Chapter 20
The afternoon sun slanted low, casting long shadows across the empty levels of the underground carpark. The hum of a lone air vent filled the space, its steady drone cutting through the silence.
Eun Bin leaned against a cold concrete pillar; arms crossed tightly over her chest. Her gaze flicked toward the dim exit ramp every few seconds, nerves straining beneath her calm facade.
A figure emerged from the shadows - a man with the brim of his cap pulled low, his face half-hidden in the gloom. He moved with quiet confidence, hands buried deep in the pockets of his dark jacket.
"You're late," Eun Bin said, not bothering to look up.
"I wanted to make sure no one followed," he replied, voice low but steady.
Eun Bin's eyes sharpened. "You know this can't get out. You understand the consequence if it does—"
He nodded and lifted the cap just enough to reveal a sliver of his face, tension cutting through his jawline. "I'm not here for show. I'm here because—"
"Guilt? Regrets?" Her tone was sharper now. "There's no turning back once you get involved."
"I'm not going to let you do this alone," he said quietly. "Not after what I overheard."
She hesitated, her voice barely a whisper. "I don't have a concrete plan. It's probably going to get messy. Really messy."
"That's not important right now," he said. "What matters is you're not alone anymore."
Something flickered in her eyes. Something caught between hope and doubt. "I hope you're right."
He didn't answer. He looked at her as if trying to find something he couldn't name, then gave up. From the far end of the parking deck came a faint sound - the metallic clang of a door slamming shut. Both their heads snapped toward it.
"Let's go," he said quickly, stepping back into the shadows from where he came.
*
Eun Wol sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time as he set the bar's menu stand on the table. Guilt gnawed at him, replaying the phone call over and over. He had planned to ask for that favor when the contract ended on his own terms, in his own time.
So why did it feel like betrayal?
Gyu In was only trying to help. But it still felt like losing control.
Why bring in another person? And who the hell was that person? Hae Won? Someone else he trusted?
Eun Wol scoffed quietly to himself.
"The stand's going to crack if you press any harder."
He blinked. His grip loosened.
"Hyung, you okay?" Soo Young asked, concern soft in his voice. "I know you like to keep things to yourself, but sometimes it's good to let people in."
Eun Wol nodded stiffly. He understood the advice, but trust wasn't something he could hand out freely, not after what it had already cost him. He had just begun to trust Gyu In. And now there was someone else in the picture?
"Soo Young-ah," he began slowly, unsure how to shape the question. "What would you do if someone shared your secret with a stranger?"
Soo Young tilted his head. "I'd be pissed. Even if they had a good reason... I'd still be pissed."
"Okay… and then?"
"I'd ask them straight. Doesn't matter what their reason was, they should've told me first. If they did it for themselves, not me?" He shrugged. "Fuck them."
"You just cursed."
"Hyunggg." Soo Young ducked his head, embarrassed.
Eun Wol let out a soft laugh. "I won't tease. Thanks."
He watched Soo Young return to mopping in silence.
I should ask Gyu In. I'll go find him.
By the time his shift ended, the decision had already rooted itself. After changing out of his uniform, he found himself settled in the cab he'd booked twenty minutes earlier. Adjusting his mask, he leaned his head against the window, his mind adrift. It was 3:30 a.m.; he'd probably reach Gyu In's place around 4:15. The man would almost certainly still be asleep.
He sighed, fingers tightening around the strap of his bag. The night had been long, but his worries hadn't eased. Whatever awaited him at Gyu In's apartment wouldn't be simple. The threads between them were pulling tighter, and he wasn't sure if they would snap or hold.
The cab pulled up quietly in front of a sleek, dimly lit building. He paid the driver and stepped into the cool morning air, the faint chill brushing his skin. He hesitated at the doorstep, sling bag hanging from one shoulder, pacing the small landing.
Should I knock? The question looped through his mind, tangled with doubt and anxiety.
His fingers hovered toward the doorframe, then withdrew. What if he wasn't welcome? What if showing up only made things worse? Should he have texted first?
He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled, circling once more. Each step felt heavier than the last. Finally, he raised a fist to knock and froze again, caught between the urge to act and the fear of crossing a line.
"I swear, if some random drunk people are loitering outside, I'll give them a flying punch."
The door swung open. Eun Wol startled, stepping back.
A man stood there. Tousled brown hair, oversized shirt slipping off one shoulder, pajama pants hanging loose. He looked like he'd just rolled out of bed... or maybe not alone. His eyes were rimmed with fatigue, heavy and bloodshot, but alert the moment he saw who it was.
Oh god. Eun Wol's mind stalled on one word: sex. He turned away immediately, blurting, "I'm so sorry! Wrong door!"
Before he could flee, the man grabbed his bag strap, tugging him inside and shutting the door.
"Shim Eun Wol."
Eun Wol's head snapped up. "Who are you? How do you know my name?"
"Woah, calm down, lover boy." The man scratched his hair, sighing. "I just got one to bed, and now the second one shows up."
Eun Wol frowned. "What are you talking about? Who the hell are you?"
"Feisty, huh? Guess Gyu In likes a bit of trouble." The man turned toward the living room. "Ryu Chan here. Happy to see you."
"Not happy to see you."
"Of course not. Why would you be? Another stranger who knows your secret. You going to stand there all night?"
"I'm leaving."
Ryu Chan raised an eyebrow. "And miss what we've found out? Suit yourself. Gyu In will tell you anyway."
"If you're leaving, lock the door," he muttered, heading to the couch. "I'm dead tired — wait, what are you—"
Eun Wol ignored him, slipping off his shoes and stepping inside. The living room was cluttered. Laptop asleep, papers scattered. One pile drew his attention. His name printed across the top. He reached for it, but Ryu Chan caught his wrist.
"Don't touch. I hate people touching my workspace."
Eun Wol snickered. "That's my personal information."
"It's not when it's already online." Ryu Chan sighed, irritation rising. "Why don't we try being civilized for once?"
"Where's Gyu In?"
"My dear, look at the clock." He pointed lazily. "Almost five a.m. Even the earliest birds are still asleep and I should be too."
"But you're not."
Ryu Chan poured two glasses of water, moving with an ease that annoyed Eun Wol even more. He set one glass down, sliding the documents aside. "Now, sit. I'll be nice enough to answer your questions."
Eun Wol sat on the far end of the couch, eyeing the glass suspiciously.
"If you want tea, you'll have to wait for the tea lover to wake up," Ryu Chan added.
"You yet to answer my question."
"Ryu Chan. Male. Twenty-Eight." He grinned. "Gyu In's long-time buddy. Not impressed? Fine. I'm the one he called for help."
"You're the one he called." Eun Wol repeated.
"Bingo."
"Why?"
"I wonder that too." Ryu Chan's grin tilted. "I was busy dancing with women when he suddenly called, all anxious, going 'Hyung, hyung!' And here I am, flying back immediately."
He took a sip of water. "Didn't expect it to be this messy. Gyu In doesn't usually call me so yeah, it's serious."
"You don't look like you care."
"Because I don't. Not about you, your sister, or Lee Dong Yeo. But Gyu In cares. So I care."
"I don't like how he shared this with you. You're… too sketchy to be involved.
"I don't like how you flipped on him," Ryu Chan countered. "Yet look at me, still pouring you a drink."
"He told you that?"
"He didn't need to. His face said enough." Ryu Chan waved dismissively. "Don't be jealous."
"I am not.
"Sure. Anyway, he's been making me dig up dirt for you. He said he'd introduce us, but I guess you came first. I'm an investigator, hacker, stalker — pick your label. I'm good at what I do. And I don't work for just anyone." A hand rose up, barely contained his yawn. "I just got him to bed after threatening to fly back to LA, and now you're outside making a racket."
A low groan came from the bedroom.
"Ugh... what the hell time is it?" Gyu In appeared, hair tousled, eyes bleary, voice rough with sleep and annoyance. He spotted Ryu Chan sprawled on the couch and Eun Wol sitting tensely beside him.
"What's going on?"
"Grumpy old man alert," Ryu Chan muttered.
Gyu In's gaze softened when it landed on Eun Wol. "You're here?" he asked quietly, his tone losing all edge.
Eun Wol blinked, startled by the warmth beneath his exhaustion. Something in his chest loosened or maybe twisted tighter.
Ryu Chan made a face. "Gross."
Gyu In rubbed his temples, trying to hide the faint smile tugging at his lips. "Well," he said, voice low, "since you're here... might as well stay awake a bit longer."