Even if that man’s neck were to be grabbed by Sa Gong-hyun because of Jae-young’s lies that day, he felt no sorry. It was all that man’s fault for creating an escape route for Jae-young and for speaking carelessly.
“And you want me to believe that?”
“…I know it’s strange. Believing that, and eventually coming all the way here… Even knowing that, I missed you so much, Hyun-ssi.”
It was a role of an absolute fool. No matter how he thought about it, this drama wasn’t to Jae-young’s taste. There was no such mess as this mess. No plausibility, no emotion, no special purpose to be glimpsed.
However, this was also the only method for which Sa Gong-hyun couldn’t provide a counterargument. Love at first sight wasn’t just a mythical story passed down; if the person says so, then that’s how it is.
Despite the mistreatment by Sa Gong-hyun, Do Jae-young’s heart had to have reached a point where even he couldn’t control it anymore. Fortunately, there were quite a few excuses that could be added to this.
That pretty face, that pleasant low voice, that affectionate smile, that excellent physique.
Of course, what Jae-young experienced couldn’t be covered up by all those excuses, but he decided not to mind for the time being. Because the moment the operation was completed, Sa Gong-hyun would regret it tremendously.
So if he wanted to see that moment, Jae-young also had to be as sincere as possible. Enough to deceive even himself.
“This is crazy.”
And as if that method had worked, Sa Gong-hyun let out a hollow laugh. As if he found it absurd, he lowered his gaze and skewed one corner of his mouth.
“Do Jae-young-ssi, are you doing this because you need two million won?”
“…”
Does he believe it? Jae-young quietly observed Sa Gong-hyun’s expression. When his eyes met Sa Gong-hyun’s as he lifted his eyelids, Jae-young’s lips parted automatically.
“I told you. You’re… my first, Hyun-ssi.”
He reached out and gently grabbed Sa Gong-hyun’s sleeve. Nothing would be more insulting than Sa Gong-hyun pushing his hand away, but in the momentum, Jae-young even put strength into his fingertips.
Saying no to everyone who approaches. So he hoped this would pass smoothly. If Sa Gong-hyun were to turn away from Jae-young, then he would really have to write a new script. In the worst-case scenario, a new actor would have to be brought in to replace Jae-young.
Having already given up his backside, did he have to rack his brains again and find a way to sneak into the house? He didn’t want to. There was nothing as stupid as seeking unnecessary harm. So at this point, Sa Gong-hyun had to play along with Jae-young’s acting.
Sa Gong-hyun’s intense gaze stuck without any gap. Jae-young wanted to avert his eyes immediately but endured out of stubbornness. Sa Gong-hyun’s lips, pressed into a straight line, slowly moved.
“Do Jae-young-ssi.”
“…”
“That feeling better be sincere.”
Ah… The breath that had been difficult to release suddenly burst forth. If Jae-young could have expressed the joy he felt at that moment, he would have grabbed Sa Gong-hyun’s cheeks and kissed him like a madman.
He was so intoxicated with the sense of achievement that he could have rubbed lips with anyone. Instead of showing this, Jae-young smiled faintly.
“I think that’s the only way I might be a little less angry.”
The following words were suitable for gnawing at his mood, but it didn’t matter. Nothing seemed as thrilling as seeing Sa Gong-hyun lose his composure and express his anger.
Sa Gong-hyun covered Jae-young’s hand that was gripping his sleeve. Then he slowly let it drop.
“Follow me.”
Sa Gong-hyun passed by Jae-young. Wondering where he was going, Jae-young realized it was the path toward the house where Sa Gong-hyun lived.
Jae-young hurriedly searched for signs of Seung-kwon. Seung-kwon, who had already moved away, was nowhere to be seen.
Feeling belated relief, Jae-young slowly moved his feet. While obediently following Sa Gong-hyun, he was so tense that his mouth felt dry.
Still, it didn’t seem like anything worse than what happened the first time he was followed would occur. If necessary, he could touch the bracelet at that point. Seung-kwon should still be in the vicinity.
Jae-young quickened his pace to catch up with Sa Gong-hyun.
Without any effort to pick the lock, the gate opened readily. He crossed the threshold without reducing his presence or looking around cautiously.
“…Wow.”
An unintentionally unsophisticated reaction escaped. Jae-young looked around with wide eyes. Having visited the homes of wealthy people several times when working on them, he wasn’t surprised by the grandeur.
He was surprised by how ordinary and clean it was. Even the landscaping seemed neat without any special attention. Anyone would mistake it for an ordinary family home.
I thought he would have maintained it in a gloomy and eerie way, given his personality. Ah, is this why he could bring one-night stands home? Unconsciously looking around the yard outside the house, Jae-young turned his head the other way.
Woof, woof! Just then, a large dog that appeared from the corner rushed at Jae-young.
“St-stay away!”
It was a Doberman. Jae-young was so startled that his heart nearly jumped out of his mouth, and he stepped back. While waving his hands and retreating, he tripped over his own feet and fell backward.
Grrrr, woof! The Doberman took an attack stance less than a step away from Jae-young. It looked ready to pounce at any moment. Jae-young, his face turning pale, curled up and protected his head with his arms.
“Ver.”
Then Sa Gong-hyun’s voice was heard from a distance. Recognizing its owner’s voice, the Doberman moved away, barking with excitement. Jae-young swallowed a heavy lump of saliva and lowered his arms.
In his field of vision, he saw Sa Gong-hyun petting the Doberman’s head. He was still so startled that his heart was beating violently.
No, why keep such a thing without tying it up…! He was about to flare up angrily, but he clutched his left chest and steadied his breathing. He really thought he was going to be mauled.
Woof, woof! The Doberman wagged its tail so vigorously it might fall off and raised its front paws toward Sa Gong-hyun. Jae-young stared at the scene blankly and then got up.
Sa Gong-hyun was smiling. Not eerily or arrogantly like before, but rather ordinarily. As if he genuinely found the dog cute, without any ulterior motive.
Jae-young slowly moved his feet. As he cautiously hid behind Sa Gong-hyun, the Doberman growled softly, “Grrrr.” Then Sa Gong-hyun threw a tennis ball he had picked up from the ground.
“Fetch.”
The Doberman excitedly chased after the ball that was arcing through the air.
He knew Sa Gong-hyun had a dog, but he didn’t know he kept it out without even a leash.
“I forgot to tie it up.”
Well, I don’t think you really forgot. Jae-young was about to respond grumpily to Sa Gong-hyun, who was turning to look at him, but stopped.
“…Is its name Ver?”
Instead, he recalled the name Sa Gong-hyun had called the Doberman. When Jae-young mentioned the Doberman’s name, Sa Gong-hyun nodded slightly.
Is it called Ver, taking the two middle letters from “Doberman”? Jae-young sighed as he looked at Ver, who had already returned with the ball in its mouth.
“Can I throw it too?”
He extended his hand to Sa Gong-hyun, who was holding the ball. He also needed to learn how to handle Sa Gong-hyun’s dog in case things went wrong. If it was the kind of dog that only rushed at strangers, he needed to become friendly enough to not be considered a “stranger” anymore.
After receiving the ball from Sa Gong-hyun, Jae-young threw it with all his might. The ball burrowed between the saplings. Ver wagged its tail and kept sniffing around the tree gaps.
“Does it bite too?”
“It bites strangers.”
Sa Gong-hyun, who had been looking at Ver, turned around with a bored face. He didn’t seem to have any intention of tying Ver to a leash.
See? It’s not that he forgot; he never ties it up in the first place. Giving Sa Gong-hyun’s back a side-glance, Jae-young hurriedly followed him into the house.
Sa Gong-hyun’s house was strangely empty. All the furniture one would expect in a house was there, but it somehow looked empty. Perhaps because it was so spacious? Jae-young looked around the house, chewing small bits of the inside of his mouth.
If he were to give an unnecessary review, the interior was also very clean. Despite the monochrome interior, it wasn’t dark in tone, so it didn’t look gloomy. It was moderately dark, moderately bright, and excessively clean.
He looked around the house, walking awkwardly due to unnecessary tension. The nervousness that had been on edge since entering Sa Gong-hyun’s house had already subsided. It was too ordinary. There weren’t even any visible CCTVs, nor any security devices.
Are the ledgers really here? Perhaps the all-too-ordinary state of the house was conversely disconcerting.
“Sit comfortably. Would you like some coffee?”
Author: Hyacinthus B
Hyacinthus
