By Zephyria 
“You don’t have to be so hesitant. He won’t get angry if you speak honestly.”
If I speak honestly when he tells me to, VIPs always get angry…
He couldn’t say that out loud. The invitation to speak honestly made him more uncomfortable, and he just squeezed his fingers. The man asked again, as if to confirm.
“Are you cold?”
Even though he knew he was cold, the man seemed determined to make Choi Hong-seo speak it out loud himself.
“Yes, a little…”
As soon as he answered, the man adjusted the air conditioning temperature using the dial on the armrest. Then, he began to take off his jacket. In keeping with the T.P.O. of a private party held at a club, the man was wearing casual attire, not a suit. However, it wasn’t a flashy outfit.
When he took off the collared, mustard-colored zip-up jacket, he was wearing an elegant, ivory boat-neck summer knit underneath.
The knit revealed his physique much more directly than a suit. The bulging deltoid muscles at the end of his broad, thick shoulders and the firm curves leading down to his upper arms were stark. He looked much larger than when Choi Hong-seo had seen him at Director Kang’s house last time.
He’s working out hard even though he must be busy… Well, even someone like Chairman Jo looks decent for his age.
“Here, put this on.”
Unexpectedly, the man offered his jacket, and Choi Hong-seo reflexively waved his hands, declining.
“Oh, no. It’s really fine. I’m not that cold…”
But the man gently placed the folded jacket on Choi Hong-seo’s lap.
“It’s a bit of a cliché move, isn’t it? But just wear it for a moment.”
“……Thank you.”
Refusing multiple times wouldn’t be polite to a VIP. He carefully unfolded the light, soft-textured jacket. Instead of draping it over his back, he covered his front shoulders and chest like a blanket. He thought it would wrinkle the clothes less that way. Even though it was a thin jacket, the moment he hid his arms inside, the chill immediately subsided.
He bowed his head again in thanks to the man, who was watching him with a smile.
At his kindness, CEO Myeong’s words strangely came to mind.
That among the wealthy and powerful, there were those who played openly and those who played in secret. And that those with no rumors leaking out played the dirtiest…
Along with the confident face that had said, ‘He’s probably a total pervert, no less than Lee Seo-kyung.’
Unfortunately, the people Choi Hong-seo had encountered so far were generally like that.
They felt no need to be considerate in sex with someone they had paid money or other compensation to. As if it were the most natural thing, as if being respected or treated kindly was even more unnatural and ridiculous, their non-everyday acts, sometimes perverse and sometimes violent, were suddenly unleashed without any notice or warning.
Would this man be the same?
Would someone who looked so dignified, once the door was closed and they were alone, suddenly slap him, try to make him wear a skirt, or treat him like a piece of meat?
Even though his presence was intimidating, he had been quite well-mannered so far.
It was useless to try and predict. If there was one thing Choi Hong-seo had learned over time, it was that people, especially those with money or power, could never, ever have their bedroom preferences predicted by their usual demeanor.
A faint, pleasant scent wafted from the jacket covering his body. It was unusual, making him want to smell it again, but it wasn’t an overly distinctive scent. It was based on comfort, with a slight, unique twist that sparked interest… a masculine and sexy fragrance.
Drawn by the scent, which seemed like it would linger in his memory, Choi Hong-seo lowered his head a little deeper.
Whatever sexual preferences this man had, there was nothing he could do about it. For now, all he could do was take a breath, comforted by the unfamiliar allure of this scent and his small act of kindness.
The car had now exited Dosan-daero and was entering Hannam Bridge. The night view, emitting light from both sides of the Han River, was as usual. The lights, covering all sorts of ugly desires tangled within, were as beautiful as Christmas tree ornaments. That’s why whenever Choi Hong-seo saw this night view, he felt it was unfair rather than beautiful.
“Your work must be very difficult.”
After another long pause, the man spoke again. Choi Hong-seo, who had been gazing at the night view, turned his head to look at him.
“Because of people like the ones from earlier.”
“No. There’s no work that isn’t difficult… I’m fine.”
He chuckled softly with a smile. Choi Hong-seo watched him, not knowing why he was laughing.
“It sounds like a child pretending to be an adult…”
Like a child pretending to be an adult. Even though I’m younger than the Vice President, haven’t I been through a lot? I’m still going to ‘entertain’ the Vice President, aren’t I? Treating me like a naive child…
But of course, he couldn’t say this honestly either.
When Choi Hong-seo didn’t show much reaction, the man changed the subject.
“Do you always end up alone like this?”
“Excuse me?”
“The other members are out, and only you, Choi Hong-seo?”
“Ah…”
The other members aren’t being held by CEO Myeong, and they don’t know what happens at these events where only I’m left.
“Even though the youngest member of your team is twenty-three, which is younger than you, the age difference isn’t that big.”
“……”
He raised his head and met the man’s gaze again. When he had first seen him at Director Kang’s house, the man hadn’t even known his name. Yet now, he knew the age of the youngest member of ‘Layered.’
How do you know that? the expression on Choi Hong-seo’s face conveyed. But he didn’t dare ask directly.
“My younger brothers aren’t used to things like that. I don’t want them to ruin the mood unnecessarily if they’re called to an event…”
The man’s expression turned a little serious. After deep thought, he spoke in a serious tone.
“Actually, I don’t like situations like the one just now.”
“……”
“We can’t afford to be on bad terms, socially or business-wise, so we maintain minimal contact, but our ways of spending our private lives are completely incompatible.”
“Yes…”
The man stared intently at Choi Hong-seo, his face full of anticipation. But he couldn’t grasp what words he was expecting.
The anticipation gradually faded from his expression. However, he didn’t seem disappointed; instead, he adopted a resolute expression, as if he had made a big decision. Wrinkles formed between his eyebrows, which marked the start of his high nose bridge, and his lips, which gave him a serious impression, tightened.
What is he trying to say?
His upper body leaned a little closer to Choi Hong-seo. His handsome face, not thin but closer to a classic handsome type, closed the distance.
“I came today because Choi Hong-seo was the guest.”
“……”
His expression was serious. He seemed to be expecting some reaction, but no words came to mind.
You don’t usually like those kinds of events, but you came specifically to meet me? I’m so happy, Vice President.
Is that the kind of reaction he was expecting?
Even though he had become a professional at entertaining, Choi Hong-seo was not good at being charming or fawning. But seeing the VIP watching him with anticipation, he had to say something.
“Ah… um…”
“……”
“Thank you.”
His serious expression crumbled for a moment. He lowered his gaze from Choi Hong-seo’s lips and smiled slightly, showing no sign of displeasure. His flawless, magnificent face, which had felt almost oppressive, moved back to its original position.
He looked out the window. The car, entering Sowol-ro with Namsan on its right, was waiting for a signal in front of H Hotel. Was H Hotel the venue for the entertainment… While thinking this, he turned back to Choi Hong-seo.
“Shall we get out and walk for a bit?”
He nodded at the gentle invitation. He would have had to agree even if it had been a forceful question.
■
Namsan, past midnight, was sparsely populated. Few people would deliberately come to a place like this to walk on a weekend night.
“It’s quite cool, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
Keeping the railing on their right, they walked side-by-side on the sidewalk, slowly. Perhaps because it was on the mountain, it was indeed quite cool, as he said.
With little traffic, their sedan followed slowly about 10 meters behind, its hazard lights on.
A light breeze blew down from the mountain, and the lights sparkled more brightly than usual in the clear air. Relatively low buildings were clustered along the downhill path below the railing, and further away, skyscrapers formed a skyline. The visibility was so clear that one could see all the way to Yeouido.
“I heard you’re quite popular these days.”
“No. It’s just that some people are starting to recognize me now.”
“You must not have had any rest, starting team activities right after your solo activities ended.”
It was a series of surprises. He didn’t just know the age of ‘Layered’s’ youngest member.
Ah… it must be because of the movie. Since I have a high chance of playing the lead, he might have investigated. Connecting it that way made sense.