Sora's POV
Just why didn't I know a company like this existed before?
I stared at Yejin's phone, scrolling slowly, reverently, like I was afraid the men on the screen might vanish if I blinked too hard. One handsome face after another. Sharp jaws. Warm smiles. Broad shoulders. The kind of men who looked like they smelled good even through a screen.
Honestly, just looking at them already made my miserable, pounding head feel a little better.
I could probably spend my entire weekend doing nothing but browsing these profiles and never be hungry or sleepy. Who needs food when your eyes are this full?
I understood the concept. I really did. It was a service. Professional. Clean. Strict boundaries. They were there to help, cook, clean, accompany, and take care of things.
But fantasies don't follow terms and conditions.
I sighed softly, my chin resting on my knees as my thoughts betrayed me. In my head, they weren't "boyfriends-for-hire." They were just… boyfriends. Gentle ones. Attentive ones. The kind who stayed. The kind who didn't disappear or die or leave scars behind.
Only in my imagination, of course.
Unless…
…unless one of them wanted to make it real.
The thought made me smile like a teenager looking at her crush's picture. I shook my head, laughing at myself and my delusions before I could spiral any further. They all looked so young. So full of life. And me?
I was older. Tired in ways sleep couldn't fix.
And I had already promised myself something long ago, never again.
Never fall in love again.
Because love, for me, had always been followed by loss. And I couldn't stand the idea of another person getting hurt just because they stepped into my world. I didn't want blood on my hands again. I didn't want another name added to the list of people who paid the price for caring about me.
So this? This harmless ogling? Safe. Controlled. No consequences. I could admire them from afar as much as I want.
I was still scrolling when it happened again.
A sound.
Low. Rough. Painfully human.
A pained moan.
My heart stopped.
Yejin and I snapped our heads toward the kitchen at the same time.
Yeongjae.
He was awake, and we had completely forgotten about him being tied and bleeding and all.
His eyes were open, unfocused at first, then sharp with fear as they landed on us.
I gasped, my hands flying to my mouth as guilt crashed into me all at once. Yejin reacted instantly, dropping to her knees and fumbling with the ropes around his wrists.
I couldn't move.
My body felt glued to the couch, my limbs heavy with shame. All I could do was sit there and watch as reality caught up with the mess I had created. I desperately wish that the floor would open up and swallow me whole.
Oh God, please take me now!
As soon as his hands were free, Yeongjae ripped the duct tape from his mouth and glared at me, fury blazing in his eyes.
"Who hit me?!" he shouted, his hand flying to the side of his head. His fingers came away wet. Red.
His face drained of color.
"What the fuck?!" He stared at his hand in disbelief, then looked back at us. "Are you two trying to kill me? Who the hell hit me?!"
My throat closed.
Slowly, painfully, and embarrassingly, I raised my hand.
"I… I did," I stammered, voice low but enough for Yeongjae to hear.
The moment the words left my mouth, I slid off the couch and dropped to my knees in front of him. I bowed so deeply that my forehead pressed against the floor.
"I am so, so, so sorry, Mr. Young," I blurted out, the words tumbling over each other. "I swear I didn't mean to! I thought you were a stalker or a robber. I panicked. I was just trying to protect myself. I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear! Please forgive me—"
My heart was pounding so violently it hurt.
"What kind of bad person cooks breakfast for you and your pets?!" he barked. "Are you out of your mind? You didn't even ask! You just hit me! What if the pan fell on me? Not only would I have brain damage, but I could've also have third-degree burns!"
I bowed even lower, if that's even possible, if only I could push my head into the floor down to the second and first floor of this building, I would. "I'm really sorry. I don't know what else to say. I don't deserve your forgiveness, but please… please don't send me to jail. I have dependents. My cat. My dogs. They need me. Please, Mr. Young. I'll do anything, just don't call the police."
At this point, I didn't care if he yelled more. Slapped me. Punched me. Anything but prison.
I heard him sigh sharply. "This is unbelievable..."
"Yeongjae," Yejin said quickly, kneeling beside me, her voice filled with guilt. "This is my fault. I should've stayed, or at least left her a note informing her about you. Sora has a history… she's had a stalker before. People have tried to hurt her. She panicked. Please let me compensate you. Please keep this between us. We're really sorry."
The room turned silent.
Then another heavy sigh.
"Fine," Yeongjae said at last. "I'll let it go. I understand her situation. Yesterday, seeing her get assau—"
I shot up real fast.
I lunged forward and slapped my hand over his mouth, stopping him from speaking.
In my rush, I lost my balance… we both did.
We both went down.
I landed on top of him, still covering his mouth, the impact knocking the air out of us both.
"Don't tell her," I whispered, panic flooding me. "She doesn't know. She'll go berserk."
His eyes widened in shock, staring straight into mine.
"Please," I whispered urgently.
After a beat, he nodded.
I pulled my hand away.
And that was when I really saw him.
Not under warm string lights. Not masked. Not blurred by alcohol.
In broad daylight.
His blue eyes were impossibly clear, so calming, so beautiful. His nose and lips were truly mesmerizing. His features were sharp but soft at the same time, like he existed in that unfair space reserved for people who looked good no matter the situation.
I could stare at his face forever and never get tired of it.
Then—
Something hard and surely not small pressed against my upper thigh, with my right leg in between his.
I froze. I gasped loudly, eyes wide.
Clapped my hands over my mouth.
"Ahem. Ahem…" Yejin cleared her throat loudly. "Getting too close now, huh?"
"Can you get off me now?" Yeongjae said dryly. "I know you can feel it."
My soul left my body.
Body, please move, now! Stop feeling him! How did we end up like this?!