Kim Tae-Ri’s POV

Huff, puff. 

Damn, I don’t think I've ever run so fast in my whole life before. 

I probably looked like a crazy person on the way here. I didn’t even notice that I fell asleep when I was on the bus. Maybe it’s because I’m stressed and tired all the time.

WAHHH~ I’m not getting too many wrinkles, am I? 

I pressed my face against the window of the cab I was in, staring at my reflection. I should probably smile more so I won’t look ugly too fast. I practiced many smiling poses while looking at my reflection.

“Hahaha,” I giggled. I look stupid. 

The driver coughed. I noticed him staring at me in the rearview mirror.

Oops, ahehehe. I smiled embarrassingly and behaved myself. 

If you are all wondering why I got into a cab when I should be at work now, it’s because my work place is somewhere secluded. 

In some ways, it’s like a secret haven. Many people are unaware that this area even exists because it is inaccessible by major public transit. Because of this, I need to take two rides. I should have gotten off the cab terminal when I was on the bus, but I fell asleep. 

Hence the reason why I had to run a few blocks. 

"Sir, I think we are here?" The driver informs me, with a mixture of embarrassment and confusion.

I turn my attention to the front. "Oh, yes. We are definitely here." I replied, as the driver and I were both staring at a couple having sex on the fountain's edge. 

Another tourist attraction, I guess? 

I could see the driver’s sweat dripping down his face as he fixed his gaze on the scene before us. This bar should give me a raise as I bring in more and more potential customers. 

Aww, I’m such a big asset. 

"Here’s the payment, sir." I handed the driver the money, but he didn't respond. 

"Uhm, sir?" I sat impatiently. "Hello? The payment?" Still no response. 

Okay, I had it.

"SIR, JUST ENJOY THE LIVE SHOW AFTER I GET OUT. I'M GETTING LATE NOW. HERE’S THE PAYMENT." 

"Sorry, I'm sorry," the driver said, flustered. In a panic, he grabbed the payment. 

I got out of the cab and walked away.

I passed the couple at the fountain as I followed the pathway. I could still see the cab I had just got out of in my peripheral view. 

Haha, he really stayed.

As I neared the entrance, I looked up in awe at the vastness of the architecture in front of me. 

I could never get used to it no matter how frequently I went here. It’s just a few steps from where I was dropped off. 

The building is big but it’s not eye-catching; it’s intimidating. 

It is built in the style of old Greek museums, with high ceilings and a broad perimeter—ancient and sophisticated. SIGA is carved in fading gold at the top. It has a wide front yard space with a sculpted fountain on one side.

Four big guards greeted me. I gave them my employee identification card and two of them let me in after doing a quick body scan. 

I began to open the big oak doors. The light and sounds emanating from within gradually become-

EHH?

Two of the guards drew my arms inward, preventing me from moving.

"Get back here." They threw my ID back at me. 

EHH?

"But I work here! Look!" Fortunately, I was able to catch my ID. I was about to shove it in their face until I realized I gave them a bizarre picture of me instead! 

"Oops, hehe. Sorry, Mr. Guards. Here you go." I double-and triple-checked if it was my official ID before handing it to them. They scanned it with their eyes.

They responded warily, "This doesn't look like you."

"EHH? What do you mean it doesn’t look like me?!" They literally see me every time? Plus, I was sporting the same hairstyle in the photo!

Their stares pierce through me as I shrink down in panic. Please just eat me ground!

After a few seconds, I could hear them laughing. "HAHAHA. We're just having fun with you, Tae-ri! You're 5 minutes late. Come in now."

I have no idea what my face looks like right now. I’m shocked and pissed off at the same time. This is the first time they did this. 

The guards pushed me inside the door. 

"Come on now, you don’t want to be fired, do you?" One guard teased. They slammed the door behind me. People began to stare at me as a result of this.

Okay, Tae-ri, stop looking stupid now. "Ahem, ahem." I straightened up and put a poker face on. 

I raised one of my eyebrows as I walked towards the employees' only quarters.

Sigh. Another day, another pay. But, why can’t I just get paid without doing anything? That is the real question of my life.

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