Chapter 17

Chapter 17

President Kwon Ildo suspected his own son, Kwon Yeonwoo. Only then did Haewon finally understand why the President had insisted on assigning a National Intelligence Service Black agent as his son’s bodyguard. 

She recalled the President’s words: If Yeonwoo was doing anything improper, she was to report everything to him. His deep, serious voice had been firm, yet it carried an undertone of profound worry. It seemed the matter of his own son weighed heavily on him.

Haewon’s own mind reeled after she had unexpectedly received a secret mission from the President. The mission’s direction had completely shifted just the day before. She needed to revise the plan, but she couldn’t inform the National Intelligence Service. This meant she had to proceed entirely alone, with no one to consult. Furthermore, from her experience, Kwon Yeonwoo was unpredictable, yet meticulously guarded his true identity. It had only been three days, but her close proximity to Kwon Yeonwoo during that time made Haewon sense this mission would be anything but easy.

After much consideration, Haewon accepted the secret mission, but she demanded a fitting reward from the President in return.

“As compensation for the mission,” she’d said, “I’d like you to grant me one favor.”

“A favor, you say… Alright, speak.”

“I’d like to access the video records held by the Presidential Security Service. The records from June, nine years ago.”

Haewon desperately needed those records. She wanted to uncover the exact cause of death for her late father. After hearing her story, the President promised he would help her access it, provided she completed the mission successfully. Her heart pounded at his words. This was her chance to access information that had been unattainable, even as a Black agent. She was determined to succeed in this mission, no matter the cost.

But the mission proved difficult from the very beginning.

“Stay in this house like you’re dead. Don’t bother me.”

Haewon had actually believed he held some affection for her. In Myanmar, he had risked danger to save her. He had shown consistent interest inside the bunker, and in their final moments, he had even kissed her. Despite a month-long gap, she’d predicted he would treat her with the same familiar attitude if they met again.

But Kwon Yeonwoo acted like a completely different person. His lighthearted tone, playfully calling her “Angel,” and his constant attempts at flirting had all vanished without a trace.

She was more than a little flustered. Her plan to leverage Kwon Yeonwoo’s interest to access information about him had gone awry from the start. Now, Haewon had to begin by subtly regaining Yeonwoo’s favor. Only then could she even hope to remain by his side as his bodyguard.

Just then, a sudden commotion erupted outside. She listened, hearing the footsteps and laughter of several people. Their voices and general atmosphere sounded rather young.

Had his friends arrived?

She rose from her spot and moved closer to the door. The conversation, however, remained indistinct. When she opened the door and stepped out, she realized the voices were coming from upstairs. Haewon listened quietly, then slowly ascended the stairs, pausing at the entrance to the third floor.

Beyond the stairs, an indoor bar led into the rest of the space: a sprawling outdoor terrace featuring a considerably large swimming pool. Even in a grand mansion, Haewon hadn’t expected an indoor pool. Her lips parted slightly in surprise.

She paused, turning to face the terrace. Several people were seated on the sunbeds and sofas arranged by the pool.

“…”

There were four guests: a mix of young men and women. Their attire and appearance suggested they were college students, but Kwon Yeonwoo was not among them. Just as Haewon gazed at them with a puzzled expression, the door to the indoor space where she stood opened.

She turned her head. Yeonwoo stood there, his expression placid.

He spotted Haewon and paused for a brief moment before slowly closing the door.

“Looking around the house?”

“…I heard voices.”

“Ah. Worried I might be in danger?”

Yeonwoo let out a soft chuckle, then looked towards the people on the terrace.

“They’re my friends. Nothing to worry about.”

“I’ll be quiet.”

Yeonwoo regarded Haewon with a puzzled expression.

“I told you I don’t need a bodyguard. Just think of it as a vacation and relax.”

“I can’t do that. A mission is a mission.”

“You’re more unyielding than I expected.”

He curled one corner of his lip. Then he walked over to where Haewon stood and leaned his head closer to her. His sharp features drew within inches, his gaze piercing Haewon.

“Or is your mission not to guard me, but to watch me?”

“…”

His low whisper made her falter for a second, but Haewon replied naturally, giving nothing away.

“The fundamental principle of a bodyguard is to remain by the protected target’s side.”

“So you’re going to stick right by my side? Even in my own house, with my friends here?”

Kwon Yeonwoo’s distinctive aura of intimidation seemed to press down on the surrounding air. Haewon merely looked up at him in silence, her expression unwavering, as if she had no intention of backing down easily.

Just then, the terrace door opened, and a young woman entered. She had long, straight hair and delicate, pretty features. Her round eyes blinked as she asked Yeonwoo,

“Oppa? Why aren’t you coming out? We’re all waiting for you.”

Yeonwoo relaxed his stiff expression and offered the woman a gentle smile. “I’m coming now.”

“But who is this?”

At the woman’s question, Yeonwoo glanced at Haewon and replied dismissively, “Just for work.”

“Oh, really?”

The woman gave Haewon an indifferent look, then muttered that she needed the restroom. She opened an inner door and disappeared inside. Once the door was fully closed, Haewon spoke in a low voice.

“I won’t bother you. I’ll just stay as quiet as a mouse nearby, so don’t worry about me.”

“Still so stubborn.”

Yeonwoo gazed at Haewon, who refused to back down. Without warning, he reached for her jacket button. Haewon instinctively tried to pull away, but he was faster, unbuttoning her jacket before she could react.

“What are you doing?”

“Surely you don’t only have clothes like this?”

“What?”

“Anyone can see you’re a bodyguard. Don’t even think about standing next to me dressed like that.”

The order was preposterous. But for now, she had no choice but to obey him. Suppressing her rising frustration, Haewon finally spoke.

“…Will other clothes be acceptable?”

“If it’s to my taste.”

“What?”

He lifted his chin and spoke, as if granting a great favor.

“Try to look like my girlfriend, not my bodyguard. Then I’ll consider it.”

“…”

Yeonwoo chuckled, then opened the glass door and stepped out onto the terrace. Haewon watched him go, narrowing her eyes.

To tell a bodyguard to match his personal taste—it was outrageous. Though she felt a surge of annoyance, she was also, in a strange way, relieved by Kwon Yeonwoo’s familiar attitude.

Just then, the restroom door opened, and the woman who had gone in earlier emerged. Haewon quickly scanned her outfit. She wore a dress with a rounded collar and frills below the waist. The overall cute and lively style suited the woman, who appeared to be in her early twenties, perfectly.

Surely that wasn’t his preferred style.

Haewon recalled Yeonwoo smiling at the woman earlier, and she sighed inwardly.

With her tall, Western physique and striking features, such delicate, cute clothes wouldn’t suit Haewon at all. She’d never even bothered to try them on.

The woman walked down the hallway, glancing at Haewon, who stood alone. Her gaze was curious as she subtly scanned Haewon from head to toe. When her eyes met Haewon’s, she primly averted her gaze. Then she opened the glass door and scurried out onto the terrace.

Haewon observed the other woman on the terrace. She, too, looked young, but her style was incredibly unconventional. She wore a tight, checkered shirt paired with a leather miniskirt, thick fishnet stockings, and high-heeled boots. Her makeup was also very heavy.

She could only hope neither of them was to his taste.

Haewon mumbled to herself, then turned and descended to the second floor. As soon as she entered her room, she flung open her suitcase and fell into contemplation.

In truth, her suitcase contained only athletic wear and suit sets. Her everyday clothes consisted merely of a few t-shirts and black jeans.

She had no idea what Kwon Yeonwoo’s taste might be, but she certainly didn’t own any of the conventionally feminine styles typically favored by men.

After a long moment of deliberation, Haewon let out a deep sigh and began to strip off her suit. Jacket, pants, then shirt—she removed each piece in turn before pulling a thin slip from her suitcase. The soft silk fabric flowed sensuously over her body’s curves.

She went to the mirror and undid her long hair, which had been tied up. As it fell, she felt the desired image beginning to take shape.

She smoothly brushed her hair with a comb, then stepped into the en-suite bathroom.

Where would it be?

Her eyes swept across the bathroom, as spacious and comfortable as the room itself, and landed on a shower gown hanging on the wall. Haewon reached for it, pulling the gown over her slip. She tied the waist sash loosely and gazed into the mirror, where a completely different image of herself was reflected.

Her neat, sharp demeanor had vanished, replaced by a woman in disheveled, languid attire. Appearing like this, she would at least look like his lover—though perhaps not what Kwon Yeonwoo had intended.

She carefully studied her reflection, then subtly adjusted the gown to ensure the slip was visible. Taking a deep breath, Haewon ascended to the upper floor.

She reached the third floor and opened the terrace door. One by one, the gazes of those chatting on the sunbeds and sofas turned towards Haewon.

Kwon Yeonwoo was the last to spot Haewon.

He had been reclining on a plush sunbed, reading something. Feeling puzzled by the sudden silence, he lifted his head.

She felt Yeonwoo falter when he spotted her walking toward him. Haewon met his gaze directly and settled onto the edge of the sunbed where he sat.

Then she gently placed a hand on Yeonwoo’s shoulder.

“Can I stay here?”