21.3

Seonho’s face was uncharacteristically grim as he got out of the car. He hadn’t been able to rest properly during the long flight from Korea to England.

It’s unfortunate. One day, Chaeyoon would have to meet my mother. It’s an inevitable issue. But I hoped it would be when Chaeyoon and I were a little more established.

From the photos sent, Chaeyoon and his mother looked happy, but Seonho couldn’t tell what that meant.

He just hoped his mother hadn’t made a big, irreparable mistake.

Seonho took a deep breath to shake off the tension and pulled out his phone to call Chaeyoon, nervously wondering if she would even answer. Fortunately, she did.

– Seonho?

Her voice was soft.

“Where are you?”

• In the studio, designing.

“Are you busy? You don’t have class today.”

• I’m always busy. I have a commissioned product.

“A commission? Do students get commissioned?”

• I’m somewhat exceptional.

Chaeyoon’s giggling made Seonho’s heart feel like it was burning up.

“What about lunch?”

• Oh? It’s almost noon.

“I told you to take care of yourself.”

Seonho spoke sternly.

• I will eat, stop nagging. It makes you less charming.

“When have you ever found me charming?”

• You’re just saying that because you want to hear that I find you charming, right?

“You caught on? You’re quick-witted. Then tell me what I want to hear.”

Seonho grinned.

• Oh dear, can’t help it. Alright, you’re charming. Happy now?

Though her tone lacked enthusiasm, Seonho’s heart melted anyway.

“No, not happy. How charming am I?”

• Let it go when I play along. This could get rough.

Chaeyoon’s response made Seonho laugh loudly.

• By the way, why are you calling and nagging at this hour? It’s nearly four in the morning in Korea. Are you not sleepy?

“I’m waiting for you. Come out. Let’s have lunch together.”

• What? Are you in London again?

“Yes, I’m right in front of the school.”

The call ended, and soon Chaeyoon came out, her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail. She wore a simple outfit of a white T-shirt and jeans. They say if you still look pretty in that, you’re truly beautiful, and Chaeyoon was just that.

He wondered how she could be so pretty even without makeup.

“I told you to contact me in advance when you come.”

Chaeyoon said as she put on the trench coat she was holding.

“That’s why I contacted you in advance.”

Seonho grinned mischievously as he helped her into her trench coat. Judging by her expression, Chaeyoon didn’t seem too offended, which was a bit reassuring.

“Not in London, but before you leave Korea. And how long have you been in London that you’re already here? Is the company still running okay?”

“One subsidiary won’t ruin the group. Maybe I should get fired and come to you. Would you take me in if I got kicked out?”

“I’ll think about it.”

“Huh? Really? You’ll think about it?”

“Thinking about it isn’t that hard. I’ll just think about it.”

Chaeyoon smiled lightly.

“You know I’m perfectly satisfied just hearing that. You’ve trained me well.”

“Am I a trainer? What training are you talking about?”

“You’re a tamer. You’re taming me. You know that, right? You’re the only one I have.”

Seonho clung to Chaeyoon’s arm playfully.

“Oh, come on, really. What have I gotten myself into.”

He expected Chaeyoon to push him away in annoyance, but she just smiled, letting it slide. This reaction was so unexpected that Seonho was almost taken aback.

“What do you want to eat?”

“I’m craving something spicy. Let’s go to a Korean restaurant, it’s been a while.”

Seonho unhooked his arm and extended his hand, which Chaeyoon took willingly.

“I’ll call a car.”

“It’s close, let’s walk.”

Seonho intertwined his fingers between Chaeyoon’s, holding her hand tightly.

Hoping to hold and entwine all of her, just like her hand held in his.

“Did you meet my mother by any chance?”

Seonho asked the inevitable question in a casual tone.

“Yeah, she was here.”

Contrary to Seonho’s high tension, Chaeyoon’s voice was calm.

“What did she say?”

“She was asking what our relationship was.”

Seonho let out a low groan at Chaeyoon’s words.

“Just like that? Typical of mother. And?”

“I told her the truth. That we’re friends.”

“Friends?”

Seonho’s eyebrows twitched.

“We’re still just friends, aren’t we?”

Chaeyoon’s smile was too radiant, making it hard to discern her true feelings.

“From what I remember, you said you liked being in a relationship, but you told her we’re just friends? Did meeting my mother change your mind?”

Seonho said accusingly, feeling slightly offended.

“You really are like your mother, you know?”

Chaeyoon suddenly giggled, making an unexpected comment.

“Is that a compliment?”

Seonho responded, to which Chaeyoon laughed again.

You see, even your next words are just the same.

“I thought so when I saw the Vice Chairwoman from a distance a few times, but how could she be so charming at that age? Seeing her up close, she’s even more attractive.”

“If you like my looks, that might be possible.”

“It’s not just about being good-looking. She’s confident and competent.”

“Well, that’s true.”

“I really like that kind of character.”

“Really? It doesn’t seem like it, considering you like Joo-eun.”

“Don’t pick on her. It’s because of Joo-eun that I realized I like that kind of character. That’s why I became interested in you.”

“Is that how it works?”

“Mom said before that the Vice Chairwoman is really smart. Meeting her in person, I saw she wasn’t just sitting in that position for nothing. I learned a lot this time. I’ve always thought my mom was wise, but the Vice Chairwoman has a different kind of insight.”

Chaeyoon spoke seriously.

Seonho couldn’t grasp what was happening right now. He had come all tensed up, only to encounter an utterly unexpected turn of events.

“I guess you didn’t have a bad time with my mom.”

Seonho said wistfully.

He couldn’t reveal that he had a secret bodyguard monitoring Chaeyoon’s every move, so he couldn’t pretend to know what they had done together.

“Yeah. It was fun. We went to an auction, saw a musical, and went to a pub. Plus, she bought a gemstone and commissioned me to make jewelry?”

“Jewelry commission? From my mother?”

Seonho looked incredulous.

Seonkyung was a discerning and difficult client, only dealing with those who matched her reputation. And here she was, commissioning a mere student.

“That’s the design I’m doing today.”

“What kind of magic did you use on my mother?”

Junsu was right not to worry.

While he had hardly slept or eaten properly for days, Chaeyoon was not only fine but had fun.

“What magic? I’m not a witch.”

“It’s impossible to imagine her hanging out with you, not with her personality. And to think she went about with you after she saw pictures of you and me together, trying to confirm our relationship.”

“We’re not officially dating.”

Though her words were accurate, Seonho couldn’t easily say “That’s right,” and his lips pursed.

“I told a little lie. I pretended not to notice that you liked me. That changed her attitude.”

“How could you do that?”

“It seems she wanted me not to know you liked me. That was the turning point. Once you were out of the topic, conversations flowed surprisingly well, and that led me to be her guide in London.”

Despite Chaeyoon’s explanation, Seonho still had a hard time understanding what she was talking about and how it could lead to such a situation. It seemed something he’d have to see to understand.

“By the way, I prepared a gift for you.”

Chaeyoon suddenly remembered.

“A gift?”

“I told you, since I’ve received so much from you, I wanted to give you a gift too. I’ll pay for lunch today.”

At that, Seonho quickly extended his other hand, the one that wasn’t holding her.

“Give it here, the gift.”

“You really love gifts for someone who lacks nothing.”

Chaeyoon slapped his extended hand playfully.

“Because it’s your gift.”

Seonho smiled coyly, charming as ever.

“It’s at home. After lunch, I’ll give it to you at home if you behave well.”

“And you say you’re not training me?”

Seonho muttered grumpily, and Chaeyoon laughed merrily as if amused.

***

Seonho’s expression brightened the moment he saw the red piercing placed on the black velvet.

“A piercing? Did you make this?”

“Yes.”

“There’s only one, though.”

At that, Chaeyoon took out another piercing, this one embedded with a green vidylite. Though different in color and size, they obviously matched as a pair.

“Couple piercings?”

“In ancient times, when some countries bought slaves, they freed them in the seventh year. However, some slaves chose to remain slaves for life instead of becoming free. They would pierce their ears with an awl and wear a ring as a sign.”

Seonho caught the implication of her words.

“Are you concluding that I should become your lifelong slave after saying you’d think about it?”

“Am I buying you? Then I would be your master, right? But of course, the choice is yours.”

Chaeyoon looked intently at Seonho and smiled broadly.

“Looking into your eyes, it seems like I don’t have much choice.”

“What about my eyes?”

“They’re like those of a starving predator, flashing as if they’re about to devour me.”

“Ah, you caught me. You’re right, I’ve been starving for so long I could crush you to the bone and eat you all. Remember last time I was sick, and we couldn’t…”

Seonho felt goosebumps rise with unspeakable anticipation as Chaeyoon’s hot gaze scanned him from head to toe.

“Do you know? You might seem like a well-behaved honor student, but in fact, you’re destructive.”

“I’m destructive?”

Chaeyoon looked genuinely unaware.

“I initially thought you just had a strong dominant side, but now I see. If I leave your hands, I feel like I’d be shattered into pieces.”

“That’s why I warned you. You might regret trying to catch me.”

“Why would I regret it? It’s so good. The intense will you have to destroy if I leave makes my blood boil. I love that you seem like you’ll never let go of me under any circumstances, so in that sense……”

Seonho began slowly undoing his shirt buttons.

“Then today, I want you to eat me up, and I want you to make tons of kiss marks all over my body as proof that I’m yours.”

Seonho teased languidly, smiling provocatively.

“You’ll regret it, I’ll bite you really hard.”

Chaeyoon warned as she stepped closer to Seonho and grabbed his shirt with both hands.

“As you wish. I’m yours.”

Seonho leaned in and whispered, lips almost touching Chaeyoon’s.

“I’ve missed you.”

“Me too.”

Chaeyoon then pushed Seonho towards the bed.