By Zephyria 
Seo Yi-kyung asked, his complexion looking slightly improved.
“You’re not planning to sleep there, are you?”
As if answering Seo Yi-kyung’s question, Han Seung-jae raised the head of the bed and leaned his back against it. He then placed one arm behind his neck.
From any angle, it was obvious he felt uncomfortable, as the bed didn’t fit his frame.
The VIP room was equipped with a shower area, a resting space for guardians, a sofa, a table, a TV, and even a refrigerator. The interior was spacious and the windows were wide open, allowing one to see far into the distance when the weather was clear.
However, compared to the house where Han Seung-jae lived, everything was lacking and deficient. Seo Yi-kyung couldn’t even begin to count the shortcomings on his fingers. Despite this, Han Seung-jae simply turned his head to look at Seo Yi-kyung and spoke concisely.
“There’s no way I could fall asleep.”
“…….”
It wasn’t that Seo Yi-kyung had asked because he didn’t know. Even to his eyes, Han Seung-jae was not the type of person to easily fall asleep in a place like this.
Even Seo Yi-kyung, who had shared a bedroom with him, had rarely seen Han Seung-jae sleep. He always arrived after Seo Yi-kyung had fallen asleep or left before he woke up. Moreover, even when he returned home, he spent most of his time in the study.
They had never just leaned side by side on a bed like this, staring blankly.
Between the two of them sat the mechanical humming leaking from the machines in the hospital room. Seo Yi-kyung had been flustered from the moment Han Seung-jae suddenly made himself at home on the hospital bed.
‘If we sleep here together, what about Min Ra-hyeon at home?’
Perhaps Han Seung-jae would soon get up from the uncomfortable bed and leave.
‘I’m overthinking.’
Trying hard to stop his runaway thoughts, he picked up the glass of water in front of him to moisten his throat, and his gaze entangled with Han Seung-jae’s. Seo Yi-kyung contemplated whether to turn his head away. But wouldn’t that look too much like he was blatantly avoiding him?
Still, staring for too long was awkward. Seo Yi-kyung moved his head naturally while holding the water glass so as not to make it obvious.
“As I thought.”
The fingertips of Seo Yi-kyung’s hand holding the glass twitched. Han Seung-jae removed the arm from the back of his neck and shifted his upper body forward from where he had been leaning.
“It is uncomfortable.”
Han Seung-jae had likely never slept in a place like this, on a bed like this. So it was only natural that he felt the discomfort firsthand.
The desire for Han Seung-jae to leave clashed violently with the feeling of not wanting him to go back to the house where Min Ra-hyeon was. However, he couldn’t voice such things.
Seo Yi-kyung pressed the button to lower the head of the bed. He decided to choose sleep quickly before Han Seung-jae said anything unnecessary. Since he was tired, this time would pass quickly once he closed his eyes. And when he opened them, Han Seung-jae would be gone.
How much time had passed? With his eyes closed, Seo Yi-kyung faintly heard the sound of steady footsteps.
He couldn’t tell if it was a dream or reality. Beyond his hazy consciousness, he heard the sound of a door opening, and then closing.
* * *
Late at night, at Executive Director Jin Tae-won’s residence.
“Hyung, I’ve had all the articles taken down for now.”
Jin Seok-young was anxious. He had every reason to be. The situation was not good. There was a high possibility that Han Seung-jae already knew about this. How could he not? Han Seung-jae was the person most desperate to find Seo Dong-hu.
Jin Seok-young paced around the sofa.
“Director Han must have seen the news articles, right?”
In a situation where it wouldn’t be strange if Secretary Park showed up right now, Han Seung-jae was far too quiet. It seemed like he didn’t know that Vice President Seo had died. Or perhaps he did. It was difficult for Jin Seok-young to guess.
“He must have seen them, so why is he so quiet? Did he miss it? If he saw it, there’s no way he’d be this calm.”
Jin Tae-won, annoyed by Jin Seok-young acting like a dog that desperately needed to pee, flicked the finger holding his cigarette toward him. Jin Seok-young sat on the sofa and added,
“It’s true that Vice President Seo died of excessive bleeding. They said a knife stabbed his flank, causing a fatal wound.”
Jin Tae-won flipped a page. It contained photos of Seo Dong-hu. Taking in the gruesome sight, Jin Tae-won exhaled a cloud of smoke. Given Seo Dong-hu’s usual behavior, the possibility that this was the work of someone harboring a grudge could not be ruled out. It seemed that Director Han wasn’t the only one with a grudge right now.
“Did Director Han really tell you to find Vice President Seo?”
Jin Tae-won quickly flipped through the papers. Jin Seok-young followed along with his eyes and spoke.
“I told you he did! How many times do I have to say it? It’s clear Director Han couldn’t find Vice President Seo either. Then why would he tell me to go find him? For whose benefit?”
If Jin Seok-young had found him and handed him over to Han Seung-jae, things would have flowed more favorably. After all, it was Vice President Seo who had harmed Seo Yi-kyung. That was a truth that could not be hidden by anything. And if Seo Yi-kyung helped just a little, Jin Seon-yu could have escaped this matter more easily.
“But fuck, since Seo Dong-hu is dead, things have gotten even more messed up.”
Moreover, the place where Vice President Seo had harmed Seo Yi-kyung happened to be Executive Director Jin Tae-won’s residence. Once the investigation began, Jin Tae-won’s name was bound to be mentioned.
That was not welcome. It was obvious that the image Chaeon Foods had built up would take a hit. It takes decades to build a reputation, but it crumbles in an instant like a sandcastle.
He wondered if it could even be recovered, but even if it could, it would be a grueling fight as long as Jin Tae-won was around. Perhaps it would be impossible. He had to step in before things became uncontrollable.
“I need to meet Director Han. Set up an appointment.”
“Are you going to meet him in person, Hyung?”
Jin Tae-won crushed his cigarette in the ashtray. Then he immediately took out a new cigarette and lit it. That alone made Jin Seok-young hold his tongue.
“Got it. I’ll tell Secretary Park that you’re coming.”
Jin Tae-won closed the papers he was looking at and set them on the table. Even if he sent Jin Seok-young, he couldn’t persuade Han Seung-jae with that brain of his. With a temperament that only knew how to clash and a lack of eloquence, it would be better to settle things now before they became more complicated.
“Still, I can’t go empty-handed, so I should ask Seon-yu what would be a good gift for Mr. Seo Yi-kyung.”
Jin Tae-won leaned back against the sofa. It was as good as a silent permission. Jin Seok-young stood up and walked up the stairs.
“Seon-yu.”
Jin Seok-young burst open the door. Jin Seon-yu’s eyes flared. He had told him to knock so many times that his mouth practically ached.
“About Mr. Seo Yi-kyung.”
However, as soon as Seo Yi-kyung’s name came up, Jin Seon-yu’s gaze changed.
“What about Yi-kyung? Did his condition get worse?”
Jin Seon-yu looked as if he were about to bolt out the door. Jin Seok-young gripped his shoulder firmly.
“It’s not that, but he’s pregnant. Tae-won Hyung wants to know what would be a good gift.”
“Big Hyung does?”
Jin Seon-yu’s eyes widened. But he soon recalled the pile of gifts he had seen with Seo Yi-kyung. It must be a gift to celebrate the baby. Jin Seon-yu pondered for a moment before speaking. Hearing his answer, Jin Seok-young glared.
“Isn’t that just something you want?”
Jin Seon-yu continuously listed the things he had seen in the drawing room. Baby clothes, toys, and even flower baskets. Items were piled up in that house as high as Jin Seon-yu’s height.
Jin Seok-young asked suspiciously.
“Really?”
He wasn’t asking if that many gifts had poured in, but rather he couldn’t believe that those were things Seo Yi-kyung ‘wanted.’
“I’m telling you it’s true.”
Jin Seon-yu logically persuaded Jin Seok-young repeatedly.
* * *
Seo Yi-kyung tossed and turned. Out of habit, he moved his casted left arm, then opened his eyes due to the weight. He slowly turned his head to the right. It was as if he were checking whether someone was there or not.
The bed where Han Seung-jae had been was empty. Come to think of it, he felt like he had heard steady footsteps last night. The sound of a door opening, and closing. Han Seung-jae must have gone back then.
‘So it wasn’t a dream.’
And Seo Yi-kyung lowered his eyelids in resignation. Suddenly, he heard voices continuing a conversation beyond the curtain.
“I have brought the suit for you to change into and breakfast, as I told the chef. What should I do with this? He seems to be sleeping.”
“Wait a moment.”
Han Seung-jae’s voice was low but had a clear resonance. Soon after, Han Seung-jae, now changed into a suit, appeared and approached the bedside of the just-awakened Seo Yi-kyung.
“Can you get up?”
Facing the Han Seung-jae he had been looking for, Seo Yi-kyung nodded unconditionally, fearing his inner thoughts would be revealed. Since his legs weren’t injured. Then, Han Seung-jae pushed aside the blanket covering Seo Yi-kyung’s chest and helped him get up from the bed.
Due to Han Seung-jae’s unexpected action, Seo Yi-kyung’s toes got tangled as he lowered both legs from the bed. Because of that, he was moved to the shower room almost as if he were being carried by Han Seung-jae.
“I-I can do it by myself.”
“If you move like that and fall, you’ll get hurt even worse. Do you want to keep being carried by me?”
“…….”
Seo Yi-kyung shut his mouth tight. Looking at Han Seung-jae’s eyes in the mirror, he chose to accept it rather than engage in a pointless argument.
Seo Yi-kyung dipped his right hand into the sink. Despite his slow washing due to the pain around his chest, Han Seung-jae wrapped his arm around Seo Yi-kyung’s waist to support him so he wouldn’t fall. Suddenly, Han Seung-jae spoke toward the open door.
“Bring something to wipe with.”
Secretary Park approached and handed over a long towel. Han Seung-jae took it and wiped Seo Yi-kyung’s small face. His touch was indifferent, as if he had never done such a thing before.
Seo Yi-kyung could feel Han Seung-jae’s firm upper body behind his back. Heat kept rushing to the tips of his ears. Every time the towel swept across his face, Seo Yi-kyung could faintly see his own reflection in the mirror. He was in a position that looked as if he were tucked snugly into Han Seung-jae’s chest.
The space in front of the sink was far too narrow for him to stand with Han Seung-jae.