Peaceful days flowed by.

The season had already turned to cold winter, and it was past the third week of December.

Though December was busy without a moment to spare, Ina’s heart was endlessly excited about the approaching Christmas.

This was because they had decided to spend Christmas Eve alone together at Juwon’s father’s villa in Gapyeong.

A month ago, when Juwon expressed his desire to use the villa, his father gave permission with just one condition attached.

He wanted to have a meal with Ina together in the new year, and when Ina heard this, she gladly agreed.

It was partly because they had already paid a visit to Yeosu with Juwon, but also because she wanted to meet Juwon’s father.

She remembered how he always welcomed her with a kind appearance when she visited Juhee’s house in 9th grade.

Though she felt nervous at the thought that he might become her future father-in-law rather than just her friend’s father, she promised to visit in the new year.

Time passed like that, and soon it was December 24th.

There was a weather forecast for snow, but no snow fell.

As it was Christmas Eve, everyone seemed excited and quickly left the office as soon as it was time to leave work.

Ina was turning off her computer and preparing to leave when she received a message from Juwon.

– I just arrived. Take your time coming out.

Ina smiled as she checked the message and got up from her seat.

She went down the elevator and out the main entrance to see Juwon leaning against his car in the distance.

Ina smiled as she saw Juwon standing there, looking splendid as always.

As she approached Juwon, her heart started pounding for no reason.

“You’re here?”

Juwon said as he opened the passenger door.

After Ina got in, Juwon got in the driver’s seat and took her hand, saying:

“The traffic will be a bit heavy because it’s Christmas Eve. And we’ll also do some shopping on the way.”

“Shopping?”

“Yes. I’ll cook steak for you.”

“Wow. Really?”

“Yes. I’ll make it delicious for you.”

“Wow. My man is really the best!”

“But you know…”

Juwon suddenly leaned his upper body towards Ina and asked in a secretive voice.

“Did you wear it?”

“Huh? Wear what?”

“The leopard, I mean.”

At Juwon’s words, Ina blinked for a moment before her face suddenly burst into flames.

The ‘leopard’ Juwon mentioned referred to the couple underwear that Juhee had sent as a gift before.

Ina had agreed with a reddened face when Juwon reminded her of their promise to wear it on Christmas Eve during their phone call the day before.

Ina touched her bright red cheeks and looked at Juwon, who was waiting for an answer.

“D-did you wear yours?”

“Of course.”

Seeing Juwon answer without a moment’s hesitation, Ina’s cheeks turned even redder.

“I… I wore it too.”

When Ina spoke in an embarrassed voice, Juwon grinned, raising the corners of his mouth.

“Really? I’m looking forward to it. We should get there as quickly as possible.”

Then Juwon immediately started the car.

Contrary to Juwon’s urgent feelings, the roads were quite congested, and after barely managing to drive with patience, Juwon’s car just passed the Gapyeong tollgate.

After driving for about 10 more minutes, Juwon’s car stopped in front of a large supermarket.

The two parked and entered the supermarket, and Juwon brought out a shopping cart.

As Ina linked arms with Juwon pushing the cart, her heart fluttered at the feeling of being like a newlywed couple.

The two slowly toured the supermarket, buying enough ingredients for steak, food for tomorrow, and snacks before leaving.

After driving for about 15 minutes in the car again, Juwon’s car entered the villa grounds.

From the moment the villa came into view in the distance, Ina’s mouth had been gradually opening, and when the car stopped in front of the villa, her mouth was wide open like a hippopotamus.

“Wow… This villa is really, really amazing.”

Ina said, looking up at the villa after getting out of the car.

The villa, built spaciously on top of a wide-open landscape, looked like a painting.

She had imagined a country house-like villa with a wide lawn and a large pine tree planted, but the villa before her eyes was a sophisticated-looking villa with a clean white exterior exuding a modern sensibility.

“Wow, I’ve only seen villas like this in dramas… It’s really wonderful.”

As Ina exclaimed with her mouth open, Juwon smiled and opened the car door.

“Let’s rest well until lunch tomorrow and then go back.”

“…Okay.”

As Ina looked at the villa with an excited heart, Juwon started unloading the groceries they had bought.

Ina quickly helped Juwon carry the luggage, and the two entered the villa.

Ina’s mouth opened even wider as she entered the living room through the door.

Everything was perfect, from the sparkling, luxurious marble floor to the high ceiling, and the picturesque view seen through the large floor-to-ceiling windows.

Moreover, the huge Christmas tree placed next to the floor-to-ceiling windows made Ina’s heart flutter even more.

“Wow! This tree is really big.”

Ina quickly put down her luggage and ran to the tree with a childlike expression.

As Ina stood with her mouth open looking at the enormous tree that was much taller than her, Juwon approached and plugged in the cord connected to the tree.

Then, various beautiful colors began to twinkle and dance.

“…Wow. It’s so pretty.”

Ina looked at the tree with an enchanted expression and smiled happily.

Juwon smiled and gave Ina a back hug as they looked at the tree together.

“This Christmas seems like it will be the best Christmas ever for me.”

As Ina spoke in an excited voice, Juwon kissed her cheek and said:

“For me too.”

Juwon whispered, then turned Ina around and embraced her sweet lips.

Feeling the warmth of that touch, Ina also raised her hands to hug Juwon’s waist and fully enjoyed the sweet kiss.

Only after kissing for a long time did Juwon remove his hands from Ina’s waist.

“Sit down and rest for a bit. I’ll cook a delicious steak for you.”

“Huh? No. I’ll help too. Let’s do it together.”

Juwon smiled and took Ina’s hand, making her sit down in a chair.

“I’ll be the chef today, so you just sit and watch. Okay?”

“Then I’ll do the cleaning up. Okay?”

“Alright, then. Let’s do that.”

Juwon left the ingredients for the steak and put the rest of the food in the refrigerator before starting to cook.

First, he placed a thick sirloin on a metal tray and seasoned it with olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Next, he put various seasonings in a pan and made his own steak sauce.

After stirring it until it thickened over medium-low heat, he turned off the heat and took out the vegetables.

He cut mushrooms, bell peppers, asparagus, and garlic into bite-sized pieces, sprinkled them with olive oil, salt, and pepper, and grilled them deliciously in the pan until they were browned.

And then he put the long-awaited sirloin on the pan and grilled it to a nice medium-well.

When he finished plating it beautifully on a sophisticated plate, it looked as good as a steak from a high-end restaurant.

“Wow… You’re really good at cooking.”

Ina said with her mouth open, looking at it with admiring eyes.

Since arriving at the villa, Ina’s mouth had been constantly open.

When Juwon lit the candles on the table and poured a glass of red wine for each of them, it really felt like being in a high-end restaurant.

“Merry Christmas.”

Juwon said in a sweet voice as he raised his wine glass.

“Merry Christmas.”

Ina also smiled as she raised her glass.

As she took a sip of the wine, a deep and rich grape flavor filled her mouth.

“Mmm, this wine tastes good?”

As Ina looked at the wine glass and spoke, Juwon smiled and said:

“But don’t drink too much.”

“Okay. I got it.”

This time, Ina picked up her knife and fork, cut the steak into small pieces, and brought it to her mouth.

As she chewed slowly and savored it, Ina looked at Juwon with round eyes.

“Wow, it’s really delicious. The sauce is so good too, and it’s grilled just right. I think you’re really good at cooking.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Juwon smiled and gazed at Ina.

“I’m glad you find it delicious. I’ll cook many more delicious things for you in the future.”

Ina gazed intently at Juwon with a happy expression.

“I must have saved a country in my past life. To have such a handsome boyfriend who’s also good at cooking… I really feel like I’m living a blessed life this time.”

At Ina’s words, Juwon smiled, raising the corners of his mouth.

“When you say that, I don’t know what to do with myself.”

“But it’s true! I’m so happy to have met a man like you.”

Juwon gently held Ina’s hand with a sweet smile.

“I’m happy too. To have met a woman like you.”

At Juwon’s words, Ina’s cheeks turned slightly pink.

The two talked slowly as they ate.

After the meal, Ina quickly cleared the table alone, making Juwon sit in the chair when he offered to help.

When she finished washing the dishes cleanly, she could see the pitch-black darkness outside through the living room’s floor-to-ceiling windows.

“It’s already this late?”

As Ina checked the time, Juwon hugged her waist and whispered in her ear.

“Shall we go take a shower now?”

“…”

Instead of answering, Ina’s cheeks turned red.

“Actually, I wanted to check the leopard as soon as we arrived, you know?”

“R-really?”

As Ina answered in an embarrassed voice, Juwon turned her around and said, looking into her eyes:

“Yes. And later, let’s take a half-body bath together. I want to do that.”

“…”

As Ina’s face started to burn, Juwon took her hand and headed to the bathroom.

“You go shower first. I’ll check the room temperature and wait.”

“Okay. Got it.”

Ina entered the bathroom with clothes to change into.

The bathroom had an overall clean and modern feel with gray tiles used throughout.

As she saw the large bathtub right next to the huge window, Ina’s heart started to pound.

After barely calming her pounding heart and finishing her shower, she came out to see Juwon just coming out of the room.

“I’ll shower quickly and come out too.”

Juwon winked at Ina and quickly entered the bathroom.

And a little while later, Juwon came out after showering and met eyes with Ina who was drying her hair.

Ina smiled with shy eyes, but in contrast, Juwon’s eyes… looked like those of an angry beast.

Juwon’s eyes, gradually approaching Ina, were burning with lust.

Ina swallowed hard at that gaze, and her heart started beating wildly.

In the suffocating silence, Juwon looked down at Ina with intense eyes, then lifted her up and immediately headed to the room.