VI | Chapter 8

Strangely, there was a sturdy iron gate with a lock in front of the entrance. It looked like vertical bars meant to keep a dog or cat from going outside. You had to unlock it with a key to put on shoes and leave. Moreover, the main gate had three additional locks.

‘Is that a fingerprint scanner? There’s a number pad too. Then the other one must be…….’

Taehwon moved closer to the iron gate blocking the entrance to take a closer look.

Just then, a loud shout came from above.

“Taehwon-ssi! Where are you going?”

Kwon Rae, with a face as cold as ice, was on the third floor. He was staring intently at Taehwon, who was touching the iron gate, as if he might jump down at any moment, his arms resting on the glass railing. His voice was hoarse, and his hair was disheveled, as if he had just woken up.

His characteristic thin, white hair was slightly tousled and sticking out. It reminded Taehwon of his childhood sleeping habits.

“Are you crazy? Don’t even think about going near the entrance. Do you want to get into trouble if you go out?”

Before Taehwon could respond, Kwon Rae hurriedly descended the stairs. Taking three steps at a time with large strides, he reached the first floor in an instant and hugged Taehwon tightly, as if catching a runaway puppy. His chest pressed against Taehwon’s back, and his arms wrapped around his waist like ropes.

“Young master, what’s going on? I was just looking around…….”

“You scared me. The bed was empty, and you weren’t in the room. I thought you were really trying to run away……!”

“Run away? Where would I go in this condition? No, I’m not.”

“Really? Can I trust you? You’re not running away because I kissed you, got you hard, and said all those explicit things yesterday, right?”

Kwon Rae dragged Taehwon backward, away from the entrance, ensuring he couldn’t even approach it. All the while, he kept shouting like a madman.

“No matter what, don’t have any foolish thoughts. What if you go out and get caught by the guys sent by the hyungs? What if you end up dead?”

Only then did Taehwon realize why all the windows in the house, including the bedroom, had curtains drawn.

‘They must have put iron bars on the windows too.’

To prevent Woo Taehwon from recklessly going outside.

No wonder the curtains were closed even though it was daylight, and the chandelier was brightly lit…….

Kwon Rae dragged Taehwon to the living room and forcibly sat him on the sofa. Not only that, but he also sat down, still holding Taehwon tightly, pressing even closer.

“Taehwon-ssi, don’t do anything that might make me misunderstand again.”

Taehwon was dumbfounded. The fact that Kwon Rae was so startled, so sensitive to Taehwon’s every move, and that he shouted and ran over just because Taehwon lingered near the entrance, was not a normal reaction.

He was extremely sensitive and irritable. Unstable.

It was like how Taehwon felt while wandering around the house, unable to touch anything. It was difficult and overwhelming.

“……I understand. I won’t do it again.”

Taehwon replied obediently, still in a daze. But even then, Kwon Rae didn’t seem reassured.

“I’m not just saying it. It’s really dangerous. The situation outside isn’t good…….”

“Yes, I understand. I know I’m being chased.”

“Your body isn’t in good shape either, and it’s dangerous. If you wander around without making a sound, ha…….”

Kwon Rae let out a rough sigh and buried his head in Taehwon’s shoulder. His breath was trembling. A quick glance showed his lowered eyelashes quivering. The body heat clinging to him was very warm, and even though his grown body was heavy and his grip strong, he still seemed like a child.

With a complicated heart, Taehwon swallowed and gently patted the back of Kwon Rae’s head with his left hand.

‘I can’t really say anything about this…….’

“Young master. I’m sorry. I should have stayed in the bedroom, but I was thirsty and came down for a glass of water.”

“I see. You must have been thirsty. That makes sense.”

“The room felt stuffy, and I couldn’t sleep. I don’t know. I just feel guilty and troubled…….”

“Is that so. Yes……, with your serious personality, I guess that could happen. You’re actually a more kind and gentle person than you seem.”

Even with just a light pat on the head, Kwon Rae acted as if he was very pleased. He rubbed his head against Taehwon’s palm, smiling tenderly, as if he had been waiting for Taehwon to touch him like this for a long time.

His beautifully shining white face seemed to plead with Taehwon.

“But, Taehwon-ssi might try to leave me again.”

“That’s not true. I would never, ever do such a thing again.”

“Well. If you were me, would you believe that?”

“That’s…….”

“Even if you’re calm now, who knows how you’ll change once your memory returns? Who knows what might happen then. You might try to kill not only my father but me too.”

“…….”

“I’m even considering tying you up. Even though I’ve blocked everything with iron bars, recognition sensors, alarms, and made it like a prison.”

“……I see.”

“Haha. What should I do……. Damn, I’m going crazy……. Isn’t that right?”

Yeah. It really feels like I’m going crazy.

Maybe that’s the answer. Maybe Kwon Rae and Woo Taehwon are both going crazy together here.

“If this happens again, I’ll really tie you up. At least I’ll let you choose whether you’d prefer shackles on your ankles or a collar around your neck.”

‘Ha…….’

Taehwon took a deep breath and looked up at the brightly lit chandelier. The chandelier’s light was dazzlingly brilliant, and the leather sofa where the two adult men were buried was incredibly soft.

Even after a long time, Kwon Rae showed no sign of letting go. Taehwon just kept stroking his head, holding him close.

His characteristic thin hair flowed through Taehwon’s fingers like a cascading wave.

“……Young master.”

As he comforted him like this, it felt like he had returned to the time when twenty-year-old Taehwon lived. Only Woo Taehwon could soothe a sulking Kwon Rae. Kwon Rae would throw a tantrum and cry, but once Taehwon hugged him and stroked his head, he would calm down as if nothing had happened.

Then, the young Kwon Rae’s pale cheeks would turn rosy, his breathing would slow, and he would fall asleep in Taehwon’s arms. Taehwon would then carefully move the sleeping young master to bed, cover him with a blanket, and take care of him…….

“……Even though ten years have passed, it seems the young master has only grown physically. You’re still so clingy and need a lot of attention.”

“No, it’s only with Taehwon-ssi.”

“Your impatient nature is still the same. If you’re not careful, you might burst into tears.”

“That’s not true. I can endure anything now. I don’t cry anymore.”

Kwon Rae lifted his head slightly and looked directly at Taehwon. Seeing his beautifully matured face up close, Taehwon felt a strange sense of unfamiliarity. His features had become more defined, his jaw sharper, and he was undeniably handsome at first glance.

“Taehwon-ssi…….”

“Yes.”

“I’m sorry for shouting.”

Finally, an apology came from him. Taehwon silently shook his head.

“Why are you saying that? You don’t need to apologize to me, young master. ……I should be the one.”

“No. I’m sorry for scaring you. I was just startled for a moment.”

“It’s okay. It’s because of what I did in the first place. It’s my karma.”

“Yeah……. I’m glad you think that way, but you’re really not trying to run away because of me, right?”

Kwon Rae asked again for confirmation. Taehwon nodded obediently.

“Really, I’m not. Honestly, where would I go, leaving you behind, young master?”

“Right……? That’s it, right?”

“Yes.”

“You didn’t get startled just because of one kiss, right?”

Ah. Again.

Just when he thought he might forget, Kwon Rae brought the topic back to this. Taehwon was slightly flustered, his lips moving without sound. He really didn’t know how to respond.

“I know you’re uncomfortable with having a sexual relationship with me. Should I try to restrain myself more?”

“Well, uh, yes. If it’s about that, I think it’s best to restrain yourself.”

“I was trying to restrain myself in my own way. Yesterday, if I had wanted to, I could have done much more to you, Taehwon-ssi.”

“That…….”

“Do you know how hard it was to hold back all night? I wanted to go to your room, but I felt like I’d cross the line if I did. Ha……. Please, Taehwon-ssi, please, you have to recognize my efforts. I really struggled to get off by myself.”

What kind of conversation is this? It’s confusing.