NFS 2.15
by Springlila“Wow, it’s hard to see your face, CEO Seo.”
President Kang approached first to greet him, and Seo Ahn-jae lowered his eyes to look him over.
“Who are you?”
President Kang seemed taken aback and froze, but soon smirked.
“Well, I knew you were crazy from when you kicked me out for being obsessed with someone who wasn’t even your lover. I’m Kang Young-gi. My store is one of Joo Seung-ha’s business partners. Ah, do you know Joo Seung-ha?”
There was no malice in his smiling face, giving him a somehow likable impression. But Seo Ahn-jae stared at him expressionlessly, not responding to the smiling face at all.
“You wanted to meet me?”
“Yes. I wanted to file a lawsuit for when you hit me then. Oh, by the way, isn’t CEO Park Hyo-joon coming today? He was much easier to talk to compared to you.”
“Go ahead and sue.”
“What? Ah.”
President Kang smirked again.
“I will. Actually, I was going to use it as a negotiation card, saying I’d let it go if you left Joo Seung-ha alone, but seeing you now, I can tell that won’t work.”
“Is that so?”
Yes, President Kang nodded greatly.
“Because you seem like a real psychopath.”
At this, Seo Ahn-jae smiled back silently. However, he soon checked his watch and turned his gaze toward the entrance, scanning those coming in.
“As you’ll hear at today’s meeting, Million will go public at the end of this year. I’ve been busy because of that lately. They say that to increase the company’s value, I need to step forward as CEO and show my face to the media.”
At the sudden business talk, Manager Kang thought ‘What’s this?’ but soon played along.
“With CEO Seo’s looks, the value should increase quite a bit.”
“My looks?”
“Yes. You’re handsome. Ah, I didn’t know you were the type who likes to hear such compliments from others.”
President Kang shook his head slightly as if disappointed. Thanks to his glib retorts, Seo Ahn-jae wasn’t particularly offended, but he made the correction clear.
“It’s something I hear all the time, nothing worth complimenting.”
“Hahaha.” President Kang laughed loudly then lowered his voice.
“With such arrogance, you probably don’t even realize when you hurt others.”
Though Seo Ahn-jae’s gaze turned cold at his words, Manager Kang didn’t back down and said everything he wanted to say.
“Just looking at how you kicked me for trying to tie down Joo Seung-ha when you’re not even dating him shows how selfish you are. People like you have no consideration for others.”
Seo Ahn-jae just listened to his words while turning his gaze back to the entrance. Then, spotting someone, he slightly raised his hand. President Kang had his back to the door so he couldn’t see who Seo Ahn-jae was greeting, but he still had things to say and tried to wrap up quickly. He wanted to meddle a bit and tell him not to harass Joo Seung-ha, but Seo Ahn-jae cut him off first.
“That’s why I’ve been getting quite a few interview requests lately. Maybe because of these looks, even women’s magazines are sending requests. Do you know reporter Lim Ho-jun from J Women’s Magazine?”
As soon as the name came out of Seo Ahn-jae’s mouth, President Kang’s face froze momentarily. Without looking at him, Seo Ahn-jae added an indifferent explanation while meeting the gaze of someone approaching him.
“I arranged to meet that reporter here.”
“Kang Young-gi,” Seo Ahn-jae called his name and looked at the other man’s frozen form.
“Want to say hello? They’re behind you right now.”
As Seo Ahn-jae spoke, the reporter who had approached them looked up at Seo Ahn-jae’s face with a bright smile.
“Hello. It’s an honor to meet you, CEO. I’m Lim Ho-jun who called…”
The reporter, while greeting, belatedly recognized President Kang standing opposite Seo Ahn-jae. Then, taking a deep breath, he turned deathly pale.
“Oh? Y-Young-gi…”
Though the reporter whispered the name, President Kang couldn’t respond immediately. Silence fell as the two made eye contact, and Seo Ahn-jae observed them expressionlessly before asking, “Do the two of you know each other?”
“Ah, I’m sorry. Ah…just…someone I knew from before…”
The reporter turned his head to empty space in confusion but snapped it back in surprise at Seo Ahn-jae’s words.
“Fuck, this is bullshit.”
President Kang also turned to him in surprise with a frown, but Seo Ahn-jae pointed at President Kang with his chin as if he hadn’t just cursed.
“This guy was just lecturing me about my selfishness and calling me crazy. And you know him?”
“Uh, uh,” the reporter looked back and forth between President Kang and him in surprise, quickly lowering his gaze when he met President Kang’s eyes.
“S-Sorry. No, we do know each other, but I mean…”
“Get out.”
“W-What?”
“I said get out, punk. I’m not doing the interview.”
Hup. The reporter took a deep breath, his face turning red as if about to burst, then turned and started running. President Kang, too stunned to speak, finally realized this was Seo Ahn-jae’s scheme all along and glared at him murderously.
“How did you even know about Ho-jun and call him here?”
“I told you. Interview requests are flooding in these days. How would I know who he is?”
Not falling for Seo Ahn-jae’s brazen lie, President Kang clenched his fists tightly.
“You’re really crazy. Setting this up just out of jealousy?”
“Jealousy?” Seo Ahn-jae smirked.
“You’re not even worth being jealous of. You don’t qualify.”
Seo Ahn-jae responded lightly and pointed with his eyes toward the door where the reporter had disappeared out of. Though President Kang knew the message in that gaze telling him to follow was mocking, he had no other choice but to turn. They had been lovers, sharing their bodies and love for years. He couldn’t just ignore the pain he was feeling right then. But before he could take a step, he had to turn back.
“Hey.”
Seo Ahn-jae called to him as he turned and approached closely, letting out an ice-cold voice like a blade.
“Someone like you who gives their heart to both sides is what we call a slut.”
“…”
“Get lost.”
Having finished his business, Seo Ahn-jae left President Kang standing like a statue and walked into the crowd of investors.
***
Friday’s end of the work day was a joyous moment for everyone, and that included CEO Lee. Sometimes it seemed like CEO Lee looked forward to leaving work the most. So Joo Seung-ha quickly knocked on her office door and entered with his request before she could leave exactly on time.
“I’d like to use the company car for a while.”
“What happened to Team Leader Joo’s car?”
“I had it scrapped.”
“Ahhh—”
As CEO Lee dragged on her response, Joo Seung-ha slightly furrowed his brow.
“What does that mean?”
“Just that what was bound to happen finally happened, or something like that?”
Joo Seung-ha had come in feeling quite serious but ended up smirking.
“I’ll only need it for a few months.”
“It’s a company car anyway so it doesn’t matter. But it’s a compact car. Will that be okay with you?”
What would be okay? When Joo Seung-ha didn’t understand, CEO Lee asked seriously, “You’re a team leader after all. Will it be okay driving around in a bright red compact car that’s not very impressive?”
“Even if it were pink, I wouldn’t mind.”
CEO Lee grinned as she picked up her bag and got up to her feet.
“Then there’s no problem.”
“Ah, um.”
Joo Seung-ha hesitated and paused for a moment. This was a request he could barely bring himself to voice, so the words wouldn’t come out easily. But tCEO Lee, eager to leave work, had already come around her desk and quickly added, “Oh right, you can use it on weekends when you go volunteering too.”
The very words Joo Seung-ha had been trying to ask came from CEO Lee’s mouth first. Joo Seung-ha stared at her blankly in surprise as she opened the door and beckoned with her hand as if telling him to hurry up and leave too.
“Still, it’s a company vehicle, so use it carefully.”
“Thank you.” The words came too quietly out of his mouth. He couldn’t tell if he was embarrassed because it came out so quietly, or because he had received help from her again. CEO Lee closed her office door while pushing Joo Seung-ha’s stiff back and cheerfully waved to the employees.
“Everyone have a great Friday night!”
And so, after CEO Lee who wanted to leave work more than anyone had departed, Joo Seung-ha received the car keys and got into the red compact car. It was strange. Though he considered it a series of misfortunes, holes to breathe through kept appearing. Joo Seung-ha suddenly wondered if Seo Ahn-jae had also been one of those breathing holes for him. Then he picked up his smartphone and found his number after a long time. After pressing the call button and several rings, a familiar low voice was heard.
[Yes, Seung-ha.]
His own name sounded strangely unfamiliar.
“Are you free tomorrow? I’ve made my decision.”
The meeting was at a Korean restaurant where they had met before. Joo Seung-ha was nervous because he had made the mistake of eating here before and would rather suck the chef’s dick. Unlike the last time, Seo Ahn-jae was interrupting Joo Seung-ha’s meal with a lot of chatter, saying, ‘Eat this, eat that,’ and so on. Joo Seung-ha raised his hand to stop him.
“I’m not a child, I can eat on my own, senior.”
“You’re not a child. Don’t stagger around starving.”
The cold-sounding criticism was not at all affectionate, and for a moment, Joo Seung-ha almost doubted it. Seo Ahn-jae raised his eyes at Joo Seung-ha’s gaze and pushed a plate of food in front of him.
“Eat.”
Joo Seung-ha was full now, but he moved his chopsticks and picked up a piece of grilled meat covered in a refreshing sauce.
“How do I repay 700 million with my body?”
Seo Ahn-jae’s eyes, which had been following Joo Seung-ha’s chopsticks this whole time, slowly lifted.
“The same as seven years ago.”
One million won at a time. It wasn’t easy for Joo Seung-ha to bring up his terms again. But he met Seo Ahn-jae’s stare with determination in his eyes.
“A million won for every bite I take?”
“No, for me.”
Seo Ahn-jae picked up the meat and popped it into his mouth, just like Joo Seung-ha. Joo Seung-ha watched him chew and retorted.
“Why does it have to be by your standards?”
“I don’t care if it’s you. It’s a win-win for me because I don’t let you eat it.”
“Ha.” Joo Seung-ha let out a silly laugh and put his chopsticks down.
“Eat more.”
“So it’s a win-win for me that you’re cheap?”
“It’s good for you because by any standard, it’ll be over in half a year.”
Joo Seung-ha subconsciously calculated the number of times he would be done in half a year, then turned away in embarrassment. With the energy he’d shown all weekend, it was entirely possible, but he didn’t want to show his mood in front of the other man. Joo Seung-ha looked up at him expressionlessly.
“Half a year, that’s bearable, but it’ll be longer. We’ll only meet when I want, and where I want.”
“And where is that?”
“A hotel. You pay for it.”
The corners of Seo Ahn-jae’s mouth twitched as Joo Seung-ha repeated the request he’d made seven years ago.
“Did you miss the hotel?”
“No, I don’t. I don’t want to be in your personal space.”
Joo Seung-ha added, watching Seo Ahn-jae’s smile fade.
“I didn’t come to negotiate. I came to inform you of my terms.”
“What else?”
Joo Seung-ha stared at the table for a moment, then raised his eyes.
“I won’t see you except to repay the money.”
Even without Joo Seung-ha’s explanation, Seo Ahn-jae understood, and his eyes turned cold.
“Things can change, right? There are variables everywhere.”
“I’m flexible enough to be that way.”
“Okay,” Seo Ahn-jae agreed lightly, moving his chopsticks to pick up another piece of meat, his slow movements graceful. But the words coming out of his mouth sounded like a bully to Joo Seung-ha’s ears.
“So I just need your approval for everything?”
His light tone was laced with confidence. Joo Seung-ha felt both condescending and envious. He had the ease of one who believed everything in the world was under his will, and so a warning came out of his mouth.
“Senior, give up now. I’ll just pay the money back. I can pay it back.”
Seo Ahn-jae looked at Joo Seung-ha like he was talking nonsense, but Joo Seung-ha didn’t stop giving him advice.
“Seven years ago, I failed, and you’ll fail, too, because I don’t like you.”
Seo Ahn-jae’s eyes twitched but then darkened. He stared straight at Joo Seung-ha.
“No, you succeeded.”
“…
“You’re fucking successful.”
Joo Seung-ha felt a lump gather in his throat and didn’t reply. Seo Ahn-jae chewed the piece of meat slowly, then asked softly again.
“What’s the other condition?”
“…If I still don’t love you when we’re done with the seven hundred million, then give it up, and I’ll pay you back the seven hundred million in money.’
He couldn’t add that Ihewanted to pay it back in 25-year installments due to his pride. But Seo Ahn-jae, who he thought would refuse, readily agreed.
“Okay, okay.
Just when Seo Ahn-jae wondered if he was only accepting his terms out of confidence, he asked again.
“Anything else?”
“Nothing.”
“Okay. Then I’ll tell you my terms.”
Joo Seung-ha looked at him nervously. Seo Ahn-jae put down his chopsticks, leaned back in his chair, and tilted his head to one side.
“I have only one condition: You can’t date anyone else while you’re with me.”
Joo Seung-ha stared at him for a moment, unable to comprehend what the other man said.. Joo Seung-ha looked at him with confused eyes, then realized that he meant every word he said, and felt strange. He hadn’t expected Seo Ahn-jae to be so jealous.
He’d thought he’d turn into a jealous soap opera heroine who’d been told she couldn’t look at anyone else. So Seo Ahn-jae’s words from earlier, that you’ve succeeded, didn’t seem so light now. Joo Seung-ha hesitated for a moment. Shouldn’t I back out of this? Shouldn’t I give up here for him?
“Joo Seung-ha.”
Seo Ahn-jae called out to him. He looked up and pointed to his bowl.
“Did you eat everything?”
“Yes.”
“I’m full,” he mumbled, and he pushed his chair out of the way and stood up straight and walked over to him. His tall stature, looking up from his seat, was intimidating, but the way he cupped Joo Seung-ha’s face and brushed his cheek was more gentle than anything else in the world. Joo Seung-ha caught the look of need in Seo Ahn-jae’s eyes and held his breath. He whispered and suggested.
“Why don’t we start now?”