The scent of alcohol wafted up as Seo Ha-yoon rested his chin on the table, letting out a deep sigh. His gaze lazily swept over the empty bottles neatly lined up beside him. He had definitely drunk a fair amount. But at this moment, he didn’t want to stop—because he was feeling good.
“…I like this….”
Seo Ha-yoon murmured drowsily, still resting his chin on his hand.
“What do you like so much?”
Choi Sang-hyuk refilled his empty glass and asked.
“Just… this. Waking up in the morning, going to work, working hard all day, then coming home to watch a movie with my boyfriend, enjoying a Friday night… drinking with you, talking with you. I love all of it. It makes me feel… fulfilled.”
“So, are you happy?”
Choi Sang-hyuk asked. Happiness—such a big question.
Seo Ha-yoon pondered it for a moment, still resting his chin on his hand. But the answer came easily.
“Yes. I’m happy.”
As he nodded and spoke, Choi Sang-hyuk’s gaze softened.
“That’s why… thank you.”
Seo Ha-yoon said as he gently grasped Choi Sang-hyuk’s hand. His large, rough, calloused hand felt so strong, so beautiful.
“Whether it’s the past me or the present me… without you, I wouldn’t have even dreamed of this kind of everyday happiness. It’s all because of you. That’s why I’m so grateful… and grateful again….”
Seo Ha-yoon trailed off, fidgeting with Choi Sang-hyuk’s hand before interlocking their fingers together.
“That’s why I want to make you happy too.”
As their fingers entwined, Choi Sang-hyuk’s wrist was pulled slightly forward, causing his watch to glint in the light. Though not as luxurious as the ones he usually wore, the watch still held considerable value—it was the one Seo Ha-yoon had saved up three months’ worth of salary to buy as a gift. Lately, Choi Sang-hyuk had been wearing it all the time, leaving his other expensive watches untouched.
Every time Seo Ha-yoon saw that watch wrapped around his wrist, a warm satisfaction filled his heart. Now, he finally understood why Choi Sang-hyuk and Ha Jun-seo always gave him gifts. Just knowing that the person you love carries something you gave them—it was enough to bring so much joy and contentment.
“I’m going to earn a lot of money and buy you clothes, buy you shoes, take you out for good food… I’ll spoil you properly.”
Seo Ha-yoon boasted grandly, despite being just a salaried employee. Choi Sang-hyuk scoffed, but the way his eyes softened showed that he didn’t mind hearing it.
“Then start saving up. And stop wasting money on unnecessary things. Why aren’t you using the card I gave you for living expenses?”
Seo Ha-yoon’s wallet still held cards from both Choi Sang-hyuk and Ha Jun-seo. He had tried returning them, but neither of them would take them back.
“I earn my own money now. I should be spending my own money on my own expenses.”
“How much could you even earn? You’re acting up.”
Choi Sang-hyuk scoffed again.
“I do use it sometimes, though. I buy lunch with it, and coffee too….”
At Seo Ha-yoon’s words, Choi Sang-hyuk pulled out his phone. He opened a message window, selected a specific chat, and started reading aloud.
“Coffee, 1,500 won. Restaurant, 7,500 won. Coffee, 1,500 won. This is all you spent in a whole week? Did you get coffee from a vending machine or something? 1,500 won? What is this ridiculous amount?”
“Not all café coffee costs four or five thousand won, you know. Takeout specialty shops are great. An iced Americano is only 1,500 won, and it’s big and delicious too.”
Choi Sang-hyuk’s eyebrows twitched upward. He clearly couldn’t believe that any café would sell coffee for 1,500 won. From the way he looked at Seo Ha-yoon, he must have assumed it was some terribly cheap, low-quality coffee.
“Anyway, there’s a whole world out there that you, Director Choi, don’t know about—the world of us common folks.”
Seo Ha-yoon cut the conversation short, too lazy to explain further.
“Stop buying that cheap stuff and drink something proper. What if you get sick from it?”
Choi Sang-hyuk refused to let it go and kept nagging.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Seo Ha-yoon responded halfheartedly and took another sip of his drink. Choi Sang-hyuk’s eyebrow twitched again, but he let it slide.
At the company, there was already a widespread misunderstanding that Seo Ha-yoon was some rich kid from a wealthy family. The moment he got hired, he had been dragged around by both Choi Sang-hyuk and Ha Jun-seo, getting fitted for more expensive suits than he could even count. On top of that, the watch he wore every day—while he didn’t know the exact price—was undoubtedly worth at least a few million won. The same went for his shoes.
And then there was his car—a BMW that Ha Jun-seo had gifted him. He had asked to switch to something more reasonable, like an Avante, but Ha Jun-seo had argued that replacing the car would cost even more. So, in the end, he had no choice but to keep driving it.
A mere twenty-three-year-old high school graduate, walking around in luxury brands, sporting a watch worth millions, and driving a BMW? He might as well have been walking around with a sign that read, I have powerful connections. On top of that, there were already rumors that he had landed his job thanks to Choi Sang-hyuk pulling strings. There was really nothing more to add to the mess.
Because of this, Seo Ha-yoon made an effort to blend in as much as possible at work. He drank the cheapest takeout coffee from newly opened budget cafés, picked out the most cost-effective lunch spots, and eagerly accepted free meals or coffee from senior colleagues, raising his hands in celebration whenever they treated him. Over time, he had actually come to enjoy it.
“You’re as stubborn as ever, Seo Ha-yoon.”
Choi Sang-hyuk pinched his cheek and scolded him. Even though it was just a light pinch, Seo Ha-yoon exaggerated his reaction, whining in fake pain. Choi Sang-hyuk shot him a look, as if silently cursing him for his theatrics.
Seo Ha-yoon couldn’t hold it in and burst into laughter. The way this serious, heavy-set man constantly cursed him with his eyes was just too cute. The more time passed, the cuter Choi Sang-hyuk seemed to him, and that was becoming a serious problem.
“…Cute.”
Seo Ha-yoon unknowingly blurted it out. Then, realizing what he had just said, he gasped and clapped a hand over his mouth.
“What? Cute? Did you just call me cute?”
Choi Sang-hyuk looked completely dumbfounded.
Ah, shit.
Seo Ha-yoon immediately collapsed onto the table, letting his arm go limp.
“Ah… I must be really drunk. I must have had too much….”
“You’re getting cocky, Seo Ha-yoon.”
“Ugh… I’m so drunk…”
When Seo Ha-yoon continued to act drunk, Choi Sang-hyuk clicked his tongue and gave up on questioning him further.
“Enough, let’s go home.”
Choi Sang-hyuk stood up and helped Seo Ha-yoon to his feet. Seo Ha-yoon wasn’t just pretending to be drunk—he was actually a bit tipsy. Leaning against Choi Sang-hyuk, he stumbled his way out of the bar. Of course, even in that state, he made sure to proudly pay for the drinks with his own card, repeatedly insisting, I got this!
They called for a chauffeur service to take them home. In the car, Seo Ha-yoon dozed off, head resting on Choi Sang-hyuk’s shoulder. The scent of alcohol on his breath was strong enough to make even Choi Sang-hyuk feel intoxicated just by breathing it in.
And then, they finally arrived home.
Someone was sitting in the living room—someone who shouldn’t have been there.
***
“Ha Jun-seo?”
“Jun-seo?”
Both Choi Sang-hyuk and Seo Ha-yoon called out almost simultaneously when they saw the figure sitting on the living room sofa.
Arms crossed, Ha Jun-seo sat there, watching them. His gaze landed on Seo Ha-yoon, who was practically draped over Choi Sang-hyuk as they walked in. Then, he smiled.
Something about that smile made the hair on the back of Seo Ha-yoon’s neck stand on end.
“Jun-seo, I—”
Seo Ha-yoon had lied to him and stood him up, all while he had been waiting at home, having prepared braised short ribs for dinner. Feeling guilty, Seo Ha-yoon opened his mouth to explain.
But Choi Sang-hyuk cut him off.
“What the fuck do you think you’re doing in someone else’s house? You got a death wish?”
“Oh, and I suppose you conveniently forgot our little agreement? You knew damn well I had plans with him tonight, yet you went ahead and stole him away anyway. You sure it’s me who wants to die?”
The tension in the air was dangerous.
Caught in the middle, Seo Ha-yoon avoided Ha Jun-seo’s gaze, his guilty conscience making it impossible to look him in the eyes. He stood there awkwardly, stuck between the two men, not knowing what to do.
“Shut up and get the hell out of my house.”
“As if I wanted to be here. Ha-yoon, let’s go.”
Ha Jun-seo stood from the sofa and reached out to grab Seo Ha-yoon’s wrist.
“The fuck do you think you’re doing? Can’t you see he’s drunk?”
Choi Sang-hyuk slapped Ha Jun-seo’s hand away roughly.
Ha Jun-seo’s expression turned blank—void of emotion.
That’s when Seo Ha-yoon realized just how serious the situation was.
Ha Jun-seo was really angry.
“Sang-hyuk… I should go. I originally had plans with Jun-seo, but I broke my promise. That was my mistake, so… I should go with him.”
Seo Ha-yoon looked up at Choi Sang-hyuk as he spoke. Then, he turned to Ha Jun-seo, taking his hand in an attempt to reconcile.
“I’m sorry, Jun-seo. I didn’t mean to deliberately deceive you. This was my fault. You probably went out of your way to make braised short ribs for me too… I’m really sorry.”
As Seo Ha-yoon apologized over and over, Ha Jun-seo let out a soft sigh.
His rigid expression finally relaxed—just a little.
But not entirely.
“Don’t blame him. I was the one who called him up to the office. What was he supposed to do? When a superior calls, an employee has to come—that’s how it works.”
Surprisingly, Choi Sang-hyuk stepped in to defend Seo Ha-yoon, as if trying to ease his awkward situation.
“If you keep pulling this kind of shit, don’t think I won’t pay you back in kind. Do you really think the only reason I don’t mess up your alone time with Ha-yoon is because I don’t want to?”
Ha Jun-seo’s voice was sharp.
Choi Sang-hyuk looked like he was about to snap back with something harsh, but before he could, Seo Ha-yoon tugged at his sleeve. Letting out a frustrated sigh, he ran a rough hand through his hair.
“Jun-seo… I really was in the wrong today. At the very least, I should have been honest with you. I’m really sorry. Can you let it go? Please?”
Seo Ha-yoon had no excuse—this time, he had truly messed up. If he had prior plans with Ha Jun-seo, then no matter how inconvenient it was, he should have refused Choi Sang-hyuk’s call. And if he had to cancel, he should have at least been upfront about it.
Both of these men were already making so many compromises because of him. Seeing them fight because of his mistake made him feel utterly ashamed.
Ha Jun-seo narrowed his eyes. He stared at Seo Ha-yoon, who was looking genuinely remorseful, then slowly spoke.
“Are you really sorry?”
“Yes, I really am.”
“You said you’d make it up to me earlier. Did you mean it?”
“Of course.”
Seo Ha-yoon nodded quickly.
“Good. Then tonight, you do everything I say.”
For some reason, that statement sent a shiver down his spine. It felt like Ha Jun-seo was about to demand something ridiculous.
But Seo Ha-yoon trusted him. He knew, without a doubt, that Ha Jun-seo loved him and would never hurt him. That was why he could nod without hesitation.
“Alright, fine. I’ll do whatever you want. So you’ll forgive me, right?”
“Yeah.”
At Ha Jun-seo’s response, Seo Ha-yoon let out a relieved sigh.
“The hell is this? What do you even plan on making him do? Ha Jun-seo, do you really think you can just take him away from me right now?”
Choi Sang-hyuk pulled Seo Ha-yoon close, wrapping an arm around his shoulders possessively.
Ha Jun-seo merely smiled at the display.
“I’m not taking him anywhere.”
“What?”
“I said, I’m not taking him anywhere. We’re hanging out right here.”
“Quit talking nonsense and get the hell out already.”
Choi Sang-hyuk growled, his voice thick with irritation.
Ignoring him completely, Ha Jun-seo extended a hand toward Seo Ha-yoon.
Seo Ha-yoon hesitated for a brief moment—but then, he took it.
Holding onto Seo Ha-yoon’s hand, Ha Jun-seo started walking toward the bedroom.
“Ha Jun-seo!”
Choi Sang-hyuk’s voice, furious and commanding, rang out as he followed after them.
