IWDAR Chapter 15

“Wow, it’s high…”

 

The sun was high in the sky, scattering bright light through the transparent window. 

 

White foam rose on the clearly visible river below, and tiny cars speeding down the wide road. The greenery and colorful harmony visible everywhere were beautiful. 

 

It was such a stunning sight that even someone who had a tiring day might feel a momentary change of mood just by taking in this scenery.

 

“…”

 

In his past life, Wooyoung had frequently been dragged along to his adoptive parents’ social events. They were like a symbol of modern-day noblesse oblige, a benevolent couple who had adopted a genius vocalist at a young age, educating and raising him with love. 

 

The places where his adoptive parents paraded Wooyoung like a trophy – renowned galleries, museums, hotels, concerts – were always dazzling spaces filled with glamorous people. 

 

So, being in this luxurious building wasn’t particularly awkward. It was just the first time he had ever been so captivated by the view outside.

 

His adoptive parents had always stressed the importance of eye contact.Where you stood, where you were, the level of a person could be seen by where they placed their eyes.

 

While Wooyoung practiced the elegance they taught and managed a plausible performance, he always felt like an outsider, suffocated by a heavy sense of debt. 

 

No matter how many competitions and concerts he swept, rewarding their investment, breathing always felt like a burden. 

 

Just existing felt burdensome. He thought he couldn’t blend in with them.

 

And the man named Mo Taeuk wasn’t inherently different from them. The man was imbued with the arrogance typical of those raised without hardship.

 

‘But…’

 

Despite this, Wooyoung didn’t find Tae-uk entirely uncomfortable. Even though Tae-uk carried a more intense aura of intimidation than the countless well-bred individuals Wooyoung had encountered, something felt different. 

 

It wasn’t the same as the instinctive shrinking he felt before other powerful figures.

 

Wooyoung took a slow breath. Here, breathing wasn’t difficult at all.

 

“You can go right in. Thank you for coming.”

 

Doh-hoon, who had politely guided Wooyoung until the very end, stepped back as if he had finished his task.

 

Wooyoung, half-lost in thought while following Do-hoon, was flustered when he faced the jet-black door of the CEO’s office.

 

He hadn’t expected the “interview with our side” to be a face-to-face meeting with CEO Mo Tae-uk.

 

Another secretary was stationed right in front of the CEO’s office. 

 

There was another secretary working right in front of the CEO’s office. The woman, who gave Wooyoung a light nod, tactfully informed the inside of the office of his arrival.

 

Standing before the large, closed door, Wooyoung gulped. 

 

The thought of Tae-uk being just beyond this door brought a considerable amount of pressure, but he couldn’t run away now.

 

Taking a small breath, Wooyoung grabbed the doorknob and entered.

 

Tae-uk, who had been working with his back to the very scenery that had captivated Wooyoung moments ago, looked up and met Wooyoung’s gaze. 

 

For a moment, they stared at each other without a word.

 

After a period of silence, Tae-uk was the first to move. Rising from his seat and approached Wooyoung.

 

“It’s been a while.”

 

Taeuk’s voice had a depth to it. Embracing a low resonance, it felt almost pitch-black at first, but if you listened a little more closely, it was closer to a pure sound.

 

Wooyoung looked at Tae-uk with calm eyes. 

 

Facing the man in a space filled with natural light, rather than a dazzling ceremony or hotel dimly lit, felt different. Clad in a jet-black shirt, Tae-uk looked as breathtakingly handsome as ever. 

 

It was only their second meeting, but Wooyoung felt strangely familiar with Tae-uk. Perhaps it was the situation, his circumstances, or something else. 

 

Feeling self-conscious about standing there unadorned in such a bright place, Wooyoung fidgeted with his sleeve.

 

“It’s been a while. How have you been?”

 

“I’ve been well. Have you, Han Wooyoung…?”

 

Tae-uk’s gaze landed directly on Wooyoung’s cheek. 

 

The wound hadn’t healed properly, only chilled, so its condition wasn’t good at a glance.

 

“It doesn’t seem like you’ve been well.”

 

“…”

 

He should say he was fine, that he had been well, but Wooyoung couldn’t utter a word. 

 

Tae-uk’s voice and gaze, directed at him, were incredibly sharp. As if he were angry.

 

Under the intimidating pressure, Wooyoung held his breath.

 

A warm touch grazed the area near his lowered chin. Tae-uk had reached out and lifted his small chin. 

 

With his face forcibly raised, Wooyoung had to endure Taeuk’s gaze staring directly at him. The man’s jet-black eyes calmly focused on Wooyoung’s wound. 

 

For some reason, Wooyoung felt his heart drop.

 

“This looks like a recent injury. Is that right?”

 

“…Yes.”

 

At Wooyoung’s meek confirmation, Tae-uk’s eyebrows furrowed slightly. 

 

Forcibly pulling away his fingertips that were wrapped around the soft texture, Taeuk grabbed the doorknob of the CEO’s office.

 

Wooyoung was momentarily confused by the sudden opening of the door. 

 

Was he going to kick him out just like this? With criticism about where he should set foot in this state?

 

But as if dismissing Wooyoung’s worries, Tae-uk simply said, 

 

“Follow me.”

 

Tae-uk abruptly led Wooyoung to the company’s infirmary. Wooyoung wondered why an entertainment agency had an infirmary.

 

“Are you curious why there’s an infirmary here?” 

 

As if he had read Wooyoung’s expression, Taeuk asked. Wooyoung was embarrassed that his inner thoughts were so transparent.

 

“Yes, a little…”

 

“There’s a practice room in the basement of the building. There are many trainees who often get injured while training or practicing, so we prepared this for their management as well.”

 

It’s said that the way a CEO treats his subordinates reveals the true nature of the company. From this brief exchange, Wooyoung sensed that Mo Tae-uk was a surprisingly decent boss.

 

However, this heartworm feeling was short-lived.

 

“By the way, you haven’t removed your cast yet. Where are your crutches?”

 

“Oh, I was in a bit of a hurry today, so I…”

 

“You need to be even more careful with a half-cast. The hospital must have warned you.”

 

“That’s true, but…”

 

“If you don’t want to walk for the rest of your life, I won’t stop you.”

 

“…”

 

Wooyoung was flustered, trying to keep up with the man’s barrage of sharp questions. 

 

He briefly wondered if he had visited a hospital instead of an entertainment agency.

 

“How is it?” 

 

Taeuk asked the doctor in charge of the infirmary, who had treated Wooyoung’s wound. Since the CEO rarely visited the infirmary, the staff member had been quite nervous since earlier.

 

“Uh, well… It’s a minor bruise, so it will heal quickly with proper care. It’s even better if you apply bruise ointment thoroughly.”

 

After providing some medication, the doctor tactfully excused himself.

 

Sitting on the examination bed, Wooyoung glanced up at Tae-uk, who stood looming over him. Perhaps due to the white background of the infirmary, Wooyoung looked particularly small.

 

Tae-uk took a low breath.

 

“Han Wooyoung, your body seems to be constantly injured.”

 

Wooyoung, looking at Taeuk’s firm face, which seemed impenetrable, cautiously opened his mouth.

 

“If… if you’re worried about me…”

 

“Did I look like I was worried?”

 

“…If not, then…”

 

Then what should he do? Thinking this was quite an awkward situation, Wooyoung needlessly chewed on his lips. At the sight of the swollen lips, as puffy as his cheeks from being constantly tormented, Taeuk let out a low chuckle.

 

“You don’t seem to understand jokes, Han Wooyoung.”

 

Was that a joke…? 

 

Wooyoung blinked, with a dumbfounded expression . 

 

‘Did he just learn the word ‘joke’ yesterday?’ 

 

He couldn’t understand where the joke was. Seeing Wooyoung’s clueless expression, Tae-uk chuckled.

 

“Or am I that intimidating?”

 

“No, sir.”

 

While thinking, He’s certainly not easy to approach, Wooyoung shook his head knowingly. 

 

A heavy silence settled over them. 

 

Taeuk, staring intently at Wooyoung, sat across from him and met his gaze.

 

Wooyoung parted his lips slightly. This situation of just staring at each other face to face was so awkward, but strangely, it wasn’t bad.