Part 1 of this story

Third point of view

Taeui sat by the window, the book resting in his lap as he read, his eyes moving steadily across the lines.
Outside, the sky was a heavy gray, clouds rolling in like waves, thick with the promise of rain.

He traced the edge of the pages as he turned them, his fingers curling around the worn edges.
A soft rumble echoed from the distance, and the first few drops splattered against the glass.
When the rain began, steady and persistent, a look of sadness crossed his face.

He closed the book with a soft thud, moving away from the window as the rain intensified. Without hesitation, he pulled the curtain shut, blocking out the storm entirely.

The silence of the room enveloped him.

Without another glance at the window, Taeui padded across the cool floor, his footsteps muted.
He twisted the taps in the bathroom, the rush of water filling the space. Steam curled upwards, fogging the mirror as the tub slowly filled. His movements were deliberate, mechanical almost-each action carefully orchestrated.

Candles were placed around the bath, their warm glow flickering against the tiles. He uncorked a bottle of wine, pouring himself a glass, and set it on the edge of the tub. The book was tucked under his arm, his silent companion.

Sinking into the warmth, the tension in his shoulders eased slightly. The water lapped at his skin as he leaned back, the edges of his book dipping dangerously close to the surface. He opened it again, returning to the words as though seeking refuge in them, though the far-off look in his eyes suggested that his mind had wandered elsewhere, far beyond the pages.

............

Jeong Chang In stepped out of the bath, the warmth lingering on his skin as he towel-dried his hair. With the day free, he welcomed the calm. The Europe team from 'UNHRDO' had arrived at the Asia branch for a fortnight of intense training, and tonight felt like the last peaceful night before the storm.

Among them was Rick, part of the team from the European branch-a man with a reputation that preceded him.
Vicious and ruthless, Rick could dismantle anyone who challenged him, leaving no trace of hesitation.
Chang In had no illusions about the chaos that would soon follow their training, but for now, things remained quiet.

He considered reaching out to Taeui before the whirlwind of work took over. Sitting down at his desk, he opened his laptop and initiated a video call. The ringing continued, but after several tones, there was no answer.

"Strange" Chang In murmured.
"He usually picks up."
Perhaps Taeui was occupied with his work. The young man was as enigmatic as he was talented, a trait that seemed to run in the family.

Just as he began to dress for a relaxed evening, the 'UNHRDO' line on his laptop flashed with an internal light, signaling an incoming call.
He quickly answered, sitting up straighter.
"Hello."

"Chang In, sorry for the late hour, but we have an urgent matter. I need you in my office as soon as possible" the director’s voice was crisp, commanding.

"Understood. I'll be there shortly" Chang In replied, already scanning his wardrobe.

He hung up and moved quickly, selecting a crisp white shirt and pairing it with a tailored navy suit. His hands moved with practiced ease, buttoning up his shirt and adjusting his cufflinks. As he prepared to leave, a knock interrupted him.
Opening the door, he found himself face-to-face with Rick.
Tall and imposing, his sharp black eyes met Chang In’s directly.
Rick’s presence exuded the controlled menace he was known for.

„Rick“ Chang In greeted, mildly surprised.

Chang In offered a small frown, gesturing to his attire.
„I'm on my way to see the director. But I won’t be long.“
Rick gave a brief, almost dismissive nod.
„I’ll wait.“

Chang In stepped aside, motioning for him to enter.
„Make yourself comfortable. There’s beer in the mini-fridge, and feel free to browse the books.“
Rick entered silently, his movements deliberate. Without further comment, he strode toward the fridge. Chang In, adjusting his jacket, gave him a quick nod.

„I won’t be long“ he promised.
Rick, already pulling out a beer, offered a single, impassive nod in response.

.......

The lingering warmth of the bath clung to Jeong Taeui as he stepped out of the bathroom, steam trailing behind him like a fading specter. Droplets of water traced rivulets down his toned physique. He reached for a pair of comfortable pants, the soft fabric sliding effortlessly over his skin as he dressed in the quiet solitude of his room.

The ambient glow from the soft lighting bathed the space, casting gentle shadows that flickered across the walls.
His gaze drifted to the open laptop on the sleek wooden desk. A small blinking icon caught his attention-a missed video call from his uncle, Jeong Chang In.
A faint smile tugged at his lips. It had been some time since they last spoke face-to-face, and moments like these felt rare amidst their chaotic schedules.

He settled into the chair before the laptop. With a few clicks, he initiated a return call, the familiar ringing tone filling the quiet room. Moments passed, but there was no answer.
The call timed out, leaving only his reflection staring back at him from the dark screen.

Determined, Taeui initiated the call once more, his fingers drumming lightly on the desk as the ringing echoed in the room. Each passing second stretched the silence around him. Just as he was about to give up, the call connected.

But instead of his uncle’s familiar face, Jeong Taeui was greeted by the sight of pale, elegant hands adjusting the laptop. The camera was positioned just high enough to capture only the upper body and hands of the person on the other side.
The face remained obscured. The hands, however, were striking-slender and pale, with a subtle sheen on well-kept nails that reflected the soft light.

Taeui’s caramel-colored eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of quiet intrigue in his expression. The graceful movements of those hands held his attention.
The upper body visible on the screen was clad in a well-tailored shirt, hinting at a lean and composed figure. Tay leaned forward, curiosity sharpening his gaze.

Whoever this person was, they certainly weren't his uncle.

......

On the other side, Rick noticed the incoming call for the second time. He reached out and adjusted the laptop, positioning the camera to reveal his upper body and hands, though his face remained just out of frame. His movements were precise, deliberate, as he accepted the call.

Rick's gaze fell on the screen, and he looked momentarily arrested by the image before him. Taeui, absently running a hand through his damp hair, pushed it back from his forehead. His soft, baby-like face contrasted with his tall and athletic physique. Smooth skin, gentle features, and a hint of youthful innocence gave him an endearing appearance.

For a few seconds, neither of them spoke. The silence hung between them, each waiting for the other to break the momentary trance.

"Hi, is Uncle Chang-In there...?" Tae-ui asked, leaning slightly closer to the screen. Clad only in a pair of pants, his toned upper body was visible, exuding casual confidence.
"I hope I’ve called the right place" he muttered.

"Yes, this is Instructor Chang-In's room" Rick replied calmly, his tone even.
"Uncle, huh? You must be his younger nephew."
Tae-ui tilted his head slightly, curiosity piqued.
"Looks like you've met my brother" he said.
"I'm Jeong Taeui. And you are?"

"Ilay" Rick answered succinctly.

"Ilay...?" Tay prompted, waiting for a surname that didn’t come.
Ilay seemed to catch the hint but offered nothing more. Instead, he asked.
"If you have any message for Chang-In, I can give it to him."

A subtle smile tugged at the corners of Taeui's mouth, growing into a full, dazzling grin that lit up his caramel-colored eyes.
"I see" he said lightly.
"Well, I just wanted to let him know that I’m doing well and will contact him again soon."

Ilay's gaze lingered on the screen as he muttered softly in German. "Wirklich schön" [Really beautiful]

Hearing that, Taeui raised an eyebrow.
"By the way" Tae-ui said in English, his smile never wavering.

Ilay glanced down at his own hands before returning his attention to the screen.
"Not many notice" he replied, a faint note of amusement in his tone.

"They're hard to miss" Taeui responded playfully.
"Well" Tae-ui said finally as his phone began to vibrate beside him. He glanced at the screen-an incoming call from a private number.
"It seems I have to go."

"Of course" Ilay replied smoothly.
"I’ll let Instructor Chang In know you called."
"Thank you" Tae-ui said, his eyes meeting the unseen gaze beyond the screen.
"Take care."

"You as well" Ilay responded.

With a final, radiant smile, Taeui ended the call. He picked up his phone to answer the incoming call, a hint of contemplation in his eyes.
After disconnecting from the call, Taeui smirked, muttering.
"Ilay Reigrow... huh.."

This is the end of part 1, total words [1591 words].
Thanks for reading~♡
Plus the edit is [1615 words].

Uploaded at November 17th.