The Price Of His Name

l

a lunch break that barely lasted ten minutes. My feet ached in my worn-out flats, and my only wish was to crawl into bed. But I had one last stop to make. Dad had called earlier, as

um of a late-night office. Instead, the moment I stepped inside, the air shifted. Something was wrong. Men in dark uniforms moved briskly through the lobby, carrying boxes, computers, even framed awards that once hung on the walls. Papers littered the floor, trampled underfoot like discarded memories. A large truck was parked just outsi

e time," Dad pleaded, his v

ce. "You've had enough time, Park

d?" My voice came out un

e. He reached for the man again, but the suit-wearing stranger pulle

" he said to the uniforme

r crashed over me. "Dad," I

something flickered across his face-shame, regret, so

oing on?"

ing a hand down his tired

inking deep, refusing to make s

his voice thick with defeat. "I thought I could turn things ar

rd, my pulse ha

hair. "More than they should have. But I kept falling behind. And now..." He

s company wasn't just a business. It was

hing out," I said q

ing his head. "This is my

ustion in his eyes silenced me. He had be

l, okay?" I hesitated. "Are you sure?" He

time to sort

y he said it felt like

m. He stiffened at first, then exhaled sl

okay," I

. I wasn't sure i

he darkness. I had just stepped off the curb when the engine let out a deep, warning growl. I snapped out of my daze just in time. The car swerved, missing me by inches. My breath hitched as I stumbled back, heart slamming against my ribs. The vehicle slowed slightly, and through the tinted back window, I saw him. A man. Watching me. His face was half-shadowed, but his gray eyes-cold, unread

, waving excitedly as sh

air, forcing a c

of a hug. He was still in that phase where affectio

observed. "Did your boss

him off. "Something like that. I'm just tir

have an assignment with your name o

l your assignments,

as learning." I raised an eyebrow. "Las

brief moment, I let myself enjoy the normalcy. The easy banter. The illusio