CMT Ch20

Sure enough, an exaggeratedly dejected voice came from the other end of the line.

─ I guess you don’t want to meet me.”

“No, that’s not it. I already have dinner plans this evening.”

─ Hmm.

“I’ve been working overtime since joining the company because of an exhibition I’m preparing for. It’s finally opening tomorrow, and I’m having a company dinner with a senior colleague as a wrap-up.”

Seoyoon’s words grew longer as he became anxious in the atmosphere that his prior engagement was being heard as an obvious, false excuse. After finishing the explanation, he felt a little embarrassed, thinking he had gone on and on about company matters he wouldn’t even be curious about.

Fortunately, his sincerity seemed to have been conveyed, as Kijung stopped teasing and changed the subject. He still had a smile, but his tone became somewhat more serious.

─ Did you wait for my call?

“…You didn’t reply to my messages, so.”

─ I was busy and couldn’t reply to each one, but I’ve checked them all. It suited you well.

“Thank you.”

─ Actually, I received a call to come in for a fitting. I was wondering if we could stop by together while I had the time and have a meal, but if that’s not possible, we’ll have to reschedule.

Seoyoon gripped his phone tightly, unable to answer immediately. There were so many things he wanted to ask.

How he had explained things to his family after returning that day, how his parents had reacted upon hearing about him meeting me, whether his grandfather, Chairman Kwon, knew about this fact.

Whether he often came to the art museum to see his mother, Jo Myungshin’s, paintings, when he was thinking of having our promised second night, whether he had been very busy while there was no contact, how he had been doing….

Perhaps he wouldn’t be able to voice some of these questions, though. Seoyoon opened his mouth after making up his mind.

“I’ll cancel my dinner appointment.”

─ Are you sure that’s alright?

There was no hint of surprise in his tone as he asked considerately. He was just full of composure, as if he knew it would turn out this way. Nevertheless, Seoyoon feigned ignorance and continued speaking.

“Yes. I can meet my senior colleague tomorrow, but I’m sure Director is busy.”

─ Where are you now?

“This alley is complicated…. I’ll go back to the main entrance of the art museum.”

─ It’ll take about 15 minutes if I leave right away.

“It’ll probably take me about 10 minutes to get back too.”

Seoyoon became anxious after hanging up. He approached his senior colleague, who was smoking, and bowed his head.

“Deputy Yu, I’m sorry. I think we’ll have to have dinner together next time.”

“Oh, suddenly? What’s wrong?”

“It’s hard to explain in detail, but something urgent suddenly came up at home.”

It was fortunate that it was before going into the bar. If they had been eating and drinking, he wouldn’t have been able to leave him alone, no matter how anxious he was. Deputy Yu nodded, looking disappointed as he put out his cigarette.

“I wanted to have dinner with Seoyoon, but it can’t be helped. Then let’s eat next time, I guess.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll treat you next time.”

“Who would let the youngest, who hasn’t even received his first paycheck, treat them to a meal?”

He smiled and gestured for him to go. Seoyoon bowed his head once more and turned around. His steps, running as if chasing something, were aimlessly hurried.

While sitting on a public bench near the main gate, looking at his phone, flipping through the exhibition catalog, and doing odd jobs, a familiar car stopped nearby. Seoyoon quickly gathered his belongings and headed towards it. The passenger window opened halfway, and the man in the driver’s seat revealed his face.

“Did you wait long?”

“No.”

As soon as Seoyoon got in, the car immediately departed. Seoyoon glanced at Kijung’s profile as he held the steering wheel, then quietly opened his mouth.

“I thought someone else would be picking me up.”

“Ah, Chief Yeom. Memorize his face. Chief Yeom will mainly come when I can’t accompany you, so you’ll be seeing him often in the future.”

“Yes.”

He had been driven by the same person several times, but somehow they hadn’t even exchanged names yet. He always just carried out Kijung’s instructions with an expression as if he already knew all the circumstances, so they had never had a proper conversation.

Sometimes, Seoyoon wondered how much the person who transported him knew about Kijung and his relationship, but he soon shook off the idle thoughts that only stimulated unnecessary shame. Kijung turned the steering wheel and asked.

“How have you been?”

“I’ve been the same as usual. I was a little busy because of the exhibition preparation I mentioned.”

“Seoyoon-ssi seems to have been the same as usual. I’ve become quite bothered, thanks to you.”

“Pardon?”

It was an incomprehensible statement after not having met for so long. He hadn’t even dared to contact him first, even though he was curious about his situation, because he didn’t want to give the impression of being a nuisance, as he said.

“The very next day after I visited your house, President Han spread rumors everywhere.”

“…It was something my father desperately wanted. I’m sorry.”

“It doesn’t matter. I deliberately showed my face so he would. It was fine even if my father or family elders pried, but when rumors spread that I was meeting someone I had a blind date with, the number of people becoming greedy suddenly increased.”

“Greedy?”

“Until I met Seoyoon-ssi, I was rumored to be someone who had no intention of getting married at all, despite my age.”

Only then did Seoyoon understand the meaning and closed his mouth. Kwon Kijung was a man with solid wealth and status, and he was at an appropriate age to find a marriage partner. Although it was an era where one could live while hiding their traits if they wanted to, that was only the story for ordinary people. Famous people born with unique traits were bound to be known to the world, whether they revealed it themselves or through rumors spreading.

If one were to count all those who coveted him, regardless of gender or trait, it wouldn’t be enough to stay up all night. He had been in quite a few casual relationships, but it was his first time going on a blind date, and the news that he was dating a same-sex omega would have seemed like a sign of hope to many. That Kwon Kijung had finally started searching for a marriage partner.

“It seems like the situation is turning out as Seoyoon-ssi wants, are you satisfied?”

No, it was not enough for just rumors to spread. Unless the time spent maintaining the relationship with Kwon Kijung became longer and more solid, the rumors would only spark and then die out.

The reason why rumors about the marriages and relationships of unfamiliar celebrities spread first in the financial world, of all places, was because the connection between people directly results in the flow of money.

From the beginning, the result Seoyoon wanted was not a real relationship or marriage. He didn’t expect that a brief act, which could end with one whim of Kwon Kijung, would completely save his family from the crisis. It would be more than enough if it could at least serve as an emergency water supply to temporarily quench the endangered source of funds.

“Thank you. It’s all thanks to Director.”

“Instead of just being thankful, shouldn’t you be more nervous? What if you get your precious lover stolen?”

“I’ll try my best…”

Kijung laughed at those words as if they were bland. Seoyoon himself thought it was an uninteresting response, but he had nothing else to say. He wanted to try his best as much as possible, but he didn’t know what or how he should try for a man he had only met for the second time since that day.

It wasn’t far to the tailor shop. The store, which operated on a fully reservation-only basis, was quiet today without any other customers, just like the first time he visited.

The owner and tailor of the store greeted the two politely, and Seoyoon changed into a shirt and put on a sample made only of basting stitches. The tailor, holding a measuring tape, measured the length and circumference over the clothes once more and said.

“Your right arm and shoulder are slightly more developed than others.”

“Is that so? I haven’t really noticed it usually.”

“I don’t think it’s because of exercise, but do you perhaps paint?”

The tailor, who was carefully examining his body and pinning it, asked. Seoyoon was surprised and asked back.

“Can you even tell that?”

“There are many similar cases among people who paint. If you tell us about your frequent hobbies, we can make clothes that fit you better when you wear them, so I asked.”

“It’s been a long time since I’ve painted. You don’t have to worry about it.”

The tailor replied with a smile and continued the fitting.

“How about this length for the sleeves?”

However, even while asking detailed questions, the question of what kind of clothes he wanted was never given to Seoyoon from the beginning, as if the tailor perfectly understood that the customer for this order was not the man in front of him, but Kwon Kijung.

The man sitting next to him, who scanned Seoyoon’s arm with his eyes, answered without hesitation.

“A little shorter. I like it when the wrist is clearly visible when you lift your arm. Seoyoon has attractive wrists.”

“Would this length be alright?”

“Good.”

“Shall we decide on the pants length now? The length is about here. And to highlight the advantages of your body shape, it would be good to set the waistband a little higher.”

“Do that.”

Seoyoon swallowed hard as pins were placed as much as the sleeve and pant lengths that Kijung had decided. He couldn’t express in words how awkward he felt listening to the conversations going back and forth, treating him like a mannequin.

The question that crossed his mind every morning while preparing for work arose once again. Does he want to play doll with me?

“You can change back now. Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you.”

The tailor, who had finished the fitting, bowed his head and stepped aside, and Seoyoon headed to the fitting room. He had been there once before, so he opened the door familiarly without needing to be guided.

It was called a fitting room, but inside there were luxurious sofas and tables, and a mini-refrigerator with simple snacks and drinks, as well as a wine cellar, resembling a reception room. Seoyoon began to unbutton his chest.

He had only stood still, had his body size measured, and tried on clothing samples, but he felt tired as if he had accomplished something great. He didn’t complain, but the man’s gaze, who sat next to him throughout the fitting and stared at him like a spectacle, was quite burdensome. Moreover, in front of a third party who seemed to condone this situation as if it were familiar.

Just as he was about to take off the shirt he wore for the fitting and change into the thin knit he had worn, there was a knock, knock, from outside.

“Yes?”

“I’m coming in.”

The voice declaring he was coming in was not the tailor’s. Seoyoon now looked at the man who opened the door without waiting for an answer without being flustered.

“Is it Director’s hobby to suddenly come in while someone is changing?”

“I’m busy.”

The man approached with a nonsensical answer to his slightly sarcastic words. Seoyoon, who was still holding the knit without putting it on, stood still, unable to put on or take off his clothes. He felt bitter, remembering the moment when he had stuttered in front of him and was forced to take off his clothes on the day he first met him at Nokwoojae.

“Let’s just finish the inspection here. Hold out your arm.”

“…Yes.”

Only then did Seoyoon realize the meaning of the words that he was busy and obediently held out his arm. A large hand lifted his wrist as if pulling it slightly. His forearm, where the faint red marks had almost completely disappeared, was smooth. Kijung slowly stroked the area where the wound had been with his thumb and asked with a satisfied expression.

“Are you applying the ointment well?”

“Yes. It’s very effective…. Thank you.”

On the day he visited this shop last time, Seoyoon had received a small ointment along with the clothes that Kijung had prepared in advance. A man named Chief Yeom had said that it was an ointment good for treating wounds and scars and that Director Kwon had instructed him to apply it steadily.

In the morning, he wore the clothes that Kijung had prepared, and before going to bed, he applied the medicine to his body, so he couldn’t help but think of him even if he didn’t want to. When he thought of him, he remembered the night that had ended in just one day, and he also remembered the touch of his hands that had caressed his body and the body temperature that had touched him as one. He felt displeased with himself for constantly revisiting the various aspects of the man who didn’t even reply to his text messages, but he excused himself, thinking that he was the one who was in need, so it couldn’t be helped.