PA 70

The police announced that Sanghyeon’s cause of death was determined to be shock resulting from organ damage and excessive bleeding caused by a bladed weapon.

Furthermore, as a result of tracking the communication records of the old cell phone discovered at the crime scene, they found out that Jiyun was behind Yeongsik. The court found Jiyun guilty, applying the charge of aggravated assault resulting in death for commissioning a contract killing.

That day, Yeongsik was transferred after receiving treatment, and Hyungyu died after falling from a cliff while trying to escape alone.

Sanghyeon’s funeral was held quietly, but the news was incessantly filled with broadcasts about his death day after day. However, Junhyuk thoroughly prevented any stories about Yejun from appearing in the broadcasts.

[Shocking news has been delivered to the business world. It has been confirmed by police investigation that Chairman Cha Sanghyeon of the major domestic conglomerate Saeil Group died as a result of a contract killing. According to investigating authorities, it was revealed that Mr. Han Jiyun of the Hangang Construction head family commissioned the crime, harboring strong resentment towards Chairman Cha, who had opposed his marriage to the chairman’s son, Executive Director Cha Junhyuk. The police have booked Mr. Han on charges including solicitation of murder and aggravated assault resulting in death, and have applied for an arrest warrant. It is known that the police have currently launched an additional investigation into the details of the case and the possibility of accomplices.

Meanwhile, Saeil Group is scheduled to officially announce its future management plans and position in the near future.]

Yejun woke up early again today and turned on the news. Junhyuk, noticing that the space next to him in bed was empty, groggily woke from his sleep. He spoke affectionately to Yejun, who was sitting on the sofa, focused on the TV.

“What are you watching the news for?”

“This whole thing… it could have just passed by quietly.”

“No. I plan on getting rid of any element that could put you in danger.”

“But…”

“Come here.”

Junhyuk leaned back against the headboard and opened his arms. Yejun pretended not to see him and turned his head toward the TV. Junhyuk didn’t wait any longer for Yejun’s response and shot up to his feet, striding over to him.

“Go away.”

“Why?”

Junhyuk sat down next to him on the sofa, hugged Yejun from behind, and buried his nose in the nape of his neck. The subtle scent of his skin mixed with a fragrant soap smell always made Junhyuk’s heart flutter.

“This is nice.”

“That tickles.”

Junhyuk stayed still for a long while, still holding Yejun.

“Junhyuk.”

“…Yes?”

Junhyuk’s voice, which answered a beat later, sounded somehow languid.

“You didn’t have to take care of my father’s funeral…”

“It was the natural thing to do.”

Junhyuk had deliberately held Sanghyeon’s and Hyungyu’s funerals on the same day. If he hadn’t, Yejun would have gone to Sanghyeon’s funeral out of guilt. To speak of his deeper intentions, the biggest reason was his fear that Yejun, at the end of his self-reproach, would push him away again. In truth, whenever Yejun wavered, Junhyuk’s heart trembled even more violently.

“Still…”

“If you were me, you would have done even better.”

Junhyuk pulled Yejun into an even tighter embrace. As if sensing his feelings, Yejun said nothing more. Just as the matter with Sanghyeon had been a great wound for Yejun himself, it must have also remained an irreversible trauma for Junhyuk. This time, Yejun turned around and hugged Junhyuk tightly.

“Junhyuk, look at me. I’ll hold you now.”

A faint smile lingered on Junhyuk’s lips. Yejun’s body swayed gently, following Junhyuk’s hot touch. Junhyuk, facing Yejun, gave him a light kiss on his forehead. Yejun’s cheeks colored a clear peach hue. At the lovely sight of Yejun, who was still shy, a fiery heat surged through Junhyuk’s body.

☂︎

Three months later, the tragic incident of Sanghyeon’s death had still not been forgotten. However, Junhyuk became so busy with company matters he had no time to breathe. There was a mountain of things to sort out between Saeil and Taejin Group. First, Junhyuk focused all his energy on normalizing the company by selecting a professional manager to newly lead Saeil Group.

“An opinion was raised that we need to select a new advertising model to refresh Saeil Group’s image.”

“Who are the candidates?”

Though fatigue washed over him due to the numerous matters he had to handle himself, Junhyuk shifted his gaze to the presenter. The presenter pointed to the presentation material on the screen with a laser pointer and continued speaking.

“The movie ‘Message’ recently surpassed ten million viewers.”

“Are you recommending the lead actor who appeared in that movie?”

“No, I am not.”

“Then?”

Junhyuk turned his head to the large screen. Yejun’s face was on the presentation material, and Junhyuk couldn’t hide his bewilderment.

“Ah, Executive Director, you probably wouldn’t know. The person being discussed as the advertising model, Mr. Lee Yejun, is an individual with a rather unusual history, having previously been active as an idol and now having transitioned to a screenwriter. Furthermore, this writer has experience serving as an advertising model for Saeil Duty Free during his idol days, which can be seen as even more special.”

“Besides his somewhat unique history, is there another reason you recommend him?”

“It’s said that love calls for Mr. Lee Yejun are pouring in from the entertainment industry as well. This is also a fact that proves the explosive interest from the public.”

“Hmm…”

This was a fact that Junhyuk had not known even in his dreams. After thinking deeply for a long while, he stood up from his seat and concluded the meeting.

“Let’s end today’s meeting here. The next meeting will start with the agenda item for the Saeil Duty Free advertising model.”

“Understood.”

After finishing the meeting and returning to his private office, Junhyuk picked up his phone and called Yejun first.

— Aren’t you working?

Hearing the unceasing sound of a keyboard typing, it seemed Yejun was writing a new scenario. Various thoughts crossed Junhyuk’s mind, and he paused for a moment before answering.

“I am working.”

— Why? Is something wrong?

“No, have you by any chance been getting calls from places like entertainment agencies recently?”

— Just so-so. They call sometimes.

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

— Well, is that such a big deal? I just thought ‘oh, okay’ and moved on.

“Alright, I’ll get off work early today.”

— Okay. Let’s have dinner together when you get off later.

The thought of Yejun resuming broadcast activities made Junhyuk feel anxious for some reason. He paced around the office pointlessly, then soon became lost in thought while looking out the window.

Hmm….

Then, Junhyuk called for Secretary Jeong on the intercom.

“Secretary Jeong.”

“Yes, Executive Director.”

“Han Gyeongchan, is he still in Spain?”

“Yes, he is.”

Junhyuk had gone so far as to offer Gyeongchan the position of chief of security. However, Gyeongchan had stubbornly refused the position and was still staying in Spain, running a cafe.

“Contact Han Gyeongchan and tell him I’m going to Spain this weekend.”

“But…”“Now that the chairman position isn’t vacant… why?”

“The chairman’s inauguration ceremony is the day after tomorrow. On top of that, the handover isn’t finished yet.”

“That’s why I said I’ll attend the inauguration and leave on the weekend. I was busy suddenly filling the void after the previous chairman passed away, too. A professional manager more competent than me is taking over, so is a detailed handover even necessary?”

“……”

Secretary Jeong no longer refuted his superior’s words.

“You should return to Taejin Electronics after this inauguration ceremony is over, too, Secretary Jeong.”

Junhyuk also added the firm instruction for him to return to Taejin Electronics.

“Yes, understood.”

After Secretary Jeong left, Junhyuk stood up from his seat and gazed out the window. The emotions that had led to his decision to go to Barcelona washed over him.

Everything was in the process of being wrapped up, and Yejun was by his side. The only thing that had changed was the time that had passed; his heart was just as fluttery and passionate as it was when they were young. And yet, an unknowable feeling that crept up from a corner of his chest made Junhyuk feel like he was on a roller coaster.

What is the reason for this anxiety?

Junhyuk concluded that this unpleasant nervousness was because of the reality that he couldn’t put his stamp on Yejun and call him his own.

Spain was a country where same-sex marriage was legally permitted. Junhyuk had no intention of going so far as to change his nationality to get married, but there, he would be able to hold a wedding ceremony with Yejun without caring about what anyone thought. Junhyuk wanted to psychologically bind Yejun to him through the ritual of a wedding ceremony.

And so, Junhyuk decided to go to Spain.

Having made his decision, he picked up the reports that had to be dealt with by the end of the day.

It had been a really long time since Junhyuk had, as they say, left work right on the dot. A little surprised by Junhyuk’s appearance, having come home earlier than usual and gone straight up to the study, Yejun stood up from his seat and took his jacket for him.

“You’re home early.”

Yejun was tapping something out in the study again today. After his debut work joined the ranks of ten-million-viewer films, countless offers had poured in for him from all over.

“Were you writing?”

“Same as always.”

Junhyuk embraced Yejun, who had stood up from his desk and was stretching, and whispered in his ear.