Minwoo blinked as a sudden knock came at the door. Startled, he quickly sat back in his chair. Jihan calmly took the seat beside him, just as the waiter entered with a tray and began serving dessert. The waiter's gaze lingered on Jihan for a moment—Minwoo noticed it right away.
As soon as the waiter bowed and left the room, Minwoo grabbed a handful of tissues in panic and started wiping Jihan's shirt frantically.
Minwoo (hurriedly): "The waiter looked at you... If you go out like this, people will start talking. Rumors might spread."
Jihan caught Minwoo's hand mid-motion, his calm, unreadable eyes fixed on Minwoo's flustered expression.
Jihan (softly): "It's okay. You don't need to wipe it."
Minwoo (insistently): "No! You can't go out like that."
Without another word, Minwoo reached for Jihan's coat, slipped it off, and quickly shrugged out of his own. He handed it to Jihan.
Minwoo (quietly): "Wear this. It's clean."
Jihan said nothing, simply letting Minwoo help him into the coat. Minwoo fumbled with the buttons, fastening each one with shaky fingers.
Minwoo (muttering): "Now it looks better… The stains are hidden."
Jihan continued to stare at him—composed, unreadable—but something in his gaze made Minwoo's heart race. The silence between them felt heavy, charged.
Jihan (calmly): "You look even cuter when you moan."
Minwoo's whole body flushed crimson. He turned his face away in embarrassment, wishing he could vanish on the spot. But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop his heart from pounding.
After lunch, Minwoo and Jihan sat silently in the car. Minwoo kept his eyes on the window, his face still flushed with embarrassment from everything that happened earlier. The silence was thick, but neither of them said a word.
When they finally arrived at Minwoo's house, Minwoo wasted no time. He quickly stepped out of the car and walked to the door. Behind him, Jihan exited as well, following closely.
As Minwoo unlocked the door, he glanced over his shoulder—startled to see Jihan standing right behind him.
Minwoo (blinking): "You're... still following me?"
Jihan (calmly): "You didn't invite me inside."
Minwoo hesitated for a second before stepping aside.
Minwoo (softly): "Please... come in."
He quickly walked into the house.
Inside, Joon was already seated on the couch. As soon as he saw Minwoo, he stood up with a bright smile and walked over to hug him tightly.
Joon (cheerfully): "Minwoo! Finally, you're back."
But then his gaze shifted, and he froze as his eyes met Jihan's.
Joon (startled): "Mr. Ryu...!"
Jihan's expression turned dangerously cold, his eyes sharp with unspoken jealousy. Joon's awkward smile faltered.
Joon (nervously): "Ah—I just remembered I have work to do... I should go."
Without another word, he rushed out of the house.
Minwoo made his way to the couch, trying to ignore the storm brewing behind him. But Jihan followed immediately, grabbing him gently but firmly around the waist from behind.
Jihan (low, intense): "Are you having an affair with your secretary?"
Minwoo turned with wide, confused eyes.
Minwoo (shocked): "Huh? It's not what you think—"
Jihan's gaze didn't soften. He looked deadly calm, but the edge in his voice was clear.
Jihan: "Then why was he in your house? Sitting so casually. Calling you Minwoo… isn't that a little too informal?"
Minwoo swallowed hard, intimidated by Jihan's piercing stare. But then he exhaled slowly and tried to explain.
Minwoo (nervously): "Joon is my best friend... He lives with me. That's all."
Jihan's eyes narrowed slightly, still trying to read the truth behind Minwoo's words.
"Best friend?" Jihan repeated, his voice low and unreadable.
Minwoo nodded, his tone quiet but firm.
"Yes. He's my childhood best friend. In simple words… he's the one and only family I have."
Jihan didn't respond right away. He simply sat down beside Minwoo on the couch, his body relaxed but his gaze still piercing.
Minwoo lowered his eyes.
"We were raised together in the same orphanage," he said softly. "He's the only one who ever gave me comfort… the only one who ever made me feel like I had a family."
Jihan's expression remained calm, but something in his eyes shifted. Cold as always—but behind that coldness, a flicker of shock. He hadn't known. That Minwoo was from an orphanage. That the man who casually called him Minwoo… wasn't just a secretary, but the closest thing he had to family.
Still, Jihan didn't let his thoughts show.
He simply asked, "Where's your room?"
Minwoo's breath hitched. He blinked in confusion.
"Why…?" he asked cautiously.
Jihan looked straight into his eyes, calm and unwavering.
"I want to see your room."
Minwoo stood in silence, then quietly turned and began guiding Jihan through the hallway to his room.
He opened the door slowly.
"This is… my room."
Jihan stepped inside and looked around. The space was warm and soft, reflecting Minwoo's gentle nature. The pastel tones, neat furniture, and little personal touches made it feel cozy—undeniably Minwoo.
Jihan sat on the bed, scanning the room. His eyes lingered on the neatly arranged books, the soft cushions, and the small family photo on the shelf—Minwoo and Joon, smiling like brothers.
"You want to take a shower?" Minwoo asked, standing awkwardly near the door.
Jihan didn't answer. Instead, he lay back on the bed, resting his head against the pillow and looked directly at him.
"Come here."
Minwoo hesitated, shifting on his feet.
"I said, come here."
Finally, Minwoo moved closer. As soon as he reached the bed, Jihan took his hand and pulled him down gently. Minwoo fell onto the bed, his body pressed lightly against Jihan's.
Without a word, Jihan kissed him—deep, slow, and filled with unspoken feelings. Minwoo's eyes closed instinctively, his breath caught in his throat.
Jihan's arms wrapped around Minwoo's waist tightly, holding him like he might disappear. Then, his lips broke away just slightly, and he whispered:
"Why didn't you respond when I kissed you?"
Minwoo blinked, their eyes locking. Jihan raised a hand, gently tracing his fingers through Minwoo's soft hair.
"You forgot about the contract, didn't you?" Jihan's voice was calm, but firm. "You're totally mine. I can do anything I want with you."
He leaned in again, their faces inches apart.
"So when I kiss you… kiss me back. Understand?"
Minwoo didn't say a word—but he nodded, slowly.
Jihan gently traced his fingers along Minwoo's lips, his touch light and deliberate.
"Now… kiss me," he said in a low voice.
Minwoo's breath quickened. His heart raced, but he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss against Jihan's lips—shy, tender. Then slowly, the kiss deepened. His lips moved with more emotion, more want.
Jihan whispered against his mouth, "That's great."
Their mouths found each other again, this time more passionately. It was the first time Minwoo responded to Jihan completely—with no hesitation, no fear—just the raw pull between them.
They lay tangled on the bed, lips locked in a deep, heated kiss. Jihan's hand gripped Minwoo's waist tightly, pulling him closer, refusing to let go. Minwoo, in turn, held Jihan's face gently, his fingers brushing his jawline as their kiss grew more intense.
They were lost—utterly and completely—in each other.
After some time, Minwoo's eyes slowly fluttered open. He found himself lying on the bed, a soft blanket draped over him. The room was quiet, the light dimmed. He blinked in confusion, trying to recall what happened.
Then, the memories returned.
He and Jihan… kissed—deeply, endlessly. His heart skipped just thinking about it. He didn't even remember when he had fallen asleep.
Minwoo sat up and made his way toward the mirror. His reflection greeted him with flushed cheeks and slightly messy hair. He leaned in closer and gasped softly.
"My lips… are swollen," he whispered.
He gently traced his fingers along his lower lip, examining the faint redness. A small pout formed on his mouth as he murmured, "Did he… bite me?"