TYW Ch 7

Lately, the sky has been overcast, and heavy rain, like in summer, has been falling for several days. Rieul suddenly became worried about her grandfather’s health as the weather turned cold and the temperature dropped. She turned on the heating mat to a high temperature and raised the room temperature.

“Is Rieul trying to kill grandpa with this heat?” Her grandfather’s words brought a faint smile to Rieul’s lips.

The surroundings turned gray, and the sky looked like it was about to shatter into pieces and fall down. The leaves that once colored the garden with yellow and red had now completely fallen and piled up on the yellowing grass. The tree branches looked bare.

“Grandpa.”

“Yes, what is it?”

“Please stay by my side a little longer—” Rieul whispered while looking out the window. Since her grandfather didn’t answer, Rieul turned away. Her grandfather smiled gently and fell asleep.

***

The clear sky was adorned with soft white clouds, like scattered cotton—in an instant, we had reached the end of autumn.

Lee Woogeon

[I really like the view of Samseong intersection from the hotel room.]

[Why? Why are you talking like that?]

Lee Woogeon

[Let’s go.]

Woogeon had sent his room number. After showering and dressing up, Rieul immediately headed to the hotel Woogeon had booked by car. The fresh winter breeze pricked her skin as the car’s rear window was lowered. The sky looked so clear and bright that it was blinding.

Upon entering Yeongdongdae-ro, the flowing river sparkled like a million stars under the warm autumn sunlight. The light seemed to create a dazzling light show, like thousands of tiny stars gathering and shining brightly. The view was truly amazing.

As the car entered the hotel’s main entrance, a staff member opened the rear car door for her. A manager approached Rieul, handed her the room card key, and led her through the lobby to the elevator. Rieul took the elevator prepared by the manager and headed to the room Woogeon had told her about.

As soon as the room door opened, Rieul was stunned. It was a luxurious suite with a very beautiful view. The large window overlooking Samseong intersection provided a wide and open view. Cars passed by on the streets, and the hotels and shopping centers across the street had begun preparing Christmas decorations.

The warm and bright afternoon sunlight filled the spacious living room, making it feel dazzling. Across Samseong intersection, the grass had dried up, and several large video billboards displayed various shows, while the trees only had bare branches left. The afternoon sunlight stretched and penetrated the room directly.

Lee Woogeon

[Today, you will rest, away from grandpa and myself.]

Rieul took off her coat and held it in her hands, then examined the sunlit living room before entering the bedroom. The bedroom also shared the beautiful view in the same direction as the living room. She placed her coat on the recliner and sat on the edge of the bed. Long shadows stretched beneath her feet.

While spending quiet time alone, the doorbell rang. Rieul left the bedroom and walked towards the door.

“I’m the staff. I’ve prepared a meal and a welcome tea—” Rieul opened the door. A hotel staff pushed a trolley inside.

“Good morning.” As Rieul greeted, the hotel staff also returned the greeting.

“Where should I put it?”

While answering the hotel staff’s question, Rieul looked towards the wide table near the window.

“I think that place is fine.”

The hotel staff pushed the trolley towards the table.

“But what is that?”

As Rieul asked, confused, the hotel staff, who had neatly combed his hair, smiled.

“This is a tea set prepared by the Deputy Director.”

On the three-tiered tray, there were many chocolate mint macaroons, Earl Grey macaroons that Rieul liked, and lemon banana macaroons.

The hotel staff poured warm latte with a fragrant, sweet, and fresh chocolate mint aroma into the cup. “Have a good time.” The hotel staff greeted and left the room. The room was once again enveloped in sunlight and tranquility. Rieul looked towards the table and smiled gently.

She sat in the chair, holding the warm chocolate mint latte cup. The warm and pleasant chocolate mint aroma seemed to calm her restless heart. Rieul bit into the chocolate mint macaroon. The intense sweet chocolate flavor and the fresh mint aroma blended with the crispness. While enjoying the chocolate mint latte, Rieul opened her phone screen and dialed her husband’s number. The ringing didn’t last long.

—Are you having a good time?

Rieul smiled. Her heart, which was previously annoyed and sour from Woogeon’s teasing, who thought she was too young, now felt relieved.

“I’m having a great time. My heart feels so happy”

—Wow, glad to hear that.

Rieul raised her gaze, looking at the city skyline.

“This wide view makes me feel refreshed.”

—Very glad to hear that.

“Now I understand why Woogeon likes it. This hotel, this room. It feels like floating in the air, time seems to stop—no, it’s more than that, I feel so calm, as if nothing else matters.”

—Have fun.

“Woogeon.”

There was a strange tension on the phone. “Now, can you come?”

“I want to be with you.”

—If we stay together, today is the day.

“I was hoping for that—”

Rieul laughed at the beautiful view that was hard to see anywhere else.

***

Woogeon stared blankly at his phone screen, which returned to standby mode after the call ended. Then, he turned off his desktop computer and stood up from his chair. He repeatedly took off and put on his watch on his left wrist while regulating his breathing.

After that, he walked to the closet, took a jacket, and left his study. Since there were no special schedules that afternoon, Manager Jung Eunseop, who saw him wearing a jacket, was surprised.

“I’m going home now. Don’t look for me today.” Woogeon said so, then quickly left the office and headed to the elevator. He took the express elevator that glided from the 40th floor to the basement. His heart was racing very fast, as if it was being squeezed and pumped very hard.

He took out his McLaren parked in a special spot and immediately drove to the surface. He sped up, turned right, and drove along Teheran-ro, a highway that was always congested all year round.

The warm afternoon sunlight gently touched his irises. He remembered his wife enjoying that sunlight. He imagined Rieul’s long neck, her straight back, her firm shoulders, and her supple arms. He imagined his wife’s slender ankles, so small and fitting in his hand. Rieul’s soft, steady voice echoed in his ears, piercing his heart.

Every time the traffic light was about to change, he accelerated to pass the intersection. It had been more than 10 minutes since he ended the phone call, and he arrived at the hotel about 10 minutes after leaving the office. He parked the car in front of the entrance and immediately went to the room.

The elevator stopped on the 22nd floor; before the door fully opened, he turned and quickly walked towards his room. Arriving at the room door, he stopped and regulated his breathing. He tidied his slightly messy hair, wiped the sweat behind his ears, and straightened his jacket. After catching his breath, he pressed the doorbell.

He swallowed, imagining Rieul’s expression. His heart pounded as he imagined how Rieul would greet him. He pressed the doorbell again.

Since there was no answer, he used his key card and slowly opened the door. The warm and soft November afternoon sunlight filled the spacious living room. He walked in slowly, his eyes fixed on the three-tiered tea tray on the table, showing the remnants of his wife’s enjoyed tea. He couldn’t help but smile.

Woogeon walked towards the bedroom on the right. Rieul was asleep, lying on her side facing the window.

Around four in the afternoon, the yellow sunlight was turning redder, changing into a light orange color. Rieul’s white and smooth skin was exposed to the warm afternoon sunlight.

“Rieul.”

The name escaped softly from his throat.

“Yeon Rieul.”

His sleeping wife looked like a beautiful painting. He was sure he would remember this moment for a very long time.

Woogeon stared at his wife’s back for a moment before heading to the bathroom.

***

Rieul opened her eyes slowly, as if waking from sleep. The western sky was pink, and in the east, the blue night sky was approaching. The horizon was already full of pink.

Rieul was a little surprised. Woogeon was sitting on the recliner in front of the bed, wearing a bathrobe and smiling.

“Have you arrived?”

“About 40 minutes ago.”

Woogeon smiled at her. Rieul glanced at Woogeon. She felt there were still splashes of water on Woogeon’s face, but his hair was already dry.

Rieul quickly bent her body. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

“Why wake you up? Because you’re as beautiful as a painting in a gallery, like a dream woman who can only be seen once in a lifetime.”

Woogeon smiled and widened his eyes, making him look very charming.

“I’m not that beautiful, I don’t deserve to attract people’s attention.”

“If I can’t remember this moment all the time, maybe I can’t live anymore,” Rieul replied, darkening her face.

Woogeon got up from the recliner and took a ready-made water bottle. He opened the cap with a loud sound, and the clarity of Woogeon’s eyes was captivating.

Rieul kept looking at Woogeon with sharp eyes.

“What’s with your expression?”

Rieul closed her lips with lowered eyes. Woogeon sat on the edge of the bed, turned his head to the side, and looked down.

“I’m angry.”

“Now?”

Woogeon looked confused.

With his hair still slightly damp but almost dry, he swept his hair back, revealing his forehead, and with eyes as deep and vast as the cosmos, how many women had he gazed at?

When Rieul pouted, her husband just smiled amusedly.

“Really annoying.”

Rieul got up and crawled towards Woogeon, then grabbed his strong chin and pressed her lips against his. Warm, soft, and full of affection. The deep and soft touch of her lips made Rieul’s palms tingle.

Woogeon hugged Rieul’s back tightly. As usual, he gently stroked Rieul’s back, then hugged her tightly like a child. He skillfully inserted his thick tongue and locked their tongues. Their breaths intertwined, he gently brushed Rieul’s side hair, then grabbed the back of her head and pushed his tongue deeper into her mouth.

Rieul gasped for breath. The suction power of his tongue was so strong that Rieul struggled to close her eyes and moan weakly. She released her intertwined tongue and opened her mouth, then released her lips. The tongue came out of her mouth.

Rieul slowly opened her eyelids and stared blankly at Woogeon. Woogeon’s immeasurable deep irises were full of red passion.

Woogeon lifted Rieul and stood up. Rieul’s heart felt like it was defying gravity and soaring upwards. Woogeon knelt on the bed and laid Rieul down. Rieul leaned against the pillows piled up like a pillow.

“Woogeon.”

Woogeon opened his legs and bent down so that his body covered Rieul’s upper body. His skin was damp from the water, and his body gave off a soft and soothing shower gel scent like aromatherapy oil.

Rieul stared at Woogeon, who looked like twilight.

Rieul quickly raised her hand and grabbed the end of Woogeon’s bathrobe sleeve. When he climbed on top of Rieul, his bathrobe came off and part of his upper body was visible. Woogeon’s body, which he never showed, he always closed the door tightly when entering the dressing room. Sometimes, she secretly peeked at his upper body through the gaps of the not fully closed bathrobe. Wide and muscular chest, and muscular abdomen.

Rieul’s face turned red and she swallowed her saliva.

“What are you thinking that makes your face so red?”

Woogeon gently kissed Rieul’s round forehead. Then on her temples, and on the soft skin behind her ears.

Because that part was sensitive, Rieul curled up slightly and turned towards the window. The once bright red sky began to fade and blend with the blue night, starting the purple time.

Woogeon gently bit Rieul’s neck. At the same time, the nipples inside her bra stood erect.

Rieul restrained herself. Woogeon’s breath became rougher. Skillful and gentle kisses caressed her soft neck skin. Her eyes were tightly closed.

“Don’t want to—”

Rieul said firmly and pushed Woogeon’s shoulder hard. Woogeon frowned as if in disbelief and stared sharply at Rieul. Rieul looked straight into Woogeon’s eyes.

“Don’t want to?”

Rieul couldn’t calm her chaotic heart. At this moment, when she could finally have sex with Woogeon, she was angry instead.

“Suddenly, why?”

Seeing Woogeon’s uncomprehending expression, Rieul didn’t know where to put her eyes.

“I, I’m angry.”

Rieul protested softly.

“Because of what?”

Woogeon lowered his head again and pressed his lips against Rieul’s temples. The fresh toothpaste aroma and the soft body odor made Rieul take a deep breath.

Rieul pushed Woogeon aside and got up. He looked at Rieul in confusion and frowned. His body was pushed onto the bed beside her.

“Just, there’s something. Woogeon.”

“Tell me.”

Woogeon straightened his body, took his arms out of the bathrobe, and lowered the top. The bottom was still covered because it was tied tightly at the waist.

Seeing his wide and sturdy shoulders, muscular chest, and muscular abdomen, Rieul was shocked and her face turned red.

“What are you doing?”

Woogeon combed his hair with both hands while showing a surprised expression.

“I should be the one asking that question.”

“This is not a game.”

Woogeon murmured softly, frowning. “I know. I know, but with this feeling…”

Rieul couldn’t lie down with him.

“Too much.”

Woogeon’s sharp gaze was fixed on her. Rieul looked down.

“I don’t know. I’m just upset.”

Woogeon looked at Rieul while resting his head on the pillow with a tired expression. Rieul felt uneasy.

“Upset about what?”

Rieul brought her knees together and hugged them to her chest. Her face was sullen.

“It’s just, Woogeon. I’m a little—upset.”

“Upset about what? What’s wrong?”

“Too… handsome…”

Rieul looked at her ankles where blue veins were visible under her stockings, then looked at Woogeon. Woogeon looked at Rieul with a puzzled expression under the purple light.

“Is that really something to be angry about?”

“You wouldn’t understand, Woogeon.”

“Yes, since I don’t understand, please tell me. Why are you angry? At this important moment.”

“Too much.”

“Too handsome?”

Rieul looked at Woogeon, confused.

“Because… I want to have this handsome Lee Woogeon all to myself, but other women have already had him first, that’s what makes me angry. I’m angry and upset. I never thought about this significantly, but especially at this moment, this feeling arises—”

Rieul still hugged her knees and spoke in a sulky tone like a child.

“You’re my husband. When I think that other women have had you as much as they wanted, I feel angry. Very angry.”

“You don’t need to be angry. In the future, only Yeon Rieul will have me.”

Woogeon reached out his big hand and grasped Rieul’s white instep. However, Rieul’s heart remained uneasy; she put her forehead on her knees. Woogeon reached out and stroked Rieul’s hair.

“Don’t you like that I wasn’t your first?”

Rieul shook her head. When she raised her head, Woogeon sat up and showed an awkward expression.

“I feel a little foolish. Why, Rieul?”

Woogeon gently stroked the corners of Rieul’s sad eyes.

“If I had experienced a little love, this moment wouldn’t feel so complicated.”

Rieul looked at Woogeon, and it was clear that Woogeon was frowning, clenching his jaw. The muscles in Woogeon’s jaw tightened. Shortly after, he laughed cynically.

“So, do you want to date other men now?”

Woogeon suddenly spoke harshly, startling Rieul. Woogeon growled and spat out harsh words at the end of his sentence. He moved his body closer to Rieul and grasped her slender ankle tightly.

“Ah, it hurts.”

When Rieul complained of pain and raised her head, Woogeon looked at her with an angry gaze.

“I’ve said it. Can you handle all this? If you say it now, what should I do?”

“Woogeon, it’s not like that…”

Woogeon looked angry, gripping her ankle as if he wanted to break it, with his eyes tightly closed.

“I said it hurts…!”

Rieul pleaded while pushing Woogeon’s shoulder, and he finally released his grip and let go of Rieul’s ankle. Her leg felt sore. She felt uncomfortable. In this beautiful moment, tears started to flow.

“I will only have Yeon Rieul in the future.”

Woogeon said in a calmer tone, although there was still a burning emotion in his heart. However, Rieul’s heart was not comforted at all.

“I want to have Woogeon all to myself.”

“Now, I am Yeon Rieul’s.”

“Don’t just say things like that…!”

Rieul felt a little annoyed and looked at Woogeon with regret. Woogeon sighed heavily and then dropped Rieul onto the pillowless bed as if he was throwing her.

He climbed back onto Rieul’s body, pressing her down like an animal that diligently sniffed its prey, not letting her go.

“Yeon Rieul—”

Woogeon wiped the corners of Rieul’s eyes with his fingers before touching them with his lips. “I want to say something—”

Rieul looked at Woogeon with wet eyes, appearing curious.

“I want to have you and possess your soul, that’s why I suddenly feel uneasy.”

He raised his hands and hugged Woogeon’s neck. As her back touched the sheets, Woogeon pulled down the zipper of the dress she was wearing, taking off her clothes. Outside, the atmosphere had changed from soft purple to dark blue as night fell, and under the bright room light, Rieul’s slender shoulders and smooth white skin were clearly visible.

Along with that, Rieul trembled slightly. The air touching her skin felt cold, while the body temperature radiating from Woogeon was very hot and burning.

“You can be like someone obsessed with possessiveness and jealousy—”

“I can’t tell if it’s love or just attachment.”

“Isn’t it love?”

“When I see you like this…”

Woogeon began to pull down Rieul’s dress and unhook her bra. The previously gathered chest was now revealed elastically. Rieul felt a little embarrassed. Woogeon’s gaze became wild and tempting.

“Can the desire to destroy also be called love? I’m not sure.”

Woogeon kissed the curve of Rieul’s collarbone while casually squeezing her breasts. Rieul’s breath hitched, and she felt very embarrassed when she saw Woogeon’s clear expression under the overly bright room light, so she closed her eyes.

She hugged Woogeon’s face tightly.

***