―Why can’t you ask? Just stick to his side and coax him sweetly. You two are practically newlyweds.
“Wh-who’s newlywed……!”
―Ha, ‘don’t go,’ ‘let’s go out together later’—it was a whole drama. Did you think no one would notice that bastard is dying to fuck you?
It felt like blood was draining down to his toes. Kang Siwon, gripping his phone tightly, forcibly moved his lips that wouldn’t part.
“……How did you know Ray Jun told me not to go? Don’t tell me you wiretapped it?”
―Ugh……. Yeah, fuck! Since you know, now keep your phone on you at all times. Don’t let it cut off at fucking ambiguous moments! That Financial Services Bureau investigation progress too—fuck, if we’d properly caught who Ray Jun was talking to on the phone, we wouldn’t have needed to probe this person and that person!
Petty curses followed, saying he didn’t know that dimwit couldn’t even manage to keep a phone on him, and if he’d known it would be like this, he should have drilled it into his head from the start that he was being wiretapped. Kang Siwon half-listened to him while becoming absorbed in thought.
There was something that didn’t sit right. Like a puzzle piece that didn’t fit smoothly and stuck out awkwardly…….
“……You’re saying Ray Jun talked about the Financial Services Bureau? I don’t remember hearing that.”
―Of course not. You stormed out saying you were going to the bathroom in the middle of your lovers’ quarrel!
“Me? When……. Ah.”
There was something that came to mind. A week ago, right after he realized this phone was being wiretapped.
‘Let’s do it, Siwon.’
‘I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but I’m not in the mood for it.’
‘Ha, you don’t even know what I’m trying to do, but you’re already refusing? Really?’
At that time, Ray Jun had seemed hurt in his pride but ultimately acquiesced. He himself had wanted to escape that situation and left the room with the excuse of going to the bathroom. Had Ray Jun made a phone call with someone right after that?
It wasn’t strange. Ray Jun had phone calls and video meetings with people several times a day. Before, he would have just thought it was because he had a wide network, but the current Kang Siwon couldn’t shake off the uncomfortable feeling.
“That Financial Services Bureau investigation thing…… is it actually being conducted?”
―If I knew that, would I be calling you like this? Looking at how things are going, there’s definitely something, but nothing’s been properly exposed. So try to shake down that Ray Jun bastard. If you’re not confident, at least stick to that bastard’s side 24/7!
“…….”
―Why no answer? Now that you’ve latched onto a rich bastard, you think I’m a joke, is that it. Hey, get your head straight. No matter how much Ray Jun is dying to fuck you, would he pay off your debt too? What’s so pretty about a guy with 3 billion attached to him?
“I’ve never thought about that.”
Kang Siwon retorted without hiding his displeasure. Ju Xiang spewed more abusive language, but he cut him off mid-sentence without listening further.
“Anyway, I’ll ask Ray Jun myself.”
―Hey! Don’t stir things up too obviously, be tactful. Got it? And never let that phone leave your body!
“Yes.”
However, as soon as the call ended, Kang Siwon threw the phone onto the bed. He was a bit worried about Ju Xiang’s retaliation, but he had no intention of actively leaking Ray Jun’s information.
“Ha…….”
Kang Siwon let out a deep sigh and left the bedroom. In any case, as Ju Xiang said, to pay off the debt of 3 billion, he did need to work. He didn’t have the confidence to probe without it being obvious, but he figured he should at least find out if the meeting had ended. However, there wasn’t a single hair of Ray Jun to be seen in the living room or any other room.
“He said he had a meeting…… did he go out?”
Since Ray Jun was the type to dutifully report to him what time he would return whenever he went out, it didn’t seem like he would have left without saying anything. Kang Siwon opened the doors one by one looking for Ray Jun. The space was so vast it felt like playing hide and seek.
Kang Siwon suddenly missed the staff dormitory. There, he could immediately tell where Ray Jun was by the signs of presence…….
“…….”
It was as meaningless a recollection as longing for a hometown that had now been redeveloped. Kang Siwon neatly folded the lingering attachment that kept rising and pushed it into a corner of his mind.
Eventually, Kang Siwon found Ray Jun. He was in a room that looked like an office. There was a large desk placed there, as if it was a space specifically prepared for work. Ray Jun was sitting in front of it, having a video call on his laptop. Judging by how serious his voice sounded, it seemed to be some important meeting, yet for that, the door was carelessly left wide open.
―As shared with Young Master, we’ve sent the final notice. If Chairman Li Yong still ignores it, we’ll have to proceed with a lawsuit to claim share transfer according to procedure.
“It’s good to be prepared. But if we drag this to court, it’ll easily take several years. What I want are the shares, not a tedious legal battle, right?”
―Of course.
“So we need to forcibly drag the target to the negotiating table.”
Having said that much, Ray Jun turned his head. As if he’d sensed the presence early on, he showed no sign of surprise even when he saw Kang Siwon standing at the door.
“Well, the door was open…….”
Though it wasn’t his intention, he’d been caught eavesdropping, so Kang Siwon awkwardly made excuses. But Ray Jun didn’t care at all.
“Just a moment, Gemma.”
Ray Jun asked the person on screen for understanding and gestured. It meant to come in. Kang Siwon hesitated for a moment before moving his feet.
“What’s up? Is something wrong?”
The eyes looking up at him intently were affectionate. That expression, that tone—they were exactly like his former roommate Ray Jun, making a corner of his chest tingle and tremble.
“No, just…….”
He couldn’t truthfully say he came to probe, so he vaguely mumbled his words. Then Ray Jun smiled softly and said,
“Did you come because you were bored? Because you wanted to play with me?”
“……Yeah, well.”
“I see.”
The smile held in his red lips deepened. Being so pleased like that made him feel sorry for coming with ulterior motives. Even though he now knew that Ray Jun himself was the one with a black heart.
“It seems like it’ll end soon, will you wait a bit?”
“Yeah. I’ll be in the living room.”
“No, stay here. Within my sight.”
Ray Jun pointed to the sofa across from the desk. This penthouse had several beds, and every room came with a sofa too. Kang Siwon clicked his tongue at that luxury and carefully sat on the business sofa that could seat about three people.
Ray Jun resumed the video conference without taking his eyes off him.
“My roommate just came in for a moment. Anyway, let Li Hou and the likes frantically search with fire in their eyes to find out who the traitor is. They’ll never find them.”
―Please don’t provoke them too much, and always take care of yourself.
There was concern embedded in the other person’s voice. Whoever it was seemed to work with Ray Jun, so they would know well his aggressive personality. Kang Siwon also fully agreed with that advice.
But what did it mean that they would never find out who the traitor was?
Did it mean the traitor was so cunningly hidden, or that they didn’t exist in the first place, and also how was Ray Jun involved in this—he couldn’t understand at all. Kang Siwon inadvertently held his breath and continued eavesdropping on the conversation.
“Yeah, I need to meet them one by one. Two directors have already leaned to my side, and Director Wang will soon follow.”
―The scales will tip soon then.
“Right. After I meet Director Wang, let’s talk again. Organize the materials and send them.”
―Yes.
It seemed the video conference had ended. Ray Jun snapped the laptop screen shut and stretched long. That movement was exactly like a languid cat. The ambitious appearance from moments ago was nowhere to be found, and his face was full of playfulness.
“Sorry. Were you bored waiting?”
“No, I’m the one who’s sorry for interrupting. ……But was that something I could hear?”
“Of course, naturally.”
It was such a ready answer that it was absurd. In any case, Ray Jun seemed thorough yet careless in some aspects. Sometimes it seemed like he was deliberately showing gaps to test him.
“So, you came because you missed me, right?”
Ray Jun got up from his seat and came right over to sit next to him, then reached out toward Kang Siwon. As if he was about to pounce, Kang Siwon pushed Ray Jun away.
“Why are you like this?”
“To play with you.”
“I don’t need it!”
“But I need Siwon……. Won’t you play with me?”
Ray Jun plopped his head onto Kang Siwon’s shoulder and rubbed against him like a puppy. If he were revealing his lust it would be one thing, but that appearance seemed to be purely seeking affection, so he couldn’t push him away any further. But then he naturally grabbed Kang Siwon’s chin and stole his lips.
“…….”
If he put his mind to it, he could push him away right now. But his lips were so soft, and it had been a while, so he didn’t want to push him away. Kang Siwon ultimately accepted the kiss. Even in the midst of this, Ray Jun’s kiss was so sweet that he even felt self-loathing.
“Are you over being angry now, Siwon?”
Ray Jun, who had pulled his lips away, whispered with their foreheads touching. His hand had already reached Kang Siwon’s pants buckle. At this rate, they might carelessly move on to sex. Only then did Kang Siwon regain his reason and harshly pulled Ray Jun’s hand away.
“I wasn’t even angry?”
“Then why do you keep pushing me away?”
“If you hadn’t been trying to take off my pants, I wouldn’t have pushed you away.”
“I’m not just talking about right now. You’ve been cold to me this whole time…….”
Ray Jun muttered, slumping his shoulders. It was an utterly pitiful attitude. Even Kang Siwon, who had come to know better than anyone that he wasn’t pitiful at all, felt guilty.
“Wh-who was cold to you? Straighten your shoulders.”
Looking back, even when living in the dormitory, he didn’t have memories of being affectionate with Ray Jun either. In Kang Siwon’s opinion, his attitude hadn’t changed much from before to now. Yet Ray Jun looked deeply hurt, as if something was so upsetting.
“You look at me every day like I’m a vicious kidnapper……. Do you know how hurt I am each time? These days you don’t even say you want to be hugged.”
“That’s because you actually……! Ah, forget it.”
Kang Siwon abruptly pulled Ray Jun into an embrace. Not because he was pretty, but because it was annoying, so he figured he’d just hug him once and end this situation.
