PTC Chapter 19. The First Night (2)

Whose heart was this beating so wildly?

Just as Seojun had done to her moments ago, Da-in undid the knot of his bathrobe and placed her hand on his firm chest.

Thump-thump-thump. 

The vigorous pulse of the young man transmitted directly through her hand.

“It’s yours. This racing heart is yours.”

Despite her words, Da-in’s own heart felt like it was about to explode. Seojun pulled her close, their stomachs touching. A hot, tingling sensation spread throughout her body. Admittedly, his firm body against hers made her tense.

It had been so long ago, yet why was it so vivid? Her body, as if remembering everything, was yearning for him.

“I’m the only one crazy, the only one. Just like before, even now, am I the only one going crazy about Park Da-in?”

Seojun murmured. Da-in didn’t reply.

“If we’re going to do it, let’s do it quickly.”

She wanted to escape this agonizing, tingling sensation as soon as possible. Seojun whispered in her ear.

“Why are you in such a hurry? There’s no need to rush.”

His lips touched her neck. He placed his lips against her pulsing vein and traced it with his tongue, making Da-in’s shoulders shrink. She couldn’t hold back any longer. Seojun scooped her up, carried her to the bed, and laid her down before getting on top of her.

Looking down at her in the dim light, he could clearly see Da-in’s face. The woman he hadn’t been able to forget for so long, the woman he had pushed to the back of his mind. He truly hadn’t expected to meet her again so suddenly, let alone marry her.

But what did it matter? Park Da-in was now his wife, within his reach. Seojun gently stroked her hair.

“Let’s take it slow. Slowly.”

And then he kissed her again. Da-in wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him tight. Whatever the current situation, all the longing, resentment, the desire to never see him again, and even regret, all erupted at once, making her cling to him.

What kind of feelings should one have for a past love?

As Seojun’s lips trailed from her neck to her collarbone, a whirlwind of thoughts raced through Da-in’s mind. Seojun was her first love, but also someone she resented, a painful love.

Yet, what was this wavering feeling?

Da-in closed her eyes, her arms still wrapped around Seojun’s neck. Then she opened them again, looking at his face. His high nose bridge, the sharp line of his jaw. Looking at his face buried against her chest, warm memories and cold scars bloomed simultaneously.

The memory of past love, that warmth would never disappear, but the cold pain of separation and longing hadn’t disappeared either.

The sharp early spring wind rattled the window. The wind must still carry traces of winter.

Like the cold wind of early spring, a chill was mixed with other emotions stirred within Da-in’s heart. Seojun raised his head and looked at her.

“Park Da-in. What are you thinking about?”

“Just… this and that.”

“This and that are coming to mind in a situation like this? I can make sure you don’t think about anything at all.”

Da-in nodded at Seojun’s words.

“Do that. Make sure I don’t think about anything.”

As if Da-in’s words were a starting signal, Seojun pulled her closer and joined their bodies. Da-in gasped at the sensations that coursed through her.

Seojun gripped her legs tightly. The moment they became one was just like before. As if proving their long absence of intimacy, it was awkward.

Seojun held her close, breathing heavily. Da-in felt a faint dizziness at the sound of his breath against her ear. She felt like she couldn’t take it anymore.

Da-in was the first to cling to him. Kisses followed, and their joined bodies moved passionately.

A soft moan escaped Da-in’s lips, along with Seojun’s name.

“Seojun…”

“Yes. Da-in. It’s me, Kang Seojun.”

Their breaths grew hotter. Every time she closed and opened her eyes, the dim light from the table lamp seemed to sway, the swaying growing more intense.

Unconsciously, Da-in gripped Seojun’s hair. But Seojun didn’t flinch. Instead, he whispered to her.

“Bite me if you can’t stand it.”

Da-in shook her head, denying it. Their climax arrived in a rush. Da-in closed her eyes in Seojun’s embrace. As she caught her breath, Seojun whispered in her ear.

“You know this is just the beginning, right? Now that I’ve started things up, I have to take responsibility.”

Da-in’s eyes flew open. She remembered. Kang Seojun never finished with just once. So, tonight… As that thought crossed her mind, her body was flipped over.

“Park Da-in, welcome to my bed.”

“Get away. That’s enough for today…”

Even though it was just once, a tremendous amount of energy had been drained. This was ridiculous. But Seojun didn’t budge.

“Park Da-in, you’re healthy. I know that.”

“Ah!”

A scream and a moan escaped Da-in’s lips simultaneously. Seojun grinned, holding her in his arms.

***

The elaborately prepared breakfast table sat cold. Soonja looked at Junghee and said, “They still haven’t come down?”

“No. There’s no sign of them.”

“What is going on? What time is it?”

It was 11 a.m. Breakfast had long gone cold, and it was almost time to prepare lunch.

“No sign at all?”

“No, none at all.”

“Could it be… death by snu-snu?”

Junghee jumped at Soonja’s words. Death by snu-snu! It was a dangerous and vulgar phrase. And the fact that the subject was her own son made Junghee bristle.

“Mother, how can you say such a thing? You said she was a lucky charm!”

“Yes, yes. I said they had good marital harmony and she’s an incredibly lucky charm. Oh, I’m being foolish. What am I talking about, death by snu-snu? That wouldn’t happen.”

“But why is there no sign of them? Seojun isn’t usually like this.”

“Forget Seojun, does it make sense for a new bride to sleep in this late in someone else’s house after her first night?”

At Soonja’s words, Seowoo chimed in.

“Maybe their first night was intense. My brother looks healthy. Just looking at him, our brother…” 

“Just stop it!” Junghee cut her off in horror.

“Mom! Isn’t it true? With his height and stamina… Maybe the bride died?”

“Honestly, what kind of talk is this first thing in the morning?”

Junghee filled a glass with water and placed it on a tray.

“I’ll go upstairs and check.”

“Don’t you dare.” Soonja stopped her.

“What kind of mother-in-law brings water to the newlyweds’ room?”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Just wait.”

“But it really is late. Grandma, even you have to admit, he looks like he has a lot of… stamina?”

 [Translator’s note: Implying strong sexual prowess]

“Honestly! Be quiet, will you?”

“She has a point though.”

Seowoo laughed at Soonja’s response despite Junghee’s scolding.

“Auntie, I’ll have toast and juice. It’s amazing that my brother eats all this Korean food every morning even though it’s prepared like a feast.” 

Grumbling, Seowoo sat down and smiled at Junghee.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing. But Mom, is this the first time you’ve met Da-in?”

“Of course. It’s the first time.”

Junghee answered, feeling a pang of guilt. Seowoo continued.

“I’ve seen Da-in before. I think I told you, Mom? About my brother dating a really pretty girl. It was when he was in college. I think it was before he went to the military, I think.”

“Really?”

“Mom, you’re not surprised at all. I mean, I did say they knew each other from before.”

“I didn’t know they were dating.”

Her throat tickled as she lied. Junghee closed her eyes. She realized that the more she lied, the more the guilt tightened around her throat. Oblivious to Junghee’s feelings, Seowoo went on.

“My brother seemed to really like her. How could he agree to this 100-day marriage? Doesn’t he seem like a cold-hearted man?”

“How can you say that about your own brother?”

“He’s my brother, but objectively speaking, he’s being cold-hearted. Where do you find a man who asks his first love to be his scapegoat in a sham marriage? Isn’t he a bad guy?”

Junghee, who had been biting her lip, couldn’t take it anymore and jumped to her feet.

“If you’re going to talk like that, go upstairs. Don’t ever say that in front of me again. What kind of person talks badly about their own brother like that?”

“Mom, really. I can say what I want.”
Seowoo said that and drank the juice the housekeeper had brought.

Junghee paced back and forth on the landing. Why was she so nervous? She hadn’t been able to sleep well, worried that Da-in might have revealed everything about the past during the night.

To be precise, it wasn’t entirely her fault. Anyone could have said those things, but who knew she would miscarry? She felt inexplicably drained. She wondered if people really did reap what they sow.