Chapter 95: Will You Say You Love Me?
by GideonJust as he was drifting off, a message from Zion arrived.
Did you have a good dinner with CEO Do Zion?
Jubin replied as he moved toward the modular sofa.
Yeah, it went well. I’m at your place.
Rest up. I’ll be there soon.
The words “rest up” instantly melted his tension. As he sank deep into the sofa, it felt as if he were being held in Zion’s arms.
“Everything here is just… Zion’s world…”
Even breathing felt like Zion was filling his senses.
“It’s like being in his embrace…”
Intoxicated by the scent, he fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
In his slumber, he felt a gentle hand brush through his hair.
It was a soft, slow, and familiar touch, as if he were a precious treasure.
This feels so good…
Hovering on the threshold between dream and reality, he tried to move, but his body refused to wake. His eyelids felt impossibly heavy.
The warm touch paused for a moment before continuing its gentle caress.
Jubin forced his eyes open, the dim, unfamiliar living room and Zion’s figure coming into focus.
When did I fall asleep? Jubin sat up with a start.
“…You’re awake?”
Zion pressed a soft kiss to his lips, as if to soothe his surprise. “I’m glad I got to give you your birthday present early.”
Jubin felt a flush of embarrassment. He’d fallen fast asleep in a place that wasn’t even his own home.
“Sorry. I just passed out.”
“I wanted to let you sleep longer, but I figured you should eat before you went back to bed.”
“Yeah, thanks. Thanks for looking out for me.”
His hastily packed suitcase was already resting beside the modular sofa.
“Zion, which room should I use?”
Zion reached out and pulled Jubin into an embrace.
“Can’t you just share mine?”
Zion rubbed his body against Jubin’s, his aegyo-filled clinginess intensifying. This house clearly had more than enough spare rooms.
Zion’s large frame pressed Jubin’s upper body down lightly, his soft hair tickling the back of Jubin’s neck.
“Don’t tell me you’d rather not share a room with me?”
“It’s not that I don’t want to. I was just worried you’d be uncomfortable.”
Any guest should be grateful for a room, no matter which one it is, Jubin thought, but sharing a room still felt like a lot to consider.
It’s practically like we’re living together.
“We’ll probably end up sleeping and waking up together anyway,” Zion said.
He wasn’t wrong, but Zion lifted his head, pressed another quick kiss to Jubin’s lips, and then pulled back.
“Use the room by the entrance. It has its own bathroom, so it’ll be more convenient.”
“Okay, thanks.”
“I already put a toothbrush in there for you.”
Maybe it was because he’d fallen asleep right after eating a hamburger, but the once-settled depths of his stomach began to churn and twist, losing all stability.
Here we go again.
The nausea rose up to the back of his throat, then subsided, only to surge back again. Even the slightest waver in Zion’s pheromones made him feel seasick.
“Sunbae, what did you have for din—”
Sensing it was about to come up, Jubin hastily clamped a hand over his mouth and bolted for the nearest room. He locked the bathroom door and retched until his stomach was empty.
“Sunbae? Sunbae! Are you okay?”
Zion, unable to follow him inside, was frantic outside the door.
After vomiting repeatedly, Jubin’s stomach finally felt relieved—except for the slight dizziness as the world tilted subtly.
“Yeah, I’m fine.”
Flushing the toilet, Jubin rinsed his mouth and stood for a moment, gripping the sink tightly.
“Open the door.”
Despite his urging, Jubin had no intention of letting him in.
“Zion, I’m fine. I’ll be out after I wash up.”
“I’m just worried. Open the door.”
Jubin let out a short breath and finally confessed his true feelings. “Hah… It’s because I’m—I’m embarrassed. I’ll be out in a second, just let me wash up.”
At the word embarrassed, the urgency in Zion’s voice softened. “…Alright. I’ll wait.”
Jubin knew facing him like this might be unpleasant for Zion, so he washed himself as thoroughly as possible.
When he finally emerged, he found Zion crouching by the bathroom door. The man, so large and tall, was clutching a key tightly in his hand.
“…What? You actually waited?”
The way he looked up, his gaze filled with a hint of hurt, made him look like a giant jaguar. Jubin ruffled his hair in a light apology.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you.”
“If I hadn’t heard any sound from inside, I was going to break the lock and come in.”
He slowly uncurled his body, patting his knees and thighs to get the blood flowing.
“CEO Moon called. He said to tell you to call Director Bae. Want to borrow my phone?”
“Yeah, let me borrow it.”
Jubin didn’t want to use his own phone—it was probably still blowing up with notifications.
He sat on the edge of the nearest bed and made the call.
“Director Bae, it’s me. Cha Jubin.”
—Uh, what’s this number?
“Something came up, so I turned off my old phone. This is a temporary number.”
There was no need to mention it was Zion’s personal phone, so he just made up an excuse.
—I see. CEO Moon gave me the gist of what happened. Actually, a reporter from Light Search came to the studio entrance yesterday. Security stopped them, though.
The reporter had been desperate to hear anything from Jubin.
Jubin rubbed his face, offering a sincere apology.
“…I’m sorry. Because of me, you had to…”
“I don’t know the full story, but it would be a problem if you were seen with that reporter, wouldn’t it?”
A guilty silence stretched between them.
“…A little.”
“I’m sorry, but we can’t change the first day of filming.”
“I know. I don’t want to cause any delays.”
“Instead, we’ll move the location to the studio and start with the indoor scenes.”
Jubin politely tried to stop him, feeling like he was making things more complicated. “No, you don’t have to do that on my account.”
“Well, we can’t really control the crowd if reporters show up at an outdoor shoot. And honestly, the flowers we’re using as props haven’t fully bloomed yet.”
Even though he blamed the props, Jubin couldn’t shake the heavy feeling that the change was still because of him.
“Since we’re already doing this, I’m thinking of filming all the later scenes with you and Zion on the first day, back-to-back.”
Actually, filming the scenes all at once for continuity was a viable option. After all, Hyeonseo in the latter half of the story would be just as emaciated as Jubin was now.
“I don’t mind…”
Jubin’s gaze met the emerald eyes fixed intently on him from right beside.
“But I’m not sure if Zion’s schedule will allow it…”
—I’ve already got Do Zion’s schedule handled. His manager gave me the okay.
Zion slowly closed his eyes and nodded, signaling his agreement without a word.
“I’m fine with it, too.”
—CEO Moon is worried sick. He thinks finishing all the latter-half scenes is the only way to save you. The moment filming wraps, you’re done with this diet. Got it?
Thank goodness everyone thinks I’m losing weight for the role.
If I told them it was a side effect of the chip, would they be disappointed in my foolish choice?
Still, no matter how much I thought about it, there was no better choice.
“…Thank you.”
—You have a lot to be thankful for. My favorite actor is working so hard for my project, so this is the least I can do.
Director Bae Eun-hye’s style of comfort was truly heartwarming. I wondered why I was surrounded by such kind-hearted people.
This industry was a place where it was hard to keep your balance, a field so full of gossip and variables that it was difficult to find good people. I felt truly blessed.
—I’m thinking of starting the first shoot with the two of you filming your passionate scene. Make sure you’re well-prepared.
“Yes, I’ll be ready.”
Perhaps instead of being discouraged by circumstances that didn’t go my way, I should have looked at the people around me who were extending a helping hand first.
—If the filming location changes, should I notify you through your manager? Or should I let you know on this number?
“Please use this number for a while.”
—Got it. See you on the first day of filming.
My heart was racing so fast I felt like I could pull an all-nighter on the very first day of shooting.
As soon as the call ended, a shower of kisses rained down on me—a reward for a job well done. They were short and rapid, like a baby bird tapping its beak, and the sheer momentum sent me tumbling backward.
Zion naturally straddled my lap, his lips pressing against mine in a soft, lingering kiss.
Though I couldn’t taste his pheromones, the scent clinging to the tip of my tongue was intoxicating. I pushed my tongue into his mouth, desperate to satisfy my hunger, eager to fill the void.
I was so worried we’d end up in bed every time we did this… Why did I even bother worrying?
Skinship with Zion had already become such a part of my daily life that I couldn’t imagine being without it.
His lips finally pulled away, as if he’d had his fill.
“You know what?”
Jubin looked up at him, his gaze still hazy.
“This feels like a whole birthday week.”
He smiled, his eyes crinkling softly. It was the kind of smile that said he had the whole world in his arms, even though it was just the two of them alone in the apartment.
“Speaking of birthdays… are you sure there isn’t anything else you want?”
“Am I allowed to ask for something bigger?”
A light laugh escaped him.
What could he possibly want that’s so grand?
Technically, moving in together was more of a proposal than a gift, so it was separate from the birthday present anyway.
“Just tell me. I’ll hear you out.”
“You’re not just saying that, are you?”
“Maybe I am.”
Jubin had expected him to keep the mood light, but he suddenly turned serious, his expression deepening.
“…Will you tell me you love me?”
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