IKC C20

Chapter 20

Jaei smoothly snatched my phone out of my hand. Without hesitation, he unlocked it and began scrolling through. Ah, damn it—what the hell was he doing?

“Sunbaenim, what are you doing with my phone—”

“I was thinking of giving Seong Sehan a call. You don’t mind, do you?”

What? My mouth fell open uselessly as Jaei pressed Sehan’s speed dial. Then, reclining leisurely against the sofa, he lifted his gaze to meet mine.

Beep—beep—. The ringtone drifted from the phone, and the entire room fell suddenly silent.

Despite the continuous ring, no answer came. Jaei glanced up at me with a wry smile.

“Seong Sehan is nothing if not consistent.”

Just as he lowered the phone from his ear with a soft hum, the ringing stopped.

―“Ah, Taegyeong! I’m in the studio right now, so it’s hard to talk. I’ll call you later.”

He must’ve picked up hurriedly—his voice was rough and uneven.

“Um, Sunbae…”

I reached out both hands to take the phone back, but Jaei only stared at me with a curious expression.

―“Lee Taegyeong?”

At the sound of my name in Sehan’s voice, I hurried closer to Jaei.

“Sunbaenim, please return my phone.”

―“Taegyeong. What’s going on? Who are you with?”

“It’s me, Seong Sehan.”

Jaei, smiling in satisfaction, looked straight at me. Just what the hell was happening?

―“…”

During Sehan’s pause, I covered my eyes with one hand.

―“For fuck’s sake, who the hell are you.”

…Of course. I knew it.

“You’ve forgotten my voice already?”

Jaei’s eyes widened fractionally as he raised his voice—but nothing changed.

―“Why the hell would I recognize such a shitty voice.”

“It’s me. Jaei.”

―“Ah, really? Then tell me why Sunbaenim is calling with Taegyeong’s phone.”

Now even getting my phone back would be awkward—the two of them had launched into a full conversation.

“Taegyeong’s video today left quite an impression. I wanted to see him in person. So we met.”

―“Ha. What’s this? Cook the porridge, only to feed it to the dog.”

There he goes again. I jumped at the words, glancing at Jaei’s face. His brows had gathered, but no irritation showed on his expression.

“Still, Sehan—I am your senior. You could at least show some respect.”

―“Ah, sure, sure. Sunbaenim, could I please have Taegyeong back on the line?”

Jaei, frowning, handed the phone back. I pressed it to my ear, unsettled.

“Uh… Sehan.”

―“…”

I could hear Sehan grind his temper down.

“You’re working, right? Then I’ll let you get back to—”

―“That’s Poseidon, isn’t it?”

Poseidon? The sign out front must have said that. I darted my eyes across the room; Jaei gave me a confirming nod.

“Mm… I think so.”

―“Stay put at the entrance. I’m coming. Forty minutes.”

“No, you don’t need to! I can just take—”

The line went dead.

Awkwardness rippled through the room, but I forced a natural smile.

“Well then, Sunbaenims, I’ll take my leave now. It’s an honor to have met you today—”

“You still have time, don’t you?”

Jaei gestured to the sofa beside him.

“Until Sehan arrives, sit and drink with us.”

I glanced at the whiskey bottles on the table and shook my head quickly.

“No, Sunbaenim. I have to return to practice. I’ll treat you next time, on me.”

“Very well. Let’s meet often.”

“Yes, Sunbaenim.”

We wouldn’t meet often, but I bowed deeply and left the room. Hurrying back the way I came, I even got stopped for an ID check by someone at the door—but stepping into the night air, relief washed through me.

It was already close to 8 p.m. I texted Gunwoo-hyung to explain, but anxiety mounted in my chest.

I wanted to hail a taxi straight back to the company, but Sehan insisted he was coming, so I had no choice but to wait.

“Damn… it’s cold!”

The wind knifed between the buildings, making me shrink in on myself. Dragged here unexpectedly by Yanggyu, I hadn’t even worn my padded coat.

“Fucking hell. Acting all high and mighty just because he’s a senior…”

Everything in me boiled against Kim Yanggyu. Shivering here because of him, Sehan’s work interrupted because of him—it was all his damn fault.

But why was I so on edge, when I hadn’t done anything wrong myself?

“…What the hell ever.”

I glanced aimlessly at the road—and froze. Without thought, my legs carried me toward the car approaching the Poseidon entrance.

It was unmistakable—Kang Robin’s sedan.

“Ah?”

I swung open the front passenger door without hesitation. But instead of Kang Robin, Sehan sat behind the wheel. Laughing with sheer relief, I climbed quickly into the seat.

“God, it’s freezing! You drove yourself here?”

The air was gloriously warm inside the car—I couldn’t help but smile. But Sehan’s eyes were like shards of ice, pinned on me. It made my skin prickle.

Of course. He was angry.

“You didn’t need to come. I could’ve just taken a taxi.”

I buckled the seatbelt, but he showed no sign of pulling onto the road.

“…Aren’t we going?”

His unwavering stare unnerved me, making me dart my eyes restlessly.

“This is the first time I’ve actually seen you drive.”

I’d read in an article that he’d gotten his license, but seeing him behind the wheel was strange. I wanted to compliment how cool he looked, but—this sharp-eyed stare killed the mood.

“You’re mad I interrupted your work? But I swear, it wasn’t on purpose! I didn’t know Jaei-sunbae would call you.”

“How long have you known Jaei?”

His voice was flat, cold.

“Huh? I met him for the first time tonight.”

He hooked one arm over the steering wheel, his eyes flicking back to Poseidon.

“Then who brought you here.”

“…Yanggyu-sunbaenim.”

“Stay here. Don’t move.”

In that instant, instinct kicked—I grabbed his forearm.

“Hey! Are you crazy? Where are you trying to go?”

“I’ll be back in a minute. Wait.”

I didn’t just cling; instinct and desperation had me choke-holding his neck tightly.

“Cough—! Hey, damn it! Let go!”

He wilted under my grip, coughing, but I couldn’t release him. We weren’t equals in strength—I had only one tactic: go for vital points.

“Sehan, think! Do you realize how many people are out here on the street? Want headlines about you going clubbing?”

“Cough—! This isn’t even my first time. If paparazzi wanted me, they’d have had me ages ago.”

“Not this time. Not now!”

I dragged his neck closer, one hand locked and shaking.

“If you keep this up, I’ll just take a taxi home!”

With the other hand, I shoved his head into my shoulder, restraining him. My hold stayed firm on his nape, ready to choke him again if he tried.

“You maniac! What do you think I was gonna do? I’m not some underage kid! Not some child! It’s not like I went somewhere forbidden! Why are you exploding like this?”

Me, more heated than him, raising my voice. Shouting furiously, I realized—he’d gone quiet.

“…?”

His face leaned gently against my shoulder, heavy with stillness. I tightened my grip nervously, but he only sagged further.

“Sehan…? Did you hear me?”

Weight slackened as he pressed into me, and I braced my spine upright, unwilling to show strain.

“Sehan… If you’ve calmed, then maybe we should—”

“Lee Taegyeong.”

His low whisper filled the car, thickening the silence. I glanced down—his eyes were closed, lashes brushing, making his gaze seem almost too beautiful.

“You smell good.”

“…What?”

Was that supposed to be a compliment? My chest prickled. My members were grinding through sweat-soaked rehearsals right now, while my day had been frittered away.

“Yeah. I haven’t even sweat today with practice.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

He turned, sliding his nose against my neck.

“Hey—!”

His hot breath fanned onto my skin and my shoulders jolted. I hurried to push him away, but he anchored himself with sheer strength.

“Cut it out—that tickles!”

I had no choice but to grab his hair and yank his face away, my irritation rising. As always, he was impossible.

“Why can’t you just listen? If you’re calm, then let’s leave now, okay?”

“Taegyeong, about that…”

“That?” His sudden words widened my eyes.

He tilted his lips upward, a smile soft and dangerous. Up this close, witnessing it chilled me to the bone.

“One year and five months. Compensation.”

“…Ha.” My sigh spilled out harsh, but he pressed on shamelessly, his eyes proud, tone arrogant.

“Time must be repaid with time. Starting now, every spare minute you have—whether ten minutes or a single hour—you will give to me. Until you pay back all one year and five months. Only then may you meet anyone else.”