~Chapter 11~
Daetong Trading Company, President’s Office.
Hakje had been staring into space for thirty minutes.
Tap, tap, tap… tap.
His fingers, tapping on the desk in a steady rhythm, suddenly stopped sharply.
A cold light flickered in his eyes.
“As expected, I don’t like this.”
A chilly voice slipped out from his tightly shut lips.
He stood and looked out the window.
The sky, full of dark clouds, moved in a way that mirrored his mood.
Papers to review were piled on the desk, but he didn’t glance at them.
One thought kept swirling in his mind.
“Shin Woo-geon is getting close to a woman…”
Hakje squinted.
He’d known of Woo-geon for years for various reasons, but he’d never heard rumors of him getting close to any woman.
There was the gisaeng Yohwa from the Kyungsung Academy they interacted with in Esperanto lessons…
“Hmm. That one is too obvious of a trick.”
Even without knowing the details, his instincts were telling him something.
All the scandals around Woo-geon were just a cover, a smokescreen.
There was nothing confirmed as fact.
But now, Woo-geon had placed his hand on a woman’s shoulder in front of others.
And he made it look like they were more than acquaintances.
“If you’re going to lie, at least kiss her while you do it.”
The memory of So-hye’s embarrassed face made Hakje frown even more.
He had finally found an interesting woman after a long time…
And now that Woo-geon was in the picture, it was irritating.
Woo-geon even openly showed caution toward her.
Hakje’s eyes darkened.
“What should I do…”
He felt the dangerous instinct of possession awaken after a long time.
His unusual interest in So-hye wasn’t just a passing fancy.
She reminded him of things he had long buried in memory.
But more than that, he wanted to provoke Woo-geon’s mood.
He wanted to see what the man—who cared only about butterflies, yet was somehow being watched by Japan—was thinking.
Seeing the arrogant scholar’s twisted expression would also be a refreshing entertainment in this dull Joseon.
And maybe… he wanted So-hye for himself.
Knock, knock.
The secretary’s voice came just then.
“President, Lord Taro has arrived.”
“Ah, let him in.”
The door opened, and Sosuke stepped in.
Hakje’s dangerous look instantly turned into a sly smile.
His once-sharp eyes softened.
“Lord Taro, what brings you to such a humble place? A single call and I could have come first.”
“Waiting quietly after calling doesn’t suit me. Better I move.”
“Haha, truly like you.”
“How have you been?”
“I’ve always been well.”
Hakje’s eyes narrowed slightly in a friendly smile.
“Thanks to you, Lord Taro.”
He invited him to sit with a smile.
Even someone without fear would be intimidated by Sosuke’s beast-like eyes, but Hakje acted like a loyal dog.
Sosuke studied Hakje carefully.
On the surface, he looked like an ordinary heir, but something felt off.
“Every time I meet him, it’s strangely unsettling.”
Like meeting someone with another face hidden inside.
He wasn’t an easy target, that was clear.
As long as he did his job properly, Sosuke didn’t care about anything else.
Sosuke stared into Hakje’s eyes as if trying to see through him.
“I think you’ve had enough time to consider… so, what’s your answer to my proposal?”
Hakje’s lips curled into a slightly higher smile.
“Was it something I could refuse?”
“The choice is yours.”
Of course, the responsibility that came with the choice was heavy.
But Hakje’s sly laugh didn’t disappear.
He shrugged as if to say there was no need to drag it out.
“Why would I refuse? I’ve always done as I’m paid.”
“Good, straightforward.”
Sosuke tossed a large envelope onto the desk.
It contained money and detailed information on Woo-geon.
“Our side has been too exposed already. Whether you go personally or send someone new, gather information and narrow in on things not already known.”
Hakje glanced over the papers, nodding easily.
“I won’t disappoint.”
“If you do it right, the money will be even more.”
“You know how to get me moving, Lord Taro.”
Hakje showed his excitement openly, flicking his eyes.
“May I ask a few things?”
Sosuke nodded.
“Why are you keeping tabs on Shin Woo-geon?”
“Because nothing comes up.”
Sosuke’s eyes flickered with displeasure.
“Everyone points fingers at him, calling him a traitor, but nothing comes from him. No matter how we investigate, nothing concrete shows.”
Just suspicions, no proof—like a mirage slipping away.
Hakje nodded understandingly.
“So why him specifically?”
“Because your reputation is appealing.”
The so-called “friendly assassin” who did anything for money.
At first, he thought the rumors were exaggerated, but meeting Sosuke proved otherwise.
He was dangerous.
And perfect for this task.
Sosuke gave a chilling smile.
“Then I look forward to good news.”
Sosuke left in his car.
Hakje watched until it disappeared completely, his playful smile fading halfway.
“Two birds in one trap, huh.”
He chuckled, slipping a hand into his pocket.
It had been a long time since he’d felt his blood boil.
So-hye looked suspiciously at the black coffee in front of her.
She’d seen customers and her older sisters drink it at the modern cafe, but never tried it herself.
The white porcelain cup smelled good, but the dark color made her hesitant.
Her sister Chook had said it was extremely bitter.
Fearful, adventurous, and hating bitter tastes, she didn’t want to drink it.
After staring at the coffee for a while, she glanced at Woo-geon.
He sat casually, legs stretched, drinking his coffee.
Despite the dull weather, his face seemed bright and clear.
No matter how long she looked, she couldn’t look away.
Time seemed to have stopped for her.
The summer breeze, distant tram bells, people laughing.
The coffee smell, the smoke—all faded, leaving only Woo-geon.
As if only the two of them existed.
‘I was the one who suggested we come for coffee…’
Now that they were alone, she didn’t know what to say.
He drank leisurely like a painting, and she just stored his image in her memory.
‘If he were in a movie, he’d be more popular than Robert Taylor.’
No matter how long she looked, it never bored her.
He was handsome. Woo-geon was the best.
“Earlier you tried to break the cup. Now am I the target?”
“Huh?”
Snapping out of her daze, she realized she had been staring at him.
“Ah… hmm.”
Embarrassed, she looked away and fanned herself nervously.
Woo-geon laughed softly and said:
“Try it. You’ve never had it before.”
“I will… is it very bitter?”
“If you can’t drink bitter stuff, add sugar.”
He gestured to a small white jar.
‘I wondered why every table had one. Oh, it’s sugar.’
She wanted to look cool like a modern girl, so she decided to try.
The coffee aroma was strong.
‘Not bad…’
Cautiously sniffing, she finally sipped.
Immediately, bitterness coated her tongue.
“Ugh… egh.”
Her face scrunched up. It was sour, bitter, and dry.
She couldn’t control her expression even in front of him.
Woo-geon looked puzzled.
“Looks like you drank poison or something.”
She quickly closed her lips, her brows narrowing.
He didn’t tease her, just nodded knowingly, even gave a small snort.
“It’s okay, your tongue got burned.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
His tone was like comforting a stubborn child.
She blew out a huff and lifted her cup again.
Though hesitant, she couldn’t waste the drink.
Just as she was about to drink, Woo-geon took the cup from her hand.
“You can’t avoid the burn, but no need to force yourself to drink what you dislike.”
His hand brushing hers felt warmer than the cup.
“I usually add sugar here too. It’s bitter.”
He stirred sugar into her coffee slowly.
She watched him closely, even embarrassed.
“You’ll like it now.”
She drank the coffee he offered, eyes widening as the flavor hit.
“Wow, it’s good.”
So honest in expression. It made him more curious about her.
He smiled faintly, asking:
“Why have you never had coffee before?”
“Never wanted to pay for it.”
She smiled awkwardly after drinking.
“Our cafe coffee is expensive. Even staff don’t get it free, and I can’t handle bitterness well.”
“Then why did you want to come?”
She hesitated, then sipped again.
‘I needed an excuse to be across from him.’
Her courage wasn’t enough to say it aloud.
“Sugar makes it better. Sweet, but slightly sour.”
Her voice trembled.
He didn’t push or tease her further, just asked another question.
“So why did you want to see me?”
“Kellock.”
“I have something for you.”
She opened her bag and handed him a rolled drawing.
He looked surprised.
“It’s a gift.”
“I just drew it because I was bored, but I didn’t want to throw it away.”
He examined it silently.
“Not bad… quite good actually.”
Her heart raced. Even a simple compliment could thrill her.
She bit her lower lip to hold back a smile.
“Did you come last week to give me this?”
“Then… I was just walking by.”
She tried to look nonchalant, slipping her true feelings into that phrase.
“I’ll probably walk by again.”
She had never seriously wanted to be with him.
But she didn’t want him to never know her feelings either.
He raised an eyebrow, giving a meaningful look.
“Will you just pass by, or make it clear?”
“What?”
“Come properly to see me.”
It was an unexpected response.
