MM 115

The phone buzzed a couple of times with a notification sound. Yu-young, absentmindedly holding his phone, checked the name of the sender on the screen and frowned. It was a message from Lee Sun-hyung.

[Are you going to Do-won’s house today? Hope you have a good time.]

[I hope you’ll give me a wise answer when we meet tomorrow.]

After being quiet for a few days, his timing for interference was impeccable. Yu-young quickly read the message and instinctively turned off the screen.

He had to handle today well. If he could, then he wouldn’t have to fall for Lee Sun-hyung’s manipulations again. Never again.

Thinking like that, his anxiety grew, and without realizing it, Yu-young began to chew on his lips. Just then, Do-won turned his face toward Yu-young.

“What’s wrong?”

“…Ah.”

Yu-young awkwardly smiled at Do-won, who was asking from beside him, and hurriedly shoved the phone into his coat pocket.

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

“What is it? What kind of message made you look so upset?”

“It’s nothing, really.”

Do-won had never been this sensitive to Yu-young’s phone or messages before, but today, he persistently probed, asking questions with determination. Yu-young reflexively gripped the coat pocket that held his phone and shook his head.

Just then, the light turned green, and the car stopped. As Do-won parked the car, he threw a stiff glance at Yu-young.

“Something’s going on.”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll tell you when we have time…”

“Assistant Han.”

“I told you I’d tell you later!”

Yu-young couldn’t help but feel irritated by Do-won’s questioning. Without thinking, he raised his voice in frustration, startled by his own outburst. He widened his eyes and quickly covered his mouth with his hand.

“…”

“…”

The silence that followed felt unbearably long. Yu-young hadn’t intended to shout at Do-won.

He hadn’t had proper sleep for days, and his nerves had become sharp like a finely honed blade. The questions that Do-won asked, which were meant out of concern, felt like pressure, and Yu-young had reacted with unnecessary sensitivity. Trying to calm his racing heart, he exhaled deeply.

This wasn’t right. He shouldn’t have yelled at Do-won, no matter the reason… Just as Yu-young was about to apologize, Do-won spoke first in a flat, emotionless voice.

“I didn’t mean to bother you. I’m sorry.”

“…No, it’s okay, Team Leader. I’m sorry for raising my voice.”

After the awkward apology, silence returned once again. Yu-young watched Do-won’s side profile, he was staring ahead without saying a word. He sighed internally. With just one mistake, the atmosphere had become so tense that it seemed impossible to recover.

‘Damn… Am I supposed to confess or not?’

Everything was ruined. Of all the days, today had to be the day for that important confession. The atmosphere was far too cold for any romantic words.

Trying to hide his frustration, Yu-young absentmindedly turned his gaze to the outside of the window. The dull, gray sky looked depressingly empty. Resting his head lightly on the window, he closed his eyes. He wished he could at least sleep during the drive, but sleep wouldn’t come.

How much time passed with his eyes closed? The car gently came to a stop.

“Assistant Han. We’ve arrived.”

“…Oh, yes…”

Yu-young quickly opened his eyes at the soft voice and slowly sat up. The atmosphere had become so awkward, probably because of earlier, and it was unbearable. Still, he couldn’t meet his parents like this. Since he had been the one to raise his voice first, he wanted to make it up to Do-won. But before he could say anything, Do-won spoke softly.

“Assistant Han.”

“…Yes, Team Leader.”

Do-won’s eyes, steady and calm, held his gaze as Yu-young fell silent. Do-won’s eyes were one of the reasons Yu-young liked him.

Do-won’s hand, which had been resting on the steering wheel, slowly reached out and grasped Yu-young’s hand. His touch, like his gaze, conveyed a firm trust in Yu-young through nothing but warmth.

“I’ll be ready whenever. I’ll wait.”

“…”

“It doesn’t matter when or what you say. Whenever you’re comfortable, just tell me. Understand?”

“…Yes, Team Leader.”

Yu-young couldn’t understand why such a hot wave of emotions suddenly welled up inside him. Despite his inability to control his emotions, Do-won wasn’t angry. He said he would wait, no matter what or when.

It was no wonder he couldn’t help but want more from this person. This person, who was growing more dear to him every day, was someone Yu-young couldn’t imagine returning to a life without. He didn’t even want to know how to go back to a life without him. He had once thought, “As long as I can, I want to keep living this sweet life,” but now, those words had changed to, “I must.”

I want to be with Do-won, no matter what. And I hope Do-won will need me too. Not as a contract marriage partner , but as genuine lovers, purely and sincerely.

“…Will you wait for me? Let’s get off, Team Leader.”

Yu-young quickly turned his head and grabbed the passenger seat handle. In such a small space, staying close together made it hard to hide the rising heat along with his growing desires. For now, he had to get through the meal with his parents first.

Do-won slowly nodded and, after getting out of the car, tightly held Yu-young’s hand. He didn’t let go until they walked to the front door, where the housekeeper was waiting. It was as if he wanted to calmly bind Yu-young with his warmth so that his heart wouldn’t race.

“We’ve arrived.”

Do-won greeted the housekeeper at the entrance with a professional voice, and they entered the house. Unlike the usual times when Yu-young’s parents would run out to greet him, no one was there to meet them at the door.

The housekeeper, quickly taking their outerwear, seemed embarrassed as she looked at Do-won and spoke.

“…Um… The chairman was waiting for you, but something urgent came up, and he left about ten minutes ago. Did you not see him?”

After hearing this, Do-won took out his phone. Sure enough, there was a message from his father explaining that he had to leave for about 30 minutes due to a work matter, asking them to go ahead and eat.

In a neutral tone, Do-won said, “I didn’t see him. He must have gone out the back door.”

“Ah… I see.”

The housekeeper, who had known Do-won for a long time, probably added that out of sympathy because no one was there to welcome him. But Do-won didn’t show any sign of being bothered by it.

However, Yu-young, for some reason, felt the urge to hold Do-won’s hand tightly. As they entered the house, their hands, which had loosened, intertwined once again—this time, it was Yu-young who reached out.

“Let’s go inside, Team Leader.”

Saying that, Yu-young looked up at Do-won and smiled brightly. At his mischievous smile, Do-won’s eyes widened for a moment but then smiled back at Yu-young.

“Let’s go.”

The warmth that had been missing from Do-won’s voice filled it once again, just like it always did when he was with Yu-young.

Seeing this, Yu-young couldn’t help but feel reassured. The meal with Mrs. Lee they had to endure now, and the very important task that would come afterward—Do-won’s steady gaze seemed to tell him that everything would be alright.

With a lighter heart, Yu-young followed Do-won. As they entered the elegantly decorated room, the door across from them opened, and Mrs. Lee appeared.

“You are here?”

“Yes, we’ve arrived.”

“Hello, Mother.”

“Hmm.”

She greeted them dryly, and with a slight nod of her head, she motioned for them to go toward the dining room.

“Your father said to go ahead and eat. He’ll be here soon.”

“Yes.”

The three of them entered the dining room in an awkward silence. Several housekeepers were finishing preparations for the meal, and as they greeted Do-won and Yu-young in quiet voices, they quickly left, leaving only the three of them in the large space.

Mrs. Lee, who had sat down first, gestured for them to sit.

“Sit down.”

As it was a birthday meal, the table was laden with an endless line of delicious dishes. It seemed like a tradition to celebrate Do-won’s birthday in this manner every year. Sitting side by side, Do-won and Yu-young faced her across the table.

“Happy birthday. Eat a lot.”

“Thank you for preparing everything. I appreciate it.”

Their conversation was so dry that even robots would seem more natural in comparison. After the obligatory greetings, Do-won picked up his utensils. Then, in a soft and caring voice, he spoke to Yu-young.

“Eat a lot.”

“Yes, Team Leader. You should eat a lot too.”

This was a complete shift in tone compared to how they spoke to Mrs. Lee. Hearing this exchange, the lady chuckled quietly and slowly began to speak.

“So, is married life a happy one?”

“Yes. Very happy.”

Do-won answered immediately, his voice cold and precise. His dry response seemed to provoke her, as she raised her eyebrows and began to speak mockingly in a sharp tone.

“I suppose so. Since you married without even asking for my opinion, it must be that way.”

“Mother.”

Do-won interrupted her in a cold voice, but Mrs. Lee, seeing his troubled expression, seemed to take pleasure in it.

“What? Did I say something wrong? I didn’t even know who this child was when you arranged this marriage. I should be allowed to say at least that much, don’t you think?”

Do-won’s brow furrowed deeply. His hand holding the fork tightened, and the veins in his hand stood out. With a sharp sound, he set the utensils down on the table.

“Mother. It’s unpleasant and uncomfortable for you to speak like that in front of my spouse. Please stop.”