With Miss Lee dangling on my arm, I walk across the huge double doors made of Gaboon Ebony. If you're not familiar, Gaboon Ebony is one of the most exotic yet incredibly hard woods. These doors are adorned with intricate carvings that enhance their natural texture and display the wood's varied colors. They're only coated with a transparent polish, allowing the carvings to shine. I can't imagine how many man-hours went into crafting them.
"Neomu meosjyeo (It's so gorgeous)," Miss Lee murmurs in admiration.
"Mullon (Indeed)," I respond with a nod.
Beyond the grand doors lies a humongous room, its opulence beyond question. A single glance is enough to confirm that everything inside is top-notch—from the grand stage at the center to the plush gray carpet covering the floor. The room resembles a mini theater with about 800 chairs, arranged in 16 rows of 50 seats each, facing the stage. Each row is slightly elevated, separated by five-centimeter steps. The room also boasts ten exclusive balconies. While guests with silver tokens sit below, those with golden tokens, like mine, are escorted to one of the private balconies.
"We've arrived, Sir," a young woman in a black suit announces, holding the door open for us.
"Thank you," I reply, leading Miss Lee inside. The moment we step in, the room lights up. It's a compact 4x4-meter square filled with luxury. A one-way, film-coated glass separates us from the hall below. No one can see inside, but we have a clear view of the auction stage.
In front of the glass is a plush four-seater couch that looks as cozy as it is expensive. On either side are tables laden with champagne, exotic fruits, berries, and snacks—apparently, all favorites of Seo Jong So. Beside the refreshments lies a sleek device for bidding.
"If there's anything Young Master Seo needs, please—"
"Yes," Miss Lee interjects. "I would like Strottarga Bianco on blinis and your best pink wine."
The waitress hesitates, glancing at me for approval—it's customary for requests to come from Seo Jong So himself.
"You heard her," I say nonchalantly. "Her request is mine."
"Y-yes, Sir. At once," the waitress stammers, bowing low. "Is there anything else I can do to make you more comfortable, Sir... and Miss?"
"No," I reply. "You may go."
The waitress bows again before leaving.
Once we're alone, I settle on the couch and remove my mask, while Miss Lee walks over to the window, gazing at the hall below. She places her hands on the glass, her eyes sparkling with wonder.
"Igeo eomcheongna ne (This is amazing)," she says, then turns to face me. "Dangsin-eun yeogie jaju chodaedoebnikka? (Are you often invited here?)"
I shrug. "Abeojiga neomu apaseo osil su eobs-eul ttaebuteo (Ever since my father became too sick to attend)." I pour champagne into two glasses and offer one to her. "Yeogilo waseo i eumlyoleul jeulgiseyo (Come, sit here and enjoy this drink). God gyeongmaega sijagdoebnida (The auction will start soon)."
Miss Lee accepts the glass and sits beside me, removing her mask. "Dangsingwa hamkke chodaehae jusyeoseo gamsahabnida (Thank you for inviting me)," she says with a radiant smile, raising her glass for a toast.
"Nae yeong-gwang-iya (It's my honor)," I reply, clinking my glass against hers.
For a while, we sit in silence, sipping our drinks. I keep an eye on the growing crowd below, while Miss Lee seems lost in her thoughts. I've deliberately placed the snack and fruit platters between us, but she doesn't touch them. Instead, she slowly sips her champagne, her gaze wandering over the hall.
"Geulaeseo wae yeogie oneun de gwansim-i issseubnikka? (So why are you interested in coming here?)" I ask, breaking the silence.
Miss Lee shrugs. "I gyeongmaega heungmiloun aitem-eul jegonghandaneun somun-eul bang-geum deul-eossseubnida (I just heard that this auction offers interesting items)."
"Teugbyeolhi gwansim-i issneun geos-i issseubnikka? (Anything you're particularly interested in?)" I press.
She shrugs again. "Seolma (Not really)." Her answer might fool the real Seo Jong So, but not me.
According to our intel, Seo Jong So had been pursuing Miss Lee's attention for over six months without success. Then, about a month ago—right after he received the invitation to Galliluere Auction—Miss Lee suddenly warmed up to him. The timing was suspicious, but Seo Jong So was too enamored to notice. He eagerly requested an extra token for her.
"Eotteohge dangsin-eun jeong-gijeog-eulo yeogie chodaedoego issseubnikka? (How are you regularly invited here?)" Miss Lee asks, nibbling on a grape.
"Bimil (Secret)," I reply with a teasing smile, pressing a finger to my lips. She pouts, and I chuckle in response.
"Geunyang malhaedujamyeon... uli abeojineun geudeul-ui jaejeong munjee keun yeoghal-eul hasinda (Let's just say my father plays a big role in their financial affairs)," I add, taking another sip. "Neon wae mul-eo bwassni? (Why did you ask?)"
"Teugbyeolhan geos-eun eobsda (Nothing special)," she says, popping another grape into her mouth. "Nan geunyang gung-geumhae (I'm just curious)... dangsin-e daehae (about you)."
"Naega dangsin-eul chungbunhi manjogsikyeossnayo? (Have I satisfied your curiosity?)" I challenge her.
Miss Lee smirks, then saunters toward me with a seductive sway. She lifts her gown slightly, kneels on the couch beside me, and sits on my lap. "Chungbun isang (More than enough)," she whispers, holding a grape to my lips.
I bite half the grape, and she leans in, her lips inches from mine, ready to take the other half—
A knock interrupts us. I inwardly sigh in relief. Perfect timing.
"Excuse me, Sir," the waitress from earlier calls out.
"Come in," I say, as Miss Lee quickly returns to her seat and dons her mask. I do the same.
The waitress enters, carrying the snacks and wine Miss Lee ordered earlier.
"Place them on her table," I instruct. She complies, bows, and exits.
Moments later, the voice of the master of ceremonies echoes through the speakers. "Ladies and Gentlemen... Welcome to Galliluere Auction!"