Chapter 22: One Step Closer

The tension in Jiheum’s eyes slackened.

No matter how much she thought about it, there was no reason for him to make such a proposal.

Could he really be doing this just because they had slept together once?

“From your perspective, Ms. Jiheum, it might seem sudden.”

“But from mine, it’s a decision I’ve considered carefully.”

“You’re going on blind dates because you need to get married, aren’t you?”

“And you’re someone who isn’t even interested in marriage anyway?”

“Well… yes… I mean, that’s true, but…”

Jiheum’s voice trailed off, and she pressed her lips firmly together.

Whether it was because her true intentions had been discovered or because the alcohol was starting to hit her, her courage to resist him was silently fading away.

“It’s the same for me.”

“I feel like I’ll be pushed into the blind date market until I get married.”

“At this rate, I might end up meeting every single unmarried woman in the country.”

“So, let’s help each other.”

“You don’t seem like someone who wants a long-term marriage, and neither do I.”

“Isn’t this a match made in heaven?”

Jiheum felt as though her soul had left her body.

Listening to Joyoon’s smooth, flowing words, everything he said somehow sounded right.

Something must be wrong with her reason.

Otherwise, there was no way she would find his proposal so tempting.

“Even so, this is far too sudden.”

“That’s why I gave you wine.”

“I thought you might need the help of alcohol if it was too difficult to listen to while sober.”

“Would you like another glass?”

Joyoon smiled, looking at the empty wine glass.

She wasn’t a strong drinker, and gulping it down had only made her feel more intoxicated.

She felt it would be best to leave before she made any more mistakes.

Just as she was about to decline, a text notification chimed.

While Jiheum glanced at her handbag, Joyoon stood up with the glasses and headed toward the kitchen.

Grateful for the privacy he was giving her, Jiheum let out a soft sigh and took out her phone.

[Since you’re going to send it anyway, just send it sooner next time.]

“Ha!”

Startled by her own involuntary sigh, she stole a glance toward the kitchen.

Fortunately, Joyoon was nowhere to be seen.

Her relief was short-lived as her eyes turned cold upon reading the message.

She should have checked the sender first, but she had let her guard down.

She resented her own finger for blindly tapping the notification.

Above the message from Youngchae, she saw the text she had sent from Seungji’s apartment a few hours ago.

[Please, just keep your promise.]

Youngchae had made her words look utterly meaningless.

‘Next time?’

Just how much more of her life was that woman going to drain before she was satisfied?

Would she ever be able to escape?

Jiheum repeatedly let out shallow sighs, brushing back her hair.

“I’d love for you to make a decision right now, but…”

Jiheum flinched at the voice that suddenly intervened and looked up.

Joyoon had returned and was sitting down, placing a fresh wine glass on the table.

“I’ll give you time.”

“It would be a pity to stress such lovely hair.”

Jiheum directed a sharp, slightly narrowed gaze at Joyoon.

Joyoon merely crossed his legs and savored his wine, looking completely unbothered.

“How much time are you giving me?”

“I can’t give you much.”

“Then I’ll refuse right now.”

Her voice was crisp and firm, as if drawing a line between them.

Jiheum tucked her phone away and prepared to stand up.

“Think about it again.”

“There’s nothing for you to lose, Ms. Jiheum.”

Joyoon spoke as he set his glass down on the table.

Jiheum looked across at him.

Their gazes locked in mid-air, pulling the relaxed atmosphere into a tight, tense string.

Jiheum lightly moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue.

She swallowed hard and answered calmly.

“Even if I think about it again, my answer will be the same.”

“I didn’t make this proposal lightly either.”

“Won’t my feelings be hurt if you cut me off so bluntly?”

Joyoon’s eyes sparkled playfully.

She couldn’t see a single trace of him being hurt.

In fact, seeing him look so incredibly composed made Jiheum scoff inwardly.

“Representative.”

“Would your pride be any less wounded if I refused you tomorrow instead?”

“Mmm…”

Joyoon uncrossed his legs and leaned forward.

Jiheum froze, startled by the sudden proximity.

The subtle scent wafting from him reached her nose, making every fine hair on her body stand on end.

It seemed her body remembered the scent from that night.

“Do you really think that would be the case?”

As Jiheum swallowed hard, Joyoon added another thought.

“Rejection is a blow to the ego no matter when it happens.”

“So, don’t wound my pride.”

Watching Joyoon smile so brightly, Jiheum’s reason snapped for a brief moment before reassembling.

She adjusted her posture.

Exhaling a quiet breath, she tried to calm her racing pulse.

“Excuse me, Mr. Ki Joyoon.”

“Yes, Ms. Yoon Jiheum.”

“As for me…”

A sharp thorn gleamed within her calm voice.

Joyoon didn’t take his eyes off her, seemingly unbothered by the thorns prickling through her tone.

“My own wounds are so deep that I don’t have the luxury to live while worrying about someone else’s.”

“I can see that.”

Joyoon nodded gently and gave a soft smile.

Sitting upright, he met her eyes tenderly and asked with a serious expression.

“On that note… do you want to stay the night?”

“…Pardon?”

Jiheum, who had been lost in his smile, asked back a moment later.

She couldn’t understand why the conversation had suddenly jumped in that direction.

She was speechless at Joyoon’s unpredictable way of speaking.

“Stay the night.”

“I want you to stay here tonight, Ms. Jiheum.”

“Why… why?”

“I don’t trust a designated driver, and I’d feel bad calling my driver who has already gone home.”

“And I can’t take you myself because I’ve also been drinking.”

Joyoon picked up his glass and finished the remaining wine.

Jiheum could only blink, unable to say a word.

“How did the conversation end up here?”

“Because I want to give you some ‘luxury’?”

“What does luxury have to do with staying the night?”

Jiheum let out a hollow laugh at the absurdity.

Regardless, Joyoon lazily observed every one of her reactions.

“Your mind might change after a night’s sleep.”

“Ha…”

“Ms. Jiheum. Do you want to get intoxicated again?”

Suddenly, the words he had spoken that night—about making her intoxicated—flashed through her mind.

About how alcohol wasn’t the only way to get drunk.

“Are you hitting on me right now?”

“If I am… will you fall for it?”

Joyoon’s lips curved upward along with his refreshing laugh, looking utterly seductive.

He was so captivating that she wanted to give in right this second.

To be more honest, perhaps she had been hoping things would turn out like that night again.

In a moment when she wanted to vent the frustration Youngchae had caused her, Joyoon’s proposal was a temptation too sweet to resist.

There would be nothing more thrilling than self-destruction as a way to punish herself for being dragged around by Youngchae.

And if it was Ki Joyoon, he would surely be able to push her to her limits.

“Just nod your head.”

“The thoughts tormenting you right now… I’ll make you forget them.”

Jiheum stole a glance down at the wine glass in front of her.

Ridiculously, she wanted his comfort right now.

Without asking a single question, just like that night when he blew away all her complicated thoughts.

What would happen if she spent a messy night filled with a mix of self-destruction and comfort?

Joyoon approached Jiheum as she sat silently with her head lowered.

“Take it.”

Jiheum looked at the large, long hand presented before her.

If she took that hand now… would she find salvation, or would she fall into another hell?

Jiheum hesitated for a moment, then picked up the wine glass in front of her and drained it in one go.

At that, Joyoon pulled her by the hand and led her to the third floor.

They ascended the stairs like people being pursued.

On the landing halfway up, Joyoon suddenly turned around and pressed his lips against hers.

Their tongues entangled, and the sharp taste of wine heated their mouths.

The intoxication spread, snapping the strings of their reason.

Joyoon pinned Jiheum against the wall and delved deeper.

His tongue explored every corner of her mouth as if learning the alignment of her teeth, entangling and pulling at her.

Jiheum, feeling dizzy from the sheer force, thumped Joyoon on the shoulder.

Joyoon pulled back and smiled, their lips glistening with a shared sheen of saliva.

While Jiheum caught her breath, Joyoon removed her coat.

Leaving the discarded coat on the stairs, Joyoon took her hand and led her again.

The third floor, where she was led by his large hand, had an entirely different atmosphere from the second.

But any further observation was denied as Joyoon lowered his head and covered her lips once more.

Acting as if he didn’t even have the luxury to make it to the bed, Joyoon pinned Jiheum against the wall.

His frantic hands found their way under Jiheum’s t-shirt.

As his skin met hers, Jiheum’s side flinched and trembled.