Chapter 3.5

3.5

Sunghee’s eyes widened as she took a step back. She felt the cold wall against her back when Sejin murmured to her,

“I already had an idea of what you must think of me, but it still feels upsetting to hear you say it out loud. Do you know how rude you’re being right now?”

Sunghee blinked in surprise. He was looming over her and his face looked so emotionless that it scared her. She knew she needed to apologize, but she felt so confused that she couldn’t remember how. So she stood still.

Suddenly, they both heard a door open somewhere near them. Sejin quickly took a step back. The person who stepped out from the office walked by them, clearly unaware of what was going on between the two. Sejin leaned towards her again and whispered something before walking away from her. Turning around once more to wave at her, Sejin then returned to the office.

Sunghee stood alone in the hallway for a few more minutes before going back to the office. Even as she set down to work, she couldn’t forget what he whispered to her before he left.

“After work, at the same cafe.”

She knew she made a mistake and that she should apologize to him, but there really was no reason for him to call her out to that cafe again. Sunghee grumbled to herself all afternoon, and even as she walked into that said cafe. She sat down unhappily and waited for him.

She should’ve apologized immediately after she made that rude comment. Or she could’ve done it after she returned to the office, but unfortunately, she couldn’t find the chance to talk to him privately.

But it wasn’t like she lied or made it up. It was true that he was an outcast in their office. He rarely talked to anyone at work, and during meetings, he never offered any ideas of his own. Everyone all worked together, but if he quit tomorrow, he wasn’t going to be missed much. He was not a crucial part of their office, which was why Sunghee felt confused. Why was he working here? How did he get hired in the first place?

When she heard the cafe door open, Sunghee looked up. Sejin walked in as he watched her. Crumpled jacket, tangled hair, and a blunt expression. He looked the same as when she last saw him at the office. Trying to look confident and strong, Sunghee crossed her arms and raised her chin. This time, Sejin didn’t stop by at the counter to order anything. He came straight to where Sunghee was sitting.

“Get up.”

“Pardon?”

At his unexpected request, Sunghee blinked. Still in a quiet voice, Sejin repeated his order,

“I said get up.”

His tone was undeniably firm and Sunghee suspected he was furious. But why? Sunghee stood up halfway before realizing what she was doing. She quickly sat down again and retorted sharply, 

“Why should I stand up? If you have something to tell me, just say it here.”

“Hurry up, Miss Jo Sunghee.”

He commanded her again, making Sunghee frown. She glared at him, but she still stood up. Sunghee felt like if she didn’t do what he asked, he was the type who might drag her out by force. He probably wouldn’t, but… He couldn’t have been that crazy, could he?

But as they walked out of the cafe, Sunghee began to feel anxious. She couldn’t figure out where he was taking her. Without looking back once, Sejin walked ahead of her quickly. He obviously expected her to follow him without a fight.

“Umm, where are we going?”

She asked even as she followed him hurriedly. Sejin was walking surprisingly fast. Was it because he was walking fast or because he just had wide steps? But he wasn’t a tall man, so why would his steps be big? Gosh, what an annoying man he was. But even as she glared at him, Sunghee continued to follow him.

After turning a few alleyways, he walked into a small hotel. Sunghee blinked and stopped at the entrance. A hotel? Why were they at a hotel? Sejin received a key from the counter and looked back at her.

“Hurry up.”

“But…”

This hotel… It looked familiar. Oh no… This was the hotel where she woke up the next day after getting drunk at the work party. The same hotel she found herself with a stranger… who turned out to be Sejin. Why were they here again? To do what? Sunghee stood firmly on the spot and glared at him.

“Why did you bring me here?”

“The employees are just over there listening to us. Do you really want to talk about this here?”

Sejin nodded towards the counter. Indeed, the hotel staff were staring worriedly at Sunghee, who was biting her lower lip and glaring angrily. Realizing she had no other choice, she followed him.

Sejin entered the hotel room and took off his jacket. He threw it on the table and turned towards her. A large double bed, a table, a small vanity, and a TV. It was an ordinary hotel room. Looking around with suspicion, Sunghee finally asked, 

“Why did you…”

Before she could finish the sentence, Sejin grabbed her face with both of his hands and kissed her. When his hot lips touched hers, Sunghee gasped in shock. The scent of his cologne filled her nose, making her feel dizzy. What the… What was he doing now?

While his tongue invaded her mouth, his hands kept busy by removing her jacket and dropping it on the floor. Sunghee tried to push his chest away, but as soon as she touched his hard muscles, her hands began to move on their own. Before she realized what she was doing, she found herself caressing his chest. 

***