Fair Trade - Chapter 20.1 - Sleepy Translations

5-6 minutes 09.09.2021

“You’re quite smart. I think you’re the smartest woman in the world… Why are you clinging to Giulio of all people?”

Did he always speak so plainly?

No, Valentin Orlov, whom she knew, was quite a taciturn and reticent man. But now, somehow, he sounded impatient like he was being chased by something.

“What the hell are you doing here? Do you know how much I’ve suffered because of you?”

“Ah, I’m sorry about that. But I couldn’t help it either. I was also preoccupied with too many clients.”

The feeling of metal touching the back of her head kept giving her goosebumps. As he pressed the gun to her head, Sei backed away.

A wall appeared behind her as she gradually walked into the darkness.

There was no retreat.

“I came to see you today.”

“Why me?”

“You… Why are you involved with Yuri Petrov?”

For a moment, Sei’s head began to race in nanoseconds. Many people knew Yuri Petrov’s name, but only a few people knew his face.

Does Valentin know Yuri’s face?

Valentin, Yuri, Giulio and Pablo. Sei felt chills, suddenly realizing that the names all fit together perfectly.

‘The one who stole it is Pablo Bellini. It’s a pseudonym. He was an accountant. He handles guns better than knives and was also famous for being a sniper. We were very close… friends.’

Yeah, a sniper who handled guns better than knives

If Valentin was indeed Pablo, it was obvious he would know Yuri’s face. Convinced, she closed her eyes and retorted as her face was pressed against the wall, “Who’s Yuri Petrov? Why would he be with me…. Did you perhaps make a mistake?”

“Hey… don’t pretend you don’t know anything.The Red Mafia guy who clings with you, that bastard is Yuri Petrov!”

He pressed Sei’s head with a much stronger force. Instead of screaming out loud, she raised her hands to her shoulder height and shook her head.

“I’ve never met any man like that. The guy I’m currently meeting is Kais! Kais Miller!”

“Haa, Kais Miller? Look… Are you really saying you don’t know? Think about it, Rose. Your answer will go on to affect the lives of your family members.”

“I have no idea what you are talking about Valentin… What are you doing? You stole Giulio’s money. You know what’s going to happen, don’t you?”

“Damn it! I didn’t do it! Yuri used his tricks to screw me! That damn mafia bastard.” He spat out. For a moment, Sei remembered what her father used to say often. It was a Korean saying: “Even if you are caught by a tiger, you will survive if you keep your cool.”

Sei decided to take as much time as possible. As long as Yuri was nearby, there was no way he would let anything happen to her.

That was her only hope.

“Giulio is looking for you. Don’t do this. I’ll pretend I didn’t see you, so run away.”

“I’m already being chased. You know what I look like. So… I need you to live, Rose.”

Sei turned her head sideways. Then, leaning his upper body, he whispered softly in her ear.

“In a fortnight, I’ll see you at 8 p.m. at the burger house on the first floor of your apartment. It’s the busiest time, so make sure you get a seat first and wait for me there.”

“Don’t tell me, did you secretly investigate me? That’s not fair?!”

“I told you I’m doing all this to live. If you try to pull something, your friend with cute freckles will get hurt. And then….”

She clenched her fists as she stood against the wall.

“Oh, by the way, don’t wear any accessories. I know Yuri Petrov very well. I know what’s hidden behind that angelic face and also what you’re up to. So go tell him that it’s nearly over.”

Valentin’s voice faded away. Sei then predicted what would happen.

Beneath the wall where even the moonlight couldn’t reach, a strong shock rushed over her back, making Sei tightly close her eyes. As her head was hit by the butt of the gun, her knees weakened and she collapsed.

As her consciousness ebbed away, she seemed to have heard a voice saying sorry.

***

“How many hours has it been?”

“It’s been 19 hours.”

“Damn it… Bring her when she wakes up.”

Sei slowly opened her eyes to the familiar voices. But the owners of the voices had already left the room. She smiled awkwardly at the man standing next to her.

“I think I’m awake now.”

“Ah… Has God finally shown mercy on me…?”

The man who was quietly looking down at Sei raised his smooth eyebrows and leaned over her. It was the man who she had seen at the pool last time.

“Hey, why do you keep getting hurt? I’m in so much trouble. Yuri nearly shattered my skull with his gun.”

The language that the man spoke was Russian. When she sighed and touched the back of her head, Sei felt a bandage wrapped around a large lump.

Shit… Did I get hurt?