Chapter 34 (2/2)

“How so?”

“For some reason, he grabs people’s attention. He is the type that makes people worry about him. He… makes people wonder about him.”

“…”

“And that’s why… I feel bad for him sometimes. His life… must be unhappy.”

“That might be because…”

Shin stared at his empty glass and continued, “You like Assistant Manager Woojin Choi, Mr. Eejun Bae.”

“You think so?”

“And I don’t think Assistant Manager Woojin is a very noticeable type.”

“…”

“The problem is that he is noticeable to ME.”

Eejun’s eyes widened just slightly. Thankfully, Eejun didn’t get a chance to comment because Woojin was coming back to their table.

***

“Gosh, you are so heavy! You are killing me! Assistant Manager Woojin Choi! Wake up! Come on!”

“… Scheisse…(In English: sh*t)”

“You need to watch your language, Woojin.”

Eejun yelled in annoyance as Woojin grabbed his shoulder.

By the end of the dinner, Woojin ended up drinking a whole bottle of wine. Shin couldn’t understand why, but as soon as Woojin returned to the table, Eejun offered him a fresh glass of wine. He kept getting Woojin to drink as if he was angry at something.

When they were ready to leave, Woojin was out. It didn’t seem like Woojin would be able to wake up, so Eejun and Shin helped him to the hotel.

That was a few minutes ago.

They were able to get him into the elevator, but Woojin kept slipping onto the floor. They finally arrived in front of his hotel room door. While Shin held him up, Eejun searched Woojin’s pockets for his room key card. When the only card he could find was his credit card, Eejun frowned and exclaimed, “What the hell! This is his company credit card. Where is his room card?”

“Maybe he left it at the reception?”

“I already checked it before we took the elevator and they don’t have it. Dammit! Stupid Woojin.”

Eejun continued to swear as he searched Woojin once more. Unfortunately, there was nothing.

Eejun said to Shin, “What should we do? Should I have him sleep in my room? But I only have a single bed.”

“We should go down to the lobby and check with the reception again.”

“I told you, they don’t have it! Woojin probably hid it somewhere! Gosh, he is such a sneaky bastard.”

Eejun searched all of Woojin’s pockets. Meanwhile, Shin pulled Woojin up because he kept slipping. Just then, Woojin placed both his arms around Shin’s neck. Shin could smell the sweet wine on Woojin’s lips; it made his back stiffen.

Eejun announced, “He doesn’t have it. He hid it somewhere.”

“…”

“Wait a minute. Didn’t you get a rollaway bed yesterday? Because we were pulling an all-nighter in your room last night?”

“Oh, that’s right.”

“Well, then there is our solution. Take him to your room and let him sleep there. Man, he looks so thin but he is still too heavy… Gosh!”

Eejun dumped Woojin on Shin.

“Good luck. Please take care of him. When is our checkout time tomorrow?”

“It’s 11 AM.”

“Alright. I’m sure you’ll be fine with him. Sorry about this. I feel like I’m dumping a burden on you.”

“It’s alright.”

“Good night.”

Eejun went into his room. Woojin was about to slip again, so Shin pulled him up closer to him.

Woojin was definitely not light. Awkwardly, Shin took out his room card from his jacket pocket and opened the door to his room. As he walked into the dark room, he could feel the welcoming warmth.

Shin sighed heavily as he closed the door. Just then, he could hear Woojin’s voice.

“Shin Kim…”

When Shin didn’t reply, Woojin called him again, “… Shin Kim.”

It felt like a dream to him. They were still in the dark and Shin looked down at Woojin. Woojin’s face was buried against Shin’s shoulder, so he couldn’t tell what kind of face Woojin had.

“… Shin…”

Woojin’s hot breath burned Shin’s heart. Then… Shin heard Woojin say the words.

“Let’s date just for a month.”