PA 29

— The fans were very disappointed. We somehow managed to get through the performance.

“Ah… I’m sorry.”

Yejun spoke with all the other members who had rushed over when they saw Suho was on the phone. A bright smile spread across Yejun’s lips for the first time in a while.

It was then. The door flew open and Sanghyeon entered the bedroom. The radiant smile was instantly wiped from Yejun’s face, and his expression hardened completely, a total change from a moment ago.

“Hyung, I’ll call you back later. I’ll return as soon as I can. Please wait just a little longer.”

— For now, think about your health first. Rest.

Sanghyeon was a little surprised by the sight of Yejun, who had been smiling brightly just moments before. His tone and attitude, mixed with the freshness of his early twenties, seemed quite lovely. But as soon as Yejun spotted Sanghyeon entering the room, not only his expression but even his body language froze.

With his gaze fixed on Yejun, Sanghyeon crossed the bedroom and sat down, leaning deep into the sofa. Then he became lost in deep thought. According to the head of security’s report, Junhyuk had gone to the main house and had been staying there for two days. Moreover, Junhyuk’s bodyguards were camped out at the entrance of the Mirae Hotel. Letting out a smirk, Sanghyeon felt a strange sense of defiance stir at Junhyuk’s swift actions.

You like this kid too? Then you can feel what it’s like not to be able to have something.

Sanghyeon, who had been quietly watching Yejun, got up from his seat. Yejun flinched his shoulders with a momentarily terrified expression.

“Go wash up first.”

“Wh-where are you going?”

Instead of answering, Sanghyeon gestured toward the bathroom with his chin. Deep in Yejun’s heart was the fear that if he acted wrongly in front of Sanghyeon, someone might get hurt. That ‘someone’ included not only his father but also the members of Serious. And even Junhyuk.

Ah, no. He’s his own son.

Yejun shook his head from side to side and let out a short sigh. Yejun’s heart filled with the vague hope that Sanghyeon would no longer seek him out now that he was involved with his son.

Now I just need to get my own feelings in order.

“Um…”

“What?”

“Ah, it’s nothing.”

“When you come out after washing, you have to apply the ointment there.”

Yejun’s whole body trembled at Sanghyeon’s casually uttered words, and he vigorously shook his hands.

“N-no. I’ll apply it. Please give me the ointment.”

“I applied it while you were sleeping. Hurry up and wash and come out.”

“But I’m awake now. Please give me the ointment.”

Yejun stood still until Sanghyeon gave him the ointment. Sanghyeon sighed at Yejun’s stubbornness and handed over the ointment.

After Yejun went into the bathroom, the sound of a cool stream of water could be heard. Sanghyeon fiddled with his phone for a long time. Then he made a call somewhere.

— Yes, Father.

A murderous intent was palpable in Junhyuk’s voice coming through the receiver. At Junhyuk’s demeanor, Sanghyeon’s fighting spirit was instead revived, and he let out a smirk. At the same time, he leaned back in the one-person sofa and sat down.

“You’re at home, I hear?”

— Yes.

“Mirae Hotel, room 3201. If you have something to say, come and say it in person.”

— I will go there now.

“Alright.”

Sanghyeon could not meekly hand Yejun over to his son.

Because I’ve taken quite a liking to him myself.

It was then. Yejun, wearing a shower gown, hesitantly approached Sanghyeon.

“Wh-where are my clothes?”

“…I threw them away.”

Sanghyeon answered a beat later, after checking something on his phone.

“Did you apply the ointment?”

“Pardon? Yes.”

“Let me see.”

At that moment, Yejun’s entire body froze like ice. He stood there, unable to move a muscle, and stared at Sanghyeon with a look of disbelief.

“Turn around and lean over the table.”

“Ch-Chairman… I, I.”

Yejun’s legs trembled so much that he could no longer stand and collapsed onto the floor.

“You got hurt spreading your legs for another guy like a whore. You won’t be able to do that for a few days.”

“Ch-Chairman.”

Sanghyeon kneaded his shoulder as if annoyed.

“You’ll have to satisfy me with something else.”

“Ah…”

In that instant, Yejun realized he could not escape Sanghyeon’s grasp. However, with the feeling of clutching at straws, he began to plead with Sanghyeon one last time.

“I’ll give up on Junhyuk too. I will never meet him again. So please, Chairman, let me go.”

“Why should I?”

“Chairman!”

“Do you know how much money I’ve spent on you? You have an obligation to satisfy me.”

Teardrops streamed down Yejun’s face. Sanghyeon watched Yejun as if appreciating the sight, and even smiled a devilish smile. Then, in a low voice, he gave a short command.

“Crawl over here and suck it.”

At that moment, Yejun felt his whole body turn cold as ice. He had even mentioned Junhyuk, his son, to stop Sanghyeon’s rampage. But Sanghyeon was looking at Yejun with the same unchanged attitude. Yejun’s legs gave out, and he collapsed on the spot.

“What are you doing?”

Tears continued to flow down Yejun’s pale cheeks. Sanghyeon got up from his seat, slowly approached Yejun, and stood intimidatingly in front of him.

“Do you want Cha Junhyuk that badly?”

“N-no.”

At the sight of Yejun trying to protect Junhyuk no matter what, Sanghyeon’s insides twisted strangely. Sanghyeon felt the back of his neck stiffen from a misplaced jealousy and twisted inferiority complex toward his son. Unaware of Sanghyeon’s inner turmoil, Yejun vigorously shook his head and strongly denied it.

“Then you have to push Cha Junhyuk away yourself.”

“Ah…”

“That punk is on his way here right now.”

Yejun lifted his head with a look of disbelief. Then he looked at the coldly composed Sanghyeon. He pointed to his own lower body with his index finger.

“So what must you do?”

Yejun felt as if all time had stopped, and even the air surrounding him had frozen solid. Junhyuk would not give up on Yejun just like that. Besides, if he found out that Yejun was involved with his own father, it would leave an indelible scar on his heart.

It would be better if Junhyuk misunderstands me.

If so…

Then Junhyuk could abandon him more easily. He could say he wasted precious energy on a whore like him, spit on the ground as if he’d stepped in something dirty, and be done with it.

“Smile.”

“Ah…”

“If you keep crying like that, that punk might take pity on you.”

Yejun roughly wiped his teary eyes with the back of his hand. Seeing Yejun, who now seemed to understand his words, Sanghyeon let out a smirk.

I can’t let Junhyuk get entangled in this dirty relationship too.

Yejun, still on his knees, straightened his upper body, undid Sanghyeon’s belt, and carefully unzipped his pants. He felt like tears were about to burst out, but he managed to hold them back and force a smile. As if saying he was doing very well, Sanghyeon stroked Yejun’s head and took off the gown he was wearing. Then he threw bundles of 50,000 won bills in a pile around Yejun.

“Young Master Junhyuk, h-here is…”

“It’s been discussed with my father, so get out.”

“B-but…”

“Hurry!”

It was then. The sound of a dispute between the bodyguards and Junhyuk could be heard from the suite’s living room, and Yejun squeezed his eyes shut. At the same time, the bedroom door flew open and Junhyuk appeared.

“Lee Yejun!”

At that moment, Junhyuk was at a loss for words at the unbelievable scene unfolding before him. For what entered his two eyes was the sight of Yejun, naked, with his head buried between Sanghyeon’s legs. Junhyuk had been desperately denying it, saying no, no. Holding the bundles of money scattered on the floor, Junhyuk let out a hollow laugh in disbelief.

Sanghyeon looked at Junhyuk with an indifferent face. In front of Yejun, who was covering his body with both arms and trembling all over, Sanghyeon straightened his clothes, calmly sat on the sofa, and spoke to Junhyuk.

“You were at the main house for two days, I hear? So… what is it you want to say?”

Junhyuk spoke to Sanghyeon, his clenched fists trembling.

“Why do you have Yejun, Father?”

“It’s not the first or second time I’ve sponsored a celebrity I like, what’s with the fuss.”

At Sanghyeon’s nonchalant words, Junhyuk’s gaze fell on Yejun. Yejun, who had draped the shower gown lying on the floor over his body, was kneeling on the spot, unable to do anything.

“Yejun.”

“……”

“Lee Yejun, explain what’s going on.”

“……”

“What is your relationship with… with my father!”

Sanghyeon stood up, put on his jacket, and spoke to Junhyuk.

“If you need time to talk, I’ll step out for a bit. But try to finish up as quickly as possible.”

Sanghyeon left the hotel room without any lingering attachment. After Sanghyeon left, only Junhyuk and Yejun remained in the spacious suite. For a long time, neither of them said anything. Yejun simply remained still with his back to Junhyuk, without a single movement. He had no idea what to even begin to say to him. He held his breath for a moment, trying not to let out the overwhelming emotions welling up inside him.

“Say something, even an excuse.”

Junhyuk was still looking at Yejun with eyes full of disbelief.

“……”

“Lee Yejun.”

At Yejun’s lack of response, Junhyuk felt like his insides were burning to a crisp. Junhyuk moved closer to Yejun and gripped his shoulders with both hands. When Yejun faced Junhyuk, he felt his heart grow cold instead.

“What excuse.”

Yejun spoke coldly in a low, flat voice.

“Yejun, you… if you were perhaps threatened by my father.”

Junhyuk looked at Yejun with a pleading gaze, as if denying the current situation with his entire being. Yejun did not avoid Junhyuk’s desperate gaze. The two looked at each other for a long time like that.

“No.”

Yejun pushed off Junhyuk’s hands that were on his shoulders and slowly turned his body. He stared blankly out the window with unfocused eyes. At the sight of Yejun offering no excuse, Junhyuk felt his heart plummet to the floor. But Junhyuk, clinging to the last straw of hope, did not let go and approached Yejun, taking his hand.