“With 4 years of interest, it should have accrued quite a bit, right?”

Seo Jun’s black eyes sparkled, having successfully persuaded Eom So Yeon. It meant that the real conversation was just about to begin.

“What are you talking about now? You need to say it in a way that I can understand…”

“Is the calculation not finished yet? Previously, Eom So Yeon had to receive something, but now the person to be compensated is me.”

“…?”

Unfinished calculation? Compensation? What debt collection? Do I owe this man something? Could you possibly be a loan shark?

Startled, So Yeon’s pupils, surrounded by brown irises, grew even bigger as if she had been struck by lightning out of a clear sky.

What on earth is this man trying to say? Naturally tense because she has something to hide, she consciously straightened her hunched chest and fixed her anxious gaze.

“I don’t have anything like that.”

“Is that so?”

Seo Jun narrowed his eyes while stroking his jawline with his index finger, and tilted the corner of his mouth diagonally upward. It was an enigmatic smile, as if arrogant. Tae Seo Jun, who knew well that his current expression was even more captivating, was a person who knew how to use his unrealistic appearance as a weapon.

“Who was the one that sucked me dry like a gum with all its sweetness extracted, and disappeared while I was in a state of mental and physical weakness?”

“Sw-sweetness? And what mental and physical weakness?”

Although they had been facing each other for over two months, he was the one who hadn’t said a word about that night. No, he had brought it up once at the villa, but wasn’t that the end of it? But suddenly, why…?

“This was the place. The location where we were together that day. I was depressed and drank a lot, and Eom So Yeon seduced me while I was drunk. Don’t you remember?”

“M-me? How did I…”

So Yeon’s lips barely moved, chilled by the cold sensation creeping up from her toes.

It’s true that we drank that day, but he was clearly not drunk. If anyone drank a lot, it was me. So while I wasn’t drunk, if someone were to insist they were, it would rather be me.

And even if it were the opposite, is Tae Seo Jun a man who can be taken advantage of, whether it’s sweetness or bitterness?

“You probably toyed with me too, right?”

“Wh-what did you say?”

Did I hear that right?

So Yeon, whose spine was covered in goosebumps, felt like cold sweat was filling her entire body. It was as if Tae Seo Jun’s brutal acting from the movie had jumped out of the screen and become reality.

“Although I acted blatantly, it was you who pounced in the end!”

“That’s your thought. The memory of the person who suffered is usually more vivid.”

So Yeon’s temples trembled as she mulled over that day, feeling nothing but injustice. Her lush eyelashes were the same.

This is nothing short of a false accusation.

It’s true that on that morning, lacking the courage to face Tae Seo Jun, I left before he woke up. But this man’s memory is completely arbitrary. It’s a series of truly astounding words, so So Yeon’s eyes couldn’t help but waver.

What is this strange feeling that’s gradually enveloping me?

The way he said it made it seem like it might have actually happened that way. However, she was not one to be swept away so easily. The moment the doubt of ‘Did I really do that?’ penetrated deep into her mind, So Yeon tightened her vigilance and put strength into her voice.

“The first thing we did when we first met was kiss. We slept together based on momentary attraction, without any promise for the future. Would there have been a next day for us? Did we even say let’s meet again? No! What we tacitly agreed on was that that night was everything! But why are you being so unreasonable, unlike yourself! Why are you suddenly doing this to me!”

“…”

Her calm tone gradually rose higher.

It wasn’t the reaction he expected, but Seo Jun chuckled, finding it rather amusing. The sight of Eom So Yeon staggering the more they talked was appealing to him. He had only imagined her flaring up greatly at his words, and it was very much anticipated.

In addition, feeling somewhat compensated for the shock he received from Eom So Yeon today, he may have wanted to shake her up even more.

Seo Jun continued the conversation, slightly twisting his words to sound somewhat joking and somewhat truthful.

“Actually, I don’t really like being cool. Clinginess is basic, and I can’t give my body to just any woman. If it was going to end after one time, I wouldn’t have spent the night with you. It means I wouldn’t forget Eom So Yeon. As time passed, I kept thinking of only you, so what can I do?”

It wasn’t a sincere confession of liking her, but it sounded like he had missed her too, even if just a little. So Yeon choked up at the fact that they had some common ground, no matter how faint. But she didn’t want to reveal that emotion.

“…So what are you going to do about it?”

When So Yeon asked in a voice that had dropped a tone after clearing her throat, Seo Jun unfolded his crossed legs and leaned his broad shoulders forward, his voice heavy.

“Try guessing. What I’m going to say.”

“So… right now…”

Because we slept together once, it was easy, but now that I have a child, do I seem pathetically easy? Is that it? Were you always this kind of person?

This man, who doesn’t exude any warmth or even a shred of humanity like a cold mannequin. The Tae Seo Jun reflected in So Yeon’s eyes right now was not the man she knew. At least she had believed he wasn’t the kind of person to bluntly make demands, but it seemed like he was.

Her brown eyes, fully conveying that thought, trembled. Then, Seo Jun, who had pulled his upper body back, squeezed So Yeon’s already tense heart even more painfully.

“That’s not it. I’ve accumulated a lot of things because of Eom So Yeon. I’m not asking for much, just stay with me for a few days.”

“What nonsense is this!”

So Yeon shouted and glared at Seo Jun with a face as if the sky had fallen. She had predicted he wanted an inappropriate relationship, and she realized her thoughts were not wrong.

However, it’s a rule to listen to someone’s words until the end. Seo Jun continued.

“I think I like Eom So Yeon. Quite a lot, as a woman.”

“!”

Surprised by the unexpected confession, So Yeon’s eyes widened so much that her pupils were fully exposed. Her pulse beat like crazy, as if a high-voltage power switch had been pressed.

“Y-you like me?”

“But you don’t.”

“…!”

No! I already…

Already loved him.

The one who could make her fall for him without fail if he shook her.

Her heart pounded as if a drumming battle was taking place. She was so thrilled that she wanted to blurt out that she liked him too right away. However, his proposal was so sudden that So Yeon was more suspicious than happy. No, she was scared first.

“So I thought about it, and Eom So Yeon, endure it for a few days. I’ll try hard to shake you. If you can’t stand it, fall for me, and if you really don’t, I’ll give up.”

“Why are you doing this? Even if you had such feelings, once you found out I have a child, shouldn’t your feelings naturally withdraw? It would be normal for you to dislike me.”

“If I found out about your feelings that I didn’t know before due to what Eom So Yeon confessed today, would you follow my intentions?”

“Are you in your right mind?”

“I’m perfectly sane, why?”

“Anyway, I can’t do that. I only want to think about my child. Having you in my situation is too much.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll approach you only to the extent that it’s not overwhelming.”

So Yeon couldn’t hide her perplexity. From suddenly expressing emotions he hadn’t before, to his proactive attitude that having a child didn’t matter, she couldn’t understand him at all.

“Th-that’s absurd!”

“Absurd things are more common in reality. To me, Eom So Yeon is such an existence.”

“What will you do if I refuse?”

“Since you disappeared as you pleased before, now it’s my turn to do as I please. That’s only fair. Eom So Yeon likes ‘fairness’ a lot too.”

Seo Jun, who had put his fingertips to his forehead and thought for a moment, said while raising his gaze at an angle.

“Let’s do it my way for now. If we don’t do at least that, I won’t be able to let go of my lingering feelings. If it’s too burdensome, you can drop the drama or whatever. But at least don’t leave me with regrets.”

His smile was as warm as could be, and his smooth voice was extremely kind. But his arrogant words were full of bones.

“…”

The trembling lips could not give any answer.

She had to keep her distance from Tae Seo Jun, but her heart said she couldn’t. On the contrary, if she followed his intentions, there was the issue of the child.

But if she revealed the secret, she wasn’t confident about the impact it would have on him once he learned the truth, and to what extent he could embrace the child.

So Yeon couldn’t help but feel distressed by her wavering heart.

Red eyes, brown pupils sparkling and shattering in the light, tightly closed pink lips, a face that looked like it would crumble endlessly with just a little push.

Seo Jun’s gaze, persistently pecking at that sad expression, was like an observer determined to find something.

“Think about it calmly. I can only give you today though.”

Seo Jun was well aware of his excessive obsession. Whether it was love or desire for Eom So Yeon, there was no way to know, but he also knew he acted this way because he was seized by strong jealousy.

Completely mine.

It was you who stimulated that crazy possessiveness.

That one night, it was from then on. When I thought of what we did together, my body galloped like an unbridled horse.

On the nights I thought of you, I couldn’t sleep well. But it seems you’ve been seeing men? That first and last night with us may not be a big deal to you. I can understand that with my head, but what about my unpleasant feelings that make me resent you?

Putting Eom So Yeon in the work was an unfunny consideration. But now I can’t even do that hypocritical act. So now you get shaken up too.

Like me, who knows what that shitty feeling is like.

Tae Seo Jun had never made a preposterous bet before. When he, who was so calculating, jumped into a reckless act, he threw everything. Uncontrollable rampage. Seo Jun made up his mind. No matter what it took, he had to make Eom So Yeon his woman.

So that she could never run away again.

Even if it was crazy, he would willingly do it.

The three people who left the room had some more conversation in the VIP floor lobby and went down to the lower floor together.

The party room on the 1st floor was in full swing with a friendly atmosphere. Yeo Jin was the first to spot Won Hoo coming out of the elevator and heading there, and Yeo Jeong was the one who called out to stop him.

“Won Hoo! We were just looking for you. You didn’t even answer the phone, where have you been and what were you doing?”

When Yeo Jeong, who sometimes showed a fiery temper, bombarded him with questions in a fast tone, Won Hoo’s gentle impression instantly hardened.

“Anyway, on a day like today, it would be nice if you at least made an appearance in the separate room. You’re also at an age to think about marriage, until when are you going to…”

“Ah, wait!”

His skill at intercepting her words was proficient. Won Hoo, who affectionately wrapped one arm around the shoulder of the nagging Yeo Jeong, introduced Writer Kwon and Director Yoon to the two ladies.

“Let’s do the introductions first. This is Director Yoon and Writer Kwon who are currently producing a drama that will air soon, and this is my mother and aunt.”

“Hello, I’m Yoon Ji Wan.”

Director Yoon politely greeted Yeo Jin and Yeo Jeong with a bow.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Kwon Eun Young…”

However, Writer Kwon, who was vaguely greeting them, trailed off as she stared intently at Cha Yeo Jin.

Anyone interested in economic news would definitely know Cha Yeo Jin, the wife of Chairman Tae Seok Ho, who was the undisputed top figure among the major business people referred to as celebrities and social leaders, in addition to the title of chaebol.

With exceptional business acumen and outstanding beauty, Gu Won Hoo was a member of the royal family that could not be casually ignored. So what would be the status of the lady of that household? But even Cha Yeo Jeong was an unripe apricot next to her sister.

To Writer Kwon, who couldn’t take her eyes off Cha Yeo Jin’s unrivaled wealth, stunning beauty, and even unique elegance, Cha Yeo Jeong was just a transparent person.

That was the reason.

“Won Hoo, where is Seo Jun?”

Yeo Jeong, who had calmed her unpleasant gaze with effort, asked for her nephew in a somewhat sharp tone.

“He’s in the room.”

“Alone?”

“Well, not exactly…”

While the mother and son asked and answered, Director Yoon excused himself with a glance and entered the party room, and Writer Kwon, who had answered a phone call and put the phone to his ear, moved to a quiet place around the corner next to the party room.

“Could it be that he’s with a woman?”

It was Yeo Jin who was curious about Tae Seo Jun, but Yeo Jeong was the one persistently inquiring.

“It’s like that, but the two of you are thinking…”

Just as Won Hoo was about to open his mouth to say it wasn’t like that, Yeo Jeong interrupted.

“You could have just given a short answer, but your introduction is long-winded. That’s why it’s more suspicious.”

“What’s there to be suspicious about?”

“Forget it, we’ll just go up and see for ourselves.”

“Right now?”

Even if only because of So Yeon’s stiff expression, Won Hoo could easily guess. The heated discussion that suddenly unfolded in the room had evolved in a fairly good direction, but Eom So Yeon, who learned about the previously unknown details of the casting, would be quite confused.

Seo Jun probably made her stay in the room to soothe those unsettled feelings.

“Since it’s work-related, even if you go, please go later.”

“No matter how much you like work, a man and a woman alone in a hotel room is not right. Sister, let’s go quickly!”

As if raiding the scene of her husband’s affair, Yeo Jeong grabbed Yeo Jin and hurriedly moved towards the elevator.

“Mother, Aunt, please listen to me…”

They went, they left! At times like this, their actions are incredibly fast.

The elevator doors had already closed.

A sigh that seemed to seep out from between Won Hoo’s teeth leaked out as he walked in that direction.