Chapter 8.4

After tossing the phone aside, Seung-jo lay down on his side, propping his head with one hand, facing Su-eon. He tried to gently pull the sheet down, but seeing her clutching it tightly with one hand, he simply smirked and began to play with her fingers.  

“Do you like the leather pants? Or do you like the guy wearing them?”  

At his sharp question, Su-eon’s fingers flinched slightly.  

“Is he even an adult? He’s not underage, is he?”  

“He’s twenty-two.”  

“What kind of desire makes you wake up first thing in the morning to drool over a video of a twenty-two-year-old shaking his hips?”  

“I wasn’t drooling!”  

Su-eon protested from under the blanket.  

“You looked like you were about to get sucked into the screen.”  

Without a response, Seung-jo lightly scratched her palm with his fingertip.  

“Do you really like him that much?”  

“I just… support him as a fan…”  

Muttering, Su-eon squirmed her hand as if it tickled.  

“So, you do like him.”  

Seung-jo replied in a nonchalant tone.  

“Sometimes it’s just a way to relieve stress.”  

“With a grinding pelvis?”  

“Stop talking about his pelvis, seriously.”  

Her voice cracked as she yelled in frustration. On the verge of tears, Seung-jo rolled over and hugged her tightly, blanket and all.  

“Okay, okay, I’ll stop teasing you.”  

He snatched the blanket she had been holding and tossed it far off the bed, pulling her into his arms. After struggling for a bit, Su-eon gave up and buried her face in his chest. After suffering such an embarrassing moment that would be remembered forever, she couldn’t bring herself to lift her head.  

“Do you remember last night?”  

She shook her head.  

“You were absolutely adorable. Clinging to me, speaking informally.”  

“……”  

Wasn’t that just being a nuisance?

Either this man’s definition of “adorable” was wrong, or she wasn’t fully awake yet—Su-eon was thoroughly confused.  

“Don’t drink outside anymore.”  

“……What?”  

“You’re too cute. I can’t allow it.”  

Seung-jo embraced Su-eon tightly, as if he couldn’t hold back any longer, and spoke. His face burned, not in the two-dimensional world but now in the three-dimensional one. When Su-eon, her face flushed red, couldn’t say a word, Seung-jo tightened his arms around her slightly and exhaled softly.

“Seriously, I couldn’t sleep at all because of you.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Su-eon apologized. She had never been this drunk before, so she didn’t know she had a drinking habit. Of course, the shock of her nickname being revealed was far greater than the drinking habit itself. How did things end up like this? Everything still felt surreal to her.

“Is your type someone like this? A younger guy in leather pants?”

As he stroked her back, Seung-jo asked.

“…I just think they’re pretty, that’s all. It doesn’t mean anything.”

Unaware that her fan collection box had already been discovered, Su-eon replied in her usual indifferent tone. As if she didn’t particularly care, just something she happened to notice while passing by.

“You think they’re pretty?”

Seung-jo asked nonchalantly, as if he didn’t know anything.

“Yes, they’re pretty. Pale skin, graceful dance lines.”

“Hmm, so they’re pretty.”

Seung-jo’s hand trailed down along her waistline, eventually gripping her bottom and rubbing it slowly. Feeling his firm fingers gradually pressing inward, Su-eon lifted her head.

“Aren’t you going to work?”

“I have to.”

“Then why…”

“I’ve held back all night, so I can’t afford to wait any longer.”

As if to prove his point, the soft belly beneath her was pressed in deeply by his hardened er*ction.

“Then, then…”

“Yeah.”

As his hand slipped between the crevice of her bottom, exploring the narrow space, Su-eon’s breathing grew slightly heavier.

“Just… do it quickly.”

Still embracing his shoulders, Su-eon murmured in a small voice.

“…I have to go to work too.”

“Sure, you can say that.”

Seung-jo smirked and pushed further inward. Su-eon flinched and pressed her lips against his chest. Seung-jo reached out and stroked her cheek. His touch, caressing her slightly parted lips, was endlessly gentle.

Maintaining eye contact, Seung-jo parted the fabric of her underwear. Su-eon bit her lip, holding her breath as his hand ventured inside. She was relieved he didn’t press further with questions, allowing herself to feel the comforting sensation of his hand filling her from within.

“Do you like him that much?”

“Uh… what?”

“Am I not enough for you?”

As his fingers, now moistening her skin, moved gently, Seung-jo asked.

“Do you like him, or do you like me?”

Not knowing how to respond, she blinked, and in that moment, her lips were kissed, her entire body consumed.

“Hmm, you’re hesitating.”

Seung-jo laid Su-eon down, spread her legs, and entered her in one swift motion. Her body arched high as she was pushed upward, her gaze dazed as she looked up at him.

From the start, his intense gaze was darker than usual. Each rapid movement of his well-toned muscles reverberated through her heart. Gasping for air, Su-eon gently held onto Seung-jo’s wrist, which was braced beside her face.

“Senior, hngh, Senior.”

“Not that. Call me by my name.”

Su-eon hesitated, pausing before parting her lips. Seung-jo slowed his pace and leaned down. With her lips cupped lightly by her hands, she whispered softly into his ear.

Seung-jo froze momentarily, his jaw muscles tightening. Then, with an almost frightening determination, he began to move his hips again. The sharp sensation of him penetrating her left Su-eon shaking her head until she eventually burst into tears. Holding her close, Seung-jo whispered that he’d finish quickly.

“Hngh… liar.”

Transparent tears streamed down Su-eon’s flushed cheeks. 

“That’s right, it’s a lie.”

Seung-jo whispered lowly, thrusting his burning desire, swollen to the point of bursting, deeply into Su-eon’s body. A sharp tingle resonated in the back of her neck. 

He could feel her focus drifting away and then returning slowly. Seung-jo admitted it to himself. This desire had no end. The more he had her, the more he wanted, unable to let go. 

“Su-eon.”

His voice, low and husky, fell against Su-eon’s cheek. 

“Ji Su-eon.”

Moving from her eyes to her ears, Seung-jo showered kisses on every part of Su-eon that met his gaze. As he called her name several more times and repeated those kisses, Su-eon, who had been trembling in pleasure and barely managing to breathe, fluttered her eyelids open. 

Her soft brown irises caught the morning sunlight, turning into a bright hue. Though her transparent, glistening eyes held resentment, what reached him was love. 

Seung-jo smiled silently and pressed his lips against hers. Their bodies, connected as one, remained inseparable for a long time after. 

* * *

The buzzing sound of her phone broke the silence as Su-eon’s overtime was nearing its end. She glanced at the screen. It was Seung-jo. While she worked late, he had gone to the fitness center, and they had agreed to return home together after. 

Wondering if he was already finished, Su-eon clicked on the message window, her mouth silently dropping open as her hand flew to cover it. 

The message displayed a picture of the official MD merchandise package released at a pop-up store to commemorate the launch of Black’s new album. It was the legendary goods kit, only available to fans who managed to succeed in the early morning queue. 

How did he…? 

Just as the thought crossed her mind, a new message arrived.

<I got it.>

She could almost hear Seung-jo’s voice, as if he were casually brushing it off like it was no big deal. Ever since her forced fan confession, Seung-jo had occasionally “obtained” Black’s merchandise—his term for it—from somewhere. Then, he would quietly watch Su-eon, who couldn’t contain her joy, only to dampen the mood with a single remark. 

[Don’t get distracted.]  

[No cheating.]  

[Younger guys aren’t charming.]

It didn’t feel like jealousy; rather, he seemed amused by the fact that Su-eon liked idols. Having a girlfriend who was more excited about boy group merchandise than luxury goods or jewelry must have been entertaining. 

Su-eon sent him a polite kneeling-and-clapping emoji before returning to the document she had been working on. She printed out the file, titled “Work Handover,” in large letters on the cover. The printer smoothly rolled out the first page. 

A short while later, Su-eon turned off her computer, switched off the lights, and left the office. Tonight, they had planned to eat out and watch a movie before heading home. Exiting the back office, she walked through the employee-only corridor and stepped outside the hotel. 

Under the bright evening sunlight, vibrant summer trees painted the surroundings in shades of green. Seeing the dew drops clinging to the tips of the branches, Su-eon recalled the weather forecast predicting rain starting tomorrow. 

Feeling reminded of her father, Su-eon took out her phone. She intended to tell him about the conversation she had earlier with the real estate agent. Moving day was already scheduled for next week. As she was typing her message intently, a sedan glided smoothly to a stop in front of the sidewalk blocks. 

It was Seung-jo’s car. The window rolled down softly, revealing Seung-jo’s face with a dissatisfied smile. Su-eon opened the passenger door and got in. The faint scent of hotel amenities wafted from Seung-jo, who had just finished showering. 

“Stubborn frog.”

Hearing Seung-jo’s immediate teasing, Su-eon pulled the seatbelt and responded. 

“…Why now?”

“It’s hot, but you just had to wait outside.” 

Leaning over, he took the seatbelt from her hands. 

“I told you to come down with me.”

“This is more convenient.”

“Of course, it is.”

With a short, sarcastic remark, he clicked the seatbelt into place and leaned down over her face. His lips brushed hers briefly before meeting again. Tilting his head, Seung-jo opened her lips and slid his tongue inside. 

As Su-eon felt herself being pushed further back, she ran her fingers through his hair. His shampooed hair, untouched by styling products, slipped softly between her fingers. She liked the texture so much that she repeated the motion a few more times, causing Seung-jo’s groan to resonate in her mouth. 

“I’ve already booked the movie tickets.”

His voice, rough as he scattered light kisses along her lips, grew huskier. 

“Should we just go home instead?”

“…No, we can’t. Besides, I’m hungry.”

“Alright, then let’s fill you up first.”

At his suggestive whisper, Su-eon flushed with embarrassment. Seung-jo chuckled softly, planting a quick kiss on her lips before sitting upright. His hand brushed her cheek lightly as it passed, prompting Su-eon to instinctively grab it tightly. 

“What about the goods?”

Seung-jo narrowed his eyes. 

“…Am I the goods now?”

“Stop joking. Just give it to me.”

Seeing Su-eon obediently extend both hands, Seung-jo let out a disbelieving laugh before pulling out a bag from the back seat and handing it to her. 

“You’re not even going to open it right now.”

“I just want to look at it.”

“How touching. I wish you’d treat me like that too.”

Leaning an arm on the steering wheel, Seung-jo spoke nonchalantly. Su-eon let out a small sigh, unbuckled her seatbelt, and quickly pressed her lips to Seung-jo’s cheek before retreating to her seat and fastening the belt again. 

It was a bird-like peck, devoid of any sincerity, as if she were pressing a vending machine button. Yet, the fact that such a small gesture could make him feel better amused Seung-jo. He let out a dry laugh before straightening up. 

As Su-eon fiddled with the bag, her face itching with anticipation, Seung-jo grabbed her hand firmly and started the car. 

Across the street, Assemblywoman Yeo, who had just finished dining with reporters, paused and looked at the road. The young couple, engaged in affectionate behavior inside the sedan with its tail lights glowing brightly, had already driven off. 

“Assemblywoman?”

Her aide, standing beside her, called out. Assemblywoman Yeo immediately turned her steps, wearing her practiced political smile.