DI Ch 94

A luxurious short vacation, but our hearts were still tangled; even when we opened up to each other during this time, it ended without true understanding. The vacation had been perfect, to the point where I had grown to love summer, which I wasn’t really fond of. I smiled awkwardly at him as he smiled sweetly at me from under his big black umbrella.

I love him. That was an undeniable fact.

Maybe that’s why I didn’t want to let go of his hand, even though I couldn’t shake the feeling that I’d made a mistake. Being next to him made me feel both nervous and happy, relaxed and anxious. I once said that even if his feelings changed, I wouldn’t be concerned right away, but it appears that I underestimated him.

Even though I wanted to talk openly, I knew it would sound like nonsense. I, who had to hide it, and Tae Seong-je, who didn’t believe or show any intention of backing off, seemed to play a role in this precarious relationship. Nevertheless, worrying and hesitating was a waste of time.

It was better to make a plan first, consider what was feasible, and endure it later. Eventually, I would have to break the promise with him. I didn’t want to see his disappointed look, so if I had to do it, I wanted to do it properly. …But how did I deceive this keen observer?

I gave him another glance, and he smiled again, not knowing what I was thinking.

“Um. Why not go straight to the airport…”

Unlike me, who was on vacation last time, he was unable to fully rest. Even now, it was an extension of work. He had a schedule in China soon, and leaving now would be cutting it close. Yet, he wasted time taking me home. It was regrettable, but in some ways, it was fortunate that we could now plan ahead of time.

“Why is that?”

His tone was kind, his actions gentle, but his gaze was as relentless as ever. I might get tired of the obsessive attachment and overprotection that seemed to strangle me without me knowing, but…

The hem of his clothes gradually became wet from the pouring rain. The sight of him shining under the streetlight was like a painting and was a delight to the eyes.

Now, it’s time to stay up all night drawing this scene with my eyes, even if they’re half-closed.

“From now on, whenever you go somewhere, take that car.”

I checked the first sedan that had been following us. The tinted windows made it difficult to see inside. Who could be inside? I might not know the names, but I’ve seen about five people who looked familiar so far. Could one of them be?

“Who’s driving?”

“The guy you first talked to.”

My chest shook suddenly. Is he talking about the person who gave me the porridge and the flower picture? He looked weak, but he must have gotten caught. I expected this.

“Hyung, that. I wasn’t trying to hide it on purpose… ”

“Were you planning on hiding it?”

He suddenly let out a short laugh. Judging by the atmosphere, it seemed like I wasn’t caught. Then who was he talking about? I recalled the moment when I pretended to be ignorant and talked nonsense to his subordinate who was waiting in the corridor. My ears turned red. I had to admit it; even if it didn’t seem like it, I might have already been affected by the alcohol.

At that time, I just blurted out whatever came to my mind, thinking that someone else would convey the message. Now, looking back at it soberly, it didn’t seem like sensible words. My face grew warmer with each raindrop falling. Oh, this is frustrating. But it seems like the person who gave me the drawing of flowers hasn’t been exposed yet. I mixed up my words. That was fortunate. I wouldn’t get scolded, so that’s good.

“What’s with that relieved face? Don’t smile like you did something good.”

He also smiled while saying that. I couldn’t explain why, I just smiled foolishly without any reason. Even in the midst of it, the rain continued to pour heavily. Suddenly, it occurred to me that he was alone outside while I was sheltering from the rain inside the common entrance.

Should I tell him to stay for a while until it stops? But there were things to do, and holding back someone who had to leave soon would only make my heart ache. I let go of the regret and brushed away the sinking feeling. Unlike before, my heart seemed to be easily relieved, confirming that seeking counseling wasn’t in vain.

I lightly tapped Tae Seong-je’s shoulder, lifted my toes, and kissed his lips.

“Contact me when you arrive.”

While tilting the umbrella toward me, he bent his waist and kissed my cheek. His lips maintained a soft touch even as they separated.

Now that I was about to send him off, Tae Seong-je suddenly smiled brightly.

“How about we tidy up before I go?”

“Tidy up? Uh, hyung? What?”

He closed his umbrella, walked past me, and came inside. At the same time, the sedan that had quietly followed us and the two people who had followed him since then came out. While I was still puzzled, each of them took out a box and followed Tae Seong-je into my house.

Wait, what’s this? I was so surprised that I quickly followed, and, unexpectedly, the front door was wide open. I wanted to ask why, but Tae Seong-je, who had intruded into my room, suddenly opened the entrance shoe cabinet.

“Uhh.”

The soju bottles and beer cans I had been stacking up rolled out as if mocking me. When I glanced up, I met cold, unwavering eyes, and a chill ran down my spine.

“That, uh, I drank that before we made the promise.”

I hurriedly explained that it didn’t count in terms of abstaining. But how did they know when I had just started stacking them up there not long ago? While I was flustered, the two men who had quietly followed me knelt on the cold entrance floor. Then, they started filling the empty cans and bottles one by one into the box they had brought.

“I’ll clean it up later. Sir, I’ll take care of it. Please don’t.”

I was so embarrassed. I frantically tried to stop them, but the sound of the refrigerator door opening reached my ears. I wanted to escape the situation so badly that I buried my face in my hands and closed my mouth. I peeked at him through my fingers for a moment and then quickly returned to my original position.

“This refrigerator. It’s a liquor store.”

“…”

Tae Seong-je, who had been searching the house with sharp eyes, started rummaging through the kitchen drawers this time. I should have cleaned up earlier… Hoo. I couldn’t tell the person who was concerned about me to stop worrying, and I couldn’t explain my condition convincingly either. My chest was so tight I wanted to punch something.

As he continued to clear out even my dry snacks, he burst into laughter as if he found it amusing. I bowed my head in silence.

“Look at this. Soju glass?”

“Well, I can’t drink it from the bottle…”

“I’m truly at a loss for words. Don’t you have any self-awareness that you’re a patient?”

“No…”

“Fuck. You even proud of it.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Heh. Ha-ha.”

While I stood there silently receiving a scolding, laughter erupted from behind, catching my attention.

“You crazy bastard. Don’t laugh.”

Even the muttering voice had a hint of laughter. I looked at them sullenly and then looked at Tae Seong-je again. He scolded me even in front of his subordinates… I must have looked quite easy.

I was about to say something about it when the man who had been suppressing his laughter made a move in front of the refrigerator. He did something while I couldn’t take my gaze away from the ominous sight.

“Ah, no!”

He recklessly started pulling out my precious drinks, sorted neatly by color, including soju, packs of soju, beer bottles, and cans. I was in a panic and threw my whole body to protect the refrigerator.

“Don’t do that. I’ll just keep them. I won’t drink them!”

“Stop talking nonsense and come here.”

“Hyung…”

I clung to several soju bottles I had desperately protected and lowered my head slowly.

“I’ll just look at them… Really, I’ll just look.”

“Don’t be stubborn, Seo Seung-won. Listen carefully. You are under 19 for the time being. okay? Even if you say you bought them just to look at them, I won’t buy it. Don’t try to talk me out of it.”

The tightening pressure and menacing eyes told me that he wouldn’t let me go if I made a mistake and brought alcohol. Tae Seong-je, who had tormented me to his heart’s content, left the front door with the loot and pressed his fingertips to my forehead.

“I have spoiled you that it developed into a bad habit. I should have done it appropriately. Anyway, if you get caught this time, I’ll really strip you naked and gag you. Hyung is really angry.”

“… You’re being too much.”

I clenched my teeth and scolded him in a low voice.

“Who drank it? I mean, I haven’t had a single drop like we agreed. Is this how you treat me? Even if I’m like this, there’s a limit to it. Damn, it’s really dirty and cheap…”

“Shhh. Sweet words, baby.”

“If you’re going to forbid me from drinking, then it’s only fair to forbid Hyung as well. Just go ahead and call me a kid or whatever.”

I was already frustrated and a bit feverish due to the medicine I had taken in the evening, and this kind of behavior only made me angrier. Even if my sleepy eyes couldn’t convey much of a threat, it was still irritating and disheartening. I was even more upset because I thought that if he had trusted me, I wouldn’t have done this.

Not understanding what I was feeling, Tae Seong-je was being sarcastic as if he didn’t care

“Fairness? You’re really spewing all kinds of nonsense. Fine. I won’t do it. Are you happy now?”

“Just try doing it.”

“You, acting like a little kid who doesn’t listen to a word of reason. You’re an adult, you should know how to take care of yourself.”

“Am I not a minor now?”

“Oh, yes. Good that you know. Then, I’ll leave now, so the kid can go to bed early and grow taller.”

I clenched my fists at his confidence as he snorted sarcastically without missing a beat. The man with the poignant cold gaze and the man who forcibly hid his laughter while exhaling left together, each carrying a box on his shoulders. Tae Seong-je was about to leave when he gestured to poke his own eye with his finger and then patted my shoulder.

“Behave yourself.”