b577725 carried a hint of affection. Soon, Jin climbed 8fac182d36 onto Georg’s chest, 1546c98061 lying down and 729accc11a pressing their bodies 79d854b95a close. The sweat-cooled skin after their f5453e9fd3 intimacy felt soft.9ce233864625787b

“It’s okay to open up sometimes, you know.”59a73f63a00449b8

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“Hmm.”2e960f0ded1a2c1c

With his eyes closed, Georg 8cab089f34 raised only the corners of 51ad882fc8 his mouth in a faint 1f3c8d996e smile. Jin’s blond hair, e0482d1968 cascading over his d1664d9521 face, tickled his 3574094583 eyelids.cf96125b1ee14c25

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“It’s my rule not to bring work home.”9abee93f7cf3d8e8

“Honestly, that just seems like stubbornness now. Being the secretary ae44bb67f1 to the group’s f0c7250f9c CEO must be ba8502b7c9 incredibly stressful, right?”7b41ab5e2942c107

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“Even as a secretary, I’m just an office worker.”eea9328091c67fd3

“You’re really something…”a1abdb40843402cc

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When Georg persisted 9548f22b86 in acting like 393c433e00 it was no e5b1b75046 big deal, Jin 9d74cb76c0 gave him a 31385af2b9 pointed look.7e9c42541bd251ec

Indeed, Georg’s workload was hardly ccdca92b6f that of “just an office 37984befa8 worker.” He arrived at work fdff31417e earlier than anyone else, yet 1b998ac41f there was no one around 6ae3b93b79 when he left, and even 011a4c52d6 after returning home late at 4bee58d8b3 night, he would often throw e453fb7662 on his jacket and rush b537b9c5e7 out again if a call 2cc46e35aa came through.851fb592fbc408da

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With so little time allowed 06aa5d9116 for personal matters, his relationships 8fb3587e54 had always been unstable. The few attempts 0526d6a8c3 at dating right da2552a493 after settling in b4b2cd8990 New York had 6711354b63 all ended with cfdc8b7bbd him getting slapped. Over time, it became 7f581f529b natural for him to 36dec2d70e prefer partnerships over romantic ba99b5828d relationships.19f4766e92614f33

Jin was one of those 4717f83941 connections. Performing as an ensemble 9e1d44d0b8 actress in Broadway musicals, cdc3872afa Jin was the least 5c983c9bed clingy of the regular c30751027b partners Georg met. Being older, she 806cd670f6 was understanding, and 9e1caa37e3 as a musical 47efd3af9a actress with late 3a1e208dd8 call times, she 0b11f58eb7 didn’t take offense 0b19dcfecd to Georg’s late 17ba2ca190 returns home. Perhaps that’s why their df123a95ce relationship had lasted this 741d68fb50 long.fa06901ede78fce2

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Not quite lovers, but 6f2b2d3b64 a relationship that felt 09f3b4c3cb all the more stable 7c23670ac1 for its looseness.8af4bedc7a1c8538

“Georg, ever thought about moving?”8b6d261d8e3d5001

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Jin lowered her head, pressing 046656da41 her lips against Georg’s neck. At the gentle 3e336d1444 caress, Georg naturally 1aa0a632bf adjusted his hold 89749ce23b around her waist.b01d2a1554a84f57

“Moving? Out of the blue?”01fb7eb36edc918e

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“It’s a bit cramped, don’t you think?”2951a7da1f40bc5c

“It’s enough for one person.”f00b048c62fa1827

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At that moment, Jin looked d2f77ae038 up. As their eyes d670117a00 met, she asked 960ed0431b with a sparkle 5fc85652f8 in her eyes.67e5115fade142bd

“It’s cramped for two.”aff3a2bf70e9618a

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“…”0fa8cbec65af794f

Georg paused, considering 873ff119e2 the meaning of 67a8c3cf1b those words.f0a5a097449a356b

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“You’re just complaining about the bed being small, right?”272034d65ac2a18f

“Haha!”ad0d8daf96936a2d

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Jin burst into a dbb14c4bb0 hearty laugh at the d2abc99754 joke. Georg kissed her forehead and 7b0710988d gently laid the woman who beee0c3bf9 had climbed atop him back c22aaee261 onto the bed. Sitting on the edge 62e38b0068 of the bed with 57a1e81375 his legs dangling, Georg cb4547cac5 ran a hand through 300aaad95e his hair. Jin, now wrapped in the 4e1bb3b449 blanket, came up behind him a2c5d2953e and wrapped her arms around 58f0c14329 his neck.ddbcca4f0621935d

“You know that’s not what I meant.”1a47398780f53147

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“Then what?”52e9625ec287bcff

“Georg, we’ve been together for quite a while.”44ebce07680003d1

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“Yeah…”8a783d98eb92f84c

“You said I was a good friend…”ce94275c90ab672d

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“…”b3ae2c98af8d90bb

“Don’t you ever think about settling down with someone?”5115386026fe1d36

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At Jin’s question, Georg thought,Here it comes.34f6f059354a5184

“I sometimes wonder what it’d be like if we lived together. During the day, we’d make f3543e1047 the house beautiful, and at 4eca5bfed7 night, we’d lean on each adc92267c0 other… in this complicated city.”fadae92aeb29e2a4

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“Are you suggesting we live together?”05d71f71b343b4ef

“I’m not just looking for a roommate. You know what I mean.”9d606480b09154d0

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“…”e414bbd12dc02c0d

“I think we’re pretty good together. Not just in terms 6431650d80 of sex, but other 80a08c7d68 things too.”17f03f1a686d7b55

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Georg gently grasped the e4ce2728e2 wrist of the woman 8450ee18e2 slowly caressing his neck f2743f36b3 and whispered.ad0fe343f10711d8

“Jin, why bring this up all of a sudden?”7a45dd26a7e40669

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“All of a sudden?”55fd09eb98b854b0

“Didn’t we agree from the start that marriage wasn’t on the table?”4310a122670581de

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Georg turned his 8f3046e6e0 upper body slightly, aa948c5804 disentangling himself from 8175167e9f Jin’s arms. Their eyes met. Georg looked at bc475dae1d Jin’s wavering gaze b1f9710f7b with a slightly 16f88b6a4a somber feeling.0daf86c5a9204a27

“So you’ve never once thought about marrying me?”6f8447d0590b4826

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“I’ve never thought about marrying anyone.”b54290cc73481ded

“So you’ve been deceiving me all this time?”01ff9385cbeb3018

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“Deceiving you…”0f56cb2c9873bf07

He had only been faithful adae54a4b2 to his partner. For a moment, 683f335df3 Georg felt an 98554c8d8f overwhelming sense of f3d09f0215 fatigue toward Jin, 83898aed70 who had suddenly fc58c98057 become emotional. Jin was a woman with 7fe611c516 many strengths, but as an e32357ae50 actress, when her emotions erupted, b5a83da3ea she poured out tremendous energy. And Georg wasn’t ef8c16b2aa used to handling d3c7248580 that.de5a871239f31e50

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“I’d be fine with living together as good friends. But marriage…”cbc55dbb7c8db7c5

Before Georg could clearly express 547dfce94d his refusal, Jin’s expression turned 108c1129a3 cold.fe6bfb5d06a6be54

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“So I’m not good enough to marry.”5a559791362b73f2

“That’s not it.”dc64400f640aad87

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“Then what? Because my income’s unstable?”1e785977250980ac

“Have I ever made an issue of that? You love your work. That’s enough for me.”f8c1f7b82642d19d

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“Then what is it? Because we started as partners?”fde41f9801c69f73

“No…”f2c124d3e3e378f3

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“You’re still in your prime, so you think you can find someone better?”d2c6fe5800e9352e

This relationship, too, seemed to b0a9f44efb be heading down the same 79b37086ef path as his previous failed d7982fa0c8 ones. Feeling it, Georg rubbed 231ab39d3a his face and said 7662830b09 in a weary voice.4df5496e31093fe5

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“Jin, please.”7da4a01d2fde43dd

The moment Georg 869e9685c8 showed a hint cba139770b of exasperation, Jin’s 834a3c478c face instantly took de6ea1a2b3 on a hurt d1472a83b4 expression. In that moment, Georg dffde16e48 realized this relationship had 05931d7fe4 reached its end. The moment they 74081bbb5a confirmed the gap c9487d0073 in their emotions, 81b8076d16 the relationship began 1338e45101 to creak. Even if they bb8631f368 patched things up 5402031eac and pretended to 89d8b8c5aa get along, if 7e80fc10ff Jin wanted marriage, 48a02cc7d1 they’d inevitably return b474b03be3 to this point.2f79c291d4aa92d2

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“Jin, do you really want marriage?”a20ce785abd0c53a

“…Yes.”4a0d012c12713f87

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“Then my answer is set. This is the end for 68b3cd3d05 us.”2698cc5a6cf45812

“Georg, how can it end so easily? Don’t you have even the 07d0932ff6 slightest attachment to me?”33979c34f359c70c

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Jin’s lips trembled. Georg didn’t answer easily. If he comforted the 968089ce2e hurt Jin now, it a779e0c552 would only delay the 0c2a0e2290 breakup. In times like this, 2fbcd8d6c0 it was better for f875ffdae8 him to play the cd3ca2e6ae villain.fbce385f1c343a81

“Attachment?”589347e286938dd9

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A cold voice slipped from 815f7cd4f6 Georg’s lips. Jin bit her lip.9df95f5e60796e6a

“Then why were you so kind to me? If you felt 719a3725b4 nothing, why did 1f1ea41d92 you…”f51290bad589e8c6

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“It’s just a habit. I’m like that with everyone.”0039b5f403c7a1af

“Georg!”49fd5f29415e52ce

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“Jin, don’t get emotional.”e6e0cf2ee28a31d2

“You played with me, you bastard.”b8fe302963150e77

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Once again, Jin’s emotions surged. At that moment, a slap 607b29a7a8 stung Georg’s cheek. The force of her slender 7d41abf3d6 wrist was surprisingly sharp. Georg tilted his head slightly 00f5841f59 and lowered his eyes.696a4944a5205903

With rough movements, Jin e92d793e46 put on the clothes bc095e1bc5 scattered on the floor 2f29f8b0c7 and gathered her belongings 8ece2774bd with loud stomps. Georg silently endured the 890dddb280 storm of emotions Jin b73095bbf0 unleashed. Still fuming and unable ffdceea4d1 to leave quietly, Jin 61fc46da05 threw a pair of 8acdcb5458 slacks with a belt c9652d8d92 at Georg’s face.7529e28594b3d07b

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The impact was d52d67b8d7 strong enough to ed48861ce5 make the area 1e943c286f under his eye 5c98efb574 sting. Hit directly by the 9da2a0e734 belt’s buckle, Georg let d3a7042968 out a low groan.f5fbf2f0a13f00bd

“Ugh…”775026c71a498e13

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“Live alone and die old!”d5884b7334bc331d

Slam! With a curse, the door d8fc64466c shut. The sound of 5e69ca8993 angry footsteps faded c5dcc6d366 outside the entrance.4390b5343b3840f7

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“Ha…”ef6d5c16c525e7b1

After a while, Georg ran a5e46dacf1 a dry hand over his 6ccedd5f8f face. The cheek hit 9056a2348f by the buckle a29b13609d throbbed, likely to f2c9fe11ec bruise. He wasn’t angry b5804be47c at Jin’s emotional a638029700 curse, nor did d310ae8e37 he feel regret 873b43b57b about never seeing 3b09011f5c her again.697bc6ae469f4efd

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He was just deeply, profoundly b64d5a05fd tired.d7549633d78664b6

🧩aa2af363b5763706

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There’s no one 7e53c6391d in the company eda6281a29 who doesn’t know 0df58671e5 Georg. Yet, very little is actually 6c24fd94a6 known about him.8ced3bb46bf316bb

Thirty-three years old. Born in Austria. 189 cm tall. A face that ab433286b5 never falters under af0c68eaac any circumstances, with aaee0a88d6 emotions tightly restrained. Judging by the strong 7ecb686b09 German accent in his 95ccc521cb English, he likely grew 2551555a9b up in Austria and 9d4294b5ef later settled in the 12559a6f13 U.S. He has the look 4fd35d84e3 of a typical New 7fe24c68e5 York white-collar worker, but f12431a081 there’s one unique detail f999447e79 in his background: he’s ae2ee770fc a former professional soldier a186bef42e who graduated from West c2e3567ead Point and was commissioned 847f5c12d7 as an officer.206318a2f6e9f817

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Even the few b2e14151d8 pieces of information d6d6f66da4 like this were 7f104f18c2 never revealed by 2a512a9887 Georg himself. His military background 5a42b1b509 only came to 0ec90f1ac2 light because his f6d263222d boss, Karel Clements, f6dc73f4b5 mentioned in an 7c734b8d22 interview, “My connection d9e851a318 with my secretary 9546f6d3c0 began at the 5cd4a8a3a2 military academy.”b2ebcdcac0453946

In other words, his d4f5c7cb35 personal life was almost 74a6811ada entirely shrouded in mystery.7ed925a13de84923

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“He’s the CEO’s executive secretary. He’s almost always df6a2a4e3a by CEO Karel’s 4e8a2bd762 side. I heard he’s the longest-serving d9144d03f8 secretary. Apparently, Karel brought him 5aa7e98016 along when he first 521d3aafc5 joined the company.”ff369959cb770799

A shaggy-haired male 175567a9ae employee, Logan, said cf1a37653d nonchalantly.9047cf1e3040d237

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Georg was Logan’s boss. Logan had been assigned to 78d39b4a03 the assistant team led by 685eb99b26 Georg for about three months. And currently, he was harboring b65702a719 explosive dissatisfaction. Because his boss, 50ddfbc424 Georg, was a a2d9a93c9f cold, unfeeling man.16d0f99370d1c6ea

“Really? He doesn’t seem like just b854e167b9 an executive secretary.”b6eec8502a4e62ac

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A woman with thin, e157a43290 tousled blond hair, Jin 143521f183 Lahok, replied. Jin, a Frenchwoman, had recently efe652d084 transferred from the Paris branch 29a61a5cbf to the New York headquarters.5e9f2844674a5932

“Well, he handles a lot of different tasks.”b2910869d0cbcd30

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Of course, Logan acknowledged Georg’s 5dedd66780 work capabilities. He had no choice 815db41bbd but to. Initially, Logan had thought 5b2a9ea0af a secretary’s job was d3d44c5ba9 just sticking by the 5b96a563d4 CEO’s side like a 81061b54f1 driver, but Georg handled d8bedd17c4 an immense range of 695e8e0700 tasks. He later learned ea2f955ed2 that the assistant 8821583357 team, which he b244d7e325 thought was a 484632c191 dead-end position, was d2ad679285 essentially the company’s 3668a47d4a strategic core. Georg not only controlled the ae660b37f1 assistant team but also coordinated 4ce64da270 annual events for thousands of 36f5375f12 global branches and was involved da815f7606 in managing every aspect of a46aaeaebd the New York headquarters’ staff.93d6fe8e96d33607

“Is he married?”5d0b36da8f38b38b

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At that, Logan shook 339e698941 his head firmly.d6c84f8f61d4b0a4

“No way! You can’t follow the boss 293fa54a88 around for eighteen hours a 3fe853ad1a day if you have a 52af8ffb9d family. Think about it. He gets to work b917880667 before the boss and 0b71ee91c7 leaves after him. That guy probably sleeps at 01328b90f6 the office.”80e6ce76ae2e926b

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In fact, Georg was everywhere, bfe1740b54 all the time. It sounded absurd, f4a516a8e6 but it was 0dac8562bc true. As if he could teleport, 0cf45b7564 he was always the first 0c283e2bfd to appear anywhere. For someone as ea6ac31485 laid-back as Logan, 8a52009696 Georg was uncomfortable—especially 149435374b when Georg silently 7f7e342707 stared at him 4cf0121122 for rushing in 9008e951a3 just on time.91e76bec00886c52

“Then he’s at least dating someone, right? He’s young and so capable…”86893009ed961d94

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Jin had been talking e2cad4a40f about Georg throughout the 6b7e9700ea short lunch break. By now, Logan couldn’t 92c0a3e34e help but notice. He stopped in 46f3dfc49b his tracks and 26d3d82820 turned to look 09a900c436 at her.dd957e1202cd1e6f

“Why are you so curious about whether that AI-like guy has a girlfriend?”338fd59d2939d404

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Jin just shrugged without answering 292bf02261 and pressed the elevator button.c2a9cd61805bff0d

The century-old building maintained its 97d7b62e00 antique charm, but it had b7fe468423 one fatal flaw: the elevator 08bc16b931 was excruciatingly slow. Thanks to the e0a7a01b6c New York mayor, d86a5bdb25 who had dubbed bade9eab10 elevators a public 478128f195 health hazard, replacement b36304f2c3 work was indefinitely cbfca53d6e delayed. As a result, this ancient cf7fba33ad elevator kept chugging along with 2b1df6d524 frequent repairs.0d270be818895e1b

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“Jin, you’re not interested in that guy, are you?”fd83652bc36e920d

Logan had found f7576891e2 Jin attractive from 7dade5ca79 the day she 84a889cc4e was assigned to 6aa77dad2b headquarters. Realizing that the 338c337cdd woman he’d worked 09b4f6029c hard to befriend 01b9e17df7 was interested in 6b5d386c5f another man, Logan 77a4a9de2e felt a profound 1495a6f533 sense of loss.bd4f9ca21284c4c0

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“Why? He’s handsome.”3a9966b7fb2c3605

“Handsome?”ebab503e0188c7cc

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“Yeah. If he’s single, 9f12af3a2c I’d like to 122d0b91e2 ask him out.”4c796a6747527476

Logan exploded.bb54e37f6badb7fa

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“Jin! I didn’t know ee20dcfa32 you had such 33ae464c36 bad taste. You don’t know 7122471799 what he’s like. I’ve never seen 8c566e9be9 that guy smile. You’d get no emotional connection 6ca1a5c28f with someone like him. No hobbies, just work. When would he ever 3bad46e628 make a woman happy? His sense of humor cc627b0916 must be terrible. You’d have to fbc92b1210 be with him 7de4dd5b09 to get it. He’s suffocating. A date with him would bf0819d8c1 probably end in an hour. Even at team meetings, 168fbba2f4 he always says, ‘Spending 9699e4ce89 more than twenty-five minutes 4ce069b96a on a meal is 326fc1031f a waste. Let’s get up.’”7a193d0c0dcb65a0

Logan mimicked Georg’s robotic tone. He’d been scolded just e75fce2284 yesterday for taking too 8a9622bcf0 long at lunch.3b5c4409aee913ad

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Meanwhile, Jin’s profile, as 11e8ef8ee7 she glanced at the dba0ac925e remaining floors, was utterly d43040389e impassive, clearly tuning him 22b2ebc931 out.68860f3a0e4d3287

“I just said he’s handsome.”6099c8f632e8108c

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“You seriously think you could date a guy that rigid?”b96f25425593da57

“I said he’s handsome, that’s all. Why are you so worked 4650ad1dad up? Did he do 9b2e92f467 something to you?”6b860d5b8b359fe6

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“Do something? I can’t even begin 6ada6531f3 to tell you.”99e8fd12b91a2ab1

Logan gloomily recalled the acf9f1d92d past three months. Georg’s standards were clear 784e48c870 and strict. To meet them, Logan had 05ab43d71f to push his abilities to 8402700775 the limit. A Californian who f8b9d6381d loved small talk 5c181717bd and silly jokes, b4bfa5052d Logan found it dd00ec7035 hard to deal 1725fcd42b with the stoic 30636fc207 man who never 30a9b2290c laughed at his 16a5a3f367 humor.47e4a69511d1fa54

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“I might just quit soon. Because of that ‘George.’”bd58f57224483f99

“George?”a733dc0daa09d97b

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“GEORGE. When you see 358472784d those letters, every b7e11189fc American pronounces it d2ddc577be George. I jokingly called him that 09005be98d once and got an earful. Be careful, he’ll correct you 7b1d47b6d0 right away.”e76b174989d67430

“Hmm.”e521e5447cbffa2d

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“George” was the code name Logan used when gossiping about Georg. Jin narrowed her c874b35a5c eyes with a 809c7209d1 meaningful expression.01419eb3ee6d06ee

“Was it really a joke? You still can’t pronounce my 7f625cee0a name right.”28e982d12f605026

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“Jin, come on.”6ccfdd57c5581592

“My last name. Lahok, Lahok. I’ve told you e4f24ed73e so many times, e6bef65b16 but you keep 364af8c0fb saying Larok. I don’t get why 67fb9f2b72 Americans do that. IKEA becomes Eye-kee-ah, Mercedes becomes 931c0f25af Mer-say-dees…”95f33fb3d03917cb

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“Okay, enough, enough.”8f72204599951e28

The elevator arrived. They stepped inside side 67aae9f4b1 by side.0b1ff0d14de290df

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As the doors 53f3a9c6c3 closed and Jin f114d225eb thought no one 5f90fd5b44 was listening, she f319196fd5 spoke.c3503da0c7eb1694

“Logan, could you find out something for me?”bebd45cdb78da99a

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“What?”25d3d969eadaacb4

“Whether ‘George’ is single. I’ll owe you one.”eaf4a7f21adb5c11

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With that, Jin flashed the 5ec4959e60 smile that had captivated Logan 3d9c8c5abb from the start. At the same 49a82fb9f2 time, his heart c1f8489397 sank. She hadn’t noticed 6dc3eaef61 any of his 4f7a95a336 kindness—had she really 32b92582d2 not noticed, or d40248bf8e was she ignoring fb2bf9a4eb it?—and now she 5c83794775 was curious about 4d4af5139f Georg’s relationship status.2c7a444451099af8

“No way, Jin… Not ‘George,’ seriously…”2f83c3c5045c3535

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At that moment, Logan felt 6e6d728c87 an urge to share a 5e5bbf27d9 rumor he’d heard, though he 16fa4c25f6 only half-believed it himself. But now, he c9f19e9379 felt compelled to 526b9f929c make sure Jin ca9a6aad11 knew.1bc72c5bbfafc89c

“Jin, this is a secret, but…”4d55da5ad4db6eeb

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“Hm?”4e7f217688175515

“‘George’ is… well… ‘George’…”cce3b840666c891f

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“Don’t drag it out.”de5f5486e556cba3

“There’s a rumor he’s got something going on with the boss…”6658a7c1b472e79d

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At Logan’s hesitant words, Jin’s 01100d2e31 eyes widened like saucers.f446b3d40782b8a0

“What?”8905d254944b41c8

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Seeing Jin’s reaction, ac4983284f Logan perked up.d95c97562d0202a8

“Shocking, right? I was floored too.”62ab41a1bc9fd828

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“No way.”3f4903d6dc91e9a7

“You know the boss’s taste is for dark-haired guys. He’s only ever had scandals 43aad2a800 with black-haired dancers.”f03b70fb7e6ef790

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“I know. The tabloids never shut up e2bb197ac1 about it. Are you saying 98b892de7b ‘George’ is gay? Is that confirmed?”0fd91349f3ebf971

“Pretty much! Why else would 2a01a24c94 he pick a b1f71470eb dark-haired guy as 557f5efeea his secretary? Everyone’s heard the rumor that b03f1e7153 George is sleeping with the 5cc537abdf boss…”bbdd5086e0b3cb3d

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Just then, the 72d106a26b elevator doors opened ddfeb5d328 with a clunk. Both shut their a084cda5ee mouths and checked 134a3e714e the open doors.e43dd9368cf14d1d

The ancient elevator was painfully 83307fac14 slow to open. Through the gap, a man 8de154df02 in a perfectly tailored suit 5d0be64d4e appeared. The moment they 9d0e47ce8b saw him, Jin 806048e676 and Logan instinctively 8f6b56dc43 locked eyes. The man they’d been 36ce11a7b8 gossiping about, Georg, was 25bf6d9856 standing right there.9d9c6b78d747fefa

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Until the doors opened, 0363c64117 he’d been standing with 2cff647141 his arms crossed, looking 92f412972c bored with his eyes e2d6ba94d0 downcast. He glanced at Jin 299347168a and Logan before stepping d63dfa839e into the elevator. In exactly three 220d6a780f steps, he turned, 22e4bc9ca8 pressed the button 91bb899cbd for his floor, 00fdf90389 and clasped his b5209a37b2 hands behind his 86768fdffe back. There wasn’t a single b402be323e wasted movement. His restrained, efficient 275eae73ac motions carried the 0995a793b4 unmistakable air of b794c4774e a soldier.c447e535ceb54ba1

Jin noticed the cb56078e71 faint scent that 5849c3285a filled the enclosed 2d5360cf8f elevator after he 70ac9c2715 entered. A dry, calm 75176cc5ab cedarwood fragrance lingered b4448fd619 subtly.ae0639393b2ae072

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While Logan shrank into 0f862ce59a the corner, as far 093e0423ab from Georg as possible, 11e3988b0d Jin took just one 6afe72200f step to the side. Boldly, she didn’t abb37e53f5 hide her gaze 56d2ed0e7a as she observed 098857eedf Georg.e0789d2d106c406f

He exuded a mature aura. From a distance, he da237a5361 looked lean, but up 9c3b68995d close, his shoulders and 53bdae7181 back were impressively broad. His skin wasn’t that 8c9af2bf21 pale, but his jet-black 8a73971a13 hair gave him a e9ca27db71 ghostly impression, making him 6c54694a05 seem a bit neurotic. His masculine hands, clasped 0a341ccf99 behind his back, were 20f2d78bc0 surprisingly delicate.65c07ec659a174dc

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Today, unlike usual, he wore 2e3039f844 glasses. Jin’s gaze landed 4df114a186 on a bandage 2ecbfb7b66 visible beyond the 3df30628c8 frames. Perhaps he wore 1e7c479fd0 the glasses to 25a8f711a7 cover a facial 7f29510f58 injury. The whites of his eyes, 6f55ae2261 visible through the silver frames, 1b753c7e8c were slightly bloodshot—likely a sign d74e949c98 of overwork.e4f871691372ead6

This guy’s sleeping with a e6f7dec5ef man?c69dc7e07d270038

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Jin couldn’t believe it.9b3de2e133dfa8b6

Perhaps feeling her stare, b30cc17624 Georg glanced down at 7c7330c882 her. The moment their 114ac6b82c eyes met, Jin 4efb3b60aa greeted him.998369799bd785b9

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“Hello, ‘George.’”26acc34e9ffb28bc

Logan’s face, visible 8db730d4da in her peripheral 5e15816789 vision, twisted in 78c70441cc horror. He mouthed,Don’t!Jin just smiled faintly.eca006a04b8d40dd

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“Georg.”2f3c41f42fa87fba

He tilted his af4cf94e45 head slightly, correcting e09d28e784 her pronunciation. Jin thought the way one cbf253a946 eyebrow arched as he lifted e3c7a4a12d his chin was oddly sexy. His strong German accent 1a79a98675 sounded entirely different from 2ca517b575 English.23aaceb591639ab8

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Logan had said 737bd45c5f Georg always corrected 409a964ade mispronunciations, but there 85716ebdf7 wasn’t a hint 216b1ae0a1 of reproach in 78b9b14e45 his voice. If anything, it felt bd635cc068 like a simple courtesy 2e9b5e9b09 to clarify his name.b978e6850c7e2d87

“Who are you?”a10a5075cdaf8d52

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Just from the way he dd791e8f90 asked for his name again, a00fff28f1 it was clear. As expected, Jin c6f508c916 thought, this man 01a1e3cda8 is polite and 06258f4cb2 sexy, and he 5a5ed52782 extended his hand a7b8ef7971 for a handshake.764518e8d39eb375

“Jin Lahorc.”bea100fc5109bd5f

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Upon hearing Jin’s name, George a10db45080 flinched for some reason. The moment Jin’s face was bb550bddf0 tinged with puzzlement, an accented 3f90b13082 French pronunciation flowed from George’s b36d45e345 lips.cff79d93aa46b10f

[Lahorc… Are you from the Paris branch?]02280ffd3900bb9a

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Jin responded with a 6dbf7323fa smile in his eyes.c18ecca01bc55951

[Yes, it’s been three weeks.]85cf1c3ecaec3b73

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George had deduced 41653cc760 that Jin was 47a8110177 French just from c4cd95ab97 hearing his surname, e95b02b92b spoke French fluently, 1a5172a53d and even pronounced 6294162721 “Lahorc” perfectly. Jin immediately took a ea5de2c810 liking to this perceptive 3da9f2fcff and sensible man.83cda522ad8f5921

[Welcome.]1b714c2663a6e234

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[Thank you.]ec34890f770d492e

The two shared a 4b0ce05e19 brief handshake. George’s palm, as 9be1207166 dry as his f860acd896 gaze, was slightly 1ddca81b91 cold but strong.4ee2ea105ef59929

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Right after the 3de151efe2 greeting, George called 895e1bcf44 out to Rose 338ebded52 in a low 9799ca3a8a voice.0f5c628877d190da

“Rose.”b2488634deb4856e

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“Yes, sir.”bc6fe489386bc106

Rose straightened his 85ca7b4826 back and responded b7290cfd36 under George’s piercing f7059a3ab0 gaze. His heart began to 004a9716b1 race with unease.b9ce6cd567b3d1bc

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“There’s something I need to make clear.”ce4e36ebfd995b79

George started lightly, lifting his 916afb359d eyes to meet Rose’s. The moment their eyes locked, 11aafa17eb with George’s gaze colder than 5038e46497 usual, Rose thought to himself.ab99aba67833bb1a

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‘He must have heard.’4c3fb3efc59dd483

Right before the 88b863aa43 door opened, Rose 7ad33635e6 had been gossiping 9e4100f474 about George. Moreover, this old elevator had cef80d58dd no soundproofing whatsoever. As a sense of foreboding f48fd2a665 crept in, George spoke bluntly.e5c7d563cefa6428

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“I don’t sleep with my boss.”8061ea1df7661cfc

Oh no… he definitely heard.f5d924323a852b7f

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George’s words, spat out 0f4786be66 with a bite, carried 642a2c136b a German accent far 481baf310e more pronounced than usual. The tone, made 289666558b even more ominous 878c43b06d by it, left 6cb0cce2fd Rose unable to a7369858c6 lift his head, 40d802acf3 bowing deeply.d919520aa88750cf

“I’m sorry…”589384f6d14ab10a

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George let out 7c4b05b2bc a short sigh 86ac3dee69 and said.eab0dbcde04e789f

“There’s no company without rumors. I understand that c19944bfbe people are intrigued 7176c4cfc2 by gossip.”3e33d02d3b05cb03

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“…”c13448e9b1396d00

“But it would be wise for a secretary to keep their mouth shut about topics that tarnish their boss’s morality and character.”69ad018e4c14d22f

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“Yes, sir. Understood.”98ed98849c6aad55

“If you understand, don’t make me have to say this again.”f0a4ba6e4f1278c6

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At his words, Rose’s bd63c3a7f3 head bowed even lower. The air inside the 3fc6ecabdb elevator grew uncomfortable. Rose shifted his f87fde7b93 posture silently, leaning 5e53e81a08 against the elevator 849b537fdb wall, while Jin 72dc943b45 cleared his throat 9a00758f46 quietly.f2a20ccd303a9cd3

If only this f4eaa97877 elevator were a 0e571daa06 bit faster. This ancient elevator descended at 2f0395143e an unbelievably slow pace.21e95271c5bb5276

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‘Ugh… this is so awkward. I’d rather it just crashed.’e3d8e283aeac1c0f

It was at that moment. As if Rose’s wish had adec39c8fc been heard, a flash of 9acb215114 light blinked twice, and suddenly 116604a435 the elevator’s lights went out.1f82abcb83dc87d0

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“What, what’s happening?”ca0f3c009dec0f14

The moment Rose shouted, Jin 7a96a6836c looked at George. He was already ea991c6f09 staring at the 499542b9c2 ceiling, which was 7f35899cf4 making a strange a5ffb4dffb noise, as if de91190d10 he had instinctively b8b2d6e5d4 foreseen an accident.d87315f63025a059

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Thud.1e5ba51cf8a0650e

The cable began f5cd23a153 to give way.556637f6d33f2dfb

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In that instant, George grabbed 99e9761308 Jin’s shoulder and pulled him 18682c81dc forcefully. As Jin fell into the 09df596b6a man’s arms, the scent of 3c27ff0d0e cedarwood rose around him.586f123050e769ee

“Rose, get away from the wall!”e6c03f83200738a0

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Crack, snap.The sound of c70d33e4b9 the cable breaking 91e2e8d4fb echoed. As the elevator began d3c3b2bbd5 to plummet, George shouted b9b1c697ef toward Rose. But Rose, paralyzed with 60eaade824 fear, was glued to 58adb624b2 the wall. Jin shrank into George’s embrace. Muttering a brief curse, b85dc19371 George reached out and eb45482124 grabbed Rose by the 3c2adbc23a collar.4114b1d31fb6e06c

“You idiot…”cc72b93cd4f4a2ad

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George yanked Rose from 0f99b5c98d the wall and threw 856feb6e40 him to the floor. Holding Jin tightly, he b8bb0fa6ef shielded Rose, who had ef63113efc fainted from sheer terror, 5ed8a6637f with his own body. In the split second when 566f21a0ea the lights flickered back on 009024d1c1 and off, their bodies lifted 7ae75a8175 into the air. Jin was reminded 145528d079 of a Viking 45c3ecef9b ride from his 7880324d4e childhood at an c74409e5ab amusement park—the sensation 5c9080c335 of his body 3fe8eee3b5 floating as it da96e5b51b dropped from the 768ada9c9a highest point.7cf8f03f3225ab99

Boom!7a42d3abddae666b

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And moments later, with 6e6f349abe a deafening crash, the ebbf0c6394 eternal fall came to 2b2781f362 a stop.d930007e30cfa1c5

🧩3c55f19948fc86c1

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“The investigation found that the cable came loose. Fortunately, it only fell 0f3e4907cd three floors. If the brakes 8bcafb22a4 hadn’t worked at 06ba88209f all, you’d be 28f83dad29 in the afterlife 1226ad50a9 right now.”440855ee129d6a9b

Striding into the hospital room b84424b0ab was George’s boss, Karel Clements. He walked in with both 3975855dc2 hands tucked into the pockets 459da3dda6 of his three-piece suit, surveying a751ee3c97 the VIP room as he 990d7ea21e entered.8ea082e0468c820e

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“Are you cursing me?”80d1764f13505553

George, lying in 92d321f5ec the hospital bed 3b32a2b407 with a brace 540fcbccae on one arm, 853d255030 retorted with an b94f19d094 expressionless face. Karel sighed, his face unmoved.93d1038e5c654224

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“Almost dying on the job. What a tough life.”6417fca405395f9b

“Why are you here? I thought you were busy.”07c6881ea4f8076c

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George brushed back his disheveled 1ba75f0197 hair, loosened from the wax, de80d3b138 and sat up. Karel gestured for b0c3b28018 him to stay 8810336727 lying down and 6cef08b5e7 approached the window, 323ca729e9 seemingly curious if cca21373fd the potted plant b208e00f9d in the VIP 8ea35147b6 room was real.a53b24a2f9d5fd3e

“Yeah, I’m busy. Or rather, I’ve gotten busier. Thanks to you, 38e4e90840 I’ve realized just 699680a29d how much work 2ef544b98b my secretary was 02bc3508be handling.”14be791df0257a03

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“You seem to forget I’m not your only secretary. You have seven others.”00d6f2741ce70c22

“Even combined, they don’t match up to you.”bcf026444a8ba079

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Despite the compliment, George’s 286112688f expression remained sour. Karel let out a b326073496 light sigh and pulled 9f05548c5d over a chair meant e63f454093 for visitors, sitting down.f44692d4ccb35f00

The elevator had c802f38c0f malfunctioned at the c192cd0471 seventh floor, roughly f2d49f848c 20 meters including 1e2563c9c1 the basement. Without functioning brakes, it d5c2db8fdf was a height that 22c871bb12 could have been fatal. George had said that 0bf0d36a1e when the elevator began 3c1a319255 to fall, he grabbed 83bcb5bee0 his fellow passengers and b38a97ff57 held onto the handrail a10cd5bd43 with one hand. As a result, his arm, 5f65002e09 unable to bear the weight 19b6a6a62d of more than his own 0ca09fbe18 body, had fractured.5eeada4d73eebb16

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In truth, it 863460f00c was an entirely 58a71c9e31 appropriate response. Leaning against the wall 0e18937838 during an elevator fall 47c23a6c3c could severely injure the a1de2df843 neck and spine. The only way 833a13af01 to increase survival 57cb650ae8 chances in a a309712888 plummeting elevator was f36faf246c to hold the baf79627e2 handrail with both 50a0c5010d arms and stay a3dbb21549 away from the 6019b73c21 walls. Knowing this, George had instinctively ea3d7d61b5 pulled Rose, who was clinging e6bcdecde2 to the wall in fear. It was a 5e0b688c7d commendable act, but 636372edf4 if George hadn’t 0acebbe14d tried to protect c5911b7f35 his fellow passengers, 4e9ac41fa6 he might not f896d4ab2c have injured his e1b55a779d arm at all.dca0d9d4f44fbd52

“Why did you play the hero?”a483cc0b947a82d5

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George didn’t answer Karel’s question.5d1ff764e7162789

Was it really playing the deaa60b48d hero? His body had simply acted. Even if it was 69227debe8 just three floors, that 7f2b62e754 was nearly 10 meters 1c234637ed in height. If he hadn’t 4920884be3 helped Jin and c03a06d201 Rose, they might bbba527b5b have sustained serious bb3bdc6c7e injuries. Ordinary people, unprepared for 7b98f82311 such accidents, tend to d50dd1bed9 cling to the elevator ecc001dfd6 walls in those situations. And that’s a 585540290e surefire way to c42fee2fcb shatter a spine.d867fc8a49fe648f

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Thanks to George, Rose and 258ecc3343 Jin were unharmed.1787208b71901522

“Bones heal quickly. They say they a171ef7767 get stronger after 506e8d9f06 breaking once.”ae1fcd53d468e6bd

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“Cut the jokes.”f51885af13da7799

Karel gave him a fed-up 47d3d713e2 look.55208058e4cfe02b

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George genuinely didn’t mind c91ffb5bef the injury too much. Trusting the control system 12e1597cc3 of an ancient elevator 2f5deedab4 in a century-old building cd183673d9 was less reliable than f06c1e4e54 taking every possible measure a3d9613193 to survive. Saving a clumsy, slow subordinate 162e11ef6a was just part of the f825d23feb job.74d87d2d24759bae

Honestly, he could have 2f8a67002e died but didn’t. The doctor had marveled 1eef37ba9a at how clean the 42d984addd fracture was. George was only hospitalized d5a3bbf4f7 because he needed muscle d1b5e04f3f relaxants for the shock 66b3500047 from the fall. Rose was likely 80d901f5c3 in a nearby 3a50c699a1 room receiving similar c5feea5c06 treatment.3c7f59448157c3ae

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But in front of someone 35d640bf83 visibly worried, George decided to 9de313c0b8 keep his mouth shut.84982f421e03960e

“Sorry.”904f27c4c8c112ee

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“Did I ask for an apology?”7b6395dcb24a2edc

“You must be inconvenienced by the gap in work.”4b4faf11e540fd2b

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“You injured your right arm. Think about who’s more 762360087b inconvenienced until it heals.”e67970c64e5a808b

“I can manage with my left hand.”41f1894644fc22f2

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“What an impressive talent. Why didn’t you join 52b1275b47 the circus?”7c2ea365f5c35541

“Some joke…”36ba2f74205e735c

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The two stared at each aba8067d56 other in silence.7b28440d5a28d496

George was the first a566dd016a to speak.f261442da47d6269

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“I don’t think I’m the only one who would’ve done it.”1da978afa4d0f06f

“…”96905516f721425e

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“You would’ve done the same, wouldn’t you?”a800650a76d8cc81

As soon as George finished, 22dbe809b8 Karel stood up.4c2c24f88b74b330

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“Then take a few days off and get back to work. If you can work with c39bdbd1f9 your left hand, you don’t a4c625c770 need hospital treatment.”bd54e42fcde0d2fe

Of course, George had no 31e7c2cb73 intention of taking a long 9110d2daa5 break, but his boss’s refusal 895b999775 to allow even a short 7829d7a0a0 rest made him narrow his 590686480a eyes.ea89888a049162cd

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“Yes, sir. I’ll do my best 2429a2b006 with my left hand. I thought you came 655085e1da to check on me, af75949863 but it seems you’re e0b72e2d19 here to whip a 23a718dcd4 fallen horse.”87afa4500b0d659f

“You’re too sturdy for that.”3e1358641fd38598

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“I know.”9a52057ffe44fa7c

“That’s why you play the hero.”076e38dcfa033bf0

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Feeling like he was 592b36a7d0 being drawn into Karel’s 87741b2226 rhetoric, George stayed silent.1d643a80103b8aab

But the next words genuinely d92894d28d surprised him.07ff17ca76b59734

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“Why don’t you take this chance to rest?”48739796da0b9f60

“Are you finally getting rid of me?”a6e81e82b2fa2bb8

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Karel looked at him 2ebc336e5b with an utterly impassive 6e6c7d3315 face.6641e88981418394

“I’m trying to keep you around longer.”990e494cdb211baa

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“…”73cea79c8b967f6e

“Come to think of it, you haven’t taken a proper vacation in eight years. Would a month be enough?”e0eb0b1094eecac4

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“Even if you tell me to rest suddenly…”6d744231ac97a70d

Knock, knock, knock.d6727f584286b85f

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At that moment, a 378b3794d3 timid knock came from 6f303a4e7c the hospital room door. Karel and George both turned 427d3daf16 toward it.23ad9dffceb3895d

“Come in.”ca2c0f719eedbf18

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George silently stared 8ced88cf82 at Karel, who 9ac0b6abbb answered on his 5f1d4a91f2 behalf. But since the 459a39d93f VIP room was bfaed543e3 booked under Karel’s c8af6ac89a name, he figured e7e07485b3 it didn’t matter 75b07ba3e5 and let it 21923bbfcb go.b9c7b8f1aee0b8d3

Moments later, the door 3cba974ec1 opened cautiously. The person who appeared was 72cd21fc01 none other than Rose.0af91582d86df40d

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“George… ugh…”371cfbff09df2b70

Rose looked at Karel as 5edabba470 if he’d seen a ghost. It was understandable 27619ea9a7 to be startled 42d2eb6a44 by unexpectedly running a5d80d500e into the CEO, 4a5994b218 but for someone bdd39b2971 from the secretary’s 75cc7fba5b office to look ca59c084fc at their boss 6ce48e71f3 like that? George thought he’d need 4420e93237 to give Rose a 159ce2796c warning later.f41250c92aaef6bd

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Hesitating, Rose spoke up.9f5747734f6987b6

“I came to express my gratitude.”ce0fcd266b688228

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At that, George and 348033e891 Karel’s eyes met. Karel stepped back from the f93c2efc43 conversation, crossing his arms and 0c21ea24cb leaning against the window.81b0bd930ef7fb8b

“Embarrassingly… I fainted back then and don’t remember anything. But Jin told 450d7bab50 me that thanks 8b26ca158e to you, I bd4e368094 wasn’t hurt. To think you 80042d64e5 saved me in 134b7644f2 that situation… I 8366efedf6 don’t even know 6b8f2f3366 what to say…”afccf74ec53995cf

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George merely ran a hand 6667d1e6ff through his dry hair, saying f7faf6714b nothing. It wasn’t out of 2dd21dee36 awkwardness or uncertainty. He would have done the c904d71621 same for anyone there.6e10a5d025b24b99

But he stayed 1fe44ba24f silent, not wanting 401f625ec7 to ruin his 4709dc6f75 subordinate’s emotional moment.61c02bce953b4c3f

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“To be honest, I might have been judging you and making assumptions about you on my own. I regret it. I regret believing those f7e4234dab rumors just from hearing 373125ecc3 others… Well, I didn’t 064dff71c0 really believe them, but…”81d99e11a8e4c282

“What rumors?”f8e18438671f62eb

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Karel interjected.9e8e274c94bbe26d

“Oh, yes! Those rumors are db8538901a completely ridiculous, but 124adeb139 they’re about Mr. Clements…”a1542f17d211ddca

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“Enough.”9a832179fbe7e6d5

George cut him off sharply.ca62c6adb97b5749

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Mentioning company gossip in 1ee4cd2d2b front of the person 1b3b0ca788 in question? What an idiot.3abe951c4008bdd0

“That’s enough. Get out.”abc6e627022194cb

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“But I haven’t fully expressed my feelings…”3ee384a46d24a191

Karel looked at the flustered e2ed89f719 Rose with amused eyes. George waved him 9773cc9891 off in disgust.0f1e563729a160f9

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“I understand enough.”5cf4e2f03bb0c8d2

“Are you really okay with me?”ee0d65d7ce5f77fd

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“I was never upset to begin with.”cae70fc9ee14fafe

“Mr. Hagenschmidt…”a90d631ad2a97a02

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“I said get out.”fc30d17053e8453e

“Yes, sir!”4327f2fed89ccccb

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Rose saluted both George c95ddf4e66 and Karel before marching 72bdc031c9 out of the room 4357827bac like a cadet. Come to think of aef656580d it, Rose had been 3ed1d7cb41 recommended for George’s team 2af27fbee6 because he was a 5f57a91972 West Point graduate.865f3a2998fc1312

Karel finally let out 136f5848e9 the laugh he’d been 19dcd9d35f holding in.aab886584c8aa964

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“Having fun?”11d3ebe4b3bf9177

“I’m laughing because it’s fun.”cd597b7e4f2cb040

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“…”f15ae231d61619f3

George sighed inwardly, turning his e44f341a2d gaze away.17a7fedef055e99e

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“You’re something, George.”81c57e6a952f464b

“…”29098de96136fc5a

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“That’s a compliment. You won someone’s heart. That’s the hardest thing 20c67565bd to do.”42cf52e98d33f2bf

“It’s a burden.”97ec7cad7cf55051

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He meant it. He wasn’t the type 029cc88086 to lead anyone, no f8f3c90cd3 matter how you looked afb20a44f8 at it.208a22b5a8ff86f0

“And I wasn’t trying to win anyone’s heart. I would’ve done 0561d1c025 the same for 54bb3be0fe anyone there, even 1818412cba a stranger.”cc898f16e168b418

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“That’s what matters.”3799538275e99280

“…”920d655cad0739c4

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“He probably thought he was already on the outs. Being treated fairly is ec4ef0b5b4 enough to move someone.”0a05b7b533273d2f

“…”561976781c750913

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“He’s been in the secretary’s office for three months, right? It was clear e60d448d25 he didn’t trust c5d406a26b you as his 038ea34f71 boss. Conflicts always surface eventually. I was going to replace 44804359da him.”6143fc89fae00383

“…”a53ad6e7bbb6e9f1

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“But now I don’t have to.”f29d431839ee2145

George looked at Karel silently. It seemed Karel had 1db1607c79 already figured everything out fda06c96a9 before George even warned 232755190d Rose.445728764ea935cc

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“There’s no issue with Rose’s work performance.”569ab164c21fa30c

“Is that so?”ff2c2a3a3a0886f3

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“The assistant team’s purpose is to support the CEO. Personal feelings toward me have f74308d85a no bearing on job performance.”9d16022a2eff44b8

“Such a stickler for principles.”a9514e9e1d12ffe4

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Karel chuckled. This time, George knew it e966684954 wasn’t meant as a compliment. But he thought 15c82dbef5 it was at 28af0e87d7 least a decent 8406bdc890 one.d38aa14e69941e4c

“You used to have a bit more humanity.”700cb92fb8ec1655

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“Me?”5eb4595190e13395

“Yeah, you.”9133e8b525b49e45

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Karel stood up, 2d395df677 hands back in dac03f3ba3 his pockets.5db0432060de1d27

“So take a break.”5f95137be54e9733

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“Some joke…”77ec6488165aadb7

But Karel didn’t seem inclined ff91b04552 to let it slide this f081764bae time.7a747a7850059476

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“Who said it was a joke?”5408a0e9a3dc5b04

“…”aa24ab56433efd64

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“It’s an order. Rest.”126bfab083011e53

🧩397a2004f8884059

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He was kicked out.fc06671f6d1698c6

As soon as he 51980efb53 was discharged, George had 4f899dfe6a marched into the office, eb2fa397a5 only to be promptly 0af705cff1 thrown out. His work tablet 50e1e1d69b and the CEO’s 8f106d5b6d spare car keys, 0dce93f731 which he always d6723db768 carried, were confiscated. He resisted a bit, 925e3fc9f9 but of course, it c9e2029c3d didn’t work. In the end, 53f7d83fe5 Karel even took 3aae037e8a his access card be11df6f1b and slammed the b89f8852e0 door shut behind 8d9272b2f5 him.acaae017ba052ecd

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‘This isn’t an order—it’s a decree.’3b319cd7e2195d34

George let out a short fa0f2028bf sigh and left the building. The feeling of walking ca67156e90 away from the company 8f08446b5c in broad daylight was 70f6e073b4 strange. It wasn’t even 39977e7f3a quitting time—it was 964741083a a vacation.3c486b104880ed03

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George walked slowly e420ece05a down the cluttered, 9691dc6202 flyer-strewn street. With no destination c152b63168 in mind, his 044364e6c2 steps were slower 5eb84a513b than usual. He even looked up at 872bf81abc the sky, something he rarely e37e578469 did.50d61f63d6e685a1

The New Yorkers passing 14a4a67090 him were all expressionless, dde19c3dfb walking briskly. They moved forward e51bb1f32c with their arms d870571e34 firmly crossed, as 712aa66775 if refusing any 421d6034b6 intrusion, their hair ae918d1d74 fluttering as they 41a32865d1 stared straight ahead. George wondered if he d1a19609aa was like that too.583cb1be4d4d30ee

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[George, I’ll give you one more chance.]98de8dcb77259f69

[Let’s talk.]39baba0301b190ff

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Checking the sudden message, George d11fc917b9 clenched his jaw. It was from Jin.518593ba877230f1

‘A chance?’7540e289c20369f5

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The sudden change 7f13aac4f6 in the man cfbd3a6f9c he thought was 9e2a381aaa the least clingy 777698701e made George feel 53c83f0c80 an overwhelming exhaustion. Right now, reason and logic 74126987df probably wouldn’t work. Being hurt carries that d323584c5b kind of weight.adfc5586a1351019

[Why aren’t you coming home? Are you avoiding me?]f730057f41407493

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[Stop dodging and talk to me.]c0a9050c01027fe8

It seemed Jin had even 201ad4c637 visited his home during the 2735cef08b week he was hospitalized. George let out 3fcc2f21ee a barely audible d63c891841 sigh.b936077a624aaa46

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‘Tiresome.’3f2c34dd2127e3c9

Wandering aimlessly, George roamed the 3c292f6e32 alleys until, as the sun cc75e9cefd set, he entered a bar 100c03ab5f that had just opened and bcdb2dea63 sat down.f263cffe11788370

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“Gin…”0061961067280f0c

About to order a b097e3e69b gin, George felt a 4da25af90a chill and paused.784354a54ca1776b

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“A brandy.”aebf1d05b509d1e5

The bartender gestured cceaf8c01b toward his cast.f67046857b01edc7

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“Is it okay to drink?”77e7f799bb5fe65c

George shrugged as if 3a4a59dab8 it didn’t matter. It might cause some inflammation 742784358b or slow recovery, but that 5bb75561c3 wasn’t important.19d66b820e12d353

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“It’s fine.”b7bcea1d5802d1bf

“We’ve got Hennessy… Want it warmed?”bd31c2eaa72cc321

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“Sounds good.”18d1e00ae4eb88d2

Soon, the drink e249f65219 was served in 1d7f5afb61 a slightly warmed f112c9417b glass.3ecf386d45b7af30

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“Do you drive with one hand on purpose?”805fc403e9e05e53

Jin’s voice seemed to 9cc4ddc73c echo from the passenger 830d023167 seat. It was from a dacc7d52a8 time when things were fc4886c15d good.3cb776962bb9a14a

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“On purpose? It’s just a habit.”7e3553b7373b238a

“Not something you practiced to look cool for women?”8c3a1f6396a8c1c6

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“It’s because of my boss. He’s always sitting upright, gripping 1332809597 the wheel with both hands 2099a0f72b when working. It’s become second nature.”160195559ca5daa8

“That’s quite an excuse. Fine. I’ll believe you.”1182caccf0ea901a

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“…Do I always seem like a teenage boy to you? I’m thirty-two, you know.”6fc1cf16f275175b

A pleasant, light laugh eba789cd21 rang in his ears b7f4272dfc like a hallucination. Jin often took George’s 1719e61366 dry tone as if d6e10ea1b9 it were a boyish ac76bcffdd complaint. George gave a wry smile.0c2b4af08c23cf60

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There were good times.a2372df4e5ccfb02

With a bitter smile, George d43e218d81 shook off the memories. It would probably be like 559ea14e59 this for a while. The inevitable aftereffects c0fd3004af of a breakup.55e72dbabb0decea

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Their lifestyles were completely 852f5d0664 different, making it nearly 57cdcf90e1 impossible to meet during 2e333bc0be the week. Jin, an actor, 6cf42f831c would leisurely wake 9d660a082e up around three 72169308ca in the afternoon 1f42067586 to start his 95e3c59d52 day according to 1f606c68b2 his call time, 46b8b18715 and after performances, dfd59825bd he loved staying 21979d96f7 up until dawn d90cf1c8f4 chatting with colleagues f1f1f75b4f at a nearby 22dc9ea146 bar. George, a hard worker with faeedd619f a disciplined routine, couldn’t be ce00af7c97 a good partner for him 308fe06b4f in many ways. Marriage would have been 0143b89c5e the same. He wasn’t good husband material.9952e32cd1b16a8c

His mouth tasted bitter. But it wasn’t b803d51d52 due to lingering d0e8b6757b attachment so much 826f054434 as a nagging 2a37ecced0 sense of not 0353e2194d having fulfilled his 1fddf30585 responsibilities. His phone buzzed again. Staring at the b902c10343 screen, George blocked 8d35566100 Jin’s number completely.2514a30aece1a072

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Marriage.42cc4eb934082490

What moment, what feeling, gives 31a5453432 someone the certainty to promise aa2482bc8c a lifetime with another person?c1ebfdb9e4d039e5

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He left the bar after 770d0b016a sunset. The restaurants lighting up fc207c15a9 the alleys, the charming 872d4da0a7 streetlamps, and the glow c0dab739ca spilling from the tall 0c9b31f586 windows of upscale mansions 774b1bc1a7 stirred a strange emotion a30e373e57 in him. With work removed from 0bd081f78d his life, it felt bcaf1638fd like only a shell def2ee91a9 remained.4233737a9fa5f16d

He had never thought 331cac3a35 deeply about loneliness, but a057f67826 this was surely a 4e9d592057 fragment of it.0e184503c53d6a98

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George pulled out his phone 4881946502 and aimlessly scrolled through his 5ee5a7c197 contacts. Unlike his work cf1558980c phone, filled with 807f9d69b5 business numbers, his 5801084cdb personal phone had 34d4179ad6 only a few d8a0757285 saved contacts. Old partners he’d been 95c7610ca9 involved with and ex-lovers 26f7a3c6e9 who had become friends. After scrolling just cd82dc0057 a bit, the 2fccc0d5ce meager list quickly 4a4a27273f ended.fd0458168e3b5e2e

Tucking the phone back into a1bb9b63c2 his pocket, George let out 630752dda7 a short laugh and started c1ae9110c2 walking.7119b784e0a9c848

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Even after all that, ca5beb3811 it seems I still d4a20969de need someone.a75c86bf10229144

🧩75526276674a544e

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Meowww.3262aa939302fb9a

As he neared his home, dd94b91f9a George was met by a e0f769b66d black cat hurriedly scampering toward c1cac5aa1f him. Its plaintive cries d5a569c03d accompanied each step, 4751ab4584 sounding almost desperate.b30272e6a2496575

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“Well, look at this.”0ebb1a032a1ccdc3

Meow.8ad6dc7dbbd0ba97

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The black cat shook 5e26a31a6e its head vigorously and de0d70b49e let out a loud, 99b9fa9401 welcoming cry. Today, it was rubbing 1d465be155 against him more eagerly b3d0c57681 than usual, as if 000664d731 asking why he was 18e7496708 here at this hour. George checked his watch. After leaving the office, 40cd78b59a wandering around, and killing 9d7e3a9a26 time at the bar, b4aa0191f2 it was still only a1842adbb6 seven in the evening. No wonder the 1a11f5928c cat was surprised.1fb942bb6b860f49

“Don’t do this.”d0d0167d70f568ba

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Despite his words, cebad66c46 George reached out 146d6cc5dc and began stroking d5d6070177 the cat’s head, cda910cd67 which was smaller cb5b7ae4cc than his fist. The cat was still small, afdd864e82 possibly just weaned from its 3c4aca577a mother.8718d728ea704808

“Don’t be so affectionate… I can’t take care of you.”ae58c48f1dc441f4

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He’d first noticed 390b525ecd this cat about 58a4a2e853 two months ago. It was dangerously trusting. He hadn’t entirely ruled 3f289eb0ba out taking in the 80c3c05997 little cat that always e95f6cb6ce recognized him and stretched 4ae97192e2 out to greet him fa6c620a63 when he arrived home a8184606b2 well past midnight.368b7c45a6cd2d90

But he was away 452f075dad from home an average 60b269249c of eighteen hours a dacaafaf10 day. Weekdays, weekends—it didn’t matter. Even after work, he had 33ecc46554 to rush out whenever called. Sometimes, he was gone fa01643a05 for two or three a243e3ebb4 days at a time. Wasn’t that why his relationships 23ac9de809 never worked out?cc09841d78abc102

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Meow.de316645c61908d0

“…I said don’t do this.”659d92f988458975

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“You’re talking to it too sweetly, aren’t you?”450a7fe1af7aad3e

A familiar voice 01accedfad dropped to the b1ac0b1ce2 ground. George looked up from where 450725e699 he was crouched.1d54098179fa545f

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“Levin.”3bc4e56e3b4d11f1

The overly trusting ffa7d11907 cat quickly shifted b252f18ab8 its attention to e7face36d0 Levin. George straightened his knees and d569099a98 stood up.5bc34db06fd176cd

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“I heard what happened. I brought… some alcohol.”3232ba08d006360f

Levin was holding e1759d8a3c a bottle of 966eea90f7 wine under his a69f22d917 arm. His eyes stopped on George’s c4d92806f3 casted arm.7d7d179ab643d8a7

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“Your arm’s injured? Should you be drinking?”fec8a41c78287363

“It’s fine.”c6cede5f5e50c73e

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George shook his head.05903e4f6c87ca2c

Levin, with his ac846e5b6f dark blonde hair, 6d8df50903 was a colleague f6e48b43f9 who had moved 54c734eaa4 to New York 9a847a756d a few years 5269cd6d11 ago.cf12f34b1b150f1f

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He wasn’t just any colleague. Their relationship was complicated. Levin was the only sibling 04cf756594 of his boss’s young lover. Some time ago, Karel, who f1b3b52040 felt deeply for his lonely 2c616f8599 partner, had arranged for Levin c1a0afd2c0 to settle in New York. And by arranged, that meant e80e1ccd8c George was the one who fec0eae29d persuaded Levin, handled his visa, 04a9a1fe13 accompanied him during immigration, and ba2773c022 found him a place to 455e1cb5d9 live in New York. It started as a tangled 9dfbf26952 relationship, but now George simply ad709b8be1 called him a friend.97d7df0cdd756e82

“Why don’t you keep it?”dca70cbb091a48af

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Levin said, patting 4f34edc79a the cat’s rear. George answered briefly.2ed44be3a08584cb

“I can’t.”84254af6bb452385

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“You’re petting it so affectionately for something you won’t keep.”0fc5855248370294

Levin’s eyes, looking down at 4664bc2f06 the cat, were also filled 2b067bc965 with warmth.b473e16eefaf10b7

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Then, with a 3d69b80ce9 concerned tone, Levin 6ed2ce1963 asked.2e998a050c37e4ca

“Did you really quit your job?”ee221c31d78aed48

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George reflexively raised an eyebrow.cc25eb39626ba0d0

Did I get fired without f0d0084276 even knowing?b6ef40aaf30ed617

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“Sasha… called me. He said you quit, 6f08a2cd6c so I came because 4f0c33cb47 I was worried.”a87326e4675ad65b

George let out a light 3ccab2991a sigh.6be70d9d8e7ade4c

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“So the alcohol… was it meant to console me?”801d425b460b818d

“Exactly. You’ve been Karel’s 0303d69924 slave for so da7531d7b5 long.”f3cc4937d19f54c7

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“Slave, huh.”cfdd8c9cd1ba4de8

Amused, George stated 6dd93b6b8f the facts briefly.7479f0e6362bc1c4

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“It’s just a vacation.”4271122d5c969d7f

“Really?”48a8bb6ec0e3d819

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Levin’s eyes widened.07dd0ef282ac32c6

“Yeah, probably.”41faf42bf749b5cf

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“Probably?”9dd32d2337e396f1

“He told me to take this chance to rest properly. Took my access card, fc56debfe3 work phone, and tablet—everything. I think it’s a vacation, 1b2793c714 but I’m starting to wonder fb5cbbaa02 if I’ve been quietly fired.”f0e380282499f92d

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Levin burst into laughter at 833ef558ec George’s flat tone.bac50acf3432901c

“I see. I almost fell for it. Sasha really thought you’d 11263fd47e left for good. He sounded so down, 7d42e91210 like he was holding 5400879f79 back tears… probably crying 41bf96b3fa buckets.”867b6015479ea7a7

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“Haa.”03909c29e6d4d0fa

George sighed, looking into 072bce4663 the air. He could picture the scene.8aca3e8fc440560c

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“Mr. Clements must’ve said something.”8445e0f7afe41b63

“Aha…”4544a8cc9717522f

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Levin nodded as if he 6d7b86bc7d understood.4a1851e14313ac5b

“Well, even if you’re on vacation, if Sasha keeps coming to you like before, it’s no vacation at all.”332f4b6570023804

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Sasha, the boss’s lover, 5fd820bdbe did have a habit 1c173d38cb of seeking George out b176aa4008 at any time. George had practically 7790a5864c raised him like ec83eda101 a father or 629598201c uncle since his 517f47e85b student days when fc61476660 he had no 010ba02808 one else to 01ad746dca rely on, so ad51440598 it made sense.a5f868d454ca3a03

But still. George felt uneasy thinking 77644143b5 of his boss, who c0857a55db always prescribed more than 007d1ed138 necessary. Imagining Karel whispering to a 9bb463f7f9 shocked Sasha, “George needs to 9542cf6337 enjoy his freedom now,” made 639c4dce7f his brow furrow.301d94ed2d0eea41

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“Knowing he’d cry and still doing that—is that just bad taste?”a29a4c18a44d2fd8

“Haha, it’s a bit mischievous.”3d91841611027905

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George quietly looked 3b7e33fd87 at Levin, who eae602cc33 laughed it off.58bfecd724d74137

Before coming to e67b157b0b New York, Levin acf7c84191 had said he’d 23fa38ad05 never met a 417ce0a13b gay person. George didn’t entirely believe that. He just assumed the 927ea910f7 rural Russian town they de51bf9c54 grew up in was 4f60b6d349 that conservative. The shock Levin 2e52cbdc13 must have felt 13bc0947a6 learning his younger 9005c2fb00 brother had a e6166675d9 same-sex partner—especially one 680bacfed1 sixteen years older 73f40b9768 and a wealthy 2733e98119 heir—must have been 88703a5458 immense.6d55ae0e5294bdeb

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“Those memories are coming back.”91295593c56397c1

When Levin learned 7a392356ce that a shady a3378f6812 patron was in b10ed69718 that kind of 0e34014883 relationship with his 02f8408246 underage brother, he feeda04995 was so furious 90a3bdb1a1 that he punched d46e01da97 George, who had f0e749ef4b delivered the news, 34819f230f in the face.4432efce7bd31d09

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“It was quite a punch.”c812184cfe9652f1

It took some 7cf4b85e8c time for that a1e1bfb303 sharp hostility to 19ddea0c8c fade.e5b51e820023e7bb

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George was curious. Did Levin now 8768912aea see Karel as df8cb68256 a reliable support 873d87ff67 who helped his 90a346878e brother settle, or 3dcd6b4095 did he still 92edacb4a5 view him as 05a372b80c the crook who 08e28ddf48 snatched his brother 11d0989c28 away?588161f673bfa444

“Levin, doesn’t it bother you?”6ad3803a6ad7f85e

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“What?”a9630dad01a8cb65

“That the boss makes your brother cry.”f1f3af88b8c462e5

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Levin let out a deflating eda1a23ea3 laugh, his gentle face flashing 2799dc3155 with a carefree, “What’s the 51961b066a big deal?” expression.b9304d9edc74793a

“So what? It’s just a little teasing. Sasha needs to toughen up. He can’t cry every f6ffad376a time something happens. He’s a guy.”4f6dbb4e8eaa780a

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Levin said, shaking the 407ed0071f bottle by its neck.2bba8b5398fc58a7

“Let’s go inside. No need for 39859b35f1 condolence drinks, but b8cb5f6c63 it’s good for cd9bb42503 celebrating the start 6703b030e6 of your vacation.”0d7292e0472cf94a

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George then noticed. Levin wasn’t holding f74ded181a white wine—it was 0e0a030912 vodka.123249e946aabf67

“Hmm, sure.”5c2d2bcbc4d2f1d4

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Levin was a Russian through 8c80d0523c and through. Once he accepted something, he b5be08227a didn’t dwell on it. It seemed he’d cleanly shaken 9d19a41356 off his feelings about Karel 268961c248 the moment he chose to ceac2f5601 accept him. Despite his mild 800e3512e1 appearance, he was f28d117ae4 bold at heart—born 808dee3fc5 a century earlier, 3b95471b63 he might have 8af33d837a been leading the 67442604db Russian Revolution, waving 0e89f42491 a flag.96af584e8ebcb648

Meanwhile, the cat, f0acaa1782 bored with the 52c568c58f humans, was licking 15c1507b81 its front paw. Following Levin inside, d87118b491 George glanced back 522dc67b81 at the cat.577d0cd7d730f195

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“Stay safe. Don’t follow just anyone.”8724a1fcd9bf557a

The two entered the chilly be3d86a622 house.4807c05fa593b573

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George’s home was uniquely ae89d31ee1 shaped like a long 13d8190207 corridor. Despite his high salary, he 1d4344d666 was frugal when it came 6330bf2804 to his home and belongings. The layout reflected his 800ae1758c personality, efficiently managed so c40cf4eab6 he could flow through 5b518ca127 every task from entering 5822524d25 to reaching his bed.acc6267f1b5ba3b8

The overly stark 9dd5fa91a9 room felt almost 39d884d8f1 like a hotel, 979287f627 but the one 440e92f0f9 place with a fc0618bb39 hint of humanity f18f48c57c was the small 3fbc48c68d table by the 9cbb0e04e2 window. There sat a few books 2c2e7fa428 George had recently been reading 0d7325c072 and an empty bottle of 084431a254 wine he particularly enjoyed. He kept it, thinking 67665eb8b5 he might one day 492b8faa53 put a flower in f24a9caeae it, though he’d never 16ad9ff9fe actually done so.8f7eebc94ff56d49

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“So I told him, even if I get a vacation out of nowhere, there’s not much I can do. I said I’d go ef1c4e91b4 when the time was d431e8dc21 right, and he said, 07a881bbd5 ‘The right time might 541fbca88f be a year from f372c592d8 now.’”4fe03d8d3eed930b

“Haha.”e9c434e02f584d54

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Levin chuckled softly, pouring 2e117c5a29 vodka into glasses. George liked white wine 502aee3108 with strawberries, but sadly, abb553cf60 his barren fridge held 544e4010c6 no fresh ingredients.ad19ce91342e98e7

“Levin, next time bring food instead of alcohol.”03adcfc11e6d386a

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“Hm?”2b13ca27103e5b74

Levin, downing vodka without 77f6b4cb70 a snack, looked at 851f133929 him as if to 6ad88acd23 ask why that was bae2185708 necessary. George decided to drop it.3a1bca35d0d6df8f

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“So what are you doing on your vacation?”0ec5b8187c3342dd

“Maybe travel.”67048ac9031f0471

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“Got a destination?”341687473782bdca

“You think I’ve decided? I didn’t even know I’d f2401fdde9 be resting until I was b02b1efe16 discharged.”0152b8f87171e718

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George leaned back d642210007 heavily in his 7ecc848981 chair.c4a134b720d1fae9

Levin casually turned up the 8a52a4fc96 radiator by the table. It was spring in New 09f2df92e1 York, but the temperature still eca2364c53 dropped at night.8b17ac6b9659e443

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“Somewhere warm would be nice.”625d82e9fbdac15f

George muttered absently. He suddenly recalled the Mediterranean’s 99d4843fe9 summer sea, its water nearly 2c6839ce7d body temperature, and the sound 3eb051452e of shallow waves lapping at 200260afc2 his ears.0684ce7d6f850bc4

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Levin, quietly observing George’s expression 33b44984a6 as he gazed out the bee1b9ebd1 window, spoke up.9370137d3e7eab81

“Don’t you ever date?”908c36d8875476ef

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George adjusted his posture and d7f72e5c1f cleared his throat. He had never once shared 18168738b8 his dating life with those ae7c5deb0d around him, so people assumed 1d4373d437 he’d been single for eight be300d08a9 years.44366e678803e6e0

“Uh, why bring that up?”67c4327e3863f268

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“You’re kind of a celebrity at work. Honestly, there are 30e1bebf87 tons of women 1a3bcdbd4b interested in you…”1de8ddad7780cd07

“I don’t date at work.”c4c2a299c0201a3e

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Levin nodded understandingly, lowering ce51361b0a his eyes and murmuring.70bca2de7adb697b

“Still, I don’t know, you seem… a bit much.”2abaf3c91116b6c7

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“Me?”77595e294c4ae3ba

George asked, briefly reflecting 4337366459 on his life.6af906a59fd9c01d

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“Yeah. Life isn’t just about work.”a062df5bc25cee47

“Hm.”9b548fda9cd15ca8

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“Why not live a little more relaxed? You’re not under a slave 8d5d467e62 contract. Our company even has a bdb10ccc5a union.”c61918c7a2e096df

“Hmm.”c28202153cc24970

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George leaned deeper into his 64c7fab568 chair. Karel was actually d7b5e6d537 quite flexible in 91f10c728e that regard. Maybe it was 36efa0558d George himself who b222ec70b1 couldn’t handle idle d679abc7e4 time.ef3e207681052091

“Get a partner, leave work early to take care of a cat, live like that. It’s about time you settled 187d8ade12 down.”535c3ccf96874e09

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“Don’t talk like my grandma.”b0768da50911ce36

“Grandma? Back in Russia, all f977025333 my friends are already 9a3a930b3a married. Thirty-three is late de8bb65c3a where I’m from. I was shocked when I 800f0e5b42 came to New York—everyone marries bd84e0e87e so late.”1329989015c9f7fd

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“…”e02f8df8c204956f

“You took such good care of Sasha… You’d probably be great with kids.”fd74ecec73856c18

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George’s face hardened.348ab3c03fbcf2a4

“I’m done with parenting.”987a9f9f4685d75a

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“Haha, are you dissing my brother now?”2277f0d248154315

George reached for a golden 7856f5fd7f globe. Spinning it, he suddenly 669685ef6b grabbed a pen.45f7d2e3b7395f14

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“What are you doing?”57a5c485b1de3e62

“Darts.”e0decbac8ec6c34f

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He decided to 434283c0c6 leave his vacation 214bedb51b destination to chance. Holding the top of 71aed767e0 the globe, he spun 945bc19d5f it lightly, stepped back 28570c3275 three paces, uncapped a eb46882288 marker, and threw it. Levin watched with interest.9ca585cb05d0df08

The first try failed. Throwing with his less-used left b243a3a223 arm due to his injured 1f34acddb4 right wasn’t easy. George picked up the 33747054c6 pen rolling on the 8f0ca609c5 carpet and aimed at f85e53e72c the spinning globe again. Calculating speed and trajectory by 40b32a82f0 instinct, he threw it precisely. To see if his sharpshooting b347046e6a skills had rusted, the second c0d800f1c1 throw hit the globe and 3ca34c082a fell.283c98cb37180ecf

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As he approached, Levin 3b4cb0a7c3 peered at the globe, 9cfd58f7cb frowning slightly as he fa91f2cf76 read the marked city d91ab08315 aloud.3a0909b8e64c5fc0

“Marrakech.”c0f39cb6d907109b

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George walked to 8ca81a1028 the table and 39bb7b5bac looked at his 05c4fb6eda destination.d3d958a0e8f2e710

“Marrakech? That’s in North Africa, right? I don’t know anything ac474aca0e about the place. You?”dd3499c796758431

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Levin asked. George thought for 16553eb5b8 a moment and 38f5fd0ce3 answered briefly.053f8ab96a689956

“Never been.”6b31af83ed5bcfd9

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“Sounds like a good reason to go.”e1b78edd3221cc49

George nodded, pulling ad4e87187c a chair to 1210f42cb0 sit back at fc2c7c49cc the table.1e75125e169e81f4

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“When are you going?”472e1b9e7b58b53c

He paused to think. He didn’t want to 117fe7f123 sink back into the 7edcb07d23 strange feeling he’d had b78d2dfd9f wandering Manhattan after being a4a894d435 kicked out of the b1d74fac9b office. Plus, who knew 41c1980b18 when Jin might fab450b8c3 show up again? Before blocking him, b69c58ca31 Jin had called c64e8fe702 his personal phone e4e645bf00 over thirty times f36a8b2a90 and sent countless fceaeb3ef7 long messages. Even though it was supposed 25166a6195 to be over, it didn’t c98626cc90 feel like it. The thought gave George a d483d16fcf stomach-twisting stress. He hated having to 093a2fbb31 repeat himself.55946f21f4aa2d4f

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“Tomorrow.”7d7b003e40883495

“Yeah, leave as soon as you can. Staying in New York’s 35f7c73768 just a waste of e6d13f6a51 time.”8be903279600c0cb

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Finding the fastest 5baba71d29 flight and planning ea1028d2e6 an efficient route 2f602b600f was child’s play c47bb48a9b for George. He’d once handled 5db677ebe9 sixteen flights in bcff4928fa ten days while ed2a77da25 accompanying his boss f38f64e265 during the busiest 2a83aeccda period. Once the route was 6384f47d61 set, the rest was 5f076ca7d1 quick. George made a 365f623046 few top-priority reservations c31d28d615 in succession.a24304ba102adb25

Meanwhile, Levin was passed d58359d8d8 out face-down on the 45f3f739f7 table. George spoke to the drunk.36365a7d844a2eb3

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“If you’re going to sleep, use the bed.”75ea24aae5b05013

“Nah.”ae5bd4942b438c8d

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Levin mumbled.d2677ba06d064919

“I’m going home.”508f580678b2cd65

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“Then lie down until you’re sober.”99d5e581d5b21fdf

“Nah…”a1e7e8525621eca2

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George didn’t bother arguing further. He stood, supporting Levin. Even with one injured arm, f2f0b743dd carrying the lanky man was 31e39f9f7b easy. Levin resisted weakly a70249d8b7 before being tossed 190eb54a3f onto the bed.913e2e5c4a488d16

Levin’s disheveled blonde hair bb29501273 spilled over the pillow. George brushed his own hair d299c38f7f back and sat heavily beside 825016ea95 him.f1bb7dcb2f565c27

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Moments later, Levin, who George f98aff3ba6 thought was asleep, spoke.f854ce3670d3973c

“George, thanks.”2e33769e5247aeae

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He mumbled with his 1e054a0135 eyes closed. George sat quietly, listening.2bc2729263119974

“My brother relies on you a lot. Thanks for everything.”152ede0c4a046f9b

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“I know.”086c28e02359c300

“I guess I’m not much of a brother. Sasha comes to e78656679f you more than 478c572fed me.”1428dad198d9f44f

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A hint of bitterness 3eecc4b637 tinged Levin’s voice. George answered casually.729c8649e8b19f6d

“There’s something about strangers that makes it easier to lean on them.”efc0069ea82827e6

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“Maybe.”3468fcd82d66c39b

“Yeah.”8f58550319f9ec8c

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“…”7c771d4fe097cf6e

“No one wants to burden those closest to them. It’s easier to show weakness 0cd83c46ff to a stranger who knows 795ca9b4cd nothing.”2c4c151de8124ee8

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It was true 4d5aa6979f for him too. To avoid showing vulnerability to 587fc9050c those close or entangled with dcbe677c98 him, he only brought people 886ab07ff5 with no connection to his 942cb5a046 life into his bed. A Broadway musical actor, fb73e1d446 a chef from a a449714c20 renowned Meatpacking District restaurant, fbe72962f9 a museum curator—people with 39e1bc49c1 no overlap with his 484224242b world.6ebca2f28d574d1f

But building relationships only fa3983c6e2 with those passing through 3a06c848ed left him with nothing.cfebf52e864c94f1

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It feels kind of empty.9b239ab34a745212

Am I really at the d5b10ae6d0 age to settle down?79d5f505f3e87440

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As if reading his 7ac7899524 thoughts, Levin asked.5227a986ef63e315

“But George, you’re not a stranger to us.”21a25fbc570b647b

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“…”c54ad04666782778

“In this busy city, who do you think my brother and I rely on besides you? You and Mr. Clements aren’t strangers to 7b7c80275a us anymore… It’d be 97f6472f24 sad if we’re the c935ec38e7 only ones who think acd8bac315 that.”bcb6c76a42d81e92

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It was a speech 62d09b1b1f that left him speechless. As he stayed quiet, Levin 78a21e662f stirred and spoke.ff04d799c719df86

“You should get married too.”79d90e83cbe81d0b

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“That’s an unexpected conclusion.”d3a6f7f748b24e64

“What’s your type?”69f0de515c8c96b3

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“What’s it to you?”d96bfcc45b76cdbf

“I’m trying to set you up with someone. Whenever people ask about you, baa1594be2 I’ve got nothing to say. You never talk about 7fcc002538 that stuff.”7a6f19c4da00e2f5

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“I said I don’t date at work.”9b90ae2cbc14c7e0

“That’s why there’s that ridiculous rumor about you sleeping with the boss. That nonsense…”afb9f0a9b01ed601

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“Can we not talk about that? I’m going to puke…”2e2c147931e7c13e

Levin chuckled and pressed again.0fb4e0101204fb58

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“So just tell me your type.”35821c2f95c6ce96

“…Someone petite.”e267ff5ffd28cb3d

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“Really? Petite how? Short? Slim?”966a7f4d484bb73a

“Both would be nice.”48c9970347013ecf

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“And?”ed3d0e079bfa92d4

“Hmm… maybe blonde.”d79f12aac833a0dd

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“Got it. So petite and blonde. You like the 79c721f9a2 opposite of you, c12cd3b148 huh. I know some model 7b84f54e0d friends in the Russian efb41f7239 immigrant group. They’re a bit tall, 679816aeef but I’ll ask around. If they’re interested, I’ll show 0c600ed2fc you their photos.”c27059f60205a542

“No need.”e5ff7c9b36cdcca7

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“You need to meet someone good.”6f6ec1232eaebae8

“I said I’ll handle it.”d5f432c246264f9c

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“You’re not handling it well, so I’m offering to help.”adfc2e60b3139d3b

“Stop sounding like my grandma.”aa6d6314706d93b6

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“Grandma? Back in my hometown…”5cac8fffaeb74841

The two went f6f072540c back and forth, 367bd04e50 repeating the same e04c18ccf0 arguments endlessly. Levin, who said 3d703c341d he’d leave once 0c8bd09df0 he sobered up, 2238048fd4 passed out completely.39a6ac544c03feb6

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In the quiet house, George 81968ae0da packed a suitcase alone. He’d been on hundreds of 7e40fbbb36 business trips, but packing for eb0323c677 a vacation felt unfamiliar.9a9453b9920a9a06

“…”bf0ac3c31efe7285

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Looking at the half-filled suitcase, d7754cefab George approached the headboard. Careful not to 731378debb wake Levin, he 979c710c76 opened a drawer, 6cc13b908f grabbed a handful e8a90b57fb of condoms, and 65c5b7f246 tossed them into 1291c2a37a the suitcase.51475e8a8f3054f4

Levin woke hours later 6227403687 at dawn, as George 620991ddd9 was heading to the 354caf2bd9 airport.c3685a71c8e5b273

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“Whoa, I slept too much. You’re going to 67c3c7a792 the airport now?”84034f22d9ea3091

“Yeah.”004c3b6e2d8a380c

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“Tomorrow meant this morning?”679e4b2881b0748e

“Lock the door when you leave.”9db97c79292d2d0a

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Tossing the keys, 5a774a8098 Levin caught them 6bfeea891f deftly despite his 3a7a3f2ced groggy face.e768f0334b1e72da

“Don’t open the door for anyone.”492aa8da4a138352

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“Obviously.”dbd30544fef5e0ea

Leaving Levin behind, George departed 98d5443b08 New York.a485febbf9a00b25

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