Love Born of Pity Chapter 3

“This might sound absurd, but if you put yourself in my shoes, I’m the victim here. Doesn’t it bother you to hear things like this?”

“…No. I’m fine.”

“Most people without money are stupid and frustrating, but I’m glad I can reason with you, Mr. Kwon Jiho. And here.”

He spoke casually and pulled a thick-looking envelope from his bag. He placed it in the middle of the table and tapped it with his well-manicured fingers. 

Tap, tap, tap.

“I did come prepared. I actually laughed while filling this envelope. It’s funny, and it hurts my pride, that I’m the one doing this—offering money to go away, this vulgar act.”

Despite using the word “vulgar,” Kang Gyumin maintained a refined demeanor throughout his time sitting across from Kwon Jiho. Even his occasional, suppressed chuckles and the way he brushed back his hair exuded an air of nobility.

“I’d prefer if Mr. Yeonjae didn’t find out about our meeting… but if you, Mr. Kwon Jiho, wish to tell him, I can’t stop you. Oh, I heard you’re a Beta, is that right?”

“…Yes.”

“Then I guess I don’t have to worry about you shackling Mr. Yeonjae with an unwanted child. That would be truly tacky.”

His bright smile was impeccably beautiful. With a carefree expression devoid of any worry, he stood up with an air of leisure. “Shall we go then?”

“I hope we don’t have to see each other again. And I’d appreciate it if you could settle this as quickly as possible.”

“…This is… I’m okay. I won’t accept it.”

“You look like someone who likes money. Just take it. Don’t be so proud.”

With those final words, Kang Gyumin left the consultation room. He affectionately ruffled the hair of a child who had just finished practicing and left the academy without looking back. The chime of the bell echoed, just as it had when he entered.

“Teacher?”

“…”

“Teacher!”

“Ah… Yes, I’ll be right out. Just a moment.”

Kwon Jiho swept the business card and the envelope into a drawer as if brushing them away and let out a long sigh. His hands trembled. The constant stream of subtly insulting remarks, similar to Do Yeonjae’s, didn’t stick with him, but the request to settle things quickly made his heart churn.

His relationship with Do Yeonjae wasn’t something he could end simply because he wanted to. Do Yeonjae held all the cards. He had no intention of letting Kwon Jiho go and had stated that even marriage wouldn’t change anything.

As he stood up, closing the drawer with a click, a slight wave of dizziness washed over him. The children, who had been watching him through the glass, cried out with concern, 

“Whoa—he’s falling—” 

Kwon Jiho, despite his inner turmoil, found their concern endearing and smiled, but quickly composed himself.

“Who’s next? Eunsol?”

“Yes! Me, me!”

As the child climbed onto the grand piano bench in the hall and began to tap the keys with her small fingers, Kwon Jiho’s thoughts drifted back to Do Yeonjae.

♬⋆.˚

He didn’t know how he managed to close up the academy. He was sitting blankly in the consultation room, staring at the clock that showed he was long past closing time. He had been thinking about leaving for two hours now.

“…I don’t want to go.”

Even so, he didn’t have anywhere else to go. Kwon Jiho collapsed onto the desk, blinking and sighing deeply. The gentle face that had asked him to settle things and the cold face that had said nothing would change alternated in his mind’s eye. Should he tell Do Yeonjae about what happened today? Did he even know that his fiancé had come here?

Another hour passed filled with pointless thoughts. His phone, lying on the desk, buzzed persistently. Kwon Jiho stared blankly at the name on the screen, his eyes unfocused. He didn’t move a finger, simply watching until the call ended. Suddenly, the consultation room door burst open.

“Kwon Jiho.”

Startled by the low voice and the abrupt entrance, Kwon Jiho bolted upright. He hadn’t even heard the chime of the bell. Flustered, he stammered excuses for still being there, his words tumbling out under Do Yeonjae’s icy gaze.

“I was tired, so I rested for a bit… and I fell asleep…”

“Why didn’t you answer the phone?”

“…What?”

“You didn’t answer. It wasn’t that you didn’t notice it ringing.”

Do Yeonjae gestured with his chin towards the phone on the table.

“What possible reason would you have for avoiding my calls, Mr. Kwon Jiho? I can’t think of one.”

Do Yeonjae watched Kwon Jiho’s tightly closed lips and sighed deeply. He was frustrated by not knowing what he was hiding. He wished he could see inside that small head. Having grown up with the ingrained belief that “a clam’s mouth opens when you hit it,” Do Yeonjae found himself unconsciously scrutinizing Kwon Jiho’s body.

His slender, delicate frame didn’t look like it could take a beating. He seemed like he would break easily. It felt excessive to hit him just for hiding his thoughts. He never resorted to violence, even when Kwon Jiho frustrated him like this.

He should realize how much Do Yeonjae cherished him. Scoffing at the sight of Kwon Jiho blinking his large eyes slowly, Do Yeonjae opened the consultation room door, leaned against it, and spoke.

“Do you have something to say? If not, and you’re just wallowing in self-pity, why don’t you come out?”

At the low, gravelly voice, Kwon Jiho hesitantly rose from his seat. He fussed around the table as if tidying up, even though there was nothing to tidy, and slowly gathered his belongings before leaving the consultation room.

Do Yeonjae silently observed Kwon Jiho’s movements. He was exasperated by the way Kwon Jiho flitted around, double-checking everything before turning off the lights, as if he were loath to leave.

“Mr. Kwon Jiho.”

“…Yes?”

“Cut it out. You’re starting to piss me off.”

 

Kwon Jiho withdrew his hand from the practice room door, intimidated by the sharp glint in Do Yeonjae’s eyes and the irritation in his voice. He seemed to have unconsciously shown his reluctance to leave. After a brief pause, Kwon Jiho started to move slowly, but Do Yeonjae, unable to wait any longer, strode forward and grabbed his arm.

“What’s with you today?”

“Ah…!”

“Why are you being so annoying? Hmm?”

“Director…!”

He was dragged away without even locking the academy door. The man waiting in front of the building opened the car door as soon as he saw Do Yeonjae. Do Yeonjae shoved Kwon Jiho into the backseat and let out a long breath as if trying to suppress his irritation.

“Shall we take you home, sir?”

Do Yeonjae nodded vaguely at the question and put a cigarette in his mouth. A light appeared as if on cue. While exhaling a puff of greyish smoke, his gaze remained fixed on Kwon Jiho, who was pressed against the car window.

“Secretary Kim, would you mind locking up?”

“Yes, sir.”

♬⋆.˚

They didn’t exchange a single word during the drive home. Having passed rush hour, the city streets were clear, and the car moved faster and smoother than usual. Kwon Jiho sat still, watching the scenery rush by, occasionally glancing at Do Yeonjae.

His gaze was drawn to the way Do Yeonjae’s brow furrowed in concentration and his long, thick fingers brushed against the tablet screen. Kwon Jiho felt car sick just looking at his phone, but Do Yeonjae seemed unaffected, maintaining a bored expression. He couldn’t help but steal glances, eventually looking at Do Yeonjae’s face more than the scenery outside.

He was told not to say anything, so could he just let it slide? Would it be okay since they were engaged, even if Do Yeonjae found out later? Perhaps he already knew about the visit. If he had figured out how they met and what kind of help Do Yeonjae was providing, they might be in a relationship where they shared their daily lives intimately.

“Why?”

“…Yes?”

“You keep looking. I thought you had come up with some kind of excuse.”

Do Yeonjae put down his tablet and turned his head. Kwon Jiho’s face flushed crimson, thinking that he had been caught staring. Do Yeonjae chuckled softly and reached out the hand that had captivated Kwon Jiho’s attention.

Kwon Jiho’s soft cheek rested naturally in his large palm. Do Yeonjae gently pulled him closer, intending to kiss him, but Kwon Jiho instinctively turned his head away. Surprised by his own reaction, his body trembled. His downcast eyes concealed fluttering eyelashes. As Do Yeonjae’s grip tightened on his slender jaw, Kwon Jiho’s brow furrowed.

“It better be a good excuse. I’m curious why you’re acting like such a prick today.”

“…It’s nothing like that. Really… I’m just tired.”

Did Kwon Jiho know that he had a habit of biting his lip before lying?

Scoffing at the excuse offered through nervously chewed lips, Do Yeonjae lowered his head again. He wasn’t going to let Kwon Jiho avoid him this time, but Kwon Jiho lifted his head first. As if anticipating it, Do Yeonjae slipped his tongue past Kwon Jiho’s parted lips, and their tongues met in a tentative caress.