RB 113

From that day on, one rule was established.

Every time Eunho took his medicine, Yeorok promised to grant whatever he wanted immediately.

Eunho didn’t believe him, saying he lied as easily as breathing, but Yeorok fulfilled his promise quite earnestly. However, he had the prerequisite that it be a reasonable request.

Eunho didn’t feel like it, but he pretended to comply. At least on days when he took his medication, he could act as he pleased. Choi Yeorok even allowed him to go out briefly. Of course, there were always guards following him.

“……”

Eunho rolled his eyes, seemingly displeased. Even though he’d finally gone shopping, the gloomy faces of the bodyguards surrounding him didn’t lift his spirits. This felt more like surveillance than security. He was so dissatisfied with his situation that even his hands, ripping through the hangers, were brimming with annoyance.

“These, and these. Oh, this too.”

He was spending money like water.

Eunho grabbed every garment on the hangers without even looking. The luxury shop employee standing right next to him was suddenly swamped with hangers. Among them were women’s clothing and even baby clothes the size of a palm. He intended to buy everything mindlessly, whether he’d ever wear it or not.

“Ah… sir. This one’s the same as the one you just picked out, are you sure…”

“So what.”

The response was cold. “Who are you to tell me how to spend my money?” That was the look in his eyes. The employee bowed his head. Choi Yoonho, whom he’d only heard of through word of mouth, seemed to be out of his mind.

But he was really beautiful. From the side, his features were sharp and delicate. His skin was so flawless it almost seemed translucent, and every time his long eyelashes fluttered, he looked like a living doll. However, he was difficult to deal with because he was so picky.

Unfortunately, Choi Yoonho barged in without a reservation, leaving him, a relatively new employee, to deal with in place of the general manager. The staff were anxious about provoking the foul-tempered man. Rumors abounded: Choi Yoonho had thrown a champagne glass in the department store’s VIP room, and forced an employee to kneel and beg for forgiveness.

As a result, the staff had to remain guarded by Choi Yoonho’s side the entire time he shopped. But contrary to their fears, the customer seemed rather sensitive, not acting out of character, and simply spending his money lavishly. As expected, a chaebol’s spending habits were on a different level from those of other wealthy people.

After a meaningless shopping spree, Eunho swiped his card. Without even checking the amount, he handed dozens of shopping bags over to the guards. He hadn’t wanted to buy clothes in the first place. Shopping was just an excuse to go out.

He left the store, ignoring the polite bows behind him. Two security guards walked ahead of him, quickly clearing the way. They guided Eunho not to the parking lot, but to the street in front of the store. The large black sedan waiting for Eunho in front of the building was all too familiar.

“Please get in.”

“……”

Eunho glared at the bodyguard who opened the car door. But the stone-faced bodyguard showed no sign of intimidation. Everyone Choi Yeorok had placed around him was like that. They only served him, always following his orders.

Eunho got into the car, sighing out of frustration.

Inside the car, which had been stopped for a moment, the crackling of emergency lights could be heard. Neither Eunho nor the person next to him exchanged a single greeting.

Choi Yeorok sat with a dignified air. He flipped through his papers, as if even the time spent waiting for Eunho couldn’t be wasted.

“Let’s have dinner.”

A low voice spoke. Calm and composed. Eunho leaned his head against the window, his eyebrows furrowed.

“Haa, why are you being so annoying again?”

“I’ll buy you something delicious.”

“I’ll choke to death if I eat it.”

No matter what he said, this man wouldn’t listen. He was the type of person who needed to get his way in everything.

Choi Yeorok still looked impenetrable. Since taking office, his appearance has become even more solid. Does anyone know that this man, who has ascended to a high position as if it were a given, is actually a psychopath and a hopeless piece of trash? Every time he saw this scheming man, who never reveals even the slightest flaw, he felt a surge of anger.

“Every time I see what uncle does, I feel like vomiting.”

“……”

“You’re disgusting and repulsive. So don’t act all kind and fake in front of me. I know you’re not that kind of person.”

Eunho’s brow furrowed. His words were mean. But Yeorok maintained a dry demeanor, as if he hadn’t been affected by the blow. He turned over another page of paper.

“Really? You used to like it when I was kind.”

“What?”

“Even if it’s disgusting, bear it. I’m enduring hardships too.”

“Let’s go,” Yeorok gave a short command. The sedan slowly picked up speed.

Eunho let out a hollow laugh. Choi Yeorok was becoming more and more shameless by the day. What was he struggling with? He wanted to crack open that hardened skull and see what his true intentions were.

Turning his head, he saw his own irritated face reflected against the clean glass window, alongside Choi Yeorok’s profile. Disgusted by the sight, Eunho closed his eyes.

‎

‎

‎

Darkness descended on the spacious courtyard of the Korean restaurant. Despite the dim light, the elegantly stretched tiled roof and the meticulously maintained garden looked like a painting.

The food spread out on the fine wooden table was equally appetizing. But even in the face of this sumptuous feast of rare seasonal ingredients, Eunho kept picking at his plate. A look of displeasure etched across his face. You could count the grains of rice entering his mouth.

Yeorok ate in silence, then looked forward. He was so concerned about if Eunho was eating that he barely touched his own food.

“Eat more.”

“There’s nothing here worth eating.”

The menu was all about Eunho’s favorites. Sim Eunho, though not a picky eater, loved Korean food. He was the kind of person who could finish a bowl of rice with just the occasional side dish of pickled vegetables and well-fermented kimchi.

Yeorok gently pushed a plate of ribs grilled over straw fire. He remembered Eunho’s fondness for it the last time they visited. But since the ghost of Choi Yoonho took over, even his taste had changed, and he didn’t even bother to look at the plate of meat. Perhaps he was ignoring it because Yeorok had offered it.

“Ha, seriously.”

Eunho finally put down his chopsticks. He placed both hands flat on the floor, as if he had no intention of eating any more. Just sharing a meal with Choi Yeorok had already sapped his appetite.

In contrast, the person sitting across from him was quietly eating. Could he even swallow his food? Judging by his face, Choi Yeorok didn’t look particularly hungry. He seemed more like he was simply filling his stomach to survive.

Eunho looked at him disapprovingly and called out to the staff member. The sliding door opened, and a woman in a beautiful hanbok appeared.

“Bring me the strongest liquor you have here.”

The bold order drew Yeorok’s gaze. He, too, put down his chopsticks. Only after quietly swallowing what was in his mouth did he speak.

“You can’t drink.”

“Who said I’d be the one drinking?”

The corners of Eunho’s mouth stretched out.

Soon, the liquor he ordered arrived. The liquor, served in a white porcelain bottle, was high in alcohol content.

“You said you’d give me whatever I want. I’ll pour. You drink.”

“……”

“If you don’t like it, just decline. I’m different from someone; I don’t force things.”

Eunho spoke, his chin resting on his hand. His bright, smiling eyes were eerie. It was a far cry from the image Yeorok had longed to see. He had simply wanted to have a normal meal with Eunho here, he sighed.

Without another word, Yeorok picked up the cup. The deal wasn’t bad: one drink in exchange for one day’s dose of medicine. The problem was that the cup was about the size of a water glass.

Yeorok gulped down the 50-proof liquor as if it were water. As soon as the glass was empty, Eunho tipped the bottle over. But contrary to expectations, Yeorok’s expression remained unchanged despite several rounds.

Choi Yeorok’s face remained pale and expressionless. Eunho frowned, fed up, as Yeorok emptied the last drop of his drink. He’d thought he’d finally get to see Choi Yeorok’s bare face, but it was a complete turn-off. The alcohol wasn’t just strong.

After finishing a meal that didn’t even feel like a meal, they returned home.

Yeorok held Eunho’s wrist tightly as he headed up to the second floor. His posture was upright, and his gait was even. No matter how he looked at him, he didn’t look like someone who had downed an entire bottle of alcohol. The smell of alcohol coming from him was rather foreign.

Meanwhile, Yeorok seemed to relax after finally taking Eunho home. He let go of his wrist, which he had been holding onto, and walked slowly toward the dressing room.

“…Haa.”

A long sigh escaped Yeorok’s lips. He appeared fine, but he was actually quite drunk. He hadn’t eaten properly for days and was severely lacking sleep. In this state, his body couldn’t handle the strong alcohol.

The intoxication was rapidly creeping up on him. Yeorok barely managed to pull the knot of his tie. Even as he unbuttoned his shirt, his fingers kept fumbling.

He leaned against the dressing room wall. His tie-wrapped wrist fell, and his weary head fell back. His chest rose and fell through his half-open shirt. Perhaps from the alcohol, even his breathing was ragged.

His vision was completely blurry, but he could clearly see Eunho standing a few steps away. He had followed Yeorok and was staring intently at him. His eyes were completely emotionless, as if the sight of Yeorok’s exhausted state meant nothing to him. Instead, his expression was one of mockery.

“Are you drunk?”

Are you drunk, Chairman?

A voice from the past echoed. Eunho, who had hugged him and asked him with concern, the touch and warmth of his hand, were still vivid in his memory.

Yeorok smiled weakly. Even though they were in the same space, why did they feel so far apart? The gap between them was deep, like an unbridgeable chasm.

“…….”

Yeorok slowly closed his eyes. It was a fond memory, but now it felt like the past was strangling him.

“I was just going to see you make a fool of yourself… even your intoxicated state is elegant?”

“…….”

“Don’t you get tired of always keeping control? Are you even human?”

Eunho, who had come closer before he knew it, was grumbling in front of him.

As he’d hoped, Choi Yeorok got drunk, but it wasn’t entirely satisfactory. Eunho stuffed his hands into his pockets and stared intently at Choi Yeorok.

In the silence, the closed eyes opened and the black pupils hidden within were revealed.