RB 97

After a three-day business trip, they boarded the flight bound for Incheon.

As soon as the plane took off, Eunho started to nod off. The flight departed early in the morning, and he had barely slept. On top of that, he had exhausted himself last night from dealing with Yeorok. His sleeping face looked even more worn out than someone who had worked all night.

In first class, surrounded by partitions on all sides, Eunho could rest comfortably. That was because Yeorok had already told the flight attendants not to disturb his sleep.

While working, Yeorok kept stealing glances at the man beside him. Each time he saw Eunho fast asleep, his focus scattered. He even smiled.

Yeorok reached out and brushed Eunho’s disheveled bangs aside.

His eyes, as they observed that face, were more careful than usual. His hand on Eunho’s forehead moved with the care of someone handling something precious. That couldn’t be described as a mere uncle’s attitude.

Yeorok made up his mind. He would somehow fit Sim Eunho into his life. His plan would be ruined in many ways because of it, but the gain would be far greater, and he could tolerate some inconvenience.

Sim Eunho was one of a kind, someone who could never be replaced. Just seeing him made Yeorok feel good. He wanted to give him anything, and whenever Eunho smiled, his own heart was filled with joy.

It made no sense that someone like him, selfish and one who treated people only as tools, could think more of another person. But all those assumptions crumbled before Sim Eunho.

It was possible only because it was Eunho. When Yeorok was with him, he realized that he also had emotions. He realized he was a human being like everyone else.

Would someone like Sim Eunho ever appear again in his life?

No, he judged that objectively impossible.

Then there was no choice. He would have to keep him tied by his side until the end.

***

After returning to Seoul, Yeorok shut himself in his study for a long time.

He had too many things to review and no time to rest. There was less than a month left until the trust’s expiration date. As he scanned through the related documents, he checked carefully to see if he had missed anything.

He opened the envelope at the bottom of the stack and pulled out the papers inside. It was a pile of documents related to hospitalization in a psychiatric institution that had been shelved for years.

Locking Choi Yoonho in a mental hospital was not something that could be done with a simple plan. Since the day he became the man’s guardian, he had spent six years preparing for it.

The psychiatrist’s written opinion, the counseling records, and the record of all the incidents Choi Yoonho had caused were enough to define his nephew as a severe mental patient.

Furthermore, as his only relative and legal guardian, Yeorok had the authority to commit him without consent. He had already obtained the necessary permits from the government offices and the local governor.

He had arranged with the hospital long ago that the admission would proceed after the trust ended. A large sum of money had changed hands under the name of sponsorship.

Since the contract had already been signed, he could have Choi Yoonho taken away whenever he gave the order. In other words, it also meant that it was still possible to cancel the plan.

Yeorok read through the instructions written on the document several times. Now that he had decided to keep Eunho by his side, it was right to cancel the planned admission. Even though the plan he had prepared for years had fallen apart in an instant, he felt no regret. His mind was full of how he could bring Sim Eunho back into society.

No one could change completely overnight. Even if he cut off all of Choi Yoonho’s connections, public opinion would not be easy to handle after all the disgraceful things he had done. Yeorok had to spend time building Eunho’s position in society. That was the only way to have a proper reason to be seen together in public.

First, he would have to ask Eunho what he wanted to do from now on. If Eunho wanted to join the company, he would prepare a position suitable for his ability, and if he wanted to study, Yeorok was willing to support him.

However, studying abroad would be difficult. Eunho had to stay within the area that Yeorok could control.

Lost in thought, Yeorok tapped the papers with the end of his pen. Then he lifted his gaze. Across the desk, his eyes met those of Secretary Hong, who was standing with his hands behind his back.

Hong Namyeong looked like a man with a lot to say. It was natural. He was the one who had watched Yeorok’s actions most closely. There was no way he didn’t notice that the way Yeorok treated Sim Eunho had changed.

“What’s wrong?”

When Yeorok casually asked, Secretary Hong’s expression grew even more rigid. He clenched his hands behind his back and finally spoke.

“May I ask what you plan to do from now on?”

“Can’t you already guess?”

“Are you sincere toward Sim Eunho-ssi?”

“Your choice of words is refined.”

Yeorok smiled blandly. But Secretary Hong’s stiff expression didn’t relax. This was not a matter that could be laughed off.

“So everyone doubts my feelings? No one believes me.”

“I’m sorry. But…”

“I know. I don’t believe it either.”

Yeorok leaned back in the chair and let out a weary breath.

“I’ve never wanted someone this much before. Sim Eunho-ssi said this kind of feeling is what people call liking someone.”

Secretary Hong nodded in agreement. He acknowledged it. But since the person in question was far from ordinary, it was only natural to worry.

“But Sim Eunho-ssi carries too much risk.”

“He’s not an easy person.”

Yeorok replied calmly. But he didn’t look too concerned from the way he smiled. That was because he had already made a decision. A detailed plan for a future with Eunho was already laid out in his mind.

“I’m willing to take that risk. Do I need your approval for that?”

“…No, sir.”

“I know, Namyeong, that you’re not someone who’ll go around carelessly spreading my secrets. I expect you to help me as you’ve always done, but if you don’t wish to, then stop here.”

There was no room for objection. Opposing Yeorok’s will was unthinkable. Secretary Hong sighed and nodded.

“I’ll always follow your will, Chairman.”

“That’s reassuring.”

Yeorok’s smile widened slightly. It was fine even if someone like Hong Namyeong saw his hidden side. He was someone Yeorok could trust and depend on.

There was another person like that once. Someone who had been no different from family.

Seo Taehwa had been useful in many ways, but since he couldn’t deal with his personal feelings toward Yeorok, there was no point in continuing the relationship. It was the right time to end it.

After careful thought, Yeorok opened his mouth.

“Tell Taehwa to come here for a moment.”

***

A small drinking table was set up in the study. The only invited guest was Seo Taehwa.

Yeorok and Taehwa had spent countless evenings together in his private study. Taehwa usually enjoyed these private meetings. But this time, he couldn’t relax. He was unable to hide his tension.

He didn’t even meet Yeorok’s eyes. Seeing that, Yeorok paused while pouring the drink and chuckled.

“Why are you frozen up? Did you commit a sin against me?”

“What sin could there be…”

With a slightly sullen look, Taehwa drank a sip of his liquor. Only then did his gaze, which had been lingering on the table, turn to the man beside him. When his eyes met Choi Yeorok’s, he couldn’t help but inwardly sigh. Yeorok was still breathtakingly handsome.

“How was your business trip to Hong Kong?”

“It wasn’t bad. The sightseeing was decent too.”

Sightseeing? That was something Choi Yeorok never did. Taehwa couldn’t bring himself to ask who he had gone with or why he smiled like that when thinking about it. He already knew that hearing the answer would only tear his heart apart.

“……”

The drinking session was quiet. After a few awkward exchanges, silence returned. Only the clinking of melted ice could be heard from time to time. Even so, the two continued drinking silently.

“What is it you want to tell me?”

In the end, Taehwa couldn’t stand the silence any longer and spoke first. Choi Yeorok wouldn’t have called him here just to share a casual drink. Taehwa gripped his glass tightly to hide the trembling in his hand.

Yeorok tilted his head. His attitude was relaxed, but his gaze was piercing.

“Taehwa-ya, we’ve known each other for a long time now.”

He brought up the years they spent together out of nowhere. Taehwa thought back to the first time he met Yeorok. He had followed his father into this mansion when he was eight. Choi Yeorok, who was the same age, was mature and beautiful even as a child. He never imagined back then that his first love would last this long.

“Why bring that up all of a sudden?”

“You were the first friend I ever made, and you’re like family to me.”

Yeorok set his drink down on the table. He clasped his knees with his empty hands and looked at Taehwa.

“I promised Jaehwan I’d set up a hospital for him, and I plan to give Namyeong shares and a position at Haegang. You said you’d think about it.”

Choi Yeorok was talking about the compensation to be given after the trust ended. The long-awaited day was approaching, so it was a natural topic.

“Have you thought about it?”

“…I didn’t help you because I wanted something.”

“There’s no such thing as labor without compensation.”

Yeorok rested his head on his hand and casually said,

“If there’s something you want, say it clearly. And when the trust ends, pack your things and leave the annex.”