2:30 a.m.
The room was wrapped in the hush that only arrives after love has spent itself.
Hauen slept deeply, exhaustion softening every line of her body. Her breathing was even, peaceful, the kind that comes when the heart feels safe enough to let go. Her body was warm and bare, skin still faintly damp due to sweat, hair a wild halo across the pillow. Her legs rested carelessly apart. The sheets were tangled around her in careless patterns, evidence of a night lived fully and without restraint. Her face relaxed in a way that made the world feel momentarily kind.
Beside her, Suho remained wide awake.
He lay bare too, comforted by a satisfaction that settled deep in his chest. His gaze lingered on her back, on the slow rise and fall of her breath. A faint smile kept returning to his lips, appearing every time his eyes traced her familiar shape. His hand moved gently, absentmindedly drawing quiet lines against her skin.
His thoughts moved, but they no longer spiraled. They arranged themselves calmly, one after another, finally forming something solid. Something certain.
He turned slightly to check the time, then looked back at her again. Completely knocked out, unaware of the weight lifting and settling inside him.
Moving closer, he tilted his head to peek at her face, lips curving as a soft, breathy chuckle escaped him. He pressed a tender kiss to her flushed cheek, lingering just a moment longer than necessary.
Carefully, he pulled the sheets over her, tucking them around her body, adjusting the room's temperature so she wouldn't wake up uncomfortable.
Then, slowly, he slipped out of bed.
He pulled on his pants, ran a hand through his messy, sweat-damp hair, pushing it back into place. He picked up his phone and stepped out of the room, locking the door behind him with deliberate care. Letting her sleep.
He walked toward the resort's backyard, the soft, salty breeze brushing against his bare skin, easing something restless inside him. The night air settled him into a quiet calm.
He unlocked his phone and chuckled softly at the half-typed reply waiting in his messages. A few edits, one last glance, then he hit send.
After a moment of hesitation, he dialed another number.
Three rings.
"What's up, teddy bear?"
The voice echoed through the line.
Suho closed his eyes, visibly annoyed, already anticipating the teasing. From the other end came a quiet chuckle, clearly entertained.
"Speak, Teddy," the voice added.
"Kevin… please. Not again," Suho muttered.
Kevin laughed. "Okay, okay. Fine." Then, more casually, "Calling at this hour means something's up. What is it?"
Suho exhaled, staring into the darkness of the garden. He paused, reconsidered, then said quietly,"I need a favour."
Kevin chuckled again. "Already, Teddy? You were saying something very different the last time at the airport."
Suho huffed. "Okay then. Fine. I'll hang up." He moved his thumb toward the screen.
"Hey—wait." Kevin laughed. "What's with the attitude? You want a favour from me, and this is how you ask?"
Suho shut his eyes, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry."
There was silence on the line. Just a second, but it felt heavier than all the teasing before it.
Then Kevin spoke again, his tone stripped of humour. "What is it, Suho?"
Suho exhaled slowly, fingers tightening around his phone as he tried to figure out where to begin.
"Is everything alright, bro?" Kevin asked again, the teasing gone now.
"Not really," Suho admitted quietly.
There was a pause. Then Kevin's voice sharpened with concern. "What happened? What's wrong? Did Yerin cause some trouble again?"
Suho let out a soft chuckle, not amused, just touched by the sudden protectiveness in his tone."Relax, Mr. Choi. It's not about her."
Kevin huffed. "Don't dodge me. What happened then?"
"It's… different," Suho said, eyes drifting to the ground.
And then he told him everything. The Kim mansion dinner. His family. The expectations, the pressure, the choices forced onto him. Every truth he had been carrying quietly.
Kevin listened without interrupting, letting Suho spill it all out.
When he finally spoke again, his voice was steady. "So what do you want me to do? How can I help you with this?"
Suho looked down once more, thoughts colliding as he searched for the right words.
"I can't leave Hauen like that," he said slowly. "Not because of my family. I won't." He swallowed. "So I came to a decision. It wasn't easy. It was complicated… maybe the hardest one I've ever had to make. But I still chose it."
Kevin didn't rush him. "What's your decision, Suho?"
Silence stretched between them.
Then, finally—
"..."
Suho told him.
Kevin listened carefully, understanding settling in place of surprise. He didn't interrupt. He didn't judge. He just listened.
"And here's where I need your favour," Suho said softly. "Kind of immediate. You're the only one I trust with this. And you know how much Hauen matters to me."
"Tell me, bro," Kevin replied, his voice gentle and reassuring. "Don't hesitate. What do you want me to do?"
Suho paused, choosing his words carefully. "I want to buy some properties there under Hauen's name. Something that can be a good investment for the future." He hesitated, then added, "And also a house. Somewhere in a residential area. Not too big. Cozy, comfortable… affordable. All of it under her name."
He spoke quietly, almost protectively. "Since you've got strong connections there in real estate, I thought you'd be able to find good deals within a reasonable range."
Kevin listened without interrupting. "I've got you," he said firmly. "There are some solid options for a house in that bracket right now. I'll check with my team and send you the details by morning, Korea time."
"And about the other properties," Kevin continued, tone turning more deliberate, "I'll need to look into those personally. Since you're trusting me with this, I don't want to take any risks. Don't worry. Your request will be handled properly. Within a week. And with the best possible deals."
Suho smiled to himself, relief settling in his chest. "Thank you, Kevin."
Trust, once given, echoed quietly between them.
Kevin smiled softly. "By the way… are you sure about this decision?" Then, more carefully, "Did you talk to Hauen about it?"
Suho's gaze dropped again. "Not yet," he admitted. "I'll talk to her today. I just hope she understands… without getting hurt." His voice came out smaller than he intended.
"Don't worry," Kevin said, warmth returning to his tone. "She'll be fine. And I'm here. This city is basically mine, remember? Talk to her calmly. Carefully. She'll understand."
Suho smiled faintly. "I hope so." Then, steadier, "Anyway, thanks, Kevin. I'll get the required funds ready within three days."
"Yep. Take care," Kevin replied.
Suho smiled again. "Yeah… once again, thank you."
"Mention not, teddy bear."
Suho chuckled. "Don't make me regret asking favours from you."
Kevin laughed. "Not a chance. But I'm not stopping with that nickname."
Suho shook his head with a small smile. "Alright. It's already late here, and I've got a lot to handle tomorrow. Bye. Have a good day."
"Good night," Kevin said before ending the call.
The line went silent.
Suho lowered the phone and released a long, slow breath, his eyes lifting to the sky. The moon glowed quietly above him, stars scattered like distant witnesses. A faint heaviness still lingered in his chest.
But the decision was made. And no matter the weight, he knew he had to carry it forward.
He ran his fingers through his hair and turned back toward the resort room. Opening the door quietly, he slipped inside without a sound. The room was dim and still.
She was asleep in the same position, untouched by the world, unaware of anything beyond her dreams.
His eyes drifted to the dress scattered on the floor. He picked it up slowly, holding it for a moment, studying it with a faint shake of his head.
Such an unholy piece of clothing, he thought, amusement curling at the corner of his lips.
His gaze shifted back to her, and his smile softened instantly.
Setting the dress aside, he climbed onto the bed carefully, hovering over her for a brief second. A tiny, visibly audible snore escaped her nose. He chuckled under his breath and eased down beside her.
He pressed a gentle kiss on her shoulder, then another where a small mole rested near her nape, barely visible in the low light. Settling in, his arm slid around her waist, pulling her closer with careful restraint.
She stirred.
And he froze.
Then she mumbled something unintelligible, shifting closer on her own. Her head found his chest, one leg draping over his waist as if she belonged there. She snuggled in deeper, instinctively.
He couldn't help it. A soft laugh escaped him.
Wrapping his arms around her securely, he kissed the top of her head. His fingers traced her warm, bare skin beneath the sheets, slow and reverent. His heart felt full, blooming quietly at the simple act of holding her like this, of feeling her breathe against him.
He kissed her hair again, smiling like a fool, thoughts drifting to her words earlier at Camellias Hill, to everything waiting just beyond morning.
As her warmth settled his nerves, his eyes finally fluttered shut.
Tomorrow would be heavy. Tomorrow would matter. But for now, sleep came easily, cradled by her presence.