As Seok-Woo exited the Love Hotel, his mind buzzed with conflicting thoughts. "Who would've thought the Love Hotel could offer such services?" he mused, shaking his head in disbelief.
Turning his attention back to his car, Seok-Woo glanced at his wristwatch. "It's earlier than expected. Well, I'll just head back to my room," he thought to himself, noting the time: 4 PM in the afternoon.
Approaching his car, Seok-Woo reached for his keys when his phone chimed in his pocket. Retrieving it, he saw Sung-Hee's name on the caller ID, prompting a smile to spread across his face. With a swipe, he accepted the call and brought the phone to his ear.
"Sung-Hee, what's up?" Seok-Woo inquired, curious about the reason for her call.
"Seok-Woo, do you have some free time today?" Sung-Hee's voice came through the line from the Kid's Cafe.
"I'm free all day. What's on your mind?" Seok-Woo responded, eager to hear her proposal.
"Let's hang out again. It's been a while since we last met," Sung-Hee suggested, her voice slightly embarrassed. "And, um, let's... do it again," she added, her cheeks flushing crimson.
Seok-Woo couldn't help but grin at her bashful tone, finding her directness endearing. "Do what exactly? Can you be a bit more specific?" he teased, enjoying the playful banter.
Sung-Hee caught onto his game, her patience wearing thin. "You know what I mean. Don't make me say it," she replied, her tone laced with a hint of annoyance.
"Sorry, I'm not sure I follow. Could you spell it out for me?" Seok-Woo persisted, pushing her to vocalize her desires.
Sung-Hee, growing increasingly exasperated, issued a playful threat. "Keep this up, and I won't call you again, you asshole," she warned before relenting. "Fine, I want to... have sex with you. Happy now?" she admitted her tone a mix of resignation.
Seok-Woo's grin widened at Sung-Hee's words, but he wisely chose not to push her further, sensing her rising irritation. Instead, he smoothly redirected the conversation. "Where are you now? I'll swing by and pick you up."
Eager to meet up, Sung-Hee replied, "I'm still at the Kid's Cafe, but we're about to close up shop." She shifted in her seat, preparing to send him the address. "I'll send you the location. See you soon." With that, Sung-Hee ended the call.
Leaning back in her chair, Sung-Hee let out a frustrated huff, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "That guy," she muttered under her breath, "Making me say it. Just wait till I get my hands on you." Determined to give Seok-Woo a taste of his own medicine, she plotted her revenge with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Seok-Woo ended the call, eagerly awaiting Sung-Hee's message containing the address of the Kid's Cafe. After a few minutes of anticipation, his phone buzzed with her text.
Quickly scanning the message, Seok-Woo tucked his phone back into his pocket, fired up the car's engine, and set off towards the Kid's Cafe. Although the distance wasn't considerable, the bustling traffic slowed his progress, prolonging the journey. Yet, despite the minor delay, Seok-Woo managed to arrive punctually.
Parking his car nearby, Seok-Woo stepped out and made his way toward the entrance of the Kid's Cafe, his anticipation growing with each step.
As Seok-Woo neared the Kid's Cafe, he spotted Sung-Hee standing with her arms crossed, engaged in conversation with someone else.
It was Jin-Yi, who seemed to be deep in conversation with Sung-Hee. The two had just closed up shop and were exchanging stories about their day. Jin-Yi sported a shoulderless top paired with a sleek pencil skirt, while Sung-Hee opted for a sleeveless top and form-fitting pants. Their chatter ceased as they noticed Seok-Woo's approach.
"Sung-Hee, have you been waiting long?" Seok-Woo inquired, concerned about any delay on his part.
Sung-Hee turned to greet Seok-Woo, her eyes scanning his semi-casual attire. They had picked out these clothes together, and seeing him wear them now, he seemed to exude an extra air of masculinity. With his well-built physique and broad shoulders, he naturally drew attention from those around him.
This boded well for Seok-Woo, as his endeavors these past two weeks had earned him plenty of Interest Points, though he had chosen to disable the notifications for them. They had become a nuisance, constantly interrupting his day.
Although unsure of his current amount of Rolls, Seok-Woo felt no urgency to check. He knew that his Rolls would naturally increase over time, particularly with his upcoming venture into college life.
"I haven't been waiting long. We just wrapped up at the shop not too long ago," Sung-Hee responded her words carrying a hint of relief at the timing of Seok-Woo's arrival. Meanwhile, Jin-Yi's gaze lingered on Seok-Woo, her scrutiny moving from his facial features to his physique. She couldn't help but be impressed by the sight of Sung-Hee accompanied by such a striking man.
Sung-Hee then turned to Jin-Yi, her demeanor welcoming as she introduced Seok-Woo. "Jin-Yi, this is Seok-Woo, my friend," she began, emphasizing Seok-Woo's presence with a nod of approval. "And Seok-Woo, allow me to introduce you to Jin-Yi. She's my colleague and also like an aunt to me," she added, bridging the gap between the two acquaintances with warmth.
Seok-Woo took the initiative to approach Jin-Yi, his demeanor exuding politeness and warmth as he extended his hand toward her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Jin-Yi," he greeted with genuine sincerity in his tone.
Meanwhile, Jin-Yi couldn't help but entertain a mischievous thought as she observed Seok-Woo's impeccable manners. "Good manners for a man like him," she mused inwardly, a suggestive smirk playing on her lips. "I bet he might be wild in bed." With a composed smile, she reciprocated his gesture, extending her hand to meet his. "Nice to meet you, Seok-Woo," she replied, her voice carrying a hint of playfulness.
As their hands clasped, Jin-Yi subtly traced her thumb along his hand in a suggestive manner, testing his response. However, Seok-Woo surprised her by reciprocating the gesture, his thumb moving slowly across her slender hand with deliberate intent. Caught off guard by his boldness, Jin-Yi found herself intrigued by his assertiveness. The two remained locked in a silent standoff, their hands intertwined in a subtle yet charged exchange.
Observing the scene unfold, Sung-Hee couldn't conceal her disapproval as she witnessed Seok-Woo's tactile interaction with Jin-Yi. With a glare directed at him, she swiftly intervened, marching towards him with an unmistakable air of annoyance. Without hesitation, she seized his ears between her fingers, delivering a firm pinch to reprimand his behavior.
"What are you doing, you dumbass?" she scolded him, her voice laced with irritation as she awaited an explanation from Seok-Woo.
Unfazed by Sung-Hee's reprimand, Seok-Woo calmly addressed her while maintaining his hold on Jin-Yi's hand. "I simply shook hands with her. What's the issue?" he retorted, deflecting attention from his previous actions with Jin-Yi.
Sung-Hee halted her words as Jin-Yi interjected, her voice cutting through the air like a sharp blade. "Sung-Hee, he's right. He just shook my hand. Nothing more. It must be your imagination," Jin-Yi's tone was firm, her gaze unwavering as she redirected Sung-Hee's attention.
With a silent nod, Sung-Hee withdrew her hand from Seok-Woo, her movements graceful yet laden with unspoken tension. She turned her gaze towards Jin-Yi, her expression unreadable as she bid farewell. "Auntie, we'll be on our way now. See you at work again. Goodbye," Sung-Hee's words were polite, but there was a hint of underlying tension as she gently tugged Seok-Woo along.
Seok-Woo bid Jin-Yi goodbye as he was pulled away, his voice carrying a note of politeness. "Goodbye, Ms. Jin-Yi," he called out, offering a small wave in return. Yet, as Jin-Yi waved back, her lips moved silently, forming words that Seok-Woo couldn't decipher. "You owe me," her silent message hung in the air, leaving Seok-Woo momentarily perplexed.
Once out of Jin-Yi's view, Sung-Hee released Seok-Woo's hand, her stance now more relaxed. "Where are we going first?" she inquired, her arms crossed in a casual yet assertive manner. Seok-Woo deferred to her, his response indicating his willingness to follow her lead. "You choose. You're the one who asked, after all," his words held a hint of amusement, his tone light.
Sung-Hee pondered his response for a moment before suggesting their next course of action. "Let's grab dinner first. It's getting late," she proposed, her voice carrying a sense of practicality. "How about a barbecue place? We can split the bill," she continued her suggestion reflecting a desire for equality and fairness.
Seok-Woo's surprise was evident, his raised eyebrow betraying his unexpected reaction. Sung-Hee noticed his reaction with amusement, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Surprised?" she teased, her tone playful yet affectionate.
Seok-Woo responded with a hint of self-deprecation, his words tinged with humor. "Thought you would let me foot the bill again. Didn't expect you to reach for your wallet," his remark was laced with amusement, his tone light-hearted.
Sung-Hee's response carried a touch of sincerity as she explained her reasoning. "I wanted to pay. I don't want to feel indebted to you again," her words held a hint of vulnerability, her gaze meeting his with honesty. "Especially what you asked for payment that night," she added, her reference to their previous situation hanging between them like an unspoken truth.
"Sure, we'll split. Come on. Let's go," Seok-Woo said, leading the way to his car. As they reached the vehicle, Sung-Hee's surprise was palpable. "Is this your car?" she inquired, her voice tinged with astonishment. She had heard about Seok-Woo's recent acquisition, but the sight of the sleek SUV exceeded her expectations. Its polished exterior hinted at its high quality, and Sung-Hee couldn't help but wonder about its price.
"Yes, it's my car. Let's get in," Seok-Woo replied, deftly unlocking the doors with his keys and gesturing for Sung-Hee to take the front seat. With a sense of curiosity, Sung-Hee entered the vehicle, her eyes darting around the interior like a child exploring a new toy. Seok-Woo observed her with a hint of amusement, opting to let her discover the features without interruption. With a subtle click, he started the engine, and they embarked on their journey.
The car glided smoothly along the road, guided by Seok-Woo's confident hand on the wheel. His relaxed demeanor suggested a mastery that belied his relatively short time behind the wheel. Sung-Hee watched him with interest, breaking the silence with a question. "When did you learn to drive?" she inquired, hoping to spark a conversation to fill the quietness of the journey.
"Not long ago," Seok-Woo replied, his gaze fixed on the road ahead. "It was a bit rough at the beginning, but I've improved. Now, I can even drive with one hand." He turned to Sung-Hee with a smile, initiating a dialogue. "How was work for you today?"
Sung-Hee reflected for a moment before responding. "Nothing particularly noteworthy," she admitted with a sigh. "Dealing with the mothers and their unruly kids was a hassle, as usual." Despite the mundane challenges of her day, Sung-Hee remained composed.
"When will you start going to university?" Sung-Hee inquired, prompting Seok-Woo to respond, "Next week. Why do you ask?"
Sung-Hee's tone turned somber as she replied, "We won't get to see each other as much as before. Both of us will be busy with our responsibilities." She expressed her disappointment at the prospect of their limited time together due to their hectic schedules.
But Seok-Woo reassured her, saying, "Don't worry, I'm sure we'll find time to hang out again." He glanced over at Sung-Hee, offering her a reassuring smile.
Moved by his dedication, Sung-Hee expressed her gratitude, saying, "You know, I really appreciate you making time to spend with me." She paused, turning to face Seok-Woo directly. "Consider it a token of my appreciation." She hesitated briefly before boldly adding, "You can do whatever you want to me later." Her unexpected proposition nearly caused Seok-Woo to lose control of the car due to shock.