Just Twilight-Chapter 66

"It’s because the tiger’s lost its teeth that people come for it. Don’t you know a tiger’s only worth something after it’s dead, when its pelt remains?"

"You little—"

"Don't bother sitting down," Beomjin cut him off, turning his gaze to Jungho instead. Sangchun was already lowering himself onto the couch, but Beomjin didn't spare him a second glance.

Jungho, despite being built like a brick wall, simply lowered his head like a scolded child.

"What are you doing here? I thought you'd be over in Hannam."

"You want some water?" Jungho asked, clearly trying to change the subject.

"If you're going to bring something out, bring alcohol."

"Jungho," Sangchun interjected, "what did the doctor say?"

Beomjin folded his arms as he stood beside him. Jungho hesitated before answering in his usual weighty voice.

"He said you need to stop drinking."

"He didn’t say I couldn’t have one drink a day."

"Bring him a dictionary. Looks like the chairman doesn’t understand what 'no drinking' means."

Sangchun scowled at Beomjin, eyes narrowed under thick, harsh eyebrows, but Beomjin didn't flinch. His expression remained impassive as Jungho, sensing the tension, quickly made an excuse.

"I—I’ll be waiting outside."

Jungho hurriedly made his exit, and the room fell into silence. Beomjin poured two glasses of tap water and set one in front of Sangchun.

"This about Hankyung?"

Beomjin's question came without warning. Sangchun let out a dry laugh, emptying his glass in one gulp before sweeping his gaze around the apartment.

"You've cleaned up a lot. Three months ago, you had an entire wall stacked with empty bottles."

"There are days like this too."

"Are you planning to live with Yoon Junyoung?"

Beomjin, mid-sip, nearly choked. His cheeks puffed out with water as he stared at Sangchun, who only shrugged.

"You're looking at me like you’re wondering how I knew. Wouldn’t make sense if I didn’t know. It’s the name you muttered the first time you passed out drunk in front of me."

Beomjin slowly set his cup down, his brows drawing together.

"...When?"

"In Mokpo. And again, when you were in a coma for three days at the hospital."

"You’re joking."

Beomjin lowered himself onto the couch beside him.

"You knew about Junyoung?"

"I wouldn't be bringing it up if I didn’t."

"You knew where she was? What she was doing?"

Sangchun smirked at the sharp edge creeping into Beomjin’s voice.

"It wasn’t hard to figure out. She wasn’t just any Yoon Junyoung. She had a mark on her—a scholarship student from the Hankyung Foundation."

Beomjin scoffed, tongue clicking against the roof of his mouth. Sangchun leaned back against the couch, speaking lazily.

"It wasn’t difficult to find out, but you weren’t looking, so I kept my mouth shut. Didn’t seem like I needed to anymore."

The tension in Beomjin’s brows eased, his expression gradually smoothing out.

Sangchun, watching him closely, let his gaze wander around the apartment before making a face.

"But this place is damn empty. Want me to slap some floral wallpaper on that wall? Young women like that kind of thing."

"Don't do anything. Staying out of it is how you help."

I don’t know much about Junyoung’s taste, but I do know it’s not floral wallpaper.

Sangchun let out a quiet chuckle at Beomjin’s firm response. Then, he asked, voice softer this time.

"Even after all this time... You still feel the same?"

Beomjin looked at him. Quietly, but with certainty, he answered.

"To the point where I wonder how I even lived without her."

A slow smile formed on Sangchun's lips as he gave a nod. He knew Beomjin well. The man never said things he didn’t mean. He always came across as indifferent, detached, but precisely because of that, whenever he did speak his mind, his words carried weight.

Sangchun also knew why Beomjin had never sought her out before. And now that he had, there was no doubt—this decision was final.

Resting his chin on his hand, Sangchun spoke.

"Let me meet her."

"No."

"Why not?"

Sangchun actually sounded offended. Beomjin met his gaze, expression flat.

"I already have too much to deal with. I don't need another problem on top of it."

"Wow. You're already getting possessive... I can see the pathetic future ahead of you."

Sangchun clicked his tongue and shot him a look, but his expression turned serious again as he added,

"You know she’s close with Hong Mihyang from Hankyung, right? That woman’s had her in her sights since day one."

"It’s not exactly her choice. Hong Mihyang’s son has been in love with her for years."

"The way they're talking with Myeongin Daily, it doesn’t seem like they’re considering her as a daughter-in-law."

"They must have found out about my relationship with her and decided to keep an eye on her."

At Beomjin’s words, Sangchun clicked his tongue.

"I heard Hong Mihyang’s people have been looking into you."

"They probably want leverage. Until Hong Mihyang’s acquisition of shares is finalized and she secures a board seat for her son, Na Seungwoon, she needs some kind of guarantee."

"Guarantee, huh?"

Sangchun nodded slightly before slowly pushing himself up from the couch.

"Our business is our business, but I’m more concerned about them catching wind of anything."

"It won’t take long."

"Good."

As Sangchun walked toward the entrance, Beomjin noticed the slight limp in his steps and let out a quiet sigh.

"Your leg still bothers you?"

"It’s been years. I’m fine."

"You say that, but it still aches at night."

"That’s just old age, kid."

Sangchun let out a soft chuckle as he slipped on his shoes, then glanced back at Beomjin.

"Once all this is settled, is Yoon Junyoung going to stay with Hankyung?"

"That’s up to her."

Beomjin’s indifferent response made Sangchun shake his head.

"Unbelievable. The Kwon Beomjin, completely wrapped around someone’s finger. Can’t even say a harsh word to her, can you?"

"If I do and she runs off, will you take responsibility?"

"Tch, get lost. I don’t even want to look at you."

"I’m not seeing you out. I was heading out anyway."

"This late? Where are you going?"

Beomjin only raised an eyebrow in response. He grabbed his phone and car keys while Sangchun watched him blankly before letting out an exasperated sigh.

As the door opened, Jungho immediately straightened up.

"Are you finished talking? Huh, boss, where are you—"

"He says he’s going to Busan. This guy’s going to be insufferable once he settles down with a family."

"What? Why are you going to Busan at this hour?"

"Just take care of the chairman. If he even thinks about stepping outside after dark, lock his damn door."

Jungho, caught in the middle once again, looked miserable as he simply nodded. Meanwhile, Sangchun watched Beomjin stride toward the elevator, his lips curling into an amused smile.

***

Junyoung’s eyes fluttered open. Her mind was sluggish, tangled in the hazy space between dream and reality. The bright morning light and the warm, savory scent filling the air told her that it was probably time for breakfast.

She had been dreaming.

A dream where Kwon Beomjin was next to her.

"…It was a dream, right?"

She sat up abruptly and glanced around her room. Nothing had changed since she had fallen asleep. Frowning, she ran a hand over her neck.

"I can’t believe this. Yoon Junyoung, do you miss Kwon Beomjin that much? What are you, some lovesick teenager? That’s the kind of ridiculous dream you’re having now?"

Scoffing, she kicked off her blanket in irritation—then suddenly froze.

Without thinking, she buried her face in the fabric.

A faint, lingering scent. Cool and familiar.

Junyoung let out a disbelieving laugh.

"…It was real?"

In the deep hours of the night, when she had been completely submerged in sleep, her dulled senses had only belatedly registered the shift.

A hand had slipped under the half-thrown blanket.

She hadn’t startled awake, only because she knew the scent. In her half-conscious daze, she had instinctively remembered—

The same firm, steady arms that had once held her in bed.

Just like before, those long, strong arms wrapped around her as she lay on her side. A solid, familiar warmth pressed against her back, making her body heat up instantly. It had already been sweltering, the weak fan barely helping, and yet his body made it even worse. Half-asleep, her eyelids fluttered open.

‘What are you doing?’

‘Just… wanted to see you for a bit.’

A low murmur brushed her ear as his large hand lightly patted her shoulder. The gentle motion pulled her deeper into drowsiness.

Letting out a long breath, Junyoung shifted, turning to face him. Her nose brushed against his firm chest. Without thinking, she slipped an arm around his waist.

He pulled her closer, resting one arm under her head.

It was hot, but not unbearable.

"You turned around so you could see me better?"

Her murmured words were met with a quiet chuckle.

She felt the press of lips against her forehead before they withdrew.

"Are you staying until I wake up?"

"Probably not."

"Then shouldn’t I open my eyes now?"

"If you’re taking the day off tomorrow, sure. But you won’t get much sleep."