As the clock ticked on, Seongho lay tucked in his bed, a comforting weight of Mangchi purring softly beside him. The anticipation had turned into impatience as he checked his phone for what felt like the umpteenth time, only to find a text from earlier Junseong sent,that making his heart sink.
"Hey little one, don't wait up for me tonight, I'm going out with Taesung and Taejoon. And I might be home late."
Seongho rolled over, staring at the ceiling, wondering why his husband felt the need to go out when he could have been snuggled up at home. He was still feeling the effects of the soju from earlier, the memories of laughter from earlier echoing in his mind. Now, he just felt hollow and a bit irritated.
Meanwhile, at a Korean BBQ restaurant, Junseong sat with Taesung and Taejoon, feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders. Despite the delicious food and the lively ambiance, his thoughts drifted back to the legal matters surrounding his marriage contract with Ha Young. The guys picked up on his distraction almost immediately.
"Hey, Junseong, what's eating you?" Taesung asked, raising an eyebrow over his glass of wine.
Junseong sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Just… you know, the contract stuff. It's really stressful, and I was hoping to have a more peaceful life," he admitted.
"Let's forget about that for tonight!" Taejoon chimed in, slapping Junseong on the back. "We're heading to that VIP club in Gangnam after this. You need to let loose and not think about anything. Just chill!"
Flashing a reluctant smile, Junseong nodded, appreciating their efforts to distract him. "Alright, fine. Just… let's try not to get too wild, okay?"
Hours later, they found themselves at the club, the pulsating music drowning out their worries for a while. They were ushered into an exclusive section, complete with flashy lights and plush seating hoping to unwind after their earlier dinner.
The two friends were determined to help Junseong take his mind off the legal troubles surrounding his marriage contract.
"Come on, Jun, just one more drink!" Taesung slurred, his cheeks flushed from the alcohol. "You need to loosen up a bit."
Junseong reluctantly took another sip of his cocktail, feeling the warmth spread through his body. To his surprise, the potent drink was quickly going to his head, despite his usually high alcohol tolerance.
As the drinks flowed, so did the laughter, and slowly but surely, Junseong began to relax. He was usually the responsible one, the one who kept everything together—especially when it came to dealing with Taesung and Taejoon's antics.
But tonight? Tonight was different. Even his high alcohol tolerance was no match for the concoctions they were pouring into him. Before he knew it, he was feeling warm, carefree, and a little bit tipsy. Taesung, too, had succumbed to the spirits, letting loose with silly dance moves that made Junseong crack up.
Taejoon, however, was another story. After a few rounds of shots, he simply sank into the plush couch, eyes fluttering closed and snoring softly ,his head resting on the table as he let out soft snores.
"Guess he couldn't handle it," Taesung laughed, wobbling a bit in his seat.
Just as they were enjoying their tipsy banter, the door of the club swung open, and in walked Ha Young, flanked by two of her friends. The trio moved through the club like royalty, heads turning as they effortlessly commanded attention.
"Look!" One of Ha Young's friends gestured, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I think I see Junseong Oppa over there!"
Ha Young smirked, an idea forming as she strutted over, her heels clicking against the floor. "Lucky us. Let the fun begin," she said, her demeanor dripping with confidence.
But first, Ha Young had made sure their drinks were spiked earlier in the night, assuring that they'd be easier to manage. All part of her plan to lure Junseong without any interruptions.
As Ha Young and her entourage made their way through the club, Seongho remained oblivious, wrapped in his thoughts at home while everything began to unravel for Junseong . The evening was taking a turn, it was about to get even wilder and she would make sure to seize the moment and reclaim what she believed was rightfully hers .
She sauntered into the VIP lounge with the two of them, her eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Well, well, look who we have here," Ha Young purred, her gaze fixed on Junseong. "Fancy meeting you in a place like this, oppa."
Junseong looked up, his vision slightly blurred, and his heart sank as he recognized the unwelcome intruder. "H-Ha Young? What are you doing here?"
Ha Young simply smiled, her friends giggling behind her. "Oh, we were just out for a girls' night. And imagine my surprise when I found you, all alone and looking so... vulnerable."
She leaned in closer, her hand ghosting over Junseong's arm. "Maybe I can keep you company, oppa. After all, your friends seem a little... indisposed."
Junseong opened his mouth to protest, but the alcohol had clouded his judgement, and all he could muster was a weak, "I... I don't think that's a good idea."
As Ha Young's friends closed in, Junseong felt a sense of dread wash over him. This was not how he had planned to spend his evening.
Junseong's vision was blurring as the alcohol coursed through his veins, the music pulsing in his ears. He was aware of Taesung laughing beside him, and Taejoon passed out cold, but his focus was solely on the figure standing before him.
In his drunken haze, Junseong suddenly thought he saw Seongho instead of Ha Young. A goofy grin spread across his face as he reached out and pulled the woman onto his lap.
"Seongho! You came to rescue me," he slurred, nuzzling into the crook of her neck. "I missed you so much, baby."
Ha Young's eyes went wide with anger and surprise, but a sly smile quickly replaced her shock. "Why, Junseong, I had no idea you felt that way about me," she purred, wrapping her arms around him.
Taesung, finally noticing the commotion, looked up in bewilderment. "Whoa, Jun, what are you—" He broke off as Ha Young's two friends sauntered over, distracting him with their flirtatious giggles.
"Hi there," one of the them cooed, leaning in close to Taesung. "You look like you could use some company."
Taesung, suddenly finding himself surrounded by beautiful women, quickly forgot about Ha young's antics, his drunken mind eagerly accepting the distraction.
Meanwhile, Junseong continued to mumble incoherent endearments, his hands roaming Ha Young's body as she reveled in his inebriated state. This was exactly the opportunity she had been waiting for.
"Shh, my love, I'm here now," Ha Young whispered, her lips dangerously close to Junseong's. "Let's get out of here, hmm?"
Junseong nodded lazily, completely oblivious to the reality of the situation. As Ha Young guided him out of the club, Taesung was left behind, swept up in the attention of the two women who had effectively distracted him from his friend's predicament.
Outside the club,Ha Young leaned closer to Junseong, her fingers delicately tracing a path down his chest, skimming dangerously close to the waistband of his pants. She reveled in the sensation, relishing the power she held over him in this intoxicated moment. As she inhaled the scent of his cologne mixed with the haze of alcohol, she whispered into his ear, her voice silky and laced with mischief.
"You're so easy to manipulate when you're like this," she murmured, her warm breath brushing against his skin. The intimate closeness sent shivers down his spine, but beneath the warmth, a tension pulsed in the air.
"Tell me, do you even know whose body you're touching right now?" Her words were provocative, intended to spark a flicker of realization amidst his haze.
Junseong's alcohol-fuzzed mind struggled to grasp the weight of her question. His thoughts were a tangled mess, drowning in warmth and desire as he leaned into Ha Young's touch. Confusion danced in his eyes, but he felt entranced, his defenses eroding with every passing second.
"Hm? Whaddya mean?" he mumbled, his words slurring together. "You feel so good... so soft... little one."
His gaze was heavy-lidded, fixated on her as the club's pulsating music faded into the background. Unbeknownst to him, she wore a smile that blended satisfaction with a hint of predatory calculation.
In a swift motion, Ha Young helped Junseong into the passenger seat of her car, his movements clumsy and uncoordinated—a clear testament to the effects of the night's indulgences. She closed the door with a soft thud, her heart racing in anticipation of her carefully orchestrated plan coming to fruition.
As she walked around to the driver's side, she reached into her bag and retrieved her phone, her fingers dancing over the screen with excitement. After a moment, she dialed a number, her gaze flickering back to Junseong, whose head lolled against the headrest, blissfully unaware of the tailspin his life was about to take.
"Is the room ready?" she asked, her voice smooth, yet tinged with an undercurrent of eagerness.
A muffled response came through the line, the voice affirming that the room was indeed prepared. Ha Young felt a rush of triumph at this confirmation.
"Excellent," she purred, satisfaction lacing her words. "I'll be there soon."
Ending the call, she placed her phone on the dashboard, her heart fluttering with excitement at the upcoming rendezvous. She turned her attention back to Junseong, who sat in a daze, his head slumped back and his eyes fluttering with the remnants of consciousness. He was blissfully unaware of the elaborate game unfolding around him, lost in the intoxicating haze that had turned the night into a dangerous playground of desire and deceit.
Ha Young ignited the car's engine, pulling smoothly out of the nightclub parking lot, her gaze unwaveringly fixed on Junseong. She could see the haze of intoxication cloaking him like a shroud, and she reveled in the power she held over him in this moment of vulnerability.
As they glided through the urban sprawl, Junseong let out a groan, his head slumping to the side as he fought to keep his eyes open. "Where... where are we goin'?" he managed to slur, his words thick and muddled, a clear indication of his disorientation.
Ha Young reached across the console, her hand lightly patting his leg with a deliberately seductive touch. "Don't worry, yeobo," she murmured, her voice smooth and soothing. "We're almost there."
A sly smile curled at the corners of her lips as she continued to navigate the road, anticipation coursing through her veins. The thought of finally having him alone in the hotel room stirred something primal within her, heightening her excitement for what was to come.
Ha Young arrived at the hotel, her demeanor sharp and commanding as she approached the reception desk. The staff greeted her with polite nods, but their greetings only seemed to grate on her nerves.
"Room key," she snapped, her tone leaving no room for small talk. She flashed a brief glare at the receptionist, whose expression faltered slightly. "It's under my name. Hurry up."
The receptionist, a young woman, fumbled for a moment, her hands shaking as she typed something into the computer. "Um, yes, Miss Ha young. Right away," she stammered, clearly flustered by Ha Young's icy demeanor.
"Good," Ha Young replied curtly, crossing her arms. She couldn't care less about the girl's fluster. All she wanted was to get Junseong out of sight and into the room where she could finally have him to herself.
After what felt like an eternity, the receptionist handed her the room key, her hands trembling just slightly. "Here you go, Miss Ha young . Enjoy your stay."
"Yeah, whatever," Ha Young muttered, snatching the key from her grasp. She turned sharply, making her way toward the elevator where Junseong was leaning against the wall, struggling to keep his balance.
"Come on, let's get you to the room," she said, wrapping an arm around his waist to steady him.
As they waited for the elevator doors to open, she wrapped her arm securely around his waist, feeling the warmth radiating from his body. "Hang in there, Junseong," she said, her voice a mixture of teasing and encouragement.
"Where are we?" he slurred, his eyes struggling to focus. "I… I don't feel so good."
"You're fine," she replied with a soft smile, deliberately keeping her tone soothing yet firm. "Just trust me, we're almost there."
When the elevator doors finally opened, Junseong stumbled inside, his head lolling to the side. The sweet scent of the hotel mixed with the lingering smell of alcohol on his breath. "Seongho…" he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Baby... little one…"
Ha Young's heart clenched at the mention of his husband's name. She tightened her grip on him, fighting back a swell of jealousy. "Focus on me, Junseong," she urged, trying to reclaim his attention. "You're with me now."
As they stepped out of the elevator, she could feel her resolve hardening. "Let's get you comfortable," she said, leading him down the softly lit corridor toward their room.
Once inside, the dim amber light flickered from candles scattered throughout, casting soft shadows that danced across the walls. Petals adorned the bed and the floor, adding to the romantic ambiance.
Junseong blinked slowly, taking in the scene as he leaned against the doorframe. "What is this place? It's… beautiful Seongho-ya," he murmured, a hint of confusion lacing his words.
"It's our little escape," Ha Young said, her voice low and inviting. "Just you and me, without any distractions."
"Seongho…" he whispered again, swaying slightly.
"Forget about him for tonight," she said, stepping closer and guiding him toward the bed. "You deserve to enjoy yourself. Just let go."
As he sank onto the bed, a frown flickered across his face. "Baby but we haven't . . . Maybe… I shouldn't…"
"Yes, you should," she told him firmly, leaning in closer, her gaze locking onto his. "You need to focus on you, for once. Let me take care of you."
Junseong's eyes fluttered, battling between clarity and haze, but Ha Young knew that tonight, she would have him exactly where she wanted him.
She knelt on the ground, slowly pulled down his underwear with great difficulty . Junseong's cock throbbed as her fingers fumbled with the waistband of his boxers, finally managing to drag them down to his knees. Her warm breath ghosted over his erection, making it twitch eagerly. With a hunger in her eyes, she leaned in, parting her plush lips to take the head of his cock between them.
But just as she wanted to suck, he grasped her face and pulled her up to meet his own hungry mouth in a bruising kiss. His tongue plundered her depths as his hands roamed over her curves, groaning at the familiar feel of her. But something was off. Her flavor wasn't quite right, her body and scent were different from his husband's . Panic set in as reality hit him like a punch to the gut. This wasn't Seongho at all.
Staring into wide, shocked eyes, Junseong struggled to process what was happening. This... this couldn't be real.
Junseong's sudden realization sent a wave of panic coursing through his body. He pushed Ha Young away, hastily trying to regain his composure.
"Wait, wait..." he mumbled, his words still slurred but with a hint of clarity. "This isn't... this isn't right."
He quickly pulled on his underwear and pants, buckling them up as he stumbled backwards, trying to create some distance between them.
Junseong stumbled backward, confusion swirling in his mind as he tried to make sense of the chaos around him. The alcohol coursing through his veins clouded his thoughts, but his instincts screamed that something was deeply wrong.
He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, eyes darting around the room as he attempted to piece together how he'd ended up here. Then his gaze locked onto Ha-young, and the fog of inebriation began to dissipate. Haziness faded, revealing clarity as he stood rigid, fists clenching at his sides, desperately searching for answers.
"You..." he muttered, his voice low and gravelly. "You're not... you're not Seongho..."
Junseong's grip on her arm tightened, an explosive anger surging within him. He twisted her arm behind her back, securing her in an unyielding hold.
"Ha young,you think you can fool me?" he growled, his tone deceptively calm, masking the fury simmering beneath the surface. "Who do you think you are, pretending to be Seongho? Acting all sympathetic and sly at the club, luring me into this trap... You scheming, manipulative little—"
Pushing her arm further back, he tightened his grip, eliciting a wince from her.
"You thought you could ensnare me by bringing me to your father's hotel, didn't you?" he spat, the venom in his voice palpable. "Gather evidence to use against me, so I'd have no choice but to marry you? You're delusional if you believe I'd ever fall for your pitiful game."
He shook her arm roughly, anger igniting with each syllable.
"I will never submit to you," he hissed vehemently. "Not now, not ever. I have a husband, damn it!"
As Junseong scanned the room, his eyes flickered from corner to corner, searching for any trace of hidden cameras. The anger simmered within him, fueled by the bitter realization that Ha Young had tried to ensnare him in her web of deceit.
Finally, he spotted it, cleverly concealed in the shadows. Without a moment's hesitation, he strode over, ripped out the memory card, and brutally smashed the camera to pieces, the sound echoing in the tense silence.
Stashing the memory card in his pocket, he turned to find Ha Young pleading with him, desperation etched across her face. She reached out, longing to connect, but he recoiled as if her touch burned him.
"You disgust me," he spat, his voice laced with venom. "You think you can play me for a fool? That I would fall for your pathetic little manipulations? You're sorely mistaken."
"Junseong, please," she began, her voice trembling as she sought to explain. But before she could finish, he sliced through her words with ruthless intensity.
"Stop it," he snapped. "Do not say another word. Your voice makes me sick."
He watched as her expression twisted with despair, her hands reaching for him once again. But he took a resolute step back, hardened resolve etched on his features.
"Don't touch me," he said coldly. "You have no right to, not after what you've tried to do."
Ha Young's shoulders slumped in defeat, but Junseong pressed on, relentless.
"You honestly believed you could manipulate me into marrying you?" he asked, disdain dripping from his tone. "You thought threats and deception would bend me to your will?"
Her head dropped in shame, her voice barely a whisper. "I just... I wanted you so badly. I knew I could never compete with Seongho, but I thought... if I could just get you to give me a chance..."
Junseong's expression hardened, his eyes narrowing in disapproval. "You never stood a chance," he replied bluntly. "Not against Seongho, and certainly not with this pathetic attempt to trap me."
Ha Young bit her lip, tears threatening to spill from her eyes. "I never meant to hurt you," she confessed, her voice breaking. "I just thought that if I could get you away from Seongho—"
He interrupted her, his voice slicing through her words like glass. "You were willing to use underhanded methods to get what you wanted," he stated, his tone unforgiving. "You didn't care how it would affect me or my husband. All that mattered to you were your selfish desires."
Ha Young's expression darkened at the mention of Seongho.
"Since he came into your life, you've changed so much," she spat, anger lacing her words. "You're not the same person anymore. You're softer, weaker—too obsessed with that man—"
Junseong's eyes blazed with fury, his hands transforming into tight fists at his sides.
"Don't you ever speak about him like that again," he warned, his voice dropping to a low growl.
"Seongho is my husband, and he's worth ten of you," he shot back, the intensity of his defense leaving Ha Young momentarily taken aback. But she quickly regained her composure, her voice sharpening into a cold edge.
"He's still just an arranged marriage, though," she replied dismissively. "You don't have to be so protective of him. You don't even love him, right?"
Junseong's jaw was clenched tightly as her words pierced through him. A surge of anger bubbled within, yet he forced himself to remain outwardly calm.
"You don't understand anything," he said quietly, his voice teetering on the brink of danger. "Seongho and I may not have chosen each other, but he's mine. And I will protect him with everything I have."
He stepped closer to Ha Young, his gaze locking onto hers, unyielding and fierce.
"If you say one more word about him or try to slander his name, I promise you will regret it."
Ha Young instinctively took a small step back as he advanced toward her, a flicker of fear momentarily crossing her features. Yet, she battled to maintain her defiance, her voice unwavering.
"What are you going to do, huh? Hit me?" she challenged, her tone imbued with bravado.
Junseong's eyes narrowed at her provocation. He took another step closer, the tension crackling in the air, his fists still clenched at his sides.
"You really want to find out?" he threatened, his voice a dangerous growl. "Believe me, I could do far worse than just hit you. I could make your life a living hell—make you regret every single moment you've ever laid eyes on me."
Ha Young's expression darkened at the mention of Seongho.
"Ever since Seongho entered your life, you've changed so much," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "You aren't the same person anymore. You've become softer, weaker—too obsessed with that man."
Anger blazed in Junseong's eyes, his hands curling into tight fists.
"Don't you ever speak about him like that again," he warned, his voice a low growl, each word heavy with menace.
"Seongho is my husband, and he's worth ten of you," he shot back, his voice sharp and cutting as he launched a fierce defense of Seongho.
Ha Young's eyes widened in surprise at his intensity but quickly transformed into icy resolve. "He's just an arranged marriage, though," she countered, her tone dismissive. "You don't need to be so protective of him. You don't even love him, right?"
Junseong's jaw tightened as she questioned his feelings for Seongho. A tide of anger surged within him, yet he forced himself to maintain an outward calm.
"You don't understand anything," he replied, his voice low and dangerous. "Seongho and I may not have chosen each other, but he's mine. I will protect him with everything I have."
Stepping closer to Ha Young, he leveled his gaze with hers, an intensity igniting in the air between them.
"And if you utter another word about him or try to tarnish his name, you'll wish you hadn't."
Ha Young instinctively took a small step back, a flicker of fear flashing in her eyes at his advancing presence. Yet she held her ground, defiance etched across her features.
"What are you going to do, huh? Hit me?" she challenged, her tone daring him. Junseong's eyes narrowed at her provocation, and he stepped closer, fists clenched at his sides.
"You really want to find out?" he hissed, his voice a dangerous whisper. "I could do so much worse than just hitting you. I could make your life a living hell and ensure you regret ever crossing me."
Ha Young's bravado began to crumble under the weight of Junseong's threats. The anger simmering behind his eyes was unmistakable, a barely contained rage radiating from his posture. She instinctively took another step back, her confidence wavering.
"You... you wouldn't do that," she stammered, her voice quivering slightly. "You wouldn't actually hurt me."
Junseong regarded her with contempt, the fear in her eyes feeding his resolve. With deliberate calm, he took his phone from the nightstand and began dialing the police, his expression unwavering.
"Hello, it's me,Lee Junseong. I need to report a crime," he said, his voice cold and steady, never leaving Ha Young's face. "I'm at Grand Hyatt hotel with a woman who attempted to trap me and film intimate moments for her own use. I have the CCTV and a memory card as evidence."
The officer on the other end assured Junseong that a squad car would be dispatched immediately to take Ha Young in for questioning.
He hung up the phone and fixed his cold, steely gaze back on her.
"Looks like your plan backfired, huh?" he sneered, a hint of satisfaction threading through his words. "You should have picked a different target."
Meanwhile, in the midst of the club's chaos, Taejoon rubbed his aching head, struggling to shake off the fog from the alcohol he had consumed. Scanning the thrumming crowd for any signs of Junseong , his heart sank when he realized he was nowhere to be found. His gaze fell upon Taesung, who was lost in the rhythm, dancing with two of Ha Young's friends.
Suddenly, a sense of foreboding washed over him. He stood up and pushed through the throng of bodies and yanked Taesung off the dance floor, ignoring the girls' protests.
"Where's Junseong?" he demanded, urgency lacing his voice.
Taesung's eyes widened in alarm as the implications hit him. "Damn it," he muttered, worry creasing his brow. "I think he's with Ha Young."
Taejoon felt dread knot in his stomach, a painful twist of instinct telling him that this was a dire situation. He gripped Taesung's arm tightly.
"We need to find him, now," he urged, his voice shaky with anxiety. "We can't let her be alone with him. Who knows what she's trying to do?"
Taesung nodded, his expression growing serious. "You're right. But we need to act fast; we don't even know where they are. She could do something reckless at any moment."
Taejoon quickly fished out his phone, dialing Junseong's number. The line rang, then went straight to voicemail.
Panic surged as he tried again, only to face the same frustrating outcome.
"I can't reach him," he admitted, his voice trembling. "He's not picking up. We have to do something fast."
Taejoon and Taesung swiftly navigated through the thrumming crowd, making their way to Ha Young's two friends, who were still lost in the music on the dance floor. The girls, clearly inebriated, giggled and stumbled over their own feet.
Taejoon seized one of the girls by the arm, urgency lacing his voice. "Hey, where did Ha Young take Junseong?"
The girl blinked at him, a dopey smile spreading across her face. "She said she was taking him to her daddy's hotel," she slurred, swaying slightly. "She wanted to give him a private surprise."
Realizing the noise of the dance floor would drown out any meaningful conversation, Taesung led the girls to the booth they had occupied earlier. He pulled out his phone, ready to record their conversation.
Taejoon scrutinized the girls, his gaze intense. "Why did Ha Young take Junseong to her father's hotel?"
One of the girls, still a bit dazed, managed to respond. "She planned it all out," she slurred. "She spiked our drinks with help from the bartender. She wanted to take advantage of Junseong's drunken state and force him to sleep with her."
Shock coursed through Taesung as he tightened his grip on his phone, his eyes widening in disbelief.
Taejoon's voice turned steely. "She planted cameras in the hotel room too, didn't she? She was going to use the footage against Junseong."
The girls exchanged guilty glances, their expressions shifting uncomfortably. "Y-Yeah," one of them hiccuped. "She wanted to make sure she had the evidence she needed to trap Junseong and make him divorce Seongho."
Fury ignited within Taesung, his jaw clenched tightly as he processed their words. "That scheming b*tch," he muttered, disgust flooding his voice. "She was willing to destroy Junseong and Seongho's marriage for her own selfish gain."
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Taejoon's urgency intensified. "We need to get to the hotel, now," he insisted, his voice resolute. "We have to stop her before she does something even more reckless."
Without wasting another moment, Taejoon and Taesung hurriedly left the club, their faces set with grim determination as they abandoned the drunken girls behind. The driver waiting outside looked puzzled when he didn't see Junseong, but the expressions on Taejoon and Taesung's faces silenced any questions he might have had.
They quickly provided the driver with the address of the Grand Hyatt hotel and climbed into the car, their minds racing with the fear of what might be unfolding at the hotel. All they could do was hope they would reach Junseong in time.
To be continued. . . . .