By Zephyria 
Han Seung-jae looked straight ahead while cradling Seo Yi-kyung’s body with one arm. With his shoulders tilted slightly, Han Seung-jae’s eyes looked cold. A man holding a stack of papers in both hands spoke urgently.
“Director Han! Please listen to me. I can do it! I will definitely make it happen. If you just invest, I can prove it to you.”
Han Seung-jae raised his free hand toward the man who continued to prattle on.
“If—if you look here, you’ll see. That my words are not nonsense.”
Trembling with fear, the man gradually approached. This was because Han Seung-jae was beckoning him with a flick of his fingers. The direction of the man’s hand, pushing forward the thick stack of papers, and Han Seung-jae’s arm were precisely aligned. Han Seung-jae suddenly grabbed the man’s head as if to crush it.
“Are you giving that to me to read right now? If you have eyes, you should know your place.”
As he tightened his grip, the man’s face instantly contorted.
“Di—Di—Director Han…”
Seeing a sight he had never witnessed in his life, Butler Do froze in place, unable to move. It was just as Secretary Park took a step forward, as if to calm the situation. Han Seung-jae looked down at the nape of Seo Yi-kyung, who had buried his head in the dark suit.
“Haa. Haa.”
The sound of labored breathing could be heard from within his embrace. The rose scent, felt softly along with the heat, was Seo Yi-kyung’s pheromone. Moreover, perhaps because he was startled, he was clinging to Han Seung-jae’s back with all his might.
Seo Yi-kyung tightened his arms around Han Seung-jae’s waist until his fingertips turned white. He couldn’t possibly choke Han Seung-jae, but Han Seung-jae could feel how desperately he was clinging.
Without a word, Han Seung-jae removed his hand from the man’s head. At that, Secretary Park stopped in his tracks. Han Seung-jae carefully held Seo Yi-kyung’s slender shoulders.
He gently pulled Seo Yi-kyung away to check his complexion. It was unclear whether he was this pale because he had grown up without seeing sunlight, or if it was because he was ill. Only the bright red color of his tongue, panting with his mouth open, stood out.
“Sit.”
Han Seung-jae, now somewhat softened, turned and pulled out a chair. Butler Do stepped inside as if coming to his senses. However, there seemed to be nothing he could do.
Seo Yi-kyung sat in the chair. Han Seung-jae withdrew the long arm that had been cradling his chest as if supporting him. As he turned around, Secretary Park was dragging the man away.
“How on earth did you find out where this place is?”
Perhaps because his head had been pressed so hard by Han Seung-jae moments ago, the man, overwhelmed by shock, was dragged out without any resistance. Just before the two left through the door, a low voice echoed.
“Here.”
Secretary Park looked back. Han Seung-jae flicked his large hand again.
The dark suit draping over his broad shoulders exquisitely highlighted his refined features. Shadows formed on the tight vest beneath the undone buttons. With black hair lightly brushing his forehead, he turned his head away from where he had been looking at Seo Yi-kyung. Now, both of his hands were free.
Secretary Park stared at the back of Seo Yi-kyung, who was sitting in the chair with his back turned. Because he was looking at the red decorated table, his face wasn’t visible, making it impossible to gauge his condition. Was he feeling very unwell? Han Seung-jae’s patience had already been exhausted after waiting for about an hour.
It was rare for him to wait for anyone. Usually, such things were done by the party that wanted something. People always wanted to meet Director Han to receive investments and would wait no matter how much time passed.
It wasn’t that Han Seung-jae had been camping out here just to meet a man like this. Therefore, if this man were taken away now, it was obvious the end would not be pleasant.
But knowing that didn’t mean there was another way. Secretary Park closed the door he was about to exit. Then, holding onto the man, he turned around.
Butler Do could say nothing and could only watch the situation, his eyes darting nervously.
“Di—Director Han!”
The man, seemingly coming to his senses late, stepped forward with wide eyes. As Han Seung-jae reached out his hand, the man instinctively squeezed his eyes shut. He sensed that what had happened moments ago was about to repeat.
However, this time too, his expectation was completely wrong. Turning slightly, Han Seung-jae picked up a curved teapot decorated with flower petals. This time, he filled a small teacup without overdoing it.
“Drink this.”
Although Seo Yi-kyung’s breathing had calmed down, his complexion was poor. No, he had been like that in the morning too. Han Seung-jae had arranged this meeting because he was concerned that Seo Yi-kyung hadn’t been able to eat his porridge properly. Though someone had ruined everything.
“…”
Meanwhile, when the man felt no pain despite waiting, he opened his eyes slightly. As soon as he locked eyes with Han Seung-jae, he whispered in fear.
“I—I’ll be on my way now…”
“I’ll invest.”
“I will be careful to make sure this never happens again.”
“I said I’ll give you the money.”
“…Pardon?”
The man looked bewildered. He looked at Secretary Park as if doubting his own ears. Secretary Park showed no particular change in expression. Perhaps such whimsical occurrences were frequent.
Han Seung-jae turned and sat at the red decorated table. He spoke while looking at Seo Yi-kyung, who was holding the teacup with both hands.
“I’m busy, so make it short.”
Secretary Park skillfully took a pen from his inner pocket and handed it over. The man hurriedly plopped the papers he was holding onto the table.
Han Seung-jae’s brow furrowed instinctively. He pulled out a napkin.
“Name.”
“Kwon—Kwon Jung—Gu.”
The man’s voice was trembling excessively, like a goat. Han Seung-jae, about to move the pen, narrowed his eyes and looked at him. Facing a completely unexpected situation, Kwon Jung-gu swallowed hard and muttered firmly.
“I am Kwon Jung-gu.”
Han Seung-jae wrote his name on the napkin. Then, he wrote the numbers ‘9:1’ and pushed it forward.
Kwon Jung-gu, unable to grasp the situation at all, reached out with both hands and took the napkin. Han Seung-jae returned the pen to Secretary Park and spoke. His eyes remained on Seo Yi-kyung, who was gripping the teacup.
“The principal recovery period for the investment is one year. If profits occur as written there, I take 9, and Mr. Kwon Jung-gu takes 1.”
“B—But…”
Kwon Jung-gu stuttered in confusion. He looked down at the pile of documents. Based on the contents written here, natural gas exploration would take at least three years. Regardless, Han Seung-jae gestured as if it were a headache.
It also seemed to mean ‘now get lost.’
* * *
Secretary Park opened the door and came out. Following him was a dazed Kwon Jung-gu, walking out while holding the napkin in both hands. Butler Do was the last to exit, and the door closed.
“Secretary Park.”
Kwon Jung-gu reached out both hands imploringly. He looked utterly pitiful, unable to even grip the napkin tightly for fear that it might tear. Nevertheless, Secretary Park spoke calmly.
“You may come to the office with that tomorrow morning. We will draft the documents then, and I will provide the desired amount on the spot.”
Kwon Jung-gu looked at his own hands, looked at the firmly closed door once more, and then slowly turned around. Even though he had achieved what he desired, he walked away much slower than when he had arrived.
Watching Kwon Jung-gu fade into the distance, Butler Do seemed to hesitate before asking cautiously.
“Was what I just saw Director Han’s original self?”
It was so different from what he had seen at home. Butler Do also didn’t know what Han Seung-jae was like before he married Seo Yi-kyung. Until now, he had only listened to the stories openly exchanged at Seo Yi-kyung’s family home.
Just then, an employee approached the two of them. It seemed they had been standing at the entrance, reading the room.
“The food is all ready; may I go in now?”
At that, Secretary Park knocked and opened the door. Han Seung-jae sent a glance. Secretary Park, quickly understanding the signal, stepped aside.
The employee carrying food in both hands passed Secretary Park and Butler Do and entered. The staff, who quickly filled the table, exited immediately.
Secretary Park bowed slightly and closed the door. Once the image of Han Seung-jae with his sharp features disappeared from sight, Secretary Park’s face became calm.
“He has been very patient.”
Secretary Park’s voice was so low that it barely reached Butler Do’s ears. Worry seeped into Butler Do’s eyes.
Secretary Park checked the time. He had pushed back his schedule and stayed here for over an hour. Also, seeing that he agreed to an unplanned investment, perhaps he wanted to show a good side of himself to Seo Yi-kyung.
Secretary Park tried to vaguely guess Han Seung-jae’s intentions. Even so, there was no way to know his true inner feelings.
* * *
“How is your body?”
The one to break the silence was a voice with a low resonance. Seo Yi-kyung, who had been gripping the teacup, raised his head. When their eyes met, his face flushed. Because he had almost fallen during the sudden unexpected situation, he had hugged Han Seung-jae with all his might. But now that he had calmed down, he felt embarrassed. Perhaps it would have been less awkward if he had actually fallen on the floor.
“When someone asks, could you at least look at them?”
Seo Yi-kyung lifted his eyelids, which he had unconsciously lowered.
“I’m okay. I’m not hurt anywhere.”
Han Seung-jae had caught him before he even touched the floor. Seo Yi-kyung hadn’t even scraped his knees.
An awkward air vibrated between the two. Seo Yi-kyung lifted the teacup and moistened his lips. His throat kept feeling dry.
Just then, there was a knock, and the food arrived.
Seo Yi-kyung looked at the incoming delicacies with a speechless expression. Golden-brown, glossy Peking duck, scallop ceviche, a seafood platter—plates were placed so abundantly that the red table was completely covered.
Once everyone else had left, the mixed scents of food vibrated in the air.
“Is there any food you dislike?”
Seo Yi-kyung quickly looked forward. Recalling the earlier incident, he answered while intentionally looking into the other’s eyes.
“No. I eat everything well.”
The conversation continued precariously. For the most part, it was Han Seung-jae asking and Seo Yi-kyung answering. When Han Seung-jae picked up his chopsticks, Seo Yi-kyung did the same. Just then, as his wrist was revealed from the suit sleeve, Han Seung-jae gestured with his chin.
“If your wrist gets bruised, I’m kicking Butler Do out of my house.”