ACTSV chapter 199

* * *

What he thought was the end of dinner turned out to be just the beginning, as they soon moved to a chic bar with a cozy ambiance.

At least it wasn’t a private room this time, which was a small relief.

“Wow. It’s beautiful.”

Jingyeom couldn’t help but admire the colorful cocktails.

The vibrant drinks served in elegant glasses looked too stunning to drink.

He’d been debating whether he’d have to settle for juice again when he spotted the non-alcoholic options and promptly ordered one.

Jinwoo even double-checked to ensure it was truly alcohol-free.

Sneaking glances around, Jingyeom pulled out his phone and snapped a picture.

“Take one of mine too.”

Unexpectedly, Soohyuk had also ordered a non-alcoholic cocktail.

It was different from Jingyeom’s, a radiant emerald hue that Jingyeom quickly photographed.

After taking a sip of his own drink, he widened his eyes in delight, murmuring repeatedly about how delicious it was.

Soohyuk nudged his glass toward Jingyeom, suggesting he try it, then turned to address Wonbeom.

“So, can we finally hear why we’re here?”

Wonbeom’s gaze, which had been resting on the table, slowly shifted to Jingyeom.

Following that, Soohyuk also turned to look at him.

“Because someone might like it.”

“…That’s actually a pretty decent reason.”

Jingyeom didn’t need to ask who Wonbeom was referring to; he could already guess.

And with this remark, the heavy atmosphere began to lighten.

“You should’ve said so earlier. I almost stormed out in frustration!”

“You? Leave behind these wonderful drinks?”

“It’s just a figure of speech. There’s no way I’d leave this treasure trove!”

Secretary Yang, thrilled to be drinking freely without worrying about the cost, started ordering with abandon.

Jinwoo, who could surprisingly hold his liquor, joined in, sipping whatever Secretary Yang poured for him.

Satisfied with his initial drink, Jingyeom nursed it quietly.

As the mood relaxed, he leaned over to Jinwoo and whispered, “I’m going to step out for a bit. I’ve been wanting to check out the outside area.”

The bar had an outdoor lounge that had caught his eye.

Seeing everyone immersed in their drinks, Jingyeom decided this was the perfect opportunity.

“Take a coat. It’s still chilly, so don’t stay out too long,” Jinwoo advised.

Under normal circumstances, Jinwoo would’ve insisted on going with him.

Surprised by the uncharacteristic leniency, Jingyeom nodded and grabbed his coat, heading out.

When Soohyuk began to rise, Jingyeom shot him a pointed look and subtly shook his head. Reluctantly, Soohyuk sat back down.

Outside, Jingyeom wandered until he found a quiet spot.

The transparent glass railings provided an unobstructed view of Seoul’s glittering nightscape.

Even at this late hour, countless lights remained on.

“So this is why people rave about Han River views.”

For the first time, he understood the appeal of living in a high-rise.

The cool night breeze helped clear his mind, which had been so tangled earlier.

Although the cocktail was non-alcoholic, the ambiance made him feel slightly intoxicated, in a pleasant way.

Of course, having never tasted actual alcohol, Jingyeom couldn’t say for sure what being drunk felt like.

But at least he felt better than before.

Leaning against the glass railing, Jingyeom peeked down and gulped at the dizzying height.

“…You could probably fall from here.”

The thought of someone drunkenly stumbling and breaking the glass crossed his mind.

He was about to step back when a strong hand grabbed his collar and yanked him backward.

“Ah, ah?”

“What are you doing, standing there so dangerously?”

Startled, Jingyeom squirmed, but the familiar voice made him whip his head around.

“You have a death wish? …Doesn’t seem like it.”

“I was just curious! I was about to step back when you grabbed me.”

Wonbeom released his hold on Jingyeom’s collar, allowing him to smooth out his clothes.

Jingyeom grumbled about how startling it was to be yanked so suddenly.

Watching him silently, Wonbeom tilted his head slightly.

He felt conflicted—reluctant to let go yet knowing it was too late to cling.

As Wonbeom stared wordlessly, Jingyeom instinctively took a step back.

“Why are you stepping away?”

“I’m not stepping away. I’m just… keeping some distance. It felt too close.”

True, they had been quite close earlier.

Even with that single step back, the distance between them was minimal, barely enough to stop Wonbeom from leaning in.

“I don’t do that anymore. I learned my lesson.”

“I…”

“Not from you. Someone else put me in my place.”

Wonbeom subtly curled his lips into a smirk, causing Jingyeom’s eyes to tremble slightly.

It made him wonder if Soohyuk had said something to him about that day.

‘Is that why he was so cold today? So he knew! What do I do? Is he really going to tell Jinwoo? No, if he was going to, he would’ve already done it earlier. He wouldn’t have stayed quiet all this time.’

As Wonbeom took in every detail of Jingyeom’s flustered expression, he let out a soft chuckle.

‘What’s the point of trying to hide it?’

Even if one didn’t know before, seeing Jingyeom’s exaggerated reaction made it obvious that something was going on.

Wonbeom wanted to observe him a bit longer, but he didn’t have much time to spare.

“I know I should apologize, but I really don’t feel like it.”

The remark came out of nowhere, yet Jingyeom immediately understood what he was referring to.

After a brief pause, he replied:

“…Then I don’t think I’d want to accept it anyway.”

Jingyeom knew that Wonbeom wasn’t the kind of person who’d apologize, but deep down, he had hoped for one after what had happened.

‘Maybe this is better.’

It was better to put a clear end to things.

That way, it wouldn’t leave lingering regrets later.

Ever since Wonbeom cut off contact, Jingyeom often wondered if this was the right way to end things.

Should he reach out and demand an explanation?

But he figured Wonbeom’s response wouldn’t be much different from now, so he didn’t.

What Wonbeom did that day was undoubtedly wrong, but when he thought about how much Wonbeom had helped him until then…

‘I thought about letting it slide.’

Since Jinwoo worked at that company, running into his superior, Wonbeom, was inevitable.

But for Jingyeom, as long as Wonbeom didn’t contact him first, their paths wouldn’t cross.

‘He must’ve created this meeting on purpose.’

Gradually, Jingyeom’s expression returned to calm.

He had never resented Wonbeom.

He was always grateful.

There weren’t many people who’d go to such lengths just because someone piqued their interest.

In the novel, Baek Jingyeom was merely a link between Tak Wonbeom and Baek Jinwoo.

But for Jingyeom, this was his reality.

If Jinwoo hadn’t met Wonbeom, Jingyeom might not even exist now.

“Still, thank you.”

“…What?”

Wonbeom frowned. He had made it clear he wasn’t going to apologize, and Jingyeom had said he wouldn’t accept one.

He didn’t regret his actions, nor did he think they could go back to how they were.

And yet, Jingyeom was thanking him?

The conversation didn’t add up.

With a faint smile, Jingyeom took a step closer, erasing the distance between them.

To meet Wonbeom’s gaze, he had to crane his neck.

“I’ll live my whole life being thankful. Whenever I think of you, it’ll be with nothing but gratitude. …You’re someone who saved my life, after all.”

“…”

“Can I make one cruel request of you?”

“…Go ahead.”

Jingyeom took a deep breath before extending his arms wide.

“Can I hug you, just once?”

“What if I decide not to let go after that?”

“If a hug could make you not let go, you probably weren’t planning to let go in the first place.”

Wonbeom let out a chuckle and pulled Jingyeom into his arms.

“…You’ll be happy.”

He had never intended to let go.

He had only tried to bury his feelings.

If he ever got another chance, he wouldn’t let it slip by.

Until that chance came, he would simply wait.

“Soohyuk Seon… He’s such an ass. But not to you. To you, he’s… not an ass. He’s a loyal dog who sees only his owner.”

In Wonbeom’s warm embrace, Jingyeom thought of Soohyuk as a dog.

Not a small one, surely. He’d definitely be a large breed.

By his side, Soohyuk would wag his tail, roll onto his back, and ask for belly rubs.

But if anyone else came near, he’d bare his teeth and growl.

Jingyeom had never associated Soohyuk with a dog before…

‘That’s… kind of cute.’

While imagining it, Jingyeom felt a hand weave into his hair, making him widen his eyes.

“Still, a dog is a dog. If he does something truly dog-like, ditch him and come to me. Like I said before, I’ll always be here for you.”

When Jingyeom just smiled silently, Wonbeom realized it meant that wouldn’t happen.

Stroking his hair gently, he spoke in a low voice.

“…Could you smile brightly for me? Just once more?”

“Brightly…? You mean like this?”

“Yes. I just want to see it.”

Though Jingyeom didn’t understand why, he had a feeling this might be the last time Wonbeom made such a request.

So, he smiled as brightly as he could.

‘…Was this not it? I thought it was bright.’

Blinking rapidly, Jingyeom raised his lips further, but Wonbeom arched a brow as if that wasn’t the smile he wanted.

‘How much do I have to smile?’

Trying so hard that his lips trembled, Jingyeom suddenly lost his balance.

Someone had grabbed Wonbeom’s shoulder, pulling him back and separating the two.

But before he could fall, he found himself in a familiar embrace.

This had happened before…

“You bastard, still at it?”

Of course, it was Soohyuk.

Jingyeom quickly grabbed Soohyuk’s arm.

“No, it’s not like that! I— I hugged him first… Huh?”

“What? …You hugged him first?”

Jingyeom had intended to explain and stop Soohyuk from going after Wonbeom, but the dark look in Soohyuk’s eyes made him instinctively hunch his shoulders.

Straightening himself, Wonbeom dusted off the spot where Soohyuk had grabbed him.

“You saw it. I’m the one who hugged him first.”

“…”

“See? He’s a dog.”

“You said you were just going to talk. Why the hell did you hug him? And what’s with the hair stroking?”

Soohyuk smoothed down Jingyeom’s disheveled hair, glaring daggers at Wonbeom.

“And you call this a secret relationship?”

“What? You knew…!”

Jingyeom’s jaw dropped before he hurriedly covered his mouth with both hands.

Glancing at Soohyuk, he found him staring sternly at Wonbeom, showing no other reaction.

‘So he knew! Soohyuk knew about it too!’

As Jingyeom’s thoughts raced, Wonbeom, now expressionless, spoke indifferently.

“Stop teasing him.”

“He’s too cute.”

Unable to argue with that, Wonbeom turned to leave.

“…Guess only one of us bad guys gets redemption.”

His low voice, heavy with unreachable regret and lingering emotions, scattered into the night breeze.

* * *