Hazard Code

The place Rami appointed to meet with Victor was not far from the office, which meant that it was not far from his boarding house. Victor was relieved, because he didn't have to pay for travel anymore. After meeting with Rami, Victor thought he could go home on foot. 

Rami chose a café called Guitar Coffee, located close to Falcon Face Mall. She only needs to walk about 100 meters. This is one of the cafes that office workers usually choose to work outside their offices. Nowadays, many workers are allowed to work outside the office. Changes in atmosphere are very important to support the stability and mental health of employees. 

Rami has arrived in advance. Victor sat in front of her in a pretty tangled condition. 

Rami saw Victor's face that was quite pale. "Haven't you eaten yet?" 

Victor did not answer immediately. He put his drink, a hot cappuccino packed inside a cardboard glass. The service here is similar to the service at Starbucks. 

"I've eaten," Victor said. 

Rami thought, "Are you sure? we can move to the Subway in front of it if you haven't eaten yet."

Victor turned his head, looking at a restaurant called Subway across the street. "No, we don't have to. I'll stop by to buy some food later while just going home."

Rami was not convinced. But she also didn't want to urge Victor's decision. It wasn't something she was used to. 

"What's going on? It's like you just saw a ghost," Rami said, referring to Victor's pale face. 

Victor recalled the ashes he found in Luis's apartment. 

"I went to Luis's apartment just now to help you find it. I thought, maybe he's there," Victor said. 

"You met him? He is in trouble?"

Victor shook his head heavily. 

"He is not in the apartment. I only found dust on the mattress." 

"I don't understand. What does dust have to do with Luis?"

"I don't know either. I just have a bad feeling. He always keeps his stuff clean, right?"

"You mean he didn't clean up the house? Didn't go home for months until the apartment was filled with dust, do you mean?"

Victor actually saw the opposite. The place was very neat. It is true that there are scattered beer cans. But it was only in one corner of the table in the kitchen. 

"No. Everything is clean. Living room, cloakroom, bathroom, everything is neat. Just in that bedroom, the sheets are a bit messy and there is dust."

Rami didn't understand what Victor said even more. 

"I don't know what it is either. Maybe Luis has a strange hobby. I have already reported it to the police. Hopefully they find it soon," Victor said.

"Why did you decide to report? How about he just ran away? I'm even ready to make a report that Luis has resigned without information and is looking for a replacement," Rami said, taking the most rational path. 

"I reported it because the CCTV of the apartment house showed him breaking into his house, but after that he never came out again," Victor said. 

Victor looked at Rami who finally understood his decision. Rami also thinks that Victor is so smart that he can think that far. 

"I have suspicions. So, I reported it," Victor said.

Rami held her chin. She looked very serious. 

"So…. He went into the house but was never filmed leaving the house? You mean, it is possible that someone harmed him and could trick CCTV?"

Victor nodded slowly.

"This does sound strange and may also be an exaggeration. But just in case.... The police also think this is strange and are willing to find out." 

Victor couldn't continue his sentence. He himself wondered why he thought that way. 

"It's okay. You made a good decision. But, I hope it's not like what you imagined," Rami said, her voice becoming low and spoken with a heavy tongue. 

"Are there any signs Luis is acting strange?" asked Rami. 

Victor tried to remember things about Luis from the moment they met. 

"I think he was only involved with a VIP customer. Luis once showed off that they ate together and spent the night together."

Rami choked. She couldn't analyze any further. VIP customers are customers who are difficult to penetrate in their personal lives. Their identities are even kept secret by the company. Their activities with company sales are considered personal activities. If something happens, it is regarded as beyond the responsibility of the company.

As the head of HRD, she often hears this. Rami began to be uncomfortable with this information. If the VIP customer who approached Luis was the same person who had approached another employee who had also disappeared without news, does that mean they fell prey to that VIP? 

Rami couldn't think of a healthier reason. 

"Well. Thanks for the information. Hopefully the police will work well and find him," Rami said, in a hurry because she did not want to continue the conversation again. 

"I have to go back to the office and finish work," Rami said to make sure her hasty departure wasn't suspicious. 

"Let me know the progress of the investigation, okay. They'll contact you if they find something, right?" asked Rami before actually leaving. 

Victor nodded in understanding. Rami also left the drink. 

Victor felt affectionate for the rest of Rami's drink. He thought he could enjoy it at home. He doesn't have the money to pamper himself and relieve stress right now. Finally, Victor asked the waiter to wrap the rest of Rami's drink. 

Victor brought home his remaining cappuccino and also brought the rest of Rami's coffee. Victor stopped by Subway and bought a piece of sandwich. He didn't eat on the spot, he took the sandwich home.

When walking out, Victor felt a little envious of the people who seemed to be able to calmly enjoy his meal without choking. Victor took a deep breath as he walked home. 

In the lobby of White Castle, Victor was surprised to see Ken sitting with Daniela. They look quite familiar. Victor stood quietly at the door looking at their familiarity. Somehow he felt Ken should stay away from Daniela. Although the scene seems sweet and familiar, it feels like there is a deadly trap around Ken.

Feeling that Ken broke into the tiger cage, Victor hurriedly called him. 

"Ken! What are you doing here?" Victor retracted his arm. 

"Oh, you're already here?" 

Although Ken didn't turn his back to the entrance, he didn't realize that Victor had already arrived.

"This friend of yours is waiting for you from earlier," Daniela said. "I can't let him sit at the door. So I told him to come in."

"Oh, thank you," Victor said, with his heart pounding hard. "I invited him to my room now. I'm sorry to disturb you."

Daniela said she didn't mind. 

Victor hurriedly took Ken into his room. He put down his luggage while exhaling a long breath. 

"What's the matter? Why are you so scared?" 

Ken sat on the edge of Victor's bed. 

"She was terrible," Victor said. 

Ken didn't understand.

"For me, Daniela looks cute. Such a cute woman, not terrible. There is something wrong with you."

Victor grumbled. 

"That's right. I don't know why either, but something in my head tells me it's best not to bond with them."

Ken tries to understand the fear Victor feels. 

"You once said they were terrible. But, I honestly don't understand. After meeting them, I didn't feel the slightest horror."

Victor sat in a chair, feeling chaotic because he didn't know how to explain what he felt. 

"Did you meet anyone other than Daniela?" 

Ken nodded. "I got acquainted with Wildo. He's an attractive guy because he wears a mask. He said wherever he went, he wore that mask."

"And you are not afraid of him?" 

Victor is even more astonished and confused by himself because Ken says he is not afraid of Wildo at all. For Ken, Wildo is unique and funny. Wildo has a good sense of fashion. 

"I think he is handsome. And it's possible that he's a Youtuber. That's why he built such a characteristic," Ken said.

"And who else did you meet?" 

Ken spoke in a whisper to Victor. "Why don't you say that there are gay couples here? Just now I met Barred and Noh. They claim to be a couple."

"What?!" 

"You don't know?"

Victor shook his head hard. 

Ken snorted. 

"I understand now. You just need to get to know them better. I'm here to pick you up to stay at my house, because you said they were terrible. So I tried to be a hero, but it didn't feel necessary. You don't recognize them enough."

"Wait! I'm having a hard time living expenses. That's the main problem!" Victor almost cried because of two things. First, he is not trusted by Ken, whom he begins to consider a friend. Second, it is considered to have lied, or exaggerated the story. 

Ken laughed. 

"I'm just kidding. Let's pack your things and let's continue talking at my house," said Ken, who then stood looking through the contents of the room. 

"Just eat that sandwich first and also finish your coffee," Ken advised. 

Victor picked up the sandwich and ate it. Meanwhile, Ken examines the contents of the closet. "It seems you don't have many clothes," he said.