Chapter Two: Cedric Lim

Cedric and his friend were smashed after that drinking session.

No matter what they talked about over dozens of bottles of soju and tasty fried chicken, everyone is confident it will only stay within their circle.

It is probably because of this trust that Cedric comfortably forgot the real talk he received from his close friends—or at least he tried to, as that is the only thing he wanted to carry on with his mundane, stress-free, and frustratingly sex-free single life.

But the reality is harsh. Nothing has changed, and he's still having a full-on writer's block.

Cedric's internet searches for the past few days were all about overcoming the damned writer's block, and he did every tip he could find.

He refrained from anything distracting him, like watching drama or reading books. He even switched his work area and started working on his balcony despite the cold every night to refresh his mind as he worked on his story.

And ultimately, he never stopped writing. Every day, Cedric writes scenarios out of the most basic and random stuff around him to exercise the creative muscles of his brain. Crumpled tissues, ramen packets, damn, even tampons and sanitary pads, he finds himself writing confession scenes surrounding those mundane things!

"I still have a lot of creative juices, but how come I can't write that damned book?!" Cedric complained to himself as he stared at the countless drafts saved on his laptop.

It has become his routine as writer to write stories every night since that is the time of the day when the city becomes quiet. Zero distractions.

However, he objectively reviews his work in the mornings and after a good sleep. He needs his mind refreshed when editing his writings.

Thus, while having brunch and sipping a piping hot choco-coffee, Cedric is assessing how fucked up he is.

"This can't go on any longer," Cedric murmured. "I needed to contact my editor for more professional help."

Cedric was about to call his editor's phone when suddenly, a registered number flashed on his screen. He immediately answered it.

"Hello, Mr. Kang?"

"Hello, Mr. Lim! Thank you so much for quickly answering my call," A fawning voice of an older man greeted him.

Mr. Kang owns the real estate agency he was working with. Their company helps him handle leasing the few residential and commercial properties he had throughout Seoul.

His writing career generated not only best-seller books but also substantial income for him. Because of this, he managed to save enough money to explore the real estate business. He started with one commercial building near Itaewon. He rented the spaces for local businesses, and the money he got from it every month was saved in his bank account since he never stopped his writing gig and continuously wrote romance novels.

His pseudo-reclusive lifestyle also helped boost his financial strength since he hardly ever buys expensive things for himself. So, with an active job and a passive income, his money snowballed as years passed by until he could buy one more building and another one after a year, and another one and another one.

So far, he has six properties around the city, including his apartment building.

"We had a new client here who is interested in renting the vacant unit on the seventh floor of your Zephville Apartments, so I wonder if you are available to sign the contract today after lunch?"

Cedric stopped munching his toast. His eyes brightened a bit. "Really? Did they go here to see the unit already?"

"Yes, I already showed them around earlier. They loved the strong water pressure and the fact that it was soundproof and had a newly installed security lock. They also don't mind it being on the seventh floor since the client is a bit of a fitness enthusiast, so they wouldn't find it a problem using the stairs when the elevator is under maintenance," Mr. Kang said with such great details.

Amused, Cedric added, "And that happens very rarely."

"Are they aware they are staying in the same building and floor as their landlord?"

The unit in question was a one-bedroom apartment typically chosen by single young people.

Many young tenants had a strong aversion to living with their landlords. Mr. Kang told him that many of his clients— especially those with enough money to be choosy— often lost interest in renting the unit once they heard they lived on the same floor as the owner.

Is it probably because of the common stereotype that most landlords are nosy elders?

Many of these young tenants are professionals in the heated highs of their hormones. They wanted privacy to do their own thing during rest days.

Cedric can understand them if that is the case. That's why he always makes it a point to discuss such things during contract signing. He doesn't mind people doing their thing as long as the unit and everything under his name is left in good condition once the contract is up.

"Yes, Mr. Lim. They don't mind," Mr. Kang said, making it sound like it was already a done deal. "Oh, they also expressed their desire to move the day after tomorrow."

"That's not a problem," Cedric immediately said, as he could hear the loud clicking of the keyboard from the other end. Indeed, Mr. Kang is finishing the contract now.

Cedric smiled involuntarily. Another money is rolling towards his bank account!

Right after that call, Cedric took a shower and started dressing up for his appointment. He's meeting with a possible tenant, so he dressed in a smart casual style. For his top, he fished a bright red turtleneck sweater from his closet. Then he paired it with earthy plaid trousers and leather shoes.

Cedric is approaching his 30s; his bones and muscles are fully formed. He looked tall and lean when he checked himself in the full-body mirror.

"Shall I start hitting the gym again?" He uttered as he saw his chest sticking out through the sweater. It is such an enigma for him as to why his chest is the first to show fat whenever he gains weight.

Cedric is not a vain person— or at least that is what he believes himself. However, it is not his desire to be stared at by the public because of his man boobs and perky nipples.

'No one will play with them. What's the point of having a big chest?'

"I will start working out again," Cedric promised to himself. Besides, this could help him condition his mind and let him write the book he's been struggling to continue.

The 29-year-old bachelor then grabbed a brown jacket that was long enough to reach his calves and walked out of his room and apartment.

Despite his age and financial capabilities, Cedric doesn't own a car or know how to drive one. He belongs to the majority of the population that uses public transportation.

He hailed a taxicab to go to the agency, and the ride was smooth and fast.

Fifteen minutes later, before his ass heated up the back seat, Cedric pulled over in front of the real estate agency of Mr. Kang.

The fifty-year-old broker is waiting for him behind the table with a broad smile, empty lunch boxes before him.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Lim! You're early as always! Such a great pleasure working with you," Mr. Kang greeted, quickly putting away the lunch boxes and offering him a chair.

"It's always better to be early rather than make the clients wait," Cedric casually said before taking the seat.

"Yes, yes," Mr. Kang nodded his head. "Your new tenants are out to eat lunch. I offered to show them the best restaurant in the area, but they declined. It works, though since I am gone here, no one will entertain you, Mr. Lim. Would you like some tea?"

Cedric immediately declined, "I just had my brunch."

"Oh, it means you just woke up when I contacted you?"

"Yes."

Mr. Kang clapped, "Fortunately, I didn't knock on your door earlier. We went very early to the unit, around nine in the morning."

"Yeah, I am probably snoring around that time," Cedric said. "By the way, you said "tenants" earlier. How many of them? Are they family members? Couple?"

Cedric doesn't have any qualms about the number of people staying in each of his apartment units. They pay for their electricity, water, and gas based on their consumption, so how many of them live together is their business.

He was just curious since the unit in question only has one bedroom.

"Oh, Mr. Lim. Only one person will occupy the unit. He's just guided by a family member since your tenant is an incoming freshman."

'Oh, a college student?' Cedric thought. He couldn't help but remember his opinion about young tenants.

Okay, from now on, he'll try his best not to care about the new faces coming in and out of his new neighbor's door at dawn.

Cedric eased a little bit.

"Can I see their IDs?"

Mr. Kim showed him the available files. There, he saw the photocopy of the proof of identity presented by the client.

"Victor Im. A surgeon," Cedric didn't realize he read that out loud. He was too distracted by the face imprinted on the professional license!

Cedric can't say if it is due to the favorable lighting when that photo was taken, but the man was as white as snow! He's like a character cut from the movie Twilight— very hot like Kellan Lutz and very model-like like Robert Pattinson—only that he looks very Asian.

An Asian male god.

As a bottom, Cedric feels his heart fluttering a little. What? He's only human. Weak to the superficial temptation of this world.

Thankfully, he's much more reserved than Charlie, or he will accidentally humiliate himself to his broker.

"That is the new tenant's uncle. They forgot to bring the student's ID, so they went home to get it. That's the reason why they declined my invitation."

"Let's not make it too hard for the student. Let's take it even if they present their old junior high school ID. I wouldn't mind," Cedric said, feeling himself getting kinder by the minute.

But he swears it's not because the uncle is hot.

"Oh, okay," Mr. Kang nodded, expressing his agreement.

The two of them entertained each other as they waited for the new tenant's arrival.

By one o'clock, several of the staff returned from their lunch break, and some even came back from assisting their other clients.

Slowly, the once-empty office of the real estate agency becomes whole again, but the two people Cedric is waiting to arrive still haven't arrived.

"I'll try to contact them, Mr. Lim," Mr. Kang starts getting nervous as the scheduled time approaches. He enjoys conversing with Cedric, but he also knows that he is a busy man.

Cedric gracefully excused Mr. Lim, and the old man politely left the office to make a call while he remained inside.

To keep himself company, Cedric took out his phone. He's about to check his emails when suddenly, the person he least expected to call at this time called.