Midnight Interview

The heavy rain was loud.Past midnight, the rain was pouring down as if there were holes in the sky.The old wooden house was filled with muggy dampness and the strong scent of wood due to the ongoing downpour for days. It was like every summer.Raindrops that had sneaked through the window cracks were splashing onto the wooden desk. Despite the water reaching him, Seo Jungyoon paid no heed.The sound of the keyboard, reminiscent of the rain, clicked away, and as his white fingers moved, elegant sentences filled the monitor screen.The door to the study opened silently, and a tall man entered. Jaehyuk, holding a white mug, observed Seo Jungyoon absorbed in his work.He was so focused that he didn’t even notice someone coming in. The deep furrow between Seo Jungyoon’s eyebrows suggested that things weren’t going well with his work.Jaehyuk approached the desk, reaching out to close the slightly open window. Suddenly, the loud sound of rain from outside cut off. Then, he wiped the wet desk with a tissue and placed the white mug there. The warm steam and the aroma of coffee spread.“You’ve got a lot more to do? It’s past midnight already.”The coffee left over by his lover became Jaehyuk’s share. As he took a sip of the now cold coffee, Seo Jungyoon leaned back in his chair, letting out a sigh.“Ha, why isn’t this working out?”He then glared at the monitor again, deleting an entire paragraph he had painstakingly written. This was a familiar sight to Jaehyuk, who spoke nonchalantly.“Just do it roughly. It’s not even an important piece, just a recommendation.”“…Can I do that?”Roughly? Jungyoon frowned as if he had just heard nonsense.There was no such thing as writing something roughly for Seo Jungyoon. This was, after all, a recommendation for a new book by a senior writer he admired. He didn’t aim for perfection, but he wanted to pour his sincerity and respect into even the shortest of sentences.Knowing this well, it was frustrating that Jaehyuk would say such a thing.Pressing the save key, he took a brief rest. He hadn’t realized he’d been squeezing his brain for three hours already.“I thought we could spend time together today. I’m disappointed, Mr. Seo.”“Please understand. I need to send it by tomorrow.”“If you keep staying up all night and ignoring me, I’ll really get upset this time.”“…”Jungyoon exhaled deeply, picking up the mug instead of answering. He could feel Jaehyuk’s deep consideration from the warmth in his palm.Jaehyuk, who once dabbled in literature, was very supportive and understanding of Seo Jungyoon, but their lifestyles were vastly different.Unlike the freelancer Seo Jungyoon, Jaehyuk lived a scheduled life as an office worker. While Jungyoon wrote mostly at dawn, Jaehyuk adhered to a strict 9 to 6 work schedule.Moreover, Jungyoon had been neglecting Jaehyuk for months under the guise of writing. Knowing how sensitive Jungyoon got during his work, Jaehyuk waited without complaint.They had been living like this for eight years now. Guilt, separate from familiarity, was unavoidable.“How’s… your work these days? Is the new CEO okay?”He deliberately asked about Jaehyuk’s well-being. Jaehyuk’s lips stretched into a long smile at the interest shown in him, then a sarcastic remark followed.“Is it easy for someone like me to meet the CEO? I’ve only seen him during his inauguration speech.”“He’s young, right?”“Apparently, he’s the same age as me. And that’s not all. Even from afar, he’s no joke in person. Wow. An heir to a hotel, rich, good education, young, and handsome. Isn’t he too perfect? The rich get richer, the poor get poorer, it’s getting serious.”Instead of responding to Jaehyuk’s words, Jungyoon just laughed. Then he silently recalled the new CEO of ‘Royal Peak Hotel’ he had looked up not long ago.Yoon Taerim. Yes, that seems to be the name.The next heir to a global hotel chain with resorts in Korea, Japan, China, the Americas, and Southeast Asia.A member of one of Korea’s leading conglomerates, he spent most of his life abroad, rarely appearing in the media. The hotel in his home country was managed by professional executives until a month ago when Yoon Taerim was suddenly appointed CEO.Some expressed concerns about his young age, but he had already proven himself by serving as the Vice President of Chicago’s Royal Peak Hotel for two years.Age was no obstacle for someone educated from birth to take over the hotel. Instead, the industry welcomed him, expecting innovation.Seo Jungyoon sipped the warm coffee, lost in thought.He was curious how the employees would react to this young, silver-spooned CEO, but given the significant status gap, it seemed not to bother them much. Jaehyuk’s reaction was evidence enough.“But we’ve got a new employee in our department, and she’s from a pretty well-off family.”“How well-off?”“The youngest daughter of Johung Construction.”“That’s beyond ‘pretty well-off,’ isn’t it?”Seo Jungyoon’s eyes widened in disbelief.Johung Construction was a fairly well-known company, ranking within the top 30 in the business world.“Why would someone like that work in hotel back-office? Leaving Johung Construction?”“Who knows? I don’t know her circumstances. Maybe she always dreamed of working in hotels, or maybe she wanted some real-life experience… something like that?”“If she wanted real-life experience, she’d keep her family situation a secret.”Seo Jungyoon quickly lost interest. Seeing his attention wane, Jaehyuk straightened up from leaning against the window frame and began massaging Jungyoon’s stiff neck from behind.“She’s young too. Only twenty-four. But everything she carries is luxury, high-end. She’s already driving a foreign car.”“What does that have to do with anything? Don’t meddle in others’ appearances.”“She follows me around, calling me ‘Mr. Manager, Mr. Manager.’ She has her own supervisor, but yesterday she asked if I have a girlfriend?”“And?”“I told her I’ve been dating someone for eight years. She was visibly disappointed.”Seo Jungyoon burst out laughing in disbelief, setting down his mug. With his eyes closed, enjoying the massage, he surrendered his body to Jaehyuk’s hands. The chair leaned back with a squeak. Jaehyuk pressed on Jungyoon’s tense trapezius muscles like acupressure.“Is she… ugh, good at her job?”“She makes a lot of mistakes, but she’s a newbie, so what can you do? You have to be lenient.”“Mm,” Seo Jungyoon now barely listened to Jaehyuk’s words. The only sounds from between his clenched teeth were grunts of pain. Jaehyuk’s massages always mixed pain with relief.Suddenly, Jaehyuk stopped his hands. A heavy sigh fell from above Jungyoon’s head.“Seo Jungyoon never gets jealous. Boring.”“Was that… meant to make me jealous?”“Can’t the writer understand the speaker’s intent?”“I’m not into romance.”Feeling embarrassed, Jungyoon straightened his back. Jaehyuk pressed him back into the chair by his shoulders and resumed his movements.His thumb pressed against the neck muscles, then gently caressed the hollow of the collarbone. What started as a massage subtly turned into something more intimate.When Jaehyuk’s hand slipped under his thin T-shirt, Jungyoon waved his arms to fend off Jaehyuk’s advances.“Hyung, stop it. I have work to do.”Jaehyuk’s expression hardened, not expecting the refusal. He then let out a disappointed laugh, his lips dry despite the sound of his laughter.“Seo Jungyoon.”Jaehyuk rubbed his face as if washing it.“Do you know we haven’t had sex in four months already?”“We’ll do it next time, after I finish my work.”“I’m tired of hearing that.”Seo Jungyoon was particularly passive about sex. He wasn’t interested, and even when they did it, he didn’t enjoy it much. For long-term lovers, there should be no hesitation in getting close, but Jungyoon always remained stiff.It only happened when Jaehyuk begged. Even then, penetration was rare. Unlike Jaehyuk, who always felt an urge to touch Jungyoon, Jungyoon remained indifferent.“Don’t you want to sleep with me anymore? Don’t you get excited when I touch you now?”“It’s not like that.”“How long do I have to wait? How many times has this been?”Even though he knew Seo Jungyoon lacked sexual desire and was indifferent to the relationship, today his emotions were running high. Perhaps it was the accumulated frustration from being neglected for so long that burst out all at once.“Seo Jungyoon. I’m not your guardian, I’m your lover.”“Who doesn’t know that? I’ve never thought of you as my guardian.”“Ha, whatever. What’s the point of talking more? I’ll go to bed first, so you do whatever you want, write as much as you like.”Jaehyuk cut off the conversation before it could escalate. He left the study with the cold mug in hand.Click, the door closed, and the sound of his footsteps grew fainter. Left alone, Jungyoon let out a helpless sigh, leaning over the desk with his head in his hands.He knew why Jaehyuk brought up the ridiculous story about the new employee to provoke jealousy. It was probably an attempt to stir something in him, who always acted like a block of wood.Although he responded indifferently, Jungyoon, being human, couldn’t help but be bothered by someone hovering around Jaehyuk. But being naturally blunt and more accustomed to suppressing than expressing emotions, what could he do?His feelings for Jaehyuk hadn’t cooled. He still loved him and considered him the most precious in the world. Even if he said Jaehyuk wasn’t his guardian, for Seo Jungyoon, Jaehyuk was like a brother, a friend, and almost like family.Kissing and cuddling were fine, but sex was a different story. Penetration was always painful. Of course, there were moments he felt something if he endured long enough, but he didn’t find enough pleasure to enjoy it despite the pain.As a result, he naturally prioritized his condition the next day, often ignoring Jaehyuk’s subtle cues.“Am I the weird one?”Having only had sexual experiences with Jaehyuk up to the age of twenty-eight, there was no basis for comparison.After several sighs, Seo Jungyoon slowly straightened up to focus back on work.His fingers typed away at the keyboard, stopping and starting several times before finally clenching into a fist. His concentration was shot. What kind of writing could he do in this mood?“…”Jungyoon closed the saved file and shut down the computer entirely. As the screen went black, only his pale reflection was visible.He slowly stood up, pulling back his chair. He decided to write the recommendation letter early the next morning instead. His finger touched the light switch on the wall. Click, the study went dark.Slippers shuffled on the wooden floor of the hallway, the sound fading as he reached where the bedroom was located.“Ah, it’s ruined.”Seo Jungyoon sensed his plans had gone awry as soon as he opened his eyes.The clock showed it was already 11 a.m. He had overslept despite his determination.Feeling the cold sheets beside him, he realized Jaehyuk had left without waking him up as he’d asked.With a sore back, he barely sat on the edge of the bed. On the night table, there was a glass of water, a white pill, and a note left by Jaehyuk. Jungyoon reached for the glass to quench his thirst first.[Going to work first, take the painkiller when you wake up and call me. Love you, Jungyoon.]Reading the scribbled note, Jungyoon frowned, then sighed and crumpled it up. He swallowed the painkiller. The tiny pill got stuck in his swollen throat, making it hard to swallow, tasting the bitterness fully as he forced it down.Without washing up, he went straight to the study to turn on the computer. While booting up, Jungyoon massaged his puffy eyes, letting out hot breaths. His condition was terrible. Honestly, even sitting was a chore.The night before, when they finally had sex, Jaehyuk was relentless.Was it because it had been so long? Jaehyuk reached climax several times. How about himself? He seemed to have shed more tears than semen.At this point, he even reasonably suspected if he might be sexually unresponsive.Just then, the desktop screen lit up, and the monitor glowed. Seo Jungyoon, clearing his mind, quickly grabbed the mouse. He only had about three hours left. With the deadline looming, he couldn’t use his condition as an excuse.The sound of heavy rain hit the window. The monsoon outside was still in full swing.That afternoon, Editor Ko Eunju visited Seo Jungyoon’s house. Despite the harsh weather, she carried a paper shopping bag from a famous bakery and a full briefcase in both hands.“Wow, writer! Your house is amazing!”The two-story wooden house was quite large. Though traces of time were visible everywhere, it added to the serene charm.Looking up at the rafters covering the ceiling was enough to tilt your head back. The scent of wood that filled the house was so fragrant. Everything about this house naturally soothed the mind and body.The editor was overwhelmed, having come to the home of the literary giant, Seo Taesun’s, poet’s ancestral house.So engrossed in looking around, the editor stood like a fixture at the entrance until Seo Jungyoon gently took the items from her hands with a soft smile.“Isn’t the house a bit empty? Are you not cold?”“Cold? No way. But do you live here all by yourself in this huge place? How do you manage it?”“Someone comes once a week to help with housework. I’ve locked up the rooms I don’t use because they’re hard to clean, so they’re pretty much like storage now.”It was true; the house was too big for one person.The old house built by his grandfather was bustling with students just ten years ago. After his grandfather passed away, they all dispersed. Since then, Seo Jungyoon had been living alone in this large house for eight years.“Editor, would you like some tea?”“It’s really nice.”The two sat across from each other at a table that filled the center of the living room. Large enough to seat about 12 people, from this spot, one could see the house’s most boastful view. One wall was entirely made of glass, allowing them to enjoy the sight of the rain-soaked garden from their seats.The editor rested her chin on her hands, gazing outside.“What can I say, it’s happiness.”“Grandfather loved this spot too.”Seo Jungyoon smiled faintly as he prepared the tea set. His movements in brewing the tea were quite adept, as if it were a daily routine. The sound of tea pouring into the cup mingled with the humid air, spreading a subtle fragrance. Jungyoon carefully placed the steaming cup in front of the editor.“Be careful, it’s hot.”“Thank you, Mr. Author.”The editor blew gently on the cup, moistening her lips. After savoring the tea for a moment, she got straight to the point.“The recommendation letter you sent. Mr. Kim San was very pleased with it. He said he would contact you personally.”“Oh, I’m glad he liked it.”“Thank you for fulfilling that difficult request.”“I didn’t do much. You and the editor did all the hard work.”“I know how much you put into it. It shows in the writing, how could I not notice?”The editor smiled, her eyes narrowing, then pulled out a laptop from her briefcase. Seo Jungyoon just drank his tea, watching her switch to work mode.“There’s good news and bad news. Which should we start with?”Seo Jungyoon let out a small sigh.“The bad news first.”“The author exhibition planned with Geumyoung Bookstore, it seems like it’s going to fall through.”“Because I refused the reading event?”The editor nodded instead of answering.They had planned a promotion with a large offline bookstore to celebrate the release of his new book next month. The bookstore proposed that Seo Jungyoon should come in person to read from his new book and meet readers.However, Seo Jungyoon had never participated in promotional activities before. He avoided appearing in media and even refrained from having his picture on book covers. A simple search on the internet wouldn’t even yield a single profile picture.This was expected, so he wasn’t particularly surprised. Seo Jungyoon calmly set down his teacup.“I’m fine with that. I wasn’t that keen on the exhibition anyway. Oh, but it might be disappointing from the publisher’s standpoint. I apologize.”“We kind of anticipated this might happen. So, we’ve prepared an alternative plan.”The editor confidently turned her laptop screen toward him and laid out the next steps. Seo Jungyoon agreed to all without objection. He generally followed the publisher’s advice for anything other than writing.The exception would be events like this reading or book launches, or interviews with the media. Fortunately, Editor Ko Eunju understood his disposition well and didn’t push for such proposals.“Alright then, Mr. Author, we’ll proceed as planned.”“Yes, please do.”The editor seemed a bit regretful as she licked her lips. She put away her laptop while secretly observing Seo Jungyoon’s expression.Even though he was already a bestselling author who didn’t need extra promotion, it was a pity that only she could enjoy his smooth face.If he just showed his face once, he could certainly generate a lot of buzz.It was always surprising that someone who looked like a porcelain doll could write such intricate and harrowing thriller stories.“So, what’s the good news?”Seo Jungyoon changed the subject just in time. The editor set aside her thoughts and answered promptly.“You remember what you asked me to do before?”Seo Jungyoon’s eyes widened, looking like they might pop out at any moment.He had only asked her for one thing. Seo Jungyoon was currently researching the private lives of corporate leaders for his next work.But the world of the elite was tightly sealed, making it hard for the average person to know anything. All he had were news articles, interviews, and occasionally circulating rumors in the financial sector, which made him feel limited in his research.“No way.”“Yes, I got it. An interview.”“Who is it?”“Yoon Taerim, the CEO of Royal Peak Hotel.”The editor flashed a white smile and made a V sign with her fingers. Even she couldn’t believe the casting.“I had the chance to see him at a charity event recently. I casually mentioned you, and he seemed quite interested.”“…”“Since they’ve given the okay on their end, if you’re alright with it, Mr. Seo, we can arrange the meeting.”Seo Jungyoon was speechless for a while, his plump lips slightly agape in surprise.“You’re okay with this, right? You wouldn’t find anyone with these conditions anywhere else.”“It’s good… but just so unexpected.”Honestly, he thought the chances of getting an interview with a corporate leader were slim. Maybe at best, he could interview someone who had made their own way with a startup?Of course, even that wouldn’t have satisfied Seo Jungyoon much, but would a conglomerate family member really reveal their personal story to just a novelist? He had asked the editor for help but didn’t have high expectations.But Yoon Taerim? How could he meet such a heavyweight? And he fit perfectly into the age range Seo Jungyoon was looking for.Still dazed, unable to close his mouth, the editor laughed cheerfully.“Yoon Taerim is a fan of your novels and wants to meet you. From what I saw, it seems like he might have some favor to ask in return.”“What kind of favor?”“Well, maybe something like writing promotional content for the hotel? Royal Peak regularly publishes something.”Seo Jungyoon nodded. That was a condition he could agree to.“Let’s meet then.”“When would be good for you?”“Anytime is fine.”The editor sent an email right there and then. They only knew each other’s email addresses so far.The reply came that night, scheduling the meeting for three days later.ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁Standing amidst the dense forest of buildings, he fiddled with his phone. He still had about five minutes before he was to meet the editor.The incessant monsoon had momentarily subsided. Although the sun was out for the first time in a while, the air was still muggy with humidity and summer heat, making it feel like a steam bath.Seo Jungyoon wiped the sweat from his sticky neck with his palm and turned his head. The 15-story building attached to the back of the Royal Peak Hotel looked just as elegant as the hotel itself. It suddenly reminded him that Jaehyuk worked somewhere in that building.Seo Jungyoon hadn’t yet told Jaehyuk about meeting CEO Yoon today. The appointment was set up hastily, and Jaehyuk was so busy with work that Jungyoon found it hard to burden him with his own matters.I’ll tell him later… once it’s confirmed.Not wanting to add to what Jaehyuk already had on his plate, Seo Jungyoon tucked his phone back into his pocket. Just then, a taxi slid to a stop in front of the building.Jungyoon was quite surprised to see who stepped out of the taxi.“…Editor?”The editor’s face had a glossy shine from what looked like a professional makeup job.Ko Eunju quickly ran up the steps to where Jungyoon was standing. As she got closer, the scent of her heavy perfume wafted over.“Have you been waiting long, Mr. Seo?”“No, I just got here.”With her wavy hair and a dress she wouldn’t usually wear, she clearly put in a lot of effort for today. Her appearance was quite different from the casual look Jungyoon had seen a few days ago, so he made a point to acknowledge it.“Why are you so dressed up today?”“Is it that obvious? I spent a lot on this.”“Very much so.”“You’ll understand why I went to all this trouble when you meet CEO Yoon Taerim. Not dressing up would make me feel totally outclassed.”“Should I have put in some effort too?”At that, the editor stepped back to look Jungyoon over.Seo Jungyoon’s outfit was nothing special — just a simple shirt tucked into neat slacks. His arms, slender and pale, extended from the short sleeves. His deer-like features paired well with the simple attire.“No, you look great as you are. You just need to show your face.”“What does that mean?”Jungyoon let out a sheepish laugh, and the editor promptly linked her arm with his, leading him forward to take charge of the shy man.Upon reaching the top floor after being guided, they were met by a waiting secretary. Jungyoon expected they would meet CEO Yoon together, but unexpectedly, the secretary separated them.“Mr. Seo Jungyoon, I’ll take you to the CEO’s office. Ms. Ko Eunju, please wait in the reception room.”“Go for it, Mr. Seo!”Before Jungyoon could react, he found himself alone, entering the CEO’s office. He sat on the sofa as directed, but being alone in the empty room made his mouth go dry.“The CEO will be here shortly. I’ll bring some tea. Would you prefer it hot or cold?”“Uh… hot, please.”“Please wait a moment.”The secretary bowed at a 45-degree angle before leaving. Jungyoon watched her, his occupational habit of observing people kicking in.Once the door closed and he was completely alone, his attention shifted to the surroundings. Still seated on the sofa, Jungyoon surveyed the office.Offices are generally similar wherever you go. But the office of someone managing a globally renowned hotel chain would be special, wouldn’t it?The 20 square meters or so, embodying one person’s taste and work style, could be described in one word: clean.The furniture looked expensive, and despite the many items present, they were arranged with such precision that it bordered on compulsive.The very sight of it made Jungyoon feel suffocated, and he touched his neck, which felt oddly bare. He couldn’t work in such a space.He then thought of his own study, a chaotic room where books were piled up like a graveyard. Yoon Taerim would probably be unable to work even for a moment in such a place.Imagining someone he had never met, Jungyoon let out a small chuckle, which helped ease his tension and relaxed his stiff shoulders.There was no sign of the secretary returning with the tea. After about five minutes, he heard footsteps and faint voices from beyond the closed door.“The guest?”“I’ve taken him to the CEO’s office.”“What’s that?”“Mr. Seo Jungyoon…”“Not that. …back to…”His name was mentioned in the conversation. As soon as Jungyoon straightened his back, the door behind him swung open.Thud, thud. The sound of hard shoes hitting the floor approached. Jungyoon instinctively stood up, sensing that CEO Yoon Taerim had arrived even without looking.The man, now standing close, extended his right hand towards Seo Jungyoon.“Pleased to meet you. I am Yoon Taerim, CEO of Royal Peak Hotel.”Jungyoon carefully shook the offered hand, but due to the suddenness of the meeting, he found himself looking down at their joined hands rather than meeting eyes, even though he knew it was impolite.“Hello, I’m Seo Jungyoon.”“Sorry for being late. There was some traffic on the way here.”“It’s okay.”He’s… really tall.Jungyoon finally looked up. It took a while to scan from feet to head.189? Maybe even over 190? Despite his good eye for such things, Yoon Taerim’s proportions were so impeccable that even gauging his height was difficult.Yoon Taerim naturally walked to the sofa opposite Jungyoon, handing him a business card before sitting down. The card was as clean and unadorned as everything else.“Please sit.”“Yes.”Jungyoon sat down, placing the just-received business card on the glass table.If he had known this, he should have brought the business cards given by the publisher. He felt a belated regret and fiddled with his hands hidden under the table to hide his awkwardness.As an awkward silence fell, Yoon Taerim was the first to speak.“Mr. Seo Jungyoon, you look younger than I expected.”“Excuse me?”“I heard you’re twenty-eight this year.”At this sudden topic, Jungyoon’s head snapped up, his eyes meeting Yoon Taerim’s for the first time. Yoon’s dark eyes seemed to pierce through Jungyoon’s face, as if he had been watching him from the start.“Twenty-eight isn’t that young, is it?”“You look about twenty-two or twenty-three, like you don’t age at all.”“I’ve never thought of myself as youthful.”Jungyoon responded clearly, his tone slightly sharp, but Yoon Taerim just gave a faint smile.Just then, there was a knock, and the secretary entered, placing two cups of tea on the table with such care that there was barely a sound.“Let’s talk while we drink tea.”“Thank you.”Just as he was feeling thirsty, Seo Jungyoon carefully wrapped his hand around the teacup handle. The tea, cooled just enough to drink, moistened his parched mouth and caressed his tongue with its subtle floral scent and sweet aftertaste. The warm, familiar taste helped Jungyoon relax slightly.“Jasmine… it is.”“Do you like it?”“Yes, I do.”“I’m glad.”Yoon Taerim took a sip of tea as well, then set his cup down, looking directly at Seo Jungyoon.Despite the silent, meaningful eye contact that seemed like a staring contest, Seo Jungyoon did not avert his gaze, meeting Yoon’s eyes head-on.‘You’ll understand why I dressed up like this when you meet CEO Yoon Taerim. Not doing so would crush my spirit.’The editor’s words came to mind; he now understood their meaning. Who could stand confidently before such a man?The night before, Seo Jungyoon had done some research on Yoon Taerim. He thought he was familiar with his appearance from numerous photos, but seeing him in person was quite different.What to say about the man in front of him? Beyond his tall stature, every element about him seemed to overwhelm others. Born with much, enjoying it without any sense of inadequacy.Suddenly, the Royal Peak Hotel seemed to overlap behind the sofa where Yoon Taerim sat. His ownership of such opulence at thirty-two looked entirely natural.He was wealth personified, with affluence running through his veins.“I heard you’re preparing a novel based on a conglomerate family. You need material for research, right?”“Yes.”“Can I ask specifically what you’re curious about?”“Everything about daily life. What they eat and drink, how they work, how they spend their leisure time, what their interests are.”Yoon Taerim let out a soft laugh, though his expression barely changed, lifting only the corners of his mouth slightly.“Life is pretty much the same for everyone, isn’t it?”“It’s different.”“How can you be so sure?”Instead of answering, Seo Jungyoon scrutinized Yoon Taerim. He was convinced; this man lived in a different world from others.You could tell just from his attire. The high-end suit that few could afford, the luxury watch peeking from under his sleeve, worn with such natural ease as if it were his skin.His demeanor and speech were not arrogant, yet his mere glance had the power to belittle others.Jungyoon wondered what Yoon Taerim was thinking now, what face he hid behind that impenetrable facade.The ecosystem of the upper class was beyond anything Seo Jungyoon could imagine.“It must have been three or four years ago when I was in the United States. I read a book by Seo Jungyoon. The title was ‘The Predator.'”“…”“It was quite impressive. I thought the author must have killed someone twelve times over.”“…”“That’s why I was more surprised. I didn’t know such a young person wrote it.”‘The Predator’ was a novel Jungyoon wrote when he was twenty-four. It was from the perspective of a serial killer, his first bestseller that made his name known, with its rights sold overseas, even adapted into a season of a drama last year.Yoon Taerim slowly crossed his legs. The sound of fine fabric rustling reached Seo Jungyoon’s ears, tickling them.“Did you do this kind of research when you wrote ‘The Predator’?”“…I did meet some death row inmates.”“Then, am I the model for this new novel?”“I don’t think so. It’s just research, and the protagonist will be a completely different character.”Even after saying this, Seo Jungyoon felt like he was lying and lowered his gaze.In fact, Yoon Taerim’s statement was partially correct. It would be hard to completely separate the two. Even if the character had a different personality and appearance, it would ultimately be based on Yoon Taerim.Given the nature of Seo Jungyoon’s novels, the likelihood of the character being virtuous was slim. He could guess what Yoon Taerim might be worried about.Now in the position of the subordinate, Seo Jungyoon licked his dry lips. Honestly, asking for help in such a submissive manner was not in his nature.“If you find it uncomfortable, I won’t force you.”“Do you have someone else in mind?”“…Yes.”“I’m curious who that might be. There aren’t many who fit the bill as well as I do.”For the first time during their conversation, Yoon Taerim boasted about himself. He gave a gentle smile as if he could see through Seo Jungyoon’s lie. Even though he was smiling, Jungyoon felt his spirit being crushed.“Let me help you. I also have something I’d like to ask of you, Mr. Seo. Let’s help each other out.”He uncrossed his legs and straightened his posture. His impeccable upper body stood tall. In an instant, Yoon Taerim transformed into a businessman and made an offer.“Let’s do this. I’ll give you the interview you want. Once a week, from midnight to two a.m.”Then, he pulled a plastic card from his jacket pocket and slid it across the table.Seo Jungyoon stared blankly at the card that approached him. It was a hotel key.“Midnight?”“Is that too late?”A hotel at midnight could easily be misunderstood by others. But since Yoon Taerim didn’t know his sexual orientation, would it be okay because they were both men?While Jungyoon was contemplating, Yoon Taerim continued in his monotone voice.“I’m not usually free. That’s when my schedule ends.”“…I see.”“Of course, it might be tiring for you at such a late hour.”“I’m fine with it.”He usually worked in the early hours anyway. Midnight was when Seo Jungyoon would be most active.Seo Jungyoon carefully picked up the glittering hotel key, clutching it tightly and looking up at Yoon Taerim.“What do I need to do for you?”At his determined words, Yoon Taerim’s eyes curved slightly. He tapped the table lightly with his finger before standing up decisively.His long legs moved towards the desk, pulled out several binders, came back, and spread them out on the table, even turning them so Seo Jungyoon could read them easily.“Here’s the promotion plan starting next month.”Seo Jungyoon slowly began reading the papers in front of him. The title of the proposal under the Royal Peak Hotel logo was impressive.‘Elegant Rest.’It was a package deal offering unlimited use of four premium rooms, dining, and all hotel amenities. Despite the price per night being in the hundreds, the package seemed to be structured in a way that the hotel would actually lose money.“I would like Seo Jungyoon to experience it firsthand and write an essay about it.”Jungyoon read through the content, slightly recoiling at the condition that included promotional photos. His already pale face grew even paler.“Wouldn’t it be better for someone with more influence to do this kind of promotion?”“I prefer something with dignity. The customers who use this promotion would want that too.”Yoon Taerim stated definitively. He disliked celebrities, famous influencers, people who were just flashy and loud.A vague smile spread across Yoon Taerim’s lips.“If it’s you, Mr. Seo, my time investment would be worthwhile.”“…”Seo Jungyoon looked up at the man standing beside the table.Yoon Taerim, who was looking down on him, had maintained an air of superiority from the beginning to now, not losing his dignity even in his presumptuous stance. He was someone who gladly enjoyed his given arrogance and confidence.“I’ll… think about it.”He deferred giving a definite answer. The edge of the hotel key pressed into Jungyoon’s soft palm.ᶻ 𝗓 𐰁It started raining heavily again.The sound of the pouring rain was quite fierce. However, despite the savage weather outside, Seo Jungyoon’s study remained peaceful.The owner of the room had been reading for three hours already. Lying loosely against the sofa in the study, he turned the pages of a book. The novel, worn from handling, had a tattered cover, and the pages, eaten by moisture, were yellowed and brittle.Seo Jungyoon liked the peculiar musty smell emanating from old books. Whenever he had cluttered thoughts, he would pick up this book. Even though he had read it dozens of times, he slowly engraved each sentence into his mind.“…Ah.”But today, he couldn’t concentrate at all. After reading the same page for tens of minutes, Seo Jungyoon finally closed the book and took off his silver-framed glasses.He leaned his head back on the cushion, closing his eyes for a moment, then reached his arm under the sofa. He pulled out the binder he had carelessly thrown there. Seo Jungyoon looked over the proposal again carefully.A luxury hotel he had never stayed in before. An opulent package far beyond his usual. He doubted whether he could enjoy it properly or even express it in writing. Above all, the condition involving photography was the most concerning.He could predict how people would react if his face were revealed. Seo Jungyoon didn’t want his novels to be demeaned and his face to become the focus of attention. Being known as the grandson of the poet Seo Taesun was already overwhelming enough.He should refuse Yoon Taerim’s proposal.Without realizing it, he let out a sigh filled with worry. He tried to clear his mind by closing his eyes, but instead, the image of the man he had met earlier filled his thoughts.Would he ever meet someone like him again?