THM 0

Why is it that rabbits always end up as prey for predators? Is it because they’re small? Because they’re weak?

No, it’s probably because they’re dumb and slow. They get eaten because they’re careless and complacent.

At least, that’s what Song Euiseo believed.

Because right now, he was exactly like that rabbit. Flailing helplessly in front of a predator’s gaping jaws. What a humiliating, miserable situation this was.

Thud!

Euiseo’s body was tossed aside along with his poorly packed duffel bag. Ugh… Even though the shove hadn’t been that rough, a pained groan slipped out. His knees and backside throbbed and burned, stinging with a dull ache. Frustration and sorrow bubbled up to his throat in one overwhelming surge of emotion.

He glared upward, his round eyes narrowing sharply, catching sight of the man standing before him—bold and shameless. His very presence was menacing, like a starving tiger sizing up its prey.

Euiseo couldn’t help but wonder how things had gone so wrong.

Not long ago, his life had been perfectly normal. But then, cracks appeared in that calm routine, and the atmosphere at home shifted completely.

The most terrifying change of all, though—the one that made his skin crawl—was the transformation of the man standing right in front of him: Choi Gwonju.

“Why are you so mad? You said you liked me.”

The low, detached tone of Gwonju’s voice sent a chill down Euiseo’s spine. Standing at nearly 190 centimeters, his sheer size was overwhelming. His gaze, cold and devoid of emotion, only added to the intimidation.

But fear was fear, and wrong was still wrong. Who said you couldn’t stand up to a tiger? Euiseo, apparently born with guts far bigger than his body, stood his ground.

“I take it back! I don’t want to like someone like you anymore, Executive Choi!”

It was a brave declaration—but foolish and reckless, too. No matter how hard he kicked and fought back, all he’d done was make himself more appealing to Gwonju.

Sadly, Euiseo hadn’t yet realized the reality of his situation. He had no intention of giving up. Determined to escape this house, he forced his shaky legs to stand. Maybe it was the aftereffects of last night, but his thighs trembled beneath him. Still, there was no time to care about that now.

They say if someone is truly determined, there’s nothing they can’t do. After all, how many people could actually stop someone who was running for their life?

With desperation in his left foot and hope in his right, Euiseo bolted forward like a shot.

“Ah…!”

But the dream of a perfect escape was shattered in just three seconds.

Gwonju casually pushed him back with just two fingers to the chest. It was like a cat lazily batting at a tiny mouse.

Euiseo’s pride took a heavy hit as he tumbled across the floor—twice. It wasn’t because he was weak, or because he lacked the will to run. No, this was all thanks to the outrage Gwonju had committed the night before.

To make matters worse, he landed flat on his backside, sending a sharp jolt of pain through an already swollen and bruised area. His spine—especially his tailbone—felt like it had snapped clean in two.

Surrendering to the pain, Euiseo began to shake, eyes brimming with tears. It hurts. It really hurts. His entire body felt wrecked.

And while he lay there writhing on the floor, someone with zero compassion leisurely strolled over, pulled out a chair, and sat down. Screech. The legs of the chair dragged across the floor before stopping directly in front of Euiseo.

“Hnn… damn it…”

As Euiseo wiped at his swollen, tear-streaked face, still sniffling, Choi Gwonju sat down with his legs spread wide and lit a cigarette. He took his time fishing out a lighter, speaking in that same maddeningly calm tone.

“What should I do? I think I’m really starting to like you.”

It was a conversation without consideration, entirely one-sided and selfish—like everything else about him.

Euiseo had made it perfectly clear that he no longer liked Choi Gwonju. More than once, in fact. And unless Gwonju was deaf, he would have heard it loud and clear.

But the man completely ignored his protests and pushed forward with his own twisted agenda. If Gwonju had at least gotten angry or lashed out, maybe Euiseo could’ve fought back with more force. But no—he remained calm. Serene, even, like a still lake.

After finally finding his lighter, Gwonju lit his cigarette and took a deep drag. His dark, heavy gaze fixated on Euiseo.

No—more precisely, between Euiseo’s legs.

“Wh-What do you mean, you like me? What am I supposed to do with that?”

“…”

“What are you even trying to say right now?”

Every time Euiseo raised his voice, his thighs and buttocks flinched, though he didn’t realize it. Eyes blazing like a barking dog, he snapped back at Gwonju, who responded with a low, amused chuckle.

He exhaled the smoke slowly, lazily, letting it drift through the air. The wispy cloud mixed with his laughter, stinging Euiseo’s eyes and nose.

Ugh, the smell… Euiseo squirmed, trying to shift away from the acrid smoke. Just then, Gwonju stretched out his long leg and lightly tapped Euiseo’s plump backside with the tip of his foot.

Euiseo flinched in shock and quickly grabbed both cheeks, glaring up at him. Gwonju, unfazed, spoke in a smug, almost generous tone.

“I’m saying I’ll make you my lover.”

His face, framed in the swirling gray smoke, held a strangely sensual expression. The way he looked down on people, the faint dimple near one corner of his smirking lips—it all made him seem unfairly alluring.

Euiseo couldn’t help but gape at that annoyingly handsome face.

Did I really just hear what I think I did…?

His brain felt frozen, like all thought had shut down. But his body—his body moved on instinct. Snapping out of his daze, Euiseo scrambled backward, planting his hands on the floor to put space between them. Even as pain shot up from his sore backside, he didn’t stop.

Witnessing this desperate escape, Gwonju didn’t shout or look the least bit remorseful. Instead, he just chuckled softly and kept his eyes fixed between Euiseo’s legs.

Finally noticing where that gaze was aimed, Euiseo quickly squeezed his knees together. His pants, still damp with traces of last night, clung uncomfortably with every movement.

God, this is humiliating. His face flushed so hot it felt like it might explode. He was overwhelmed with shame.

All I ever wanted… was something normal. A normal relationship. He had never once wished for things to turn out this grotesque or humiliating.

“Wh-Who said I’m your boyfriend?! Hhk—! I’m not doing that, okay?!”

Trying to sound tough despite the tears, Euiseo bared his rounded teeth in defiance. Gwonju’s eyes lit with intrigue, as if pondering how best to play with the toy now sitting squarely in his palm. He was disturbingly good at it.

Overcome with frustration, Euiseo slammed his tightly clenched fist against the floor.

Thud. He hit it so hard that his bones rattled and his hand burned, but it only added to his grief. Ignoring the pain, he slammed his fist down again and again.

I saved that man’s life…

And worse—I actually thought of him as my savior.

His eyes, locked on Choi Gwonju, were filled with bitter resentment.

But really—who could he blame…?

Euiseo regretted his foolish one-sided love.

And regretted it again.

And again.