Chapter 9
Now that he was free from Jiseok's embrace, Yeonho was eager to get moving.
He wanted to step off this plane and set foot on Korean soil as soon as possible.
"I guess I'll head out first then."
It wasn't like he cared if anyone recognized him or not — not right now, anyway.
He walked straight toward the open door, and the man who'd introduced himself as Mr. Park stared at him with wide, bewildered eyes, his face a picture of utter confusion and shock.
'Look at this ridiculous expression. Should I just embarrass him a little more while I'm at it?'
"Y-you… what are you doing here… W-what… What was that just now…? Why—?"
Mr. Park stammered, his gaze darting frantically back and forth between Yeonho and Jiseok, completely unable to process what he'd just walked in on.
He couldn't wrap his head around the fact that the disgraced, forgotten bastard son of the Choi family was clinging to Chairman Han Jiseok like a lover, kissing him so openly and intimately.
Yeonho couldn't have cared less about the man's shock.
He knew Jiseok would shut him up and handle any problems later but teasing this uptight grumpy old man was just too tempting to pass up.
"What? Have you never seen a man kiss another man before? You look absolutely ridiculous standing there gaping like a fish."
"How dare you— that is no way to speak to your elders—!"
Yeonho didn't even let him finish, cutting him off sharply right away.
"I don't care. You were staring at us with those wide eyes the whole time Mr. Han was kissing me, don't think I didn't notice."
Mr. Park's face flushed bright red with irritation, his eye twitching at Yeonho's brazen, unapologetic attitude.
"How dare you?! Who said I was staring?!"
"I did. You definitely were. I know I look good, but really… you're old, and…"
Yeonho dragged his gaze slowly up and down Mr. Park's body, his expression openly judgmental, his nose wrinkling in clear disgust as he looked him over from head to toe.
"You're ugly, and you smell terrible. Did you even bother taking a shower before coming here? Look at Mr. Han — he's handsome, and he smells amazing. You could learn a thing or two from him."
"You insolent little bitch—!"
Yeonho just grinned, wide and unrepentant, looking almost arrogant.
Like he knew he held all the power here, enjoying every second of making this man seethe with rage.
It was pure entertainment for him, mocking and disrespecting Mr. Park right to his face, pushing every single one of his buttons just for the fun of it.
Just as things were getting heated, Jiseok stepped in, cutting through the tension.
"Behave, dear. What did I tell you only moments ago?"
He raised one brow, his tone calm but firm, it was a clear warning.
Even though Yeonho found the whole situation hilarious, he instantly reined himself in and fell quiet, listening obediently.
'Nothing good ever comes of defying or disappointing the old man. Still… that was way too much fun to pass up.'
It didn't matter anyway — whether Mr. Park was furious or shocked or offended, it meant nothing to him.
He just liked seeing the old man's face turn purple with rage.
He ignored Mr. Park completely, turning his head to look at Jiseok instead, a sweet, innocent smile playing on his lips.
"I'm going now. And by the way — I want to stay in a hotel, Mr. Han. Give your mistress some time to himself, won't you? I have your contact details, so there's no need to worry that I'll run away or disappear completely."
"Mistress? This… this trash is under your care, Chairman Han? Is this true? Why on earth would you—?!"
Mr. Park looked like he was about to lose his mind, shocked, angry, and full of questions. But Jiseok didn't even spare him a second glance, completely ignoring every word he said.
Yeonho rolled his eyes, the grin never leaving his face.
'So annoying. Just shut up already.'
He grabbed his designer bag hanging from the seat beside him, slinging it casually over one shoulder, and walked right past Mr. Park like he was nothing more than thin air.
The silence in the cabin was heavy.
Jiseok didn't say a single word, and Yeonho had half expected him to stop him, to pull him back or order him to stay.
But to his surprise, he just let him go, watching him calmly as he walked away.
Just before he stepped fully out onto the platform, Yeonho paused and turned back, leaning his head around the edge of the plane door to look at Jiseok one last time.
"Oh — one more thing. I don't want any personal bodyguards following me around. Please remember our agreement, Mr. Han. Your only role is to watch over me."
Jiseok stared back at him, his expression calm and composed, and gave a slow, definite nod.
Yeonho continued, his voice light but leaving no room for argument.
"So just watch me from a distance. Don't interfere. Don't get in my way. That was the deal, wasn't it?"
He'd said it clearly, and he meant it, that was their arrangement. Jiseok could provide the support and the protection from the shadows, but he couldn't step in or control him. Not anymore.
"Right then… I'm off. Goodbye, Mr. Han. Your mistress is clocking off for now."
Yeonho blew a playful kiss toward Jiseok, winking cheekily before turning around and stepping fully out of the plane.
Jiseok never said a word, just stood there and let him leave, his eyes following Yeonho's figure until he disappeared completely from sight.
'He actually let me go. I know how possessive he is, but maybe he really is changing… or maybe he just finds me too entertaining to lock up.'
Yeonho thought to himself as he walked away, a sharp, cold glint entering his eyes.
Not that it matters either way. At the end of the day, Han Jiseok is just a minor character in the story or rather his story.
Jiseok was a useful stepping stone, nothing more.
'My real targets are waiting for me. Hana… and all those male leads. They're the ones I need to focus on now.'