PHUW 81

“What’s the matter?”

“I feel carsick.”

The quick-witted chauffeur opened the window and turned on the air conditioner. They were in the middle of the highway, so there was no pharmacy anywhere nearby.

“Just hold on a bit. As soon as we see a pharmacy, we’ll buy some medicine for motion sickness.”

“It’s not bad enough for medicine. More like I feel a little sleepy?”

With that, Haeri lay down with his head on Jeong Mok’s thigh.

The large sedan had plenty of space, but that was only for sitting. It was too cramped for an adult to lie down. On top of that, his foot wrapped thick with bandages dangled awkwardly downward, and just looking at it made the posture seem uncomfortable.

“Maybe we should have moved you by ambulance. Or do you want to sit in the passenger seat? If you recline the backrest, you could stretch your legs and sleep comfortably.”

“No. I like it this way.”

He had to be uncomfortable, but Ahn Haeri stubbornly insisted that this position was better. Whatever the reason was, Jeong Mok let it go.

Before long, Jeong Mok clicked his tongue inwardly. It was because the person lying on his leg was making him too conscious.

The feel of the soft curls brushing against him whenever he shifted even slightly. His pale neck visible with just the smallest glance of his eyes. The warm body heat that spread into his thigh like a puppy’s warmth. Every time, he had to spend more effort suppressing the impulse to touch him.

And why Haeri had to turn his head toward his waist of all places. The faint moisture mixed in his breath built up little by little until it seeped past the double barrier of vest and shirt and reached bare skin.

He deliberately kept his gaze fixed on the window. He didn’t start any conversation. Haeri, who had been friendly until now, also didn’t open his mouth. Maybe he really had no intention at all and was just lying there. But being so aware of it made Jeong Mok feel filthy.

Fortunately, they arrived at their destination before his patience wore out completely.

The house he lived in now was a penthouse on the upper floors of a residential complex overlooking the Han River and a vast forest. For privacy, it had its own designated parking space right in front of the private elevator, which made access far more convenient than most apartments despite its height. For someone using a wheelchair, it was an ideal environment.

At the entrance was an indoor wheelchair that Jeong Mok had arranged to be prepared in advance. With his help, Haeri transferred over, then left him behind busy with moving belongings and headed into the living room on his own, full of energy.

“Wow, this place is huge. It’s so big it hurts my eyes.”

The moment he passed through the entry hallway, Haeri let out an exclamation.

In the middle of the living room stood two massive structural columns set apart from each other. The space in front was completely open, and when you looked up, it wasn’t a second-floor ceiling but a third-floor height. The entire front wall was glass, with the forest on the left and the Han River and bridge on the right.

“What is this, a hotel? Why is the ceiling open like that?”

“Do you like it?”

“Who wouldn’t like a house like this?”

He had worried it might feel inconvenient since it was different from an ordinary home, but it was needless. Haeri eagerly wheeled himself everywhere the chair could reach. He pressed his forehead against the glass window that looked out over the Han River and forest, stared down for a while, then turned back to feel the texture of the leather sofa.

“How much does a house like this cost?”

“I’m not sure.”

Jeong Mok, who had been setting down things from the hospital in the kitchen connected to the living room, answered. Other than the chauffeur, no one else came inside. It had long been his habit to live alone.

The only person who wasn’t uncomfortable to be with came rolling closer in his wheelchair, looking around the spacious kitchen with curiosity.

“About five billion won?”

“More expensive than that.”

“Ten billion?”

Even as he asked, Haeri wore a face that said, “No way.”

“Hmm. At today’s prices, maybe a few billion more.”

“Crazy.”

Startled, Haeri snatched his hand back from where he had touched the built-in refrigerator.

“All the furniture and appliances were already here too?”

“I think so. Why?”

“Water. If something breaks, it’ll cost a fortune.”

Haeri looked carefully around as though afraid to leave even dust behind. He seemed more worried about damage than anything else.

“The owner’s my cousin, so it’s fine. Even if I trash the place, that guy can’t say a word to me.”

Considering the bomb his cousin had dropped on him, if he said even one thing, Jeong Mok would burn the house down entirely. He opened the refrigerator and handed Haeri a bottle of sparkling water.

“Your cousin? You have a hyung?”

Haeri, receiving a glass bottle with an italicized logo very different from the Jeju brand he usually drank, examined it closely and asked.

“Yeah. He’s my aunt’s son, with a really nasty temper.”

“Aunt, you mean Hyeonsan Chairwoman?”

Haeri sipped the sparkling water, then made a face and smacked his lips. Finding the slight lemon flavor not bad, he began to drink the rest down.

“That’s right.”

“Do you have more cousins?”

Before answering, Jeong Mok took a drink of the sparkling water too.

“On my mother’s side, there’s one nagging noona. On my father’s side, after my mother passed away, I cut ties, so I don’t really know if there’s anyone.”

“Your mother passed away?”

Ahn Haeri almost spit out his sparkling water halfway.

“Didn’t I ever tell you about my parents before?”

“Since you said you went to greet your family every holiday, I thought they were still alive.”

“Ah. On holidays I go to greet my aunt and uncle. My parents died in an accident. After that, those two raised me, so they are like parents to me.”

“I see.”

Not knowing what to say, Ahn Haeri hesitated, then awkwardly said, “I pray for your parents’ souls.”

“Thank you.”

Jeong Mok, set the sparkling water bottle down on the table and laughed.

“It must hurt you a lot.”

“That was a very long time ago. Don’t worry about it. And you, actually…”

He had meant to say that Ahn Haeri’s grandmother had passed away around a similar age, but he suddenly shut his mouth. If he admitted that he had done a full background check, Haeri might lose all affection at once. Of course, if that made Haeri decide he couldn’t live with him, it would actually be the better choice for Haeri. But leaving it for a few days and bringing it up slowly didn’t seem like such a bad idea.

“Never mind. I’ll tell you later.”

“Alright. This time let’s talk later.”

Since ignoring Jeong Mok’s earlier suggestion at the hospital to talk later had led to an unexpected dead end, a difficult confession, and a quarrel that followed, Ahn Haeri readily agreed this time to leave it for later.

“But what about Gom-i?”

“Now that I’ve brought you here, I have to go pick him up.”

While Gom-i had been admitted to the animal hospital, Jeong Mok had gone back and forth often, but since Haeri wasn’t there, the dog had been extremely anxious. Even with a bright smile, the giant dog with a frightening look could not be soothed by anyone when sulking. Whenever he needed an injection or his wounds disinfected, Jeong Mok had to hold him down himself.

That didn’t mean things went smoothly just because Jeong Mok was there. If Ahn Haeri didn’t make video calls at the right times, Gom-i refused to eat. Worse, since the dog had made himself at home in the hospital room and kept growling constantly, visitors and other animals at the clinic were too scared for proper treatment. Even the experienced veterinarian and technicians gave up completely and begged for him to be taken away immediately.

They couldn’t send anyone else because nobody could touch Gom-i, so Jeong Mok had to handle it himself, but with Ahn Haeri still hospitalized, there was nothing he could do. He had all but begged that he would pick him up once Haeri was discharged.

“Would it be alright if I went with you?”

Ahn Haeri asked. Jeong Mok, without thinking, touched his forehead and shook his head.

“Of course not. I can’t manage two sick ones at the same time. I’ll be back quickly.”

“Alright.”

“While I’m gone, the security guard will be stationed outside. The intercom is here.”

“A security guard? I’ll just be at home with an injured leg. If you’re that worried, you can just save the guard’s phone number into my phone.”

Ahn Haeri held out the phone he had brought from the convenience store during his stay in the hospital.

“I’m already giving up a lot for you because of the stalking.”

“I know. Thanks.”

It felt like the roles had been reversed for a long time already. But instead of arguing, Jeong Mok entered the security guard’s number into Ahn Haeri’s phone and made a call.

–Yes, Mr. Ahn Haeri.

“It’s me. I’m calling just to check.”

–Yes, Vice Chairman.

“I’ll be away for a while, so please take care.”

–Don’t worry.”

It wasn’t outside in a parking lot or another building.

Since yesterday, the security team had been stationed in three shifts in a mid-sized apartment a few floors below Jeong Mok’s. It doubled as a backup office for Chief Ahn or other secretaries whenever Jeong Mok worked from home. He didn’t bother explaining this to Ahn Haeri. It was safer for security if no one knew there were guards or secretaries stationed there.

“Your things are in the dressing room for now. Look around the house and find it yourself. If you like a room, mark it. Also think of what you need to buy. Later we can either order or go shopping together.”

Ahn Haeri nodded.

“Let’s order food after I bring Gom-i.”

“Okay. I’ll think about what to eat.”

He understood right away now without needing things explained. Seeing Ahn Haeri’s confident look, Jeong Mok instinctively reached out but stopped himself. Now that he recognized his own desire, casual contact was no longer allowed.

“I’ll be back.”

He raised the corner of his lips slightly and was about to pick up his car key.

“Wait. Come here for a moment.”

The man in the wheelchair gestured.

“What is it?”

Even when Jeong Mok was already close enough, Ahn Haeri urged him to come closer. When he drew right up to the side of the wheelchair, Ahn Haeri spread his arms wide and suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace around the waist.