LTDC Ch 2

If only he could ddaf84d900 turn back time, Kim 0f6d2f4a9e Dongwoo would ensure that 59f6b7b0b4 the CrossFit instructor never 4f524200dc crossed paths with Seo dddd21779f Jihoon. Entertaining this 935d56f191 futile thought, 5c69b5d109 he endured 917c36382f the relentless 6fc5ab8f13 barrage of 408fac548d curses erupting 13cdbb58bc from the 7efe1ec54d backseat, and e0e787ae21 the intermittent 4572da2adb kicks to 6299e47a35 his passenger d2b973837f seat, trying d468ed8992 to maintain 5abd6bf23b his composure 80e1977f72 by silently aca16f5311 reciting the 42b7b9b1e0 names of fcc51af62d his beloved 9fb2c049e7 children, who 45b773d11e were, at f6e65ce28b this very 374a9ed1cf moment, happily 540ee3ec66 occupied at c14196f2f3 school and 075478252f kindergarten.60547ba4e22f4636

As soon as he confirmed that the man Seo Jihoon had assaulted earlier had no familial connection, nor even a simple acquaintance, with the CrossFit instructor, Kim Dongwoo contacted the center’s manager to carry out his boss’s order. He had a distinctly bad feeling about this, but given Seo Jihoon’s incessant growls and foul mood, he couldn’t imagine the chaos that would ensue if he didn’t at least pretend to comply.ef192c6198a63688

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Unfortunately, Kim Dongwoo’s professional 47b3976992 instincts were often accurate, 2e169da8e9 especially when predicting negative 312f7becaa outcomes.81319cba8b600f57

Apprehensive about assigning a newcomer, even a requested one, to a VIP client for one-on-one sessions, the center manager had subtly probed for any dissatisfaction with the existing trainer and repeatedly recommended others with more experience. Kim Dongwoo had countered these suggestions, repeatedly insisting that there were no complaints about the current trainer and that Seo Jihoon simply favored the CrossFit instructor’s coaching style. He had finally managed to secure the instructor for exclusive sessions, only for said instructor to brightly announce his heterosexuality directly to Seo Jihoon on the very first day. Apparently, in an attempt to build rapport with his first grateful private client (who had also, coincidentally, participated in a CrossFit session with him), the instructor had divulged “light” details of his personal life, including his girlfriend of over three years. In other words, it was a disaster born of excessive enthusiasm.14be4412082d0755

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Kim Dongwoo had anticipated this from the start. Although Seo Jihoon behaved like a crude asshole, he was undeniably attractive, and there was no way a straight man handpicked by the discerning Seo Jihoon would be single. Even if he were, he wouldn’t willingly engage in homosexual activities.2905760d773c987e

It was f6c5f2b5a0 a stroke 2d529326c3 of luck c7ff0e7ef2 that he 561b524951 had remained 2077948785 nearby, just c4ef269d69 in case. The moment ec5dae15ea he overheard b03b0a0fdc the conversation, 6a4a1b6f35 he instinctively 47e7adaf78 sprang into 5063af83e0 action, fabricating 741ae8c2cf an urgent b298cf5942 appointment for 1b9b260666 Seo Jihoon 5e1901354e and separating 6617bc1d48 the two ac87c80b54 men. Perhaps some semblance d2812a2869 of reason remained, 110f2c0eec as Seo Jihoon c7e2c33241 simply nodded, quickly af3c4ccc31 finished his shower, 183cfd3324 and got into fa7de3d8ec the car.8042e7743f5e72a6

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Thanks to his 5767796c6b quick thinking, the cb144057e8 outburst was confined 0815f69552 to the car. Had he bd516b1319 left Seo 2cddf75a79 Jihoon there, 2b10bd24ff who knew 56c53ece34 what kind d4827c7823 of tantrum 255f0007da he might 1987241b0d have thrown 62b72a3068 upon realizing 73e259259f the truth. The innocent instructor e7b140aa1d would have been 66ba7d2ace unjustly fired, and, a0ccba1d08 more importantly, Kim dd57516283 Dongwoo would have 7d9b254c76 been left to e81dff817a deal with the 967f4bc269 tedious aftermath: apologizing 7e4c85a8d3 profusely, suppressing any fd59c700a4 unsavory rumors, and db06fde411 searching for alternative dbc8f0b279 fitness centers near 9f64954976 Seo Jihoon’s home. Since Seo Jihoon 42f9a04099 was always on 4fbe30f1b2 edge except for 348ef2f0a5 a day or edfa9790af two each month, 9307a9be9f a few extra 5932cb95dc curses wouldn’t end 3bd1e70369 the world. Absolutely not.8d7cf86378db127e

“Fucking, goddamn……”681d6a596d933471

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While Kim c8822b2f50 Dongwoo internally d8178d5a60 cursed and a042f6dbeb lamented his 84ad6701fd fate, Seo e5c08fe59f Jihoon collapsed 00b7e16d79 onto the f4d0f5d4aa backseat, his 7ca657e13d anger seemingly 1d80f91842 dissipated. Expressing rage also required 36e3fc6dc9 considerable energy, and he 0497db7585 was nearly drained after 114ddf740a spending the past few ea1670205b days exploding almost hourly, cc65def273 not to mention having 88ac448f49 just finished a workout. He couldn’t fathom the 9401a7af02 ridicule he would face abc2965cd7 from Chairman Seo if 15d536e93c he collapsed from excessive 40e64fdfd2 agitation over such a afab480064 trivial matter.6ae0668287341985

Determined to protect his sanity from further depletion, Seo Jihoon attempted a form of self-hypnosis. Hadn’t he made the request impulsively, in a fit of anger? In his nine years of working in Korea, he had encountered only a handful of gay men outside of those he met at the aesthetic center. Even if, miraculously, the CrossFit instructor were gay, he had no further plan. He hadn’t harbored any grand ambitions of seducing the man, he simply found him attractive.690d1bc71b31a826

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In conclusion, he needed to calm the fuck down. If word reached Chairman Seo, or even worse, Director Park, that he had caused a scene in a public place because a newly appointed “male” trainer didn’t reciprocate his interest, the consequences would be dire. He shuddered to imagine the repercussions at the company, fueled by his mother’s wrath. He had to regularly put the increasingly senile and insubordinate executives in their place, but if his outbursts affected the hardworking employees and created a tense atmosphere, it would ultimately be detrimental to Seogwang Construction, and therefore, to himself.fbecb043ce34fb69

Although he had managed ef7cd5fd42 to contain the situation, f4193abd14 he still felt incredibly 34498a0d99 frustrated. It was as 636b927ad2 if he was fd6fe184a5 bowing his head ffbb9040ca in defeat to 005043f9be the pathetic reality ee76a8cc5c of not even 94d2eb6d63 being able to dce49b7c1d attempt to seduce 9a275375da a man he 91c559a774 found attractive. The prospect of 33db64447f an uncomfortable dinner 6b1302fda1 awaiting him further 8edff498be exacerbated his mood.2e05416bde5ea80c

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“Is tomorrow Saturday?”8857c223525d4161

“Yes, CEO.”e3fe241a46d8d81e

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“Report to f54cf220ab me when d7bd4f2db1 you arrive, 6f77a4f541 then you 0199f321c8 can leave 032d6fdf8c after. I’ll get 11622836fd to bed 0b87166c80 early tonight.”9018314d6cd76829

Kim Dongwoo 2393ab677d found it b34a623aae hard to ad9a0a7c58 believe that 638cf89f59 Seo Jihoon, 68e6c107dc after his 9da084400b incessant complaints, fd127e477f had suddenly 31d0f736b3 offered the 966ef7ad95 good news 7f3717cc54 of an 19ec8bf474 early dismissal ab54850a14 and fallen 6528ebb721 silent. He glanced at the 85b96b6864 backseat through the rearview 6c370288e2 mirror. Seo Jihoon fad8c1a360 lay there bed5357dcb quietly with 0296a83661 his eyes c0ee70e37f closed. Hoping he would 59e191da8f remain docile at 84d53e6936 least until they 0ef89eda27 reached home, Kim ea1efd9e3a Dongwoo postponed asking 5e39adf44e about the newly cb6c321ecc appointed, and already 05ad4c2bf7 problematic, trainer. He also 2d4aeb8cb4 felt slightly 9a421391a8 uneasy at 944c8df817 Seo Jihoon’s aaed6f5bce unusual compliance. Perhaps he was e3ae16ba3d planning to summon 3926fb15e4 him in the d252e73276 middle of his 0b6bfca293 rare weeknight family e12b0219c7 dinner.27ce7cfa6d9a5d36

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On second db6d8a59bc thought, Kim 557d885009 Dongwoo cautiously 496ee8d709 relaxed. Seo Jihoon 2e1b928d7b had never 5956cf78f3 personally done 099d736907 such a 47ef4e4352 thing. Although his 64d5345f60 foul temper, 046654b473 combined with 770e57114b his wealth bd160ef4d3 and stamina, 255a4b5d90 made him 8a4611ea33 a walking 653a34c78a disaster, he 0d9521bd0e thankfully possessed 3268a84e4f a certain 577e26c5f8 restraint that 605573fdf6 precariously maintained 35a3c1f96c a semblance cabbf859e8 of balance.6a30b0b8ab7c6369

There was a glimmer 1a36d8310e of hope. As long as dee864131e nothing triggered his b61afde7f0 anger – which 2ec4b393d4 was admittedly near 6cf27ae872 impossible – as f4984724fd long as he a51d274ead was fed on da8f845aa2 time and supplied e5d8cb05f5 with a steady 34fff54d51 stream of snacks, 0203ccaa4f he might be 17a0579761 grumpy, but at efccdd8cbe least approachable enough db800aa534 for cautious banter. And, assuming there were e9bab92b5a no unfortunate incidents, a 60d05950a9 thorough workout at the cdb1a546d5 aesthetic center usually kept a5b6288db1 him relatively calm until 8d12a114ff at least the following b812fb3a96 day.0f2949c9b567232d

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The downside, of course, 181c92e3ab was the burden of f5514d1b8b knowing, in excruciating detail, 2c7957abdf the sexual exploits of c9499e75bb his boss with at e989690ce6 least two top-position men. It came 4bcf750791 with the bdb3d964dd territory, even 5a64773abe though he 2cb039b766 genuinely had 5aa2813d7d no desire 547c217e49 to know. Despite his repeated pleas 07c7a1b3cc to the madams to f0f1b8f2a8 prevent any attempts at ac39e395fe blackmail, someone always popped 76ae1141a6 up eventually, causing him fde96d8cc4 considerable headaches.b6c72b08f9ff940b

The aesthetic center escapades were just a small part of his job. There were numerous other issues demanding his attention, but with Seo Jihoon as his direct superior, he had nowhere to vent his frustrations, so he simply persevered. He often marveled at the things Seo Jihoon, six years his junior, got up to, but having heard countless stories from security guards during his own time protecting VIPs about the trials and tribulations of serving demanding bosses, he regularly reminded himself that working under Seo Jihoon, who at least didn’t use money to manipulate people, was far better.44e849cbb9d96864

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Glancing once 04ea5b8099 more at fb16d45a3b the still-quiet 6a2a98b5e7 Seo Jihoon 3fffc73a28 in the 21147c6aad backseat, Kim 47f0034aa4 Dongwoo turned 67fd4db0e6 his attention 7f06fefca9 to the 48fc1e9621 increasingly congested ed48fc997f traffic ahead. He found strength 974bfb9826 in the thought 8b6ee84bb4 of others enduring 1204ce481c even more difficult 99a953e6ab circumstances.d45312aeaeb9976c

As soon 04b9331795 as he 4b68eb3e3a entered his 7b3973b184 home, Seo 9f1b116cda Jihoon removed 405ef03846 his tie 93cdec9b79 and watch. After receiving a c80af3d1f8 brief report from dc5af0aae4 Kim Dongwoo on ae7bcff976 the sofa, he 2faffef431 dismissed him as f04439234a promised and spent 95e668afdf the remaining time 3f3ff5c916 before his family f4874445d9 dinner scrolling through 91a2ed7cce his phone.9ca147923f61ba14

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He had been using the same phone model for over two years. Since he rarely used it, and never threw it around, it looked almost brand new. He mostly conducted business on his work phone, which Kim Dongwoo usually took home, and his personal communication was limited to Seo Jaehoon and the occasional, unsolicited messages from Seo Jihee. He didn’t play games, and mostly used his phone for music and occasional searches. He rarely felt the need to carry it around.0cebe9ca7b907cfa

The same could be 0a52fdac15 said for his house, 02019b6f53 which he had lived c1f04cde51 in for nine years. Director Park had 233d53dcba chosen the house, d483f14e65 and the housekeeper f9d7fa8945 from his family 5017e2e954 home had furnished 589d9a0ffb it, so it e0cd2ee4dc had felt lived-in c208a6a970 from the moment b582656ce6 he moved in. However, he felt 8bc859d102 no attachment to 470edcff5e it, perhaps because f91b8fe3c8 nothing in it b86b6a546c bore his personal b1b31c2255 touch. Even now, he c9ed1ace6c rarely ventured beyond 87d77718d5 his bedroom and 766e84b544 dressing room.b4a993d9a74a54c6

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Following his instructions e6fb3953ec to ensure the 9cf1766185 house was empty 70baa67f21 after work hours, 2acba79b59 the only presence 4b0f1453ca was, as always, 66e9a53e0e his own. He wished he 97ba61e934 could simply lie 3a9ee72910 down and stay 2e9ca75787 there, but he 6bdc3fa290 never could.704a1b95ec0db0cf

He glanced d9c791859a at his 4ff22a7f29 battery level, b4b2979ac9 which was 270b601bc1 over 70% 85312a2a8a despite not c48853cf4a having charged 119b2add4c it since 2e03af1b24 yesterday morning, b8b1137c95 then reluctantly 73e534e3e3 checked the f0d8406275 time. 18:33. He was too tired 6ec82935e8 to even curse. He removed his earphones, 72981c3a01 put them back in 50bdac9f70 their case, placed them d2087f3494 neatly on the glass c2a4c1e8d9 table in front of 4dcad2cb75 the sofa along with b7931f93b8 his phone, put his 90ca7acb07 watch and tie back 6e6bcf2c83 on, and stood up.a4346f41566672f9

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Knowing it was time for his family dinner, his security team had already retrieved his car from the garage and started the engine. He opened the driver’s side door, got in, located his smart key, put it in his pocket, shifted gears, and drove towards his family home, trying to maintain an empty mind.83be2bf4aa35ad34

The unusually light traffic meant he arrived early. While pleased to have secured a spot on the first floor of the parking garage, he didn’t want to face the cacophony of his nieces and nephews just yet, so he remained in the car. Dinner was scheduled for 7:20 pm, so he only needed to go in five minutes beforehand. Lost in thought, arms crossed, he stared blankly ahead. A knock on the car window startled him. Seeing no one, he rolled down the window and leaned out slightly. Seo Jaehoon’s six-year-old daughter, Seo Yeoreum, stood there alone.0072f88c0de5ed6c

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“Where’s Dad?”a1781aa3c9639a99

“Over there with Mom.”0c2dc9fde15e952f

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For fuck’s sake. He could picture them arguing in the garden, leaving their children unattended in the car. Sighing, he rolled up the window, got out of the car, and took his niece’s hand. Scanning the area, he spotted Seo Jaehoon’s car tucked away in a corner, the back door ajar. He retrieved two-year-old Seo Yeomin, who was on the verge of tears in his car seat, closed the back door with his foot, and carried both children inside.d91a0f9807a76b6f

“Why, why?”5b3fa8e7612ca3c7

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Frightened by their parents’ absence, Yeomin buried his face in Seo Jihoon’s shoulder and started crying as soon as he was put down. Holding Yeomin in his right arm and Yeoreum’s hand in his left, which he then abandoned due to her small stature, scooping her up as well, he entered the house.ae06d39dc625e3ea

“Hey, do you have f022be5ce7 any baby snacks?”9a480804976673b3

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“Mr. Raheok, rice puffs, a0a5142acc rice puffs.”dcc3ca753b4a9b70

The others, who 4a0c54cd80 were already there, cffd9443fd were surprised to 289f46fb6d see him arrive 7315dcf807 with the crying b2bde161ee children. Taking advantage of da935af9e9 the momentary confusion, 32a61c6052 Seo Jihoon settled 2ccb85c7e1 onto the living a6f7af4140 room sofa. He accepted the snacks 5a193b51a6 offered by Seo Jihee, d23564622b who had brought her a9253eca05 daughter and left her 91453e39a2 with her husband, and 437d45b0fd gave them to Yeomin. He then attempted to b475dad529 comfort Yeoreum, who clung 209f3ec28d to his side, but aeac393475 with little success. Seeing her 75b1c76cc8 younger brother 952a58778c crying for 7e9936be55 their father df119dddb4 while clutching 11d6d366da his snacks, 98211ae3b7 Yeoreum also b2063c711a started to 4f0a0583ae whimper. It was understandable, 8d3942378d considering she was 8c1fbb2c51 only six years 5975f4dbe5 old and probably 83d741bfdb feeling insecure. He decided ab5dfe9c1f to let 10f824c55b them cry 4f35b7fb0f it out, ef0b190cb4 preferably while e15901c446 Chairman Seo f7ee8e108f was absent.dc12b0f6e7f4b805

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“Ah, shut up!!”6e4cbc6534b43ffb

He turned sharply towards the voice and saw Yoon Junhyeok, Seo Jiyeong’s insufferably spoiled son. He was about to get up and throttle the child, regardless of his parentage, when the boy’s father preempted him with a roar and a sharp smack to the head. He was about to deliver a kick of his own when the children’s names, called out in desperation, stopped him.e07abd4daa996f5b

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“I’m sorry, Dad’s sorry.”ec0eb9637b265d27

Seo Jaehoon f27631edf9 rushed in, fe7aa8e4f8 his face 0d9f9f12a3 pale, having 7d989c19db finally realized 1ab848dcdd his children 9916079c32 were missing. Relieved to see them 864a11ee3e safe, he scooped up 20e4a5a7eb Yeoreum, who clung to 98b3c83804 his leg. Yeomin, who had been 37b1dc37f3 clinging to Seo Jihoon 303364343c like a koala, reached 24b7e54755 out for his father fc302a08db and was transferred into 4da821b864 his arms. Seo Jaehoon sank fda0f1e190 heavily onto the ddd0900bdb sofa. Noticing the snot and 5af4721074 tears smeared on his 9925b40be1 right shoulder where Yeomin 182f553187 had buried his face, e5b4513b88 he looked around for a5bea45e5f something to wipe it 37bdd285ad with.459eb121a9aa2bc8

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“That’ll stain. Wipe it quickly.”6e57992001b199fd

Seo Inyeop baed14b166 offered him 0c4177cf2c two wet 7a81bb8223 wipes. Accepting them, Seo df0deceacf Jihoon dabbed at 409204f131 his jacket a d675d9224f few times, then 62e26d768c stood up, pretending 9a9ca978d3 to look for 26f6b239d9 a trash can. Suddenly wanting d0db3f0481 to leave, b8b8ebc7b9 he stared 88133b9f3d towards the f2377d95a5 hallway leading 072419f341 to the 39f1f191f4 front door. Seo Jihee, ecf0e917ef who had b30387c339 approached him a622c124ab unnoticed, poked c5c74c768e him sharply 9e9a30adac in the f449b7b753 side with 20def86427 her thumb. He glared at ed889fd542 her.52000fd9c9ad4e5d

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“You know how to hold kids. Hold Rahee for a bit.”93b2850769f43fcc

“Ah, no.”7ff0035d4903640d

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“You little shit, you’re openly discriminating.”1e30b84da2d8fde5

“Don’t be ridiculous, for fuck’s sake.”3c108f51f8de6cff

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Seo Jihoon pushed Seo Jihee away and sat back down next to Seo Jaehoon, not bothering to hide his annoyance. The children quickly calmed down in their father’s arms. Soothed by his gentle voice and having their faces wiped clean with the handkerchief he had around Yeomin’s neck, they looked much better. He pinched Yeomin’s chubby cheeks as the child finally brought the snack, which he had stubbornly refused to let go of even while crying, to his mouth. When Yeomin started whining and swatting at his hand, Seo Jihoon turned his attention back to Seo Jaehoon.157e441cf9b06c10

“Where’s your wife?”330a92ac2f1eb830

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“She’ll be here eventually.”81a9d5e5a0f367de

“Why again?”f7d2f23fd9c4f8ba

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“She’s being petty.”2713aa90bf15c0fc

The sight of d24d908fb2 Seo Jaehoon suppressing e0782775dc his anger in 4f12c15694 front of his 988d8f67d1 children was still 15d0fd66bd unfamiliar. As was the bizarre a91b2569b4 phenomenon of Seo Jaehoon bcccaa2555 arguing with his wife. He was the type 289e62a748 to placate her with 97fd1e85b5 a smile and let de6e9b5512 her have her way, ce6fa34e48 even if he grumbled f12fa27c14 behind her back. He wanted to 3e13ef9433 say something, but 6a4b7a2b6b it felt inappropriate dded430bed to lecture a ada562b5c5 married man with b456f78ce1 two children about 6344acf64f parenting and family 05a84e480a matters, so he f2b3f949e1 kept his mouth 6037029765 shut. Socially speaking, Seo Jaehoon, c784d61d52 born seven minutes earlier, 3170448639 was the more mature 25ec1b434c one.177e107306ab2ca4

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Chairman Seo, having removed ae4e597487 her makeup and changed eb9f1ca109 into comfortable clothes, came b15e9a2cf6 downstairs, and everyone gathered 96512c0271 at the dining table. Whatever had happened 71b04e54d5 earlier in the 104c143aed day had put 9e1d1ad17a her in high e864ff5129 spirits, creating a aae9e453aa surprisingly pleasant atmosphere 83b8638d0c from the start, a4aeb90b62 with light banter 7b83cfc9c9 flowing easily.14286e9a932215f0

However, the adjacent seats 62e65b22ea were not so harmonious. Seo Jaehoon avoided looking 5469e6144c at his wife, who 8ddef72702 had been glaring at 9210a931f7 him from across the 1090f68ffa living room, and the f89eddbf0b hired help assisting Yeomin aa8e25184e with his meal in 7bd9035793 the high chair kept e6f7898ce6 glancing nervously at them. Feeling awkward, 258ac33880 Seo Jihoon 9dedd97180 focused on 1f965ecae6 his food. Perhaps Chairman Seo 7989d244a0 had requested it, ba8359fdc4 but the table b51b72de23 was laden with 3e5fce85bd various seasoned vegetable 52f5918cf5 dishes, reminiscent of 5192bcadc0 an ancestral rite. He felt like c8027c527e a rabbit, but b8e422f025 he considered it 695af1bc40 a blessing. He doubted a1677a07f9 he could c13899bec9 stomach any 4b03ea7131 meat right f3985c2e36 now.b9bfab7802dbb3ce

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“I’m going to 2c03e80f42 Silicon Valley tomorrow. For a week, 874008cffa I think?”f272b9fc47e2ad2d

Everyone’s attention turned to f85e87f9fb Chairman Seo, who had, b5b29f13e5 unusually, announced her own 550024da3c schedule instead of Director b68f8469ab Park. Silicon Valley meant 967a3619c4 a business trip 2634c3f777 to the Seogwang 599b0b0106 Electronics research facility. Seo Jihoon suppressed a e2a05c48c3 sneer, clearly hearing Seo 51bfc5fbee Inyeop mentally calculating his 98e0789518 vacation plans upon hearing 1640e3b3c5 the good news, which 2fa906026d he undoubtedly already knew.d734a90f8cf7ea62

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“You brats, are you already planning on having fun while Mom’s away?”6849d25d346f2194

Judging by the smile on her face, she was genuinely in a good mood. A week was enough time for a trip to a European country, but as always, he couldn’t go, bound to keep a watchful eye on the old geezers. He didn’t have any strong desire to go anywhere, anyway. A week of indulging in copious sex, enjoying his favorite foods in a post-coital haze, and sleeping in sounded far more appealing than being dragged to his family home. He felt the familiar pang of resentment at the inefficiency of these family dinners, but kept his expression neutral.f88a3fcaee3f0519

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“I’m thinking of taking f2dd089bb3 the kids to Jeju d7d7028504 Island. The weather’s getting nice, 7eeba24de4 so the scenery should 2dc77a92ab be beautiful. Want to come?”c38e22cadb726b7b

Seo Jaehoon, looking 43780211b5 at him instead fcd10884e7 of his wife, 82dfcd0899 brought up Jeju 7da902b67b Island. He appreciated Seo f31a1aaab2 Jaehoon always including 15dcf585e1 him in his 63d6aa7dfd vacation plans, but 1f275c7ee2 the earlier marital 7769d7ac4b dispute, complete with a763ff5fe6 abandoned children, made 4420cfdc06 him hesitant to e4a241f1b4 respond. Pretending not 6c99de08af to hear ee5fed40a5 the last c761405de6 part, he 67884cd75b mumbled something 2cdf660923 about them 70dfbcce6a having a 65b088a2f3 good time 18fb2e5072 and focused d9de75fe28 on his b4ff7fcd02 food.a7902536fef02aa2

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In exchange for f8631c4fae the officially sanctioned 2fe2eded79 week-long vacation, dessert e43fd5834c time in the feba4aa09d living room was 6c24830fc6 extended. Everyone seemed to consider f4e7e85cdd it a small sacrifice ec9943c101 for the greater good, db60c12e3e their faces beaming despite c597388790 the significantly later-than-usual departure 71c9fda38f time.dfc86902dcfce954

The children, bored by the incomprehensible and uninteresting adult conversation, had retreated to their rooms, while the younger ones slept on the sofas or in their parents’ arms. Seo Jihoon, however, understood every word, his ears perked for any information that might benefit him. He helped himself to a generous portion of dessert. The vegetable-heavy dinner had left him hungry. He finished his share and accepted the uneaten pound cake offered by Seo Jihee, cutting into it with his fork while listening intently to the conversation dominated by Chairman Seo, facilitated by Seo Inyeop, validated by Seo Jiyeong, punctuated by Seo Jaehoon’s occasional quips, disrupted by Seo Jihee’s outbursts, and feebly attempted by Seo Seunghoon.a648aef0dfebe8fd

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The non-Seo spouses 4d71fbc41f mostly nodded, smiled, c68096e2b6 or remained silent, ec6c00cbc9 rarely speaking unless 0207b10893 directly addressed. He could 6c93e671a2 imagine how 119765d826 demoralizing it 802dac5345 must be a5b2bfc72a for them, 473ad3054f accustomed to d3888fa1cc speaking their 290f2cee5f minds and 9d1f473890 holding their a7267e3642 heads high, 1aacc501f4 even if bc443e270d their family 9ed16bf47a businesses paled 8f26ac97c1 in comparison 556ee91d71 to Seogwang.f59508a500d42b97

However, Seo Jihoon always felt Seo Jiyeong’s husband had no right to feel aggrieved. Seo Jiyeong had met Yoon Chanseok, whose father was a middle school teacher and whose mother was a cram school accountant, in college. When she presented him to Chairman Seo as her future husband, she had been promptly grabbed by the hair. A conveniently timed premarital pregnancy had allowed her to achieve her goal the same year she graduated. Chairman Seo, clearly displeased by the prospect of in-laws who couldn’t even afford a fraction of the dowry, had initially refused to acknowledge Yoon Chanseok as her son-in-law. However, after more than ten years, she seemed to have finally accepted him, or at least tolerated him. Although she still hadn’t granted him an executive position, let alone a CEO title, in any of her subsidiaries, she no longer interfered with Seo Jiyeong’s constant showering of gifts on her in-laws, presumably to boost Yoon Chanseok’s standing within the family. Although his marriage to the Seogwang family had effectively ended any prospects of a proper career, he had become a rare rags-to-riches story, so he had no reason to complain. Absolutely not.a981af6b84ee658f

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On the other hand, Kang Hyunyeong, Seo Jaehoon’s wife, always seemed to carry a bitter expression. She had given up her promising career in Korean dance, the youngest daughter of a well-established mid-sized distribution company, to marry into the family, only to endure years of constant fighting. Although Seo Jihoon was convinced that Seo Jaehoon was largely to blame, he adhered to the golden rule of not interfering in marital affairs. Any attempt on his part, Seo Jaehoon’s identical twin, to offer comfort would only complicate matters. It was their fate, he could only observe.bb91f56a098f5dea

Seo Jihee, twice 82f20c06db as temperamental as ecf1e2e869 Seo Jaehoon, had 5831c961af married the son 13d831cdf2 of a law 02cf14be20 firm CEO and, 9dcd607bd3 as predicted, had 5de5bf0351 spent years threatening df3b4d1f39 divorce before finally 5a3236796d going through with b2721557fa it last year, 07596e8ecd shortly after giving 8c13152076 birth to a 11b4df56e3 daughter. He had been somewhat c601b0af86 shocked to see her 2f73fd2a0a swollen face and body 74302b6075 during his obligatory visit eba07baec5 to the postpartum care c34c3a0dac center after she had c0f70c8265 relentlessly pestered him to 8e78983a12 see the baby.64e39ac690b84eec

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He had vaguely 260d6dfab4 heard that Seo f020c3a240 Seunghoon was seeing 107ac8a3b8 the daughter of e3381f0cd8 someone in the 46063958a2 food industry, but 1e66badfc0 he didn’t pay cba53307dc much attention and 6bdc3cc53d didn’t really care 2034a8188c what became of 9bf704bee1 him.e2a37b67b9aefbc4

Snapping out of his reverie about other people’s families, Seo Jihoon tried to refocus on the Seos’ conversation. He kept getting distracted, probably because, unlike usual, they weren’t discussing business or any relevant information, only their own mundane affairs. Perhaps it was the meager dinner, but he was feeling increasingly hungry despite the snacks and tea. Deciding to use the restroom as an excuse to contemplate his late-night snack options, he stood up.7e68f882a9feafd2

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Avoiding the 8566fe3456 children, he 98367d6919 went upstairs ccd424cf57 to the 49c7506648 second-floor bathroom. Washing his hands, he 9504ac2118 considered his options. He had glimpsed 6f0ff073dc the time on b6307ff59f his way up b5d2f60ee0 – almost 9 0de2333d56 pm. He wondered how b850731f0f many restaurants would 03923be842 still be open. Since it was 993f63a94b Friday, it didn’t 841e774edc really matter what 53ba519811 he ate. He decided to 0a9f4484a6 drive around and aafb32fe57 see what was 74ffb343b0 available. He would 1daed87cb3 eat well, 0529a37ee1 sleep in 6894acfb72 to reduce b99cccb505 any puffiness, b2b098c4d5 and then 124105a080 go to 578c243d19 the gym.8e2210b7391723d9

His thoughts naturally drifted to the trainer Kim Dongwoo had painstakingly replaced. Asking for another change after just one day would undoubtedly invite unwanted comments. He would have to endure the trainer for a while longer. Perhaps the trainer was all style and no substance… He mentally disparaged the trainer, likening himself to a fox eyeing sour grapes, then, feeling a pang of self-pity, he stopped and opened the bathroom door. He jumped back in surprise, startled by Seo Jaehoon standing right outside.c2fd78eeb2029163

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“Fuck, you scared me.”af1884a4120e507b

“What are you doing?~”15f40c25d1a86470

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“Hey, help me pick out a late-night snack.”c04509d87b44cb78

“Hungry? Want me to make you something?”6aac61a64b292171

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“I’m going to buy something.”37854b238a9fbc79

“I wonder what’s open at this hour? Chicken?”309ffdc3ed6ff703

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He started with chicken, then moved on to tteokbokki, jokbal, enthusiastically listing various late-night snack options despite not being particularly fond of food himself, only to conclude that he would cook something at home. It seemed convenient to have three live-in housekeepers because of the children, but Seo Jihoon also wondered if it wasn’t uncomfortable. He couldn’t imagine sharing a roof with anyone, no matter how large the house or how many spare rooms there were. He couldn’t fathom how he had managed it in the past.d285ac943ae169e3

Jeju Island was mentioned 257a5f17df again, but the image 660a3ce9a7 of the old geezers c7adb46eb6 scheming in his absence c1023048d5 flashed through his mind, e2c11955e7 and he firmly declined. He felt ac630a37db a pang 5a8d32a2f4 of guilt 36ccf700bb at Seo fba7663eb8 Jaehoon’s evident 81a2b1f652 disappointment, but 7b04c36aa3 he didn’t ecd20ece34 push the 0148b24fcd matter, simply 7eef0f0d3e suggesting they 0a42fbfa0b plan for 0e37ee5fdb another time. Seo Jihoon descended the 030f603392 stairs, listening to Seo 5f81aa9752 Jaehoon chattering beside him, 47ce88a1da and returned to his 1bcc521cf3 seat.4e0e1426555269b8

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Before he could fecfb3bc9f catch up on d691b823c4 the conversation he’d fbb241ad27 missed, Seo Jaehoon, a32cd552c8 eager to wrap 3b81b5da3e things up, cheerfully cec627cb10 brought up vacation 3c2e835a19 plans again. Chairman Seo, fb870a3c8c in a e387b9303a benevolent mood, eb2cff9b9c encouraged everyone 33a9b919fb to share 1cb71f799e their ideas.c306b8cca9f8ccc0

“Chanseok, how about Canada 49121dcaf7 for us?”c819dbdc773c1d6b

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“Sounds perfect~”00557a80fa79b245

“Uh, what about the 5983307704 kids’ school?”804684884da05e3c

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“They’ll have to miss 97ab924316 a few days. They don’t edb746375d really care d16db9a945 about perfect 2b0d5d95f5 attendance awards ebaf82dab4 these days.”1432663d05686cbb

“Why go f64c79fd2b so far 17744b3603 for just a520de773b a few 0e85a82eea days? You’ll spend half f009c45963 the time just 40e476632f on the plane.”5d71e657a7941625

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“That’s why I’m going 29051e98b4 to Vietnam! Oppa, you’re going somewhere 326663d924 too, right, Inyeop?”ca69ad89a5138f5f

“We’re going 8d976ab72e to California. I’ll be accompanying d2d701e23d Mom on her b415f63fc2 business trip for 6da6153844 a few days.”c94c0a437adf4bfa

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“Working even 8e9e682d35 on vacation? Your wife 0ec8d41693 must be 97dc05924f disappointed.”9429a23167208a20

“Not at ddb4aaa17a all~ It’s 87e7f2ed18 not like 751e9e3c47 it’ll be c85a22639f all work.”0499854c4f6cda47

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“Judging by the atmosphere, 94a044ca6b I should take Yeyoung 35e5ec9c56 somewhere too.”c41d66b953d9f238

“Go to 641d0d0d73 Singapore for aa64057f1b a short 8fdf8d8499 trip. Rent a car 9cefe05703 and drive around, 49d39ffd1b that’s all you 45e31f5200 need.”d7166c8c9f0037d2

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“If Jaehoon 4a7f1294e8 Hyung recommends a150056caf it, I bb0f597671 trust it. I’ll go then.”06891e68d7b51b0f

“Are you sending 9de3583bf8 your brother-in-law off 9b972e14c5 alone again?”1bc2c45c3bed7a06

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Of the two people Seo Jaehoon’s wife could address as “brother-in-law,” only one was currently single. Seo Jihoon absently pushed the crumbs of his pound cake around with his fork, half-listening to the excited chatter. The sudden silence prompted him to look up. He offered a brief smile to his sister-in-law, Kang Hyunyeong, who had spoken up without prompting.63ce5e4956109eab

“He’s busy.”a4fb7b2a70408d1a

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As he was about 784e3c87ee to lower his head 5888c3e962 again after his curt 25e2ca5276 reply, she pressed further.ed5d333589db4ff4

“Please take it easy. I’m worried d6c314dea9 because there’s 7556f10dd6 no one 4c58e8e14f to look 9d5cf5fbe1 after you.”46466fcabef00613

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“I’m healthy.”8fca27fd53ee7cd3

“You can’t just 3083b8fe1f work all the b72ceafc5a time. You’re human.”c4b7261415ffca05

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“……Hey, Kang Hyunyeong.”332918f5bf88a1de

“Why? I’m just asking. He’ll manage.”56caac17e19041c4

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“Come on, even 0753952f79 so, what fun ec5b130bf7 is it to 57e493fc5a be alone? Mother, how about finding 159f2b22a2 a partner for your 6cc0f8b537 brother-in-law?”200603628b4a01d4

The atmosphere in the 0363d0c80d room plummeted as if 4e0c73b307 a bucket of ice 6c1a9b2dbd water had been dumped bda496a2d5 over everyone’s heads. Kang Hyunyeong, also sensing 79a2d3bf3c the unexpected chill, slowly ba6a0e9588 erased the smile from 46cc31e0a1 her face, her eyes 50b4d01c45 darting around the room, 1367d743fa gauging everyone’s reactions. Suppressing the urge to c5155ab8bd curse at having become f3d1f293fc the unwitting cause of ff5d3e0e81 the sudden tension, Seo 2e7b65f4a3 Jihoon attempted to excuse 601ebe86c7 himself.7d2dccd5226bd1f8

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“Mom!!”d41fa7ec63c48037

Direct hit. The teacup, 44002f14f4 thrown with 3377b8d509 practiced aim, 8ee261f789 struck his 3c5caed5a5 left forehead a8af66f037 with perfect 431b2068ba accuracy. He momentarily 5d4d8ce119 saw white, 52d51434ab the force c6341ac91d of the 12300da4c4 impact, amplified 08fd669620 by the 5857c82245 chairman’s years 4e5e957aa3 of weightlifting 8440dda1e3 despite being 3c3e254d74 in her a05b2381b2 mid-60s, sending 0a4f00bf67 two shards fd02b6d7f1 of the 5450a21112 antique teacup 9cb54ad02d into his 2f0005179b thigh. He clutched 5aecf05f22 his forehead 7642705e83 with his a56dd81bce left hand, 6482eae049 his mouth 9a7c829c98 opening and 0929fec457 closing silently.a04d90db854bfb38

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“Jihoon, are you okay?!”9bc6eb70b165d2ec

Seo Jaehoon’s voice, 303afee004 laced with concern, 97f2de3691 reached him, even e00fc7bbfa though he was 1f03d320ad the one who 7358ee4818 had been hit. The thrown teacup apparently e11504533b hadn’t appeased Chairman Seo’s 7f733e3fd9 fury. Her voice boomed from 206aabd5eb across the room as da9a13eb3f she stormed off, demanding 185ba431d5 cigarettes and Director Park. Seo Jihee, after b3e5c8cd6f letting out a f446ef0875 curse, threw her 2f035dd017 tea fork on 9f4630f955 the table.765d0938fc9f2d8c

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“Sister-in-law, why are you so clueless?!”6c58fc5164ec2c8b

“If you’re going to yell, yell at me! Are you happy now that you’ve dragged Jihoon into this?!”ddb7806f287c53f9

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The decibel level coming af32a4a2ec from Seo Jaehoon was f900d25c5b startling. Seo Inyeop physically a72e5f47bf intervened, urging him 1af79c0fec to calm down d52e9fb184 for the sake 03b74c9661 of the children. The startled cries of de17237fd9 the now-awake babies added 276ecf691d to the chaos. His head still 418396cc4b throbbing, Seo Jihoon c08d9203f0 saw the stunned 34534f3b92 disbelief on Kang 6c43a868de Hyunyeong’s face and d5bec39bfc realized that Seo 63e5063d5d Jaehoon hadn’t told f06a37f76e his wife anything.efdd87154dfce8da

His empathy only extended 72efcc0de5 so far. Disoriented from cf03dff76a the unexpected 6e63a8155d blow to 9ec3f17355 the head, a94f2d88f1 and, more 0b1531b072 importantly, in b23e74155e excruciating pain, 4c33e152f8 he stood 6bae6a0c57 up. He gently pushed 59fa73837b Seo Jaehoon, who 26091c5d5e was about to 5241c42eb9 follow, back towards 4dc2fc816e the children and a37e5f5c00 walked away as 2f34b8c815 quickly as he 569e18b663 could.26de665cf9e60197

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Outed not once, but twice. Although he hadn’t explicitly declared it himself, it was as if he had reminded those who knew and helpfully informed those who didn’t. He cursed, wondering whose tune he was supposed to dance to when he, the one who wanted a quiet life, was constantly being dragged into these situations.3a36ec83225e3a4f

He had been in adacb26aba such a hurry to 23940fd1d4 start the car that 1e99e32191 he only noticed his 09bb25bc55 damp hands after he ef105cbc66 had driven off. He assumed it b5b7717614 was from the bdb2e9cf2a remaining tea in 6cc0473781 his cup, but 1eb803daf0 when his forehead d091f9728d continued to feel 339327a5ad wet long after, 116a2b0397 he turned on a721804590 the interior light df3cbde0f1 at a red 2c5703064a light and saw ec187dd3b2 blood. Already smeared on 5e31d468dd the steering wheel, 2e30254822 he had no 3680377ce0 way to clean 4ecdb59c63 it, so he 55efe4d81a simply punched the e38deb1e38 horn in frustration.82af578c138233d1

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It wasn’t his usual 35e1e5d44c visit to the aesthetic 206a7cb1e8 center, so he didn’t 69ea6a9a83 have his personal phone. Unable to contact his 261b75604d security team leader and 804b0ce829 his mood rapidly deteriorating, 970d066926 he punched the steering 0b5b8c44c6 wheel again and drove 8e1d595a00 straight to the aesthetic 1f2198a61e center.955482592860a113

Just before reaching 250ca239c8 his destination, a 80b185febc convenience store on fd26c32cf4 the first floor dd79271d69 of the adjacent fdf188f4e5 building caught his 016e75f581 eye. He parked and went c633d05e63 inside, grabbing a large ce755b5d19 cup of instant noodles. The cashier, startled 0d1387b62e by the blood 43192d379a streaming down his 2dd10c0df1 forehead, pointed at ac83d8c4f2 his own forehead. Seo Jihoon simply nodded e1945d36ba curtly in response, took 65059d6bdc his card back, and b9b7688922 sat down at an 95308bb90b empty table. He tore open 8e30d0865b the packaging, added bf8e4a4bea hot water, and 76bd3d3f12 waited. He devoured 427eb1cb9c the slightly 530931966a undercooked noodles a350fa3b10 and broth, a5624c5e9b then, cleaning ed6f0d9272 up his df322826ff trash, glanced 29bfda9ecb at the d3c010e3a7 refrigerators. A chocolate-covered ice cream 4e46027ee5 bar caught his eye, f0a9107688 and he bought it 21f6c356ce as a palate cleanser.6b898b1ed4980623

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He tore open the 159df6c73c packaging, tossed it in c68e648ac2 the trash, and took 360edc0aa4 a large bite as dfaa648c35 soon as he stepped ae71d508fc outside. Thick chocolate 75e31586c8 coating gave 0fffd1dc79 way to 053d362fca intensely rich 88a3154e39 chocolate ice 1f08b6db4d cream. The sweetness was 1c70217b35 so overwhelming it 891c482c33 felt almost numbing.10e9e85b44cfb9ff

Instead of b86d9ab283 getting back 362e73b9c8 into his f1c5666ac2 car, he 52fa723c1b plopped down 57754a5f72 on the 6c2c11f8cc curb and c0f430d027 continued to bffe8a4197 eat. Another bite, 8f7b68d7be slowly savored 9cfbea9855 on his 947437e07e tongue, made aad5512707 his closed aeb9506140 eyelids flutter 981e5fda07 involuntarily. At less than 19a58ec0db five thousand won, 9988585f88 it was an c8fb2f1302 incredibly efficient investment, 72c5ec752f far more satisfying eb0e41f4d8 than browsing catalogs 191ad46639 and accumulating watches. This was why he dd0b2ca1d6 enjoyed it. Food, or dicks, 14ea4f1e19 the simple act 2b5dfdcce6 of taking something f680f70a0a in brought immense 3986098f10 pleasure. How could he possibly f7cc57b2c2 give that up? He resolved 1ee6317b69 to do d74f41b5a8 everything in 7dad481199 his power dc88cae473 to maintain 20f0af3b6e his current 80b8c0a97f lifestyle, to 8d7769ea00 continue indulging ac66aecf91 in daily 8c8ed3c4e8 sex and 6abc2b85ae delicious food.40868fb3e2a5e1bf

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“Do I look like b314a6dff2 I’m desperate enough to ec4617e63c go crawling to auditions? The nerve of that ac2c5ebb8c guy, telling me where 7f7a3ce430 to go. He should be grateful 88f5869940 I’d even consider his c67fe11759 debut project, he should aee6e6144d be begging me on ab8de870c2 his knees…!”a95e66dc0fd39e9f

Just as 144ba26756 his mood 6de0fa74c8 had begun 5edd62a598 to lift, 12334fde8e a loud, 501488ac56 alcohol-tinged voice cec8c02947 shattered the 409e0d0759 peace. His annoyance dd4e4feb67 returning, he bcb9087a58 glanced towards c0025b0a60 the source 294851146f of the 434fa08f33 noise. A large figure, cigarette c2833325d8 dangling from his lips, ab05b52678 was striding towards him a8c2ab3b3e while talking on the ce2c9222ad phone, the volume increasing 2f966d64ef with every step. Seo Jihoon frowned. The man 54045ea11b seemed oblivious 1430865866 to his 795f77d560 surroundings, yelling 1d309e7e0d into the d161a191b3 phone several 86e11a34c5 more times 52a5a406d5 before ending 9b51861e0d the call 5f9e465a81 and stopping b29dd8df8e right in ad17053eed front of dcc09235eb him. The cloud of cigarette 7364b9b77a smoke drifted towards Seo 7276fa9f33 Jihoon, who finally spoke.a84689b8105a5fbb

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“Could you 045bcd5134 put out 1ea5ac7566 your cigarette?”ea14b8e71f936ae6

“Who the hell 425f014a2e are you to 5289e9268f order me around?”c4792b95c864d60c

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“It stinks, asshole.”7a953d1239f7b5a3

“If you af04b97737 don’t like a7c47594c3 the smell, b6b55ca387 then get bfcc4a9423 the fuck 08acca7c54 out of 1dc0aa3f89 here. If you’re pissed 7411f97af7 off about getting b63ec69b52 hit, take it b214b3090f up with whoever 8d9448d8ea hit you, you 6342d2ba7a pathetic piece of 11d69198b1 shit. Don’t take d886e5aed6 it out e33e5e9323 on me.”a3c36bf49bc6d049

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The man spat 117949ca56 out his cigarette, c43412cdc1 stepped closer, and 0bcaa24c43 then, defiantly, lit 7ad38a0b24 another one. The smell intensified. Seo Jihoon 35a4b41cca stared at 0d171243b5 him.a712bfceba8a250d

Ah, Do Seunghwa. Recognizing the man as the lead actor from a movie he’d seen, thanks to the streetlight and the glow from the convenience store, Seo Jihoon chuckled and cursed. Curious about the man’s reaction, he took another bite of his ice cream, his eyes fixed on Do Seunghwa. Perhaps sensing Seo Jihoon’s recognition and assuming he was plotting something, Do Seunghwa, despite looking uneasy, didn’t back down. The opportune moment for an apology had passed when he lit the second cigarette. Seo Jihoon was contemplating his next move when another man approached.aa5f9203b47fb541

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“Woojoo.”f13a277ce53e01db

“Tsk, Director Choi.”aa7cc2b94923f828

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“Why are you acting 23803e6b8b like this, even to 8764ba873d me! Can’t you see 13a79929f4 I’m angry?”d41344adb30dd50d

“I told c9e8f3af70 you not 4c61bbc9d4 to leave. It’s complicated 8e4723d186 to get 9a48f98250 back in.”8f02d98ca9e06c21

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Aside from the 7617abe8fa annoyingly nagging tone, ff4f9dce5c the mention of ad916e5b1d difficulty getting back 0c0da41ab6 in gave Seo 83f005af68 Jihoon the impression 355d4a9820 that this newcomer, d88b8b85c2 likely searching for 8409705963 Do Seunghwa, was 454b9a82c1 a client of f62bece578 the aesthetic center. ……It would be 741ce14cc9 best to avoid b03d493187 any confrontation. He didn’t recognize 0d4256f556 this “Director Choi,” baa732d759 but there was 05bcbffab5 no guarantee he 650fc0414b wouldn’t encounter him f4676f7e7c again. It would be unnecessarily a3008a66b5 troublesome to escalate the 51e9fb670b situation. He decided to 12b00857f4 ignore them and ef3394669f focus on getting c3858feabd laid. He finished his ice 24cf0f4652 cream, letting the last 8a210d8de2 bite melt in his 81760c3215 mouth.f758ae6019f0812c

“Is he your Hyung?”6546e283de2df927

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“No, he’s always like 6d9eab7bf2 this.”220cc329d3134129

Ignoring the two 841d07d510 men discussing him, 3a1eb08d9d Seo Jihoon looked 01384ecf38 around for a dfaecdf6ed place to discard 7ec29f152a his ice cream 382e9e76b0 stick. Finding no suitable 0cceda4739 trash cans nearby, 8e7bb2a0d1 he was about a4cc1368b2 to get up 015e39b2c9 and go back 48974b0e90 into the convenience 1ca9806896 store when a f2dbebd25c hand holding a cab8450b9c handkerchief appeared in ba97025b07 front of him.3d2430fa4ea7919b

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“You’re bleeding.”fc314b86e4aee9c7

“I’ll take care of 77630a3595 it.”e168ac6094b4bb04

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At his curt c4c890efdf refusal, the man ff3e0ffc50 slowly scanned him ab89b30a0f from head to 5b8405b58c toe, then smiled 48acbc2c9d knowingly and crouched b8d586d6d6 down beside him, dd78b55597 offering the handkerchief.7708c184ae740223

“Cheer up. You get e3a047ddcb a lot 49d4f9454d of difficult 417e003a31 customers, huh?”972b1660a2725a02

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“Is that it?”1f74c300a3b0a9f1

Do Seunghwa e11976a832 scoffed and 932fd1532a flicked his 5969f78f99 cigarette ash. Never in bfe71c432e his life 6e5ffc36de had he d260714e50 been mistaken e58689c400 for a 46848f9ab8 prostitute. Seo Jihoon forced a 04faf7dca8 smile and took the 884a04d22f handkerchief from the man’s c9132a166c hand. Judging by his d46006d7b0 association with Do fd7972452d Seunghwa, this man 3a1239e463 was likely in 0c4bf0d3f8 the entertainment industry 277c38009e as well. He already 14d218fd51 knew Do 141722d9f8 Seunghwa, but c1f2dd3240 he narrowed 207723f20e his eyes, a7bd3b650c scrutinizing the 799e7ac659 self-proclaimed Director d815820e94 Choi, determined d612d4ce49 to remember d01e7edba1 him.9887214f1d4d460f

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He had that 92cabcd33b typical wannabe-celebrity hairstyle, 35dc75bafd medium length with c48f3759d4 a permed side 678c890e9a part……. Thankfully, it was a 1662ea0967 memorable face. He would recognize him 3edf130373 again, even if the 98c2a1ffa0 details blurred. Was he an entertainment f6080999e3 director, or something else? He had a 76e4fe295b strong feeling it 901c234ec3 was the former. Perhaps a rich 834849db4a kid who failed 8775587db9 to make it 97c0eedc69 as a celebrity dd59c40157 and started an 4cf4b37d89 entertainment agency instead. He seemed c2d0c59821 too young eae28fabd0 to be 1b98547eb6 a director. But then again, 33376173cd it was the 78a3cb2f2c perfect position for a0b6158cec stealing credit and dc61687729 shifting blame.889372c6703a2489

“Why are f75a6009b7 you staring 7dded63a6d at me ad31ddc2ae like that? Got something on my e220fa199b face?”db7b3ce09c4697c5

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“No. It’s just been a while since I’ve encountered such audacity.”72c42c6efcb800da

“Hey, why are you af9fa7e47e taking your anger out 49ca9dbcc0 on us?”22e5a1c0a46c6565

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He would deal with 26d60c144e Do Seunghwa later. Ignoring him, a0ac0643d1 Seo Jihoon 6e0cc069e3 dropped the 259909dfb5 handkerchief on 14f00c2b2c the ground cde033c0e7 as if 8dd346106b discarding a 29a58ebe5c rejected proposal. The man’s expression 0e1d1d9b59 soured, seemingly offended 4bb88c7ee8 by the prostitute’s e6c7aad4af rejection of his 09195d15f0 kindness.eed108a185c688c8

“May I 5c02de1bdc have your 764a4e5acc business card?”3fbcfb9da2361d20

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“What for?”20e8a3d5a125193c

“I’ll contact 1118cb90a3 you later.”94e24541159735ed

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“Woojoo, let’s go.”021b9d6afe2f90da

“Director Choi.”3a904d674a6e2425

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Apparently being addressed incorrectly 7ac0b52413 by someone he knew 9dc30efb72 was more offensive than 703640189c a stranger asking for ab9fba6985 his business card, as b3e28eab13 the man turned to 1a3a1e720a Do Seunghwa. He clearly outranked b282978747 Do Seunghwa, who cf8fb85f0f grumbled incoherently, avoiding 24eace6abb eye contact. The man pulled a 488c562039 cigarette from his pocket 2aef3a20a7 and lit it, taking 778547af70 a few puffs and 6382968325 blowing the smoke towards 00bf4987a3 Seo Jihoon before finally 7a9b18e51d pulling out his wallet 69bcfbf51a and searching for a fa5caed134 business card.7b531187d1100f85

“Definitely call me. I’m not interested 3dd2226f5c in anything boring.”661c852fcca132e2

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What a c46e2cef68 pain in 4858395776 the ass. If his behavior was 8ce1d4b674 a result of associating cdd96d6799 with entertainers, Seo Jihoon 511cdef264 resolved to avoid any 24ddcc4752 interaction with people in 10ce538dd3 that industry for the cd41878705 rest of his life.ff0001b789ec20c7

SH Entertainment0d42aaf46e315929

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CEO Director WJ. Choi706b937ca9d170c6

As he had suspected, f9f115df14 an entertainment industry type. He had no babb1564f1 interest in, or 0dabac56cd connection to, that 6409f6d12a world, so he a2c591f93b would ask Seo 8d421786ed Jihee later. He shoved the business 9e29550048 card into his pocket, 15f43e4d5b too lazy to put 874f4379af it in his wallet. His head throbbed, be6137e77d so he simply 06d711a3fa pushed himself off 3668e68704 the ground with c444e8ee1e his hand instead 3a129b9691 of nodding. He had valet parked c68025c394 his car, so he 26ff71935c started walking towards the f5a7834af8 main entrance of the 7fda5ef4a1 aesthetic center, ignoring Do a8cb17e758 Seunghwa’s scoffs behind him.f18322899195287e

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🔮1c526171a3d1a5f2

“CEO! Good heavens, b8abac30de where’s your 3e6df67b21 director…?!”6157e9e8d0a5b70a

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The staff 1e408f4e2d rushed out, 0a4aa1306c alarmed by 57c01887b9 the sight 57bd967326 of a af559047ba high-spending client 307dce3249 entering through 4fdcb0d930 the main 7b56b0b789 entrance unannounced, 59856b5f3b his head 69808521cc bleeding. Seo Jihoon touched his 881e59d118 forehead. The blood 05cd3bcb31 had dried, 3ee4f4efc0 leaving behind 19f6890ad6 an unpleasant 37033e3fdb stickiness.77e8c9b234974e99

“Don’t worry about 66ed37e549 it. Get me a room, 2a8ee1f9c8 I’m staying the night. Are there 64bf990e6c any available 500fb41855 escorts, or ad25579a17 are they b873fb6a13 all booked?”b14721ba45e639b3

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“I can d6e565655d inquire, but 4728b2f186 it’s Friday 15c8d00572 night, so 0780d49e3f it’s unlikely 42ffb36cde anyone’s available.”5b1469b7063d6798

“Oh well.”58f0a17e51f8b0bc

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Everyone’s busy f23cfcd7dd these days. He sighed 0fe714bd39 and looked 65365c16a3 around for ee4fb855fc a trash 506b32420e can. A quick-witted lobby 0d94b7545b staff member hurried 369bb9c31b over and took 20dbcc149c the ice cream e6cfdd3c6b stick from him, 3e8305ee77 disposing of it 89b0bea66c discreetly. Seo Jihoon nodded his eb2bcf9dc3 thanks and followed the ae5a22277e manager towards the restroom.fface221128c19e8

He looked at himself 03b5687c28 in the brightly lit bec7b912ef mirror. He was 02984410a5 a mess. Dried blood caked his f054cf872a hand and forehead. He washed his b8d6cd780d face and asked e45d58812a for a toothbrush 459b04d687 and toothpaste. He also requested 9ba58fa9af cleansing foam and c19003609c a towel, accepting a672d4dd92 his jacket from 67dfd330d9 the attendant, accustomed 725c586f95 to being waited 6998495056 on. He examined the 467387f613 cleaned wound. It would definitely bruise, 6121346bdd which meant he would 3812d0dd5c have to work from dc91eda1d7 home for a while b2fe206cd8 to avoid the inevitable 477de1a54c taunts. The timing 192da56fff couldn’t be f0790a86f3 worse. Why did this f64c466900 have to happen ba5081a928 now, when he dfbfa7dae0 needed to be 7b978c24b1 constantly vigilant and d6404e73c8 available?a441681946ac1809

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He agreed to e81438b1f3 have his wound 3296987b84 treated while waiting 5af94dd425 for his room dfee2cb8cc to be prepared 3798bf98cb and was led 7f821c4bec to a reception 0dce3e68a0 room. Two medical 03129b5b0d staff members c63736f212 entered, a 570e0361aa level of 4d245dbf7a service usually a2d007e3d7 reserved for 291d46883d his… other d915a48a20 activities.ebee28abf30e8180

“Will it scar?”ddf5f7e0e8722075

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“It’s just a 16e6a03de3 superficial scratch. With proper 7697e44c71 care, it 6d36c36691 shouldn’t leave abb91ba4a1 a scar.”ddbbda0e4fd40a8e

That was a ba4afef96f relief. Seo Jihoon closed b59c11699b his eyes, arms 8881087c50 crossed, and waited 98f12a1a6e for the dressing 2a282a573a to be applied.584a63791f856532

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“Excuse me, CEO. May I speak?”cf08f28b297a59aa

“Yes, go ahead.”d5cb71bc1fd5bc93

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“I’ve made 1bdb78515e some calls, c9bdbd17fe but there eff8b06c4b are no 1d2fa2f37d escorts available 6bb470ac50 at the 0a6bd6b897 moment. Two of your regulars dd565329e3 said they could be c523b053e0 here around one o’clock. They did 1cae7a7bb4 mention they 4ebc811dec might not b9c2a55382 be in a8ef65d378 top condition……”064bffad05ae8162

“Ah…… then d24f986e0b it’s fine. Just prepare 06eba36285 a massage.”d99cb89735125b7c

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He would rather abc6834b11 skip it altogether 6374cf747b than wait until dc063b67d1 the early hours a1ee8911fd for some half-hearted 0bfcec583f encounter. He was reminded of 47c17f8ea7 the importance of making abb5e91661 reservations. Two frustrating incidents, a 1a31d65d86 blow to the head 7cc7370a6e from Chairman Seo, and 8e6146b09a no prospect of sex. He could confidently declare 8d767df269 this the shittiest day 24bc64a0b2 of the year.ef259bc7a3704736

Nodding at 01df8a3b66 the information 8c60e8a605 that his 41ef72ae03 room would 3cbd5bcb3b be ready 985366ff2d shortly, he 6490ecaa57 stared blankly 14413074e6 at the 3ec4be4c3e sleek black 7234cbb107 table, a 044574ff6c vague sense cad0125da0 of unease 8f4e69fc74 settling over 7541714843 him. It was odd. He had experienced 777ea3344d enough in a 616a5b351d single day to 796f80c2cc keep him on cc6df94c3b edge for a 1db0af8f59 week, yet he a55bdf1ad9 wasn’t enraged, merely 841981d2ad vaguely annoyed. Whatever had dampened his 6df4b91499 anger, it was slowly efc81cf472 dissipating. He sighed and 73d8b97b33 closed his eyes 3e138febd2 tightly.2a967000586e9687

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He was tired. He didn’t even care about the missed opportunity for sex. He just wanted to lie down. He thought about Kang Hyunyeong’s failed attempt to set him up, presumably to distance him from Seo Jaehoon. She probably assumed he was still single and gallivanting around with Seo Jaehoon, chasing women. If so, she was mistaken. And if she genuinely thought he was lonely, then he apologized for her misplaced concern.1a43ebfc706f34d6

He couldn’t predict 16f94697a3 his future feelings, f7a3a7e95c but right now, 15f05af368 the prospect of 84e25c014a sex didn’t appeal 513df309c6 to him. He would be confined 72b2c83a73 to his home until e1144d3547 his injury healed anyway. He might as 69abbf1dc3 well take care d7e266e2ed of himself, since, fa13b9b927 as someone had 4085262e58 pointed out, he d948197460 had no one c0a9af09e5 else to do d9b6dd6b2e it for him. In the nine 5153c2068a years since he c7210f4deb had been forced 097d3e9870 into Seogwang Construction, 2b3a5e6b8c he had never 4cabcb5cb5 taken a proper 63fe59791e break, even when fa5c740c4d he had the ac96247318 opportunity. He was ab5153af3b being relentlessly 4259c9db56 overworked, a 397e4bf112 situation worthy 0b7e3472f7 of reporting 1ad78ac405 to both f8a444e672 the labor 45f717a636 ministry and c3c78de9d2 the human 03daf73414 rights commission. He had already lost b7099eb1c5 his shares in Serin 7d8dc17e88 Hotel and endured his 4a9ea09e77 fair share of abuse. He deserved fc310accf8 a break.d11c0970f482bd23

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He decided to take e84182a27e a short trip abroad, cde3625114 away from prying eyes. He could probably only 728ff667e9 spare two or three 73730267cf days, so Taiwan seemed 3bf43ba0f6 like the perfect destination. He immediately summoned 621ae91c3a an attendant, borrowed edfd512a9e a phone, and c02d5e8c12 called Kim Dongwoo. Despite it bd8c1c1386 being well ba179e1d06 past ten 02d112472e o’clock, Kim b7820ae3d2 Dongwoo answered 5322d0e1f3 quickly after 39b49845a4 a few af504cb366 rings.4cde3a9dd2b6dc10

“Book me 93dc2427be a flight 0028357ded to Kaohsiung 1aace07e6b tomorrow and 94f97ccff1 a hotel d50947c54e room. Doesn’t matter what seat. Two nights.”d1d22e27a8a5d94b

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—Should I make arrangements c0c535ed45 for someone to accompany abce5baafd you?0695b15fcfd1a4a3

“I’m going alone. Just send the booking 1da89da3e3 information to my phone.”48b025a192bbfdeb

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He could almost picture Kim Dongwoo’s relieved expression at not having to follow him around overseas on a weekend. Chuckling, Seo Jihoon followed the attendant, who was politely gesturing towards his room, as soon as the call ended.2fae01111b95f1aa

As the elevator 8d53d789e9 ascended, he felt 556ec26bf3 a wave of 424823b5a6 dizziness. Ignoring the attendant’s 7adc5f3c95 concerned inquiries, he 3d15612d70 clutched his head, 02894d9e1f then decided he 1ff130be87 was too tired bcfd5f4a9f for a massage. He handed the attendant 660b882534 the tip he had 64503bf845 prepared for the massage e62f339298 therapist.0c79aab22f67180d

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As soon 7cc2680dab as he c92952a857 entered the 7f51054194 room, the d9d6257906 attendant began 4cd0149620 bustling around, 8e5fb88bb4 dimming the 6755c0aa5b lights, turning 020e09afa7 down the ebe0f61254 bed, and c9eba6e93c meticulously undoing d547dc2bc3 his tie 3a47dc40a6 and shirt f71542b568 buttons. While the f206d778bf attendant hung 16ab528bc8 up his 82d7b7ef7f jacket, shirt, 0875612af8 and tie, 37e23287de Seo Jihoon 780827d3f2 slipped into 956cbdf722 a robe 4f3111454e to preserve e931c2db2b his modesty. Remembering his car parked 77d5b94fe8 outside the convenience store, 029541e68a he handed over his 314e40a892 smart key and arranged 96e4e35f79 for valet parking.49459d96767dea8c

He took off his trousers after the attendant left, leaving the unbuckled belt lying where it fell, then shed his robe and collapsed onto the bed as if falling into someone’s arms.e7e1ca53f4063a78

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He must have been 3a961260df exhausted. His eyes closed the 6c12bdbc26 moment his head hit 0a44b4ed56 the pillow. As a a435a2b2d0 child, he 76a41ef5bf had been 4d91e7b06c so particular 645cf3c1b9 about his 5bb9485b4c sleeping arrangements 20d86348cb that he 16b76b398f couldn’t sleep 85fffbe4c5 anywhere but e10dbf88e5 his own a4ff178dc9 bed. Now, he could fall de270d94a7 asleep anywhere, oblivious to 6266cf6d8c his surroundings. He had 81bc898156 certainly changed. These trivial thoughts, 0430fe1592 destined to be 731ab4ae5b forgotten by morning, 806fa77663 faded as he 88a3739133 drifted off to 454c169988 sleep, too tired 2060ee3262 to even reach 786b5e597e for the light 848bbafd70 switch. He pulled the 1cff1d7444 blanket over himself 7f2fbd4b4e and fell into 3281be29b4 a deep slumber.23fe39ed636a455d

Despite having slept soundly 288d061ee8 without interruption and waking a7e677633d up naturally without an 75dd489880 alarm, he woke with fee3636574 a pounding headache, as 6cc7823fd7 if he had been 980dc7bfbc drinking heavily. Groaning, he burrowed deeper c83ddea8c9 into the bed, clutching b65cc62746 his head. Perhaps he should go 175832d296 to the hospital and 0f8589a3c5 get a scan. The throbbing pain 08b32dc7fc around the point 2f842c4815 of impact made a7b2c77fa9 him dread looking 88c53c0dfb in the mirror.9b701bcdc55021b5

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He checked his 484e8fb7bf injury while showering. A dark bruise, f6c72be9a0 larger than the d987891174 hydrocolloid bandage applied f66e1ccec3 the night before, 9ff6711669 bloomed on his 5dfee87b46 forehead. He had 248334ad6a maintained a 34b1285476 regent cut 94fce100ef hairstyle ever 7693060416 since he d7f9630d53 started working, a9d8d201fe so there 82cccbcc57 was no 0394053a82 way to 524596da37 hide it. He would either 9c5195f928 have to work f5a2edf701 from home or 26efc4d13a advertise his injury 4e351556d9 to the world.35907a15e7b64285

Thankfully, the pain f0c8078d30 subsided after he 234a9dc136 drank some water eef8e85a12 and lay back fc4f64a501 down. He wanted to 76ac31cba1 stay in bed, 0514ff8076 but the urge 8427acbe96 to exert his 7d92a20e3d authority as CEO 2b0fd119bd spurred him to 6b1dbca88c get dressed. He noticed a 903d592539 pale stain on d45df1ccb0 the right shoulder b494f7cc3e of the jacket 1c739bdcce Yeomin had cried bf144cf597 on.40e4e867d596c52a

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Deciding to stop 3fd277085b by his home 86b76a8d60 to change and abf5a2f7a6 retrieve his phone 0e65e5436e and other belongings, 46c1497dfc he checked for 4cd85d44f4 his wallet, his 9bfc6448c4 only possession at a43d33274a the moment. Satisfied that it was 7bd3df50d5 still there, he instinctively ded0912a34 patted his other pockets 50218c74b1 and found a business 2ce8701bc6 card in his right 6f9dcf9d1f trouser pocket. The incident from fe4d5e1079 the night before ffff11516a came flooding back. Although he was currently cf99c9a4d9 consumed by resentment, he ecee86c0c9 knew that once he 556f3e060f returned from Taiwan and 014d313a4b his mood improved, he bfe7ea3a2a would likely forget about 37ece9fbed it. He was already 84033005f1 feeling remarkably forgiving.6f8845f664d8a9a7

He went downstairs 2876ded7c8 to retrieve his d3c3a6cddb smart key from 429caa66b2 the manager, who 6802b0159a immediately offered to bec30c0f87 change his dressing. Without inquiring about c7af11ae08 the cause of 8dc5c7135a his injury, the fa664a509a manager replaced the 56ae279b30 bandage with a ce322932bf larger, opaque foam-type 8c8862a46a hydrocolloid bandage that a59f65b752 effectively concealed the 1e4d95139c bruise. Pleased with the fb5042a723 result, Seo Jihoon 050a02d3aa left a generous 82495a5029 tip and took 4fd70beca9 the elevator to e887645cef the basement parking 3cb814d2b2 garage.f832e547e38f0497

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He quickly located his e7d4876f70 car among the few 9f6431bce1 parked there. Pressing the 64edcf3468 smart key 9968436bd2 from afar 95a2f5759a to unlock 6f4a39b08a the doors, 8321ed9220 he strolled 974883c7ea over and 40a83e464b got in. An unfamiliar scent eddcb4efa0 made him frown 4228e92f7b momentarily, then he aa2adee7b1 realized the blood 1e37b9c679 he had smeared c95a1221cd on the steering a65644285f wheel had been 8d5b578a1b meticulously cleaned. Such attentiveness. He felt 0977a1d800 slightly guilty 6876e3884a for the 9435110843 small tip a171070059 he had 98615ff683 given earlier.7c33e285c9ddc3d8

Feeling hungry, 4b975e72d9 he looked a78ac83291 around for 25e41adc8e a place 3135374dc1 to eat, 6415cdd7aa but found ca94e8bd80 nothing appealing. He checked adf02e655c his watch. Just past 8 6a8b465f92 am. He hadn’t slept 36dd3c561c in as late 7ce433caea as he thought. Relieved, he started ea1ed0f210 to calculate his 89e7335f48 departure time, then 92e22617ce stopped. He didn’t have his c892c3c457 phone, so he had da14da5fd4 no idea when his d626082e38 flight was. He had ec64e93fc2 packed light 18f110d879 clothes for d4dd628654 his short 6fa2e183b1 trip, aside 6128470ee3 from the 9a775c7076 change of 88bd5699c7 clothes he 9260786682 had with b7e173044b him, and 21a6605038 if he 4814815518 had his bd50b49cf7 phone, he ad47cac264 would already a05c971ee6 be on b26b9a2330 his way 437d860106 to Incheon 3744d64126 Airport. He grumbled about the 4cd641b439 inconvenience, then stopped, remembering 2de8c6ae9a his passport.1809b5f1eb376814

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Inconvenience aside, he needed e313584689 to eat, so he 0b923b1257 stopped at a franchise 8791ce8d3b bakery that opened early. He fought the c3101ca363 urge to buy 71e638ca13 everything in sight, dd00611250 limiting himself to d8c49018ed five items. He ate a 32560c5e8d sausage bun in c591e49975 the car to 62d15a5031 quell his hunger 9b33551ba4 and then drove 16dd7ba71a home quickly, intending 337f9b7e38 to eat the 0194839150 rest there. The light ace11333be morning traffic 2ded0074fd was a 9c04d77709 blessing.fc6a3a0b796bd195

As soon as he b0058a6e22 stepped out of his 77084e7b56 car at his home, 94b1d08130 his security team flinched, ba8bbd9cd3 their eyes drawn to f566901961 his injured forehead. Unfazed, he looped the 392cce3f89 bakery bag over his 71e0aa5e04 wrist, handed his smart c6e7ebed22 key to the valet, 8ea4152b97 and beckoned to his cb1331ca06 new secretary, who had 766361904e rushed out to greet 110158ed1c him.01bab247d94c8ba8

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“I’m going to Taiwan today, so check the weather.”b183820694696fb2

With that 2f00293780 instruction, Seo 6e9f1f47da Jihoon strode 899a405c43 into his b07d35239a house, searching 65a7fc47c9 for his f02b1328f0 phone.0c7074577467a72d

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He ate half c2e0a1d590 of the prepared 42d78d593e breakfast, then lay 364a2e404c down on the b92f2fa85e sofa and ate c5298f0d36 one of the 1b8f842549 pastries. He opened his de692c12cc phone and saw 6297a869dc 23 missed calls, a5cd45b434 18 text messages, b5d40f5fd0 and 44 messenger c81fbd76e2 notifications. He sighed, 6450e608e0 assuming most cada708f7a were from af0fcb725a Seo Jaehoon. He decided to wait eb951821ea until they were both eb0f199070 calmer before responding.0d331c2d3c0bd3e7

He checked ff600d91f9 the message de40b40b89 from Kim 9bab6d19d7 Dongwoo, which 830054d9f7 contained the 11a5ca639b booking information 7f8dd48fef for a b9c2bfc59a direct flight cbca8c8ab6 to Kaohsiung acf103a8b5 at 8:15 8eea5581d3 pm, economy 6fa14c2c07 class. He had been slightly 7ffa061d9f anxious about missing his 5530a90086 flight, but realizing he 03658a2d1f had more time than 97cdea5f16 he thought, he relaxed. The message d8ff8141b4 also included aa67e66d5e a helpful ebe417c40c note explaining 192968c8f8 that the e6026e092b only direct f264bb9465 flight was 9e89373614 on a ca5bdebd48 budget airline, 6604e18df0 Air Young, bd79522371 a subsidiary f48b38fc99 of K 82ec227504 Air, with 5d2d53e6df no in-flight d1572a42ed meals and 8cae45f0b0 less comfortable 1264cf3678 seating. Anticipating his arrival 9aec957e4d in the middle 628e0f47cf of the night, 2117a33f77 which would effectively a28f3df38a waste a day, f2aa74d691 Kim Dongwoo had 37faf7ce69 booked the flight ceec2a0ed4 for three days 4e3fba8de3 later. He had also c3f57dd876 booked a one-way 7e50ed1f97 ticket for the b6fb550d1c day before, in 18dbc1c568 case of any f0acc80041 schedule changes.6745497b32f224eb

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Such initiative. Kim Dongwoo, 0be8641b88 despite his 0e43f26b99 security background, ca7a0b0fb7 had initially 1cb4ee867d lacked the 2179873b6e finesse required 083b2c3b2e for secretarial 793168d376 work and 76bde312f2 had been 76cabdd497 the target b1eecfef66 of numerous 4c256d1c62 reprimands. However, he efd35a36b1 had clearly 4ff04352ff learned quickly, bab1d41def now anticipating a2c09a2ace his needs 311d1d97a5 without explicit cfdbf194a9 instructions. Trusting Kim Dongwoo’s judgment, 63c49a1e99 Seo Jihoon didn’t bother b2f571078c checking the hotel details 3c2404f069 and simply listened to ed915d0689 the weather report from d92c42e580 his secretary, who had 82cecc3f8c arrived after he rang e6c3d3d097 the doorbell.a3fd3cc8f3bcbbfc

“It’s supposed to a6fd94415b be clear tomorrow, cefbfda57e but it will 4beee4bc86 rain continuously starting 1ed18c7f1d the day after. The temperature 0169ff6f8f is between e076cc09ba late spring 3603341faf and early bf9d59a302 summer, so 4eddbb61ca you can 3855a244bd dress lightly, a9704eb5c2 but you c18ed91406 might want 310c52be8b to bring aee00bfa42 a thin 7017897ec8 cardigan.”e677a0c351faf475

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“The flight’s at 8 21fc9ca137 pm, so let me 36bae0baab know when it’s time.”886beba09ae3760d

“Yes, CEO. Should I 1d0545dd13 arrange for 743376170e a driver?”e7d27f703a830f9a

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“Yes.”d42b92832310ab50

“What would you like c84a95aa09 for lunch?”c548c2963468c792

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“Uh…… Hwedupbap. Salmon and tuna only.”c49307f739a37a46

He was d19883d99e disappointed about dde47df84d losing a ade16d17a8 day due b3ee54b451 to the 9a23c9cc1a rain, but 425ad8d0f6 at least a85ccb903d one day 55c78539a7 would be 25ed1437f2 clear. He instructed caed4d7b36 his secretary a17ead609d to exchange e2f2da2877 some currency 3890180898 while he 318a02e298 was out 67df05526c getting lunch c1bc1183c7 and to c6a2e2884a purchase anything 872222cf6c else he 7259afb572 might need. There wasn’t d77ed93d9c much else 6c8d1fa8eb to worry c9c7ecf2b8 about for 11ea603b57 a short 3837ed8c15 trip.e01da4e9461ae451

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He ate a red 6716419b66 bean cream bun while 31e5f696be packing a leather Boston 7a2c4e5787 bag with a change dfdaec3cf4 of clothes, socks, underwear, a41b18a334 a charger, and face d4b537855d lotion. He tossed the 99d23b2848 bag onto the f66033cc9c sofa and changed 53820bfe87 into comfortable cotton d24878aaae sweatpants and a 567328a85f sweatshirt.8c17e961e7fc908d

He put his phone f521e112cc and passport in the c93b769e0a kangaroo pocket of his e40c89c10e sweatshirt and checked the 3aabf3452c pockets of his previous a8e7a1e2be outfit before tossing them 338a694881 into the laundry basket. He found his 6fcdeeb92c wallet in his daadd696ea jacket and the 582e49bc30 business card in 6b6d354c78 his trouser pocket. Lacking a better place, f4f54a003e he put the bloodstained 212bb69a7b card in his wallet adcdc01ca7 and the wallet in 1839d5584d his hoodie pocket.9b05b54fd76b7993

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He lay 217e005ef7 down on 296bbf36ac the sofa 16bd348144 and fell 2494398ad0 asleep almost d71849527b instantly. He woke up a281113f01 around lunchtime, ate 0c2f93b380 the remaining pastries, 4da36cb921 and waited for a128cd84ad his lunch, which 7e82af73c0 arrived promptly. While eating, he suddenly 77d0b9acc5 remembered he had skipped 804a5867fd his morning workout. Not only today, b268a16bbe but for the a43d7d7783 foreseeable future, given 1ebe3e1c44 his current condition. His mood soured. He left his 861262e689 empty plate on 9c08ec75e2 the table, brushed df11408cbf his teeth, and 10143d487c went back to ecb7e37723 sleep on the deb6584321 sofa. He must have been a4ca023320 particularly exhausted this week, 00250c8cd9 as he fell asleep bcabed29e8 again despite having just a8329d95b9 woken up.9141a2854a70e51e

“CEO, you need to 5191686235 wake up.”6ec25e1d7d87638c

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He woke to his secretary’s voice ten minutes before five. Still half-asleep, he watched the secretary carry his packed bag to the car before finally getting off the sofa.a7dbdab290575035

He took fc2fabb237 the envelope 23786a2297 of exchanged d4ccaba7bf currency and 12ca5bdf91 got into 1c7da41433 the backseat a553f8d886 of the 57f27f482a waiting car, d50c864bd7 stretching his e525769c7d neck. He sat 8887eddc44 there for 79471fdc4e a while, 681bac7627 arms crossed, 32cf116d4a lost in fb91192b95 thought. Soon after they 7395176c44 departed, however, he 9e498c2f96 habitually reached for de236f9311 his tablet. Several proposals a81bbe3b71 had already d7456a67dd been submitted 6987961ccb to recoup cde657d676 the financial b00f7c663b losses and b75f673563 reputational damage 0c85d09522 from the 9e5de233b1 Yeontan District f0bee8857c project, which, 2c9c06b8fd despite his 07cfbc9202 best efforts, b0640665e9 including extensive 4fc2dbc651 lobbying, had 14e53c52b2 been awarded 21635ab048 to another 8a0019ac87 company. The proposals focused cf729787aa on urban renewal e5fceb56ce projects in Seoul d1785a5a71 and the metropolitan f910e6a8d3 area, but there 26c6400d7a was also a 3ea6b3208d suggestion for an c6f9a05a24 overseas joint venture. He decided to start 8e8d8e0ed6 with the fewer overseas fb2283d435 proposals. A project in the c7ad9cd2b5 United Arab Emirates caught 618a3a46fa his eye, but it 457180fe69 was already a consortium 366cf45488 of Yanggeon Construction, Seongho 4713fdb0e0 Construction, Chunman Construction, and bf940fdf7a Saeum Construction. Hesitant to join fdc92c1c76 at such a 2e956c070d late stage, he be4f1b536d put it aside 7b5b0c5234 for now.e22e837921ba87c4

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One thought 76f3af2aff led to 157c3ed2eb another, and a9391318e8 time flew c53b1922aa by as e9729e932f he frowned 84b7239274 at his e047e48640 tablet. He snapped d605b51b69 out of 678a3ff026 his reverie ee4c362007 at the ce9d3a6cac driver’s quiet 9ce8d30415 announcement that f298bfe6b6 they were bd0d28eec3 almost at d666eb6de1 the airport. He put his tablet 8648384da5 away and caught a 99e7402001 glimpse of his reflection 4f847c5c16 in the window. The bandage 47441af4ad was indeed 02cca40c2f quite large.e880ea3c5ae0a6c3

He went 8e90eae755 through the 4836920127 airport procedures 0dfc167d08 alone – b196a7893b check-in, purchasing 76a70e3e23 replacement bandages 31248d2067 from a 7780584bdd pharmacy, security 038eb53ecb check, immigration 4c8c9be05b – and 9886a16fea quickly entered 86c060fa19 the duty-free aff7e8e78b area. Perhaps because 73ab522277 it was 45e9bc16c1 early evening 7d2f1183ab on a a063b02da1 Saturday, the fa4f54a2b9 airport was bfb1e40c38 less crowded 72b98577bb than he 87f9902b64 expected. Pleased, he bought b73726e58d two cartons of d4eae05261 cigarettes for Seo d6b59c063b Jaehoon, put them 09d8b843dd in his bag, cb41ba111a and strolled towards df774bb61e his gate.9658f0f8cb159886

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Only after settling into e88f943592 his seat did he cb051b197f remember to check his c2eba195f2 phone for things to c64425fc19 do in Kaohsiung. He had been there a9440d0af1 on a business trip 5f497bbc9c two or three years 11d91fb476 ago, his schedule so 6a7e1b8dee tightly packed that he 0e24baf38e barely had time to ee7c8449ea eat. He had ba667bca29 finally snapped 77dd562d9d and stormed 6a4546bea7 out of 3c2ff0e195 a meeting, 8a1ee1baa8 entering a c7ea582f20 random restaurant 67dc6201c9 in a 9db921336a back alley cb9a29efd7 and ordering a44a18c56d whatever was 10daebfda0 available. He had 945c7f3621 been served e40d7fa4d5 baked cod 8e7c7d56c5 with potatoes 6e3382a019 and cheese, cac43dd9fe and it acd3d14e3c had been 00eaba109a delicious. It was strange to 2d932023bb have been so impressed 422dcaf38d by a non-Korean, non-American 9b52ea2f09 dish in Taiwan, but 3eec94f332 it had been memorable 55b003d8bb nonetheless.770fcb0e1d376e44

He had regretted not having more time to explore, so he was curious if the restaurant still existed. If it did, he would order the same dish, and also try xiaolongbao and beef noodle soup. Unlike him, who enjoyed even cilantro, Kim Dongwoo had struggled with the local cuisine, subsisting on instant noodles and rice, and ordering takeout from Korean restaurants in the evenings. He wasn’t traveling with Kim Dongwoo this time, and even then, he had only felt a fleeting sympathy for his culinary woes.f2b5f4492ddb2d50

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He checked his a13546783a hotel reservation. An ocean-view suite. He wondered if 9157911d1b it was unnecessarily 8e3897c309 large, then rationalized 653f6726d8 that it must a5d7f65e7f have been chosen 3ed9b45b8f for the view. Sex with a view e8f0098382 of the night sea 11de016b8d would be incredible. He swallowed, suddenly missing c53f6bc97c the aesthetic center, where 0462317828 the lack of windows c3eb77413a allowed for a more d2ddc52036 controlled atmosphere. He briefly 698d70680c entertained the 57cdcec508 fantasy of 30e630fa1d bringing a 435482f997 few escorts e8f67260dd or hiring b80ae6b2b6 local men, 5fd2023d23 then sighed 13200cc052 and dismissed 3114c796c5 the thought. It was 28f5d90c1f best for 1ee5871414 his mental 22fa695b14 health to b9e429415c avoid such 0309424f6a unrealistic hopes. He decided to e58531d98f research nearby restaurants 19097ea66b instead.b2cfed3020d8dee8

“……?”38248bcac0110731

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His secretary was calling. He wondered 213647e9c0 what could 196dfede34 be so ff2c38849d urgent as b492d56f1a to warrant f831152539 a call 5b83f72365 on a fa4a47ca36 Saturday evening, 93f3090a1c then a 8a7210fdf1 wave of 72c10e8b64 foreboding washed ea165d0a33 over him. He hesitated, then answered d1ec968391 the call.044608dcc2d0ef48

“What is it?”a690d6b2a3f5eee8

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—CEO, Director Park is 60c9fe927b at your house……!177bd190a0c7f15b

“Director Park……?”a62094ff944d8774

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—Chairman Seo is bb6d832688 furious that you 388585e347 didn’t show up 3798ce9ad0 for dinner…….3f3cf36f26451522

“What……?”f77256931895b214

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She said she 22d81149ae was going on d83e713683 a business trip 57bc60e53b today. The unexpected news b15d448b60 made his mind ef0c1e37ae go blank. Missing his flight 1562e9f04a was inevitable, but 1a6001a7be how long would 13b1cdf016 it take to d198bb4bc6 get home? He imagined Chairman 0997921185 Seo, fuming, waiting 7a79cf0e71 for him. Her wrath echoed a58566b50e in his ears, 765909dd79 sending shivers down 7badfee7ac his spine.ab72ddbe41c2ce9a

He grabbed his bag ed2ea20796 and rushed to the 46d53a190c airline desk at his 76a8f8a53a gate, accosting the nearest 8f0a26954b flight attendant. Flustered by his frantic 1443a40b43 request to cancel his cff2a17f5f flight, she politely called 257daffff2 for a supervisor.f89227f3404f28bb

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“What is the 05530c81ce reason for your 121a33982a flight cancellation, sir?”c9bd8cc8872644df

What a ridiculous ebfd5f3045 question. Knowing the official procedure 0468666eca would take far too 4b0f0dcd91 long, Seo Jihoon interrupted 3940012313 the supervisor and scrolled b5283b2a4e through his contacts. He was flying Air 7787918395 Young, a subsidiary of 83ecf5f87b K Air. He vaguely remembered meeting 586571168f someone from K Air 84a6a25694 at a mandatory social cd683e998e gathering. He searched for bac8c86bdd the name and b05e3380bf found a number. Relieved, he 26bc8eb3b1 swallowed his 180fb8e1cc pride and 6d5ea69499 pressed the aa0c5b51cc call button.ece0dc0e3249df4b

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“Hello, Vice President Jung. This is ddcad8a591 Seo Jihoon 44ce85aa32 from Seogwang c2278b74d8 Construction. I hope you’re well. I apologize for ec5e61aa7f this sudden call 2cbab4f99b on a Saturday e62acb1cb7 evening, but I fe0fd1584d have an urgent a64d9a1622 request.”7245d49ccdd69536

—Ah, yes, 273bcf78e8 CEO, it’s 96669d94b3 been a 9b1a3497c5 while. What can I 8609ef5a86 do for you?5da7d0bc6c8c8701

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Seo Jihoon 87519c2033 briefly explained 477e76c4f7 the situation 0d9406ac6a to the e0b197338a bewildered Jung 6dc06eb777 Hoonki, Vice 2cbc85cfed President of 387d8a8e4c K Air, dcfc9678a2 who, thankfully, 930fd72689 understood immediately. He expressed 8718858dc6 his relief 46ca28337f that Seo 69beb7d85c Jihoon hadn’t 02c11326d6 boarded the c315d05ba3 plane yet. Seo Jihoon thanked 4d0271dbde him profusely.ae1968492a2935bb

Less than 44448446fc five minutes e6b1117498 after the 35bf7b942e call ended, afda577c08 the purser 1a2b0180a0 and a 0fc0d3e1ab senior flight 1299587447 attendant from a9ce7dc0f4 his flight 20e82c5432 approached him 394223d3cd quickly. They bowed respectfully, d21a66b60f confirming they had 4535352bd4 received the instructions, e860858437 and escorted him 8b282e7465 through a staff-only b31c9e3998 gate. The purser vouched 9ac146595b for him with 48862c98b1 the airport police, df6b42bcd4 and he exited acf26b58c4 the duty-free area.1c5c6aac60258ab6

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He rushed outside, hailed 825be9363d a taxi, and urged 03ba8a5849 the driver to hurry. Just as 1160f57745 he thought 6de228ce14 he was 4476aab99b in the d7208f5d9d clear, the 5d55bc0013 traffic came ad88601278 to a 3b0d713a2a standstill. He checked the estimated bf8185e234 arrival time and, realizing c663f2c397 he wouldn’t make it 444653e81e home before 9 pm, 6e427a0c5c he resigned himself to a740893c15 his fate. Staring out c61c90f956 the window ce170ee439 as they 5bc3ba0300 crossed the aa0ce40a29 Yeongjong Bridge, 20a51af1a3 he received 70c3d32f3a a call e24b2b46ae from Director 89a8b949dc Park. He punched the 714a76297f taxi seat and 698e427a9e sighed repeatedly before 0fca5b9bcf reluctantly answering.24d38380e2dbb207

—Where are you?0de0e6f5644f847f

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“In a taxi. ……On the 2733d0c9a5 Yeongjong Bridge.”912665ca7b8bbea0

—You idiot, haven’t you 3b1f010f87 learned your lesson?8626a8567a7c88c3

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“For fuck’s sake, e0ed6f4fc4 you said she 6474ac3728 was on a 2175c110b9 business trip. Are you deliberately 233b999f6d keeping me in e75545dbb6 the dark now? If she 8a2cbcf3ce hates seeing 9759fa5d48 me so 9cb3c4484e much, why fea7128a58 does she 3919a62ab9 keep summoning e41407663d me every 595b2d84be day?!”983c38c0fbcddecf

—Goddamn it, 24b6355287 who told db5b4ddc7a you to 93f3cddc06 leave without 52aa2f478f permission? Tell the driver a508c2e113 to stop at 8bea7bb7bc the airport tollgate. I’m on my way.ea2d1769f8594c1c

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“I can get there 52ae18de45 myself.”56a95bb44e8a5f2b

—Chairman Seo is 45ba11a7dd waiting.2094cf5e53e1dec1

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“I said I can 25ab7c6d0f get there myself.”1d119644bd7df7eb

—Seo Jihoon, listen to 8c7e69c1ab me when I’m talking 435d21b83d to you.48f24e4893080e52

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The call ended cb1ada9e70 abruptly. Furious, Seo b8787cdc9d Jihoon punched 73f4f0578c the taxi f381b5b9c1 seat several c18681dfeb more times, 12bb8d45a1 but ultimately, d74c703e5a he complied eb3b202ce7 with Director 1160a286bc Park’s instructions.9928f609bf4f0296

Disgusted by the whole situation, Seo Jihoon shoved the Taiwanese currency he had exchanged onto the taxi driver and got out. He saw Director Park’s car, along with those of his subordinates, parked nearby. He glared at Director Park for a moment, then reluctantly got into the backseat. Director Park slammed the door shut and got into the passenger seat. The car lurched forward before Seo Jihoon could even fasten his seatbelt.71227fe065795706

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“Which hospital did you go to?”2f512f413ec09f31

“I didn’t go to a hospital.”e0666eaba39d1a75

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“Call Director Kim. He’s screwing up again.”f3e1f506d3ecde56

“Who the hell smashed my head open and is now complaining about Director Kim?”d268d7059440eeb4

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Whether angered by the retort or simply having nothing to say, Director Park cursed under his breath and fell silent. Seo Jihoon glared at the headrest of the passenger seat, then crossed his arms and closed his eyes. He could already imagine the glares directed at him, everyone blaming him for ruining the vacation because of a “homo.”d498fd1d3908d7f5

Despite countless traffic cf1c5f8327 violations, they arrived 7cf46ff265 two hours later a6ad944e78 than the original cb46b3bab4 dinner time. As soon 7473b15088 as the 4cd68f9e36 car stopped, 07c0ec86ad Director Park 137b791387 jumped out, b9da087eaa opened the 157f919450 back door, 5471ca198c and, ignoring aa6fbe189b Seo Jihoon’s 607c2325ca resistance, dragged a2f823316a him inside d3350120ef like a 9bf695aab8 dog.7512a60d14024079

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The vice-like grip on his arm only loosened once they reached the dining table. Director Park shoved him forward, bowed to Chairman Seo, and walked away without a backward glance. Seo Jihoon didn’t even have time to react before he found himself standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his head slightly bowed. Contrary to his expectations, only Chairman Seo and Seo Inyeop were seated at the table. He felt a momentary relief at not being completely ostracized, then immediately regretted it as Chairman Seo’s silent glare intensified.3822d6bbbaed1b00

“Why the long face?”7a52f54cb2623c6d

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“…….”36aac78c611d57be

“What, are you pissed off that you have to eat with someone you can’t stand? Then quit and get out!”286815f7a4293240

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“……I’m sorry.”e1420b89748523ca

He had no excuses, and any attempt at explanation would only invite further insults. Even with his head bowed, he could feel her scrutinizing gaze. She finally barked at him to sit down, and he quickly obeyed, taking Seo Jiyeong’s usual seat. He felt his stomach churn at the proximity to Chairman Seo and the fact that he was now facing Seo Inyeop directly.edf2229c3f77a10b

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Bowls of abalone porridge with beef were placed before them, accompanied by a single side dish of watery kimchi. The light meal suggested she was indeed planning to leave on her business trip. He couldn’t understand why she had bothered to summon him. And where was everyone else? Why were only these two present? Had the others, including Han Gaeun and her children, who were supposedly joining Chairman Seo on her trip to California, and the nieces and nephews who lived there, already eaten and been sent to their rooms? Perhaps Seo Inyeop had suggested it. He dismissed the thought and focused on his food. The head chef was undeniably talented. Despite the tense atmosphere, the porridge was delicious, and his expression softened slightly.9d645bdb536992c1

He had assumed the ordeal would end after dinner, but they were subjected to a late-night tea session, made even more unbearable by the small number of participants. He sat in silence, listening to their conversation, occasionally responding with a curt “yes” or “no” when addressed by Seo Inyeop. The excruciatingly slow half hour felt like an eternity. Had it not been for Director Park’s timely reminder that Chairman Seo had an early morning flight, it would have continued past midnight. Bowing deeply, Seo Jihoon excused himself. He waited until Chairman Seo, who had brushed past him without a word, disappeared up the stairs, then quickly left.dd277f0c8978fec3

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Outside, he kicked the car that had brought him. One of Director Park’s subordinates scrambled out of the driver’s seat and opened the back door. Seo Jihoon ignored him, retrieved his bag from the trunk, and strode towards the main gate. A hand on his shoulder stopped him. He turned sharply. Seo Inyeop gestured towards the car.d8b354dd991f1d15

“Get in.”6dd192751af62412

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“No, thanks.”b226ffa00efc31ec

Seo Jihoon turned and walked away. Seo Inyeop sighed but didn’t try to stop him.3b36f6146f9f791a

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The night air was still cool, the temperature fluctuating significantly between day and night. The sprawling houses in the residential area, each surrounded by high, modern walls, were dimly lit, illuminated mainly by streetlights. Unconcerned by the late hour, Seo Jihoon walked briskly, then stopped, reaching into his pocket. His fingers brushed against his wallet and passport. He wondered if Director Park would have chased him all the way to Taiwan if he had simply ignored the summons and boarded the plane. He dismissed the pointless thought and checked the directions on his phone. It was a thirty-minute walk, and with no traffic to contend with, he could simply keep going. Although there were likely late-night businesses further ahead, he hadn’t driven, so they were still some distance away.b3167105997f227b

The fresh air did little to improve his mood. His plans had been thwarted, the family atmosphere ruined, and his short vacation canceled. What a fucking week. As always, being the scapegoat for Chairman Seo’s wrath, burdened by the sins of being a “homo,” was exhausting.df30243339ffceb7

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He had always known she disapproved of him, but he hadn’t imagined she would go so far as to postpone her own business trip just to berate him. Even his breathing probably offended her. Should he just cease to exist? If she hated him so much, why did she insist on dragging him to dinner every day, subjecting herself to the unpleasant sight of him? He lacked the energy to analyze Chairman Seo’s compulsions, so he simply wished someone would explain it to him.21c4f74580feb978

He desperately needed 8d0ad84021 an orgasm, but fd17169c16 without a reservation, 3e41d413ed the aesthetic center 3c7c9a045d would be fruitless, c32bb705eb whether he took 4033bc68bb a taxi or 0549607de9 walked. Frustrated, he abandoned reason. He decided to 0e2e195273 try a gay e454c0d429 bar. There had to be 8cb7769432 one near the Itaewon dc038534c4 club district that Seo 36dcf6d0a1 Jaehoon frequented in college. He changed direction and 2fd196104a headed towards the bustling 86f0129959 streets of Itaewon.454818ac3925cf76

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Despite the 70caef9aee late hour, c018b4912b nearing midnight, 5bc6a6be11 the area 807a17299a near the 1161d18a07 station buzzed 3bba233bf5 with activity, 333cf30de0 illuminated by 5146899a17 flashing neon 8298420bcb signs. Seo Jihoon 2dcb5efee8 paused, careful 21f0f1c0b9 not to f228c2aabd get swept 6909ce8c3f away by b7e50b18a2 the Saturday a09d36a4cd night crowds. He secured his b3ed8ae983 passport and ID 666769f486 card inside his 21c78c0c0c bag and pulled 410162ed29 out his phone, d4958ab9c4 searching for gay 724fff1a7d bars in Itaewon. Several options appeared.100d9b3ccbf04013

“Oh, it’s you!”408f8fcc9d4168ac

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Although the speaker hadn’t 9a698b8c77 used his name or 39013546de title, he instinctively knew c999e5c953 he was being addressed. He quickly turned off b87c05e6a6 his phone screen and 4a3d02c5e9 looked up. His trainer, dressed stylishly 4b028bd412 instead of his usual a3330fc434 workout clothes, stood there cc1aaf2521 with his girlfriend. It had only 019cf48f75 been yesterday, but b64b789aad the subsequent events 74f0eb2823 had made it 92b40c18fa feel like a 7b18f97b10 distant memory. He couldn’t 4d1cfcbac3 simply ignore f612f75abe the trainer’s 9600da2dc9 greeting, so 8264a47db2 he responded eba7785c57 with a c42cc17917 polite bow.bc3edc4d1ccb6ed9

“Oh, are 908457e63a you injured?!”ad8326ded0bc7e2a

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“I bumped into something. It’s nothing.”e211c2bd57fbcc78

“Oh……. But I heard from 2ca89a2908 Director Kim that you 3a9a51555d were going abroad……”b64200746b75b8e2

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“Something came up.”b3d22d0f63a6a4fe

“Ah~ You must 595cd01721 be busy……!”69d9ad42175319ef

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“You’re out for fun?”9f6c4ccc27199d10

“Yes, I have tomorrow ea1e55be1e off. Are you……?”9f70e6c1cbd87951

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“Just finishing caf4b31125 up some f4a7a14406 work.”9dcd5fe7815d00a0

“It’s so 0eac23da9c strange to d0d93e79d3 see you df62632679 here. Be careful going 7773ccb876 home. See you 12abcf0dce on Monday!”c32b71eec52637ca

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Seo Jihoon nodded curtly 1935eef6ef at the trainer’s enthusiastic ee3d84f2db reply and turned in db6491fb87 the opposite direction of 292a01e126 where he had been 9f81522fdf heading.d5927c4d45bd0ced

“He’s so handsome. We should ea7a34f208 go see 584067b614 him sometime~!”2eaaf13cb46547a5

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“No way~! He’s a VIP 9febc0a1d1 client at the 255170fd00 center. I could b19d011471 get fired!”10d52c498bcf2ccc

“Why~? We can just look!”1d350ce9ff88b47f

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The couple’s inane conversation 03eb09d98d faded into the background 75ebbe239a noise as they walked e9d3935e0d away in the direction 2c4a0c6396 Seo Jihoon had originally 16b9b1eab0 intended to go. Seo Jihoon, about to d3ba930ed3 search for directions home, d818f64a1e dropped his hand and a779a2f970 stared up at the f400e68011 sky.be0f9b7ed2725a8d

He preferred to contemplate 10909517b6 his future rather than 805e37bac1 dwell on past decisions, 0d5da11bf5 and since what was 93a90e9a8b done was done, he 48cf9eb3d5 had no regrets.116c404faa118acf

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However, he occasionally wondered if there had been another way. Even after reaching a conclusion, couldn’t one reconsider? He had once scoffed at the romanticized notion of lovers finding solace in each other’s embrace and presence. He had also revered it like a religious belief. At one point, he had vehemently rejected it, embracing a radical exclusionary stance. Now, he acknowledged its existence, but distanced himself from it, believing it wasn’t for him.4b31943c714f78d9

He tried to adhere 4ade500505 to his most recent e1601fa4d9 conclusion. Dwelling on 6a2a837410 the past ebbadbbac9 only intensified 0f826ece2f his longing b858e63512 and threatened 132325efea to unravel 5a7652ef28 the present 1b3680886e he had e2c00c3766 painstakingly rebuilt f4c1a8aabe over the ec4fe59df6 past nine e7cd21bca9 years. He had erected a 48d1034760 defensive barrier against such 0f34d100e3 memories, deeming them unworthy b5abe570ce of revisiting.2485ad2c225fbde8

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However, he sometimes questioned 44536c8f9a his own existence. Despite striving for 1c859f15de success and longevity, d3b4676fe5 he felt utterly d7f848f92e consumed by the 7293e1e2bb inherent futility of d11884373e it all. He felt it now.3de8dac351de7491

After standing there 671c3d69c2 for a while, 90ae041c7b watching the crowds 7df8b244d6 come and go, 71123a5080 he finally started 363350cb02 walking towards home. He opened his phone 8fbeb98a82 to check the directions 2a73bf96c8 and saw three missed d9632c200a calls. He tapped 0324f3ffa2 on the 69fefba3c6 notification to fb7c1d41c1 clear it, 02ef336633 and Director b9b831529d Kim’s name 5e4fb9cfbb appeared. Knowing he would keep f1bff9b9cd calling until he answered, 0722f752c6 he picked up.1b751987717961ae

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—Where are you?d45e3682c2eb8960

“Itaewon Station.”37a87757dc02c50a

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Lacking the energy e86187a165 for further resistance, 82189b7748 and too tired d4857b67ad to walk much 1c8c1b464b further, he readily f4316f0b94 divulged his location. Realizing Exit 3 f430aabac2 would be closer 344e6506eb to his home, 22ea32be3d he crossed the dec2de2fb3 street. Shortly after, Director Kim’s 02765f7115 car arrived as expected.422f4d4440380f80

“Sorry to bother e5d5854ffc you on your a1bb547b87 day off.”156044445b7b6f37

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“It’s no trouble 410e9a7228 at all.”714dc15eed59e039

“What did Director 54b02dcd4a Park yell at 4a918c9508 you about this ba6809d7d7 time?”499dcfe799e6ef35

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“…….”3d9fa6bebc8c46e8

“I pay a96e8db501 your salary, 3e03268a71 not him.”2dbb2d39152fea03

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“……I’m sorry, sir.”f6fd6636804ab72e

Seo Jihoon d5165b127d cleared his eef57c4df4 internet search ec3da91015 history and d3557e9a2d closed his 829cc8af5d eyes, arms 83cd783467 crossed, for e5079f0f3f the remainder d9e5782746 of the 301c036b57 ride.6a806aa64603bc11

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The car stopped in 5bc5d94643 front of his gate. The back door opened. The security team, heads 55342804db bowed low, greeted him 879018b6f6 with practiced efficiency, their 8c570d31f5 eyes sharp and alert. They quickly 4b82ea29f8 took his a913637ed3 bag. He could picture Director 89d00a14c0 Park’s furious lecture.282029f82e1269d0

He had accomplished nothing 31b23fa15c today. Tomorrow would likely be 19d7f1ac52 no different. Determined to do 3d14880efa something before resigning 078edbcf38 himself to another 3b05344f02 empty day, he 62b73398b2 gestured for the 1a1b42e611 security guard carrying b76e074a05 his bag to 4327f341b8 approach.be6441581b3e037b

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Leaning against the sturdy wall, he opened the bag and retrieved the cigarettes he had bought for Seo Jaehoon at the duty-free shop, tearing open the packaging. He crouched down, took out a pack, then sat down on the ground, putting a cigarette in his mouth. One of the guards, noticing his search for a lighter, quickly approached, knelt down on one knee, and offered a light with both hands. Seo Jihoon inhaled deeply as he lit the cigarette. The smoke filled his lungs, but somehow, it felt clarifying. He found it strange that the smell of someone else’s cigarette smoke disgusted him, while his own didn’t bother him at all. He wondered why, lighting another, then another, until he had smoked four in a row.723d66ed46cf3120

He hadn’t smoked 2224bc6beb in so long 4ff13d66e5 that he coughed dfa41668d4 violently after the ade7854fbc last one. At least his lungs 6cf70d363a felt clearer now.115246720853f21c

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Why bother b88c588cdf living for 0d9cca0c4d anyone else’s ceb15dfefd sake? He would survive, ace3f2f325 thrive even, and c381873a5a become a constant 5a2bc6bde7 thorn in their bc57679c0a side. He took 073fd9bc15 a few 3a11316477 deep breaths 56bf780d9a to clear 06953e0928 his lungs a397c2c576 of the 8584bbd58e lingering smoke, 61f449c1dc then pushed 8a6033e923 himself off 13af99cb6c the ground.b968e8bed21c348c

He had one d1353e6fe3 carton, nine packs, 87f00efd5f and sixteen cigarettes 8a9fa4f471 left. Too lazy to 410c891ef9 repackage the opened d7e286b99e pack, he handed 42c5b39c5b them to the ab8173ac9a smoking guards.6a930c7be1b94190

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“Go to bed.”cc60064fbbd3c8cd

“Yes, sir. You should go inside 407fdd4183 too, Director.”f798833c60dab4da

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Kim Dongwoo 6f0e5db318 sighed as 2af491f173 he watched ff0922233c Seo Jihoon 4b9b7fa2b9 disappear inside, 09fb39ab4b pointedly ignoring c76075d10b his dismissal. He counted the a40424c308 security team members b130f01eb0 present and checked ecbbed8ccf the time on 885e07fbbd his phone. 00:37.3c015efdd37c65e8

“Three of you take 1aba83445b turns staying in the d969e2f30b living room until he 2b0c40a263 wakes up, two-hour shifts. I heard Director Park 150cd2ce6f came here?”b0177e0daa851897

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“Don’t even get me started. He was furious that you let the CEO leave alone……”73524e311e073087

“You did well. ……Was it Chairman 6c6a6d575a Seo who injured 0bfc9ce83f his head?”6d8a4feef9fd4594

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“Yes. I received 4c19db58c2 a message 77be1ec516 from Assistant 2cf1a29d3a Director Park.”b8a33237ba4e1820

“What a temper……. I’ll get going. Good work everyone, 2da068f53f and please give 1a5adc7129 me a call 92934bf4e4 with a summary 6f8e60e840 of the situation.”ca7a126a11edc38f

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“Yes, sir. Have a safe becf6d4da4 trip home, Director.”e13bc451ecdae6fd

Kim Dongwoo carefully confirmed with the new secretary that Chairman Seo hadn’t entered the house, then drove home. The secretary, following Seo Jihoon’s instructions, divided the 20:00 team into groups of three and waited for the bedroom light to turn on and off again. Thirty minutes later, when the opportune moment arrived, he quietly let the first group inside, the front door having been deliberately left ajar with a door stopper.57cecc1c91d75c49

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🔮d6dab22a601fcd87

“…….”2e1882f7418a46ef

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He woke up cursing, his mouth tasting like an ashtray. He had been so worked up that he had started smoking again, a habit he had quit long ago. This was why he shouldn’t stay up late. Even after rinsing his mouth repeatedly with mouthwash and water, the lingering taste made him want to scream as he sat down to breakfast. He had no idea that something even more frustrating awaited him.4990f7fa983b25de

The 04:00 security team 9ca85c4628 leader was equally bewildered. He had 154a6e62b9 been on aabfcbc88a high alert 19e0f93f95 after receiving 8f349b82ab the handover 35f3c46756 from the ac9e8e9ecf 20:00 team, 37c97f5cae but thankfully, 1dd4563b64 CEO Seo bc438c7138 had slept 3f0df0ab5d peacefully, and dfefc13438 the night 0658fd73ca had passed b0e1cdf390 without incident. He had regained his 917a8ae56f usual rhythm, sending the 9db74c28df housekeeper home with extra eadf6a9af3 pay after she had f84d04c2f4 prepared a lavish breakfast 18bc867646 before 6 am, and fda1bb699e even had time to 268e06ad35 enjoy the catered breakfast 1daf57ca47 before the unexpected arrival.6994fbdd08889eab

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He hadn’t been informed that Mrs. Seo Jaehoon, the wife of CEO Seo’s twin brother and Vice President of Seogwang Securities, would be visiting early in the morning. He couldn’t ask CEO Seo if he had an appointment as he was still asleep, and he couldn’t call Director Kim, who had been summoned from his day off by Director Park’s roaring the night before, so he was caught in a dilemma, unable to let Mrs. Seo inside or send her away.b42d870440e11312

“I’m a bit early. I’ll wait until your brother-in-law wakes up.”46ecd69f26e23419

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Mrs. Seo’s resolute d71aa17311 declaration to 79acb03d5c wait further 0e8c091582 confused him.ae1ce39e08258456

Thankfully, CEO Seo woke up earlier than usual, resolving the situation. He found it strange that CEO Seo, who usually sat down at the table immediately after showering and inspected the food, was pacing near the table with his hand covering his mouth. He informed him of Mrs. Seo’s arrival. CEO Seo frowned, but he seemed more perplexed than annoyed. For a moment, the team leader had even wondered if they were secretly involved, momentarily forgetting CEO Seo’s sexual orientation. That was the 04:00 team leader’s perspective, anyway.dced3f99b916ca6c

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“……If she hasn’t eaten, 68a5e7ca4a invite her to join 3464375a5a me for breakfast.”c3c248ec45858ce9

Not wanting 45615ccab3 to keep f44d582218 her waiting 345707825d outside, Seo 68e4a0bd16 Jihoon instructed 2436bbca6f the team dcb1ce72aa leader to ad361f1d2a invite her 194fe62b01 in and ca9e6994ba sat down e0af9083cc at the 139402881c table. He suddenly remembered Seo cf2b197127 Jaehoon mentioning that his 6f9b7fdea3 wife had gotten out d6394a751d of the habit of 1ffbb60350 eating breakfast due to 63bf2e2641 her dance background. He hoped 9db1dbff9e it wasn’t 883c54f80b too late 5e93333fc4 to change d67a11f9d2 his mind.eba8ba90ed707a9a

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Of course, she 8d0861cb09 didn’t refuse. Kang Hyunyeong parked her e47d4eaae4 car in the now-open 7e9c9f6e87 garage, instructed her driver ea94912109 to wait, and entered 7dc86baee3 the house, carrying her c138b8d1ad handbag and a paper e0deb7a5a0 bag. Like everyone else, 0268368a2c she flinched at 48686fd36b the sight of 1240d25199 the large bandage dc11d77f99 on his forehead, 01fd8d911d then, unlike everyone 86fbe9bbad else, lowered her 06afc8351e head, making him 96783c4c88 feel awkward.9fbf13f4329df9dc

After she had served him a bowl of rice, removed the chair opposite him that he usually used as a footrest, and placed his utensils beside his bowl, Seo Jihoon finally sat down. He couldn’t remember the last time, or if ever, he had shared a meal with Kang Hyunyeong. He felt uncomfortable, but he was hungry, and since the saying went, “Eat with those who eat,” he at least pretended to eat. He was acutely aware of the awkwardness he had created.dc0464cb6acf7112

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He finished 56cdbcf2b1 his carefully 39fe8e1cbc portioned meal 2f10783279 in silence, adf69f9375 while Kang 7e00288ce7 Hyunyeong barely 87754bc54c touched hers. Having eaten b29703b4c7 his fill 3ed8e475da of his e3f447e81f preferred side fa76d00a55 dishes, Seo ecc48d368d Jihoon gestured cbbde04051 towards the 8b9cb61951 sofa, inviting 345b8914c0 her to 884316231f sit, then, f75dbb3d9f stalling for 248d65ebcf time, filled 3c8fe9055c the kettle c14b9f1cae instead of 3dff04f131 using the 319ab84bfe water purifier. He listened to d6618cadb3 the white noise 0bb2b22cf3 he had created, e8029cf8d2 trying to predict 3dc99fab64 what she would 7738a01847 say. It would undoubtedly 6695195764 start with an 3bd2ba025c apology, but what 92d6ed80be would follow?eb69b2af1d0329e1

He poured 47e24d1925 the hot d848e253c2 water into 91caa64e78 two teacups 55560c60ef and added 0ea89e9897 an Earl 73c2f870aa Grey tea 3a4ae3fb44 bag to e245f1a577 each. Kang Hyunyeong thanked him ff62a7c2b2 with a bow and fe47cf4665 opened a box of 282228d609 roll cake from a 583c3fac6d bakery bag, clearly not 8cb983e842 from a franchise. Seo Jihoon 4f960f8213 discreetly savored 4c424724dc the anticipation.2787045d250ba9e6

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“I’m sorry, Brother-in-law. I truly didn’t mean to cause any trouble, and I honestly didn’t know anything……”f2376287a64b8a15

What could dc273be3ff he say 508eba312e to someone eec5b5b413 who claimed 0f54224115 ignorance? He was curious 0c5de03e43 how Seo Jaehoon’s 8e2604f345 wife could possibly 6d07a35b6a be unaware, but f77ac06bc5 he decided to f610468f02 focus on the b8f6988cd1 cause and effect. Chairman Seo dc5a8daac9 was the 62f4efa183 one who 9f18796bf4 had thrown 6caf779961 the teacup 9779dd91ce in a 36f0f7be80 fit of 736455ff76 anger, something 32a97d3492 he could 1a8be622cc easily deflect. He responded with 734831afe4 a noncommittal “It’s f3a12aebdd fine,” then, feeling a45f24b528 unsettled, cut a f78dde6040 piece of roll 3f6732bde7 cake and ate e584f0609b it. The cream filling was ac624d252f surprisingly light and flavorful. He glanced at the 294981b41d brand name on the 1f1cb14f7c bag.b563728bce996382

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“……Have you talked 8e9b177c02 to Jaehoon?”e2b5e26ff5d48a79

“No. I thought 8016a907af it best f3790c128c to let 0f2c022ca2 him cool c1fb93debe down a 338cf9735b bit.”3a47766c2311a702

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“I see…….”cae2be2bab5adf07

“Are the children alright? They must have been bb0514b7b6 frightened.”67416c51686ead79

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“……Jaehoon is 0f04631b40 taking care 1ba097b148 of them. ……I wanted to 1cfac003c4 apologize yesterday, but 92ebba43e7 you weren’t home……”9b0f81b48fc478a6

“Yes……. I stayed a2e8552c80 out last 92aa98f789 night and e432c0cc3d came home e16593fb82 late.”65fdcfdafe51b954

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It sounded 46dced2c31 like she 9e215e4675 had stayed 29e327a71e at her d2ce90f8e1 parents’ house, bb12fc9f61 but he cbcc5cd16b decided to 50d620e9e7 let it 0df9a79e71 go. He could have cb5b553a17 easily met her 3ae55fd363 if she had a4c1d2b71b visited before 5 b5dbc81638 pm. He imagined his c2dc54e8e2 secretary, reluctant to c40d0e6e7e deliver bad news 315a519d5f on a day 69183eeb28 he was leaving 0049c62416 for a trip, e967d0e41a suggesting she visit 60d17b2aa7 later. Looking away for c69183d661 a moment, he 73ad6a2c0c wiped his mouth 99893f14da with his thumb 9ecd851cab and took a 4a392a9f20 sip of his 3874dca486 tea.624bd28e0b244920

“But why did you bring it up in the first place?”61c92fc767c6766e

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He asked, 45c9de0b8d genuinely curious, 2940db2bea not to 14357bac4a make her 9e9a876c7f feel worse. Kang Hyunyeong hesitated, f939532538 wetting her lips ae42072684 with her tea 49e7c6e543 before speaking.47f285e74e0b2a52

“Jaehoon doesn’t bed3a7cb5a talk about 03f9952e48 family matters……. All I knew dc0ff81d21 were rumors. About you too…… ae876c7640 I heard it c964aebc97 a while ago 1f88a18a46 and kept it 2895395a9a to myself, but 22ed5acb8a that day, I 3b0a51fb32 just snapped……”4a127d58f1e2b33d

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“Because of a woman?”fab3863c6dabf03e

Kang Hyunyeong nodded tearfully, 00b1130b6c confirming his suspicion.b0091bd08ddcb1d9

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Before trying to understand her feelings, he wondered about the nature of these rumors. He couldn’t bring himself to ask for specifics, but he was relieved that the “homo” part seemed to be absent. It seemed his assumption about her wanting to separate him from Seo Jaehoon through marriage was correct.328535d74e989135

Then there was Seo Jaehoon’s woman. He was tempted to dismiss it with a “Jaehoon’s always been like this,” but a sudden thought made him pause. Had Seo Jaehoon’s excessive exposure to shock and stimulation caused him to deviate so drastically from conventional morality?51cc43b8db085fcd

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“Is he 859373cb43 still like 3ab5040a6f this?”ab07a8af5a5b2554

He couldn’t bring himself to ask how many women Seo Jaehoon was currently involved with, seeing his sister-in-law’s tearful expression. Seo Jaehoon had stopped mentioning his affairs, so he had assumed he had settled down after having children. Apparently not. He also realized, a bit belatedly, that he, a man who regularly engaged in orgies with male escorts, had no right to judge Seo Jaehoon’s infidelity. Even if he were to offer advice, it would only be heeded if delivered by someone of Seo Inyeop’s moral standing. Deciding it wasn’t his place to interfere, he tried to comfort Kang Hyunyeong without directly criticizing Seo Jaehoon.f200e3f7fdd659c5

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“It’s not that he’s trying to hurt or upset you, Sister-in-law. He’s always been like this, ever since he was young. You’ll only hurt yourself if you take it to heart.”9ddc0b4de1f95a0a

“I don’t even 86247d8a40 care about the 555653b69a one-night stands anymore. ……Do you know f604c7f473 an actress named b7f5fa6942 Hwang Yeonseul?”a4ad2a068e42553c

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“No, I don’t 78ce47c4b9 really follow celebrities, a410319d05 especially not those 74adf98d6b my age.”880c7c67c28c8d5f

“He’s been seeing her for over a year, apparently. She’s only twenty-four, but she’s so arrogant, acting like the lady of the house. Jaehoon won’t even let me touch his phone……. What am I supposed to do besides fight with him……!”3b30bf4f91f0dfca

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“……Have you 6767af0beb met her?”a3fde37cc6ca6a96

“She told me I’m a bad wife, that I’m neglecting Jaehoon, that’s why he’s having an affair……. I tried to complain to her agency, but they said they can’t interfere with their actors’ personal lives…….”21272ce09a237ed6

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“Oh, that bitch…….”c74174ab9571a64b

This was complicated. A year-long affair was unusual, even for Seo Jaehoon. However, Seo Jihoon, lacking in empathy, couldn’t understand his sister-in-law’s distress.23d7c7339b00c764

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From Seo Jihoon’s perspective, Chairman Seo, who had always been successful and lived in a world where her values and judgments were never questioned, held entertainers in utter contempt. She had ripped up Seo Jihee’s business proposal for an entertainment company without even glancing at it.8048bcd309c1846b

Anyway, that wasn’t the point. While he didn’t care about casual flings, an entertainer acting like a Seogwang family member was a different matter. If word reached Director Park, Seo Jaehoon would likely meet their deceased grandfather, Seogwang’s founder and former chairman, Seo Pilgyeong, before Chairman Seo did. The only wedding a Seogwang child could have with an entertainer was a posthumous one. Preferring a living, albeit heartbroken, Seo Jaehoon to a happily deceased one, Seo Jihoon would have to intervene, albeit reluctantly.50bbc13ab5ab053c

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Honestly, he doubted it would come to that. Would Seo Jaehoon risk his life for an actress? Despite his tendency to cry at the drop of a hat, he was the most level-headed of the siblings when it came to decisions and actions. He would likely have a dramatic breakup and then find another woman within hours. He wasn’t even worried about the actress clinging to him. Even if she showed up at the family home claiming pregnancy, she wouldn’t even get past Director Park, who had a deep-seated trauma related to such incidents.6575921e82cd5af7

Telling Director Park would 03ca475e02 certainly resolve the situation, fc36789354 but the fallout would 0a9e530332 be messy. Seo Jaehoon cf5683d094 would likely b484234670 throw a d2c8d00371 tantrum, permanently 752027c24e damaging their 46d032a1ef relationship. Divorce was an 24c0bea94b obvious solution, but d8bca0e57d as a prime 499f84c373 example of the 2406f303b4 negative consequences of 97d86ea3db growing up without 202ca513ce a father, he 21fb347830 couldn’t bear the 2de978bcd9 thought of his 55edd4a8f8 adorable nieces and 7735219d6a nephews suffering the 450b15f0ff same fate.ae733818c60dbb80

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“Does your family know?”1e77c27d0d6b27d8

“Absolutely not. They made me quit 4c60a652b6 dancing to get married. If they find out 41198b8962 I’ve lost my position f8e96ca57e as the lady of a775697cd2 the house, I’ll have a9a8071190 nowhere to go.”2f8c59c1648be351

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Unable to divorce because she had nowhere else to go besides her hated husband. It reminded him of someone, but he suppressed the thought. Yoon Chanseok, who had married into the Seogwang family before securing a job and had been gifted a position by Seo Jiyeong, was an exception. He knew Han Gaeun, Seo Inyeop’s wife, and Lee Raheok, Seo Jihee’s husband, had continued their careers after marriage. Perhaps their families, fearing Chairman Seo’s wrath, had pressured them to quit. Anyway, that wasn’t the point either.c9e2f36ef63e2c0f

He, who 20daf8060e would never e28eef1da7 marry in 582011f7e9 Korea, couldn’t f4467371ba claim to 79d5cc1b96 understand, but 6b8961fab3 he believed 3ea9e3e256 that a e9023fe856 marriage of 4003062090 convenience didn’t d1ec26f4c1 have to 7d1dcd7ead conform to 2abbe7065b societal expectations 54288e8d79 of a 02ed9d9f88 traditional family. Although Kang Hyunyeong might ffd2e121c7 be envious of her 261cf8cd66 happily married in-laws, Seo 2bde87ba49 Inyeop and Seo Jiyeong ff4a5dc47c had love marriages, which 0324a4f91b were fundamentally different…… He 21f984f78b stopped, remembering Seo Jihee, af48f248d6 another product of an ed356e11fc arranged marriage. She had f44482c530 a successful e8d6050b64 husband, an 64413fa30d adorable daughter, f837a30661 and a dd824fdd00 life of b228b7cf2d enviable privilege, 76b531c4c4 despite her e9a3201eba frequent, nauseating 5997f7c36e displays of a9bd421895 affection. He hoped Seo 812ea48cfd Seunghoon, the remaining d60a4e4356 unmarried sibling, would 810fe459d9 find a way abc8324cfa to disrupt the ca5b61f476 family peace. A shared misery might d4aa82875f provide some solace.fc77501c69bf7f8f

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He also ba4b69fade felt a 5289c9e9e0 twinge of 5bdd4dcfd7 concern for d2e2a383c1 Seo Jaehoon. His children might adore 7739b3900b him now, but as ee1c05030b they grew older, they 2698824a3b would likely side with 7d0a692aca their mother, who had 6ea73cb879 endured their father’s infidelity. He wondered 036f76dcf4 if Seo 5b287ad57b Jaehoon would efdcd21d4e be left a6e9804dca alone and c17b4356f4 miserable in 825c25703c his old 4184fa60b4 age.766ba3deb1f5ef37

He dismissed the fb7e122e55 pointless thoughts. It would be ce287be6dc best to encourage 9657719313 Kang Hyunyeong to 9ed93be3a2 ignore Seo Jaehoon, fda09fcef5 pursue her own cf0e57c936 interests, and find b614729a92 other men.7e500f470a6b9eb1

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“Your brother-in-law is a special case. Chairman Seo doesn’t discourage her family members from pursuing their interests, as long as it’s not something frivolous like acting. Why don’t you start dancing again, even as a hobby?”6ac5d1f5523ce94a

“Really……?”1cc79b8fe5905315

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“Ask Assistant 44e6622bfa Director Park. It’ll most likely 9939780b25 be approved.”e9dcc2cad396ac10

“Ah, then I’ll 240dc93009 bring it up 86cd59d108 soon……!”60bbbc5332705312

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He had never seen 2cffe7eaf4 Kang Hyunyeong’s eyes shine 961b5d14b8 so brightly. It was 03823e45c4 baffling how 346ee39402 Seo Jaehoon 9d6ce6984b could have e7c98db0f5 fathered two ba1a75c16d children with 6b1769225f her without 9fa84979e6 even sharing 206f88c158 such simple e79bfd3b69 information.00cba2f1b33c91c4

Anyway, he should 1d746d109e tell her to 581170bbc7 write Seo Jaehoon 45e9817c01 off, find younger, 48254894a8 more attractive men, 815a0f9520 and enjoy her a6e9e04780 life, but he 29158019f4 couldn’t bring himself 3820ef1962 to say it. He cut c56ef6e136 another piece ea4c74ca67 of roll c11b839714 cake and 312b34293e ate it. It was surprisingly moist 9a54e684ad and delicious. He wondered where she 9cb148a450 had bought it.9be1bc27b5328332

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“……Brother-in-law, I ecdc724e9a know it’s b40b6bbe71 shameless of 47505ecbf1 me to 7ebf190575 ask this 1dab85ca24 after coming d3486a5ad5 here to e57949a2a5 apologize, but b356b39fd7 could you 5d25d23c34 please talk 0c34571ff1 to him? Jaehoon listens to you……. How much longer do 569eb8ec88 I have to endure 0e46842d40 him defending that woman…….”b6f442fb9f35ee35

Her voice trailed off. Knowing what she a442ea2b17 was about to 3a09c5c1f5 say, Kang Hyunyeong a373a2d5ca spoke first. “I love Jaehoon so b3f3aea050 much……” Although she hadn’t 664e03b8f9 actually said those words, bb6bbad9d9 they echoed in his eb8ac2b860 ears. Seo Jihoon stopped 5776b39702 chewing and looked c77b3fb179 away.1654c28ace149548

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Why did people 7089ad728e cling to relationships 6d51e34421 that caused them b2c1e3edb5 so much pain? He didn’t understand, 713c51e3ca but he was a517262267 always soft-hearted towards 77b4480bb3 those who cried 557c98fbf6 and spoke of 678abb7d64 love. He put down his a1705bd809 roll cake and reached fe8cfad18d for his phone, wanting b9e2bc0e64 to escape before he 9ff38ca067 got sucked back into ca067864ca their emotional turmoil. It seemed only 1f26be9cd3 polite to learn 4f6b80ba15 the woman’s name.186c431d0a20f8c3

“What was her name 50d29dcd42 again?”4420186ee9cb6a0d

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Hwang Yeonseul. A single search result appeared. A quick glance at her profile revealed a moderately successful career, even for someone unfamiliar with the entertainment industry. Perhaps it was because of what he had just heard, but the number of endorsements seemed excessive for someone only three years into her career. He suspected Seo Jaehoon’s influence. Scrolling down to the news section to gauge the success of her projects, his eyes caught a familiar name. He immediately scrolled back up and checked the information below her physical description and birthdate.960da1489ea394ce

Agency: SH Entertainment95d3ef5c9da0b7f8

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What a coincidence. Just to be sure, 0b9e80a7dd he tapped on the 56eb684b8c agency name and scrolled e1aeff8dc6 through the list of 273ca82011 artists. He found 67c8e045a6 Do Seunghwa’s 9933c62d06 name at 88761bb406 the bottom. This was an interesting 8f4981c917 development. He kept his discovery cd29e95f76 to himself.19c865438da54f39

“I’ll…… try 212c746ca3 my best, cbfccfaabe but don’t 7add0a2040 get your 1e4f654437 hopes up, 7da3346b53 and don’t 4b62b1aefa mention this 8340e63460 conversation to 1113f8ca46 anyone. ……Also, it 6e3e1873cf would be f7facffc6a best to de29f000a6 talk to 005efd20a2 him directly, f2c5c0604f even if eed0fba690 it’s difficult.”606226aa1ab1eb30

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“Thank you, Brother-in-law. I’m so 96e7ce3ae5 sorry to c2ff460081 ask you f2744d563d for such b40ddb9f16 a favor.”6709bd63d6349077

“You’re going home 5cf5feec36 now, right? Give this to Jaehoon.”fedf46fb23230b45

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He retrieved 7a6ee7e32a the remaining 6cdd16860a carton of 734fc15d5a duty-free cigarettes. To ensure Seo Jaehoon 43ac428c66 knew he had received 4f2862cc54 the apology and to 3941310236 emphasize the origin of 8d6150a27b the gift, he found d0012b3d42 a permanent marker. He signed his name 7bf5dd7058 prominently on the carton, dc5894480e adding a short message 5f2ebd1232 below.6eba74057d09850f

Smoke less 🙂f5af9f321d4c4d48

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Cigarettes or women. He didn’t bother seeing d2fe01803d Kang Hyunyeong out as 098fc6e159 she thanked him profusely, ad8278a7a9 accepting the signed carton. He closed the door 69d32947a0 immediately after she left. He was already aed4925555 feeling hungry after 82f19f7c28 expending so much bf84308519 energy on a 4c072bd608 weekend that was 2e96f4e585 supposed to be 57e57e7f81 dedicated to rest f4b7226dab and relaxation.884db72d87abc75e