* * *
“Fuck!”
I woke up to the sound of cursing. Hahyun was behind me, his teeth sunk into my shoulder as he cried.
“Ha-Hahyun-ah?”
The moment I opened my mouth, it was covered. I felt a jolt of fear as I remembered what happened in the bathroom, but fortunately, I could still breathe. However, in my already worn-out state, anything more would be too much. I tried to move away, but my body wouldn’t respond.
“Do you want to call that name while sleeping with me? How fucking miserable must I be… How insignificant must I be to you…”
Did I call out Hajin’s name?
That’s not what happened…
I wanted to comfort him, but with my mouth covered, I couldn’t say anything.
“You’re sorry? Why? Because you slept with me while loving Seo Hajin? Is that why you’re sorry?”
You have to give me a chance to speak before asking questions. I was getting so frustrated I could scream.
Tears began to fall on my shoulder, and his sobbing grew louder. The sound was so heart-wrenching that I froze completely.
I wanted to tell him that I cared for him just as much as Hajin… that I liked him—someone who remained pure-hearted despite suffering abuse at an age when he should have been protected, and being betrayed by his first love.
Thinking that I could only convey my sincerity through actions when words failed, I gently stroked his thigh that was draped over my side and licked the palm covering my mouth little by little.
Hahyun, who had been crying uncontrollably, lowered his hand from my mouth. It seemed less like he understood my sincerity and more like he was startled by my unexpected action. During that moment, I quickly turned around to face him. I placed my hand on his cheek and looked directly into his eyes.
“I said I was sorry for a different reason.”
“…You’re lying.”
“Whether you believe me or not, that’s up to you.”
“What is it then? Tell me. I won’t believe you, but…”
Hahyun turned his gaze away. I applied pressure with my hand to straighten his head and meet his eyes.
“Remember when I told you not to sell the real estate in District A? I said I was sorry in my dream because I think that’s what caused all this trouble. Not because I slept with you.”
“Ah…”
Hahyun opened his mouth in surprise, as if he hadn’t considered that possibility. I quickly took the opportunity to bite his lower lip. I could feel his body trembling at even the slightest touch. It almost gave me the illusion that he was wagging a non-existent tail. Suppressing a smile, I began to caress him gently.
Despite what we’d already done, his neck stiffened at my every touch. I slid my lips down his neck and left red marks all over his chest.
“Mmm… ah… what if this is a dream?”
“It’s not a dream.”
I knew well that although Hahyun might seem light due to his transparency and simplicity, his heart was heavier than anyone’s. Somehow, I felt like I might cry like Hahyun, so I held him tightly and whispered in his ear.
“This isn’t a dream, it’s reality, so don’t worry.”
Hahyun embraced me even more tightly, as if he would never let go.
* * *
I woke up again to the sound of rustling bedsheets. I tried to get up but felt completely unable to, so I just turned my head to see Hahyun staring at me with the face of a satisfied lion.
“…”
I wanted to ask what time it was and if there was any news about Hajin, but my throat was so sore that no words would come out. Hahyun kept his head lowered and said nothing. Yes, if you had any conscience, you wouldn’t have anything to say after leaving someone in this state.
“…Wa-water.”
Feeling like I might never be able to speak again, I managed to make a sound, and Hahyun quickly got up from the bed. Every part of my body ached so much that it was amazing I was still breathing. As I was groaning, Hahyun returned with water, placed the cup on the table, and helped me sit up.
“Ugh…”
My waist felt like it would snap as I tried to sit up. Even turning my head wasn’t easy, and half the water spilled down my chin when I tried to drink.
“I’m sorry. But hyung, you…”
What? Hyung, I…? Are you trying to blame me even in this situation?
Hahyun closed his mouth when I glared at him with intensity.
“I what?”
“…Nothing. I’m sorry.”
Just as I was about to go back to sleep, thinking there was no point in arguing with someone who wouldn’t listen to reason, I noticed the red and purple marks on Hahyun’s neck. This was more like he’d been mauled than kissed, with dark bruises forming. There were even nail marks visible on his chest between his shirt.
I placed my hand on the red marks. Hahyun looked at me with round eyes.
“What is it?”
“You must have been in pain too.”
“What? Pain? I only felt good. I wish these marks would stay forever.”
I was so stunned by his childish words that I lightly knocked him on the head.
“What was that for!”
“Stop saying crazy things. What are you going to do with your neck looking like this? It’ll all show when you wear a suit… Reporters will swarm in to take photos. Haah…”
I sighed involuntarily. What was I thinking to leave his body in this state?
“…I don’t see why that matters. If the whole country knows I’m yours, that seems like a good thing to me.”
I was speechless. I stared at him in disbelief, then sighed.
“Stop talking nonsense and bring some medicine.”
“It’s really not necessary…”
“Seo Hahyun, I’ll get angry if you keep this up.”
When I snapped, Hahyun awkwardly stood up and went out to fetch the medicine box. I forced my aching body to sit up.
“Take off your clothes and lie down.”
“Haah… Should I take everything off?”
“No! Lie down so I can apply the medicine.”
“Alright.”
Whatever he was expecting, Hahyun looked disappointed as he took off his shirt and obediently lay down. Because the former Yoon Juwon had frequently self-harmed and torn at his brothers’ flesh, the medicine box was full of ointments.
I took out a cream for lacerations and another for bruises and applied them to Hahyun’s injuries. Every so often, I heard gasping sounds escaping between Hahyun’s lips.
Each time, I slapped his shoulder with my palm, making a sharp sound.
“Focus. I’m just applying medicine.”
“Who said anything? You’re the one who—”
“By the way, don’t you need to go to work? What time is it now? Since you’ve been like this since yesterday dawn, shouldn’t you be at work by now?”
Hahyun avoided my gaze and kept his mouth firmly shut. With an uneasy feeling, I tossed the medicines back into the box carelessly and grabbed my phone. It was already past 10 AM.
“Hasn’t the company contacted you? Didn’t they tell you what to do today?”
“…”
Judging by his silence, he clearly needed to be at work today. I tried to search through Hahyun’s clothes for his phone, but couldn’t find it anywhere.
Right, you wouldn’t have kept your phone on while sleeping with me.
The CEO being late on his first day without any contact—the company must be in chaos. And who knows what Secretary Kim might do while Hahyun is away… I felt a bit sorry for Hahyun, but I was determined to make him go to work quickly.
I tapped Hahyun’s shoulder.
“Won’t you tell me straight? This isn’t just any ordinary situation. Don’t make me regret sleeping with you yesterday.”
Hahyun gasped and sat up. Then, with his head lowered like a guilty criminal, he continued.
“Actually, they told me to come in today, but you were sleeping so peacefully that I couldn’t wake you up, and I couldn’t leave you alone either. What if you hurt yourself trying to get up forcefully?”
That was quite an elaborate excuse. What kind of thoughts go through his mind to be this irresponsible?
Since what’s done is done, and arguing would only waste time, I narrowed my eyes and said:
“While I’m still asking nicely, get ready for work. I absolutely hate people without a sense of responsibility.”
Hahyun grumbled, “You always scold only me,” as he got up from the bed.
Just then, the doorbell started ringing.
* * *
Outside was a man I’d never seen before.
“…Who is he?”
“It’s Park Hyunwoo-ssi.”
Hahyun looked at me with confusion before saying, “Ah, hyung. You lost your memory,” and began explaining about Park Hyunwoo.
He was a long-time colleague of Hajin and Juwon, and someone who knew all about Hajin’s plans.
Wondering if Park Hyunwoo might be a spy secretly planted by Secretary Kim, I asked Hahyun:
“Can we trust this person?”
“No. We can’t trust any other man.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I’m asking if he’s on our side.”
“Well, I suppose he is. He’s known about your existence all this time but hasn’t told anyone.”
Since Hahyun said this much, I figured I could set aside my suspicions.
I brought Park Hyunwoo inside and sat him on the sofa.
“Yoon Juwon, it’s been a while. Your face looks better.”
“Ah… yeah.”
“You don’t have to force yourself. I know you’ve lost your memory.”
As Park Hyunwoo spoke in a gentle voice, seemingly considerate of my situation, Hahyun suddenly interrupted.
“Why are you here? Just get to the point quickly and leave.”
“Huh? Oh, oh… Yes, I should. I don’t have much time anyway.”
Park Hyunwoo, apparently intrigued by seeing Yoon Juwon after a long time, looked me up and down with a slightly dazed expression. Immediately, Hahyun rushed over and stood between Park Hyunwoo and me.
“Stop staring at him.”
Park Hyunwoo laughed incredulously.
“You really haven’t changed. Hahyun-ah, I’ve told you many times. I’m someone who likes women, and Yoon Juwon isn’t even my type.”
“Then why do you keep looking at him? I never liked how you did this before. Juwon hyung was good to you. Do you know how anxious I was…”
“Goodness. How can you still be so immature even after becoming CEO? Yoon Juwon was nice to me because I have connections. Since he was on bad terms with Hajin, wouldn’t he want to stay on my good side for better opportunities?”
“…Anyway. Just get to the point quickly.”
Hahyun’s behavior no longer surprised me. It just made me think that, despite everything, Hahyun was much more lenient with Hajin because he was his brother.
“Instead of this, let me bring some tea.”
