Deep and blue night.

Seo Jun and So Yeon moved from the dining room to the terrace and sat in the outdoor jacuzzi.

So Yeon’s interest in the jacuzzi visible from the window was nothing more than an excuse to alleviate the awkwardness after kissing Seo Jun.

But Seo Jun, who couldn’t ignore her interest, suggested a half-bath, and So Yeon agreed in a daze.

It was a hot summer and a day full of unusually tense moments, so she perspired a lot. So Yeon, who took a quick shower for that reason, discovered something placed neatly in front of the bathroom door. It was a large pair of shorts and a shirt prepared by Tae Seo Jun.

So Yeon hurriedly put them on and moved to the terrace, entering the jacuzzi where he was waiting.

However, as soon as she immersed her body in the water, So Yeon made an awkward expression.

It’s a natural principle that a white shirt becomes translucent when wet, but she hadn’t thought that far ahead. The moment So Yeon wrapped her arms around her narrowed shoulders, Seo Jun’s quick and gentle manner shone.

“This should do.”

“Oh… thank you.”

Seo Jun reached out his long arm, put a bathrobe hanging on the jacuzzi railing on So Yeon, and even tied a knot at her waist. Then he drew her in front of him and loosely embraced her.

“You smell nice.”

Smelling the fragrance emanating from her white and slender neck, Seo Jun felt strange.

She must have showered with the body wash in the bathroom, and the scent of her skin mixed with his fragrance felt sweeter. Even the clothes and bathrobe that wrapped her small body were his.

Eom So Yeon using my things together in my house…

Just that thought filled Seo Jun’s heart, and a delighted expression naturally appeared on his face.

Tae Seo Jun was elegant and confident as always, wearing only a pair of swim trunks. So Yeon glanced at his solid upper body and felt embarrassed for no reason, so she only looked at the night sky.

He said he would tell her everything about himself one by one. The tickling confession she heard in the dining room and even his suggestion to date. How could she not trust him as he steadily carried out what he said? So Yeon was secretly looking forward to the days ahead.

“There are a lot of stars tonight. It’s not often like this, it’s so beautiful.”

“…”

As befitting the late summer weather, the day was hot but the night air was cool. Seo Jun, who looked up at the night sky for a moment, looked at So Yeon again. In his eyes, the starlight densely dotting her large and clear eyes was prettier than the stars in the sky.

“Was I too rough earlier? I can’t say I’m sorry. I really enjoyed it. And I can’t guarantee I won’t do it again.”

“No, well, who told you not to? Except for being startled by the sudden kiss…”

Rather than rough, it was a bit erotic and intense. So it was very exciting. Even for that reason, So Yeon wanted to return Seo Jun’s apology. Blushing red, she mumbled the rest of the words and went into the water, sticking out only her face.

“So Yeon.”

“…”

Just hearing her name without the surname, So Yeon’s heart pounded heavily.

“So Yeon…”

It was a name he had called thousands of times in his heart. Why did the tip of his tongue tingle as he spoke that name? Seo Jun grinned, calling her again.

“Why are you calling me like that? It makes me feel weird.”

“Just because.”

So Yeon looked at Seo Jun blankly, tilting her head. A soft smile bloomed on his handsome face with deep eyes. So Yeon’s heart went thump thump at that face.

“You’re teasing me, right? I won’t fall for it anymore. I’ll really get angry.”

“Whether you laugh or get angry, do it only in front of me.”

Seeing her chattering with a flushed face, Seo Jun suddenly felt resentful for enduring the difficult times without Eom So Yeon. But being with her now was more precious.

“How old is your son?”

At the sudden question, So Yeon blinked her big eyes.

“Hy-Hyun Woo…?”

Stammering was a clear mistake. Still, So Yeon answered quickly, pretending not to notice.

“T-two years old.”

But she bit her tongue again in bewilderment.

But why! He couldn’t possibly be asking knowing the answer, right?

So Yeon became anxious.

“Two years old… He looked older than that.”

“!”

Did, did, did you see him?

When? Where, how?

So Yeon’s pupils trembled as if she had encountered an earthquake.

The water was warm, but a chill ran down her spine from the cold climbing up her toes.

“It’s his Korean age.”

Hyun Woo, who is 4 years old in Korean age, is 2 years old in international age.

So Yeon clenched her fists submerged in the water and barely squeezed out her voice that wouldn’t come out.

“But, you saw my child?”

“Well.”

The 1 minute and 1 second until Seo Jun answered felt like an eternity to So Yeon. Her tightly clenched hands were numb, but So Yeon, who was staring straight at Seo Jun, couldn’t move a single finger.

“I did see him. In a photo.”

“What photo?”

“Manager Bong was looking at something intently, so I asked out of curiosity and he sent me that photo.”

“…!”

In an instant, the world turned dark before So Yeon’s eyes and she looked up at the sky. The twinkling stars were so pretty earlier, but now they seemed like her secretly shed tears.

He’s the child’s biological father, isn’t he? If she reveals the truth now, maybe not her but the child could gain a real father. If she has to tell him someday, now might be the right time. But So Yeon’s heart quickly leaned the other way.

“Let’s get out of here now.”

“Why.”

“I’m tired and want to sleep.”

“Okay, let’s get out together.”

It was when So Yeon, who got out of the jacuzzi first, took a couple of steps toward the house.

“Who is the child’s father?”

Seo Jun asked, stabbing her back like a knife.

“…!”

The timing was so unfortunate. So Yeon turned around and looked up at Seo Jun’s face, who was much taller than her, and said,

“Did you bring up Hyun Woo first to ask about that?”

“Of course I’m curious. I’m curious about everything related to Eom So Yeon from beginning to end.”

So Yeon, whose energy drained away the moment Seo Jun asked about Hyun Woo’s age, became extremely tense when he asked about the child’s father. But on the other hand, she thought it might not be bad to say everything on this occasion.

Whether he resents, gets angry, or is surprised, no matter what reaction this man shows, if she tells the secret about the child that she has embraced alone for years, her heart will be unspeakably refreshed.

Yeah, let’s do it! What are you afraid of to hesitate? If you have to say it anyway, confess everything now and accept the appropriate treatment, right? Yes, that’s what you should do, Eom So Yeon!

So Yeon, who made up her mind with difficulty, lowered the first bait with a heavy heart.

“If you find out, you’ll be quite surprised. Will you be okay?”

She tried to speak as naturally as possible, but she couldn’t be nonchalant. If she hadn’t met Tae Seo Jun again, it would have been a secret buried like this.

So how could she be indifferent? So Yeon waited for Seo Jun’s answer with a wary look.

“You think I’ll be surprised?”

Seo Jun hesitated for a moment as it was a question he hadn’t expected at all.

“You probably will be. How about I tell you right away?”

“It sounds like it’s someone I know too. Am I right?”

Seo Jun crossed his arms and looked down at So Yeon.

The moment the two people tightly locked gazes, even the wind blowing gently between them died down. So Yeon nodded her head once.

“Yes.”

“Is it someone close to me by any chance?”

“…”

When So Yeon nodded at the following question, Seo Jun raised an eyebrow crookedly.

“Younger than me?”

If it’s someone younger than him for now, the range that can be narrowed down significantly expands. So Yeon, who no longer wanted to drag it out in response to that question, straightened a finger and pointed directly at Seo Jun.

“…”

It’s you!

It was a precise gesture indicating that the child’s father is you.

“Is that so?”

However, Seo Jun, who understood her gesture as someone similar in age to him, carefully retraced the conversation so far.

She says it’s someone who would be surprised if I knew, and they’re the same age as me. He thought of some acquaintances, but no one particularly came to mind. Then it means it’s not someone very close to me…

“I don’t know, right? I’ll tell you when I make up my mind, so listen carefully! Hyun Woo’s biological father is…”

It was the moment So Yeon’s lips were about to move.

“Wait!”

A long, straight finger firmly pressed on So Yeon’s lips.

“…?”

Why? You asked, so I’m trying to tell you, but why are you being fickle?

So Yeon, whose words were blocked by Seo Jun’s hand, removed his finger with a questioning look.

“It’s…”

“Shh!”

But Seo Jun covered So Yeon’s mouth again.

If you say it, if I hear it…

Will I be able to bear it if I know who that damn guy is that Eom So Yeon calls her first love? If I know who that guy is that will always be between us, will I be able to endure it? Me, who wants to kill that unknown guy so badly that I’m about to go crazy even now?

It might be even more foolish to try to find out. He’s a cowardly bastard, but at least he didn’t hold onto Eom So Yeon using the child as an excuse, so I might have to be grateful. Because in the end, that guy left, allowing me to desire Eom So Yeon.

At the end of his thoughts, Seo Jun retracted the question he had asked himself.

“Come here.”

Seo Jun, who said to come while taking a big step closer first, wrapped So Yeon’s wet body with a towel.

Her heart, which had gone back and forth between telling or not telling like a roller coaster, was now tattered.

“You really don’t want to hear it?”

“Yeah. I don’t want to know. I changed my mind.”

“…”

Since Seo Jun didn’t want to know, it became ambiguous for So Yeon to say it too.

He could get angry or resent her, and she had made up her mind to honestly confess everything now. She wanted to let go of the guilt and burden in her heart, even a little, for deceiving him until now. But now she couldn’t do that, and So Yeon’s heart collapsed endlessly.

Then when should she tell him?

But one thing was clear: not at this moment.

She met him again, the one she thought she would have to miss forever. It’s only been a few hours since then, and if she hastily brings up that story, it could lead to a serious situation. She thought it would be better to tell him naturally when the time comes.

So Yeon exhaled a sigh full of tension and said,

“You clearly refused to listen, so don’t complain later.”

“Wait, did you definitely say ‘later’?”

“Why?”

“That means you’ll continue to be with me.”

“How did it become like that?”

“Both me who went to find you and you who followed me have made up our minds.”

“…”

Made up our minds…

How far does the scope of those words extend? So Yeon was once again filled with anticipation.

“You’ll catch a cold like this.”

Seo Jun’s hand touched her hair.

“No, I’ll do my hair…”

“Stay still.”

So Yeon declined once, but Seo Jun, regardless, began to carefully wipe her wet hair with a large, fluffy towel.

So Yeon, who entrusted her hair to him, slightly frowned like a child.

Because his caring touch was as warm as a father’s hand.

She wondered if this gentle touch could reach Hyun Woo one day, and the tip of her nose tingled at the thought.

“I won’t do anything. Let’s sleep together.”

“…”

At Seo Jun’s suggestion, So Yeon nodded without any reply. Her love for Tae Seo Jun, which flowed toward the sea like a river despite all kinds of turmoil, made her do so.

“Here.”

Seo Jun, who came out of the dressing room, handed pajamas that looked exactly like the ones he was wearing to So Yeon, who was sitting at the dressing table.

“This is…!”

Oh my god! Am I going to wear couple pajamas with Tae Seo Jun?

So Yeon quickly bit her twitching lips. But she couldn’t hide the smile in her eyes. Seo Jun, who felt awkward for no reason at the smile that bloomed small like a shy flower, spoke in an unnatural tone.

“Have you heard of Sea Island cotton? It’s called the queen of cotton, and I bought it because I like pure cotton. I had some free time after finishing a shoot in Spain and went shopping, and the pajamas were all the same.”

“Ah… yes.”

So that’s how it was. He just happened to buy it without any meaning. And here I was getting extremely excited without knowing that.

But this… I think I’ve seen it somewhere before.

“By any chance… the one I saw in downtown Malaga… is it not?”

“Yes, that’s the one.”

She really had a keen eye. Seo Jun cleared his throat and handed So Yeon one more small pajama set.

“This is for the child, so take it with you when you go home.”

“…”

Then…

Does that mean after I left Spain, when we had no promises whatsoever, this man purposely went back to Malaga to buy this? With what thoughts, why on earth…

At Tae Seo Jun’s unexpected thoughtfulness, at the lump that instantly rose to the tip of her throat, So Yeon couldn’t continue her next words. Just the fact that he bought pajamas for the three of them to wear without knowing anything made her choked up.

So Yeon, who changed into the pajamas Seo Jun handed her, came out of the dressing room toward the bedroom.

It fit her body perfectly, and she really liked the cozy and soft texture. As So Yeon approached the bed while talking about it, Seo Jun, who made space on one side, sent a strong gaze.

“Lie down here.”

As if to say, can’t you see my arm resting here?

His sturdy arm was stretched out long to the spot next to him.

“Then excuse me…”

It was the moment So Yeon awkwardly laid her head on Seo Jun’s arm.

“Oh!”

Seo Jun bent his arm and pulled So Yeon into his embrace, pressing her face tightly against his chest and spoke.

“It’s not an excuse. Listen carefully to the sound from my heart.”

“It’s pounding.”

“No. Not that.”

“…?”

“This body is yours now, it says.”

“…”

At Seo Jun’s words, So Yeon’s heart undoubtedly throbbed loudly.