IWDAR Chapter 35

Strangely, the ominous presence clinging to the windshield, seemingly immovable, began to shrink as the mansion drew closer, vanishing completely upon arrival. 

 

Like the rain that had been gradually subsiding in the night sky. The tranquility the man had tasted had returned with disconcerting ease. Mo Tae-uk let out a hollow laugh, finding it all absurd. It was as if the whole world was grabbing him by the collar, threatening him to devour Han Wooyoung immediately.

 

The mansion, entered through the open gate, stood alone in the darkness, its caretakers already gone.

 

The spring rain had cooled the muggy June evening air. An unwelcome summer was approaching. Only the softly lit garden lights and the glow from the first-floor terrace window hinted at Wooyoung’s presence inside. 

 

Tae-uk had received a report that Wooyoung had met the debut team members for the first time and even dined with them. It must have been an uncomfortable situation, but Wooyoung would have done his best, just as he resolutely handed over the USB during their first encounter. 

 

Tae-uk knew this without having to see it with his own eyes. Was it because of the numerous incidents that had occurred in between? Although it hadn’t been long, yet Tae-uk felt as though his encounter with Wooyoung had happened ages ago. Distantly far away, unable to be held back…

 

Tae-uk, walking briskly toward the mansion, lost in thought about Wooyoung, suddenly stopped. 

 

He heard singing from deep within the garden. The clear voice that had chased away the dark mass as he approached the mansion. Listening intently to the melody, Tae-uk slowly moved towards the sound of the singing. Step by step. The faint melody grew clearer with each step.

 

Ma il mio mistero è chiuso in me

(My secret is hidden from me)

 

il nome mio nessun saprà

(No one will know my name)

 

No, No! Sulla tua bocca lo dirò

(No, No! I will tell it on your lips)

 

quando la luce splenderà

(when the light shines…)

 

In the middle of the soaked garden, Wooyoung was slowly pacing and singing. 

 

Flowing softly from his small lips was not a pop song, but an opera aria. ON Entertainment had been investing in the classical music business for a long time. Moreover, his grandfather, Mo Nak-hyun’s, hobby was also an unlikely appreciation of classical music, so the song was very familiar to Mo Tae-uk. 

 

Nessun Dorma (None shall sleep), from Puccini’s opera Turandot, in which the character Calaf sings about solving riddles and winning the princess, was one of the most famous arias in Korea. 

 

But even if it was a popular song, perfectly performing this challenging piece was a completely different story. Like large dewdrops bursting, Wooyoung’s voice deftly navigated the pitches.

 

A huge shock overwhelmed Tae-uk. Even though it sounded more like humming than a technical performance due to its light delivery, the skill was shocking. 

 

Han Wooyoung, singing the victory aria under the moonlight, bathed in the crimson light in the center of the rain-soaked garden, was beautiful. 

 

Even the cynical Tae-uk could clearly feel it. That’s why the man could do nothing but stand there, stunned, appreciating the opera Wooyoung created. 

 

He realized that this was the second time he had experienced such a shock. The first shock was the moment he listened to the USB Wooyoung had given him. All the circumstances of this moment, surrounding the air, resembled the thrill of that time. All senses focused on one person, completing everything…

 

Ed il mio bacio scioglierà il silenzio

(And my kiss will break the silence)

 

che ti fa mia

(that makes you mine)

 

That desire to never let go.

 

Wooyoung, humming the opera softly as he walked through the dewy garden, stopped singing. He made eye contact with Tae-uk.

 

“……”

 

“……”

 

Their gazes and the silence lingered. Mo Tae-uk’s gaze, fixed on Wooyoung with a hardened expression, pierced him completely. 

 

Wooyoung was startled and, at the same time, flustered. He couldn’t gauge how long Tae-uk had been listening to his singing.

 

“……You’re back, CEO Mo.”

 

At that moment, as Wooyoung broke the heavy silence with a short greeting in the cool, damp air, Tae-uk held his breath. 

 

‘Ah, in the end, I… you…’ 

 

Mo Tae-uk must have noticed it early on. 

 

That this young being in front of him was growing bigger and bigger inside him. That’s why Tae-uk was curious. 

 

Was he drawn to him simply because he was a conduit for the peace he so desperately desired? 

 

Or was it because he truly…

 

“I thought you weren’t coming back today.”

 

Wooyoung immediately regretted his impulsive words. It sounded as if he was complaining to the man he hadn’t been able to see at the mansion lately. 

 

However, Tae-uk’s tightly closed red lips showed no sign of opening. Just as Wooyoung was feeling discouraged by the prolonged silence,

 

“Did I say I wasn’t coming back today?”

 

Tae-uk’s deep voice penetrated Wooyoung’s ears, cutting through the cool air. As always, it was difficult to read Tae-uk’s emotions. A faint smile touched Wooyoung’s lips.

 

“It’s been hard to see you lately.”

 

“So, you waited?”

 

“…….”

 

Woo-young slowly inhaled. Had he waited for him? The answer came quickly. As the inhaled air filled his lungs, his lips parted.

 

“Yes.”

 

“…….”

 

“I waited.”

 

Tae-uk witnessed the sincerity in those round eyes. Wooyoung was frighteningly honest. That point, Tae-uk really…

 

“Singing opera alone in the garden?”

 

Tae-uk’s voice was very gentle. Wooyoung avoided Tae-uk’s gaze with a soft smile, and an embarrassed expression. He did so because he felt like he would suffocate if he continued to look at that smile.

 

“…….”

 

At the same time, Tae-uk’s eyes darkened. Even the mere act of Wooyoung avoiding his gaze made Tae-uk feel strangely thirsty. He wanted to grab those small cheeks and make him look only at him. His heart, which had dropped to his toes, seemed to be beating erratically.

 

“I was going to exercise and go inside, but the breeze was cool… I just felt like singing.”

 

Tae-uk remained silent, even as Wooyoung rambled. Wooyoung, unable to understand the meaning behind the man’s silent gaze, mumbled as if making excuses.

 

“I, um, ate a lot for lunch, and Manager Park told me to exercise and send him proof. But then I ate a lot for dinner, too…”

 

Wooyoung’s voice grew smaller and smaller, as if about to trail off. His usually clear and gentle voice sounded weak. 

 

He seemed so dejected that it felt as if his straightforward confession of waiting for Tae-uk was a lie. Tae-uk, seeing him acting as if he had committed a grave sin, opened his tightly closed lips.

 

“You could have used the equipment in the house. I told you where it was on the first day.”

 

Wooyoung pressed his cute lips together. He was certain that Tae-uk wouldn’t like it if he said he couldn’t bring himself to intrude on his space. He thought it was fortunate that the man hadn’t seen him hopping around the garden before he arrived.

 

“Did you eat that much today?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Tae-uk was strange today. He was asking unusually many questions, his smile was unusually deep, and also unusually…

 

“I guess you ate something delicious.”

 

Tae-uk took a step closer and poked Wooyoung’s round cheek. Wooyoung’s eyes widened in surprise at the sudden contact. Tae-uk chuckled at the soft, yielding skin. Wooyoung thought he would never get used to that sweet smile, no matter how many times he saw it.

 

‘I should thank him for the hot pot.’

 

Tae-uk, who had come close, exuded a stronger musk scent than usual. It might be due to the damp rainwater. Perhaps it was because he was relaxed due to the man’s touch on his cheek, the captivating smile, and the man’s scent filling his nose.

 

“So, when did you learn opera?”

 

At that unexpected question, Wooyoung froze.