Chapter Text
It’s a rainy afternoon in the province of Daegu. Beomgyu’s house is barely held together, and he’s on the roof trying to patch a leak when he hears it:
A low hum. A car. A luxury car
Cue: a sleek, black Mercedes pulling up on the muddy road, tires splashing.
From the backseat steps a man, umbrella in hand, in a tailored black suit that makes him look like he walked out of a movie.
Beomgyu squints. “You lost?”
The man doesn’t answer immediately. Instead, he approaches with the poised of someone used to being obeyed. “Choi Beomgyu?”
Beomgyu replies. “Yeah… Who’s asking?” The man doesn’t flinch. He steps closer. “I’m Kang Taehyun. Your father sent me.”
Beomgyu stares. Blinks. Then laughs. “I don’t have a father. Pretty sure he died around the time my mom did.”
Taehyun pulls out an envelope. Offers it. “Not dead. Just absent.”
Inside is a DNA report. A birth certificate. A photo of a man Beomgyu vaguely remembers from a childhood dream. And a plane ticket to… Seoul…?
“You’re the legal heir to the Choi Group. Get in the car.” Taehyun not even waiting for a reaction, says dryly.
Beomgyu looks at him up and down. “Wait, wait—what even is a Choi Group? Why do you look like you belong in a mafia movie? Are you a body guard or something? You look like you haven’t even blinked since you were born.”
Taehyun exhales slowly. “I’m your legal advisor. I’ll answer your questions in the car. You have five minutes.”
Beomgyu smirks. “Make it six. I need to say goodbye to the rats.”
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
The Mercedes slices through the rain like a blade. Beomgyu sits awkwardly in the backseat beside Taehyun, knees pulled close, wearing a hoodie two sizes too big and jeans with a hole in the knee.
“So this isn’t a prank? I’m rich now?” Beomgyu breaks the silence. “What does ‘heir’ mean exactly? Is there, like, a crown?”
Taehyun deadpans. “It means you have responsibilities. A company to learn. A reputation to protect.”
“Cool, cool. Sounds fake.”
He leans closer, blatantly examining Taehyun’s face. “You’re seriously real, huh? Your skin is ridiculous. Are you, like, a vampire lawyer?”
“Do you ever stop talking?”
Beomgyu grins. “Nope. Do you ever smile?”
Taehyun’s jaw ticks.
Beomgyu leans back with a self-satisfied smirk. “This is gonna be fun”
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
They pull up to a sprawling estate outside of Seoul. The driveway curves around a massive fountain. The house looks like it belongs on a magazine cover. Or in a dream.
“Holy crap. I really am rich.” Beomgyu mutters under his breath. Taehyun doesn’t react.
The front doors open. Maids step out, holding umbrellas, guiding Beomgyu inside with bowed head and soft voices. “Welcome home, young master.” One of the maids greets. “Please follow us. The household is waiting.”
Beomgyu follows, awestruck by the marble floors and golden chandeliers. He trails behind the maids, eyes-wide.
Then he sees a man in a suit waiting by the stairs. Older. Distinguished. Kind-looking.
Beomgyu’s heart leaps.
“Dad?” he says, voice cracking.
He runs up and throws his arms around the man. “I can’t believe this… I thought you were gone forever. I don’t even know what to say—this is so weird. I actually have a dad? A real one? And he’s rich? Do I have a secret brother too? Oh god, is this like a K-drama—“
Taehyun rushes forward, eyes wide. “Beomgyu. That’s not your father.”
Beomgyu freezes mid-ramble, arms still around the man—who’s clearly a stunned butler.
Taehyun continues. “That’s the head of the staff.”
“…Oh.”
Just then, the real man walks in. He’s taller. Sharper. But with the same eyes as Beomgyu.
“Beomgyu.”
Beomgyu turns. Blinks. Then—without a word—throws himself into his father’s arms.
Mr. Choi wraps him in a warm, quiet hug. “I’m sorry it took so long. You look just like your mother.”
Beomgyu swallows hard, eyes stinging.
From across the room, Taehyun watches. Stone-Faced.
Suddenly, a soft click of heals breaks the emotional silence. A scent of expensive perfume lingers around the room.
A woman walks in, draped in cream silk and pearls.
The woman gasps theatrically. “Beomgyu? Oh, you’re even more handsome than I imagined.” She cups his face like she’s known him for years. “I’m Joohyun. Your stepmother. We’ve been looking forward for this day for a long time.”
Beomgyu shuffles awkwardly. “Oh… wow. Okay. Cool. You’re very… glowing.”
Taehyun exhales through his nose.
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
After the introductions, Beomgyu is guided upstairs.
Waiting at the top is a tall, reserved man in a grey fitted uniform. “I’m Soobin. I’ll be your personal butler during your stay.”
Beomgyu wipes his sweat off his palms. “So like… I can ask you for a coffee or to fight someone for me?”
“I’m not a hitman, sir.” Soobin says dryly.
“Yet.” Beomgyu grins.
Soobin leads him into a massive guest wing.
“This will be your room. Please don’t touch the antique vase. The last person who did is currently studying aboard.”
Beomgyu plops onto the velvet bed dramatically. “So what’s your deal? You look like you should be on a runway.”
Soobin answers flatly. “And you look like you shouldn’t be allowed near credit cards. We all have our burdens.”
Beomgyu cackles. “Okay, I like you.”
˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗
Later that evening, Taehyun checks in on Beomgyu’s progress. He finds Beomgyu leaning in front of the mirror, half-dressed, hair towel-dried, wearing a robe with the mansion’s crest.
Beomgyu smirks. “Back for more insults, vampire lawyer?”
Taehyun, not even blinking. “I’m here to discuss your schedule.”
Beomgyu grins, stepping closer. “You always this tense? You know smiling won’t kill you, right?”
“Flirting with me won’t make you a better heir.”
“Won’t hurt, though.” Beomgyu teased.
Taehyun turns. “Get some rest. You have training tomorrow at 6AM.”
Beomgyu sighs dreamily as the door clicks shut. “God, he’s so grumpy. I love it.”