006. Temptation (2)
Han Yu-ra was tense. Inside the cramped office of Railroad Software, she clenched and unclenched her fists while stealing glances at Im Seong-u. And she regretted the text she'd sent today.
'Ah... that line...'
The line was so lame.
Realizing that brought a massive wave of embarrassment crashing over her.
'This is mortifying.'
To ask a man out for a meal, she needed at least a plausible excuse. Otherwise, it just sounded like, "I just want to get closer to you. Let's have a nice time~ Great vibes~ Meant to be~"
Wasn't the basics of flirting all about subtly hiding your feelings?
Of course, she could make excuses. Like discussing features for the open beta or talking about future directions. But shoving those pretexts at him felt like something he'd hate, so she couldn't bring herself to say it.
'Why did I do that...'
To be a little fair to herself, she wasn't in her right mind. Her head felt blank. Her heart pounded wildly, and impatience gnawed at her—she had to act now.
Because if she didn't, that bubbly Shin Na-young might swoop in and steal Im Seong-u right out from under her.
So she'd just blurted it out. A classic date line that not even a female monkey would use.
'I must be crazy.'
As Han Yu-ra bowed her head, her face red as a tomato in regret, a reply pinged on her phone. She grabbed it, forcing her racing heart to calm.
'...It worked?'
Han Yu-ra barely suppressed the thick, sticky grin creeping up. She couldn't contain the fluffy, overflowing joy bubbling inside her. Why? It was just dinner.
The second the quitting bell rang, she shot up from her seat—an uncharacteristic move for Han Yu-ra.
"I'm heading out early with Director Im today. Business stuff."
"Ah..."
She shot Shin Na-young a sly smile. The bob-haired girl trembled, fists shaking.
'How's that?'
Her hospital admin-honed poker face was impressive. Even now, she managed a twitch of a smile at the corner of her mouth. But the fury she couldn't hide, hands quivering—that was plain as day.
'Na-young. Dream on.'
Han Yu-ra flashed a foxy grin and left the office with Im Seong-u. She was the first to snag time alone with him today.
It was selfish, sure, but she had no intention of backing down. Looking at him stirred up a whirlwind of emotions.
Guilt for tormenting him for a year, for not recognizing his hard work. Resentment for how he'd ravaged her, blackmailed her, humiliated her. And yet, that strange thrill, the pounding excitement every time it happened. The addictive obsession when he acted like her master.
So no matter how close Shin Na-young was, Han Yu-ra wouldn't yield. Savoring her victor’s high, she slid into Im Seong-u's car. Then tension flooded in.
'So cramped...'
Alone with him in this tiny space. It squeezed her heart. He could reach out and grope her breasts with one hand. His breathing was so close.
Instinctively, memories resurfaced.
'Ugh...'
Paying for the motel herself. The second they entered, stripping like a cheap bitch, mounting him, grinding her hips. Forgetting all pride and dignity as CEO, sweating buckets as she begged for punishment.
Recalling it turned her face beet red.
'He's so mean...'
Meanwhile, what about Im Seong-u? He looked utterly relaxed, like he really just planned to eat and go.
She wanted to puff her cheeks in a pout but stopped—too anime-girl. 'He's so mean. He should get it by now, right?'
She couldn't control her idiot heart. Her mind went blank again. If only he felt something similar, it'd be some consolation—but as Kim A-ram said, his emotions were a mystery.
'Sigh...'
Suddenly, a scent hit her. Olfactory intel.
'What smell is that?'
Fresh yet artificial lemon. Lingering in the passenger seat—perfume.
Programmer prejudice, maybe, but real devs didn't wear perfume, in her book. So whose was it?
Crunch.
The answer was obvious. Yesterday, Shin Na-young had left with him. Had to be hers.
'That wretched bitch.'
Shin Na-young's oddly slutty outfit today flashed in her mind. Had Im Seong-u slept with her?
"Seong-u."
"Yeah?"
She didn't know what to say.
'Did you fuck Na-young yesterday?'
Leaving the office, she'd felt victorious over Shin Na-young. But this perfume scent made her want to lash out.
She masked her feelings, digging for casual chit-chat.
"What should we eat?"
"..."
"My treat."
"Hmm..."
Im Seong-u pondered seriously, then decided.
"Steak? I'll get it."
He glanced at her while driving. "S-sure. Then..."
Han Yu-ra said.
"M-mo..."
'Motel bill's on me.'
She clamped her mouth shut. He'd buy dinner, so she'd cover motel and coffee. But saying that outright screamed "I want sex!"
'Ugh...'
She recalled last time paying the motel bill herself. Her calmed face flushed again.
Im Seong-u asked, puzzled. "Mo?"
"Mo..."
'Mo...'
Words starting with "mo"? 'Mo...' Hair transplant? Baldness? Mordecai? She wanted to shake her head again. Morikawa dessert, mom, Mopassant. Hat. Monument Valley. M-words raced through her brain.
"Mo... Monument Valley? You played it?"
'Yes. Pivot to indie games.'
Monument Valley: that puzzle hit on Google Play once. Low-budget, high-concept indie smash worldwide.
'Yeah... Build rapport with Seong-u over this.'
"Nah."
Unfortunately, even that he'd skipped.
'Come on, even this? You're a game company director...'
The car went silent. Han Yu-ra dry-washed her face and stared out the window. Streetlights seemed extra bright tonight.
'What if I jumped out?'
But losing to Shin Na-young? No way.
'Lock eyes over dinner...!'
Unleash seduction arts. Get him in bed.
'That was the plan from the start.'
She steeled herself.
'Boring.'
Han Yu-ra had been staring at me intently. Blushing furiously, yet she wouldn't look away. Like she'd die if she did.
"Yu-ra. Something on my face?"
"No!"
"..."
Something bugging her? Scared of sex? Maybe recalling the car grope. But today, I just wasn't in the mood.
'Just eat.'
Yesterday's booze? Dick cooldown not up yet.
I parked at the steakhouse and escorted her. "Out you go, Yu-ra."
"Uh... yeah."
She gave an awkward smile getting out. For a second, it was cute—but her red face cooled me off. Weird mood today.
Why'd she send that? Meeting today? Forced cancel noticing my schedule? A twinge of betrayal hit.
'Plenty of guys want Han Yu-ra.'
College, she was popular. Said high school wasn't, but she was hot. Top 1% tits. Ambitious, talented—no other girl compared. Lips parted, everyone stared. That was her.
In the classy wooden steakhouse, a smirking suit guy rushed out. "Hello. Table for two?"
"Yes."
"This way."
I was buying. 'Share fortune when it's good, or it won't stick.'
Got freelance advance—spread it around for luck. Even to tormentor Han Yu-ra.
Sudden hot rage surged. 'You...'
Unreasonable. 'Why so pretty?'
Beautiful face, huge tits, lovely smile—hard to hate. That shallow sentiment irked me.
"Couple set? Ten thousand won off."
I eyed Han Yu-ra across. Under orange lamplight, she fidgeted. Eyes locked on mine.
'What, staring contest?'
Her? Blushing type? Made me awkward too. I ordered quick. "Yeah, that."
"Got it."
Medium rare. She wanted to bury her head... but stared piercingly.
"Hot... right?"
Brushed hair aside with one hand. Neck exposed. My gaze slipped to her white blouse cleavage.
Gulp.
'S-seduction?'
No way. Sweaty collarbone, undone top button—cleavage. Just hot, clumsy.
"Whew..."
She tilted her neck wickedly, ponytail lifting—pale nape teasing.
'Why that move?'
Irritatingly captivating. We sat silent. Awkward? Phone scroll. But hated that with women—made thrill feel cheap.
"Yu-ra."
"...Yeah."
Skipped boring chat, went honest. "Why watch 'how to seduce men' videos?"
Yeah. Petty jealousy. But small talk bored me. Straight ball.
"Got a guy? Or...?"
"..."
Not rational cornering. Could be random YouTube. But uneasy.
'Trashy vibe.'
-Even if I cheat, don't dodge.
-Babe~ Trash song mentality.
But yeah. Pretty Han Yu-ra. My slave. Thought of her with another guy? Fists clenched reflexively.
Just physical, sure. But craved confirmation. "Not at all, don't doubt" or "Want someone else." Pick one for peace.
Weird, her private life wasn't my business.
"..."
She fidgeted, speechless. Eyes on me, but strain showed—tears imminent.
"S-Seong-u."
"..."
"I..."
Tear-glossed eyes. Cheeks flaming. My heart raced too.
"I..."
As she opened her mouth—
"Steak's ready."
Couples unforgiven! Solo heaven, couple hell! The part-timer's eyes burned with conviction, solemn as a couple-slayer, plating the meat.
Sizzle!
Beef sizzling on black stone. Glazed brown surface wafting savory umami. Butter-like oil scent. Thick meat aroma. Pink flesh, juices ready to burst.
"E-enjoy..."
"..."
"..."
"Your... meal!"
He vanished crisply. Fucking asshole. I sighed at Yu-ra. "Eat first?"
"Yeah..."
She glared at the steak, fury in her eyes. That defeated look? Priceless.