Chapter 364: Obsession
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 364: Obsession
"H-help me—!"
The refreshing morning had vanished without a trace, replaced by the sensation of being enthusiastically strangled.
Seo Ye-rin had pounced on me the moment I crawled out of the bathroom.
She was straddling me, her hands around my throat, but she wasn't squeezing hard enough to cut off my air. It was a threat—the physical equivalent of a gun held to my forehead.
A warning that if I didn't choose my next words carefully, I was a dead man.
"Woo-jin, how exactly am I supposed to take this?"
"No! Wait! Ye-rin! I swear, nothing happened last night!"
"Happened? What kind of 'nothing'?"
"I mean... we didn't have sex."
"Heh."
The corners of Ye-rin’s mouth quirked up ever so slightly. Then, she tightened her grip just a fraction as a warning.
"If you had, you’d already be dead, Woo-jin."
"……."
"You don't smell like it, either."
Press.
"And seeing how you're standing at attention, I guess you really didn't do it."
She was even using her hips to check. I wondered when she had become this broken. Or maybe she had always been like this.
"But why do you smell like Oh Yun-ji? Hmm? Woo-jin, care to explain?"
"I’ll explain everything, very calmly! Once you hear it, you’ll realize I had no choice!"
With Seo Ye-rin still pinned on top of me, I began my explanation.
She made several dissatisfied noises throughout the story, but I managed to finish. Once I was done, she tilted her head and asked, "How do you expect me to forgive you for telling me you cheated with three different women?"
"……You did listen to everything I said, right?"
"Yeah. You spent the early hours of the morning frolicking in your room with three girls. Isn't that right?"
"……."
"Would you be okay if I spent the middle of the night frolicking with three guys?"
"No, I’d beat them to death."
"Whew."
Ye-rin finally slid off me. She let out a long sigh and crossed her arms.
"Go get ready for work. I need to do some thinking of my own."
"Th-thinking? About what?"
It wasn't about breaking up, was it? My heart sank, and a wave of fear washed over me.
"What else! I need to figure out how to make enough money to put a leash on you!"
"Ah."
Phew, what a relief. I almost cried thinking she wanted to break up. I could handle a leash. If it would appease her anger, I wouldn't even mind being confined for a little while.
"Ugh, I’m telling you, Oh Yun-ji is a person of interest! Honestly, I still don't get why I-seo gives Yun-ji so much leeway!"
I didn't really get it either. According to I-seo, she’d just become more greedy.
"And! I didn't say anything at the time, but it pisses me off that you did it with Ju-hee Senior in Hawaii! It only happened because Ah-rin is such a scrub! What kind of woman can't even keep her own man satisfied?"
"Ahem."
"We need to have a talk about this. Everyone’s heads are on wrong."
"……."
It felt a bit strange hearing that from the person whose head was arguably the most 'on wrong.' But whatever. If Ye-rin said so, then so be it.
I pulled her into a gentle hug and whispered into her ear.
"Should I come see you after work today?"
"I’m heading down to the countryside for a shoot today."
Ah, damn it.
"Then should I call the driver and come find you?"
Maybe I could ask the security team. They already helped with my commute, after all.
"Forget it. You’ll be tired and busy."
"Are you sure?"
"Don't ask again. I feel like I might change my mind."
"Yes, ma'am."
* * *
'Funny.'
I was currently at Uju Global. Aside from managing the Bamboo Forest, I didn't really have much to do at the office.
"Um, Mr. Woo-jin?"
"Yes?"
As I sat at my desk near the entrance, the Executive Director's secretary approached me stealthily. She glanced at the other team members who were busy working and whispered softly.
"The Executive Director was wondering if you had a moment to see him?"
"Why?"
"Ahem, he... he wants to play a game of Janggi?"
"I don't know how to play Janggi."
"Then what about Baduk?"
"I don't know how to play that either. I can play Omok, though. Does the Executive Director want to play Omok with me?"
"……."
"But Omok is a bit boring. Tell him if he wants to play Alkkagi, I'll go."
"……Yes, sir."
The secretary turned and left. My voice had been a bit loud, and the other team members who overheard were stifling their laughter.
He didn't actually want to play Janggi or Baduk. He was curious about the intentions of this guy who was just sitting around the office but clearly wielding influence and causing a stir. He wanted to create an excuse to have a conversation.
But I had no intention of going. He was someone who would be gone soon anyway.
Let them walk on eggshells for now. Eventually, they’d realize it was all for nothing.
'In a way, this is when my stock is at its highest.'
I checked the computer again; it was exactly 5 PM. Despite it being time to leave, no one in the Digital Marketing Team showed any sign of getting up. Normally, people would stay late out of social pressure or because they were genuinely busy, but I was different.
"Good work, everyone."
I, whose primary job was watching the clock, shouted in the most cheerful voice I’d used all day.
"……."
"……."
"……."
Everyone’s eyes snapped to me, but I stared back with total confidence.
What? So what?
Faced with my blunt gaze, they all looked away or pretended to focus on their work again.
"Right, Woo-jin. Good work today."
"Yes, thank you."
At least Section Chief Yoon smiled and waved at me.
'He looks much better lately.'
Section Chief Yoon’s complexion had genuinely improved. He used to say it was frustrating and infuriating just to sit around and collect a paycheck. Now that he was actually working, building a track record, and expecting performance bonuses, he seemed to be enjoying himself. He’d rediscovered the meaning of working hard at something he loved and seeing results.
'I expect the results will be quite impressive, too.'
I’d taken a quick look, and the Digital Marketing Team’s projected performance for this quarter wasn't just exceeding targets—it was at least double the previous quarter. That was how serious they were. Section Chief Yoon was using my presence to expand their reach even further.
'I knew he was capable, but he’s even better than I thought.'
It was absurd that someone like him had been pushed aside because of internal politics. If my father knew, he would have been furious.
The Security Team Leader was waiting for me outside the building. Since I never missed a chance to leave exactly on time, he was already there without me even having to call.
"Are we going straight there?"
"Yes, sorry about this."
I’d decided to head to Gangwon-do after work. I felt bad for the Team Leader, but taking the bus would be too late, and a taxi would be too expensive.
"It's quite alright. In fact, thank you for telling me in advance so I could clear my schedule."
"I’ve already made arrangements. You can take tomorrow off. Just drop me off and head back. My brother said he’d give you a separate bonus for this."
"That is far too much."
"Forget it. I have to brag about having a rich dad and brother somehow."
"Heh."
The Team Leader chuckled and opened the car door for me. I’d told him several times he didn't need to do that, but he insisted, so I’d eventually given up.
The sedan pulled away. I’d spent all day at the office looking at the Bamboo Forest, and I was doing the same thing here. I didn't have anything else to do, anyway.
Then, I saw a post by Anonymous 7—Ju-hee Senior—sharing workout tips, which reminded me of something.
"Team Leader, if Ju-hee Senior really says she’ll join us, will you take her?"
"Of course. There’s no one else like Ju-hee. She’s diligent, polite, and does her job perfectly. The fact that she’s fluent in English is a huge plus."
"Hmm, I’ll try to recruit her somehow."
"Haha! I’m counting on you!"
* * *
"And, cut! Great job."
As soon as the director called cut, the cold, sharp gaze Seo Ye-rin had been maintaining for her role melted away. She immediately bowed to the male actor she’d been acting opposite.
"Great work, sir!"
"Oh, you’re the one who worked hard, Ye-rin. It’s a difficult role, but you’re handling it so well."
"It was easy thanks to you, Senior!"
"Nonsense. It looks like we have a bit of a wait until the next scene. Shall we grab a drink or something?"
It was a transparent move. Having dealt with this countless times, Seo Ye-rin gave him a bright smile and a nod.
"Yes! I’d love to!"
"Ye-rin! The Director called!"
At the manager’s shout, Seo Ye-rin immediately put on a troubled expression.
"Ah, I’m so sorry. It looks like the Director is looking for me."
"YS Entertainment? That’s Director Yoo Mi-na, right? I heard she’s terrifying."
"Yes, she is."
With another quick bow, Seo Ye-rin hurried over to her manager. Once they were out of earshot of the others, she whispered softly.
"Unni, your timing is perfect."
"How many times have we done this? You’ve completely shattered my illusions about male actors. In the end, they’re all just men."
"Don't be like that. There might be some genuinely nice ones out there."
However, since she had a boyfriend, she made it a point to reject even well-intentioned gestures this way.
'And here I am, trying so hard!'
Still feeling a bit cranky from the morning’s events, Seo Ye-rin grumbled as she followed her manager to the van. Since she had a few hours to wait, she was planning to play mobile games or spam the Bamboo Forest.
"Wait, what? Did you move the car?"
The van was parked in a much more secluded spot than before.
"Yeah, go on in. There’s a gift for you."
"A gift?"
The manager walked off, clearly not wanting to talk further. Curious, Ye-rin tilted her head and stepped inside.
"You're here!"
"Woo-jin?"
The question 'Why are you here?' never made it out of her mouth. Even though she’d told him not to come this morning, he’d ignored her and come anyway. It made her feel a sudden surge of joy that almost brought tears to her eyes, but then—
"The Bamboo Forest celebrity made a request, and as the manager, I couldn't just sit idly by."
Kim Woo-jin held out his phone. On the screen was the post Ye-rin had written while waiting: 'I want to have sex.'
"So, I came to give it to you."
"H-h-here?!"
Startled, Ye-rin frantically checked outside. Fortunately, no one was around, but still, for an actress to have sex at a filming site—
"Mmph?!"
Kim Woo-jin tilted his head and kissed her forcefully. Even as they kissed, Ye-rin couldn't help but think that having car sex at a filming site was actually kind of hot.
"Phew—!"
"Stay still."
Woo-jin whispered huskily as he broke the kiss and slid his hand into her pants.
"Ah, Woo-jinaaah—!"
"We’re doing this. Even if you say no, we’re doing it. Did you hate it that much, me being with other women?"
"Y-yeah. I hated it."
"Well, you’re mine. You aren't going anywhere."
"Haa... ah... Woo-jin."
Ye-rin hugged him tightly, a small laugh escaping her breath.
"Are you acting like this because I said I like it when you’re obsessive?"
"……Are you really going to kill the mood like that?"
Woo-jin’s voice returned to its normal tone. Ye-rin kissed his cheek as he grumbled in disappointment, then teased him again.
"Oh, honestly."
She leaned back against the seat and covered her face with both hands. She didn't want him to see her flushed cheeks and dazed expression. Yet, her parted legs were already sending a clear signal that she was ready.
"What were you talking about with that male actor earlier?"
Woo-jin began to undress her, intentionally maintaining the persona of an obsessive man.
"N-nothing—! Ah?! Your hands are cold."
"Really? You didn't say anything at all?"
"I-I swear! I really—! Ahhhhn!"
Even as she let out a moan, Ye-rin felt like something inside her was about to burst.
'Oh, what am I going to do?'
She loved it when Woo-jin was obsessive. She wanted to push him away, strip off all her clothes, and give him everything right now. She wanted to give Kim Woo-jin, who wanted her so badly, something even beyond love.
"T-today…… I’m in trouble."
So, even as she spoke as if she shouldn't—
"Con-do-om."
Her body was already drenched with desire, and her parted legs showed no sign of closing.
Woo-jin kissed her again, and without worrying about protection, he began right then and there.