* * *

It was past ten at night when the door lock beeped.

Surprised by the earlier-than-expected return, Jungyoon slowly made his way to the entrance.

When the door opened, Jaehyuk’s face, weary from endless overtime, greeted him.

He smiled faintly upon seeing Jungyoon waiting for him.

“Wow, it really is Seo Jungyoon. Is this a dream?”

Without warning, he ran over and lifted Jungyoon into a hug.

Startled, Jungyoon struggled, pressing against Jaehyuk’s shoulders.

“What are you doing? Put me down!”

“You’re not heavy at all. You could gain another ten kilos.”

Holding him effortlessly, Jaehyuk carried him to the sofa.

Only after setting him down did he hurriedly take off his crumpled jacket.

What started as a simple embrace soon escalated into more intimate gestures.

“Wait, Hyung. Stop.”

“Mm, Jungyoon. Just a little more.”

Pushing Jaehyuk away, Jungyoon managed to sit upright.

No matter what, he had come here to have an important conversation tonight.

“I’m here to talk.”

“What about?”

Perhaps hurt by the rejection, Jaehyuk sighed, sitting up straight.

His tired face now carried a shadow of disappointment.

“I met Yoon Taerim a few days ago.”

“Who?”

Jaehyuk brushed back his disheveled bangs, squinting at him.

Clearly, the name “Yoon Taerim” didn’t immediately register.

“Surely not the Yoon Taerim I’m thinking of?”

“It is. The CEO, Yoon Taerim.”

“…How do you even know him?”

“I was introduced. I’ll be interviewing him for my next novel. For a while, I’ll probably see him often.”

Jaehyuk froze, his hand gripping his bangs.

His mouth hung open, utterly speechless.

It was an understandable reaction.

Jungyoon took a deep breath before continuing.

“In exchange, I agreed to help promote the hotel. They mentioned a summer campaign.”

“You’re doing the promotion?”

“Yeah. I’ll be staying at the hotel and writing.”

“Wait, hold on.”

Jaehyuk let out a frustrated laugh, burying his worn face in his hands.

“This is insane. My team’s been busting our asses on that project.”

“I figured it might be something like that.”

“When was this decided?”

“Yesterday.”

“And you’re only telling me now? You could’ve at least mentioned it while you were considering it.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t have a choice.”

“……”

“I’ll make sure no one finds out about us.”

Jungyoon calmly replied, trying to reassure him.

At that, Jaehyuk turned sharply.

“What do you mean by that? Who said I was worried about that?”

“I am. It’s your workplace, after all.”

Jungyoon knew well the fear of being outed.

While he could remain secluded at home, Jaehyuk’s professional environment would undoubtedly take a heavy hit.

Watching Jaehyuk struggle to contain his emotions, Jungyoon slowly rose.

Kneeling on the sofa, he straddled Jaehyuk’s lap, facing him directly.

Meeting Jaehyuk’s narrowed gaze, Jungyoon leaned in until their lips were nearly touching.

“Don’t be mad.”

“God, you’re impossible.”

Jaehyuk sighed and finally relented, pulling him into a tight embrace and burying his face in Jungyoon’s delicate neck.

The warm scent pooled in the hollow of Jungyoon’s collarbone like a soothing spring.

“You don’t get why I’m upset.”

“Then tell me, Hyung.”

“…I hate the idea of you being around someone more impressive than me.”

Jungyoon, who had been holding himself upright, smiled faintly at that.

“You think I’d fall for CEO Yoon?”

“……”

But Jaehyuk didn’t laugh.

Instead, he tightened his hold around Jungyoon’s slim waist, wordlessly clinging to him.

On the contrary, it was the opposite.

He was worried Yoon Taerim might take an interest in Seo Jungyoon.

He knew it was a petty thought, but he wanted to keep Jungyoon hidden away in his home.

He understood that most people, unlike them, didn’t harbor romantic feelings toward the same sex.

But Jungyoon could always be an exception.

Even for himself—who leaned more toward heterosexuality if analyzed—his desires were only ever stirred by Jungyoon.

He found comfort in the fact that Jungyoon, despite being a famous novelist, never revealed himself to the world.

Jungyoon was introverted, rarely interacted with others, and preferred to stay secluded at home.

That made things easier for him.

No one knew about Seo Jungyoon, so he could have him all to himself.

But how would Jungyoon react if he ever expressed these selfish desires?

Feeling that his thoughts were abnormal, Jaehyuk remained silent.

Instead, he roughly unbuttoned Jungyoon’s shirt, channeling his desperate feelings in that way.

For tonight, Jungyoon didn’t resist and went along with Jaehyuk’s wishes.

He gently stroked Jaehyuk’s head, which was buried against his bare chest, silently hoping to soothe his turmoil—even if it meant giving himself up.

The deep night wore on.

---

[Are you up? How’s your body feeling?]

Jaehyuk took a brief moment to send a message.

Since it was already past 3 p.m., he figured Jungyoon must be awake by now.

After a short wait, his screen lit up with a reply.

[You bastard.]

Jaehyuk chuckled at the unusually harsh tone, so unlike Jungyoon.

He responded with a kneeling puppy emoji, pleading for forgiveness.

Just then, long hair swayed over Jaehyuk’s shoulder.

He turned to see the new hire from the Strategic Planning Team tilting her head with a cheerful smile.

“Deputy Kang, watching something funny?”

“Just a text.”

“From who? Your girlfriend of eight years?”

“Something like that.”

Despite the definitive tone, the new hire didn’t lose her smile, radiating energy and cheerfulness.

“Feeling sleepy? Want me to grab coffee? I’ll get some for the whole team.”

“Coffee sounds good.”

“Let’s go together. It’s on me!”

“I can’t let the rookie pay. Let’s use the corporate card.”

Jaehyuk pulled back his chair and stood up.

He, too, hadn’t slept a wink all night, evident from the dark circles under his eyes.

On their way to the coffee shop in the lobby, they noticed people in suits lining up before the main entrance gate.

Both Jaehyuk and the new hire halted in curiosity.

Yoon Taerim had just entered the lobby.

The assembled group bent at the waist in unison as he passed, trailing him like shadows.

His long strides cut through the space, and the people naturally parted like the Red Sea.

Among them was, of course, Kang Jaehyuk.

As the sound of polished shoes echoed closer, Jaehyuk pressed his ID badge against his palm and bowed deeply in greeting.

Yoon Taerim passed by without sparing a glance.

No nod of acknowledgment, no words of encouragement—only a lingering scent remained where he had been.

“…Huh.”

Jaehyuk let out a faint laugh, staring at the smooth marble floor.

The man was the epitome of an alpha male, an incomparable presence.

The sheer gap between them was so overwhelming that Jaehyuk didn’t even feel the sting of defeat.

---

By Wednesday night, a taxi pulled up in front of the Royal Peak Hotel.

Seo Jungyoon stepped out of the backseat.

Despite the late hour, the humid air clung to his skin, sticky and uncomfortable.

Hastening inside to escape the heat, he passed through the revolving door and into the cool, refreshing interior.

He moved quickly past the front desk and headed straight for the elevator.

Swiping the card key he had been clutching in his palm, the buttons lit up.

Jungyoon pressed the button for the top floor, and the elevator began its steady ascent.

In the otherwise silent space, it felt as if only his heartbeat echoed.

Taking deep breaths to calm himself, Jungyoon tried to suppress his nerves.

In no time, the elevator arrived at the 24th floor.

The Presidential Suites were limited to just two rooms.

Following the signs, Jungyoon turned to the right, walking on the plush carpet.

Standing in front of Room 2401, he checked the time on his phone.

With a few minutes left until the appointment, he waited patiently.

When the clock struck precisely midnight, Jungyoon swallowed hard.

Ding-dong.

The clear chime of the doorbell rang out.

Though they had agreed to meet at midnight, there was no response from inside.

* * *