The engine of the Lamborghini hummed, a low growl in the quiet night as Ji-Hoon reached for the gear shift. But before he could pull away, Yoo Ara's eyes snapped open. They were glassy, unfocused, and burning with a frantic energy.
"I... I need more. Where is the bottle?" she slurred, her voice cracking. Before Ji-Hoon could react, she fumbled with the seatbelt and threw the door open, stumbling out into the cool night air.
"Ara! Hey, stop!" Ji-Hoon shouted, unbuckling his own belt. He was halfway out of the car when a loud whistle pierced the air. Two traffic officers on a scooter pulled up beside him.
"Sir, you can't park here. You're blocking the narrow intersection. Move the vehicle to the side immediately or we'll tow it," one of the officers barked.
"Wait, my girlfriend—" Ji-Hoon started, but the officers were insistent. Cursing under his breath, he had to slide back in and maneuver the car fifty yards down the street to a legal spot.
By the time he slammed the door and ran back, Ara was nowhere to be seen. She had wandered into a dark, deserted side street.
Two men, smelling of cheap cigarettes and malice, were leaning against a brick wall.
They straightened up the moment they saw a beautiful woman in a designer gown stumbling toward them alone. One of them stepped forward, reaching out a greasy hand to grab Ara's shoulder.
"Hey, pretty lady. You look lonely. Why don't you come with us?"
Ara tried to push him away, but her limbs were like jelly. "Don't... don't touch me..."
"Who's gonna stop us?" the man laughed.
"I am," a cold, lethal voice rang out.
Before the man could blink, Ji-Hoon was there. He grabbed the man's wrist in a grip of iron. With a sickening crack, he twisted it, forcing a scream out of the attacker. The other man took one look at Ji-Hoon's murderous expression and fled into the shadows, his friend following close behind, whimpering in pain.
Ji-Hoon turned to Ara, his heart hammering. He grabbed her hand. "Ara, let's go. Now."
Ara looked at him, her face crumpling. "Ji-Hoon?" she whispered, then she started to wail. "You... you big liar! You're a fake! You're a married man now! Go back to your princess!"
"Ara, please—"
"No! You look so handsome even when you're lying! It's a comedy! My life is a joke!"
She began to sob loudly, her tears smudging her mascara into dark streaks. Ji-Hoon looked at her—this brilliant CEO reduced to a crying mess because of him. He wanted to smile at how dramatic she was being, but the pain in her eyes stopped him.
He managed to get her back to the car and drove her to her apartment. Once inside, Ara collapsed onto the sofa, still demanding whiskey.
"I want... one more glass..."
"No more," Ji-Hoon said firmly. He went to the kitchen, grabbed a glass of water and a hangover pill. "Drink this."
He sat her up, forced her to take the medicine, and then knelt down. He gently unbuckled her high heels, placing them neatly by the door. He then lifted her up and carried her into the bedroom, tucking her under the soft silk duvet.
As he turned to leave, Ara's hand shot out, surprisingly strong. She pulled his arm with such force that Ji-Hoon lost his balance, falling onto the bed. In a blur of white silk, Ara rolled over, pinning him down, her body hovering over his.
"Why do you make me so sad?" she whispered, her breath smelling of soju. "Tell me you won't leave me. Tell me right now."
"I'm not leaving you, Ara," he promised, his voice thick with emotion.
Ara leaned down, her lips meeting his in a slow, desperate kiss that tasted of salt and regret. The kiss deepened, becoming frantic and hungry, a silent plea for him to stay.
The Next Morning: Seo-Yeon's Estate
The sun rose sharply over the glass walls of Han Seo-Yeon's house. She woke up at 5:00 AM, her routine as clockwork as a Swiss watch. She brushed, bathed, and dressed in a sharp, dominant navy power suit.
She walked into the living room, her heels clicking on the marble. There, sprawled on the designer sofa in his rumpled wedding tuxedo, was Ji-Hoon. He had returned in the middle of the night, unable to face the dust of the guest room, and had fallen asleep in the common area.
Seo-Yeon stood over him, her shadow falling across his face. "Wake up," she said coldly.
Ji-Hoon didn't move. He let out a soft snore, his face buried in a cushion.
Seo-Yeon's eyes narrowed. She walked to the kitchen, filled a large basin with ice-cold water, and returned. Without a second of hesitation, she tilted the basin.
SPLASH!
Ji-Hoon shot upright with a strangled shout, gasping for air. He was soaking wet, his hair plastered to his forehead, the expensive sofa drenched. He looked up, shivering and wide-eyed, to see Seo-Yeon standing there with an empty basin and a look of absolute indifference.
"You have ten minutes to get ready for the office," she said, her voice like a whip. "Don't make me use the second bucket."
End of Chapter 12...