The clatter of cutlery echoed lightly through the Lee estate's formal breakfast room. Everyone was seated. Mr. Lee sat at the head, sharp eyes scanning his family like a general reviewing soldiers.
Mr. Lee cleared his throat.
"Tonight, we'll be dining at Cheongdam Imperial with Mr. Hong and his son," he announced, folding his napkin with cold precision. "We'll discuss the marriage proposal for Daon and Eunjae."
Daon nodded once, voice calm. "Understood."
Taemin snorted softly. "Sounds thrilling."
Mr. Lee's eyes flicked over to him, unimpressed. "Behave yourself."
Taemin shrugged. "I always do."
"You'll all attend," Mr. Lee said, eyes sweeping the table before narrowing on Rinwoo. "Except you, Rinwoo."
Rinwoo looked up mid-sip, then slowly lowered his glass.
"Yes, Father," he said quietly. No surprise there. Being left out of "family" business had long stopped stinging... at least on the outside.
Next to him, Taekyun suddenly stood, chair scraping back sharply. Everyone turned, startled.
"I have to go," he muttered, grabbing his jacket from the chair.
Mr. Lee barely glanced at him. "Be at the restaurant by seven. No excuses."
Taekyun didn't answer. He just walked out, the heavy silence in the room snapping shut behind him like a slammed door.
Rinwoo watched him go, eyes narrowing slightly, concern simmering just beneath his calm expression. That was the fourth time this month Taekyun had stormed off mid-breakfast.
He couldn't ignore it anymore.
The rest of the table stayed quiet. Daon finished his toast mechanically. Taemin finally stabbed a sausage like he was imagining it was someone's face.
Mr. Lee stood, adjusting his cuffs. "Tonight is important. The Hong family is politically significant, Don't embarrass me."
He walked off without waiting for a response.
The second he was gone, Taemin leaned over and said under his breath, "Can't wait to watch Daon get married to some rich guy he's never met. Peak romance."
"Shut up," Daon said, not even looking at him.
Rinwoo stood up quietly. "I'll clear the table."
"No need," Daon said, eyeing him with a hint of guilt. "You should rest."
Rinwoo just smiled a little, tired. "I'm fine."
But he wasn't. Not really.
Rinwoo stayed behind after breakfast, gently picking up the empty teacups and clearing plates, like he always did. Even though the servants told him they'd take care of it, he waved them off politely. Helping out made him feel grounded. Useful. Normal.
But as he placed the silverware into the tray, a sudden ache pulsed through his chest light at first, then sharp, like something inside twisted the wrong way. His breath hitched. He froze.
The tray slipped from his fingers and clattered on the table, metal clinking loudly.
His vision blurred for a second.
"Master Rinwoo?" one of the older servants rushed over, panic in her voice.
He staggered back and sat down on the nearby chair, clutching at his chest. His lungs felt tight, like he couldn't breathe fully.
"Get… water," he finally managed to say.
The servant hurried off. Rinwoo tried to focus. Inhale. Exhale. His fingers trembled, and for a split second, it almost felt like the ground underneath him wasn't steady. But the room was still.
The water came, and he took a few slow sips.
The pain faded just enough. But the fear didn't.
He sat there in silence, eyes wide, breathing heavy, a thousand questions racing through his mind —
"What was that?"
"Why does it feel like this keeps happening more often lately…?"
Lee Associates – Taekyun's Office
Taekyun had one hand on his forehead, the other holding his phone, his tone irritated but calm.
"Yuna, I already told you, i can't come—"
He paused.
Something buzzed through his ears. Not sound, vibration. The kind that creeps through your skin and makes your muscles tighten without reason.
He glanced up, mid-sentence, and everything around him seemed… wrong.
The blinds fluttered though there was no wind. His paperweight moved half an inch on its own. Then the pens every one of them started to float slowly, like someone had turned gravity down.
The letter opener began to rise too sharp end first, trembling in the air.
His hand, still holding the phone, started shaking.
"…Yuna, I'll call you back."
Click.
He stood up, chair screeching behind him, watching silently as the items hovered in place. His heart pounded. The lights in the ceiling flickered once, and
Clatter.
Everything dropped. Silence.
Taekyun didn't move. He stared at his desk, jaw clenched, sweat forming at his temple.
This wasn't the first time.
But this was the first time it happened while he was completely awake.
He walked over slowly and picked up the pen. Ice cold. Like it had been pulled from a freezer.
Taekyun's hands curled into fists.
"No. Not again."
Whatever this was it was getting worse. Stronger. Unpredictable.
Back at the Lee Estate
Rinwoo stood slowly from the chair, gripping the table's edge for balance.
He didn't know why… but something in his chest whispered that Taekyun just felt the exact same thing.
And that thought terrified him more than the pain.
At night, at the private restaurant booked solely for this meeting, the soft clinking of cutlery and the low murmur of background music filled the dimly lit room. The long mahogany dining table had been set up with the finest dishes and wine. Mr. Lee sat at the head, his sons Daon, Taemin, and Taekyun seated on one side. Across from them, Mr. Hong and Eunjae had just arrived, the air thick with formality and subtle tension.
Eunjae, dressed sharply in a black suit with a wine-red shirt peeking through the collar, gave a polite nod to the Lee family. His gaze paused briefly on Daon, who gave a respectful bow in return a little stiff, but sincere.
Mr. Hong broke the silence first, with a booming voice laced with charm, "Ah, Mr. Lee. Thank you for hosting. Tonight is not just about business… but about future family."
Mr. Lee nodded, smiling tightly. "Indeed. I believe when the stars align this clearly, it's foolish to ignore fate."
Taemin, sitting beside Daon, kicked his brother under the table slightly. Daon frowned, shifting in his seat. He wasn't against Eunjae not entirely but this arranged dinner felt like being pushed onto a stage he hadn't rehearsed for.
Eunjae looked calm on the surface, but anyone paying close attention could see his clenched jaw. His eyes flicked briefly to Taekyun, who hadn't spoken a word since sitting down. Instead, Taekyun was quietly observing everyone especially the way Daon was fidgeting
Mr. Lee cleared his throat and motioned to the waiter, who began serving the main course. Once plates were in front of them, Mr. Lee continued, "Daon has agreed to meet Eunjae halfway. I believe with time, feelings can grow."
Eunjae put down his wine glass and finally spoke. "I'll be honest, Mr. Lee. I'm not here to play pretend. I agreed to this dinner out of respect for my father. But I won't fake anything."
Daon blinked, caught off guard by the bluntness.
Mr. Lee, didn't look amused. "Fate isn't about convenience. It's about responsibility. You two are bound whether you feel it now or not."
Daon looked up slowly, meeting Eunjae's eyes. "I'm not against getting to know you."
Taemin let out a small scoff, whispering to Taekyun, "This is gonna be a long night."
Taekyun didn't reply. He was too busy glancing at his phone screen a message from Rinwoo, asking if he had eaten dinner.
He sighed and tucked the phone away.
Eunjae gave a small nod toward Daon. "That's fair. Then let's just start with dinner. No pressure. No contracts. Just two people seeing if there's something real."
Mr. Hong and Mr. Lee exchanged glances but didn't argue.
AFTER DINNER
The garden behind the restaurant was quiet, with a slight breeze rustling through the trees. Small fairy lights twinkled overhead, casting a soft glow over the stone path. Daon leaned against the railing, arms crossed, clearly annoyed.
Eunjae lit a cigarette beside him, deliberately loud with the flick of his lighter. He took a long drag and exhaled slowly, letting the smoke drift right in Daon's direction.
"Seriously?" Daon said, waving it away. "You brought me out here just to smoke in my face?"
Eunjae smirked, not even bothering to look at him. "Didn't say I brought you. You followed."
Daon rolled his eyes. "You're unbelievable."
"Thank you," Eunjae replied, voice thick with sarcasm. He took another drag. "So… this is the guy I'm apparently fated to marry, huh? Lucky me."
Daon snapped. "You're rude, immature, and obviously doing your best to piss me off. It's working, by the way."
Eunjae chuckled. "You've got this whole stick-up-your-ass energy going on, it's kinda entertaining. Do you ever laugh? Or do you just clench through life?"
Daon turned to glare at him, jaw tense. "Do you ever stop talking?"
"Nope. Not when I'm bored. And you're boring, so… lucky you."
The silence stretched for a second. The kind that wasn't comfortable, but charged.
Daon eventually looked away, biting down whatever insult was forming.
Eunjae tossed his cigarette to the ground, crushing it under his heel. He glanced at Daon, just a flicker, like he was waiting for a reaction.
"You really hate this, don't you?" he asked, quieter now. "All of it. The marriage, the families, the whole fated crap."
Daon didn't answer right away. Then he said, flatly, "It's not about hating it. It's about having no choice."
"Yeah," Eunjae muttered. "That part sucks."
For once, neither of them had something snarky to say.
The tension was still there, but less sharp. Less about winning, more about surviving.
Eunjae shoved his hands in his pockets and looked up at the sky. "Well, this was romantic as hell. Should we kiss now, or wait till the wedding?"
Daon looked at him with disgust . "Weirdo"
Back at the Lee estate, the air was filled with post-dinner chatter as everyone stepped out of the car. Rinwoo had been pacing in the main hall, waiting for them. The moment they walked in, Taemin pounced, throwing an arm around Daon's shoulder with his signature grin.
"Bro, you really scored, huh?" he teased. "I mean did you see him? That's your fated match? Damn. I'd marry him."
Daon, clearly exhausted, shoved his arm off with a sigh. "Grow up."
"Oooh, getting flustered already?" Taemin called after him, but Daon was already heading upstairs, ignoring the laughter behind him.
Everyone slowly disappeared into their rooms, one by one, until the hallway was quiet again.
A few minutes later, Rinwoo found himself hesitating outside Taekyun's room. He knocked gently before pushing the door open. The smell of smoke hit him instantly. Taekyun was seated by the window, cigarette between his fingers, the light from his phone screen casting a faint glow across his face. He was texting someone.
Taekyun glanced up, mildly surprised, and put his phone down. "What?"
Rinwoo stepped in, his hands nervously fidgeting in front of him. "I… felt something today. In my chest. Like a sharp pain. It didn't last long, but… it reminded me of before. I'm scared, Taekyun. What if the curse..what if it's coming back?"
Taekyun leaned back, expression unreadable. He raised an eyebrow and blew out a stream of smoke. "Or maybe it's just an illness. You ever consider that?"
Rinwoo blinked, caught off guard. "W-What?"
"You're not some kind of monk," Taekyun said, flicking ash into the tray. "You felt something weird, fine. Go see a doctor. Don't come running in here talking about curses like it's a damn fantasy novel."
Rinwoo's face dropped. He looked hurt, but tried to speak again, voice softer this time. "But you know it wasn't normal. You've seen it happen before. You—"
"I said I'm tired," Taekyun cut him off, standing up abruptly. "Leave."
Rinwoo froze. For a second, he thought he saw something flash behind Taekyun's eyes. Not just irritation. Fear, maybe. But just as fast, it was gone.
"…Okay," Rinwoo said quietly, backing out of the room.
The door closed with a soft click behind him. Inside, Taekyun stood alone by the window, staring out into the darkness, cigarette burning between his fingers the tremble in his hand just barely visible.
At Lee Estate
The night was quiet, the rest of the household long asleep but Taemin couldn't rest. His phone screen glared back at him, unanswered calls and unread messages piling up. Juwon.
He had been ignoring him all day.
Annoyance prickled under Taemin's skin. If Juwon wouldn't answer his calls, then he'd just have to see him in person.
Without another thought, he grabbed his keys and drove straight to Park & Associates.
Park & Associates – Office
The office was nearly empty at this hour, save for the dim glow of a single desk lamp. And there he was Juwon, hunched over a mountain of files, his brows furrowed in concentration.
Taemin leaned against the doorway, watching him for a moment. The way Juwon's fingers moved swiftly across the papers, the slight tension in his jaw he was so absorbed in his work that he hadn't even noticed Taemin's presence.
With a sigh, Taemin pushed off the doorframe and approached, bending down beside Juwon's chair.
"Hey," he murmured, voice low.
Juwon startled, finally looking up. His eyes flickered with something irritation? Exhaustion? before he schooled his expression into indifference.
"What do you want now?"
Taemin opened his mouth to retort, but then he saw it. A small, angry cut at the corner of Juwon's lips.
His breath hitched.
Without thinking, he reached out, fingers brushing Juwon's chin to tilt his face toward the light. "Who kissed you so hard they left a mark?"
Juwon smacked his hand away, scowling. "I bit my lip. Stop assuming things."
Taemin pouted but didn't back down. Instead, he leaned against Juwon's desk, deliberately crowding his space. "Then why are you ignoring me today?"
Juwon turned back to his files, avoiding his gaze. "I'm not free all the time like you. Some of us have actual work to do."
Taemin rolled his eyes. Work, work, work. Always the same excuse.
In one swift motion, he snatched the files from Juwon's hands. "Please. This is easy. I studied abroad, high-class education and all that." He smirked, leaning in. "I'll even help you finish these… if you give me a kiss."
Juwon's eyes narrowed. "No."
He stood abruptly, shoving his chair back as he reached to snatch the files back. But Taemin held them just out of reach, grinning.
"Give. Them. Back." Juwon gritted out.
"Make me."
Juwon's patience snapped. He grabbed the nearest folder and smacked Taemin's arm with it.
"Ow! Yah!" Taemin yelped, though it barely stung. "Why do you always hit me? If you do that one more time, I swear I'll—"
Whack.
Juwon hit him again.
Taemin's playful demeanor vanished. In one fluid motion, he caught Juwon's wrist, placing the file down before yanking him forward.
Juwon barely had time to gasp before Taemin hoisted him over his shoulder like a sack of rice.
"Taemin—!" Juwon's voice was equal parts shock and outrage, his face burning red as Taemin carried him toward the private bedroom attached to the office.
With a grunt, Taemin tossed him onto the bed.
Juwon scrambled up, glaring. "Have you lost your damn mind—?"
Taemin didn't answer. Instead, he grabbed the waistband of Juwon's pants.
Juwon froze.
Then—
SLAP.
A sharp crack echoed through the room as Juwon's palm connected with Taemin's cheek.
Both of them stilled.
Taemin's face stung, but more than that he saw the flicker of panic in Juwon's eyes.
Then, slowly, Taemin reached into his pocket and pulled out a small tube of ointment.
"…Your knees," he muttered, voice uncharacteristically quiet.
Juwon blinked.
Taemin gestured at his pants. "The hem's too tight. I couldn't roll them up."
Silence.
Then—
Juwon exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "…You idiot."
Taemin grinned, the tension dissolving. "What did you thought i was gonna do"
Juwon rolled his eyes, but this time when Taemin reached for him he didn't pull away.
Juwon quickly yanked the blanket over his lap, covering his boxers as Taemin finally managed to pull his pants down just enough to reveal the dark bruises mottling his knees.
Taemin's playful smirk faded as he took in the purpling marks. His fingers, usually so bold and teasing, were unexpectedly gentle as he smoothed the ointment over Juwon's skin.
"You should've told me it was this bad," he muttered.
Juwon huffed, turning his face away. "It's nothing."
Taemin finished applying the cream but didn't move back. Instead, he tilted his head, studying Juwon's flushed profile with a slow, wicked grin.
"Yah, Park Juwon… you slapped me." He exaggeratedly rubbed his reddening cheek. "What are you gonna do to make it up to me, huh?"
Juwon shot him a glare, but his ears burned even hotter. "I'm not doing anything. You deserved it."
Taemin gasped dramatically. "After I tenderly nursed your wounds? So cruel!" He flopped onto his back beside Juwon, sighing like a wounded hero. "My poor cheek… it stings so much…"
Juwon rolled his eyes but then he glanced at Taemin's face. The faint pink mark from his slap did look a little too vivid under the dim light.
Guilt prickled at him.
"…Idiot," he muttered under his breath. Then, before he could overthink it, he leaned down and pressed a quick, flustered kiss to Taemin's cheek.
For a second, the world froze.
Then—
Taemin's entire face lit up.
"Juwon-ah!" He bolted upright and immediately tackled Juwon back against the mattress, burying his face into the crook of his neck like an overexcited puppy. "You kissed me! You like me!"
Juwon squirmed, shoving at his shoulders. "I I did no such thing! Get off I need to pull my pants up !"
But Taemin wasn't listening. He nuzzled deeper, grinning against Juwon's heated skin. "You kissed me. That means you loooove me—"
"I hate you," Juwon hissed, but his voice lacked any real venom especially when Taemin's laughter vibrated warmly against his collarbone.
"Liar," Taemin sing-songed, finally lifting his head just enough to smirk down at him.