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That morning, Han Su pulled on his hoodie, preparing to leave for work. His mother stood at the kitchen counter, carefully wrapping a neatly packed lunch.
"Mom, you don't have to do this," Han Su said, adjusting his bag.
"Nonsense," she replied, sealing the container. "Your boss looks like someone who doesn't eat real food. He needs this."
Han Su rolled his eyes. "You met him for barely two minutes, and you've already decided he's malnourished? He has the best chefs cooking for him, I'm sure he doesn't need this"
But his mother chuckled, handing him the bag. "Mothers just know these things. Besides, a warm, home-cooked meal can make a world of difference to someone who feels alone."
Before Han Su could respond, Eun ji bounced into the room, holding out a box of chocolates.
"And these are for him too," she said cheerfully.
Han Su groaned. "What is this? A fan club?"
"You're just jealous," Eun ji teased. "Don't act like you don't talk about him all the time. 'Seo Jun this, Seo Jun that.'"
"I do not," Han Su protested, but his mother's knowing smile silenced him.
"Just give them to him," she said. "And treat him well. He's still your boss, after all."
Shaking his head, Han Su took the chocolates. "Fine. But if he asks why I'm acting like a delivery boy, I'm blaming both of you."
When Han Su arrived at the mansion, he was greeted by Mr. Choi, who seemed more animated than usual.
"Good to see you again, Mr. Han Su," the butler said with a slight bow. "The house has been quieter without you."
"Is that so?" Han Su asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh yes," Mr. Choi replied with a glint in his eye. "The young master has been in quite the mood—though, of course, he'd never admit it."
Han Su laughed softly as he walked into the main hall. There Seo Jun stood by the large bay window, his posture as composed as ever.
"You're back," Seo Jun said. His tone was neutral, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of relief.
"Yep," Han Su replied, holding up the bag and chocolates. "And apparently, I come bearing gifts. My mom made you this, and my sister insisted on the chocolates."
Seo Jun blinked, his usual cool demeanor faltering. "Your mom made this? For me?"
Han Su nodded, setting the items on the table. "She said you look like someone who doesn't eat properly."
Seo Jun stared at the container, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Tell her thank you. And your sister too."
"You can tell her yourself next time," Han Su teased.
Seo Jun shot him a half-hearted glare, but the warmth in his expression was unmistakable.
It was late in the evening when Seo Jun called for Han Su. The mansion was quiet—the kind of silence that made every creak of the floor feel amplified.
Han Su had just finished his tasks for the day and was ready to retreat to his room when Mr. Choi intercepted him in the hallway.
"The young master requests your presence in the lounge," Mr. Choi informed him, his usual stoic face betraying a hint of curiosity.
Han Su hesitated. It wasn't like Seo Jun to invite him for anything outside of work. Still, he nodded and made his way to the lounge.
When he entered, Seo Jun was already seated on the sleek leather couch, a bottle of soju and two glasses on the low table before him. He looked up, his usual composed demeanor softening.
"Sit," Seo Jun said, gesturing to the chair across from him.
Han Su raised an eyebrow as he sat down. "What's this about? Are you trying to bribe me into working an extra hour?"
A faint smile tugged at Seo Jun's lips. "Not everything is a negotiation, Han Su. Sometimes people just... talk."
Han Su smiled and leaned back, crossing his arms. "All right. Talk then."
Seo Jun poured the soju into the glasses and slid one across the table.
"You first."
Han Su sighed, taking the glass but not drinking immediately. The room was dimly lit, and the quiet crackle of the artificial fireplace made the atmosphere unexpectedly intimate.
"I don't know what you expect me to say," Han Su began. "My life isn't exactly exciting."
"That's not true," Seo Jun said, his voice softer than usual. "You're one of the most driven people I know."
Han Su chuckled bitterly. "Driven, sure. But what does that even matter when life keeps throwing obstacles at you?"
He took a sip, the warmth of the drink spreading through him.
"You probably don't know this, but my dad left us when I was a kid. Ran off with another woman, leaving my mom to raise me and my sister on her own."
Seo Jun's expression darkened, but he stayed silent, letting Han Su continue.
"She worked herself to the bone for years," Han Su said, his voice tinged with both admiration and pain. "But eventually, her health gave out. Now she's sick, and I have to make sure she's taken care of. On top of that, I need to support Eun ji through school. She's smart—brilliant, even—but she deserves a chance to chase her dreams, not end up like me. Stuck in a cycle I can't break."
"What do you mean, stuck?" Seo Jun asked, leaning forward slightly.
"I wanted to be a software engineer," Han Su admitted. "But college costs money. And money..." He shook his head. "Well, you know how it is."
Seo Jun's chest tightened as he listened. Han Su's voice was steady, but the weight of his struggles was evident—in his tone, in the way his shoulders sagged ever so slightly.
"You're doing everything for them," Seo Jun said quietly.
"Of course I am. They're my family," Han Su replied, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I don't resent it. It's just... sometimes I wish I could do more. Be more."
Seo Jun felt a pang in his chest—a mix of admiration and sorrow. This man, with his unwavering dedication and quiet strength, was unlike anyone he had ever known.
The realization hit him then, soft but undeniable: he was falling for Han Su.
But before he could say anything, Han Su continued, his tone shifting.
"At least I have Jin ho," he said, almost as an afterthought.
Seo Jun blinked. "Jin ho?"
"Yeah," Han Su said, taking another sip. "We've been together for two years now."
Seo Jun felt his stomach drop. Han Su's gaze grew distant.
"He's a good guy. But he doesn't want to go public. Says it's because of the stigma. But sometimes I wonder if that's just an excuse. I get it—it's hard being open about this kind of thing, especially in his position. But... it's been two years. How long am I supposed to wait?"
The words felt like a knife twisting in Seo Jun's chest. He forced a neutral expression, though his mind was spinning.
"That must be difficult," Seo Jun managed to say, his voice tight.
"It is," Han Su admitted. "But I care about him. I just wish he'd care enough to stop hiding."
Seo Jun's grip on his glass tightened. The thought of Han Su—this incredible person—giving his heart to someone who didn't fully appreciate it was almost unbearable.
He wanted to say something. To tell Han Su he deserved better, that he deserved someone who would never hide him or make him question his worth.
But the words caught in his throat.
Seo Jun sat in the lounge, watching Han Su drain another glass of soju. His cheeks were flushed, his usual reserved demeanor slipping away with each sip. He had started rambling about Jin ho again—how much he cared for him, how painful it was to be hidden away like a shameful secret.
Han Su was clearly drunk, and Seo Jun decided to help him to bed.
"Come on, let's get you to bed."
Han Su grumbled something incoherent but didn't resist as Seo Jun stood and helped him up. He carried Han Su bridal-style, steadying him as they made their way to his room.
Once inside, Seo Jun gently eased him onto the bed. Han Su's head hit the pillow, and he sighed—a content sound that made Seo Jun's chest tighten.
For a moment, he just stood there, watching as Han Su's features softened in sleep. He looked so peaceful, so unguarded. The way the overhead light cast a soft glow on his face made him look almost angelic.
Seo Jun's gaze lingered on his lips, and an unbidden thought flashed through his mind.
Don't.
He clenched his fists, stepping back as if the distance could quell the war inside him.
"Good night, Han Su," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
He turned and left, closing the door quietly behind him.
But sleep didn't come easy that night. Seo Jun lay in his bed, staring at the ceiling. His mind refused to quiet, replaying the night's events in an endless loop—the way Han Su had smiled, the way his voice had cracked when he spoke about Jin ho.
It was too much.
By the time the first rays of dawn crept through the curtains, Seo Jun felt like a shell of himself. He dragged himself out of bed and into the dining room, where Han Su was already setting the table for breakfast.
"Morning, boss," Han Su said, pausing when he looked up. His brow furrowed. "Are you okay? You look tired. Like, really tired."
"I'm fine," Seo Jun replied quickly, brushing past him.
Han Su tilted his head, clearly unconvinced, but he didn't press. Seo Jun needed a distraction—something, anything—to pull him out of this downward spiral.
Back in his study, Seo Jun stared at the stack of documents on his desk. He had ignored the company for too long, trusting that the people around him would handle everything.
But now, he needed to dive back in.
He picked up his phone and hesitated for a moment before dialing a number.
"Secretary Yun speaking," came the voice on the other end.
"Yun, it's Seo Jun," he said, his voice brisk.
There was a beat of stunned silence before Yun replied, "Uh, yes sir. Good morning. What can I do for you?"
Seo Jun almost winced. He couldn't remember the last time he had spoken to his secretary outside of signing papers.
"I need an update on the company," he said. "Everything. No sugarcoating."
Yun hesitated before responding. "Well, sir... there are some concerns. I didn't think you wanted to be bothered, but... your aunt, Meah, and her son, Tae Yong, have been making some questionable moves."
Seo Jun's grip on the phone tightened. "What kind of moves?"
Yun cleared his throat. "They've been liquidating assets. Moving funds around without clear explanations. I—I suspect they might be trying to sell parts of the company. Maybe even the whole thing."
Seo Jun felt the blood drain from his face. "Sell the company?"
"Yes, sir," Yun confirmed. "I don't have concrete proof yet, but the signs are troubling."
Seo Jun ended the call with a curt, "Thank you," then sat back in his chair, his mind racing.
The betrayal stung. But more than that, the realization hit him hard—he couldn't afford to lose focus now.
As much as his heart ached for Han Su, his family's legacy was at stake.
And for the first time in a long while, Seo Jun felt a fire ignite within him.
He wasn't going to let this happen.
Not without a fight.
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