AOA 71

Jeong Minchae pressed the emergency call button while holding Baek Mugyeong’s hand. After a few rings, someone picked up, and he reported that the elevator had stopped. The person on the other end sounded startled and flustered, then asked if they were okay and said a staff member would be sent immediately.

“Someone’s coming soon. Just hang in there a little longer. Do you want to sit down?”

“I’m fine.”

Baek Mugyeong responded stiffly to the kind offer. At that, Jeong Minchae scooted closer, close enough that their arms touched, still holding his hand.

“Do you not like the dark?”

“Yes.”

“Do you sleep with the lights on at night?”

“No.”

“I heard sleeping with the lights on makes it harder to sleep deeply. I don’t remember where I read it, but getting good sleep is important. I turn off all the lights too. Even pull the blackout curtains. Honestly, once I fall asleep, I don’t really wake up. When I was little, I slept so deeply you could carry me away and I wouldn’t know. One time, we went camping by a river. We pitched a tent on a little island in the middle of the river and stayed the night there. But when I woke up, I was on the riverbank. Turns out it had rained upstream and the village chief told everyone to evacuate. My parents said I wouldn’t wake up no matter how much they shook me, so they carried me across the river. They’ve told me that story at least a hundred times.”

Baek Mugyeong realized Jeong Minchae was talking to keep his mind occupied. The clear voice and simple stories of everyday life gradually calmed his anxiety.

Taking a long breath, Baek Mugyeong closed his eyes. Blocking his vision helped trick his brain into believing the darkness was self-inflicted.

The warmth in his hand and the weight against his arm reminded him that he wasn’t alone.

“At least we didn’t crash, right?”

Despite mentioning the worst possible outcome, Jeong Minchae’s tone was light and cheerful. It was so absurd that Baek Mugyeong involuntarily opened his eyes and looked at him. All he could see in the dim emergency light was the outline of his head, cast in heavy shadow.

“Yes. We’re lucky.”

Baek Mugyeong closed his eyes again and agreed. It was better for his mental health to think positively. Statistically, elevator crashes were extremely rare, but when enough bad things piled up, the worst could still happen. In that sense, this ending really was fortunate.

He could still feel his heart beating irregularly as he took another deep breath. He still hated the dark. But having someone beside him was a comfort.

And that was enough.

*

It took quite a while before they could get out of the elevator. Though hotel staff had arrived quickly, there had been disagreement on how to get them out. Once it was confirmed that the power issue couldn’t be resolved immediately, they forcibly pried the doors open.

Fortunately, the elevator had stopped just slightly above the 35th floor, so exiting wasn’t too difficult.

The problem arose after they got out. One of the hotel staff recognized Baek Mugyeong. The employee, who appeared to be fairly high-ranking, repeatedly apologized and insisted on escorting them to their room.

“I’m not going to make an issue of this. But I can’t speak for my aunt. Elevators in five-star hotels don’t just stop out of nowhere.”

Baek Mugyeong all but forced the persistent staff member out. Pale with panic, the man left the room after another round of apologies.

Only then did Baek Mugyeong finally sit down on the sofa with a sigh. Jeong Minchae, who had been quiet this whole time, cautiously asked:

“Would you rather lie down on the bed?”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t look fine. Your face is super pale right now.”

“I’ll be fine soon.”

Truthfully, Baek Mugyeong found Jeong Minchae’s concern a bit overwhelming. Or more accurately, he felt uncomfortable because his vulnerability had been exposed. The fact that Minchae was so openly worried and considerate unsettled him.

He’d already been found out last winter when he was trapped in the machine room, but back then he hadn’t faced Jeong Minchae directly.

He felt the urge to tell him not to worry, but the words wouldn’t come out. He’d said plenty of harsh things to Minchae before, but for some reason, he couldn’t do it now.

Confused by his own behavior, Baek Mugyeong frowned. Then, as if misunderstanding something, Minchae quickly said “wait a moment,” and rushed to the mini-fridge to bring back a bottle of water.

“Drink this.”

“Thank you.”

Baek Mugyeong didn’t refuse the small kindness. He opened the bottle and drank, the cold water clearing his head slightly.

In the meantime, Minchae looked around and sat across from him.

“There’s no long couch in here. You should take the bed tonight, Baek Mugyeong.”

“Sitting on the sofa too long puts strain on your legs.”

“Uh… I’m almost fully healed. Doesn’t hurt at all now.”

“I know that’s not true. You should use the bed.”

Seeing Jeong Minchae falter at his words, Baek Mugyeong stifled a bitter smile. Clearly, Minchae hadn’t realized just how bad his own condition still was.

Minchae stayed seated, fidgeting like he had something to say. Normally, Baek Mugyeong would have snapped at him to just spit it out, but this time, he waited.

Jeong Minchae was beautiful. The once fragile man, like a wilting flower, had gained more expression over time. Now he peeked up, looked down, fiddled with his fingers. The way his long lashes fluttered as he thought was strangely captivating.

Then something caught Baek Mugyeong’s eye: a glint of gold peeking out from under Minchae’s jacket cuff, a bracelet. He immediately recognized it as the one a foreign buyer had given as a wedding gift.

He had long since forgotten about that gift. But now that he saw it, he realized something: Jeong Minchae had never worn it before.

Minchae had never shown much interest in dressing up. Especially not in accessories, he never wore anything but his wedding ring. He even skipped the luxury watches he’d been given as wedding gifts in favor of a basic smartwatch.

So why now? Baek Mugyeong thought it looked surprisingly good on him. When he lifted his gaze again, he met Minchae’s eyes. The look said, “What is it?”

Realizing he’d been staring too blatantly, Baek Mugyeong felt momentarily flustered. He could’ve changed the subject but didn’t.

There was no shame in noticing the bracelet. That’s what he told himself as he opened his mouth.

“I saw your bracelet.”

“This one?”

“I don’t remember you wearing it before.”

“Yeah, I’ve never really been into bracelets. But since it was a gift, I figured I should start wearing it.”

“It suits you.”

And he meant it. The slim wrist, pale skin, and the bracelet matched well. But Minchae’s reaction was odd. He widened his eyes and tilted his head.

“Uh… thank you.”

He looked like a confused puppy, and Baek Mugyeong almost laughed. A strange feeling welled up in his chest.

He’d never had many close relationships. Especially after moving from the U.S. to Korea, he rarely met anyone outside of work. Having a simple, honest conversation like this, with no calculations or ulterior motives, was rare.

What was more surprising was that it was happening with Jeong Minchae.

His resentment toward Minchae clung to his heart like black sludge. He no longer wanted to hurt him, but now and then, bitter emotions still surged up.

And yet, Minchae had become the one person he could face so naturally.

Realizing how relaxed he’d become, Baek Mugyeong stiffened again and asked, “Do you need any antacids?”

Just a bit earlier, Minchae had eaten heartily in front of Baek Jinseok. Though he seemed fine, and usually got indigestion when nervous, it was worth checking.

“I brought some.”

Minchae pulled a strip of tablets from his pocket and showed them, and Baek Mugyeong nodded.

“Then rest for now. If you need to leave the room, it’s best we go together.”

“Actually, I wanted to ask you something first.”

“Yes?”

“Do you think… if we never have a child, the chairman will get mad? I mean, not that I’m saying we should have one! Really, I’m not! It’s just… the chairman’s kind of scary, so I’m a little worried.”

Baek Mugyeong met Minchae’s gaze head-on. Minchae was surprisingly perceptive. He didn’t speak up often, but he had a strong grasp of the situation.

And he was right, Baek Jinseok was a frightening man. He might act calm and rational now, like a kind grandfather, but if things didn’t go his way, he wouldn’t hesitate to strike hard.

“He said he’d respect our decision. But eventually, he’ll start applying pressure.”

“How?”

Minchae couldn’t hide the fear in his voice.

“He might use your younger brother against you. Or try to manipulate Chairman Jeong. In my case, he’ll bring up my maternal family.”

“Ah…”

At the mention of his brother, Minchae’s face went pale. His cheeks, which had been flushed earlier, turned ghostly white, and Baek Mugyeong silently clicked his tongue.

Everyone knew the truth: Minchae had basically been sold into marriage to pay for his younger brother’s rare illness. Baek Jinseok knew it too. He wouldn’t hesitate to strike at Minchae’s weakest point.

As for Baek Mugyeong, it was his mother’s side of the family. They weren’t particularly close, his maternal grandfather had essentially cast him off overseas, and they’d never developed an emotional bond. Still, the thought of them being used or harmed left a bitter taste.

Baek Jinseok had said children shouldn’t be forced, but if they continued sleeping separately, refusing intimacy, he would eventually take matters into his own hands.