SIDE STORY (PART 5)

Taeheon was someone who could easily make the center director yield. However, Yeonseo only wanted to be recognized for her work achievements rather than relying on Taeheon’s power. She wanted to be recognized for her abilities.

“I know you can’t wait for long. It’s a request, but don’t cry for reasons other than me.”

As if he regretted it, he wiped away Yeonseo’s tears with his fingers.

“It’s not because of the center director. It’s because you say you love me like this, and that’s why I like it…”

Taeheon nuzzled the nape of Yeonseo’s neck, then lowered his head slightly.

“Just like you do with me, trick other people like foxes. Then, you might win against all of them.”

“No. I’ll only do this to you.”

After letting out a sigh that sounded almost like a curse, Taeheon approached Yeonseo, unable to contain himself.

“Mmm…!”

He closed their distance with impatient steps and wrapped his arms around her waist. Their breaths mingled and their lips pressed together.

Moving his hot fingertips, he looked down at Yeonseo’s tense cheek during the kiss. Her delicate eyelashes were fluttering.

For the past few months, Taeheon had watched Han Yeonseo, who had closed herself off and gradually succumbed to fatigue. The word “languish” fits perfectly. His soul had fattened and withered repeatedly because of Yeonseo. So lately, it felt like he had become a harsh winter.

Yeonseo had once said she wanted to become a doctor when she was young. However, due to economic reasons, she had to give up on her dream. She managed to become a nurse by juggling part-time jobs and studying, but she had always wanted to study medicine.

When Eunho was in kindergarten, he remembered Yeonseo’s words as she pored over medical books in her study.

[I know it’s late, but I still want to study.]

[Study?]

[I’m a little embarrassed, but I want to go to medical school…… Isn’t it too late?]

Thinking about her, who cautiously asked while stealing glances, a pang of sympathy struck him. If possible, he wanted to change her unhappy childhood, but unfortunately, it wasn’t a problem that could be solved with money.

Taeheon had dreamed of becoming a transcendent being who could manipulate time, even indulging in fantasies he hadn’t entertained since childhood.

He was willing to dedicate a hospital to Yeonseo if that’s what she desired to become a doctor.

Without hesitation, Taeheon suggested various paths for Yeonseo to explore, not just limiting her options to becoming a doctor. While he knew nothing in life was easy, he wanted to provide her with the best opportunities and thought carefully about positions that would be beneficial for her.

Yeonseo unexpectedly chose to work for a welfare foundation. The kind-hearted and compassionate Yeonseo still held Mrs. Kang’s memory in her heart.

But she refused every position, and Taeheon pleaded with her that she works in a place where he can feel at ease. With a soft spot in her heart, Yeon-seo eventually gives in to his pleas and half-heartedly accepts the new team leader position at the elderly welfare center.

The rumor of her parachute appointment meant that Han Yeonseo was gaining attention at the center. Her fresh and clear presence, with intelligence and kindness emanating from her, naturally attracted significant interest.

Taeheon, too, found himself unable to look away once he set his eyes on her, and he couldn’t help but think others would feel the same.

Even within their neighborhood, Yeonseo received a lot of attention. Though she seemed unaware of it herself, Taeheon often felt a twinge of jealousy.

Yet, despite seeing the center director desperately trying to approach her, it seemed as if Yeonseo felt a sense of inferiority. Behind the blatant mockery of the “parachute” probably lurked jealousy and a sense of defeat for not having what she had.

In any case, all Taeheon wanted was to convey the words Yeonseo had kept in her heart. That would be enough.

He wanted to be her sanctuary, a broad forest providing a place for her to rest. It would have been better if Taeheon could have asked anyone, including the center director, to back off, but unfortunately, Yeonseo wasn’t that kind of person.

“…Taeheon.”

Unable to endure another urgent kiss, Yeonseo protested. However, it was futile. Taeheon continued to kiss her passionately, using his agile tongue to explore every corner. When he pressed his lips to hers, Yeonseo’s legs wobbled.

Supporting her slender waist, he led her and leaned her against the wall. Startled by the cold bathroom tiles, Yeonseo trembled, unsure if she would collapse or break. Yet, despite the concerns, controlling the storm of passion was challenging.

Because I love you too much. What would you say if I told you I’m even jealous of your suffering? Would you find it ridiculous? Not willing to show any sign of being fed up, perhaps?

He refrained from putting people around Yeonseo because of his impatience. It was no longer appealing if she didn’t want it.

But this feeling couldn’t be stopped just because she didn’t want it.

“Slow down…! Aaah!”

Yeonseo begged, but the torrent of emotions was too much for him to slow down.

Especially when he saw her crying with wet eyes, he felt torn between wanting to protect her and wanting to break her, wanting to fill her emptiness and wanting to consume her emptiness. It was all a mess.

“Ah…!”

“You’re all wet. We should wash up. I’ll wash you.”

Taeheon whispered even lower as he led Yeonseo to the shower booth. He skillfully undressed her, caressed her skin, leaving marks as if tattooing his desires onto her trembling flesh.

To be deeply embedded like a tattoo, so that you become someone who can’t do anything without me.

Taeheon breathed his hopeless wishes into her, embracing Yeonseo from behind. 

As he felt the rapid heartbeat from her, his blood surged. The hot water collided with the ground, creating a dense mist.

Splash, splash. It sounded like stepping on puddles. Yeonseo, in a different posture than before, leaned against the damp wall and wept harder. The confined atmosphere, like being trapped in a misty forest, made her lower abdomen contract, feeling taut in the humidity.

“Look down.”

He urged her to see what they were doing, to witness the act. Yeonseo, with her eyes open, tightened her body as she responded. Beneath the shaded abdomen, raw emotions were exchanged provocatively.

It was an act that never grew tiresome. The more they repeated it, the more addictive it became, and it felt as if pleasure was accumulating.

Searching for each other, and calling each other’s names, they constantly confirmed their connection. Despite being connected, they missed each other. So, he delved a little deeper, wishing to touch her other’s heart.

Taeheon always hungered for it to become a relationship that would be deeply embedded and never end.

Love was not enough, and the emotion burst forth painfully like a blue flame. His heart throbbed in his chest.

The thirst didn’t disappear. Lacking any other word to convey their emotions, Taeheon confessed desperately with a word that felt light yet infinitely deep.

“I love you.”

Raising her head in response, Yeonseo sobbed with a wet face. A sense of fulfillment washed over them.

***

The day of the charity party, which Yeonseo had been preparing for tirelessly over several months, had finally arrived. She had spent several sleepless nights and was bustling around from early morning without a moment to rest.

Luckily, Eunho has agreed to be babysit at the in-laws’ house, so she doesn’t have to worry about her child.

It had been a year since Seonye visited Taeheon and sincerely apologized. Seonye mentioned that she felt various emotions watching Eunho grow up from afar. She saw traces of young Taeheon in Eunho. Watching Eunho quietly and happily grow up with abundant parental love made Seonye realize her mistakes.

Then she sincerely apologized to Taeheon. She confessed that she hadn’t loved him enough. After receiving his mother’s apology, Taeheon didn’t say anything else. He just stared at her with quiet eyes.

Afterward, the three of them occasionally visited Taeheon’s family home. It was Yeonseo who first suggested going there, curious about the house where Taeheon was born and raised.

Eunho, with his outstanding charm and friendliness, quickly captured the hearts of his grandparents. He amused the elderly with various antics, making them laugh uncontrollably.

The family agreed that Eunho had inherited Taeheon’s brilliant mind and Yeonseo’s sweetness. Eunho’s unassuming and gentle demeanor made it impossible for anyone not to love him.

However, Yeonseo was worried that Eunho might grow up to be spoiled. When she tried to be cautious with Eunho, Seonye, and Leehyeok simply praised and indulged Eunho, urging her to just let him be. Far from being cold-hearted, they would simply smile and say that their grandchild had done everything right.

One day, Leehyeok took Eunho to work, sat him on his lap, and conducted a meeting. Taeheon sighed in disbelief upon hearing this. He had also done similar things in the past.

Of course, Taeheon preferred to have Yeonseo sit on his lap rather than Eunho. After that, he would feed her delicious food and exchange kisses…

“Sigh…”

Shaking herself out of her reverie, Yeonseo looked around the party hall, which was now ready for the charity event. The results of her late nights, all-nighters, and overtime were in front of her.

From the glamorous chandeliers and classical melodies to exquisite food, abundant flowers, and high-quality carpets, the charity party was luxurious. The center believed that treating guests exceptionally well would make donors more generous.

Leaving the venue, Yeonseo found the emergency staircase to take a breath. Then she took out her phone and called Eunho.

Less than two beats later, Eunho picked up.

• Mom!

“Did you answer the phone quickly, our Eunho?”

• Yes. I waited because you said you would call after I finished eating!

“Really? Thank you for waiting.”

He was a child who brought joy beyond measure. It was worth giving him her blood and flesh. He was the fruit of her relationship with Taeheon and, therefore, even more precious. The happiness Eunho brought was so brilliant that it was difficult to express.

It was a continuous series of moments in life that were overwhelming and touching, like holding the universe in one’s heart. Yeonseo was grateful for Eunho’s existence, which allowed her to experience such joy.