Stolen Glances at Sleeping Phones
While he was asleep, I'd secretly peeked at my senior's phone...
…………
"Why are you so tense? Was the emergency call-out that rough?"
Lee Jin-ah added, flashing a smile that was subtly different from her usual one.
"Ah, well. A bit tired, yeah."
It was true. I'd spent the whole night with Yeom Hana in some very intimate and intense exercise.
I took the coffee from her and sipped. The bitter taste coated my tongue and slid down my throat.
Fortunately, she seemed to buy it. She wasn't pressing further.
Phew.
I let out a quiet sigh of relief. Somehow, I'd managed to smooth things over.
But then a strange thought hit me.
Wait a sec. What's the problem here?
Me and Lee Jin-ah weren't dating in the first place. We were just senior and junior at work. Sure, we were close, but not that close. Just the kind of relationship where a good junior looks up to her senior.
So did I really need to hide it this much? What if she found out about me and Yeom Hana? So what? I didn't need her permission to see whoever I wanted.
What if I just said it outright?
[Oh, I crashed at some girl's place last night.]
…Yeah, that was a ridiculous idea.
Better to keep it hidden. No way I'd tell anyone. If the details got out, it'd be even worse.
A forty-five-year-old guy dating a twenty-year-old? If the people involved were fine with it, sure. But... somehow... it just felt... off.
Best not to say it out loud myself.
That was the unspoken rule of society. If the twenty-year-old girl told everyone, "I'm dating this guy Han Kang," that might fly. But a forty-five-year-old dude announcing, "I'm dating this girl Yeom Hana"? Yeah, that felt... inappropriate.
That was when it happened.
"Senior."
Lee Jin-ah was still standing there, watching me.
"Yeah?"
"You have to keep our promise for this Friday, okay?"
Her tone felt a bit stiff. Like she was holding back her emotions.
Probably just my imagination.
"Haha, of course. I didn't forget."
I flashed the most natural smile I could muster.
"Yes. I'll be looking forward to it."
As she walked away, a sigh of relief slipped out before I knew it.
"…Huu."
That was close. Really close.
…………
Friday. Today was the day I promised to hit the gym with Lee Jin-ah after work.
Grown-ups keep their promises.
That aside, looking back, the week had been pretty busy.
First off, inspired by how I'd gotten closer to Yeom Hana through messaging, I'd started chatting with my daughter Han Sol more often too. Something the old Han Kang never would have done—initiating contact, checking in without a specific reason.
And the results weren't bad.
A few words like that every day. Nothing deep, just check-ins. But talking to my daughter at all was better than nothing. A million times better than going years without contact like before.
And Yeom Hana...
What a confusing situation. We'd done that in a motel, but her attitude hadn't changed a bit. Shouldn't there be some shift in our relationship?
She'd send the occasional dirty joke, but overall, nothing different from before.
Putting it all together—even though I'd half-doubted it, from Yeom Hana's side, it might've just been a one-night fling. Like sex buddies or fuck friends.
Suspicious of that, I'd tested the waters once, sending a caring message like I was looking out for her.
……
I dropped that approach after. In the end, Yeom Hana and I slipped back into our goofy-friend vibe.
Maybe Han Kang's influence was making me more of an old fogey, but sex buddies? Fuck friends? That felt insanely unhealthy. Sex without being lovers? Absurd.
But in 21st-century society, the status gap between a middle-aged guy and a young girl was like sudra and brahmin. Asking a twenty-year-old, "So, are we official or what?" at forty-five? Yeah, no.
Couldn't be helped. Just live with it.
…………
After work, I waited for Lee Jin-ah in front of the gym, our meetup spot.
Why not go together from the office? Didn't want coworkers gossiping if they saw us.
Leaning against the wall, fiddling with my phone, a message from Yeom Hana popped up.
The saying about gym girls attracting guys held up, but not this time. It was with Lee Jin-ah.
No need to correct her, though.
Sad frog again. Or Shiba Inu. Or maybe Terrachad.
I pocketed my phone without replying.
That's when I spotted a familiar silhouette in the distance. Lee Jin-ah.
"Oh, you—"
"Senior!"
Before I could finish, she beamed and rushed over, naturally linking her arm with mine.
"You're free late tonight, right?"
"Yeah, well, tomorrow's the weekend."
What's with her suddenly clinging?
I was a bit startled. Aside from playful gym antics, I didn't remember much physical contact with her.
But then...
Wait, is this okay?
Yeom Hana's face flashed in my mind. It hadn't even been a week since we'd done that.
Was it fine to arm-in-arm with another girl in that situation?
Mid-thought, one fact hit me.
Was I—Han Kang—even lovers with Yeom Hana?
Thinking back, she'd never said we were dating. She'd said, "If I get pregnant, take responsibility," and I'd promised I wouldn't run. That was it.
Nothing after. No dates, no sweet texts—just frog memes, Shiba dogs, Pierrots, and dumb banter. The only change? Dirtier jokes.
And when I tried closing the distance? She'd bolt with "Creepy."
Yeah... figured as much.
She'd never seen us as dating. The realization sank in, then embarrassment flooded me.
She had zero interest—not even a speck—and here I'd been hyping myself up with "True love! Happy ending! Trials overcome!"
Pathetic. Mortifying. At this age—Han Kang's age—pining solo over a twenty-year-old like a fool beating drums and cymbals alone.
...Haha.
A self-mocking laugh escaped.
"Senior."
Lee Jin-ah's voice pulled me back.
"You listening? Something on your mind?"
"—Ah, no. Nothing much."
"Tired? Should we take it easy today?"
"Nah. Just in a good mood 'cause weekend tomorrow."
"Hehe, me too."
She smiled, satisfied.
Enough. Stop thinking about Yeom Hana. Lee Jin-ah was here now—rude to dwell on someone else.
—Steeling myself, I looked at her.
Hm.
She looked extra pretty today. Like she'd put more effort into her makeup. Subtle pearl shimmer around her eyes, glossy lips.
Just gymming with an old guy—why dress up?
It's Friday. Good mood, why not switch up the makeup.
I brushed it off and opened the gym door.
At that point, I had no clue.
Not just working out and parting ways.
Dinner. Whiskey at a cozy bar. Late-night movie. Then to her place, bodies entwined.
…………
Dawn. Lee Jin-ah cracked her eyes open.
Steady breathing beside her. Senior Han Kang.
He was out cold, not stirring.
...Ugh.
She eased up carefully. Aching lower back and inner thighs made her wince, but it wasn't bad.
Didn't know Senior had this much stamina.
Honestly, unexpected. At his age, even healthy, I figured one or two rounds max.
Almost passed out first myself.
Luckily, guys tap out around four. Whiskey on top? No wonder.
She survived.
Lee Jin-ah grabbed Han Kang's phone from the bedside table. Screen lit up. Locked.
She lifted his sleeping right hand, pressing his thumb to the button.
Click. Unlocked.
...
Couldn't help it. Knew it was wrong, but had to.
Motel soap smell. Unchanged shirt. Shady reactions.
Had to know which bitch snagged Senior Han Kang.
First time seeing the name. Unread messages galore.
...Who the hell?
Lee Jin-ah's eyes narrowed. Her finger tapped the name.
Chat opened.
Below it, one photo.
Flame-orange hair. Playful eyes. Beaming smile.
And what she held—two lines.
Etched on a pregnancy test.