Just Twilight-Chapter 78

Beomjin’s voice remained steady.

“Even if you leave Hankeong, your mother can stay in that hospital. Just keep that in mind.”

Junyoung had been all set to mock him further, her nose wrinkled in annoyance, but her lips parted weakly instead. She blinked twice in a daze before her eyes sharpened.

“Are you saying you’re going to lend me money?”

“No. Do you need money?”

“No! I mean, I do, but not your money!”

She practically shouted before launching into a tirade.

“Then what do you mean? Do you have any idea how much that place costs per month? The only reason she’s even able to stay there is because she was approved for funding through Madam Hong Mihyang’s influence. Barely. Barely! Wait—did you strike some kind of deal with her while handling this job? Did you ask her to let my mother stay there even if I left the company?”

Her sharp words made Beomjin exhale a short sigh. The way Junyoung was staring at him, as if she would throttle him if he didn’t answer, left him no choice but to speak.

“That’s not exactly it, but close.”

“Then why not tell me the exact answer?”

Beomjin pressed his lips shut again. Junyoung crossed her arms, watching him. Silence stretched between them. Her eyes narrowed, and after a long pause, her voice dropped to an eerily calm tone.

“You’re hiding something else from me, Kwon Beomjin.”

He glanced at her and let out a bitter smile. Taking a deep breath, he spoke in a low voice.

“If you want to see it that way, I can’t stop you. But if you could think of it as part of my work, I’d appreciate it.”

Junyoung frowned and rolled her eyes.

He had said his answer was close to the truth, which meant she wasn’t far off. If there had been some kind of confidentiality clause in his deal with Hankeong, it wasn’t completely unreasonable.

That didn’t mean she wasn’t pissed about it.

It wasn’t like he had to tell her every little thing, but knowing that she wouldn’t get an answer even if she asked—it was frustrating. And disappointing.

She was still trying to sort out her feelings when she heard his voice again.

“To be honest, I don’t like the idea of you staying at Hankeong.”

The unexpected statement broke the silence. Junyoung looked up to find Beomjin wearing a hardened expression.

“Once this is over, I won’t know as much about what’s happening in Hankeong, and Na Seungwoon is a concern. If the only reason you’re staying there is your mother, I wanted to let you know there’s another way.”

She knew.

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In a way, he had just removed her biggest weakness.

She just didn’t know how he had done it.

But there was always one thing that mattered most.

This was something Beomjin had done for her.

Shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts, Junyoung lightly patted her cheek. Then, pursing her lips, she looked at him.

“That exact answer—will you ever tell me?”

The tension in his gaze softened slightly. After a short moment, he nodded.

“Someday.”

“Yeah, sure.” Junyoung exhaled like a deflating balloon and stomped her foot lightly.

“You really think this is the time for idealistic job hunting? What, because you’re an executive?”

“That doesn’t sound like the Junyoung I know. Is there a company that wouldn’t take you?”

“…JBK Financial?”

Her words were like a throwing knife aimed straight at his weak spot.

Beomjin shut his mouth.

Grinning, Junyoung poked his cheek with her finger.

“I’ll think about it. But for now, all I want is to eat, shower, and get some good sleep.”

“Yeah. We’re here.”

Turning the wheel, Beomjin gradually slowed the car. The vehicle glided smoothly across the spacious parking lot.

***

“You’re way too prepared.”

With a full stomach and a warm shower, Junyoung couldn't help but chuckle when she spotted the bathrobe hanging on the door. Wrapping herself in the thick fabric, she stepped out of the bathroom, met by the cool air outside.

Peering out like a predator searching for prey, she spotted Beomjin sitting on the couch, his back straight and his laptop resting on his knees. As she approached, she spoke.

“This place is so nice and spotless. But what’s even more shocking is that you actually have a woman’s bathrobe.”

Beomjin furrowed his brows at her words and shut his laptop.

“Was I too considerate?”

“Move that laptop. That’s my seat.”

She pointed at it, and Beomjin let out a small, disbelieving laugh. Still, he slid the laptop aside, and Junyoung unceremoniously plopped down on his lap. His arm naturally wrapped around her waist.

“You still mad about the thing with your mom?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re only wearing a robe.”

His eyes narrowed as he took in the damp warmth of her skin.

“Are you teasing me? Or…”

A large hand traced down the curves of her body in a slow, deliberate motion. His low voice slipped into her ear.

“…Have you changed your mind?”

Junyoung met his dark, gleaming eyes and let out a quiet snicker before pinching his cheek.

“Unfortunately for you, I haven’t.”

Beomjin quirked an eyebrow, humming in disappointment. The hand lingering at her waist obediently retreated. Junyoung let out a short sigh and rested her head against his chest.

“This is a prime spot. Great view of the city.”

“Good. I moved the couch five times.”

His grumbling made Junyoung let out a soft laugh.

“Really?”

“The idea of you being in my home…”

He murmured as he gently ran his fingers through her still-damp hair.

“…still doesn’t feel real.”

Junyoung remained still in his arms, staring out at the scenery beyond the window. There was something soothing about hearing his deep voice like this.

“Keep talking.”

She nudged her head against him, urging him on. Beomjin chuckled lowly.

“I never thought I’d feel comfortable sharing a space with someone. But with you, I do.”

“That’s because we have history. We ate together under the same roof. You slept while I studied.”

Junyoung absently played with his hand as it trailed down her shoulder, then suddenly perked up.

“You know, getting a two-story place wouldn’t be a bad idea. You could take the second floor, and I’d stay on the first—just like back then. It’d remind me of that house.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

His instant refusal made her sit up straight and look at him.

“Why not?”

“You expect me to lie in bed staring at your back while you sit at a desk again? Are you trying to kill me? The distance we have right now is perfect.”

Beomjin blinked slowly, lifting an eyebrow in mock dissatisfaction. Junyoung let out a scoff and grumbled.

“Oh, and now you don’t want to be teased? Since when has your mind been filled with only that?”

“Since the day you showed up soaking wet from the rain.”

Lowering his gaze, he replied smoothly. His eyes lingered on her lips, and the heat in them made her frown dramatically.

“Don’t start. I told you tonight’s not happening.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“What do you mean, ‘we’ll see’? You don’t know when to quit—tonight is off lim—”

“Live with me, Junyoung.”

He lifted her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her fingers as he whispered.

“For good.”

Junyoung had been about to scoff and throw out some sarcastic remark, but the look in his eyes shut her up.

He was serious.

“I want you to get used to having me around. I want you to feel like being with me is better than being alone. Because that’s how I feel.”

Silence settled between them like a soft wing. Junyoung locked eyes with him and raised an eyebrow.

“That almost sounded like a proposal.”

“You heard right.”

His calm response made her let out a breathy laugh.

“You’re insane. One minute you’re pushing me away, and now you go straight to the extreme? I just stepped into your place for the first time, and now you’re talking about marriage?”

“I warned you. Once I start, I don’t stop. Honestly, the moment I stepped into your place, this outcome was already decided.”

Unfazed, Beomjin adjusted his grip on her hand. His warmth seeped into her skin.

“I thought you didn’t care about things like marriage.”

“I didn’t. I never had a reason to. I never planned on keeping anyone by my side.”

“And now?”

“…Now, I want to stay by your side.”

Beomjin lifted his hand and brushed his fingers down her cheek. His sharp gaze, usually cutting, had softened in a way she had never seen before. His voice dipped into a hushed murmur.

“I don’t want to leave you alone. Not now. Not in whatever’s coming next.”

When his hand dropped from her lips, Junyoung instinctively caught it. A strange warmth swirled in her chest, her heart thudding just a little too hard. She felt like she might burst into laughter at how ridiculous this was.

So instead, she forced herself to press her lips together.

“What if I say no?”

“I don’t care if we don’t get married right away. That’s just paperwork. But I want you to stay here with me. Live with me. See if I’m worth it.”

“You’re making it sound like leaving isn’t even an option.”

“It’s not. Not since the moment you let me in.”