Hyungoh was lying on the bed in a daze. It had been a long time since he’d spent a day doing nothing, meaninglessly passing time.
But that didn’t make the feeling of restlessness disappear. There was no sign of it vanishing. Rather, just lying still made even unimportant thoughts noisily stir in his head.
Suddenly Michael came to mind. “It’s been a while since I saw him,” Hyungoh muttered. “I wonder if the wound on his stomach that was wrapped in bandages has healed well.”
What could he be doing right now? Could he still be looking for me?
Hyungoh secretly hoped so, but soon became dejected. What if he was trying his hardest to forget him instead?
Of course, Hyungoh himself knew well that Michael wouldn’t easily give up on him. But aren’t there exceptions to everything? It wouldn’t hurt to prepare his heart in advance.
He was worried about him. Though he hated being used by him and resented him a lot, he still felt a sense of kinship toward him.
“I miss him.”
Hyungoh flinched at his own muttering. It had come out unconsciously.
Missing Michael? He questioned himself. Why?
The more he got involved with him, the more dangerous his life became. Looking back on those days when he had to risk his life just to survive day by day, he could only sigh.
Yet he missed him. And this longing was a familiar emotion he’d carried for the past 11 years. It was contradictory. After fleeing all the way to Korea to escape him, he was now missing him.
“I’m so selfish,” Hyungoh buried his face in the pillow. Whether it was Gostin, Cenaline, Hunter, or forgotten memories, he wanted to throw away all the current concerns and meet Michael. He had no specific plans for what to do when they met. He just wanted to see his face.
“Ugh,” Hyungoh groaned, pressing his forehead firmly. “I wonder if I can see him again.”
Just then, someone knocked on his door. Hyungoh sat up abruptly. Who could it be? As he remained cautious and motionless, a mechanical, stiff voice came through.
“Come out.”
When the frightened Hyungoh didn’t open the door, the man seemed to have a key as he opened the door and entered as he pleased. “What, what is this?” At Hyungoh’s question, the man answered briefly.
“Boss’s orders.”
“Follow me.” He wiggled his finger at Hyungoh. Unable to dare ask what orders she had given in such an intimidating atmosphere, Hyungoh awkwardly got up from his seat.
Surely the order isn’t to kill me. That would be too random. Despite thinking this, Hyungoh remained tense.
The man with his long hair tied tightly led Hyungoh to the parking lot. Are we leaving this hotel? The man, who didn’t even glance at Hyungoh who was reluctant to get in the car, indifferently opened the passenger door for him.
Déjà vu. It reminded him of Jake. What if I’m being sold somewhere again? Just as the man was about to reach out to Hyungoh, who was backing away with hostility, a voice interrupted.
“Why are you hesitating and not getting in?”
Theo walked over from the other side of the parking lot. The man turned around and nodded to him.
“Theo!”
“Were you just imagining something weird because you were scared?”
“N-no, I wasn’t.”
“Then hurry up and get in. We’re already late.”
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see when we get there.”
Theo got into the driver’s seat. Hyungoh followed him and sat in the passenger seat.
“You said it was the boss’s orders? What orders?”
“You’ll see when we get there.”
“Why are you hiding it? That makes it more suspicious.”
“Think of it as a surprise party, then.”
“Come on…”
“It won’t take long, so just wait a bit.”
As he said, the car stopped in less than an hour. After leaving the Las Vegas Strip, where most of the famous hotels and casinos were lined up, the splendid buildings and lights were no longer visible. It just looked like an ordinary American city.
Theo’s car entered a company building parking lot. The clear sky was reflected in the glass walls. Looking closely at the front, he could see the name “Ainhild” written on it, the same name as Cenaline’s hotel.
So this is also a Cenaline building? Hyungoh got out of the car, following Theo. There was nothing special about it. Judging by the casually suited people coming in and out of the building, it seemed like an ordinary office building.
“Hunter should already be here.”
“Uncle is here too?”
When did he come here? Hyungoh couldn’t figure it out. What on earth does she want to do by calling uncle and me here?
“Welcome, Mr. Cooper!”
As soon as they entered the main entrance, a man standing straight by the elevator door approached with a delighted face.
“Are you going to the 11th floor today as well?”
“No, we’re going to the 15th floor today.”
“What? But that’s…”
“We’ll find our way, you go about your business.”
The man, who was about to enter the elevator to press the 11th floor, clicked his tongue in disappointment.
“When can I see you again?”
“…We’ll talk later.”
“I’ve been waiting for a long time.”
The man’s innocent gaze gradually became sticky. “I heard you chose an employee from another department last time? Did I not do well then?” Theo felt unnecessarily guilty and glanced at Hyungoh. As he expected, Hyungoh’s eyes narrowed.
Theo forcibly pushed the man away and closed the elevator door. When the man’s gaze, full of disappointment, shifted to Hyungoh, he stiffened cautiously.
“I don’t know him.”
“What? You don’t need to make excuses.”
“It’s your private life after all.” Hyungoh spoke with an expressionless face. I already know you’ve been playing around promiscuously since the old days, did you think I’d be surprised now?
Theo scratched his head vigorously. It had always been something he thought nothing of, but being caught by Hyungoh somehow made him feel pangs of conscience. Because you disliked that kind of casual behavior. Theo opened his mouth to speak but then closed it, feeling awkward about preparing yet another excuse.
The elevator door opened. People bustling about in the spacious lobby paused when they spotted Theo. Hyungoh read puzzlement in their expressions. It was as if they were asking, “Why are you here?”
“I think you got off on the wrong floor, Mr. Cooper. This is the 15th floor.”
“Do I look so ignorant to you that I can’t even count floor numbers?”
“What? Haha, yes. I mean, no.”
“Just get out of the way.”
A woman who was crossing the lobby, holding a laptop in one hand and a hard drive in the other, teased Theo. Light laughter could be heard from various corners of the room.
“Hackers, I swear.”
At Theo’s muttering, Hyungoh stopped in his tracks.
“Hackers?”
“Just a few more steps and we’re there, why are you stopping?”
Theo practically dragged Hyungoh along and stood in front of a tightly closed door.
“Theo, could it be… are all of Cenaline’s hackers gathered here?”
“Well, yes.”
“What do you mean, ‘well, yes’?!”
Hyungoh raised his voice inadvertently and quickly glanced around at the people nearby.
“Have you forgotten what I did at the Gostin mansion? I have a history of fighting those people to the point of exhaustion!”
“Yes, and because of that history, the boss has made a special request of you.”
“What request? Earlier you said it was an order.”
“An order slash request.”
Saying you’re so good at your job. Theo patted Hyungoh’s shoulder affectionately and brazenly continued. There’s an order for you to donate your talents. Hyungoh frowned.
“What?”
“Of course, we can’t make you shoulder such a big burden alone.”
We’ve arranged a partner for you too. Theo slowly opened the door. The familiar scent of cocoa wafted through the gap. A predictable figure.
Hyungoh cupped his face with both hands. Hunter, who was perched casually on a neatly organized computer desk, waved his hand cheerfully.
