Double Junk - 175

The next day, the rain didn’t stop. On the main screen of the portal site where Ahjin’s sister was the representative, words like “heavy rain warning,” “monsoon,” and “precipitation” were displayed. Thanks to that, even though it was morning, the world looked dark.

From Ahjin’s office, which was high up and near the sky, the gloomy city could be seen in one glance. The city, facing the summer monsoon, was hot and humid.

However, it didn’t feel bad. It was strangely comfortable, hugging a sofa cushion in the dim office while watching a drama.

Ahjin was intently watching the drama. It was a drama that the company had produced last year. Since they were preparing for the next season this year, Seokju had recommended that Ahjin watch it.

After watching it for a while, Ahjin went outside to get some ice water. Although Seokju usually brought him ice water at regular intervals, sometimes Ahjin would go out to get it himself.

With the cup tightly held in both hands, Ahjin walked toward the break room. Across the hallway, in front of the elevator, he saw Seokju standing. Even though it was his back, his tall figure, broad back, and long legs made it clear it was him. He was holding a tablet, likely going to a meeting.

Ahjin was debating whether or not to greet him when an unknown female employee stood beside Seokju and lightly touched his forearm in a friendly gesture.

“Secretary Kang, hello.”

It wasn’t really a caress, but a light gesture that could be made when greeting someone. Yet, Ahjin’s brow furrowed slightly.

Seokju smiled and responded to the greeting. His face was too handsome, with his eyes gently narrowing and his lips beautifully curling. He spoke to the employee, but his voice was so low that Ahjin couldn’t hear it. The employee also smiled and spoke back. While they exchanged pleasant words, the elevator arrived with a ding.

Seokju reached out and lightly guided the employee into the elevator. The employee entered first, and Seokju followed her inside.

Ahjin squinted his eyes. It was an annoyingly familiar scene. Why was it so familiar? Before he could even think about it, a scene suddenly overlapped in his mind.

A traditional Korean house. A hallway with wooden floors. A woman in a dress. Seokju leading her to a room. The long sleeves of his robe exposing his strong arms. A closing door. And him, left alone in the dark hallway.

Ahjin frowned and quickly opened the door to the office. At the same time, Seokju turned his body. For a moment, the closing door of the office was reflected in Seokju’s black eyes but disappeared right away.

Ahjin pressed the play button in the middle of the tablet screen, then pressed the pause button, then pressed play again repeatedly. He couldn’t focus on the drama at all.

The image of Seokju and the female employee entering the elevator kept flashing in his mind. It was such an ordinary scene. So why was it bothering him so much?

Ahjin leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. Then, he suddenly realized what was causing his irritation. It was because of the troublesome dream he had the night before. In the dream, he was teasing Seokju by mentioning s3x, and Seokju calmly said:

“I’ll tell you when you’re an adult.”

So, what was the answer to that? He was now an adult, so did he get the answer to that question? Or did he hear it but forget?

Ahjin rested his chin on the desk, staring blankly into the air while muttering to himself.

“I wonder who he’s been seeing…”

He must have been seeing a pretty woman. Seokju was a handsome man, then and now. He must have had a lot of s3x. Maybe even more than his past life as a womanizer. He had said in his dream that there were few handsome men in Korea, so Seokju, with his looks and body, must have been very popular.

Ahjin frowned, speculating about the women Seokju might have met, when suddenly, a low voice echoed from far away.

“All men are like that. Those with dicks will do anything just to get laid.”

“But Ahjin, I’m that kind of man, but…”

“Not today.”

“Right now, I’m not just a man. I’m a sinner.”

Ahjin flinched and straightened his back as the voice sent a chill down his spine. The expression on his face disappeared, and he instinctively tried to cover his ears. But before he could, the voice continued.

“The one who came into my room was the madam, and I just paid her. I paid for today.”

“…”

“I didn’t do anything.”

It wasn’t hard to figure out whose voice it was. In fact, it was a voice he had never forgotten. He could also clearly recall the situation when this conversation took place. Ahjin covered his eyes with his hand.

At that moment, a large, warm hand reached out from the air and gently pulled his hand away. Dark eyes, from a far past, stared directly at Ahjin.

“I only want you.”

“I’ve never embraced anyone else after meeting you. Not even for a moment.”

“I won’t spend a night with anyone else from now on. I promise, though you probably won’t trust a liar like me.”

The low voice sent a chill down Ahjin’s spine. His mind went blank, and he stared at the air vacantly. Seokju’s image became clearer and clearer. It felt like if he stayed here long enough, that image would turn into reality. He couldn’t tear his eyes away from the vision of Seokju filling his sight.

Knock knock. Someone knocked on the office door.

“Boss, I’ve come to get your signature.”

It was Seokju, holding a folder of documents. Ahjin, biting his lower lip tightly, straightened his posture. He absentmindedly fiddled with the tablet. Strangely, he couldn’t bring himself to look at Seokju.

Whether Seokju knew this or not, he quietly laid the documents one by one in front of Ahjin, pointing to the places that required his signature. Ahjin quickly signed his name in those spots.

The signing process didn’t take long. Since Ahjin didn’t read the content, it was over in an instant. Seokju stacked the papers and asked.

“Should I bring you some ice water?”

“No, it’s okay.”

Ahjin shook his head. There was a strangely dark cloud around his eyes. Seokju, noticing the change, furrowed his brow slightly and checked the air conditioner temperature and the tablet screen. But there was nothing out of the ordinary. Just as he was about to speak, trying to express concern…

Suddenly, a loud, bustling sound came from somewhere. It was the sound of a noisy song. The source of the noise was Ajin’s phone, which had been flipped over on the desk.

Ajin, furrowing his brows, picked up the phone. Receiving calls wasn’t a common occurrence. Ajin only used his phone as a dictionary—an encyclopedia.

This made sense because Seokju was with him all day, so there was no need for contact, and Sunhwa didn’t make calls either. If something came up, she would call Seokju.

Occasionally, calls would come from his older brother or sister, but Ajin never answered. He felt awkward and scared. He couldn’t remember much about them, so although they were family, they felt like strangers.

So, whenever the call was missed, Ajin would send messages saying he was sorry for not answering, what he was doing, and that he would contact them later. Thanks to that, he learned how to use emojis. After reviewing the messages he had sent before, Ajin realized that he had been a very cutesy, youngest sibling to his brother and sister.

Could it be his brother calling? Or maybe his sister?

Ajin looked at the screen.

[JUHYEOK]

The name appeared, one he had seen a couple of times. Ajin showed the screen to Seokju. Seokju nodded briefly. It meant it was okay to answer. With some hesitation, Ajin swiped the green icon and brought the phone to his ear.

Before he could even say the usual “Hello,” a deep male voice came through.

• • Han Ajin?

“Yes, what’s the matter?”

• • What do you mean, “what’s the matter”? You haven’t called me back yet! I’m so disappointed. So freaking disappointed!

Call back… It was English. Ajin scrunched his face slightly and thought hard. If he kept thinking, words began to piece together in his mind. Call back. To call again. That was how he could figure out the meaning.

Recently, Ajin had been actively seeking knowledge. After staying at the company all day, watching dramas and movies, he naturally picked up new information. The knowledge he gained blended with the memories that had been dormant in his mind and became truly his.

While Ajin was figuring out the meaning of “call back,” Juhyeokss rambled on, venting his irritation.

• • Seriously, you’re such a selfish bastard. You call me all the time when you’re bored, but when you’re busy, it’s like I’ve died, and there’s no contact at all. Even though we’re supposed to be close, you should still have some manners.

“…Died…?”

• • Yeah, like I’m dead. Anyway, you know today’s my birthday, right? Be at Cheongdam-dong by 7 p.m.! Don’t forget the gift! It should definitely be an expensive one. Got it?

“Patek Philippe or Rolex…”

• • Yeah, yeah. If you can’t buy a Patek Philippe right away, anything from your dress room is fine. Especially the one with the navy dial.

“Navy… That’s the one I’m wearing now…”

• • Oh, then just come and give it to me as it is. I’ll be looking forward to it! See you later! Mwah, mwah!

With the sound of a frivolous kiss, the call ended. It was a short conversation, lasting less than a minute, but Ajin felt disoriented as if he had just gotten off a spinning ride.

He was the most low-class and frivolous person Ajin had ever met. Everyone around him was quiet and dignified, but this “Juhyeokss” was the opposite. Every word he spoke felt unrefined.

Bastard, freaking, dead like. The words were crass. He probably had an ugly face and was greedy and foolish. It would be a relief if he didn’t look like a butcher.

Ajin blinked and stared at the phone, which had returned to the home screen. His mood had already been bad, and now everything seemed irritating…

“…Is he crazy?”

He muttered quietly before throwing the phone down onto the desk as if he were discarding it.