In the waning light of a dusky evening, a whimsical air danced through the room, curling around the corners and teasing the senses. Snow, lost in a haze of fleeting thoughts, suddenly found herself overtaken by a craving. "Seonbae," she called out in a voice that trembled with a curious blend of determination and whimsy, "I want to eat the pizza you've bought."
Chuckling warmly, Chalee glanced over his shoulder, eyes crinkling with affection. "You're already eating it, dear," he replied, the words rolling off his tongue like a melody.
Snow blinked, reality snapping back into focus. She looked down at her hand, still clutching the remains of her second slice. A soft chuckle bubbled up from her chest. "When did you come?" she asked, still slightly dazed.
"Umm, about ten years back, I think!" Chalee teased, the corners of his mouth twitching upward in a mischievous grin.
"Seonbae, stop making fun of me," Snow huffed, but the laughter in her eyes betrayed her amusement.
As minutes ticked by, Snow watched with growing impatience as Chalee dallied with his attire. The frustration simmering within her finally boiled over. "Seonbae," she burst out, "how long do you take to dress up, huh? I can't stand it anymore! It's really hard for me to stay silent when you're—" Her voice dropped to a sultry whisper, "—this hot at night. Do you expect me to die from anticipation, or do you have other plans?"
Her words were abruptly cut off as Chalee's phone rang, and he answered it with an exaggerated nonchalance. "Hello, Sara," he said into the phone, his tone intentionally light, as if to fan the flames of Snow's burgeoning jealousy.
Snow's ears strained, trying to catch the words spoken on the other side, but they melted into indistinct murmurs. Her eyes narrowed, a storm brewing within them as she fixated on Chalee. When he hung up, she continued to stare, a barely restrained tempest in her gaze.
Chalee turned slowly, sensing the intensity of her stare like a physical touch. "Snowie, my baby," he cooed, his voice soft and soothing, trying to mollify her.
But Snow had other plans. She pulled him toward a secluded space, a room beneath the bed that held an aura of intimacy and secrecy. With deft hands, she tied his wrists with a rope, her fingers tracing delicate patterns on his face, her touch a blend of seduction and challenge.
"If I come this close to you," she whispered, her breath warm against his skin, "will the impression you had of me change?"
Chalee's eyes glittered with amusement and desire. "If you come closer like this... how could my impression of you ever change?"
Snow's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Then what do you want to do?"
Feigning an exaggerated sigh, she teased, "Oh no! I forgot you're tightly trapped by this rope. You can't do anything unless I release you."
A smirk played on Chalee's lips. "Pfft... You think you can stop me if I want to do something?"
"Then try me," Snow challenged, her voice a provocative whisper.
With a grunt of effort, Chalee strained against the ropes, finally tearing them apart. He seized Snow's hands, pushing her back against the wall, his grip firm but filled with a protective heat. Pinning her hands above her head with one hand, he leaned in closer, his breath mingling with hers. "Now, challenge me, baby."
Snow's pulse quickened, and she struggled, but his hold was unyielding. His lips brushed her neck, where the scent of her perfume lingered. "You know what I like most about you in times like this?" he murmured.
"Wha... what is it?" Snow's voice trembled, a mixture of fear and excitement.
"Your fragrance," Chalee whispered, his voice a tantalizing caress.
In one swift motion, he lifted her, carrying her to their bed, where the night's promises hovered in the air like a spell.
***
The next morning, the sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow on everything it touched. Snow received a call from her friend Minju, who shared some exciting news that had Snow beaming with happiness. She couldn't wait to tell Chalee, and their day unfolded with the easy joy of two people deeply in love.
***
Ten months later, on their anniversary, the couple found themselves strolling through a picturesque park, their laughter mingling with the rustle of leaves. But the night held an unexpected twist. Snow was suddenly gripped by an excruciating stomachache, collapsing to the ground in pain.
Panic surged through Chalee, but he remained a pillar of strength for her. "Everything will be alright, dear. Don't worry," he whispered, his voice a soothing balm to her frazzled nerves.
They rushed to the Catholic Hospital, where the night's tranquility was shattered by the bustling crowd. It was nearly closing time, and the air was thick with the scent of antiseptic. Chalee registered Snow's name, securing an appointment for 11:30 pm, and they waited in the faintly lit lobby.
The hospital, with its facade resembling a grand old mansion, seemed almost inviting if not for the pervasive medicinal odor that set Snow on edge. She watched Chalee intently, willing him to return quickly.
Finally, they were called in. Dr. Noon, a general surgeon with a kind but tired face, glanced up as they entered. His eyes briefly widened with admiration for Snow's delicate beauty before they clouded with resignation; she was clearly a married woman.
"Your name?" Dr. Noon asked, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment.
"Snow," she replied. "And this is my husband, Mr. Chalee."
Chalee stepped forward. "Hello, sir. My wife has been experiencing severe stomach pain. Could you please check her?"
"Okay. Can you wait outside?" Noon instructed.
Chalee's eyes flickered with worry, but he nodded. "Okay, sir."
Snow felt a pang of anxiety as Chalee left her side, but she steeled herself for the examination.
To be continued...