IMFOBO | CH 12 | So, Where Am I Sleeping Tonight?

So, Where Am I Sleeping Tonight?”

 

Eun-cho’s face scrunched up in open displeasure.

Ryu Tae-san had never met a woman who reacted with such blatant dislike to his face—until Lee Eun-cho, that is.

Tae-san’s lips stretched into a pleasant smile.

He’d found himself thinking of Lee Eun-cho from time to time.

Her clear face, eyes that seemed both innocent and resolute, and her soft, measured way of speaking.

It was amusing to watch her desperately pretend otherwise, even though it was obvious she reacted every time he pushed her buttons.

Her tightly pressed lips and the fine tremor in her jawline were particularly striking.

If only you’d listened to me from the start.

“Alright, you can go now.”

As soon as Tae-san finished speaking, the hulking men bowed their heads in unison and retreated.

How could anyone deny that he was a gangster with a degree after a display like that?

“I heard I’m Lee Eun-cho’s ‘Oppa’?”

“……”

“Was there another ‘Oppa’ I didn’t know about? I’m a little disappointed.”

He’d been hoping to see her eyes subtly glaze over as she fell into his trap, but this speechless look was satisfying enough.

She probably never imagined he knew about that little lie of hers.

“So, Jung-seok Hyung-nim bought this house?”

“As you can see.”

“Seriously? You’re going this far to get to me?”

“To be precise, it’s my grandfather they’re after. Though, from Lee Eun-cho’s perspective, wouldn’t you rather be in my hands than some gangster trash?”

Calmly confirming the facts once more, Eun-cho’s expression shifted subtly.

Her complexion turned pale, then flushed red, her lips chewed, then pressed into a firm line.

Like green leaves catching the sunlight, she changed from moment to moment, and he found his gaze lingering on her.

That flustered look was undeniably cute.

Something vibrant had entered his monotonous, colorless life.

It was as if only Lee Eun-cho was surrounded by a halo of natural color.

“Are you in the mood to negotiate now?”

Now that they’d come this far, there was no need to beat around the bush.

Despite his courteous attitude, he’d essentially forced her to the negotiating table, cutting off any chance of escape.

To her, this old traditional house was everything.

Dealing with Lee Eun-cho, who was desperately trying to protect something, was easy.

What better conditions could he ask for to control her as he pleased?

“Would you like a cup of tea?”

Regaining her composure, Eun-cho put on a businesslike mask and smiled.

She was as calm as if she were dealing with patients at her clinic.

As if she knew there was nothing to be gained by getting angry and throwing a fit.

‘She knows how to hold back. Not bad.’

So, what are you going to do now, Lee Eun-cho?

No matter how hard she wracked that pretty little head of hers, she was still in Ryu Tae-san’s palm.

The two sat facing each other in the pavilion, just like the first day they met.

The brewed tea had a clean, slightly bitter taste that lingered on the tongue.

The faint scent of grass in the air was just like Lee Eun-cho.

“The marriage will last for a minimum of one year. After that, you can do as you please. This house will be returned to Lee Eun-cho’s name upon divorce.”

“So, in exchange for protecting the house, you want me to play the role of my friend’s brother’s wife?”

That damn hyung-nim.

Ryu Jung-seok was usually referred to as Ryu Tae-san’s younger brother. It was the first time he was being treated like a byproduct of his younger brother.

Whether it was her obvious attempt to avoid getting involved with him or the fact that the cursed title came from Lee Eun-cho’s lips, it was hard to tell what was irritating him more.

“Hyung-nim…”

“Ryu Tae-san. Or ‘Oppa’ isn’t so bad either.”

Eun-cho’s eyes widened at his playful suggestion, delivered with a grin.

She didn’t seem to be trying to provoke him on purpose; she was serious as always.

Her completely humorless demeanor was a clear indication of how deeply she cared for the old house.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Director Ryu Tae-san.”

“I don’t think I’m your superior.”

She dropped Jung-seok Hyung-nim, and now it was Director.

She’d rather die than call him by his name, let alone oppa.

Her clear, untainted eyes reflected Tae-san.

“Mr. Ryu, no woman would agree to marry someone after such a rude proposal.”

Contrary to his expectations, Eun-cho didn’t back down. Instead, she put strength into her voice and firmly stated her opinion.

The girl who had tears welling up in her eyes but didn’t shed a single drop, even when he coldly passed off his own daughter as a distant relative.

The image of her in a school uniform flickered in his mind, replaced by the mature yet fresh face before him.

She hadn’t changed at all.

He found it pleasing, welcome, and unavoidably intriguing.

He’d gone to unusual lengths, something he wouldn’t normally do.

The moment that audacious girl from that day reappeared as a woman, it was only natural for his interest to snowball.

“I have a feeling you’ll agree to this marriage, Ms. Lee.”

“I can’t understand why you’re doing this at all.”

He didn’t really need to make Lee Eun-cho understand.

Yet he was being uncharacteristically kind because she was that girl from that day.

Because she was someone who could easily become a fickle variable. That was the only reason.

“My grandfather has taken a liking to you as a potential granddaughter-in-law.”

“M-Me? Why?”

It wasn’t as Ryu Tae-san’s wife, though.

Such a causal relationship wasn’t important.

“I need to scrape together shares in the next year against that difficult old man, and the most efficient and fastest way to do that is to marry you, Lee Eun-cho.”

Briefly taken aback by his clear explanation, Eun-cho pressed her lips together.

She seemed to understand the situation, but exchanging such circumstances for the old house required courage.

He could almost hear her little head working furiously again.

He supposed he should give her time to do the math.

He’d pushed as far as he could for now; it was time to ease up.

“You don’t have to answer today.”

Tae-san picked up the Boston bag he’d placed on the porch.

It felt quite heavy.

His gaze swept around before settling on a specific spot.

“So, where am I sleeping tonight?”

“W-What did you say?”

“That room over there looks suitable.”

Her hitherto unyielding facade crumbled completely.

She was so flustered, as if she hadn’t expected this turn of events at all, and her cheeks flushed red.

As Tae-san stepped onto the foundation stone, Eun-cho desperately blocked his path.

She clearly hadn’t grasped the situation properly.

“What kind of man is so promiscuous?”

“Me?”

“Who proposes cohabitation the moment marriage is mentioned?”

She seemed uncomfortable even uttering the words “marriage” and “cohabitation,” her voice trembling slightly.

“Isn’t it you who’s being promiscuous, Ms. Lee?”

“M-Me?”

“Why? I’m just going to live in my house.”

Tae-san took another step forward without backing down, and Eun-cho stumbled backward.

Without realizing it, she tripped on the stone step, and he caught her slender waist.

“Oops. You have to be careful.”

“Ah…”

The scent tickling his neck was sweet.

Was it shampoo or perfume?

The subtle fragrance emanating from her hair seemed to permeate his skin.

“……!”

The distance between them suddenly narrowed, and her eyes, caught in mid-air, trembled.

Her lightly pigmented eyes were as clear and pure as the first flush of green tea.

Clearly not immune to this kind of thing, her face flushed red, and she gasped.

As she struggled, her lips brushed against his cheek.

An accidental contact.

“Are you going to stay like this?”

“Yes? Ah, I-I’m sorry.”

You’re saying “sorry” a lot today, Lee Eun-cho.

Tae-san brushed it off casually.

The unusually soft and warm touch lingered on his fingertips and on the cheek where her breath had touched.

He released his grip on her waist, and Eun-cho naturally placed her feet back on the ground.

Even so, her gaze remained fixed on Tae-san’s left cheek, where a bit of glossy lip gloss lingered.

As Tae-san walked past her toward the house, Eun-cho grabbed the hem of his clothes with a desperate look on her face.

It was a desperate gesture, as if she couldn’t allow him to set foot in the house any further.

“So… am I leaving?”

Those words meant the negotiations were off.

Eun-cho’s eyes were desperately uneasy, knowing full well what that implied.

“Or would you like to leave, Ms. Lee?”

A perfect trap had been laid.

Before Lee Eun-cho, who couldn’t easily choose either option.