Vol 6 Ch 14

As they left the aquarium, Inseop grew increasingly silent. To cheer him up, Wooyeon deliberately stopped by the gift shop and bought him a stuffed toy. Inseop had always enjoyed buying little mementos, even pointless ones, wherever he went.

 

But even during the drive back to the villa, Inseop’s complexion didn’t improve. Wooyeon tried joking around, but it was futile.

 

Something was definitely being hidden. Inseop had a habit of withdrawing into himself whenever he was anxious or troubled. They had promised never to keep secrets from each other again, but in this situation, with Inseop’s memory gone, that promise meant nothing.

 

Wooyeon had planned to play the role of a brother only until Inseop’s memory returned. He figured everything would return to normal within two weeks at most. But now, two weeks had passed, and a month was approaching.

 

…What should I do with you?

 

Wooyeon wondered as he knocked on Inseop’s door. When there was no response, he opened it.

 

‘Where are you?’

 

A voice answered from the bathroom, followed by the sound of something falling. Wooyeon rushed in and found Inseop collapsed on the floor.

 

‘What happened? Did you suddenly collapse?’

 

He hurried over and lifted Inseop into his arms.

 

‘Let’s go to the hospital. I’ll carry you….’

 

‘…I just slipped and fell.’

 

Inseop, his face flushed with embarrassment, responded. Only then did Wooyeon understand what had happened. He had planned to scold Inseop for carelessly stepping on the w** floor.

 

‘Honestly….’

 

It was then that Wooyeon noticed the gap in Inseop’s robe, revealing his body. Fresh from his bath, Inseop’s pale, slender body was flushed with warmth.

 

A surge of uncontrollable desire overwhelmed Wooyeon. He knew exactly how that body responded to him—where to touch, how Inseop would cry out, how he tasted, and how, no matter how difficult, Inseop would try to accept him….

 

Wooyeon grabbed Inseop’s ankle and pulled him closer. Their bodies pressed together, and Wooyeon felt his arousal intensify. He pinned Inseop to the floor, straddling him. Brotherly pretense be d**ned, nothing mattered anymore. He wanted to hold Inseop, to be inside him….

 

‘Uh… …hic.’

 

But then he saw Inseop beneath him, terrified, tears streaming down his face. It was like being doused with cold water. This wasn’t the Choi Inseop he knew. This was Peter, the 17-year-old boy who didn’t know Wooyeon’s true nature.

 

Grinding his teeth, Wooyeon swallowed his frustration. He calmed the crying Inseop and left the room. Dinner that night felt like swallowing sand—dry and uncomfortable.

 

‘Can we talk for a moment?’

 

‘I… I’m a bit tired today….’

 

Inseop, looking like a frightened young animal, couldn’t even meet Wooyeon’s eyes as he responded. Wooyeon nodded, understanding why.

 

‘Alright. I won’t read you a story tonight. Just get some rest.’

 

‘…Okay.’

 

Wooyeon accepted the punishment. Even as night fell, sleep wouldn’t come. It hadn’t since Inseop lost his memory. He was anxious, afraid that the Choi Inseop who had loved him would never return. …Terrified that Inseop might never love him again.

 

Wooyeon sat on the sofa, staring at Inseop’s closed door. The urge to act violently surged within him. He imagined bursting through that door, forcing himself on the sleeping Inseop. He would flip him over, bruise him red, s**k and thrust until Inseop’s belly was full of him, pushing in and out until Inseop confessed that he liked it, that he loved him.

 

Wooyeon rubbed his roughened face and stood up. He swallowed a sleeping pill that never seemed to work. Then, he noticed the bottle of liquor on the table. He grabbed it. Tonight, he needed to sleep.

 

He sat on the sofa, downing glass after glass of alcohol.

 

What should I do? If I could just be a good brother, would that be enough to keep you by my side?

 

He tried to quench his parched desire with alcohol. But no matter how much he drank, the desire refused to subside.

 

‘Is something bothering you?’

 

The kind, gentle voice suddenly appeared, asking.

 

‘Yeah, I’m feeling pretty fucking awful today.’

 

Nothing made sense. He couldn’t believe Inseop had forgotten him. He was sick of clinging to memories that wouldn’t return. Everything was a mess. He wanted to throw everything away, to beg for Inseop’s love, to kiss him, to do anything, just….

 

‘…I can’t sleep.’

 

If he fell asleep, if he woke up, Inseop might disappear. Maybe this was God giving Inseop a chance. A chance to forget someone as terrible as Wooyeon and start a proper life.

 

‘How about I tell you an old story?’

 

Inseop took his hand and led him to bed. Wooyeon listened to the awkward story Inseop tried to continue. He didn’t remember the story’s content. He just liked that Inseop was by his side….

 

‘…Wooyeon-ah.’

 

Every time Inseop called him like that, he wanted to die. It was so good that he couldn’t breathe. He hugged Inseop. He thought as he smelled his sweet body scent. If this is a dream, I hope I don’t wake up. I’ll keep clinging to you, like that… .

 

When Wooyeon opened his eyes, he found Inseop sleeping beside him. At first, he thought he had finally crossed the line, but as fragmented memories of the previous day drifted through his mind, he realized, with a sinking feeling, that he had indeed caused a mess.

 

D**n it, I really did mess up.

 

He ran his fingers through his disheveled hair. His mind was clearer now. The rare, blissful sleep he had achieved felt oddly sweet.

 

Wooyeon stared down at the sleeping Inseop, gripping the hem of his clothes. He watched the slight tremors of Inseop’s eyelashes with each breath, the round tip of his nose, his small lips, the tiny mole that was almost imperceptible, his breathing, the straight nape of his neck, and his slightly curved back with slender arms.

 

“D**n it.”

 

He pulled out his e**ct member and began to stroke it. 

 

‘…Wooyeon-ah.’

 

He recalled the voice calling him yesterday. The anxiety and desire seemed to scorch his throat. He wanted to wake Inseop and hear him call his name again. He wanted to keep him there, begging for him, calling his name until his voice went hoarse.

 

His gaze roamed over Inseop’s delicate legs revealed beneath the sheets as he continued to move his hand.

 

“Ugh… Ha…”

 

After finishing, Wooyeon took a moment to compose himself. Inseop remained blissfully unaware, still asleep.

 

He found Inseop unbearably adorable, to the point of almost being painful. Even though this version of Inseop didn’t remember him or love him, he was still so charming.

 

Wooyeon leaned down and kissed Inseop—his cheek, lips, and hair. Inseop, slightly tickled in his sleep, curled up and let out a soft laugh. This small, innocent gesture made Wooyeon’s heart swell. He got up, went to the bathroom, and tried to calm his desire under the cold shower. He had never felt this way, not even when his blood was boiling in the past.

 

As he was showering, he heard Inseop moving.

 

“Did you wake up?”

 

“Oh, no. Just a moment. I’m fine… I’ll just…”

 

Inseop’s response was clumsy, perhaps because he was startled to wake up in someone else’s room. Wooyeon couldn’t help but laugh.

 

D**n it, he’s too cute for his own good.

 

After finishing his shower, Wooyeon heard his phone ringing. It was from CEO Kim.

 

“Hello?”

 

<Wooyeon.>

 

“Yeah?”

 

Wooyeon noticed the bed sheets were missing and tilted his head.

 

<I can overlook everything else, but skipping the press conference is a disgrace for an actor, don’t you think?>

 

“I have no conscience as a human, either.”

 

<Hey!>

 

“I told you, didn’t I? I’m taking a break until Inseop gets his memory back.”

 

<Hey, you crazy b**t**d!>

 

CEO Kim’s voice boomed over the phone.

 

“You’re being too harsh. How important is an actor’s hearing, anyway?”

 

<You crazy b**t**d. Even so, skipping the press conference isn’t acceptable. It’s just a brief appearance. How hard can it be?>

 

“My face isn’t in the best shape these days.”

 

Wooyeon glanced at his satisfied reflection in the mirror.

 

<…Get your a** to Seoul right now.>

 

“Not happening. I’m taking Inseop out for coffee today.”

 

That’s what he decided as soon as he woke up. Even if there was a slim chance Inseop never regained his memory, he’d be as sweet and charming as he could be. Perhaps it was for the best. He would pretend that the bad things never happened and focus on creating good memories from now on.

 

<Inseop finding out that you missed the press conference and everything else after his memory comes back would make him very unhappy. His personality…>

 

“D**n it.”

 

Wooyeon swallowed a laugh of disbelief and continued coldly.

 

“CEO Kim, how many times do I need to tell you not to use Inseop to manipulate me? Is your memory really that bad?”

 

<…….>

 

“I’m hanging up.”

 

<…This is the project Inseop chose.>

 

A dejected voice came through the phone. Wooyeon, who was about to end the call, swallowed hard. It was true. Inseop had been so excited after reading the script that he had insisted on this project. He had asked for it, and Wooyeon had pressed his lips against Inseop’s, as if to capture the essence of his enthusiasm.

 

<It’s not that I’m using Inseop to shake you up, …it’s that no one else cares about your work as much as he does.>

 

It wasn’t wrong. Inseop collected pamphlets and Blu-rays of every film Wooyeon appeared in. He watched the same movie dozens of times. Sometimes he would turn off the television, saying, “Don’t look at the guy on the screen, look at me,” and he would silently smile in response.

 

“Ha…”

 

Wooyeon exhaled deeply. Recognizing Wooyeon’s intention from that sound, CEO Kim’s voice quickly ended the call, saying he would arrange the location and time.

 

Wooyeon checked his messages and threw his phone. It was already a tight schedule to leave. He ended up taking Inseop and heading to Seoul. As soon as he entered the house and saw Inseop taking care of the cat, a forgotten anger flared up.

 

“So, was the cat alone all this time?”

 

“I asked someone to clean the house and take care of it.”

 

He had asked for the litter and food to be managed, and he also made sure to request that the cat be taken to the vet if anything seemed wrong.

 

“It must have been scared alone.”

 

Should I say that I was also scared alone? Maybe that would make him not abandon me.

 

Wooyeon swallowed a bitter smile while lost in useless thoughts.

 

“Call me if something happens.”

 

He handed over a piece of paper with his phone number. Inseop, glancing around nervously, hesitated before asking,

 

“…Are you leaving right now?”

 

I can’t just bend you over the dining table and have s** with you right now. 

 

Instead of saying what he really wanted, Wooyeon gave an appropriate answer.

 

“Yes. I have some urgent matters to handle.”

 

“Are you okay?”

 

“What?”

 

“You’re tired. Driving all the way here, drinking, and you said you couldn’t sleep…”

 

Inseop, noticing Wooyeon’s tired expression, asked if he had slept well the previous night.

 

Wooyeon let out a long sigh.

 

The seventeen-year-old who knows nothing still lays out reasons why I should be protected. I don’t know how much more I can endure.

 

“Do you trust me?”

 

“…What?”

 

“Do you trust me?”

 

It really seemed like this was not going to work.

 

Inseop looked up at him with a blank face and answered.

 

He trusts me.

 

That was enough. Wooyeon had planned to be honest and ask for time.

 

“Then wait for me. I’ll be back soon.”

 

He said goodbye to Inseop and left the house. After getting ready at the hair salon, he went to the convention center where the press conference was held.

 

He smiled appropriately and answered trivial questions. He checked the time. Had Inseop eaten?

 

After answering a few more pointless questions and giving insincere praise to other actors, he was finally able to leave.

 

On the way home, he bought flowers.

 

He didn’t understand the act of giving plants as a gift. But he liked seeing Inseop’s face light up and eventually smile when presented with a bouquet.

 

He deliberately bought a large bouquet, one that would be difficult for Inseop to embrace. He wanted to see him flustered. Just imagining it made him feel tight in his lower region.

 

Wooyeon pressed the accelerator. Inseop said he trusted him. He couldn’t ask him to like him right away, but for now, that was enough.

 

The car horn blared as he narrowly avoided a collision. Wooyeon ignored it and pressed the accelerator.

 

When he arrived at the parking lot, he quickly parked and entered the front door.

 

The moment the sensor lights in the hallway turned on, a sense of something being wrong crawled up his spine. Inseop’s shoes were not in sight.

 

Wooyeon walked inside, still in his dress shoes.

 

“Inseop?”

 

There was no response. The living room was filled with a cold, still air that testified to the absence of a person. Wooyeon checked the bedroom and bathroom, but Inseop was nowhere to be found. He heard some movement from upstairs.

 

“Inseop!”

 

He rushed up the stairs. The cat, which had just emerged from the study, saw him and scampered away in a fright. Wooyeon flung open the study door. No one was there.

 

Wooyeon anxiously ran his hand through his hair.

 

F*ck… what the h**l.

 

His eyes then caught the glint of the laptop’s power light. Pressing Enter, the screen came to life. He checked the internet search history and immediately called the hospital.

 

“Hello. I have an inquiry.”

 

Wooyeon gave Inseop’s details and asked if the patient had visited today.

 

<No, there is no record of him visiting. Also, Professor Jeong is off today, so he cannot be seen. Perhaps another day…>

 

Wooyeon hung up the phone abruptly.

 

Where the h**l did he go? There must be a reason he searched for the hospital. What the h**l….

 

“D**n it!”

 

Wooyeon threw the laptop on the desk. Anger surged up at himself for leaving Inseop alone. Wooyeon called Manager Cha.

 

“Hello.”

 

<…….>

 

“Don’t pretend you can’t hear me.”

 

<…Why are you calling? …What’s the matter?>

 

Since they rarely spoke about personal matters, Manager Cha sounded puzzled.

 

“Did you get any calls from Inseop?”

 

<Inseop? Why would he call me?>

 

“You gave him a business card last time.”

 

Wooyeon pressed his temples as his head began to throb painfully.

 

<…You took that card.>

 

“Didn’t you give him another one?”

 

<I didn’t give him another one. And even if I did, would he call me? I’ve only seen him a few times… …Inseop is missing?>

 

“I came home after work, and he was gone.”

 

<Oh no, he doesn’t even know his way around Seoul. Where on earth… Hey, are you saying…>

 

“D**n it. I didn’t touch him.”

 

If I had touched him, I wouldn’t be so frustrated. Wooyeon swallowed his rising anger.

 

<Don’t forget that he’s a seventeen-year-old kid. No matter how angry you are…>

 

Wooyeon ended the call abruptly.

 

As Manager Cha said, Inseop was just a seventeen-year-old with no memory. He probably wouldn’t even know where to go in Seoul. Since he had woken up, the only people he had met other than Wooyeon were Manager Cha and CEO Kim.

 

…Right, there was one more.

 

Wooyeon called CEO Kim.

 

<Oh! Wooyeon. It’s a good time you called. The PD was praising you, saying you did really well today…>

 

“Forget the PD. Give me the doctor’s phone number.”

 

<What? What doctor?>

 

“The doctor who saw Inseop.”

 

<Professor Choi? Why do you need him?>

 

“F*ck, just give me the number quickly.”

 

<It’s personal information, so I can’t just give it out. And since we’re on the topic, let me say something. Do you know how hard it is to make an appointment with Professor Choi? I had to ask my father to get it for you, and you’re speaking so rudely in front of him…>

 

“CEO.”

 

Wooyeon’s voice was dark and menacing. There was no need for further elaboration. CEO Kim, sensing the hostility through the phone, swallowed nervously.

 

“Send me the phone number.”

 

<…Okay.>

 

The call ended. Soon after, Wooyeon received a message with the phone number and a request not to kill Professor Choi. Whether or not to kill him was a matter for later. Wooyeon called the doctor.

 

<Hello.>

 

An older male voice came through the phone.

 

“Hello, I’m Wooyeon, the guardian who accompanied the patient two days ago. I have some questions to ask.”

 

Wooyeon explained the purpose of his call in a dry manner.

 

<Ah, introduced by Chairman Kim, yes. Hello. What’s the matter?>

 

“I’d like to know about the consultation the patient had with you two days ago.”

 

While continuing the call, Wooyeon checked the rooms on the second floor, wondering if Inseop might be hiding somewhere.

 

<Sorry, but I can’t disclose that. It’s confidential between the patient and the doctor.>

 

The doctor answered with a friendly tone. Wooyeon sighed quietly.

 

“Doctor.”

 

Wooyeon’s voice was soft and gentle, like a spring breeze. It was also why he had been ranked as the number one celebrity wanting to go flower viewing in spring for several years. Whenever the survey results were announced, Manager Cha would shudder and say, “Oh, that b**t**d.”

 

“That patient is now missing and I’m looking for him.”

 

As Wooyeon opened Inseop’s room, the cat that had been hiding inside let out a small meow and scampered away. Wooyeon wanted to grab the cat by the scruff of its neck and shake it, wondering what it had done to not even hold on to its owner.

 

<The patient is missing?>

 

“Exactly. But I don’t know what will happen if I can’t find him.”

 

Wooyeon continued, “If I can’t find him, I’ll start by killing Chairman Kim. I need someone to take out my frustration on.”

 

<What? What are you saying…>

 

“And I might drop by your place when I have time. You don’t need to give me the address. I’ll find it myself.”

 

Wooyeon tapped his finger on Inseop’s desk and said, “So, let me ask again. Think carefully this time and answer properly. What was the content of the consultation the patient had that day? I’d appreciate it if you could answer without changing a single word.”