Fair Trade

his seat and handed the shopping bag to her.

“Don’t be so scared.
It was just a joke.
I’m pretty protective of what’s mine.
Anyway, I’ll see you at your house.
You can open your gift first.
Don’t be too surprised.”

Having said that, Yuri lightly kissed her lips and left the hospital room.

She was extremely confused by all the things that happened so suddenly.

How are you going to get into my home? No, wait, am I worrying unnecessarily…?

Sei immediately recalled who he was.

Her mother’s bed had arrived at this time.
Her mother, who had opened her eyes briefly while being transported, gave a feeble smile when she saw Sei.

Sei approached and held her skinny hands tightly.
She felt like bursting into tears for no apparent reason at all.

Her mother smiled like a child when she stroked her rough skin and asked, “Did you sleep well… Mom?”

* * *

The door of the old hydraulic elevator opened.
Yuri’s eyes coldly raked his surroundings as he took a step forward.

How many people live in this narrow apartment?

He arrived in front of Sei’s residence after walking down the dark corridor.
He counted how many cameras were installed around the front door.
Her vigilance was clearly expressed by the vast number of cameras.

That wasn’t the only thing.
In the event that the door was forced open, there was also a small gadget attached to the keyhole that would capture a picture of the visitor’s face and send it to her.

“As expected, what an interesting woman!”

With the key he grabbed from his pocket, Yuri confidently opened the door and entered.

The house was deafeningly quiet.
Sei’s scent wafted through the doorway.
He took his ringing cell phone from his pocket while fidgeting with her muffler on the door hanger.

“What’s the matter?”

“What’s the matter?! There’s a lot of work that needs to be done and our CEO has disappeared off somewhere.
Do you still want to ask what’s the matter? Where are you? Did you meet up with that woman?”

There was a hint of anticipation in Kirill’s voice.

“I just came in.”

He strode inside the house that was covered with rough gray carpets.

Yuri began by exploring around her cute house, moving cushions and opening drawers, in search of more information about her.
However, the more he looked around, the stranger he felt, and the more upset he became.

“But why… doesn’t she have a gun?”

Kirill clicked his tongue over the receiver with a baffled tone.

“If you’re at that woman’s house, just do the work you’ve been told to.
She doesn’t have to have a gun, you know? By the way, I have sent you the contract from Big Lux by email so please check it.
They’re trying to silently pass the company after that oil spill accident in the East Indies.
It’s a great opportunity to buy it 40% cheaper than the market price so quickly approve it and send it.”

“I don’t have time to read it, so recite it to me.”

“God! You’re so lazy.”

Although it was hard to believe, Kirill was also Petrov’s legal representative and contract agent.
While hearing the terms of the contract that Kirill recited, Yuri calmly looked around the house.