Secret Temptation
Oh Yoo-ri pressed her fingers firmly into Kim Su-heon's thigh. "Hmm? What is it?"
Kim Su-heon put on an expression as if he hadn't heard a thing, but baseball was already the last thing on his mind. The single name "James" that had slipped from Ko Yoo-mi's lips was enough to erase everything else.
"Oh my, this guy, really. Then just keep watching what you were watching." Oh Yoo-ri planted a kiss on Kim Su-heon's cheek. It was the kind of casual skinship she had never shown before. In front of Ko Yoo-mi, his wife—who used to avoid any physical contact—now touched him without the slightest hesitation. Both Kim Su-heon and Ko Yoo-mi responded with nothing but blank expressions. They already knew exactly why Oh Yoo-ri was acting this way.
"Unni, if it's really bothering you, just stay at our place for a few days. Until that guy leaves."
"Huh? No, I can just stay at a hotel."
"Why? It's such a waste of money. My husband is always working late, and I don't get home until evening either."
"..........."
"It's just you during the day, Unni. This house is empty."
"..........."
Oh Yoo-ri pressed her fingers into Kim Su-heon's thigh again. "Honey, you don't mind either, right?"
"Huh? Mind what?"
"Aigoo, Unni staying at our place for a few days is fine, isn't it?"
"Uh, yeah, sure."
"Great, then it's settled." Oh Yoo-ri beamed and refilled the empty beer glass. "Now then, shall we toast? Hohoho."
"Uh, yeah. Yoo-ri, but—"
"Don't worry about it. I'll clear out Hana's room for you."
"No, that's not what I—"
"..........."
Ko Yoo-mi stared at the tilting head of Oh Yoo-ri for a long moment before lowering her own. "Ah, no. It's nothing."
"Unni, could it be..."
"..........."
"...that you actually want to stay with that handsome editor?"
"This girl, really." Ko Yoo-mi quickly grabbed the freshly filled glass and clinked it against Oh Yoo-ri's. While the two women drank their beer, Kim Su-heon sitting beside them felt as though living under the same roof with both his wife and Ko Yoo-mi was nothing short of a dream. At the same time, the situation weighed on him—and he knew it weighed on Ko Yoo-mi too.
From the kitchen, Oh Yoo-ri hummed a little tune while doing the dishes. With the living-room table now spotless between them, Kim Su-heon and Ko Yoo-mi sat facing each other, speaking in low voices.
"Did James really ask you to clear out the room?"
"Actually, he..."
"..........."
"...suggested we live together."
Kim Su-heon's expression hardened. "Together?"
"Yes."
"Why would that bastard—"
"He proposed to me."
"..........."
"Su-heon-ssi."
"Yes?"
Their voices had grown even quieter.
"Are you worried? Hohoho."
"..........."
"Don't worry. I'm still your woman."
Ko Yoo-mi's eyes sparkled as she gazed at him—the bright, loving look of a woman looking at her beloved. Oh Yoo-ri walked over carrying a coffee cup and sat down beside Kim Su-heon.
"What were you two talking about so excitedly?"
"Oh, Yoo-mi-ssi said she got a proposal."
"What? Really?" Oh Yoo-ri's eyes widened as she turned to Ko Yoo-mi. "Unni, that handsome white guy?"
"Uh, yeah."
Ko Yoo-mi glanced at Kim Su-heon, looking slightly flustered, then smiled shyly once she understood his meaning.
"Unni, do you really dislike him that much?"
"Yeah. I just... don't want to get married or anything like that anymore."
"Still, what a waste. Really."
"Yoo-ri-ya."
"Yes?"
"That's why I'm asking—can I borrow Su-heon-ssi for a bit?"
"Huh? Su-heon-ssi?"
"Yes." Ko Yoo-mi looked at Kim Su-heon and continued. "Su-heon-ssi."
"Yes?"
"Would you go on a date with me? What do you say?"
"What do you mean—"
Kim Su-heon was taken aback by the sudden request. So was Oh Yoo-ri. Ko Yoo-mi looked between the two of them, then took a sip of her coffee.
"Hohoho, why are you both so surprised?"
"No, Unni, what do you mean?"
"It's nothing big. There's a company party next weekend."
"Yes."
"And it's a plus-one event."
"..........."
"I've never attended before, so I really have to go this time."
"..........."
"And..."
"..........."
"I lied to James. I told him I have a boyfriend."
"..........."
"So, is that okay?"
Oh Yoo-ri folded her arms, deep in thought. "Well, I'm fine with it. What about you?" She turned to Kim Su-heon, asking for his opinion. He hesitated, unsure how to answer. Refusing or agreeing both felt awkward. Ko Yoo-mi watched him with an amused smile.
"Ah, sure, why not. I don't have anything else going on next week anyway."
At Kim Su-heon's lukewarm reply, a smile spread across Oh Yoo-ri's face—a mix of mild disappointment and curiosity. She looked at Ko Yoo-mi and said, "Then Unni, please take good care of my husband."
"Thank you, Yoo-ri-ya. Please take care of him, Su-heon-ssi."
Even as she said his name, Ko Yoo-mi kept her eyes on Oh Yoo-ri. Between the two smiling women, an inexplicable tension hung in the air.
Another week of overtime dragged on. Kim Su-heon resented the endless late nights. Since Ko Yoo-mi had moved into their home, he had barely seen her. Fortunately, his wife Oh Yoo-ri seemed to have stopped suspecting anything between them. Watching the awkward pair, she appeared relieved, and Kim Su-heon considered it a small mercy. Tomorrow was the day of the party Ko Yoo-mi had mentioned. His heart fluttered with anticipation, making it impossible to focus on work.
It would be his first time at a foreigner's party. His fingers moved quickly across the keyboard as he searched for information.
"Wow, has it really been a week?"
"Hohoho, it has."
"Yoo-mi-ssi."
"Yes, Su-heon-ssi."
"I've never been to a party like this before."
"Oh, it's nothing special. Just dancing, drinking—same as any other."
"Are you uncomfortable staying at our place?"
"No, it's comfortable with Yoo-ri and Hana around. It would be even better if you weren't there, though. Hohoho."
Ko Yoo-mi casually pressed her hand against Kim Su-heon's crotch. He felt himself growing heavy at her touch.
From the passenger seat, he stole a glance at her profile. She wore a striking red dress that hugged her body down to the knees, with a daring slit cutting diagonally up to her upper thigh. Through the opening, her alluring legs were visible. The deep neckline revealed a tempting valley between her breasts. Because her shoulders were completely bare, from the waist up she almost looked undressed. Her elegant neckline stood out beneath her elegantly pinned-up hair. For the party, Ko Yoo-mi looked more dazzling than ever.
"Keke, that's a relief. James will be at the party too, right?"
"Of course. He's the one hosting it."
"Ah, really?"
"It's a gathering of domestic and international magazine companies. Happens once a year."
"So it's a big party?"
"Yes."
The car carrying Kim Su-heon and Ko Yoo-mi pulled up to the hotel. As they stepped out, Ko Yoo-mi slipped her arm around his and pressed close.
"Su-heon-ssi, it feels kind of different now that I have Yoo-ri's permission to have you all to myself."
Kim Su-heon leaned down and kissed her cheek as she looked up at him with a bright smile. Guided inside, they entered the party hall—a vast space filled with people of every nationality. While the two of them stood awkwardly looking around, a man approached.
"Yoo-mi-ssi, you made it."
The handsome white man kissed Ko Yoo-mi's cheek. "Ah, this is—"
Before she could finish, James extended his hand to Kim Su-heon. "We've met before, haven't we? Hahaha."
"Yes, hello. You look even more handsome up close."
Kim Su-heon meant it. Standing before this impressive specimen of a man made him feel small. Tall, broad-shouldered, with striking blond features—Kim Su-heon couldn't help feeling diminished.
"This way." James strode ahead, leading them inside. Delicious hors d'oeuvres from around the world and fine drinks filled the tables. Kim Su-heon found himself drawn in by James's cheerful energy, losing track of time. The fatigue from weeks of overtime seemed to melt away. Ko Yoo-mi clung to his side, enjoying herself just as much.
"Yoo-mi-ssi, give me a chance."
"Yes."
Taking James's offered hand, Ko Yoo-mi stepped onto the dance floor. She glanced back at Kim Su-heon and winked. Amid the crowd swaying to soft jazz, James and Ko Yoo-mi found their place. Kim Su-heon watched them while sipping his drink.
"You have a lovely girlfriend."
"Pardon?"
Kim Su-heon turned toward the woman who had spoken beside him and caught his breath. Large, round eyes. Bright blue irises. Plump, crimson lips. A face that was both cute and seductive, framed by voluminous golden waves of hair. From her smooth neck down to her explosive figure, every curve was overwhelming. Despite their impressive size, her breasts looked firm and perky, half-exposed by the tight black silk dress and forming a deep cleavage. The dramatic lines from neck to shoulders to full breasts, the beautifully revealed body, the clear outline of nipple piercings beneath the thin silk, the narrow waist, the generous hips spilling over the small bar chair, the hem of the silk dress struggling to contain her thick thighs before flowing down to slender calves and sharp black high heels—her entire form was breathtaking. As Kim Su-heon stared, she crossed one leg over the other, the dress riding up to reveal even more of her luscious thighs.
Then fluent Korean flowed from her lips. "Hello. I'm a colleague of James's."
"Ah, yes. Your Korean is excellent."