Choi Beomgyu — a South Korean chaebol and the CEO of Choi Enterprise — wakes up to the sharp ringing of his alarm.
He groans. "Five more minutes…"
Wrapped in velvety sheets in his dimly lit room, the soft morning glow touches a beautiful waterfall painting hanging on the wall. Eventually, he sits up, gets dressed, and heads downstairs.
"Good morning, Sir," the house staff greets.
"Hm. Good morning," he replies, still half-asleep.
His parents look up from the breakfast table.
"Hi, sweetie. You're awake."
"I guess so," he mutters, taking a sip of his iced americano.
A gentle spring breeze flows in through the open windows — birds chirping, flowers blooming, everything fresh and pleasant.
He stands. "Okay, I gotta go. Bye."
As he steps out of the elevator, his personal secretary is already waiting.
Kang Taehyun joined the company just two weeks ago — skilled enough for a higher position, yet Beomgyu insists on keeping him close. Secretly, he fancies him… but also somehow dislikes him.
A strange contradiction, but that's just how Beomgyu is.
"Good morning, Sir Choi."
"Ah, good morning, Taehyun."
"Sir, here is your schedule for today."
"Okay. I'll check it."
"Do you need anything else, Sir?"
Beomgyu sighs. "How many times do I have to tell you? When I need something, I'll let you know."
"…Yes, Sir."
Taehyun goes back to his seat, checking files, when the phone rings.
"Yes, Sir?"
"Come to my office. Now."
Taehyun enters.
"I'm going on a business trip to Japan. You can rest at home for four days."
"But Sir… shouldn't I come with you? I manage your schedule. I'm your personal secretary."
"Taehyun, are you telling me what to do now?"
"N-no, Sir, I didn't mean it like that—"
"Fine. I'll handle my schedule. I'm not a child.
Since he had unexpected days off, Kai — his best friend — booked him a hotel in Japan and planned the whole trip.
"I didn't want to go," Taehyun insists.
Kai simply smiles. "Get loose for once."
After arriving in Japan, Taehyun only wants to rest before finding something delicious to eat.
Meanwhile, Beomgyu also lands in Japan for his meetings. He stops at a cafe for lunch — and coincidentally, Taehyun walks in.
Beomgyu notices him immediately.
"Oh? Taehyun, you're here too."
"Sir! I swear I'm not stalking you. Kai planned this trip. I didn't know—"
"Whatever. Don't spoil my mood. Enjoy your trip… far away from me."
Embarrassed, Taehyun retreats.
But fate has other plans.
After lunch, Taehyun takes the elevator to his room, trying to shake off the unpleasant encounter.
The elevator doors slide open — and Beomgyu steps inside.
Seriously?
Beomgyu glares. "You're staying in thi hotel too?"
"I-I'm sorry, Sir."
"What's your room number?"
"304."
Choi closes his eyes in disbelief.
"…Mine is 303. Your friend practically stalked my itinerary."
"My apologies, Sir."
"Stop apologizing.
That night, a violent thunderstorm hits Japan.
Lightning cracks loudly — and Taehyun jolts awake, trembling. Rain holds a painful memory for him.
As a child, his caretaker once left him alone in the rain. Since then, storms terrify him.
At home, he would run to Kai for comfort. But here… he is alone.
Shaking, crying, desperate.
Finally, he gathers courage and knocks on Beomgyu's door.
"Sir… are you inside? Please open the door… I'm scared… please…"
Beomgyu, wide awake due to insomnia, recognizes the voice and opens the door.
He sees Taehyun crying.
"What are you doing? Why are you crying? Is there a thief? A ghost?"
"N-no… it's the lightning…"
"Are you a child, Taehyun? Who gets scared of lightning—"
"Please, Sir. Can I come inside? I'll go back later… I just…"
Choi sighs. "Fine. Come in."
Taehyun explains his childhood trauma.
Beomgyu's expression softens.
"…I'm sorry, Kang. I didn't know."
"How could you? I never told you," Taehyun whispers.
"Can I sleep here? I can take the couch—"
"No. Sleep on the bed."
"What about you?"
"I'm not sleeping yet. Just rest."
Taehyun lies down — but another loud strike makes him break into tears.
"Oh God… Taehyun, what happened now?"
"Kai always cuddles me until I fall asleep…"
Beomgyu stares — then sighs gently.
"Come here, Taehyun."
He pulls Taehyun towards him, wrapping his arms around him, stroking his hair soothingly until his shaking stops… until he finally falls asleep.
Only then does Beomgyu drift into a deep slumber too.
Beomgyu wakes first — Taehyun pressed against his chest, breathing softly into his shirt.
Taehyun jolts awake.
"S-Sir! I'm so sorry about last night!"
"It's fine," Beomgyu says calmly.
Taehyun stands. "I'll go back to my room now. Thank you, Sir."
"Wait, Taehyun."
He freezes.
"Stay for breakfast. My treat. And…"
"…and?"
"You owe me for last night."
"What do you mean, Sir?"
Beomgyu smirks.
"I have a business party tonight. I need a partner to secure a contract."
"…Sir?"
"Would you be my date tonight, Taehyun?"
"WHAT— Sir, I—"
"It's not romantic. You just have to play along. Think of it as… repayment for my kindness."
"…Fine, Sir."
"Good. After breakfast, we're going shopping. You need proper clothes for the event."
"…Okay, Mr. Choi."