CHAPTER 50…………………………………..
Hyukjin?
Barely lifting her heavy eyelids, Seoyoung turned her head toward the sound of Hyukjin’s voice.
Even amid the loud clinking of glasses and boisterous laughter, his voice stood out clearly.
When she saw Hyukjin, Seoyoung smiled at him faintly, as if glad to see him.
Being left alone among strangers had felt quite lonely.
Having grown used to living alone for so many years, Seoyoung swallowed the bitterness of that unexpected change and instead filled the emptiness with the drinks people offered her.
Because of the sweet taste, she hadn’t even considered that the alcohol content might be high.
As smoothly as it went down, she even thought she might have gotten fairly used to drinking.
But the moment Hyukjin saw her looking slightly disheveled, his eyes narrowed.
His voice dropped low as well.
“How much did you drink?”
“Um… about five glasses? Or was it six?”
Seoyoung rolled her eyes, spread one hand wide, then tilted her head in confusion.
Seeing her sway unlike her usual self, Hyukjin raised his eyebrows.
“You drink everything just because they offer it?”
Clicking his tongue, Hyukjin told his friends they were leaving first. Watching that, Seoyoung forced her eyes to stay open despite them wanting to close again.
“Let’s go.”
When Hyukjin pulled her arm, Seoyoung stood up obediently, trying not to stumble.
Her head throbbed, and she felt dizzy—clearly quite drunk.
“I’m sorry, but we’ll be heading out first.”
Hearing Hyukjin mutter something like, At least you still remember to say goodbye, Seoyoung even lifted the corners of her lips and bowed politely.
“Seoyoung, let’s meet again next time.”
“I didn’t know you were such a lightweight. Next time, let’s just have tea.”
Surprised at how little she could drink, Hyukjin’s classmates waved her off, looking at her flushed face.
Leaving their farewells behind, Seoyoung leaned tightly against Hyukjin, putting strength into her legs to keep from swaying.
Even so, her unsteady steps made Hyukjin sigh softly.
“Hah. What on earth did you drink?”
“Highballs. They tasted like juice, so I thought the alcohol was low. I didn’t know I’d get this drunk.”
At her words, Hyukjin clicked his tongue again.
He knew she was bad with alcohol, but he hadn’t expected her to be like this after just a few highballs.
“Let’s stay at this hotel tonight. It’s better than getting nagged for letting you get completely plastered.”
“Yes. That’s a good idea.”
With her head pounding like it might split, Seoyoung immediately leaned her head against Hyukjin’s shoulder. Right now, she was too out of it—she just wanted to rest.
“It’s so hot.”
As soon as they entered the room, Seoyoung took off her thick coat. The alcohol had warmed her whole body, and the room was well heated, making it quite hot.
Tossing the coat onto the sofa, Seoyoung undid a couple more buttons of her blouse.
She needed to wash up, but she was so sleepy she just wanted to fall asleep like this.
“Wash up before sleeping.”
Hyukjin caught Seoyoung’s arm as she tried to head for the bedroom.
“Okay.”
Answering readily, Seoyoung let him lead her into the bathroom.
Watching the door close, Seoyoung plopped down on the floor. As she undid the buttons of her blouse, she couldn’t fight the drowsiness and leaned her face against the bathtub.
Feeling the cool surface against her cheek, the corners of her lips lifted in satisfaction, and before long, soft, even breathing slipped from between her lips.
How much time had passed?
When there was no response even to knocking, Hyukjin opened the bathroom door.
“Good grief.”
Seeing Seoyoung asleep, leaning against the tub, Hyukjin looked dumbfounded and clicked his tongue.
Stepping inside, he immediately lifted her into his arms.
Her being completely drunk after just a few highballs was absurd, amusing—and strangely cute.
Feeling her body suddenly float, Seoyoung instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
The hot breath brushing his nape and the faint grapefruit scent drifting from her slightly parted lips made Hyukjin stiffen.
“Haa…”
Letting out a quiet sigh, he left the bathroom and carefully laid her down on the bed.
“Ah, it’s hot.”
Unable to control the rising intoxication, Seoyoung finished undoing the buttons she’d left half-open.
As the buttons came undone, her pale cleavage was revealed, and as her skirt slid up, her long, slender legs slowly came into view as well.
Watching her casually strip without even realizing someone was there, Hyukjin let out a hollow laugh, utterly incredulous.
Leaving her behind, he went to the bathroom and came back with a damp towel.
After lightly removing her makeup, now fast asleep, he covered her—clad only in her underwear—with a blanket.
But complaining that it was hot, Seoyoung kicked the blanket away with her foot.
Shaking his head, Hyukjin sighed and headed to the bathroom.
After a quick shower, Hyukjin lay down on the bed. Out of habit, Seoyoung turned toward him and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist.
Clad only in his boxers, Hyukjin’s lower abdomen quickly hardened.
Seeing Seoyoung bury her face against his chest, her lips moving slightly as if murmuring something, Hyukjin turned his head and let out a long sigh.
After drinking past her limit, she was now fearlessly clinging to a man—he couldn’t help but scoff.
He was also irritated at his own body for reacting so honestly to her every small movement.
He even found himself regretting the promise he’d made not to touch her unless she allowed it.
Holding her warm body close, Hyukjin whispered softly into her ear.
“Should we spend our first night together here today?”
It was something he said on a whim, hoping—just maybe.
Ever since the day they’d grown closer under the excuse of avoiding Mrs. Kim’s eyes, Seoyoung had been awkward whenever she was with him, even seeming to deliberately avoid him.
The way she’d subtly guarded against Minwoo ever since stopping by the office had also fanned his impulsiveness.
He genuinely wanted to know what Seoyoung thought of him.
At his whisper, she let out a small giggle as if it tickled, then nodded faintly.
“…Okay.”
At the unexpected answer, Hyukjin narrowed his eyes. Seoyoung lifted her face slightly from his chest.
As if asking for a kiss, she even pushed her lips out a little.
“Really? That’s permission, right?”
Keeping his gaze fixed on her red lips, Hyukjin asked again.
“Yes.”
As she answered, Seoyoung tightened the arm wrapped around his waist.
“Haa.”
Feeling his body throb, Hyukjin cupped her face. Without delaying any longer, he lowered his head.
He brushed his lips lightly against hers—just a touch—then pulled back to check her reaction.
But before he could even assess it, Seoyoung wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his.
Whether it was the alcohol making her bolder, her actions were fearless.
Perhaps because of the alcohol, her heart had loosened as well.
That night when Mrs. Kim had come—she’d worried about what would happen if this man held her like this, but truthfully, she hadn’t disliked the thought.
What bothered her more was the awkwardness that followed.
Did alcohol make her bolder than usual?
If so, she thought, maybe it was better to cross the line now.
She wasn’t clear-headed enough to make an important decision.
But Seoyoung decided to let herself be swept away by the sudden impulse.
We’re already married. Is there really any need to keep putting it off?
Using the alcohol as an excuse, Seoyoung tightened her arms around him.
Whether he liked men or not didn’t matter in this moment. She wanted to be honest about her feelings.
“Haa. You definitely gave permission.”
Unable to endure any longer, Hyukjin growled softly at her provocation.
It seemed she hadn’t even considered what would happen when she tempted a man while wearing nothing but underwear.
As if answering him, Seoyoung said nothing and instead ran her fingers through his hair.
At that silent consent, Hyukjin abandoned all hesitation and pulled her waist tightly against his body.
The feel of bare skin against his was soft and wonderful.
When he pulled his lips away and met her brown eyes looking up at him, Hyukjin asked again with his gaze.
Her eyes wavered slightly as she swallowed hard, then she nodded.
Letting out a low chuckle, Hyukjin finally lowered his head and captured those especially seductive red lips in a deep kiss.
Holding her firmly as she pressed closer, he filled her mouth with his heated breath.
Her once-dry lips quickly became moist.
“Haa…”
His fingertips brushed through her hair and slid down over her shoulder.
