Secret Temptation: Stefania
Kim Su-heon repeated the name of the blonde beauty, Stefania. “This is?”
“Ah, this is my younger sister. Yoo-ri, say hello. This is Editor-in-Chief Stefania.”
Oh Yoo-ri stood up with a slightly embarrassed expression and bowed her head. “Welcome, Yoo-ri? That’s right, Ms. Yoo-ri.”
“Yes, hello.”
After greeting Oh Yoo-ri, Stefania crossed her legs and sat down in the seat next to Kim Su-heon. Her red dress rode up right beneath her hips, the ultra-mini dress clinging tightly to her body while leaving her shoulders completely bare. Stefania smiled without a hint of concern, radiating the confident poise of a beautiful, sexy woman—and a provocative gesture aimed at one particular man.
Oh Yoo-ri felt overwhelmed by Stefania’s explosive figure and effortless composure. “Mr. Su-heon, it is Mr. Su-heon, right?”
“How do you know my name?”
When Kim Su-heon looked at Ko Yoo-mi, she winked at him. “Ah, I asked Ms. Yoo-mi. I thought you looked so handsome when I saw you before, hoho.”
“You’ve met before?”
Oh Yoo-ri’s gaze, which had been fixed on Stefania as if entranced, shifted to Kim Su-heon. “Huh? Yeah, at the last party.”
“I see.”
Oh Yoo-ri, full of curiosity, turned back to Stefania. It was her first time seeing a glamorous blonde woman up close. “She’s so pretty.”
Oh Yoo-ri stared at Stefania with an enchanted expression. “Ms. Yoo-mi, your sister is truly beautiful. Well, it makes sense since you’re so gorgeous yourself, hoho.”
“Oh come on, Editor-in-Chief, when you say things like that it sounds like you’re teasing me, hoho.”
“No, really. Truly. Both of you are beautiful.”
“Actually, this is my first time seeing a blonde up close. You’re so beautiful.”
Oh Yoo-ri joined the conversation between Stefania and Ko Yoo-mi. The three women continued chatting, and just as Kim Su-heon was starting to feel exhausted, James spoke up. “Mr. Su-heon, come have a drink with me.”
“Ah, shall we?”
At his savior’s words, Kim Su-heon shot to his feet. “Oh, Stefania, you’ve already gotten friendly, hahaha.”
James smiled at Stefania before turning his gaze to Ko Yoo-mi and Oh Yoo-ri. “How about it? Boring, right? It’s just a quiet gathering of acquaintances, hahaha.”
“No, it’s fun. It feels different, hoho.”
Oh Yoo-ri looked like a delighted child. “I’m glad to hear that. Well then, please enjoy yourselves. Come along, Mr. Su-heon.”
“Yes.”
As the two men turned away, the women’s chatter resumed behind them. “It must have been tough for you, surrounded by women, hahaha.”
James handed Kim Su-heon a glass of wine as he stood by the window. Kim Su-heon responded with a smile. “Well, yeah. Are American women like that too?”
“You just saw it yourself, hahaha. I’m sick of it, sick of it, hahaha.”
“Hahahaha.”
The two men laughed heartily while gazing out at the night view. They exchanged meaningless small talk about recent news. “By the way, Mr. Su-heon.”
“Yes, go ahead.”
“Do you remember what I mentioned before?”
“About Ms. Yoo-mi?”
“Oho, you remember.”
“So, how’s it going?”
“No chance. Ms. Yoo-mi isn’t an ordinary woman. It’s like a cold wind blowing nonstop, hahaha.”
The two men looked over at the three women chatting by the window. “You said you’re heading back to the States in a few days, yet you seem pretty relaxed.”
“Well, I can’t exactly force myself on her, can I?”
“Kekeke, force yourself? That would be a crime.”
“Exactly. No matter how much I try to seduce her, there’s no opening at all. That just makes her more attractive.”
Kim Su-heon felt his pride swell along with the alcohol. “What’s Ms. Yoo-mi like in bed? I can’t even imagine it—the sex of such a cold, aloof woman.”
“...........”
“Mr. Su-heon.”
James turned to look at him. Kim Su-heon smiled broadly and spoke quietly. “Ms. Yoo-mi is incredible. Far beyond your imagination.”
It was the confident ease of a male who had claimed his female. James’s lips curved upward slightly. “I see. I expected as much, but I’m jealous, Mr. Su-heon.”
“...........”
James turned his head again to look at the three women at the table. “Still, aren’t Asian women less assertive?”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m talking about Stefania over there. Have you ever been with an American woman, Mr. Su-heon?”
“No, not yet.”
“Really? I actually prefer Asian women over assertive American ones.”
“...........”
“Be careful with Stefania tonight, Mr. Su-heon.”
Kim Su-heon glanced sideways at James. James smiled with his eyes. “The reason I invited Ms. Yoo-mi today was because of Editor-in-Chief Stefania over there.”
“...........”
“Mr. Su-heon, you’re her prey tonight, hahaha.”
Kim Su-heon looked around the room. Aside from the band and their group, everyone else was white. James continued. “Originally, this was just a casual get-together with acquaintances—literally just drinks.”
“...........”
“Ms. Yoo-mi doesn’t know anyone here except me and Editor-in-Chief Stefania.”
“I see.”
The two men’s eyes met. At James’s gentle smile, Kim Su-heon spoke first. “So, have you given up on Ms. Yoo-mi?”
“No, there’s still plenty of time, hahaha.”
James pointed at his wristwatch and laughed heartily. Kim Su-heon’s lips curved upward as he watched him. “You’d better hurry then?”
“I suppose I should?”
With a playful expression, James stepped backward and walked toward the women’s table. “Phew.”
The terrace was bathed in moonlight, reminiscent of the place where he had shared that thrilling encounter with Ko Yoo-mi not long ago. Kim Su-heon exhaled cigarette smoke while gazing at the moon, as if recalling that moment. He felt bored. Leaning against the terrace railing, he looked into the faintly visible hall. People were quietly chatting and enjoying themselves. At the table, James was still clapping and laughing with the two women, clearly amused by something. Oh Yoo-ri and Ko Yoo-mi’s cheeks were flushed from the alcohol as they chatted with him.
“Mr. Su-heon?”
A soft, slightly awkward voice reached him. When Kim Su-heon turned his head, he saw Stefania approaching, illuminated by the moonlight. “Ah, Ms. Stefania.”
“It feels awkward being called Ms. Stefania. Just call me Stefania.”
“Is that so? Foreign names are a bit… hahaha.”
Stefania handed him two of the four wine glasses she was holding. Kim Su-heon looked at her curiously, both hands now occupied. “I wanted to have a drink with you, hoho.”
“You should just call me Su-heon too. That seems fair, right? Hahaha.”
“Actually, it’s tough. The honorifics and polite speech in Korean are really hell, hoho.”
“Make yourself comfortable, then. Let’s both be at ease.”
“Really? Then I’ll speak casually? Su-heon.”
At the sudden informal speech, Kim Su-heon stared at Stefania in disbelief. “Y-yeah, Stefania.”
Stefania beamed at his response. Oh Yoo-ri paid no attention to whether Kim Su-heon was there or not. She was completely captivated by the handsome white man speaking fluent Korean right in front of her, giggling nonstop. Beside her, Ko Yoo-mi chimed in but kept glancing toward Kim Su-heon. As he headed for the terrace, Oh Yoo-ri couldn’t see him from inside. Following him outright would draw attention because of Oh Yoo-ri sitting right next to her. Soon Stefania disappeared onto the terrace as well. Behind Ko Yoo-mi’s smiling face, worry crept in.
“Ms. Yoo-mi, are you worried about your boyfriend?”
“Yes?”
At James’s sudden question, Ko Yoo-mi startled and looked at Oh Yoo-ri. Oh Yoo-ri’s face had stiffened slightly. James’s mind raced rapidly as he observed the awkward scene. “Noona, go look for your boyfriend. I’ll stay here and play with Mr. James.”
“Ah, no, he’s probably somewhere. What, hoho.”
Oh Yoo-ri’s sulky tone flustered Ko Yoo-mi. James studied both women’s faces carefully. The atmosphere had soured. James gestured to the band and stood up. He walked over to Oh Yoo-ri and extended his hand. “Ms. Yoo-ri, may I ask for a dance?”
“Yes, ah, I can’t dance. I’ve never danced before.”
Oh Yoo-ri waved her hands in panic. “Just follow my lead, hahaha. Come on.”
Pulled along by James’s firm grip, Oh Yoo-ri was led away. There was no central stage in the hall. James guided her and they danced beside the tables. One by one, others began holding hands and dancing to the changed tempo. Oh Yoo-ri, who had been awkwardly holding James’s hand, soon showed a joyful smile. Watching her, Ko Yoo-mi stood up.
On the terrace, Kim Su-heon and Stefania… “Give me a chance.”
A young white man spoke awkward Korean. Ko Yoo-mi couldn’t refuse the hand he offered and was pulled onto the dance floor. Oh Yoo-ri clung to James, giggling happily. Right beside them, Ko Yoo-mi danced while only staring at the terrace. James glanced at her before focusing on Oh Yoo-ri. He clicked his tongue inwardly. A woman whose beauty rivaled Ko Yoo-mi’s. James’s arms gradually wrapped around Oh Yoo-ri’s waist, pulling her close. Her heavy breasts pressed against his chest before pulling away. Ko Yoo-mi was fading from James’s mind. In her place was this woman in his arms, moving her seductive body to the music—Oh Yoo-ri. She surrendered herself to James’s touch without any resistance, simply enjoying the music.