Chapter Text
It has been more than a month since that night. Ever since they broke that barrier, it feels like a honeymoon period everyday - not that they ever experienced it before, but they know. The feelings had grown through the intimacy that’s for sure, but both still do not want to admit nor commit though they had no restraints regarding their skinship. The family knows something is up even if they don’t say. How can one not realize when the gazes between them feels longer than necessary, smiles to each other seem sweeter than usual.
And oh, the concern they show for each other. Please, the two think they are subtle about it but they are totally not.
Today, Chayoung excitedly texts the group chat:
My dear family!! Marco told me to get ready! I got promoted and they want me to help them with lawsuits at their secret place!!
: Wow! A secret place??
: Is this what we are looking for??
: I guess we can finally move forward with our mission!
CY : I’m supposed to visit the place in two days time, we will see more about that then
: Oh that is really good news. Thank you Chayoung-ah for your hard work!
: Let’s have a celebration tonight, yes? Our superstar lawyer, man se!
: Yea! Let’s have a feast!
CY : Oh Marco had invited me for dinner tonight to celebrate, I was going to inform you guys I’m not having dinner tonight... Sorry! I’ll get back straight after dinner, so please leave me some snacks!
: No worries Chayoung ah, see you at home!
: Enjoy!!
: Noona I’m gonna buy champagne. Come home earlier!
I’ll reach this evening too, see you all tonight
CY : kkeol! Eomma, I badly crave for pajeon.
No problem 👌🏻👌🏻 come home safely Chayoung-ah
Sighing and leaning back with a grin, she can’t wait to celebrate with them tonight. And bonus, Vincenzo is back tonight! He abruptly had to go to Italy to help the agents with a mafia case. At just the perfect timing, this news will be a great welcome gift for him. It has only been a week and she misses having him around already.
“So much for no emotions attached, Hong Chayoung,” she chides herself.
—-
“Is she still not answering?”
“Ne.. her last message to me was that she is finishing her dinner soon, but that is almost 3 hours ago”
“What should we do? Should we go check on her?”
‘Click’ - Everyone turns to glance at the opening door.
“Oh Vin, you are back!”
“Vincenzo, have you read the messages? Chayoung is not back yet. Should we look for her? Not sure if we are exaggerating our thoughts though..”
Vincenzo looks a little unusual tonight. He sighs and dejectedly says “It’s alright. She is fine. She will be back soon.”
Silence, and everyone is giving him a quizzing face.
“Uh, I saw her just now. She is just enjoying. I think she forgot her time. Don’t worry everyone, go and rest.”
“Ahhh” A few sighs and murmurs of relief were let out.
“Why do you look like this? Are you alright?” Seok Do asks aloud.
Vincenzo gives a wry smile “Yes I am fine, just tired. Let’s go back” He gestures for everyone to retreat to their rooms.
It's after midnight when the doorbell rings and an unconscious Chayoung is collected from her boss’s arms.
Vincenzo plops her onto the bed roughly and scoffed at her state. Then helps her change into pajamas with rage, feeling somewhat betrayed. He shouldn’t feel affected by what he saw earlier this evening, they were just working partners anyway, they were nothing. But it was too late, the roots have grown unknowingly and now he thinks he needs to cut it off.
“Urgh…” Chayoung awakes with a groan. Her head is pounding so badly, body feeling so sore. She needs to ask Marco what alcohol he gave last night so she can avoid it the next time. Mmmgh she groans at her every movement before she successfully turns her body, happily surprised to see Vincenzo’s face. “You are back” she hoarsely chirped while reaching out to caress his face with a soft gaze. Only to see him brush her hands off and, “Stop being so noisy early in the morning.”
Her arms pause from the shock of the coldness. She can totally cry out immediately from the unexpected hurt but she swallows it down. Was he angry at her for passing out? It should be easy to console him later on, passing out is not a big deal right? She tries to talk to herself to handle her emotions. She didn’t even know she passed out. And to her memory, she only took up 2 drink offers because she knew there were people waiting for her at home.
“I am really sorry I missed the celebration last night… I am not sure why, I only drank 2 cups. I think the alcohol was too strong so I can’t remember anything…” Chayoung apologizes at the breakfast table.
“Ahh it’s alright Chayoung ah, we are just worried about. It’s good that you are having fun” Yeonjin assured her friend.
“Tell us more about the good news Noona! What’s in for us!” Han Seo excitedly asks and the others joined in.
Sitting beside her, Vincenzo smirked emotionlessly. He might grind her tonight.
—-
“Vincenzo” Chayoung calls out to him while they are on the bed.
He stays silent.
“I know you are not asleep.” She continues after realising he won’t be responding. The whole day she was wondering why he was being cold to her.
“Why are you angry with me? I thought I did a good job and I did want to celebrate with you last night as I mentioned in my text. I am sorry that I passed out after those two drinks. But still, I don’t think that deserves such a cold attitude from you.” She rants out with frustration in her tone.
“Hng.” Vincenzo snorts out in annoyance.
“Well, since you want to be praised, good job byeonhosanim. I bet Marco is even more pleased with you after last night. Keep up the good work.” He mocks and gives a slow double tap to her shoulder.
“What’s with you? What do you mean?” Chayoung retorts impatiently, sitting up and glaring at him in anger.
Vincenzo follows her to sit up and sneers. “Nothing. Really. It’s just when you said you will work your ass off, I didn’t know you would do it literally.” giving a poker face and laid back down. He’s being such a dick right now, knowing he doesn’t have the right to. And realises only now that he doesn’t have much control when it comes to jealousy.
“What the fuck are you talking about Vincenzo. What do you mean by that!” She whisper-shouts at him.
Now he is getting furious from disappointment. It’s fine really, it’s her own body she can use however she likes, though he doesn’t agree with the method or in fact, it took him a while to digest what was happening. But how can she so blatantly lie when he practically saw her lying on Marco’s table, legs apart and moaning as Marco’s bald head bobbed at her core.
Well, maybe Vincenzo does have a right to be concerned, as her fake husband. “You know what you did. Don’t spoil the family’s reputation. We put in so much effort and everything could fail because of you.”