Desires Chapter 4.1 - III. A Gesture to Become Something

According to the prosecution, on the night of December 31, an incident occurred in which the second son of Representative Ma Jaepil, a former Prosecutor General, was attacked by armed assailants in his vehicle. As a result of this incident, Mr. Ma sustained severe fractures to his arm, neck, and shoulder.

For days, reports continued that Matteo, the son of a four-term National Assembly member, had been attacked and seriously injured.

“I will do everything in my power to uncover the truth and apprehend the culprit who harmed my innocent son.”

Matteo’s father, who appeared on the news, was a sharp and upright figure, in stark contrast to Matteo’s vulgar and despicable appearance. The gap between the two was so vast it seemed to defy logic, almost a contradiction, making one wonder how such a son could come from such a father.

As was well-known, Matteo seemed to have countless enemies in all directions, but the media coverage was biased and sensationalized. It was as if Matteo’s father was deliberately using the media, frequently appearing in interviews and making his presence known.

The media reports leaned toward pressuring the unidentified assailants while simultaneously garnering sympathy for Matteo’s father, who had announced his candidacy for the opposition party leadership.

The coverage was so blatantly manipulative and aimed at evoking sympathy that it was clear what benefits Representative Ma Jaepil sought to gain through this incident. His father was appealing to the public’s emotions, using his injured son to garner sympathy votes in his bid for the opposition party leadership, amidst the fluctuating public sentiment.

The night of December 31 was unmistakable.

“He was creating an alibi.”

“To prove I was having a good time here for a long while, I had to act genuinely happy in front of countless eyes and ears.”

…That last night of the year.

Song Yeongin recalled every word Cha Woojin had said while they were together. Could it all be Cha Woojin’s doing, Hawkins? He was currently out of the country, as if it had been meticulously planned, at a perfect time.

Even if he had harmed Matteo, there was no certainty it was because of Song Yeongin. There must have been some other cause or justification for intimidating Matteo or resorting to force.

Song Yeongin knew Cha Woojin was extremely cautious and meticulous. He wasn’t someone who would recklessly take risks just for Song Yeongin’s sake.

🌫️

By Song Yeongin’s side, the only person constantly following like a shadow was the aide Cha Woojin had assigned.

“I’m Jang Haeseong.”

He couldn’t have been older than his early thirties, no matter how much he ate. The man who introduced himself as such had a sturdy, agile body like Cha Woojin’s, concealed beneath a black suit.

From his swift reactions to the slightest movement and his polite security manners, Song Yeongin could tell that Cha Woojin had assigned an exceptionally skilled and outstanding bodyguard to him.

Jang Haeseong put Song Yeongin in the car on his way home from work. He grabbed the steering wheel with familiarity, as if it were a routine task, and spoke.

“Please instruct me on anything you need. I will ensure you have no inconveniences.”

“I’m fine. I don’t need anything.”

Song Yeongin blinked slowly with tired eyes.

“Is not only my safety but my every move reported to him?”

Jang Haeseong’s face, reflected in the car’s rearview mirror, seemed to question why Song Yeongin would ask something so obvious. Song Yeongin let out a small sigh and said in a resigned tone.

“Even so, it would be troublesome if you followed me inside my workplace.”

The fact that Jang Haeseong was monitoring him even inside Laquere was more than a little bothersome. His colleagues didn’t seem to realize he was being watched, as Jang Haeseong was posing as a new administrative employee at Laquere.

“I’ve already obtained permission from Laquere, so there’s no need to worry.”

What kind of permission had he secured?

However, Song Yeongin didn’t ask for further details. Cha Woojin handled things in his own way, and Song Yeongin lived in a world too different to fully understand his methods.

“For safety reasons, starting today, you’ll need to stay at Jimil instead of your home.”

“…….”

It was because of Matteo. Though the details were unclear, since the attack, Jang Haeseong had been extremely vigilant about Song Yeongin’s safety. He was so thorough, even disguising himself as an employee at Laquere, that he left no room for security lapses.

“My nephew and sister-in-law…”

“No need to worry. Even now, I have people under my command keeping watch and ensuring their safety.”

Song Yeongin knew it had nothing to do with his own wishes. Jang Haeseong was already steering the car toward Jimil, without even waiting for a response.

The key to the secret hideout Cha Woojin had given him, a small metal microcard, jingled in his coat pocket.

“Director Park instructed me to confirm Song Yeongin’s wishes.”

“…….”

“Regarding the matter of relocating your sister-in-law and nephew to a safer place.”

“…….”

“With Song Yeongin’s permission, we will immediately move them to a more comfortable and secure location. We plan to relocate them to an apartment under Woosung Construction with guaranteed security.”

“…….”

“It’s a controlled environment with restricted access, making it ideal for raising a child.”

Song Yeongin remained silent at the proposal.

Cha Woojin must have known he couldn’t refuse. By putting a newborn child and a widowed sister-in-law at the forefront, he knew Song Yeongin would have no choice but to accept.

Song Yeongin knew this was a form of payment.

Because he didn’t want anything and refused to accept anything, because he said it was overwhelming and frightening, Cha Woojin was imposing an implicit burden in this way.

Judging by Jang Haeseong’s thorough and strict handling of matters and the extensive information he had about Song Yeongin, it was clear Cha Woojin hadn’t just assigned some ordinary figurehead.

Jang Haeseong knew everything about Song Yeongin. At the same time, the man before him had already concluded that Song Yeongin was Cha Woojin’s mistress. Song Yeongin could feel it clearly through the way Jang Haeseong had looked him over at their first meeting.

Song Yeongin asked Jang Haeseong.

“Is this payment?”

The words, coming from gentle and innocent lips, seemed unexpected, and Jang Haeseong gave no response. To Song Yeongin, that silence felt like a strong affirmation.

He wanted to let them spend the winter in a place with light and no mold. Even now, he couldn’t tell if the old, dark basement room was properly heated against the winter chill.

The guilt of not being able to check on them every moment, using work as an excuse, weighed on him. He was confirming their safety through Cha Woojin’s hands, despite putting them in danger.

He had to pay a price to Cha Woojin, one way or another.

This was Cha Woojin’s way: tightening the noose around his neck, making it impossible to refuse, shifting the responsibility by making it seem like Song Yeongin’s choice.

If he acted just a little smarter, Song Yoon and his sister-in-law could live more comfortably. They were innocent. If they were endangered because of Matteo, it would all be his fault. So, if he could just let go of his pride and let himself be ruined, that would be enough.

If he accepted this proposal, he would become a doll receiving payment, selling his body for conditions. Song Yeongin fell silent. Until they reached Jimil, he wrestled with the decision hundreds of times in his mind.

Jang Haeseong dropped Song Yeongin off at the secret entrance adjacent to the mountain. The fact that Jang Haeseong knew of this covert entryway confirmed once again for Song Yeongin.

Jang Haeseong was no ordinary person. He was someone Cha Woojin and Park Seongjae trusted enough to handle tasks and share secrets with.

As if resolving himself, Song Yeongin stepped out of the car and faced Jang Haeseong. His voice was calm and detached.

“Tell them I’ll accept the payment.”

“…….”

“Convey my words exactly, without missing a single syllable, to those above.”

And with that, Song Yeongin bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle to Jang Haeseong.

“Please take good care of my sister-in-law and the child.”

There was sincerity in his calm and courteous voice as he bowed. Jang Haeseong, bending his large frame, returned the respectful gesture.

His clear eyes shone resolutely in the darkness. In that transcendent look of resignation, Jang Haeseong felt a deep, indescribable pity.

🌫️

As the new year began, Laquere became busier than ever due to frequent New Year gatherings. Even now, during the hectic lunchtime rush, everyone in the fully booked hall was bustling without a moment to breathe.

While Song Yeongin was placing wines from the basement cellar back into the cooler, the general manager’s voice came from behind.

“Stop what you’re doing and go to the VIP room at the far end.”

“What should I bring?”

He assumed it was an instruction related to serving.

“No need to bring anything. Just go and follow their instructions.”

Following the manager’s orders, Song Yeongin headed to the most elaborately decorated VIP room at the end of Laquere.

Song Yeongin knocked and entered.

The man sitting alone was gazing at the artificial garden outside the window, bathed in sunlight.

He knew the small garden, exclusive to the VIP room, was inspired by the Alhambra Palace in Granada, Spain.

The man’s profile, dressed in a neatly tailored double-button suit, blended with the garden outside, looking like a page torn from a classic magazine pictorial. Slowly, his high nose and straight jawline turned toward Song Yeongin.

As Song Yeongin stood frozen, momentarily speechless, Cha Woojin broke the stillness by silently tapping the table a couple of times with his fingers. At the sound, Song Yeongin approached him. His heart was pounding painfully fast.

“You should take the order if you’ve come in.”

It had been a long time since their last encounter.

As he’d said, he had been away from Korea for quite a while. The man before him felt like a complete stranger. The formal speech he used didn’t feel awkward at all, given the long gap.

Through his manner of speaking, Song Yeongin could tell Cha Woojin wanted to be treated as a guest in this setting. So, Song Yeongin had to respond accordingly to the guest seated before him.

“Yes… Would you like to place an order?”

Cha Woojin scanned the menu with his perfectly chiseled profile. His sharp face, seen after so long, seemed even more honed. His edged features felt prickly, as if they could scratch or wound anyone.

“Prepare Course C for two. I brought my own wine, so please bring two Pinot Noir glasses and chill it.”

He pointed to the wine bottle on the table.

“Yes, understood.”

From the order for two, Song Yeongin inferred a companion would join later.

“Is there anything else you need?”

When he asked the customary final question, Cha Woojin looked him over with his characteristic arrogant expression and replied.

“No.”

Song Yeongin, calming his racing heart at Cha Woojin’s sudden appearance, bowed and left the room. It felt just like the day he first visited Laquere with Shin Hwayeon.

He was acting as coldly as he had back then, testing Song Yeongin once again with that indifferent, composed gaze.

Since defining their relationship and its distance was entirely up to this man, Song Yeongin believed he had to adjust to his wishes.

…January 1.

It had been quite a while since their farewell at Aschute. His thoughts were always inscrutable. An utterly unpredictable man.

Despite whispering such intimate words…

He appeared out of nowhere after so long, acting as if nothing had happened, with a brazen face. Truly, an utterly shameless man.

After taking the order, Song Yeongin returned to the room with a chiller and Pinot Noir glasses. When he entered again, Cha Woojin was on a phone call.

“Building a separate factory on the second site would be a waste of manpower and capital. Skip unnecessary alternatives and report only the finalized conclusions.”

His low, resonant voice seemed to be discussing business matters, though the details were unclear. Song Yeongin, moving like a shadow, quietly placed the wine in an ice-filled bucket and set the glasses.

“How will you recover the equipment investment costs for the factory expansion?”

As Song Yeongin was about to leave silently while he was still on the phone, Cha Woojin abruptly ended the call and gestured.

“Come here. Sit.”

With a furrowed brow suppressing rising anger, he stopped Song Yeongin. Song Yeongin stood frozen in silence.

“Don’t make me say it twice. Sit.”

“I need to serve the order…”

His sharp tone was intimidating. That simmering, cutting authority.

“I’ve already explained to the manager, so don’t worry and sit.”

Song Yeongin knew he disliked arguments. Always pressed for time, frequently checking his watch, he hated wasting energy and time on useless matters more than material losses. Song Yeongin knew this well.

Following Cha Woojin’s orders, Song Yeongin sat across from him. He brushed back his hair, damp with sweat from moving the ice bucket. His fingers were freezing from the ice.

Without a word, Cha Woojin opened the Pinot Noir, barely chilled for a few minutes, with a sturdy opener that seemed exclusively his, handling it with great skill.

He drove the screw in and pulled out the cork soundlessly. Holding the bottle by its neck with one hand, he poured wine into Song Yeongin’s glass like a seasoned sommelier, then filled his own.

Song Yeongin couldn’t fathom what he was doing but could only sit quietly, unable to do anything else. The inexplicable, harsh silence continued as Cha Woojin leisurely sipped his wine across from him.

Song Yeongin avoided looking at the man opposite him, instead gazing at the garden. Like Cha Woojin had earlier, he took in the dazzlingly beautiful pond, the ornamental fountain with lion statues, and the artificial garden’s greenery, vibrant even in winter…

“When I’m silent like this, you don’t ask anything.”

Song Yeongin finally looked at the man. His breath quickened.

“I don’t mind.”

Cha Woojin said with a languid gaze. The meaning was unclear.

“Not even a single call to someone who’s been out of touch while I was away from Korea.”

He was wrong. Silence was Song Yeongin’s most familiar way. He had always lived in silence with his mother and younger sister. Silence didn’t mean disconnection. A phone call was just one of many unfamiliar ways of communication.

“Because you know how to make me curious enough to come find you.”

Cha Woojin stared at the silent Song Yeongin. His face was clear and pristine, as if untouched by any memory of rolling with a man or being filled with his essence. Song Yeongin’s face was remarkably chaste and ascetic.

“Are you back?”

“Unofficially… I might have to return to Hong Kong or New York tonight.”

“This seat… Isn’t it for a companion? You ordered for two…”

Song Yeongin pointed to the seat he occupied.

“It’s your seat.”

“…….”

“I came all this way to have a meal with you.”

He said with a brazen face. As soon as he finished, a knock sounded at the VIP room door.

“Come in.”

At Cha Woojin’s words, Manager Kang Miyeon entered, pulling a tray with appetizers to the table.

Seeing his direct superior serving, Song Yeongin instinctively stood. Flustered, he pulled out his chair to assist her, but Cha Woojin commanded with cold eyes.

“Sit.”

Manager Kang Miyeon and Song Yeongin froze momentarily at the commanding tone.

“Song Yeongin, come here and sit.”

At the man’s order, Manager Kang Miyeon signaled with her eyes and a nod for Song Yeongin to sit. With a faint sigh, Song Yeongin sat back down. She completed the service professionally, unfazed, and left the room.

“Eat.”

Cha Woojin pointed to the appetizers, elegantly arranged like a painting. He swallowed a slice of scallop shaped like a zinnia. Song Yeongin simply watched him.

“It’s awkward…”

“What?”

“Your way.”

It was the first smile he showed since Song Yeongin sat down. A small, meaningless smirk dissipated into the air.

“If you don’t put anything in your mouth, I could make things even more awkward for you. Do you think malnutrition is a joke?”

“…….”

He glanced at the heavy wristwatch under his cuff.

“Eat this, and then come with me.”

He was arbitrary. It wasn’t even 2 p.m. yet. There was an hour and a half until the break and eight hours until the end of his shift. With New Year events and reservations fully booked, the hall was so busy that hands were scarce.

“I have to work.”

His prim face let out a resolute voice.

“Don’t belittle my job. Just as Cha Woojin has his way, I have mine.”

“Hah…”

He let out an incredulous sigh and laughed.

“Would you stay here working even if your employer told you to leave?”

“You’re not my employer.”

His straight jaw chewed and swallowed food. Even the act of eating made him seem like a predator. After slowly swallowing as if chewing flesh and blood, he spoke with an arrogant face.

“Why do you think I’m not?”

Song Yeongin looked at the man with a calm, detached face. There was nothing left to surprise him. Nothing was impossible for him. There was only Cha Woojin’s way.

Cha Woojin’s gaze, holding the wine glass, lingered on Song Yeongin’s lips. From the collar of his pristine uniform shirt to his chest and neckline, his unabashed gaze assessed Song Yeongin openly.

Cha Woojin smiled leisurely.

Dressed in white, he looked especially noble and sacred. Like a radiant angel punishing evil. At times, the boy seemed like a fragile, pure creature, standing out vividly. An odd optical illusion separated him from reality.

That’s why he so easily became the target of greedy desires.

“If you won’t go, I’ll have no choice but to exercise my authority as your employer and shut down the business in broad daylight.”

Song Yeongin let out a scoff, as if the idea was absurd.

Could it really be that Laquere now belonged to Cha Woojin? Or perhaps it had been his all along.

Maybe that was why Song Yeongin was here in the first place. It never made sense that President Bang had recommended this job to him to begin with.

“I’m just a pawn on his game board.”

The decision to accept payment might have been part of that man’s scheme from the start.

His lips were dry. His throat burned. He needed something to drink. Song Yeongin picked up the water glass in front of him and took a sip to quench his thirst. But the thirst persisted. Perhaps it wasn’t coming from his throat at all. It burned deeper, much deeper.

Is this your way—controlling everything and rendering others powerless?

He had told them he would accept the payment.

Surely, Cha Woojin knew and came here because of it. Even if he now treated Song Yeongin like a prostitute, there was nothing to be done. He was prepared for it.

Water wasn’t enough. Song Yeongin picked up the wine glass Cha Woojin had poured for him. The Pinot Noir he had poured gleamed with a beautiful, delicate blood-red hue. Cha Woojin paused, knife in hand, and looked at Song Yeongin holding the wine glass with a cool gaze.

Song Yeongin quickly gulped down the wine Cha Woojin had poured.

Cha Woojin let out a lazy smile, his cold eyes softening. Like a predator toying with its prey before sinking its teeth in, he said,

“Drink moderately.”

“…….”

“If you get drunk, I won’t be able to hold back.”

The man picked up the wine bottle and refilled Song Yeongin’s empty glass to the brim. His low, amused chuckle reverberated softly in Song Yeongin’s ears.

Song Yeongin, who had emptied the glass in no time, blinked slowly with neat, refined eyelids. A restless air passed over his delicate, well-proportioned features. Cha Woojin observed him leisurely, as if savoring the sight.

Song Yeongin, finishing his second glass of wine, held out the empty glass to Cha Woojin again.

“More, please…”

Cha Woojin let out a crooked, incredulous laugh into into the air. His sharp eyes curved awkwardly, as if he found it absurd.

“Seems like the wine suits your taste?”

Song Yeongin couldn’t accept the fact that, as per Cha Woojin’s threat, he was supposed to leave his workplace in the middle of his shift, sober, and follow him.

He couldn’t bear to face the manager. Rumors about Song Yeongin were already exaggerated, and it was obvious what his colleagues would say behind his back.

If Cha Woojin’s words were true, Laquere was his, and he was Song Yeongin’s employer. If he couldn’t defy him, Song Yeongin intended to put up even the slightest resistance.

And so, with an exasperated expression, Cha Woojin filled Song Yeongin’s third glass.

“That’s enough. No more.”

Song Yeongin’s cheeks were already flushed red from just three glasses of wine.

Cha Woojin firmly cut him off and took the glass away. The faint amusement in the man’s cool eyes vanished completely.

“Are you staging a protest in front of me?”

“…….”

“If you get drunk, it’ll disrupt my plans for tonight.”

Cha Woojin checked the screen of his buzzing phone. It seemed to be another work-related call. With a reluctant frown, he finally answered.

A heavy sigh escaped him, carrying the weight of accumulated stress.

“Hah… So that’s the only solution? Then look into the purchase option contract for the undeveloped land.”

While on the call, Cha Woojin showed a troubled expression toward the invisible counterpart. He stood up first and said,

“Get ready and come out.”

As he headed for the door, the man added, as if reminding him, that if Song Yeongin didn’t come out immediately, he’d close the business in broad daylight.

Song Yeongin stared at the cold back of Cha Woojin as he closed the door and disappeared.

Forgetting the passage of time, Song Yeongin sat in a daze in the quiet VIP room for a long while.

Water flowed from the circular fountain adorned with an elaborate lion statue, the emblem of royalty. The beautiful landscaping stretched out on either side of the pond. Sitting alone in this Spanish-style artificial garden felt somehow ancient and lonely.

His wandering gaze slowly closed and opened repeatedly. He let out a deep sigh into the air. It was surely because of the wine. He didn’t want to admit it was because of that man.

After some time, someone knocked on the room’s door. A familiar man entered and spoke urgently.

“Hurry up. The director is waiting in the car.”

Jang Haeseong had been waiting outside the door the whole time.

“I need to see the manager…”

“There’s no need. I’ve already spoken with the manager.”

“Still, I’d like to see her and ask for her understanding.”

🌫️

Before changing out of his uniform, Song Yeongin headed to the general manager’s office. She greeted him with a calm, composed face, showing no sign of agitation.

“I… Manager, I’m sorry. Actually, I…”

“Song Yeongin, you don’t need to explain everything to me.”

“…….”

“I’ve been fully informed, so you can go. And you don’t need to report to me every time going forward.”

“…I’m sorry.”

“You don’t have to apologize to me. I’m just following orders from above.”

Song Yeongin bowed his head, and the manager gave a faint, professional smile.

For someone tolerating a low-level male employee entangled with someone powerful behind the scenes, she showed remarkable respect toward Song Yeongin.

Song Yeongin respected her as a competent professional and didn’t want to be despised by her. But now, a painful premonition crept in that it was inevitable.

🌫️

He followed Jang Haeseong. At the back parking lot, Song Yeongin quietly got into the waiting luxury sedan. Jang Haeseong took the wheel, driving the two of them.

Cha Woojin, wearing a coat, didn’t spare a glance or a single movement even as Song Yeongin sat beside him, merely staring out the window with a cold gaze.

For some reason, he seemed to have been barely suppressing his anger since they met at Laquere. That sharp, oppressive aura still simmered beneath his cold-blooded face.

The silent man’s profile, as flawless as it had been when it first dazzled Song Yeongin at the gallery, was still perfectly chiseled. His dangerously sensual presence made the person sitting beside him shrink with tension.

Unable to get used to that flawless, cold-blooded face, Song Yeongin stared quietly before withdrawing his gaze. Only then did he realize he hadn’t asked where the car was headed.

While he sat with his head bowed, the rough hand of the man beside him touched the tips of Song Yeongin’s fingers. As Song Yeongin flinched and trembled, Cha Woojin gripped his hand tightly, preventing escape.

The car was filled with his scent. Though he had only drunk a little wine, it felt as if all his senses were heightened, his nerves several times more sensitive.

Cha Woojin, holding his hand, had a surprisingly calm expression. Allowing the touch to linger, his hand moved from Song Yeongin’s fingertips to his knee. The large, knobby hand slid provocatively from the knee to the inner thigh, probing deeply with an obscene touch.

“Hh, ugh…!”

Startled, Song Yeongin gasped, and Cha Woojin looked at him with a razor-sharp, nonchalant gaze.

Song Yeongin couldn’t even speak properly. Worried that Jang Haeseong in the driver’s seat might notice, he swallowed his breath, conscious of being watched.

Cha Woojin roughly grabbed Song Yeongin’s chin. Displeased that Song Yeongin kept glancing at Jang Haeseong, he forced his face to focus on him. The man’s fingers brushed the soft fuzz on Song Yeongin’s delicate chin.

“You shouldn’t be looking over there.”

When Song Yeongin’s clear eyes finally focused solely on Cha Woojin, he seemed satisfied, bringing his sharp nose closer.

His flawless, sharp face drew closer to Song Yeongin’s. The sensual man’s face stopped just within breathing distance. Song Yeongin turned away, his expression troubled.

“Here… don’t do this.”

Conscious of the driver’s gaze, Song Yeongin glanced at Jang Haeseong, who was watching the back seat through the rearview mirror.

Cha Woojin gripped Song Yeongin’s small cheek tightly again. Smiling, he murmured,

“Did you get attached to him while I was gone? Why do you keep looking over there?”

A shocked, incredulous laugh burst from Song Yeongin’s red, full lips.

“What are you talking about…?”

Cha Woojin glared coldly at the back of Jang Haeseong’s neck.

“Hey, Director Jang.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Speak up if you heard. Song Yeongin says he can’t focus on me because he’s too busy watching you… Did something happen between you two while I was gone?”

Song Yeongin, horrified, stared at Cha Woojin as if he were insane. Jang Haeseong, flustered, hurriedly replied,

“No, sir. It’s a misunderstanding. Absolutely, absolutely not…! Nothing like that happened.”

Song Yeongin pushed Cha Woojin’s clinging body away with all his strength. Lowering his voice so Jang Haeseong couldn’t hear, he hissed,

“Are you crazy?”

Cha Woojin grabbed Song Yeongin’s chin, who was flushed with embarrassment, and said,

“Focus on me. You seem to have too much leeway to care about others, and it’s starting to piss me off.”

Jang Haeseong’s neck stiffened noticeably. The volume of the classical music in the car grew slightly louder. Cha Woojin stared at the pitiful face in his grasp for a long while before saying,

“You said you’d accept the payment.”

Song Yeongin’s eyes swirled violently, as if caught in a storm.

“Can you really earn that payment like this?”

“…….”

“I’m curious who taught that innocent mouth to say such filthy things.”

Cha Woojin looked angry. What had made him so mad?

“Because I called payment what it is?”

As their averted eyes finally met, Cha Woojin fiercely plunged his tongue in, ravaging Song Yeongin’s lips.

“Don’t…! No, ugh, mm…!”

Cha Woojin pressed on relentlessly, as if showing off to Jang Haeseong, leaving Song Yeongin breathless. He sucked on the full lips greedily, as if determined to make Song Yeongin focus entirely on him.

The man’s hand slipped inside the coat, groping Song Yeongin’s chest. His hand stopped at the nipple protruding through the thin T-shirt, teasing and toying with it skillfully while watching Song Yeongin’s face.

“Hah, ugh…! Don’t do this here…! Ha!”

Unable to hold back a provocative moan, Song Yeongin finally elicited a satisfied smile from the man.

“Payment, huh… Hearing that word straight from your mouth…”

Cha Woojin’s grip tightened on Song Yeongin’s slender, elegant neck as it gasped delicately. The pitiful Adam’s apple quivered in the man’s large hand.

“It’s starting to lose its charm.”

The coldness in his ruthless, cutting gaze made Song Yeongin feel as if his heart had stopped.

After the forceful kiss, as he panted heavily, a tear fell with a soft thud.

🌫️

Even after passing through the main gate, they had to walk quite a distance to reach the entrance of the mansion.

Without offering a single warm glance, Cha Woojin was still accompanying Song Yeongin to his residence. Song Yeongin followed, staring only at the back of Cha Woojin, clad in a dark long coat, as they entered his private home. In silence, matching his steps, they headed to the same bedroom as before.

At the bedroom entrance, where Song Yeongin stood awkwardly, Cha Woojin handed him a new outfit, still in its packaging.

“Put it on.”

“…….”

“You can’t go in wearing those thick winter clothes.”

“…Where?”

“A place I’ve never taken anyone.”

Cha Woojin was dragging someone he claimed to find uninteresting into another bizarre situation. But Song Yeongin took the clothes without protest. He didn’t want to provoke his barely restrained temper.

Cha Woojin personally led Song Yeongin to the dressing room attached to his bedroom, which was luxurious enough to pass for a high-end boutique. Endless rows of clothing and top-tier accessories were perfectly displayed. Untagged outerwear, coats, countless new suits and shirts, and ties arranged by color hung neatly in custom-made display cases.

“Change and come out.”

Cha Woojin left the room, as if he, too, was going to change.

The neutral-toned thin T-shirt and slacks Song Yeongin changed into fit him perfectly, as if tailored for him. The loose fabric elegantly revealed his slender, pale neckline and highlighted his clean, straight shoulders.

As Song Yeongin wandered awkwardly outside the bedroom, Cha Woojin emerged from a separate area, also having changed.

Unlike the formal suit from earlier, Cha Woojin appeared in casual attire. Even in relaxed clothing, his threateningly masculine frame stood out starkly, exuding raw presence.

“What are you staring at so blankly?”

Song Yeongin blinked slowly, his gaze softening. Caught staring dazedly at Cha Woojin, the man urged him to follow with quick steps.

Perhaps his mind was so hazy… his heart racing uncontrollably, because of the wine he had drunk earlier.

🌫️

The place Cha Woojin led him to was paradise.

Bathed in cascading light, the grand ceiling made of glass welcomed the sky. An exotic rainforest, seemingly crafted by expert hands, thrived within. Despite being winter, the vast greenhouse maintained a constant warm temperature and humidity, with cozy sunlight and air pouring in from all directions.

It resembled a botanical garden or arboretum. Lush tropical trees rare in Korea, fruit trees that struggled to bear fruit in this climate, and vibrant flowers blooming out of season covered the garden. These were plants that required daily care and laborious maintenance to thrive. The interior, brimming with life, was filled with the scent of greenery and fresh forest air.

On one side of the greenhouse stood a massive natural marble bathtub, larger than standard. The space could serve as an open-air bath if the glass ceiling was opened. Lined with metasequoias, a small path, and a large pond, the mansion’s garden stretched out before the expansive glass window, where a wide swimming pool reminiscent of a beach awaited.

The pool was filled with deep water, ready to dive into at any moment. As Song Yeongin walked past, the water brushed his toes, radiating a comfortable warmth.

Beyond a wall separated by glass, designed to view an internal exhibition space, was an area that could pass for an art gallery. Endless artworks and sculptures, both familiar and unfamiliar, were displayed—each extraordinary and intense, imbued with the spirit of their creators, overwhelming the viewer.

At the center of the greenhouse, a cabana adorned with white cloth evoked the exotic scenery of the Mediterranean.

Cha Woojin entered the cabana with familiarity and gestured for Song Yeongin to follow. Reclining lazily on the swaying couch inside, he leaned back.

Song Yeongin couldn’t take his eyes off the exhibition space beyond the glass wall in front of the cabana. Overwhelmed by the striking artworks, his attention was captivated.

This wasn’t Korea. Nor was it a foreign land. It was a new world Cha Woojin had created. It was more fitting to call it his greenhouse, Cha Woojin’s paradise. Staring at the glass wall filled with artworks, Song Yeongin asked,

“Do you like paintings?”

Anyone would think so. Without an eye for art, one couldn’t create such an intensely artistic space. The landscaping, artworks, sculptures, ceramics, vases, frames, decorations, and displayed paintings were all meticulously selected, forming a singular, grand masterpiece.

“Depending on the need.”

“…….”

“It’s not me who likes paintings—it’s my maternal grandfather and mother. They made it their profession.”

“…….”

“It’s been a family trade, passed down to my uncle, though he’s cut ties with the family since he left.”

As Cha Woojin brought up Kang Hajong, he subtly observed Song Yeongin’s expression.

That clueless face was utterly incapable of hiding secrets. As expected, it was clear Song Yeongin knew nothing about his connection to Kang Hajong.

In truth, Cha Woojin couldn’t shake the suspicion that this boy might be Kang Hajong’s biological child.

In Cha Woojin’s memory, his young, vibrant uncle Kang Hajong had a pure, refined appearance that bore an uncanny resemblance to Song Yeongin. Surely, Yoon Jioh must have thought the same, which was why he wanted to help this boy.

Answering nonchalantly, Cha Woojin leaned back on the swaying couch, closing his tired eyes.

Sunlight poured over his aristocratic, sharp features. The grand pool, visible through the white cotton curtains, shimmered with reflected light from the ceiling. Cha Woojin’s low voice resonated through the greenhouse.

“Didn’t you say you stopped painting?”

Song Yeongin, gazing at the artworks, looked puzzled, as if disturbed by Cha Woojin’s words.

He continued casually,

“Why did you paint me?”

The blunt question brought a flash of embarrassment to Song Yeongin’s refined face.

“Don’t play dumb.”

“…….”

“You drew me in that notebook.”

“…….”

“The way I looked in your eyes was quite bold. Almost scandalously provocative…”

“…….”

“Is that how you see me?”

Cha Woojin interrogated him mischievously from the swaying couch. Though his eyes were heavy with fatigue, they never lost their innate power to strip someone bare. He was a man who could unravel and suffocate anyone, leaving them breathless.