Reimbursed Husband | JC

Chapter 15. First Impressions

Jeonghan emerged from the bathroom, his robe tightly fastened around his body. The lingering scent of his freshly bathed self permeated the room as he made his way to the closet, searching for his attire for the evening. Casting his gaze around the room, Jeonghan couldn't help but notice the unusual silence. "Where is he?" he muttered to himself, scanning the area for any sign of Seungcheol. "Looks like he went off with that adorable guy," Jeonghan recalled, remembering the black-haired male who had come to greet Seungcheol earlier.

"Time to get ready," Jeonghan sighed, pulling out his chosen outfit. Just as he was about to get dressed, a knock echoed through the room, causing Jeonghan to turn his attention towards the door. "I'm coming!" he called out, hastily slipping into his clothes and rushing to answer the door.

"Hello," Sohee greeted as she stepped into the room, a tray filled with snacks and tea in her hands. "Um, hello," Jeonghan replied, opening the door wider to welcome Sohee inside. She smiled warmly as she made her way to the couch in the room.

"I brought these snacks for you and Seungcheol since the dinner might take a while, and you both might get hungry," Sohee explained, pouring the tea into a cup and motioning for Jeonghan to join her.

"Oh, that's sweet of you, but Seungcheol isn't present in the room at the moment. I think he has gone out," Jeonghan says as he stirs the sugar cube into his tea. Sohee frowns, her gaze fixed on the table, her expression discreet. Jeonghan glances at her before turning his attention away.

"It's okay, I'll go get him for you," Sohee says, standing up from the couch.

"No, it's alright. I'll find him myself," Jeonghan insists, standing up as well. Sohee shakes her head, gently guiding Jeonghan back to his seat.

"No—"

"Please, and with an excuse, I might even get a house tour too?" Jeonghan persists, holding onto Sohee's hand. She stares at him for a moment before breaking into a smile.

"Sure," Sohee agrees, pinching Jeonghan's cheeks affectionately. "Go on, and I'll come to get you before dinner, okay?" She walks out of the room, leaving Jeonghan alone.

Jeonghan quickly reaches for his cellphone and dials Seungcheol's number. After three rings, Seungcheol still doesn't pick up. "Looks like I have to go and get him myself," Jeonghan mutters to himself, grabbing the first jacket he sees and heading out of the room.

Stepping out of the room, Jeonghan was greeted by a long hallway. He clutched his phone tightly in his hand and began to walk forward, taking in the elegance of the creamy walls combined with the blue accents. "Such a huge place," he muttered to himself as he gazed at the massive painting of two horses standing opposite each other. 

White strokes, delicate and precise, had been carefully applied to the canvas, each one adding to the overall image. As Jeonghan approached, he could see that the strokes had been arranged in such a way as to form the shape of a horse. The animal was captured in mid-gallop, its mane and tail flying out behind it as it charged forward. The white lines were so fluid and graceful that they seemed to give the horse a sense of movement, as if it might leap off the canvas at any moment.

Jeonghan couldn't help but be impressed by the skill and artistry that had gone into creating such a masterpiece. He reached out and ran his fingertips over the canvas, feeling the texture of the paint beneath his skin. It was a tactile experience, one that made him appreciate the artwork even more. As he stood there, gazing at the horse.

Suddenly, he heard a voice behind him. "Who are you?" Jeonghan squeaked and turned around, clutching his phone tightly in his palm. In front of him stood a man who appeared to be much younger than him. The man glared at Jeonghan with a stoic expression, causing him to feel a little scared for no reason.