Chapter 17

Naru, who had been locked in the room, was finally released after two hours.

Gyuyeon hadn’t opened the door for him; instead, Naru quietly turned the knob and stepped out once he’d “reflected,” as ordered.

Cautiously entering the hallway, he scanned the living room. The house was so quiet it felt like even the sound of an eyeball rolling would echo.

Having exhausted himself making tarts since early morning, Gyuyeon had gone to his room to rest.

Boldly, Naru opened the door and peeked his head inside.

“Gyuyeon…?”

He called softly, but there was no answer.

Naru entered with growing confidence. On the bed, Gyuyeon lay flat, eyes closed, posture perfectly straight. Even in sleep, he carried an air of dignity.

Crouching beside the bed, Naru admired his face. The high bridge of his nose and neatly shaped brows never failed to steal his breath. When he reached out and tapped Gyuyeon’s brow with a finger, he let out a sigh.

Earlier, he had been impatient and kissed him recklessly, but he didn’t regret it. Naru had already accepted Gyuyeon as his owner, ready to give him his whole heart.

But Gyuyeon was still rejecting him.

From Gyuyeon’s perspective, that was only natural. He had once captured a rich brat who mocked him—how could he now be swayed and hand over his heart? If people found out, his carefully built image would crumble.

“I like you. You’re my real owner now.”

Whispering, Naru gently cupped Gyuyeon’s cheeks. His eyebrows twitched ever so slightly, but Naru ignored it and pressed a kiss to his lips.

This time, it wasn’t a clumsy lip-smash. It felt like a proper kiss. Soft lips met and lingered for a few seconds. Then Naru pulled back, released his hands, and left the room.

If Gyuyeon wouldn’t open his heart, then Naru would just have to try harder.

Click.

The moment the door shut, Gyuyeon’s eyes snapped open. He hadn’t been asleep at all—just resting his eyes. Naru had barged in, whispered something absurd, and kissed him.

Flustered, Gyuyeon hadn’t been able to react and was forced to feign sleep. It might have been easier if he had truly been unconscious. Hearing such nonsense left him deeply unsettled. He had no intention of accepting Naru’s feelings.

No matter what Naru did, his mind wouldn’t change. Unless his pride allowed it, the chance of being with him was less than 0.1%.

Still… Naru was peculiar. Why would he want to love someone who tormented him?

Either way, now that he knew Naru’s feelings, he couldn’t let things continue as before. He resolved to ignore him until those emotions burned out.

‘Maybe I should just kick him out.’

As he debated between outright rejection and expulsion, a memory from the errand service came to mind. His thoughts spiraled pointlessly, and for a moment, he even felt a pang of sympathy.

‘No. Just ignore him. Completely ignore him until it cools.’

Resolute, Gyuyeon pulled the blanket over his head. From tomorrow, he would return to his wild lifestyle.

Gyuyeon’s daily life quickly became relentlessly busy.

Of course, not in a good way.

In the mornings, he stubbornly worked at the dessert café, and in the evenings, he clung to Geonhyuk, faithfully checking into clubs and bars.

Meanwhile, Naru was left alone at home.

Gyuyeon deliberately left the locks undone every night. His attitude was clear: ‘If you want to run, then run.’

Naru, who checked the front door each morning, was stunned to find the lock left open. At first, he thought it was a mistake. But even after two days, the lock remained untouched.

It felt as if his heart had been hurled to the ground.

‘I just started… so why is he trying to end it before it even begins?’

Curled up on the sofa with his knees to his chest, Naru hung his head. The dim living room only deepened the gloom.

It was one in the morning. Once again, Gyuyeon hadn’t come home early.

Naru had waited anxiously by the shoe rack, but eventually gave up and returned to the sofa. He hadn’t felt this miserable in a while. Even though he had the freedom to roam this spacious house, it felt no different from being locked in a basement.

Fighting sleep, he waited desperately to see Gyuyeon’s face, even if only for a fleeting moment.

Beep. Bzzt. Beep-beep.

‘He’s home… a bit early today.’

The sound of the door lock code came through. Drunk and unsteady, Gyuyeon fumbled with the keypad before collapsing against the door.

Instinctively, Naru rushed forward, pulling his limp body inside. Luckily, Gyuyeon had staggered in by himself before falling flat on the living room floor.

Struggling, Naru tugged off his jacket and sat beside him, staring hard at his face.

“I hate you. How can you do this, right after I said I like you?”

Pouting, he pinched Gyuyeon’s nose sharply. The man grimaced, letting out a strained groan.

Quickly, Naru released his hand and buried his face in Gyuyeon’s chest.

“Pay attention to me again… like before.”

He rubbed against him, leaving his scent. The heavy stench of alcohol, layers of cologne, and Naru’s own warmth mingled strangely in the air. Soon, his faint scent was overwhelmed by the sharpness of liquor.

Dragging over a blanket, Naru curled up beside him and closed his eyes. He had carried Gyuyeon to bed many nights before, but tonight, he simply wanted to fall asleep right here.

Late in the morning, Gyuyeon woke with a groan, massaging his stiff back. He felt chilled, realizing he had slept straight on the marble floor.

Reaching out absently, his hand brushed against warmth. Turning his head, he found Naru curled up under a blanket, sleeping on the floor beside him.

“…Why is he here…?”

It was the first time in days he had seen Naru’s face up close. Having avoided him for nearly five days, the sight left him with a strange feeling.

With a pounding headache, Gyuyeon pushed himself up, shuffled to the bathroom, and washed his face. Drinking was never his thing, and the crowd of clubs had drained him further.

Opening the fridge for a simple breakfast, he let out an irritated sigh at the barren shelves. He had been living like a wild man, never stocking anything.

‘Wait… what has he been eating this whole time?’

Remembering Naru belatedly, he returned to the living room. Looking closely, Naru’s frame seemed thinner, his cheeks more hollow than before. He had always been slim, but now he looked nearly fragile.

‘Maybe I was too harsh. I should’ve fed him properly before running off.’

Feeling guilty, Gyuyeon quickly ordered delivery and set out a spoon and chopsticks. The sound woke Naru, who spotted him and shot up like an arrow.

“Gyuyeon!”

“You stayed home and didn’t eat?”

“There was nothing…”

“Then go out and buy something.”

“I told you, I’m not going out.”

Calm but stubborn, Naru sat and noisily slurped the soup once it was served. His feet fidgeted with excitement—finally, a proper meal after so long.

The delivery arrived quickly, and Gyuyeon set out a simple Korean breakfast. Naru immediately dug in, spoon moving nonstop. Across from him, Gyuyeon sipped hangover soup with a troubled expression, guilt gnawing at him.

As Naru’s spoon slowed, he glanced at Gyuyeon for a sign. But the man’s face was clouded, and not knowing why frustrated him.

‘Is he still mad about that kiss…?’

Quietly, Naru asked, “Um… do you dislike that I said I like you?”

Her blunt words nearly made Gyuyeon choke. He hadn’t expected such frankness.

“I can’t understand you. Why on earth do you like me?”

“…”

“Answer me.”

“Because you took me in. And… because you treated me well.”

His eyes widened. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

‘‘Took you in?’ That wasn’t taking in—it was kidnapping. And ‘treated you well?’ When did I ever…?’

The words felt completely off.

“Why are you so… easy?”

“…Easy?”

“Yes. A little kindness and you’d hand over your liver and gallbladder.”

“Do you… need a liver?”

“…Forget it.”

The conversation went nowhere. Gyuyeon sighed inwardly. He assumed Naru had never been properly loved, so even the smallest gestures seemed significant.

He put down his spoon, gripped Naru’s dazed face, and met his eyes. It was time to make things clear.

“Listen carefully.”

“…?”

“I have no intention of taking you back. So don’t like me.”

The words stabbed like a knife—then twisted deeper.

Don’t like me? After giving him reasons to?

Naru trembled, clenching his fists under the table, forcing back tears. ‘He might as well just hit me—this hurts more. Yoo Gyuyeon is cruel.’

Seeing his face darken, Gyuyeon let go. Silence lingered. He sighed deeply and brushed back his hair.

“Did you understand what I said?”

“…”

“Song Naru.”

His harsh voice filled the quiet. But Naru didn’t answer.

He had been hurt before, but this was the first time someone had rejected him outright. Even that trash of a previous owner had never done so.

But Gyuyeon? He left the door wide open, practically telling him to run away. That cut deeper than anything else.

“I didn’t understand.”

“…Then tell me. What did I say?”

“I didn’t understand!”

Overwhelmed by the feeling of being dismissed, Naru suddenly lunged.

The table rattled violently as he hurled himself at Gyuyeon. Caught off guard, Gyuyeon toppled backward.

Seizing the moment, Naru climbed on top of him, tears gone, replaced with steel in his eyes.