Side Story 21 – The Next Day - Concierge, Amanda

[You have entered the mainland.]

That was not the case in reality. This was a message that would be displayed to Awakened who would visit the mainland in the future.

[All abilities have been disabled.]

Even though Woo Yeon-Hee had suppressed her senses all along, the sensitivity of a superhuman always remained the same. However, she was now free from all the distracting noises. She found this delightful as she also agreed that this was a necessary process to return to a normal life.

Meanwhile, what Seon-Hu and she considered a normal life differed significantly from the commonly accepted notion. However, one thing was clear: powerful abilities that surpassed human understanding would only be a hindrance in their future life.

As soon as the external noise disappeared, she regained quietness and peace. She clenched and unclenched her small fist, then grinned. The sensation of power surging into her palm as her blood rushed had also truly ended. She would no longer be able to operate in fast-paced time zones.

She finally felt like using the massage chair like an ordinary woman who had a normal life.

Well then, let’s get a massage.

She could look down at the first-floor duty-free shop corridor through the full-length window from where the massage chair was located. The bustling scene was in full view.

There were various people. Not just foreigners returning to their home countries but also Korean businessmen on work trips were everywhere. Despite the crowd, they appeared content, free from complaints.

Brrrr. Brrrrr.

The massage chair’s roller climbed up Woo Yeon-Hee’s back and tapped her neck.

Swoosh-

The pump-type massage began to pleasantly press her arms and legs.

“Would you like some drinks?”

A lounge employee approached with a smile.

“Do you have ice cream instead of a drink? Vanilla, if possible.”

After the employee left, Seon-Hu walked toward Yeon-Hee. He handed her a travel book for European travelers, then took a seat on a massage chair next to hers. The magazine he opened was a contact book for VIP customers, filled with a list of middlemen companies he was searching for. Concierge services accommodated anything and everything according to customer needs.

After a few searches, Seon-Hu selected one company. He called them, and checked the detailed profile of a European woman named Amanda before choosing her.

<Seon-Hu: Let me get straight to the point. I want to purchase artwork for my yacht. The quantity and price do not matter. Just secure me renowned artwork of any kind. If absolutely necessary, you can bring in an auctioneer. Please also send me the required manpower and cost. Of course, since this is a big request, feel free to organize as needed. You will need that level of discretion to fulfill my order.>

The woman on the phone was quiet. It was hard to tell whether she was taken aback by the sudden request or intoxicated by the smell of a big opportunity.

<...>

Only faint breathing sounds were audible.

<Seon-Hu: My name is Ethan. My credentials will be vouched for by the Gillian Investment Finance Group. I will send you the direct number of Gillian Taylor, the group’s representative.>

<A…after verifying your identity… I will contact you promptly. Please wait. I will hurry.>

***

Oh my gosh! Gillian of Gillian Investment Finance Group…

Amanda’s eyes widened in shock.

That Gillian Taylor?

Everyone in the world would know him as he was one of the two giants of the global capital market. Although she never anticipated receiving such a request the day after he declared victory, what was truly shocking was the mention of the global capitalist’s name.

Amanda had been indirectly involved in the empires of global VIPs and billionaires, but she had never even seen Gillian Taylor’s shadow. She also had never provided service to a customer who directly mentioned his name.

Amanda looked at her phone with trembling hands. The incoming number started with [+881].

It’s a satellite phone!

She blinked her eyes quickly. In that moment, even a sliver of doubt flew away. She had experiences with those who used satellite phones. Even if this was not Gillian Taylor’s direct number, it was undoubtedly a channel to some billionaire.

Before making a call, Amanda felt the need to compose herself. She had revealed her surprised emotions unprofessionally just a moment ago, but she could not allow that to happen again.

It was true. This request came directly from someone related to Gillian Taylor, and if what he ordered was real, it could be a leap-forward opportunity in the concierge industry. In other words, something like a challenger box would open for her.

Huff. Huff-

After taking several deep breaths, Amanda felt ready.

“H…hello… This is Amanada, the senior concierge at IGG…”

She mumbled the sentence several times before picking up the phone.

<...>

The call connected, but no words were exchanged. She spoke first.

<Hello, this is Amanda, the senior concierge at IGG. I am calling Mr. Gillian Taylor. I apologize for contacting you suddenly.>

However, a fairly aggressive response came back.

<How did you get my number?>

Huh?

Amanda felt her heart pounding. Not because of the aggressive tone, but because she could half-believe that this was the real Gillian.

<Amanda: I contacted you to verify the identity of my client. I was able to connect to you through the method and number my client provided. He identified himself as Ethan.>

<Gillian: Ethan.>

<Amanda: Yes, sir.>

<Gillian: …Then, yes. I can verify his identity. You can verify my identity through my headquarters. I will let them know. I entrust you to do your utmost in fulfilling his request. You said your name is Amanda, the concierge, right?>

<Amanda: Yes.>

<Gillian: Amanda, the concierge… I will remember you. Feel free to contact me on this number if you need my help.>

I can call him whenever? He actually said that. Gillian Taylor said that!

Amanda could not escape the pounding of her heart. The recent call felt surreal, and it was barely within her grasp. It was fantastic!

By the time her verification process through Gillian’s corporate headquarters was completed, she was finally able to return to reality.

It was real…

Not only that, but…

“I want to purchase artwork for my yacht. The quantity and price do not matter. Just secure me renowned artwork of any kind. If absolutely necessary, you can bring in an auctioneer. Please also send me the required manpower and cost.”

How much of a tycoon was he in order to speak like that so boldly?

Orders from global VIPs always carried a hefty burden, often requiring work on the razor-thin edge between legality and illegality. Most importantly, they demanded a mindset in alignment with theirs to avoid any dissatisfaction.

Nonetheless, this request was of a different caliber from anything she had experienced before. It was an incomprehensible order, even when considering the mindsets of billionaires.

Renowned artwork probably means masterpieces starting at several million dollars. And yet, he orders me to secure as many and of any kind as possible?

Even if the uber-rich like Gillian Taylor and King of Hell Jonathan Hunter had a collecting passion and made big business out of it, this was something that needed to be carried out discreetly within their inner circle.

No matter how much Amanda thought, it was inconceivable to her common sense and the common sense of her industry. A mere inbound could not have brought her such an opportunity.

Her eyes filled with confusion. She had no choice but to return to her fantasies.

***

Something that could not be understood just by thinking was happening. Consulting with the company’s top executive did not help either. The only comment from the company was that they would provide full support, staking the company’s reputation since the client’s identity had been confirmed.

When Amanda heard the executive add a request to apologize to the client for the company’s mistakes, her frustration surged. There was no doubt that the higher-ups had tried to steal her work but failed.

<Amanda: There was a miscommunication in the company regarding your decision on choosing me. I promise there won’t be any more inconvenience in the future.>

<Seon-Hu: I am still in doubt whether hiring you was the right decision or not. You cannot even handle your part.>

<Amanda: I am so sorry.>

<Seon-Hu: Thank my fiancée. Her consideration gave you this opportunity, Amanda.>

Amanda pondered what had earned this rich person’s trust. Maybe her career as a curator in a renowned museum helped more than her experience as a hotelier in a luxury hotel. After all, this guy was trying to invest astronomical amounts of money in art.

Amanda asked after having a basic conversation.

<Amanada: If you give me your secretary’s contact information, I can coordinate with them.>

<Seon-Hu: I don’t have one. That is why I hired you.>

The mysterious client’s tone was consistently cold. Meanwhile, she heard another woman speaking in a foreign language in the background, and she seemed to be his fiancée.

Is that Korean or Japanese?

Of course, Amanda found it hard to believe someone of his wealth did not have an entourage. When she was employed by others, communication rarely happened directly to the rich. Instead, she usually talked to their aides.

Anyway, a concierge’s job was to move according to the client’s request.

<Amanada: As you know, there is a limited quantity of artwork we can secure through normal channels. If you don’t have any auction houses in mind, I will prepare a list at my discretion.>

<Seon-Hu: No need. Prepare as you see fit.>

<Amanda: Then, if you can provide the name of the harbor where the yacht is docked, I will finish the rest of the preparations.>

<Seon-Hu: I misspoke about the yacht by calling it mine. I plan to use it just for this occasion. That is also something you should prepare at your discretion. In unavoidable circumstances, even purchasing one is fine. That is why I called it mine. Well, you will have to find one first.>

What the heck… How rich can he be…

She did not know what grade he was thinking of, but even preparing what was ne