Kai tucked his hands into his pockets and slipped out, shutting the door behind him. Downstairs, he crossed paths with a maid carrying linens.
"Young Master," she bowed.
"Where's Kang?" Kai asked.
"With your mother and the wedding organizers," she answered.
"Right. Get me some water," he said before heading to the living room.
Minutes later, the maid returned with a tray, pouring his glass with practiced elegance. "Here you go, Young Master."
Kai accepted it without looking up from his phone, took a sip, then handed it back. But a thought tugged at him—Hana should be done changing by now. If not, I'll just wait outside.
He rose and went back upstairs, rapping softly on the door. "Hana? Can I come in?"
Silence.
He frowned, knocking again, harder this time. Still nothing. A prickle of unease crawled up his spine. Is something wrong?
He tried the knob. To his surprise, it turned easily—the door was unlocked.
Kai stepped inside and froze.
Hana stood with her back to him, earphones in, utterly oblivious. She wore only the shorts his mother had sent, her upper body bare. The pale skin of her back glowed under the warm lights, and just beneath her shoulder blade, he caught a glimpse of ink—was that… a tattoo?
His pulse kicked hard, and he immediately turned away, jaw tight.
Meanwhile, Hana, unaware, was examining his collection of perfumes with a smile, humming faintly to whatever played in her ears. She slipped into the top, smoothing it down before turning around—only to gasp at the sight of him near the door.
"Kai?" She tugged her earphones free, her cheeks heating.
"Are you done?" Kai asked, his voice low, almost gruff.
"Yes. You can look now," she said quietly.
He turned, exhaling deeply. "I told you to lock the door. And why were you wearing earphones? I called you several times—I got worried."
"Oh…" Hana's voice shrank. "I forgot to lock it. I'm sorry."
"What if it wasn't me who walked in? What if it was someone else?" His tone sharpened with concern more than anger.