The Masks We Wear
The door to the management office creaked open, and Jeong Seoyeon stepped inside. Lee Han looked up, his eyes flashing with a spark of intrigue.
"Hello, Ms. Seoyeon. I requested this meeting because I have a few things to discuss regarding your residency."
Lee Han spoke with a gentle, practiced smile. Seoyeon gave a slight nod in response.
"What is it about?"
Her voice was calm, yet laced with a palpable sense of caution. Lee Han gestured toward the sofa, inviting her to sit. Once she was settled, he lowered his voice.
"Ms. Seoyeon, this might be a sensitive topic, but... there have been some unpleasant rumors circulating within the complex lately."
Seoyeon’s eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly. "What kind of rumors?"
Lee Han feigned hesitation for a moment. "Well... they concern your private life. Specifically, regarding your interactions with... foreign men."
He let his voice trail off. Seoyeon’s expression stiffened for a split second before smoothing back into a mask of composure.
"Those rumors are a matter of my private life. I will handle them myself."
Lee Han watched her reaction with clinical precision. "However, Ms. Seoyeon, if these rumors continue to spread... you know how it is. These things have a way of spiraling out of control."
Seoyeon locked eyes with him, her gaze unwavering. "If that happens, I will have no choice but to take legal action. I have my reputation to protect."
Her voice was firm, resolute. Outwardly, Lee Han nodded as if in agreement, but inwardly, he found her strength all the more fascinating.
"I understand. I will make sure to pass that along."
Seoyeon stood up. An elegant smile graced her face, but her eyes remained cold. "Thank you. I appreciate your cooperation."
After the door clicked shut behind her, Lee Han leaned back deep into his chair. A faint smile spread across his lips.
'This won't be easy...'
No sooner had Seoyeon left than the office door opened again. Han Sujin walked in with a confident stride. Lee Han looked at her, his expression puzzled.
"What are you doing here?" Lee Han asked.
Sujin ignored his gaze and made herself comfortable on the sofa. "They say it’s not good for a pregnant woman to stay home all day. I’m out for a stroll."
Lee Han let out a short, dry laugh. "So you strolled all the way here?"
Instead of answering, Sujin tilted her head toward the door. "The woman who just left... who is she?"
"Nothing you need to worry about," Lee Han replied dismissively.
Sujin clicked her tongue in mockery. "Changing targets again? You’re certainly fast."
Lee Han frowned. "What do you really want?"
"I’m still the head of the women’s association, aren't I? I came because I have work to do." Sujin said it with total nonchalance. "Bring me the files."
Lee Han sighed, retrieved the documents, and handed them over. Sujin took them and began tapping her fingers rhythmically against the table.
"What now?" Lee Han asked, his voice tinged with irritation.
"Peel me some fruit."
Sujin said it as if it were the most natural request in the world. Lee Han stared at her in disbelief, but Sujin simply shot him a look that said, 'What are you going to do about it?' Eventually, Lee Han shook his head, pulled fruit from the refrigerator, and began to peel it.
Sujin opened her mouth absentmindedly while checking the documents. Lee Han smirked, picked up a slice with a fork, and fed it to her. In the silence, both focused on their respective tasks. Sujin reviewed the paperwork, and Lee Han peeled the fruit. The tension between them remained, yet a strange, comfortable atmosphere lingered in the air.
"This..." Sujin suddenly spoke up. "This part looks wrong, doesn't it?"
Lee Han leaned in to examine the section she pointed to. "Ah, you're right. That needs to be corrected. Thank you."
Sujin smiled faintly. "Well, it is my job."
They continued to review and edit the documents together. Their past, their present, and their uncertain future all coexisted within the walls of this small office. Just as Sujin’s belly was slowly beginning to show, their relationship, too, was shifting into something ambiguous.
The front door of Seoyeon’s apartment slammed shut with a violent thud. She kicked off her shoes and stomped into the living room, her face a mask of fury and frustration.
"Damn it!"
Seoyeon threw herself onto the sofa and cursed. "How could this happen? That manager is seriously getting on my nerves!"
Her fingers dug into the leather of the sofa. Her usual elegant, composed demeanor was nowhere to be found; only raw, unfiltered emotion ruled her now. She stared at the ceiling and let out a long, ragged sigh.
'I could let loose when I traveled abroad, but now that I'm on domestic flights, I don't even have that chance. It's so frustrating...'
Inside her, desire, reality, stress, and responsibility swirled in a chaotic storm. She was torn between the title of a bride-to-be and her secret, hidden cravings.
Suddenly, the phone rang, cutting through the heavy silence. Seoyeon snatched it up, her annoyance palpable. But the moment she saw the name on the screen, her expression shifted instantly.
"Hello? Oh, honey."
Her voice had changed 180 degrees. Her tone was soft and affectionate, and not a trace of her previous rage remained. "The wedding preparations are going well. Yes, I want to see you soon, too. See you later."
After hanging up, Seoyeon stared blankly at the phone for a long time. A complex array of emotions flickered in her eyes.
'It’s a shame, but I have to restrain myself today. Still, I need to find a way to blow off some steam tomorrow.'
Seoyeon stood up slowly and walked to the mirror. She stared at her reflection and let out a deep sigh. She was caught between the image of the perfect bride and her secret desires.
"Is this really the life I want?" she whispered to herself. But she quickly shook her head, casting the thought aside.
Seoyeon headed toward the desk where her wedding invitations were laid out. Her eyes turned cold and sharp.
'At least for now...'
And so, Seoyeon donned another mask, returning to her role as the perfect bride-to-be. But deep within her, the embers of her desire continued to burn, unextinguished.
That evening, under the dim, dusky light of the management office, an intimate encounter was taking place between Kim Eunju and Lee Han. Eunju’s lips were wrapped around Lee Han’s member, her head bobbing up and down to create a rhythmic cadence. Lee Han’s breathing grew ragged, and his hand gripped her hair with increasing intensity.
Suddenly, Lee Han’s body tensed and shuddered. Eunju didn't stop her movements, accepting his climax. Her throat pulsed as she performed the slow, deliberate act of swallowing.
When it was all over, Eunju looked up at Lee Han. She parted her lips slightly to show that she had swallowed everything. A look of satisfaction spread across Lee Han’s face. He reached out and stroked her hair gently. Her eyes, however, remained unreadable.
"Well done, Ms. Eunju."
His voice was laced with a dangerous sweetness. Eunju stood up slowly, wiped her mouth, and adjusted her clothes. Every movement was marked by a mechanical coldness.
"How is work?"
"It’s manageable, since I’ve only just returned."
When Lee Han’s eyebrows twitched slightly at her cold response, a flash of terror crossed Eunju’s face. Seeing this, Lee Han returned to a soft, gentle tone.
"Don't worry, Jinwoo is doing just fine at the daycare."
Eunju’s expression brightened instantly. "How do you know that?"
"It’s the apartment daycare, so it’s easy for me to keep an eye on things. I’m looking after him well, so don't worry about your son."
As Lee Han smiled, a look of relief washed over Eunju’s face. Lee Han didn't miss the opportunity to press his advantage.
"As long as you behave, I’ll help you with whatever I can, so don't worry."
Eunju bowed her head and whispered, "Thank you."
"Now, go pick up Jinwoo."
Eunju nodded silently and left the office.
Late at night, Lee Han’s footsteps cut through the silent darkness as he patrolled the apartment complex alone. Unlike usual, he was by himself tonight. Park Mina had plans with a friend, Sujin was pregnant, and Eunju had to spend time with her family.
'It’s been a while since I’ve felt like this.' Lee Han thought. At the tail end of summer, a cool breeze brushed against his cheeks. The apartment complex, bathed in the soft moonlight, looked peaceful.
Just then, Lee Han’s ears pricked up at the sound of faint voices in the distance. He naturally drifted toward the source of the sound. Two silhouettes slowly emerged from the darkness. A man was supporting a woman who seemed to be drunk. The man’s worried voice and the woman’s demure demeanor caught his attention. Lee Han observed them with curious eyes.
"Are you okay?" the man’s gentle voice drifted over.
The woman didn't answer, instead leaning more heavily into the man’s shoulder. Their interaction felt somehow awkward. Lee Han intentionally made his footsteps audible as he approached. At his sudden appearance, the man shot him a wary look.
"Hello, I’m the apartment manager," Lee Han said in a soft voice. His demeanor was polite, but his eyes were sharp.
The man frowned at him. His reply was short and blunt. "Oh, right." He gestured toward Lee Han with his chin. "Is there a problem?"
His voice was a mix of annoyance and defensiveness. He tightened his grip on the drunken woman.
Discomfort surged within Lee Han, but he maintained a perfect poker face. Instead, he scrutinized the woman with his piercing gaze.
'Jeong Seoyeon?'
He saw Seoyeon clinging to the man with eyes that looked half-lidded and intoxicated. But she couldn't fool Lee Han. He saw through her act instantly, and he found it absurd. Still, he didn't let it show.
"It’s late. Be careful on your way in," Lee Han said, his voice devoid of any emotion.
"Yeah, we will," the man replied curtly.
Lee Han nodded and walked away. He moved slowly, listening to the sound of the two figures receding into the distance. Before long, their footsteps vanished completely. Lee Han stopped and looked back. A smile spread across his lips, and he turned, heading toward the management office with a brisk, purposeful stride.