Chapter 14

Living together just because we’re dating... what a novel idea.

"Are you joking right now? Living together just because we’re dating? Are dating and living together the same thing?"

"I don’t think it’s a bad idea."

"...?"

"If we live together, we won't have to set aside separate time to 'recharge,' so wouldn't it be a win-win for both of us?"

As if trying to seduce Bo Bae, Ho Rang’s gaze was strangely suggestive. The way his unusually red lips moved slightly, the mysterious smile he wore, his hair damp with sweat, every single thing about him felt like a deliberate temptation.

"Even if it's good for you, Mr. Baek Ho Rang, because it saves 'recharging' time, what’s in it for me?"

Bo Bae asked, making a conscious effort to ignore his sultry gaze. She knew that if she kept looking into those eyes, she might end up packing her bags and moving into his house this very day.

"You said you wanted to learn about romance from me, right?"

"I did."

Ho Rang stepped closer to Bo Bae, who was intentionally avoiding his eyes, and stared intensely at her.

"I’ll teach you properly. What romance really is."

The places his gaze swept over felt as scorched and hot as a burn. Bo Bae’s cheeks flushed crimson, her dainty earlobes felt a stinging sensation as if someone had lightly bitten them, and she could almost feel his breath licking against her slender neck.

If he’s like this... I can’t say no.

The only man in the world who could teach her about romance was suggesting not just a contract relationship, but living together as well. There was no reason for Bo Bae to turn down such a great opportunity. Yet, she found herself hesitating.

It was likely because she was afraid, afraid that even after the contract ended, she would find herself expecting something more from this man. But she didn't want to let go. An opportunity like this wouldn't come again in a lifetime.

"Um, I have a condition too..."

When Bo Bae spoke with difficulty, Ho Rang nodded, signaling her to continue.

"In exchange for living together."

"In exchange?"

"Let’s do it properly. Dating."

"What?"

"While we’re in this contract relationship, let’s date for real."

After much agonizing, Bo Bae had made up her mind. Since this might be her first and last relationship, she decided she wanted the real thing. She wanted to give it her all, real and intense!

Ho Rang fell into thought for a moment at Bo Bae’s words, then soon replied.

"Fine."

Bo Bae beamed at his ready consent.

Perhaps it was because he had been seeing her for a few days now, but for some reason, her face looked particularly pretty today. Even though she was wearing a stretched-out sleeveless shirt, her hair was tied up messily, and she wasn't wearing a lick of makeup. He figured it was probably because of the relief of finally finding a way to survive.

With that thought, Ho Rang asked.

"Then, is today Day 1?"

"From now on, let’s date properly. Boyfriend."

As Bo Bae offered her hand for a handshake, Ho Rang took it. Like two people who had just closed a great deal, satisfied smiles spread across both their faces.

~~~~

[Address: Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul.]

Arriving at the place Ho Rang had sent her, Bo Bae looked up at the magnificent house. She had expected it wouldn't be an ordinary home, but it was even larger and more luxurious than she had imagined.

"A chaebol really is a chaebol, I guess."

Bo Bae stood before the main gate and pressed the doorbell. After a short wait, the door opened. As she dragged her laggauge which was nearly as big as her own body inside, a vast lawn came into view.

"Wow."

Exclamations slipped out of her mouth involuntarily. On one side of the lush green yard stood a pine tree that looked like something out of a painting, and beside it sat a fairly large pond. Perhaps they had a professional gardener, as rose vines and nameless flowers were blooming all over. It was the kind of beautiful yard one only sees in dramas.

The house felt stylish, much like its owner, yet surprisingly warm in a way that didn't seem to match his cold persona.

"This way."

While she was lost in thought admiring the yard, she heard Ho Rang’s voice. The blue sky, the green grass, and the sight of Ho Rang standing there felt somewhat surreal to her.

"Come in."

The interior was just as impressive as the yard. It was a home where warmth and modernism blended in a peculiar, harmonious way.

"Sit down. What would you like to drink?"

"Coffee, please."

As if he had been waiting, Ho Rang went to the kitchen and returned to hand her a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Bo Bae took a sip and chuckled.

"Why are you laughing?"

"I’m always the one making coffee for you, Mr. Baek Ho Rang. It feels strange having you make it for me."

"You find the strangest things strange."

Ho Rang spoke dismissively, but she found the whole situation amusing. It felt like she had become the protagonist of a very pleasant drama.

Bo Bae decided not to overthink things anymore. She resolved to date like everyone else for three months, finish her script, and then leave this house. If her feelings for him remained after those three months, she’d just brush them off then.

As she sipped her bittersweet coffee with those thoughts, an envelope thudded onto the table.

"What’s this?"

"Since this is a contract relationship, it would be disappointing if there wasn't a contract."

Indeed, there was no way this fastidious man would have skipped preparing a contract.

Bo Bae began to read the document slowly. Instead of "Party A" and "Party B," the contract used "Na Bo Bae" and "Baek Ho Rang" throughout.

The first clause was about confidentiality.

"Only a few people know about my current condition."

The only people who knew his artificial heart battery was depleted were Professor Kwak, a few hospital staff members, and Bo Bae. Even Secretary Yoon was unaware of the battery situation.

"I assume you know that Tae Seong Group’s stock prices fluctuate based on my physical condition?"

"I do watch the news, you know."

Bo Bae knew that well. While he wasn't quite on the level of Chairman Baek Man Seok, the true owner of Tae Seong Group, Ho Rang’s influence on the company was significant.

If word got out that he not only had an artificial heart but that its battery was failing, people would pounce on him like hyenas. Therefore, confidentiality was more important than anything else.

"If you don't want to see the Korean economy stumble, you’d better keep my condition a secret."

"My lips are tighter than you think."

After the confidentiality clause came a section titled .

1. Na Bo Bae has the duty to charge Baek Ho Rang’s battery to 100% before he leaves for work.

2. If Baek Ho Rang’s battery drops below 20%, Na Bo Bae must rush to him and charge him, regardless of the reason.

3. If it drops below 5%, Na Bo Bae shall engage in some form of skinship with Baek Ho Rang.

Bo Bae, who had been reading the contract nonchalantly, tilted her head.

She could accept the first and second points, but the third one caught her eye. Skinship if the battery dropped too low?

"What is this?"

When Bo Bae asked, Ho Rang set down his coffee cup and spoke.

"It seems there are certain rules to this charging process."

"Rules?"

"First, it seems basic charging occurs as long as the two of us are within 10m of each other."

As Ho Rang said "10m" he let out a silent, self-mocking laugh.

Only a few days ago, he had been shouting at Bo Bae to stay 10m away from him, and now he was making sure she couldn't leave that 10m radius. It was a truly ironic situation.

However, his moment of self-ridicule was short-lived, as Bo Bae asked a question filled with curiosity.

"Basic charging?"

"Think of it like charging a phone. Being within 10m of each other is like using a standard charger."

"Which means..."

Ho Rang was comparing their charging to a mobile phone. He mentioned there was basic charging, which implied there was also fast charging. If basic charging happened within 10m, then fast charging was...?

Bo Bae’s eyes moved back to the contract.

3. If it drops below 5%, Na Bo Bae shall engage in some form of skinship with Baek Ho Rang.

"Right. Just as you suspected, the method for fast charging is skinship."

"So that's why, back then...!"

A few days ago, the day he had come to her rooftop room with his battery exhausted at 3%, Ho Rang had hugged her without hesitation. Even when Bo Bae tried to push him away, he hadn't budged, focusing desperately on holding her. Eventually, his ragged breathing had leveled out and his pain had subsided.

Suddenly, a strange light gleamed in Bo Bae’s eyes.

In over 20 years of having electrical abilities, she had only discovered a handful of rules. She knew electricity passed through her when she touched men, she could charge dead objects if she concentrated, and she could turn on lights in buildings that had lost power.

Yet, Ho Rang had already figured out several rules within just a few days of meeting her. This meant he might discover even more in the future.

Perhaps even the reason why she gained these electrical powers in the first place!

"Is it really true? That fast charging works?"

When Bo Bae asked again for confirmation, Ho Rang shrugged his shoulders.

"You’re welcome to verify it whenever you like. You know the method, right?"

Ho Rang reached out toward Bo Bae and showed her his smartwatch. The current battery level was 67%.

Bo Bae swallowed hard as she watched the battery percentage tick from 67 to 68.

"The deeper it is, the more dramatic the numerical change will be."

Bo Bae narrowed her eyes at Ho Rang’s seductive remark.

Did he mean that the deeper the skinship, the faster the charging speed?

She didn't know how much of his ambiguous words to believe. There was only one way to find out, see for herself.

After a moment of hesitation, Bo Bae stood on her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around Ho Rang’s neck. His lips, drawn close, were smiling as if they had been waiting for her.

Bo Bae pressed her lips against his. The moment their soft textures met, Ho Rang lightly bit her lower lip.

With a small gasp, Bo Bae’s mouth parted, and Ho Rang took the opportunity to sweep inside.

When a startled Bo Bae looked at him, Ho Rang raised his hand and showed her his smartwatch.

His sly gaze seemed to say 'I told you, the deeper it is, the faster it charges.'