13. I Promise.
Episode 13. I Promise.
"Hold me."
Jin-hyeok's breath hitched at Na-eun's bold request.
He'd always known this day would come eventually. But he hadn't expected her to be so direct, so sudden. The way she stared straight into his eyes with her flushed face made it impossible for him to meet her gaze easily.
Frankly, any man would desire Na-eun. She was young, beautiful, with a great figure. She adored him, followed him this devotedly. And someday—
Eun-ju's face abruptly surfaced in his mind.
Jin-hyeok clenched his jaw to banish the image, forcing a smile onto his lips.
"Like this?"
He spread his arms and pulled Na-eun's petite frame into an embrace. Patting her back gently like comforting a child.
Na-eun enjoyed the touch but couldn't hide her disappointment. Nestled against him, she pouted.
"...You know that's not what I meant."
At her chilly tone, Jin-hyeok's comforting hand stilled.
Silence lingered briefly.
Then his fingers began moving slowly up her back, higher and higher, until his fingertips brushed the delicate hairs at her nape.
"Hng."
Na-eun shivered at the ticklish yet strangely pleasant sensation. A tingling current traveled down her spine from where he touched.
"What exactly did you mean then?"
His low murmur settled over her like a weight. Na-eun swallowed hard, hyperaware of each minute movement of his fingers tracing her neckline before managing to speak.
"I'm... not a child anymore."
Jin-hyeok gripped her shoulders with both hands, gently pushing her back to meet her eyes.
"I know, Na-eun."
"Mhm."
Her throat went dry as their faces drew close enough for their noses to almost touch. His whisper was feather-soft.
"I always knew this day would come."
His voice dropped lower.
"And—"
His hand slid from her nape downward, gliding along her spine until resting at the dip of her waist.
Just like Eun-ju had guided his hand that night.
The memory of that evening's sensations flooded back—the hand that had shown him where to go, the warmth that had pulled his hesitant wrist forward. The face of the woman who'd taught him everything flashed through his mind again. Jin-hyeok bit the inside of his cheek.
Na-eun's expression grew hazy, her breaths coming in shallow pants as the heat from his palm seeped through her clothes.
"But not now."
"Ah—"
Na-eun's gaze wavered as Jin-hyeok withdrew. The tension that had been building between them dissipated instantly.
"Why? How come...?"
"Because you're retaking your exams."
Jin-hyeok gave a playful smile, his hand slipping away from her waist.
"If we do that now, you won't be able to focus."
"How would you know that?"
Na-eun snapped back reflexively.
"Well..."
Jin-hyeok trailed off.
He knew all too well. After that night with Eun-ju, he'd learned exactly how such experiences could consume a person. He remembered clearly those days when his mind had been so saturated with the memory that he couldn't grasp anything else.
But he couldn't say that aloud. If she asked how he knew, he'd have no answer. Swallowing the words rising in his throat, he changed the subject awkwardly.
"Anyway. Instead..."
"I'll make you a promise."
"Of what?"
"If you do well on your first mock exam."
"And if I do?"
"You said you'd grant any wish I wanted."
"Yeah."
"Then I'll fulfill it unconditionally."
At this, Na-eun buried her face in Jin-hyeok's chest, feeling the firm muscles beneath his shirt. Pressed against him, she murmured like making a vow:
"You have to keep your promise."
"I will."
Na-eun lifted her head. The heat in her upturned eyes was unmistakable.
"Then... will you kiss me now?"
"Okay."
As Jin-hyeok agreed, Na-eun closed her eyes slowly, parting her lips slightly in anticipation.
Right at that moment—
Bzzz— Bzzzz.
Na-eun's phone vibrated.
Hesitating briefly, she picked it up. Her eyes narrowed at the screen.
[Mom]
Of all times. Na-eun bit her lip, about to set the phone down when Jin-hyeok said quietly:
"Answer it. You don't want to worry her."
"...Fine."
Reluctantly, she swiped to accept the call.
"What?"
『...You weren't answering.』
"I told you I'm with Jin-hyeok."
『When are you coming home?』
"I don't know."
Her curt reply came automatically, irritation at the interrupted moment coloring her tone.
『Na-eun.』
Eun-ju's voice sharpened slightly through the receiver. Na-eun adjusted her grip on the phone, frowning.
"I'll come home after dinner."
『It's already so late.』
"So what? I'm with Jin-hyeok."
Her tone was dismissive. Annoyed by the interrogation, she just wanted to hang up.
Jin-hyeok, listening nearby, finally interjected. Leaning toward Na-eun, he spoke:
"Mrs. Lee."
『Oh... Jin-hyeok.』
"I'll make sure she gets home safely."
『...Alright.』
"And... I'm sorry for worrying you."
『It's fine.』
Eun-ju's voice softened at Jin-hyeok's polite tone. Na-eun gave him a grateful smile.
『Are you eating out for dinner?』
"Oh, we're at Jin-hyeok's place now."
『...』
The line went abruptly silent. Na-eun pulled the phone slightly away to check the screen.
"Mom?"
Eun-ju's response was halting.
『Ah... I see... Okay then.』
Her flustered tone was unusual, but Na-eun didn't dwell on it, eager to end the call.
"We'll eat and come home."
『Why don't... you come home for dinner?』
The sudden suggestion confused Na-eun completely.
Jin-hyeok whispered near her ear:
"Let's eat at your place. There's nothing at my apartment right now."
"We can just order delivery."
Na-eun pouted. Jin-hyeok pretended to scold her, lightly running his hand over her stomach.
"Hng!"
"Haven't you gained weight lately?"
"Ah— you jerk!"
Na-eun swatted his hand away with a giggle. Their playful banter traveled clearly through the phone to Eun-ju.
Her daughter's laughter with Jin-hyeok clung stubbornly to her ears.
Eun-ju tightened her grip on the phone. With each affectionate sound, something dark clawed at the pit of her stomach. The knowledge that she wasn't there with them, that she had no place in their moment, became unbearably frustrating.
It was jealousy.
Realizing she felt this toward her own daughter made Eun-ju despise herself. A woman in her forties, envying her daughter's youthful romance. Unable to suppress these ugly emotions, she finally spoke:
"Then... shall we all go out to eat?"
『Dinner out?』
Na-eun's voice echoed back.
"I'll drive us."
『Should we?』
『Yeah, let's do that.』
After some murmuring between Na-eun and Jin-hyeok, her answer came:
『Okay.』
"Good."
Just before the call ended, a faint whisper slipped through:
『O...ppa, k...iss...』
Eun-ju's hand clenched again as the screen went black.
She stood frozen for a long moment before grabbing her car keys and heading to the parking garage.
Sliding into the driver's seat, closing the door—the confined space suddenly seemed filled with that intoxicating scent.
The traces of her entanglement with Jin-hyeok that night seemed to linger at the edge of her senses.
That musky, masculine odor.
Logically she knew it couldn't remain after cleaning. Yet Eun-ju inhaled deeply anyway, chasing the phantom memory, wishing desperately for its remnants to stay.
Her hand drifted to the passenger seat—where Jin-hyeok had sat that night. Only the cool leather met her touch.
Eun-ju nibbled her lip, then gripped the wheel and started the car.
Eun-ju's car stopped outside Jin-hyeok's officetel. After texting their arrival, the two soon emerged together.
Through the window, Na-eun's face appeared flushed as she clung to Jin-hyeok, chattering excitedly.
Eun-ju's eyes narrowed.
Seeing her daughter's giddy expression made her chest tighten painfully. She knew exactly what that look meant—a female melting in the presence of her desired male.
A possessive feeling surged beneath her ribs.
As Na-eun moved to open the rear door, Eun-ju spoke up:
"Jin-hyeok, sit in front. The back is cramped."
There was no real reason for this, yet she delivered the flimsy excuse effortlessly.
"...Okay."
Jin-hyeok awkwardly took the front passenger seat, his face slightly reddened.
Memories of that night seemed to surface as he averted his gaze out the window.
"Where are we going?"
"Somewhere we went as a family before."
Eun-ju answered casually while fastening her seatbelt.
"Oh, there?"
"Where's 'there'?"
Na-eun answered from the back:
"H Hotel. You can see the whole night view."
Jin-hyeok turned to look at Na-eun as they conversed. Watching them interact so intimately, Eun-ju pressed the accelerator.
"Seatbelts on."
The car glided forward smoothly. After a brief silence, Eun-ju asked Jin-hyeok:
"You haven't gotten your license yet?"
"No."
"I have mine."
Na-eun chimed in from the backseat.
"A closet license [one that's never used]."
"Dad said he'd buy me a car if I get into college."
"We'll discuss that after you're accepted."
"Haha."
Their mundane conversation filled the car. Beneath the ordinary words, Eun-ju glanced at her daughter's reflection in the rearview mirror.
They entered the hotel's underground parking. A valet approached, and the three exited the car.
Entering the elevator, Jin-hyeok and Na-eun stood side by side at the front. Eun-ju positioned herself behind them. The pair whispered together, Na-eun's excited shoulders leaning toward Jin-hyeok's inclined head.
The floor numbers climbed steadily.
Hidden from Na-eun's view, Eun-ju's hand moved stealthily. Her fingertips brushed Jin-hyeok's back.
His shoulders stiffened momentarily. He started to glance back but quickly faced forward again as if nothing happened.
A faint smile touched Eun-ju's lips.
Her daughter stood mere steps away—one turn and she'd see everything. In this precarious space, Eun-ju's fingers trailed slowly down Jin-hyeok's back.
His posture grew increasingly rigid. Fear of being caught, yet unable to pull away—Eun-ju watched him endure it all quietly.
At this moment, only she knew whose touch was making Jin-hyeok hold his breath.
Not Na-eun.
Her smile deepened slightly.