#73
“What?”
Idam was shocked. Of course, he understood that Taemin was worried because of the kidnapping incident today, but wasn’t it too reckless to leave Korea right now?
“H-how can we go now? Don’t we need to pack our belongings to live there?”
“Don’t worry. The island has everything we need for food, clothing, and shelter in abundance.”
“Then, what about your work as CEO?”
“I can work from there. Remote work is possible.”
Taemin seemed prepared to counter whatever Idam said, as if he was holding a solid shield.
“This… what is this.”
That’s why Idam was even more bewildered. They had argued earlier about going to the island, but he never expected it to actually happen. Since they were already at the airport and they didn’t know when the escaped Han Jongcheol would appear again, he had no choice but to follow Taemin’s words. However, Idam continued his questions as if facing an unsettled situation.
“Then, have you booked the flight tickets? As I said before, I don’t have a passport.”
“It’s okay because we’re not taking a regular flight. We’ll be using a private jet. All the necessary procedures for departure have been completed.”
“Huh, really?”
Idam’s already widened eyes grew even larger.
* * *
In the end, Idam boarded Taemin’s pristine white private jet. It was different from the planes he knew. Although the aircraft was small, the interior was like a luxurious hotel room had been transplanted inside. The seats where Taemin and Idam sat side by side were as wide as a large bed. Each seat had a table, and opposite them were TVs, laptops, and tablets. Idam’s seat was by the window, giving him a view of the wide runway. The fact that he was about to leave Korea was too astonishing and unbelievable.
Idam’s jaw nearly dropped, but not wanting to appear uncouth in front of Taemin, he closed his mouth. Then, with a cautious expression, he asked one more question.
“Mr. CEO… is it really okay to go like this?”
“Given the situation, we have no choice. Once we catch Han Jongcheol, we’ll return to Korea. Secretary Kang said it would take about a week.”
“I see…”
Following the previous request for a fake marriage, Taemin was mentioning a week again. The contract had already been extended, and Idam had a feeling that a week wouldn’t really be just a week, but he wanted to believe it was just his imagination. For now, he just prayed that Han Jongcheol would be caught as soon as possible. The plane began to take off.
* * *
After about 7 hours of flight, the plane arrived at its destination.
Idam had slept throughout the flight because the seat was so cozy and he was tired. As a result, he was in top condition.
Being a private island, there was an airfield. It had just the necessary facilities for takeoff and landing. However, the facility itself was as clean as if it had been built yesterday.
As it was an island near Hawaii, there was a 19-hour time difference from Korea. While it was 3 AM in Korea, it was past 8 AM here.
As Idam exited the airfield, his eyes naturally widened at the scene before him.
There were palm trees everywhere, unlike what you’d commonly see in Seoul, and the sunlight was bright and strong. It was already summer here. The emerald-colored sea in the distance looked like a luminous jewel melted into liquid.
“How is it? Pretty?”
Taemin asked, gently holding Idam’s hand.
“It’s pretty… But.”
It was beautiful, but it felt unreal and bewildering to be standing on this land, having left Korea. So he was confused about how to continue speaking. Taemin looked at Idam with a playful gaze and smiled.
“Since it’s come to this, just think of it as our honeymoon.”
Honeymoon.
Idam felt his face getting hot at the ticklish term. It was also awkward because they weren’t really married.
‘Then, how about we decide on that place for our honeymoon?’
Suddenly, he remembered what Taemin had said at the friends’ gathering. At that time, it was bewildering, but Taemin had said it was a joke, so they just let it pass. But then.
‘Idam, do you remember the joke I made last time? Actually, it was the truth.’
Taemin’s statement from the day he injured his hand also came to mind. In conclusion, it seemed that Taemin had wanted to bring Idam to this island since the time of the gathering with friends.
Facing the scenery and weather before him, Idam felt like he wanted to invite someone too. Also, this place was Taemin’s private space where he came for relaxation. The fact that he brought Idam here meant that he considered Idam close. Gradually, Idam’s bewildered emotions changed to excitement.
“Now, let’s go to the villa where we’ll be staying.”
Taemin, still holding Idam’s hand, suggested kindly. Idam nodded obediently. Suddenly, a sedan appeared right in front of them.
* * *
And so the car drove on. Idam’s gaze was fixed outside the car window, unable to look away. The sky was high, and under the cotton candy-like cumulus clouds, palm trees stretched endlessly. The sea with its rolling waves was the same. The sand on the beach looked like it had been sprinkled with gold dust, making it look like a painting.
There were no tall buildings, only small houses scattered here and there. Log cabins and cozy villas that looked like they belonged in a fairy tale book lined the way. Idam suddenly imagined what kind of place he and Taemin would be staying in. He guessed it would be a quaint space.
While he was immersed in the picturesque scenery, the car arrived at its destination.
But what appeared before his eyes was a Korean traditional house villa.
Idam’s already round eyes grew even larger at the sight that completely defied his expectations. This was clearly not Korea, yet such an architectural structure was standing firmly in place, giving him an odd feeling.
As they entered, it was smaller in scale than the mansion in Seoul, but the structure was similar and the furniture was the same. It felt like the mansion had been transplanted here.
When Idam entered the bedroom and saw that even the bed sheets were the same, he felt even more peculiar. It was as if they had just moved.
However, the view outside the window was not a garden full of trees, but the sea. The emerald waves felt like facing nature’s blessing, and the white sandy beach felt like facing a new form of light. It was like entering a dream world.
“Is it pretty?”
Taemin’s presence was felt. Soon, he approached behind Idam, wrapped his arms around Idam’s waist, and pressed his body close.
“Yes. It’s so, so pretty. I’ve never seen such a beautiful sea in my life.”
Taemin’s lips twitched at Idam’s excited appreciation.
“I knew you’d like it. There are even more beautiful places on this island.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Let’s explore them slowly from now on.”
“Alright.”
Generally, islands known as tourist destinations have their beautiful and famous spots publicized through various media.
As a result, when people travel, they mostly go to places everyone else has been. But this Jihwa Island belongs to Taemin, and Idam knew nothing about it. This made him even more excited.
“Change your clothes too. If you go to the beach in your current state, you’ll be too hot.”
“Ah, that’s right.”
Idam looked at his long sleeves.
“There are short clothes prepared in the dressing room. They’re prepared to fit your size, but I’m not sure if you’ll like them.”
“What? When did you prepare them?”
Idam had just arrived on this island.
“You don’t need to know about that. Just enjoy.”
“Ah… okay…”
While he didn’t know the process, it was clear that Taemin’s ability to get things done was truly remarkable.
* * *
Wearing the shirt and shorts prepared by Taemin, and sandals, Idam went to the beach with him. The sea spread out before them was even prettier up close.
Not far away, there was a parasol, and under it were chairs and a table full of lavish Korean dishes. Braised short ribs, soybean paste stew with beef brisket, shrimp potato pancake, grilled mackerel with soy sauce, and various other side dishes were laid out.
“Wow! What’s all this?”
“It’s breakfast. Since we’ve left Seoul, I thought about preparing special dishes, but since it’s breakfast, I prepared it simply.”
“This is not simple at all.”
The meals Taemin always prepared were always plentiful, but today was even more extraordinary. It looked like the table legs might bend under the weight.
“Sit here.”
Taemin even showed the courtesy of pulling out a chair for Idam.
“Thank you.”
Seated, Idam began the meal with Taemin. Of course, it was delicious. Moreover, it tasted the same as the dishes made by Lady An in Seoul. It was strange, considering a different chef would be cooking here.
“How’s the food?”
“It’s really delicious.”
“I’m glad. It’s amazing that even though the cooking environment has changed, Lady An’s touch is exactly the same.”
“What?”
Idam’s eyes widened as he was in the middle of gnawing on a short rib.
“Is Lady An here?”
“Yes.”
“H-how?”
“She came on another private jet. Lady An will be in charge of all the cooking while we stay here. You like her cooking, don’t you?”
“Well, that’s true.”
He preferred Lady An’s cooking to most restaurants. Even when he ate a lot, it didn’t upset his stomach and was comfortable. As a result, he always overate. Taemin seemed to have observed this closely.
“I want Idam to be as comfortable as possible while you’re here.”
Taemin said as he removed a grain of rice stuck to the corner of Idam’s mouth. Then he casually put that rice grain in his own mouth. Idam was momentarily embarrassed, but he didn’t dislike Taemin’s action… no, he liked it. It seemed like one of the ways Taemin showed his interest in him.
Why was it really like this?
Every time Idam looked at Taemin, his heart pounded and he felt feverish.
To the extent that he wanted to give up all the ribs he was eating right now.
