The Web of Deceit
For Park Mina, the only joy that made her grueling daily life at the office bearable was her meetings with Lee Han. On her way home from work, she happily bought beer and snacks to share with him and headed toward the Management Office.
However, the moment she opened the door, a chilling atmosphere greeted her. Lee Han was in the middle of a serious conversation with Han Sujin.
"I'm sorry, it seems I'm interrupting. I'll come back later."
Just as a flustered Park Mina tried to hurriedly close the door, a sharp voice stopped her.
"Wait a moment. Ms. Park Mina, why don't you come over here?"
Han Sujin scanned her with cold eyes and pointed to an object on the desk.
"Isn't this your item, Ms. Park Mina?"
Park Mina's eyes widened. Sitting on the desk was none other than the cat food bowl that had been confiscated from her.
"Th-that's mine... I used it before, but it was confiscated. It's not my property anymore."
Lee Han cast a dark look toward the visibly panicked Park Mina. Disappointment and suspicion flickered in his eyes.
Han Sujin glared at her sharply and said, "You said it was confiscated? Then how is it here?"
"I'm not sure... Someone must have taken it out of the storage."
At Lee Han's reply, Han Sujin smirked and stared down Park Mina.
"What is this? Are you trying to help her by saying it's not her item? And what is that you brought with you? Don't tell me you're trying to get on the manager's good side? How dare you even lie to us..."
"That's not it! Please, don't misunderstand!"
A flustered Park Mina hid the bag she was holding behind her back and made excuses. But Han Sujin's cold gaze showed no signs of softening.
Lee Han let out a heavy sigh and approached Han Sujin.
"I will look into this and resolve it. For now, please head back."
"Hmph, I'm sure the result will be obvious anyway. Handle it yourself."
Spitting out the cold words, Han Sujin left the office, leaving behind a look of blatant contempt for Park Mina.
Once the door closed and only Lee Han and Park Mina remained, the usual warmth was nowhere to be found.
"Explain yourself. What on earth is going on?"
At Lee Han's icy voice, Park Mina opened her mouth as if to beg.
"I don't know either. It's definitely not my item... Someone must have done this on purpose."
"Someone? Who would have a reason to frame you to this extent?"
"Th-that is..."
Tears began to well up in the eyes of Park Mina, who was hesitating to answer. Her throat tightened with a sense of injustice and bewilderment.
Lee Han, who had been watching her silently for a long time, finally shook his head. He spoke in a heavy tone.
"Ms. Mina, I just hope my judgment wasn't wrong. But as of now..."
"Manager, please, you have to believe me. I really..."
"Go. It would be best for you to head back for today."
Lee Han cut her off firmly. Tears streamed down the eyes of the despair-stricken Park Mina.
The back of Park Mina as she trudged away, dragging her feet. The sound of the Management Office door closing behind her echoed with a heavy *thud*.
The despair of knowing no one believed her crushed her. Into the darkness where even the sunlight could not reach, Park Mina's narrow shoulders gradually slumped.
Park Mina had to spend several difficult days without being able to meet Lee Han. As she walked home from work, trudging along while submerged in sorrow and grief, a familiar figure approached her. When she looked up, Lee Han, whom she had missed so dearly, was standing there.
"Ms. Mina, let's go to the Management Office for a moment."
His voice was heavy and sunken. Park Mina nodded as if drawn to him. Like a prisoner, she followed Lee Han to the Management Office.
Inside the office, a solemn silence flowed. Park Mina kept her head bowed like a sinner, maintaining her silence. Lee Han approached her and spoke.
"Do you know what is happening right now? You almost caused a huge problem."
At Lee Han's words, which sounded like a threat, Park Mina's shoulders shrank.
"I really didn't do anything wrong... Please, believe me."
"That's not important. Anyway, I've covered up the cat food issue, so don't worry about that matter."
Park Mina let out a sigh of relief. However, her face turned pale at Lee Han's next words.
"The problem is the rumors. There is talk going around that you seduced me, which is why this happened."
"What? No, that was never my intention..."
"I know, but a rumor is just a rumor. The important thing is what will happen to me if this rumor reaches the company."
Park Mina repeated her apologies over and over in a voice trembling like an aspen leaf. Lee Han wore a subtle expression at the sight of her engulfed in fear.
"I'll have to find a way to solve this over the weekend. For now, go back home."
At Lee Han's words, Park Mina left the Management Office powerlessly. As she took her trudging steps, hot tears streamed down from her eyes.
What was all this? It all felt so distant. But she had no choice but to shed tears in late regret. Deep despair was etched into the figure of Park Mina as she trudged back home with a heavy heart.
Watching her back as she moved away outside the Management Office window, a smile rose on Lee Han's lips.
Han Sujin and Lee Han's hot skin intertwined. Desire was boiling in their figures as they explored each other's lips and shared a deep kiss. Lee Han's rough touch explored Han Sujin's body, and she responded to him passionately.
"Hnn... Ahh..."
When Lee Han's tongue stimulated Han Sujin's neck, she let out a moan she had been holding back. Their movements quickened, and the heat rose. The climax was approaching.
"I'm... Ahh!"
When the tension reached its peak, Han Sujin screamed. At the same time, her legs squeezed Lee Han's waist tightly. Soon, Han Sujin's body trembled violently from the pleasure that surged like a wave.
"Hnn..."
After Lee Han's waist thrashed one last time, a moan escaped his lips along with ragged breathing.
Having reached the climax, they lay side by side on the bed, catching their exhausted breath. Their hearts pounded, and sticky sweat adhered to each other's skin. After a silence flowed for a while, Han Sujin asked Lee Han.
"But what exactly are you doing with Ms. Mina?"
"Well, it's probably not something you need to know in depth. It's just something I'm doing in my own way."
Lee Han replied as if grumbling. At his words, Han Sujin sat up. While tidying her disheveled hair, she spoke calmly.
"I have no intention of interfering in your business. But we can't have any problems with our contract, can we?"
Lee Han smiled softly at the gaze he felt behind his back. He sat up his languid body, hugged Han Sujin's waist, and whispered lowly.
"Don't worry. I'll handle it well. That aside..."
Burying his lips in Han Sujin's neck, Lee Han asked, "It seems you're getting along well with your husband? I mean, your marital relations."
"Hmph!"
With a scoff, Han Sujin pushed Lee Han's hand away. A coldly chilled voice rang through the room.
"That is not for you to worry about. Don't cross the line."
"Alright, alright. I just said that because it's good to see you two getting along..."
With a grin, Lee Han grabbed Han Sujin's voluptuous breasts. At that moment, the sparks of ecstasy began to rise again.
The two soon became hotly intertwined again. Their bodies, burning with desire, became one and thrashed like waves. The suffocating whirlpool of their affair swallowed them whole.
The sound of the doorbell rang, breaking the silence of the weekend. Park Mina was startled and shrank back, burying her face in her pillow. Wiping away the tears gathered in her eyes, she held her breath quietly.
'Is it the head of the women's association again? Please, don't do this...'
Park Mina trembled, engulfed in fear. The doorbell rang persistently a few more times, but soon it went quiet.
'Looks like it's finally quiet...'
Just as she was about to let out a sigh of relief, another sound was heard. Someone was knocking on the front door and calling her name.
"Ms. Mina, it's me. Could you please open the door?"
At that voice, Park Mina's heart sank. It was Lee Han.
Hesitating, she rose without realizing it and ran to the entrance. With trembling hands, she grabbed the doorknob and slowly opened the door.
"Manager... what brings you here?"
Lee Han stood before her with a slightly flushed face. With an ambiguous smile, he said, "May I come in? I have something to talk about."
She couldn't give any answer. Park Mina just threw the door wide open and let Lee Han inside.
Park Mina and Lee Han sat side by side on the living room sofa. Breaking the silence, Lee Han spoke first.
"Ms. Mina, about that matter. I've handled it all well, so don't worry."
"Really...? Thank you, Manager. I feel like I can live again thanks to you."
Park Mina, her eyes reddened, bowed her head. Tears of relief streamed down her cheeks.
"Oh my, it's alright now. Stop crying."
Lee Han came and sat beside her. To soothe the sobbing Park Mina, Lee Han placed his hand on her shoulder. At the touch that conveyed warmth, Park Mina looked up and gazed at Lee Han.
Moist eyes, faint breath. Before she knew it, their faces were drawing closer. As if bewitched by something, Park Mina pressed her lips to Lee Han's.
A soft and warm sensation. Lee Han, who had been stiff as if surprised at first, soon responded to Park Mina. Slowly and cautiously, they locked lips and explored each other.
"Hnn..."
A sigh escaped unconsciously. Just as Park Mina was becoming ecstatic from the deepening kiss, Lee Han's hand burrowed into her collar.
"N-no, you can't!"
Park Mina flinched and pulled her body away. With a face full of obvious panic, she muttered, "I-I'm sorry, Manager. I'm still..."
"Ah..."
Lee Han let out a cold sigh. He stared at Park Mina with eyes filled with disappointment.
"I apologize. I made a mistake."
Lee Han's voice as he offered the apology was cold.
"P-please wait. Let me explain..."
"I'll be going now."
Shrugging off Park Mina's plea, Lee Han opened the front door and disappeared. Watching his back, Park Mina fell into frustration.
"I was wrong, Manager..."
Only silence echoed. I'm such a fool for pushing him away. At that regret, Park Mina couldn't hold back the tears that burst forth and slumped onto the sofa.
Park Mina was walking through the apartment complex in a depressed mood. Since she had been crying at home all day yesterday, she had run out of food and hunger was setting in. She moved her steps with a sigh, but suddenly, a couple approaching from the front caught her eye.
'Oh, that woman looks familiar...'
Thinking hard, it was Han Sujin, the head of the women's association who had created that awkward situation a few days ago. A flustered Park Mina quickly bowed her head to avoid her, but their eyes had already met, and Han Sujin seemed to recognize her as well.
Han Sujin looked surprised, then whispered something to the man standing next to her. Then, she approached Park Mina.
"Hello, Ms. Mina. Do you have a moment?"
Park Mina nodded hesitantly. Han Sujin watched her blankly for a moment before carefully bringing up the subject.
"About... that matter from before. I think I went too far. The manager looked into it in detail and said that, in fact, Ms. Mina had been misunderstood. I am truly sorry."
Park Mina was flustered by the unexpected apology. Lee Han's words came to mind.
'He said he handled it all...'
Although a corner of her heart didn't feel quite right, Park Mina forced a smile.
"Oh, it's alright. I think I was being too sensitive as well. Thank you for understanding."
Han Sujin, wearing a smile, apologized once more.
"My remarks back then were a bit thoughtless."
Park Mina's face stiffened for a moment. She bit her lip and replied, "Yes. It's alright."
"I'm sorry. The manager went around personally to tell everyone that it wasn't true."
Han Sujin bowed her head and apologized. Park Mina hurriedly accepted the apology.
"No, Madam President. It's fine."
"Yes, thank you for accepting. Then I'll be going..."
"Ah, yes. Please get home safely."
Han Sujin exchanged greetings with Park Mina and returned to her husband with complicated feelings. Superficially, she had apologized according to Lee Han's instructions, but deep down, she didn't feel any remorse. However, when she noticed Lee Han showing interest in Park Mina, a strange emotion bloomed in Han Sujin's heart.
'I shouldn't be the only one to suffer what I went through because of that man.'
Han Sujin gritted her teeth. She had succumbed to Lee Han against her will. It was out of fear that she might lose her husband if she didn't follow his demands. Han Sujin thought that Park Mina should face the same desperate moment. As if she couldn't be the only one to be unhappy, dark emotions were bubbling up in her heart. She smiled bitterly, thinking that if she helped Lee Han in this way, Park Mina would also be bound to the same yoke as her.
Park Taeyoung watched her expression and asked, "Why? Did something happen?"
"No, it's nothing. I was just worried about some work for the women's association."
Han Sujin replied with a bitter smile. Soon, she linked her arm with Park Taeyoung's and put on a bright expression.
"Honey, there's a young lady named Park Mina living in our complex. I saw her a few days ago..."
"Park Mina? That's a name I'm hearing for the first time?"
As Park Taeyoung looked puzzled, Han Sujin continued her explanation.
"Yes, you probably haven't seen her. Anyway, it seems that young lady has been getting close to Lee Han from our Management Office lately. In my eyes, the atmosphere between the two is unusual."
"Oh, really? Then is a couple about to be born in our complex?"
Park Taeyoung responded playfully to Han Sujin's words. Watching Park Taeyoung burst into laughter, saying it looked like the two would develop into lovers, Han Sujin laughed along with him.
"Well, I'm not sure yet, but I think they'd look good together. Just like when we were dating."
"Haha, that reminds me of our dating days. We should be good role models for the new lovers, right?"
The two walked along, arms linked, continuing their pleasant conversation. All the way home, a strange smile lingered on Han Sujin's lips. Park Taeyoung still knew nothing. He was merely regarding the deep intent behind Han Sujin's words as pleasant gossip, unaware of her relationship with Lee Han. Unlike Han Sujin's bitter inner thoughts, it was just a peaceful moment of daily life for Park Taeyoung.
Han Sujin's inner self was writhing, mixed with anxiety, jealousy, and a desire for revenge. Even in her conversation with her husband, her heart was complexly tangled.