CHAPTER 299: THEN, WHY LET ME IN?

"Want to find out what’s behind that door?" Seo-Jun asked, bringing in more suspense and my heart raced.

What was behind that door?

But first...

"What did you say you wanted to try?" I asked and he said,

"Something lighter." That was all he said before stretching his hand forward towards the door and then it scanned his biometrics.

To think he needed a biometric scanner for the door to open. Just what was in there?

I was getting so anxious with curiosity even when I was already at the point of going in.

I was probably scared that someone would suddenly interrupt us and I would miss my chance of seeing what was in it.

That’s how it always goes, you know.

They always ruin the fun with their sudden emergency call or a ’oh, I didn’t know you were busy. I’ll come back later.’ Why didn’t you just come back later altogether and not ruin the important moment?

Okay, let’s calm down. There has been no interruption and the door was opening.

"Do you want to know what I do inside this room?" He asked and I looked back at him.

That’s precisely what I was curious about.

"It’s nothing grand, actually, since I never really let anyone in here." He said and before I knew it, he shoved me inside as if I would run if I came to a sudden realization.

Luckily, I didn’t fall. I stumbled a bit, but was able to stay on my feet, and then I raised my head.

The room was red, with no windows, and the lights were red as well. And do you know what filled this big red room? Bookshelves.

Ah, it was a wonder that someone who owned such a huge library in his mansion didn’t have such books in his workplace.

There were shelves in each corner and they were all filled with books.

Seeing this, I felt relieved.

But aside from the books, there was a big bed in the middle, also with red sheets.

What was with him and red?

Anyway, I could assume he lay on the bed with a book in hand to read, but how could he read in such a red ambiance?

"White light." Seo-Jun suddenly said and the lights changed to white.

It pierced my eyes a bit, causing me to squint, but once I opened my eyes well, I saw that it was all good.

"The red light turns on when I leave and stays like that till I change it back to white." He explained, walking towards me. "I can’t possibly read with red lights. That would just be ruining my eyes."

Jeez, I thought somehow your red eyes could see properly in red light but I guess I was wrong.

That was the kind of thing my expression was saying to him while wondering why he needed to shove me inside if there was nothing dangerous.

"You read in here," I said, shoving my fingers through my hair. "I guess that’s why you said you never let anyone in here."

"That’s right." He said, going to one of the bookshelves. "Can’t afford someone being careless with my babies."

Aw, how adorably book crazy of you.

"Then, why let me in?" I asked, folding my arms.

"Why not?" He asked, turning his head to smile at me.

"You don’t want to let anyone in, I assume I’m part of that equation," I said to him but he simply smiled and looked away.

"Who are you to me then?" He suddenly asked a bizarre question.

"Excuse me?"

"Who are you to me, Jo-Pil?" He asked and then faced me completely. "I wanted to ask that after seeing the commotion you made on the lower floor. You were on fire, I’d say. And you made it perfectly clear that unlike the sea of people who flock around me and want something from me, you’re different. So, I’d like to hear it straight from your mouth." He stepped closer and got to me, wrapping his arm around my waist and shoving his finger through my hair as if it prevented him from seeing my face or hearing my response.

My heart raced.

Now, this position was kind of hot. And it was in such a lovely atmosphere.

He was asking who I was to him? Who do I consider myself to be in his life?

"I..." I have to answer this question as carefully as possible. But then, instead of caution, I was suddenly filled with a little bit of arrogance. I smiled. "I’m Hwang Jo-Pil. I’m someone you can trust and... Someone who trusts you. I’m your special someone."

That answer sounded a bit flippant but let’s go with that.

If I were asked this question another day, I don’t know what I would say. If it were the same thing or something completely different. But... I know what it is that this man wants... Beside my body.

I reached my hand towards his face, stroked his cheek a bit, and then smiled.

"I’m someone who can lend a shoulder to you and give you a listening ear without judging." Not to your face at least. "And... If you let me..." I pursed my lips, wondering if this was the best choice of words at the moment. "I can be your safe haven, Sun Seo-Jun."

But I meant it.

I wanted to be his haven. An arm he can hold, a shoulder he can lean on, and an ear he can speak all his worries to. I wanted to be that person to my masters. Someone who would never let them down.

Seo-Jun looked at me with widened eyes and then I heard him gulp saliva down his throat. It was loud enough for me to hear since our surroundings were so silent.

"Ah, Hwang Jo-Pil," he called and I could feel how startled he was. Not just in his widened eyes but in his breaking voice. With his free hand, he reached for me and caressed my cheek. "Just... Why are you only coming now?" He asked and then bowed his head, dropping it on my shoulder as regret welled up in his heart. "Why..." I could feel his hands trembling as he tightened his grip around my waist. "Why did you only come into my life this late?"

I had no idea what he was regretting about or what his lament was most centered around, but I could feel it.

A sense of wasted urgency came from this man holding on to me and trembling like a baby calf trying to stand on its feet.

This... Was not what I had in mind.