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After leaving Madam Jo last night, Tae-ryeong returned home and told her husband that she wanted to work out with him. At Tae-ryeong’s words, Kang-joon secured a membership to the Baekje Hotel Fitness Club with a single phone call. A membership that money alone couldn’t buy, given to him with VVIP membership status and an entry deposit of 300 million won. Perhaps that’s why, as Tae-ryeong entered the gym, all eyes turned to her. The men’s gazes were curious, the women’s tinged with a hint of jealousy. Ignoring their stares, Tae-ryeong calmly surveyed the gym. The vast space, state-of-the-art exercise equipment, a wide-open view perfect for working out, and a well-appointed health food area in one corner. But what surprised Tae-ryeong the most was that most members were young. It made her jealous that her husband worked out here every day.
“First, I’ll find my husband.” The moment she thought that, her husband miraculously appeared before her. She expected him to greet her, but he just looked at her with a peculiar gaze, then took off his jacket and held it out. “Do you want to wear this first?” It was clearly a tracksuit, but why for her? As Tae-ryeong looked at him quizzically, her husband said, “Your clothes look a little naughty.”
This time, Tae-ryeong looked at her husband with a slightly dumbfounded expression. Her tight sleeveless top and leggings did reveal her figure quite a bit. But compared to other female members’ outfits, hers was modest. It wasn’t a bra top, nor was the chest area deeply cut. Perhaps sensing her unspoken protest, Kang-joon sighed and continued, “I know, it’s just workout clothes.”
“And?” When Tae-ryeong glared at him defiantly, Kang-joon apologized with a troubled expression.
“I’m sorry, I’m just very conservative and old-fashioned.”
“Do you even know yourself?”
“I just found out now. That I’m such a narrow-minded man.”
Kang-joon grumbled his reply, then subtly draped his jacket over her shoulders. He leaned down, met her eyes softly, and gave a gentle smile. Making it impossible for her to get angry or even glare.
“But what can I do? I don’t like other guys glancing at my wife.”
Tae-ryeong also wanted to say, “I don’t like you working out here with so many young, pretty women, and I’m jealous.” But the words wouldn’t come out easily. It wasn’t so much shyness as it was a habit from always suppressing her feelings. So, just expressing what was inside felt awkward. Just then, Kang-joon subtly intertwined their fingers, gently rubbing her palm with his fingertips, and whispered in her ear, “Well, who told you to be so pretty?”
It was a tender yet sly whisper. If he had said it coercively, she might have rebelled. But how could she resist when he attacked with such sweet affection and embarrassing compliments? “Even if it’s a little uncomfortable and hot, I have to endure it.” In truth, Tae-ryeong didn’t dislike her husband’s blatant jealousy and possessiveness. She didn’t have much time left to feel such things anyway.
“Next time, I’ll wear something more modest.”
At Tae-ryeong’s compliant reply, one of Kang-joon’s eyebrows quirked up.
“Instead, let’s wear couple workout clothes. I’ll prepare them. You’ll wear them with me, right?”
“Just say the word. If my wife gives the order, I’ll do anything, wearing or taking off.”
Tae-ryeong gave her husband, who transformed into a naughty roar at every opportunity, an affectionate glare. Kang-joon chuckled and changed the subject.
“Shall we start with a light treadmill warm-up?”
Tae-ryeong nodded, got on the treadmill, and slowly increased her speed. Now, only two weeks remained. All things considered, her deal with Madam Jo had brought more gains than losses. She had successively acquired weaknesses that could bring down Madam Jo’s family. Furthermore, through Ino Fashion, she could expand her business by turning Dora into a global brand. She should have felt lighthearted and happy, so why wasn’t she? Tae-ryeong’s gaze fell on her husband, who was running on the treadmill right next to her. “Because of you, Seo Kang-joon. Because it’s you.” This was all Tae-ryeong could do for the man she loved: spend the remaining time happily, express her feelings freely, create beautiful memories, and then quietly leave.
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Weight Training and Unexpected Encounters
After a light warm-up, they started weight training. Kang-joon was an excellent trainer. She received compliments for her better-than-expected strength and stamina, but she gave out after only 40 minutes. When Kang-joon suggested they leave, Tae-ryeong shook her head.
“I want to watch you work out, Kang-joon.”
Tae-ryeong sat on a sofa by the window and watched her husband. Gyeong-jin and Jae-woo, who had been chatting with a trainer instead of working out, were dragged over by her husband. With a single terrifying glare, the two friends started exercising, feigning death. The rather amusing situation made Tae-ryeong laugh spontaneously. They seemed like an unlikely trio, yet they fit together so well. Like an older brother looking after his twin siblings.
Just then, someone greeted Tae-ryeong.
“Hello, is this your first time here today?”
Tae-ryeong turned her gaze to see a young woman with a slender, voluptuous figure, like a model, standing there. Tae-ryeong wasn’t used to interacting with others and wasn’t particularly outgoing. Perhaps that’s why her reply was curt.
“Yes.”
“It’s hard to get a membership here, so it’s rare to see new members. That’s why I’m happy when a new face appears. Especially another woman.”
“…”
“It’s nice to get to know each other, isn’t it?”
The woman continued to chat quite amicably. However, when Tae-ryeong didn’t respond, the woman frowned slightly, then smiled again and continued, “But what’s your relationship with the person who’s training you? A friend? A relative? Or, a lover?”
The woman had clearly been observing her husband. However, her husband, unlike Tae-ryeong, did not allow others to approach him. Knowing her husband’s personality well, Gyeong-jin and Jae-woo would have kept quiet about him. From the woman’s perspective, she couldn’t get information or approach him, and then Tae-ryeong appeared. She must have thought there was nothing to lose by asking. Thinking about leaving in two weeks, and for her husband’s sake, Tae-ryeong should have given a vague answer. But strangely, she didn’t want to. “Why should I? The world has always been cruel to me, so why should I pretend to be nice?” Tae-ryeong’s lips moved of their own accord.
“He’s my husband.”
At the word “husband,” not “lover,” the woman looked shocked. But she quickly composed herself and said casually, “Ah, is it a show window marriage, perhaps? Well, my parents also had an arranged marriage. That’s just how this world is, isn’t it?”
Feeling that there was no longer any point in talking, Tae-ryeong got up and walked towards Kang-joon. Gyeong-jin and Jae-woo, who had spotted Tae-ryeong first, looked at her desperately, as if seeing a savior. “Please, just take him away.” Receiving that message, Tae-ryeong approached her husband from behind.
“Kang-joon, let’s leave. I’m hungry.”
Her husband, who had turned with a stern expression like the grim reaper, smiled softly when he saw Tae-ryeong. At that smile, Tae-ryeong’s heart fluttered greatly. She could vividly feel what was spreading in her husband’s long, cool eyes. It was his love for her, and the happiness he felt because of her. Tae-ryeong also engraved her beloved man’s smile and gaze into her eyes and heart. When Tae-ryeong put her arms around his firm waist and smiled, her husband seemed a little surprised. It was the first time his wife had shown affection first in front of so many people. But Kang-joon soon asked gently, “What do you want to eat?”
At that moment, anyone could tell they were either lovers or husband and wife. Perhaps that’s why Tae-ryeong felt a burning sensation on the back of her head. Gyeong-jin and Jae-woo, and the woman who had approached her. No, it felt like everyone in the gym was watching them. But now, it didn’t matter. She felt that Kang-joon would be okay with anything. No matter how selfish or mean she acted. In return, she would be okay with anything for him too. Even if he didn’t look for her after she left, even if he forgot her, even if he looked at her indifferently.
“Beef.”
“So, today, let’s eat what you like.”
________________________________________
The two drove to have a late dinner. As Kang-joon pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant that looked like a dilapidated thatched house, he said, “They say this is a famous bulgogi place, and they marinate the meat with peaches, so women like it.”
“You know places like this, Kang-joon?”
Honestly, Tae-ryeong was a little surprised. A man who seemed like he would only dine at luxurious restaurants, using a knife and fork.
“Jae-woo made the reservation, but I paid extra to buy it from him.”
“I eat anything well, so you didn’t have to go through the trouble…”
Tae-ryeong couldn’t finish her sentence. Kang-joon unbuckled his seatbelt, leaned closer, and gently stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. His touch was so tender that her eyes closed instinctively, and a low voice permeated her senses.
“Because I wanted to.”
As she slowly opened her fluttering eyelids, she met a gaze even more tender than his touch.
“I want to do my best and give you the very best in everything.”
Did this man know how much her heart pounded every time he acted so tenderly? Her chest ached with the pain of the limited time left, and the fear that she would no longer feel his touch, no longer see his gaze.
“Thank you.”
“If you’re thankful, just call me.”
Kang-joon mouthed the words silently: “Honey.” Tae-ryeong’s face flushed with embarrassment, and her husband laughed loudly as he got out of the car.
“Let’s get out, wife.”
Tae-ryeong gazed at the large hand her husband held out for her to take after opening the car door. It was a large, masculine hand, yet smooth and unwrinkled. Sometimes elegant, sometimes captivating, sometimes even a little naughty. Long, firm fingers and cleanly cut, short nails. Realizing that she loved this hand as much as his eyes, Tae-ryeong quietly took his hand. Now, even his hand felt intensely imprinted, which frightened her. Even the feeling of his large, firm hand gently enveloping her small one.
________________________________________
Outdoor photoshoots are highly dependent on the weather. Due to a sudden downpour in the afternoon, a shoot that should have ended in 5 hours dragged on for over 10 hours. Everyone was utterly exhausted when the shoot finally ended. So, Jin-woo came to have a delicious dinner with his fellow “soldiers” who had fasted with him all day. As soon as they settled into a famous hanwoo (Korean beef) restaurant, the manager said, as if it were a wonder, “This is a restaurant where you have to make a reservation at least a week in advance to eat here. How did you manage it?”
“The vice-president of Jindaeng’s (Jin-woo’s pet name) fan club is the eldest daughter of this restaurant. She told me to message her anytime I wanted to eat, so I sent her a text.”
“Wow, our Jin-woo is indeed today’s hottest celebrity!”
“You all worked hard today, so dinner’s on me! Eat all you want!”
The manager and stylist clapped their hands in joyful approval. Just then, Jin-woo’s gaze, which had been casually looking out the window, wavered. “…Little one?”
“Order for me, I’ll be right back from the restroom.”
Jin-woo, getting up abruptly as if possessed, instinctively headed towards the parking lot. But the moment his gaze directly met the “little one’s,” his feet slammed on the brakes. The little one’s neat eyes, staring intently, were unwavering. They sent an invisible red warning: Don’t pretend to know me. Only then did Jin-woo’s eyes catch sight of a large hand gently wrapped around the little one’s slender shoulder. The man, pressed close to the little one’s small body, also looked at Jin-woo. His black eyes, looking down indifferently, were arrogant, as if saying, “You’re no match for me.” “The little one’s beloved, another woman’s husband.” Tears of blood streamed from Jin-woo’s heart as he scratched his head and averted his gaze. He felt like a fool, standing there with the woman he loved, knowing she was on the wrong path, yet unable to do anything.
The two approached slowly, looking completely unconcerned. Suddenly, in his lowered vision, he saw the little one’s small hand. “I have to pretend not to know you. I shouldn’t reveal this feeling.” Yet, Jin-woo wanted to brush his fingertips against the little one’s hand, even just by accident. But even that small desire was ruthlessly rejected. Looking down in surprise, he saw a large hand painfully swatting his. The man’s intense gaze, turning and staring, was sharp and ferocious like a beast’s fangs. As if he would tear Jin-woo apart at any moment.
After the two entered the restaurant, Jin-woo trudged to the restroom. He washed his hands, then stared blankly at the mirror for a moment before leaning against the wall and sighing.
“Joo Se-hee, what do I do? I can’t give up.”
He thought he could hide it. He thought he could endure it. But seeing the little one with another man made him feel like he was going crazy with jealousy. He couldn’t control this feeling. But if he rushed in, he was afraid, knowing the little one’s personality—if she decided to do something, she’d do it. No going forward, no going back.
“Haa, I’m going crazy.”
Someone entered the restroom, but Jin-woo paid no attention. Not until the precise heel of a man’s shoe entered his lowered vision. Jin-woo slowly raised his head and met a terrifyingly black gaze head-on. Just as Jin-woo, uncomfortable and uneasy in this situation, was about to speak, a chilling breeze brushed past his face. Immediately after, a dull thud sounded right next to him. And then.
“Well, that missed.”
A heavy, low voice, scratching the floor, scraped chillingly across Jin-woo’s eardrums.
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