Park O-nam's mind was a mess.
How much of a mess? On the drive back to the real estate office, he couldn't even recall Choi Yeon-bi's face or figure.
There was one reason he was so rattled.
'Isn't she some chaebol heiress...?'
Choi Yeon-bi's background was just too suspicious.
She looked like a student.
Her clothes were thrown on casually.
Yet her body and face outshone most celebrities.
And she was talking about buying an Allstate outright.
Sure, it could be a lie. But what if it wasn't?
He'd be the guy who asked if a chaebol daughter was messing with him, sized up her looks, and openly ogled her figure.
In short...
'...I'm screwed.'
How did Choi Yeon-bi see him now?
His head spun from the thought, so Park O-nam just gripped the wheel in silence.
It's probably a lie.
She's just window-shopping and putting on a show.
Armed with those thoughts, he arrived at the office.
But Choi Yeon-bi was dead serious.
"Can we do the contract today?"
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Something was off about his attitude.
He'd been a bit casual earlier, but now his tone was polite.
And he was fidgeting like crazy.
Did he eat something bad on the way back?
Come to think of it, I hadn't eaten anything.
Maybe that's why I was getting hungry—popcorn was all I'd had.
Better wrap this up quick and grab some food.
"We can do the contract today, right?"
The agent, flashing a friendly smile I hadn't seen before, fetched a stack of documents.
A smile definitely suited him better.
Shave that remaining hair off, and he'd look like a monk on a mission.
I barely stifled a laugh by ducking my head.
"We can do same-day contracts. The seller wants to close as soon as there's a buyer, so most procedures can move fast."
Wonder why they're in such a rush to sell.
It's a straight sale, not a lease, so no big worries there.
I nodded along with those thoughts.
"Alright, let's get the contract paperwork started. Sign in the highlighted spots with the fluorescent pen, and I'll mark anything you need to check."
He said that while grabbing his pen, drawing lines and circles on the documents.
It reminded me of signing my old monthly rental lease—quite the nostalgia.
Back then, finding even a cheap place took days of running around.
I let out a small chuckle, and suddenly the agent glanced at me nervously, speeding up his work.
I hadn't even been looking at him.
'Something's definitely weird.'
No clue what his deal was.
Not trying to offload a stale listing quick, I hope.
Eh, if so, I'd just find another place.
"Here's the contract. Let me explain: this is the address, building, and unit number. Contract deposit and purchase price here. Deposit needs to be wired today. Special clauses below—give them a read."
I took the contract to scan it, but the agent let out a short "Ah!" like he'd forgotten something and called me.
"Oh, and could I see your ID? We'll need a copy too—is that okay?"
"Sure."
I pulled my worn wallet and handed over my ID.
21 years old, Choi Yeon-bi.
The agent's face stiffened again upon seeing it. Was he jumping to conclusions?
'I was shocked too when I saw it, so I get why he'd assume.'
Even I, the owner, couldn't believe it—anyone else would freak.
Leaving the stunned agent behind, I slowly read through the contract.
"Hm..."
Lots of text.
Still, I checked everything they said to.
No need to dwell on deposit or price; I skimmed the special clauses.
Complicated but standard stuff—management fees and utilities to settlement date, liability for defects, options, etc.
Nothing unfavorable to me, so I looked at the agent satisfied.
"Sign here, right?"
"Yes."
I signed under his oddly complex expression. Nearly wrote my old name, Choi Min-hoo, but switched to Yeon-bi just in time.
"Ah, when do you plan to wire the balance?"
Good point.
Deposit reserves the place pre-sale, but to move in, balance payment first.
Why not pay now and take ownership?
They say the sooner you move, the better.
My mom's wisdom, anyway.
"Can I wire the balance now?"
He stared at me, shocked, like I'd yanked out the last of his precious hair.
"Uh... now, right now?"
"Yes. Now."
He froze solid.
I cleared my throat lightly, snapping him out of it—he finally moved.
"Then... I'll add immediate possession and date to the special clauses. One sec, let me contact the seller..."
He stood, bowing slightly as if asking permission.
Odd vibe.
I was the client here, so it made sense, but...
'Still, bowing like that to someone half his age feels off.'
I waited while he finished the call.
"...Yes, got it. Yes, yes."
He hung up, took a deep breath, and spoke.
"Once balance is confirmed, you can move in today. Commission to this account..."
And just like that, I became the owner of an Allstate apartment.
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Choi Yeon-bi.
That was the name of the chaebol daughter who climbed into her parked compact car.
Age: 21.
Birthday passed, so just turned 20.
'A Choi chaebol...'
Park O-nam racked his brain for Choi family conglomerates.
Nothing came to mind.
'Please, let this be nothing.'
A woman wiring nearly 1 billion won without loans or fuss.
And only 21.
O-nam gave up thinking after glimpsing that bizarre ID.
He just wanted her gone fast.
Luckily, she wanted the place quick too—no more dealings.
Still, unease lingered.
'Should've kept my mouth shut if I didn't know...'
He knew he'd been rude from the start.
Ogling her figure too. No wonder he was sweating bullets.
"No need to see me out."
"Nonsense. Gotta see the client off properly."
O-nam bowed excessively, escorting her to the parking lot.
Yeon-bi looked openly uncomfortable, but he pressed on.
'Please, just don't say anything.'
He had to convey that desperate plea.
Yeon-bi got in her car amid his overbearing farewell and sped off to escape.
Park O-nam watched her go, praying she wouldn't mention today to anyone.
"Whew..."
He pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit up.
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"An apartment..."
I had an apartment now, in one day.
An Allstate, high-end brand at that.
Ten years of paying rent, dreaming of my own place—not some lease, a real home.
Saving scraps, clinging to that hope to survive.
Stingy with cash—no overseas trips, barely local ones. Plane rides? Just high school Jeju trip.
"..."
My chest felt emptier.
While I scraped by on under 10,000 won meals, others tossed billions on homes casually.
I knew it, of course.
Seen rich folks' community posts, celebs' lifestyles.
Felt like another world then. Now...
"...Feels off."
Craving smokes, I sighed and headed to the mart.
Cruising in my new compact—handy thing.
This mart was far; I'd only ordered delivery online before.
Car made it easy.
Parked effortlessly thanks to the lot, got out.
Kid me went to marts with Mom all the time.
"Mom, this! This!"
"You're not a baby anymore? How long you gonna ride in the cart?"
Passing mother-daughter duo sparked a smile.
Warm sight. I headed to the elevator.
Reason for the mart? Top-floor restaurant.
Not just food—eat hearty, grab essentials too.
Short walk to elevator.
Waited; one from parking dinged open.
'Ugh, weekday crowd?'
Packed tight.
Next one, guy ahead stepped aside.
"Ah... meeting a friend here. Go ahead."
First time for such courtesy—I bowed awkwardly in thanks.
He grinned wide, stepping out.
'Weird stuff happens.'
Unfamiliar, I stood sheepish.
Felt like everyone stared.
'Nah, imagination.'
Uncomfortable, rode to top amid next ding.
Stepped out—delicious aromas everywhere.
'Smells amazing.'
Wiped drool, straightened up, scanned around.
I'm a chaebol now—can eat anything.
So, all the stuff I craved.
Bouncy steps to steakhouse first.
Solo dining? Past fretting age.
Lots do it these days anyway.
Never solo at fancy spots—bit tense.
Still, shoulders back, chin up—no looking small.
"Welcome. Reservation?"
My resolve scattered like dust in wind at the question.