Come Back

As Hyunseo checked the emptying bottles on the floor, he headed to the kitchen connected to the dining area to grab more drinks. He returned with a couple of bottles of expensive champagne from a famous brand.

“I brought two bottles from the duty-free shop just for today,” he announced.

The guests cheered at the sight of the heavy black bottles in Hyunseo’s hands—everyone except for one person.

“What a bunch of hicks. What’s so great about that?”

Go Ji-woon.

Younger than Hyunseo by two or three years, Ji-woon was a member of a boy group that had disappeared without a trace. He had transitioned into acting and was the only one left from his team.

Ji-woon’s sarcastic remark chilled the atmosphere. Some muttered curses under their breath, and Ji-woon stood up, picked up his phone, and left the dining area.

“Why did we invite that Ji-woon guy? He just ruins the mood.”

As soon as the glass door connecting the dining room and hallway closed, someone raised their voice.

“When did he start drinking stuff like this? He’s just like us. What’s up with him these days?”

“He’s been getting sponsors since he started acting in dramas.”

“…”

At the mention of “sponsor,” an uncomfortable silence fell over the dining area. It felt as if cold water had been thrown on them.

“Was it last month? He went to some island in the South Pacific and posted all those photos on social media. That was sponsored, too.”

“No wonder… I was wondering where he got the money for that private villa with four bedrooms and a pool.”

Woo Jong-hyun clicked his tongue in understanding, mocking Ji-woon. The revelations kept coming.

“I don’t know what he did with that sponsor while he was on vacation, but when he came back, he bought an apartment in Gangnam.”

“What?”

Woo Jong-hyun exclaimed, incredulous. Almost everyone in the room wore the same expression as him. It was a mix of disgust and discomfort but also curiosity, intrigue, and a hint of envy flickered across their faces.

In that moment, Hongseo, who had been quietly sipping his champagne, felt his chest tighten.

If Ji-woon received that apartment from a sponsor, then what about this place?

They hadn’t gone to the South Pacific island together for some dirty favors. Haeseong hadn’t even touched his lips yet. So, this couldn’t be a sponsorship.

As he pondered this while scraping his teeth along the rim of his champagne glass, a phone on the table buzzed, vibrating lightly.

It was a message from “Carrot Seller.” Hongseo used the excuse of his phone ringing to quietly rise and leave the dining area.

He wanted to check the message from “Carrot Seller” and catch a breath of fresh air. As he exited the hallway and entered the living room, he found Ji-woon sitting alone in the dimly lit space.

“What are you doing here alone?”

“Just… they’re annoying.”

When Ji-woon recognized the presence of Hongseo, he relaxed his previously tense expression, feeling a bit awkward. Although Ji-woon was close with the other members of “Layered,” he often looked up to Hongseo. There was always an air about him that dismissed those his own age.

“Everyone always talks like that. They don’t hold things inside.”

“I don’t care. We’re not going to be lifelong friends anyway.”

Ji-woon shook his head firmly, but then he hesitated, glancing at Hongseo from the corner of his eye.

Since Ji-woon was usually straightforward, Hongseo couldn’t ignore the hint that he had something more to say.

“I’m only saying this because you’re good at keeping secrets, but…”

“What is it? Why so serious?”

Hongseo tried to lighten the mood with a playful comment, but Ji-woon didn’t smile. After Hongseo sat down next to him on the sofa, Ji-woon hesitated for a moment before speaking.

“Actually, I’ve been seeing someone lately.”

“……”

“But… I don’t think I’m the only one for that person.”

He kept glancing over Hongseo’s shoulder to check if anyone was coming, speaking in a voice that was almost a whisper.

“To be honest, the person is already married… I know that I’m just a plaything for them.”

Was this what being a lover meant? Someone who meets up with a married person on the side?

Even though Ji-woon had a strong obsession with success, he wasn’t the kind of guy who would casually refer to a partner in such a manner.

Hongseo couldn’t help but bitterly confirm that the person Ji-woon was talking about was indeed the sponsor mentioned earlier.

“I also know that they’ve been with several people before me. But…”

Ji-woon’s eyes sparkled in the darkness.

“I absolutely don’t want to be someone they can easily toss aside. Is there a good way to do that?”

“……”

“Even if I might be second or third to them, they really treat me well right now. But if one day they get tired of me and say it’s over, I won’t have any way to stop it. I don’t want to end up like those other people they’ve discarded after playing with them.”

Ji-woon clenched his hands tightly as he spoke, not looking like someone distressed by love but rather someone anxious about the opportunity he had seized.

“This is the first time I’ve had this kind of relationship, and it’s an incredibly hard-won chance. If I can just give that person a reason to not easily let me go… I won’t have to worry about anything in the future.”

Now, he was shaking all the way down to his legs.

He looked like someone terrified of missing out on a sudden windfall. There was a hint of madness in his demeanor.

“Do you think there’s a way for people with money and power, like him, to get caught in a weakness? Do you know anyone like that?”

“Well… I’m not exactly a genius myself.”

If he knew how to catch the weaknesses of the wealthy and powerful to become their equal, he would have freed himself from the likes of Jeong Seo-kyung or CEO Myung a long time ago. If such a method existed, Hongseo would certainly want to know.

Ji-woon scooted a little closer to Hongseo.

“Or do you know anyone in your circle who’s good with that kind of thing? Someone who knows the upper class well and has a bit of experience.”

“How would I know people like that?”

The phone in his hand buzzed continuously. It wasn’t a call but a notification that a message had arrived. It was likely from “Carrot Seller.” Lee Haeseong was not just someone who knew the upper class; he was part of it.

Over the past few days, as they exchanged messages and occasional calls during his trip to Europe, Hyunseo found the personal side of Lee Haeseong gaining more prominence than the professional one. For a moment, he had forgotten just how significant Haeseong was socially.

It seemed like he would forever be viewed merely as the vice president of ARA Electronics. Hyunseo felt a moment of disbelief at the unexpected change.

“You’re doing well, aren’t you?”

Go Ji-woon’s voice pulled Hyunseo out of his thoughts, and he looked at him.

Ji-woon cautiously glanced at Hyunseo’s expression before continuing.

“Don’t you have any brokers reaching out to connect you with people?”

“…No, I haven’t.”

“Someone with your looks and popularity these days… no one’s contacted you?”

Hyunseo shook his head. When he didn’t provide the answer Ji-woon was hoping for, Ji-woon let out a heavy sigh as if the ground had fallen out from under him.

“If you meet through a broker, they negotiate the terms for you and give you advice on what to do or not to do. But I didn’t know anything, and that person just approached me, and I ended up meeting them like that…”

Ji-woon ruffled his hair in frustration, feeling like he had missed out on something, and then looked up at Hyunseo with determination.

“You won’t tell anyone, right?”

“I won’t.”

“Do you think I’m dirty too?”

“Who are you to say that?”

“…”

After a moment of silence, Ji-woon stared blankly at Hyunseo in the darkness before dropping his gaze helplessly.

“If you happen to come across a broker in that area, please connect me. I’m asking you.”

Not knowing how to respond, whether to agree or refuse, Hyunseo stood up.

“Aren’t you going back inside?”

“I’m not. They’re probably still talking about me anyway.”

As Ji-woon grumbled and turned on his phone, Hyunseo switched on the lamp next to the sofa and quietly slipped out onto the balcony.

Even though it was mid-summer, the fresh air outside felt more refreshing than the air-conditioned indoors. It wasn’t just because of the river breeze.

He took a deep breath, gazing at the sparkling night view of Gangnam across the river. Having just returned to Korea today and moved into this new place, everything felt awkward, including the view in front of him. It felt like he was visiting someone else’s home.

Buzz, buzz. The phone in his hand vibrated again, almost urging him to check.

Finally opening the messaging app, he found it filled with messages from “Carrot Seller.”