RB 93

When he went out of the hotel, a familiar sedan was waiting. Eunho got into the back seat without saying anything.

Even with three people inside, the car was suffocatingly quiet. Secretary Hong held the steering wheel and looked only at the windshield with his mouth closed, and Choi Yeorok stared at his phone without caring whether Eunho was beside him or not.

It was a familiar indifference. Eunho rubbed his chest. His heart was still racing from excitement.

“……”

Honestly, he had been a little hopeful. But nothing had changed between him and Choi Yeorok in an instant. He started to wonder if he had just dreamed what happened earlier.

Eunho sighed and calmed his restless feelings. He turned his head toward his window and focused only on the scenery outside.

Suddenly, a large hand intertwined with his left hand that was resting on the seat.

Instead of saying anything else, Yeorok calmed Eunho’s anxiety by holding his hand. Yeorok’s hand that filled the space between his fingers was still cold, but the chill made it feel real.

Eunho slowly curled his fingers, and Yeorok tightened his grip in the same way.

“……”

He couldn’t dismiss this as an illusion. Eunho wrapped his free hand around his lower jaw and suppressed the corners of his lips that were rising uncontrollably. He tried to control his excitement, but it wasn’t easy.

As soon as they arrived at the mansion, Yeorok held Eunho’s hand and pulled him upstairs.

“Wash up and come out.”

Yeorok handed him a change of clothes and spoke with a calm voice. He acted as if nothing had happened.

“…Yes.”

Eunho entered the bathroom and stood under cold water while thinking. What will happen to their relationship now?

‘I’ll admit it.’

Now that he thought about it, Yeorok had never said that he liked him or said anything with that kind of meaning. Was he allowed to interpret it however he wanted?

He could not make up his mind. The old wounds must have been deep. The memory of being cast aside by Yeorok made him hesitate. He could not bear to go through that pain again. Yet he also could not let go of Choi Yeorok.

“…What can I do if I like him?”

He rubbed his wet face and muttered. Then he exhaled a deep breath.

He decided to believe in him just once more. Even if he was afraid, he resolved to try one more time and clenched his fist. When he recalled the feeling of the hand he had held in the car, his anxious heart calmed for a moment.

He dried his body and put on the clothes. Yeorok’s pants were so big that they almost slipped off. Eunho held the wide waistband and stepped out.

Yeorok had already washed and was sitting on the bed, his skin still damp.

“Come lie down.”

This time, a simple instruction was given. Eunho took a brisk step, like a puppy ready to run at the call. Then, he snuggled into the cozy blanket.

As soon as he lay down on the pillow, a pleasant scent wafted through the air. He sniffed without realizing it. Eunho knew this scent better than anyone else.

“I thought you threw away my gift.”

When he cautiously spoke, Yeorok slowly lay down beside him. His movements were unhurried.

“It was a shame to throw it away.”

“……”

“You must be tired. Let’s sleep.”

Yeorok reached out and closed Eunho’s eyelids with his hand. When the straight and beautiful fingers covered his eyes, everything turned dark.

Eunho exhaled in that state. He had many questions and words he wanted to say about what Yeorok thought of him and what they were now, but as a curtain of darkness spread before him, his thoughts burned away.

Maybe this was good enough. Maybe what he really wanted had been this touch all along. If he could just stay by this man’s side for a long time, he could give up everything else. He had already sold his pride long ago.

His eyes started to sting.

“…Don’t abandon me again.”

“……”

“I won’t ask for much. Just don’t throw me away.”

Instead of answering, Yeorok turned to his side and pulled Eunho’s head into his chest. Eunho breathed unevenly while trying not to cry. His hot breath dampened Yeorok’s T-shirt.

“I won’t. Don’t worry.”

He must have felt wronged and hurt for a long time. Eunho’s back kept shaking for a while longer. Yeorok could not fall asleep easily as he comforted him.

‎

‎

When morning came and he opened his eyes, the space beside him was empty. Eunho got up. The events of last night felt like a dream. Maybe because of all the emotion, his body felt heavy even though he had slept well.

Eunho reached toward the spot next to him. The blanket under his palm was cold. When did he get up? Did he already leave? He was always busy, so there was no reason to feel disappointed.

Suddenly, the door opened. The man Eunho had been longing to see appeared.

“You’re awake?”

Unlike Eunho, who froze in surprise, Yeorok looked completely refreshed. He gestured with his chin.

“Come eat breakfast.”

In the study, there were freshly baked croissants, coffee, and cut fruit. Eunho sat down in a daze.

When he woke up, his hair was tangled like a bird’s nest, and he had only wiped the sleep from his eyes. The person sitting in front of him looked refined even in the early morning.

Eunho lifted his cup to wake himself up. While he blew on the hot coffee and drank it, Yeorok crossed his arms and stared at Eunho’s face. His cheek started to sting.

Eunho carefully looked up. He felt awkward and embarrassed and did not know what to do, but Yeorok looked unconcerned. He acted as if yesterday’s events had never happened. That calm attitude made Eunho feel calmer too.

Eunho lowered his gaze again and drank his coffee. He could read Yeorok’s intention not to bring up what happened yesterday. His chest felt hollow, but he forced himself to look fine.

He swallowed a few more sips of coffee. Yeorok’s low voice broke the long silence.

“Did you sleep well yesterday?”

“…Yes. Did you sleep well too, Chairman?”

They belatedly greeted each other. He did not know where to place his eyes. It had never felt this awkward before. Eunho blew on his coffee for no reason.

“Sim Eunho-ssi, what is your schedule until the day after tomorrow?”

“I don’t really have one.”

“Then do you want to come with me on a business trip?”

“What?” Eunho asked. Yeorok placed something on the table. It was a passport and a plane ticket to Hong Kong.

***

It was his first time flying. No, more than that, it was his first time at an airport. Because he had to depart under Choi Yoonho’s identity, Eunho’s nerves were at their peak.

They went through departure at a separate gate apart from the general terminal. The process was quick and discreet.

Unlike Eunho, who was stiff because everything was new, Yeorok seemed used to it. His expression was calm, as if nothing could become a problem.

Yeorok prepared a plausible reason for their trip to Hong Kong. It was true that their external relationship was not very good, but they were still family. If he said it was because of family affairs, no one would find it suspicious that the two of them went abroad together.

The first-class seat was too luxurious. It had a full flat seat that could recline 180 degrees, space wide enough even when he stretched his legs, and a large screen filling the front. If he wanted, he could close the partition for privacy.

Eunho looked around quickly, fascinated by the elegant design. Yeorok sat beside him. He looked through documents with an expressionless face. He seemed completely unaffected by first class. His calm demeanor made Eunho control his excitement. No matter how curious he was, he should not act like a country bumpkin.

Just then, the flight purser approached and greeted them politely.

“Good morning, Chairman Choi Yeorok. I’m Purser Kwak Sunghyun in charge of today’s flight. I’ll do my best to make your trip comfortable and safe.”

While that soft voice sounded, Eunho crossed his arms and pretended to sleep. He acted as if he was uninterested and did not care.

When he peeked with one eye, Yeorok was talking with the purser, smiling politely. He seemed to be ordering drinks, including one for Eunho.

Soon, a glass of red wine and some dark chocolate arrived. Eunho nervously straightened up. He looked around. Several passengers were also drinking. Maybe drinking on a plane was normal. Feeling reassured, he took a sip of wine and whispered to Yeorok.

“Do we pay for the drinks when we get off?”

“……”

Yeorok raised his eyes. He did not answer and only gave a crooked smile.

He ordered the in-flight meal for Eunho too. A steak, perfectly grilled, came out on a white porcelain plate like something from a high-class restaurant. It was hard to believe they were eating it thousands of feet above the ground.

“Wow, the plate is warm.”

When he exclaimed in awe, Yeorok looked at him. He silently pointed his finger at the mashed potatoes on Eunho’s plate.

“This is called potato.”

“……”

Eunho blinked, speechless.

“I know that too.”

“Really? You sounded like a child, so I thought you didn’t.”

Eunho bit his lip. He’s mean. What if it’s his first flight? He was at least trying not to make it obvious.

But the resentment faded quickly. His sulking expression relaxed. He had thought the business trip would be awkward, but Yeorok could even make jokes and treat him comfortably. Now, Eunho started to look forward to the three days and two nights with Choi Yeorok.

The four-hour flight passed in an instant.

Eunho spent the time absorbed in a Hong Kong travel brochure. He underlined sentences with a highlighter and folded corners of places he wanted to visit.

His face sparkled with anticipation. Yeorok took in the sight from time to time while working.