On the way home.

“Are you going to turn off the lights again today?”

Taejoon, holding the steering wheel, turned his head and asked.

His words contained two meanings. One was a clear notice that he would embrace her when they got home, and the other was a wish that she hadn’t turned off the lights today. Soeun quickly grasped both meanings, but she couldn’t answer directly.

As the traffic light turned red, he looked at her again, wearing a charming smile that was difficult to refuse.

Excessive beauty can hurt a person’s heart. Soeun learned a new fact.

If only she could speak, she, too, wanted to express herself clearly. But.

“Is that not okay, then?”

Soeun wished just for today.

Just once more, she wanted to be held by him as the ordinary woman, Han Soeun, without any pity or lingering feelings.

At Soeun’s polite refusal, a faint smile disappeared from his face.

The car driven by Taejoon quickly arrived at his house as it slid through the night road. While going up to the 30th floor in the elevator, Taejoon held Soeun’s hand the whole time but didn’t say a word. Soeun thought that her stubbornness to turn off the lights might have disappointed Taejoon.

She became timid. Even though she thought she had to be strong, to protect herself, as much as she liked, she found herself being cautious.

‘Should I tell the truth now?’

The reason I want to turn off the lights is because of the scars on my body. It’s the scar from the joint donation I gave to Yang Heewook’s mother.

But what if he’s more disappointed if I confess this? What if his feelings cool completely?

While silently mulling over this, they arrived at the 30th floor without realizing it and reached Taejoon’s house, guided by him. Once inside the house, Soeun hesitated before opening her lips.

“Director, actually…”

Swoosh.

As Soeun opened her mouth, a cold metal touched her neck. It was a finely crafted diamond pendant necklace shaped like a water droplet. Taejoon had closed his mouth while thinking about how to convey this necklace to her.

“What is it?”

Having put the necklace around her neck, Taejoon lowered his head, matching his mouth along her neck line. Soeun stammered, unable to continue her words.

“In fact, what is it?”

Taejoon, who put the necklace around her neck, lowered his head and asked while aligning his mouth along her neck. Soeun, flustered, couldn’t continue her words.

“In fact, what is it?”

“I forgot. I was surprised.”

Taejoon found Soeun cute, surprised by the small gift.

“I wanted to give you something better.”

He wanted to give her a ring, but because of meeting Yang Heewook, he had to find another jewelry store and make a different choice.

Why did you meet such a child? Why were you so attracted to something from that kid?

Although you probably fell for him without knowing his true nature, he was such a cunning and malicious fellow.

“This is also very pretty. It seems like it would be very expensive.”

“I told you, I have a lot of money.”

“…”

“I can do it every time we meet.”
Taejoon’s response was a joke, but it was also a sincere remark. If she wanted, there was nothing he wouldn’t do for her. However, Soeun rejected him outright.

“I don’t like that.”

“Why?”

Nothing as expensive as something for free.

The lesson learned from the failure of her first relationship was just that. So, Soeun didn’t want to feel burdened by receiving too much from Taejoon. She also wanted to fix her mindset that, as much as she liked someone, she wanted to keep giving as much as she received.

While waiting for her response, his large hand that had been caressing her neck abruptly wrapped around her delicate neck. He no longer waited for her answer and conveyed the beginning of what would unfold with a firm kiss.

“Oh, wait, Director. The light!”

In the brief moment her lips parted, Soeun urgently shouted.

Taejoon’s eyes paused at her desperate plea. He intended to keep her with a silent vow for a little longer, but he couldn’t beat her. Taejoon reached out to the wall and pressed the switch.

Click, and darkness came. The line on her forehead, filled with anxiety, shone faintly. Even this light would disappear after a short while. Wanting to hold onto that light in her chest for a moment, Taejoon gazed at her for a long time. Even though she was clearly in front of him, touchable, a sense of deep and intense longing enveloped him. It became a profound and deep desire. Loneliness, too.

Just looking without saying anything, the line in front of her shook.

“I’m excited about this too, but if we keep doing this, later, I might say that I tied you up.”

He added half a joke for her, who was collapsing in silence.

“I haven’t mentally prepared yet. In a bright place…”

“Got it.”

“…”

“I understand.”

With generous understanding, Taejoon covered her like a giant darkness that overwhelmed her.

Taejoon also decided to use her choice. In the inescapable darkness, his movements became a bit more explicit.