Scarlet Strings.

Chapter 16:

Ha-neul stirred awake at 5 a.m., the faint light of dawn barely illuminating the guest room he occupied. Stretching his arms and cracking his neck, he rolled out of bed with purpose. Today was crucial, he had to finalize the location for his upcoming hotel near Siena. 

Rising from the bed, he shuffled toward the bathroom, running a hand through his messy hair. After a quick shower, the steam filling the small space seemed to reinvigorate him. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he stared at himself in the fogged-up mirror and smirked. “오늘도 멋지게 해야지.” (Let’s look dashing today.) 

Once freshened up, he moved back to the bedroom to get dressed. Sliding open his suitcase, Ha-neul pulled out a tailored maroon Chester coat, perfectly pressed and immaculately styled. Underneath, he opted for a crisp white shirt paired with black trousers and polished leather shoes. As he slipped into his coat, he adjusted the collar in front of the mirror and took a step back to admire himself. 

"Not bad, Ha-neul. Not bad at all," he muttered to himself in English, flashing a confident grin. He ran a hand over his sleekly styled hair and buttoned up his coat, ensuring everything was in place. 

His watch read 5:50 a.m. as he grabbed the keys Ha-joon gave him yesterday and wallet, stuffing them into his coat pocket. Slinging his messenger bag over his shoulder, he made his way out of the room, moving quietly so as not to disturb anyone in the mansion. The house was still silent, the early morning air thick and calm. 

Walking through the grand halls, he glanced around, appreciating the opulence of Ha-joon’s home once more. “정말 크긴 크다... 다음번엔 내가 이런 집 하나 사야겠어.1” (This place is massive… Next time, I need to buy a house like this.) 

Reaching the front door, he paused to take in the faint light breaking through the horizon. The chilly Parisian air greeted him as he stepped outside and approached his sleek black car parked in the driveway. He slid into the driver’s seat and took a deep breath, momentarily admiring the stillness of the morning. 

“Alright, let’s get this done,” he murmured, adjusting his seat and turning the ignition. As the engine purred to life, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Building a luxury hotel in Paris was no small feat, and today’s site visit was one step closer to making that dream a reality. 

By 6 a.m., Ha-neul was driving through the quiet streets of Paris, his eyes set on the road ahead and his thoughts filled with plans for the future.

***

Ha-joon woke up at 8 a.m., the sunlight pouring through the large windows of his bedroom. He stretched and rolled his shoulders before heading to his private gym room to start his usual morning workout routine.

The sound of weights clanking and the rhythmic thudding of his feet on the treadmill filled the otherwise quiet mansion. By the time the clock hit 8:30 a.m., he was drenched in sweat, catching his breath while wiping his face with a towel. 

As Ha-joon gulped down some water, the faint sound of footsteps descending the stairs caught his attention. Turning toward the entrance to the gym, he saw his aunt, Mrs. Kang, entering the room, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. She couldn't help but ask what was happening last night directly without any greetings.

"어젯밤에 무슨 일이 있었던 거야?" she asked, her voice sharp with inquiry. (What was happening last night?) 

Ha-joon froze for a moment, his mind racing. "어젯밤이라니요?" he replied cautiously, buying time to think. (Last night? What do you mean?)