Seonyeong was sprawled in the soft bed, though night had long fallen outside. The clock showed almost eleven—completely out of character for him. Usually, by this time, he would already be leaving home, wandering the night streets of Lirein, lingering by glowing shop windows, and then heading to "Vermilion."
Now he was submerged in the blanket, as if in a warm trap, and inhaled deeply. He thought he could still smell a faint scent in the fabric—Jihwan's.
After their walk in the park, which turned into a sudden dash to his apartment, everything crossed a line. They had barely closed the door behind them when they tore down all boundaries. Once—before even taking off their shoes. A second time—on the dining table. A third time—already in the bedroom, when the walls began to tremble with their breathing. Then—in the bathtub, where the hot water couldn't cool their skin. In the morning, they fell asleep intertwined—and woke up in the same position.
The thought of it made him smile foolishly.
— Kang Jihwan... — he whispered, feeling warmth rising inside him. — I already miss you.
The words sounded too candid even for an empty room. He covered his mouth with his palm, but his heart still quickened its pace. This night was different. Everything was the same—bodies, touches, breathing—but for the first time, it was real. Sincere. A connection that was impossible to fake.
He squeezed the pillow and reached for his phone. He typed a short message:
«Even if you're busy, don't forget to eat.»
A small thing. But his fingers trembled as if he had just confessed his love.
There was no reply. No read receipt. Jihwan was probably still in a meeting with people from Lirein BioTech. He had said he would be very busy.
Seonyeong was curious about what exactly they were doing. How were they going to take out Im Chintae? What would happen next? What role did Jihwan play? But as soon as he asked one question, the other man shut down, as if someone was sealing his lips. He guarded Seonyeong even from the shadow of his own world.
Three months until the meeting with Im Chintae.
Seonyeong sat up, opened the closet, and took out a diamond-studded flip phone hidden in the far corner. Dead, but still holding secrets. He looked at it for a long time, with a heavy sigh.
If he gets more and more drawn into this, I...
He closed the phone and tossed it back. He still couldn't tell him the truth about the second "ticket" won at the Mariah casino. Not because he was afraid—he just didn't want to destroy the fragile balance between them.
His phone vibrated. His heart jumped, but the name on the screen stung: Park Kichul.
— What? — he said weakly. — Why aren't you sleeping?
— You're not coming to "Vermilion" again?! — a yell sounded over the background of music and laughter.
— I'm not. I'm hanging up.
— Hey, hey, hey! Wait! Please! — Kichul was almost choking. — I caught a very rich client, she came with a friend, and she doesn't like any of the guys. If you come out tonight, we'll get ten million won!
— How much? — Seonyeong asked lazily.
— Ten. Million. She already wrote a check!
Seonyeong rubbed his temple. If Gyuhyeok was really involved in this matter, then the guest was significant. Perhaps she would even cover the losses.
Honestly, he didn't want to go there. After Jihwan—no touch held any interest or desire. "Vermilion" was a business, not a place of solace. But as the owner, he couldn't let the establishment sink.
— Fine, — he muttered. — I'll come out this one time.
— Really?! Oh, you're my savior! — Kichul shouted, and the connection cut off.
Seonyeong sighed heavily.
— I'll just erase their memories and come back, — he grumbled, looking at the black phone screen. — It's not cheating. It's work.
"Vermilion" was full of life. Music, clinking glasses, laughter. The whole establishment seemed to have woken up after a long hibernation. Seonyeong had barely stepped across the threshold when Gyuhyeok noticed him.
— Hyungnim?! You... came yourself?
— When something like this happens, I'm the first one called.
— These guests are a goldmine. — Gyuhyeok lowered his voice. — They've spent so much that we've almost cleared our debts. And... they're beautiful. Very.
— All the better, — Seonyeong smirked. — We'll make them regulars, and we won't have to worry about finances anymore.
He knocked and entered the VIP room. Inside—laughter, songs, new hosts, hustle.
— Good evening, — he smiled, — Kang Minam.
Kichul happily waved his hand:
— Over here! Look! Noona, see—better than any idol, right?
The two women sitting opposite froze and simultaneously took out their phones. They were comparing something on the screen with his face. Seonyeong frowned.
What is this circus?
One of them suddenly stood up:
— I'm going to the ladies' room.
— Of course, — Kichul agreed. — And you, Minam, sit next to her friend.
Seonyeong sat down, smiling politely:
— Nice to meet you.
— Likewise, — she replied quietly.
Kichul, pleased, raised his glass:
— Wow! Noona immediately went silent. Found her type!
But before anyone could joke, there was a loud crash. The door burst open, and men in black suits stormed into the room. Large, silent, with empty eyes. In a second, they filled the entire space.
— Hey! What are you doing?! — Seonyeong exclaimed, standing up.
But the answer was a movement in the hallway. The men parted. And in the doorway appeared a figure who moved slowly, leaning on a cane with a golden pommel.
He was thin, almost transparent, his skin like paper, his coat black, his gaze icy. In his presence, the air seemed to lose oxygen.
— Long time no see, — he said, and a barely perceptible smirk sounded in his voice. — David Baek.
Seonyeong froze. The name sounded like a shot from the past. He clenched his fists, as if trying to regain his breath.
— Matteo...? — he whispered.
The man with the cane lifted the corner of his mouth.
— I was waiting for you to say that.
And at that very moment, Seonyeong understood—this visit had nothing to do with money or work.