Crazy Match, Crazy Guy - CHAPTER 2 - Part 3

“Oh my! Really?”

Wooyoung’s eyes turned to Tae Jin as she watched Hyunkyung’s mouth fall open.

[When did I say such a thing?]

He might not understand through eye signals alone, but that was the best she could do in this situation.

“If your father knows about it like that, then I have nothing more to ask for.”

“Then I guess I don’t need to wish for anything else. Hahaha!”

It’s the first time she’s seen her father laugh out loud like this after her mother passed away. Is it really something to be so happy about, her dating Jang Tae Jin? She couldn’t possibly say she wasn’t really interested in him with this cheerful atmosphere. Once she gets past her prejudices, Jang Tae Jin might actually be quite a decent guy. Throughout their meal, even without her saying anything, he took care of the water, napkins, and even the wine.

She had always thought of him as a very selfish and arrogant man. Or was that just her prejudice?

After their dinner ended, Tae Jin grabbed Wooyoung as she was about to leave.

“Father, please go first. I have something to discuss with Wooyoung.”

“Oh, okay then. Take your time, she doesn’t have to rush. Wooyoung, don’t worry about the time, just have a good time and come back.”

Is this really my dad who’ve always told me to come back home before midnight?

“Oh, would you like to have a drink with me before you go?”

“Sure.”

Left alone in an unexpected moment, Wooyoung chewed on her lips nervously in the awkward atmosphere.

He asked her, breaking the silence.

“Are you good at drinking?”

“To some extent.”

“Soju, beer, or whisky?”

“Somaek (Soju+Beer)?”

Her unexpected response caused a smile to play on Tae Jin’s lips.

As expected, she’s an interesting woman.

Trapped within the boundaries of an arrange marriage, he initially disliked the idea of marriage itself. But, after meeting her, he felt a conviction that he should marry this woman if given the chance.

He also developed a desire not to miss out on it.

“Great, let’s go.”

“Where?”

“To have a drink.”

“Wh-who said I wanted to have a drink with you?

“Since we’ve decided to date, why not take me seriously?”

“Ha! Who said anything about going out with you? I didn’t give my consent.”

“Then why didn’t you say no when our parents were around?”

“Well, that’s…”

“Let’s go. There’s a nice pub across the street.”

This guy is totally overstepping.

Despite her grumbling, she was already following him.

I might be going crazy, but I don’t really mind being with him.

Well, while I’m at it, I should find out about this man’s drinking habits. If his drinking habit is bad, at least it’ll lessen my interest in him.

Once at the bar, Wooyoung continued to offer him drinks, as she had intended. Of course, she drank as well, but not as much as he did. Yet, somehow, strangely, despite him drinking more, it felt like she was the one feeling more intoxicated.

“Ah, it seems like alcohol isn’t agreeing with me today.”

“You were drinking pretty well for someone who ‘isn’t agreeing’ with it, don’t you think?”

“Well, that’s just a basic skill. But why are you still so composed?”

“I can hold my liquor quite well. I usually don’t get drunk easily.”

“You’re just saying that.”

“No, I mean it.”

As she was trying to figure out his drinking habits, she felt that she might lose consciousness first. So, she put down the glass she had been holding and looked for water. Seeing her looking around, he asked.

“What are you looking for?”

“Water.”

“I’ll get it for you.”

He stood up and brought back a bottle of water, then handed it to her. He even had the decency to uncap it.

“You have good manners. Have you had some experience with women?”

“Is that a compliment or sarcasm?”

“Interpret it as you wish.”

Wooyoung paused in sipping her bottled water to look at Tae Jin, who leaned back against his chair with his arms crossed, saying nothing.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Because you look like a hedgehog.”

“What? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know what I mean.”

“I’m asking because I don’t.”

Instead of answering, he reached for his jacket, which he had draped over the chair next to him.

“Let’s go.”

“You didn’t answer.”

“Look at yourself and you’ll have the answer. Let’s go.”

Wooyoung watched him head for the checkout counter and slung her bag across her body and followed him out of the store.

Just as she thought she was walking straight, he came up and grabbed her arm.

“Are you okay?”

“Of course, I’m fine.”

“You seem drunk, let me take you home.”

“Already?”

She initially responded hesitantly to his suggestion of drinking, but now her expression, as if she doesn’t want to part ways, is intriguing.

She clearly doesn’t hate him, but she still refuse to marry him, although it’s not every day that she can find someone so close to perfection.

“Is there anything you want to do?”

“Well…”

Her eyes darted around, and she saw a singing studio.

“Do you want to go to a karaoke room?”

Not particularly enthusiastic about it, but Tae Jin still took her to a nearby karaoke room. It was an area where many company gatherings took place, and considering it was evening, they thought there might not be any available spots. As expected, there were none.

As they turned to leave, the owner of the place caught their attention.

“We have one private room left. Would you consider that? It’s a bit more expensive, though…”

“It’s alright.”

After paying the fee, Tae Jin led her into the private room. The layout of the room, with sofas arranged in a circle, clearly indicated it was meant for groups.

As they both sat down, she placed her bag down and picked up a songbook.

“What kind of songs do you like?”

“I don’t really have any favorite songs.”

“That’s boring.”

“I’ll let you choose then.”

She picked up the remote control and pressed a series of numbers. Music soon started playing, and she got up from her seat to grab a microphone.

Not bad.

Her voice was surprisingly mature and beautiful. He had been tempted to kiss her so much that he could hardly stand it, and now she was singing with such a lovely voice. He didn’t know what to do anymore.

The heat in the room was making him uncomfortable, so Tae Jin took off his jacket and placed it beside him. Then, he grabbed a canned beer that the owner had brought and took a sip.

Glup, glup.

As he was sipping his beer, the song came to an end, and she walked over to him, sitting by his side.

“That’s my favorite song. How was it?”

“It was good.”

“Well, then it’s your turn to sing.”

“No thanks. I don’t even know any song.”

“Come on, don’t be boring.”

Seeing her with the canned beer in her hand, he reached out his hand.

“Why?”

“Stop drinking. You’re already drunk.”

“I’m thirsty.”

“I’ll get you some water…”

She caught his arm as he tried to get up. He flinched. Tae Jin’s eyebrows arched at her.

With his already simmering desire escalating, being so close to her was almost maddening. He needed to control himself.

“I’ll have a beer.”

With a pop, she popped the lid off the can and took a sip.

Beer flowed down her slender throat, making his heart tighten watching her.

Taking the beer can from her hand, Tae Jin’s hands cupped her cheeks. His tongue, hot with urgency, tasted the alcohol-drenched saliva as he tugged at her tongue.

Her inexperienced tongue accepted the sudden intrusion without hesitation.

What should I do about this woman?

Can a person’s feelings change so easily with just one physical encounter?

Strange emotions he had never experienced before continued to overwhelm him, leaving him flustered.

He wanted her.

The boiling lust was consuming everything in him. Losing his self-control, Tae Jin buried his tongue in her mouth, momentarily forgetting where they were.

Since embracing her the day before, thoughts of her hadn’t left his mind. Though he wanted to approach things slowly, his impulsive feelings took the lead over his patience.

“Haah. Tae Jin…”

“I have my place near the company. Would you like to go?”

“Your home?”

“I have a separate apartment apart from my family home.”

“Are you implying something?”

“Do you dislike it?”

She didn’t dislike it.

Call it drunkenness, she didn’t really mind.

Right now, all she could think of was experiencing that elusive sensation she felt yesterday once again.

“No, I don’t.”

“Then, let’s go.”

Holding the jacket in one hand, Tae Jin took her hand and led her. Although they had paid a hefty price for the private room, the two of them were more interested in other things than singing and left the place without any regrets.