‘Ah, same as always. Seeing the messy penthouse, I can’t help but sigh. On the other hand, thinking this might be the last time I clean it gives me a strange feeling. Maybe I’ve grown to like cleaning more than I expected.’

As I head toward the bedroom, I glimpse someone through the translucent window. For a brief moment, I worry it might be Yang Ho-beom. But it’s Kim Woo-young who appears. He looks like he just woke up with messy hair, wearing nothing but underwear.

“Good morning.”

He casually greets me and walks to the refrigerator with his puffy face. Thankfully, there’s no sign of anyone else today. While pulling the bed sheets for cleaning, something falls to the floor with a thud. Usually I’d pick it up without hesitation, but this time I scream and throw it away.

“Ah, sh*t! You scared me!”

Looking closer at what I threw, it turns out to be a long, wavy brown wig. I thought it was real human hair and got terrified. As I’m calming myself down, Kim Woo-young suddenly appears behind me.

“Like it? Not really Beom’s style though.”

I step away from him and point to the wig on the floor.

“You’re throwing it away, right?”

“Take it if you want. It would suit you.”

“No thanks, I’ll throw it away.”

Ignoring his comment, I gather the wig with the stripped sheets and move them to the cart. Then I return with the gift I bought at the department store yesterday. When I hold out the box, Kim Woo-young tilts his head curiously.

“What’s this?”

“Tomorrow’s Christmas. I bought you something.”

“A gift for me?”

Surprisingly pleased, he opens the box asking why I bought such a thing. His was a gray scarf, which he unfolds and admires with exclamations. His reaction is completely opposite to Yang Ho-beom’s, making me feel a bit proud.

“Wow. My goodness.”

“Do you like it?”

“No. Not really. It’s totally cheap.”

From his expression, I can’t tell if he’s joking or serious. I pout. I went all the way to the department store for this. People in this household don’t appreciate gifts. When I reach out my hand suggesting he can give it back if he doesn’t want it, he quickly takes it and wraps it around his neck.

“How is it? Does it suit me?”

I couldn’t bring myself to answer honestly. Kim Woo-young surprisingly doesn’t look good in gray. It’s not just because he’s only wearing underwear—the color simply doesn’t match his complexion. Maybe my taste is terrible. Then again, I’ve never had good judgment with men, so why would I have good taste in selecting items?

“Yeah, it suits you.”

“You’re lying. Your eyes are darting around.”

“No, really…”

“Won’t Beom get jealous if he finds out? I don’t want any misunderstandings.”

“I gave one to Manager Yang too.”

Kim Woo-young asks with a curious face.

“Really? What kind?”

“A scarf…”

Ah, Kim Woo-young lets out a sigh, clicks his tongue, and says:

“What is this, handing out towels at a store opening?”

Now I can really believe they’re cousins. How can they both be so annoyingly similar in their comments? At least Kim Woo-jin wouldn’t be like that. He’s the kindest of the three. Though I won’t be able to give him his gift in person…

“What color did you give Beom?”

“Burgundy.”

Before I finish speaking, Kim Woo-young grimaces.

“Why did you do that? He absolutely hates red.”

“Really…?”

He didn’t seem to have any complaints about the scarf’s color. He was just upset that I gave scarves to everyone else too.

“Anyway, I’ll use it well. Thanks. Oh, and can you finish cleaning by 3 PM today? We’re having a Christmas Eve party here, and guests will arrive from 5 PM. We need to set up in advance.”

This actually works out well for me. I have a lot to prepare too.

“Sure, I’ll do that!”

“You should come too if you’re bored. I have many good friends. I’ll introduce you.”

“No thanks, I’ll pass.”

“Or should I give you a gift too? Wait a moment.”

Kim Woo-young grabs his coat while still in his underwear. I can already guess what he’s about to take out. Sure enough, he pulls out some drugs. Come closer, he gestures, and when I approach, he holds out an envelope. It contains several yellowish pills.

“This can knock out even the toughest guys with one dose.”

I look up at him suspiciously. Just like last time.

“Not just cows, but tigers too.”

Kim Woo-young whispers with a grin before walking away. I can never tell if he’s joking or serious. I stare at his retreating figure before putting the envelope of pills in my back pocket. They might come in handy later.

As I drag the garbage bag to the living room, I receive a message on my phone.

It’s Yang Ho-beom.

[Are you free the day after tomorrow evening?]

Feeling uneasy, I glance around. Why specifically the day after tomorrow? Worried he might get suspicious if I refuse, I reply first.

[What time?]

[8 PM. I’ll pick you up in front of the hotel.]

Kim Tae-shin had contacted me this morning. He told me to come to Gungpyeong Harbor by 11 PM tomorrow night. He also reminded me to take a taxi and get off near the harbor, then walk the rest of the way. But why the evening after tomorrow? Is he going on a business trip somewhere? I move my fingers over the keypad.

[Okay.]

No response. After thinking for a moment, I type:

[By the way, can I meet Seo Min-jun briefly today?]

The moment my message is sent, the phone rings. Startled, I hesitate before answering.

[Why are you meeting Seo Min-jun?]

His voice sounds menacing.

I deliberately let out a loud sigh.

“I want my phone back. It feels uncomfortable knowing he still has it.”

[Give it to me. I’ll return it for you.]

“No thanks. I need to go today. I also have a Christmas gift for him.”

[Don’t tell me you bought that bastard a scarf too?]

He shouts so loudly that I have to pull the phone away from my ear. If I said yes, even as a joke, he’d probably rush over immediately. Actually, I had some hope in bringing up Seo Min-jun. That maybe Yang Ho-beom would tell me the truth. That things had gone wrong. That plans needed to change.

But I knew how futile that hope was.

“Instead of a scarf, I want to scare him a little. I’m thinking of visiting his home. What do you think?”

[Don’t do anything unnecessary.]

Worried Kim Woo-young might hear, I lower my voice and move into the pool area.

“Why is that unnecessary? I’m so angry these days I can’t even sleep. I feel like I need to do something like this to vent. Seo Min-jun has no intention of bringing me down, and you’re not actively helping me, so I have no choice. Am I wrong?”

I hear Ho-beom’s frustrated breathing. Then someone’s voice interrupts from his surroundings. “Sir, it’s time.” There’s also what sounds like an airport announcement. Something about a flight. As I strain to hear the sounds through the receiver, Ho-beom calls my name.

[Anyway, stay put at the hotel. I’ll contact you again.]

The call ends, and I sit on a sun bed with a somewhat dejected expression, staring at the empty pool. Are you really trying to kill me? I couldn’t bring myself to ask. If there had been deeper trust between us, could I have confirmed it? No. It was impossible from the start because we never had any trust in each other.

So I should stop having regrets.

***

[Are you in your room?]

“Yeah.”

I’m watching TV after showering when Yang Ho-beom contacts me again. He seems to be checking if I went to meet Seo Min-jun. I wanted to tell him. That I know he and Seo Min-jun are conspiring to get rid of me. That I won’t be taken advantage of so easily this time.

“Where are you?”

[I’m at the hotel.]

“When are you coming?”

[The morning after tomorrow.]

By the morning after tomorrow, I’ll be gone. I casually respond, “Is that so?” and joke that he should bring me a gift when he returns.

[How’s your stomach? Are you okay?]

“Yeah, thanks to you. The porridge was great.”

While having this ordinary conversation, I grab my jacket and leave the room. As I cross through the hotel’s underground parking lot, a nearby security guard glances at me. When I exit through the back door, snow is falling. The snow falling silently without a breeze looks just like a scene from a painting. For a moment, I forget my circumstances and stare at it in a daze.

“It’s snowing here now…”

[A lot?]

“Yeah. It’s coming down heavily.”

While watching the snow, I see a couple in the distance running excitedly before slipping on the snowy path. Remembering how I drunkenly acted up with Ho-beom, I burst out laughing. Then I unconsciously check my wristwatch. It’s 11:59 PM.

[Why are you so quiet?]

“I’m waiting for it to turn 12. I want to wish you a Merry Christmas.”

[How cheesy.]

“Did you take the scarf I gave you to Hong Kong?”

[No.]

“That’s mean. After I went to the trouble of buying it for you.”

[You didn’t just give it to me.]

“Alright. Next time I’ll give one only to you. Happy now?”

Our conversation continues with both of us hiding our true feelings, exchanging somewhat awkward dialogue. Throughout the call, I wonder what Yang Ho-beom is thinking. As I put a cigarette in my mouth and light it, I notice an unfamiliar car parked across the street. The windows are heavily tinted so I can’t see clearly, but I feel like someone is sitting there watching me.

Pretending not to notice, I check my watch. It’s just past midnight.

“Manager Yang.”

[Yeah?]

“Merry Christmas.”

There’s no return greeting. I deliberately speak in a disappointed tone.

“Why aren’t you saying it back?”

[I’ll say it when we meet. I have a gift for you too.]

At the mention of a gift, I frown with the cigarette still in my mouth. When I ask what the gift is, he says it’s a secret, something I couldn’t imagine even in my dreams. I swallow nervously without realizing it. Between lovers, this might sound sweet, but in our current situation, it’s f*cking terrifying.

I stub out my cigarette and force a smile, saying words I don’t mean.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’m dying to receive it soon.”