By Zephyria 
“It’s just water… it’ll dry soon.”
Seo Yi-kyung’s voice was small, but there was no way Han Seung-jae, who was right beside him, didn’t hear it. Han Seung-jae checked the moisture of his wet shirt with his palm and then straightened his upper body. That action alone made the employee, who had been hovering close to Seo Yi-kyung, scramble backward.
“M-my apologies. Director Han. I will clean this up immediately.”
Even though it was Seo Yi-kyung who had spilled the water, the employee apologized swiftly as if they had committed the mistake and began tidying the table.
A new glass was placed, and the tip of a pointed kettle approached to fill it. Meanwhile, Han Seung-jae, having returned to his original seat, turned his gaze toward the chef. The chef turned the grinder to sprinkle spices, performed another fire show as if to refresh the atmosphere, and then sliced the meat into bite-sized pieces. He then placed the sliced meat onto a pre-plated dish.
As if they had been waiting, employees approached from both sides of the chef, took the plates, and set them down in front of the two men. Seo Yi-kyung stared at the cross-section of the plump meat, sizzling with oil.
Seo Yi-kyung picked up his chopsticks. The chef pointed to the sauce in front of him and explained what the flavor was. However, as Seo Yi-kyung made eye contact with him, the chef’s kind words sounded distant.
All of Seo Yi-kyung’s nerves were focused on his side, where Han Seung-jae’s touch had lingered. It felt as if the touch was still there.
“Please, try it.”
The chef’s eyes sparkled. Seo Yi-kyung picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth. The tender, soft meat was springy. The taste seemed similar to what the resident chef at home had made, but the texture was far superior. The seasoning had penetrated deep inside, making it feel as though the sauce wasn’t even necessary. Above all, the chef seemed eager for Seo Yi-kyung to give some kind of evaluation. Anyone would feel that way with Han Seung-jae sitting right there.
“It tastes… good.”
At Seo Yi-kyung’s very short and concise words, the chef seemed to gain strength; he quickly wiped the grill and added neatly cut vegetables. Colorful vegetables, including asparagus, rolled across the grill with the oil. After gathering the well-cooked vegetables to one side, the chef placed new meat on the grill. It was a different cut from the one seen before.
Picking up the meat again with his chopsticks, Seo Yi-kyung watched the process and savored the taste. Then, as he unconsciously turned his head, his eyes met Han Seung-jae’s. Having given up his suit jacket, Han Seung-jae was dressed in a vest and tie. The firm muscles were prominent beneath the dress shirt wrapping his broad shoulders.
Han Seung-jae’s plate remained exactly as it was when the employee first brought it. There wasn’t even a trace of him touching the surrounding cutlery. For some reason, Seo Yi-kyung felt as if he was the only one eating. However, shortly after, another plate was added beside him. Similarly, the neatly sliced meat and well-grilled vegetables boasted an appetizing appearance.
* * *
“I will prepare dessert for you.”
The employee cleared the empty plates. Seo Yi-kyung looked down at his clothes. The moisture on his side had dried quite a bit. The suit jacket on his shoulders remained there, as he hadn’t found the right timing to take it off.
It would be a lie to say he wasn’t mindful of Han Seung-jae, but Seo Yi-kyung ate the food in front of him as if possessed. It was hard to resist when the meat was sizzling right before his eyes.
While Seo Yi-kyung’s plate was repeatedly emptied and refilled, Han Seung-jae’s plate was often cleared away exactly as it had been served. As he ate, he felt he had tasted a bit of every cut. After eating a piece or two of each, he felt full.
Seo Yi-kyung stared at the strawberry tart and the orange juice in a tall glass before lightly gripping the straw and bringing it to his lips. Since he had been thirsty, the juice lingering in his mouth was tart yet sweet. In front of Han Seung-jae, there was only coffee.
Glancing at Han Seung-jae as he drank his coffee, Seo Yi-kyung removed his hand from the glass of orange juice.
Being at the Ivory Pavilion like this with Han Seung-jae, the protagonist of the original novel, gave him a strange feeling. The deep eyes, the sharp bridge of the nose, and the cold lips. It was always a truly wondrous feeling to see in person exactly what had been described in the original work. Moreover, to be dining at the Ivory Pavilion, a place that appeared frequently in the original story. This was something he felt he might never get used to.
“Aren’t you eating that?”
As if drawn by Han Seung-jae’s words, Seo Yi-kyung scanned the strawberry tart. Although the strawberries were beautifully arranged, he felt he couldn’t eat any more since he was already full.
“I was going to.”
Saying something different from his inner thoughts, Seo Yi-kyung picked up the fork. The chef had vanished long ago along with the clearing of the plates. Once he disappeared, the intense heat also vanished. Seo Yi-kyung felt the music flowing around them sounded louder than before. It was likely because he couldn’t feel the presence of any other people nearby.
‘Where did everyone go?’
No sound could be heard from anywhere. It was as if the only two people inside were them. The candle on the table flickered faintly.
“Still, you’re eating more than you do at home.”
Han Seung-jae set down his coffee cup. That action alone brought a hint of hesitation to Seo Yi-kyung’s fork, which had been heading toward the strawberry tart.
“Eat. I’m praising you for doing well.”
At Han Seung-jae’s words, Seo Yi-kyung’s fork sliced into the tart. Han Seung-jae had been watching Seo Yi-kyung eat while leaning back casually in his chair. When Seo Yi-kyung ate, he didn’t say a word. This was because he knew that, regardless, the other couldn’t eat much. But today, he seemed to be eating a noticeable amount.
“Is it delicious?”
The expression on Han Seung-jae’s face as he asked didn’t imply that he was genuinely curious about the taste. He simply watched Seo Yi-kyung nod while eating the tart and added another comment.
“If I had offered the Ivory Pavilion instead of the art gallery, would you have taken it?”
“…?”
As if reading the confusion in Seo Yi-kyung’s eyes, who hadn’t fully understood his words, he spoke again.
“I mean the price of the painting.”
Was the landscape painting of scattering cherry blossoms in the study worth this much? The canvas hadn’t even been maintained, and there were even scratches on the corners. It made him wonder if Han Seung-jae was miscalculating because the items in the study were simply so expensive.
The Ivory Pavilion was not only outstanding in taste but also had an excellent location. Han Seung-jae’s manner of mentioning it as if he could easily give it as a gift was unhesitating. Seo Yi-kyung, who was swallowing the tart, choked and burst into a coughing fit. Cough.
“Oh dear.”
When Han Seung-jae looked toward a certain direction, an employee approached and placed a glass of water beside Seo Yi-kyung. Seo Yi-kyung brought the glass to his lips and drank the water.
Once he set the glass down with a calmed face, Han Seung-jae gestured.
“Why don’t you eat more?”
“I’m full now.”
Having drunk the water, he felt he couldn’t eat any more.
“Then, come again next time.”
As Han Seung-jae looked away without lingering, Secretary Park moved as if he had been waiting. Han Seung-jae stood up. Seo Yi-kyung slowly pulled down the suit jacket draped over his shoulders and stood up.
“This.”
Han Seung-jae’s gaze reached Seo Yi-kyung’s side. A faint wet mark remained.
“Why don’t you keep wearing it? I can see right through.”
Seo Yi-kyung lowered his head and examined the wet area. He didn’t quite understand Han Seung-jae’s comment about being able to see through. There was merely a wet stain. Still, Seo Yi-kyung moved his outstretched hand and slid his arm into the suit jacket. Han Seung-jae seemed to have no intention of taking it back.
Employees approached the table with their coats. The coat Seo Yi-kyung had arrived in was placed over his shoulders.
“Did you enjoy your meal?”
The manager maintained a devoted attitude while walking beside Han Seung-jae. Although no warm words came from Han Seung-jae, the manager asked the same question to Seo Yi-kyung, as if accustomed to it. Unlike Han Seung-jae, Seo Yi-kyung could not coldly ignore the smiling face. He said he had eaten well and boarded the parked sedan.
“Please visit us again.”
The manager’s voice was heard while Secretary Park closed the rear door of the car. Every time Seo Yi-kyung moved while sliding his arms into the coat, he felt the firm material of the suit. Even with a slight turn of his upper body, the scent of white musk embedded in Han Seung-jae’s suit jacket was clearly conveyed. It made his heart beat rapidly, yet calmed the anxiety in a corner of his chest.
The sedan, which had been driving through the night streets, slowed down and eventually stopped at one spot. Secretary Park got out of the passenger seat and opened the rear door. Seo Yi-kyung then tightened his coat and stepped out of the car.
“Thank you.”
Han Seung-jae stepped out from the opposite side.
“Director Han, I will see you tomorrow.”
He walked forward, acknowledging Secretary Park’s greeting.
“Yes. Good work.”
As he did so, Han Seung-jae reached out his long arm and placed it around Seo Yi-kyung’s back. It was just as the two were about to walk out together.
Step, drrrr.
As a silhouette standing in a corner turned around, the suitcase they were holding made a sound as it dragged across the floor.
“Have you been doing well?”