Side Story 23 – The Next Day - Concierge, Amanda (3)

People often said appearances could be deceiving. Ethan was indeed such a figure. Even when he found out that a collection related to Him had come onto the market, his reaction was to only slightly frown.

However, he must have been shocked on the inside, considering it was a collection related to Him. Amanda was amazed at Ethan’s self-control. She had served multiple clients before, but it was her first time seeing someone who could hide their emotions so well.

What kind of upbringing must one have to be this way?

One thing Amanda learned after entering the concierge industry was that there were really a lot of people sitting on immense wealth. Even the term ‘billionaires’ was inadequate. They were super rich families. Ethan had to be one of them.

Which family’s successor might he be?

However, there would be nothing one could tell about Ethan’s family just by hearing his name.

Amanda shifted her interest to Ethan’s fiancée. Her reaction was surprising in a different sense. Her eyes, which had twinkled at the mere mention of ice cream, only showed a slight curiosity when He was mentioned.

“Is there any additional information? I am interested.”

Amanda had to hide her surprise again.

How can she only express her emotion as just ‘interested’ regarding the collection related to Him?

Even if Ethan’s fiancée had been living in a world where she did not realize the value of the collection, she should have at least been cautious because it was related to Him. Nonetheless, her attitude was contrary to common sense. She was still licking her ice cream while exchanging a few words with Ethan.

“Woo ri ga―ga juh ol gga?”

“Wae.”

Each time, Ethan responded with short syllables without much change in expression. The language that Ethan’s fiancée used sounded like Russian, but it was obvious that it was either Korean, Japanese, or Chinese.

Amanda thought it sounded more like Korean. It sounded smooth and sexy but occasionally annoying. Given that they came from Seoul, it was likely.

Checklist three. The fiancée seems to be of Korean descent. Checklist four. Ethan is proficient in Korean.

Amanda told Ethan’s fiancée, “We have quite a bit of data sent from the auction house.”

Photos began to appear on the tablet PC that Amanda brought out. There was no need for Woo Yeon-Hee to dredge up memories from the past. Her mental world often used the setting of that place, a classroom from the year 1997.

However, the pictures Amanda showed were current, yet not much different from back then.

A clip that displayed the floor being torn up played, and handwritten signatures from old colleagues and students were included as certificates.

「 Authentication number: 4

1. Certifier: Sung-Ho, Kim

2. Content: The certifier confirms that he was in the same class with Him for two semesters in grade seven at Shin-Eung Middle School, South Korea. He has clear memories of where He sat. This statement is in alignment with the statements from other certifiers (numbers 1 to 3)

3. Certified Subject: The location where He sat (Item number 7: The floor of the grade 7’s fourth classroom, 4 points )

4. Attached files: Interview transcript, the certifier’s school records for that year

2018.11.2.

Certifier: Sung-Ho, Kim (Signature)

Observers: Law firm Kim & Park (Signature)

Accounting firm Samwoo (Signature) 」

“There is no doubt that this collection is related to Him. Given the thorough certification, it seems like they planned to bring it to the market from the beginning.”

“Who came up with this idea? Who is the current owner?”

“The current owner is the president of the alumni association of that school. They are known as a Korean entrepreneur.”

“Current? Does that mean the owner is going to change? Before the auction?”

Amanda hesitated and swallowed saliva. Then, she slowly opened her mouth.

“There is a high chance that might happen before it leaves Korea. If the Korean government or the World Awakened Association found out, wouldn’t that be problematic? The cargo was at Korea’s international airport, but the time now is…”

Amanda checked the time and continued.

“Since there has been no word so far, it seems like the export was successful. What would you like to do, Ethan? Should we involve them? You don’t have to decide right away…”

After all, Ethan was the organizer of this auction. If an issue arose, then he could not avoid responsibility. Thus, Amanda thought he would take time to make the decision.

However, Ethan’s response came immediately. He nodded, which was an OK sign.

“Then, I will take you to your accommodations.”

Since there were no pre-arranged accommodations, it was also Amanda’s responsibility to decide which hotel to guide this super-rich couple to. The fiancée would likely prefer a famous major hotel, but people like Ethan, who were raised as heirs in prestigious families, usually prioritized privacy.

Amanda thought of a hotel. It was a place with many elements that the rich would like as it was quiet and small, located away from the city. Yet, it didn’t lose its glamor and also had the comfort of velvet. The building was so elegant that it felt like it might have been inspired by the royal family of Luxembourg.

She had never heard any complaints of that place from even the most demanding customers.

If it’s Ethan…he might already know because it is where the Bilderberg Club meeting took place two years ago.

Who would have thought that the world’s capitalists were preparing for the Day of Advent, along with King of Hell Jonathan Hunter?

As the hotel came into view, Amanda could mentally sketch the determined meetings that had taken place between club members in the hotel. It was a noble and magnificent scene where the fate of humanity was at stake.

Either Ethan’s parents or grandparents might have been there.

This was why Amanda could not relax. One of the families that ruled the world was right beside her.

“We have arrived. If you have any inconveniences, please let me know rather than the hotel so I can handle it more quickly.”

“Then, we will see you in three days?”

It was the fiancée, not the quiet Ethan, who spoke again.

“I will be staying in the hotel. If you need me during your trip, please feel free to reach out.”

If she was dealing with a regular client, it would be time to add, “Also, if you have any special requests, we can prepare anything you need.” However, saying so seemed distant from what Ethan would want from a concierge.

Any additional comments before they made a request would only lose their trust. What they needed was not a guide but a genie from a lamp. A genie who moved solely based on their money, which was her.

Do not get swayed, Amanda. Do not let your guard down.

***

Amanda finally found a moment to relax only after seeing off Ethan and his fiancée. A quiet client was more difficult than talkative ones, and this was her first time serving a truly rich person like Ethan. She was grateful for the kindness that Ethan’s fiancée showed, but she knew that could change at any time based on her past experiences.

Nevertheless, she felt pleased. Although Awakened, with a psychic ability, could share other people’s emotions, anyone would naturally share the joy when they were next to someone radiating so much happiness like Ethan’s fiancée.

Amanda could not remember the last time she guided someone who genuinely enjoyed their vacation.

But I wonder how the two of them met. They are a young couple that overcame the social gaps. Their story would make a great movie, right? How wonderful.

The two looked great together from behind. Ethan’s restrained posture and his fiancée’s light footsteps really reminded her of a romance movie.

At that moment, her phone briefly lit up.

「 Thank you for everything today. I look forward to working with you in the future. By the way, my last name is Woo. You can call me that from now on.」

As Ethan’s fiancée walked away, she pulled out her phone. Sure enough, she had sent Amanda a text. Amanda pondered whether to address her respectfully as ‘ma’am’ or to follow her suggestion.

Minutes later, she finally sent a reply.

「 Thank you so much. Have a great time, Ms. Woo. 」

Ethan’s fiancée turned and waved at Amanda from a distance. That was the last scene of the super-rich couple. Amanda began to move from her spot as the big smile on her face faded away.

The hotel restaurant was filled with people waiting for her. Some were sipping wine while others were tidying up their luxurious attires. They were all definitely there because of the upcoming auction. They were the rich who knew about the collection related to Him coming out to the auction but could not participate themselves.

Amanda knew some of them. Her presence caught everyone’s eye as they began to rise from their seats. Then, they started being conscious of each other. Soon, the crowd began to approach Amanda competitively, surrounding her.

“Amanda, listen to me.”

“I have a good proposal. If you could just give me some time…”

“Just send me the invitation. We will take care of the rest.”

“Amanda.”

“Amanda!!!”

Amanda’s name was being shouted from all directions. Even other hotel guests started showing interest in the sudden commotion and joined the crowd.

Amanda was flustered at the thought of ‘Him’ being mentioned. She was not supposed to dismiss such people haphazardly, given their stature, so it was difficult to calm them down.

Even though she told them that she was hosting an important client, they showed no signs of retreating. They acted like they would hang themselves if they could not get an auction invitation.

Even when the hotel staff came out to resolve the situation, the commotion only escalated. Just by having a floorboard from Shin-Eung Middle School in Korea come onto the market, such a ripple effect happened. Merely because ‘He’ had stayed there, the floorboard had become nothing short of a holy relic.

If a single strand of hair or clothing He wore appeared on the market, how far would the impact would be? A hair? No.

Amanda knew of tycoons who would pour astronomical amounts of capital even for His single toenail. They were those who were more aware of the club than ordinary people, and they directly understood the club’s mechanics - the real of the real.

For instance, they were super-rich, like Ethan. Ethan would casually spend a lot of money with his unique, indifferent expression. The reason he risked involving this particular auction house was only for such a case.

Amanda grumbled inwardly as she pacified the people surrounding her.

Even if you get an invitation, it is all useless. Ethan has already marked the item. He is the real of the real. You can’t even look up to him. Even Gillian Taylor stands surety of him…

Then, she felt her phone vibrate in her pocket.

「I will be going to Berlin tomorrow morning. Please leave a message at the Karjan family’s mansion that Ethan will be visiting the Chairman soon.」