The office atmosphere, still buzzing with rumors, was driving me almost insane. It was as if everyone was obsessed. Not only that, but some of them seemed to be eagerly anticipating it. I slowly got up from my seat and grabbed a cup of hot coffee. It was already this late at night and I felt sleepy. It wasn't like me, who usually stayed awake even late at night. This time felt different compared to the times that had passed. If only I were as healthy as I was back then, I wouldn't have to worry about the daily grind that was waiting for me. Suddenly, I heard someone enter the room, and it was indeed him. It was the senior man who always came to scold us as if it had become a habit in his life. His stern expression made everyone in the room swallow nervously. As I suspected, today was indeed an unlucky day for all of us. How could it not be, at just eleven o'clock in the morning, we were already being subjected to a barrage of lectures. Hearing this, we immediately felt afraid when we faced him. It was understandable, since everyone knew his personality. Once finished, I immediately sighed and took a sip of the cup of coffee I had brought. It felt like my soul had just re-entered my body filled with fear.
'That was crazy,' I muttered to myself.
It's been a long time since I've been able to imagine how to deal with some people who always put me in the red zone. It's the same thing when I'm meeting with others at a bar. Even though I really didn't want to go, there was no other choice because there was nothing I could do once I got home except lie down and play with my phone. That memory still lingers in my head to this day. At that moment, right when I was with them, the atmosphere became tense again, like being in a graveyard. There was nothing I could do, even if I wanted to comment, I still felt a little uncomfortable. Honestly, Owen, who had been staring at me, gave me a signal that he felt the same way.
“Oh my gosh, what’s this?” Owen muttered. This time, the two of us were in a different corner from the others, intending to take something, but it was just an excuse.
“Crazy. What the hell are they doing? Why didn’t you tell me?” I said, feeling a little annoyed by the atmosphere here.
"How would I know? What's clear is that they were sane before."
“Wait, don’t tell me something’s wrong.”
"What?"
“If there aren't any, why are they like animals?”
"I don't know, this is getting out of hand. Those women are just getting in the way. They're just paid women, after all."
“If things continue like this, I think we should just go back home.”
“Hey, are you leaving so soon?”
"Besides, it's like an animal cage there."
“Oh yeah, actually there is another mission why we have to stay here until they finish their party.”
“Are you crazy?”
“No. It has something to do with that rumor.”
"Which rumor, because there are so many that I forgot."
“The new celebrity who got into a scandal. Don't tell me you don't remember?”
“Ah, it's that kid, apparently.”
"That person isn't a child. He's an adult, but the scandal is horrific, and it's in this place."
"What?"
"Understand what I mean?"
“Yeah. Damn it. It's just spreading everywhere.”
"I've been wanting to curse them for a while now, but that's quite risky, you know."
“Of course I know.”
“Hey, didn't you hear something?”
“No. I hear nothing but the music.”
“No way. It sounded like it was coming from over there,” Owen said, pointing to the open door next to the room.
“Hey, where are you going?”
Owen suddenly rushed over. He immediately dragged a young man who appeared to be hitting someone. This immediately shocked me. How could I not? Right in front of us, a young man who looked like the man who had just beaten his friend to a pulp. Owen immediately separated them both.
“Damn it! What the hell are you doing!” the young man shouted at Owen.
“You’re the one who should have done what you did. Are you crazy?” Owen also shouted at the young man.
"Come on. We have to go," I said to Owen, trying to drag him out of the room. But Owen just dodged me, still staring at the young man with anger. His head began to boil at the sight of the battered young man.
“Why did you beat him up like that? Are you drunk?” Owen asked.
“Ah, this stranger who suddenly interfered wants to know the problem, it seems.”
“Damn it. Just answer me!”
“That’s none of your business,” the young man said as he left the room without any remorse.
"Your wound needs to be treated immediately," I said to the other young man. He just nodded without saying anything.
“Why are you so quiet? Aren’t you fighting back?” Owen asked her curiously.
"That's because one thing is clear," said the young man, now trying to speak. He was simply the victim who had been visibly abused.
“Is it clear what? It was clear that you almost died.”
“The problem is too dangerous.”
“Just because it’s dangerous, you’re willing to be beaten by that madman? Don’t joke around.”
“Hey, don’t be too harsh on him,” I said, trying not to make things worse.
“Besides, this is a bar, so the current problem can only be said to be due to the influence of alcohol.”
“You’re right. But you shouldn’t be like this. Just tell me what really happened? And why you seemed so helpless against that person.”
“That's because he's the son of a famous place owner.”
"What?"
“Wait, what famous place do you mean?” I asked curiously.
“Haven't you ever read the news?”
"Huh? Why link to the news?"
"That person is quite famous among celebrities and has also been a hot topic of conversation because he is the son of an entertainment company owner."
“Oh my. It was only because of that, apparently.”
“This is difficult,” I said.
"So, what do you want to do with this condition? You don't want treatment yourself."
“I think it’s time to head back. Thank you both,” he said as he left Owen and me.
“What the hell, he just left like that.”
“Just leave it. It's none of our business anyway.”
"Regarding the status of the male perpetrator earlier, why did I suddenly think of something?"
“Something?”
“Yeah. Wait, this is similar to what the others were talking about. I knew they would be connected.”
“What are you talking about?”
"Poster."
"What are you saying?"
"There's no mistaking it. A power cartel. Usually dominated by people with little power. Do you understand where I'm going with this?"
“Damn. I shouldn't have guessed.”
“Yeah. Whatever. But if we keep this up, we could get into trouble.”
I nearly lost control. There were times when this situation continually brought me into a very difficult situation. Finally, seeing the victim who seemed fine made my heart ache. This wasn't the first time seeing someone dying and then acting like nothing had happened had truly sent me through hell. Owen continued to search for someone. Not long after, one of my colleagues, also Owen's friend, approached us with a glass of alcohol in his hand. His confused gaze upon the two of us made him frown without further ado.
“What are you guys doing?” asked Marcus.
"Ah, there was a fight between two men here earlier. Yes, as you can see, we were both witnesses."
“Then, where are they?”
“He's gone,” Owen replied shortly.
"That fast?"
"Yes. There was a clash earlier too. Do you know why?"
"I don't know, why?"
“The situation worsened and the perpetrator continued to beat the victim, who nearly died.”
“Oh my gosh, that's crazy. Who are they? Why is there a fight?”
“They're just ordinary young men like us. Maybe something more sinister is going on.”
“I see. Come on, we should go back upstairs. My friends have been looking for you two.”
“Okay. You go first, we’ll catch up later.”
"Well that's that then."
Honestly, I didn't want to go back to that room. The room filled with the smell of alcohol and crowded with paid women made me uncomfortable. This time, I decided to stay on the ground floor and enjoy the quieter atmosphere compared to the upstairs room. I guess I really wasn't suited to being in such a terrifying zone. Seeing the reality made my head spin. Even more boring than just drinking a bottle of alcohol. Meanwhile, Owen had left without knowing where he was going. Perhaps there was something urgent going on, as if he had been uncertain and anxious. That was indeed his attitude when he faced certain situations that he felt he had to.
'Gosh, my head is hurting more and more,' I muttered to myself.
That night has never left my mind. It was now almost six in the evening, and we were about to return home after a tiring day of work and constant nagging. Until that moment, I never expected that this unfortunate day would come so quickly, and it turned out to be even quicker than I thought. Suddenly, my head ached. This meant I needed to take a headache reliever, as office workers usually do. Suddenly, Serena approached me with a slightly gloomy face.
“Hey, what are you doing?”
“What? Why do you ask that?” I said, a little confused.
“Honestly, you found some important information, right? Why don't you share it?”
“Information about what?”
“Gosh, you’re asking me. Didn’t you go to the bar last night and find something interesting?”
“Ah damn. Why are we bringing that up?”
“If we don't close it soon they'll find it and we might all be finished, you know?”
"No. We're not going to finish."
“Why are you so sure?”
"Because there's no evidence. Even Owen didn't record anything. What would that be?"
“Ah, you're right. But this is making me upset.”
“Forget it,” I said, patting Serena on the shoulder.