Chapter Text
The first time the well-dressed man steps inside of his taxi Gi-hun doesn't think anything of it. As a taxi driver, he meets each far end of the wealth spectrum and everything in between in his taxi on a daily basis. Especially with how many hours he works. He duly notes the fact that the man was handsome before he mindlessly drives to the destination.
It took him an embarrassing amount of rides before he notices that the man has become one of his regulars. The only reason he doesn't feel too embarrassed by it is that his usual regulars are nothing like him. They're loud, drunk, and obnoxious. And he has a soft spot for all of them. He can see himself in each of them. Probably would've been like them as well if he wasn't desperate to keep this job.
He wasn't quite sure why he suddenly noticed the man. it wasn't as if he did anything different than he normally did. Or at least it didn't look like it. But after that encounter, he couldn't help but notice the man. Noting that while the stranger was handsome he was always alone. The only company he seemed to have was that briefcase of his. Which was why he dubbed the stranger as 'The Salesman' in his head. A bit silly but it fit.
But when he did start to notice the salesman it felt like he opened Pandora's box. He started to notice just how frequently the salesman booked a ride. On top of that none of the locations the man came and went to made any sense to him. There was no pattern at all. For a while, he figured that the salesman was a traveling salesman but the more he thought about that the less sense it made.
On top of that sometimes the rides were suspiciously short. The distances were easily walkable and with traffic and traffic lights it would sometimes be even faster to just walk. Not to mention it would be a lot cheaper for the salesman as well. Since no matter how short the rides were the man always paid him more than necessary.
Of course, it hasn't always been like that. The first time it happened the man handed him a stack of bills worth 100,000 won. Which was way too much for a five-minute ride, or any ride Gi-hun's ever done. At first, Gi-hun refused to accept the money, for that reason. But somehow the salesman managed to talk him into taking the money. Or maybe he didn't need to be convinced in the first place. He needed all the money he could get so he didn't complain.
He wondered why but he took the money every time. To the point he didn't even bother telling the salesman how much the ride actually costs as he knew he would get much more than that. Much more as soon enough he started to get even more than 100,000 won.
At first, he tried to ignore his curiosity but when the salesman nonchalantly tried to pay him 550,000 won for what had to be less than 15 km he couldn't stop himself from asking. He gripped the wrist of the man as he tried to pay. Another quirk of the salesman was that he insisted on paying him from outside of the cab. Which was why he took hold of him to prevent the man from just walking away.
"Why?" Gi-hun asked. He wanted to ask so much more but he found himself unable to utter another word. Why do you pay me so much? Where are you going with that suitcase? What even is your job? Why me? All those questions floated around his brain but he couldn't bring himself to say any of it.
The look the salesman gave him when he grabbed him by the wrist was a quick flash of annoyance before he went back to that ever-present smile. But it wasn't until Gi-hun let go that that smile reached his eyes. He couldn't put his finger on it but he knew he didn't like the way the man looked at him while he was holding the man's wrist.
"You don't like it? I can always stop if you prefer. Just tell me to stop and I'll find a different taxi driver."
Those smooth words were said in the calmest voice but Gi-hun could feel a hint of challenge in them. As if the salesman was daring him to tell him to stop. Gi-hun would never. Because of the salesman, he could afford healthcare for his mother. He could afford to work less. He could afford therapy, not that he went but he could afford it. There was no way he would tell the salesman to stop. Not now the man was pretty much his primary source of income.
"Please don't stop," Gi-hun replied, soft and defeated his eyes downcast, too scared to look up. Scared that he messed up this strange but profitable unspoken agreement they had going on.
Unbeknownst to Gi-hun that reply, the way he sounded and looked so vulnerable like a puppy that just got scolded, was what pushed the salesman over the edge.
"Looks like I have to find a different driver after all."
Those words made Gi-hun look up so fast he was surprised he didn't get any whiplash. "I'm sorry I asked, I won't ask again but please-."
"I didn't say I would stop."
A bewildered look struck Gi-hun. It took him a moment to realize what was going on but even then he wasn't quite sure if he was right with his assumptions.
That seemed to please the salesman as his smug smile somehow seemed even more smug than usual. Instead of explaining himself he just took out a business card from his suitcase and handed it and the 550,000 won he was still holding to Gi-hun.
"Go home, get some rest. When you wake up, call me." The salesman's smile was gentle but his voice held indubitable authority. All Gi-hun could do was take what was given and nod.
This earned him a pleased smile and a wave goodbye.
As he watched the salesman walk away, he wondered what just happened and why his heart was beating so fast.