Chapter 14
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Awkward Hideout and Steamy Bath
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"Ha, I don't know either. What do you think?"
"We have to clear up the misunderstanding again. If we go see Father-in-law and explain..."
"Our dad never takes back what he says once it's out. The articles are already everywhere—think he'll backtrack now?"
"Then what do we do? Actually get married for real?"
"Huh? Uh... you think that's a good idea?"
"What?"
Han Sea's gaze wandered over my shoulder into empty space.
I let out a disbelieving chuckle.
"Hey, marriage isn't a joke. You do that with someone you love."
"L... love?"
"Yeah, love. What's wrong with that?"
"You hate me?"
Her sudden question left me speechless.
Han Sea's eyes stared straight at me, unwavering.
All traces of playfulness gone, her face was dead serious.
"What?"
"Do you hate me?"
"Hate or like— what does that even matter between us?"
I played it cool, drawing a line as if it were nothing.
Her expression hardened subtly at my words.
I couldn't tell if it was disappointment or something else—not the answer she'd hoped for, maybe.
She bit her lip and turned her head away.
"...I see."
Her slumped shoulders looked strangely small.
"Hey, Han Sea. That's not what I—"
"I... I!"
Creak.
Our words overlapped just as the back door of the lecture hall slid open.
"Wait!"
I instinctively grabbed her wrist.
Voices murmuring in the hallway were drawing closer.
If we got caught here together now, it'd be pouring fuel on the already blazing news fire.
"Hide!"
I yanked her down behind the lectern.
We crammed our adult bodies into the cramped, dark space.
Dust assaulted my nose.
We huddled together, barely breathing, arms wrapped around each other.
"Hey, you see that article this morning?"
"Insane, right? Some regular guy engaged to the Hanul Group's only daughter."
"Total life reversal. I'm jealous as hell."
A few students came in, tossing their bags onto chairs.
Of all topics, it had to be us.
Leaving now would be suicide.
We clamped our mouths shut like we'd rehearsed it.
The space under the lectern was way tighter than I'd imagined.
Her knee dug into my inner thigh,
and her back pressed against my chest.
The slightest movement rustled our clothes.
"But damn, Han Sea's got a killer body."
"Facts. Those tits and hips—straight-up cheat code."
It was embarrassing even for me listening.
And here she was, the subject herself, curled up in my arms in this dusty pit. Unreal.
Tap.
"Ngh!"
A strange whimper escaped her lips.
Her hand, slipping as she tried to steady herself in the tight space, grazed somewhere it shouldn't.
My fingertips had roughly scraped the soft flesh of her inner thigh.
"Shh, be quiet."
I whispered in panic.
She shot me a resentful glare from below.
"You're the one groping weird places..."
"Couldn't see. It was dark."
That's when it happened.
One of the guys outside, mid-giggle, cut off abruptly.
"Hear that?"
One of the students in the room paused.
"Hear what?"
"Sounded like a girl's voice just now. Like a moan or something."
"Nah, you're hearing things. Who else is here besides us?"
"No, it came from in here for sure."
Thud, thud.
Footsteps approached.
The vibrations from the floor reached under the lectern.
We held our breath in unison.
She bit her lip hard, stifling what looked like a scream ready to burst.
The real problem came next.
Maybe from the tension,
or the thick, heady scent of her skin filling my arms.
My nerves went haywire on their own.
A natural reaction for a healthy twenty-something Korean guy.
Of all places, right behind the cleft of her ass,
it swelled heavily, asserting itself.
Squish.
"...Mmph?!"
A hard rod pressed against her rear.
I felt her body jolt.
She definitely knew.
But there was nowhere to retreat.
Her back and my front were fused together.
This is insane. Why now?
Singing the national anthem through verse four wouldn't help.
Worse, instead of pulling away, she shifted her hips back like the position was uncomfortable.
My shame sank deeper between her soft cheeks.
"...Hey."
She craned her flushed face back, mouthing at me.
[What's that?]
I squeezed my eyes shut, then open.
No excuse.
Too hot for a belt buckle, wrong spot for a wallet.
I just prayed those footsteps would stop and the guys would leave.
Luckily, the gods hadn't abandoned me yet.
"Eh, let's just go. PC bang seats are filling up."
"Yeah, probably nothing."
Bags rustled, and the back door clicked shut.
Bang.
Silence returned to the lecture hall.
"Hear that? 'Tits and hips cheat code.'"
"...So?"
"Nothing. But your little buddy was very enthusiastic about it."
"Fuck."
We bolted from campus like our lives depended on it,
ending up in the underground parking of her penthouse.
The engine cut, and tension finally drained.
I slumped against the seatback, exhaling deeply.
"Ow, my ass stings. Were you trying to stab me with that thing earlier? Total deadly weapon."
"Got it. Drop it. Please."
"Why? It was getting rave reviews. You should be proud."
She grinned, unbuckling her seatbelt.
The moment we stepped out, a man in a black suit approached and bowed.
"Welcome back."
Bodyguard.
He nodded politely at me.
"Dojin, sir. Your things were all moved up just now."
"Ah... thank you."
He must've grabbed everything from my old place—who knows when.
Back in this house after all.
We rode the elevator up
and headed to our rooms.
I opened the door at the end of the hall—mine.
Familiar stuff and clothes piled in one corner.
No energy to unpack. I flopped onto the living room sofa instead.
Thud.
The plush cushions caught me.
Relaxing unleashed a wave of exhaustion.
Nonstop tension since yesterday, no real sleep,
and crammed under that lectern? My back was killing me.
She approached, face worried.
"You look wrecked. Rough day?"
"Whose fault? My whole body's aching."
"Sorry. Here, let me help you unwind."
"Massage?"
"Nah. Half-bath? I'll fill the tub. With bubble bath salts too."
"Bubble bath?"
"Yeah. Top-shelf spa stuff. You'll melt afterward."
"Ooh... tempting."
I hauled myself up.
Craved that warm soak bad.
"Alright. Hook me up."
"On it. Be ready soon."
She bounced off to the bathroom, excited.
Soon, running water and faint lavender wafted through the place.
"All set! Hop in."
I grabbed a towel and headed in.
Steam hit my face as I opened the door.
The tub brimmed with thick white foam.
"Damn, fancy."
Stripped, quick rinse,
then eased in.
Warmth hit my skin—pure bliss.
"Ahh, heaven..."
Body dissolving.
I sank into the bubbles, head back.
Staring at the ceiling, spotted a button on the wall.
'Smart Glass.'
Curious, I pressed it.
Whirr. The frosted wall turned crystal clear instantly.
"...Holy shit."
Seoul's early evening skyline unfolded panoramic-style.
Bridge lights over the Han River, Gangnam's skyscrapers—all in view.
Bathing with this view?
This was peak success life.
Han Sea's world I'd never known.
"Insane view."
I stared out, awestruck.
Languid relaxation, dazzling nightscape.
Could drift off right here—pure peace.
Then—
Click.
Door handle turning behind me.
"Why the mopey face?"
"Gah! What the hell—you can't just barge in here!"
I yelped, curling up.
Hid in the foam, but the shock lingered.
She peered down at me.
"Water warm enough?"
"Yeah. Warm enough to melt. But what's with your getup?"
She wore a black monokini, waist cut daringly open.
"Cute, right? New season's release. Whaddya think?"
"...What? Eyes have nowhere to go. Get out."
I turned my flushed face, waving her off.
Too much pale skin exposed over the top.
She smirked mischievously.
"Aww, blushing? This isn't even that revealing. Back's the real star."
She spun dramatically.
I gasped. Front was tame by comparison.
Back: one string, open down to her ass.
Smooth white line dominated my vision.
"Hey, crazy! Your whole back's out!"
I slapped hands over my eyes in horror.
"Hard again? It was rock-solid earlier."
"Shut up already! Please!"
"Puhaha! You're adorable. Reactions are pure gold."
She doubled over laughing.
Each guffaw made her chest bounce—eyes had nowhere safe to land.
"Scoot. My turn."
She hooked a leg over the tub rim.
"What? No way! Two grown adults in this tiny tub? Out!"
She ignored me, swinging the other leg in.
"What are you, a Joseon-era scholar? Nobody cares these days."
"Everyone but you, you maniac! And we're just friends..."
"Nah, we're engaged."
She cut me off sharp.
"Articles are out—what's the issue? Dad approved too."
"It's fake!"
I shouted in frustration.
Fell on deaf ears.
"Quiet. My house, my tub. I'm getting in."
Splash.
No time to stop her—she shoved right in.
Water level surged, foam spilling over.
"Hey!"
I shrieked, cramming into the corner.
"Ahh, nice and toasty. Should've jumped in sooner."
"...You're unreal. Had to climb in here?"
I plastered myself to the edge.
But the tub wasn't big enough for space between two people.
Impossible not to touch.
Her sleek leg brushed my thigh.
"Perfect fit. Ugh, bored. Feet are lonely too."
Something slippery slithered past my calf underwater.
Her toes.
I recoiled in disgust, yanking my leg back.
Water sloshed wildly in the tight space.
"Seriously. Our fake relationship's over—why keep this up?"
"..."
"We'll sort the engagement eventually. No need for more skinship. Especially in your house."
I said it firmly, face straight.
Trying to look rational.
I had to draw this line clear.
But she ignored my desperate defense,
propping her chin boredly.
Her drowsy eyes scanned me.
"God, you talk so much."
"Huh?"
"Dude's not impotent, got a smoking hot girl naked here, but instead of enjoying, you're lecturing?"
"You're a girl, idiot. Even if I'm comfy with you..."
I huffed in disbelief.
Did she have no sense of gender? Or shame?
She slicked back wet hair, tossing out casually.
"Whatever. World's already convinced we're banging nonstop anyway."
"..."
I couldn't believe my ears.