As night deepened, the lights installed around the pool began to glow softly. The gentle illumination rippled through the water, spreading across Ha-jin’s face.
Thanks to a full day of swimming and playing around, his fingers were pruny with moisture and his body was tired, but Ha-jin’s expression remained bright and relaxed.
Empty liquor bottles and plates of finished snacks were scattered messily across the table by the pool’s edge. He couldn’t even remember how many drinks he’d had. The alcohol had spread sweetly through every corner of his body, leaving him warm and pleasantly drowsy.
Ha-jin was floating aimlessly in the water, completely wasted.
“Come on, get out. You’re drunk. You’ll end up hurting yourself.”
Kwak Mari called out in a worried voice as she tidied up around the pool. Already changed out of her swimsuit, she shook out her still-damp hair and took a final sip of her drink.
Ha-jin, eyes half-shut, didn’t move. He looked like he might’ve fallen asleep while floating, but instead he pouted and complained.
“Ugh, this is all your fault. You were having so much fun that I just got swept up in it.”
His voice, loosened by alcohol, was softer than usual. Floating languidly on the water, gazing up at the sky, he added quietly:
“But… this is really nice.”
Kwak Mari let out a small laugh as she began gathering her things. Even after she was completely packed up, Ha-jin still showed no signs of leaving the water, so she splashed him playfully to hurry him along.
“I’m leaving! Come on, get out so I can watch you safely come out of the pool.”
Yushin had long since fallen asleep, exhausted. Even a few splashes in the pool had drained him completely, and the moment dinner was over, he’d headed straight to bed.
It had been hours. So it was only natural for Kwak Mari to be worried, seeing Ha-jin still playing alone. No one in their right mind could leave a drunken friend alone in a swimming pool.
Eventually, Ha-jin gave in and dragged himself out of the water. As he stepped out, shaking off some of the water, Kwak Mari gave him a smile.
“Tell him I had a great time. Thanks to you, I got to really unwind today.”
She slapped him lightly on the back two, three times before walking out of the suite with a hint of regret in her expression. It was the fate of someone who had to be at work on Monday. Not to mention, her family was waiting.
Lim Han-soo, waiting just outside the door, was as stubborn as ever. Ha-jin had hoped he’d go home if he wasn’t going to come in, but the man insisted on staying put, claiming he needed to be paid for his night shift. He wouldn’t budge.
After showering and changing, Ha-jin stepped out to find the massive suite dead quiet. He wandered around, tidying up the mess, then checked in on Yushin, who was still sleeping soundly. No fever, deep in sleep—reassured, Ha-jin stepped back out.
And the silence hit him again.
Inevitably, his thoughts circled back to Cheon Tae-seong.
It wasn’t just because Mari had asked him to pass along her thanks. Throughout the day, even while laughing and playing, he’d found himself thinking of Tae-seong. Wondering if he was okay without him, if his pheromones were making him irritable, if he landed safely after the flight.
Not just occasionally—if he was being honest, he’d thought about him most of the time.
A simple thank-you call, huh…
Given the time difference, it would’ve been well past noon where Cheon Tae-seong was. And Tae-seong wasn’t the type to put off work when it was right in front of him, so Ha-jin figured he probably dove straight into it after arriving.
He bit his lip, pulled out his phone. Spam emails and ads were flooding in—but there wasn’t a single message from Cheon Tae-seong.
Busy, huh…
But calling just to say thank you felt like too weak a reason. Even if he did call, Tae-seong would probably just chuckle dryly. If he said he’d repay the favor someday, the man would probably get annoyed. And who knew if he was in a meeting or something—he couldn’t just randomly call, could he?
Still, even as he thought it was ridiculous to be thinking about Tae-seong nonstop after just one day apart, he kept making excuses in his head. It’s only natural to worry about someone you’re managing, right?
He didn’t realize he’d been looking for a reason to call him.
“……”
Ha-jin stared at his phone for a long time, torn—then finally gave in to the impulse.
“I mean, I do have to check if he’s taking his meds properly, if he’s feeling okay…”
With his eyes narrowed in determination, he tapped the green call button. As the ringtone played, his heart pounded in his chest and his palms began to sweat.
But Cheon Tae-seong didn’t answer.
“Haah…”
His energy drained out all at once.
Ha-jin sat there, dazed, staring at the now-ended call screen. The “canceled call” message pressed strangely on his chest.
I should’ve just texted him. He slapped his knee at the belated realization.
Ugh, damn it! Feeling embarrassed, he wiped his sweaty palms. Now he’d just left a missed call for no reason. Maybe he should’ve waited until Tae-seong got back. With a pout, he placed the phone back on the table.
And that’s when it vibrated. The screen lit up.
[CEO]
Without a second thought, Ha-jin lunged for the answer button.
“H-Hello, sir?”
His voice cracked with urgency. A soft chuckle came from the other end.
—Yeah, Ha-jin.
Tae-seong’s voice was calm. That same smooth, relaxed tone that always made him sound so composed.
—What’s up? I just got out of a meeting, so I couldn’t answer earlier.
Ha-jin went quiet for a moment, then slowly replied.
“Ah, it’s nothing serious. I just… wanted to say thank you. I had such a great time today, and I really wanted to express my gratitude. Mari noona also asked me to pass on her thanks.”
There was a pause on Tae-seong’s end.
As the silence stretched, Ha-jin’s nerves flared again. Was it too trivial? Had he interrupted his work over something meaningless? All kinds of thoughts flooded his head. Then he heard Tae-seong give a faint chuckle.
—That’s it?
“Uh… yeah, I guess…”
—Okay. How’s the room? Comfortable enough?
“Y-Yeah. More than enough. It’s incredible, honestly. Totally luxurious.”
—Glad to hear it. How was the pool? Fun?
“Y-Yeah, it was fun.”
As he answered, he suddenly felt like he was being fussed over. He wasn’t trying to act cute, but it made him feel like a child. Flustered, he began to stammer, and from the other end, Tae-seong let out another soft laugh.
—What about food? Did you eat well? The hotel’s head chef is really skilled. I made sure to have them prepare a variety and plenty of it. Hope it was to your liking…
“I stuffed myself. I’m still full.”
Tae-seong’s low, gentle voice kept coming. And each time Ha-jin responded, led along by his questions, his cheeks burned hotter.
Spilling your honest feelings so openly—it was a little embarrassing, a little nerve-wracking. The way Tae-seong asked about every little detail of his day felt like a whisper, delicate and precise, tugging at Ha-jin’s heart.
And then, suddenly—an unexpected emotion surged up from somewhere inside him.
I miss you?
“……”
Surprised by himself, Ha-jin hiccupped.
Tae-seong’s voice—his soft, whispery tone—had conjured him so vividly. It almost felt like he was sitting in the next room, not on the other side of the world.
—By the way, Ha-jin.
“Y-Yes?”
This time, Tae-seong hesitated again. But instead of getting nervous, Ha-jin imagined his expression. Slightly furrowed brows, a faint smirk on his lips—he could see it clearly.
—Hmm…
His voice dropped even lower than before.
—I’m more disappointed than I expected.
Ha-jin blinked, stunned, then stifled another hiccup as he hurried to respond.
“W-What? What do you mean, disappointed?”
—You don’t have anything you want to ask me?
“Uh…”
Thrown off, Ha-jin hesitated before awkwardly asking:
“Are you… feeling okay? Taking your meds properly…?”
Even as he said it, he knew—it wasn’t what Tae-seong had meant. He could feel it in his gut. He thought about changing the question, but it was already too late. Not that he could think of anything better anyway.
—…Yeah.
There was a brief silence before Tae-seong responded.
—Well, that is your job, after all.
“Sir, I didn’t mean—”
—Jae-hyun came with me, by the way. So you don’t need to worry about the meds or pheromone stuff.
Professor Song?
Before Ha-jin could even ask, Tae-seong abruptly moved to end the call.
—Anyway, I need to head out again. It’s probably bedtime for you, right? Sleep well.
“Sir…”
—I’ll see you back in Korea.
“Sir, wait a minute.”
There was a burst of noise on the other end—then the call dropped with a click.
“What the…”
Ha-jin bit his lip and set the phone down. See you back in Korea? Was that his way of saying don’t call again?
And Professor Song Jae-hyun being with him—that was unexpected, too. The whole sweet conversation felt like a dream, yanked away just as suddenly as it had come.
He’s disappointed?
Ha-jin frowned deeply, refusing to accept it.
He’s one to talk…
