Buzz~
Mid-workout, the intercom rang. Lee Jin-woo raised a brow. "Who's this now?"
At the video panel, he saw her.
"Jin-woo-ya, it's your sister-in-law. Open quick."
Unlocking, he rubbed his chin, smirking. "This hour—good news?"
The elevator rose silently, smooth as still air.
Kim Ji-yeon's heart, though, raced like a runaway lift.
Ssangyong Motors—was that his real target?
Without outside help, family pressure was crushing her.
Kim Ji-yeon couldn't hold out against the onslaught.
Big brother had let his son meddle in Ssangyong Hotel, planting allies in management.
She couldn't sit idle!
But recalling Jin-woo's blazing, sun-like gaze at the hotel desk, melting her, she suddenly felt this visit was a mistake.
Too late to leave.
Ding.
The elevator opened. Lee Jin-woo stood there, greeting her.
"Sister-in-law, how'd you find this place?"
"Ah, asked Rep Yoon."
"Got it, come in!"
Inviting her in, Kim Ji-yeon calmed, eyeing the decor.
"Nice place. Penthouse, huh?"
"Decent. Drink?"
"Water's fine."
He grabbed two beers, smiling. "Only got these."
The apartment's butler service had stocked drinks and food since his last note.
The fridge wasn't pitifully empty anymore.
"Ne~" Kim Ji-yeon looked away, pushing forward a lunchbox.
"This is a housewarming gift. I made it myself."
"Wow, too precious."
Hugging the box, he said earnestly, "Since you made it, let's eat now?"
"Perfect with drinks. I'll unpack." She stood, unwrapping the cloth.
He grabbed glasses from the cabinet, returning as she bent over, arranging small containers neatly on the coffee table.
Today's Kim Ji-yeon wore high-waisted jeans, tight fabric tracing a stunning curve, hips firm and perfect, no spare fat.
Not exaggerated like Western proportions, nor flat like an unripe bud—just perfect.
The crystal chandelier's soft glow bathed her, adding a mature, gentle warmth.
Placing the food, she turned, seeking him.
Her bright eyes met his.
His white shirt, unbuttoned to the third, bared a chiseled chest, golden under the light, frame filling the fabric sharply.
Post-workout sweat dampened his forehead, black hair streaked, mussed by careless fingers.
His slight smirk, naughty but not off-putting.
Like a kid's prank, harmless fun…
Their locked gazes burned, sealed by icy calm.
Thump, thump…
In the quiet room, Kim Ji-yeon heard her heart pound.
"How come you're not here? Food's ready." She forced down surging emotions, gesturing to the dishes.
Her finger grazed an open beer.
Bang~
Foam sprayed her leg, making her jump.
"You okay?" He stepped up, righting the can.
Seeing her hop onto the sofa, flustered, he chuckled. "It's just beer. What's this?"
She leapt down, grabbing tissues to wipe the carpet.
Right now, she wanted to vanish—anywhere but here.
Cleaning up, he fetched a fresh towel from the guest room. "Go wash."
"It's fine, just beer. It'll dry."
"You'll be uncomfortable. I called for cleaning. They'll return it in half an hour."
As the elevator hummed, he smiled. "They're coming. Go."
Towel in hand, she hesitated, then headed to the bathroom.
A navy silk slip dress on Kim Ji-yeon was a whole new vibe.
"How's it?" Barefoot, she stood shyly, clutching the hem.
"Yeppeo! Yeppeoyo!" He grinned, praising.
"Really?" Tucking her hair, she sat on the carpet, bashful.
One leg curled in, the other stretched…
Tight space stopped her. Her leg twisted awkwardly.
Seeing this, he grabbed her pale, slender ankle.
"Don't move." He turned her manicured leg toward him, resting it on his crossed lap.
"Here, eat!" Picking up a thick spicy radish, he bit it, exaggerating, "Mm~ Delicious, how's it so good?"
"Aigoo, no wonder it's my sister-in-law's work. Secret recipe?"
"Mm."
Sipping beer daintily, she barely heard him.
"Why not eat?"
"Mm."
"Listening?"
"Mm."
Seeing her turn into a robot, he smirked, grabbing her freed ankle again.
"Aish, so pale, smooth as a mirror."
"Mm… what? Where're you touching?"
Snapping back, she struggled to pull her foot free.
"Stay still." Smiling, he offered a fish cake. "Ah!"
"…" Flustered, she opened her mouth, biting.
Holding the chopsticks, he asked, "Good?"
"…Mm."
She was losing it.
What was happening?
If this kept up, it'd get worse!
Unnoticed, her freed ankle was his again, his hand creeping upward.
As his fingers neared the dress hem, a slender hand pressed his.
"Jin-woo-ya!"
Face flushed, eyes misty, she shook her head lightly.
A pitiful lamb, pleading with the hunter.
He stopped, hand still, calmly enjoying the spread.
Pushing? Forcing? Never.
He'd never let morals or law trap him.
Clearing the food and drinks, the butler returned her cleaned pants.
Changing, she fled to the elevator, wordless, panicked.
Outside, looking back, she fumed, "Aish, what was that?"
Beep, beep~
No response after honking.
He shut the door, heading to the motel. "Shibal, how deep's this kid sleeping?"
About to ask the desk, he saw a man and woman tussling out of the elevator.
"Stop clinging! I said I just saved you, nothing else…"
"Oh." The woman tugged his sleeve, a pitiful punching bag.
The man looked ready to burst, helpless, speeding up to shake her.
Choi Man-sik and… the drunk girl?
"Man-sik." Jin-woo called, approaching.
"She's from last night?"
Choi nodded, exasperated. "Hyung, tell her I did nothing."
"I didn't say you did. I'm pursuing you."
"…" Jin-woo was stumped.
Save a random woman, and she's ready to pledge herself? That traditional?
If so, why party in Itaewon, drunk on the street?
Eyeing her, he sighed. "Man-sik's got good taste, huh!"
"Look, we've got stuff to do. Catch up another day?"
"Sure!" She agreed, holding out her hand to Choi.
Fifteen minutes later, Yongsan Electronics Market.
The trio wandered the dazzling gadget shops.
"Need anything? Look around."
Entering a store, before Jin-woo spoke, Choi blurted, "Cheapest phone, kamsahamnida!"
The owner's eager grin faltered. Dressed so well, he'd expected a big sale.
"iPhone 2G, got it?" Silencing Choi, Jin-woo chatted with the owner.
Leaving, he held an iPhone 2G.
This little device kicked off the smartphone era.
Multi-touch, slide-to-unlock—normal now, sci-fi then.
"Pretty." Saving her number in the new iPhone, Lim Soo-yeon said, "Done, oppa. Call me!"
Waving, the clingy Lim Soo-yeon left breezily.
"Not bad, huh? Really not considering?" Jin-woo elbowed the stunned Choi, teasing.
"Can't even feed myself. Where's the energy for love?"
Grinning, Choi laughed, "Hyung, I'm gonna hustle. Money's what matters now."
(End of Chapter)