RB 24

Judging from Sim Eunho’s usually gentle nature, Yeorok had thought that even if he got drunk he would not act badly. But this was unexpected, so Yeorok rested his chin on his hand and was lost into thought.

“Namyeong-ah, since when did he start acting odd like this?”

“I don’t know either.”

Secretary Hong, who was sitting with them, shook his head.

Even though he had watched with his eyes wide open, Sim Eunho was completely drunk. Yet he showed no signs of drunkenness. Even now, his pronunciation was still clear.

Hearing the two talk, Eunho tilted his head. His complexion was still pale, but he could not hide the drowsiness in his eyes.

“I… I’m not drunk.”

“Yes. Let’s say it’s that.”

Yeorok answered calmly and picked up the wine bottle. In this condition he could have stopped him, but instead he poured more. Since he had started drinking anyway, Yeorok wanted to see how far Sim Eunho’s limit went.

Eunho gladly accepted and drank more. He even sniffed the aroma and enjoyed the taste. Though he was drunk, the habit had ingrained into him so deep that he still swirled the glass with his left hand. Eunho did not know that this sight earned him a passing mark from Yeorok.

Secretary Hong kept drinking only water, and Choi Yeorok sipped whiskey alone. All the wine on the table was laid out only for Eunho. Maybe Eunho noticed the effort, because he tasted at least one glass of each wine.

He went through the five wine bottles one by one. The wine provided by Choi Yeorok was not only expensive but each had a unique charm, so tasting them was enjoyable. For Eunho, who had just stepped into the beginner’s realm, it was all valuable experience.

Among them he picked up the one he liked most. While he was reading the label, a calm voice came from beside him.

“Sim Eunho-ssi, you seem to like dry ones.”

“Me?”

“When you drink the one you like, even your expression is different.”

Yeorok lightly swirled his square glass. His relaxed posture leaning back on the sofa looked comfortable. It showed that he too was enjoying this.

“Chairman, you know my taste better than I do.”

“Anyone with a good eye would notice.”

“You don’t really look at me though.”

The alcohol made him say his true thoughts. Eunho turned his head and stared at the man beside him. The gaze that met him was cold as always.

“Whenever you look at me, you frown.”

“Really? I thought I wasn’t showing it.”

Seeing the faint smile on his face, Eunho fell into thought.

“…It’s not that you dislike me, right?”

“Of course not. I like Sim Eunho-ssi as you are. You’re smart and you listen to me well.”

The voice from beside him was calm. At least it was not a lie. At this table, Yeorok was not wearing a fake smile. His expressionless face, if anything, made him look like a relaxed man.

“You should know. The problem is your face, Sim Eunho-ssi.”

Since he looked exactly like Choi Yoonho, it meant it would stay the same in the future. No, he would resemble Choi Yoonho more and more, so he would only dislike him more and more. Eunho had to consider it fortunate enough that he was not being treated coldly.

I see… the vague suspicion he had was confirmed and it left him a little empty. Eunho nodded and forced a smile. He gently set the bottle he was holding on the table and only drank more.

As the bottles emptied, his body sagged and his head grew hazy. Yet even with no conversation, there was no tension or awkwardness. The power of alcohol was frightening. Eunho leaned his body into the sofa and let out a silly laugh.

Yeorok glanced at him from time to time. Sim Eunho looked like a deflated balloon slumped on the sofa. He was smiling, but somehow looked sad.

The big eyes blinked slowly and looked at Yeorok. In the way his eyes folded softly, Yeorok felt something strange. He clearly looked the same as Choi Yoonho, but those were eyes he had never seen in Choi Yoonho. The dissonance hit him.

He put the glass to his lips and swallowed the rest of the drink in one go.

“Why are you smiling like that. Are you trying to seduce someone?”

“…Me?”

“When you stare like that and smile beside someone, most people would fall for it.”

Eunho only blinked his heavy eyelids while looking at him. Yet the one saying that, Choi Yeorok, still kept his heart locked tight. He looked like someone who would not allow even a needle to slip through. For Eunho, it was hard to agree with such words.

It was Choi Yeorok himself who spread out his charm as easily as breathing. His eyes went to him not because of bad intent. It was simply irresistible. Anyone would be the same.

Eunho held his dizzy head. His body kept leaning to one side until he was almost lying on the sofa. He should have straightened his posture, but his body would not obey.

“…Can I ask why you dislike Choi Yoonho?”

Even then his mouth threw out a question on its own. He clearly was not in his right mind.

Yeorok stared for a long time at the ice clinking in his glass, then finally spoke.

“Call it self-hatred.”

“Not the same… Chairman, you’re kind.”

“Thank you for seeing me that way.”

Yeorok laughed. Eunho held his throbbing head and quietly stared at his face.

“It’s true. Chairman, you have manners… your behavior and tone are composed, and also you are… very handsome.”

There was no comparing him to the hopeless Choi Yoonho. Eunho only gave his honest evaluation of the Choi Yeorok he had seen.

“You are very drunk.”

“Yes… I think so.”

Eunho let out a sigh heavy enough to sink the ground and straightened his slumped back. His head, sagging from the alcohol, was held steady by a large hand. Eunho quietly said thank you to Yeorok, who supported his forehead.

“I would like it if you start saying thank you less often.”

“Only for today… I will say it.”

He thought he would not get another chance to say it. Borrowing the courage from the alcohol, Eunho said the words he had been keeping inside.

“Today… thank you for allowing me to go out. Thank you for preparing dinner. Chairman, you are busy, but thank you for sparing your precious time to drink with me.”

As Eunho listed every detail he was thankful for, Yeorok snorted and set down his glass. He turned his upper body toward Eunho and rested his arm on the back of the sofa. His posture looked even more relaxed.

“If you are that grateful, then later, resent me a little.”

“I won’t resent you.”

“You never know with people.”

His words carried a strange certainty. Eunho blinked slowly, unable to figure out what he meant. His large eyes soon grew wet.

“How could I resent you?”

“……”

“I still can’t believe I live in a good house and wear good clothes. Sometimes I wonder if it’s a dream. If it weren’t for you, Chairman… my life would have had no answer.”

This new life felt more than he deserved. It was hard in its own way, but compared to before, it was a happy hardship.

To Eunho, Choi Yeorok was no different from a benefactor. That was why he wanted to repay him somehow. He wanted to do his best in his given role and satisfy him. For Eunho, who had nothing, this was the only way to return the grace.

“Sim Eunho-ssi, your drunken talk… puts people in a difficult spot.”

Yeorok quietly brushed the corner of his mouth. It might have been easier if he cried or caused trouble.

Normally so quiet and always hiding his feelings, now that he was drunk, he poured out the truth he had been holding in his heart. Because of that, Yeorok could see clearly how deep his trust and affection were. Sim Eunho was smiling like he had met a savior in front of someone who might use him and throw him away.

Yeorok could not take his eyes off him for a while. He was caught by a vague feeling. He did not know what to call this unfamiliar sensation, so he decided to dismiss it as what people usually called conscience. Was this what they meant when they said their conscience pricked? His chest really did sting strangely.

“Sim Eunho-ssi, is there nothing you want?”

“Not really……”

“A watch, a luxury brand item… say something. If there is a reward, you will do what I tell you better, won’t you?”

Maybe giving a reward would ease this unpleasant feeling. He was human too, surely he had desires. If coaxed while drunk, maybe he would let out the greed he kept inside. At this moment, Yeorok felt ready to grant even an absurd demand.

“Please praise me often.”

But what came out of Eunho’s mouth was completely unexpected.

“As I become more and more like Choi Yoonho, you will dislike it, but… I still want you to praise me for doing well. Even if it’s a lie, it doesn’t matter.”

“Would that really be enough?”

“Yes, that’s what I need most.”

Eunho’s eyes were red. His voice, softened by alcohol, was gentle as if he might fall asleep any moment. Even his drunken words were mild and pure, with nothing resembling Choi Yoonho.

Yeorok kept looking at his face. It was like he was trying to capture the real Sim Eunho and imprint it in his eyes.

At last, Yeorok reached out and stroked the back of Eunho’s head gently. Because of Sim Eunho, he was doing things he had never done before. As expected, he was better at negotiating than he appeared.

“You did well. Thank you for following along so hard even though it must have been difficult.”

Eunho’s cheeks lifted and the corners of his lips curled faintly. He lowered his eyes and let the other man’s hand pass through his hair. Seeing that, Yeorok muttered without thinking.

“You really are weak to praise.”

There even seemed to be a hint of laughter in his voice.

Eunho nodded as if agreeing. Praise depended on who gave it. Praise from Choi Yeorok felt like real recognition, which made it special.

The hand stroking his hair felt awkward. It was awkward for both the one giving and the one receiving.

Yeorok should have taken his hand away soon, but he kept stroking until Eunho was satisfied. His hand lightly tousled the strands and rubbed his scalp, and he began to feel drowsy.

Overcome by the pleasant feeling, Eunho’s head tilted more and more to the side.

‎

‎

The whole night his stomach churned, and he suffered in his sleep. On top of that, his throat was parched, and he endured terrible thirst. When he groaned and opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a bare ceiling.

Where… am I?

Eunho lay blank for a while, trying to think. Then, he realized he was lying on a soft bed, and suddenly sat up.

He looked around and saw this was Choi Yoonho’s room. The memory gap felt terrifying. No matter how hard he thought, he could not recall how he got from Yeorok’s officetel to here.

“Oh? You’re awake?”

Seo Taehwa had come to check on him and quickly approached when he saw him awake. Seeing him clutching his hair, Seo Taehwa laughed wide enough to show his teeth.

“You’re really thrashing around in self-loathing.”