93. Dojun & Hae-joo Epilogue (7)

Director Song was waiting in the hallway outside the party venue. Dojun, who had just come out of the restroom, took his phone back from Director Song. He found an empty table and sat down, trying to compose his boiling emotions. He called Hae-joo, but couldn’t connect.

“Give me a glass of champagne here.”

The party was reaching its peak. He was about to grab a quick bite when people, unable to wait, swarmed him. Among them were the head of an American securities firm, who had flown to Korea at Lee Cheff’s invitation, and the host of an economic news TV show. All of them were wealthy individuals, and maintaining good relations with them would be beneficial in many ways.

“Nice to meet you.”

Dojun, who had completely erased any uncomfortable feelings from his face, put on his mask. He offered courtesy by laughing at insipid jokes. As the atmosphere grew livelier, men and women alike flocked to his table, making the area crowded. An unproductive discussion ensued, and the group naturally split. Just as Dojun was enduring the tedious time, his phone, tucked in his jacket pocket, vibrated. He secretly checked the caller ID first.

[Foxy, foxy, what are you doing?]

The message was from Hae-joo. Startled, Dojun cautiously raised his head and looked around. Hidden somewhere, Hae-joo was nowhere to be seen.

[Where are you?]

[Watching you secretly, Dojun.]

[I’ll come to you.]

[Not yet.]

Dojun wanted to escape this uninteresting conversation. Meanwhile, the securities firm head, perhaps drunk, started badmouthing the American Republican Party. People cheered along appropriately, enjoying themselves, but Dojun wasn’t. He wanted to gag the securities firm head to make him shut up.

[How’s the party?]

[Boring.]

[But you’re smiling.]

Hae-joo was hiding somewhere, watching Dojun. He didn’t know since when voyeurism had become her hobby, but Dojun was so exasperated he could scream.

[Where are you?]

[Shall we play a fun game?]

[Game?]

[From now on, do as I say.]

This wasn’t a place for playing games. There was no room for even a small mistake, yet Hae-joo was talking childishly.

[If there’s any punishment, I’ll take it fully at home later.]

[This isn’t punishment.]

[Then what is it?]

[Just a game, as I said.]

Dojun, who had been bored all along, suddenly woke up as if he had been reawakened. At that moment, Hae-joo instructed him to do something special.

[Drop the handkerchief of the lady sitting next to you, and pretend to pick it up while coming down to the floor.]

Dojun’s eyes widened as he reread the message. What Hae-joo had asked him to do could be rude to the handkerchief’s owner.

‘What on earth is she thinking?’

He could just refuse. But strangely, as if he had developed an obsessive compulsion he didn’t have before, he felt like he absolutely had to do it. Moreover, just imagining it sent a strange thrill through him.

[I’ll put on my earbud, so call me.]

He couldn’t concentrate on chatting because of the babbling people. Dojun put his phone in his pocket and quickly put a wireless earbud in one ear. When Hae-joo called, he pressed the answer button and acted as if nothing was happening.

-I should have called earlier.

Finally, her longed-for voice flowed into Dojun’s ear. He offered a mechanical smile when his eyes met those of the middle-aged woman sitting next to him. Hae-joo, not missing a beat, repeated her request.

-Now. Drop the handkerchief she placed on the table, and pretend to pick it up while getting down.

Dojun hesitated. He could handle a handkerchief, but it would be a problem if Hae-joo demanded something more. Hesitating, he gently pushed the middle-aged woman’s handkerchief with the side of his hand. As the handkerchief fell to the floor as intended, he naturally pushed his chair back. It was when Dojun bent down to the floor, pretending to pick up the handkerchief.

-Lift your head from there.

When he lifted his head, he saw Hae-joo hidden under a table quite close by. Her dress, clinging to her body and rolled up, revealed her legs tantalizingly. People moving through the party venue quickly brushed past the space between them. Time seemed to stop as Dojun fell into a fantasy he had only seen in movies.

“That dress...”

-Oh, I found it in the dressing room and tried it on. I think your mother wore it, right?

“Not that. It’s too revealing.”

-This is revealing?

It was a dress with only one shoulder adorned with beaded buttons, exposing the other side. Hae-joo was bent forward, revealing hidden lines that blurred his vision. Dojun wanted to immediately take Hae-joo out of the party. But he couldn’t leave his spot right now.

“These kinds of pranks aren’t fun.”

-It’s just getting started. I’ll save you, Dojun.

“What?”

-Wait, stay still. ...Now! Stand up!

Dojun did as Hae-joo said and picked up the handkerchief. At the perfect timing, he stood up and accidentally bumped the champagne glass the middle-aged woman was holding.

“Oh no! I’m sorry. Oh dear.”

She had no idea that Dojun had bumped the glass first. She misunderstood that she had spilled it by mistake and kept fussing, apologizing profusely. Dojun consoled her, as she was slightly intoxicated.

“It’s alright. Your handkerchief fell, and I was just picking it up.”

“My goodness... how kind of you.”

The middle-aged woman was the wife of the verbose securities firm head. Surprised by his wife’s mistake, he also ordered tissues from a waiter and apologized.

“My wife made a mistake. I apologize on her behalf.”

“You don’t have to. I can just change my clothes.”

Dojun’s shirt was soaked with champagne. The atmosphere soon dissipated, and people scattered in small groups.

“Anyway, what should we do? I’d like to hear more from you, CEO, but as you can see, I’m a mess...”

“It’s fine, just go change your clothes quickly.”

Thanks to Hae-joo, he finally managed to shake off the influential securities firm head. Luckily, he had a spare shirt in the car. Changing clothes was easy, but the person he was looking for was Hae-joo. She had vanished, and the space under the table where she had been was now empty. Fortunately, the call with Hae-joo was still connected on his phone.

-You’re grateful to me, right?

“Yes. You saved me. Where are you?”

-Near you, Dojun.

“Come out now.”

-Not yet.

“This is driving me crazy.”

-Slowly come out through the back door, where the restroom is.

Dojun saw Hae-joo in a new light. He had thought she was docile, but he never dreamed she had such a meticulous side. He passed through the back door of the party building and inhaled the fresh air outside. Only then did he raise his voice, which he had lowered, back to normal.

“Where are you? Come out now.”

No sooner had he spoken than he heard a rustle from behind Dojun’s car in the parking lot. He turned around to see Hae-joo, holding her phone, waving at Dojun. Behind him, Director Song hurried along. Seeing his perfectly fine shirt now soaked, he stopped him.

“CEO, what happened?”

“You have a spare shirt in the car, right?”

“I have an emergency one.”

While the two were talking, Hae-joo came up to them briskly. Director Song, seeing her belatedly, bowed silently.

“Madam has arrived.”

This was a hotel famous for being the largest in Seoul. For today’s party, the entire banquet hall building was being used. Dojun, taking the shirt Director Song brought, quirked one corner of his mouth. He looked up at the building where the party was being held and frowned.

“I think the party can end now. I thought I was going to die of boredom.”

“Shall I take you home, then?”

Hae-joo was too lovely to go straight home like this. Looking at her in the period-defying dress and the atmosphere, it felt like a scene from a movie. After a moment of thought, he took Hae-joo’s hand.

“Hae-joo and I will rest here and then leave, so just take us to the hotel’s main entrance.”

It was difficult for Dojun to drive after drinking champagne. He got into the car with Hae-joo, got off at the hotel’s main entrance, and sent Director Song home. Without a care for the gazes of those who recognized them, they went to the hotel desk. Fortunately, there was a room that met Dojun’s requirements, and he received the card key. As they entered the elevator, the subtle energy they had been suppressing stirred their senses.

“What happened?”

“The weekend nanny came, so I left Hyun with her.”

“How did you find that dress?”

“It was in a box in the dressing room. You’re not mad, are you?”

“I’m just surprised. I heard your father bought that dress for your mother as a birthday gift when they were dating.”

“How does it look?”

“It suits you well. You’re beautiful.”

Arriving at the room, Dojun opened the door and immediately tossed off his jacket. He closed the distance with Hae-joo, and his firm hand slid down her straight neck, stopping precariously between the front lapels. He drew circles on Hae-joo’s exposed skin, his voice deep.

“Now it’s my turn.”

“Turn for what?”

“I granted all your wishes, didn’t I?”

“Alright. Tell me your wish.”

“I’m curious about what’s under your clothes. It was dangerous under the table earlier.”

Dojun took a step, pushing Hae-joo back. Eventually, she was blocked by the bed, with nowhere left to retreat. As if to prove his predatory nature, he commanded.

“Clean it.”

“Clean what?”

“The champagne on my body.”

Hae-joo’s pleading gaze was useless. Dojun found her flustered expression cute and deliberately acted even more firmly.

“Hurry.”

Helplessly, Hae-joo began to look for something to wipe the champagne with. Since champagne had soaked Dojun, she needed wet wipes. A shower would be ideal, but he didn’t seem to be considering that option at the moment.

“Do we really have to do it this way?”

“Of course.”

“No regrets?”

“Absolutely.”

He seemed eager to see how Hae-joo would react. Already monopolizing the winner’s smile, he narrowed his eyes and watched. Hae-joo, firming her resolve, reached out. As each button was unfastened, his sculpted chest was revealed. The finely defined muscles tensed with excitement.

“Surely this isn’t all?”

“Of course not.”

Hae-joo unfastened the shirt buttons all the way. The dividing line in the center became even clearer in the light reflecting off the two of them. The champagne-soaked area was where Dojun’s heart was beating. Then, Hae-joo’s head slowly tilted.

“Are you really going to rub it with your hand?”

“Just hand?”

“Just?”

“You need to be softer than that.”

Dojun’s gaze curved fiercely. Before he knew it, her two hands pushed his broad shoulders, laying him down on the bed. Hae-joo, crouching like a cat, approached. Dojun instinctively pulled back.

“Don’t move.”

Hae-joo’s gaze moved downwards. As she got closer, almost touching him, he felt her breath on his wet chest. His skin had grown cold in the interim. Each time Hae-joo breathed, he shivered with exhilarating coldness.

“Lee Hae-joo...”

Just as the champagne-soaked skin lost its warmth, Hae-joo’s lips fully touched him. Then, a hot sensation shot up to Dojun’s crown. He inhaled sharply, surprised by Hae-joo’s unexpected action.

“If you move, I’ll hate you.”

Champagne liquid was transferred to Hae-joo’s pressed lips. It was nothing compared to the caresses they had exchanged under the covers. A stimulating tremor swept over Dojun, toying with him like a toy.

“If we go further than this, I can’t stop.”

The champagne flowed from Dojun’s left chest down to his abs. As the faint scent of alcohol spread in her mouth, Hae-joo also felt light-headed.

“This is surprisingly hard.”

“Stop.”

“There’s still some left.”

Hae-joo’s prone figure transformed in an inexplicably subtle way. Dojun, who had been barely holding on, finally sat up. Their positions instantly swapped, and he was now above her, leaning over. As a result, Dojun’s still unbuttoned shirt fluttered in the air, brushing against Hae-joo.

“You brought this upon yourself. Understand?”