TTS Vol 1 Ch 2.3

Having not touched his food, he reached out for a napkin and wiped his mouth. A concise gesture indicating that he was done with both the meal and the conversation.

“I can’t have a young lady waiting in a hotel room alone, so please finish your meal and leave in about 15 minutes. I’ll text you the room number. Best if we move separately since there may be eyes watching.”

“…Excuse me?”

Taeri’s expression, so carefully maintained until now, finally cracked, and Park Chigyeong laughed. It was a clear mocking laugh. Now that she was playing innocent, he couldn’t help himself.

“If anyone saw this, they’d think I was the one making the offer. Wasn’t it Kang Taeri who suggested a deal in exchange for my body?”

“I…that… I didn’t mean r-right now…”

“What’s the point of delaying? Since we’re here, let’s just get it over with.”

“Get it over… with?”

Park Chigyeong brought his face close to the wide-eyed Taeri, a smirk playing on his lips as he muttered.

“That’s right. Let’s have a good time, just once, you and me.”

“……”

“You asked for it. And I’m giving it to you.”

After all her bold provocations, she was now at a loss for words, stumbling and stammering like someone whose mind had gone completely blank. Noticing the subtle change in Taeri’s demeanor, Park Chigyeong got up first, dusting himself off, and flashed a grin as he grabbed his suit jacket hanging from the rack.

“I’ll see you at the hotel in 15 minutes.”

Without putting on the jacket, he draped it over his arm, firmly grasped his briefcase, and slid open the door to leave.

“If you change your mind, text me anytime. I sincerely hope you don’t end up coming, Kang Taeri. Don’t do anything you’ll regret later, don’t make things more complicated than they need to be. I’m saying let’s settle this with money and leave it at that. As valuable as my body is, a hundred million won seems like… a pretty high price to pay for one night, doesn’t it?”

With a quiet chuckle, Park Chigyeong slid his foot into his black dress shoe and glanced back at Taeri for a moment.

“Text me if you want to settle with money. Or wait for the room number from me.”

“……”

“I’d prefer it to be the former.”

With that, Park Chigyeong pulled his wallet from his back pocket and walked away. Taeri could only watch his impressive retreating figure, swallowing dryly.

Her mouth felt uncomfortably parched that her throat sting each time she swallowed, and her mind felt hot and clouded.

Though she pretended to be composed, she wasn’t.

Sitting here, lifting her chin in an attempt to appear mature, Kang Taeri was, in truth, nothing more than just a naive young woman in her early twenties, her values not yet fully formed, clumsy and unsure.

In stark contrast to him, Park Chigyeong, a man as experienced and world-worn as could be.

* * *

On the 17th floor, in the presidential suite, Park Chigyeong entered and headed straight to the minibar, selected a whiskey, and sat on the sofa.

Fishing out his phone from his pocket, he found the unsaved number.

[Once you arrive at the hotel, ask for Manager Bae Gwanseong. Tell him you’re Park Chigyeong’s guest, and they’ll guide you to my room.]

After sending the brief message, he poured himself a drink. As Chigyeong brought the glass to his lips, he scanned the suite. The only sound was the liquid sliding down his throat, echoing in the otherwise silent space.

Rising from the sofa, his tall frame unfolded as he took steady steps toward the window. Gazing out over the view of Acha Mountain and the Han River, he raised his glass again, taking another slow sip.

And then, unexpectedly, a chuckle escaped him as he held the glass to his mouth, breaking the silence.

Imagine—reduced to offering himself to some naive young girl who was demanding his body. Now Park Chigyeong had stooped so low and was practically selling himself to a college student.

What made the whole situation even more absurd was not just the ridiculous offer he heard, but the fact that the one who’d made the ridiculous suggestion in the first place had her face redder than the one who heard them. From her wide-open eyes, anyone watching would probably think he was the one begging her to spread her legs.

Swallowing his irritation, he briefly closed his dry eyes, but even then, with his vision completely closed off, that kid’s face uninvitingly flashed through his mind.

Unlike the sophisticated, mature women around him, she was bright and youthful. If the women in his life were an autumn harvest, she was the fresh, budding spring.

In contrast to others her age, who adorned themselves with designer brands, that kid didn’t seem the type to put much effort into dressing up. A plain hoodie, jeans, and a beige backpack slung over one shoulder, yet there was an undeniable freshness about her that made it impossible to look away.

Perhaps because of her delicate frame, her soft brown shoulder-length hair suited her perfectly. Every time she tucked her hair back and met his gaze, it felt as though a soft, powdery scent wafted through the air.

She didn’t seem to wear much makeup, yet her skin was flawless, smooth, and fair, with a natural rosy tint on her lips.

It was youth, something money couldn’t buy.

Now, he thought he understood why the women around him clung to their own youth so desperately.

Chigyeong swirled the strong liquor in his mouth and checked his watch.

That kid would come. If she hadn’t intended to, she wouldn’t have provoked him like that in the first place.

If she knocked on the hotel room door and stepped inside, he’d be sure to teach her a lesson. A brutal lesson about how severe the consequences could be for thoughtless words.

A naive twenty-two-year-old. He could see no reason he couldn’t make her cry, pinned beneath him.

Knock, knock.

He heard a soft knock, and there she was.

She came to him of her own accord, walking right into his den.

 

* * *

 

With the door firmly shut behind her, Taeri stepped in as Chigyeong walked leisurely and made himself comfortable on the sofa, leaning back and bringing his glass to his lips.

Taeri glanced cautiously around the hotel room, her gaze exploring the unfamiliar space. Each time she bit the delicate inner skin of her lip and tucked her hair behind her ear, a faint scent of shampoo seemed to fill the previously scentless room.

Chigyeong took another sip of his drink, seemingly letting the alcohol wash away his emotions as he prodded her.

“What are you waiting for? Go wash up.”

“…Pardon?”

At the mention of the word “wash up,” her eyes widened. The brazen confidence she’d shown at the restaurant was nowhere to be found, and even her voice sounded timid.

Of course, it was only natural. It had only been three years since she’d graduated high school. She had no work experience, and zero experience with the real world.

At best, she was a college student with only the “university” label, someone who played games with her seniors and juniors, a kitten pretending to be a tiger.

“The bathroom’s over there.”

Park Chigyeong pointed a finger precisely toward one corner of the room.

“Um… sir…”

Noticing the hesitation in her voice, Chigyeong raised an eyebrow as he took another sip of the strong liquor.

“Is it… all right if I don’t wash up?”

At this, Taeri unconsciously clutched her backpack to her chest, which she’d had slung over one shoulder earlier, looking very much like the young woman she was. A typical twenty-something exuding the unmistakable scent of inexperience.

“Suit yourself.”

Placing his empty glass on the table, Chigyeong stood up. He noticed her flinch and take a step back, her eyes tracking him with nervous caution. He looked at her with a cold, unreadable gaze.

“I tend to prefer things a little rough. I’m on the forceful side. Are you really fine with that?”

“By forceful… you mean… like, tying up and hitting… those kinds of things?”

“No. I enjoy making my partner feel powerless.”

“…And what exactly does that mean?”

“I’m about to show you, so there’s hardly any need for an explanation, is there?”

“…Oh.”

“If you’re having second thoughts, there’s still time to leave your bank account information and walk out. This is the last courtesy I’ll extend to you, seeing as you’re the same age as my sibling.”

Watching Taeri repeatedly swallow hard, Chigyeong loosened his tie and undid the top button of his shirt, his movements clearly meant to intimidate her. Kang Taeri, however, stood her ground.

“So you’re not leaving. Do you want to do this with me that badly?”

Not breaking his gaze from Taeri, Chigyeong undid one more button. Taeri hadn’t responded, so he undid another.

With each button he undone, he could clearly see her clutch her backpack more tightly.
Suppressing a laugh that threatened to break through, Chigyeong gave her a nudge with his chin.

“What are you waiting for? Aren’t you going to take them off?”

“Excuse me?”

“Should I take it off for you?”

“W-wait a moment…”

As if to stop Chigyeong from taking another step closer, Taeri held out her small, pale hand and took a step back.

“A-Actually, the reason I came here…”

“I know. You came here to sleep with me. You asked for it.”

“I-I mean, not right this moment… But shouldn’t we at least…get to know each other a little first…?”

Trailing off, Taeri glanced up nervously at Park Chigyeong to gauge his reaction. He was smiling—not the feigned, practiced smile she had seen in the restaurant, but a genuine one. For a moment, she was captivated by the innocence of his expression. She hadn’t thought he could smile like that.

“Let’s get to know each other now. Find out what kind of person I am.”

Still wearing that faint smile, Park Chigyeong unclasped his wristwatch with a soft clink. He tossed it onto the table and, without a trace of embarrassment, posed a question that made Taeri’s cheeks burn.

“What kind of kiss do you prefer?”

The man’s eyes, locked on hers as he approached, were colder and sharper than a knife’s blade, yet his voice was so soft it made her feel as if she might melt. For the first time, she thought his voice was almost sweet.

“Would you prefer a peck or a French kiss?”

“I, um, well…”

“With or without tongue?”

In just a few strides, he was right in front of her. Craning her neck back to look up at him, Taeri murmured uncertainly, “I…I’m not sure.”

At her response, Park Chigyeong tilted his head to the side, looking puzzled.

“Don’t tell me… You’ve never done it before? I’m not much for teaching.”

“I have. I have, but… I don’t think I’ve ever had a kiss worth remembering. So, if I try it now, with you sir…”

As if possessed, Taeri babbled on, her face in a daze.

“Then maybe I’ll know… which one I prefer…”

Gathering her courage, she reached out tentatively, and timidly tugged at the collar of his shirt, pulling him towards her. It was a movement out of pure instinct, and the man willingly allowed himself to be drawn in.

“So, show me, sir… Show me… how to kiss.”

He reached out and, with one hand, grasped the nape of Taeri’s slender neck, drawing her closer. Just before their lips touched, he tilted his head naturally, and then their lips met. Taeri squeezed her eyes shut.

Her lips were stiff, so he nibbled and sucked on her lower lip gently until her mouth parted instinctively, allowing his tongue to slip inside. Taeri remained frozen, unsure of how to respond, as he skillfully explored her mouth, deepening the kiss. The taste of alcohol mingled with their saliva.

Ugh, as a soft moan escaped Taeri’s lips, he cupped her small face in both hands, tilting his head in the opposite direction to delve even more deeply.

At first, he held the back of her neck with one hand, but then he brought his other hand up, from his pocket, wrapping it around her slender waist, pulling her even closer until their lower bodies pressed together.

When she felt his arousal pressed against her, Taeri’s eyes shot open in surprise. His handsome face, eyes closed, filled her vision.

He, who seemed so unlikely to be flustered, was aroused.

Because of her.

The thought somehow made her feel a thrill that was hard to explain.

Suddenly, Taeri rose onto her tiptoes and wrapped her arms around his neck. She parted her lips slightly, like a baby bird waiting to be fed, her eyes closing once more.

She noticed Park Chigyeong’s brow twitch for a second. He then grasped a handful of Taeri’s hair, not hard enough to hurt, and pulled her toward him, his lips pressing fiercely against hers, as if he would devour her. He seemed to have suddenly lost all restraint.