The sunlight streamed through the curtains, warming Seo Jun's face as he stirred awake.
His head throbbed from the alcohol, and for a moment, he was disoriented. Blinking, he realized he wasn't in his room but on the living room couch. Then he noticed Han Su.
The younger man was curled up beside him, his head tilted awkwardly against the couch's armrest, his chest rising and falling with soft breaths. Seo Jun's heart tightened.
Why is he so close? he thought, memories of the previous night flooding back—the kiss, the rejection, the ache that followed. It all felt like a cruel reminder of the boundaries between them.
Seo Jun carefully shifted, trying not to disturb Han Su. His hand hovered briefly near him, the temptation to touch him overwhelming. But he clenched his fist and pulled back.
"No," he whispered to himself, standing up slowly. "I can't let this happen again."
He retreated to his room, splashing cold water on his face in an attempt to clear his thoughts. He looked at his reflection in the mirror, his jaw tightening as he made a silent vow.
Forget it. Forget the confession, the kiss—everything. He doesn't feel the same, and that's okay. Just be his boss, nothing more.
Meanwhile, Han Su stirred awake to find the couch empty. He sat up, rubbing his eyes and looking around.
Did Seo Jun leave without waking me?
A pang of guilt gnawed at him. He couldn't stop thinking about the kiss and how he had pulled away. He wasn't sure what he felt, but one thing was certain—he hated the awkwardness that now lingered between them.
"Han Su."
Butler Choi's voice startled him, snapping him out of his thoughts.
"Oh—Mr. Choi," Han Su said quickly, standing up.
"It's time to start your tasks for the day," the butler said, his tone as polite as ever. But there was something in his eyes, a knowing glint that made Han Su uneasy.
"Uh, sure," Han Su replied, scratching the back of his neck as he shuffled toward the kitchen.
Mr. Choi cleared his throat. "By the way," he said casually, "it was quite the unexpected moment last night."
Han Su froze, his face heating up. "W-what do you mean?"
The butler raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk on his lips. "The kiss."
Han Su's heart sank into his stomach. "You... you saw that?"
"I couldn't help it. I was passing by," Mr. Choi said, his expression carefully neutral. "Now don't worry. I'm not one to gossip. But perhaps you and Mr. Seo Jun should talk."
Han Su stammered incoherently, too mortified to form a proper response. He excused himself hastily, nearly bumping into his mother and Eun ji as they entered the hallway.
"There you are," his mother said cheerfully. "We were just about to let you know we're heading back home today."
"What? Already?" Han Su asked, frowning.
Eun ji chimed in. "Yeah. We've imposed enough. Besides, Mom has work and I have school."
Before Han Su could respond, Seo Jun appeared at the end of the hall, freshly dressed and composed.
"Leaving so soon?" he asked, his voice warm but slightly reserved.
Eun ji grinned. "Yes, Mr. Seo Jun. We've taken up enough of your time."
"Nonsense," Seo Jun said, stepping closer. "At least stay for breakfast. It's the least I can do."
Han Su glanced at Seo Jun, his guilt deepening at how calm and polite he seemed. There was no trace of the vulnerability he'd seen last night—no hint of the man who had confessed his feelings.
His mother beamed. "That's so kind of you, Mr. Seo Jun. We'd love to."
As they all made their way to the dining room, Han Su couldn't shake the uneasy feeling in his chest. He stole a glance at Seo Jun, who was busy chatting with Eun ji. Seo Jun's laughter echoed softly in the space, his smile lighting up the room. It was genuine, easy, and completely devoid of the tension that had hung between them the night before.
He's really good at hiding his emotions, Han Su thought, his heart sinking further as they sat down to eat. He wondered how much of last night Seo Jun would bury—and if things could ever go back to how they were.
The clinking of cutlery against plates was the only sound punctuating the breakfast table, where an awkward tension hung like a thick fog. Seo Jun kept his gaze firmly fixed on his food, his usually poised demeanor betrayed by the occasional glance at Han Su, who sat stiffly across from him.
Han Su's mother and Eun ji exchanged subtle looks, clearly picking up on the unease between the two.
Eun ji, never one to hold back her curiosity, finally broke the silence.
"What's going on with you two?" she asked, her gaze darting between Seo Jun and Han Su.
Han Su nearly choked on his coffee, and Seo Jun's grip on his fork tightened imperceptibly.
"Eun ji," her mother scolded, giving her a stern look. "That's none of your business. Stop being so nosy and so mature for your age."
Eun ji pouted but didn't push further, though her smirk hinted she wasn't entirely convinced by the dismissive responses.
When the meal ended, the family gathered their things to leave. Han Su helped his mother with her bag while Eun ji gave Mr. Choi an exaggerated curtsy that made him chuckle.
At the door, Han Su's mother pulled him aside. Her voice was low but firm.
"Whatever tension is going on between you and Mr. Seo Jun—resolve it, Han Su. It's written all over both of your faces. And it's not healthy to leave things unresolved."
Han Su nodded stiffly, avoiding her penetrating gaze. He hugged her tightly, murmuring a quick goodbye before she and Eun ji disappeared into their taxi.
Seo Jun sat alone in his office, staring at the USB drive on his desk. Thoughts of Mea and Tae Yong swirled in his mind like a storm, their betrayal still a raw wound. His jaw clenched as he leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling.
Tae Yong's wedding, he thought bitterly. That'll be the perfect stage to expose them for who they really are.
His musings were interrupted by a hesitant knock on the door.
"Come in," he called, his voice even but weary.
Han Su entered cautiously, shutting the door behind him. He seemed to hesitate before stepping forward, his usual confidence dimmed by the weight of the conversation they were about to have.
"Do you have a moment to talk?" Han Su asked.
Seo Jun gestured for him to sit, his expression unreadable.
"What is it?"
Han Su sat but didn't immediately speak, fidgeting with the hem of his shirt. Finally, he took a deep breath.
"About the kiss," he began, his voice barely above a whisper.
Seo Jun stiffened slightly, but his face betrayed no emotion.
"What about it?"
"I just... I hope it doesn't change things between us," Han Su said quickly.
"I mean, I don't want it to affect how you've been helping me. I really appreciate everything you've done, and I don't want this to stop."
Seo Jun interrupted gently, his tone soft but firm.
"Han Su, I'm not that petty. My feelings are mine to deal with, and they won't interfere with how I treat you."
Han Su's eyes widened slightly, surprised by Seo Jun's calm response.
"Even if you don't return my feelings," Seo Jun continued, a faint, bittersweet smile tugging at his lips,
"I'll still treat you well. I promised to help you, and I'll keep that promise. You don't need to worry about that."
Han Su swallowed hard, guilt bubbling in his chest.
"Thank you," he said quietly. "I just... thank you for clarifying."
Seo Jun nodded, his gaze briefly meeting Han Su's before shifting back to the papers on his desk.
As Han Su left the office, his heart felt heavier than before. Seo Jun's words were kind and selfless, but they only deepened the guilt gnawing at him. He wasn't sure what he felt anymore, but one thing was clear—he hated the idea of hurting Seo Jun, even unintentionally.
Han Su sat on the edge of his bed, his phone clutched tightly in his trembling hands. The conversation he dreaded was only a call away. With a deep breath, he tapped on Jin ho's name—the screen displaying a smiling picture of them from what felt like a lifetime ago.
The phone rang once.
Twice.
No answer.
Han Su's chest tightened as the seconds stretched into an eternity. Finally, just as he was about to hang up, the line connected.
"Hello," Jin ho's voice came through—low and almost indifferent.
"Jin ho..." Han Su's voice cracked, his throat tight with unshed tears. "I—I needed to talk to you."
There was silence on the other end—heavy and suffocating.
"Jin ho..." Han Su tried again, his words spilling out in a rush. "I need to know where we stand. It's been so long, and I feel like... like I don't matter to you at all. I don't know what's happening between us, and it's killing me."
A sigh came through the line, weary and reluctant.
"Han Su, I've been busy. You know that."
"Too busy to even call me?" Han Su's voice broke, the tears he'd been holding back finally slipping down his cheeks. "I've tried so hard to be patient, but I can't keep pretending this is okay. Do you even want to be with me anymore?"
Another pause.
This one felt like a knife twisting in his chest.
"Let's meet," Jin ho finally said, his tone resigned. "We'll talk in person."
Han Su's heart leaped and sank all at once—relief at the prospect of seeing him, mixed with a growing sense of dread.
"Okay," he whispered. "When?"
"Tonight," Jin ho replied. "I'll text you the place."
The call ended, leaving Han Su staring at his phone, his mind racing.
After finishing his chores, Han Su approached Seo Jun hesitantly in his study.
"Mr. Seo Jun," he began, his voice careful, "I need to leave early tonight. It's... personal."
Seo Jun looked up from his work, his expression unreadable.
For a moment, Han Su thought he might say no.
But then, Seo Jun nodded.
"All right," he said, leaning back in his chair. "But before you go, I need to tell you something."
Han Su froze, his nerves already frayed.
"You don't need to work as a servant here anymore," Seo Jun said, his tone calm but firm. "I want you to focus on studying and getting into college. That's what's important."
Han Su's eyes widened.
"But—"
"No buts," Seo Jun interrupted gently. "This is something I want to do for you. You have potential, Han Su. Don't waste it."
The sincerity in Seo Jun's words made Han Su's chest ache.
"Thank you," he murmured, bowing his head to hide the guilt gnawing at him.
As he left the mansion, Han Su couldn't shake the heavy feeling in his heart.
The meeting spot was a quiet café tucked into a side street—dimly lit and nearly empty. Han Su arrived early, his nerves making it impossible to sit still. He checked his phone repeatedly, waiting for Jin ho's arrival.
The bell above the door jingled.
Han Su turned, his breath catching in his throat.
Standing in the doorway, dressed sharply and exuding his usual air of confidence, was Jin ho.
Or rather, the man who had once been his boyfriend.
"Jin ho..." he whispered, his voice barely audible.
The man smiled, his expression chillingly casual.
"It's been a while, hasn't it, Han Su?"
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