TTS Vol 1 Ch 3.4

Taeri sat obediently beside him, but her gaze remained fixed out the window, as if her mind were elsewhere, though her body was next to his.

Park Chigyeong, who had just mentioned about the no-smoking rule, was now lighting another cigarette inside the car. 

Bang, bang.

The flick of the lighter sounded like gunshots.

Crazy a*sh0le, Taeri thought to herself, still staring out the window.

She wasn’t sure why her view of the man had become so cynical. Perhaps it was because of the unpleasant memory of their last encounter.

‘I, I… It’s my first time, Sir…’

‘So?’

Was it because she’d realized he was a truly heartless b*stard? Or…

‘When we meet again, come back as a tiger.’

Was it because she felt a pang of disappointment that he hadn’t contacted her even once after saying they would meet again? No. That couldn’t be it. What were they to each other, anyway? Had there been anything special between them?

Just because they’d shared a kiss—why should that mean anything?

“Is it really a coincidence… that you and I met like this today… as a designated driver and customer?”

Hardly had she finished her question when she heard a faint chuckle that came from Park Chigyeong.

“It’s a small world, isn’t it?”

He spoke with a twisted smirk, his tone laced with sarcasm.

“But it’s unexpected. I thought you’d be eagerly asking me how I was going to get your father out.”

Haa.

He exhaled, immediately filling the enclosed space of the car with pungent smoke. However, Taeri was unfazed. She was no longer the twenty-two-year-old who would cough and splutter at the smell of smoke. Her workplace itself was practically a smoke-filled den.

With her gaze still fixed on the window, Taeri replied, her face showing no hint of emotion.

“You’re just playing with me. At least, I’ve figured out that much by now, sir.”

“I wonder why you don’t believe me. How strange.”

He added as if he’d already said this before, blowing out a thick cloud of smoke.

“I told you I’m someone who can fabricate charges and send people to prison. Do you think I can’t make existing charges disappear?”

Suddenly, the unfamiliar sound of liquid pouring filled her ears, followed by the strong smell of alcohol. It seemed he’d pulled out a bottle from somewhere within the sedan and was pouring himself a drink. 

And this man was supposed to be a prosecutor in this country? It was appalling.

“I didn’t realize prosecutors had this much power before.”

“Do you know how much influence a lawmaker’s badge¹ can get you in this country? Your little mind can’t even comprehend it.”

“Ah, you mean Assemblyman Park Sangheon?”

With an indifferent expression, Taeri took out her phone, which had just started buzzing in her pocket. It was a text message from Yijoon, asking if she’d managed to catch a taxi back home. Tapping the phone screen a few times, Taeri typed out a reply, ‘I’ll probably be a little late,’ and then continued speaking.

“Listening to you, anyone might think you were the one wearing that assemblyman’s badge.”

“Why would I bother wearing a badge myself? All it does is give you a headache.”

The instant she heard the man’s laughter in his voice, tinged with amusement, Taeri’s fingers that were about to press her phone screen froze mid-air.

“Just now… what you just said…”

Slowly, Taeri turned her head to look at Park Chigyeong, who was holding a glass, with a look of doubt in her eyes.

“It sounds like… your father’s obsession with his fourth term was actually… for you all along.”

As soon as she finished speaking, he chuckled, taking a sip of his drink and a drag of his cigarette. Doing all these vices at once, he cast a sidelong glance at her. His gaze was still condescending, but for a fleeting moment, she thought she saw a flicker of something akin to pleasure flashed in his dark eyes.

He then leaned forward, slowly closing the distance between them, and his lips curved into a smooth arc, moving deliberately as he asked.

“What do you think?”

Strangely, there was no scent of alcohol on him. Nor was there any smell of cigarettes.

The only scent coming from him, as he smiled, was the same cologne he’d worn two years ago and it filled the air, making her head ache.

“…”

Taeri stared at him blankly, her lips slightly parted, unable to bring herself to close them.

Suddenly, she remembered the first time she saw him, back at the police station.

At the time, he’d resorted to violence against Park Sihyun, but he’d also shown a willingness to do his best to negotiate a settlement for his brother’s sake. Even though his methods had been a little rough, she’d thought she’d glimpsed the heart of an older brother who truly cared for his younger sibling. 

That’s how naïve she’d been then.

And later, when the situation shifted suddenly and it became clear that the reason he’d been so intent on reaching a settlement with her wasn’t for his brother’s sake, but for his father’s reputation, she’d still thought, despite the fact that his methods weren’t exactly lawful, he was a devoted son, a dutiful firstborn who’s doing his best for his family. 

Once again, she’d been so naive.

But now…

It all fell into place. This man in front of her had, from the very beginning, acted only in his own self-interest.

What a crazy a*sh0le.

A bitter, hollow laugh slipped from between Taeri’s lips, her face twisted in betrayal. She couldn’t bear the absurdity of judging him based on her own assumptions and then being disappointed by him. 

Taeri, who had leaned back slightly as he approached, placed her hand on Park Chigyeong’s broad shoulder. His gaze fell on the back of her hand, and for some reason, she saw him lick his lower lip. With a sudden movement, Taeri pushed him away, straightening her upper body. His large, solid frame yielded easily.

“Then let me ask you this. Why are you suddenly offering to help my father? Because we once went to a hotel together?”

“You helped my father too, didn’t you?”

“I did no such thing.”

“You helped my father secure his fourth term. Thanks to you keeping your mouth shut.”

“Because you gave me 100 million won². Which I don’t have anymore.”

“Has your memory been altered? Get your facts straight.”

Park Chigyeong casually extinguished his cigarette butt against the window frame of the sedan and tossed it out the window, muttering coldly,

“What you asked of me wasn’t money, it was my body.”

Having said that, he suddenly spread his legs wide. As if telling her to come between his legs.

Taeri wasn’t stupid. She was quick-witted. Although she hadn’t graduated, she was a student who had ranked highly at a prestigious university, a place where only smart people could get in.

She understood the message behind Park Chigyeong, who had appeared before her after two years.

You held my father’s fate in your hands then. Now, I hold your father’s fate in mine. So crawl between my legs.

Life could be infinitely generous when it was kind to someone, but mercilessly cruel when it turned its back.

It was as if she were being punished for her foolish actions in the past. She didn’t know who was meting out the punishment, but judging by the incredible timing of her reunion with this man, she could feel it.

Where did things go wrong? Was it from the moment she first met Park Chigyeong at the police station? Was her initial interest in him, a man she shouldn’t have been interested in, her original sin?

Taeri laughed, her face drained of energy, as she ran a hand through her hair. Lost in thought and silence, she hid her unpleasant feelings and obediently lowered herself under him. The back seat of the luxury car was spacious enough for her to fit between his legs.

Park Chigyeong, took a deep drag of his cigarette and spread his legs wider, giving her more space.

She could see the strained bulge beneath his pulled-tight suit pants.

He seemed to be acting casually, but Taeri could see through it all now. He wasn’t relaxed at all. The subtle furrow in his brow, the way his tongue kept darting out to lick his lower lip, gave him away.

“Should I suck you off here?”

Looking up at the man from between his legs, Taeri reached out and unbuckled his belt. He didn’t answer for a while. He simply smoked, looking down at her with an indifferent expression, and then a beat later, he curled his lips and replied.

“You make it sound like you’ve done this before.”

“Why? Are you disappointed that I’m not a virgin?”

In reality, she hadn’t done it. Her life had been nothing but consumed by work since her family fell apart.

“Which bastard was it?”

He murmured, quietly bringing the glass in his hand to his lips. His elegantly curved lips were smiling, but his eyes were cold. The disparity was striking.

“What does it matter now?”

Was it her imagination? It seemed the man was staring at her coldly, making no attempt to hide his displeasure.

“Alright then. Show me what you’ve got and suck it well.”

Taeri was able to hide her nervous expression, but she couldn’t hide her trembling fingertips. With trembling hands, she unzipped his pants. Ziip, the sound seemed to echo in the car like a crack of thunder.

Between the parted fabric of his pants, she saw his black boxer briefs. Even in the dim light, she could immediately tell how impressively large his erection was. At that moment, her indifferent facade completely crumbled. Swallowing hard, Taeri raised her eyes a little higher, and his handsome face filled her vision.

Park Chigyeong raised a single eyebrow, looking down at her with an indifferent expression. So, what are you going to do now? His face seemed to be waiting for her next move.

“Can I have a sip too?”

Taeri pointed to the glass in his hand and without a word, Park Chigyeong brought the glass to his lips again. After taking a sip of the amber liquid, he loosely cupped Taeri’s chin in one hand.

Just as she flinched at the man’s sudden touch, Park Chigyeong leaned in, his lips pressing against hers. When she remained stiff with her lips tightly closed, he tilted his head and tightened his grip on her chin, forcing her mouth open.

Ugh. A moan escaped her lips as the strong liquor flowed into her mouth, followed by his soft tongue, which immediately entwined with hers. As she swallowed their mingled saliva, the sharp taste of whiskey filled her senses.

She let out a deliberately exaggerated moan and wrapped both her arms tightly around Park Chigyeong’s neck, pulling him closer. He willingly complied in response to her movements, lowering his upper body further. Every time he moved, it was accompanied by the soft creak of the leather seat beneath him, like a low growl.

Taeri’s second kiss with the man was completely different from the one at the hotel.

If the gentle kiss at the hotel had been a mask he wore, this kiss felt like the real Park Chigyeong.

Their tongues rubbed together fiercely, his tongue, too large to fit entirely in her mouth, brushed against the underside of her nose, and licked her chin. It was less a kiss and more like a prelude to something rougher.

“Fuck, where did you learn this…”

Park Chigyeong, let out a sound closer to admiration than reprimand, slipped his hands under Taeri’s armpits and, effortlessly lifted her up and settled her on his lap.

Their lips met again in a hurried clash, tongues tangling roughly. As she fully received Park Chigyeong’s tongue, which seemed desperate to enter other parts of her, Taeri undid his tie. Meanwhile, Park Chigyeong’s hand rubbed against her lower body. Though her jeans wrapped around her and acted as a shield, his touch felt invasive, as if burrowing into her bare skin.

“Mmm…”

Taeri let out another deliberate exaggerated moan, looking down at his handsome face. His face, which had never shown any emotion, were now contorted in a frown. Two years ago, she had really liked this face.

But now, why, why did she hate it so much…?

Still unsure of the answer, she fumbled to the side and grabbed the glass he had carelessly placed in the cup holder a moment ago.

Raising the glass high, she poured the remaining liquid over the man’s head. The amber liquid trickled down Park Chigyeong’s impeccably styled hair, over his smooth forehead, quickly drenching his face.

“…….”

Park Chigyeong slowly opened his eyes. He calmly raised the hand that had been lewdly rubbing against her lower body and touched the liquid flowing down his forehead. All his movements were unhurried.

As if he had foreseen her actions from the start.

“I asked you earlier, didn’t I? If this was a coincidence.”

Placing the now empty glass back in the cup holder, Taeri lightly slipped off his thighs and settled back onto the seat.

“I don’t think it is. Because I couldn’t smell any alcohol on you earlier.”

Taeri neatly adjusted her clothes, which he had attempted to remove, and prepared to get out. Park Chigyeong ran a hand through his now disheveled hair and let out a short, sharp laugh, the sound clearly a sneer.

Then he moved his hand again. Taeri braced herself for a slap, but contrary to her expectations, Park Chigyeong began to fix the tie that Taeri had messily loosened. Despite being drenched, he showed no sign of displeasure. He simply smiled leisurely.

“I’ve also had a drink, so I can’t drive. I’ll consider this as far as I can take you. As an apology, I’ll only charge you double.”

Taeri held out her palm in front of him and didn’t forget to put on her usual professional smile. Park Chigyeong silently stared down at her small, white hand, then chuckled again, a strange, unreadable expression on his face, and he nodded.

He pulled out his wallet from his suit jacket’s inner pocket, grabbed all the checks inside, and pressed them into Taeri’s hand. Taeri’s eyes widened as a quick glance told her the amount was well over several hundred. Looking directly into her eyes, Park Chigyeong spoke softly,

“It was nice seeing you. Take care.”

His gentle tone and bright smile felt like he was tossing her a tip, like she was some prostitute he’d just paid. Disgust welled up inside her again. Nevertheless, she pushed all those feelings aside and smiled sweetly at him, bowing her head.

“Thank you, sir. Please come again.”

Taeri flung open the back door, stepped out, and bowed deeply to him once more. After straightening up, she let out a deliberately dramatic sigh and added,

“I’m not a student anymore, though.”

Looking down at his dark eyes, she scowled and muttered,

“Prosecutor Park Chigyeong, you fucking piece of trash.”

Being called trash, Park Chigyeong’s eyebrows furrowed immediately. It was the first time she’d seen him look genuinely taken aback. Wanting to erase the sight from her memory, she slammed the sedan’s back door shut with a loud bang and turned away. Then she walked forward.

She felt both exhilarated and disgusted.

She finally understood why Park Chigyeong had been so angry two years ago when she’d asked for his body instead of money at the hotel.

If this feeling of disgust was what Park Chigyeong had wanted to inflict on her, then he had succeeded. She felt utterly revolted.

It was a deep night, and the autumn wind, carrying the scent of dying leaves, felt especially cold.