<Episode 86>
John Raid Lombardi’s parents arrived in Korea early in the morning.
Thanks to that, I was able to send Kang Woojin back before it got too late last night.
‘If I had just left him alone, he looked like he would’ve stayed until dawn.’
“My son!”
As soon as they came out of the airport, they waved at me enthusiastically.
“We missed you so much.”
I gave a small wave in return.
‘Ah… this is awkward.’
Even before I was possessed, I wasn’t close with my family.
My father was a taciturn person who barely spoke at home.
My mother, who longed for affection from such a father, turned her attention toward me instead… not to give love, but to raise me exactly the way she wanted.
From a young age, I was sent from academy to academy, fully immersed in studying. I had to grow according to what my mother wanted.
Maybe that’s why, after being possessed into the game, I didn’t particularly miss reality.
Life with my family had been suffocating, and there weren’t really any friends or lovers I longed to see.
“You’ve arrived?”
I forced a bright smile as I greeted them.
“It’s been so long.”
“Yeah. It’s been years since we’ve seen each other.”
“No matter how busy you are, you should come home sometimes. I was starting to think I’d forget your face.”
“Once my business stabilizes a bit more, I’ll do that. Let’s head to the car.”
“Alright.”
Unlike my real family, they were lively and full of affection.
‘This is exactly why I avoided going to the U.S. even more.’
They kept chatting nonstop all the way to the car.
“You have no idea how shocked we were watching the broadcast. I just searched the name of the idol our son manages on YouTube, and suddenly your face showed up. The moment I saw you, I immediately called your mother.”
“That’s right. Why didn’t you tell us you’d be on TV?”
“I’m not a celebrity.”
“Still… It’s our son’s face. We want to see it.”
Looking at it this way, John Raid Lombardi’s face really did come from his father.
I’d had video calls before, but this was the first time seeing him in person, so it felt strange.
‘If I age about ten more years, I’ll probably look like that. Though honestly, he looks even older than that.’
“How long does it take to get to your place?”
“About an hour and a half. You must be tired, so get some rest.”
“No, I’m fine. Your mother was so excited about coming to Korea. By the way, hasn’t my Korean improved?”
“Your father has been studying Korean hard again lately.”
“Why?”
“To watch videos of the idol you manage. Spade Joker? He says they’re really cool.”
They were so different from my real family that I just couldn’t get used to it.
“But you look a bit tired.”
“Ah… I’ve had a lot of work.”
It was actually because I’d spent hours listening to Kang Woojin talk about travel and had used up all my energy trying to dodge his enthusiasm, but I just said I was busy.
“Is that so? Business really isn’t easy.”
“That’s right. Still, it’s amazing you built everything up like this from nothing. We’re so proud of you.”
“Your father’s right. We have no idea how proud we are of you.”
I had no immunity to this kind of praise.
My real parents didn’t know how to give compliments.
So I hesitated, unsure how to respond, and just smiled awkwardly.
‘Still, since I’m their son, wouldn’t they find it strange if I’ve changed too much?’
“Ever since you moved to Korea, it seems like you’ve become much calmer.”
“Running a business makes you need to be calm. And I’ve gotten older, too.”
“Well, that’s true.”
Fortunately, John Raid Lombardi’s mother didn’t seem suspicious and simply believed that her son’s personality had changed because of his business.
‘That’s a relief.’
“It’ll take about an hour, so get some sleep.”
“No. Who knows when we’ll sit face-to-face like this again? Let’s talk while we go.”
I really hoped they’d fall asleep, but they kept talking, wanting to spend time together after so long.
By the time the nonstop conversation ended, we had already arrived at the company.
“So this is your company.”
“It looks bigger than it did on TV.”
“I don’t use the whole building… just a few floors on lease. Anyway, let’s head inside.”
“Alright.”
It was actually fortunate they arrived early in the morning.
The employees hadn’t come in yet.
“It’s clean.”
“Right?”
After giving them a quick tour of the office, I brought them into the CEO’s office.
“So this is where our son sits and works all day. It looked different on TV, but seeing it in person feels different.”
John Raid Lombardi’s parents began examining the office thoroughly.
“It’s nothing special.”
“What do you mean, nothing? You built all of this with your own hands.”
They didn’t stop looking around.
“I won’t be able to clear my schedule today, so I’ll only have time after finishing my work. Secretary Han is on leave.”
“Oh my.”
“Yes. He should get to see his family, too. He worked hard, coming all the way to Korea because of me.”
His mother gently patted my shoulder with a pleased expression.
“Right. We’re so reassured that Suseok is by your side. He’s polite and kind.”
It seemed Han Suseok had left a very good impression on the family back when they were in the U.S.
“Then we’ll just stay here and read a book. Don’t worry about us and focus on your work.”
“Pardon?”
“Yes, let’s do as your father says.”
“No… You came all the way to Korea after so long. You should at least go sightseeing.”
Having them stay while I worked would be extremely uncomfortable.
“We came to Korea to see you, John. And we can go sightseeing with you this evening.”
“But still… Oh, right. You should take your luggage home. Aren’t you curious about where I live?”
Before the employees arrived, I wanted to send them away somehow.
“Hello!”
At that moment, a familiar voice rang out.
“Hm?”
It was the same voice that had been chattering beside me until last night.
‘Am I hearing things now?’
“Did someone come?”
“Maybe you heard wrong.”
I tried to brush off my mother’s question.
“Hello!”
The greeting came again.
‘Did Kang Woojin really come?’
“Just a moment.”
Leaving my family in the CEO’s office, I stepped out into the main office.
“Oh? You really are here.”
Kang Woojin greeted me with a bright smile.
“How did you even get in here?”
I asked, startled. I was sure the door had been locked.
“You told me the password when we came here before.”
I realized I hadn’t changed the password since then.
‘I didn’t expect him to just show up again like this…!’
Blaming myself for being careless with company security, I spoke.
“That’s not the point. Why are you here this early?”
“You said your family was arriving today. So I came to greet them.”
“What? Why would you greet my family?”
“We’re friends.”
Then he looked straight at me, as if waiting for permission.
At first, we had met as business partners. But now, there was no business connection between us.
Of course, it would be nice if I could keep receiving songs from composer Maru through this relationship.
‘This is ambiguous.’
Even though continuing this connection could be beneficial, I felt strangely unsettled.
“Even if we’re friends, it’s not like you have to greet my parents.”
“It’s Korean tradition… you know, that sense of affection. Besides, you’ve got work today, right? Wouldn’t it be better if I took them around?”
It felt like a high-difficulty balance game.
Leave John Raid Lombardi’s parents at the company, or send them out with Kang Woojin.
“But would sightseeing even be possible?”
“I can just pull my cap down low.”
A cap wouldn’t hide him.
His height and well-built physique alone made him stand out far too much to pass as an ordinary person.
“…I think you’ll get recognized.”
“I go out and about all the time, normally. I can manage.”
At that moment, the CEO’s office door opened.
“John, did a guest arrive? Oh my… it’s actor Kang Woojin.”
“Mother, you know actor Kang Woojin?”
“Of course. You know how much I love Korean dramas. And he was in the Spade Joker film music video too.”
“Hello. I’m Kang Woojin, a close younger friend of your son. I’d like to guide you around Korea today, would that be alright?”
“Oh my, guide us?”
“Yes. He won’t be able to leave work today, and it would be boring for you to stay here all day. Let’s go out, look around, and have some Korean food.”
Kang Woojin smoothly began persuading my mother.
“Wow, your father really looks exactly like you.”
“Right? I was so surprised at first. I couldn’t see any of my own genes in him. But your image is completely different from what I see on TV.”
“Because of my drama image, I had to hide my real self. But thanks to him, I think I’ll be able to gradually show my true self to people.”
“That’s wonderful. Your cheerful and lively personality is very nice to see.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
The two of them got along perfectly.
“You’ll go sightseeing with me, right?”
“To be guided by such a famous actor, it’s an honor.”
There was no chance to stop them.
“Hyung.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll come back around here for lunch. Let’s eat together. You said Secretary Han isn’t here either, right? It’s better to eat with your family than just grab something quick. See you then!”
For some reason, it felt like I’d end up being dragged around by Kang Woojin all day.
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Comments (2)
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Chapter 85 and 86 is the same thing.
Sorry bout that, should be fixed now!