CHAPTER 32…………………………………………..
“That means… I just need your permission?”
Though his expression had initially looked displeased, his eyes soon carried that familiar sly glint.
Seoyoung swallowed nervously at the sight of his slightly upturned lips and confident face.
She had only provoked him out of determination not to be toyed with, but it seemed she had picked the wrong target.
Still, it was ultimately something that would end if she simply refused permission.
‘I’m not going to give permission.’
Muttering this to herself, Seoyoung nodded.
“Alright. But you have to keep your promise.”
“Of course!”
Hyukjin nodded enthusiastically, stood up, and extended his hand.
“Shall we head upstairs, then?”
Looking at his large hand, Seoyoung resolutely grabbed it.
Her gaze was like that of a warrior heading into battle.
Hyukjin’s lips curled into a slight smirk.
‘What a naive woman.’
As he held her hand and climbed the stairs, he imagined what was to come.
One doesn’t take much interest in easily caught prey.
He was looking forward to the day she would fully yield to him.
Lying face-to-face on the bed, the two of them smiled at each other, their eyes locked like in a staring contest.
“Not going to sleep?”
Hyukjin exhaled toward Seoyoung, who didn’t even blink.
Flustered, Seoyoung blinked in the light breeze and responded in a pouting voice.
“I will sleep. How about you, Hyukjin? Aren’t you going to sleep?”
“I’ll sleep if you hold me.”
“Ha… can’t you just fall asleep first?”
Seoyoung sighed and furrowed her brows.
Seeing the reason for her wide-open eyes confirmed, she grew irritated by his teasing.
‘Was he always this sly?’
Though she remembered his comments about “compatibility” on their first meeting, it was still frustrating.
Her determination flared as she stared at his bright, unwavering eyes.
‘Alright. Let’s do this.’
Since she had his help with the company work, all that remained was keeping her other promise to him.
What’s the big deal about just holding his waist while sleeping?
Taking a deep breath, Seoyoung placed her hand on his waist.
“Alright now?”
“Alright… for what?”
Hyukjin gestured to the distance between them.
“Ha…”
Seoyoung sighed again and moved slightly closer.
“Now is it alright?”
“I thought you said you’d sleep right next to me, holding me tight.”
His eyes emphasized the word “tight,” a teasing glint in them.
Seoyoung pursed her lips, glared at him briefly, and inched closer.
“Now… huh!”
“This is how you hold tight.”
Unable to stand it any longer, Hyukjin wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her close.
She was literally pressed right against his side.
Yet he tapped her arms as if still unsatisfied.
Resting her head on his chest, Seoyoung slowly lifted her head.
“You said… to hold me tight…”
She had lost count of how many times he had said it.
Throwing caution to the wind, she hugged his waist tightly before he could finish speaking.
Being pressed against him, she could feel his warmth—and the hard presence in his lower abdomen.
Her face flushed again.
But resting her face on his chest, she didn’t worry about him noticing.
Instead, she could hear the thudding of his heartbeat loudly in her ears.
‘Is he nervous too?’
The thought that Hyukjin, who usually seemed composed, might be tense made Seoyoung smile.
Her childhood mischievousness slowly reawakened.
She lifted her head and looked Hyukjin straight in the eyes, her voice playful.
“You seem a little nervous too, Hyukjin. Surely you’re not… excited from holding me, right?”
“Ha! Provoking me, huh? That won’t end well.”
His eyes, now devoid of the previous lightness, glowed intensely, almost fiery.
‘Did I go too far?’
Feeling the sudden heaviness in the atmosphere, Seoyoung swallowed.
She hadn’t intended for things to get this serious.
Realizing her mistake, she quickly lowered her head and closed her eyes tightly.
“I-I’m sleepy. Let’s just sleep.”
“Ha…”
She felt Hyukjin’s warm breath above her head.
“Stop squirming.”
His voice, escaping through clenched teeth, was unusually deep and firm.
Seoyoung, hugging his waist, remained frozen like ice. It was another form of torment.
Feeling the presence pressing against her lower abdomen and hearing his heartbeat in her ear made her even more tense.
‘Why did I do this?’
Remaining still as if being punished, Seoyoung silently wished for him to fall asleep quickly.
Soon, she heard the rhythmic sound of his breathing above her.
“Hoo…”
A low sigh escaped her lips, which had been tense from discomfort.
‘Next time, no provoking.’
She finally realized that whatever she did, she was the one who would suffer.
Trying to provoke him after saying she wouldn’t give permission had only made things worse for her.
Slowly loosening her grip on his waist, Seoyoung adjusted slightly and closed her eyes again.
Listening to the steady beat of his heart, she too drifted to sleep.
Soon after, Hyukjin, whom she thought was asleep, opened his eyes.
“Ha… where did this rugby-ball of a woman come from?”
Trying to play a joke, he had almost ended up on the receiving end.
Despite her composed appearance, her innocent, unpredictable side was cute—and today, entirely unpredictable.
‘This won’t be easy.’
With effort, he could have had the first night with her; all it would have taken was a bit of playfulness without unnecessary promises.
He, who usually didn’t budge for any woman he didn’t care for, was reacting instantly to her soft body pressed against his.
Even the slightest movement caused a response, leaving him embarrassed at himself.
‘Seriously.’
Not a virgin nor an affair, yet why did he have to endure such torment with a legitimate wife?
‘Guess the night’s ruined.’
Watching Seoyoung snuggle sleepily in his arms, Hyukjin chuckled in disbelief, then, as if disappointed, licked his lips and hugged her waist tighter.
Since she was asleep, she wouldn’t notice his body, so he could satisfy his desires this way.
He gently stroked her hair, inhaling the rose-scented shampoo deeply.
Seoyoung whimpered softly, pressing further into him.
“Damn.”
His sudden surge of desire made him mutter in frustration.
The next morning, Seoyoung woke feeling unusually refreshed.
The space beside her had been empty for a while, cold to the touch.
“Already gone to work?”
Checking the clock on her bedside table, she stretched and headed to the bathroom.
She had thought she wouldn’t sleep well holding Hyukjin close, but surprisingly, she had slept soundly—only slightly startled by his healthy body.
Afterward, she felt fully rested.
After a quick wash and finishing her preparations for work, Seoyoung went downstairs.
Housekeeper Yoon welcomed her warmly and had breakfast ready.
“Where’s Hyukjin?”
“He had work, so he ate and left early.”
Of course, he had something to do.
Nodding, Seoyoung picked up her spoon.
“I’ll eat well.”
Another thing she liked about marriage was breakfast.
Previously, living alone, she had rushed through breakfast. Now, like when her parents were alive, she could enjoy a proper morning meal.
“Seeing you enjoy it makes me want to cook even more. Please enjoy your meal, Madam.”
Yoon beamed and stepped aside.
Seoyoung didn’t hesitate, eating diligently. Everything was delicious.
After sleeping well and eating well, her mind felt completely at ease.
For a moment, she thought, This must be happiness.
Her face was full of smiles as she busily chewed her food.
