Chapter 5.6

Eugene gave a light bow and erased the formal smile as he turned away from the front. Fortunately, his lips didn’t tremble.

Conscious of the gaze from behind, he walked as slowly as possible. He had to force himself not to rush. It had been a long time since he walked consciously like this, probably since the day he left that village.

“Mister.”

Just as he was about to turn the corner. The short distance felt like a thousand miles when the frontman called him.

Eugene reflexively closed his eyes tightly and then opened them. His heart pounded as if he had been caught stealing something from the target.

“Yes.”

Eugene turned around calmly. Fortunately, his voice didn’t tremble, and his throat didn’t tighten, even though his back was damp with cold sweat.

“Would you like me to take your coat?”

Such excessive kindness doesn’t suit this city. Eugene wanted to argue. Since when did this place become so kind and warm? He was just a driver, and even if he showed professionalism, there was nothing to gain.

What Zachary’s subordinate had handed over was now in his coat pocket.

But what if it’s not excessive kindness towards him, but if men always leave their coats when using the restroom here? Would refusing that offer raise suspicion?

If all this was too much thinking?

The silence between answers shouldn’t be long. He had to make a decision immediately.

“I’d appreciate it if you could.”

Eugene smiled as if relieved.

He stood in front of the front desk again, leisurely but not slowly. While taking off his coat, he discreetly slipped his hand into his pocket, hidden by the desk. Eugene, who took out a flat, palm-sized package, quietly slipped it into his pants pocket while folding his coat.

Handing over the coat and giving a short bow, Eugene headed straight for the restroom.

Whether it was thanks to a skilled cleaner or because such buildings are always like this, the restroom, unexpectedly clean for New York, greeted him. But without time to admire it, Eugene checked each stall as if released from reins. All were empty. Only then did he push into the innermost stall.

“Whew, ha….”

Eugene, who had been holding his breath the whole time, finally exhaled heavily. His legs trembled so much that he couldn’t stand, and he slumped onto the toilet. He closed his eyes briefly and then opened them. Then he immediately took out the package from his pocket.

His palm was so sweaty that it was hard to believe he hadn’t dropped it. The package, now properly seen, was crudely wrapped in paper and transparent tape, hardly believable as something that needed to be delivered so secretly.

But Eugene’s hands were careful as he unwrapped it.

What was revealed in Eugene’s palm was a camera the size of his thumbnail… and a note.

「In case you’re curious about what this is, I’m attaching it. It’s an old camera. Real-time transmission devices have a high detection rate, so only recording devices are provided. Please wear this to the upcoming New Year party.」

“…How did they…?”

Even knowing he was alone, he refrained from speaking out loud, probably because he was that scared. No matter how you look at it, he wasn’t cut out to be a spy.

“Bastard.”

They said just reporting the day’s events would be enough. It’s different from being prepared to do more than they ask.

Eugene lowered his head. The device in his clenched fist made its uncomfortable presence known. Only then did the cold slowly creep up his body. His body shivered involuntarily as the sweat quickly cooled.

The worst New Year’s Eve was approaching.

⌗ • ⌗ • ⌗

Time flew by unbelievably fast, and suddenly it was December 31st.

It had passed so quickly that Eugene felt almost abandoned by the flow of time.

No hints or opportunities to connect the traitor to the police, no reason why Carlyle had gone out of his way to bring him into his home, no resolution to the changes in his body… Nothing was resolved satisfactorily.

In the meantime, Eugene had gotten used to waking up with wet drawers, and the camera, barely the size of a thumbnail, felt heavier with each passing day. It was hard to believe it weighed barely 200 grams.

“You look good, Eugene. Really good.”

Eugene tried to pull up the corners of his mouth to smile, but he stopped. It wasn’t just because he was nervous. The man in front of him, Carlyle Evangrow, looked several times more impressive than his reflection. It was an undeniable truth that was both frustrating and undeniable.

The man who had been neatly slicking back his hair when they first met had, at some point, started wearing it tousled to his liking. Of course, he pulled it off stylishly, which was even more annoying.

But today, as if to prove it was a special day, Carlyle had neatly waxed his hair back and wore a dark brown three-piece suit that matched his hair color. Just that alone made him intimidating.

Eugene was speechless at the patterned, flamboyant tie. Even dressed like that, his face overshadowed the outfit’s flamboyance, which was impressive in its own way.

Compared to him, Eugene was almost a shadow. A jacket and pants so dark they looked black, a deep charcoal vest, and a subtly shining black tie.

Of course, Eugene was grateful to Carlyle for the first time in all this mess when he went to pick up the suits and found they were all dark. At least he wouldn’t stand out because of the color.

“Eugene.”

“Thank you.”

When he finally expressed his gratitude, Carlyle’s smile brightened even more.

“Nothing for me? Don’t you have anything to say to me?”

“You look… impressive.”

It was almost like extorting a compliment. The reluctance was unavoidable, but the sentiment was genuine. Whether Carlyle sensed his unwilling sincerity or didn’t care as long as it was formal, he nodded in satisfaction.

“Right? Impressive.”

“Then let’s prepare to leave….”

“Wait.”

To avoid being late, they needed to leave soon. Just as Eugene checked the time and turned, Carlyle grabbed his shoulder. When he turned back, Carlyle’s face was close.

His heart dropped like a drawer not fully closed, then tightened.

Unfamiliar pain made Eugene’s hand unconsciously reach for his heart. What is this? Trauma? Come to think of it, Carlyle was dressed similarly the second time they met. The angle was similar to when he was caught.

“Here, like this….”

Carlyle, who had bent his head, adjusted his collar. He was a man with no sense of personal space. Eugene swallowed hard unconsciously.

Suddenly, a very subtle scent brushed his nose. A very faint and subtle scent. But it was hard to ignore.

“Did you wear perfume?”

“No.”

What difference it made, fiddling with it for so long, Carlyle straightened his back. A crooked smile crossed his lips.

“You’re not pretending, are you? You seem to be expecting something. You smell nice.”

“I didn’t… wear any.”

“Really?”

Leaving behind a meaningful answer that was hard to interpret, Carlyle turned first.

“Let’s go. The main character is supposed to be late, but Henry’s nagging is annoying.”

“Woof!”

Cal, who had been lazily sleeping, got up when it was time for them to leave. Eugene, who petted the panting dog’s head, unconsciously rubbed his pants pocket. The camera, not yet attached, was inside.

He touches people so freely, how am I supposed to attach this thing?

If he didn’t brace himself, it felt like he might tip over in the direction of the camera. It was a weight that wouldn’t be surprising if he sank.

But Eugene, resolutely, moved his feet.

The sky was barely tinged with twilight, just turning into evening.

The area around Times Square was already packed with people waiting for the ball drop. Eugene skillfully navigated the car to avoid being pushed around.

“We’ve arrived.”

Arriving at a hotel on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, Eugene got out of the car and opened the backseat door. Expensive cars lined up in front of them, heading to the parking lot. Of course, it was no different behind them.

The hotel, clearly built before the 20th century, preserved its age in a grand and majestic way. The sight of people pouring out of cars, dressed in high-end brands without logos, was overwhelming in itself.

“Hmm.”

A long leg stretched out onto the red carpet. Carlyle, brushing his hair back and looking around, had a crooked smile on one side of his mouth.

“What a fuss.”

Of course, he agreed, but it wasn’t something a man who stood out in that fuss should say.

But today, Eugene was determined to be a thoroughly loyal subordinate. Today, no matter what, he couldn’t draw more attention than necessary.

“Then I’ll park and see you inside.”

Just as Eugene was about to head back to the driver’s seat.

“No, no.”

Carlyle blocked his way. Eugene, unconsciously stepping back, stepped on his own foot. Expensive shoes hurt when stepped on.

The man’s face, looking down at him, had a charming smile. It was a smile that seemed to tease. Goosebumps rose up his spine.

“I told you, I’m going to introduce you. But what if you’re not there?”

“After parking, I’ll-”

Before he could finish asking if he could find them later, Carlyle gestured to the doorman. Ignoring Eugene lightly, the doorman got into the driver’s seat at his gesture. Eugene watched helplessly as the car he had been driving headed to the parking lot.

With that, he lost the time to gather his thoughts while parking and quietly consider the camera’s position. But without time to be disheartened, Carlyle moved.

“What are you doing, not walking? Want me to hold your hand?”

Eugene, seeing the arm reaching for him as if it wasn’t just a joke, hurriedly followed Carlyle. Carlyle rolled his eyes at Eugene, who was sticking close behind him.

“Do you hate holding hands with me that much? It hurts my feelings.”

“Save the hurt feelings for later, let’s go. Didn’t you say you didn’t want to hear nagging?”

“Seems like you’ve learned how to handle me, Eugene.”

Whether he was serious about not wanting to hear nagging, Carlyle grumbled but headed for the entrance. Eugene sighed in relief. Getting used to this man was unfortunate, but if he had learned how to handle him, that was fortunate.

All the way to the hotel entrance, Eugene focused on not being conscious of the item in his pocket.