F15

It was a hearty breakfast, and Soobin felt uncomfortably full.

“Why did you order so much?”

“Better than not having enough.”

“Now we have to throw it all out.”

“That’s not my problem.”

His complete lack of consideration for others, his self-centeredness, was astounding. It explained his behavior last night, but it also made her worry about how much longer she could take it.

“Is that something to sigh about?”

She hadn’t realized she’d sighed so audibly.

“I’m just full. I’m going to gain weight if I keep eating like this.”

“That wouldn’t be so bad.”

“That’s not a very nice thing to say to someone who works hard to stay in shape.”

“Do I have to be nice?”

“Whatever. What do we do now?”

Straightening her posture while straightening the slightly disheveled front of her robe, Soobin gazed silently at Woohyeok.

Woohyeok, who had been enjoying the clear view for a while, swallowed the last dregs of his coffee and moistened his lips.

“That’s up to you, Yoo Soobin-ssi.”

“Hmm...”

Soobin narrowed her eyes and studied him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Considering what happened last night, I don’t think I should just blindly trust you.”

“Then choose wisely.”

Woohyeok smiled and Soobin stared at him, her lips pressed together.

She considered her options, trying to figure out how to make the best of this situation without becoming his plaything. Then she brightened.

“Since we’ve come this far, we should enjoy the pool.”

“Are you suggesting we go to the pool?”

“Not now.”

Soobin stood and adjusted her robe.

“I don’t have a bathing suit. So we have to go shopping first. I came empty-handed, and I need a lot of things. I left my wallet and cards at home. So…”

Her eyes crinkled at the corners.

“Could you… help me?”

“By all means.”

“Now that I think about it, when are we going back to Korea? I should let my family know.”

“That’s undecided.”

Soobin, holding the underwear she wore yesterday, frowned slightly, her heart uneasy, and turned her head abruptly. 

“Undecided?”

“Do we have to decide? We can go whenever we want. I don’t like being tied to a schedule.”

Soobin clicked her tongue inwardly. It was an attitude only someone with the means to buy not only their own time, but that of others, could afford.

“So… I get to decide that too?”

“That’s right.”

“What if I decide to stay here forever?”

“I hadn’t considered that.”

“Even the great Jeong Woohyeok has blind spots.”

Soobin smiled and put on her underwear and the dress she had bought yesterday.

“It will take me a while to get ready. Are you just going to sit there and wait?”

“I thought it might be fun to watch.”

“Is that all you can say? There are so many nicer things you could say, like ‘I want to watch you get ready,’ or ‘You look beautiful already, so don’t overdo it’. You always have to…”

“If you wanted a compliment, you should have asked.”

Woohyeok stood behind Soobin as she sat down at the vanity and began to apply her makeup. He placed his hands on her shoulders, his eyes meeting hers in the mirror, then leaned closer.

Her hair, still slightly damp, exuded a rich fragrance.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen a woman put on makeup.”

Soobin shivered at his deep voice.

She had woken up next to him several times, but she had always just touched up her existing makeup. This was the first time he had seen her completely barefaced.

When did I get so comfortable with the idea of him seeing me like this?

She wasn’t self-conscious about her bareface, but she’d never let a man see her like this before. And she hadn’t felt the slightest bit uncomfortable while applying her makeup.

She wasn’t sure if it was her own decision or if he had created this atmosphere.

At the very least, it was true that she had become much more comfortable with him. 

Considering that she had never had a peaceful night, the thought was almost laughable.

“It’s my first time showing anyone. Consider yourself honored.”

Soobin smiled and continued to apply her makeup.

This is… nice.

Woohyeok watched her in the mirror, fascinated by the transformation. Just as she had said, she didn’t pay the slightest attention to him.

She seemed to spend an inordinate amount of time on her eyes, which were already perfectly shaped.

She added a touch of elegance to her already flawless features.

He felt himself hardening. His body was reacting to the situation, despite his best efforts to remain detached.

“Come down when you’re ready. I’ll wait in the lobby.”

“Why? I thought you wanted to watch.”

Soobin tilted her head and watched him head for the door.

Woohyeok left without answering, and Soobin stared at the closed door.

She put down her lipstick and grabbed her phone, quickly dialing a familiar number. But the call went straight to voicemail.

She had never been unable to reach Secretary Kwak before and stared at the screen in disbelief.

She tried again, but the result was the same.

“Why isn’t she answering?!”

Soobin’s reflection in the mirror was distorted, her carefully composed expression crumbling.

She felt lost and confused.

How long would they stay here? How should she continue to interact with Woohyeok? How close should she get? Everything depended on her.

It was an opportunity, but also a risk. Her mind raced.

“Pull yourself together, Yoo Soobin.”

She muttered to herself, remembering last night.

Getting carried away like that was dangerous. Forgetting her situation, losing herself in pleasure, using her body recklessly… it took its toll, both physically and mentally.

“Tonight will be more… subdued.”

She applied a bright red lipstick, hoping for a quieter night.

 

***

 

She was the center of attention from the moment they appeared.

She was the one who had chosen the bikini that accentuated her curves. She had to do something – anything – to catch Woohyeok’s gaze every moment. Being in a foreign country, a tourist destination, meant that she had to endure the blatant stares.

And then there was the man next to her.

She had always thought he was too good-looking to be hidden away. But seeing him like this, exposed to the public gaze, made her feel uncomfortable.

He was attracting as much attention as she was. Especially from the women, many of whom seemed to be Korean.

Soobin leaned closer to Woohyeok. Her arm slipped around his, her breasts pressed against his arm under the thin fabric of her bikini.

“It looks like there aren’t any seats left. We came up too late.”

Woohyeok looked down at her, then scanned the pool area. His eyes met those of a woman sitting in a prime spot, and he walked toward her, Soobin in tow.

Soobin followed, curious to see what he was up to.

Woohyeok leaned down slightly and addressed the woman, whose eyes held a mixture of surprise, curiosity, and envy.

“If you don’t mind, we’d like to take your seats.”

“Excuse me?”

The woman’s eyes widened in disbelief. The woman sitting next to her looked just as surprised.

Soobin’s eyes widened as Woohyeok pulled a card out of his pocket.

“This is a key card for a suite in this hotel. You can check out whenever you want.”

He was efficient and decisive.

A suite in this hotel would cost well over a million won a night. The offer of an indefinite stay made the poolside seats pale in comparison.

Perhaps that’s why, without a word, the two women picked up their bags, their eyes wary, and cautiously took the key card from Woohyeok. 

“When did you book that room?”

“Just a little while ago. I thought about it, but I thought the current room was better since it’s attached.”

“I prefer the suite.”

“Then I’ll get it back.”

“Just kidding. The current room is spacious enough.”

Woohyeok chuckled and leaned back in his chair as if he had expected her answer. He shielded his eyes with his sunglasses.

“Aren’t you going swimming?”

“I’ve recently developed a hobby of watching other people swim. Go ahead. Enjoy yourself. I will, too.”

At his blatantly suggestive words, Soobin braced herself on her knees and leaned forward. The smooth curves of her body naturally flowed down and swayed in front of Woohyeok’s eyes.

“That’s too bad. There’s not much to see today.”

“I have a good memory. I can still picture it clearly.”

As expected, he was impossible to outsmart.

Soobin turned and walked to the pool, slowly dipping into the water.

The view would have been better if it had been sunny, but it was more comfortable without the scorching sun.

It had been a long time since she had been able to relax like this.

Although Woohyeok’s gaze was a distraction, swimming on the rooftop was a welcome change that finally relaxed her mind. 

“Are you Korean?”

Soobin, who was leaning against the railing and looking out at the skyline of Singapore, turned her head at the familiar language.