Go Hoon turned his head and stared directly at the man who was smiling faintly.
He appreciated the attempt at conversation, but something about the man’s expression didn’t sit right. He wasn’t unattractive, but there was a slick, sleazy aura about him—like a low-rent thug you’d do best to stay away from. Instinctively, Go Hoon felt this was someone he should avoid at all costs.
“Go ahead. It’s on me.”
When Go Hoon didn’t reply and simply continued to stare, the man grinned, showing his teeth, and offered him a drink. Go Hoon’s gaze dropped. Inside the glass, amber-colored liquor shimmered faintly.
“I’m fine, thank you.”
He declined with as much politeness as he could muster. Accepting drinks from strangers didn’t seem wise. Maybe he was being overly cautious, but it never hurt to be careful.
He had intended to turn down both the drink and the man’s interest at the same time. But the guy didn’t seem to care in the slightest. He plopped down right next to Go Hoon without hesitation, then tilted his head, peering under the brim of his cap to study his face in an intrusive, almost unsettling way.
“You’re really good-looking.”
The man leaned in, whispering in a greasy tone, and pressed even closer. At the same time, one hand slid up Go Hoon’s thigh in a slow, deliberate stroke—undeniably intentional and openly suggestive.
Revulsion welled up inside him, but Go Hoon kept his expression neutral. He didn’t want to cause a scene, and overreacting could provoke the guy unnecessarily. Staying cool and composed seemed like the best approach.
“No one with you? Then how about spending the night with me?”
He was unbelievably tactless. The sudden physical contact was already repulsive, but now he couldn’t even finish a sentence properly. The guy seemed completely void of manners or basic social cues.
“I know a place with a nice vibe.”
Whatever shred of goodwill had remained evaporated in seconds. And yet the man showed no signs of stopping. As if he believed his smirk was irresistibly charming, he twisted his lips into a crooked smile and even threw in a wink for good measure.
Go Hoon, who had been silently observing him, finally responded in a calm voice.
“I’m waiting for someone. They’ll be here soon, so would you mind moving?”
Since the guy had no sense of propriety, Go Hoon saw no need to be overly formal. This time, he made his rejection clear and direct. But just as he expected, this wasn’t someone you could reason with.
“Really? Then I’ll wait with you. Until your friend shows up.”
Seriously? He already seemed to know Go Hoon had come here alone. Flashing a smug grin, the man rested his chin on one hand while the other roamed further up Go Hoon’s thigh. Fingers brushed dangerously close to his crotch, and a slow burn of anger ignited within him.
How do I get this pervert off me? He was still debating when a voice interrupted the tension between them.
“I’m the one he’s meeting.”
Go Hoon turned his head. A tall man stood behind him—at least a full head taller.
He was strikingly handsome. The first thing that caught Go Hoon’s eye was his gaze—clean, horizontal eyes with faint double eyelids. Then came the pronounced bridge of his nose casting sharp shadows, a masculine, defined jawline, and full lips. Each feature drew the eye in turn.
He exuded a sleek, refined aura.
Where have I seen that face before? The thought came out of nowhere, oddly detached from the moment. As Go Hoon examined him more closely, their eyes met. The man offered a faint smile, then shifted his attention back to the sleazy stranger.
“Got some business with my friend?”
He was smiling, but there was an unmistakable weight behind his words—an effortless authority. The sleazebag looked completely caught off guard, instantly subdued by the stranger’s presence.
“…Friend?”
The man stammered, then looked to Go Hoon, silently asking if it was true.
A slight crease formed between Go Hoon’s brows. Honestly, he wanted to ask Who the hell are you? But now wasn’t the time to speak out of turn.
He chose to remain silent and observe. The sleazebag looked uncertain, hesitant. The tall man behind Go Hoon seized the moment and stepped in again.
“Yes. I’m with him.”
With a calm tone, he placed a large hand on Go Hoon’s shoulder. The touch was firm but not overbearing—surprisingly respectful.
“If you understood that, then take your hand off his leg and move away from our seat.”
He nodded toward the man’s hand still clinging to Go Hoon’s thigh, then leaned against the bar, casually stretching out his long frame.
“And I’ve been watching you for a while now.”
Reaching out with elegant fingers, he tapped the rim of the glass filled with reddish-orange liquor.
“Pull something like that around here, and you’re gonna get yourself in trouble.”
Pull something? Go Hoon blinked, confused. But the sleazebag looked noticeably flustered. Something about the comment had struck a nerve. Still, the guy recovered quickly and changed tactics.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What do you mean, ‘pull something’? Don’t go making weird accusations.”
He let out a forced laugh and tried to act indignant. But the stranger next to Go Hoon didn’t waver in the slightest.
“Then why don’t you try drinking it?”
He nudged the glass forward with an easy, unhurried motion.
The sleazebag’s lips parted wordlessly, like he’d suddenly lost the ability to speak. Watching him calmly, the man shrugged as if he’d expected exactly that reaction.
“I don’t know where you usually hang out or how you act in places like that,” he said, voice smooth but firm, “but the owner here absolutely despises that kind of crap. Don’t spoil the atmosphere—just enjoy yourself quietly and move along.”
His tone was soft, but the warning in it was clear.
After grumbling to himself for a bit, the sleazebag abruptly stood up and left. Go Hoon raised an eyebrow as he watched the man’s figure disappear beyond the entrance. Wait… did that drink really have something in it?
He turned his head just in time to see the man handing the suspicious glass to the bartender and saying something. They spoke briefly before the man returned to the table and, without any preamble, asked:
“Would you be open to changing locations?”
Go Hoon narrowed his eyes slightly, suspicion flickering in his gaze. The man smiled, as if amused by his reaction, and added:
“Feels like we’ve overstayed this place anyway, don’t you think?”
So he really had been watching the whole time. Go Hoon stared at him, now sizing him up with more scrutiny.
The more he looked, the more that strange sense of familiarity nagged at him. Where have I seen this guy before?
Go Hoon raised an eyebrow and scanned the man’s face directly, deliberately, trying to place the memory. But no matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t come up with anything concrete.
It didn’t feel like someone he’d crossed paths with in person. If they’d met, he doubted he would’ve forgotten. So maybe—
“Are you a celebrity?”
Maybe he just looked familiar because Go Hoon had seen him on TV or online.
But the man burst into easy laughter.
“Me?”
He pointed to himself with his index finger, his tone light, almost amused—not insulted at all.
Okay, not a celebrity then. That only deepened the mystery. So where do I know him from? Go Hoon was still puzzling it over when the man continued.
“I’m honored. Being mistaken for a celebrity—that’s a compliment, right?”
“…It’s not an insult.”
“Then maybe we should switch spots and have a proper conversation?”
The man’s voice was smooth, almost sly. Go Hoon looked at him, weighing his options.
He looked to be in his early thirties at most. Draped over one arm was a dark gray jacket, paired with matching slacks and a crisp white dress shirt with no tie. It was the unmistakable look of a clean-cut office worker.
More importantly, there was nothing crude in the way he looked at Go Hoon—none of that greasy, leering energy the guy earlier had oozed. His gaze was steady, respectful.
Well, if he’s not some sketchy guy or a celebrity, then I guess there’s no harm. Go Hoon had already been thinking of leaving anyway. And after what this man had done for him, offering a bit of company and thanks didn’t seem like a bad idea.
After a moment of consideration, Go Hoon stood and stepped forward.
“You lead.”
He nodded once. The man chuckled, like the outcome had been obvious, and started walking.
***
The place he led him to was another bar. Unlike the previous one, this didn’t seem to cater to any particular type of crowd. As they entered, Go Hoon noted an even mix of men and women.
The interior featured semi-private rooms separated from the main space—enough to give them privacy and keep curious eyes at bay. Not that anyone would think twice about the two of them walking in together, but still, being cautious never hurt.
Inside their room, soft jazz music played in the background. Blue lighting bathed the space, giving it a dreamy, upscale atmosphere.
Go Hoon glanced around briefly, taking it in, then turned to the man who was now on the phone.
As soon as they’d arrived, he’d politely excused himself and answered a call. It had been going on for about ten minutes. From the bits and pieces Go Hoon caught, it sounded work-related.
Office life must be brutal. Still getting calls after hours? Then again—wait, today’s the weekend.
A weekend work call? He didn’t know what kind of boss this guy had, but that seemed a bit much.
Just as he was thinking that, his phone buzzed in his pocket.
Bae Jung-yoon
[Hoon]
[Did you eat dinner?]
[What are you doing right now?]
8:02 PM
The message made Go Hoon flinch. It was probably just a casual check-in, but the guilt hit hard—he felt like he was lying to Jung-yoon.
He quickly typed back:
[Yeah, I ate.]
8:02 PM
[Studying right now.]
Then shoved the phone back into his pocket.
The moment he looked up, his eyes met the man’s. He’d finished the call at some point and was now seated across from him, holding a glass and watching him intently.
“There’s nothing in the drink, you know.”
So blunt.
But then again, it made sense. The golden-hued liquor sat untouched in front of Go Hoon—he hadn’t taken a single sip.
