The black, sleek SUV glided smoothly through the streets before pulling over in front of the famous Itaewon Bar. Its tinted windows reflected the golden city lights that danced on the wet pavement. When the car stopped, the driver quickly stepped out to open the door.
Johnson, Jae Hyun's closest friend emerged first, buttoning up his coat as he looked around with an appreciative grin. Jae Hyun followed, tall and composed, his expression sharp, eyes cold and calculating even under the glow of the neon lights.
"Another bubbling night," Johnson said, inhaling deeply, letting the cool night air fill his lungs. The faint scent of rain and whiskey lingered around the street.
"You're weird, you know that?" Jae Hyun muttered, his voice low and laced with irritation.
Johnson chuckled. "And you're just being mean," he shot back, rolling his eyes dramatically.
Jae Hyun sighed, clearly uninterested in playful banter. "Let's just go in." He walked ahead with a long, confident stride, Johnson trailing beside him with his usual casual charm.
The moment they entered, the bar swallowed them in its warm, luxurious ambience. Soft jazz music floated through the air like velvet, blending with the soft murmur of laughter and clinking glasses. Dim golden lights dripped down from crystal chandeliers, giving the place a rich, intimate glow.
"Good evening, sir!" the manager greeted excitedly, rushing forward with a polite bow.
"Evening, my good man," Johnson replied, his tone light and flirtatious as always.
Jae Hyun merely gave a short nod, his face unreadable, a man used to commanding respect without saying much. His aura filled the room effortlessly, making even the servers straighten in silent reverence.
"I'll escort you to the private lounge," the manager said quickly, his voice trembling slightly with both respect and nerves. He led the way through the bar.
Inside the private lounge, everything screamed of exclusivity, velvet couches, polished marble tables, and a view that overlooked the glowing Seoul skyline. Jae Hyun loosened his tie, exhaling heavily. He moved to the mini-bar, poured himself a glass of red wine, and took a slow sip. His jaw was tense, his eyes hard with frustration.
"I hate this," he muttered under his breath.
"What's that?" Johnson asked, already seated comfortably, swirling his own drink.
"This marriage thing," Jae Hyun snapped, his voice sharper than the edge of a blade. "My mom is on my neck about getting married. She even tried to blackmail me today."
Johnson burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the lounge. "Man, you're not the only one. My mom calls me every day to remind me I'm not getting any younger."
Jae Hyun gave a humorless chuckle. "I don't get it. Can't I just be alone? Is it a must to find love and settle down?" His tone was bitter, the frustration in his eyes dark and deep. He gulped down another drink as if hoping the alcohol would silence the pressure gnawing at him.
"I wish I could say that to my mom," Johnson said, raising his glass in mock salute. The two men shared a brief laugh, but Jae Hyun's didn't last. His laughter faded into a sigh as he grabbed the bottle and began gulping directly from it.
"Hey, man, slow down. You're going to get drunk," Johnson warned, his voice tinged with concern.
"I want to get drunk," Jae Hyun muttered, his tone dropping an octave. "I want to drink away my anger before I go home."
Johnson studied him for a moment and sighed, realizing there was no point arguing. "As you wish."
Hours passed. The clock struck past midnight, and the jazz had slowed to a soft hum. Johnson was ready to leave, but Jae Hyun was completely wasted, slumped on the couch, eyes half-open and unfocused.
"Classic Jae Hyun," Johnson said with an exasperated chuckle. He took out his phone and made a quick call. "Butler Joo!"
"Yes, sir," came the crisp reply as the older man appeared almost instantly.
"Your boss is drunk. Take him home safely and call me once he's settled."
"Yes, sir," the butler responded with a bow.
He turned to the manager. "I'll need two of your trusted staff to help me take the young master home. Handle him with care, he's a very important man."
The manager hesitated, wiping sweat from his forehead. "But sir, we're short on staff tonight. Releasing two could cause delays."
The butler frowned deeply. "Do you realize this man could have your entire bar shut down with just one phone call?"
The manager paled instantly. "Okay, okay! I'll give you two of my best. Just make sure they return in good condition."
He scanned the room and shouted, "Ro Na! Seol Ah! Come here!"
"Yes, sir!" they chorused, hurrying forward.
"I want both of you to assist this man in taking the young master home and come back immediately," he ordered.
"Sir?" Seol Ah blinked, confusion flickering across her face.
"Didn't you hear me? Assist him home!" he barked.
"Yes, sir," Seol Ah muttered under her breath, biting her lip as she followed the butler into the private lounge.
Her breath caught slightly when she saw him, Lee Jae Hyun, the country's most powerful and desired billionaire, sprawled on the couch like a fallen god. His shirt was half-unbuttoned, his hair tousled, his skin glowing faintly under the warm light. But to her, he wasn't some dream man he was just another arrogant rich guy drowning in alcohol.
"I guess I have to do this," she sighed, trying to lift him.
"Why is he so heavy?" she grumbled, her muscles straining. "Ro Na, help me!"
"I'm coming! Let me grab his things first," Ro Na replied.
As they tried to hoist him up, Jae Hyun, half-conscious and smelling of whiskey and cologne, smirked lazily. His voice came out slurred and sinful. "You're very pretty for a waitress… you look like someone who'd be good in bed."
Seol Ah froze. Her eyes widened, her jaw clenched, and a surge of pure rage burned through her chest. Without hesitation, she shoved him back onto the couch.
"Pervert," she muttered, her voice low but venomous.
"Why would you do that?" Ro Na whispered, shocked.
"He's disgusting," Seol Ah snapped, glaring at him. Then she exhaled sharply. "Anyway, let's just get this over with."
Together, they finally managed to get him into the car. The driver closed the door gently.
"I'll have to go back inside," Ro Na said reluctantly. "We're already short-staffed."
"Alright. I'll take it from here," Seol Ah replied.
The car sped through the quiet streets toward Gangnam-gu, the night city shimmering outside the window. When they arrived, Seol Ah's jaw dropped. The building that stood before her looked like a piece of heaven carved from marble and glass. The entrance was guarded by a towering statue of Hera, goddess of marriage, ironic, she thought bitterly.
The butler opened the door, and together they dragged Jae Hyun inside. He was still mumbling incoherently.
"Young lady," the butler said urgently, his tone desperate. "Can you please stay with him tonight? I have to rush to the hospital, my daughter isn't feeling well."
"What?" Seol Ah exclaimed. "But I need to return to work!"
"I'll talk to your manager and send a car for you tomorrow morning," he pleaded. "Please, just for my daughter's sake."
Seol Ah sighed deeply, frustration clear in her tone. "Alright, fine. But you better keep your promise."
"Thank you," he said, bowing slightly. "Please help him change and cover him with the duvet."
"What? I'm a woman how am I supposed to undress a man?" she said in disbelief, but the butler was already gone.
"He left me just like that!" she muttered angrily, glaring at Jae Hyun. "Why am I so unlucky today?"
Kneeling beside him, she began removing his shoes and wristwatch. But suddenly, his hand shot out and grabbed hers.
Seol Ah froze.
"Seo Jin… don't go," he murmured brokenly, tears slipping down his face.
Before she could react, he pulled her close and kissed her, a desperate, drunken kiss filled with pain and confusion.
She pushed him away hard, her hands trembling. "What the hell…" she whispered, her heart pounding violently in her chest.
She adjusted his position, covered him with the duvet, then sat quietly in the corner of the room. The silence pressed against her as she stared at his sleeping form, her fingers brushing her lips in disbelief.
"Who does he think he is?" she muttered softly.
Eventually, exhaustion claimed her, and she drifted into a restless sleep.
The first light of morning spilled through the curtains. Jae Hyun stirred groggily, his head pounding. He blinked at the unfamiliar blur in the corner, a woman, sleeping on the chair.
Confusion hit him like a storm. In a swift motion, he reached into his drawer and pulled out a gun.
BANG!
A shot rang out, echoing through the room.
"Ahhhh!" Seol Ah screamed, jolting awake, terror flashing in her eyes as she stared at the bullet hole in the wall.
Jae Hyun pointed the gun at her, his voice like thunder.
"Who the hell are you?"