Jihoon and Haneul's love blossomed amidst Jihoon's hectic schedule. Despite his busy days, Jihoon prioritized Haneul, cherishing every moment together, but Haneul couldn't help feeling the strain.

"I'm sorry I'm late again," Jihoon said, embracing Haneul with a goofy grin.

"That's fine, I just finished cooking," Haneul replied, trying to sound lighthearted.

Jihoon teased, pouting, "Where's my kiss? I drove extra fast for it."

Haneul's face flushed at Jihoon's childishness, and he chuckled. "You're ridiculous, Mr. Kim."

Haneul wrapped his arms around Jihoon's neck and leaned in for a kiss.

Over dinner, Jihoon hesitated before mentioning his upcoming project. "Haneul, I have a big presentation next week. We might… see less of each other."

Haneul's expression fell, but Jihoon quickly added, "But I'll make it up to you."

When Haneul remained silent, Jihoon suggested, "How about a midnight picnic in the office?"

Haneul raised an eyebrow, stopped chewing, and looked up at Jihoon. "A picnic...in the office?"

Jihoon nodded enthusiastically, his wide smile infectious. "You're finally looking at me," he said, pleased.

Haneul laughed, his disappointment easing. "You're annoyingly funny, Mr. Park."

Jihoon caressed Haneul's cheeks. "Are we good now?"

Haneul nodded, a smile spreading across his face.

Jihoon's eyes locked onto Haneul's, and he gently pulled Haneul onto his lap.

Haneul settled in, his legs straddling Jihoon's thighs, their faces inches apart.

Jihoon's lips brushed against Haneul's, a soft, tender kiss deepening into passion.

Haneul's arms wrapped around Jihoon's neck, drawing him closer.

Their bodies swayed, lost in the moment, as the world around them melted away.

Fingers intertwined, they savored the kiss, hearts beating as one.

The dinner table, the room, everything faded into the background.

In that moment, only their love existed.

The next few days, amidst Jihoon's chaotic days, they savored moments together, alternating between each other's homes, sharing home-cooked meals, and laughter-filled nights. 

Haneul patiently accepted Jihoon's late hours, never complaining about his late nights, and their love endured through the busy times.

But despite the bliss, a shadow from Jihoon's past emerged. Jaemin, his toxic ex-boyfriend, reappeared, bringing tension to Jihoon's life.

One afternoon, a familiar figure appeared in the lobby as Jihoon and his colleagues walked outside their building to have lunch. Jaemin's charming smile and confident stride made Jihoon's stomach twist.

"Jihoon, long time no see," Jaemin said, his voice dripping with familiarity.

Jihoon's colleagues exchanged curious glances.

 "Can I help you?" Jihoon asked, trying to maintain professionalism.

Jaemin sauntered closer, his eyes locked on Jihoon. "We need to catch up. Privately."

Jihoon's instincts screamed a warning, but he couldn't refuse without arousing suspicion. He looked at his colleagues and excused himself.

"Let's step outside." He said to Jaemin.

In the lobby's hallway, Jaemin's tone turned possessive. "I've missed you, Jihoon. We were great together."

Jihoon's expression hardened. "Jaemin, I've moved on. Leave me alone."

Jaemin sneered, his eyes glinting with malice. "So, you did pursue that kiddo, Haneul? How quaint."

Jihoon's eyes narrowed, his protective instincts flaring. "Stay away from him, Jaemin."

Jaemin chuckled, his smile cold. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots. You think that innocent little thing can replace me?"

Jihoon's anger simmered, but he kept his cool. "You're not welcome in my life anymore, Jaemin. Leave."

As Jaemin lingered, Jihoon's unease grew, fearing Haneul's discovery of his painful past and Jaemin's true intentions.

Throwback: Jihoon and Jaemin’s Past

Their love story began with laughter and promises. Jihoon and Jaemin, high school sweethearts, confessed their love after graduation.

“I’ll always be here for you, Jihoon,” Jaemin whispered, his eyes shining.

“I love you, Jaemin,” Jihoon replied, smiling.

Their early years were blissful. They explored the city together, hand in hand.

But as time passed, Jaemin’s behavior changed. Five years of love turned sour as Jaemin’s possessiveness grew, suffocating Jihoon. 

“Who’s that guy you’re talking to?” Jaemin snapped, his tone sharp.

“Just a friend, Jaemin. Calm down,” Jihoon replied, confused.

“You’re mine, Jihoon. Only mine.”

Their conversations turned into arguments.

“You’re being so controlling again, Jaemin. I need space,” Jihoon pleaded.

“Space? You want space? No! We’re not done,” Jaemin spat.

Fights escalated, and Jihoon felt trapped.

“Jaemin, stop. Why are you being like this? I explained my side to you repeatedly already.” Jihoon said, his voice firm but shaking from frustration.

“You know what? You change so much that… I hardly know you anymore. This is not love anymore, it’s suffocation,” Jihoon’s emotions boiled over.

“You’re just being dramatic, Jihoon. I love you,” Jaemin insisted.

Jihoon’s feeling felt invalidated, his emotions dismissed. He reached his breaking point.

“I... can’t take this anymore, let’s break things up,” Jihoon declared, his voice cracking with desperation.

Jaemin’s eyes narrowed, his voice laced with malice. “Leave me, and you’ll regret it, Jihoon. I’ll make sure of that.”

Jihoon stood firm, his heart pounding. “Sure, but I’m done with your games.”

Jihoon walked away leaving Jaemin.

Their toxic relationship ended, but the scars remained.

Present Day

Jihoon's brow furrowed, still wondering how Jaemin had changed so much.

Jaemin's eyes sparkled with malice. "This Haneul's quite the catch, isn't he? So pure, so innocent... so oblivious to your past."

Jihoon's mind gets back to reality as he hears Haneul's name.

Jihoon's grip on his temper faltered. "Jaemin, stop."

"Or what?" Jaemin taunted, his voice low. "You'll tell him about us? About how we were?"

Jihoon's silence was all the answer Jaemin needed.

"I thought so," Jaemin sneered. "You're still mine, Jihoon. In every way that matters."

With a parting glare, Jaemin turned to leave, but not before casting a menacing glance toward Jihoon's office.

Jihoon's heart raced, his mind reeling. How far would Jaemin go to sabotage his relationship with Haneul?

As Jaemin exited the office, Jihoon's phone buzzed with an ominous text:

"You think you can hide forever? I'll make sure that kid knows the truth."

Jihoon's anxiety spiked. He couldn't let Jaemin manipulate him.

Jihoon returns to his table, trying to brush off what happened earlier with Jaemin but he fails and can't focus at all. He thinks a lot to decide how he will tell Haneul his past before Jaemin makes a move first.