Jun Hwi didn’t speak, focusing on driving, and the car gradually headed towards his house.

‘Surely, we’re not going to his house?’

Yeon Woo nervously swallowed, her throat tight with tension or perhaps, unwarranted anticipation.

“We’re going to listen to music.”

She remembered her honest answer to Jun Hwi’s question about her weekend plans – taking a walk and listening to music.

“To your house?”

Ah. Her inner thoughts slipped out in the moment of carelessness.

As Jun Hwi caressed her soft palm with his thumb, he turned to look at her.

“…I’ll keep it as decent as possible, but if you’re not okay with it, I can’t force you.”

“Ah, yes.”
“Is this okay?”

“No! Why? I’m not thinking anything.”

As the traffic light turned green, Jun Hwi smoothly started the car and turned it to the right.

Arriving at Jun Hwi’s house after familiar security procedures and an elevator ride.

“Wow!”

This time, Jun Hwi led Yeon Woo up a duplex staircase she hadn’t seen during her last visit on New Year’s Eve.

The far end of the duplex room had a full wall of surround speakers. The other walls were densely packed with LPs, CDs, and scores from floor to ceiling. Among them, several rare albums flaunted their exquisite beauty.

It was a collection that seemed extraordinary for a personal home setup.

How far does this impressive man’s limit go, with his looks, intellect, and wealth?

“I don’t know what to listen to first!”

Upon sitting on the spacious sofa facing the vacuum tube amplifier, Yeon Woo excitedly scanned the music collection, exclaiming in delight.

“Take your time. We can listen to anything.”

While she pondered, Jun Hwi brought a tray with champagne and finger foods. Yeon Woo then chose the LP version of her favorite band leader’s solo album.

A lively beat soon filled the dim room.

The slightly muffled sound of the LP wonderfully matched the subdued atmosphere of a rainy day.

Yeon Woo took off her stifling hat, combed her hair with her hands, and tied it up.

“I still think it doesn’t suit you.”

“What all of a sudden?”

“Kwon Jun Hwi, the attorney, listening to rock music and even going to concerts! If you say this at the office, no one will believe you, right?”

Fiddling curiously with the freshly made ponytail, Jun Hwi playfully tugged at its end.

Ouch. Yeon Woo feigned pain and playfully shook her head.

“I thought you didn’t like crowded and bustling places. Isn’t it?”

“It seems like you know me well, but then again, not really.”

“What… Who was the unfriendly person who never properly shared his thoughts? It’s impressive that I’ve figured out this much on my own.”

Confronted with the factual attack, Jun Hwi could only shrug his shoulders, sinking deeper into the sofa and closing his eyes.

Yeon Woo sipped the bubbly champagne.

Was it the sweet alcohol or his hand brushing her hair, sending shivers down her neck? She couldn’t help but smile broadly.

“When did you fall for British rock?”

“Um. It’s been a long time. I started listening while sorting through my father’s collection.”

Yeon Woo nodded silently.

Knowing well about the trauma of witnessing his father’s death at a young age, she hesitated to add more.

But every time he talked about his family, Yeon Woo felt their distance closing remarkably.

‘It looks warm and lovely. I’m envious.’

She remembered him murmuring that while watching Yeon Woo argue with her dad over the phone.

Yeon Woo wanted to know more about Jun Hwi, his surroundings, and his close ones.

“…Did your father work in music? Can I ask?”

Thus, with a bit of courage, Yeon Woo boldly asked a personal question.
“It’s not like that.” Jun Hwi replied gently, busy pulling Yeon Woo closer to him.

It seemed like he had more interest in something other than the conversation.

“Hey. Is this interfering with listening to music? Can you move away a bit?”

“Why? I’m also listening to music properly.”

While saying this, he rubbed his head against Yeon Woo’s shoulder, searching for a comfortable angle.

Really, when those fierce and strong eyes were closed like this, looking down, they were nothing less than the eyes of a gentle puppy.

But considering his repeated ‘decent’ talk since earlier, this man seemed to hold grudges for quite a long time.

“You know that, right?”

Yeon Woo whispered lowly, stroking his hair that was close to her chin.

“Attorney Kwon, your personality is really terrible.”

Leaning on Yeon Woo’s shoulder and then lifting his head slightly, Jun Hwi caught her fragrant lips in a deep kiss.

The sudden kiss deepened quickly. Before she knew it, he pushed her onto the sofa.

The expression of Jun Hwi, now looming over her, was entirely different from the person who had leaned on Yeon Woo moments ago.

What? A gentle puppy? Cancel that! His expression just now must have been all an act.

“Do you really think that? That my personality is terrible?”

The current Jun Hwi, throwing such an obviously intended question, seemed like a male predator barely holding back something boiling inside.

“Well, to some extent, yes. Look at you now, scaring people…”

“What about other than my personality?”

He asked, holding her slender waist in one arm. Even in his low voice, there was an overflow of heat and thirst.

“That… well… you said you’d keep it decent…”

It was an irrelevant answer to his question. Yeon Woo’s cheeks, about to burst in redness, looked tempting.

Dodging the man’s intense gaze, Yeon Woo slightly pushed his solid chest. Jun Hwi chuckled, capturing the hand pushing him and wrapping it around his neck.

Now Yeon Woo was in a position wanting to embrace him more fully.

“I admit it. I have a bad personality, can’t keep promises.”

“Wha…?”

It seems it won’t be decent after all.

Jun Hwi lazily whispered and immediately leaned down to softly nibble on her pale, straight collarbone. From Yeon Woo’s lips, continuous breathy laughter or perhaps sighs kept flowing.

“Now let yourself be caught by me, Kim Yeon Woo.”

The sound of raindrops hitting the window intensified. The turntable diligently moved its needle toward the center of the LP.

But to them, neither the sound of the rain nor the music was audible.

In their own hot and sticky universe, only their breaths were exchanged in a vacuum.