RB 26

Yeorok pushed his phone into his jacket pocket and laughed. It looked like someone was desperate to avoid meeting him, but that was impossible.

His gaze that had swept the floor turned forward again. The smile was gone from his face, leaving only a blank expression.

The hotel ballroom overlooking the Han River was full of upper-class guests in dresses and tuxedos. Parties like this that might be held yesterday, today, and maybe tomorrow too, were nothing but dull.

But for Yeorok, parties were just an extension of work. Connections among the upper class were as good as valuable assets.

This charity party, held under the name of supporting low-income youth and patients with rare diseases, had a respectable pretext. Thanks to that, the floor leader of a political party, executives of large corporations, and high-profile figures from the social world all appeared. Celebrities invited for publicity were dressed up dazzlingly and walked around the hall.

Yeorok sat deep inside the hall, drinking champagne. Even though he had deliberately chosen a spot away from people’s sightlines to take a call, not a few came to him.

The actual host of the event was someone else, but everyone tried to approach Choi Yeorok for at least a word. He was such a good spectacle that attention toward him was always high.

“Wow… still popular as ever. I waited thirty minutes just to talk to you.”

A man, dressed more extravagantly than the celebrities, slid up to Yeorok holding a champagne glass. Without greeting, he spoke first. Yeorok answered without giving him a glance.

“What’s the matter. Didn’t you usually have no interest in these events?”

“My grandfather nags so much I had no choice. Since I got dumped last time, I can’t say a word.”

The man casually spilled his situation.

That man, Son Jinhyung, was the heir of Moonseong Academy, the largest private educational foundation in the country. He was also someone constantly gossiped about for his debauchery and poor character.

On the surface, however, he was still regarded as a promising heir of a prestigious family. Moonseong Academy had diligently covered up his scandals. His filthy behavior spread only within the small circle of the upper class.

“Ah, so you really broke off the engagement?”

Yeorok smiled and drank a sip of champagne. But despite the curve of his lips, his shadowed eyes carried no laughter.

“Look at you pretending not to know when you already did? You’re still just as gloomy as ever.”

“Someone might think we’re close.”

“Come on, we weren’t close, but we did spend three years in high school together. Isn’t it too much to draw a line between classmates?”

Son Jinhyung’s eyes creased as he smiled. He also wetted his dry mouth with champagne.

His keen eyes ran up and down Choi Yeorok. It took him a long time to move from Yeorok’s feet to his head. What did he eat to get that big, his tall height was overwhelming.

Usually someone that tall would also be bulky, but Choi Yeorok had a lean build. On top of that, his face shone, so even if he tried to hide in a corner, it was natural he stood out.

His signature cold impression and meticulous character were unchanged. There were never any rumors about him. He was a man who managed his private life to a fault. He lived in a completely different world from Son Jinhyung.

Looking at Choi Yeorok, Son Jinhyung thought of someone else. He was struck by how opposite the atmosphere was compared to his nephew. He lifted his champagne glass, but the thin rim of glass could not cover the dirty smile creeping onto his lips.

“How’s Choi Yoonho these days? Haven’t seen our pretty boy in a while.”

“……”

Only when Yoonho’s name came up did Yeorok finally turn his gaze toward Son Jinhyung. His face stayed blank, but his eyes that met his were piercing enough to sting.

“What’s with the glare? Everyone here knows your nephew’s a slut.”

“What are you curious about?”

“I just wondered if it’s true he’s in a hospital. Drug rehab, you know that’s useless, right? A dog would sooner stop eating shit. Choi Yoonho will never quit drugs.”

“You sure have a lot of interest in someone else’s nephew.”

“Of course, Yoonho and I were real close. Don’t dismiss it as just a fuck buddy thing.”

Yeorok laughed. This useless chatter was a waste of time.

Son Jinhyung, on the other hand, was all smiles. He seemed so curious about Choi Yoonho’s condition that he kept prying at Yeorok, someone he normally wouldn’t even approach.

“Which hospital? Maybe I’ll go visit.”

“Mind your own business.”

“He’s alive, right? Ah, I’m just asking reasonably. One of the kids who used to hang with him died, didn’t he? Was he a model? An athlete? Must’ve cost a lot to cover that up.”

Son Jinhyung said words that should never have been said, forgetting this was a charity party. Secretary Hong, unable to stand it, tried to step in, but Yeorok gave him a subtle look to stand down.

Instead, Secretary Hong quietly withdrew and tightened control of the area. More and more eyes in the room turned toward the two of them.

Yeorok leisurely tilted his champagne glass. His eyes swept the hall, and he smiled faintly while hiding his true feelings. On the surface, it would be hard for anyone to notice his displeasure.

“You keep crossing lines. Are you fearless?”

“I’m just anxious. We all miss Choi Yoonho, so we’re restless. Without him, sex just isn’t fun. Even in group play, there’s always supposed to be a star, right?”

“You’re out of your mind.”

“What I’m saying is, just keep him locked up enough and then let him out already. I told you, treatment’s useless.”

Son Jinhyung’s “we” meant the trash group he led. Choi Yoonho had hung out with them and enjoyed a debauched life. It was an open secret that he rolled around with men there and staggered from drugs. So someday the substitute had to take that place.

Yeorok slowly brushed his wet cheek mucosa with the tip of his tongue. No matter how much sweet champagne he drank, his mouth felt dry and heavy.

“When the time comes I’ll let him out, so don’t worry.”

“How long will that take? Ah… what fun do I have until then?”

Son Jinhyung, standing with one leg slanted, happened to spot a rookie actor who was said to be very popular these days.

Like he had found prey, he immediately left his spot. All that remained where he had stood was the nasty smell of perfume.

“Chairman.”

Secretary Hong carefully approached his side. He waited to see if there was any order to receive.

Yeorok leaned his head back and let out a short sigh. Uncharacteristically, the space between his brows had wrinkled. His nerves were tight, and his head ached.

“Seems like there are quite a few waiting for news about Choi Yoonho.”

“We’re keeping close watch on that side. I’ll report if anything unusual comes up.”

Yeorok rubbed his temples and handed his empty champagne glass to Secretary Hong.

His piercing eyes followed Son Jinhyung’s traces. He was now approaching the rookie actor, pretending to be kind, pretending to be capable, and luring him in.

From appearances alone, there was no way to see the black inside of Son Jinhyung. That actor would probably join the trash group soon.

He hollowly laughed.

The way he had lured Sim Eunho hadn’t been much different.

***

At exactly twelve, when the hour and second hand overlapped, the front door swung open. Just at the sound, Eunho reflexively stood up.

Secretary Hong opened the door, bowed politely, and stepped back, and only Choi Yeorok entered the annex. It had been a whole week since Eunho last saw his face. His neat clothes and clear face looked no different than the last time.

When he came closer, the same cool fragrance came from Yeorok. It was a scent that always made Eunho tense.

“Hello…”

Eunho bowed his waist in greeting. Such an awkward hello, like one exchanged at a first meeting, made Yeorok pull up the corner of his lips briefly.

“Sim Eunho-ssi doesn’t seem very well. I heard your condition was bad.”

Even though he clearly knew it was a lie, he asked about Eunho’s health casually.

Eunho didn’t have the shamelessness to say yes to that. He only glanced at him cautiously. The strangely subdued air about Yeorok made him uneasy. Feeling it was awkward to let it pass like nothing happened, Eunho put both hands together under his belly.

“Chairman. I… last time I made a scene.”

He almost said sorry out of habit but swallowed it back.

Eunho didn’t forget that Yeorok had forbidden him from saying sorry.

“I was very rude.”

He picked extremely words to replace it.

Yeorok stopped in the middle of taking off his jacket. His face showed plain surprise.

“…You’re too stiff.”

“I really wanted to apologize.”

“I’m the one who made you drink until you collapsed. It didn’t matter if you vomited or acted out. That gathering was made to see that.”

Yeorok spoke calmly as he finished slipping the jacket off his shoulders. His tone was calm, but his movement looked a little rough.

“Still… from now on I’ll restrain myself.”

“Of course.”

A faint smile spread across his lips.

Eunho unconsciously let out a long breath. After putting down the weight in his heart, his tension finally eased. His stiff body loosened slightly.

“Let’s go.”

Yeorok slung the jacket over his arm and pointed his chin toward the dining room. When he stepped forward first, Eunho trailed closely behind.

Standing before the display shelf, Yeorok scanned the lined-up bottles. A casual question followed.

“Can you drink again today?”

Eunho also shifted his gaze to the wine bottles. It had been a while, but honestly even looking at bottles made his stomach churn. But he had no grounds to refuse.

“Yes. I’m fine.”

“Sim Eunho-ssi, don’t you think you can be honest in front of me now?”

He leaned against the wall and tilted his head. He looked tired. Eunho only moved his lips.

“I really am fine.”

“Alright then.”

Yeorok picked up a bottle without hesitation. It was clearly a high-proof whiskey, and Eunho sighed inwardly.