* * *

About five minutes later, he sensed a presence.

Faint voices could be heard beyond the firmly shut door.

“Where’s the guest?”

“Waiting in the CEO’s office.”

“What’s that?”

“Writer Seo Jungyoon’s…”

“Not that… Try again.”

Amid the muffled conversation, Seo Jungyoon faintly caught his name.

Straightening up, he turned toward the door just as it swung open abruptly.

The sound of footsteps—firm and deliberate—echoed as they struck the floor.

Seo Jungyoon instinctively rose to his feet, sensing without turning that CEO Yoon Taerim had arrived.

The man who had approached so swiftly extended his right hand without hesitation.

“Pleasure to meet you. I’m Yoon Taerim, CEO of Royal Peak Hotels.”

Seo Jungyoon cautiously took the offered hand.

Perhaps it was the suddenness of the encounter, but without realizing it, he failed to meet the man’s gaze, focusing instead on their clasped hands.

“Hello. I’m Seo Jungyoon.”

“Apologies for being late. Traffic was heavier than expected.”

“It’s no problem.”

‘Wow… he’s incredibly tall.’

Seo Jungyoon finally raised his eyes.

It took a long moment just to take in the distance from the man’s legs to his head.

‘189? Maybe even over 190?’

Despite his good observational skills, Yoon Taerim’s proportions were so strikingly well-balanced that estimating his height was a challenge.

Yoon Taerim walked to the opposite sofa and handed over a business card before sitting down.

Seo accepted it with both hands.

The card was as flawless and clean as the man himself.

“Please, have a seat.”

“Thank you.”

Seo Jungyoon placed the card on the glass table and sat down.

‘I should’ve brought the business card the publisher gave m’e, he thought regretfully, hiding his restless hands under the table.

As the awkward silence lingered, Yoon Taerim spoke first.

“You’re younger than I expected, Writer Seo.”

“Excuse me?”

“I heard you’re twenty-eight this year.”

Surprised by the sudden topic, Seo Jungyoon’s head shot up, his gaze meeting Yoon Taerim’s for the first time.

The man’s dark eyes seemed to pierce right through him, as if they had been observing him the entire time.

“Twenty-eight isn’t that young, is it?”

“You look about twenty-two or twenty-three. Like someone who doesn’t age.”

“I’ve never thought of myself as youthful-looking.”

Seo Jungyoon responded firmly, his tone sharper than intended, but Yoon Taerim only smiled faintly.

Just then, the secretary knocked and entered, placing two teacups on the table with a soundless precision that matched her demeanor.

“Please enjoy your tea while we talk.”

“Thank you.”

Seo Jungyoon, parched, carefully gripped the teacup handle.

The tea was just the right temperature, the warm liquid soothing his dry throat and enveloping his tongue in subtle floral notes with a sweet finish.

“Jasmine tea, I see.”

“Does it suit your taste?”

“Yes, I like it.”

“That’s good to hear.”

Yoon Taerim also sipped his tea before placing the cup down and fixing his gaze on Seo Jungyoon.

The prolonged eye contact felt almost like a silent duel, but Seo Jungyoon didn’t look away.

He met Yoon Taerim’s gaze with equal steadiness.

‘When you meet CEO Yoon, you’ll understand why I dress up. His presence can be overwhelming,’ Seo Jungyoon recalled the editor’s words.

‘I get it now. Who could stand confidently before a man like this?’

Seo had researched Yoon Taerim the night before, familiarizing himself with numerous photos.

But seeing the man in person was entirely different.

Standing before him now, Seo Jungyoon felt the weight of the man’s presence—everything about him radiated privilege.

It was as though wealth coursed through his veins, defining him.

“Your editor mentioned that you’re preparing a novel set in a chaebol family and need to conduct research.”

“Yes.”

“What exactly are you curious about?”

“Everything about daily life. What you eat, drink, how you work, how you spend your leisure time, your interests.”

Yoon Taerim chuckled lightly.

While the sound was clear, his expression barely changed, his lips curving ever so slightly.

“Life is the same for everyone, isn’t it?”

“It’s different.”

“And how are you so sure?”

Seo Jungyoon didn’t respond verbally.

Instead, his eyes traveled over Yoon Taerim again.

He was certain: this man lived in an entirely different world.

One could tell just by his appearance: the high-end suit that most couldn’t easily afford, the luxury watch peeking out from beneath his perfectly tailored sleeves, and the unruffled composure with which he carried it all as though it were an extension of himself.

His actions and tone of voice lacked arrogance, yet his gaze alone could effortlessly subdue anyone, placing them beneath him with an unspoken dominance.

Jungyoon found himself curious.

What could Yoon Taerim be thinking at this moment?

And what secrets lay hidden behind that impenetrable façade?

The world of the elite was full of things Seo Jungyoon couldn’t even begin to fathom.

“It must have been three or four years ago. When I was in the U.S., I happened to read one of your books, Predator, wasn’t it?”

“…”

“I was deeply impressed. To the point where I wondered if the author had killed a dozen people themselves.”

“…”

“So you can imagine my surprise to learn someone so young had written it.”

Predator was a novel Jungyoon had written at 24.

Told from the perspective of a serial killer, it was his debut bestseller, gaining him recognition and eventually being adapted into a serialized drama overseas last year.

Yoon Taerim crossed his legs leisurely.

The soft rustle of the premium suit fabric reached Jungyoon’s ears, making them tingle uncomfortably.

“Did you conduct research for Predator the way you are now?”

“…I did meet with a few death row inmates.”

“Then, am I the model for your new protagonist?”

“I wouldn’t say that. It’s merely research, and the main character is a completely fictional creation.”

Even as he said this, Jungyoon lowered his gaze, feeling as though he had lied.

There was some truth to his words, but not entirely.

It would be impossible to separate the two completely.

No matter how differently he wrote the character’s personality or appearance, the core would inevitably be inspired by Yoon Taerim.

Given the genre of Jungyoon’s novels, it was unlikely the resulting character would be a virtuous one.

He could guess what Yoon Taerim might be concerned about.

Finding himself in a submissive position, something he detested, Jungyoon moistened his dry lips with a quick flick of his tongue.

It was irksome to have to make such a humble request, given his nature.

“If this makes you uncomfortable, I won’t push.”

“Do you have someone else in mind?”

“…Yes.”

“Now I’m curious. I can’t imagine there are many people who meet my qualifications.”

For the first time, Yoon Taerim displayed a hint of self-pride.

He offered a serene smile as though he could see right through Jungyoon’s falsehoods.

Despite the seemingly amiable expression, Jungyoon felt utterly overwhelmed.

“Let me help you. As it happens, I also have a favor to ask of you. Let’s call it mutual assistance.”

With that, Yoon Taerim uncrossed his legs and adjusted his posture, his impeccable frame straightening as he seamlessly shifted into business mode.

“Here’s what we’ll do. I’ll grant you as many interviews as you need. Once a week. Midnight to 2 a.m.”

He pulled a plastic card from his inner jacket pocket and slid it across the table.

Jungyoon stared blankly at the card now in front of him.

It was a hotel key.

“Midnight?”

“Is that too late?”

Meeting in a hotel at midnight was bound to invite misunderstanding.

Then again, it was just two men—no cause for suspicion, right?

Besides, Yoon Taerim likely had no clue about his orientation…

As Jungyoon hesitated, Yoon Taerim continued in his even tone.

“I don’t have much free time. My day typically ends around then.”

“I see.”

“Of course, it might be tiring for you at such a late hour.”

“I’m fine with it.”

* * *