DHG Ch 18

“Seems like you had a tail.”

A cool voice, one that commanded attention in any situation, drifted faintly at first.

Gradually, Heewoo’s vision cleared. The thoughts of Kim Jinhwan, which had been clouding his mind like a storm, slowly dissipated. Heewoo blinked slowly. As his focus returned, he saw eyes staring directly at him from close range.

“This world is truly dangerously precarious.”

Despite the exaggerated statement, the man’s voice remained nonchalant.

“Looks like I’ll have to stick close to you from now on to look after my puppy.”

As if to demonstrate his words with actions, Jang Seungyung tightened his grip around Heewoo. Heewoo distinctly felt the firm, warm body heat pressing against his entire left side.

The hand on his shoulder. The unwavering gaze. Just like that, Jang Seungyung took out his phone. His voice, reporting the tail’s location and appearance, was indifferent. “Catch him.” The command in his voice was flat.

Even then, the warmth encasing Heewoo remained. Was it the chilly weather, or was it the surprisingly warm body heat of the man? Unable to tear his gaze away from the captivating stare, Heewoo suddenly felt a strange, unfamiliar emotion rising from the depths of his chest.

Safety.

He was safe.

The chill gradually melted away. Warmth returned to his frozen fingertips. As he relaxed his hand, the crumpled medicine bag rustled. He hadn’t even taken the tranquilizer yet, but as the doctor had said, the nightmare seemed to be receding.

Still scared, yet strangely reassured, Heewoo walked enveloped by Jang Seungyung. In front of a jet-black sedan, Dunchi and Malbeol were waiting, holding their phones.

“Boss, I got the call. Whoa, Kim Jinhwan’s goons were on him?”

“Seems everyone connected to that guy is living on borrowed time.”

Casually responding, Jang Seungyung helped Heewoo into the car. “Those bastards are asking for it!” Malbeol burst out angrily.

“Damn, I should’ve brought another guy. I could go up there and grab him right now!”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself and drive. It’s cold.”

“Oh, right! Get in quickly, sir!”

Thanks to Malbeol’s foresight, the back seat, including the headrest cushions, was already nicely warmed. As Jang Seungyung got in, Malbeol respectfully closed the door and quickly circled the car to the driver’s seat. Jang Seungyung opened the built-in picnic table in the car.

“Take your medicine.”

He took out a bottle of water and handed it to the dazed-looking Kwon Heewoo.

Heewoo did as he was told. He swallowed the tranquilizer he had received from the pharmacy. He was still trying to pull himself together, relying on the cold water to clear his still-numb mind. Jang Seungyung took the water bottle back and then handed him a small can.

It was a cocoa can with a squirrel character on it.

He stared blankly at the smiling squirrel giving a thumbs-up. He wondered why such a thing was there. Heewoo almost forgot his fear and was about to ask Jang Seungyung if he liked cocoa.

Regardless of his confusion, the car started moving.

“Thank you.”

Holding the sweet drink, he belatedly offered the thanks he should have given earlier.

A low chuckle came in response, but Heewoo, lacking the courage to face Jang Seungyung, simply bowed his head again. He looked out the window at the autumn sky.

However, the man’s figure was also reflected in the car window. Was it because of the unusually clear blue sky? Staring at his profile, Heewoo’s eyes suddenly felt hot.

Suddenly frightened, he closed his eyes.

✮⋆˙

Contrary to his expectation that he wouldn’t have to go back, Heewoo found himself visiting the psychiatric clinic again four days later. It was because Jang Seungyung, who had summoned him to his office again, had checked his forehead, declared his complexion dark, and concluded he was suffering from a psychosomatic headache, dragging him to the clinic.

The pheromone shower continued. Still, having experienced it twice before, Heewoo had somewhat prepared himself and wasn’t as surprised. Thus, as he received treatment, Heewoo felt as if he were enveloped in a large, water-laden bush that had grown in the fresh air of a deep forest, listening to the doctor.

“Are your symptoms any better?”

Heewoo nodded. Thanks to the tranquilizer, he hadn’t had any nightmares. The panic that had struck him whenever Kim Jinhwan suddenly came to mind in his daily life had also subsided. He hadn’t realized it, but it wasn’t solely due to the medication. It was a combination of the physical separation from the biggest source of his trauma and the two months he had spent in a relatively stable environment.

As Heewoo answered only with short replies, the doctor dismissed him quickly.

“What did he say?”

Jang Seungyung, who had paid for the consultation as before, asked. Heewoo pretended to organize the cash he had taken out, paused for a moment, and then answered quietly as he walked a short distance away from the desk.

“…He said I don’t need to come anymore.”

Perhaps even tense situations become a little easier after experiencing them multiple times. Heewoo didn’t feel as suffocated accompanying the man as he had before.

However, he hated the trip to and from the hospital. He kept thinking about the man who had been tailing him and Kim Jinhwan, who must have put him up to it. While stopping by the pharmacy and riding the elevator, Heewoo wanted to stick close to Jang Seungyung, but given who he was, he meticulously maintained an arm’s length distance. Just in case he needed to quickly cling to him for safety.

Fortunately, nothing happened until they reached the car. A surprisingly pleasant and warm air enveloped his skin. Was he finally going back safely? Heewoo, who had been looking out the window, suddenly turned his gaze.

The car was heading in the opposite direction of Benny’s.

Where were they going?

Jang Seungyung was leaning back in the passenger seat, looking relaxed. Heewoo hid his unease, but after arriving in a narrow alley behind a tall building near Gwanghwamun, he couldn’t help but ask.

“Where are we?”

“We need to eat.”

Jang Seungyung replied. Although he was less intimidated than before, Heewoo was far from comfortable enough to share a meal with him.

“I’m sorry, sir, but it’s almost time for me to go to work.”

“Well, I’m the ‘sir,’ do you think I can’t handle one employee being late?”

“I’m hurt.” Feigning innocence, Jang Seungyung got out of the car first.

As Heewoo zipped up his thick jumper and followed him out, Jang Seungyung was already entering a shabby-looking samgyeopsal restaurant. He hesitated to follow, but Malbeol, who had also gotten out of the driver’s seat, glared at him, so he reluctantly stepped inside.

It seemed they had a reservation, as the table was already set. Heewoo was nudged by Malbeol and sat at the same table as Jang Seungyung.

The server immediately brought out the meat. As thick slices of samgyeopsal sizzled on the heated grill, Dunchi and Malbeol, who had been following in another car, filled the adjacent table.

“Thank you for the meal!”

They greeted loudly. Heewoo, who was sitting there half-believing this was real, also said, “Thank you for the meal.”

“You work in a kitchen, right?”

Jang Seungyung said as he opened the lid of a still-bubbling pot. Inside was doenjang jjigae (soybean paste stew) simmering with chunks of zucchini and pork.

“Yes.”

Jang Seungyung slightly curved his lips at the ordinary answer. 

‘Yes.’

 It was the word he heard most often from Kwon Heewoo. The beta male, with his air of hidden stories, didn’t just nod or respond with silence; he answered properly.

“What do you do?”

“I’m a kitchen assistant. I check ingredients, prepare them, and wash dishes.”

He also made and sold fruit juice, but Heewoo didn’t add anything further.

“You work hard.”

A complimentary remark came back. He didn’t know how to react.

“Yes.”

He hesitated and simply answered like that, and for some reason, Jang Seungyung laughed out loud. His already striking face lit up with a refreshing smile. It was captivating enough to momentarily draw his attention.

Feeling like he’d act foolish if he let his guard down, Heewoo quickly lowered his gaze. He looked at the hands clasped beneath the table, trying to regain his composure.

Really….

He couldn’t understand why he was sitting here.

Well, what did it matter?

Regarding today’s accompaniment, Jang Seungyung had used the “dangerous world” excuse, but even without mentioning such things, the man was in a position to do whatever he wanted.

In fact, Heewoo had cautiously brought up the necklace again on the way to the hospital, asking for its return, only to be met with a curt reply: 

“Well, if you can’t pay your debt, I’ll have to pawn it.” 

Heewoo couldn’t argue.

Debt and protection.

As long as those heavy weights existed between them, he would be at the mercy of their unbalanced relationship.

“It’s all cooked! You can eat!”

Thanks to the server’s deft handling, the meat was perfectly grilled. As Jang Seungyung reached for a soju glass, Heewoo tactfully opened the bottle of soju next to him and filled two glasses.

“Who said to pour so little?”

The man snatched the soju bottle midway. With a clear gurgling sound, Heewoo’s glass was filled to the brim.