Chapter 39:
Scarlet stirred awake, feeling the warmth of Ha-Joon’s embrace around her. His arm was draped lazily over her waist, his chest rising and falling steadily against her back. A small smile crept onto her lips. "Sleepy bear."
She shifted slightly, careful not to wake him. His grip loosened for a second, but he sighed in his sleep and snuggled deeper into the pillow. Scarlet stifled a laugh. It was so easy for him to fall asleep anywhere, anytime.
Stretching her arms, she slipped out of bed and padded toward the balcony, feeling the cool morning breeze against her skin. She leaned against the railing, taking a deep breath. Tuscany in the morning was breathtaking, the sky still painted with traces of dawn, the vineyards bathed in a soft golden light.
Her eyes trailed across the estate, taking in the serene beauty, but then, her gaze fell on Ha-Neul. He was asleep. On the swing. Scarlet’s brows lifted in surprise before a soft chuckle escaped her lips. Did he sleep there all night?
She turned on her heel, slipping back inside to grab her phone. She moved swiftly, her lips curving into a mischievous smile as she returned to the balcony. She lifted her phone, angling it just right before snapping multiple pictures.
One. Two. Three. Each photo captured his peaceful expression, the way his dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, the way his lips were slightly parted, the way his hand rested limply by his side.
How rare. Scarlet bit her lower lip, flipping through the pictures before shaking her head. "He’s going to kill me if he finds out."
But then, the morning air nipped at her skin, and she frowned. "It’s too cold for him to be sleeping out here."
She set her phone down and leaned over the railing slightly, whispering, “Ha-Neul.”
No response. She tried again, softer this time, “Ha-Neul.”
Nothing. Scarlet tilted her head before smirking. “Alright,” she muttered under her breath. She bent down, plucked a small flower from a nearby vase, and without hesitation, threw it at him.
The moment the delicate petals landed on his face, Ha-Neul jolted awake. His body stiffened before he shot up, looking around in confusion, his sleep-heavy eyes darting from left to right. His fingers brushed the flower off his face as he frowned.
Scarlet pressed her lips together, barely holding back her laughter. Ha-Neul blinked at her, his mind still catching up. “What the…” he trailed off, eyes narrowing. “Did you just...?”
Scarlet leaned over the railing, her expression all too innocent. “Good morning,” she whispered.
Ha-Neul ran a hand down his face before looking at the flower in his lap. “Really?”
Scarlet grinned. “You wouldn’t wake up.”
He sighed, finally realizing where he was. His brows furrowed slightly before a small, lazy smile formed. “Oh… yeah. I must’ve fallen asleep gazing at the stars.”
Scarlet nodded, completely buying his words. “That makes sense,” she whispered back.
But Ha-Neul only smiled bitterly to himself. "Lie? I didn’t. I did sleep gazing at a star. My star. So far away from me."
Scarlet tilted her head. “But, really… why are you sleeping here?”
Ha-Neul hesitated before shrugging. “Guess I lost track of time.”
Scarlet hummed before stepping away from the railing. “Anyway, you should go inside. It’s too cold out here.”
He nodded but made no effort to move. She watched him for a moment before leaning against the railing again. “Thanks for driving me to the airport last night.”
Ha-Neul raised a brow. “It wasn’t a big deal.”
“It was to me,” she whispered, her eyes soft. “I know you didn’t have to, but you did.”
Ha-Neul looked away, staring at the vineyards instead. “I wasn’t going to let you go alone.”
Scarlet smiled at that. “Still… thanks.”
A silence stretched between them, not awkward but… something else. Ha-Neul ran a hand through his hair before shifting slightly. “You woke up early,” he noted.
Scarlet nodded. “I wake up early most days. It’s a habit.”
“Even on vacations?”
She grinned. “Especially on vacations. Mornings are the best part of the day.”
Ha-Neul smirked slightly, shaking his head. “I don’t get you, Scarlet.”
Scarlet leaned forward. “That’s because you never try to.”
He met her eyes then, something unreadable in his gaze. But before he could respond, she stretched again. “I should go inside before Ha-Joon wakes up.”
Ha-Neul nodded, looking down at the flower still in his hand. “Yeah… you should.”
Scarlet hesitated for a second before giving him one last look. “Get some actual rest, Ha-Neul.”
He let out a small chuckle. “You too.”
Before he could go she called out to him."ha-neul."
He turned back at her. “If you’re going to be an insomniac, at least don’t do it in the cold! Here, take this. Something pretty to balance out that grumpy face of yours.”
She plucked another flower, as she tossed the flower at him, and he had caught it instinctively, bewildered by her sudden gesture. He had meant to throw it away, but for some reason, he didn't. And with that, Scarlet turned and disappeared inside, leaving Ha-Neul sitting there, still gripping the flowers. He sighed, tilting his head back against the swing, whispering to himself. "My star. So far away from me."
Scarlet stepped out of the room quietly, careful not to wake Ha-Joon, who was still fast asleep. The morning was still young, the house silent except for the occasional rustle of leaves outside. She stretched her arms, feeling refreshed after washing up, and decided to head downstairs to prepare breakfast.
The kitchen was empty when she entered, the warm glow of the early morning sun spilling through the large windows. It cast golden hues over the marble counters, making the space feel even cozier. Scarlet tied her hair up in a loose bun, rolling up the sleeves of her soft cardigan before moving toward the cabinets.
She enjoyed mornings like these, peaceful, unhurried, where she could take her time and do something as simple as making breakfast. She pulled out the ingredients one by one, deciding on something light yet satisfying.
She started with fresh bread, slicing it carefully before toasting it to a crisp golden brown. The smell of warm bread filled the air, mixing with the rich aroma of the coffee she had started brewing. As the machine hummed softly, she cracked a few eggs into a bowl, whisking them with practiced ease.
As she poured the eggs into the pan, the soft sizzling sound filled the quiet kitchen. She smiled to herself, humming softly as she moved, completely at ease in the warm stillness of the morning. This moment, before the house came to life, felt like her own little piece of calm.
***
The morning sun seeped through the curtains, casting a warm golden glow across the room. Ha-Joon stirred slightly, his mind still hazy with sleep. He felt the mattress dip slightly, followed by the faint sound of someone clearing their throat. A small smile tugged at his lips as he turned slightly, his voice thick with sleep. “First, give me a morning kiss…”
Silence. Then...
“S…sir?”
Ha-Joon’s brow furrowed. That voice was definitely not Scarlet’s. His eyes shot open, and he jolted upright, grabbing the blanket and pulling it tightly around himself. Sitting at the edge of his bed was none other than Thomas, his assistant, looking deeply disturbed.
“What the...?!” Ha-Joon’s voice cracked as he scrambled back, his heart hammering in his chest. “Thomas?! What the hell are you doing here?!”
Thomas adjusted his tie, clearing his throat. “Sir, I...”
Ha-Joon cut him off, waving a hand in complete disbelief. “How did you even get here?! I left you in Paris! In the company! What the actual hell, Thomas?!”
Thomas sighed, standing up and clasping his hands together as if he was about to deliver an important business report. “Sir, I’m here because Miss Christine was worried that Scarlet Ma’am was angry with her. She assumed that was why she left Paris so suddenly, and she… well, she flew here to Tuscany.”
Ha-Joon stared at him, still clutching the blanket like it was his only shield from whatever madness was unfolding before him. “And what does that have to do with you?”
Thomas adjusted his tie once again. “I thought the same. That Scarlet Ma’am had left because of some issue with Christine. And since Christine was traveling, I thought it was my duty to make sure she didn’t do anything reckless.”
Ha-Joon stared at him, his expression twisting in sheer disbelief. “Are you freaking insane? You thought you had to follow her? Like a damn stalker?”
Thomas looked mildly offended. “Not a stalker, sir. I prefer the term ‘dedicated employee.’”
Ha-Joon scoffed. “You’re a lunatic, that’s what you are.” He groaned, rubbing his face with both hands. “I was here for a family trip. A peaceful, lovely family trip. And now, I have my assistant and my wife’s assistant crashing in my vacation like uninvited guests.”
Thomas at least had the decency to look slightly guilty. “I didn’t know, sir. If it’s any consolation, Scarlet Ma’am explained everything last night.”
Ha-Joon’s hands lowered from his face as his eyes narrowed. “Wait. You met her?”
Thomas nodded, as if this was the least shocking part of the conversation. “Yes, she came to pick us up from the airport.”
Ha-Joon scoffed, swinging his legs off the bed. “She went alone?”
Thomas shook his head. “No. She was with Mr. Kang.”
The grip on Ha-Joon’s blanket tightened, his jaw clenching slightly. He remained silent for a few moments, staring at nothing in particular. Then, with a deep breath, he ran a hand through his hair and mumbled, “What am I gonna tell my family…?”
Thomas, ever the problem-solver, started to open his mouth, likely to suggest telling the truth...
“NO,” Ha-Joon cut him off before he could say anything. He pointed towards the door. “Go. Bring Christine. And Scarlet.”
Thomas hesitated. “Sir...”
“Now!”
Thomas sighed, nodding before swiftly exiting the room.
As the door clicked shut, Ha-Joon let out a long, frustrated groan and buried his face in his hands. This was not how he had imagined his peaceful morning.
Now, instead of waking up to Scarlet’s warm embrace and enjoying a slow morning, he had been rudely awakened by his overzealous assistant. And to make matters worse, Scarlet had spent last night with Ha-Neul, picking up two people who shouldn’t even be here. His head throbbed.
This was supposed to be a romantic getaway. A time to be with his wife, to enjoy the Tuscan countryside, to make beautiful memories. Instead, he now had his assistant and Scarlet’s assistant in his house, and his wife running around with Ha-Neul in the middle of the night. Ha-Joon exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair again. Things were getting complicated. And he hated complications.
***
Ha-Neul walked back inside, his steps slow and unhurried, as if each movement carried the weight of something he wasn't ready to face. The flowers remained in his grasp, delicate and soft against his fingertips. He stared at it, his mind replaying the moment Scarlet had thrown it at him, the way she had whispered his name, the teasing lilt in her voice.
A small, breathy chuckle escaped him as he closed the door to his room. The early morning light filtered through the curtains, casting soft shadows along the walls. His room was quiet, too quiet, yet his heart wasn’t. It was loud, thrumming against his ribs, as if trying to remind him of the truth he had buried for so long.
With a sigh, he lay on his bed, one arm tucked under his head while the other still held onto the small flowers. He turned it between his fingers, watching the petals shift slightly, as fragile as the emotions he tried to suppress.
"Scarlet..." he murmured, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips.
His cheeks warmed as he thought about her, about the way she looked at him with those bright, knowing eyes. She was always teasing, always laughing, always managing to sneak into the deepest parts of his mind without even trying.
He exhaled softly, his thumb brushing over the flowers. "I wonder if you even realize what you do to me," he whispered. His voice was barely above a breath, as if speaking too loudly would shatter the moment.
For a while, he just lay there, staring at the ceiling, the flowers resting against his chest. The silence stretched, but his thoughts remained loud, persistent. And then, before he could stop himself, he spoke again, soft, raw, unfiltered.
"I love you, Scarlet," he admitted, his voice almost trembling with the weight of those words. "I love you despite everything. Despite him."
He closed his eyes, as if saying it out loud made it more real. As if his heart had finally decided to betray him completely.
"I didn't mean to fall for you," he confessed, shifting slightly as he clutched the flower tighter. "I didn’t know who you were back then. I didn’t know you belonged to someone else." His voice grew fainter, laced with something bittersweet. "But even after I found out... it didn't change anything."
A humorless chuckle left his lips. "Maybe it should have. Maybe I should’ve walked away, but you make it impossible."
He turned his head, staring at the flower like it could somehow give him an answer. "You're Ha-Joon’s wife." The words felt heavy, suffocating. But then, softer, more certain, he whispered, "And I love you anyway."
A deep sigh left him, and he let his eyes drift shut. His hand, the one holding the flower, rested just over his heart. "Even if you never love me back... even if you never look at me the way I look at you..." A quiet, wistful smile tugged at his lips. "I'll still love you."
His fingers curled around the fragile petals. "Because it's you. It's always been you."
And with that final thought, Ha-Neul drifted into sleep, the flowers still held against his chest, his only secret, his only confession, one that would never reach her ears.
***
When Thomas returned with Scarlet and Christine, Ha-Joon was already dressed in his comfortable pajamas after a fresh bath. He stood near the window, arms crossed, his expression unreadable. The moment Christine entered, she quickly bowed deeply. “I’m so sorry, sir,” she blurted. “I didn’t mean to ruin your family trip. I wasn’t thinking, and I should have...”
Ha-Joon waved a hand, silencing her. “Yeah, yeah, I get it. You had a moment of irrational guilt, you thought Scarlet was mad at you, and then you dragged Thomas into this mess.”
Christine straightened, her lips pressing together in frustration, but she didn’t argue. Meanwhile, Scarlet, who had remained silent, folded her arms and eyed Ha-Joon up and down. Her gaze lingered on his fresh appearance, the dampness in his hair from the shower.
“You done checking me out?” Ha-Joon teased with a smirk.
Scarlet rolled her eyes but didn’t respond to his provocation. “We’re waiting,” she said instead.
“For what?”
“For your explanation,” she said, raising a brow.
Ha-Joon let out a long sigh before looking at them all seriously. “Listen, I can’t just introduce you two as Scarlet’s and my assistants downstairs. My family will be furious that you crashed this trip. They’re already on edge about Scarlet and me, and this will only make things worse.”
Scarlet frowned. “You have a better idea?”
A slow smirk spread across Ha-Joon’s face. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
Christine and Thomas shared a look of skepticism. Scarlet, however, remained unimpressed. “Let’s hear it,” she said.
“But first,” Ha-Joon added, holding up a finger, “you all have to promise not to throw hands or cause a scene.”
Christine and Thomas exchanged glances again before both nodded. Scarlet just sighed, gesturing for him to continue.
Ha-Joon took a step forward, clasping his hands together as he began his ridiculous proposal. “Christine, you’ll be introduced as Scarlet’s friend from Paris.”
Christine nodded, looking intrigued. “That actually makes sense. That could work—”
Ha-Joon smirked. “Who came here with her husband.”
Christine’s eyes widened in confusion. “What?”
Scarlet groaned. “Oh, no.”
Ha-Joon continued as if he hadn’t heard them. “And, upon arriving, she just so happened to discover that her dear friend Scarlet was vacationing here as well.”
Christine looked at him in disbelief. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever...” She paused. “Wait… where’s my husband in this imaginary story of yours?”
Ha-Joon turned toward Thomas, who had been standing silently, watching the discussion with an amused smirk. With an exaggerated flourish, Ha-Joon gestured toward him. “Here he is.”
Christine blinked. Then, as realization hit her, her face twisted in horror. “NO!” she shouted immediately.
Thomas, who had been enjoying the chaos, suddenly looked horrified as well. “Excuse me? Did I hear that correctly?”
Scarlet, unable to help herself, let out a quiet snort. Ha-Joon, completely unfazed by their reactions, shrugged. “Do you have a better plan?”
Christine glared at him, her lips parting as if she wanted to argue. But after a few seconds of deep contemplation, she slumped her shoulders in defeat. “No,” she muttered.
Ha-Joon smirked. “Then it’s settled.”
Christine groaned, running a hand down her face. “I can’t believe this. Out of all the people in the world, you chose him?”
Thomas scoffed. “Trust me, I wouldn’t want to be fake married to you either.”
“Oh, please,” Christine snapped. “Like I’d ever actually pick you.”
“And yet, here we are,” Thomas shot back.
Christine turned to Ha-Joon, glaring. “Can’t I be a widow instead?”
“No,” Ha-Joon said flatly.
Thomas rolled his eyes. “You could at least act like being married to me would be a privilege.”
Christine turned on him. “A privilege? More like a punishment. I’d rather chew glass.”
“Then I’ll gladly hand you a plate of broken shards,” Thomas said dryly.
Scarlet sighed, rubbing her temples. “I swear, you two argue like middle schoolers.”
Christine scoffed. “I argue because I have to deal with him.”
“And I argue because she’s unbearable,” Thomas added.
Ha-Joon, now growing tired of the back-and-forth, clapped his hands. “Alright, enough. I don’t care about your mutual hatred. This is the plan. You either go with it or we tell my family the truth, and they despise you both forever.”
Christine groaned. “Fine. But I’m not calling him ‘honey’ or any of that crap.”
Thomas smirked. “Oh, trust me, I don’t want to hear it either.”
Ha-Joon smirked in satisfaction. “Good. Then it’s settled.”
Christine turned to Thomas with a glare. “Stay away from me.”
Thomas smirked. “I wouldn’t dream of getting closer.”
Scarlet sighed, shaking her head at their childishness. “This is going to be a disaster.”
Ha-Joon, satisfied with the outcome, nodded toward the door. “Alright. You two, leave. I need a moment alone with my wife.”
Christine and Thomas exchanged one last glare before reluctantly leaving the room. The moment they were gone, Scarlet turned to Ha-Joon with an unimpressed expression. The moment Christine and Thomas were gone, Scarlet turned to Ha-Joon with an unimpressed expression.
“You’re ridiculous,” she said.
Before she could say another word, Ha-Joon suddenly grabbed her wrist and pushed her onto the bed. A small gasp escaped her lips as he hovered over her, his strong hands pinning hers above her head. His legs were positioned on either side of her, caging her beneath him.
Scarlet’s blue eyes widened in shock. “What the hell?”
“How dare you,” Ha-Joon growled, his voice low and dangerous. His dark eyes burned with frustration as he looked down at her.
Scarlet blinked, still trying to process what was happening. “How dare I what?”
“How dare you go pick them up,” he spat, his grip on her wrists tightening slightly, “alone, in the middle of the night. And with Ha-Neul of all people.”
Scarlet frowned, understanding his anger now. She let out a frustrated sigh. “Ha-Joon...”
“No, don’t ‘Ha-Joon’ me,” he interrupted. “Do you even realize how reckless that was?”
Scarlet groaned, shifting beneath him, but he held her firm. “I tried to wake you up, but you wouldn’t reply,” she argued.
Ha-Joon let out a dry, incredulous laugh. “Oh, really? I was sleeping, Scarlet. Not dead!” His voice rose slightly, his frustration spilling over. “You could have woken me up! You should have woken me up!”
Scarlet narrowed her eyes. “And how was I supposed to do that, huh? Shake you like a maniac? Pour water on your face?”
“Yes! If that’s what it takes!” he snapped.
She scoffed. “You’re overreacting.”
Ha-Joon gritted his teeth, his jaw clenching as he exhaled sharply. “Overreacting?” His grip on her wrists loosened slightly but didn’t let go. “Scarlet, do you even understand what could have happened? It was the middle of the night. You were alone with Ha-Neul, and you...”
Scarlet’s expression darkened. “And I what?”
Ha-Joon’s eyes flickered with emotions he wasn’t saying. Scarlet realized what this was truly about.
“You know, I don’t like it when you’re near him,” he muttered, his voice quieter now.
Scarlet’s heart skipped a beat. She knew Ha-Joon had his insecurities, but hearing him admit it so bluntly made something inside her soften. Still, she wasn’t going to let him off that easily. She scoffed, raising a brow. “Just admit you’re insecure.”
Ha-Joon didn’t even hesitate. His lips pressed into a thin line before he nodded. “Yes,” he said, without shame or hesitation. “I am insecure.”
Scarlet’s breath hitched slightly at his sudden honesty. “I don’t trust him,” Ha-Joon continued, his gaze locked onto hers. “I don’t trust the way he looks at you. I don’t trust the way you used to look at him. And the thought of you two, alone together, makes me...” He exhaled sharply, his frustration evident. “I hate it.”
Scarlet remained quiet, watching him carefully. His emotions were raw, vulnerable. Ha-Joon sighed and finally let go of her wrists. Instead, his hands slid down to her face, cupping her cheeks gently. His thumbs brushed against her skin as he leaned down and pressed a soft, lingering kiss against her lips.
Scarlet’s breath stilled for a moment as she felt his warmth. His lips moved against hers slowly, gently, apologetic in their own way. When he pulled away, he rested his forehead against hers. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “I just... I can’t help it.”
Scarlet’s chest rose and fell as she exhaled. She looked into his dark, conflicted eyes and let out a small sigh. “You’re impossible,” she muttered.
Ha-Joon smirked slightly. “And yet, you’re still here.”
She rolled her eyes. “For now.”
Ha-Joon chuckled softly before suddenly wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into a tight embrace.Scarlet let out a small squeak. “Ha-Joon...!”
His grip was firm, his warmth surrounding her completely. He buried his face into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent.
“I don’t care if it makes me sound crazy,” he murmured against her skin. “I don’t like seeing you with anyone else. I hate it.”
Scarlet sighed, trying to wiggle out of his embrace. “Okay, okay, I get it, now let go.”
Ha-Joon only tightened his grip. “Nope.”
Scarlet groaned. “Ha-Joon, I can’t breathe.”
His arms loosened slightly, and he immediately pulled back. “Oh, sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean to.” He scratched the back of his neck, looking sheepish.
Scarlet finally caught her breath, glaring at him. “Are you trying to suffocate me to death?”
He smirked. “Wouldn’t be the worst way to go.”
Scarlet smacked his arm. “Idiot.”
Ha-Joon grinned, but then his expression turned more serious. “I mean it, Scarlet,” he said, his voice softer this time. “I’m jealous. I always have been. And I know it’s ridiculous, but I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”
Scarlet sighed, watching him carefully. Despite his frustrating nature, his possessiveness, his irrational jealousy, he was being honest. She reached up and lightly flicked his forehead.
“Ow,” Ha-Joon grumbled, rubbing the spot.
Scarlet smirked. “I’m not going anywhere, dummy.”
Ha-Joon stared at her for a moment before he let out a breath, pulling her back into another hug, this time, much gentler. Scarlet sighed, rolling her eyes but allowing herself to lean into his embrace.
“You’re such a handful,” she muttered against his chest.
Ha-Joon grinned. “And yet, you love me.”
Scarlet groaned. “For now.”
Ha-Joon chuckled, his arms tightening slightly. “That’s all I need.”