Cold and Calculated
1108 Words
Madina, what did I tell you? I told you everything would return to normal. I have faith in my daughter," Mr deluca said after hearing the news.
"That’s great. I know Sage would get it under control. It’s just that... Sage hates me," Madina replied, lowering her gaze, her voice filled with fake sadness.
"Relax, Madina. She has a soft heart. She’s just stubborn. She’ll accept you sooner or later," Mr deluca said, holding her hand.
Even if she doesn’t accept me... I’ll remove her from my path, Madina thought, her mind drifting far away.
"Madina?" Mr deluca tapped her lightly. "What’s wrong? Why are you suddenly quiet? Are you okay?"
"Nothing... I was just thinking," Madina said softly.
"I told you not to stress your mind. Don’t keep thinking about Sage rejecting you. She’s only acting stubborn for now." He sighed, then straightened. "Let me do something to calm her down."
He dialed a number. The line connected immediately.
"Hello, Secretary Minso."
"Hello, sir. You must have heard Miss Sage solved the crisis. I’m still amazed—Miss Sage is incredible," Secretary Minso replied.
"Yes, I’m amazed too. But I expected nothing less from her. There’s nothing impossible for Sage," Mr deluca said proudly.
"Of course, sir. Why did you call?"
"Is Sage in the company?"
"No, sir. I believe Miss Sage is heading to the airport."
"So soon..." He shook his head. "I really can’t control that temper of hers. Anyway, transfer ten billion to her account. She didn’t take many of her things—she’ll need to get them."
"Understood, sir."
Boss and Miss fought again, Secretary Minso thought. He always believes money solves everything... but to Miss Sage, money means nothing.
"I’ll transfer it right away, sir."
"Good. That should soften her heart," Mr deluca said before ending the call.
---
Ding!
"Ten billion?" Sage glanced at her phone, her expression unreadable. "Since when do I get paid for solving a crisis? Am I an employee now?"
She immediately dialed.
---
"This isn’t right. Look carefully—it should be done like this," Secretary Minso said, guiding a new employee through the system.
"Thank you, ma’am. I understand now," Hye-jin replied.
"Soo-ha, bring me the documents. I need to review them," she added.
"Yes, Secretary."
Ring... Ring…
"Hello, Miss Sage."
"Am I considered an employee now?" Sage asked calmly.
"What? No—why would you think that?" Secretary Minso replied quickly.
"Then why was money transferred to me?"
"Oh... that. Sir asked me to transfer it to you, especially since you didn’t take all your belongings."
"I’ll send it back. Tell him I don’t need it." Sage’s voice dropped slightly, turning colder. "And tell him this isn’t over yet. He should keep her safe... because what I’m about to do, she’ll regret ever stepping into my father’s life."
"Miss... please don’t make things difficult for me. I don’t know what happened between you and sir, but... please, just keep the money," Secretary Minso pleaded.
Sage paused.
"That’s true... this has nothing to do with you," she said calmly.
"I didn’t mean…"
"I understand. Goodbye."
The line went dead.
---
"Madam, we’ve arrived," the driver said as he stepped out.
Sage put on a face mask, dark glasses, and a cap before stepping out of the car.
The driver carried her luggage and followed closely behind her.
Madam, your boarding pass please," a staff member requested.
"Here. May I proceed?" Sage asked, handing it over.
"Please hand over your luggage for scanning. And for security purposes, I’ll need to check you," Jisu said.
"What?" the driver snapped, but Sage raised her hand slightly.
"It’s fine. They’re doing their job," she said calmly, removing her face mask and glasses.
She’s too calm, the driver thought. Someone’s about to lose their job today.
"Thank you for your cooperation, ma’am," Jisu said, beginning the scan.
The machine beeped.
A red light flashed near Sage’s jacket pocket.
"Jisu, look at this," Yuna called out, holding up a gun and a small knife wrapped in a white handkerchief.
"What is this, ma’am?" Jisu asked sharply. "How do you explain this? There could be more…"
"You mean this?" Sage said, casually pulling out another pistol from her jean jacket.
The air shifted instantly.
"Wow... ma’am, are you heading into a battlefield?" Jisu scoffed. "Security!"
Footsteps approached.
"What’s going on here?" a senior staff member asked.
"Ma’am, this lady is carrying dangerous weapons—guns and knives. I was about to call security…"
Smack!
The sound echoed.
Jisu froze, clutching her cheek.
"Why did you slap me, senior?" she stammered.
"That was for disrespecting Miss Sage," Min suk said coldly.
Smack!
"And that is for being blind."
"What...?"
"I’m so sorry for the inconvenience, Miss Sage," Min suk said immediately, bowing deeply. "She’s new and failed to recognize you."
Jisu stood there, stunned.
What does status have to do with safety...? she thought.
"Apologize," Min suk whispered sharply, forcing her head down.
"I’m so sorry, ma’am. I was just doing my job. Please don’t take it personally…"
"Do you have a death wish?" Min suk muttered under his breath.
"Miss Sage, I sincerely apologize on behalf of the staff," Min suk continued.
Sage adjusted her sleeve slowly, her expression calm.
"It’s fine," she said. "She’s right. It’s her job."
She slipped the pistol back into her pocket like it was nothing.
The driver watched, stunned.
No anger... no reaction… Is this girl a witch or something? What spell did she cast on Miss Sage? Miss Sage didn’t even give her that deadly stare that makes you feel like it’s your last day on earth—she just let it go as if it were nothing serious. This staff member is incredibly lucky, the driver thought.
"Pack Miss Sage’s luggage properly," Min suk barked. "Did none of you check her boarding pass? Or are you all blind? That’s a VIP boarding pass.”
"I’m sorry... I didn’t notice," Jisu said shakily.
"Still standing there? Focus on your work!" Min suk added, glaring at Yuna.
"Almost done… alright, senior, I’m finished packing," Yuna said quickly, bowing her head slightly.
---
On a rooftop
Ring... Ring…
"Hello, sir 225," Sang said, answering the call, one eye fixed through the sniper scope.
"Is it done?" 225 asked coldly.
"Sir, the target has people around her. Shooting now will cause trouble. I haven’t locked in properly—the bullet might hit the wrong person," Sang replied, adjusting his aim carefully.
Through the scope, Sage’s figure came into view.
Calm. Unaware.
Or perhaps... not.
Sang’s finger hovered over the trigger.
"I’m waiting for the perfect shot, sir.”
- Writer
