Chapter 3 Part 2

“What’s this?”

A bowl was handed to Minjoo as she emerged from the room. The housekeeper, with a cheerful smile, offered it to her.

“It’s a herbal tonic. It’s safe to take even while preparing for pregnancy, so please have some after a bite of your meal.”

“I don’t really…”

“Oh, come on, don’t be like that. You need to prepare your body properly before having a baby. The boss was very insistent about this, saying you must take it.”

Perceiving Minjoo’s hesitation as simple reluctance to take medicine, the housekeeper tried to persuade her.

“These days, young women often have miscarriages because of the poor environment.”

“……”

“Losing a baby is just like giving birth. My friend’s daughter lost her baby in winter, and every winter since, her body aches. Whether it’s the mind remembering or the body, who knows? So, you need to eat well and take care of yourself…”

The housekeeper’s seemingly harmless words grated on Minjoo’s nerves. Not wanting to hear any more, she picked up the bowl and gulped down the tonic in one go. The bitter taste lingered on her tongue, and tears suddenly welled up and streamed down her face. The housekeeper, startled, rushed over to Minjoo.

“Oh dear, you should have taken it after eating.”

“……”

“What’s wrong? Is the medicine bad?”

“…No, I just can’t handle bitter things well.”

“Next time, I’ll bring some candy. Don’t cry. What should I do?”

Minjoo went back to her room without eating. The evidence of her night with Gihyun was still present on the bed. With each step, the s*men inside her dripped onto the floor. She found some tissues and began to wipe away the stains, recalling the morning.

When she woke up, Gihyun was already up, sitting n*ked on the bed, looking down at her. Minjoo pulled the blanket up to her neck and turned away. Unlike the intense night before, Gihyun remained silent. Minjoo couldn’t fall back asleep and lay there, feeling tense and uncomfortable.

After a long while, she felt Gihyun’s touch. He gently swept her fallen hair behind her ear, his touch both cautious and earnest.

“Today, I’ll be late.”

Gihyun continued speaking to Minjoo, who didn’t respond.

“Just rest.”

Gihyun then went to take a shower. Minjoo lay still, not moving until he left the house.

She finished cleaning the floor and stared blankly at it. She wanted to clean herself out as well, but knew it was too late for that.

She found her bag and took out the birth control pills she had hidden deep inside. She put one in her mouth and swallowed it dry.

Meeting Gihyun again and being dragged down by an impregnation contract confused her. The occasional caring gestures from him made her uncertain, but she resolved not to misinterpret his actions and give her heart first.

She hoped Gihyun would quickly give up on the idea of pregnancy and let her go.

***

“Are you still taking your medication?”

Looking at Minjoo’s thinner wrist, Hyekyung asked worriedly. Minjoo, momentarily startled, realized that Hyekyung was referring to her antidepressants, not her birth control pills, and gave a wistful smile.

“I haven’t been taking them lately.”

“Get your antidepressants prescribed again and take them. Don’t try to overcome this just with willpower. You don’t seem to be in good shape.”

“I’m taking a different kind of medication.”

“What medication? Are you sick? I’m worried about you.”

Hyekyung, perceptively, pointed it out. Minjoo just gave a faint smile and said nothing more.

Gihyun seemed tireless as he constantly tried to entwine with Minjoo. He would fit their bodies together and ej*culate several times. It was like he was in a mating frenzy. After such sessions, he would hold Minjoo tightly and refuse to let go. Once, when Minjoo got up to wash herself, he held onto her.

“If you wash now, the s*men will wash away too.”

“Are you still taking your medication?”

Looking at Minjoo’s thinner wrist, Hyekyung asked worriedly. Minjoo, momentarily startled, realized that Hyekyung was referring to her antidepressants, not her birth control pills, and gave a wistful smile.

“I haven’t been taking them lately.”

“Get your antidepressants prescribed again and take them. Don’t try to overcome this just with willpower. You don’t seem to be in good shape.”

“I’m taking a different kind of medication.”

“What medication? Are you sick? I’m worried about you.”

Hyekyung, perceptively, pointed it out. Minjoo just gave a faint smile and said nothing more.

Gihyun seemed tireless as he constantly tried to entwine with Minjoo. He would fit their bodies together and ej*culate several times. It was like he was in a mating frenzy. After such sessions, he would hold Minjoo tightly and refuse to let go. Once, when Minjoo got up to wash herself, he held onto her.

“If you wash now, the s*men will wash away too.”

Holding her back with such words, Gihyun embraced Minjoo all night long. She tried not to read into his clinginess. What difference was there between her and a pr*stitute? Thinking that far always brought her mood down. She was getting worn out in many ways.

Minjoo found solace in visiting her mother’s hospital room. She lived with the hope that everything would be fine if her mother recovered.

Now, she tried to lift the corners of her mouth to avoid worrying her friend. Hyekyung sighed and took a sip of her coffee. Then, Minjoo’s phone vibrated. The screen showed ‘Gihyun.’

She remembered him telling her to make time before she left. She thought it might be about that. She didn’t have the energy to answer at first. But as it kept ringing, Hyekyung glanced at her. Minjoo eventually picked up the phone.

-“Where are you?” 

“At my mom’s hospital.”

-“Wait there.”

“I’m with a friend.”

-“A friend?”

Gihyun’s voice spilled out of the phone. Hyekyung, looking intrigued, began to tease.

“Cha Minjoo, got yourself a man? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“No, it’s not that. I’ll hang up for now.”

She quickly ended the call, but it was too late. Hyekyung was already looking at her with great interest.

“Got a boyfriend? Who is it? Tell me more.”

“…It’s Park Gihyun.”

Hyekyung’s expression changed instantly. First, she let out a disbelieving laugh, then quickly downed the rest of her now cold coffee.

“Why are you still in contact with that jerk? Did you tell him to return the money he borrowed?”

“……”

“Cha Minjoo, talk to me.”

She couldn’t bring herself to explain the absurd contract she had made. Minjoo grabbed her bag and stood up.

“I’ll tell you later.”

“Why are you being like this? We’re not close enough to share these things?”

“…It’s not a good story.”

“Don’t make me worry. Let me decide if it’s good or bad, just tell me.”

“It’s all because of money.”

Hyekyung sighed, trying to understand Minjoo, as she kept drinking her coffee. Once finished, Hyekyung stood up, signaling the end of her break. Minjoo, knowing this, also rose from her seat.

“There’s nothing wrong with getting money from a rich jerk. The problem is, there’s no such thing as free money in this world,” Hyekyung pointed out sharply, leaving Minjoo without a response. As Minjoo walked slowly out of the hospital, Hyekyung followed in silence, walking alongside her.

“Go on. Get back inside,” Minjoo said, trying to stop her from coming any further.

“I want to see Park Gihyun’s face. I’m curious too,” Hyekyung insisted, her determination pushing them both toward the hospital entrance. 

As they approached the front, Gihyun’s car pulled in from the road. He rolled down the window and squinted, his gaze fixed on Hyekyung standing beside Minjoo. Clicking his tongue, he recognized her immediately.

“Nam Hyekyung,” he said.

Hyekyung also recognized him, her eyes scanning Gihyun and his car with a look of contempt.

“Guess the guy who had nothing but his balls made it big?” Hyekyung mocked, her tone dripping with sarcasm. Gihyun didn’t seem fazed as he replied.

“Meeting you after such a long time really makes my day,” he said, his expression completely opposite to the content of his words, making the sarcasm obvious to anyone. Hyekyung, not backing down, continued to provoke him, kicking his car as she did.

“How much did you suck up to women to get a car this nice? Did your wife buy it for you?”

“……”

“Are you married now? Did you tie the knot with Kang Yoonjung? Or did you snag some other rich woman?”

“It looks like she hasn’t told you yet,” Gihyun said, glancing at Minjoo. Hyekyung looked confused, her eyes darting between Gihyun and Minjoo.

“Minjoo, she’s staying at my place.”

“What?”

“And we’re going to have a child.”

“What kind of bullshit is this? Cha Minjoo, explain. Did this asshole get hit on the head or something?”

The sudden revelation left Minjoo speechless. Hyekyung, glaring at Gihyun in disbelief, leaned into the car window as if she was about to grab him by the collar.

“Park Gihyun, even with money, you can’t get a woman? What are you doing with that face of yours? Is Minjoo the only woman left?”

“Exactly. There’s no one like Cha Minjoo.”

“You crazy bastard… Stop being clingy and get lost.”

“That’s for me to decide. Nam Hyekyung, weren’t you the one who told me you didn’t know Minjoo’s whereabouts? Now I see you’ve been hanging out with her all along.”

Gihyun tapped the steering wheel with his fingers, glaring at Hyekyung. Hyekyung, exasperated, pounded her fist on the car roof.

“Dragging up old sh*t? Talking about stuff from years ago? Don’t blame others. I only got back in touch with Minjoo long after that. I don’t see why we’re having a past inquiry here.”

“Hyekyung, stop. I’ll explain everything.”

“Cha Minjoo, have you lost your spine? Have you gotten so attached that you’re thinking of having his kid and settling down?”

“It’s not like that…”

Gihyun got out of the car and pulled Minjoo away from Hyekyung.

“Nam Hyekyung, it’s cold. Why don’t you head inside? We have somewhere to be.”

“You crazy bastard, get lost! If you have any conscience at all!”

“Hyekyung!”

“Take care, Nam Hyekyung.”

Hyekyung, seething with anger, glared at Gihyun but had to turn back to the hospital building as her shift called. Minjoo tried to follow, but Gihyun held her arm firmly.

“Get in.”

The cold air had already reddened Minjoo’s cheeks. She tried to pull her hand away, but Gihyun pushed her into the car’s heated passenger seat.

“Park Gihyun!”

Anticipating her outburst, Gihyun spoke before closing the door.

“Do you want to do it here, or should we go to a hotel? It doesn’t matter to me.”

“……”

“Though it might be better later. If we do it now, the s*men might drip down while you’re walking.”

“You… crazy…”

“If you want to do it here, get up now.”

Horns blared from behind. Curses filled the air as drivers yelled at Gihyun’s car blocking the way. Still holding the door, Gihyun stood his ground. Minjoo knew Gihyun well enough to realize he would have no qualms about making a scene here.

She sat down with her jaw clenched. Gihyun closed the door and got into the driver’s seat. He turned the wheel.

Thinking about Hyekyung’s face, shame washed over Minjoo again. She chewed on her lip, not noticing that the car was taking a different route than usual.

Only much later did she recall Gihyun’s words: “when you’re standing” and “going to a hotel.”

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“L Hotel,” Gihyun replied.

There was no need to go to a hotel just to have s*x. But she didn’t ask further. She didn’t want to talk to Gihyun. Her thoughts drifted to how she would explain things to Hyekyung. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t realize the car had parked in a different alley.

Gihyun parked the car and got out. He opened the passenger door for her, indicating for her to get out. He handed the keys to a valet and walked towards a building, with Minjoo following.

Once inside, Minjoo’s expression turned puzzled. At first, she thought it was a large salon, given the rows of mirrors and chairs. A staff member came out to confirm the appointment, and Gihyun gestured towards Minjoo.

Minjoo, still clueless about the situation, was led alone into a small room. As soon as she sat in a comfortable reclining chair, a staff member started applying makeup on her face with diligent pats. She wondered what was going on. After twenty minutes of meticulous groundwork, she began to question why they were putting so much effort into her makeup.

“…Is this a makeup salon?” she asked.

“Yes. What style would you like? Do you have a usual look?” the staff member responded.

“I don’t usually wear much makeup….”

“Then we’ll go for a natural look. Since it’s for a formal meeting, it should be clean and polished,” the staff member suggested.

“…A formal meeting?” Minjoo looked at the staff member in bewilderment. Unfazed, the staff member complimented her features, saying that with a little touch-up, she would look stunning.

In the end, Minjoo underwent a two-hour session of makeup and hair styling. The expert’s touch brought life to her haggard face. With her makeup done and her hair styled in an elegant updo, she exuded a graceful aura.

Just as the makeup was finishing, Gihyun walked in. He set down a shopping bag and gazed at Minjoo’s reflection in the mirror. The staff, indicating they were done, excused themselves, leaving Gihyun to silently place the shopping bag next to Minjoo. She glanced down and saw something familiar inside: the white dress that looked like a wedding gown, which Gihyun had bought for her. There was even a pair of white shoes added to the mix. Minjoo’s suspicions deepened.

“What do you mean by a formal meeting?” she asked.

“I said that to make sure they did a good job with your makeup,” Gihyun replied.

“Where are we going?” Minjoo asked.

“I told you. To the hotel.”

“And what are we going to do there?”

“Just accompany me for a bit. I didn’t have time to find a partner.”

“…Was being a partner part of the contract?” Minjoo questioned.

In a calm tone, Gihyun added, “I’ll make sure your mother gets a 24-hour caregiver when she’s out of the ICU.”

He seized Minjoo’s weakness once again.

“Not a bad deal for a day’s work as a partner, right?”