#57
His laughter was so loud that everyone in the café turned to look. Idam felt embarrassed and his head started to ring. Taemin’s behavior was so bizarre that Idam wanted to run out and hug Podori (the mascot).
“CEO?”
Idam called out to him, hoping he would stop his mad laughter. As if a switch had been flipped, Taemin’s laughter abruptly ceased. His face was now completely rigid, as if nothing had happened. It was pure ominousness. Idam tensed up, terrified.
“I understand.”
Suddenly, Taemin’s expression had become gentle.
“If you ‘dislike’ being with me, I should respect that.”
Taemin emphasized the word “dislike”. Flustered, Idam raised both hands in denial.
“No, it’s not that I dislike it…”
He felt oddly apologetic. And it was true – he didn’t really dislike it. Taemin stared intently at Idam’s eyes and leaned in closer. His features were exquisite and full of dignity. Who would imagine such a person to be a murderer?
“If you don’t dislike me, then do you like me?”
“What?”
Idam’s eyes widened. Taemin gave a slight eye-smile.
“Isn’t the opposite of ‘dislike’ only ‘like’?”
“Ah… well… um…”
In simple terms, that was true. Idam’s mouth opened and closed. For some reason, his cheeks were heating up. He didn’t understand why.
“Why are you hesitating to answer?”
Taemin’s voice had suddenly become shadowy again. For some reason, it seemed Taemin wanted to hear Idam say he liked him. It didn’t make sense. Why would he want to hear that from someone trying to leave him? If it were Idam, he’d be upset and want to end things quickly.
Either way, Taemin wasn’t normal. Trying to follow his logic would only drive Idam crazy, so he decided to just do as told. That way, he could get his phone and other belongings back.
“Yes… I like you.”
“Who do you like?”
Idam wondered why he had to spell it out. He felt his heart getting hotter. After licking his lips two or three times, he struggled to speak.
“I like you, CEO.”
Saying it like that made it sound as if Idam had a crush on Taemin. For some reason, rather than feeling unpleasant or disliking it, he felt a ticklish sensation in a corner of his heart.
Taemin’s eyes curved happily. He then leaned back against his chair.
“So when will you give me the money?”
It seemed Taemin was finally going to let Idam go. Idam quickly took the bait Taemin had cast.
“I’ll give it to you when you return my phone and bankbook.”
“Then you should have come to our house instead of calling me here. Everything’s there.”
“Ah… well…”
“Why did you call me here?”
Taemin’s eyebrows twitched menacingly, as if telling Idam to answer quickly. Idam rolled his big eyes, hesitating to answer. He couldn’t possibly say it was because he thought he might die. Besides, saying it out loud might make it come true. So Idam looked at the sky outside the window and spoke, trying a small trick.
“I wanted to have coffee with you outside, CEO. The weather is nice today too.”
It was also an answer carefully chosen to avoid upsetting Taemin.
“Ah, you wanted to go on a date with me?”
“What?”
Idam wondered why the conversation had turned this way again.
“That’s what it means when you say you want to have coffee with me, right?”
“Ah… well, yes… I guess so.”
Suddenly, Idam realized his answer could indeed be seen as asking for a date. He didn’t understand why talking with Taemin today felt as difficult as climbing uphill. At this rate, he might end up actually going on a date with him today.
Idam felt dizzy and closed his eyes tightly before opening them again. He realized he was pouring oil on the fire right in front of him to put it out.
But.
“That’s a shame. I have work in the afternoon, so I don’t think I can stay with you.”
Fortunately, Taemin declined.
“Well, I guess it can’t be helped then. In that case, I’ll come to your house in the afternoon to pick up my belongings.”
If he was that busy, Taemin would probably need to go to the company right away. So Idam could just go and get his things by himself. Things seemed to be going smoothly, and Idam felt relieved. His emotions were clearly visible on his face. Because of this, a strange spite grew in Taemin’s eyes.
“There’s no need for that. I can have Secretary Kang bring everything right now.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
It would be fortunate if he could get everything right away. But why was Taemin suddenly being so kind?
“There’s one condition though.”
“What condition?”
Idam was exasperated that there was a condition even for such a trivial matter. Had all the kindness shown so far been a setup for this condition? Idam started to feel uneasy again.
“Just a moment.”
Taemin picked up his phone and made a call.
“Bring that here.”
As soon as Taemin gave the order, Secretary Kang entered the café. In his hands was a rectangular mother-of-pearl jewelry box. It was black lacquered with white flowers and butterflies, giving a splendid impression. It was quite large. Idam’s eyes nearly popped out.
“W-what is this?”
Secretary Kang placed the jewelry box on the table and then stood behind Taemin like a prime minister, solemn as if waiting for Taemin’s next order.
Taemin opened the lid of the jewelry box with an elegant touch, ignoring Secretary Kang behind him. What lay before Idam’s eyes were about twenty pairs of rings. Strangely, all the designs were different, as were the embedded jewels. Faced with this sudden display of jewels, Idam’s eyes spun.
Taemin picked up one of them and held out his palm to Idam.
“Give me your left hand.”
“What? Oh… okay…”
Idam held out his hand reflexively. Taemin lifted the corners of his mouth prettily and slipped the ring onto Idam’s ring finger. A fairly large diamond danced and shone on Idam’s hand.
“How’s the size?”
“Um… it fits perfectly.”
It was amazingly well-fitting, as if it had been one with his finger since the beginning of time.
“That’s good.”
Taemin smiled softly, seemingly satisfied. It also felt somewhat sinister. Feeling suspicious, Idam looked at him with doubtful eyes.
“But what is this?”
“A wedding ring.”
“Gasp!”
At the same time, Idam exclaimed and quickly pulled off the ring. They were about to terminate their fake marriage contract, so why was he putting this ring on his finger?
Taemin seemed to find Idam’s surprise amusing, and a smile never left his lips. He pushed the jewelry box a little more towards Idam. The dazzling rings created an even more burdensome sight for Idam.
“Choose whichever one you like from these. Then I’ll return your things.”
“Why?”
Idam asked, feeling it was unnecessary. He really couldn’t understand this behavior. But Taemin kept repeating for him to choose. His expression and tone were gentle, but underneath was firm stubbornness. Idam felt uneasy, as if he were choosing his own noose, but he quickly picked one, feeling that if he didn’t listen to Taemin’s request, he wouldn’t be able to achieve what he wanted. It was the one Taemin had just put on his finger.
“I see you like more flashy things than I expected. Alright.”
He smiled meaningfully. Idam felt very uncomfortable. Even if he returned the money, would Taemin really terminate the contract? But this marriage was caused and driven by money. So if this was resolved, Taemin would have no reason to keep him.
Taemin finally closed the lid of the jewelry box and glanced at Secretary Kang behind him.
“Secretary Kang. Bring all of Idam’s things here now.”
“Understood.”
Secretary Kang quickly went outside. Idam was confused, wondering if he had heard correctly.
“Are you bringing my things right now?”
“Yes.”
It seemed he had anticipated how Idam would react. Rather than feeling happy that the moment to escape from him was coming soon, Idam felt scared that Taemin seemed to know him so well.
Soon, Secretary Kang came in with a black box and placed it next to the jewelry box.
“Check if anything is missing.”
“Okay.”
He was going to check anyway, even without being told. Idam stood up and examined the box. His mother’s photo frame, ring, bankbook, other documents and items, and even his phone were all safely there. They were even fully charged.
“And.”
Taemin took out his wallet and handed over a business card from inside. On the gold foil paper was printed the name Ji Taemin, CEO of Baekwol Corporation, along with a phone number and bank account number.
“You can transfer the money to this account.”
“Ah. I understand.”
Idam quickly took the business card. He had even obtained Taemin’s account number. Now he just needed to increase his transfer limit, receive the money from Hayun, and send it to Taemin. Idam felt relieved at the thought of soon escaping from him, but also strange. He didn’t understand why he felt an inexplicable unease pressing on his chest rather than pure joy.
“So when will you send the money?”
At Taemin’s question, Idam thought for a moment before answering.
“At the earliest today, or tomorrow.”
He gave a generous estimate, just in case, even though Hayun said he would give the money soon.
“Alright. Once I receive the money, we’ll draw up a contract termination agreement.”
“Understood.”
It was good to be certain, given the large amount of money involved. Also, he could return the clothes he wore to the gathering when signing the termination agreement.
“Lastly, I have a question.”
“Yes?”
Idam tensed up at Taemin’s suddenly serious voice.
“Do you have any resentment towards me? Is that why you’re doing this now?”
His voice seemed to pierce through Idam’s heart accurately. Because of this, Idam momentarily considered mentioning the group sex party but decided against it. He judged there was no need to bring up something that might hurt feelings when things were ending.
“As I said before, it’s because you and I are different, CEO.”
“Different, huh…”
Taemin murmured lowly and stared intently at Idam. Idam avoided his gaze slightly. After a moment, Taemin stood up first. The Americano cup was now empty.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Yes… alright.”
Taemin pushed his chair back and was about to leave when he paused. He spoke with his back to Idam.
“Actually, I quit smoking because of you, Idam.”
“What? What do you mean…”
Idam was taken aback by his sudden statement.
“But now I think I’ll start again.”
He then walked away from Idam. For some reason, his voice sounded lonely.
