IT - 39

39. Night of Submission

If it were possible to shave off even moments of rest to return to Korea earlier, Tae-ha would have done so. He reviewed what needed to be done alone at night, sacrificing sleep, and ate meals—something he already had little interest in—only during transit.

“I heard you’re returning today? Then I’ll accompany you.”

“If I’m leaving, Director Lee should stay behind.”

In this way, he cut three days from his original business trip schedule. Though there was a formal dinner hosted by an international association on the final day, he returned alone, citing the need for a swift return to work.

Though Ji-soo had mentioned working late, it was unlikely she’d still be at the office this close to 10 p.m. Her cold, uninviting home also bore no trace of her presence.

Where could she be?

Anxiety began to creep into Tae-ha’s usually composed face. His hands twitched, and a growing urgency throbbed below his waist. The intense desire coursing through him easily led him to deduce Ji-soo’s whereabouts.

For someone who boasted of diverse and colorful romantic exploits, Ji-soo’s movements were surprisingly monotonous. Her limited social interactions raised suspicions about potential issues with her interpersonal skills or social life.

Not only on weekdays but also on weekends, Ji-soo readily came to the studio apartment when summoned. It wasn’t that she was as deeply invested in their arrangement as he was; rather, it seemed she sought companionship out of loneliness. The thought that others might have exploited her vulnerabilities in the past made him rougher in bed that night. When she cried herself to exhaustion in his arms, it felt as though he could erase all previous memories of her.

As she sobbed and eventually passed out, Ji-soo clung to him like a cold child seeking warmth. In those moments, he felt like the person she desperately needed.

“Ji-soo... Han Ji-soo.”

A soft smile graced her lips even in her sleep when he called her name gently. Tae-ha cherished these moments after their intense lovemaking, feeling every lingering sensation in his body.

Aside from work and home, Ji-soo had few hobbies. She rarely went to theaters, drank tea at cafes, or strolled through parks. Even when Tae-ha urged her to step outside the bedroom, she moved awkwardly, like someone stepping into sunlight for the first time after years in prison. If he tried to hold her hand, she flinched and quickly retreated.

“Director, let’s just... walk.”

“Did you never go on dates with other guys?”

Her flushed cheeks and embarrassed expression stirred something inside him.

“No. I’ve only been in bed.”

Recalling the list of men Ji-soo had previously been with, Tae-ha briskly navigated the alleyways. His destination? “Tteumtteumi,” the restaurant where they first shared a meal.

A simple phone call could have sufficed. Ji-soo never refused his requests or disobeyed him.

Yet, lately, handling matters related to Ji-soo felt too easy, almost unsatisfying. He wanted to invest more care and effort.

He hadn’t informed her of his early return three days ahead of schedule, nor asked where she was now, because he wanted to see her surprised and delighted expression upon his sudden appearance.

So, like a pitiful madman, he searched for her. And...

His prediction was spot-on: Ji-soo was here, just as expected. His absence had indeed provided an opportunity for her to be with someone else, as he anticipated.

“Since university, I liked him, but rational feelings faded quickly. First love is best left as a tender memory. Forcing a connection only led to boredom.”

She liked him, met him briefly, then grew bored... Tae-ha watched Ji-soo speak candidly about him. From his vantage point near the shadowed entrance, he observed her genuine self while she spoke to none other than Kang Eun-ho.

Had he not cultivated patience with Ji-soo, he might have stormed in and thrown the restaurant door at Eun-ho’s face.

Was this betrayal? Or disappointment?

Suppressing his frustration, Tae-ha turned toward the parking lot but suddenly stopped.

“What exactly did I expect from you?”

It wasn’t sacred emotions like love or purity. They simply enjoyed passionate nights together. Yet, explaining his relentless journey over the past few days solely for sex felt insufficient.

Then why this sense of emptiness distorting his face? This was supposed to be a relationship confined to the bed.

Turning back, Tae-ha retraced his steps. From across the alley, two figures emerged.

“Should I hail a taxi for you?”

As Ji-soo scanned the swiftly passing cars, Eun-ho looked down at the hand that had just held her warmth.

“Isn’t that my line? If I offer to take you home, you’ll surely refuse, right?”

“Yes, I don’t want to.”

As Ji-soo reached out her slender arm to flag down a taxi, Eun-ho gently pulled her wrist down.

“My earlier words still stand. After much thought...”

“No, Director. I don’t want to waste my thoughts and time on something with a predetermined answer.”

Eun-ho repeatedly clenched and released her delicate wrist before finally letting go.

“One never knows. You might need my help someday. Whenever that is, I’ll gladly give up my place for you.”

Eun-ho gazed at Ji-soo’s melancholic face before lifting his eyes.

“I’ll leave now. Once I’m gone, you can head home quickly. See you tomorrow.”

The uncomfortable tension Eun-ho had brought dissipated as he left. Ji-soo stared at the empty space before turning around. Bathed in moonlight stood the face she longed to see.

Though tipsy, her mind was clear. Seeing Tae-ha here confused her—is this a dream or a drunken illusion? Either way, she didn’t want to wake up to a reality without him.

Tae-ha took a step forward. The familiar scent of wind tickled Ji-soo’s nose. Is this real? If this vivid sensation were a mirage or dream, waking up would be unbearably sad and hollow.

Before she could sort through her swirling thoughts, strong arms wrapped around her waist. Her light body was pulled flush against him. Before she could utter a word, his soft lips descended.

“Mmm, ah...”

Unable to resist the sweet invasion, Ji-soo parted her lips slightly. A fierce tongue pushed through, softly licking before roughly grazing her inner walls. Their tongues entwined, then separated as their lips detached. This passionate kiss left her mouth beautifully wet.

“It’s... not a dream. You’re really here.”

I wished it was real because it felt so sweet. Ji-soo smiled, breathing heavily. The intense, breathless kiss confirmed it was Tae-ha. No one else would do this on the street...

Gazing at her softly curved lips, Tae-ha claimed them again. The hand around her waist slid up her side, bypassing her underwear to grasp her soft flesh. Ji-soo’s head tilted back.

Ah, though it was late and quiet, this was near the office—a public street. Despite the night, anyone could see them outside.

“Wait... not here...”

Struggling to speak, Ji-soo managed to convey her plea while Tae-ha nibbled her lower lip.

“You mean we should continue on the bed where Han Ji-soo likes to stay?”

Always rough and fiery, Tae-ha seemed different tonight. His tired face and sharper expression were fiercer than usual.

Even after longer trips or days without intimacy, Tae-ha had never growled with such irritation and anger.

“Did your business trip go well?”

Knowing each of Tae-ha’s ventures had succeeded, earning him the nickname “Midas Cha,” Ji-soo asked, concerned about his unfamiliar demeanor.

“The ending must be good to call it a success, right?”

Ji-soo shook her head and stepped back, but Tae-ha caught her hand. Thus began a heated night between a woman who had never properly obtained what she desired and a man who had never been denied.

---

Ji-soo cried a lot that night. She feared Tae-ha’s roughness and felt sorrowful for making him so angry.

When their eyes met amidst her flowing tears, flames ignited. Like a beast, he mounted her again, biting and sucking her heated flesh.

Biting into her soft, untouched skin like fresh snow, the red marks blooming like flames consoled him. Her body bore only the traces of his passionate embrace from before his departure.

“Did you have fun while I was gone? Why not catch up with those you couldn’t see because of me?”

As Tae-ha thrust deeply, he asked. Ji-soo’s trembling body quaked under his force.

“What do you mean...”

“Is that how you manage your clients? It’s not like you’ll be by my side forever.”

She wanted to shake her head in denial, but her body, captured from head to toe, couldn’t move an inch.

“You didn’t ask for what you wanted, yet you hung up on me. So I came back early. Was that good?”

This time, she couldn’t answer. The massive bed began to shake violently, threatening to collapse.