Chapter 7
The office was spacious and neatly arranged.
Yeonho wandered further in, glancing around the room curiously, completely unaware that Jiseok's eyes were already fixed on him, scanning slowly from head to toe, missing nothing at all.
"You look very good with your hair tied up like that."
Yeonho turned toward the sound.
Jiseok sat behind his large desk, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.
He wore thin-rimmed glasses that rested low on his nose, the sleeves of his dress shirt rolled up to his elbows, showing he had been busy working until just a moment ago.
'This old man actually looks really handsome with glasses. Who would've thought I'd ever find someone his age this attractive?'
"And I never imagined you'd look this sexy wearing glasses, Mr. Han."
The words slipped out before Yeonho could stop himself.
Jiseok went completely still, his gaze locking sharply onto him.
The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly, turning thick and heavy — a sharp, electric tension hanging between them in the quiet room.
"You've gotten so much bolder…"
Jiseok leaned forward slightly, fingers steepled under his chin, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Tell me… are you trying to seduce me, Yeonho?"
It hadn't been Yeonho's original intention, but seeing the way Jiseok grinned at him, sent a thrill of excitement shooting right through his veins.
Even though Jiseok was older, there was something magnetic about him, something commanding and undeniably sexy that was impossible to ignore.
'It wouldn't be such a bad idea to get him all worked up because me, would it? I've never been with someone his age before, but… he's definitely the only exception.'
"Are you just going to keep staring at me, or actually do something about it, hmm?"
Jiseok jokingly teased.
He had gotten so lost in his own thoughts that he hadn't even realized he was staring right back at Jiseok just as intensely.
"I'm just saying what I see. You look good with glasses, Mr. Han. Whether you think I'm seducing you or not… that's entirely up to you."
He turned away casually and walked over to the large sofa near the window, sinking deep into the soft, expensive cushions.
"I have to admit… you're different now. Very different from before."
Jiseok leaned back in his chair, his voice warm but laced with quiet intrigue.
"And I have to say… I like this version of you much better."
"I know you do." Yeonho crossed one leg over the other, folding his arms loosely over his chest.
"I told you, didn't I? I'm not that weak, pathetic little Yeonho you used to know anymore. That person is gone for good."
"True… but I still remember how beautiful you looked when you cried for me, dear."
Jiseok's voice dropped an octave, thick with hidden meaning.
His possessiveness is showing.
Yeonho didn't even blink and smirked.
"You can still make me cry, Mr. Han. But it won't ever be the same way it was before. I promise you that much."
A low, rich chuckle rumbled in Jiseok's chest.
He looked at Yeonho like he was the most entertaining thing he had seen all year.
"Now…" Yeonho tilted his head, eyes fixed steadily on Jiseok.
"Why did you call me all the way here? I'm dead tired from walking around all day, and all I want to do is go back, eat, and rest."
"I invited you here for dinner." Jiseok's fingers tapped lightly against his keyboard as he typed away.
"And also to ask... When exactly do you plan to go back to Korea? You said you wanted to leave before your birthday. So… when is that?"
Yeonho froze slightly. He had never actually thought about the exact date before.
He knew the plot said the original Yeonho returned shortly before his birthday, but the novel had never mentioned the exact day or month.
'When the hell is my birthday? Dammit… I have no idea.'
It wasn't actually his birthday, but he was now Choi Yeonho, so he accepted everything about Yeonho as his own.
But if he asked Jiseok straight out, he would definitely get suspicious
He had already insisted he had all his memories back, so asking for his own birthday date would raise all kinds of red flags.
While Jiseok was busy typing away, Yeonho subtly slipped his brand-new phone out of his pocket and quickly typed his name and birthday into the search bar.
'Hurry up… don't let him catch me doing this.'
His fingers moved fast, and within seconds, the results popped up right in front of his eyes.
'April 19th. That's my birthday. I'm turning 24 this year. That gives me roughly two weeks to work with…'
Two weeks wasn't a lot of time, but it was enough. If he stayed in Russia any longer, it would only mess up his plans and throw the whole timeline off.
He needed to get back to Korea as soon as possible to set everything in motion.
Yeonho cleared his throat softly to get Jiseok's attention.
This arc was closer than he had realised. He couldn't afford to waste a single minute.
"I want to go back as soon as possible."
Jiseok stopped typing and glanced up at him, saying nothing for a moment.
"What?" Yeonho shrugged casually, spreading his hands out. "You asked me when I wanted to leave, and I gave you my answer."
Jiseok let out a soft sigh, shaking his head slightly at Yeonho's attitude.
"Give me an actual specific date, darling. Don't just give me vague answers."
Yeonho raised an eyebrow in surprise.
'Did he just call me darling? What's gotten into him today? Is he trying to fluster me instead of the other way around? He must be in a really good mood…'
It was the first time anyone had ever called him something so soft and intimate, and coming from Han Jiseok of all people, it sent a strange, thrilling shiver right down his spine.
His skin prickled with excitement, and he had to force himself to keep his expression neutral.
It was probably just a pet name Jiseok had used for the original Yeonho all those years ago, so Yeonho tried his best to look unbothered by it.
"I still haven't decided on the exact day yet." He lied smoothly, scrolling idly through his phone screen.
"But I want to leave as soon as I can."
"How about tomorrow? Or the day after tomorrow?"
Yeonho paused at Jiseok's suggestions, lowering his phone slowly to his lap.
He tilted his head to one side, looking straight at Jiseok.
"Tomorrow or the day after? Don't you need to book tickets and flights first?"
It felt a little rushed, but he supposed it made sense.
Still, leaving that soon felt like barely giving himself any time to breathe or get everything organized properly.
Jiseok chuckled softly, leaning back in his chair, looking at Yeonho like he had just said the most ridiculous thing imaginable.
"There's no need for bookings or reservations, Yeonho. We'll be travelling by private jet. Have you already forgotten exactly who I am?"
Yeonho suppressed a small smile.
'Right… of course. I should've expected nothing less from him.'
Maybe leaving sooner rather than later was actually for the best — it saved time, saved waiting around, and meant he could get his plans started much earlier than expected.
"Well… if you insist, Mr. Han."
Yeonho leaned back comfortably against the sofa cushions again, holding his phone loosely up in front of his face.
"Let's leave two days from now then. That way I have one full day to rest and recover. I'm absolutely worn out after spending all day shopping."
"You look very satisfied with yourself."
Jiseok's eyes never left Yeonho's face, watching every small movement, every shift in expression.
"Did you manage to buy everything you wanted?"
"Yeah, pretty much." Yeonho didn't look away from his screen. "I got everything I needed, and then some."
Jiseok fell silent, fingers tapping rhythmically against the surface of his desk, his gaze heavy and unwavering.
'What is it now… I can practically feel him thinking. He's definitely suspicious about something…'
"You're going to burn holes right through me with that kind of look, Mr. Han."
Yeonho still didn't look up, but he could feel the intensity of Jiseok's gaze burning right into his skin.
"If you're so happy and satisfied now… why don't you do something to make me happy too?"
Jiseok's voice dropped lower, turning heavy with unspoken meaning.
"Isn't it a mistress's job to keep his old man happy and pleased?"
Yeonho stopped moving completely.
He slowly lowered his phone until it rested on his lap, his eyes locking firmly onto Jiseok's across the room.
'Oh, I know exactly what you mean, old man… don't think you can tease me like that and get away with it.'
"I beg your pardon, Mr. Han?" Yeonho tilted his head to the side, putting on his best wide-eyed, innocent act.
"What exactly do you mean by that?"
"You know exactly what I mean, Yeonho."
The smirk on Jiseok's face grew wider, darker, more dangerous.
The air in the room grew heavier, thicker by the second — almost suffocating, but in the best way possible.
It was that familiar, charged atmosphere Yeonho knew so well, thick with tension and anticipation, making his blood rush fast and hot through his veins.
Their gazes locked onto each other, and the tension hung in the air.
The office was quiet, yet it felt loud enough to drown everything else out. The heat and intensity of their stares were clashing like fire.
Jiseok shifted in his chair, leaning back with an easy, confident smile that made him look even more captivating.
"Come here."
He ordered, he then crooked his finger, gesturing for Yeonho to come closer, right into his space.
'Shit. Is this actually happening? Even though I'm confident I can handle Han Jiseok perfectly, this is still my first time doing it with an old man…'
"I said, come here."
Jiseok said again, his voice dropped once again, turning deeper, sharper, laced with dominance.
And strangely enough, being ordered around like that sent a sharp spark of excitement through Yeonho's veins.
Yeonho pushed himself off the sofa and walked slowly toward the large desk, stopping right in front of where Jiseok sat, looking down at him.
"I know my purpose Mr.—?!"
He didn't even get to finish his sentence.
Jiseok moved suddenly, one hand wrapping firmly around Yeonho's waist, and in one smooth motion, he pulled him forward until Yeonho was straddling his lap, sitting right against him.
"You look absolutely dashing today."
Yeonho stared down into Jiseok's face, his hands coming to rest lightly on the older man's broad shoulders.
"I know…"
They stayed like that, eyes locked, and with every second that passed, Yeonho could feel his entire body growing hotter, burning with a restless energy.
It was just the way Jiseok looked at him, and the slow, gentle way his hands moved, caressing up and down his back, sending shiver down his spine.
The wicked, knowing grin playing on Jiseok's lips made it almost impossible to hold himself back much longer.
'Sly old man… why do you have to look this sexy wearing those damn glasses? Damn you, Han Jiseok…'
Yeonho snapped.
He leaned down slowly, his eyes never leaving Jiseok's, and caught the faint, pleased smile tugging at the corner of Jiseok's mouth just before their lips met.
"Good… very good…" Jiseok breathed against his lips.
Yeonho didn't wait. He took the lead, kissing him deeply, and soon the quiet office was filled only with the soft, wet sounds of their kiss.
Jiseok's hands never stopped moving, rubbing slow, warm circles on Yeonho's back, pulling him closer until there was barely any space left between them.
"Mr. Han… Mmngh…"
Yeonho breathed out between kisses, his body pressing tight against Jiseok's, every inch of him hyper-aware of the heat radiating from Jiseok.
'This… this isn't bad at all. And my body… it's reacting like it's been waiting for this for ages.'
Jiseok parted his lips, pushing his tongue deep into Yeonho's mouth, making him tremble all over.
It was obvious just how much Yeonho was enjoying it.
Jiseok could feel the way Yeonho instinctively moved, rolling his hips slowly against his lap, chasing that perfect rhythm, completely lost in the moment.
"Look at you… you're already so excited for me."
Jiseok pulled away slowly, breaking the kiss, and watched as Yeonho gasped for air, his cheeks flushed bright red, his long lashes fluttering rapidly as he tried to catch his breath.
"Mr. Han… why'd you stop? Haah…"
Yeonho's face was burning, his lips swollen and pink from kissing, looking more beautiful and tempting than ever.
Jiseok chuckled, his hands still rubbing gently along Yeonho's back.
"I think that's enough for now, dear. I'm pretty sure you're hungry and dying to rest. Didn't you say yourself you were worn out from all that shopping earlier?"
'You have got to be kidding me… All that build up, and you stop just after a kiss? He's definitely teasing me.'
Yeonho huffed, climbing off Jiseok's lap to stand up straight, smoothing down his clothes and running a hand through his messy hair to fix it.
"Fine. You could've just said you only wanted a kiss in the first place."
"Are you disappointed?"
Yeonho went quiet from Jiseok's question.
'Maybe I am… but that kiss was way too good to admit that out loud. He'll never stop teasing me if he finds out.'
Yeonho lifted his chin, putting on his most unbothered expression. "No. I just want to eat now, I'm actually starving."
"Then let's go."
Jiseok stood up from his chair, straightening his shirt.
It sounded ridiculous, but Yeonho couldn't help feeling a little let down.
He'd honestly expected things to go further, but just like Jiseok said, that was all he was getting for now.
That night, they had dinner at a prestigious 5-star Michelin restaurant.
The food was exquisite, and Yeonho ate with great enthusiasm, finishing every last thing on his plate, completely satisfied.
Jiseok barely touched his own food, choosing instead to sit back and watch Yeonho eat, clearly finding his enthusiasm far more entertaining than any meal.
The next day, the entire estate was buzzing with activity, everything being prepared for Yeonho and Jiseok's upcoming departure.
Servants rushed back and forth packing, guards went through security checks, and even Jiseok's company employees, especially the staff at his exclusive club where prostitute works, they were all busy making arrangements too.
Since Han Jiseok was leaving Russia for a while, everything had to be organized and tidied up perfectly so nothing would go wrong while he was away.
While everyone else was busy running around, Yeonho took his time sitting quietly in his room, writing down detailed notes of all the major events and plot points he remembered from the novel, making sure he wouldn't miss or forget a single thing.
He even wrote out backup plans and alternative scenarios, just in case things didn't go exactly the way he wanted or if his plans hit a snag along the way.