Chapter 509: A Night Alone
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 509: A Night Alone
It was later than I expected.
By the time I returned to the main house, the sun had already set, and the streetlights were flickering on against the deepening gloom.
"I shall take my leave now."
The driver, having opened the car door for me, gave a polite bow.
It wasn't Senior Ju-hee, but another member of the security team who usually handled my protection.
"Ahem."
Feeling a bit awkward, I stepped out of the car and offered a small nod.
"Um, thank you for coming on such short notice today. I know it was sudden."
"Not at all. No one could have predicted that Min Ju-hee would suddenly come down with a fever. If anything, it’s a failure on our part. I’ll be sure to remind her that managing one's physical condition is also part of a professional's skillset."
Right, Senior Ju-hee had gone home.
That was because, once I realized Choi I-hyun wasn't around, I’d lost my self-control and let things go on a bit too long.
Because of that, it had gotten late, and since she wasn't in any state to drive, someone else had to be dispatched.
"Kh-hm, well... don't be too hard on her. She usually does a great job."
"……Understood."
"Maybe just... scold her if it happens again. It feels a bit harsh to get on her case for a single mistake, don't you think?"
When I gave him an awkward, meaningful look, the bodyguard finally relented with a nod.
Did I overstep?
I felt a bit conflicted. No one said anything because Senior Ju-hee was exceptionally talented, but the fact remained that she was a 'nepotism hire' I had brought in.
Would it really be good for her if I acted this protective?
"I mean, it’s not like... I’m giving her special treatment or anything."
"Pardon?"
The bodyguard looked at me with a blank expression for a moment. Then, catching my drift, a small smirk played on his lips.
"Min Ju-hee is one of the most outstanding members of our team. Not only is she excellent at VIP protection, but she’s also fluent in multiple languages, making her capable of handling foreign dignitaries as well."
"……."
I hadn't expected to hear such high praise for her.
The fact that it made me feel so good probably meant that Senior Ju-hee had truly found a place in my heart.
"So, you needn't worry. In fact, many are impressed that the Young Master managed to recruit such a talent."
"……I see. That’s a relief."
After finishing the conversation, I headed toward the main house. The bodyguard gave me a deep bow before driving away.
Just as I was feeling a sense of pride...
A thought struck me.
Wait, this feels like I gave her the disease and then the cure.
I was the reason she almost got in trouble, and then I was the one who got her praised.
I really should get my driver's license.
I’d figured I didn't need one since I always had a driver, but I should have gotten it back when the girls were pregnant.
The regret hit me, but it was already water under the bridge.
As I trudged toward the entrance, I noticed a piece of paper taped to the front door.
"……Hm?"
The housekeepers usually handled the mail, so it wasn't that. I peeled it off and stepped inside.
It was 9:00 PM.
Though it was a bit early to be heading to bed, the house was eerily quiet. Even the lights were all turned off.
Is everyone already asleep?
We were trying to sync our sleep schedules with the kids, but even so, this seemed way too early.
Just in case, I tiptoed inside to avoid making noise.
Ah, the note.
It was too dark to read, so I turned on my phone's flashlight.
The note was written in neat handwriting—likely Choi I-seo’s.
[They called suddenly, so I’m taking the kids to sleep over at the parents-in-law's villa tonight.]
"Huh?"
I immediately flicked on the living room lights.
This was so out of the blue it left me dazed.
Earlier, she was telling me to hurry back with Choi I-hyun, and now they’d gone off to my father's villa on their own?
I immediately dialed her number.
Before it could even ring a few times, Choi I-seo picked up.
"Hello—"
—See? I told you he’d call me.
—It was obvious because of your tone. If you’d written 'Sex,' he would’ve called me instead.
—That’s only because he called me last time and Choi I-seo got sulky.
I heard I-seo’s voice, followed immediately by the chatter of Seo Ye-rin and Yoo Ah-rin in the background.
"……Hello?"
—Oh, Woo-jin. You’re home.
"Yeah, I just got in. You’re at my father's villa?"
—Yeah, we’re at the villa right now. Looks like you’ll have to sleep alone tonight.
"Why did you go there? Earlier, you were telling me to get back fast with I-hyun."
—Oh, I messaged I-hyun separately. She said you were going to be late. Besides, the thing with Chan-woo was just a misunderstanding, right? Then there was no reason for us to wait.
True. The whole reason she wanted me back was because of the Chan-woo situation.
"Why didn't you take me with you?"
—Hm? Because you were late.
—Hey, you brat! Do you know why we left a note?!
—It’s a trap! A trap!
Huh?
"A trap?"
I was confused, but Choi I-seo explained with a giggle.
—If we texted or called, we wouldn't know exactly when you got home. You could have lied about it.
"……."
—But by leaving a note, you called the second you saw it, right? And right now, it’s…
"……."
They caught me like this?
She was right. If they had contacted me via phone, I might have bluffed and said I was almost home. But by leaving a physical note, I had inadvertently revealed my exact arrival time by calling them.
"Whose idea was this?"
—Mine, obviously. That’s why I was the one who wrote it.
Choi I-seo sounded incredibly smug. I’d been played so perfectly that I didn't even have an excuse. I just sighed and apologized.
"I'm sorry."
—It’s fine. I already heard the details from Yun-ji.
Oh Yun-ji, that little informant. She really tells them everything.
She probably noticed the car shaking when Choi I-hyun mentioned it and realized I was with Senior Ju-hee.
—Hey, Kim Woo-jin! Was it good?!
—See you tomorrow, Woo-jina!
"Kh-hm, anyway, why did you go there? You still haven't explained."
I quickly dodged the uncomfortable topic. Even though I made the subject change blatant, Choi I-seo answered without much teasing.
—Your father called and said he wanted to see the kids. Apparently, he was working in the fields today and had some snacks and drinks, and he got a bit tipsy.
"……My father got drunk?"
That was so foreign to me it was actually shocking. I doubted even my older brothers had ever seen my father drunk.
—Yeah. So he called and asked for the kids. It’s the first time he’s ever done that, right? So we came right over.
"Hah."
Fair enough.
If my father made a request like that out of the blue, the girls would definitely go. He was never the type to ask for favors like that.
—But by the time we got here, he was already asleep. So we’re just having a light drink with your mother.
"My father has a strange way of being a drunk."
Calling them all the way out there only to fall asleep himself. I muttered in disbelief, and Choi I-seo let out a soft laugh.
—Really? I think he’s a lot like you.
"Like me?"
—You always grumble for people to come over and sleep at your place when you’ve been drinking. Isn't it basically the same thing?
"……."
I had no comeback for that.
—Anyway, sleep alone tonight. Got it?
—Don't cry because you're scared.
—And don't masturbate because you're scared!
"……."
—Goodnight.
Choi I-seo was about to hang up.
"W-Wait a second!"
I called out to her urgently. I didn't want to end the call like this.
"Switch to a video call. Just let me see the kids sleeping for a second."
I hadn't gotten my daily dose of the children yet. I wanted to see them even if it was through a screen, but I only heard Choi I-seo’s mocking voice.
—Woo-jin.
"Yeah?"
—In times like this, you’re supposed to say you want to see me so I’ll accept the video call.
"……."
—And then you should have asked to see the kids.
"I want to see you too, I-seo."
—Mhm, me too. See you tomorrow?
Mwah.
With the sound of a kiss through the phone, the call ended.
I had been completely toyed with, but none of this would have happened if I hadn't been late.
That said, if you asked me if I regretted the time I spent with Senior Ju-hee, the answer was obviously no.
Regardless, I’d have to wake up early tomorrow and head over to see the kids. I only had afternoon classes, anyway.
"Hmm... maybe I should do something I usually can't."
It was a shame I couldn't see the kids, but this was a rare moment of solitude.
Humming to myself, I showered and headed to the living room.
Ever since the kids were born, I couldn't turn the TV up loud or watch movies late into the night.
Tonight, I’d enjoy the solitude with a solo drink.
"You are my~! La-dy~!"
I started belting out songs, getting into the mood. My voice echoed through the spacious house.
"Yeahhh— ooh yeah!"
With a glass of wine and some sausages I’d grilled from the fridge, I headed toward the massive TV.
The moment I flopped down onto the sofa...
"Oof?!"
"……?"
An odd sound came from beneath me.
Suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind. Back when I was staying at Choi Jin-ah’s place, a person sent by her stalker had been hiding under the bed.
I immediately yanked my legs up out of reach and shouted.
"Who’s there?! The police can be here in three minutes!"
Just as I was about to call the cops on my phone...
"W-Woo-jin! It’s me!"
A familiar voice drifted up from the floor.
"……Jin-ah?"
"P-Please, give me a hand."
I reached down and pulled, and Choi Jin-ah barely managed to scramble out.
"Phew, thank you."
"What were you doing under there?"
"I was hiding to surprise you, but... I got stuck."
"When did you get in?"
"While you were showering. Actually, I-seo asked me to come over and keep an eye on things. She said she was worried you might do something weird."
Right, I could see that.
But did Choi I-seo not think about what might happen if Choi Jin-ah and I were left alone together?
As I tilted my head in confusion, Choi Jin-ah quickly took a seat and spoke.
"By the way, Woo-jin... you’re not a very good singer."
"……!"
"You shouldn't handle high notes like that."
Watching Choi Jin-ah smirk, I felt my face flush bright red.