CHAPTER 27………………………………………………
Suddenly, her chest felt empty.
‘Is it because I’m not working? Why am I thinking about all this today?’
Seoyoung quickly shook her head.
She suddenly recalled Minwoo’s frowning face from the morning.
He had been trying to hide his annoyance, but that expression had only made her more conscious.
‘Family, my foot.’
She let out a short, bitter laugh and sat down on a sunbed on the beach.
After ordering a refreshing fresh fruit juice, she immediately pulled out her phone and started searching for local tours.
She hadn’t prepared anything in advance, not knowing how she’d spend the day, but she figured she could join something even at the last minute.
“Seoyoung!”
When Hyukjin returned to the villa, the first person he looked for was Seoyoung.
He had canceled most of the scheduled activities, fearing that following Minwoo’s tightly packed plan would leave him working all day.
It was long past lunch and approaching sunset, yet Seoyoung was nowhere in the pool villa.
“Where did she go?”
Hyukjin ran a hand through his hair irritably and grabbed a beer from the minibar.
He stepped out to the pool, looking toward the ocean, thinking she might be somewhere in the crowd.
He scanned the area carefully while finishing his beer, but there was no one resembling her.
“Is she off shopping alone?”
There weren’t many things to do at the resort.
If not relaxing, she might have gone to a nearby shopping mall.
Hyukjin had flown straight to Phuket right after the wedding. Already tired, he became even more exhausted trying to follow Minwoo’s strict schedule immediately upon arrival.
For the first time since arriving, he laid back on a sunbed and recalled the image of Seoyoung from last night.
She had smiled while hugging his neck, saying she was glad to have a family. She seemed a bit fragile despite her tough exterior.
Her longing for her late parents and her appreciation for family had been evident even from her drunken words the night before.
Thinking about Seoyoung, who had lived wearing a cold mask to become a hotel owner, focusing only on moving forward, he realized how lonely she must have been.
He felt guilty for leaving such a woman alone while he was busy with work.
Hyukjin stood abruptly.
He decided to go to the beach directly, just in case.
Perhaps she was sitting somewhere sipping a cocktail, tipsy once again.
“Hopefully she doesn’t have a habit of hugging anyone when she’s drunk.”
Recalling her warm, comforting embrace with a bright smile, he furrowed his brows slightly.
His pace quickened as he headed toward the beach.
By the time Seoyoung, face bright with joy, returned to the pool villa, it was well past 6 PM.
Being mid-November, the sun had already set.
Assuming no one would be home, she opened the door—and was startled to see Hyukjin sitting in the living room.
“You’re early.”
Hyukjin, who had been staring at the doorway as she opened it, looked displeased.
“Where have you been until now?”
“There was a small island tour, and I joined a group with empty spots. I went on the tour. But is something wrong? You don’t look happy.”
Seoyoung put down her hat on the table and grabbed a cold water bottle from the minibar.
Thirsty, she opened it and drank straight from the bottle.
A trickle of water ran down her neck, and Hyukjin’s Adam’s apple bobbed slightly at the sight.
He rose from his seat and approached her slowly, not taking his eyes off her.
He gently took the water bottle from her hand and set it aside, then pressed his thumb to her wet lips.
“…!”
Startled, her wide eyes met his.
His gaze, without a trace of amusement, moved the thumb slowly across her lips, then down her neck.
The soft touch carried a subtle warmth.
Seoyoung’s eyes darted around, awkward at the sudden change in atmosphere.
She looked stiff, visibly tense, which made Hyukjin chuckle briefly.
“You’re usually this clumsy, aren’t you?”
He raised his fingers before her, long fingers glistening with moisture.
Seoyoung let out a small sigh, realizing he had only intended to wipe the water away. Her face immediately turned red, embarrassed at her momentary misunderstanding.
Amused, Hyukjin took a step back, drying his hands with a towel and glancing toward the beach.
“You weren’t bored, I suppose.”
His apparent consideration made Seoyoung smile brightly.
“No, I had a really good time, thanks.”
“Then now it’s my turn to spend time with you.”
His low, husky voice made her heart skip a beat.
Seoyoung, who had been smiling while looking at the ocean, slowly turned her head.
Her heart raced as she met Hyukjin’s intense gaze, standing right in front of her.
Her downward glance was lifted by his hand.
Her chin was raised, and her wide eyes met his blazing ones.
Watching his gaze descend slowly, her eyes—once huge in surprise—closed gently.
There was no time to resist, no room to think.
Feeling his strong arms wrap around her waist, Seoyoung rose onto her tiptoes.
“Hnn…”
A low moan slipped from her lips.
Her nerves were on edge, her heart trembling.
This kiss felt different from all the others—sweet, deep, and consuming.
The gentle but gradually deepening sensation began to steal her reason.
Gasping, she pressed closer into his chest.
Her hands rested on his chest, but she did not push him away. Instead, she tensed at the firm, solid feel.
As she realized she was his wife, his hand brushed against a sensitive spot.
“Hng…”
Hyukjin’s darkened eyes didn’t leave her lips, nor did he release them.
Seoyoung’s eyes widened further as she realized his intent.
“Don’t you like it?”
His voice was husky, laced with a heavy warmth.
‘It’s still early evening.’
Minwoo crossed her mind, but she could not voice it.
Without waiting for a response, Hyukjin deepened the kiss.
“Hng…”
Even more intense than before, she pushed against his chest.
But he didn’t budge. Instead, he unbuttoned her blouse, guiding her toward the sofa.
When her back touched the sofa, his lips slid down her sensitive neck.
Following the slow unbuttoning of her blouse, his warm breath traveled down.
Her head tilted back, taking in the moist kisses moving from collarbone to upper chest.
“Haah…”
The thought of staying in his arms clashed with the urge to push him away.
Then—the doorbell rang loudly.
Hyukjin didn’t seem to notice, not lifting his head.
Instead, he pressed a kiss to her shoulder, teasing her earlobe.
Yet, the person at the door did not stop; the doorbell kept ringing.
The phone on the table vibrated, and the doorbell rang again.
Unlike Hyukjin, Seoyoung could no longer endure the situation.
She pushed his shoulder away, freeing her stiff neck, and finally spoke.
“…Hyukjin.”
At her touch, Hyukjin reluctantly lifted his head.
“Ha, seriously!”
Annoyance was clear on his face.
“You don’t have to worry.”
Avoiding his lips that were about to kiss again, Seoyoung turned her head.
How could he think of continuing a kiss in this situation?
Breaking free from his arms, she quickly buttoned her blouse—almost completely undone.
Irritated, Hyukjin ran his hand through his hair roughly and approached the doorbell again.
Seeing him, Seoyoung dashed into the bedroom as if fleeing.
“Weren’t you supposed to rest today?”
Hyukjin’s annoyed voice rang clearly from the door.
