Legal Disclaimer
This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Chapter 55 — Omens and a Strange Contract.
55.1 The Task the Community Entrusts.
The morning light streamed through the curtains, bathing the hotel dining room.
Zayra was enjoying the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
"Today is a great day…"
She murmured, looking around the room.
She recalled the dream she had with Ñande Yara,
she could still feel his presence, though the message remained hidden.
Ryu was attentively flipping through a local newspaper and stopped at a worrying headline.
< "Roadblock on the route to Beni" >
"Does that place near here?"
He asked, frowning.
Zayra gave him a slight smile.
"It depends. 'Near' here can mean five hours by land.
However, it's something that could affect the country."
***
Just then, the door creaked, and Antonio entered with five folders, nearly losing his balance.
His face showed respect and tiredness, with a playful glint in his eyes.
"Good morning, my esteemed doctor."
He greeted her with a gentle bow.
Then, looking at Ryu, he added in a low voice.
"Ryu, good morning."
Ryu nodded with a calm smile.
Zayra frowned, noticing the folders.
"Antonio… what is all this?"
"Who would have thought a proposal could weigh so much?"
Antonio gave a brief laugh, straightened his shirt, and carefully dropped the folders onto the table.
"Doctor, they brought us an ecotourism proposal that no one understands.
I'm leaving it to you, since you know about the subject.
It's not a library, just a challenge."
Antonio leaned in a little closer to Zayra, lowering his voice even more, almost a secret.
"They say that when that organization appears, there are problems.
It's not certain, but the boss prefers you to review the papers before deciding."
With a bow, Antonio said goodbye.
"Thank you for helping us, Doctor."
Zayra stared at the pile of folders with a mix of surprise and determination.
"Wow… I have a lot to read tonight."
She felt the weight of her roots, reminding her that it was not just a contract, but a promise to her community.
55.2 When the Numbers Become a Challenge.
The table lamp cast a warm halo onto the wooden surface.
Silence reigned, barely broken by the rustle of papers and the rhythmic scratch of the pencil on the page.
She was sitting on the floor, surrounded by papers, her hair tied back and her eyes showing signs of fatigue.
"This doesn't add up…"
Zayra said, flipping a page in frustration.
"It doesn't make sense…"
She took a sip from a cup of coffee that was already cold.
"Two in the morning, and you're still not resting?"
Ryu's voice broke the calm.
In pajamas and with disheveled hair, he watched her silently,
each page she turned confirmed her resolve.
He had entered quietly,
without a sound, and now watched her from the doorway with a mixture of tenderness and curiosity.
Her effort caught his attention.
He remembered the fruit baskets the community had sent her as a thank you.
He knew how important it was to her, a symbol of her roots and her love for her Indigenous community.
Zayra looked up, her expression a mix of exhaustion and stubbornness.
"I can't. I have to present this tomorrow, and I don't understand these numbers."
He looked at her silently, noticing the slight tremor in her hands.
"She doesn't understand everything…"
He thought.
"But she doesn't give up. That's already admirable."
Ryu couldn't help but chuckle softly and arching an eyebrow said.
"Zayra the Powerful… surrendering to Excel?"
Zayra sigh and then laughed, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry… this is one of my weaknesses."
She said, sharing something intimate.
Ryu walked toward her without saying a word and sat down next to her.
Their legs brushed lightly as he got comfortable, a brief contact that,
without words, conveyed closeness and support.
"Let me see."
Zayra handed him one of the folders, a bit reluctant at first,
but relieved that someone else was sharing the burden.
He leaned over the pages, confident.
"This should be simple… if there are errors, I can detect them instantly."
He then quickly skimmed the pages, his eyes moving as if he already knew the terrain.
"There are duplicate pages here."
He pointed out.
"Same content, different letterhead. And this…"
He turned two pages.
"They promise 80% profits, but in reality, they don't exceed 30%.
And the expenses change from document to document, with no care whatsoever."
Ryu sighed. This is almost mocking, he thought before adding.
"Look at these 'operating expenses' they change depending on the document.
They didn't even try to hide it."
In his country, he had been taught that numbers never lie, but also that they could conceal the truth if a man's heart was crooked.
Perhaps that's why, standing before Zayra, he felt that justice wasn't just in the contracts…
But in the intentions.
Zayra looked at him as if she had just witnessed magic.
She felt a slight tingling in her chest.
"How can you figure all that out so fast?"
Ryu couldn't help but feel proud to see her looking at him.
"I'm a CEO. Detecting fraud is part of the job."
He said it with a half-smile, more complicit than arrogant.
She looked at him for a few more seconds.
There was something in the way he spoke, in how he held the papers, in his clarity,
that she found profoundly attractive.
She lowered her gaze and laughed, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"You're brilliant…"
She whispered.
Ryu looked at her sideways with a half-smile.
"Are you falling for me even more?"
She let out a short, nervous laugh.
She lowered her head, pretending to read another page.
"Could be?"
"I suspected it."
Ryu got more comfortable, resting one arm casually on the back of the sofa.
"Don't worry… I like knowing you trust me."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Only the paper rustling could be heard.
"Honestly…"
Zayra said, breaking the moment.
"I don't think I can explain all of this tomorrow."
She inhaled slowly as if that could help her gain mental clarity.
Ryu looked up, serious for a moment.
"Then you won't do it alone. I'll help you."
He took her hand firmly, yet gently.
His gaze remained fixed on her, not looking away for an instant.
That gesture contained more promises than words; it was not just technical support,
but a silent commitment to stand by her through everything.
Then he suddenly added.
"We'll present it together to the community tomorrow.
And if I'm right…"
He paused, an intense look appearing on his face.
"They are not just lying. They are playing with everyone's trust."
Zayra nodded slowly, feeling the weight of that truth. But for the first time all night… she didn't feel alone.
55.3 The Presentation and Recognition.
The next day, the morning light illuminated the hotel's executive room, where the indigenous community was already waiting.
Zayra and Ryu were in one of the executive lounges, a spacious area with glass walls that let in the morning light.
The murmuring died down as Ryu stood up, firm and serene, with Zayra by his side in perfect synchrony.
He explained the numbers calmly and precisely, transforming complexity into something everyone could understand.
A murmur of 'it's true' escaped among those present.
Some exchanged surprised glances and silent nods.
A couple of members smiled with relief, proud that someone would defend their interests with such clarity.
The room was focused.
Even the most skeptical advisor, with a frown, couldn't hide his interest.
Zayra spoke with firmness and clarity.
She laid out the contract's flaws vague deadlines,
diffuse limits, and ambiguous clauses with a protective, not technical, tone.
"We are not rejecting the project; we are only seeking fair and lasting terms."
She said, without raising her voice.
When the presentation ended, there was a brief silence.
The chief stood up, his deep gaze fixed on Ryu.
"Well done, young man."
He said in a grave voice, smiling.
"You have surprised me; thank you for your work."
His words echoed like bells in a solemn hall.
But it was the act of putting his hat back on only after speaking that underscored the depth of the gesture.
Ryu felt that this recognition was more than just a "thank you."
It was acceptance, belonging; he was no longer just the elegant outsider but a part of the history being woven there.
His shoulders relaxed; the validation came from genuine recognition, not from titles or contracts.
And a warm thought arose in his mind.
"Not only does Zayra recognize me… these people also value who I am. It's a balm for the soul."
Zayra looked at him with a different gaze.
Not just loving.
She felt something warm in her chest, and the following reflection came to her mind.
"Today I see something more in him.
Intelligence, strength… and a heart that knows how to lead."
And so, in that room filled with light and measured words, their story took another step,
from respect earned to the bond that now united them with the community.
An alliance of souls… and also of shared causes.
Ryu believed the day was over, but Zayra thought otherwise.
There was a place he needed to see before the sun set.
Author's Note.
The title Doctor in Bolivia is a formal and honorary use to denote respect and high professional status in the judicial field, beyond the formal academic degree (which is usually a Licentiate/Bachelor's).
Legal Disclaimer
This light novel is inspired by the beautiful landscapes and cultures of Bolivia and South Korea. However, the characters, events, and situations portrayed are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, places, or events is purely coincidental. This content does not intend to represent or reflect the historical, social, or cultural reality of either country. The author disclaims any legal liability arising from the interpretation of these elements.
Chapter 55 — Omens and a Strange Contract.
55.1 The Task the Community Entrusts.
The morning light streamed through the curtains, bathing the hotel dining room.
Zayra was enjoying the aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
"Today is a great day…"
She murmured, looking around the room.
She recalled the dream she had with Ñande Yara,
she could still feel his presence, though the message remained hidden.
Ryu was attentively flipping through a local newspaper and stopped at a worrying headline.
< "Roadblock on the route to Beni" >
"Does that place near here?"
He asked, frowning.
Zayra gave him a slight smile.
"It depends. 'Near' here can mean five hours by land.
However, it's something that could affect the country."
***
Just then, the door creaked, and Antonio entered with five folders, nearly losing his balance.
His face showed respect and tiredness, with a playful glint in his eyes.
"Good morning, my esteemed doctor."
He greeted her with a gentle bow.
Then, looking at Ryu, he added in a low voice.
"Ryu, good morning."
Ryu nodded with a calm smile.
Zayra frowned, noticing the folders.
"Antonio… what is all this?"
"Who would have thought a proposal could weigh so much?"
Antonio gave a brief laugh, straightened his shirt, and carefully dropped the folders onto the table.
"Doctor, they brought us an ecotourism proposal that no one understands.
I'm leaving it to you, since you know about the subject.
It's not a library, just a challenge."
Antonio leaned in a little closer to Zayra, lowering his voice even more, almost a secret.
"They say that when that organization appears, there are problems.
It's not certain, but the boss prefers you to review the papers before deciding."
With a bow, Antonio said goodbye.
"Thank you for helping us, Doctor."
Zayra stared at the pile of folders with a mix of surprise and determination.
"Wow… I have a lot to read tonight."
She felt the weight of her roots, reminding her that it was not just a contract, but a promise to her community.
55.2 When the Numbers Become a Challenge.
The table lamp cast a warm halo onto the wooden surface.
Silence reigned, barely broken by the rustle of papers and the rhythmic scratch of the pencil on the page.
She was sitting on the floor, surrounded by papers, her hair tied back and her eyes showing signs of fatigue.
"This doesn't add up…"
Zayra said, flipping a page in frustration.
"It doesn't make sense…"
She took a sip from a cup of coffee that was already cold.
"Two in the morning, and you're still not resting?"
Ryu's voice broke the calm.
In pajamas and with disheveled hair, he watched her silently,
each page she turned confirmed her resolve.
He had entered quietly,
without a sound, and now watched her from the doorway with a mixture of tenderness and curiosity.
Her effort caught his attention.
He remembered the fruit baskets the community had sent her as a thank you.
He knew how important it was to her, a symbol of her roots and her love for her Indigenous community.
Zayra looked up, her expression a mix of exhaustion and stubbornness.
"I can't. I have to present this tomorrow, and I don't understand these numbers."
He looked at her silently, noticing the slight tremor in her hands.
"She doesn't understand everything…"
He thought.
"But she doesn't give up. That's already admirable."
Ryu couldn't help but chuckle softly and arching an eyebrow said.
"Zayra the Powerful… surrendering to Excel?"
Zayra sigh and then laughed, embarrassed.
"I'm sorry… this is one of my weaknesses."
She said, sharing something intimate.
Ryu walked toward her without saying a word and sat down next to her.
Their legs brushed lightly as he got comfortable, a brief contact that,
without words, conveyed closeness and support.
"Let me see."
Zayra handed him one of the folders, a bit reluctant at first,
but relieved that someone else was sharing the burden.
He leaned over the pages, confident.
"This should be simple… if there are errors, I can detect them instantly."
He then quickly skimmed the pages, his eyes moving as if he already knew the terrain.
"There are duplicate pages here."
He pointed out.
"Same content, different letterhead. And this…"
He turned two pages.
"They promise 80% profits, but in reality, they don't exceed 30%.
And the expenses change from document to document, with no care whatsoever."
Ryu sighed. This is almost mocking, he thought before adding.
"Look at these 'operating expenses' they change depending on the document.
They didn't even try to hide it."
In his country, he had been taught that numbers never lie, but also that they could conceal the truth if a man's heart was crooked.
Perhaps that's why, standing before Zayra, he felt that justice wasn't just in the contracts…
But in the intentions.
Zayra looked at him as if she had just witnessed magic.
She felt a slight tingling in her chest.
"How can you figure all that out so fast?"
Ryu couldn't help but feel proud to see her looking at him.
"I'm a CEO. Detecting fraud is part of the job."
He said it with a half-smile, more complicit than arrogant.
She looked at him for a few more seconds.
There was something in the way he spoke, in how he held the papers, in his clarity,
that she found profoundly attractive.
She lowered her gaze and laughed, a faint blush coloring her cheeks.
"You're brilliant…"
She whispered.
Ryu looked at her sideways with a half-smile.
"Are you falling for me even more?"
She let out a short, nervous laugh.
She lowered her head, pretending to read another page.
"Could be?"
"I suspected it."
Ryu got more comfortable, resting one arm casually on the back of the sofa.
"Don't worry… I like knowing you trust me."
A comfortable silence settled between them.
Only the paper rustling could be heard.
"Honestly…"
Zayra said, breaking the moment.
"I don't think I can explain all of this tomorrow."
She inhaled slowly as if that could help her gain mental clarity.
Ryu looked up, serious for a moment.
"Then you won't do it alone. I'll help you."
He took her hand firmly, yet gently.
His gaze remained fixed on her, not looking away for an instant.
That gesture contained more promises than words; it was not just technical support,
but a silent commitment to stand by her through everything.
Then he suddenly added.
"We'll present it together to the community tomorrow.
And if I'm right…"
He paused, an intense look appearing on his face.
"They are not just lying. They are playing with everyone's trust."
Zayra nodded slowly, feeling the weight of that truth. But for the first time all night… she didn't feel alone.
55.3 The Presentation and Recognition.
The next day, the morning light illuminated the hotel's executive room, where the indigenous community was already waiting.
Zayra and Ryu were in one of the executive lounges, a spacious area with glass walls that let in the morning light.
The murmuring died down as Ryu stood up, firm and serene, with Zayra by his side in perfect synchrony.
He explained the numbers calmly and precisely, transforming complexity into something everyone could understand.
A murmur of 'it's true' escaped among those present.
Some exchanged surprised glances and silent nods.
A couple of members smiled with relief, proud that someone would defend their interests with such clarity.
The room was focused.
Even the most skeptical advisor, with a frown, couldn't hide his interest.
Zayra spoke with firmness and clarity.
She laid out the contract's flaws vague deadlines,
diffuse limits, and ambiguous clauses with a protective, not technical, tone.
"We are not rejecting the project; we are only seeking fair and lasting terms."
She said, without raising her voice.
When the presentation ended, there was a brief silence.
The chief stood up, his deep gaze fixed on Ryu.
"Well done, young man."
He said in a grave voice, smiling.
"You have surprised me; thank you for your work."
His words echoed like bells in a solemn hall.
But it was the act of putting his hat back on only after speaking that underscored the depth of the gesture.
Ryu felt that this recognition was more than just a "thank you."
It was acceptance, belonging; he was no longer just the elegant outsider but a part of the history being woven there.
His shoulders relaxed; the validation came from genuine recognition, not from titles or contracts.
And a warm thought arose in his mind.
"Not only does Zayra recognize me… these people also value who I am. It's a balm for the soul."
Zayra looked at him with a different gaze.
Not just loving.
She felt something warm in her chest, and the following reflection came to her mind.
"Today I see something more in him.
Intelligence, strength… and a heart that knows how to lead."
And so, in that room filled with light and measured words, their story took another step,
from respect earned to the bond that now united them with the community.
An alliance of souls… and also of shared causes.
Ryu believed the day was over, but Zayra thought otherwise.
There was a place he needed to see before the sun set.