CHAPTER 79: BEING DOTED ON

"BABE, what are you doing?"

Garam ignored Song Sihyuk as he was busy inhaling the steam.

As soon as they got home, he immediately boiled water. Then he poured the hot water into a heatproof bowl. After that, he leaned over the bowl— creating a safe distance from the water, of course— and inhaled the steam through his nose.

He had been doing that for three minutes already.

Just two more minutes.

Garam was doing that because he woke up with a clogged nose and a hoarse voice after crying "hyung" all night while having sex with Song Sihyuk.

Love the sex, but not the aftermath.

Especially not when he was scheduled to start recording tomorrow.

Thank goodness I have a whole day to rest my voice.

When Garam lifted his head, he couldn’t open his eyes right away.

But he felt the soft towel that gently touched his face.

Oh, it’s Sihyuk Hyung.

"Is it for your hoarse voice?"

Garam opened his eyes slowly, and then he nodded.

"I’ll make you ginger and honey tea before I go to work."

Right, it was still a weekday.

That was why they had to check out of the hotel early.

Sihyuk Hyung has to go to work. And it’s safer to leave the hotel at that hour to avoid meeting people who might recognize me.

"I’ll ask the chef to make warm broth for you."

Garam just nodded again.

Song Sihyuk looked confused at first, and then he chuckled when the realization probably hit him. "I get it. You’re not going to talk to rest your voice."

Again, Garam just nodded.

"Aigooya. My wife is so cute."

Garam just rolled his eyes.

This hyung finds everything I do ’cute,’ even though I’m just standing and breathing here.

"Should I not go to work today?"

Garam knitted his eyebrows, giving his chaebol a questioning look.

"To take care of you, babe."

Aigoo.

Garam grabbed his phone from the table and typed fiercely before showing it to Song Sihyuk.

’Go to work and earn money, Hyung. You can’t miss work in this economy.’

"Aigooya. My pride gets hurt every time you worry about my finances, Garam-ah. We’ll still live in luxury even if I don’t work."

Garam typed on his phone again.

’Hyung looks the sexiest when you’re working.’

Song Sihyuk laughed, and then he gently grabbed Garam’s face. "Alright, alright. I’ll go to work."

Garam smiled and nodded.

"I’ll call the house helpers and make them stay here to look after you. But if you need me, or you just miss me, then call me— I’ll come running to you."

Aigoo.

That was cheesy.

But it gave Garam butterflies in the stomach.

"Rest well, babe," Song Sihyuk said, kissing Garam on the forehead. "I’ll come home early and join you for dinner."

Aww.

Garam, as the second oldest member in his group, was used to taking care of his younger members.

So, being taken care of now felt different.

I didn’t expect I’d enjoy being doted on.

It felt nice— really nice, actually.

So, Garam pulled Song Sihyuk by the collar and kissed him on the lips.

Yeah, this could work.

***

"HELLO, Hyung-nim..."

Song Sihyuk knitted his eyebrows when a sulky Choi Sumin stood before him. "Why the fuck are you still here? I already fired you."

Although he cursed his cousin, he wasn’t actually annoyed.

Lim Garam acted clingy earlier before Song Sihyuk left, so he went to work in a good mood.

He stayed in that mood even though he was stuck at his table all day because of the documents that he had to read and sign. In fact, he even skipped lunch because he wanted to finish work ASAP and come home early.

"Grandfather said he’ll leave me out of the will if I don’t stay in the company."

Haaah.

Song Sihyuk leaned against the backrest of his seat. "Why do you want to quit when you don’t even know what you want to do anyway?"

"Hyung-nim, why do I need to work when I’m already set for life?"

Good point.

This is why I can tolerate this brat— his lack of ambition makes him harmless.

And that was also the reason why their grandfather adored Choi Sumin.

Because even if Choi Sumin acts cute, it’s not because he wants to suck up to our grandfather— it’s simply because this punk is clingy.

"But Grandfather keeps forcing me to work."

"Well, what sets chaebol families apart from ordinary rich families is the fact that our family owns the company," Song Sihyuk said bluntly. "Of course, Grandfather wants every member of the family to contribute to the growth of SG Group."

Choi Sumin just pouted.

This kid...

"Yah. Do you still want to be a pilot?"

Choi Sumin flinched, but he didn’t deny it.

Haaah.

"Grandfather thinks so little of pilots. For him, it’s a job for the middle-class."

"I know that, Hyung-nim."

"If you want to be a pilot, then leave the family and start your own path."

"I’m afraid to do that because I’m not confident that I’ll succeed as a pilot," Choi Sumin said gloomily. "I’m not smart. I’m clumsy. I’m just lucky that I was born in a chaebol family."

"Don’t underestimate your luck— there are people who’ll kill to take your place."

"Hyung-nim, will it kill you if you coddle me a little?"

"Do I look like I give a fuck about your sob story?"

Choi Sumin let out a frustrated sigh. "Hyung-nim, I’m glad you’re an only child. If you had a sibling, you’d probably end up killing them."

Song Sihyuk just shrugged. "Are you done ranting?"

"Is your lover an idol, Hyung-nim?"

"Why are you asking?"

"I was invited to a famous actor’s birthday bash at this exclusive club last night," Choi Sumin said, tilting his head to one side. "Dongpyo Hyung was there. He was asking people if anyone knew an idol dating the heir of SG Group."

Song Sihyuk clenched his jaw tight. "What the hell is that bastard up to?"

***

GARAM was pampered all day.

Even though he wasn’t really sick, the household staff members who came took care of him really well.

First, the chef and his kitchen staff prepared a healthy lunch for him.

Then the house helper ahjummas made sure he wouldn’t lift a finger.

But, once 6PM hit the clock, everyone left.

Even so, the household staff left only after fulfilling their duties splendidly— the dinner already prepared, and the penthouse clean.

Apparently, Sihyuk Hyung doesn’t want live-in house helpers at his penthouse.

Garam was more comfortable that way either, so he didn’t complain.

At first, he found it uncomfortable since he was afraid that the staff might recognize him.

He remembered the conversation that he had with his chaebol husband then...

"Oh. Is my baby confident that he’s famous enough to be recognized by middle-aged people?"

"It’s not like that, Hyung. I know that our group is only popular among young people or idol fans. I’m just being extra careful..."

"Don’t worry. Every staff member who got permission to work here signed an NDA."

So, Garam got used to the household staff members.

They’re all kind to me, and they have never looked at me with judgmental eyes.

But he had to say that the household staff members were too loyal to Song Sihyuk.

He asked the cleaning ahjummas before to join him when he was eating because it felt awkward that everyone was just waiting on him.

But everyone refused, saying that the ’young master’ wouldn’t like that.

Is Sihyuk Hyung that strict?

Garam’s thoughts were interrupted when his phone vibrated.

He got a message from Song Sihyuk: ’Babe, I’m sorry, but I’m coming home late tonight. Don’t wait for me. Enjoy your dinner and sleep early.’

Ah, his chaebol husband must be busy.

Garam was about to reply to Song Sihyuk, but he got distracted when he got a new message.

This time, it was from Lee Eunsang who sent a message in their group chat.

It seems like our Eunsang’s therapy is working since he’s been cheerful again recently.

He was glad.

’Hyungs, one of my favorite influencers followed our group account! I’m already freaking out just thinking that he’s our fan!’

Garam smiled because he could sense Lee Eunsang’s excitement.

The maknae even sent cute emojis showing how thrilled he was.

However, that smiled disappeared when Lee Eunsang sent the link of the account of his favorite influencer.

The username account was quite funny: @babysharkdoodoodongpyo

Dongpyo.

Cho Dongpyo.

Sihyuk Hyung’s ex-boyfriend.

Against Garam’s better judgment, he found himself checking Cho Dongpyo’s social media account.

Oh, look.

Cho Dongpyo had just posted a new photo.

’catching up with an old flame... i mean, an old friend~’

The caption was written in English, but Garam understood it since he studied well in college. He didn’t get to finish university because he got busy with his career. Even so, his English skills weren’t rusty yet— especially since he kept expanding his vocabulary while writing songs.

An ’old flame’ is like an old lover, right?

That caption came with a generic picture of two cups of coffee on the table.

But the slightly blurry figure of a man sitting across from Cho Dongpyo while holding a phone caught Garam’s attention.

The face wasn’t included in the photo.

But the body was all too familiar.

That expensive tailored suit.

That plain foreign phone that didn’t even have a phone case.

That simple yet elegant watch around that thick wrist.

That large, veiny hand with long and slender fingers...

Garam raised an eyebrow. "So, this is why you can’t come home early, Sihyuk Hyung?"

***

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