CHAPTER 68

“I feel like dying. I can’t do anything. It’s unbearable, and I feel like I’m going to collapse from the agony. So, just tell me it’s not true. Say it’s not true. That you didn’t mess around with that bastard, tell me!”

“I hope you keep wondering.”

Jingyeom froze at Leeseo’s cold words. The strained expression on his distorted face gradually turned reddish.

“I hope you suffer for a long time, wondering whether I slept with that man or not, and nothing else.”

The grip on her shoulders loosened as Jingyeom’s strength ebbed away. Leeseo slipped out of his grasp and turned away.

Thud. Jingyeom fell to the ground with his knees pounding into the floor. With blank eyes, he weakly murmured.

“It was for you. I did it for you. I didn’t even want to tell you this, because if you knew the truth, you’d know what a despicable bastard he is. I did it all for you. I didn’t do anything wrong. Why are you treating me like this? Why do you hate me?”

Shaking off the resentment in his voice, Leeseo walked away, his desperate rant echoing behind her.

“My only crime is that I like you! Why!”

* * *

After taking a shower and drying her hair, Leeseo searched through her wardrobe and pulled out a blouse she had deeply buried because she hadn’t had a reason to wear it lately. She had bought it when she completed an internship at a pharmaceutical company during her vacation for extra credit because the company required business casual attire.

The buttons on the bottom of the apricot-colored blouse jiggled nervously as if they might fall off at any moment. She was a little nervous, but it didn’t matter because she knew it would be tucked into her pants and it wouldn’t show.

She paired the blouse with slacks, buttoned it up, and tucked the hem into the pants. Once she was ready to go out, she texted Taegyeom on her cell phone and stood in front of the mirror.

[Let’s meet at the convenience store intersection. I’ll be heading out now.]

The reflected face in the mirror looked pale. Shortly after sending the message, a reply came.

[I’m waiting. Just come out.]

She turned off her phone and put it in her pocket. She lifted her head and looked at herself in the mirror. She pulled the corners of her mouth in an attempt to smile. It was a somewhat unconvincing smile, given the gloomy atmosphere in her eyes, but it seemed decent compared to a sullen expression.

As she stepped outside, her gaze lingered briefly on the annex across the way. It was a sight she had seen countless times, yet for some reason, it felt strange. She shifted his attention away from the outer wall of the annex, where the evening glow was spreading. She didn’t want her emotions to be disturbed before meeting Taegyeom. From then on, she walked stubbornly straight ahead.

As she walked through the employee entrance, she saw Taegyeom straight ahead as she stepped out. He was leaning against his car parked right in front of the entrance, had his phone to his ear, engrossed in a conversation.

Leeseo looked around, slightly confused. She hadn’t realized that waiting meant standing out in the open like this.

“I’ll take care of that personally from now on. Tomorrow afternoon will be a good time. Yes, please make an appointment like that, and email me the details. Thank you.”

Taegyeom, who had spotted Leeseo, ended his call with a casual wink. She stiffened her face, afraid of being seen, and she approached him with quick steps.

Putting his phone in his inner suit pocket, Taegyeom tilted his head as he opened the passenger door.

“Just stepping outside the wall gives me a different feeling. Get in.”

Leeseo climbed into the car without a word. As Taegyeom closed the passenger door, circled the car, and, as he settled into the driver’s seat, and was fastening his seatbelt, she glanced around.

Fortunately, they didn’t run into anyone coming out of the employee entrance nor did she see anyone sticking their neck out to look at them.

“Are you nervous?”

Taegyeom, now in the driver’s seat, briefly glanced at Leeseo and asked. Click. The sound of the buckle echoed, and then there was a touch on her cheek as Taegyeom’s fingertip reached for it. He patted her stiff cheek and he playfully touched her earlobe.

“…No, it’s just a bit awkward. It’s my first time seeing you outside the mansion. It’s also my first time riding in your car.”

“Have we only been having s*x all this time?”

Taegyeom made a sound as if letting out a sigh, withdrawing the hand that had been playing with her earlobe. He pulled the gear and smoothly started the car. Leeseo, who had been silently observing him as he began to concentrate on driving, spoke.

“It’s not that I didn’t like it.”

Taegyeom’s hand, turning the steering wheel to enter an alley, twitched slightly. Thick veins protruded on the back of his hand as he gripped the wheel. After a moment of silence, he let out a wry laugh.

“Sometimes, it feels like you’re playing with me.”

“…”

“That’s exactly what’s happening right now, and it’s ridiculous that I don’t hate it.”

His attractive lips curved into a shape that seemed breathtaking.

“It’s a bit irritating to be put in a situation I can’t handle. Wondering what’s going on in that little head of yours. I’d like to open it up and take a look.”

Incomprehensible words made Leeseo’s eyes, which had been wandering, suddenly drop down. Contrasting with his mild tone and plain face, his cr*tch was so prominently swollen that it was hard to ignore.

The contours, stretched as if pulling the pants, were clear. The long pillar-like shape on his left thigh looked as if it might burst through the fabric of the pants at any moment, making it look uncomfortable.

The situation he couldn’t handle probably referred to his p*nis that had become uncontrollably excited inside the cramped car, and he was shifting the responsibility for his erect*on onto her. She didn’t know what part of her words triggered his s*xual ar*usal.

The air inside the car, with the air conditioner running, quickly felt stuffy. Leeseo adjusted the direction to let the cool breeze hit her face and deliberately changed the subject.

“I’m also curious about what you’re thinking sometimes.”

“As you can see right now.”

Taegyeom said dryly, not even bothering to pay attention to his bulging bottom.

“Thinking dirty thoughts.”

The blunt tone nonchalantly redirected the conversation Leeseo had carefully shifted. Touching the tips of her reddened ears, she finally turned her head out the car window in silence.

The car carrying the two of them quietly merged onto a major road. They crossed a bridge over the Han River, mingling with cars leaving work. The red glow of the sunset reflected off the calm surface of the river, making it sparkle and glisten. It was a tear-jerkingly pretty sight.

* * *

The restaurant was built on a terrain that jutted out into the river more than the surrounding land, so it seemed to float on the river at first glance. After parking, the two approached the entrance without much conversation. The glass door opened wide from the inside, and an employee greeted them with a friendly smile. After confirming Taegyeom’s name, an employee guided them to the floor.

A server, crossing the spacious hall, removed the sign indicating the reserved seat at the window for them and pulled out a chair for Leeseo. The seat provided a clear view of the Han River, sparkling with the reflections of the sunset, through the full-length glass window.

During the ride, it had been crowded enough to see no empty seats, yet the spacious table layout gave a sense of tranquility. Being a restaurant by the Han River, it was undoubtedly popular not only for its exquisite food but also for its sophisticated interior and beautiful view.

Low, ambient music and the murmur of various conversations intertwined into a dreamy ambiance. Leeseo scanned the warmly lively yet serene surrounding tables as if casually observing. It felt strange to be blending in among people who seemed to be lovers or friends.

She had vaguely imagined that if Taegyeom and she were to dine outside, they would end up in a space enclosed by walls. She wondered if that might have been better. Sitting in a confined space, having a tranquil conversation, and not having to put on a facade or struggle with expressions, just the two of them.

Across the table, Taegyeom looked gorgeous as always as he looked down at the menu. Leeseo felt increasingly parched. No matter how many times she swallowed dry saliva, the scorching heat persisted like swallowing a hot stone.

After asking Leeseo for a few preferences, Taegyeom ordered the course. As the appetizers came out, a man in a sleek suit approached their table with a huge smile on his face.

“Taegyeom!”

Taegyeom looked up at the affectionate voice and stood up, extending his hand. However, the man who approached with a friendly voice lightly ignored the extended hand for a handshake. Instead, he enthusiastically pulled Taegyeom into a warm hug. After a moment of stiffness, Taegyeom patted the man’s shoulder.

“It’s been a while.”

Pulling away after a brief embrace, the man, now stepping back, adjusted his disheveled clothes and turned his head toward Leeseo. The man’s eyes were an unusual shade of pale gray. With a glance full of curiosity and interest in the companion who came with Taegyeom, he spoke.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Han Joohyuk.”

“Hello, I’m Hyun Leeseo.”

“When I heard Taegyeom was coming, I assumed he was coming with Jinwoo. I never expected to see him with a lady.”

Joohyuk playfully stretched his refreshing smile.