Midnight Interview

“I told you before, didn’t I? That I’m interested in you, Seo Jungyoon.”

“I’m not sure how I should interpret your interest for me.”

“Think it over carefully. You’re a smart person, Seo Jungyoon.”

Seo Jungyoon is a bestselling author who enjoys great popularity but is extremely reluctant to reveal himself to others.

While searching for an interview with a chaebol for his next work, an unexpected person accepts the request: Yoon Taerim, Korea’s most famous and talented young hotel magnate.

However, there are conditions—the interviews will take place once a week, from midnight to 2 a.m., at his hotel.

* * *

“President Yoon Taerim…”

A trembling voice trailed off.

At the sound of his name, Yoon Taerim raised his eyes and waited for the next words.

Jungyoon’s hand fidgeted around the glass he was holding, as if struggling with what to say.

He hesitated, choosing and discarding words over and over.

“Do you… have any aversion to the idea of a man liking another man?”

One of Taerim’s eyebrows shot up at the unexpected question.

He leaned back slightly, as though searching his memory.

“I’ve been confessed to by men a few times before.”

The nonchalant confession was more shocking than Jungyoon expected.

Was that common abroad?

He blinked in surprise.

“If they had been someone I was interested in, I might have accepted. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been anyone like that.”
“…”

Even after hearing Taerim say outright that he didn’t mind being with men, Jungyoon found it hard to believe.

Was it really okay to share something so potentially controversial so casually? What made him trust me?

But Taerim continued speaking, as if it were no big deal.

“Korea might be conservative, but same-sex relationships are fairly normal abroad. I even have a few acquaintances like that. I don’t dislike it. Though I’d make an exception for someone like Malone, whose behavior is a complete mess.”

After firmly drawing a line between his preferences, Taerim took a sip of his drink, as if to conclude the conversation.

“Does that answer your question?”

“Yes.”

“Then, what about you, Seo Jungyoon?”

Taerim’s now-empty glass was set down on the table.

Relaxing further into the sofa, he crossed his legs and folded his arms, his gaze fixed on Jungyoon.

“Could you sleep with a man?”