“Isn’t it romantic?”
I almost spit out the wine I was drinking. Romantic?
“Rather than revealing everything under fluorescent lights, an appearance reflected in soft candlelight looks more mysterious and attractive.”
I was momentarily entranced. I thought there wouldn’t be a woman who wouldn’t fall for such a face saying such lines. This time, while I was enduring the ticklish feeling in my arms, a waiter approached and handed a small box to Rashanin.
“It’s finally here.”
Rashanin pushed a rectangular leather box slightly larger than his palm toward me. In this atmosphere, a ring case would be fitting, but it was bigger than that. I could tell without looking. It was a watch.
“It took time coming from Moscow.”
“From Russia?”
“It’s something I had, but it’s new and never used. When I thought of a watch that would suit you, it came to mind right away.”
Rashanin smiled deeply with narrowed eyes. I couldn’t smile back knowing what he wanted. He really was a persistent man.
“I must politely decline.”
“You’ll accept it from the princess but not what I give you?”
“Well, it’s just that there’s no way to return it to Elisabeth-ssi, but that doesn’t mean I’ve accepted it.”
The evening before last, I’d searched the internet for the watch brand Breitling and was so shocked by the price that I immediately called Elisabeth. But she said she never took back gifts, and told me to do whatever I wanted—throw it away, shove it in a corner, or sell it—if I didn’t like the watch, then hung up. And Department Head Kim Cheol-jin, as if he’d given up now, told me to handle gifts like that myself. So the watch she gave me was sitting quietly in the hotel room, still in its case and paper bag.
“I told you I’d deliver it to her hands if you gave it to me.”
“That’s fine.”
I could bet the expensive wine I was drinking now that Rashanin wouldn’t safely return the watch to Elisabeth.
“Then accept this.”
“What kind of logic is that?”
“Didn’t you accept Elisabeth’s?”
“I’m going to return it.”
“So return hers first, then return this to me afterward. Fair, right?”
What’s fair about that? While grumbling inwardly, I looked for words to refuse.
“Don’t try to convince me with strange logic.”
“If you don’t like it, throw it away or shove it in a corner.”
Rashanin said the same thing as Elisabeth. The two definitely resembled each other not just in appearance but in personality too.
“Do you know Elisabeth-ssi said the same thing?”
“Don’t compare me to the princess. And this will suit you much better than her flashy one. I guarantee it.”
Without even listening to my words, Rashanin opened the lid of the case. I’d expected a watch that gleamed gold, but what was in the case was a watch with a simple design of brown leather band finished with gold. It looked luxurious, but it didn’t seem as expensive as Elisabeth’s. And certainly, this was more to my taste than the flashy metal.
“I hope you like it.”
Rashanin, whose eyes gleamed as if he knew full well that I actually liked it, picked up the watch.
“Hold out your arm.”
“Pardon?”
“You have to try on the watch, don’t you?”
“No, that’s…”
“I’d be very happy if you’d extend your noble wrist before my hand holding the watch becomes embarrassed.”
The man who said embarrassing things without hesitation with a serious face almost made me break out in a cold sweat. When I reluctantly extended my left arm, Rashanin fastened the watch. Despite it being a trivial action, I was conscious of his fingers touching my bare skin.
“As expected, it suits you well. I knew it would.”
Looking at the watch that felt heavy on my left wrist and the man smiling with great satisfaction, I could only think I’d been drawn in.
It was obvious that Rashanin was trying to win my favor. And in a polite, classic way at that. Being human too, even though this kind of favor was burdensome, I didn’t entirely dislike it.
That was definitely the problem. It would be better if I disliked it.
“I keep only receiving things, and it’s so excessive that it’s very burdensome.”
“I told you to be shameless.”
Rashanin’s answer was consistent. Enjoy it, be shameless. I shamelessly retorted.
“If I get arrested for accepting bribes, will you help me out?”
“If you get arrested, I won’t be safe either. No matter how inflexible your superior is, if their thinking extends that far, they can’t do anything harmful to you. Of course, I can’t prevent you from being looked down upon.”
“Getting on my superior’s bad side is the scariest thing.”
“I believe you’ll navigate it well.”
It was a compliment, but thinking of how I’d been scolded by the department head and team leader these past few days, it didn’t sound like a compliment. I just nodded and looked down, fiddling with the watch settled on my wrist. Since it had been a long time since I’d worn a wristwatch after phones became widespread, it felt awkward.
“Why? Don’t you like it?”
“No. I’m just not in the habit of wearing watches, so it’s a bit awkward.”
“You’ll get used to it soon. A man should have at least one good watch.”
“That’s a prejudice.”
I got revenge on Rashanin, who told me not to have prejudices since not all men are crazy about sports cars. Rashanin grumbled about not letting even one comment slide, but I let it pass and grinned at him. It was a bad habit I’d learned from him.
“If you use my own words against me, I have nothing to say. But aren’t you going to say anything?”
“Pardon?”
“If you receive a gift, it’s proper etiquette to give something appropriate in return.”
“Would you like me to poke you in the ribs for a greeting?”
“So? You won’t do it?”
“Then I’ll return it.”
“You’re sly.”
Rashanin grumbled. Still, since I’d received a gift, it was right to express gratitude.
“Thank you. Thanks to Rashanin-ssi today, I enjoyed myself very much.”
I spoke honestly. Then Rashanin widened his eyes as if surprised, then soon smiled.
“Honesty is a virtue.”
The deep shadows contrasting with the soft color created by the candlelight made him look even more attractive.
Feeling my heart beat a little faster, I subtly shifted my gaze. I wasn’t ignorant of what it meant to feel favorable toward someone. I also knew that this was worse in quality than simple playing with fire.
I glared at the bubbles of golden champagne rising in the long glass. I couldn’t deny that I was attracted to Rashanin. If he weren’t a man or weren’t a vampire, playing with fire or whatever, I would have committed the act already.
Someone whispered in my heart. So, was there any need to wait two days?
To be continued in Endless Kiss Volume 2
