chapter 5

Se-hyeon looked at his watch and checked the time. There are still twenty minutes left until the appointment. Se-hyeon, who was straightening his half-turned position on the sofa with the intention of waiting for Shin Tae-oh, suddenly wondered why he was here.

"Yes, I can understand that it is an extension of work, but why can't we go together from home?"

After receiving a call from Shin Tae -oh in the morning, se-hyeon felt strange and unfamiliar to himself, waiting calmly in the hotel lobby. It's like making an appointment with someone and coming first and waiting.

"Is this what Shin Tae-oh is aiming for?"

Since he said he was embarrassed to come to the hotel, I guess he was acting like he had a business meeting.

Se-hyeon, now feeling relieved, adjusted his tie and put the bag he was carrying next to him so he could see it clearly.

When Shin Tae-oh comes, should he say 'Hello, boss?' Or, 'Welcome'. Would 'Boss.' better? Whatever it is, just make it look business-like.

I looked towards the door again to see when Shin Tae-oh would come in.

Se-hyeon immediately stood up, straightened out his crumpled suit, and waited for him.

When he reached a distance where he could hear each other's voices, Se-hyeon opened his mouth. At the same time as Shin Tae-oh.

"Hello, boss."

"You've waited a long time, babe?"

It wasn't that conversation didn't work. Since we only exchanged brief greetings, I could argue that it wasn't all right, but since we both sensed that it was awkward, the next words did not come out.

He greeted Shin Tae-oh more formally than usual, and he welcomed him with a sweet voice.

Each person's role play was different. It was a silence that was achieved when the thoughts of himself meeting for work and Shin Tae-oh's thoughts of coming to meet his lover clashed.

'No, but what was this guy thinking when he went to sleep?'

Babe!! If someone other than your family member calls you "babe," can you reply that you are "babe"? Baby? I was shocked that such a strange person was brought in.

He said he was meeting Yoo Jin-ha today, but why did he call me his?

Se-hyeon, who was feeling all kinds of irritated inside, took care of the situation for a moment.

"I have checked  in."

Shin Tae-oh cleared his throat awkwardly and headed towards the elevator.

"I didn't know you would call me boss."

"Sorry."

"I'm very embarrassed to come to the hotel. So, after thinking about it, I called Secretary Ahn as my lover, but it would have been even more awkward."

'It's already gotten awkward.'

Se-hyeon thought about saying something but held back.

"Shouldn't we go up with someone else later? I thought it would be right to call your boss just in case."

"Is it?"

Shin Tae-oh seemed to think that Se-hyeon's words were valid and took the elevator without further comment.

Se-hyeon looked at the scenery beyond the transparent wall. He was a decent sight to see so you wouldn't get bored while going up to the highest floor.

"Here."

Then, Se-hyeon turned his head when he heard Shin Tae-oh's voice suddenly speaking to him. Shin Tae-oh pointed at something and it was the logo of this hotel. Daeil. It was the name of the largest company in the country and a world-renowned group.

"When I was young, the president and I often came to the hotel. At that time, when he got on the elevator, a man and a woman would hold her hand and get on and off in a friendly manner. When he saw men and women smiling when they made eye contact, he thought the hotel was a place to come with someone you love."

I stayed quiet because I didn't have anything to say, but fortunately, no one asked me for an answer Shin Tae-oh continued his story.

"Now that I'm all grown up, I know that it's not just lovers or married couples who come. I know that you can come here for business or just for a one-night stand, but once you set your mind, it's hard to change your mind."

Is that why you haven't been to the hotel all this time?

"Do you know how I came here today? "I'm going to have a good time with Jin-ha."

The elevator stopped with a smile as Shin Tae-oh turned around.

Shin Tae-oh, who got off the elevator, checked the direction and started walking, quickly disappeared from sight.

Se-hyeon, who was looking at the spot where Shin Tae-o was standing while pressing the open button, blurted out.

"He's funny."

The perverted cat was a pure man.

***

Entering the suite, Se-hyeon closed the door behind him and looked around at the view. The wide open space welcomed Se-hyeon with its sophisticated interior. As Se-hyeon went inside and looked around every nook and cranny to familiarize himself with the structure, there was no admiration for the suite.

'As expected, it's similar.'

Shin Tae-oh's house was like this. In fact, it was better decorated than here. The house where the works collected by Shin Tae-oh, who has an excellent sense of aesthetics, and the small models he made as a hobby were displayed, had more to see and were more attractive. Maybe that's why I looked around with a more carefree mind than I expected, and I found just one thing different.

"What are you doing?"

"Ah..."

Every time Shin Tae-oh held the remote control and pressed a button, the glass wall in front turned black and then became transparent repeatedly.

"Should we make this at home too?"

"I'll find out."

Remembering the rule that a question is an instruction, Se-hyeon took out his cell phone and briefly entered the information. It's actually a better house than a hotel, but if you add more options, it will be even better.

"The wine cellar is small."

Can it be compared to your house, which has a wine cellar in the basement?

"Secretary Ahn. Come here."

Se-hyeon, who had been looking around to see if there was anything else Shin Tae-oh might like, turned around when he heard the sound of him calling out. He wondered what he had found, but Shin Tae-oh, who had already taken off his outer clothes, came carrying wine and a glass.

"What are you doing now?"

"To get a taste."

It would be nice to eat it alone, but there are two glasses.

"Secretary Ahn, you don't have to drink. I think it's just a matter of matching the assortment. I put it there to imagine drinking it face-to-face with Jin-ha.”

Taenyang's sincerity was admirable as he even prepared wine to drink with Jin-ha in advance.

So, I sat across from Shin Tae-oh, admiring his sincerity. It's because I absolutely want to drink wine.

"All right."

Right.

In response to Se-hyeon's answer, Shin Tae-o poured wine into two glasses in turn. Se-hyeon naturally took the glass and tasted it.

"It seems heavy to create an appropriate atmosphere, so a light wine would be better."

"Uh... okay."

Shin Tae-oh immediately brought another wine, and Se-hyeon hummed to himself. It was brought by Shin Tae-oh, who has a good eye for wine, and the aroma and flavour were significant. It would taste good no matter what you eat, but I thought it would be better to choose something that suits the mood.

I also feel sorry for Shin Tae-oh.

It's not going to work out anyway, so it's good to try to set the mood properly for today. Even if things don't work out for each other, we can make good memories.'

I just drink a little bit anyway. I didn't think it would progress beyond that.

Because Yoo Jin-ha is a man whose heart only responds to Ha Min-hyuk.

Se-hyeon, who was tasting various wines, took advantage of the faintly rising intoxication to glance sideways at Shin Tae-oh.

My fever rose, so I pulled my collar once and let it go. I didn't drink well because I drank too much. Thanks to that, I didn't have to worry much about following Shin Tae-oh and sipping alcohol, but now I felt dizzy.

I guess it's because I'm not in good physical condition. I felt like I couldn't drink anymore, so I took my hand off the wine. Then Shin Tae-oh gave me a look asking why I was doing that. I was about to say I couldn't drink anymore, but I thought it would be better to distract myself. The worries were short and the action was quick.

I laughed because Shin Tae-oh's gaze did not leave my face. You look at me like that because you know what I'm going to say. As a secretary, I shouldn't smile, but the corners of my mouth turned up.

"Secretary Ahn is smiling now."

In response to Shin Tae-oh's question, Se-hyeon shamelessly remained silent as if he didn't know.

I never would have thought to see the expressions on his face in such a short period of time.

"No."

"I think  you laughed."

"If you don't mind, may I ask you something?"

Se-hyeon quickly opened his mouth because he thought he would continue to speak with his own expression if he stayed still.

"To me?"

"Why not?"

"No, that's not it."

Shin Tae-oh waved his hands and couldn't hide his embarrassment.

"You always acted like you knew me so well that I didn't know how to ask questions. I'm not saying don't do it. "I was just surprised."

I can't help but do that because I know quite a bit of information about Shin Tae-oh.

"Then let me ask you two questions."

"Two of each? Thank you."

"Why do you mix formal and formal speech?

This was a question I always heard. during the three years, I followed him around as his assistant. I couldn't find out because the novel doesn't say how he treats his secretary or why he treats him that way. It seems like he's just doing what he wants, but I don't know the standard.

"Depending on my mood."

"If you're in a good mood, you speak informally?"

"That's not it."

While Shin Tae-oh poured a new glass of wine, their gazes crossed. Shin Tae-o looked at the wine glass and Se-hyeon looked at his hand. It is the only beautiful part of his manly appearance. Long and straight.

"If you feel like you're getting closer, speak informally. If not, be respectful."

"Was it something like that?"

I don't know when I first felt that familiar feeling, but I didn't dig deep. Now that I've heard why they mix it, I'm no longer curious.

"It's fun. Try the next question again."

The second time, I was wondering for a moment whether it would be okay to ask, but with the help of Shin Tae-oh's sly smile, I tried my luck.

"A lover who loves hotels will come-..."

When I actually tried to speak, I stuttered without realizing it.

"Then, I'm going to hold hands only with the person I love..."

"I was wondering what question it was again. "Why don't you have a one-night stand?"  Shin tae -oh asked.

Se-hyeon kept his mouth shut at Shin Tae-oh's easy answer. He didn't even need to explain further. This is really impulsive... It's came to mind because of something he heard earlier while taking the elevator up.

I wonder if it's because  he was only looking at Jin-ha or if he's really a genuine guy...

I wondered if it was a presumptuous question, and I thought hard about whether I should just tell him to forget it or listen to the answer and apologize.