Sweet Jealousy

Chapter 13

He felt more secure living in Lee Joon-Ho’s residence. 

"Oh my goodness! What happened to your eyes, Do-yoon?" Yu-Na grabbed his face.

Do-yoon looked nervous as he glanced at Song to his right. He said, "Ah, ah, nothing."

"Nothing? It looked like you cried." Yu-Na moved his face from left to right. "Tell me, who made you cry? Was it Song? Or was it someone else?" Her overprotective tone.

"Yu-Na ssi, you're scaring the kid," said Song. "Stop teasing him."

Yu-Na pouted and said, "I’m not teasing him. You know how much I care for our Do-yoon. I don't want to see his face like this."

Song scoffed, "You're acting more like a mother to him."

Yu-Na let go of Do-yoon's face. She said, "And why not? Do-yoon deserves to have one."

Do-yoon felt butterflies in his stomach as he blushed at Yu-Na's comforting words. He didn’t know how to express gratitude for their generosity and care. 

"Yu-Na ssi, you're only 4 years older than Do-yoon," said Song. "Then, a big sister will do," Yu-Na smiled at Do-yoon. "Right, Do-yoon ssi? Call me Unnie from now on."

Do-yoon, looking shy, fidgeted with his fingernails on the end of his plain blue shirt. "Ah, ah," he stared at Yu-Na and added, "Un-nie?" Yu-Na’s eyes grew wide in surprise. She jumped on him for a hug, "Oh my gosh! You look so pretty, Do-yoon ssi. Can I kiss you?”

Song was dumbfounded as he cringed behind him. Do-yoon looked shocked by her blatantness, squeezing his cheeks. Yet his heart felt so relieved. He has an instant big sister to call, too. He chuckled. 

Song curved a grin on his face. And so did Yu-Na, who felt content seeing Do-yoon smile again. 

Meanwhile, in Joon-Ho's office, Park Beom came. He was carrying a small jewellery gift bag.

“Here's what you asked for, Sir." He placed the gift bag on Joon-Ho's table. Yet he wondered for whom the gift was. "Thanks," said Joon-Ho. He added, "Any updates on the current situation in the company?

Park Beom cleared his throat. "Well…Charman Lee was furious upon hearing Cho Ji-Hwan pull out his shares from the company a week ago." He sounded anxious. "He accepted the offer from XP Techno. Corp as their new shareholders."

Joon-Ho pondered as he crossed his arms. He was thinking whether there was a need for him to intervene, since he concealed his therapy from the public. "And what about my brother?"

Park Beom's eyes looked surprised. He never talked about his half-brother or had any interest in knowing about him…at all. He asked in a polite tone, "What about him, Sir?"

"I'm sure Father has asked him to dig out about Cho Ji-Hwan's personal affairs," Joon-Ho said. "But what I want to know is... what he has been doing lately?" He pulled and pushed the handrim of his wheelchair, facing toward the open window. 

The silk curtain kept waving and swaying from the touch of the cool breeze.

This is the first time I've heard this. So, what am I going to say? Park Beom nervously gulped. He said, "Your brother was the owner of the Dark Club." He closed his eyes like he was reluctant to tell the truth.

"Dark Club?" Joon-Ho looked sideways to his left. He thought, I didn’t know he ran an underground business. He averted his fierce gaze to the left.

"It's an underground club, Sir,” he said. “Most VIP and celebrities spend their time in a rut there." He clasped his left fist behind his back. "It was also a place where the discrete distribution of drugs and injecting illegal heat inhibitors to omegas, who worked for them or omegas they've taken as collateral from their debtors."

Joon-Ho looked angry as he tightened his fist. He clenched his jaw, fighting the urge to snap.

Is that why Do-yoon didn't want to go back there? He’s planning to sell him off in the Dark Club?!

“What else do I need to know?” Joon-Ho sounded irate.

Park Beom sighed. Is this the right time to remind him about the envelope I gave him last time? He’s going to kill his brother if that comes to light. So for now, let’s do it this way. He said, “Your brother owned the biggest lending company in Gangnam. He has an upper hand named Da-won who collects debts with his underlings.”

“What did Father say about this?” Joon-Ho wanted to know. So, he could do something about it later on.

“Chairman Lee never intervened with your brother’s dark businesses,” he breathed through his lungs. Trying to calm his nerves. He added, “Because only he could pull it off in finding the secret affairs of the board members. And use it against them if they try to pull out their shares.” He looked at Joon-Ho’s back. “Do you want me to put a tail on your brother, Sir?”

“No need,” Joon-Ho turned around and faced him. “Keep an eye on what Father plans to do, even though he assigned Kim Yi-Joon to look after the company. It doesn’t mean the other board members aren't planning to pull out their shares either.” He furrowed his brow. “Get as much information as you can about our current shareholders. Including their plans. And from there, I’ll decide when to step in without tainting the image of the company.”

“Yes, Sir,” Park Beom felt relieved. Joon-Ho looked intimidating. He added, “Also, find me a school that accepts people with disabilities."

Park Beom's eyes stretched in surprise, and he reacted, “Huh?” Did I hear right?

“You heard me,” said Joon-Ho. “Come back next week.” He looked at the watch on the wall. “I have to go now.” Pushing the handrim of his wheelchair. “My physical therapist is waiting for me.”

“Ah, yes, Sir,” Park Beom looked bewildered. He thought, A disability school? Is that for Do-yoon? 

As he left the mansion.

The afternoon was ecstatic for everyone in the house. They were doing their respective chores and sharing their views of the Korean drama series they adore. 

Fits of laughter could be heard in the kitchen with the chef and maids, while Do-yoon helped Song arrange the compost bins in the backyard garden.

As the tender afternoon became more pleasant, Joon-Ho’s legs started to feel more sensation. Bending his knees and wiggling his toes. Im Hyun also increased the treadmill speed to 1.5.  Though he sometimes wobbled, he got back on his feet well. He tried to let go of the handrail for a bit…and put them back again. 

He was seeing good progress on his legs so far.

“Your legs are improving faster than I thought, Sir Lee,” Im Hyun said, helping him sit in the wheelchair. 

Im Hyun massages and stretches his legs in a soft press. “You'll be able to walk again in no time, Sir Lee." He added, “But I recommend you use a walking stick to balance your body movement.”

Joon-Ho dipped his head. His forehead was sweating.

But Im Hyun wondered. Since I came here, I haven’t smelled Sir Lee’s pheromone. Im Hyun had observed. Well, I’m not allowed to ask… if I don’t want to lose my license. I’ll just report them to Dr. Shin.

Do-yoon knocked and came in. He was bringing them some snacks and cold drinks.

Im Hyun was happy to see him. Though they live in the same house, they don’t mingle much because of their work. He was also focused on his online classes during his free time and went home over the weekend to his parents' house. 

“Do-yoon,” he beamed with a smile as he finished his therapy with Joon-Ho.

“Ah, yes,” said Do-yoon with a calm smile. He placed the snacks and drinks on the round table. He then glanced at Joon-Ho, covered with sweat.

“By the way—” Im Hyun was about to ask Do-yoon when he grabbed the face towel beside the table.

He strolled toward Joon-Ho, who was trying to get the face towel that had fallen on the floor. His eyes widened in astonishment when Do-yoon placed the face towel on his forehead. He crouched his left knee, with his modest gaze at Joon-Ho’s tired face.

Do-yoon? Joon-Ho’s heart faltered.

As their faces were so close to each other. Do-yoon's calming scents of pheromone embraced him like a relaxant. And the lub dub sound of Joon-Ho’s heartbeat raced.

But Do-yoon looked innocent and said, “Ah, ah, you’re s-sweating, Joon-Ho n-nim.” His eyelids glanced down for seconds, and he stared back at him. Joon-Ho didn’t notice that he held his left wrist with a gentle touch.

For a moment, he wanted to hold his hand…a little longer, within his soft grip. 

He wanted to slide his left hand down to Do-yoon’s chin to feel more of his soft skin against his yearning hand. But he couldn’t do it. 

Instead, he scowled at Do-yoon and said in a cold tone. “Give me the towel, and get out.”

A tensed thrill shot through Do-yoon's spine. That’s when he realized that he had overstepped. He was speechless. 

Im Hyun didn’t like his ungrateful tone toward Do-yoon. So he strolled and grabbed Do-yoon’s right hand and said, “Come here, Do-yoon, I’ve something to say.” He pulled Do-yoon, who looked shocked. 

Im Hyun eyes curled into a grin. But he shifted an annoyed glance at Joon-Ho, who narrowed his brow at him.

“Ah, ah, sorry,” said Do-yoon.

They stood face to face.

“You don’t need to apologize,” Im Hyun said. He noticed that Do-yoon was looking at Joon-Ho with a sad face. Yet he wanted Do-yoon to just… look at him.

Joon-Ho moved his wheelchair, facing his back at them. He wiped his dewy sweat when he heard those words from Im Hyun, and eavesdropped.

“Do-yoon, have you been to the cinema?” Im Hyun asked. But his heart pounded in anger toward Joon-Ho’s treatment of him. 

Do-yoon wrote a note on his pad. His throat was struggling to speak. He showed it to Im Hyun, who smirked.

“I’ve never been to the cinema before. Why?

He’s so innocent. What am I going to do with you, Do-yoon, when it’s going to be just… the two of us? Hyun’s wicked thoughts.

“Great!” Im Hyun looked enthusiastic. “I have two tickets for a movie this weekend. Do you want to watch it with me? It’s a good movie. For sure, you're going to enjoy it.” He smiled.

Joon-Ho felt a throbbing sensation in his chest. Listening. 

And not pleased at all.

“Ah, ah,” Do-yoon said and wrote again. But his chest felt tight. His face looked anxious. Joon-Ho seemed not to appreciate what he’d done earlier. Did he not like what I did? He bit his lower lip.

Im Hyun peeked at his pad and read.

“I have to ask permission if I can go out.”

Im Hyun curled his lips into a smile and said, “Then, let’s ask Sir Lee since you’re here.” He grabbed Do-Yoon’s right hand again.

“Sir Lee,” Im Hyun said, looking appeased. 

Joon-Ho turned around and faced them. But the gaze in his eyes looked disgruntled, seeing how he held Do-yoon’s right hand in front of him.

This brat―

Im Hyun asked in a respectful tone, “Would it be alright if I take Do-yoon out to watch a movie together this weekend?” He added, “I haven’t seen him out of the house. So, it would be a good sightseeing and experience for him to explore in another city, right, Do-yoon?” He looked at Do-yoon with a smile. 

But his tone sounded provocative in Joon-Ho’s ears.

“Ah, ah,” Do-yoon glanced at Joon-Ho. He looked a bit tense. But Joon-Ho turned around and said in a heartless tone, “I don’t care what you want to do. Just get out of my sight.”

Do-yoon felt a pang of rejection in his heart. His eyes were teary as he bit his lower lip and tightened his left hand. Im Hyun noticed his trembling hands. He held it tight. Do-yoon looked at him with a sad grin on his face.

“Don’t worry, Do-yoon ssi will have fun,” Im Hyun said in a comforting tone, not letting go of his hand. “Let’s leave. Sir Lee needs some rest.”

Do-yoon just…dipped his head as he let Im Hyun take him out of the therapy room.

Joon-Ho looked sideways to his left and felt more irked by how Im Hyun held his hand as they left the room.

He’s not just timid. He’s more stupid than I thought. He looked far ahead at the manicured garden. With an unsettling feeling lingering in his chest. He let go of a deep breath. He looked back at the door where they left and mumbled, “What am I going to do with you, Do-yoon?”