Min Jae thought—He should officially offer Ji Ho a job."By the way… there's one thing.If you want, you can work here at my place.I needed a private chef for home—and the food you made at the hotel… well, it was seriously good."
Ji Ho looked at Min Jae with surprise and happiness.A small smile appeared on his lips—that smile which comes from a corner of the heart where hope awakens,knowing he won't have to return as a loser now.
"Really? I… can work here?"
Min Jae nodded lightly and said,"Yes. Absolutely.Since the first time he came to this city, there wasn't fear of defeat in your eyes—there was the shine of a new beginning.So… shall we start dinner now?Then I'll show you your room—where you can comfortably set up your things."
Ji Ho said with a worried voice, "Well… my things are still in the same room. All my stuff is in the room where I used to live."
Min Jae thought for a moment and said, "Alright, no problem. We'll go get them from there."
But Ji Ho nervously said immediately, "No! I never want to go back there."
Min Jae looked at his face. There was fear in his eyes. Perhaps some memory or pain related to that place was still alive in his heart. Min Jae placed his hand gently on Ji Ho's shoulder and said softly,"It's okay. You don't have to go there. We'll find a way. Now come on, let's eat first… then we'll see."
They ate dinner together. After finishing, while cleaning the kitchen, Min Jae glanced at the clock —
it was only 9 PM.
"It's not very late yet," he said, "The shops should still be open. Let's go buy some essentials for you."
Ji Ho looked at him in surprise, "Now? I have to go out like this, in these clothes?"
Min Jae smiled and looked him up and down. He looked a bit cute in the oversized clothes,"Don't worry," Min Jae said. "We'll go in the car, no one will see. The mall has fitting rooms, you can change there. Simple."
Ji Ho tried to stop him again, "But… I don't have money for shopping."
Min Jae cut him off with a smile,"It's okay. You're going to work with me now, right? So this is on me— for a fresh start."
Unwillingly, Ji Ho nodded. It was as if Min Jae already had answers to every question. Ji Ho quietly followed him and got into the car.Soon, they were standing outside a large mall. While walking to the shop, Ji Ho stayed hidden behind Min Jae — trying to avoid the gaze of others. He felt he must look very strange in such loose clothes.But as soon as they entered the shop, Ji Ho relaxed a bit. Min Jae helped him pick out clothes. Ji Ho tried on outfit after outfit. Each one looked perfect on him.He changed out of his old clothes and stepped out in new ones — with a new look and new energy.After shopping, they returned home. Ji Ho looked even fresher in his new clothes.Min Jae showed him a room — it was for Ji Ho to stay in. The room's interior was modern, comfortable, and had everything that made it feel like a safe place.Min Jae said, "You rest. I'm going to sleep now too."He went to his room — he hadn't slept properly in two days. Before Min Jae left, Ji Ho thanked him once again for his help.Ji Ho set up his things, saw his new room — and then, for the first time, slept peacefully.Over the next few days, everything started running smoothly. Ji Ho's understanding with Min Jae and Tae improved greatly.Min Jae, along with Joon Hyung, reopened the hotel — this time with a new perspective and new rules. Everything was running even better than before.And Ji Ho?His journey, which had passed through a dark alley, was now moving toward the light. Min Jae had slowly made a place in his heart as a friend. Now he wanted to express to Ji Ho how much he liked him.
On the other hand…Yeo Jun had prepared to leave. At that time, Yeo Jun's father and mother were not home. Neither of them knew about his plans to go to Italy, nor about his heart's decisions.He was quietly leaving everything behind — forever.He had left a letter on his desk in his room. One last time.In the letter, he clearly wrote:"I am leaving everything behind. I will never come back. I have no connection to this place anymore. This house was never mine — just a mask I breathed through without really living. Don't try to find me."
There was no anger in his words — only fatigue.Fatigue of a relationship that was only in name. Of a life filled with expectations but never happiness.He had money — enough to start a new life.All the property of his real mother was in his name, transferred to him through a trust. And when he turned 25, a large fund would also belong to him — the trust, a silent gift for the moments he had passed.
He quietly placed his belongings in the trunk of his car.He cast one last glance towards the room — there was neither love nor regret. Just a calm knowing that this chapter had now closed.He quietly closed the door and left without making any noise — like a shadow leaving its place behind.His car was heading towards the airport.The windows were open — gusts of wind played with his hair. The small strands falling on his forehead floated in the air, as if each moment was singing a song of his freedom.Every second, every kilometer — was taking him closer to his new life.A life where there would be no masks. Only him... with his true self.
Inside the car, loud music played, soothing his heart.Every beat, every bass drop was slowly dissolving the tension inside him.The cool air coming in through the open windows brushed his face as if saying,"You are free, Yeo Jun... no chains anymore."
Yeo Jun smiled — he had turned 20.Now he was no one's dependent. No guardian, no fake smiling home was needed to take care of him.Now there was only him... and his journey.
But... perhaps fate had one more twist hidden — concealed behind the darkness.He was relaxed, but shortly after...A sudden jolt.The car came to an abrupt stop — the brakes screeched.A loud sound — "DHHAMMM!!!"And then another — "PAAAKKK!!!"The car tire had burst.
yeo jun panicked and took his hands off the steering wheel.The car's balance wavered. He immediately pulled over to the side and got out.
It was afternoon. The road was deserted — no other cars, no people in sight for miles.Right there on the road, shards of glass were scattered under his tire.yeo jun looked around in confusion.There was slight anxiety on his face, but he took out his phone and started calling for a taxi service.But he had little time. His flight was about to depart.And then...