MTLNOVEL Chapter 19: LONG-DISTANCE MARRIAGE
"JUST TWENTY million won a month? You're hurting my pride, Lim Garam. Jung Han's monthly salary is bigger than the amount of allowance you're asking for."
Haaah.
"What can you even buy with twenty million won?"
Tsk.
These rich people are really out of touch…
"I was originally just going to ask you for 10 million won—" Garam complained, but his complaint ended abruptly when Song Sihyuk glared at him. "See? You're mad."
"Why wouldn't I be mad?" Song Sihyuk complained. "You know who I am, and yet you refused my black card and asked for a 10-million won allowance instead?"
Yep, that was what happened.
Song Sihyuk was leaving for New York tomorrow, so they were already going over the things that they needed to arrange before he left.
That included Garam's monthly allowance.
And that was why the two of them were at the penthouse.
Actually, Garam had been staying in that penthouse ever since he found out that his stepmother and stepbrother had sold his parents' house.
I haven't moved back to my house since I've been busy.
Anyway…
Right now, Garam and Song Sihyuk were at the dining hall— enjoying a boat of delicious sushi and sashimi while discussing some serious stuff.
The Alpha wanted him to take his black card— the legendary card with no spending limit.
But I refused to accept it.
"I doubled it because you got upset," Garam said defensively, stuffing his face with delicious (and expensive) bluefin tuna sushi. "I'm now asking for a 20-million won monthly allowance."
"How can I give my wife a monthly allowance lower than Jung Han's salary?"
"Hyung, actually, ordinary bodyguards don't earn that much."
But Garam could understand why Song Sihyuk was paying Jung Han that much.
After all, Han-ssi isn't just Sihyuk Hyung's bodyguard— he's also Sihyuk Hyung's secretary.
Song Sihyuk slammed his chopsticks on the table as if he had suddenly lost his appetite. "Let's at least make it 500 million won."
"No."
"300."
"Still no."
"200 and it can't get any lower—"
"50 million won and that's final," Garam said sternly. "If you send more than that, I won't use it."
Song Sihyuk looked at Garam in disbelief. "Lim Garam, I thought I already told you to exploit me as much as possible? I won't get bankrupt easily, so why are you being stubborn?"
"It's not you, Hyung— it's me."
"Why are you suddenly using a break-up line?"
"Hyung, I already have everything I need to live a comfortable life."
"So what? Needs and wants are two different things."
"I just don't want to be lazy, okay?" Garam said defensively. "I feel like I'm going to lose my passion if my bank account gets fatter even if I don't work hard."
"What kind of mindset is that?"
"Hyung, just let it be, okay?"
Song Sihyuk let out a frustrated sigh. "You're bad for my ego, kid."
Garam just said, still stuffing his face with sushi.
Damn, they melt in my mouth.
"Have you properly read the contract?" Song Sihyuk said, pushing the sushi boat closer to Garam as if encouraging him to eat more. "Are you satisfied with the alimony you'll get after our divorce?"
"Yes, Hyung," Garam said, nodding. "You just have to make sure that your experiment won't put my life in danger. If I get hurt, then this marriage is over."
"I understand."
"Good."
Song Sihyuk chuckled as if he found Garam cute. "Let's sleep together tonight, Garam-ah."
Garam almost choked on his sushi. "What?"
***
OH, Hyung meant it literally.
Garam felt awkward while lying down on the bed next to Song Sihyuk.
Yes, they were both fully clothed.
In fact…
"Hyung, you shouldn't wear outside clothes to bed," Garam scolded the Alpha. "This is your penthouse. I'm sure you have your clothes here."
He was only using a guest room.
But since it was Song Sihyuk's penthouse, then his room should have his clothes.
"I'm leaving after you fall asleep," Song Sihyuk said, lying on his side while gently patting Garam's stomach above the duvet. "So, shut your mouth and sleep."
"Hyung, I'm really curious how you ended up acting and talking like a gangster when you were born a chaebol."
"You speak as if you know other chaebols that well."
Tsk.
"Stop pouting, kid."
"I'm not pouting."
"Hurry up and sleep," Song Sihyuk scolded him. "You're turning me on."
"I'm not doing anything, though?"
"Your scent… haaah."
"Hyung, I'm not saying I want to sleep with you," Garam said carefully. "But why are you holding back? Since we're under a marriage contract, I understand that I'm obligated to sleep with you. And I know this is me being prejudiced, but don't Alphas have high sex drive?"
"Exactly," Song Sihyuk said. "I just know that I won't get enough of you, Lim Garam. So, if I have a taste of you now, then I might lose my mind craving for you once I'm in New York."
Aigoo.
Hyung talks as if I were some sort of a delicacy…
"I can't have that. After all, I need to focus and work hard while I'm there in order to return home faster."
Oh.
Then…
"Hyung, are you going to sleep with other people while you're in New York?"
Song Sihyuk stopped patting Garam's stomach. "Should I not?"
"Well, I don't really care. But if you sleep with other people, then I should be allowed to sleep around, too—"
"I'll kill whoever you sleep with, Lim Garam," Song Sihyuk warned, almost growling, while his face darkened. "I won't sleep with other people while we're married, so you better not sleep with anyone else either."
Aigoo.
"Fine, let's respect our marriage even though we're not a real couple," Garam said, sighing. And then he closed his eyes. "Good luck staying abstinent for the next five years, Hyung."
And what do you know?
Song Sihyuk actually ghosted Lim Garam for a couple of years.
***
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