How could this be happening?
Too shocked to move, Hahyun stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the two men. He covered his mouth to stifle any sounds, but tears still streamed down the back of his hand.
“Juwon-ah, when you’re tired…”
“Hnn… ah!”
Hajin’s lips began to trail downward from Juwon’s nape. As his lips descended, he simultaneously started unbuttoning Juwon’s shirt one by one. It was infuriating enough that Hajin was doing something he’d never done with Hahyun, but seeing Juwon tilting his head back and moaning without resistance was so shocking that Hahyun’s vision blurred. Forgetting Juwon’s warning that he’d kill him if he appeared again, Hahyun burst out from the pile of clothes.
“Aack!”
“You, this bastard…”
Startled, Juwon shoved Hajin away. Hahyun rushed between them to prevent them from coming together again. His vision was clouded by tears, and his body felt so weak that words barely escaped him. All Hahyun could do was look at Juwon and cry.
Since Juwon used to give him another chance whenever he cried, Hahyun hoped that, just like before, Juwon would tell him his crying was pretty and kiss him. But Juwon didn’t even glance at his tear-streaked face and simply snickered.
“Both brothers putting on quite a show.”
That’s when Hahyun realized it. The fact that Yoon Juwon had never truly loved him… And that he hadn’t given his heart to Seo Hajin either.
If that wasn’t the case, Hahyun might not have been able to resist the urge to kill Hajin—the only person in the world he had trusted and relied on—with his own hands.
* * *
What Yoon Juwon did to Seo Hajin was terrible, but what he did to Seo Hahyun was no less cruel. Of course, I had a rough idea from what Hajin told me, but learning the specifics made my skin crawl and my blood boil.
“What an asshole. There’s a limit to playing with someone’s feelings.”
When I unconsciously voiced my thoughts, Hahyun blinked at me with curiosity.
“Are you cursing yourself right now?”
“No, fuck! That wasn’t me back then.”
“Then who was it?”
A thought flashed through my mind, and my expression hardened.
Maybe I could use Juwon’s true nature to persuade Hahyun?
“Actually, the persona I’m showing you now could be an act.”
“…But you said you lost your memory.”
“That’s true, but a person’s fundamental nature doesn’t change so easily. Why? Seo Hahyun? If I returned to my former vile, despicable self, would you stop being obsessed with me?”
Secretly hoping for a yes, I gazed at his lips. Not because I disliked his obsession, but because I wanted him to forget the old Yoon Juwon and like the current me more…
However, Hahyun remained as consistent as ever.
“That’s impossible. I love hyung no matter what form you take.”
I knew I didn’t deserve it, but it still bothered me how casually Hahyun declared his love for the previous Juwon. This strengthened my resolve to use Juwon’s true nature to convince Hahyun.
“Really? Then let me ask you something. When I could escape if I wanted to, do you think I’m staying because I truly love you guys?”
“…What do you mean?”
“Haha, I must have acted well.”
Hahyun bit his lip hard. His cheek muscles trembled, making him look like he might burst into tears at any moment.
“In a situation where I’d have to spend my life on the run, could I possibly love you, who’s not even the company CEO? You say you love me.”
“Yes, I love you tremendously.”
“Then you should make me happy, right? Now I understand why I approached you in the first place.”
“…Because you’re Chairman Seo’s son.”
“Yes, I’m an ambitious person. But you’re asking me to give it all up and leave? I can’t do that.”
“Then what should we do?”
I glared at him with wide eyes. Hahyun faltered and lowered his head.
“What do you mean, what should we do? Didn’t you say you’d do anything for me?”
“Of course. I can do anything. As long as you don’t tell me to stop loving you, I’ll truly do anything. I can do everything.”
Hahyun repeatedly said the same words while tightly grasping my hand. He seemed anxious that I wouldn’t look at him like before, now that I had reverted to the old Juwon.
Every look, every gesture he showed was so desperate that it became increasingly difficult to stay in character.
Steeling myself, I ruthlessly flung his hand away. Hahyun stared at me with wide eyes.
“Then do it. Take the CEO position with confidence. I think I’ll only stay here if one of you is in that position. Or you two can come to an agreement.”
“How could that be…!”
His mouth quickly shut when I glared at him menacingly.
“I can’t bear to see both of you lose. I won’t talk to either of you until one of you wins, so figure it out yourselves. It’ll be decided tomorrow anyway, right?”
After delivering this ultimatum, I went up to the second floor and locked the door. Hahyun could take me and run away if he wanted to, but I knew he wouldn’t.
Because I’d given him hope that I might love him…
Of course, since that love would be from the old Yoon Juwon, it stung a bit, but perhaps it was for the better.
A moment later, I heard Hahyun’s voice outside the door.
“Alright. I’ll do as hyung says. But please make one promise to me.”
“Let me hear it first.”
“If I take the CEO position and get busy, promise that during that time, you won’t be with Hajin hyung either. If you keep that promise, I’ll do it.”
After pondering briefly, I asked.
“That’s not something I can promise alone, is it? Don’t we need to come to an agreement with Hajin-ssi?”
“I’ll take care of it. You just need to promise.”
Though I was uneasy about what exactly he planned to “take care of,” I agreed for now.
Hahyun said he would go back to work and left. Only then did I release the breath I’d been holding.
“Haah… I’m exhausted.”
* * *
I sprawled on the bed, rolling around for about an hour. I was too drained from arguing with Hahyun to do anything. Then my phone rang. It was Hajin.
“Has Hahyun left?”
– What did you do? Suddenly Hahyun started working diligently. Yoon Juwon, I knew you were capable, but not to this extent.
“It was nothing special. I just acted like my former self.”
– What? What does that mean?
“Do you have time for a long call? I thought you were busy.”
– Ah, I have a moment to talk. I’m working through my meal time anyway.
For an instant, his words gave me an uneasy feeling. Would Seo Hajin be this relaxed in such a critical situation where his position was threatened? It seemed out of character.
– Juwon-ah? What are you thinking about?
“Ah, it’s nothing. I just… I felt like you wouldn’t listen no matter what I said, so I told him I hate losers. That either you or Hahyun needs to be in the CEO position for me to like them.”
I heard a refreshing laugh. He was always hard to read, but today he was even more inscrutable.
“You’ll do your best until the end, right? Despite everything?”
– Of course. Make sure to eat properly… And thanks for persuading Hahyun.
* * *
That night, perhaps due to the effectiveness of my threat, Hahyun messaged that he would stay overnight at the company and come home in the morning to change clothes. I replied, “Our Hahyun is the coolest.”
Later, while resting on the sofa after dinner, my phone rang. It was a text from Secretary Kim.
[Tomorrow is D-day. Once Master Hahyun is safely elected as CEO, we’ll discuss specifics.]
I had let my guard down because things had been quiet since his visit, but receiving this message right before the board meeting brought back all the tension. I had to read the message several times before I could make sense of the barely legible characters.
It seemed Secretary Kim planned to make his move after ousting Hajin from the CEO position.
I copied the text and sent it to Hajin. He replied with a sly tiger emoji.
No… Is this really the time for this? I wanted to ask, “Seo Hajin-ssi, why are you so relaxed?” But since I didn’t think he’d give me a proper answer, I put down my phone.
* * *
The next morning. Hahyun was dressed in an impeccable suit. Wearing a deep navy suit set, his expression resembled that of a general before battle. Finding it adorable, I brushed his shoulders and fixed his tie while saying,
“Do well.”
As they say, clothes make the man—Hahyun’s usually bright smile today felt like the smile of a CEO from an economic magazine.
“Hmm? Does this mean my love isn’t needed anymore?”
“No. That’s not true. I’m nervous as hell, why do you keep saying that? And my goal today is to somehow stop Secretary Kim and protect Hajin hyung’s position. I don’t necessarily need to become CEO, right?”
“That’s right. Either one of you is fine.”
Hahyun looked at me with raised eyebrows. His expression clearly conveyed, “Is that all the support I get after all this trouble?” So I quickly added,
“Of course, I’d prefer if it were Hajin-ssi. Then I could stay with Hahyun longer.”
At my words, Hahyun said, “Even if it’s a lie, I’ll take it,” then exhaled so deeply his chest heaved.
“Whew… You need to pray for me too. Pray that I return home safely today.”
“Alright.”
“Sincerely! Pray with all your soul!”
Wondering what sincere prayer would be like, I wrapped my arm around Hahyun’s neck and kissed his lips.
“Do well.”
