Chapter 4
Eun Wol scratched the side of his neck, a small, unconscious tic when he felt out of place. He pulled out the nearest chair and sat down. A warm cup was already sliding toward him.
"I don't know what you like, but I guess tea usually doesn't go wrong?"
The voice was light, almost effortless like this was just another ordinary moment, nothing special. Eun Wol stared at the cup, watching the faint swirl of steam dance over the surface.
Something curled in his chest—tight, unfamiliar. He didn't like unfamiliar.
So, as usual, he ignored it.
"I didn't add anything weird, if that's what you're worried about," Gyu-In chuckled. "Unless you don't like tea?" He rested his head on his palm, elbows on the table, and leaned forward. "Why don't you tell me what you like? I'll get it for you."
Eun Wol swallowed nervously, fidgeting. "No, tea is fine. Thanks."
"You do know you have to take off your mask to drink it, right?" Somehow, that sentence didn't sit right with Eun Wol — his eyes twitched. He moved the cup closer but made no attempt to take a sip.
"Let's talk about the proposition."
"Ah… straight to the point. I like that." Gyu-In leaned back on the soft couch. "I want you to be my boyfriend."
Is he crazy or am I just too tired; I sleep almost ten hours every day though. Eun Wol's eyes widened, blinking like he hadn't quite caught the words right. His breath hitched, but no sound came out. The cup of tea trembled slightly in his hands, forgotten.
He wanted to say something — anything — but the words stuck, tangled in his throat.
He stared at Gyu-In, searching for a sign that this was a joke. A test. Something.
But Gyu-In's gaze was steady, calm. No trace of humor.
Eun Wol's heart pounded loud enough to drown out the silence.
"Why?" Eun Wol sat up straighter, slipping on a mask of calm and seriousness. "What could a waiter from a night bar possibly offer you—the executive director of VALHEN Group?"
Gyu-In almost pouted, whining, "Don't say that about yourself! You and I — we're not so different."
Eun Wol fought the urge to gag at that answer, but his attention snapped back when Gyu-In's fingers began tapping on the table. "But you're still here, aren't you? You know who I am, and yet you came. That means there's something you want too."
Eun Wol narrowed his eyes as Gyu-In continued, "Be my boyfriend for at least six months. And I'll give you whatever you need, as long as it's legal.
"But why me?"
Gyu-In clicked his tongue, "Didn't I tell you? I like making deals with pretty people."
"Is there any hidden condition you're not telling me about?"
"Well, a contract will be drafted, and you can read through it before signing," Gyu-In said. "Of course, I'll only hand it over if you show genuine interest."
Eun Wol tightened his grip around the cup of tea, silently weighing the decision he might soon make. The idea of being chosen to play the role of a high-society man's boyfriend felt like something straight out of a television drama — and those usually never ended well. But really, what else did he have left to lose?
This might be my one and only chance… to meet Eun Bin again under better circumstances.
If everything goes smoothly, maybe—just maybe—I can save her. He remembered her sitting on the swings, calling his name — younger, freer. Six months. Just six months. That should pass quickly enough.
I've never truly been in a relationship before… but how hard can it be? It's just acting. And I'm good at that.
"Okay, I'll accept it. But I want to see the contract first."
Gyu-In's smile widened. "Sure. Leave me your email, I'll send it over by tomorrow afternoon."
"No."
Eun Wol looked him straight in the eyes. "Let's meet again. Hand it to me in person."
"Eh?"
"My phone only has basic functions. No internet." Eun Wol deliberately glanced away as he spoke, like it was nothing worth explaining. "So if you want me to read the contract, it has to be a physical copy."
"Huh?"
"Huh?" Silence stretched between them. "…Tell me you're joking." He leaned forward, baffled. "There's no way you don't have internet. What—are you living in a cave?"
"I don't have it."
"You're really interesting." Mischief twinkled within Gyu In's eyes, "Can't wait to work with you."
"So… you're not interested in the tea? Or in taking off your mask?"
"Both."
Gyu-In raised his eyebrows, like he had more to say but decided against it. "If you don't want to drink, that's fine. You must be tired. Want me to drive you home?"
"No, I can go home by myself."
"Eh, isn't it common sense to send your boyfriend home?"
"Contract first."
Gyu-In sighed, raising both hands in surrender. "Alrighty, whatever you say, Mr. Tarzan."
Mr. Tarzan… This man just said I live in a cave…
"Eun Wol. Shim Eun Wol."
Stop giving me weird nicknames, ugh.
Gyu In opened his mouth like he had another joke ready, but his eyes caught the rigid set of Eun Wol's shoulders. The words shifted.
"Heh, alright. Goodnight, Eun Wol." Gyu-In smiled softly. "Once the contract is ready, I'll message you again."
Bap-dum, ugh, stop beating so fast. Eun Wol stood wordless, picked up his bag, and gave one last nod before heading out of the café, leaving the gentle chime of the bell and Gyu-In behind.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Gyu In casually picked up the cup and sipped, lips pressing together. Tch. Figured. Cold tea's never as good. He gave up on the tea, grabbed his blazer, and left the café. He watched the number increased as the lift continued to move up. It had been a while since he got home this late. Not that he minded tonight. He caught himself smiling at the memory of Eun Wol, shaking his head as he opened his laptop.
He settled himself with a quick shower and stepped into his work room to switch on the laptop. It would be better if he could get the contract done as soon as possible. He could've asked Hae Won to do it, but if word got to his old man, things would get messy. He would do it in his own way.
Setting up a contract was an easy feat for Gyu In. It took less than 30 minutes and everything was done. Gyu In closed his eyes to take a small rest as his shoulder slumped down.
"Shim Eun Wol." He muttered the name. The plan was well-structured — Eun Wol wasn't. Being impulsive was not really his trait, well not since he knew about how world should work. It was thrilling to finally have something different in his life. He just hoped everything would go smoothly.
[Mr Bunny Waiter]
Send: Are you home safely? The contract is being drafted~ let me know when will you be free heh.
3.30am. His phone buzzed anyway.
[Mr Bunny Waiter]
Received: 1pm. At the same café.
He snickered at the timing. Early, huh? Maybe he thought I'd tease him again. He typed, Okay. See ya!, and tossed the phone aside before crawling into bed.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The next afternoon, Eun Wol arrived at the café slightly earlier than the agreed time, hoping to claim a more isolated seat. But to his surprise, Gyu In was already there, seated with two cups on the table. He had chosen a corner booth, leaving the spot nearest the wall empty—quietly reserved.
Eun Wol approached and gave a quiet cough to signal his presence.
"Oh hey, you're here," Gyu In said, looking up with a smile. "I ordered another tea. It's mint this time. Humor me and drink it, will you?"
Eun Wol's eyes flicked to the cup. The steam had faded, but it was still faintly warm.
How long has he been waiting here?
He quickly shook off the thought—no use attaching emotions to something like that.
He lowered his mask slightly and took a sip. The temperature was just right.
"…Thanks."
Gyu In's grin widened. "No worries. Have you eaten? We can order something if you haven't."
"I'm fine. What about you?"
Instead of answering, Gyu In pulled out a folder from his sleek leather bag and slid it across the table.
"I know you're fretting over this."
Eun Wol blinked. "No, I meant if you haven't eaten, we can order something. It's your lunch hour, right?"
Gyu In's brows lifted, his tone pitching higher. "Is that concern I'm hearing?"
"Take it or leave it."
Gyu In burst into laughter. He rested his head against his left hand, elbow propped lazily on the table. "I'm good. The faster we go through this part, the faster you'll feel relieved."
Relieved? I doubt it.
Eun Wol sat stiffly across from Gyu In, eyes narrowing suspiciously at the contract like it might jump off the page. Gyu In grinned, tapping a pen against the table.
"Clause one: Must answer boyfriend's texts within twenty-four hours. Penalty? One cup of tea."
Eun Wol blinked in disbelief. "…. You're joking, right?"
But Gyu In shook his head, mocked a serious face, deadpanned. "Not a chance. That's how love works, didn't you know?"
"…That's extortion." Eun Wol barely could contain his eyes roll, "Fine, whatever. Next."
Gyu In leaned in, his grin widening. "Clause nine: Must accompany me to family dinners and pretend to enjoy my sister's baking."
"Pretend? That's cruel." A quiet snort escaped Eun Wol, though he tried to hide it.
"Sad truth is, I love her more than her baking." For the first time, Gyu In's smirk soften as he continued flipping to another page, "Clause thirteen: Must create cute nicknames for one another."
Raising an eyebrow, Eun Wol scoffed, "Like... Mr Tarzan?"
"Exactly. You live in a cave, after all." Gyu In winked, "Or Mr Bunny?"
Eun Wol groaned. "You're impossible."
"But you'll love it."
The air shifted as he flipped to a new page. "Clause fifteen: This contract lasts six months. Neither of us will engage with another person romantically or intimately. Breaking it ends the deal."
Silence. The weight of the words hung between them. Eun Wol's eyes flicked down, taking it in. No room for games here.
Just when the mood got heavy, Gyu In leaned back, eyes glittering, "Oh, and clause eighteen: You can ask me for anything you want as long as it's legal."
Eun Wol narrowed his eyes. "Anything, huh?"
"Anything." He said easily, but his gaze was steady, unblinking.
"At any point in time? Is there a limit to the things I can ask for?"
"No limit, however, only at the end of the 6 months."
Six months. That's all he's asking for. Six months in exchange for a chance to pull Eun Bin out of that place... to do what I should've done long ago.
No one else offered me a way. No one even asked me how I was doing. Not until him.
So what if I must act like someone I'm not? So what if it means biting my tongue, wearing a fake smile, playing along?
I've already lived like a shadow. I can keep living like one for a little longer—if it means she gets to be free.
It's not a rescue. It's a trade. My time for her future.
And Gyu In… he doesn't need to know. Not yet. This isn't his burden to carry. Not until I know he'll keep his end of the deal.
Eun Wol's lips twitched into a small, suspicious smile. "Huh. Sounds like you're setting yourself up for trouble."
Gyu In just shrugged, unfazed. "Maybe. But that's the risk I'm willing to take."
"Okay, one last thing." Eun Wol hesitated, then cleared his throat. "So… about this whole 'boyfriend' thing. Am I actually supposed to pretend to be your boyfriend?"
Gyu In gave a small, knowing smile, his eyes twinkling with mischief but holding a layer of guarded calm. "Pretend boyfriend, huh? Let's say... this arrangement suits both of us. You get something you want, and I get a little... insurance." He paused, watching Eun Wol's reaction carefully.
Eun Wol's eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of hesitation crossing his face. He swallowed, weighing the words carefully but said nothing.
Seeing Eun Wol's silence, Gyu In continued, "But don't misunderstand—I'm not here to play feelings just yet. That part... well, we'll see how it goes. Afterall, we do have a contract to follow first." His tone was casual, almost teasing, but there was an unspoken seriousness beneath the lightness.
Eun Wol blinked, caught off guard by the hint of something more. "Right… contract." He exhaled slowly, fingers tightening around the contract. "Okay... I guess I have no choice." The pen felt heavier than it should. He signed quickly, as if afraid he might change his mind. For a second, he thought of Eun Bin's smile, the only reason his hand didn't shake.
The steam curled between them, vanishing into air. Gyu In's eyes lingered on the strip of fabric once again hiding his mouth, "Welcome to the contract. Let's see if it's fun… or serious.