OTC Chapter 18

A long line stretched in front of the taxi stand by the main road. Some were drunk, others had just finished an exhausting day at work, and a few, lightly intoxicated, stood with earphones plugged in, listening to music.

The number of people in line gradually dwindled. Lost in thought, Eunkyo barely registered the movement until it was almost her turn.

Where on earth had Lee Jaeheon disappeared to?

Had something happened to him?

Or had he gone off separately with the girl he left with?

They seemed to know each other, so it was possible… No. That wasn’t right. Lee Jaeheon, despite being rude and self-centered, was also acutely aware of his public image.

It was unusual for someone like him to disappear without a word. Unless something unavoidable had happened…

“Aren’t you getting in? The taxi’s here.”

The couple behind her spoke. Snapping back to reality, Eunkyo smiled apologetically and stepped aside.

“You go ahead.”

As she moved away, the couple thanked her and got into the taxi. Eunkyo bit her lip as the line lengthened again.

This is crazy.

It was her meddling nature that was the problem.

If only she could just confirm that he was alright, she wouldn’t be feeling this uneasy.

She turned and headed back towards the movie theater where the event had been held. It was about a block away, a perfect distance to gather her thoughts.

The heels and toes of her high heels, which she hadn’t worn in a while, began to ache. Fortunately, she managed to reach the building’s parking garage with a clear head.

Even though it was past midnight, the parking garage was still full of people who had come to see late-night movies.

B3, Section C17. She spotted the white SUV parked next to a pillar. Lee Jaeheon’s car.

If his car was here, it meant he hadn’t gone home yet. He hadn’t been drinking, so he wouldn’t have left his car behind.

After running through countless pointless scenarios, she went back up to the first floor and bought a coffee from the still-open cafe. Then, she returned to the basement and hid herself behind a pillar, not wanting to be seen waiting for someone.

It had been about four years ago.

It was during the rainy season, and that year, it rained particularly heavily. It was Lee Dohyun’s birthday, and he had said he would be back after dinner with his friends.

They were supposed to meet at their usual cafe, but he never showed up.

He kept saying he would be there in thirty minutes, until the cafe closed, and then, at some point, he stopped answering her calls.

Because of the heavy rain, she’d waited by the entrance of the building, partly out of stubbornness, partly out of foolish hope, perhaps even enjoying the feeling of being a tragic heroine.

The rain, relentless past midnight, finally subsided into a drizzle past 2 a.m.

While waiting for Lee Dohyun, a few drunk men had approached her, and she’d repeatedly turned them away.

That day, too, had been a Friday night.

The memory of that night, tinged with unpleasantness, still haunted her. After that day, a subtle crack had begun to form in her relationship with Lee Dohyun.

They started hearing about each other’s day from other people, and he often became unreachable on weekends. His excuses were always, “I was too busy, Eunkyo,” or “I had too much to drink with my friends and fell asleep.”

She knew he was lying. She knew his excuses were foreshadowing the end of their relationship, a relationship he’d grown tired of. But she had pretended not to know because…

She had been happy.

She had loved him.

She had loved Lee Dohyun very much.

Why was she suddenly remembering this, when the situation was completely different? Was it because she’d heard it was Lee Jaeheon’s birthday today?

The ice in her iced coffee had completely melted, making it lukewarm. The paper sleeve was damp and soggy, and the stale taste in her mouth was unpleasant.

She was about to stand up when she heard the steady, heavy, rhythm of footsteps approaching the car. They stopped without hesitation.

“Sunbae…?”

Startled by Lee Jaeheon’s voice from behind the pillar, she swallowed her coffee and turned around.

His eyes widened in surprise, and he approached her with a confused expression on his face. She stepped out from behind the pillar and spoke before he could.

“Happy birthday.”

His face crumpled. His brow furrowed, and he bit his lip.

He looked angry, and then she noticed the strong smell of alcohol on him. It was the distinct aroma of whiskey.

“You’ve been drinking? You left without saying anything.”

“How long have you been here?”

He asked in a low voice, opening the car door. Eunkyo shrugged, subtly hiding her coffee.

“Not long. I was on my way home, but I just… thought I’d check on you.”

“And you didn’t think to call?”

“The staff said you weren’t answering your phone.”

“That’s because they’re strangers.”

“Ah…”

“Did you… not save my number, sunbae?”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“Ah, the tissue got too wet…”

“That must have been inconvenient.”

“I didn’t know what to do, so…”

“Ah.”

He said, “I see,” and then went around to the driver’s side and slammed his hand against the window. An alarm went off on Lee Jaeheon’s phone along with the loud bang. He showed her the screen, tilting his head.

“You should have done this.”

“I didn’t know.”

I really should have. 

She had wondered why he didn’t have his number displayed in his car.

“Do that next time.”

Eunkyo nodded vigorously, a surprised look on her face. He rubbed the back of his neck and opened the back door. Pulling on her arm, he asked,

“Can I… misunderstand this?”

Why the back seat again? 

Perhaps because of what had happened there a few hours earlier, she instinctively resisted, her legs stiffening.

“M-Misunderstand what?”

“Your kindness and concern… as affection and interest.”

I called a driver. 

At his words, her body relaxed. He ushered her into the backseat and then got in after her.

Holding onto the opposite door handle, she averted her gaze and spoke.

“Just go home. I can take a taxi. It’s too late to go to Cafe Haeda now.”

“Let’s go together.”

“Even if I don’t know where your house is, if we take the long way around…”

“No, Eunkyo. I don’t want to. I… want to be with you, sunbae.”

His languid, yet enervated smile and almost pleading tone sent a shiver down her spine. He leaned back against the seat, his hand gripping hers tightly, refusing to let go.

No, Eunkyo.

This crazy bastard…

“I suddenly got a call from my family, saying they were nearby. And I’m the obedient youngest son, you know? So I went back to the club after a birthday drink with them, but you weren’t there. I… felt dizzy. I was wondering which son of a bitch had tried to pick you up in this place. The thought of someone… taking Jung Eunkyo, who’s weak to atmosphere, away and maybe even fucking you, pissed me off so much.”

She could see the prominent bulge beneath his pants. 

Had he had a bottle, not just a drink? 

She pulled her hand away from his as he rambled on, his words a confused jumble.

“There was no one there to pick me up. You were the one who left with some woman. Family?”

“With whom? I left alone.”

“Don’t lie. I saw you.”

“You saw me? There were so many people there, and you only saw me?”

This time, he rested his chin on her shoulder. He looked at her with sparkling eyes, like a child with a new toy, and cupped her cheek with his large hand.

His lips brushed against her cheek as she leaned towards him. She felt like she was walking a tightrope. Stepping off would bring relief, but she would have to face the daunting task of climbing back up again.

If she gave in to this madness tonight, she might wake up tomorrow feeling completely different. They might become strangers, or she might spend the next few months, even years, avoiding him, their relationship strained and uncomfortable.

Strangely, she didn’t see Lee Jaeheon as a potential romantic partner.

Lust and desire, perhaps, but not love.

Knock, knock.

The sound of someone knocking on the car window startled her back to reality.

An elderly driver politely greeted them as he got into the car, plugged his phone into the charger, and expertly set up the navigation app.

“Then, let me confirm the address. 211-5, Cafe Haeda. Is that correct?”

“Yes, please.”

“Alright, we’re leaving now.”

Eunkyo pushed Jaeheon’s head off her shoulder, a bewildered look on her face.

“You were planning to go to the studio all along?”

“No. I was planning to go find you, Jung Eunkyo, from the start.”

She was certain he’d had more than just one drink.

“Are you going to drop the formalities now?”

“No. Only sometimes, when I want to seduce you, sunbae.”

“Ha.”

He leaned closer, his lips brushing against her ear as she tucked her hair behind her ear, and he chuckled.

It was a low, sticky sound, like melting candy.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

“Lee Dohyun, what are you doing here? Did you order drinks?” 

The other person’s voice was distorted and choppy, like a radio with bad reception, due to the loud music.

Dohyun turned around, holding the drinks the club employee had handed him. The two-story club was still packed with people dancing frenetically.

As he scanned his surroundings, his friend chuckled and nudged him, glancing at his crotch, and took a sip of his drink.

“So many hot girls. Korea’s definitely the best. Did you spend the last three years celibate? No way, right?”

Dohyun just smiled, and his friend’s teasing escalated.

“I’m going home with her tonight. Wanna join us? I think she’d be down for a threesome.”

“Girls like that are always up for it,” he added. But Lee Dohyun, still scanning the crowd with a serious expression, seemed to be looking for someone. 

“What’s up? Who are you looking for?”

“I think… I saw Eunkyo here.”

“What?”

His friend choked on his drink and coughed, wiping his reddened face.

“Jung Eunkyo?”

“Yeah, Eunkyo.”

Lee Dohyun’s eyes completely darkened as he said her name. A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes as he scanned the club.

It was hard to see in the dim light, but he was certain it was Jung Eunkyo.

“But, Jeonghoon… why was our Eunkyo with my younger brother? Hmm?” 

He asked softly, his eyes narrowing as he turned his head.