PTC Chapter 18. The First Night

Seojun stepped into the bathroom and looked at his reflection in the mirror. A smile played on his lips as he looked at his physique.

His upper body was sculpted to perfection. Broad shoulders and a firm chest were the result of long hours spent sweating in the gym. His pecs were well-defined and balanced, leading down to a chiseled six-pack. The defined abs seemed to showcase his unwavering stamina.

He raised his arms, admiring his biceps and triceps. The muscles bulged, forming perfect curves along with the tendons. His forearms looked as hard as steel rods, and his biceps were powerfully prominent. His triceps provided a solid base, adding to the intense impression of strength.

Looking at himself one last time, Seojun thought, Park Da-in must have never seen a body like this. Even before, I wasn’t this ripped. He couldn’t contain his excitement throughout his shower. He had felt this way since the moment they entered his room together.

Park Da-in.

You finally became my wife and entered my room. He turned off the water, his thoughts drifting to Da-in. He couldn’t quite sort out his complex feelings for her.

***

Seojun took longer in the shower than Da-in expected. Lost in thought at the vanity, Da-in pulled her tablet PC from her briefcase. 

Work was the best way to calm her racing mind. She opened a design file, hoping to clear her head, even for a moment. New brand concepts and design samples filled the screen. Multiple design proposals for Everheim’s modern minimalist furniture line were displayed. 

There were sleek, stylish sofas and chairs with flowing curves, tables with the natural warmth of wood, and practical bookshelves reflecting universal design principles.

“This part would be better if it were done this way…” she muttered, swiping to the next screen. Each piece of furniture filled the space while exuding a sense of comfort.

‘I guess I haven’t lost my touch yet,’ she thought with a sense of pride as she examined the details of each design.

Today had been exhausting. The grueling morning meeting, followed by the awkward conversation with her female colleagues about their romantic proposal fantasies, had subtly stung. Such things were not meant for her. It had all drained her energy. 

The marriage registration was the same. She had thought it would be a simple matter of signing papers, but it wasn’t. How could signing a 100-day marriage contract bring any joy?

She glanced at the shopping bags filled with jewelry from Seojun. 

They felt more like a burden than a gift, a reflection of the inherent unhappiness of this marriage.

She tried to refocus on her tablet, but her concentration was gone. Sitting in the vanity, Da-in began to feel tired. Her eyelids felt heavy, and the screen blurred. Still, she wanted to lose herself in work, even for a little while, to escape the turmoil in her mind. 

‘When Kang Seojun comes out, I’ll go shower… It’s our first night…’

But exhaustion overtook her. Despite the significance of their “first night,” looming large, she couldn’t fight off the overwhelming drowsiness.

Seojun stepped out of the shower, a towel wrapped around his waist, and dried his hair. He then put on a bathrobe over the towel. Wrapping a towel alone is a bit much. Wearing a robe is better. 

Park Da-in worries about the strangest things. First night, my foot. Seojun tried to downplay the situation, straightening his shoulders as he opened the bathroom door. 

He saw Da-in slumped over the vanity, asleep. A small lamp on the vanity cast a soft glow on her face. The tablet screen still displayed Everheim’s stylish designs. 

Seojun was speechless. Even if it was a contract marriage, it was supposed to be their first night. And here she was, asleep after looking at design proposals while her husband was in the shower.

But seeing her sleeping so peacefully, with an innocent expression he hadn’t seen before, strangely pleased him. She must have had a tiring day.

‘Well, I guess it could happen.’

Park Da-in had always been full of energy. Back in college, she was always busy, juggling multiple clubs and rushing across campus from morning till night. She was radiant.

Now, she seemed smaller, more fragile.  She’ll probably wake up if I touch her. Tonight wouldn’t be a pleasant one for Da-in. It might even be an uncomfortable night.

He didn’t want to wake her up just yet. He wanted to help her get out of that uncomfortable position, but…. Seojun stood there, arms crossed, watching her.

***

Da-in was searching for something in her dream. She felt like she had regretfully missed something, wandering endlessly in a thick fog. Then, she suddenly opened her eyes. The room was dark, and she was in bed.

“What the…”

She was asleep in bed, still wearing her blouse and skirt, having only taken off her jacket. Her head felt fuzzy.  

This isn’t a familiar place. Unable to gather her thoughts, Da-in blinked, lying still as she stared at the dimly lit bedside table lamp. 

Then she remembered; today was the day she registered her marriage. 

Kang Seojun went in to take a shower…

She looked to her side. Seojun wasn’t there. She was lying there alone. She got up and checked the time; it was midnight. Da-in quickly got up and showered. 

After thoroughly removing her makeup with cleanser and washing up, she put on a bathrobe.

If her grandmother or mother-in-law found out that Kang Seojun hadn’t slept in this room, they would definitely make a fuss. 

She quietly opened the door, looked next door, and saw Seowoo’s room across the hall with another door in between the two rooms.

 I think that’s the study. Maybe he’s there?

Da-in knocked softly, and she heard a sound from inside. She opened the door and went in. Seojun was sitting at a table, looking at her.

“You’re already awake? I thought you’d sleep till morning.”

“You could have woken me.”

“What was I supposed to say? ‘Hey, it’s our first night, so we need to have sex. Get up’?”

Da-in pressed her lips together.

“So, are you ready? Is that why you came looking for me?”

After a moment of silence at Seojun’s words, Da-in opened her mouth.

“If it’s okay to just sleep, I’ll sleep.”

Seojun stood up.

“Do as you wish. I have no intention of forcing you.”

“Shouldn’t you finish what you were working on?”

“No. I started that work on purpose so you could sleep, Park Da-in. I was forcing myself to do work I didn’t need to do.”

“If I had slept until morning, were you planning to spend the whole night in the study?”

“Do you really think I would? I was going to go to sleep after watching you for a while. I’m all done. Let’s go.”

Seojun left the room, and Da-in followed him. 

The situation was back to square one.

Da-in hesitated as she entered the bedroom. Seojun took her shoulders and made her look at him.

“Why? Do you not want to?”

Da-in shook her head.

“When I make a contract, I fulfill it properly.”

Seojun reacted in a low voice to her defiant words, spoken with the stubborn desire not to lose.

“Do you really need to say it like that?” He furrowed his brows.

“Either way, we’re a properly married couple now. And it’s our first night. Do you have to bring up the contract even on our night?” Our night. Because this is all our relationship can be.

“A contract is a contract.”

“What? Are you saying that even if you sleep with me tonight, you want to remind me it’s just a contract?”

Da-in pressed her lips together, and Seojun laughed.

“Are those words you want to say to me, or to yourself?”

“What? What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? It seems like you’re saying something you want to tell yourself. Are you wavering because of me? Are you afraid of being swayed by spending the night together, so you’re telling yourself not to develop feelings for me?”

Da-in denied it. His words seemed to touch something deep inside her, making her react more sensitively.

“Kang Seojun, don’t presume. You’re not that attractive to me anymore.”

“Right. We’ll see about that. I’m such a charming man; I’ll see if my charm works on you or not.”

Seojun smiled faintly and gently pressed his lips against hers. He cupped her cheeks with his hands, preventing her from turning her head as he slowly kissed her. His soft, moist lips and tongue swayed Da-in. 

Everything about the touch was sweet.

Her fully recovered state after sleeping seemed to intensify the heat. 

Seojun nuzzled his cheek against hers.

It was a simple gesture, yet her heart pounded inexplicably. Was she unknowingly tense? 

The room was warm, but the air felt cool against her bare skin.

Da-in stood still, accepting Seojun’s kiss. He traced her earlobe and the nape of her neck before cupping her breast. Her heart pounded.

“This heart that’s racing, is it mine or yours?”

Seojun asked, and Da-in looked up.

He had said those words before. On the night they first slept together, when their hearts beat wildly. They had placed their hands on each other’s chests, and Seojun had asked whose heart was beating so hard.